Classic Eventing Nation

8 More Reasons to Never Let Eventers Make Scented Candles

By on Oct 25, 2016 9:00 am -

A few weeks ago we conducted a compelling thought experiment: What would a line of eventing-themed Yankee Candles look like? Perhaps, we proposed, something like this. (See also Horse Nation’s original post on the subject here.)

My sentimental favorite from the first batch.

My sentimental favorite from our first batch.

Of course, our readers chimed in with a few more ideas for very “distinct” equestrian scents. Using Yankee Candles’ custom label creator, we brought a few of your worst ideas to life! Get of whiff of these bad boys:

screen-shot-2016-10-23-at-11-09-38-am

screen-shot-2016-10-23-at-11-12-53-am

screen-shot-2016-10-24-at-8-13-26-am

screen-shot-2016-10-24-at-8-17-51-am

screen-shot-2016-10-24-at-8-02-51-am

screen-shot-2016-10-24-at-8-22-10-am

screen-shot-2016-10-24-at-8-33-11-am

And one more that we actually WOULD buy…

screen-shot-2016-10-24-at-8-27-26-am What scents would you add to the list? Tell us in the comments or create your own candle here!

Go Eventing.

 

Tuesday News & Notes from Cavalor

By on Oct 25, 2016 12:00 am -
The Sinead Halpin team goes for their first Ocala hack. Photo via Sinead on Facebook. The Sinead Halpin team goes for their first Ocala hack. Photo via Sinead on Facebook.

Can you believe it’s already time for the winter migration? I definitely can’t. But like it or not, wherever you look now, eventers are packing the rigs and heading south for the colder months, and Ocala is soon to be one of the most happening eventing hotspots once again. Having spent a few months in Ocala last year, I can definitely say that it’s worth the trip if you can swing it. Simply immersing yourself in the culture that eventers have adopted is a once in a lifetime experience, and I’m a bit envious of those who are making the trek again this year! Safe travels to all.

Events Closing Today:

River Glen Fall H.T. (TN, A-3),  Poplar Place Farm November H.T. (GA, A-3),  Texas Rose Horse Park Fall H.T. (TX, A-5), Full Moon Farms H.T. (MD, A-2)

News & Notes:

Do you have an older horse who is still competing? Taking care of our older companions is no small undertaking, as we want them to have the comfort and health that they deserve. On Thursday, October 27, The Horse will be hosting a live Q&A session with Ann Rashmir-Raven, DVM, of Michigan State University. Focusing on managing the older equine athlete, this webinar is sure to have some helpful tips. [Managing and Maintaining the Equine Athlete]

It’s just about time for Halloween, have you created your horse’s costume yet? Come on, you know you’ve got plenty of ideas stored up! No? Well, just in case, here are some great ideas for horse-y Halloween costumes. [Horse and Rider Halloween Costumes]

Our friends over at Noelle Floyd have picked Lauren Balcomb as one of the best-dressed riders at the trot-up at Fair Hill this year. Lucky for us, they’ve broken down exactly how to achieve her effortlessly chic look. How did they know eventers are fashion challenged? [Get the Look: Lauren Balcomb]

Weekly Business Tip from Mythic Landing Enterprises:

When putting together an e-blast, try to avoid just putting a .pdf or .jpg into the e-blast template, as this often makes it non-mobile compatible and limits the number of links you can include. If you decide to pay an outside company to send an e-blast, make sure that you are getting a custom design, and that there is a social share option so that readers can easily share your e-blast onto their social media outlets.

Tuesday Video:

Are you heading to southern California for Galway Downs this year? If you’re on the fence, check out this beautiful video featuring the best that Temecula Wine Country has to offer:

Monday Video from Tredstep Ireland: Hagyard Midsouth CCI* Helmet Cam

By on Oct 24, 2016 5:00 pm -

When it comes to cross country soundtracks, you can’t go wrong with the Rolling Stones. Well … m’kay, maybe if you’re being run off with, you should steer clear of “Wild Horses” (you ARE getting dragged away, sorry) but other than that, all good.

Lauren McDowell, of Georgetown, Kentucky, and Midas Aiko had a “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” worthy go around the Hagyard Midsouth CCI* cross country course on Saturday. The 8-year-old Thoroughbred gelding jumped clear with a bit of time.

