Here at EN, we’re big fans of Piggy TV, the educational and entertaining video channel of the eponymous eventer, which is chock full of inspiration and ideas for ringwork, jumping exercises, fitness, and much, much more – but we also appreciate that not everyone has the extra income to tack another subscription cost onto their monthly outgoings. And so we were thrilled to stumble upon this video from British vlogger Emily Dobson, who, like us, is a huge fan of the Badminton and Burghley winner and decided to put one of her tried-and-tested jumping exercises to the test with her own horse, six-year-old Addie. Watch to see how they got on, the original inspiration for the session, and, most importantly, how to put it all together in your own arena. Happy jumping!
EN TRENDS:
Classic Eventing Nation
US Equestrian Announces 2024 Eventing Pathway Program Lists
Tamie Smith and Mai Baum, the first U.S. winners of LRK3DE since 2008. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
US Equestrian is pleased to announce the Eventing Pathway Program Lists for 2024, including the Elite, Pre-Elite, Development, and Emerging Programs. In addition to these Eventing Pathway Program updates, several opportunities will be available in 2024 for both Program and non-Program athletes.
Eventing Elite Program List
The following athlete-and-horse combinations, listed in alphabetical order, have been named to the Eventing Elite Program List for 2024.
- Will Coleman (Ocala, Fla.) and Off The Record, a 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by the Off The Record Syndicate
- Liz Halliday (Lexington, Ky.) and Miks Master C, a 2012 Swedish Warmblood gelding owned by Ocala Horse Properties, LLC and Deborah Palmer
- Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Luke 140, a 2011 Holsteiner gelding owned by the Luke 140 Syndicate, and Commando 3, a 2013 Holsteiner gelding owned by Yankee Creek Ranch
- Tamie Smith (Murrieta, Calif.) and Mai Baum, a 2006 German Sport Horse gelding owned by Alexandra Ahearn, Ellen Ahearn, and Eric Markell
James Alliston and Karma. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Eventing Pre-Elite Program List
The following athlete-and-horse combinations, listed in alphabetical order, have been named to the Eventing Pre-Elite Program List for 2024.
- James Alliston (San Ramon, Calif.) and Karma, a 2014 Oldenburg mare owned by Alliston Equestrian and Ric Plummer
- Will Coleman (Ocala, Fla.) and Chin Tonic HS, a 2012 Holsteiner gelding owned by Hyperion Stud, LLC
- Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Fedarman B, a 2010 KWPN gelding owned by the Annie Goodwin Syndicate
- Caroline Pamukcu* (Springtown, Pa.) and HSH Blake, a 2015 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Caroline Pamukcu, Sherrie Martin, Mollie Hoff, and Deniz Pamukcu
- *The following horses have met the objective criteria for the Development Program: HSH Tolan King, a 2015 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Caroline Pamukcu and Sherrie Martin, and HSH Connor, a 2016 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Caroline Pamukcu, Sherrie Martin, and Luann McElduff
- Doug Payne (Rougemont, N.C.) and Quantum Leap, a 2011 Rheinlander gelding owned by Doug and Jessica Payne
Membership is reviewed twice annually for the Eventing Elite and Pre-Elite Program Lists. View the updated criteria here.
Mia Farley and Phelps. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Eventing Development Program List
The following athlete-and-horse combinations, listed in alphabetical order, have been named to the Eventing Development Program List for 2024.
- Jenny Caras (Buckhead, Ga.) and Trendy Fernhill, a 2011 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Elyse Eisenberg
- Mia Farley (Ocala, Fla.) and Phelps, a 2013 Thoroughbred gelding owned by David O’Connor
- Cornelia Fletcher (Ocala, Fla.) and DHI Qyaracolle Z, a 2016 Zangersheide mare owned by Cornelia Fletcher and Ann Wehrle
- Jacob Fletcher (North Little Rock, Ark.) and Fabian, a 2010 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Fletcher Farms
- Emily Hamel (Aiken, S.C.) and Corvett, a 2007 Holsteiner gelding owned by Black Flag Option, LLC
- Alyssa Phillips (Fort Worth, Texas) and Cornelius Bo, a 2014 Hanoverian gelding owned by Alyssa Phillips, and Oskar, a 2009 Holsteiner gelding owned by Julie Phillips and Alyssa Phillips
Updates have been made to the Development Program criteria. View the updated criteria here.
