Classic Eventing Nation

Nilson Moreira da Silva and Muggle Gallop to Victory at Poplar Place CIC3*

By on Mar 26, 2016 6:50 pm -
Nilson Moreira da Silva and Muggle. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld. Nilson Moreira da Silva and Muggle. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Time became the deciding factor in the Poplar Place Farm CIC3*, and Nilson Moreira da Silva (BRA) and Muggle came out on top with the fastest clear round of the division. The event was a good lead-up for the pair’s first CCI4* attempt coming soon at Rolex Kentucky, and Nilson was clearly very pleased with his results.

“Muggle is getting better and better. We have finally started to figure out the dressage and I’m really happy with his score. He jumped beautiful this morning in show jumping and he showed in the cross country how good he is coming,” Nilson said.

The pair scored a 48.2 in dressage to secure second place. One rail over a tough show jumping course dropped them to third, but a clear round and only 5.2 time penalties to add on cross country resulted in a win with ten points to spare.

Nilson and Muggle, a 12-year-old Thoroughbred cross gelding owned by the Phoenix Syndicate made up of Nilson, Melissa Stubenburg, Laura VanderVliet and Kathleen Overbaugh, have now completed ten three-stars together over the last three years. They qualified for Rolex last year, but Nilson ultimately decided they needed more experience. Now they aim to tackle their first four-star in April and are on track to represent Brazil at the Rio Olympics this summer.

Nilson receives help from his partner, Laura VanderVliet, at home and receives coaching from Bruce Davidson as well as the Brazilian team coach Mark Todd. All three will be there with him in Kentucky. “I can’t ask for more,” Nilson said.

A three-star win isn’t the only thing to make today special. Nilson met Laura at this event five years ago not long after he moved from Brazil to the U.S; Nilson began his eventing career here and he and Laura now have a business together, L & N Equestrian. Today is also Nilson’s mother’s birthday.

“Looking back five years ago and how far I’ve come, that’s because I have really nice people behind me. I have my owners Melissa and Kathleen and my sponsors Antares and Triple Crown. I’m going to try to do the best I can. I have a really good team supporting me. I can’t ask for more.”

Joe Meyer and Clip Clop. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Joe Meyer and Clip Clop. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The general consensus among the riders I’ve spoken with is that even though some places on course are a bit heavy from Thursday’s deluge of rain, they were glad for the softer ground. Joe Meyer (NZL) and Clip Clop skipped across the course as the three-star division’s trailblazers, adding 11.2 time penalties to finish in second place on a score 67.6, moving up from ninth place after dressage.

“Clippy,” a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse owned by Joe, Madison Foote and Theresa Foote, will also be making his first four-star appearance at Rolex in April. Joe brought him to Poplar for a good fitness run. “He was good on the hills and that’s what we really needed. We still have a bit more fitness to do the next couple of weeks,” Joe said. “He’s getting much more settled and much more relaxed. A year ago he was still massively wound up at the start and really quite a handful. He’s much quieter now.”

“We were going at a good clip but not flat out. When I got back I was a little disappointed because I had a couple of waiting distances and should have [moved on]. Saying that, you do have a couple of butterflies when it’s your last planned run before a real big one. It’s nice to get that out of the way.”

While many Rolex-bound riders plan to run once more at The Fork, Joe is opting to do the Advanced-CT at Ocala and some show jumping at Longwood in addition to their fitness work.

Julie Richards and Sandhills Brillaire. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Julie Richards and Sandhills Brillaire. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Julie Richards and Sandhills Brillaire were fifth after Friday’s dressage on a 50.2. This morning she and the 14-year-old Thoroughbred/Warmblood mare produced the only double-clear show jumping round in the division, moving into second place. Time penalties on cross country dropped them to third, but Julie is thrilled with the mare’s weekend and is looking forward to continuing to develop their partnership.

“The horse is the most genuine-minded horse I’ve ever ridden,” Julie said. “I’ve had so many Advanced horses, and she’s the calmest horse. I don’t know if it’s intelligence or what, she just knows the job. She’s such a good animal and she’s always giving you everything she has.”

Julie got the ride on “Sparkle” in October 2015, when the Richards family bought her site unseen from her breeder Chris Barrett in Australia, who piloted the mare to a win at the 2012 Adelaide CCI4*. Now owned by Equine Olympic Investments, she is aiming for the Summer Olympics and nearly have their qualifications in order. They will aim for the Ocala CCI2* in April and if all goes well compete in the U.S. Olympic Selection Trials at the Jersey Fresh CCI3* in May. This event was their first Advanced together.

“There were little things I know we can improve, but her dressage is getting so much more connected with me,” Julie said. “In show jumping she is so careful. Cross country was good. It was not overly huge but there was enough out there. I just stayed confident and rode as fast at the jumps as I would at a proper three-day, I just didn’t pick up the gear in between.

