Classic Eventing Nation

Elisa Wallace Leads Eventing Division at RRP’s Thoroughbred Makeover

By on Oct 29, 2016 9:00 am -
Henri and Elisa competing at a schooling event earlier in the year. Screenshot via YouTube.

Henri and Elisa competing at a schooling event earlier in the year. Screenshot via YouTube.

Elisa Wallace and her recently acquired Off The Track Thoroughbred Heron’s Waltz (Henri) dominated the first phase of the 2016 Thoroughbred Makeover contest being held at the Kentucky Horse Park. They lead a pack of 65 stellar Thoroughbreds and will return for a finale event today at 11:30 a.m. local time (ET). You can watch the finale live via the free livestream from the TCA Arena. [Livestream Link]

The Eventing Phase format requires a dressage test first, followed by a scored jumping test which combines both stadium and cross country obstacles, as well as a galloping test. The horses are judged on rhythm, straightness, carefulness, bravery, form over fences, and rideability and efficiency of gallop. Rather than converting dressage scores to penalty points, the dressage percentage and jumping score are added together, and high scores win.

The top three horses in the division are invited back for the finale event where they will demonstrate flatwork and jump work in the covered arena with a sizeable audience and get a shot a major glory.

Elisa and Henri scored a solid dressage score of 66.447, but catapulted to the lead with the highest jump score of the day, a 157.5 out of a possible 180 points. Henri is a 2010 gelding who had 32 starts on the track, earning just shy of $60,000 in his career. He also took sixth place in the freestyle division of the Makeover this week.

Cathy Wieschhoff holds both second and third going into the finale event aboard her two mounts, Speed Rail and Title Contender. Speed Rail was one of only three horses to break into the 150s in the jumping phase, in addition to Henri and Sabrina Morris’s Smash and Grab, who finished in fifth place. Speed Rail was a Stakes Placed horse with 17 starts and nearly $100k in winnings.

Title Contender is a Pulpit baby who once sold at the Keeneland auction for $310,000 and made back that money and more in his racing career. He had 27 starts, 7 wins, and multiple Stakes Race wins. And now he’s got a shot at winning in a new discipline!

Admirably, in a sea of professional trainers, a junior rider and amateur managed to break into the top ten. Junior Macy Beach and her partner The Muckratary scored a 61.448 in dressage and a 146.25 in jumping to finish in eighth place overall. The Muckratary is a five-year-old mare who was last raced at the end of 2014.

Julie Nelson and Riding the Tide were the highest-placed amateur pair, taking ninth place. The four-year-old gelding’s last race was almost exactly a year ago today, and he won over $10,000 in eight starts.

The Thoroughbred Makeover features contests in several disciplines, as well as training workshops, demonstrations, and meetup events.  Elisa Wallace will be giving the Eventing Demonstration Sunday morning, talking training and methodology alongside talented riders and legends from many other disciplines. If you’re on-site, don’t miss it!

2016 Thoroughbred Makeover Results/Scores – All Discplines, Schedule, EN Coverage

Eventing Division Top 15:

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Saturday Links from Tipperary

By on Oct 29, 2016 12:01 am -
New jumps lookin' fly for when WFP rolls in to Dragonfire today! New jumps lookin' fly for when WFP rolls in to Dragonfire today!

Big time shenanigans on the West Coast this weekend! William Fox Pitt is at Dragonfire Farm today and tomorrow. Immediately afterward, he heads south to Copper Meadows for two more clinic days there. To say that we’re a bit excited is an understatement. Even though it’s supposed to be a fairly wet weekend in Northern California, it certainly won’t stop the lucky few who have managed to score a spot in the clinic from enjoying this once in a lifetime opportunity. Despite the fact that my mare and I have been in Slacker Mode for a while now (has it been a year already?) I am looking forward to watching and absorbing as much as I can this weekend. Time to go make a thermos of hot chocolate and make sure I have enough space on my iPhone to record everything.

NOTE: The second half of the William Fox-Pitt clinic was previously set to be held at Sweet Oaks Ranch, but has been moved to Copper Meadows. Per the organizers, tickets and ride times will be honored as previously listed. 

U.S. Weekend Action:

Viriginia CCI/CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Holly Hill Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

Saturday Links:

Local Pony Club remembers Roger Haller at Memorial Schooling Show

Virginia Horse Center welcomes over 500 horses at Fall CCI/CIC and Horse Trials

Aus3de: Exploring the highs and lows of equestrian eventing

Florida venue taking shape for highly rated eventing competition

USDF Announces Newly Certified Instructors

From HorseNation: Slaughter bound horses survive trailer wreck and get a second chance

Saturday Video:

On the off chance your horse gives a hairy eyeball to those emojis at Dragonfire, here’s how WFP recommends you deal with a spook!