Cosby Green and Copper Beach. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Eventing Emerging Program List
The following athletes, listed in alphabetical order, have been named to the Eventing Emerging Program List for 2024.
- Julia Beauchamp Crandon* (Redwood City, Calif.)
- Alexandra Baugh (Lexington, Ky.)
- Molly Duda (Menlo Park, Calif.)
- Alexa Gartenberg (Gladwyne, Pa.)
- Cosby Green (Lexington, Ky.)
- Tommy Greengard (Malibu, Calif.)
- Maddie Hale (Lexington, Ky.)
- Ben Noonan (Ballwin, Mo.)
- Meg Pellegrini (Wayne, Pa.)
- Cassie Sanger (Wilmington, Del.)
- Madison Temkin (Lexington, Ky.)
- Elsa Warble (Portola Valley, Calif.)
*Indicates that an athlete was talent-spotted for the program
Other Opportunities
The following opportunities will be available in 2024 for both Program and non-Program athletes to gain valuable team experience and further their development as U.S. athletes.
2024 Eventing European Development Tour
The 2024 Eventing European Development Tour will target three FEI Nations Cup opportunities with six athletes. The Tour is open to current USEF Emerging and Development athletes who are qualified for the CCI4*-S level as well as athletes that have been in either Program in the preceding three years (2021-2023).
- Haras de Jardy (FRA) CCIO4*-NC-S, May 2-5, 2024*
- Chatsworth International (GBR) CCIO4*-NC-S, May 17-19, 2024
- Millstreet International (IRL) CCIO4*-NC-S, May 30- June 2, 2024
*pending approval of date change from the FEI
Athletes interested in the Tour should reach out to Emerging and Development Coach Leslie Law to review their plans for the remainder of the 2023 season and beginning of the 2024 competition season. If the athletes on the Tour are not able to fill complete Teams for the above competitions, then the process for adding team members not involved in the Programs will be released. Selection procedures are available here.
Madison Temkin and MVP Madbum. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
2024 Futures Team Challenge
The 2024 USEF Futures Team Challenge is administered by the USEF to complement the Eventing Pathway Programs. Selection to a team under this Challenge does not represent selection to a recognized U.S. team. This Challenge is designed to replicate the experience of competing within a team environment and thus is a training opportunity embedded within an existing competition.
Athletes will submit an application for consideration by the Pathway Working Group no later than February 24, 2024. Two teams of four combinations led by Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor Robert Costello and Emerging and Development Coach Leslie Law will be selected to contest unofficial, simulated team competitions, the first being at the Carolina International (CCI3*-S/CCI4*-S). Additional opportunities in the summer or fall may be added.
An application indicates athletes are committed to attend the pre-competition training taking place two days before the start of competition. Athletes must be prepared to run their horse for time and be able to produce a competitive result in the competition. More information on the Futures Team Challenge may be found here.
Untargeted Nations Cups
Selection for FEI Eventing Nations Cups that are not targeted by the Elite/Pre-Elite Program or the Tour will follow these procedures. All U.S. FEI-Registered Athletes have the opportunity to apply for the competitions; however, USEF will not be providing funding, apparel, or coverage of expenses for attending the competitions.
2025 Emerging Program
Applications for the 2025 Emerging Athlete Program will be available at the end of July 2024 for assessment sessions in September. Stay up to date on application availability and assessment locations on the Emerging Athlete page.
If you have any questions about the 2024 Elite and Pre-Elite Programs, please contact Gemma Stobbs, Director of Elite Program, at [email protected].
If you have any questions about the 2024 Emerging and Development Programs or other opportunities, please contact Christina Vaughn, Director of Emerging and Development Programs, at [email protected].
Host Nation France Reveals Updated Paris ‘Long List’
Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut Gold HDC. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
The home-side French defensive has updated its list of potential horses and riders for next year’s Paris Olympics, following a review of summer and autumn events and results.
“This new ‘On Horseback for Paris’ list is made up of horses who performed well this year,” explains eventing team chef d’equipe Thierry Touzaint in a translated statement on the French Equestrian Federation website. “We also have horses of Olympic caliber, who will have to qualify in 2024 by meeting the Olympic minimums in international 4* long format events to qualify for selection. Among them, Darmagnac and Alertamab’Or are two experienced horses who were injured in 2023 and placed on rest. From the start of the year, they can regain their best level and have their place in the French team.”