“It was a really good weekend and a stellar last show,” Lauren says. “It was our goal event this year.”

“The course rode terrific and forward riding was rewarded. We also happened to clinch our first double clear stadium round at the one-star level, which was icing on the cake!”

Well-played, Lauren and “Toby”! Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

Go Eventing.

Midsouth CCI & H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Results] [EN Coverage]

Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event & Team Challenge Instagram Roundup

By on Oct 24, 2016 3:00 pm -

Happy horses and happy riders were out in force at the Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event and Team Challenge, which wrapped up yesterday at the Kentucky Horse Park. From the barns to the cross country course to the secretary’s office, here’s a sampling of your Instagram pics from the weekend that was — enjoy!

Midsouth CCI & H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Results] [EN Coverage]

thanks for bein u Willy, u rock

A photo posted by Sydney Hagaman (@hagamannn) on

Cats by 90 [penalties] #UKDET

A photo posted by Jessica Rose (@jessrose_xo_) on

I almost forgot how amazing and fun she is on course #UKDET #GoCats #hagyardmidsouth

A photo posted by Rachel Kiczuk (@rlkiczuk) on

Happiness ❤️

A photo posted by blpoland (@blpoland) on

SmartPak ‘Ask a Non-Rider’: Sleazy Sleepwear Part II

By on Oct 24, 2016 1:30 pm -

Non-rider SmartPakers say the darnedest things, and this edition of “Ask a Non-Rider” may be one of our favorites. Watch the non-riding employees at SmartPak try to figure out what Sleazy Sleepwear is for.

How many times have you brought a non-riding friend, family member or significant other to the barn or horse show and asked them to identify some random equestrian objects? We know we’ve all done it… but our friends at SmartPak are recording these moments for entertainment’s sake, and the results are pretty hilarious.

The non-riding employees at SmartPak are a patient bunch of folks, and we wholeheartedly applaud their willingness to participate in this video series. We also absolutely love the side-splitting suggestions they come up when faced with a Sleazy Sleepwear hood for horses. SmartPak already showed us Part I of this particular adventure, but we think they may have outdone even themselves with Part II:

“I kinda feel bad for the horses… they don’t have a choice in what they wear for pajamas.” Valid concern, my friend.

Need more “Ask a Non-Rider” in your life? Click here to open SmartPak’s full YouTube playlist for the series.

Go SmartPak, and go riding!

A Sneak Peek at the New Ocala Jockey Club Cross Country Courses

By on Oct 24, 2016 11:00 am -
One of the showcase pieces is a carved fish in the new water feature, masterfully carved to honor the involvement of Seminole heritage on the Ocala Jockey Club property, which served as the location of Fort Drane and neighbors a burial site of Chief Emathla. Photo courtesy of Ocala Jockey Club. One of the showcase pieces is a carved fish in the new water feature, masterfully carved to honor the involvement of Seminole heritage on the Ocala Jockey Club property, which served as the location of Fort Drane and neighbors a burial site of Chief Emathla. Photo courtesy of Ocala Jockey Club.

Everyone is looking forward to the unveiling of the Ocala Jockey Club’s new cross country courses, which are nearly ribbon-cutting ready in advance of the inaugural event.

The inaugural Ocala Jockey Club International 3-Day CIC 3*, CCI 2* and 1* Event, organized and promoted by Equiventures LLC, will be held over Thanksgiving weekend, November 24-27, in Reddick, Florida.

The CIC3* course was designed by Mike Etherington-Smith and the CCI1*/2* courses by Clayton Fredericks, all built out by Tyson Rementer and Levi Ryckewaert. The two grass dressage and show jumping arenas, designed by Richard Jeffery, are competition-ready. Rounding out the star-studded lineup is Alec Lochore, who will serve as Event Director.

The cross country design and build team. Photo courtesy of Ocala Jockey Club.

The cross country design and build team. Photo courtesy of Ocala Jockey Club.

Mike Etherington-Smith remarked, “The footing is looking fantastic, some of the best I have seen in the USA, well done to all.”