“At Ocala I will do the best dressage I can, I don’t want to leave one mark out. At Jersey, I better be competitive. I’ll be trying to make the time there. I set the goal to get her qualified [for the Olympics]. When I started I thought how far fetched it was, now it’s starting to feel like it could be a reality.”

Katie Ruppel and Houdini. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld

Katie Ruppel and Houdini. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld

Katie Ruppel and her own 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Houdini held their lead after this morning’s show jumping, lowering one rail but entering cross country with a fair amount of breathing room. They were clear, but a few too many time penalties dropped them to a fourth place finish on 72.3.

“It was a really good confidence builder for him. It wasn’t tricky but it was hard enough with hard lines and angles. It was a good confidence building course and hopefully all the horses came off the course feeling better,” Katie said.

Katie and Houdini will be making a return to Rolex this year to contest North America’s toughest track for the third time. “He’s going better than ever right now. I took him to France [for Pau CCI4*] last fall and we didn’t get the results we wanted, but I feel like the trip helped him and made him grow up. It was a really good experience for him. Hopefully he will not be so wide-eyed going into Kentucky this year and he will perform much the same as he did this weekend.”

Katie and Houdini were the only pair in the division to crack the 30s on Friday’s dressage. They scored a 37.1 to take an early lead. “He’s always been a pretty good dressage horse, but he’s a little quirky, hot, sensitive and nervous. Getting him to the ring takes quite a while but finally at 12 years old I think I have finally figured out what works for him and it seems to be working better and better. I’m really pleased with the test he put in.”

Katie has had Houdini since he was a 2-year-old and produced him up the levels. “He’s a pet. He’s my buddy. He’s really a very sweet horse,” she said. “I want to have fun. He’s my own horse. I own him and I’ve had him for ten years. I just want to enjoy him at the top level. He owes me nothing.”

Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Karl Slezak (CAN) and Fernhill Wishes, a 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse owned by Karl and Kirk Hoppner, held fast to their lead in the CIC2* to win handily on a score of 47.4. The pair scored a 37.8 on the flat to take an early lead. A double-clear show jumping round followed by a clear cross country with 9.6 time penalties secured a win for the young horse in only his second two-star appearance.

Nilson Moreira da Silva and Cash, an 8-year-old Thoroughbred owned by the Phoenix Syndicate, rocketed up the leaderboard today. They were 12th after dressage on a 53.6 and posted two clear jumping rounds and adding 6.8 cross country time penalties on cross country to finish second.

Likewise, Lizzy Jahnke and Princeton moved up from ninth place after dressage to finish in third on a 61.6. In their first two-star as a pair, Lizzy and the 10-year-old Thoroughbred owned by Light Speed Equestrian, LLC jumped double-clear in show jumping and added only time penalties to their score on cross country.

Maren Foster and Caribbean Soul led from start to finish in the CIC*, adding 10.0 time penalties on cross country to finish on a 53.4. Haley Currey and Resolute Protector were second with a 58.2 followed by Susie Beale and her own and Leslie Collins’ Amasing F who finished on the same score.

The Training levels show jump tomorrow while Novice and Beginner Novice run cross country. We’ll have more from Poplar Place Farm coming soon.

Poplar Place Farm CIC & H.T. [Website] [Live Scores] [EN Coverage]

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Victory is Sweet for Allison Springer and Arthur at Carolina

By on Mar 26, 2016 6:00 pm -
Allison Springer and Arthur. Photo by Jenni Autry. Allison Springer and Arthur. Photo by Jenni Autry.

It’s been a long time coming for Allison Springer and Arthur to get back on top of a major podium. They last won a CIC3* at Red Hills in 2011, and they added another three-star victory to their longtime partnership today at Carolina International, defending their overnight lead with a clear cross country trip and just 3.2 time penalties to finish first on 46.6.

Is the Arthur Syndicate’s Arthur just getting better with age? At 17 years old, he delivered the only finishing score in the 40s in a 64-strong field of the top combinations in the country. The win today means this stalwart Irish Sport Horse gelding is now officially qualified to make his seventh appearance at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event next month.

“I’m thrilled with him. He had a great weekend. I certainly had to work for it, but I always do with him. But he’s a horse that is so capable of winning,” Allisaon said. “It’s only in the past really since (the 2012 London Olympics) that I’ve had more horses to ride. You have to have more horses, and that gives you such experience. I think just that — more experience for me as a rider — is what I need to make him a winning horse.”

Maya Black and Doesn't Play Fair. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Maya Black and Doesn’t Play Fair. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Allison also referenced words of wisdom Phillip Dutton gave to her in years past: “Phillip said, ‘You want Plan A to work, but the best riders in the world recover and get it done.’ And I perhaps haven’t been great at that in the past, and I think this was fun today. This is not a horse that’s easy to go fast on a short course like this. But I thought, ‘Why not, Let’s do it!'”

