Classic Eventing Nation

This Week in Horse Health News Presented by Absorbine

By on Oct 16, 2015 11:30 am -
Creative Commons photo. Creative Commons photo.

As someone who has owned horses for over a decade, you might be surprised to learn that my first encounter with a case of choke happened only last year. It was really quite frightening to see my young horse Rufus start displaying symptoms, which at the time, I had no idea what they meant.

After that single occurrence of choke, I made it my mission to learn as much as I possibly could about the condition … because if it could happen once, it could happen again. While I’m glad to report that Roo has never experienced another episode of choke other then that one isolated incident, at least now I know what the condition looks like.

Researchers from Southern Illinois University have recently published findings in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior that indicate that grazing muzzles may assist horses prone to choke to eat pelleted feed. During their study, the researchers found that grazing muzzles have been shown to decrease the rate of intake for pelleted feed. You can check out the full article over at Horsetalk.

And then check out some of the other headlines from This Week in Horse Health News, Presented by Absorbine.

Help for a Girthy Horse: Does your horse react every time that his or her girth is tightened? In many cases, ‘girthy’ behavior starts when a horse is surprised when the girth is tightened quickly, or they feel discomfort from the tack. Their negative reaction then can become a learned behavior. [The Horse]

Become a Noseband ‘Know it All’: How familiar are you with the function of your horse’s noseband? While there is no such thing as a ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to choosing the right noseband for your horse, you should first familiarize yourself it’s function. Learn more about the function of a noseband, and familiarize yourself with different types. [Practical Horseman]

10 Most Poisonous Plants for Horses: While there are many plants that are considered toxic to horses in North America, a much smaller number are considered to be able to cause serious harm. Are you familiar with these highly toxic plants, and do you know how to spot them? [Equus Magazine]

Bone Chips in Horses …Why, Where and What to Do: Why do horses’ bones chip, where do the chips lie, and what does a chip mean for your horse’s present and future? Educate yourself on equine bone chips on the answers to these questions and more. [The Horse]

Fillies are More Likely from Aged or Maiden Mares: A study conducted in Europe on Warmblood mares has concluded that foals from aged or maiden mares have a higher probability of being female. [Horsetalk]

The Story Behind EquiRatings: Founders Tell All

By on Oct 16, 2015 10:00 am -

By now you’ve heard of EquiRatings, the new website that provides data and statistics from every international event in the world and is poised to change the way we analyze the sport.

Founders Diarm Bryne and Sam Watson have had a very busy year preparing to launch the website to the public — and turning heads in the greater business community in Ireland and beyond.

Fresh off their win as Best Start Up and Best Young Entrepreneurs at the local Carlow finals for Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur, Diarm and Sam filmed an exclusive interview for EN to answer some of our burning questions:

  • What has the process been like launching EquiRatings?
  • Why does eventing need a statistics and analytics service?
  • How do you think EquiRatings will impact the future of eventing?

It’s a fantastic, engaging, fascinating interview and well worth the watch. So sit back, relax and get to know the founders of EquiRatings.

If you haven’t yet signed up for the EquiRatings newsletter, you can do that here, and be sure to follow them on Twitter @EquiRatings and on Facebook.

[EquiRatings]

Friday News & Notes from FLAIR Nasal Strips

By on Oct 16, 2015 12:03 am -
The infamous tunnel. Photo via Madeline Backus.

The infamous tunnel. Photo via Madeline Backus.

If you’ve never been to Fair Hill, you’re probably wondering why there are all these pictures of this weird metal tunnel. It’s a bizarre feature of the event, and somehow part of the charm while also being creepy as hell and just plain weird. Somebody, sometime, decided that in order to get the horses from the stabling side of the road to the competition side of the road, we should have a giant underground tube, just tall enough to fit a large horse with a cautious rider, and probably not two abreast to be safe. There are more than a few horses that take a disliking to the ominous sounds inside, and the path to and fro almost always ends up being absolutely revolting. Because, it’s Fair Hill, and it’s gonna rain.

