Have you ever considered different feeder or waterer options at your barn? Photo courtesy of ClassicEquine.com.
I generally don’t get too creative when it comes to providing feed and water in my barn. My set up is definitely not what one would consider “fancy” by any means, but it is definitely functional. Each of the three stalls in my barn have a corner feeder installed in them, as well as eye hooks to hang five gallon buckets of water.
This setup doesn’t require any great sense of creativity, and it works well for my three geldings. Overall, maintenance is fairly simple, but every so often, warped buckets do need to be replaced. And when corner feeders become too chewed, or cracked, a new one is installed in it’s place. Like I said, it’s a pretty easy setup to maintain.
Something that I’ve never really stopped to consider are different feeder and waterer designs that may be used to address a specific horse health or behavioral issue around the stable or pasture. Both equine product companies, as well as industrious horse owners have created a number of different feeders and waterers to address different needs. You can check out a slideshow of some of their designs here, which are featured on TheHorse.com.
And then, make sure to check out some of the other headlines in This Week in Horse Health News, Presented by Absorbine.
Benefits of Floor Level Feeding: Did you know that by simply eliminating chest or head high feeding tubs and/or hay racks, you can help you horse by reducing their risk of colic, choke, and respiratory disorders? By feeding your horse both his or her hay and grain at a floor level, you are simulating a natural grazing position, which offers several health benefits to them. [Equus Magazine]
Manufacturer Recalls Potentially Contaminated Horse Feed: California based feed manufacturer Western Milling LLC has voluntarily recalled horse feed that has possibly been contaminated with monensin. The recall covers about 1,100 bags of feed that were distributed to retailers in both California and Arizona. [The Horse]
Organize Your Grooming Tools: Ever struggle to keep your grooming box organized? Check out some step by step tips on how to overhaul your grooming tote in order to make your daily chores a little easier. [Equus Magazine]
Rotational Grazing Discussed in Free Webcast: Take the opportunity to learn more about rotational grazing for horses during a free online seminar that is offers by Rutgers University of New Jersey. Speaker Laura Kenny, who is a program associate of Rutger’s Department of Animal Sciences, will explain why rotational grazing will benefit both the horse and pasture. The seminar is scheduled for October 6th at 7pm EDT. It is free to participate, and you can register here. [Horsetalk]
James Alliston and Tivoli. Photo by Sally Spickard.
While the eastern side of the country contends with hurricane level weather at Morven Park, the California folks are laughing their tails off to the tune of 75 degrees and sunny. Woodside is hosting the final CIC3* and Advanced of the season out west, and with four weeks to Galway, the field is competitive. The Advanced division is quite small, with only three competitors, and I will not be picking a winner of that division as two of them have not yet completed at this level.
The dressage test for the CIC3* is 2015 FEI 3*-A, which will be the same test used for Galway. The Advanced will unsurprisingly use 2014 USEF A-B. Ian Stark designs the cross country for both divisions, giving the competitors a taste of what Galway might run like. Marc Donovan, our resident jet-setter, is set to design the show jumping.
TOP FOUR
1. James Alliston and Tivoli: I often pick Tivoli as a winner out on the west coast and the reason for that is simple. This horse is good on the flat, careful in the show jumping, and until Rebecca Farm CCI3*, had never incurred a cross country jump penalty at the 3* level. Look for him to return to his winning ways this weekend.
Tivoli has done this test once, scoring a 49.5 at Galways Downs this past March, almost bang on his overall average. Generally, this horse averages four seconds under optimum time on Ian Stark courses, so look for these two to post a double clear on Saturday. While they haven’t jumped any Marc Donovan courses yet, overall Tivoli averages a double clear with just the possibility of a single time penalty. They should finish in first with a score just over fifty.
2. Mary Burke and Prince William: Mary Burke and Prince William only have a single Advanced under their belt, but they made that one count, winning the Aspen Farms Advanced Gold Cup division last month. They are taking a stab at their first CIC3* here.
Obviously this pair hasn’t done a 3* test yet, but they scored the equivalent of a 52.8 at Aspen. They were also quite swift across the scoring, coming home only one second over optimum time. Although they jumped over all the sticks at Aspen, they did incur 11 time penalties in the show jumping phase, which could be expensive on a Marc Donovan course. This pair should end in second, with a score in the mid sixties.
Lauren Billys and Castle Larchfield Purdy at Jersey Fresh. Photo by Jenni Autry.
