Classic Eventing Nation

Monday News & Notes from Fleeceworks

By on Jul 25, 2016 12:01 am -
Next Level Eventing converges on the Rebecca Farm cross country course. Next Level Eventing converges on the Rebecca Farm cross country course.

EN would like to send a belated birthday wish to Fleeceworks rider Tamie Smith, who celebrated in style with a successful weekend at Rebecca Farm. The Next Level Eventing team took Montana by storm, with multiple top placings across the board. We also spy a fancy talent making her way through the ranks in MB MaiBlume, who won her Preliminary division on her dressage score. Stay tuned for more on this talented mare!

Rebecca Farm: Website, Scores, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Results:

Fitch’s Corner H.T. [Website] [Scores]

Full Moon Farm H.T. [Website] [Scores]

Silverwood Farm Summer H.T. [Website] [Scores]

Grandview Summer H.T.  [Website] [Scores]

News & Notes:

This year’s running of The Event at Rebecca Farm once again raised funds for Halt Cancer at X, and the USEA announced last night that the event raised $117,000 for cancer research and awareness. Well done to all, and thank you once again for your immeasurable support!

The world awaits with bated breath for the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games — but speculation has already begun on the accommodations for athletes. BuzzFeed News reports that the Australian team has, at least for the time being, pulled out of the Rio Olympic Village for all of its athletes. Improvements are still being made on the living quarters. [Rio Olympic Village is a Hot Mess]

Three U.S. riders are raising funds for trips to compete at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in September. If you’d like to help them out, follow the links: [Holly Payne Caravella GoFundMe] [Elisa Wallace GoFundMe] [Leah Lang-Gluscic Auction]

Giveaway alert! World Class Grooming is giving away a Rambo Ionic Stable Sheet and Leg Wraps over on their website. We’re big fans of Rambo Ionic products here at EN (click here to check out our product review) so don’t miss out on this opportunity to win. [Rambo Ionic Raffle]

With summer finally here and temperatures rising, it is the perfect time to stress the importance of electrolytes. Some eventers feed electrolytes to their horses daily, while others only feed them in extreme heat or during a strenuous competition. But when do horses need those extra electrolytes, and why? Don’t miss this education article from Cavalor. [Are electrolytes a hype or a must?]

Weekly Business Tip from Mythic Landing Enterprises:

If you are placing classified ads on a website, pay special attention to how the ads are listed. Most sites will post the newest ads at the top of your searches. So you want to check to see if when you renew an ad that the ad will be refreshed and sent back to the top of the listings. If this is not the case, then it can be better to let the ad expire and then place a new ad so that you are back on top.

Monday Video:

Catching up with Fleeceworks riders Tamie Smith and Mackenna Shea on their top CIC3* placings at Rebecca Farm!

Buck Davidson Scores Second Rebecca Farm Win in CCI2* with Halimey

By on Jul 24, 2016 10:02 pm -
Buck Davidson and Halimey. Photo by Leslie Wylie. Buck Davidson and Halimey. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Buck Davidson had an alright sort of day here at the Event at Rebecca Farm. Not only did he pick up the CCI3* win with Copper Beach, he collected the CCI2* trophy as well with Halimey.

Halimey is a relatively new ride for Buck. The 11-year-old half-blood Trakehner stallion owned by Christine Turner was previously campaigned through the Advanced level by Michael Pollard.

“Hal” isn’t a big horse, standing just 16.1 hands, but he has a big presence on the flat and even bigger jump. He’s been a star for most of his life: Bred in Germany, he was approved in Neumünster in 2007 as the best Anglo‐Trakehner colt, with a premium title. As a 5-year-old he immediately qualified for the Bundeschampionat of the German Event Horse and proceeded into the finals, where he placed 10th overall. He qualified for the same event again as a 6-year-old. In 2009, he was the Champion of his 70 day test in Marbach with top scores for both his dressage and jumping, including cross country, performances.

He came to the Pollards’ Chatsworth Stud in 2013 and with Michael in the irons earned multiple top two-star results. Their last FEI competition was the Richland Park CIC2* last summer, where they finished second.

So far Buck and “Hal” seem to be getting along famously. They placed first or second at their first three Prelim horse trials and enjoyed a solid run around one Intermediate horse trial before coming to Rebecca. This week they led the CCI2* division from start to finish, winning by a wide margin on their dressage score of 43.2.

“I’ve got to give credit to Michael Pollard. He’s done all the work with this horse,” said Davidson. “Hal was great today, great in all three phases. I really didn’t do very much other than steer!”