“We have six riders who have been very consistent for several seasons and now have experience of one or more championships (Olympics, World Championships or European championships),” continues Thierry. “They are the most confirmed and appear to be team pillars. We also have couples who are a little less seasoned but who are on the rise and have had a good season in 2023.”
The fifteen horses and riders on the updated list are:
- Thomas Carlile and Darmagnac de Béliard , owend by Scea de Beliard and Jean-Jacques Montagne
- Sébastien Cavaillon and Elipso de la Vigne, owned by the Elipso Syndicate
- Luc Château and Bastia de l’Ebat, owned by Haras des Châteaux and Laure Sudreau
- Karim Laghouag and Embrun de Reno, owned by Sarl Ecurie Karim Laghouag, Guy Bessat, Camille Laffite and Philippe Lemoine
- Karim Laghouag and Triton Fontaine, owned by Philippe Lemoine, Guy Bessat, Sarl Ecurie Karim Laghouag and Camille Laffite
- Stéphane Landois and Chaman Dumontceau*Ride for Thaïs, owned by S.C.E.A. Ecurie du Cerisier Bleu
- Gireg Le Coz and Aisprit de la Loge, owned by Frédérique Grand and Augustin Grand
- Camille Lejeune and Dame Decoeur Tardonne, owned by Sarah Gospodnetic and the rider
- Maxime Livio and Api du Libaire, owned by S.d.f Api Club
- Benjamin Massié and Édition Fonroy, owned by Jean-Luc Van Hoenacker and the rider
- Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza, owned by Jane Young and Martin Thurlow
- Astier Nicolas and Alertamalib’Or, owned by Aliette Forien, Pascal Ravery, Nicolas Paul and the rider
- Astier Nicolas and Babylon de Gamma, owned by Marielle Grivot Bize, Etienne Grivot, Bénédicte Nicolas and the rider
- Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut Gold*HDC, owned by Haras des Coudrettes
- Nicolas Touzaint and Diabolo Menthe, owned by Mézard Sports and Françoise Niclaus
FFE’s National Technical Director, Sophie Dubourg, says, “We really have ambition for the next Olympic and Paralympic Games. We can count on successful couples who have an efficient ecosystem and on owners committed to France. The assessment that was drawn from the underperformance that we had on the last Olympiad highlighted two problems: emotional instability in the teams and staff and the health problems of the horses. We therefore further accentuated the longitudinal monitoring of the horses. The riders and grooms are very attentive to the team of veterinarians who accompany them in an individualised way throughout the year. We have also strengthened the support in terms of the mental preparation of riders and staff. Mental trainers individually accompany riders in each discipline, staff members and collectives.”
The French team won bronze at the 2023 FEI European Eventing Championships. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
The ongoing evolution of the high-performance lists, she continues, is undertaken “according to objective criteria of short-term performance and potential. However, it is not forbidden to bring in other couples in the coming months. We have already seen the very rapid ascent of horses generally associated with very experienced riders. The pressure of the JOPs is great and it is even more so for this edition in France. We learn every day to master it a little more. We have extremely motivated riders in all disciplines. The framework of Olympic and Paralympic competitions is quite rigid. It will be necessary to remain very focussed and not disperse with external stresses. We will have to be very attentive to best protect athletes during the Games.
“In this preparation phase, we try to keep the group alive, to strengthen ties with the owners. We also strengthen our communication by choosing to show the backstage of the preparation to embark everyone on this Olympic adventure.”
Thierry adds, “We are establishing the winter training program for everyone and are starting to plan the start of the competition season which will resume in the spring. We will be able to narrow the list once all the horses have returned to the show grounds. Beyond the horses who must obtain their qualification in a long format, all will need a qualifying result on a CCI4*-S in 2024 to qualify for selection. The idea is to obtain it as early as possible in the season so as not to have to chase qualification as the selections approach. We know from experience that the road is still long and that nothing is certain in advance. We have to stay focused on the objective and do a good job in the coming months.”
Follow along with all of EN’s coverage of the Olympics here.
EN’s pre-coverage of the Paris Olympics in 2024 is brought to you with support from Zoetis — Long Live the Horse.
Friday News & Notes Presented by Stable View
Icelandic winter stroll! Photo by Åsta Røhr Kleiven.