3. Lauren Billys and Castle Larchfield Purdy: Lauren has made huge strides with this gelding in the past year, running the CCI2* at last year’s Galway event, completing their first CCI3* this past spring at Jersey, and then competing at the Pan American Games. Lauren is aimed at the Olympics next year, and this horse will help her gain the points she needs.
Lauren has averaged a 57.6 when performing this test. This pair also has been quite swift across the country, and came home inside the time over Ian Stark’s Galway course earlier this year. Stadium is a bit tougher for Castle Larchfield Purdy, who averages two rails and two time penalties overall. These two should finish third with a score in the mid-to-high sixties.
4. James Alliston and Parker: James and Parker are long-time partners and Parker seems to be getting better with age. One of the fastest horses across the country, Parker has been busy dropping his dressage score this year. Most recently, Parker almost broke into the forties at Rebecca Farm.
Parker’s overall flat average is a 62.9, but he hasn’t done this test yet. This horse also hasn’t had a time penalty across the country since 2013, so don’t look for him to start now. Not quite as careful in the stadium phase as his stablemate, Parker does average one rail and one time penalty overall. James should finish fourth with this horse, breathing down Lauren’s neck.
Andrea Baxter and Indy 500. Photo by Jenni Autry.
THE DARK HORSE
Andrea Baxter and Indy 500: Indy 500 has improved leaps and bounds since the summer of 2014, making strides in all three phases. In fact, this pair has placed first or second in four of their last five events. They have not had a rail in all of 2015, quite an impressive feat. Meanwhile, they’ve also dropped their average dressage score by about eight points from 2014, and gotten faster by about ten seconds across the country when running clear. Historically, they have had trouble with Ian Stark courses, but if they can prove those troubles are behind them, these two could pop up into the top three.
Longtime horse show mom Ruth Ann Cox Pence wrote this memoir of her year of Plans A, B, C and D as her daughter, Paige, attempted to qualify and compete at the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. Horses never go to plan, as we all know too well, but this is a story of determination and sheer willpower. Many thanks to Ruth Ann for writing, and thank you for reading!
Paige and Ruth Ann Cox Pence. Photo via Ruth Ann Cox Pence.
Shortly after we bought Class Action, or “Dan”, in Fall 2013, my 15-year-old daughter Paige (who had been riding about six years and had completed a grand total of two Training level horse trials at the time) announced she WAS going to qualify for the NAJYRC CCI1* the following summer.
Paige and Dan did a couple of successful Trainings, then jumped (quite literally) into Preliminary. In the interim, my husband Steve and I bought our first horse trailer, and became lawyer-trailer drivers (another story in itself). I was a fairly experienced show mom-groom so felt confident. The Paige/Dan pair clicked — they not only completed, but won, their first Prelim at River Glen in November 2013 — this was going to be easy!
Paige’s trainer, Susan Harris, told her to make a plan — the list of shows and championships she would complete in order to qualify for NAJYRC. The qualifications were a bit complicated (understatement), but Paige pored over the USEA omnibus and came up with The Plan.
We had a meeting with Susan on a freezing January day in the viewing room of the indoor arena at Spring Run in Prospect, Kentucky. Susan approved The Plan, but kept referring to it as “Plan A” and asked if we had backup plans — B,C,D, etc. I wondered what she meant — we had The Plan and we would execute The Plan, right?
The second Prelim was Full Gallop in late January. The pressure was off to win this time, as we reviewed the list of well-known professionals in Paige’s division. Dressage was decent, followed by a couple of rails in a big show jumping course.
The cross country course looked doable as Paige and Dan took off on the final phase the next day. It turned out (as Paige got to know Dan better), that a bulky 17.1 hand Irish Sport Horse needs adequate turning time to maneuver tricky cross country combinations.
Going too fast into the first combo, Dan decided he didn’t have time to get his bulk into the second one, and went to the side. Uh-oh, no run-outs allowed for a qualifying Prelim. A too-fast approach to a second combination was followed by a second run-out. Two run-outs, but after turning around and re-approaching, they still finished under optimum time. Definitely needed to slow down next time, but we were still on track with The Plan — a trip to Ocala Horse Trials was the next month.
Paige Pence and Class Action. Photo by Samantha Clark.
We arrived at the Florida Horse Park in early February, in the dark after an exhausting 14 hour drive from Louisville. Dressage went well two mornings later, followed by an absolute deluge of rain. Show jumping was better than expected, considering the fact that there was quite literally a water complex in the jump ring from all the rain.
