Classic Eventing Nation

Wednesday News & Notes from Ocala Horse Properties

By on Jan 3, 2024 12:01 am -

Since Benedictus WS – AKA ‘the checkered horse’ – took to the center line at the U.S. Dressage Finals in Kentucky a couple of months ago, I’ve been ‘checking’ out the plethora of creative clip jobs popping up on social media. As well as the drip effect more commonly seen on cakes, above, I’ve spotted giraffes and zebras, cappuccinos and superheroes, and perhaps appropriately for the beginning of a new year, a whole horse dedicated to the signs of the zodiac:

Whatever your chosen style, go eventing.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Sporting Days Farm January Horse Trials I (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Wednesday News and Reading

New year, new job? 5* eventer Kirsty Chabert is looking for a Head Girl/Lad. Find out how to apply.

It’s always a good time to learn from the experts of our sport, which is why it’s worth (re)sharing this throwback article from a clinic with Andreas Dibowski. He talks about the rider’s role in giving their horse the responsibility to get the stride right, developing trust between horse and rider, and how to remain balanced in order to support our horses to be their best – some things to work on as we wait for eventing to kick off in the spring.

I have to admit, my dream of owning a horse doesn’t quite match the reality. Call me naive, but for me, the biggest draw of having my own horse was riding. Don’t get me wrong, I love taking care of him – yep, I even relish my daily fight persuading the ancient wheelbarrow up the impossibly tall muck heap, and poop picking in the dark. What I didn’t realize was that, on top of my responsibilities to my family and other animals, not to mention work, and now my daily horse chores, finding time to ride is like, really hard. Turns out, I’m not alone.

In this interesting insight into the world of cloning, The Washington Post speaks to renowned polo player Adolfo Cambiaso, whose late champion mare was represented on both teams at the Argentine Polo Championship last year in the form of her clones. There’s also an in-depth look inside a horse cloning lab and a visit to the farms where surrogate mares give birth to the next big thing in Argentinian polo breeding. There are obviously ethical questions raised, considerations over the use of clones in competition, and concerns about the long-term risks, not to mention the fact that there are plans for the world’s first genetically modified horse to be born next year.

California State University has teamed up with Wild Horse Fire Brigade to create a five-year fellowship studying wild horses. The aim is to provide education about wild herds in an effort to improve the management of them, and, as well as busting some popular myths and misconceptions, this article provides some interesting links to research demonstrating the benefits America’s wild horses have on the environment, disease control and fighting wildfires. You can find out more about the Wild Horse Fire Brigade here.

If you’re resolved to be more sustainable this year, check out these 50 ways to upcycle your old feed sacks. Number 50 sure came in handy for my New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Sponsor Corner

Let’s talk goals- specifically, goal setting. If you’re not SMART about what your goals are, you’re not setting yourself up for success. Take a look at how to set some SMART goals, equestrian style.

Video Break

The more I do yoga and the more I ride, the more I realize how the two are mutually beneficial, not just in bodily terms, but in the way I connect with my horse, the accuracy of my aids, the power of intention when working with horses… I could go on and on. I do fitness and strength work too, because they’re good for me and help me to improve my yoga and riding, but it’s the yoga and riding that do the most good for all of me. (Please do notice the not so subtle link between yoga and riding I’m unashamedly making here.)

As it’s International Mind-Body Wellness Day today, I’m taking the opportunity to share a yoga for equestrians video created by 5* eventer Emily Hamel. Along with Dr. Tyler Held – writer of EN’s Between the Ears series, Emily hosts The Whole Equestrian podcast – “bridging the gap between riding and wellness”.

And if you’re on board with the whole yoga and riding thing, Adriene Mishler’s annual (totally free) 30 days of yoga is happening on her Yoga with Adriene YouTube channel.

Don’t Miss Michael Pollard on the Equestrian Voices Podcast

By on Jan 2, 2024 2:00 pm -

Here at EN, we’re big fans of one Michael Pollard, who quietly took leave from the sport for almost a decade before recently deciding to get back into horses, in some capacity at least. Michael took some time to sit down with Equestrian Voices podcast host Caroline Culbertson, diving into everything that happened in the most recent years of his eventing career, what matters the most to him, and how horses have saved him time and time again.