It’s officially the first day of the last month of 2023! When I say time is an illusion, it applies to the fact that I usually don’t know which day of the week it is, but also to the absurd realization that yet another year has passed in a blur! Honestly, where does the time go?! Every year, December sneaks up on me, and I feel simultaneously that so much has happened, and also almost nothing has changed. The stability of a horsey life means that both are true; you wake up every day and basically do the same thing, but hopefully better than the day before by a fraction of a percent. The same, but entirely different.
U.S. Weekend Preview
Rocking Horse December H.T. (Altoona, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
News From Around the Globe:
Meet the nominees for the USEA Board of Governors before casting your vote! Each year every member of the USEA receives a nomination ballot to submit nominees to the Board of Governors and during the Annual Meeting of Members, all members are invited to vote for those individuals nominated to serve. This year, there are three new nominees for the USEA Board of Governors and three nominees which have been re-nominated for a further term. [Nominees for USEA Board of Governors]
When your first coach at the age of six is Mike Plumb….well what can we say. Grace Swinson was horse-obsessed from birth, and spent her childhood breathing them in at her aunt’s farm, where there happened to be a certain elder Olympian riding. She didn’t go down the eventing route, but learned dressage and showjumping under his tutelage from the very beginning. It has served her well throughout her young rider career, and she still learns more from him every day. [Curiosity Takes Swinson to Mike Plumb]
In light of recent news from the dressage world, I thought it was time to drop this article again. It’s sometimes hard to see, but there are good horse people in every discipline, and those who are working hard to prove that compassionate, ethical training and management is the right answer. This article is about training happy dressage horses, but the theories and message are applicable to all horses. [Training the Happy Equine Athlete]
As I’ve grown as a rider, I have developed more and more appreciation for the lesson horse. I used to think that only finely tuned horses were the cream of the crop, but I now have a great appreciation for the horses that know how to teach lessons to riders in a compassionate way. In truth, every horse is a lesson horse to some extent, but some of them are better at it than others. [The Love of the Lesson Horse]
Watch Boyd Martin Take the Lead at Sweden International Agria Indoor Eventing
Boyd Martin reunited with the horse he piloted in 2022 at the inaugural Agria Top 10 Indoor Eventing, part of the program for the Sweden International Horse Show, for this year’s two-round competition. In 2022, Boyd finished fifth overall with the now-8-year-old Caruccio Paradise (Bravour 1197 – Niki Paradise), who is owned by Jl Häst and Tyga Equestrian AB. This year, he’s off to a great start with a lead after the first round of competition today.
Boyd jumped a clear round, which was relatively uncommon in this first round, which saw several fall victim to the tight turns and a particularly spooky and dark liverpool jump. His time of 34.28 was enough to secure the lead and not let it go, despite a strong challenge from Sofia Sjoborg and Eastbourne. Last year’s winner, Maxime Livio and Boleybawn Prince, are currently in third with the liverpool down today.
Boyd Martin, USA, and Caruccio Paradise was the fastest combination in the Agria Top 10 Indoor Eventing warm-up in Stockholm. Photo credit: Roland Thunholm/SIHS
What a fantastic, fantastic horse, Boyd Martin said of Caruccio Paradise. “This horse is a champion. He got in there and we had a couple of lucky moments and he really fought for me. He’s a fantastic jumper and I’m very, very lucky to be riding him here in Sweden.”
You can view the full standings here.
The riders will return for the final competition, carrying their scores forward from today, on Sunday, December 3 at 8 p.m. local time / 2 p.m. ET. You can watch the Agira Top 10 Indoor Eventing live on Horse & Country here.
Behind the Scenes of NBC’s Paris 2024 Olympic Games Commercial
This article was first published by US Equestrian and has been shared here on EN with permission.
Anna Buffini, Susie Dutta, Katherine Bateson-Chandler, Heartbeat W.P., Kasey Perry-Glass, NBC director Ryan Sage, Ashley Holzer, and Laura Graves
(US Equestrian)
If you tuned in to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade or the Thanksgiving Day NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks, NBC’s latest commercial promoting the Paris 2024 Olympic Games may have caught your attention. Rapper Megan Thee Stallion stars in the commercial alongside six U.S. Dressage athletes and their horses performing piaffe, passage, and canter pirouettes in front of a (green-screened) Palace of Versailles. The shoot for the riding sequence took place at Olympian and U.S. Dressage athlete Ashley Holzer’s farm in Wellington, Fla., a few weeks before the commercial aired. US Equestrian spoke with Holzer about being part of the commercial shoot and an exciting mainstream moment for equestrian sport.