Tyson Rementer concurred, “Speaking for the cross-country course, I am very confident we are headed toward a top class course.”

By all accounts the OJC facility sounds lovely, featuring rolling hills and old-growth Spanish-moss-laden oak trees. The cross country course description from the event’s Omnibus listing notes, “The area for the courses is very much in a traditional English style park with mature trees and flowing lines. There is significant footing prep being undertaken to make it as good as possible. There will be two water fences, excellent viewing, and all the courses run through the newly developed main arena.”

One of the many new cross-country jump built onsite. Photo courtesy of Ocala Jockey Club.

One of the many new cross-country jump built onsite. Photo courtesy of Ocala Jockey Club.

The cross-country courses for CCI1*, CCI2* and CIC3* have been carefully improved and maintained over the last year. Photo courtesy of Ocala Jockey Club.

The cross-country courses for CCI1*, CCI2* and CIC3* have been carefully improved and maintained over the last year. Photo courtesy of Ocala Jockey Club.

The new main grass arena has been built with derby banks sloping up towards the clubhouse. Photo courtesy of Ocala Jockey Club.

The new main grass arena has been built with derby banks sloping up towards the clubhouse. Photo courtesy of Ocala Jockey Club.

The Ocala Jockey Club is a 924-acre property featuring multiple training barns, a Thoroughbred training track, rental town houses and a 9,700-square foot restaurant and event facility.

The cross-country courses wind over the miles of rolling hills of the farm, through the oak tree-studded parkland setting. Photo courtesy of Ocala Jockey Club.

The cross-country courses wind over the miles of rolling hills of the farm, through the oak tree-studded parkland setting. Photo courtesy of Ocala Jockey Club.

“It has taken a lot of great work by this outstanding design and build team over much of the past year, and a large capital commitment by OJC, to transform some 400 of our 924-acre Thoroughbred training farm into a world class eventing competition and special events venue,” said Ocala Jockey Club President and owner Pavla Nygaard. “We are thrilled with the results and looking forward to hosting the first of exciting future special events and competitions next month.”

The competition features a $100,000 prize pool, the largest ever for a CIC3* in North America, of which $15,000 will be awarded to top-placing Thoroughbreds as part of OJC’s desire to recognize and incentivize their post-racing careers. The closing date for entries is Nov. 8. Click here for entry status.

For more information on the Ocala Jockey Club and its inaugural event, visit www.ocalajc.com.

[New ‘Fantastic’ Ocala Jockey Club Cross Country Course Nearing Completion]

Fab Freebie: Equestrian Creations T-shirt of Your Choice

By on Oct 24, 2016 9:20 am -

We love spotlighting small businesses at EN, and this week we’re teaming up with Equestrian Creations to give one lucky reader a chance to win a unique T-shirt of your choice. Cassie Holmes combined her love of art and horses to launch her business last year, and since then has been bringing us fun designs like these:

Channel your inner boss mare! Photo via Equestrian Creations.

Channel your inner boss mare! Photo via Equestrian Creations.

The struggle is real! Photo via Equestrian Creations.

The struggle is real! Photo via Equestrian Creations.

Equestrian Creations also stocks some really cute options for kids!

Equestrian Creations also stocks some really cute options for kids!

For the barn baby in your life! Photo via Equestrian Creations.

For the barn baby in your life! Photo via Equestrian Creations.

Check out Cassie’s full line of clothing at www.equestriancreations.com, then enter to win the T-shirt of your choice using the Rafflecopter widget below. Entries close at midnight EST Friday. Good luck! Be sure to follow Equestrian Creations on Facebook to stay up to date on Cassie’s newest designs. Go Eventing.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: Information given in the Rafflecopter widget, including email addresses, may be shared with the corresponding sponsor at their request. You will also be signed up for our weekly EN eNews email newsletter, if you aren’t already. Don’t worry — you’ll just wonder what you’ve been missing out on — and you can unsubscribe if you don’t want it.

Monday News and Notes from Fleeceworks

By on Oct 24, 2016 12:32 am -
Myself, Comet, and Tom Holder. Photo by Melissa Beasley Rundt. Myself, Comet, and Tom Holder. Photo by Melissa Beasley Rundt.