 

Jessica Phoenix & Phillip Dutton Top Two-Star Leaderboards at Virginia

By on Oct 28, 2016 9:00 pm -
Jessica Phoenix and Humble GS. Photo by Brant Gamma Photography.

Jessica Phoenix and Humble GS. Photo by Brant Gamma Photography.

It’s been a busy day at Virginia Horse Trials, where more than 500 horses are competing during what has been a picture-perfect weekend so far in Lexington — sunny skies, unseasonably warm temperatures and hardly a cloud in the sky.

All eyes are on the inaugural CCI2* division, which Jessica Phoenix and Humble GS lead after the first phase of competition. The 10-year-old Trakehner/Canadian Sport Horse stallion owned by Charlotte Schickedanz scored a 51.4 to set the early bar and ultimately hold the lead overnight.

Lindsay Kelley and Cooley Cruise Control scored 51.8 to sit in second place, just 0.4 penalties out of the lead. Ariel Grald and Monbeg Nola and Kelly Beaver and Sempre Fino are tied for third place on 52.3.

The CIC* and CIC2* divisions completed both dressage and show jumping today. Mara DePuy and Congo Brazzaville C led the division of 38 starters after dressage on a score of 46.4, but one rail down in show jumping dropped them to fourth place at the end of the day.

Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Revelation. Photo by Brant Gamma Photography.

Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Revelation. Photo by Brant Gamma Photography.

That opened the door for Phillip Dutton to move into first place with Fernhill Revelation, who jumped double clear to move into first place on his dressage score of 47.9. “Warren,” a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by the Revelation Group, is a newer rider for Phillip, having come to the U.S. this fall as a former three-star ride of Irish rider Fraser Duffy.

“He was a little bit tense in the dressage, so he left a few points there, but he couldn’t have show jumped any better,” Phillip said. “He arrived from Ireland a bit late in the season to get ready for Fair Hill, so instead our idea was to do horse trials with him and then the CIC2* here at Virginia. He’ll stay in work through the winter and in February of next year he should be ready to hit the ground running.”

Hannah Sue Burnett and Cooley Dream moved from fourth to second in the CIC2*, sitting on their dressage score of 47.9 after jumping a clear round inside the time. Phillip also jumped a clear round with David Garrett’s Corazon to move from fifth to third place on 49.7.

Fast and clear rounds were scarce in the CIC2*, with only six horse and rider combinations finishing Chris Barnard’s course clear and inside the time. In addition to Phillip and Hannah’s rides, just three other pairs delivered double clears: Boyd Martin and Kyra (11th), Alexandra MacLeod and Newmarket Jack (17th), and Tim Bourke and LVS Dassett Charisma (18th).

Cornelia Dorr and Louis M. Photo by Brant Gamma Photography.

Cornelia Dorr and Louis M. Photo by Brant Gamma Photography.

Looking to the CCI*, Kim Severson and Ringford Fighting Chance lead the A division on 40.6, with Lucia Strini and MTF Cooley Classic in second on 41.8 and Ryan Wood and Shannondale Percy in second on 42.5.

Cornelia Dorr and Louis M lead the CCI* B division on 40.2, the best score between the two divisions. Olivia Grabaskas and Mansfield Park sit second on 43.5, with Amanda Beale Clement and Celtic Heritage rounding out the top three on 45.0.

Preliminary and Intermediate kicked off the 2016 Area II Championships today. Rachel Wilks leads the Open Preliminary Championships with Great Expectations, scoring 27.4 to take the narrow lead over Erin Sylvester and Mister Optimistic.

“He’s quite fun on the flat and makes my job easy,” Rachel said. “He did a few Prelims in England, and I’ve just been getting to know him. I’m bringing him along with my other horse (River King) and enjoying it.”

Rachel is hoping to aim for a one-star with Great Expectations in the spring but feels in no rush to move him up. “He’s a nice horse and I want to give him the best opportunities to go well,” she said. “We will see how cross country goes tomorrow. If I give him a good, confident ride and ride him well he should go well. It looks like it will be a good course.”

The Beginner Novice, Novice and Training Championships begin tomorrow, and cross country will run on both sides of the road on what is sure to be an action-packed day. Be sure to follow Virginia Horse Trials on Facebook for photos and updates throughout the event. Go Eventing!