Setting the Stage
A portion of the commercial shoot took place in Ashley Holzer’s covered arena.
(US Equestrian)
When NBC reached out to US Equestrian about helping make their latest Paris 2024 Olympic Games commercial come to life, Holzer generously offered her facility for the shoot. NBC crews were on site at her farm for three days, from set-up to tear-down.
“They actually did it very, very quickly. They came in with the green screen the night before, then they shot the next day,” said Holzer. “If my memory serves me correctly, they had most of it down that afternoon, then just some small stuff that had to be picked up the next day. They were in and out.”
Despite having a crew of 60 people on site, Holzer said she wasn’t stressed by the shoot taking place at her farm.
“There were so many people there,” said Holzer. “They are incredible and very well organized. They were so polite. They were in and out so quickly and very helpful. It was a great staff. They literally did not leave a speck of dirt when they left. If you missed it, you wouldn’t have even known that they were there.”
NBC’s crew set up cameras, lights, and a 70’-by-20’ green screen in Holzer’s covered arena. They also took care of feeding everyone on site that day. The NBC commercial wasn’t Holzer’s first time being involved with a commercial, and her children, Emma and Harrison, have acted in movies. “I have been to sets because of my kids, so I know how it is run normally, and this was very impressive,” Holzer said of the NBC commercial shoot.
Lights, Camera, Action!
Athlete-and-horse combinations were filmed individually and in groups.
(US Equestrian)
On the day of the video shoot, one of Holzer’s working students brought in a horse to prep the lighting before the athletes and horses entered the arena. Holzer noted that the lights are surprisingly hot when you are in the spotlight.
Holzer rode Valentine, and they were joined by Katherine Bateson-Chandler with Grand Charmeur, Anna Buffini with Beach Boy, Susie Dutta with Don Design DC, Laura Graves with SenSation FOD, and Kasey Perry-Glass with Heartbeat W.P. The athletes wore their Charles Ancona shadbelly team coats as well as helmets spray-painted gold. Their mounts wore gold-colored ear bonnets, bridles, boots, and bell boots, as well as flashy gold saddle pads. US Equestrian worked with Charles Owen and SmartPak, who quickly provided the equipment to be spray-painted ahead of the shoot.
Holzer said the shoot took about three hours with the crew filming combinations individually as well as the six combinations together as a group.
“They took us all separately and asked us to do certain things separately in different directions. Then, they asked us to all get together and do some stuff together,” said Holzer. “Some of the horses were a little bit better behaved than the other horses, but there were a lot of lights, a lot of music, a lot of stimuli.”
Holzer said the combinations were able to do some familiarization in front of the green screen, but it was a new experience for the athletes and the horses that required patience.
“In general, it was a great shoot,” said Holzer. “The people who organized it were top-notch. They really knew what they were doing, and the director [Ryan Sage] was amazing. He was patient with us when we were like, ‘Yeah, no, we can’t get the horse to do that there. Can we do it over here?’ He was very good about it.”
The Finished Product
Holzer said she was thrilled to see the commercial air on NBC, noting that the best moments were weaved together for the finished product. While Megan Thee Stallion appears to be dancing with the combinations in the commercial, her portions were filmed at a separate location.
“It was an amazing editing job,” said Holzer. “They are obviously very skilled at what they do.”
It was a memorable experience for Holzer and her fellow athletes getting to take part in something creative with their peers. “What was the most fun about it was we had such a great time as a group of riders doing it together,” said Holzer. “It is just fun to do something different and not be at a horse show competing. It was fun to go in and have fun with our horses and work all together.”
Holzer noted that it was a significant moment for equestrian sport, specifically dressage, in the spotlight. “I think it was so great for our sport to actually be called on to do this commercial,” said Holzer. “I’m so grateful to NBC for including us and to the staff there who were so understanding of the horses. It was a really fun day of shooting. NBC’s crew made it a really great experience.”