In other news, Fair Hill received its first ever visit from a television camera crew yesterday, so don’t miss this news report from WBAL TV.

#DuttaFHI: Website, Entries, Dressage Ride Times, Live Scores, Schedule, Coldren’s Corner, EN’s Coverage, @eventingnation, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Preview:

The Event at Kelly’s Ford H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status]

Fresno County Horse Park H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

News From Around the Globe:

Thursday at Fair Hill:

[Peter Barry & Kim Severson Lead CCI2* and CCI3* After Dressage Day One]

[Kelli Temple Rules 4-Year-Old YEH Champs]

[Kelli Temple ALSO Rules the 5-Year-Old YEH Champs]

Sharon White reported yesterday that her back surgery was a success and she’s cheering everybody on for Fair Hill as she recuperates. Sharon suffered two herniated discs and a fractured pelvis earlier this year, and in a superhuman feat, continued to ride most of her horses. She just got her back surgery, and is doing well. “Just out of surgery for my back and it’s a miracle how much better I feel!! The boys and I want to wish everyone great success at Fair Hill, we will miss being there, but will see everyone next spring!” [Sharon’s Facebook]

D.A. Duras has made the trip successfully to Le Lion d’Angers, the FEI World Breeding Eventing Championships in France. Duras passed the jogs, and is slated to do dressage today in the CCI2*, and his owner Debbie Adams is blogging about the entire experience straight from France. Duras is the first recipient of the Holekamp/Turner Young Event Horse Lion d’Angers Grant, having earned it by being the highest scorer of the 2013 USEA Young Event Horse 5-Year-Old Championships at Fair Hill. [21 Nations and 110 Dreams]

German dressage rider Jessica von Bredow-Werndl thrilled spectators at a freestyle demonstration this past weekend with her stallion Unee BB without a saddle and in just a snaffle. Using only a saddle pad, von Bredow-Werndl and Unee BB performed at the Gut Ising Chiemsee Festival of dressage in Bavaria. Also, she performed to the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack, so that makes her super cool. Check out the video! [German Rider Performs Bareback Freestyle]

Let’s get real about the grossness of blankets during the winter: the poop strap ALWAYS gets disgusting. And, as a responsible horse parent, it’s your job to clean said poop strap every day (or every other day) and you usually have to remove it and soak it or something. It’s definitely one of my least favorite jobs. That is, until I discovered these Rambo Replacement Bungee Tail Cords, because they’re incased in plastic, and I can just squirt that sucker off from a distance. No grappling required! The poop strap (or tail cord) doesn’t get all crusty and awful, and it’s super easy to clean. Seriously, this will change your life. [SmartPak Product of the Day]

I think my favorite Fair Hill, but I’m just biased because Jan won 🙂

https://youtu.be/uQwBLMD4foA

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Fair Hill Dressage Social Media Roundup

By on Oct 15, 2015 9:00 pm -

It’s been a brilliant and gorgeous dressage day at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International. Here’s a quick bedtime social media roundup to wrap up your Thursday. One more day of circles and then it’s on to the good stuff!

#DuttaFHI: Website, Entries, Dressage Ride Times, Live Scores, YEH Live Scores,, Schedule, Coldren’s Corner, EN’s Coverage, @eventingnation, EN’s Instagram

So THIS just happened at The Dutta Corporation FHI – Will Coleman Equestrian was interviewed by WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore! … Posted by Fair Hill International on Thursday, October 15, 2015

SpectraVET Cohiba getting in her morning roll in preparation for dressage. #stretch #happygirl #grazing #eventing A photo posted by Lynn Symansky (@lynn.symansky.equestrian) on

 

Donald says Good Luck to everyone at Fair Hill!!! Posted by Philippa ‘Richards’ Humphreys on Thursday, October 15, 2015

 

Al… Just so helpful 🙂 #Dondante #TeamRebecca #wce @reddinac1 A photo posted by Will Coleman Equestrian (@willcolemanequestrian) on

Apparently @goeventing has worked Chinch too hard today. Calling in quits at #DuttaFHI #3dayeventing #equestrian

A photo posted by Fair Hill International (@fairhillint) on

Peter Barry, Kim Severson Top Dutta Corp Fair Hill Leaderboards

By on Oct 15, 2015 7:11 pm -
Peter Barry and Long Island T. Photo by Jenni Autry. Peter Barry and Long Island T. Photo by Jenni Autry.