An interview after their CCI2* win:

The closest anyone got to catching this exciting pair was James Alliston and his own Revitavet Elijah, a 7-year-old Oldenburg gelding. They turned in double-clear cross country and show jumping rounds to move from third after dressage into second overall.

Rounding out the top three was Kevin Baumgardner and his own Wembley, a 13-year-old Dutch gelding. They added just two time penalties to their dressage score.

Congrats to all the finishers!

Rebecca Farm CCI2* final top 10: 

Screen Shot 2016-07-24 at 8.00.16 PM

Rebecca Farm: Website, Schedule, Ride Times & Live Scores, Ride On Video Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Mackenna Shea and Landioso Land Rebecca Farm CIC3* Win

By on Jul 24, 2016 8:51 pm -
Mackenna Shea and Landioso. Photo by Leslie Wylie. Mackenna Shea and Landioso. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Nobody likes a braggart, but Mackenna Shea might have been a little bit TOO humble when it came time to own her Rebecca Farm CIC3* win. In addition to giving her horse Landioso ALL the credit (we’re pretty sure you did something out there too, Mackenna), she quite nearly let the rest of the division pass her by in the victory gallop.

“Come on, Mackenna, gallop! Go! Go! Go!” announcer Ed Holloway urged during their lap of honor.

The winners of the Rebecca Farm CIC3* take their victory gallop, led by Mackenna Shea and Landioso. #rebeccafarm

A video posted by Eventing Nation (@goeventing) on

When cross country leaders Barb Crabo and Eveready spilled one too many rails, Mackenna and Landioso’s one-rail round catapulted them into the lead.

“He’s an honest trier and has taken care of me for a long time,” Mackenna said of her 14-year-old German Sport Horse gelding. “I wasn’t pleased with my ride but he took care of me today.”

In the end it was a photo finish, both on the scoreboard and in the victory gallop, between Mackenna and her trainer Tamie Smith, whose final score aboard Dempsey was just 0.2 point behind Mackenna’s 58.4.

Great work, ladies!

At just 8 years old, Dempsey is a rising star in Tamie’s three-star string.

Tamie Smith and Dempsey. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Tamie Smith and Dempsey. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Rounding out the top three was Bunnie Sexton and Rise Against, who turned in one of four double-clean rounds in the division.

Bunnie Sexton and Rise Against. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Bunnie Sexton and Rise Against. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

The other double-clears belonged to Tamie, fourth-placed Amber Levine and Carry On, and sixth-placed Bonner Carpenter and Basco.

Amber Levine and Carry On. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Amber Levine and Carry On. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Rebecca Farm CIC3* finishers: 

Screen Shot 2016-07-24 at 6.38.49 PM

Rebecca Farm: Website, Schedule, Ride Times & Live Scores, Ride On Video Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Buck Davidson Finally Gets His Rebecca Farm CCI3* Win on Copper Beach

By on Jul 24, 2016 7:16 pm -
Buck Davidson and Copper Beach. Photo by Leslie Wylie. Buck Davidson and Copper Beach. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Buck Davidson has been knocking at the door of a Rebecca Farm win for years. In 2011 he finished second on Ballynoe Castle RM. In 2015 he finished third on The Apprentice. In 2016, however, he finally just kicked the door in, winning not one but two FEI divisions: the CCI3* with Copper Beach and the CCI2* with Halimey.

Buck and Copper Beach, Carl Segal and Sherrie Martin’s 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse, were second heading into CCI3* show jumping. Just a tenth of a point ahead of them: Hannah Sue Burnett and Under Suspection, a 12-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Mary Ann Ghadban. No pressure!

They had a hard rub at the very last fence …

Stay in that cup, rail! Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Don’t fall! Photo by Leslie Wylie.

… but luck was on their side as the pole stayed put in its cup.

Hannah Sue, unfortunately, must have cashed in all her good-luck points yesterday, when she bounced back from a tough fall on her first CCI3* horse, Cooley Dream, to take the lead on Under Suspection. Gravity got the better of her rattled rail and the resulting four point penalty knocked her into second and launched Buck into the lead.

“I’d never want anything bad happen to anyone else but I am really happy not to be second. And it’s great to have my friends here next to me,” Buck said, pointing to Burnett and third place finisher Hawley Bennett-Awad.

Hannah Sue Burnett and Under Suspection. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Hannah Sue Burnett and Under Suspection. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Hannah Sue and Under Suspection. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Hannah Sue and Under Suspection. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo held fast to their third place position, turning in a double-clear round. It was an emotional finish and a huge comeback for Hawley, who was teary-eyed with happiness at the press conference.

“I have unbelievable people behind me and one of them is Buck. To put my red coat on again is very special,” Hawley said.