The next day was bright and sunny as cross country loomed ahead. I left Paige in warmup with Susan and went to position myself near the start. I waited, and waited, and waited for Paige to appear. Something was amiss — she should have started by now. Susan called and said to come back to warmup — Paige and Dan had taken a fall.
Paige was being examined by EMTs when I got there. Dan had gotten his very long legs tangled in a small oxer and fallen, Paige accompanying his descent. She landed on the side of her face, sustaining a head bump, scraped cheek, and a black eye. Dan was fine, Paige seemed fine as well, but shaken. The TD was kind, but said he did not want her to compete cross country since she had hit her head. Plan B was starting to make sense now.
Rocking Horse was less than a week away, but Susan said maybe we could get in late (as it turned out, we would have had to stay anyway due to an ice storm in Atlanta). The Paige/Dan duo competed at Rocking Horse and this time all went well. They finished second in their Open Preliminary Division! Paige and Dan were now qualified to compete in a CIC1*, so we made plans to attend Poplar in March.
Paige Pence and Class Action jump clear round the CCI** XC for Area VIII at NAJYRC this year. Photo by Samantha Clark.
Poplar was a huge show. Dressage was mediocre, but met standards. Show jumping was huge, but they had their first clear jump round–just a few time penalties. Several course walks revealed a beefy cross country course — uh oh, maybe I shouldn’t still be walking the courses?
But Paige and Susan were confident. The next day Paige started the course and I hurried to the finish. I waited for what seemed an eternity for Paige to appear and when she did come out of the woods, she was red-faced, mad and Dan was hauling his hulk at a high rate of speed.
A large table combination mid-course had been covered with white tarps for the competition (not there the day before) and Dan apparently thought it would be in poor taste to jump a table with a cloth covering. It took two attempts for Paige to convince him otherwise — not a qualifying CIC1*.
To add to the disappointment, we had to wait as Dan was randomly chosen for drug testing. Now it was too late to complete the two CIC1* option for Young Rider qualifications. Paige and Dan would have to complete a qualifying CCI1*. Plan C? In the meantime another qualifying Preliminary was required for a CCI1*, which we picked up at River Glen in Tennessee.
The Virginia Horse Park in May was a familiar venue. We had been there several times for Pony Club champs in Paige’s games-playing days. Although she has since outgrown games, she made the International Pony Club Games Exchange Team in 2013 at the height of her games career. After a shaky first formal inspection (Paige forgot to put Dan’s number on him and was called back and admonished by the TD), Paige and Dan had a great dressage (although I missed
it completely due to a mix-up on arena location). Steve called and said Dan’s dressage bit had been called into question and Paige might be eliminated — he was joking, right?
There was no joke. Paige had not gotten her bit checked before dressage and it turned out that the bit she had competed in ever since owning Dan was FEI taboo. The ground jury convened, got out their books and compared Paige’s bit to the illustrations.
The bit was declared illegal and she was eliminated. Shock set in. On the bright side, Paige was a very good sport– respectful to the T.D. (now a familiar face) and said she understood. I made my way to the videographer’s stand to request a refund of my video fee and lamented our incredibly bad luck. I complained that it appeared there were no more opportunities for Paige and Dan to qualify before the June NAJYRC deadline and that Young Riders would not be a reality in 2014. She replied, “Ever heard of Fox River Valley?” Plan D?
To make a long saga shorter, we had not heard of Fox River Valley, but went there. It was the very last CCI1* that finished on the very last day of qualifications for Young Riders.
Paige and Dan were polished and determined. Solid dressage was followed by clean cross country, followed by the hardest rain I had ever seen at a horse show (many trailers got stuck, but not ours, we were now seasoned trailer drivers). Show jumping the next day was in a very wet, soggy field.
As Paige and Dan entered the show jump arena, I realized that all of our efforts these past months had come down to one final show jumping round. So what did I do? Turned my back and walked away, too nervous to watch. With two rails, Paige/Dan finished in the ribbons in seventh place! They qualified on the very last day, only a few hours before final applications were due. They were going to Young Riders!
Celebrating at NAJYRC! Photo via Ruth Ann Cox Pence.
NAJYRC was an experience like no other. As for me, it was an amazing feeling not being Paige’s groom—there was someone else with that official designation. No more Mom/daughter conflicts over studs (which I purposefully never learned to do, another story), hair nets and getting ready on time.