As the penultimate pair to go on the first day of dressage in the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International CCI2*, Peter Barry and his own Long Island T made it a test to remember, scoring 44.5 to hold the overnight lead at the halfway point in the division. Peter has been working on his dressage with Phillip Dutton this week at nearby True Prospect Farm, and Canadian team coach Clayton Fredericks warmed them up today.

“Ludwig,” a 9-year-old Oldenburg/Thoroughbred gelding, did his first CCI2* at Jersey Fresh earlier this summer, and he bested that dressage score by a hair today. Peter said he was pleased with the test and that Ludwig was very well behaved in a ring that has been quite electric all day.

“He was relaxed. I maybe had warmed him up a little bit too long. He felt a little more subdued than I wanted him, but it worked very well,” Peter said, adding that Fair Hill will be his own last show of the season. “It’s a very important show on the calendar. I feel my horse will grow up after this course and feel like a bigger horse. It’s a very nice course. The footing is very nice, and I feel it’s an important step in his education going forward.”

Peter said the ultimate goal for Ludwig is to move him up to the Advanced level at some point next year, though he’d like to get him to some jumper shows first to try bigger fences and see how the horse handles that. But first he’ll be looking for a clear round around Derek di Grazia’s cross country course tomorrow.

Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Phillip Dutton and Z are sitting in second place overnight in the CCI2* on a score of 45.3. Owned by Tom Tierney, Simon Roosevelt, Jacqueline Mars and Suzanne Lacy, Phillip has had the ride on this horse since early in the summer when he imported the 2007 Zangersheide gelding from Portugal.

“It was a good test; the rider left a few marks on the table,” Phillip said. “I could have done a little bit better, so I was a fraction disappointed coming out of the ring because he’s a beautiful mover, and I think eventually he’s going to do a really nice test. I’m excited about him.”

This is Z’s first CCI2*, and Phillip said he thinks the horse will come away on Saturday having learned a lot. “I think it’s a championship course and a great education for horses and riders,” he said. “We’re fortunate to have a real proper championship level course in this country at the two-star and three-star level to finish the year on. It’s a good barometer to see where you’re at.”

As for how the new partnership with Z is coming along, Phillip said it’s going “pretty bloody good,” pointing out that Carol Gee of Fernhill Sport Horses sourced all three off the horses he has here at Fair Hill this weekend: Z, Mighty Nice and Fernhill Cubalawn. “Z is a little bit of a highly strung guy, but him and I are starting to get to know each pretty well. I like him a lot.”

Doug Payne and Lysander. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Doug Payne and Lysander. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Doug Payne and his own and Kristin Michaloski’s Lysander held the lead at the lunch break and finished the first day in third place on a score of 46.6. “Big Leo,” an 8-year-old Thoroughbred/Holsteiner gelding, is coming off a big win in the CIC2* at Plantation Field, and Doug said he was pleased overall with their test today.

“He was a little bit tighter today than I was hoping for, but I think he’s better for coming here for sure,” Doug said. “I’m looking forward to cross country because I think this course and this length will suit him very well — definitely a stepping stone along the way. “

Doug and his wife, Jess, have been based out of Phillip Dutton’s Red Oak Farm in Aiken while their own farm is under construction in Apex, North Carolina, and he said being based in a different location has meant he’s had to change up his fitness strategy.

“I’m using a completely new environment to get them fit, so I’m a little unsure of how fit I have him. We’ll find out on Saturday,” Doug said. “It’s going to take a solid effort to navigate around the course. It’s not going to be a dressage show at all, but he’s quite honest and really good cross country.”

