Classic Eventing Nation

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

By on Jan 16, 2024 7:57 am -

 

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The Belgian eventing team haven’t just had the 2023 season of dreams, earning themselves myriad accolades, an Olympic qualification, Nations Cup domination, and much, much more — they’re also cleaning up this winter, winning plenty of awards at galas for their upward trajectory. We’ll be carrying on our vocal support for this exciting team as the year continues, and for now, we’re really enjoying seeing them get all the praise they richly deserve. Congratulations, guys!

Events Opening Today: Twin Rivers Winter H.T., Rocking Horse Winter III H.T., Sporting Days Farm March H.T. II

Events Closing Today: Galway Downs 2024 Kickoff H.T., Sporting Days Farm February Trials H.T. II, Three Lakes Winter I H.T. at Caudle Ranch

Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:

After a horrific field injury, no one was sure if Hollywood Dancer would even recover. Her rider, British 5* competitor Dani Evans, very nearly had the mare euthanised there and then after seeing the extent of the damage — which included a punctured lung — but ultimately decided to try to save her. And save her she did: now, the mare is enjoying life as a broodmare. Check out her story here.

Curious to know more about Sydney Elliott? Our own Allie sat down with her to find out about the making of this stalwart US team rider in a story that was first published in Sidelines and is now holding court on the US Eventing site. It’s well worth a read.

USEF’s annual meeting had a big focus on one topic: and no points for you if you guessed that it was social license, because that’s the subject we can’t get away from at the moment. But rather than conversation, their focus was on finding solutions. Here’s how they got on.

Okay, so we know horses don’t like pigs — but why, when we can effectively desensitise them to just about anything else? Here’s an insight into the weirdness.

 

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Sponsor Corner: Kentucky Performance Products donated $1000 to Horse and Hound Rescue Foundation 🐴🐶 The Foundation was the charity chosen by grand prize winner of KPP’s 25th Anniversary Contest, Emily Parmenter. Horse & Hound Rescue finds homes for off-track Thoroughbreds and is a sanctuary for senior dogs. Read more here!

Watch This:

In need of some pre-season fitness inspo? Ros Canter’s got a novel way to get those steps in…

 

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Monday Video: A Lesson With Nicola Wilson

By on Jan 15, 2024 4:30 pm -

Join Samantha and her 9-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred Knightly as they ride in a group lesson with the indomitable Nicola Wilson! Knightly is a former national hunt racer who last raced three years ago. Nicola works with this pair on impulsion and rhythm to the fences — something I’m sure many of us can also work on and should be able to benefit from watching Samantha’s lesson.

Weekend Winners: Majestic Oaks

By on Jan 15, 2024 1:30 pm -

Seriously wishing I could be in Florida right now, getting an early start to the season! While temperatures around the country are dipping below zero, we’re living vicariously through our fellow Eventers down south!

For our second weekend of 2024, we saw Majestic Oaks running in Reddick, Florida. Congrats to all on successful rides, with a special shout out to the winner of our Unofficial Low Score Award, Marilyn Payne and Rock Me Mama, who scored an epic 20.0 in the Open Novice C!

Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks (Reddick, FL) [Website] [Results]

Open Preliminary: Leslie Law and Must Be Cooley (25.2)
Preliminary Rider: Devin Robel and Gillou (25.8)
Open Modified: Liz Lund and Franklin Delano CF (30.3)
Open Training A: Vanessa Stevenson and Balboa (23.6)
Open Training B: Ariel Grald and Sunhill Cobrio (28.3)
Training Rider: Michelle McNamara and Jungle Prince (28.1)
Novice Rider A: Maura Tierney and Ballytarsna Dunne Waiting (32.0)
Novice Rider B: Afton Markoski and Paper Maker (34.8)
Open Novice A: Alexander O’Neal and Chippendale (22.8)
Open Novice B: Sinead Maynard and Lightning V/Z (28.1)
Open Novice C: Marilyn Payne and Rock Me Mama (20.0)
Beginner Novice Rider: Rachel Kim and Lolapalooza (29.4)
Open Beginner Novice: Sinead Maynard and Fernhill Nico (30.3)
Starter – Intro A: Shana Boteler and TRF Elphaba (30.7)
Starter – Intro B: Marley Bridges and Triple Magic (35.7)

Dates Announced for USEA Grooms Program 2024 Ocala Educational Series

By on Jan 15, 2024 11:30 am -

Last week, the dates for the USEA Grooms Program Education Series located in Aiken, South Carolina were announced. The USEA Grooms Program now heads down to Ocala, Florida to the World Equestrian Center.