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Hawley had a big smile on her face over the last. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Hawley had a big smile on her face over the last. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

The top three finishers stopped by the press tent to recap their rides. Warning: You might need a tissue when it comes Hawley’s time to speak!

James Alliston with Parker and Ellen Doughty-Hume with Sir Oberon both jumped double-clear rounds to finish fourth and fifth place respectively.

James Alliston and Parker. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

James Alliston and Parker. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Ellen Doughty-Hume and Sir Oberon. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Ellen Doughty-Hume and Sir Oberon. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

The CCI3* division saw seven finishers, as Buck’s second ride Approved Power and Jolie Wentworth’s Goodknight were both eliminated at the final horse inspection. Congratulations to all!

Your winners of the Rebecca Farm CCI3*, led by Buck Davidson and Copper Beach! #rebeccafarm

A video posted by Eventing Nation (@goeventing) on

Here and on other fronts on Sunday at Rebecca Farm …

Rebecca Farm CCI3* final results:

Screen Shot 2016-07-24 at 4.28.16 PM

Rebecca Farm: Website, Schedule, Ride Times & Live Scores, Ride On Video Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, EN’s Instagram

 

Sights and Sounds from Rebecca Farm Cross Country

By on Jul 24, 2016 2:30 pm -

“Is Montana weather always like this?” I asked a local in attendance at last night’s competitor party. “Watercolor skies, cotton candy clouds, perfect temperature, double rainbows?”

Are you kidding me, Montana? Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Are you kidding me, Montana? Photo by Leslie Wylie.

He shook his head. “Nope. Last weekend it was hotter than blazes, the weekend before that it was pouring rain, and most of the time when we see double rainbows it’s because we’ve had one too many of these,” he said, lifting his beer.

But the Kalispell, Montana weather was clearly on Team Rebecca Farm yesterday, much to the delight of spectators who turned out in droves to take in the action. The hillsides were dotted with onlookers sprawled out on blankets, and the competitors did their part to put on a show. There were feats of incredible athleticism, dramatic displays of heart and a positive thrill-to-spill ratio.

Tracy Valentine, the Washington state photographer who shared her beautiful jog photos with EN earlier today, was here yesterday as well, capturing the cross country action and atmosphere.

From competitors …

Gina Economou and Calidore. Photo by Tracy Valentine.

Gina Economou and Calidore in the Rebecca Farm CCI3*. Photo by Tracy Valentine.

… to spectators (and their adorable dogs!) …

Photo by Tracy Valentine.

Photo by Tracy Valentine.

… here’s a glimpse of the day that was, as seen through Tracy’s lens.

You can check out more of Tracy’s work at Tracy Valentine Photography here.

Go Eventing!

Rebecca Farm: Website, Schedule, Ride Times & Live Scores, Ride On Video Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Rebecca Farm Final Horse Inspection/Fashion Study Photo Gallery

By on Jul 24, 2016 1:00 pm -
Love the color-coordinated turnout of Nikki Ayers and Rubicon, who are heading into CCI2* show jumping in 7th place. Photo by Tracy Valentine. Love the color-coordinated turnout of Nikki Ayers and Rubicon, who are heading into CCI2* show jumping in 7th place. Photo by Tracy Valentine.

Another stunning day has dawned here at Rebecca Farm, where final horse inspections for the FEI divisions have just wrapped up.

In the CCI3* Buck Davidson’s mount Approved Power, who was in fourth place, as well as Jolie Wentworth’s Goodknight, who was in sixth, were sadly not accepted. In the CIC3* Jennie Brannigan’s mount I Bella, who was in fourth, was eliminated as well. All CCI2* and CCI1* horses presented passed.

Emily Pestl-Dimmett wears a dirndl to compliment her CIC3* mount Airlington, a German Sport Horse. Photo by Tracy Valentine.

Emily Pestl-Dimmett wears a dirndl to compliment her CIC3* mount Airlington, a German Sport Horse. Photo by Tracy Valentine.

FEI division show jumping schedule, in Mountain Time:

CCI1* 10:00-11:40 a.m.
CCI2* 12:30-1:10 p.m.
CIC3* 2:00-2:35 p.m.
CCI3* 3:00-3:30 p.m.

We are able to bring you an (still uploading and yet to be captioned) extra-epic jog photo gallery thanks to Tracy Valentine, who made the trip to Rebecca Farm from Leavenworth, Washington, about six hours away, with her eventing friend Linda Hessel.

Between the panoramic blue skies and postcard-perfect landscape, it’s hard to take a bad photo out here — but when you’re a talented photographer with quality glass, the results are extra striking! You can check out more of Tracy’s work at Tracy Valentine Photography here.