Maya Black and Dawn Dofelmier’s Doesn’t Play Fair rallied in a big way after pulling two rails on Marc Donovan’s show jumping course yesterday. That knocked them out of a three-way tie for the lead following a stellar dressage test on Thursday, but Maya put the pedal down today to pilot the 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding to one of only three double clear rounds in the division, moving up to finish in second place on a final score of 53.0.

“Ideally we want all three phases, but I at least feel a little bit like I’m back to how I used to be, which was having a good dressage and a good cross country, so at least now I have one thing to focus on, so that’s a plus,” Maya said. “He’s not really an easy horse to just go out and canter around on, so when I run him and since I don’t have a lot of other upper-level horses myself, I kind of need the practice galloping and jumping out of speed. For me, my plan was to go out and ride it how I needed to ride it.”

Lynn Symansky and Donner. Photo by Rare Air Eventing Photography.

Lynn Symansky and Donner. Photo by Rare Air Eventing Photography.

As for Maya’s thoughts on Ian’s course: “I thought it was fun. There was definitely a lot to do. It was interesting coming back to another Ian Stark course because when I was bringing ‘Cody’ along, (Ian) designed at Galway, which is where I did my first one-star and two-star with Cody, so I’ve brought Cody along with this kind of course in mind. He does well with it.”

It was a good day to be sitting on a Thoroughbred as the three-star riders tackled the forward, aggressive pace Ian Stark laid out on this brand new track, and Lynn Symansky and the Donner Syndicate’s Donner had one of the faster rounds in the division to cross the finish flags with 4.8 time penalties. They finished third on 53.0 — an excellent prep for either Rolex or Badminton, where they’re currently cross-entered.

“This type of course doesn’t suit him quite as well. Sometimes having a few more galloping fences and having it hit hard toward the middle and the end suits him a little bit better. He’s more of a longer-type-of-course horse. In the beginning he was just a little bit sticky and a little bit surprised,” Lynn said.

“I haven’t done that much with him this year. I did Wellington and then an Intermediate at Rocking Horse, so this was his first real proper run. He needed it, and I needed it too. He got better and better as the course went on. There was certainly enough to do. And then it led up as the course went on; I think that’s (Ian’s) style as a course designer.”

Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights. Photo by Jenni Autry.

As for how she thinks this new course benefits horses and riders aiming for Rolex: “I think it depends how it ended today. I think if you had a good go around you are pretty confident, but not too confident. You don’t want to be too confident (going into Kentucky). It definitely tested where we need to go home and do some homework or where we can ease off going into Kentucky.

Lynn is waiting on the announcement of which riders with receive USEF High Performance Grants for major spring competitions, as she’s applied for a Badminton grant. “It would be awesome to go back to Kentucky. We have so much local support, and it’s great for the Donner Syndicate to be able to go to Kentucky and cheer him on. There something to be said for that as well. It’s a win-win for wherever we end up going this spring.”

Phillip Dutton and David Garrett’s Indian Mill completed their first three-star as a combination in good form, moving up from 10th place after dressage with a clear round and 6 time penalties to finish in fourth place on 53.5. The 11-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, a former ride of Paul Tapner, is also currently entered to compete at Badminton in May.

Boyd Martin and Master Frisky. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Boyd Martin and Master Frisky. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Laine Ashker piloted her own Anthony Patch to a beautiful clear round with 4.8 time penalties to round out the top five on a final score of 55.5. That’s three Thoroughbreds finishing in the top five of a massive three-star division. And that also means two 17-year-old horses finished in the top five. If experience comes with age, “Al” is looking in fantastic form to tackle the sixth CCI4* of his career at Rolex.

Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights made the biggest move up the leaderboard in this phase, shooting up from equal 24th place to finish in sixth on 55.8 with a clear round and just 1.2 time penalties. Katherine Coleman and Longwood also made an impressive jump of the leaderboard with one of the three double clear cross country rounds, moving all the way up from 49th after dressage to finish in seventh place on 56.1.

Sound Prospect became the fourth Thoroughbred to finish in the top 10 with Allie Knowles in the irons. The 14-year-old gelding owned by Sound Prospect LLC cruised around for a clear round with 6.8 time penalties to finish in eighth place on 57.4. Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville completed their first FEI competition since the 2014 World Equestrian Games in textbook form, finishing ninth with 9.2 time penalties on cross country.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and HHS Cooley. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and HHS Cooley. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Phillip Dutton finished a second ride inside the top 10 aboard Mr. Candyman, who had the honors of being the guinea pigs as the first out of the start box on Ian Stark’s hefty new three-star track. The course certainly caused its fair share of drama. Most notably, Buck Davidson had to withdraw both Ballynoe Castle RM and The Apprentice, who were sitting third and fifth, respectively, after he fell from Carlevo at 8b, a triple brush coming out of the Tobacco Barn.