The 2024 Ocala schedule includes Max Corcoran, Dr. Shane Harley, and Jo-Anne Wilson and is as follows:

January 30th, 6pm: All Things Legs with Max Corcoran and guests

February 6th, 6pm: Ask the Vet with Dr. Shane Harley

February 13th, 6pm: How to Make Your Horse a More Efficient Athlete with Jo-Anne Wilson

Attendance is free and open to all, but a donation to help the USEA Grooms Group to help continue these learning opportunities are appreciated! Donations can be sent through the USEA Grooms Program Venmo (@USGroomsProgram).

The USEA Grooms Program was formed in December 2021 by USEA President, Max Corcoran, and top-level eventers Lauren Nicholson and Shannon Lilley. This program is being designed to create a holistic approach for ensuring current and future eventing grooms, the sport’s unsung heroes, receive the development and training to be top-class performers in the role. The program aims for grooms to be acknowledged and rewarded for their accomplishments, as well as to gain access to the resources for expanding their career opportunities. The program aims to provide education and resources for educating U.S. eventing grooms, with a pipeline for future candidates.

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

By on Jan 15, 2024 7:42 am -

 

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You can’t tempt me with matchy-matchy, because I fear colour with all my navy-tan-and-white loving heart — but if the saddle pad companies want to start rinsing me of every penny I own, this is the way to start. I’m pretty sure I ALWAYS need Jesus to take the reins while I’m riding, because after thirty years in the saddle, I still don’t know what I’m doing. Kudos to this kindred spirit for owning the vibe, and to tog JJ Sillman for capturing it in all its glory at a recent Boyd Martin clinic. Want your own? It’s made by independent business TwoSocksDesigns — check it out, get your own, and support a small business owner today!

National Holiday: It’s Martin Luther King Day — and as such, a perfect moment to reflect on equality and humanity in all the worlds we occupy. Read more about this year’s theme and work here, via the King Center.

US Weekend Action:

Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks (Reddick, FL) [Website] [Results]

Your Monday Reading List:

Join H&H in a sad farewell to Vicky Collins, who has passed away following a period of illness. The British powerhouse competed successfully at 5*, and groomed at the upper levels, as well as coaching and training throughout her career. More recently, she’s most often been seen ringside as her daughter, Felicity, makes her mark on the top level of the sport — and she will be much missed by all who knew her.

Former upper-level eventer Robyn Fisher has found a new passion. It’s not often we see eventers find a love for dressage, but she’s certainly done that — and in true eventer style, she’s done it with a horse that most people would have passed over. Follow their incredible story so far here.

NOT that we want to encourage all you looney horse-lovers to ride with an injury, but…Marcella Gruchalak has found that doing so, and accommodating it accordingly, has had some unexpected positive benefits. Don’t try this at home, and all that.

Morning Viewing:

It’s time for a new roster of riders in the Wesko Equestrian Foundation programme — but what’s a training day actually like? Here’s a great look behind the scenes:

Sunday Links from Etalon Equine Genetics

By on Jan 14, 2024 12:01 am -

I’m sure it’s no surprise to anyone that last year’s LRK3DE superhorse Mai Baum is a nominee for this award, but it came down to the wire for learning who would be the 2023 SmartPak x USEF International Horse of the Year. Our favorite black stallion was up against some all-time greats — ultimate ceding the title to showjumping icon HH Azur, aptly quoted as one of the most successful horses of our generation.