Preview the Line-Up + How to Watch Sweden International Horse Show’s Agria Top 10 Indoor Eventing
Boyd Martin and Caruccio Paradise – Sweden International Horse Show Indoor Eventing
I’ve just returned home after being part of such a sensational show in Stockholm.
I was very grateful to be invited by the Swedish Federation and get the ride on the young superstar, Caruccio Paradise. To ride a horse of this caliber at this great event was truly a privilege. We finished 5th both nights of competition and he handled the atmosphere like a champion. I’d like to thank the owners, Klara Calle’s groom, and the horse’s usual rider, Johan Lundin. Johan went above and beyond looking after me last week and showing me around Sweden.
From a rider’s point of view this show was such a wonderful education. To be riding in the thick of the best riders and horses in the world and watching them school and then compete on such a big stage with 13,000 fans was a real treat. It was great to have Silva there to experience it with me as well.
If anyone out there is looking for a very special
7 y/o horse that looks to have the ability for the 5* levels, Calle is for sale!Posted by Boyd Martin on Tuesday, November 29, 2022
The stage is set for the Agria Indoor Eventing at the Sweden International Horse Show this weekend. Last year’s winner, Maxime Livio, is back, as is runner-up Frida Andersén. “This year I hope I’m at least a hundredth faster!” says Frida.
Frida Andersén was only a hundredth of a second from victory when Agria Top 10 Indoor Eventing had its world premiere in Friends Arena a year ago. Now she is back to give top French rider Maxime Livio another match in the fight for the prestigious victory.
“It’s great fun to get the chance again. It’s a great experience for us event riders to be able to enter such a large arena and ride in front of full stands,” she says.
But there are probably more who are hungry for the victory and the prize money of a total of SEK 700,000 (about $67,500 USD). World No. 3 Boyd Martin from the USA is back in Stockholm, as is Sweden’s Sofia Sjöborg, who was second in the qualifiers last year. Also in the starting field is the Briton David Doel, who was successful in Burghley’s 5* competition last autumn, where he rode into second place.
Frida Andersén and Box Compris get a chance for revenge at Friends Arena when a new winner is to be crowned in Agria Top 10 Indoor Eventing. Photo: Roland Thunholm
“There will be tough opposition. I have to hope that I have the margins on my side this time,” says Frida Andersén, who brings the same horse as last time, Box Compris. “It feels safe and this format suits her so well. She is small, fast and maneuverable. It will actually be her last competition, as it is intended that she will go into breeding after that.”
Staffan Lidbeck is competition leader for Agria Top 10 Indoor Eventing. He looks forward to good sport. “It is a starting field with several very good riders. The audience can expect a very exciting and fast-paced competition.”
A total of ten riders from seven nations start in the Agria Top 10 Indoor Eventing. The competition is decided by a qualifier on Thursday evening and a final on Sunday evening. The result in the qualifier determines the starting order in the final, where the winner of the qualifier goes out as the last starter.
You can watch the Agira Top 10 Indoor Eventing live on Horse & Country here. The Thursday qualifier will take place today (11/30) at 9:30 p.m. local time / 3:30 p.m. ET. The final will occur Sunday at 8 p.m. local time / 2 p.m. ET.
Complete starting field:
Boyd Martin – USA
Julien Despontin – BEL
Peter Flarup – DEN
Maxime Livio – FRA
Cyril Gavrilovic – BEL
Frida Andersén – SWE
Sofia Sjöborg – SWE
Anna Freskgård – SWE
Jordy Wilken – NED
David Doel – GBR
Thursday News & Notes
New pony Thursday! Photo by Kate Samuels
Having an empty stall in your barn is downright criminally dangerous, especially if you’re a chronic animal collector such as myself. Not only that, but I have a long-time friend who happens to be a racehorse owner/trainer/exerciser and she happens to know my proclivity for big booty bay boys. So, with all that said, welcome to the family, Balistico! This handsome guy race for seven consecutive years, and is about as cool as they come. He’s a professional, but also a goofy lad who loves all snacks and lives for snuggles and grooming sessions. RRP 2024, maybe?
U.S. Weekend Preview
Rocking Horse December H.T. (Altoona, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
News From Around the Globe:
What makes a five-star horse? The answer isn’t always the prettiest or most talented horse, or eve the horse with a previously winning record. Five-star horses aren’t always brilliant in shorter format competitions, or fun to ride at home. COTH asked Boyd Martin, Jennie Saville, and Phillip Dutton what they have learned to look for in prospects for the top of the sport. [What Makes a Five Star Horse?]