Buck confirmed to EN that he is totally fine after the fall, but since he did hit his head as he fell, the medical staff on site felt it would be best for him to withdraw the remainder of his rides. “Things can always be worse, and I’m headed home to see Aubrey and Andrea a day early,” Buck said.

Master of All Things Rick Dunkerton kindly provided the fence report to EN so you can break down where the majority of the problems occurred on course. You can click here to see the live scores. Sixty-four horses and riders ultimately set out on course, with 59 completing. About 20 percent of the division completed with jumping penalties.

Ryan Wood and Woodstock Bennett finished 38th. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Ryan Wood and Woodstock Bennett. Photo by Jenni Autry.

There were two other rider falls on course. Rachel McDonough and Irish Rhythm parted ways at the third fence when the horse left a leg, and Rachel confirmed they are both totally fine and still planning to aim for Rolex next month. Daniela Mougel and Cecelia fell at the same fence as Buck Davidson did from Carlevo after a lengthy hold on course; she was also up and OK after the fall.

Looking to the Advanced division, Kylie Lyman and Joan Nichols’ Lup the Loop took the lead following cross country with a clear round and 9.2 time penalties. Lauren Kieffer and Jacqueline Mars’ Landmark’s Monte Carlo sit in second on 39.4, with Boyd Martin and Welcome Shadow in third place on 40.3.

At the conclusion of three full days of competition and with the finale of the National divisions still to come tomorrow, we really can’t say enough about what an unbelievable event this has been. Every year the dynamic duo of Jane Murray and Bobby Costello, who chair the organizing committee, join forces with a slew of other talented officials and volunteers to bring a top-notch event to the Carolina Horse Park.

Kylie Lyman-Dermody and Sacramento. Photo by Kasey Mueller.

Kylie Lyman and Sacramento. Photo by Rare Air Eventing Photography.

Allison Springer galloped Mr. Sydney Rocks this morning at Cloud 11 ~ Field of Dreams, the title sponsor for this amazing event, and put it aptly: “It is the field of dreams. It’s so extraordinary. I think we’re all blessed to have Will (Faudree) and Jennifer (Mosing) and their vision and what they have over there, and I think we all can’t thank them enough not only for that but making this event so special and wonderful.”

The much anticipated Spanning the Globe Competitor’s Party is getting ready to kick off now, so stay tuned for much more from #2016CI. If you missed the two-star report on Will Faudree’s inspiring comeback win with Jennifer Mosing’s Caeleste, click here to read it. And click here to catch up with all of EN’s coverage so far. Go Eventing.

#2016CI Links: Website, Entries, Ride Times, Schedule, Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram

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Will Faudree Makes His Comeback With Caeleste to Win Carolina CIC2*

By on Mar 26, 2016 1:00 pm -
Will Faudree and Caeleste, winners of the 2016 Carolina International CIC2*. Photo by Jenni Autry. Will Faudree and Caeleste, winners of the 2016 Carolina International CIC2*. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Will Faudree and his “little pocket rocket” Caeleste zipped around the Carolina International CIC2* cross country track to complete their eight-place jump up the scoreboard into the top spot.

Only two out of 64 starters came home double-clear, with sixth placed Jessica Schultz and Lock N’ Load being the other. Will and “Mouse” were the fastest of the day, galloping across the finish with three seconds to spare.

Carolina marks Will’s first FEI event since undergoing neck surgery last September. A fall on the Advanced cross country course at Five Points H.T. resulted in broken C6 and C7 vertebrae in his neck and required the surgical fusion of two sections of his spine to stabilize the injury.

That put an early end to Will’s 2015 season but with two top-three CIC2* results this weekend, he has clearly rebounded with a vengeance! The Carolina Horse Park is Will’s stomping ground and he owned it out there today, making short work of  Ian Stark’s imposing CIC2* gauntlet. He had a hairy moment when he fell from Socialite, his first ride in the two-star, but he bounced back to take the win.

“It was nice to be back riding. It was nice to fall and get up. That’s the first time I’ve fallen since the accident, but I’m feeling great. Caeleste was fantastic,” Will said. “I knew the time was tough to get, but I know Caeleste very well, and she is a funny horse because at some of the longer tracks she has gotten tired on me. … When I went to set her up for the second jump, she took a big deep breath, so I actually think it was really educational for her.”

Will and Mouse, a 9-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Jennifer Mosing and Sterling Silver Stables, have come within a hairsbreadth of winning a CIC2* on several occasions. Shortly after he imported her from England in the summer of 2014, they finished third in the Chattahoochee Hills CIC2* and second in the Plantation Field CIC2*. They came fourth in the Carolina International CIC2* last year and had another close call at the Virginia CIC2*, where they finished second.

This weekend the pair finally got their day in the sun. We can’t wait to watch this partnership continue to develop, as Mouse seems to be custom-fitted to Will’s wheelhouse.