It’s a truly vulnerable interview you definitely won’t want to miss. If you prefer to listen in traditional podcast form, you can find the episode online here.

Two Riders Awarded C Square Farm – Excel Star Sporthorses Amateur Scholarships

By on Jan 2, 2024 12:00 pm -

5* rider Courtney Cooper, of C Square Farm and Excel Star Sporthorses, announced late last year an excellent opportunity for amateur riders to come and train with her throughout this year. After receiving dozes of applications, Micki McDaniel and Jen Clapp have been selected as the inaugural winners for this scholarship.

Both winners will receive board for themselves and one horse for a total of 7 days in 2024, including daily lessons on their horses, and the possibility to ride other horses and coaching at an event if they choose to compete while working with Courtney.

Here’s a bit about each winner:

Micki McDaniel and Magic Artist. Photo courtesy of Micki McDaniel.

Micki McDaniel owns Magic Artist, an Irish Sport Horse mare.

Magic and Micki have been partners for 7 years and have competed successfully at T and M/T levels. They live outside of Lexington, KY, and Micki grew up in pony club and has been eventing for many years. Micki adds, “We are looking forward to working with Courtney on our goals of making a comeback after a rough year for them in 2023, and moving up to M in the near future.”

Jen Clapp and Sidamo de Brio. Photo by Joan Davis / Flatlandsfoto.

Jen Clapp owns Sidamo de Brio, aka Muggsy, a Connemara/Oldenburg cross gelding

Jen teaches high school English at an urban school just outside Boston, where she has worked for over 25 years. She has ridden all her life, but discovered Eventing while working at the Stoneleigh-Burnham School; her first event was at Kent School in 1992 and she has been a dedicated eventer ever since. She lives on a small farm with her husband, three cats, and a couple of horses. She has owned Muggsy for three years. Jen notes “He has the best brain of any horse I’ve ever had!”

“We look forward to hosting both Micki and Jen and hope everyone will follow along on their adventures,” Courtney wrote in the winner announcement. We’ll be catching up with both scholarship recipients throughout their time with Courtney, so stay tuned for more here on EN!

On Mentors and the Horses Who Do It For Us

By on Jan 2, 2024 9:30 am -

Beez and her kid, Jemma. Photo by Christine Quine Photography.

I can remember exactly the moment I realized I was asking a lot of my horse.

We were at Bruce’s Field on a Tuesday in February for jumper rounds. In the winter, in Aiken, this is the place to be. I was getting ready to make my third start at Prelim at Jumping Branch Farm, following a successful run at Pine Top Modified. I was there for a week of training with my best friends, and the inimitable Courtney Cooper held my Adult Amateur hand. Kim Severson, heroine and Olympian, was on the rail watching (I’m sure she has no memory of this—sorry for using names, Kim). Beezie, my mare of a lifetime, was clocking around the schooling jumper course, and we came around a corner to fence 7, and there was NOTHING there.

I saw nothing. I saw China, and I saw underneath the jump, and I did exactly zero things to fix it. And so Beezie slid very safely to a stop, taking the whole 1.10m oxer down. Ms Severson, from the rail, opined “That’s my fault, I had just said it was going so well.” I replied, laughing, “It happens to everyone,” and thought, “oh my goddess, that’s big.”

I came around to it again, and finished the course. Afterward, Courtney said to me, “You have to make a decision because these jumps are big for her!” I did the course a second time, made a choice, and it was perfect. ut at that moment, I realized, these jumps are big —- FOR HER. Not necessarily that they’re that big objectively -— I was a high jumper in college, and jumped two feet higher than that on my own two feet; the Advanced horses jump a foot higher; the grand prix jumpers jump 50cm higher! — but 1.10m is at the top of her ability.

Photo by Christine Quinn Photography.

She was doing this FOR ME — not because it was something she wanted to do, or something she could do easily, but because our relationship is so strong, that she did it because I asked.