A sneak preview:

Rebecca Farm: Website, Schedule, Ride Times & Live Scores, Ride On Video Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, EN’s Instagram

 

Saturday Rebecca Farm Highlights from Ride On Video

By on Jul 24, 2016 9:00 am -

From FEI divisions to USEA Classic Series three-days to horse trial divisions, something was going on in every direction you looked at Rebecca Farm yesterday. It’s a lot to keep up with, but Ride On Video has been doing a great job of bringing us daily highlight videos that give us an at-a-glance look at what went on.

Here’s their wrap-up of Saturday’s action:

In addition, to the delight of eventing fans who couldn’t manage a quick weekend getaway to Montana, they’ve been live streaming the event — you can check it out here.

With so much going on, we figured Ride On Video could use an extra hand, er, paw?

Chinch is hanging out with the crew from @rideonvideo, which makes us a little nervous. #FaceForRadio #RebeccaFarm

A photo posted by Eventing Nation (@goeventing) on

Thanks for Chinchsitting, Ride On Video! Hope he’s been behaving himself, mostly. Remember, little buddy:

Sunday sees the show jumping conclusion of all FEI divisions as well as Training through Intermediate horse trials. Final horse inspections get underway at 10 a.m. MT (noon EST), beginning with the CCI1*. We’re also looking forward to the conclusion of the Halt Cancer Challenge, which takes place after lunch — we’ll be bringing you a full report on that insanity-in-the-middle soon!

Go Eventing.

Rebecca Farm: Website, Schedule, Ride Times & Live Scores, Ride On Video Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Sunday Links from One K Helmets

By on Jul 24, 2016 12:00 am -
When novice eventers walk the three star XC! Photo courtesy of Ava Severs. When novice eventers walk the three star XC! Photo courtesy of Ava Severs.

The poor folks in Kalispell seem to be having a dreadful time in the fresh mountain air and highs in the mid-seventies. Their horses dreaded the long verdant gallops through open fields and otherwise luxurious conditions back at the barn. And who wants to spend three to five days in the mountains camping with a bunch of eventers? Buck Davidson is there and that guy ruins everything. Also, I want to ride the dinosaur. Real bad.

North American Weekend Action:

Rebecca Farm: Website, Schedule, Ride Times & Live Scores, Ride On Video Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Fitch’s Corner H.T. [Website] [Live Scores]

Full Moon Farm H.T. [Website] [Live Scores]

Silverwood Farm Summer H.T. [Website] [Live Scores]

Grandview Summer H.T.  [Website] [Live Scores]

Sunday Links:

Snippets of wisdom from Michael Jung — and other things you might not know about him

Olympic Stars Go to Head to Head in Hickstead Eventers Challenge 

American Ladies Bring Home the Bronze in FEI Nations Cup in Dublin

Spectacular Horse Show Skies: Aachen Edition

Horseback Adventurers Prepare for Married Life with 1000km Mongolian Ride

Sunday Video: Basically what it’s like to be at Rebecca Farm this weekend

Barb Crabo and Eveready Overtake Rebecca Farm CIC3* Cross Country Lead

By on Jul 23, 2016 8:31 pm -
Barb Crabo and Eveready were full of running over the last fence in the Rebecca Farm CIC3*. Photo by Leslie Wylie. Barb Crabo and Eveready were full of running over the last fence in the Rebecca Farm CIC3*. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

To say Barb Crabo and Eveready put the pedal to the metal around the Rebecca Farm CIC3* cross country course would be a misstatement, as Barb says her horse was more than happy to keep it locked in high gear.

“He was just amazing, he was on fire from the moment he left the start box,” Barb said of her own 17-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding. “He just was dragging me around the course, whatever I pointed him at he just went and said ‘let’s go faster.’ It was a blast.”

Their double-clear round, one of only two in the division, gave them a big boost up the scoreboard from eighth to first. Dressage leaders Mackenna Shea and Landioso picked up 10 time penalties and now sit second, shuffling birthday girl Tamie Smith and Lagos Star to third. 

Barb recapped her day:

The Rebecca Farm CIC3* is a leg of the Adequan USEA Gold Cup series, which consists of 11 qualifying competitions at Advanced and CIC3* levels and culminates at the AECs in September. When asked about whether she might consider contesting the finale in Tryon, Barb let slip that she feels like she has some unfinished business to take care of in France this fall. Their super cross country run in the Pau CCI4* last year was cut short by a fluke fall, and Barb wants a second shot at finding those finish flags — and we know they can do it. Put that horse on a plane, Barb! 