One of the highlights of my weekend was getting to meet Becky Holder’s legendary Courageous Comet in person! After seeing the entry list for the schooling show at Southern 8ths Farm, I was kicking myself for sending my camera to the shop for servicing and knowing I wouldn’t get it back in time to take proper pictures of Comet and Becky’s husband Tom competing in the Starter division. But Comet is a horse I’ve taken tons of photos of over the years, and for the first time I got my photo taken with him! Becky and Tom were so sweet to humor Comet’s fans that scampered over to the trailer at the conclusion of the show to meet him. He’s a sweetheart horse who absolutely knows when it’s picture time (note the perfect tilt of the head and perfectly pricked ears). He also smells like baby powder. Call me starstruck!

#MDL16 Links: Website, 6YO Results, 7YO Results, EN’s Coverage

U.S. Weekend Action:

Waredaca H.T. & C3D [Website] [HT Results] [3Day Results]

Windermere Run H.T. [Website] [Results]

Pine Hill H.T. [Website] [Results]

Fresno County Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Results]

Midsouth CCI & H.T. [Website] [Results]

Monday News and Notes:

The new cross country course at the Ocala Jockey Club is nearing completion as we look ahead to the inaugural Thanksgiving horse trials, which will host a CIC3*, CCI2* and CCI*. Course designer Mike Etherington-Smith recently inspected the track and said the footing is “some of the best I have seen in the U.S.” Course builder Tyson Rementer said the team feels “very confident we are headed toward a top-class course.” [Cross Country Course Nearing Completion]

Lauren Balcomb was voted best dressed lady by EN readers at the Fair Hill International Horse Trials first horse inspection earlier this month. Her simple but elegant and sophisticated outfit complimented her chestnut Guido Hatzis perfectly and together they made quite a statement. If you need some inspiration for your next trip down the jog lane or simply want to “get the look,” click the link! [Noelle Floyd Style]

The Irish Sport Horse Studbook has dominated the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses rankings since the rankings were established in 1994. Since then the Irish have topped the rankings 21 times, including this year. The highest ranking individual Irish Sport Horse for the year just happened to be Olympic Bronze medalist, Mighty Nice, bred by William Kells in Cavan. [Irish Sport Horse Studbook tops World Eventing Rankings for 2016]

Laura Kraut and Nouvelle took home their first major win at Tryon International Equestrian Center placing atop the $130,000 1.50m Suncast® Welcome CSI 5*, surpassing a jump-off of eleven combinations in a class of 55 initial entries who tested the first round track set by Anthony D’Ambrosio. [Jumper Nation: Laura Kraut and Nouvelle Capture $130k Five-Star Opener at Tryon]

Weekly Business Tip from Mythic Landing Enterprises: When putting together an e-blast, you will want to include links wherever you can. Your e-blast needs to have all of the information that the reader needs, as people tend to lose interest if it takes too much effort to sign up for an activity. With that said, your contact information should also be easy to find in case someone does have a question.


Michael Willham and Lauren Kieffer Top Long-Format Divisions at Hagyard Midsouth

By on Oct 23, 2016 9:00 pm -
Photo by Photography In Stride.

Photo by Photography In Stride.

The final day of the Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event and Team Challenge wrapped up on possibly one of the most beautiful fall days of the year. The sun shone and although the wind was a bit strong (who needs standing plants or timers in show jumping right?) horses were content to jump around while an array of spectators were out watching the event with excitement.

Once the Training horse trials concluded, the Preliminary Three-Day competitors arrived on the scene for show jumping. The show jump course once again proved to be extremely difficult, leaving two riders eliminated and only one finishing double clear.

The winner of the P3D was Michael Willham and Fernhill Cayenne on a 28.6. Michael and the Irish Sport Horse led from start to finish and while they added 1.2 time penalties on endurance day, they were the only pair in the division to have a fault free show jump round, locking in the win. Everyone was grinning ear to ear when he jumped the last fence and threw his arms around Fernhill Cayenne. This team sure deserved this win. They obviously have a special bond and we are excited to see where they go in the future.