Leslie Law and Tre' du Kernat. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Leslie Law and Tre’ du Kernat. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Looking to the rest of the leaderboard, Matt Flynn and Flynn Sport Horses’ Get Lucky kicked things off with a bang after the lunch break, scoring 48.8 in the 7-year-old Dutch gelding’s first CCI2* to sit in fourth place currently. Leslie Law had a lovely test with Tre’ du Kernat, Orin Tre’ Book’s 8-year-old Selle Francais gelding formerly campaigned by Stuart Black, scoring 49.2 to round out the top five.

Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The first 16 horses in the CCI3* did their dressage late this afternoon, with Kim Severson and the Cross Syndicate’s Cooley Cross Border holding the very early lead on a score of 45.8. Buck Davidson and Wiley Post sit in second place on 49.0, with Marilyn Little and RF West Indie in third place on 52.4.

Click here if you missed the CCI2* lunchtime report to catch up on the morning’s action. Both CCI2* and CCI3* dressage start bright and early at 8 a.m. tomorrow, with Kelsey Briggs and The Gentleman Pirate first in for the two-star and Boyd Martin and Crackerjack kicking us off in the three-star.

Sally has been covering the USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships all day, so be sure to click here to catch up on all of EN’s coverage from #DuttaFHI. We’ve also been posting plenty of behind-the-scenes photos on our Instagram. The welcome party is underway now, so Chinch is off to find the bar. Go Eventing!

#DuttaFHI: Website, Entries, Dressage Ride Times, Live Scores, YEH Live Scores, Schedule, Coldren’s Corner, EN’s Coverage, @eventingnation, EN’s Instagram

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Screen Shot 2015-10-15 at 7.06.00 PM

Kelli Temple Leads Fair Hill 4-Year-Old YEH Championships After Day One

By on Oct 15, 2015 6:00 pm -
Kelli Temple and Frame Bye Bye America. Photo by Sally Spickard. Kelli Temple and Frame Bye Bye America. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Kelli Temple was having such a great day in the 5-year-old YEH Championships here at Fair Hill that she decided to go ahead and take the lead in the 4-year-old division as well, this time aboard Frame Bye Bye America, a Selle Francais gelding bred by Martin Douzant and owned by Christine Stiller. This is an exciting weekend for Martin, who is also here competing in the YEH-5 division.

Kelli and “Bye Bye” earned a 39.78 from the judges as just the second pair in the ring this afternoon, setting the standard and never letting it go throughout the remainder of the division.

“I’ve had him for a couple of months now, I’ve done two events on him,” Kelli said. “(Christine) has been a really great support of mine for many years, so I feel really lucky that she has given me the opportunity to ride him.”

A big believer in the value of YEH competition, Kelli has brought young horses in her program to this event for many years. “This is a great venue, and it gives the horses just a leg up on learning about being at such a big competition and having the people and the flags and the crowds. I think it’s a wonderful experience for them. And it’s good for us and for their breeders and for their owners to get the kind of exposure early on in their career as young horses.”

Jessica Brumfield and Landmark's Apollo. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Jessica Brumfield and Landmark’s Apollo. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Jessica Brumfield had two rides in the 4-year-old class today, ultimately finishing second in the first two phases with Ms. Mars’ Landmark’s Apollo after earning a total score of 39.69.

“It was unexpected,” Jessica said. “It’s really exciting for (Ms. Mars) to have a homebred in the top three. He is out of a mare that was campaigned by Karen O’Connor … and I actually broke him as a 3-year-old last fall. He’s a big guy and I feel like a very small person on him!”

Speaking to the greenness of these horses, both Kelli and Jessica agreed that without ring familiarization last night — for the equality of competitors, this was not offered last night since some horses were not arriving until today — it was hard to know what to expect at a big competition with plenty of atmosphere to spare. Remarkably, though, both the 4- and 5-year-olds really held their composure well overall and put in some really lovely work.