Back here in Montana, today’s blue-number jumps rode well for both the CIC3* and CCI3* divisions. There were a handful of problems and hairy moments at the main water complex, which demanded accurate, forward riding.

Jordan Lindstedt and Revitatvet Capato. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Jordan Lindstedt and Revitatvet Capato tackling the big drop in. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Jen McFall and Tamie Smith were two riders who gave us a masterclass in getting it done, and well:

Jen McFall and High Times. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Jen McFall and High Times. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Jenn McFall and High Times making short work of the CIC3* water. @dragonfirefarm #rebeccafarm

A video posted by Eventing Nation (@goeventing) on

Tamie Smith and Dempsey. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Tamie Smith and Dempsey. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Dempsey gives Tamie Smith a lovely clear round as a birthday present. #rebeccafarm

A video posted by Eventing Nation (@goeventing) on

With cross country complete for competitors in the top international levels, all eyes are now turned to show jumping, which starts Sunday at 10 a.m. Open Preliminary, Junior Open Preliminary, Senior Open Training and Junior Open Training will also compete tomorrow in show jumping.

Rebecca Farm CIC3* top 10 after cross country:

Screen Shot 2016-07-23 at 3.37.50 PM

 

Go Eventing!

Rebecca Farm: Website, Schedule, Ride Times & Live Scores, Ride On Video Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Nobody Mooses With Rebecca Farm CCI3* Cross Country Leader Hannah Sue Burnett

By on Jul 23, 2016 5:58 pm -

Montana wildlife is no joke.

Hannah Sue Burnett and dressage leader Cooley Dream were the first to strike out on Rebecca Farm’s big, testing CCI3* cross country track. Their day came to an early end when a moose walked right out in front of them at the big water complex, which also boasted a large population of extremely large trout and at least one bear with its paw in a honey pot.

Photo by official event photographer Shannon Brinkman, courtesy of Rebecca Farm.

Photo by official event photographer Shannon Brinkman, courtesy of Rebecca Farm.

OK, so the moose was probably there when Hannah Sue walked her course. But the large crowd on the hillside wasn’t, which seemed to be what Hannah Sue’s young horse was distracted by as he headed from the big waterwheel drop into the water (11a) to the moose skinny out (11b). He didn’t quite get a read of the second element and chested it, spilling his pilot and squashing her a bit in the process.

She was on the ground for a few moments with her breath knocked out, and as they carted her off course in a golf cart I wasn’t alone in thinking we’d seen the last of Hannah Sue today.

But you better believe that as she was lying there in a crumpled heap, she was already inventorying her body parts and plotting her revenge on that damn moose. And not 40 minutes later we looked up and there she was, bursting from the startbox like a slug from a sawed-off shotgun on her second CCI3* ride Under Suspection. The 12-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Mary Ann Ghadban was in second place after dressage, and Hannah Sue isn’t one to go gentle into that good night. 

We were all holding our breaths as she once again took aim at the wildlife-infested water complex that had caught Cooley Dream in its snare. Down the big drop they went, and “Pippi” stuck the landing like an equine Kerri Strug: one down, one to go. They began their bending line toward the moose.

Outta my way, Bullwinkle. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

I’m coming for you, Bullwinkle. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Three, two, one …

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

… then it was in the rearview like stinky roadkill and they never looked back, turning in a double-clear trip that boosted Pippi into the lead. If you win tomorrow, Hannah Sue, maybe instead of a trophy they’ll let you take that moose’s head home with you to hang over the mantle.

Hannah Sue Burnett and Under Suspection. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Hannah Sue Burnett and Under Suspection. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Second-placed Buck Davidson and Copper Beach haven’t left them much breathing room, however. The pair lurks just a tenth of a point behind after their own pedal-to-the-medal tour de cross country.

Buck Davidson and Copper Beach. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Buck Davidson and Copper Beach. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

In third place is Hawley Bennett-Awad and her new ride Jollybo, whose aggressive yet agile cross country style seems to mirror Hawley’s own.

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

The top three CCI3* riders, plus Barb Crabo who is leading the CIC3* cross country on Eveready, kindly recap their days for us:

I’ll be updating this post with more info and photos soon so check back, and stay tuned for a CIC3* report as well.

Rebecca Farm CCI3* top 10 after cross country:  

Screen Shot 2016-07-23 at 3.36.11 PM

Rebecca Farm CIC3* top 10 after cross country:

Screen Shot 2016-07-23 at 3.37.50 PM

Rebecca Farm: Website, Schedule, Ride Times & Live Scores, Ride On Video Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, EN’s Instagram