[Jessica Phoenix, Phillip Dutton Take Two-Star Leads at Virginia Horse Trials CCI/CIC and HT]

Virginia CCI/CIC & H.T. Links: Website, Entry Status, Live Scores

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Flashback Friday Video from World Equestrian Brands: We Dare You To Have More Fun at VHT Than THIS

By on Oct 28, 2016 1:30 pm -

No one before, and no one since, has had more fun on the Virginia Horse Trials cross country course than Mellisa Warden and her OTTB Cantilator (Delineator – Charla, by Taj Alriyadh). It was 2010 and the pair was contesting the CCI1*. Not only did they come home clear with just the tiniest sliver of time, they clearly had a blast — which was apparent to everyone within earshot!

The great Buzzterbrown captured the moment on film, commenting, “Maybe it was because the rain had just stopped, but Mellisa’s exuberant trip through the pond on Cantilator stuck out as one of my favorite rides of the day at the 2010 VHT CCI* in Lexington. Maybe it’s just because I like horses splashing through water in slo-mo high def. Maybe it’s just that Mellisa made us all laugh.”

The 2016 edition of VHT is upon us, and here’s wishing all its competitors the sort of ride that makes you want to shout from rooftops!

Go Eventing.

Virginia CCI/CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

#EventerProblems Vol. 94: Winter Is Coming

By on Oct 28, 2016 11:00 am -

Go ahead and unpack those cozy sweaters, admire the cascading leaves, bask in the brilliant glow of late autumn. Soak up the season while you can because we’ve got bad news for you, suckers: The end is nigh.

All around the Eventing Nation, readers have been seeing the signs, heeding the omens and ‘Gramming ominous proof that winter is just around the corner. Here’s a sampling of the struggles that lie ahead.

The joys of blanketing …

I’d feel bad for her if it wasn’t her own damn fault #why #badgoldie #getwrecked #eventerproblems #horseproblems

A photo posted by Rachel Healey (@rrachhealey) on

#eventerproblems #horseproblems #heonlyworeittwice #rip

A photo posted by Sydney Wells (@sydneymolly) on

The shortening of days …

Running out of daylight #teacherproblems #eventerproblems #amateurproblems

A photo posted by Sara Gartland (@sagartland) on

The lengthening of coats …

It’s that time of year… #clipping #ithasbegun #fall #eventerproblems

A photo posted by Thompson Equestrian (@athompsonequestrian) on

Mixing accounting work and horse clipper repairs. #equestrianproblems #eventerproblems

A photo posted by Helen Donnell (@helendonnell) on

The mud …

And so it begins ❄️☂️ #winteriscoming #muddy #eventingnation #horsesofinstagram #goeventing #eventerproblems #puremichigan

A photo posted by Renee Sternhagen (@renee.a.sternhagen) on

Stadium will be interesting at the mini trial tomorrow #eventerproblems #equestrian #fallishere

A photo posted by allikazoo (@allikazoo) on

The cold …

Hang in there, fellow eventers. It will all be over soon (“soon” being a very, very loose term).

What’s YOUR problem? Tweet it, Instagram it or share it on Facebook with the hashtag #EventerProblems for inclusion in the next edition of this series.

Go Eventing.

Erik Duvander Stepping Down as New Zealand Team Coach

By on Oct 28, 2016 7:15 am -
Erik Duvander at the Puhinui International Three Day Event. Photo by Libby Law Photography. Erik Duvander at the Puhinui International Three Day Event. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

After spending the past 10 years as High Performance Coach of the New Zealand Eventing Team, Erik Duvander will step down from the role at the end of this month, Equestrian Sports New Zealand announced yesterday.

“Like all Olympic sports, we are currently in the process of a review and debrief,” ESNZ High Performance Director Sarah Dalziell-Clout said. “As a part of that we are looking at our programme from an end-to-end perspective to continue to develop what has already been put in place and to make those changes required to ensure future sustainable success on the world stage.”

Erik coached the Kiwis to team bronze medals at both the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington and the 2012 London Olympic Games. Andrew Nicholson and Nereo also won individual bronze at the 2010 WEG during Erik’s coaching tenure.

Jesse Campbell posted a message of thanks to Erik on his Facebook page: “Certainly the end of a great era. Erik has been a massive influence in my career for the past 14 years and has really helped guide me through the bad times and the good. I will always be grateful to him for restoring my confidence after the most difficult introduction to English life.