We went around Jumping Branch that weekend clean and finished 4th, winning the TIP award. It was truly one of my best days in the sport. I made a couple of other attempts at the level, and realized I was asking too much.

I had a conversation with Ema Klugman, a good friend and someone I really admire, around the time I was debating my next move. She said to me, “You have produced a really wonderful horse. She’s better than I ever thought she’d be, AT TRAINING LEVEL. What’s wrong with that? What’s wrong with a Training horse? You should be proud of that. Go win all the Trainings!”

Ema told me to think of this mare as “practice for the next horse.” Beezie taught me to be better for my next horse. She taught me that moving up the levels isn’t all there is to horsemanship. She taught me what I love about horses is the relationship. And she also reminded me I have goals for myself as a rider that she may not be able to meet.

Ema pointed out it’s ok to use different horses to meet your goals — that Bendigo got her to the 5* level, but that her current batch of stellar horses are probably better suited to winning there. And not that Bendigo was “less-than” in some way, but that he had prepared her for her horses now, and is preparing other riders for their careers as eventers.

The Greatest Side Eye that Ever Side Eyed.

I thought a lot. I cried some. did some dressage (and cried more). I made some Training level plans for the year. Although I was somewhat rudderless, I freaking loved my horse. And she still gives me the best side-eye, and lets my son climb on her and go Beginner Novice, and will jump 1.10 when I get a wild hair, and do walk pirouettes and flying changes if I insist.

And somewhere along the line, she acquired a little girl. Every horse deserves a little girl.

This horse, who had taken me Preliminary only because of her trust in our relationship, is so happy to have a girl who also loves her. Beezie is teaching her girl to be light getting into the tack (her back is cold at the mounting block). And that cows are OF THE DEVIL, no matter if they are in the pasture next door every day of her life or not. She has taught her girl that she will always jump, as long as she is sure, but if the girl is not sure, then “That’s a No.” And she teaches what cross country is supposed to be—fast, clean, and fun.

Beezie is the perfect horse, even with the cow spooks, side-eye, and clearly expressed opinions about use of the inside rein. She will teach a kid to sit in the middle, and keep riding leg to hand. She will do lovely flat work, jump anything, go fast, and win—at the appropriate level.

So here’s to Beezie, who is now leased by her little girl and also loved by me, rocking it at the lower levels. To Bendigo, who has taught riders to ride from Beginner Novice to Five Star. To Ema (and all the human mentors out there) who can have gentle conversations with us about what is and what should be. And here’s to my new horse, who will hopefully help me along my road to being a better horsewoman. Here’s to all the horses who do it for us.

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

By on Jan 2, 2024 8:04 am -


I don’t know about you guys, but for me, the 2nd of January feels much more like the first day of a new year than the 1st, which is traditionally spent sleeping, eating, recovering, and dissociating (look, I used to work with horses full-time, and now I lean hard into lazy girl life when I can). Today, though, I feel like I need to actually get up and do something useful, even if that something is just planning and getting excited about the year to come. And what a year it’ll be, for us here at Team EN and for you, our expansive family who come with us on all our adventures. It might be a bit of a cliche to say it, but I really do reckon this year’s going to be our biggest and best yet. Buckle up and let’s get this rollercoaster ride going!

Events Opening Today: Jumping Branch Farm H.T., Ram Tap H.T. – Pending USEF Approval, Ocala Winter I

Events Closing Today: Ram Tap Combined Test, Stable View Aiken Opener H.T.

Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:

The King’s New Year Honour List has been released, and it’s got a horsey heroine of sorts on it. Jilly Cooper — bestselling author of showjumping bonkbuster Riders and saucy polo epic Polo, among her many brick-sized books — has been made a dame, proving that sticky bushes and horses who eat the fruit from the Pimms jar are the UK’s true national treasures. That’s what I call jolly super.

The term ‘long and low’ gives me the fear. That’s probably unfair of me; after all, my trepidation comes from spending my early teens riding at an Appaloosa show barn in rural Maine, where long and low meant catatonic, nose-dragging, four-beat jogging two-year-olds and certainly not anything that would be productive or good for the horses. But despite its dodgy associations — and yes, it remains debatable in the dressage world, too — a good, balanced, back-lifting stretch that lengthens the neck can be a really good thing to utilise in your rides. Here’s how to do it properly, avoiding a wrestling match and, well, rollkur.