That’s what Clark and Jess Montgomery thought, too, when they first spotted the mare in England, where she was being campaigned at the one-star level by Kitty King. It was a whirlwind romance: They told Will they thought he would like her, he flew to England the next day, rode and vetted her the following day, and his longtime owner and supporter Jennifer Mosing generously agreed to buy her the day after.

“I love mares, and she’s a little pocket rocket,” Will told EN when introducing us to his new ride at Plantation Field. “She’s little and fiery and opinionated but in such a great way, and she knows when to go to work and is very happy to go to work.”

Could Mouse be Will’s next superstar? She’s got some big horseshoes to fill….

Carolina spectators and out-of-the-tack riders enjoyed a special treat today when John Zopatti brought out Will Faudree's retired four-star partner Pawlow to show off some Grand Prix dressage movements! Photo by Jenni Autry.

Carolina spectators and out-of-the-tack riders enjoyed a special treat today when John Zopatti brought out Will Faudree’s retired four-star partner Pawlow to show off some Grand Prix dressage movements! Photo by Jenni Autry.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night, the leaders coming into today’s CIC2* competition, slipped to second on account of 6.40 time penalties, but it was exactly the confidence-boosting run she wanted for Blackie, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Deborah Halliday.

“I came here with a real plan, and I was very lucky to have some help from Phillip (Dutton) in the last week with Blackie. He said, ‘It doesn’t matter than you’re in the lead, don’t worry about it. The horse doesn’t need to win another two-star.’ It’s always nice to win, but he’s a three-star horse, so the plan was always to ride every jump perfectly and give him the best run possible,” Liz said.

“He felt the best he’s felt in a long time and felt really on the job and very happy. It was exactly what he needed. … He’ll run the Advanced at The Fork next. I think this was a strong enough two-star and were enough questions for the horse. Obviously he’s in the good books now, and we’ll see what happens at The Fork. Today the plan worked, and if anyone was going to win, I’m glad it was Will. I think it was totally deserved.”

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Not content to simply win the division, Will took third as well with Hans Dampf. A great day all around here at the Carolina Horse Park! Click here to see the full fence report courtesy of Master of All Things Rick Dunkerton.

Meanwhile, in the CIC*, Katie Lichten and RF Luminati turned in three solid performances to take the no. 1 spot. Katie, a 17-year-old young rider from Hamilton, Massachusetts, finished 12th in the CIC* here last year and are surely over-the-moon with this year’s result, having bettered their dressage score by 5.8 points.

Katie and Harold Lichten’s 9-year-old Hanoverian/Holsteiner gelding, known around the barn as “Toothless” (from How to Train Your Dragon), have been on a roll since taking up with one another not-quite two years ago. In addition to some top one-star finishes, including a fourth in the Virginia CCI* last spring, the pair represented Area 1 in the 2015 North American Junior & Young Rider Championships.

Katie Lichten and RF Luminati, winners of the 2016 Carolina International CIC1*. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Katie Lichten and RF Luminati, winners of the 2016 Carolina International CIC1*. Photo by Kate Samuels.

“He’s a really good show jumper and he really takes care of me, so I was really happy with him,” Katie said. “On cross country, I definitely thought it was a challenging course for the level. There was a lot to do and a lot to look at — a lot of colors. He handled it really well. He’s a pretty fast horse, and he’s really careful so I could just whizz around. He was awesome. I knew the time was hard to make, but we came him in a bit under.”

Katie got Toothless about two years ago from Jan Byyny, who she also trains with now and said has helped immensely with her riding. Their goal is to aim for Young Riders again this year, and Katie said she’s looking forward to competing at the Colorado Horse Park this year.

Jenny Caras finished second on her 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse Fernhill Full Throttle in their first FEI competition together. On their heels was Matthew Flynn and Wizzerd, an 8-year-old Dutch gelding with whom he recently finished 6th in the Red Hills CIC1*.

Jenni’s out roaming the fields, watching the final cross-country rides of the CIC3* division, so check back later for her full report!

#2016CI Links: Website, Entries, Ride Times, Schedule, Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram

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#EventerProblems, Vol. 63

By on Mar 26, 2016 12:50 pm -

#EventerProblems are universal. Exhibit A: You don’t have to be fluent in Danish to know EXACTLY what this means…

Det føltes næsten som at vinde noget da jeg fandt den igen… MED mordax i endnu #eventerproblems

A photo posted by Lea Ditte Marsk Lauridsen (@lea_lauridsen) on

More struggles from around the country and the world…

Can you please look cute again? Carrot..for oh… PLEASE! #horsesofinstagram #eventersofinstagram #eventerproblems A photo posted by Hailey Norby (@pnw.eventing) on

Baby Bert knows how to do Monday mornings #breakfastinbed #ohalbert #jealous #eventerproblems #hpequestrian