Paige and Dan continued to improve and bond as a pair—solid dressage, clean cross country, and their very first totally clean show jump round in the Rolex stadium before a small crowd (although my squeamish inability to watch show jumping has stuck with me to this day).
Paige’s Area VIII team won the bronze medal, and Paige and Dan placed in the ribbons, 10th overall. It had been an amazing journey to NAJYRC, but well worth the trip. A few weeks later, Paige said she intended to move Dan up to intermediate and she WAS going to qualify for the 2015 NAJYRC CCI2* … yikes! Time for a New Plan.
History does, in fact, repeat itself. Paige and Dan moved up to Intermediate after NAJYRC 2014. They competed successfully at Intermediate through the remainder of 2014 and spring 2015. In June, they qualified at the last available show for NAJYRC CCI2*, where they won the bronze medal. Paige recently passed her C3 Traditional pony club rating and she and Dan won the AREA VIII Junior Intermediate championship in August.
There are natural resources on this earth that are available only in a finite, limited supply — oil, water and coal being a few examples. Other things, well, they just keep coming. Like #EventerProblems.
Here are 30+ more reader-submitted struggles. We’ll kick things off with one from EN’s own Jenni Autry …
Barn smells like a tractor trailer full of BenGay rolled over. Dropped open Vetrolin in the isle today… #eventerproblems#Vetrolin — Amanda Tefft (@MandyPantsARoo) September 18, 2015
Compete in first horse trial in 3 years on borrowed horse, emerge unscathed. Ride own horse next day, and we both faceplant #eventerproblems
Forgot my wallet which means I have no money or ID but no worries, I’m not Jane Doe because I have my Ride Safe bracelet! #eventerproblems — Kelly Parsons (@KellyBear172) September 27, 2015
You know you’re an eventer when your phone automatically changes xx to XC #eventerproblems
Not being able to check this account regularly because riding starts at 6am and ends at 8pm on good days #eventerproblems — 3 Day Addict (@EventerProblems) September 27, 2015
From Krista Amos Degitz: “They are replacing some of the railroad ties by my son’s elementary in Harridon, Ohio. All I can think of is that pile could make like 50 cross-country jumps.”
What’s YOUR problem? Tweet it, Instagram it or share it on Facebook with the hashtag #EventerProblems for inclusion in the next edition of this series.
Hurricane Joaquin: levels of craziness. For real, you guys.
Sadly, I will not be joining all of you looking to drown at Morven Park this weekend. While it is usually one of my staple events, two of my best friends from high school are getting married to each other this weekend, and I will be sporting a fancy dress and some (no shame) straight up golden glittery Cinderella status heels. Joaquin is not on the guest list, and we have made preparations to keep him from the festivities. Saturday night, when I am twirling and glittering, I’ll have a glass of champagne for the riders slogging through the flood in their Dubarry boots 😉
Popular four-star eventer Ben Hobday is done with his first round of chemo, and back home on the farm. The 27-year-old revealed in July that he has cancer, and was completely overwhelmed with support from the equestrian community. He completed Burghley last year and Badminton this year on the incredible Clydesdale x TB gelding Mulry’s Error, and has a ridiculously uplifting and amazing social media presence. #yehboi! [Ben Hobday Back Home from Chemo]
Up and coming British equestrians were treated to a behind-the-scenes look at performance horse research at the Royal Veterinary College this week. About 25 individuals from the British Equestrian Federation’s World Class Programme were able to see first hand the work that farriers and veterinarians are putting in to the support of performance horses, and how they are working towards more knowledge of how the mechanics of a sport horse work. Researchers at the lab gave demonstrations into some of their current research projects, focusing on maintaining soundness and performance in performance horses. I want to go! [Riders Get Inside View of Sport Horse Science]
The competition for America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred is right around the corner! With the Breeder’s Cup coming to Kentucky for the first time in history, the opening act for the Breeders’ Cup Festival is the much-anticipated TCA Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, a three-day long event running October 23-25 at the Kentucky Horse Park featuring seminars, demonstrations and the weekend’s premier event, the Thoroughbred Makeover, in which nearly 200 horse and rider combinations will compete for their share of $100,000 in cash and prizes and the title of “America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred.” [OTTB Showcase Coming to Kentucky]
Get that application in for your Worth The Trust Scholarship! Today is the last day! The $3,000 Amateur Young Adult Scholarship is available for riders between the ages of 16 and 25, while the $2,000 Adult Amateur Scholarship is available for Eventers 26 and up. Learning to officiate or working with a course designer, Technical Delegate, judge, veterinarian, etc. are also appropriate uses of the scholarship, with the approval of the scholarship panel. [Worth The Trust Scholarships from USEA]
If you think KER ClockIt is only for upper-level riders or fast works, think again—the data’s useful for riders of any level, riding at any speed. This week’s featured session is a comparison of two horses on a hunter pace team. They spent most of the session trotting, but you can see a big difference in their response to the task!