“He has never been afraid to tell me exactly how he sees something and pulled me into line on several occasions, but at the same time was completely supportive of me and my horses. Rain, hail or shine, he would always be there and give 100 percent of himself. I wish him all the best for the future. We have been really lucky to have you.”

The news of Erik’s departure comes soon after the announcement that Jock Paget is leaving the UK to move home to New Zealand, where he will take up the new role of ESNZ High Performance Development Coach in February.

A timeline has not yet been announced for ESNZ to name a new High Performance Coach for the New Zealand Eventing Team. Our friends at NZ Horse & Pony Magazine spoke to Sarah Dalziell-Clout about the process for finding a new coach, which you can read about here.

[ESNZ High Performance Coach to take a new direction]

 

Friday News & Notes from Nupafeed

By on Oct 28, 2016 12:03 am -
Missy Miller & Limited Edition at the VAHT jogs yesterday. Photo courtesy of the VAHT Fb Page.

Missy Miller & Limited Edition at the VAHT jogs yesterday. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld, courtesy of the VAHT Facebook Page.

The Virginia Horse Trials will forever be my “hometown” event, even though I live over the mountain from the Horse Center. The Virginia Horse Center is where I did my very first unrecognized eventing competitions as a wee child on a variety of naughty ponies, and where I really learned the passion for cross country. I grew up riding on the kind of terrain you find at this event, so I always thought, what’s the big deal? And then I grew up and started riding at events where mountains aren’t included in your course, and realized why other people find it so daunting. The terrain at VAHT is part of the glory though, and it will always remain one of my favorite rollercoaster rides to partake in.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Viriginia CCI/CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Holly Hill Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

News From Around the Globe:

We live and breathe the half halt in Eventing, on a number of levels, however it’s not something that an OTTB is familiar with immediately. Without the half halt, you basically can’t do anything in any of the phases, so it’s important to introduce it and explain it properly to your little ex-racehorse. Upper level rider Whitney Weston operates Southern Pines Riding School in addition to helping many OTTBs find second careers, and speaks about how she integrates understanding of the half halt into her training system. [Introducing the Half Halt to Your OTTB]

Alice Dunsdon’s four-star partner Fernhill Present is recovering from an emergency surgery following an unlikely accident while out fox hunting this week. Hilly and Alice were out hunting when he slipped going through a gate and his hind end went into a ditch. He had only a small cut on his hind fetlock, but it turned out to have gone right into the joint and caused an infection. Quick action and surgery has assured Hilly a good recovery, and more four stars in his future. This pair has completed five of the world’s six four stars together. [Popular 4* Horse Recovering from Surgery]

Are you ready for the winter months? EN blogger Emily Daignault-Salvaggio gave us all a comprehensive guide of things to get done before the snow and ice set upon us for months to come. Seriously, its a list to end all lists, so grab some tea and have a seat. [Ultimate Guide To Winter Preparedness]

Hot on Horse Nation: 10 Horses Sticky Like Velcro

You know how those little details in a barn make a big difference but you wouldn’t notice until you have them? This Safe-T Salt Block Holder is one of those things that you don’t know you love until you have it in your barn. The barn where I work got them for all the stalls and I just can’t tell you how cool they are. Plastic with a solid backing, they don’t rot your walls with salty saliva goo, they don’t rust like the regular holders do, and they’re sleek and handsome when you mount them on the wall. When you have an aggressive salt licker, the salt doesn’t disintegrate and fall on the floor because this little beauty holds it all in. You gotta get you some. [SmartPak Product of the Day]

Throwing it back six years….

More Than 500 Horses to Compete at Virginia Horse Trials

By on Oct 27, 2016 7:20 pm -
Boyd Martin and Kyra were the first of over 500 horses to head down centerline at Virginia Horse Trials. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld. Boyd Martin and Kyra were the first of over 500 horses to head down centerline at Virginia Horse Trials. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The Virginia Horse Trials CCI/CIC got started today with the First Horse Inspection for the CCI* and CCI2* divisions. With nearly 550 horses entered in the CCI*, CCI2*, CIC2*, Area II Championships, Beginner Novice through Intermediate horse trials and an Adult Team Challenge, we’re in for a very busy weekend!

“We are thrilled with the turnout for this year’s fall event. We have about 50 more entries than we did this time last year and it’s great to see the event growing and a positive response to the new CCI2*,” VHT organizer Andy Bowles said in a statement. “A lot is going on between the FEI classes, the Adult Team Challenge and the Area II Championships, but we have a great staff here to help everything run smoothly and we are looking forward to a great event.”