I believe in the power our eventing community holds to bring this incredibly horse — and his rider — the recognition they deserve, so Tamie and Mai Baum: you’re our winners!

U.S. Weekend Action

Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks (Reddick, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Links to Start Your Sunday:

Two top horses move to new riders while Helgstrand barred from team duties

The Importance of Allyship in Eventing

Andras Szieberth: Making American Breeding Better With LotusTeam

Hannah Sue Burnett is Business Ben’s new mom

Young Event Horses shine on the world stage in 2023

Sponsor Corner: Etalon Equine Genetics has made an exciting breakthrough in equine genetics — specifically when it comes to coat color 🎨 They’ve discovered discovered two new genetic mutations, named Splashed White 9 and Splashed White 10, in a group of Pura Raza Española (PRE) horses. Get the full story 👉 here.

Morning Viewing: “So what do I do if something goes wrong?” is the most relatable question of the year, and it’s still January. Guaranteed I will not be trying a “super gallop” anytime soon though.

Saturday Video: Mic’d Up with Leo Martin, Part II

By on Jan 13, 2024 5:50 pm -

Lord, make me even half as cool as a tiny Martin baby wearing a backwards skull cap and illegally cantering behind mom’s back. Part 1 of Leo Martin’s riding adventures — now with added microphone — went down a treat, and part 2, in which Leo visibly transforms into a speed demon (good luck, everyone) is even better. I never want to babysit these kids, but I do kind of want to be them.

British Eventing’s Inaugural National Youth Forum Participants Named

By on Jan 13, 2024 1:15 pm -

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

British Eventing is pleased to announce the successful applicants appointed to the inaugural National Youth Forum. The applicants, aged 12 – 21 years, will be working with British Eventing to assist in shaping the future of eventing in Great Britain.

The National Youth Forum members will be encouraged to identify and implement ideas and initiatives alongside likeminded members. They will be given the opportunity to ensure both their own, and the voice of the youth membership, is heard by the national governing body for the sport and key stakeholders.

As youth ambassadors, members of the National Youth Forum will assist foster and promote co-operation, dialogue and a sense of community within the youth eventing community. Serving a minimum of a two-year term, they will work on varying projects and with a variety of working groups within the sport, giving them exposure and a platform.

A recruitment process for the National Youth Forum commenced in November drawing an overwhelming response from those wishing to be involved. The fifteen successful candidates, who represent a broad range of our youth membership, are as follows:

The final panel consists of:

Harriet Blair, aged 17 from Somerset

Flo Burnop, aged 17 from Kent

Natasha Crapper, aged 13 from Wiltshire

Matilda Davey, aged 13 from Hereford

Kyle Forgan, aged 17 from Fife

Sarah Hoare, aged 18 from Lancashire

Jago Jackson, aged 16 from Buckinghamshire

Freya Jones, aged 20 from Devon

Tara Kay, aged 18 from Northamptonshire

Brian Lin, aged 15 from Berkshire

Beatrice Montgomerie, aged 18 from Gloucestershire

Evie Smith, aged 17 from East Lothian

Abi Stuart, aged 17 from Cornwall

Mimi Woodliffe, aged 14 from Somerset

Rosie Williams, CEO of British Eventing, said: “It’s great to see our youth membership embracing the opportunity to work with us and shape the sport for themselves and the future. It’s important that we listen to our youth members and take into account their experiences to ensure we meet our objectives and continue to offer a youth programme that works for all.”

Head of Youth at British Eventing, Darrell Scaife, added: “We’re excited to be restructuring the youth programme into one that will meet everyone’s needs, from grassroots through to international performance. To see such a strong contingent come forward is very encouraging and we look forward to taking the forum’s feedback and rolling out positive changes over the coming months.”

Alongside the National Youth Forum, British Eventing will also be recruiting members for the working groups being created to support the Youth Review Panel. Further information will be released shortly.