Horse A is a 5-year-old Irish Sport Horse. He’s in full training (think two-a-days) and competes Novice. Horse B is a 6-year-old pony who’s ridden occasionally (think two-a-week) and goes Starter. Other than a few different fence options in the middle, they were going the same pace around. Horse A’s average heart rate for the overall session was 74.9, while Horse B was 99.
What does this mean? Horse A’s in great shape for the work required here. Horse B needs to do some more sets!
The following athlete-and-horse combinations will compose the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team (in alphabetical order):
Matt Brown and Super Socks BCF. Photo by Rare Air Photography.
Matt Brown (Petaluma, Calif.) and Blossom Creek Foundation’s Super Socks BCF, a 2006 Irish Sport Horse gelding
Buck Davidson and Copper Beach. Photo by Libby Law Photography.
Buck Davidson (Unionville, Pa.) and Sherrie Martin and Carl Segal’s Copper Beach, a 2006 Irish Sport Horse gelding
Liz Halliday-Sharp and HHS Cooley. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (East Sussex, UK) and Deborah Halliday’s HHS Cooley, a 2004 Irish Sport Horse gelding
Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Marilyn Little (Frederick, Md.) and Robin Parsky, Jacqueline Mars, and Phoebe Manders’ RF Scandalous, a 2005 Oldenburg mare, or Raylyn Farms, Inc.’s RF Quarterman, a 2008 Oldenburg gelding
The following athlete-and-horse combinations are the team alternates (in ranked order):
Lauren Kieffer and Landmark’s Monte Carlo. Photo by Samantha Clark.
Lauren Kieffer (Middleburg, Va.) on Jacqueline Mars’ Landmark’s Monte Carlo, a 2006 Irish Thoroughbred Cross gelding
Jon Holling and Downtown Harrison. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Jon Holling (Ocala, Fla.) on Constance Holling’s Downtown Harrison, a 2004 Trakehner/Thoroughbred gelding
Three team members are competing at Boekelo on grants: Matt on a Jacqueline B. Mars Competition Grant through the USET Foundation, with Buck and Marilyn on USEF Land Rover Competition Grants.
You can’t win them all — and sometimes there are more important things than winning. Jockey Danny Mullins demonstrated this first hand in a race this week in Ireland.
Rival jockey Jody McGarvey slipped out of his saddle on course, something which Danny was quick to see and do his best to assist with — even in the midst of an intense steeplechase race.
Danny pulled Jody, who appeared to be momentarily unconscious, back into the saddle and both were able to pull their horses up safely. What a great show of sportsmanship and luck! Props to Danny for putting the important things first — we’ll be hoping for a win for both riders in the near future.
The battle begins … Photo courtesy of Amanda Chance.
A wise Internet meme once said, “Always be yourself. Unless you can be a unicorn. Then always be a unicorn.”
A team of Area V riders took that advice to heart at this year’s Nutrena American Eventing Championships. “Always Be a Unicorn,” as they dubbed themselves, was comprised of Amanda Chance, Bobby Covington, Jeannette Bayer and Sherri Hampton. Whatever sparkly, rainbow-colored magic they were channeling paid off with a win in the Beginner Novice Adult Team Championships.
“We had a unicorn themed golf cart called the ‘Unicart,’ all kinds of unicorn-themed decor, threw a unicorn party for everyone at our stabling on Thursday night, and did this unicorn themed course walk,” Amanda says. “Team spirit, we have it.”
The “Unicart.” Photo courtesy of Amanda Chance.
Bobby and Amanda board at Sherri’s barn in Austin, and all four team members train and show with Amanda Merritt, who is based at Anchor Equestrian in College Station. Says Amanda, “We even made our trainer wear the unicorn mask in our team’s official ‘win’ photo! It was great. Diane Pitts and Mark Phillips laughed pretty hard — a little levity in awards!”