Morgan McCue and Ally KGO. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Morgan McCue and Ally KGO. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Completing the top three in the 4-year-old class is Morgan McCue and Ally KGO, a Trakehner mare by Hirtentanz *E* out of Annabel Lee. Ally is a lovely, athletic looking type and Morgan posted on her Facebook page that the jumping is her favorite, so this pair is definitely looking forward to showing off their moves tomorrow.

Oh, also: check out what Ian Stark used as the whistle for this division. Can’t fault the guy for being creative!

Speaking of tomorrow, it will be a formidable test for these horses, who will be tested over Training (YEH-4) and Prelim (YEH-5) level fences. The horses’ gallop and overall impression will also be scored for a total of 50% of the overall score — we’ll be on the look out for any shuffles on the board following the final phase of evaluation.

I have many more photos to upload, so I’ll add a gallery to this post as well as the 5-year-old post. Keep checking back for that and stay tuned for much more tomorrow!

#DuttaFHI: Website, Entries, Dressage Ride Times, Live Scores, YEH Live Scores,, Schedule, Coldren’s Corner, EN’s Coverage, @eventingnation, EN’s Instagram

Please enjoy this gallery from the YEH-4 division’s dressage tests this afternoon!

Devon Brown Best of Final YEH-5 Group

By on Oct 15, 2015 5:00 pm -
Devon Brown and HC Fabian. Photo by Sally Spickard. Devon Brown and HC Fabian. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Devon Brown made up for a momentary memory lapse during her test with HC Fabian in the final group of the 5-year-old YEH championships with a brilliant show of talent, moving into second place overall after the first two phases of competition completed today. She and HC Fabian, a Dutch Warmblood gelding by Chello III VDL out of Larena, earned a 40.58 from the judges to squeak past Lynn Symansky and SpectraVET Cohiba.

“This was the biggest atmosphere he’s ever been in,” Devon said. “He can be kind of spooky, but he went in and went right to work. Even with the big cross country jumps, he was ready to work and I was really happy with that, no matter what else happens.”

Devon and her mother imported “Fabe” from England last year off a sale video from Lucy Wiegersma and Patrick McCarthy. “He hadn’t really jumped and didn’t know anything about cross country, so it was a huge risk,” Devon said. “But he’s really progressed over this last year. He’s a green five-year-old, but he’s really exciting for the future.”

Allison Springer and Fairvoya S. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Allison Springer and Fairvoya S. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Also making a statement in the final group were Allison Springer and Natalie Epstein’s Fairvoya S, who will be in fifth place overnight after earning a 39.58. Allison took her time exiting the ring following her test, letting the warmblood mare take a look around and assess her surroundings. Fairvoya S is by the Dutch stallion UB-40 out of the Hanoverian mare Clairvoya.

Kendyl Tracy also moved into the top 10 aboard Curly Sue as the first to go in the final group. Curly Sue is an Oldenburg mare by Carenzo out of Hauptstutbuch Lanciana owned by Alexandra Tatham. This pair also had a lovely go of their dressage test, earning a 39.54 for sixth place following the dressage and conformation phases.

Dom Schramm and WL Darco's Galliano. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Dom Schramm and WL Darco’s Galliano. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Dom Schramm and Ingvill Ramberg’s WL Darco’s Galliano looked completely in sync this afternoon to move into eighth place. Owner Ingvill Ramberg said this was the best she’s looked yet — she certainly picked a good weekend to peak! “Roo” has been in training with Dom this year, and their hard work has clearly been paying off as they scored a 38.04 today.

In total, we saw 34 horses in the 5-year-old championship today, all of which looked composed and mature in the ring. We move now to the jumping phases, which for these horses will be jumping questions similar to Prelim level, at a maximum of 3’7″. We’ll also get to see these horses’ gallops on their jumping test tomorrow, so stay tuned for much more from the East Coast Young Event Horse Championships.

We’ve also just wrapped up the 4-year-old division’s first two phases, so I’ll work on that report immediately following the press conference with the top placed riders.