It’s resolution time, and if yours is to tackle a traditional three-day event this year, you’re in luck. US Eventing has just released its 2024 Classic Three-Day calendar, plus info on ensuring you’re qualified and ready to take on this incredibly fun challenge, which is such a super goal for riders across the lower levels. Check it out and get those dates in your diary.

British 5* rider Izzy Taylor’s year began… well, a touch more dramatically than most. This morning, she received sentencing for a case that’s been ongoing for what feels like forever, following a breach of fire safety regulations at her Oxfordshire yard. The good news? She won’t be going to jail — but she will be downsizing to a smaller property going forward. Find out more about it here.

Sponsor Corner: The best source of vitamin E is fresh green grass. In the winter time, it’s easy for our horses’ Vitamin E levels to drop low. Signs of low vitamin E include neurological problems, a damaged coat, and eye & muscle issues. Learn more in this graphic from Kentucky Performance Products.

Watch This: 

I’m always keen to try new disciplines, and side saddle has been on my list for a long time — so I’m living vicariously through grassroots eventer Lucy Robinson as she gives it a go:

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

By on Jan 1, 2024 10:53 am -

 

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Happy New Year, EN fam — and good riddance to the last one, frankly. This year, I’m all about setting goals and aims — but I’m also learning that setting intentions and making space to give myself the grace I’d afford other people is even more important than trying to tick boxes. My best friend has been a great resource in teaching me how to prioritise slower, gentler joy — and make the most of my time with my horse — and I’m excited to follow her lead throughout 2024 as she launches her equine-assisted therapy centre, which focuses on improving mental health, aiding adults with ADHD, and much more. Give her account a follow, and join me in committing to being a more positive force in your own, and other people’s, lives in 2024.

National Holiday: It’s New Year’s Day, in case you missed that. And that means… we’re officially in an Olympic year! My stress levels are rising already.

Your Monday Reading List:

Further research is being undertaken into the murky subject of judging bias. Can it be overcome or balanced out, or is AI the future of dressage judging? Read some salient thoughts on the matter here.

Puissance — that much-loved novelty high-jump class — is disappearing. But why? And is it something we should be fighting to save? Aaron Vale has thoughts — and memories — to share on the topic.

One of the most useful things you’ll ever learn is how to wrap a hoof. But depending on the nature of the injury and the use of the bandage or poultice, you might need to adjust how you do the job — so if you want to ensure you have at least five functionally educational minutes today, give this handy primer a skim, because you KNOW your horse will give you a reason to need it soon.

On the first day of the year, most people are dwelling on their resolutions for 2024. Looking beyond that, though, what should the horse world at large be aiming for over the next 365 days? From increased diversity efforts to improved horse welfare, here are some resolutions we’d love to see us all collectively stick to.

Morning Viewing: 

It’s always useful, as an amateur rider, to see a professional on your horse occasionally — and it’s also, oddly, quite educational to see it when it’s not even your horse:

Sunday Funday: Mic’d Up with Leo Martin

By on Dec 31, 2023 9:30 am -

It’s safe to assume that at least one of the Martin boys will follow in mom or dad’s footsteps/hoofprints, and it’s a common sight to see the boys astride their respective ponies at Windurra. In this instance, Leo is choosing to follow Boyd’s example with his own mic’d up video. You won’t want to miss this special episode of “eventers’ kids say the darndest things!”.

Click here to watch on Instagram if the video above does not display in your browser.

Sunday Links from Etalon Equine Genetics

By on Dec 31, 2023 12:01 am -

Goodbye 2023!! It’s been a record year for sure, and while there are too many moments to narrow down, we are grateful to have been a part of them all. Abby shared one of her — and my — favorites yesterday morning with Tamie Smith’s amazing win at Kentucky this spring, and I’d have to list my own as Austin O’Connor’s record-smashing first 5* win at the Maryland. The emotions and atmosphere surrounding wins like these are electric, especially when highlighting amazing horsemen and women who redirect all the praise to their equine partners.