December is basically here, so you’re all caught up on your holiday shopping, right? Okay, okay, me neither if we’re being honest. Don’t worry about the equestrians on your list, however, because here we have one of many horsey shopping guides. [2023 Equestrian Gift Guide]
At the very least, most of us are advised not to buy a lame horse. Paige Emerson broke all the rules, purchasing a mare on DreamHorse who was recovering from, of all things, a broken leg. Despite her complicated medial history, Simi and Paige came through it together with the help of veterinarians and farriers, and enjoy a career together in dressage. [Back from the Brink]
Did you grow up reading Black Beauty repeatedly…or was that just me? Anna Sewell’s timeless novel is something every generation can enjoy. To fall in love with each horse, and cry at their ill-fated fortunes, and sob with happiness when they find safety and happiness is something we can all bond over, and now there is a new animated short film drawn directly from the book. [Black Beauty Animation]
One summer job outside with horses was enough to convince Dr David Ramey, DVM, that the equestrian lifestyle was for him. He promptly left law school, stunned his parents, and decided to be a veterinarian. Forty years later, he is one of the most sought-after voices of reason and science online for the equestrian community. His directness, paired with a bit of wisdom and wit (“God made horses, but only we can make geldings”), has made him a popular voice on horse care and a resource for tens of thousands of readers.[David Ramey Treats Horse with Respect]
Strides for Equality Equestrian Awards Winter 2023/2024 Ever So Sweet Scholarship to Toria Walker
Photo by Genna Fogelberg / GF Films, LLC.
Strides for Equality Equestrians (SEE) and the United States Eventing Association (USEA) Foundation are proud to announce the awarding of the Winter 2023/2024 Ever So Sweet Scholarship (ESS) to Toria Walker.
The Ever So Sweet Scholarship, the first of its kind, provides a fully-funded opportunity for riders from diverse backgrounds to train with 5* eventer and show jumper Sara Kozumplik. Toria Walker, Nashville, Tenn. was selected by the Strides for Equality Equestrians leadership committee from a pool of impressive candidates. All applicants were encouraged to apply again for the Summer 2024 Ever So Sweet award.
Walker, 29, was thrilled to hear she was the recipient of this award. She has been working with her adopted ex-racehorse, Wes, since April of 2022 after becoming an equestrian as an adult. She works with event trainer Lauran Romanelli currently, and is looking forward to building on her education with this immersive program.
“I am incredibly honored for this opportunity,” Walker expressed with gratitude. “I am fully aware that such opportunities are not easily accessible to many individuals, which is why I intend to make the most of it. This will serve as a stepping stone for my equestrian career. My plan is to ride as frequently as possible, on a diverse range of horses, and absorb as much valuable information as I can. Following this experience, my goal is to establish a stronger partnership with Wes, enhance my technique, allow him to gain valuable experience, and establish a solid foundation to kickstart the competition season in 2024.”
Toria noted that on her New Year’s resolutions list for 2023, she wrote that she wanted to go to Florida to ride. “But I had no idea how that was going to happen,” she recalled. Eventually, she met fellow equestrian Key Moore, at a horse show in Atlanta. Moore, who received a Leg Up Grant in 2022 from Strides for Equality Equestrians, suggested that Walker connected with the group. Thanks to the connections she made, she was able to meet her current trainer, Lauren Romanelli, and now becomes the Winter 2023/2024 recipient of the scholarship.
Photo by Genna Fogelberg / GF Films, LLC.
“I would advocate for equal opportunities and access to resources for individuals from all backgrounds,” Walker wrote in her ESS application on the subject of equitable access in equestrian sports. “This could involve working with organizations and stakeholders to develop programs that provide financial assistance, scholarships, and mentorship opportunities to individuals who may face barriers to entry in the equestrian world. Furthermore, I would emphasize the importance of education and awareness regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion within the equestrian community. This could involve organizing workshops, seminars, and training sessions to educate equestrians about the value of inclusivity and the steps they can take to create a more welcoming environment. By fostering a culture of understanding and respect, we can work towards eliminating discrimination and bias within the equestrian world.”