Second place went to Lee Camiolo and Caharron VE. They finished on a 33.1 with just one unfortunate rail in an otherwise lovely show jump round. Quite an impressive placement for a young rider only 17 years old on such a big track.

To take third was Arden Wildasin on Kineo. They moved up from fourth to third after endurance day, and just one rail down today kept their placement and a final score of 38.1. Finishing the three-day was quite an accomplishment for any of the riders as only five out of ten of the riders completed the event.

Awards were presented by none other then the legendary Bruce Davidson, who gave each rider a deserving handshake upon receiving their ribbons.

The Training Three-Day had an impressive total of 45 entries. The scores were extremely tight throughout the class, with every rider who attempted cross country completing. A rail or two was a huge game changer for any rider, dropping them nearly ten placings in some instances and double clean rounds were greatly rewarded.

The ultimate winners were Lauren Kieffer and LNDMK’s Mochachino, a pair that recently finished sixth in the USEA East Coast 5-Year-Old Young Event Horse Championships at Fair Hill International. They entered the ring at the Kentucky Horse Park as the overnight leaders. Not a sound was uttered as everyone watched their show jumping round after several riders had been adding rails. Lauren and Mochachino had one to spare but delivered a clear round regardless. They finished on their dressage score of 23.8.

Lauren Kieffer and Landmark's Mochachino. Photo by Photography In Stride.

Lauren Kieffer and Landmark’s Mochachino. Photo by Photography In Stride.

The second place finisher was Alexandra Knowles and Ms. Poppins. They finished on their dressage score of 29.3, breaking a tie with Hannah Hubsch having finished closer to the optimum time on cross country. A clean show jumping round was a great finish for Allie on her home turf of the Kentucky Horse Park.

Hannah Hubsch and Ashbourne’s Boss also finished on their dressage score of 29.3. This pair had a lovely and very well ridden show jump round that kept them in the running with the Rolex veterans on top.

Alexandra Knowles and Ms. Poppins. Photo by Photography In Stride.

Alexandra Knowles and Ms. Poppins. Photo by Photography In Stride.

Along with the three days and CCI* running this weekend there was also a standard horse trial running as a team challenge. Scores were combined between riders on a team and were then placed by who had the lowest combined score. Teams 1-3 were rewarded each with a neck sash, and winners of their divisions received an engraved leather halter.

Congratulations to the following winning teams!

Preliminary: Team Midwest Mishmash with riders Buck Davidson, Erin Nelson and Molly Doan

Training: Team Generation Gap with riders Julia Davies, Brynna Gang, Matt Trynoski and Jennifer Bazan

Novice: Team Sock Monkies of Pendragon with riders Cora Severs, Noa Crowley, Ava Severs and Jennifer Dougherty.

Beginner Novice: Team Area 8 YR Smarties with riders Quinn Foor, Lauren Mansky, Mellissa Granzier and Acadia Hansen.

Congratulations to all riders on a fantastic weekend at Hagyard Midsouth 2016!

Midsouth CCI & H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Results] [EN Coverage]

screen-shot-2016-10-23-at-8-36-54-pm

screen-shot-2016-10-23-at-8-32-13-pm

Sunday Helmet Cam: Ratatouille’s CCI* Debut

By on Oct 23, 2016 3:30 pm -

Nicolette Merle-Smith and her mother Rosemarie’s 9-year-old Trakehner gelding made their CCI* debut this weekend at the Hagyard Midsouth 3-Day Event and Team Challenge at the Kentucky Horse Park. They scored 56.7 in dressage, then stormed around the cross country course with confident accuracy. Their double-clear round moved them up 19 places in the standings, and a fault-free show jumping round yesterday resulted in an 18th place finish in the CCI*-A division out of 50 starters.

This is a special result as Nicolette took Ratatouille to his first Beginner Novice event in 2013 and brought him up the levels herself.

“I cannot believe that just 3 years ago, he was still getting nappy to leave the start box, not wanting to leave his friends at beginner novice. I have never been eliminated so much on one horse, but I knew he was worth it,” Nicolette said. “All my time and effort with this difficult grandson of Abdullah has paid off. Intermediate is in the near future!”

Well done Nicolette and Ratatouille on your well-deserved finish!

Midsouth CCI & H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores / Results]