To find out more about British Eventing’s Youth programme, click here: https://www.britisheventing.com/compete/youth-eventing

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

By on Jan 13, 2024 12:01 am -

This past season especially, there’s been a lot of talk throughout Area 1 and the wider eventing community about “weather-proofing” events i.e. ensuring venues can survive amidst the occurrence of extreme weather. Huntington Farm of South Strafford, Vermont is looking at this past season, which was riddled with heaving rain and flooding, as a learning experience and an opportunity to upgrade the facility with new drainage systems now that they know which parts of the property are the problem areas. Hats off to Huntington — this can’t be an inexpensive undertaking, but what a season they’re going to have in store for us!

U.S. Weekend Action

Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks (Reddick, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Links to Start Your Weekend:

Maryland International Equestrian Foundation offers scholarship for junior grassroots riders

Farewell to ‘eccentric genius’ and five-star winner who put rider ‘on the map’

Former Eventer Robyn Fisher Pursues A New Passion With An Unlikely Partner

Ask the Expert: Managing Mud On Horse Farms In Winter

2024 Horse Nation Gallop Poll: Tell Us About Yourself!

Sponsor Corner: Allison Springer’s adorable grey Dazzle is enjoying his new Equilibrium Massage Pad from World Equestrian Brands. Look at that sweet face! 😍

Morning Viewing: Catch a replay of the 2024 USEF Annual Meeting General Session.

Scholarships for Junior and FEI Riders Up for Grabs at Maryland Horse Trials

By on Jan 12, 2024 3:14 pm -

Loch Moy Farm shows off its photogenic nature. Photo by Alison Green for Erin Gilmore Photography.

Six scholarships across two categories will be available this spring from the Maryland International Equestrian Foundation for Juniors and FEI riders alike.

The MEIF will award four $1,000 scholarships to riders wanting to compete at the 1*, 2*, 3* or 4* levels at the July Maryland International Horse Trials. The scholarship funds will used entry fees, stabling, travel costs, and other associated competition expenses up to $1,000.

Applications are open from January 15, 2024 to March 31, 2024. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Recipients will be announced April 15, 2024. To apply, click here.

Applicant Criteria:

  • Open to riders who are USEF and USEA members in good standing.

  • Horses and riders must be capable of competing at the level of scholarship they are applying for.

  • Riders may apply for more than one scholarship level as long as it is a different horse/rider combination.

  • Riders and horses who have competed in a 5* competition and/or outside of North America are not eligible.

  • Horse and rider combination may not have competed above the level for which they are applying.

  • Previous applicants are encouraged to re-apply

  • Members of the MIEF Board of Directors and members of their families are not eligible. Family members or current clients of the Scholarship Award Committee are not eligible.

  • Incomplete applications without a video submission and letter of recommendation will not be considered.

The Merrylegs Junior Rider scholarships are geared towards diverse, young equestrians who are competing at a grassroots level. Scholarship recipients will receive a credit of $500 towards Maryland Starter Horse Trials (unrecognized) entries and schooling opportunities at Loch Moy Farm over the next year. The scholarship period is one year after the date the recipient enters their first event. After this period, unused scholarship funds will expire. Loch Moy Farm offers a variety of fun and accessible opportunities throughout the year for grassroots riders to learn and compete.

Applications for this initial round are due March 1, 2024. Two scholarships will be awarded during this round. To apply, click here.

Applicant Criteria:

  • Junior riders* age 13 – 17 riding at a grassroots level who would like to compete or are competing at the elementary, beginner novice, or novice levels. *{as defined by USEF and USEA Rulebook)

  • Local to Loch Moy Farm and able to arrange a suitable horse and travel to the venue. Scholarship funds can also be applied towards stabling. Recipients do not need to own their own horse, or use the same horse throughout the year. Participants in riding school lesson programs are encouraged to apply!

  • Ready to tell us how this scholarship would help them advance their riding goals.

  • Enthusiastic about increasing access to equestrian sports for underrepresented groups.

  • Willing to share their experience on Maryland Horse Trials and MIEF social & print media.

  • Able to further their equestrian education by volunteering 8 hours at any Maryland Horse Trials event. The volunteer hours may be split up.

Scholarship recipients will be subject to the rules and requirements of the events they enter.