Let’s circle back to this unicorn-themed course walk, though. “The course walk was my baby,” Amanda says. “I ‘wrote’ the rough screenplay, I guess you could call it, Bobby played the white unicorn and Jeannette played the black unicorn.”
Enjoy:
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
#10
#11
#12
#13
#14
#15A
#15B
#16
#17
(Fittingly, in addition to winning the battle of good vs. evil, unicorn Bobby also won the Broadstone Beginner Novice Amateur division.)
They also put together some behind-the-scenes webisodes of the Unicorns’ antics throughout the week, a series titled “The $h!tshow with Amanda and Bobby.” Fair warning: “They are not particularly PC and there’s cussing. But hey, adult riders,” as Amanda put it.
Eventing Nation is a family website, you know, so we’re not going to post them here, but if you want to check them out yourself: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5.
Congrats to “Always Be a Unicorn” for their win — you guys are winning at eventing AND life.
It’s going to be a cold, wet weekend at Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia, which saw 6 inches of rain fall yesterday — the highest amount recorded anywhere in the state on Tuesday. The Northeast corridor has been slammed by heavy rains early this week, with schools closing early in many parts of Virginia yesterday due to flash flooding.
Suzanne Musgrave, Morven Park’s director of development and communications, said the event is prepared for very saturated conditions for its fall horse trials and will be monitoring the cross country course closely as the weekend approaches.
“Last week we needed a little rain on the course, and we’ve definitely got some coming down. We’re expecting substantial rainfall this week and are preparing for a wet weekend. Our turf takes the rain well, and we have a lot of bluestone for footing repair as needed,” Suzanne said.
“We have an experienced team of officials who will make any necessary weather related adjustments, which will be communicated via e-mail to competitors and on our webpage. We’re also stocking up on hot coffee for our volunteers.”
How have the storms impacted you so far? Email us your flood photos at [email protected] or post in the comments below. EN will continue to work closely with Morven Park to keep competitors, volunteers and spectators up to date on the latest conditions.
Stay safe, EN!
Update 10/1 from Morven Park: “We are planning to proceed Friday as scheduled. We are considering changing all horse trials divisions to a combined test. That decision will be made by 1:30 p.m. on Friday. The CIC divisions may shift when they run cross country. That decision will be made by 1:30 p.m. on Friday for the CIC3* and CIC2*, and by 1:30 on Saturday for the CIC*.”
Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border. Photo by Jenni Autry.
At long last we have arrived at the final CIC3* weekend of the year. While Woodside holds down the fort out west, Morven hosts quite a contingent on the East Coast. With a field of 30 entries in the three-star, Morven’s field for this division is significantly larger than last year.
Many of these horses are bound for Fair Hill, with a few others scheduled to head overseas to Pau or across the country to Galway Downs. It’s very likely that we will see quite a few withdrawals after dressage or stadium, with riders opting only for the combined test prior to Fair Hill. With the weather predicted to be cold and wet — and the rain already saturating the ground in Virginia — we may end up with a skeleton division for the final cross country phase.
The dressage test will be 2015 FEI 3*-B, which will also be what runs at Fair Hill in two weeks. The cross country course designer is Tremaine Cooper, who we last saw at Poplar Place and Millbrook. Tremaine Cooper also designs the show jumping course at Morven, the only East Coast venue for which he does both jumping phases.
TOP SEVEN
1. Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border: Kim is fantastic when the pressure is on, and the pressure is on this weekend. Cooley Cross Border needs a CIC3* under his belt in order to compete at Fair Hill, and after retiring on course at Plantation Field, this is his last chance.
Cooley Cross Border hasn’t yet played all his cards on the flat at this level, but if he equals his score of 41.3 on this test, he should be right at the top after dressage. This horse is a careful jumper who averages clear stadium rounds with a single time fault. He hasn’t seen a Tremaine Cooper course yet, but a swift average of 4.4 time penalties across the country in his two complete runs should set this pair up for first. Look for them to finish on a score in the mid-40s.
Marilyn Little and RF Demeter at The Fork. Photo by Jenni Autry.
2. Marilyn Little and RF Demeter: Marilyn is always in the mix with her longtime partner, and this weekend will be no exception. While these two probably can’t catch Cooley Cross Border at his best, they will be waiting in the wings to take advantage of any stumbles.