The Ever So Sweet Scholarship is supported by Edy Rameika and Sara Kozumplik. Beginning in summer 2021, bi-annual scholarship recipients were awarded funding to immerse themselves in a high-performance training program with Sara at Overlook Farm Equestrian Center in Berryville, Virginia for three months. During the winter, the scholarship provides two months of training with Sara in Ocala, Florida. The scholarship covers expenses for full board and training costs for a horse, several lessons per week, housing for the rider, a stipend to cover living expenses, competition fees, and coaching at competitions. Participants learn to manage, care for, and compete horses in an immersive program and will have the opportunity to work as part of the team in all aspects of running a large, competitive barn.
Riders will also make professional connections that might otherwise be unattainable and play an active role in fostering a more inclusive environment within the sport. “I’ve had to overcome many challenges in my life as an upper-level event rider, but I never had the challenge of feeling like the sport wasn’t easily available to me. This scholarship allows access for those that currently don’t have a clear pathway to fight for their dreams,” Sara Kozumplik said when explaining why she and Edy Rameika decided to offer the opportunity. The Ever So Sweet scholarship is an important step toward increasing diversity and inclusion in equestrian sports.
Ever So Sweet coach Sara Kozumplik, pictured here with two ESS alumni, Sierra Lesny and Micah Green. Photo by Lisa Madren.
Rameika shares the passion for providing opportunities for deserving riders, “Our family loves horses and the sport of eventing. My daughters, Roxanne and Nadine, began riding when they were quite young. They rode and competed through high school, and Roxanne continued into her college career. We are very fortunate. But there are students in underserved communities who have the passion and talent for the sport but perhaps not the means. Roxanne passed away in 2017 but her passion lives on through her family. Nadine, Sara, and I want to honor Roxanne and Nadine’s Native American heritage and their love of eventing through this scholarship in the hopes of helping to keep others’ dreams alive. Ever So Sweet is a song that was beloved to Roxanne and Nadine, especially during those memorable years of riding.”
Past Ever So Sweet Scholarship recipient Sierra Lesny is now a full-time staff member at Overlook Farm, helping run Sara’s busy eventing and show jumping program and assisting with riding of young and sale or training horses. Sierra says Ever So Sweet helped the trajectory of her career. “Growing up, not seeing many people that look like me in the horse world was disheartening,” Sierra said. “Putting people in this space so that younger kids grow up seeing someone that looks like them, doing the things that they want to do is the most important.”
Applications will open in Q1 of 2024 for the Summer Ever So Sweet Scholarship. Interested applicants can visit https://www.stridesforequality.org/blog/eversosweet for information.
Strides for Equality Equestrians is always open to additional opportunities for equitable inclusion within all equestrian sports. If you’d like to be involved, get in touch with SEE by emailing [email protected].
Paris Olympics to Release Additional Tickets for All Sports on 11/30
Jesse Campbell and Diachello. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
If you missed out on the chance to snag tickets for the upcoming Paris Olympics (July 26 – August 11, 2024), there’s one more shot coming tomorrow (Thursday, November 30). Paris officials have announce that 400,000 additional tickets for all sports, including the equestrian disciplines, will be made available beginning on the 30th at 10 a.m. local time. That’s 4 a.m. EST, and these tickets will sell out so you’ll want to get in line, Eras Tour style, to have the best shot.
You can create an account on the Paris 2024 website in advance to save time on the day of (and you’ll also receive updates should any additional tickets be put on offer). Click here to create your account, and use that link as well to make your ticket purchases.
The equestrian sports at Paris 2024 will take place at the Palace of Versailles.
You can view the full sport schedule here. The equestrian sports are scheduled as follows:
Eventing
July 26 – First Horse Inspection
July 27 – Dressage
July 28 – Cross Country
July 29 – Final Horse Inspection / Show Jumping
Dressage
July 30 – 1st Team & Individual Qualifier
July 31 – 1st Team & Individual Qualifier
August 3 – Grand Prix Special, Team Final
August 4 – Grand Prix Freestyle, Individual Final
Show Jumping
August 1 – Team Qualifier
August 2 – Team Final
August 5 – Individual Qualifier
August 6 – Individual Final
When you shop for tickets, you can search by venue and event to select the sport(s) of your choice. Best of luck!
Follow along with all of EN’s coverage of the Olympics here.
EN’s pre-coverage of the Paris Olympics in 2024 is brought to you with support from Zoetis — Long Live the Horse.