#DuttaFHI: Website, Entries, Dressage Ride Times, Live Scores, YEH Live Scores,, Schedule, Coldren’s Corner, EN’s Coverage, @eventingnation, EN’s Instagram

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Kelli Temple and Metallica Dance To YEH-5 Championship Lead at Lunch

By on Oct 15, 2015 1:26 pm -
Kelli Temple and Metallica. Photo by Sally Spickard. Kelli Temple and Metallica. Photo by Sally Spickard.

I’ve been really excited to see the fancy young horses do their thing in the dressage ring this morning, and I was certainly not disappointed. We saw some great talent for the future in the 5-year-old YEH Championship division — and we still have another group to see!

The dressage test was held in a large arena with plenty of atmosphere to deal with for these younger horses. However, it seemed most of them were able to keep their cool and the test was technical enough to really test each gait. Ian Stark (GBR) and Bea di Grazia (USA) are the dressage judges for the YEH classes. The dressage test was followed by a conformation judging by Cathy Tucker-Slaterbeck. Competitors were asked to present their horses and jog them down a very short strip.

The YEH competition consists of three phases: Conformation and Type (15% of overall score), Dressage (35% of overall score) and Jumping/Gallop/General Impression (50% of overall score). Each section is scored on a 1-10 scale.

The newly instated Holekamp/Turner Young Event Horse Lion d’Angers Prize and Grant has sent Kelly Prather and D.A. Duras to the FEI World Young Horse Championships at Le Lion d’Angers in France.

Kelli Temple and Metallica present for Cathy Tucker-Slaterbeck. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Kelli Temple and Metallica present for Cathy Tucker-Slaterbeck. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Continuing on with the award, the highest scorer between the East and West Coast Championships for 5-year-olds will be eligible for this grant. That being said, there’s a lot on the line this weekend and plenty of competition to stand up to in all three phases.

Metallica, a Holsteiner mare owned by Kara Angulo, is a show stopper of a mare — I could hardly stop taking photos of her! Kelli rode the majority of her test with a grin on her face, surely she knew she was sitting on a powerhouse in the dressage ring. This mare earned a 85% in the dressage to take a decisive lead heading into the break. Metallica just made the jump to Training level with Kara at Five Points last month. This pair’s two-phase score is a 41.86 looking ahead to the jumping phase.

Lynn Symansky and SpectraVET Cohiba. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Lynn Symansky and SpectraVET Cohiba. Photo by Jenni Autry.

In second after taking the early lead are Lynn Symansky and her own SpectraVet Cohiba. This mare is a really nice type, a Württemburg by Con Spirito out of Lea, who has been campaigning at Novice with Lynn this year. The test for the 5-year-olds this weekend will be Prelim level type fences, so this mare will get a chance to show off her jump style over some larger fences come tomorrow. A 40.48 total score will place this pair into second with the final group still yet to score.

Melissa Hunsberger and Rule of Thumb. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Melissa Hunsberger and Rule of Thumb. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Third going into lunch are last year’s 4-year-old champions Melissa Hunsberger and Rule of Thumb. Rule of Thumb is a warmblood gelding by the Holsteiner stallion Royal Appearance out of the Thoroughbred mare Nadia VT. He’s owned by Dawn Erdman and has been competing successfully at Training level this year with Melissa. Melissa and Rule of Thumb will take a score of 40.44 into tomorrow.

Other notables from the morning group include Highly Suspicious, an Irish Sport Horse Gelding owned by Lydia White and KBLB and ridden by Will Coleman. This pair scored a 39.07 in the first two phases for fourth place provisionally heading into the break.

We have now concluded the final group of horses for the 5-year-old division and we’re waiting for their scores to tabulate. I’ll have some press conference comments as well as a summary of the final group in an update later this afternoon.

#DuttaFHI: Website, Entries, Dressage Ride Times, Live Scores, YEH Live Scores,, Schedule, Coldren’s Corner, EN’s Coverage, @eventingnation, EN’s Instagram

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Doug Payne and Lysander Hold Fair Hill CCI2* Lunch Break Lead

By on Oct 15, 2015 1:17 pm -
Doug Payne and Lysander. Photo by Jenni Autry. Doug Payne and Lysander. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Scores in the 40s have been hard to come by in the CCI2* division at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International, and only Doug Payne and Lysander have managed to crack that elusive threshold thus far at the lunch break on the first day of dressage here in Elkton, Maryland.