A video posted by Isabella Osekavage (@izzyo11) on

When you have to bed 10 stalls @izzyo11 #EventerProblems #SoMuckingFun #Winners #HPEquestrian

A photo posted by Kendyl (@kshantz1238) on

Ummm Betsy that’s not exactly how it’s used 😉 #hungryhippo #nibblenet #ottb #eventerproblems #longboardfarm

A photo posted by Katie Malensek (@kmalensek) on

Today was basically perfect. I think I have a problem. #horseaddict #eventerproblems #mylifeisperfect A photo posted by Abbie Traxler (@traxlera) on

Up before the sun #showseason #eventerproblems

A photo posted by Kate Sundquist (@kateinwanderlust) on

Black friday for horse people #bringonthecrazies #onlyamorningpersonforhorses #eventerproblems A photo posted by Jessica Solo (@jumpingginger92) on

“Does he have his changes?” “Well, you see, …” #flyingchange #nailedit #joshuadelbert #eventerproblems

A photo posted by Emma Van Nostrand (@emmarae2319) on

If you missed them: Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62.

Got #EventerProblems? Tag them on social for inclusion in a future edition!

Go Eventing.

Who Jumped It Best? Carolina International CIC* Edition

By on Mar 26, 2016 10:00 am -

Not only did Carolina International have three days of dressage this year, but they also have three consecutive days of cross country action, which got underway today with the huge CIC* division. With 77 starters and 68 finishers, Ian Stark’s course rode well for the brave at heart, but caused it’s fair share of trouble as well. I camped out at the Weldon’s Wall late in the course, which rode boldly on a slight angle off a downhill gallop. Let’s see who jumped it best!

#2016CI Links: Website, Entries, Ride Times, Schedule, Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram

Will Coleman & Cooley Off The Record. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Will Coleman & Cooley Off The Record. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Kristine Burgess & Regatta. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Kristine Burgess & Regatta. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Babette Lenna & Marketscan. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Babette Lenna & Marketscan. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Cornelia Dorr & Sir Patio MH. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Cornelia Dorr & Sir Patio MH. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Sydney Soloman & Early Review C. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Sydney Soloman & Early Review C. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Brigitte Aikelin & Evening Melody. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Brigitte Aikelin & Evening Melody. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Gabby Dickerson & Phineas Flynn. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Gabby Dickerson & Phineas Flynn. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Dana Cooke & Ophelia. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Dana Cooke & Ophelia. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Poplar Place Farm CIC3* Cross Country Course Walk

By on Mar 26, 2016 8:00 am -
12ab. Poplar Lake 12ab. Poplar Lake

Originally, Poplar Place Farm in Hamilton, Ga. had schedule the weekend’s FEI divisions to show jump today and run cross country tomorrow, but due to inclement weather incoming on Sunday, the organizers opted to run both jumping phases for the FEI divisions today. Show jumping for the CIC3* begins at 8:30 with a quick turnaround to cross country at 11:00.

The course is designed by Poplar Place Farm’s longtime designer Tremaine Cooper and built by Tyson Rementer, whose work is well recognized in the many intricate wood carvings found on course. Rob Mobley is also on site this weekend helping with course prep and maintenance.

The track well utilizes Poplar’s rolling terrain, switching back over the property several times but giving horse and rider plenty of time to stand up and gallop. The Advanced follows the same track as the three-star with some differing technical elements noted in the gallery below.

Three of our top four after dressage are entered at Rolex Kentucky: Overnight leader Katie Ruppel and Houdini (though her name is not yet listed on the entries, she has sent one in), Nilson Moreira da Silva and Muggle, Sara Murphy and Catchascatchcan. They’ll all be looking to jump clear of course, but we may see a shake up in the leaderboard in they opt to give their horses a quiet, easy run.

Stay tuned for more from Poplar Place Farm!

Poplar Place Farm CIC & H.T. [Website] [Live Scores] [EN Coverage]

Saturday Links from Tipperary

By on Mar 26, 2016 1:40 am -
All roads lead to rolex. Photo by Samantha Clark All roads lead to rolex. Photo by Samantha Clark

Happy Easter Weekend, EN! I must admit, I am looking forward to Monday for the awesomeness that is half-priced Cadbury Creme Eggs. As if that wasn’t enough, Rolex is right around the corner. Last year saw the start of a new tradition at Rolex, the MSEDA Party at the Park, presented by Park Equine Hospital. This year the event will take place Friday, April 29th, approximately 45 minutes after the final dressage ride of Rolex. The funds raised by the event will be used by MSEDA to help contribute toward worthy charitable projects such as improvements made to the Kentucky Horse Park by the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation. Previously, MSEDA supported the new dressage complex at the Kentucky Horse Park, contributing toward a laser level for the maintenance of the rings and improvements ot the barns. Online registration is available now! [More information here]

Events This Weekend:

#2016CI Links: Website, Entries, Ride Times, Schedule, Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram

Poplar Place Farm CIC & H.T. [Website] [Live Scores] [EN Coverage]

Stable View Winter II H.T. [Website] [Live Scores]

MeadowCreek Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Saturday Links:

Does your horse have an inspiring story about coming back from a serious injury or illness? OCD Pellets wants to hear all about it! Send in your rehab to [email protected]for a chance to win an OCD prize pack (2-month supply of OCD Pellets, 1-month supply of COS Canine, and an OCD Pellets hat and T-shirt). Entries close Monday, May 2, 2016, and the story that receives the most views on EN will win. [Contest Details]

Oklahoma man and horse shot in drive by shooting

Police horse at the Krispy Kreme drive thru

California Chrome looks to make racing history

Glen Ellen man killed after being crushed by horse trailer

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid: Horse racing has come home

Saturday Video:

It’s almost Rolex time!!

12 Must-Read Quotes from Show Jumping Day at Carolina

By on Mar 25, 2016 6:00 pm -
Allison Springer and Arthur. Photo by Jenni Autry. Allison Springer and Arthur. Photo by Jenni Autry.

We wrapped up a long but wonderful day here at Carolina International by catching up with some of the division leaders to get their thoughts on all the action. Read on for quotes from Allison Springer, Emily Beshear, Buck Davidson and Liz Halliday-Sharp, and click here to catch up on all of EN’s coverage so far.

Allison Springer and Arthur broke up the three-way tie for first place following dressage in the CIC3* by jumping one of the 16 double clear show jumping rounds today. The 17-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by the Arthur Syndicate is aiming for his seventh appearance at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event next month. Here’s what Allison had to say about their day:

“I kind of know what I have to do to warm him up and then have to ride him the best that I can to give him a smooth ride. … I thought it was a tough course, but I think our show jumping courses should be tough. … I think it’s good for us. We gotta up our game, and I thought I saw a lot of really nice rounds. I think it was about right.”

On preparing for Rolex: “He knows his job, and I’ve done a heck of a lot less with him. He’s been in work, but after Wellington he had an easy month because I wanted to keep him very happy and strong. I think he’s in as good of form as he’s ever been. I think that comes with wisdom of years of doing it. I don’t have to go to every competiion and do every lesson. You can guage what the horse needs.”

On her longtime partnership with Arthur: “We’re like an old married couple.”

Allison Springer and Arthur in slow mo! Video by Jamie Rees #2016CI

A video posted by Eventing Nation (@goeventing) on

Emily Beshear and Shame on the Moon are sitting in second place in the CIC3* after jumping a clear round with one time penalty in show jumping. The 10-year-old Trakehner/Thoroughbred mare owned by Deep Purple Eventing is gearing up for her first four-star at Rolex next month. Here’s what Emily had to say about today:

“It’s so exciting because I feel like she’s developed a lot. This is two years now that I’ve been riding her. She’s only 10 this year, and I feel like there’s so much more to build on,” Emily said. “She’s the first horse I’ve had that every goal we’ve made she’s met or exceeded. It’s rare because I don’t have many I get to ride at that level, so it’s great to have one like her.”

On the show jumping course: “It was typical Marc Donovan. He tests you in every way possible. He asked a lot of different questions, and it was very fair. If you made a wrong decision somewhere, it could spiral. It really tested me to have good reactions out there.”

On starting to train with Kim Severson for show jumping: “It’s great because in the warm up I’m usually thinking so much about me and what my horse is doing and what I need to adjust, and it was so great to have her on the ground to be able to think of those pieces for me so I could concentrate on my ride and trust that we had the horse warming up as well as I needed to.”

On preparing for Rolex: “My plan is to have this as my last run before Kentucky. It’s nice knowing I have The Fork there if I need it, but I don’t really want to have to use it. I think the course is very impressive, but for a horse that you’re heading to Kentucky, I think it asks a lot of the questions we’re going to need to answer. My plan is to go out and try to give it a nice forward feel. She’s gotten to be such a fabulous cross country horse. All the separate pieces are there. It’s just a matter of me riding one piece at a time.” 

Emily Beshear and Shame on the Moon now sit in 2nd place in the CIC3* at Carolina #2016CI

A photo posted by Eventing Nation (@goeventing) on

Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM are sitting in familiar territory near the top of a major leaderboard, moving up to third place with a double clear show jumping round. “Reggie,” a 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Carl and Cassie Segal, is one of six horses Buck has entered at Rolex. Here’s what Buck had to say about today:

“He was fantastic. He jumped great. He really likes jumping on grass. I was going to be darn sure I wasn’t going to have the last fence down … but he jumped like always.”

On whether Reggie will go to Rolex: “I’ll know a lot more after tomorrow. It’s trying to see what’s the best fit for him, and I’ll talk it over with Carl and Cassie, but He feels great.”