Missy Miller and Limited Edition at the CCI* First Horse Inspection. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Missy Miller and Limited Edition at the CCI* First Horse Inspection. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Boyd Martin was first down the centerline today, competing Christine Turner’s Kyra in the CIC2*. Boyd has a total of eight horses competing at VHT this weekend, including two in the CCI2*. Having missed Fair Hill International while competing at the Pau CCI4* in France earlier this month, Boyd said he was glad to have another fall CCI2* to aim for. Hosting a CCI2* for the first time this weekend, VHT is now one of only three fall CCI2* events on the East Coast besides Fair Hill and the new Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event in Florida on Thanksgiving weekend.

“The venue is well suited to a CCI. It’s a big open space with undulating country and the jumping and dressage is always top notch here,” Boyd said. “(The entries) are impressive and it goes to show how strong the sport of eventing is in America at the moment. I’m excited to be a part of it.”

VHT has posted a ton of photos on Facebook today, giving us a peak at the cross country courses designed by John Nicholson (NZL) and John Michael Durr as well as some shots from the First Horse Inspection.

Also, the planets aligned for not one, not two, but THREE EN writers to be on site at the event at the same time (cheer on Jenni and Wylie, who are competing, too!), so look forward to tons of content to come from Virginia Horse Trials.

[Virginia Horse Center Welcomes Over 500 Horses at Fall CCI/CIC and Horse Trials]

Virginia CCI/CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

Thursday Video: CGI Horse Demo

By on Oct 27, 2016 3:00 pm -

How do the magicians who create CGI movies “build” horses? Like you might imagine, they start with the skeleton and work their way out!

I’ll admit that I was a child of the animated Disney generation — my heart will forever belong to the good old-fashioned line drawings, from the white Arabians galloping across the desert in Aladdin to the drafty Phillipe of Beauty and the Beast and the noble and loyal Khan of Mulan.

That said, this step-by-step breakdown on how a CGI horse is “built” is pretty amazing, and if this video doesn’t earn your respect for the intense job of the CGI artist we don’t know what will:

Amazing! The horse isn’t built from the ground up, but the skeleton out. From a lay perspective, this looks like a ton of work just to create one horse — and a CGI movie might include thousands of moving parts! We find this video so hypnotizing we might watch it more than once.

Tamie Smith’s Three-Star Mount Twizted Syster Sold to the UK

By on Oct 27, 2016 11:00 am -
Tamie Smith and Twizted Syster at Boekelo. Photo by Leslie Wylie. Tamie Smith and Twizted Syster at Boekelo. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Tamie Smith announced this morning that her three-star mount Twizted Syster has been sold to the UK as a new ride for Rafael Losano, a 19-year-old Brazilian eventer who works for Mark Todd.

“It is not without sadness to be saying farewell to one of the most talented horses I have ever ridden,” Tamie said on the Next Level Eventing Facebook page. “She has the biggest heart and the sweetest personality. It makes it easier to leave seeing how happy she was in England, the best she’s ever felt, and I will miss her more than words.”

Tamie originally took the ride on Twizted Syster, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare, in 2013 when Heather Morris discovered that the mare suffered from severe allergies at her former base in Texas. “Chloe” moved to California, where her allergies were a non-issue, and the Twizted Syster LLC Syndicate officially acquired the mare in October 2014.

Tamie Smith and Twizted Syster. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Tamie Smith and Twizted Syster at Fair Hill. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Tamie and Chloe enjoyed top placings at the CIC2*, CCI2* and CIC3* levels during their partnership together, included placing second in the Rebecca Farm CCI2* and fifth in the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International CCI2* in 2014.

Chloe placed 10th this season at the Rebecca Farm CIC3* before heading to the UK in August for Tamie’s European tour. She most recently finished fourth in the CIC2* at Gatcombe Park last month and also competed at Blenheim and Boekelo.

Rafael Losano moved from Brazil to the UK last year and has successfully competed his top mount Glock Pullman through the two-star level, most recently finishing sixth in the CCIY2* at Houghton Hall in May.

U.S. readers might have spotted Rafael and Glock Pullman in Florida last year when they competed at the Rocking Horse Spring Horse Trials and the Ocala Horse Properties International Three-Day Festival of Eventing on their way from Brazil to the UK.

We wish Rafael and Chloe the best of luck in their new partnership together.