“Big Leo,” an 8-year-old Thoroughbred/Holsteiner gelding Doug owns with Kristin Michaloski, is coming off a big win on a score of 34.1 at the Plantation Field CIC2* last month, and he’s well positioned to be sitting high up the leaderboard as we look ahead to these CCI2* horses tackling Derek di Grazia’s cross country course on Saturday.

But we’ve got a long way to go until then, and there’s plenty of room at the top of the leaderboard as we get further into this 75-strong field. Judges Angela Tucker and Mark Weissbecker are definitely looking for excellence today, and Waylon Roberts and Ian Roberts’ Faolan and Caroline Martin and Sherrie Martin’s Effervescent are rounding out the current top three on scores of 51.4 and 52.4, respectively.

Waylon Roberts and Faolan. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Waylon Roberts and Faolan. Photo by Jenni Autry.

While the scores have been high in this division so far, it’s not been an easy day out there for the riders. The main ring at Fair Hill always seems to get the horses amped up, and we’ve seen a number of tactfully ridden tests today as riders have worked hard to keep the lid on.

Erin Sylvester and Paddy The Caddy had a consistent, accurate test early this morning to score 52.7, which has them in fourth place currently. Courtney Cooper, who broke her leg in August and is continuing to recover, delivered a relaxed test with her homebred R Star to score 54.4, which is rounding out the top five at the lunch break.

Looking to talented horses that just didn’t have a great day, Tamie Smith’s ride Dempsey, a 7-year-old Dutch gelding owned by the Dempsey Syndicate, was definitely feeling the atmosphere. This horse is a super mover and especially supple laterally; he’s going to be very exciting to watch once he can settle a bit better.

Matt Brown is just home from finishing sixth at the Boekelo CCIO3* in his overseas debut with Super Socks BCF, and he has his new mount Talking Point BCF in the CCI2* here at Fair Hill. Recently acquired from New Zealand’s Jesse Campbell, this 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by the Blossom Creek Foundation is a full brother to his three-star ride BCF Belicoso. The horse just would have much rather been going cross country today!

Caroline Martin and Effervescent. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Caroline Martin and Effervescent. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Considering how hot the atmosphere proved to be this morning, we saw some very nice tests from full Thoroughbreds. Daisy Trayford warmed up with Karen O’Connor and had a solid performance with Normandy Soldier, a 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding she owns. Emily Hamel has recently started training with Phillip Dutton, and she also delivered a good test with Katherine O’Brien’s Ramsey, an 11-year-old Thoroughbred gelding.

We’re about to get started back with the final eight horses to go today in the CCI2*. Stay tuned for much more as we wrap up the first half of the division and chat with the leaders. The first part of the CCI3* division will go at 3:05 p.m., starting with Boyd Martin and Welcome Shadow. Be sure to check EN’s Instagram for bonus photos!

#DuttaFHI: Website, Entries,Dressage Ride Times, Live Scores, YEH Live Scores, Schedule, Coldren’s Corner, EN’s Coverage, @eventingnation, EN’s Instagram

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Thursday Video from Zoetis: Fair Hill Cross Country Flyover With Commentary

By on Oct 15, 2015 11:00 am -

Take a virtual drone tour of the 2015 cross country track at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International with fence dimensions and commentary from course designer Derek di Grazia. Many thanks to Packy McGaughan for directing and Jamie Rees for producing the video.

If you missed our fence-by-fence preview of the CCI3* track, click here, and keep it locked on EN for much more from Fair Hill!

#DuttaFHI: Website, Entries, Dressage Ride Times, Live Scores, YEH Live Scores,, Schedule, Coldren’s Corner, EN’s Coverage, @eventingnation, EN’s Instagram