So pat your ponies and kiss your horses, and we can’t wait to see what 2024 holds! Happy New Year everyone!

Links to Start Your Sunday:

2023: The Year in Eventing

All smiles, all around: The Chronicle’s Favorite Photos of 2023

An Unpopular Wishlist For The Horse World in 2024

The Best Blogs of 2023 Came From All Corners of the Horse World

Sponsor Corner: Now that’s a handsome horse 😍 Check out FRK Jack’s Etalon results! What would you breed him to?

Morning Viewing: Like father, like son — little Leo Martin is taking to the streets in a big kid saddle and it is guaranteed to get you your laughs for the day. Nothing makes me happier than the “Part 1” in the caption, so everyone get ready for a Mic’d Up Leo series full of peeing — I mean posting — and censored “Dad words”.

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

By on Dec 30, 2023 12:01 am -

The commemorative selfie perhaps did not quite capture the energy of the moment, but I love it anyway. Photo by Abby Powell.

With plenty of ups and downs, 2023 has been a wild year for me personally. However, when I go back in my memory and search for highlights from the past year there’s one rather obvious one: Kentucky. This was just my second year attending and wow, I’m not sure it will ever be topped (but hey, we can all hope it will soon!)

Veronica and myself had been hunkered down in the media center since the end of the four-star press conference trying to finish up our respective reports. Once I saw on the live stream that it was getting down to the final five in the five-star show jumping I urged Veronica to come with me out to the stadium to watch the last few competitors jump. We made it ringside, where we found fellow EN team members Tilly and Alex with cameras in hand, just as Liz Halliday and Miks Master C were starting their round. We all know how this story ends. Once Tamie Smith and Mai Baum had jumped the last fence the energy in the stadium went through the metaphorical roof and everyone was literally jumping up and down.

It’s terribly hard to explain that energy to a non-eventing fan. I guess it could be like your team winning the World Series or the Super Bowl? Somehow though I think this was even more electric and it’s a moment I won’t soon forget.

Links to Start Your Weekend:

Olympics 2024: Event rider Ros Canter aiming for glory in Paris

Horse Nation 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards: Story of the Year

From Uplifting To Upsetting, The Stories We Didn’t Expect Were Most-Read Of 2023

Fast Facts: 2024 EA21 National Camp

Breeders’ Cup Presents Connections: Kyle Frey Finds ‘Power In Being Open’ About Mental Health

Sponsor Corner:

Whoever got the World Equestrian Brands‘ Sergio Grasso Walk & Ride boots for the holidays— I’m officially jealous. These gorgeous boots are designed for all-day comfort and they look stunning to boot. (No pun intended.)

Morning Viewing: It still gives me chills.

Stable View to Host Alumni Challenge at 2024 Intercollegiate Championships

By on Dec 29, 2023 10:00 am -

University of Kentucky. Photo by Shelby Allen.

In addition to hosting the Intercollegiate and Interscholastic Eventing Championships at the Charity Horse Trials May 4th-5th, Stable View will also be hosting an Alumni Challenge.

This challenge will allow current graduate students as well as any college alumni to form teams. Stable View recognizes that due to Covid many recent college graduates missed opportunities to compete at Champs for their college. There are lots of college graduates who went to school before the Intercollegiate Eventing Program’s inception and never had the opportunity to compete in any team challenges.

Photo by Shelby Allen.

This inaugural Alumni and Graduate Student Championship hosted by Stable View will be the chance for any and all college alumni and graduate students to compete as part of a team. This will be the first of what is planned to be future Alumni Challenges. Gather your college friends and teammates and see you May 4th and 5th at Stable View.

The Alumni Challenge will have its own set of awards that will be announced as soon as possible.

In addition to the Alumni Challenge, Starter has been added to the Charity Horse Trials allowing even more opportunities for horse trial and championship competitors.

For more information and updates about the Intercollegiate Championships and Alumni Challenge at Stable View, click here.