On Ian’s new course: “I really like how much galloping there is. … It’s not overly big and overly tricky, but there’s plenty to do out there. It should be an exciting day tomorrow.”

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night held onto their overnight lead in the CIC2* with a double clear show jumping round. “Blackie,” a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Deborah Halliday is another horse preparing for Rolex this weekend. Here’s what Liz had to say about their day:

“He really jumped great. It was one of the best rounds I’ve had on him for a long time. It just felt like a really good, positive, flowing round. He can be tricky in the mouth a bit, but he felt pretty good and on the job and switched on. I really enjoyed it.”

On Ian’s course: “I think it’s a good two-star course. It’s forward going, which will suit him. It’s always nice to win, but my main job tomorrow is to give him a good ride. I think it’s most important that he has a good positive round and comes away from it feeling good about himself.”

#2016CI Links: Website, Entries, Ride Times, Schedule, Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram

Katie Ruppel and Houdini Charm the Judges to Lead Poplar Place CIC3*

By on Mar 25, 2016 5:22 pm -
Katie Ruppel and Houdini. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld. Katie Ruppel and Houdini. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Poplar Place Farm in Hamilton, Ga. is hosting close to 250 horses for their annual March Horse Trials, which welcomes national divisions from Beginner Novice through Advanced and a CIC*, CIC2* and CIC3*. The event also features an Adult Team Challenge and Intercollegiate Team Challenge.

Coming into the arena as the penultimate CIC3* combination, Katie Ruppel and her 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Houdini laid down a light, flashy test that kept Katie beaming throughout. A 37.1 gives them a commanding lead going into the jumping phases tomorrow.

Nilson Moreira da Silva (BRA) and Muggle, a 12-year-old Thoroughbred cross owned by Nilson and The Phoenix Syndicate, are second with a 48.2. Joe Meyer (NZL) and South Paw, a 9-year-old Hanoverian/Thoroughbred stallion owned by Joe and Ruth Meyer and Nora McDonald Yaney, wrapped up the division with a 48.6, putting them in third place. Joe is also ninth in the same division on a 52.4 with Clip Clop.

In the CIC2*, Karl Slezak (CAN) and Fernhill Wishes put in a very relaxed and obedient test. They were the only pair in the division of 23 starters to crack into the the 30s and are the overnight leaders with a score of 37.8. Fernhill Wishes is a 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse owned by Karl and Kirk Hoppner.

Karl and Fernhill Wishes finished ninth in the CIC2* at Red Hills this year and were Intermediate/Preliminary winners at Rocking Horse in January. Imported from Ireland as a 4-year-old, the gelding has made an impressive climb up the levels since his first Training level horse trials in February 2015.

Leslie Law (GBR) and his and Carmen Anderson’s stunning grey gelding Call the Law, another 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse, is second in the two-star with a 42.2. Amanda Beale Clement, 16, and Susie Beale’s 13-year-old Thoroughbred Peter Pan scored a 45.2 to secure third place in their first two-star appearance together.

Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Maren Foster and Caribbean Soul are at the top of the CIC* leaderboard with a 43.4. Maren has brought the now 9-year-old Thoroughbred mare up from the Novice level. This is their second FEI appearance having completed the Red Hills CIC* earlier this month. Dani Sussman and Dani and Kristin Martin’s Howard County Hank are second in the CIC* on a 48.9. Haley Curry and Resolute Protector round out the top three with a 49.2.

Due to inclement weather incoming on Sunday, tomorrow’s schedule has been altered so that the FEI divisions will complete both show jumping and cross country in one day. Stay tuned for much more from Poplar Place including a virtual course walk of the CIC3* cross country and a special volunteer spotlight.

Poplar Place Farm CIC & H.T. [Website] [Live Scores] [EN Coverage]

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Friday Video from World Equestrian Brands: A Sweet Moment at Copper Meadows

By on Mar 25, 2016 4:00 pm -

It’s been a rough month for eventing, but also an inspiring one as we witnessed the international equestrian community banding together to celebrate the good things that are at the heart of our sport.

At the center of it all, of course, is the connection between horse and human. It’s a relationship between two beings that requires no words and manifests in myriad ways, from leaping into the unknown on a cross-country course to quiet moments of affection and peace.

This video, taken at Copper Meadows H.T. last year and sent to us by Area VI eventer Shadney Elwell, exemplifies that special relationship. It was accompanied by this note: “I thought with all the sadness we see in this sport this was a great depiction of the bond horse and rider can have.”

Shadney and her mare, Ellagance (“Ella”), have a long history together. “I got her as a 3 year old and broke and trained her myself, which is why I think we have such a great bond,” Shadney says. “She is truly my once-in-a-lifetime horse!”

The pair competes at Training Level and are hoping to move up to Prelim soon. This is a photo of them shortly after their cuddle session, during their show jumping round:

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Photo courtesy of Shadney Elwell.

Go Shadney and Ella. Go Eventing.