RF Demeter is extremely consistent, and this dressage test is no exception with an average of 49.0 almost equaling their overall average. This mare hasn’t recently jumped a Tremaine stadium course, and while their overall stadium average for the level is one rail, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if they jumped double clear. Look for these two to post the swiftest round of the day over Tremaine’s cross country course, coming home inside the time. They should finish on a score in the low 50s.
3. Ronald Zabala and Mr. Wiseguy: Another extremely experienced campaigner, Mr. Wiseguy has made a strong return to this level recently. A successful run at Poplar Place will set these two up well for continued success this weekend.
Mr. Wiseguy has executed this test twice this year, averaging only 49.7 penalties on it. A very careful jumper, this horse is likely to jump clear in the stadium, but does average 2 time penalties. Over Tremaine’s Poplar course, these two racked up 7.6 time penalties. A similar pace here will put them in third, with a score in the high 50s.
Phillip Dutton and Mr. Candyman. Photo by Jenni Autry.
4. Phillip Dutton and Mr. Candyman: Phillip and his newest partner were cruising along to a fantastic fall until they hit a blip at Plantation. Phillip will look to make sure all systems are go this weekend before taking this horse out to Galway for the CCI3*, for which they received a USEF Land Rover Competition Grant.
Mr. Candyman scored a 48.8 on this test at Plantation, his first attempt at the three-star test. A fairly careful jumper, he averages clear with 2 time penalties in the stadium phase. Mr. Candyman incurred 8.8 time penalties over Tremaine’s course at Millbrook. Look for this pair in fourth on a score just under 60.
5. Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive: Last seen winning a team gold medal at the Pan American Games in Toronto, Fernhill Fugitive is back out to play after enjoying a well-deserved break. Phillip will likely take this horse around all three phases in preparation for Fair Hill CCI3*.
Fernhill Fugitive averages a 50.4 on this test, which will keep him out of the top 10 after dressage in all likelihood. This horse did jump double clear over his only Tremaine Cooper stadium course at this venue in 2013. He averages 9.2 penalties on Tremaine cross country courses, which will move him up. This horse could potentially tie his stablemate, with a slightly slower cross country dropping him into fifth.
Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High. Photo by Jenni Autry.
6. Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High: Selena and Foxwood High just keep getting better and better. Their dressage average has plummeted over the past several months, which will help them finish competitively this weekend.
This horse averages a 46.4 on this test, which is almost 10 points better than his overall average for the level. An average of one rail and 1 time penalty in show jumping will keep these two in good company. Selena and Foxwood High do average 8.4 time penalties over Tremaine’s cross country courses, which is a touch slower than their typical pace. Look for them to finish just outside the top five on a score only a tenth of a point behind Phillip’s mounts.
7. Sydney Conley-Elliott and Cisko A: This talented duo makes their return to the level for the first time since finishing fourth at Rebecca Farms in their first CCI3*. They’ve come east for a crack at Fair Hill and are using Morven as a prep.
Cisko A has only done this test once, scoring a 57.1 at Rebecca, but does have the potential to drop his score down into the high 40s. He is currently on the verge of averaging a clear round but does have a propensity for 1 time penalty in the stadium phase. Sydney is quick across the country with him, coming home with only 2.8 time penalties over Tremaine’s course at The Fork in 2014. Look for this pair in seventh with a score just over 60.
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn. Photo by Jenni Autry.
THE DARK HORSE
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn or Mighty Nice: Phillip has all four of his active Advanced horses out to play this weekend. It’s likely he’ll compete in all three phases with Mr. Candyman, who had a blip across the country at his first CIC3* at Plantation, and Fernhill Fugitive, who hasn’t run since the Pan American Games.
However, don’t be surprised to see a W next to Fernhill Cubalawn and Mighty Nice after dressage or stadium. These two experienced horses both could easily crack the top seven, but only if they compete in all three phases.
Doug Payne and Vandiver. Photo by Jenni Autry.
THE SLEEPER
Doug Payne and Vandiver: Both experienced separately, this pair is making their first CIC3* start together after an Advanced run at Five Points early last month. In that start, they scored in the mid-40s (FEI equivalent), jumped double clear in the stadium, and had a clear but steady run across the country. If they simply replicate that effort, they’ll pop into the top seven this weekend. Regardless, this pair will likely be formidable by next spring.
Marilyn Little and RF Overdressed. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
THE SPOILER
Marilyn Little and RF Overdressed or RF West Indie: Marilyn has a pair of horses who could spoil the weekend, both who have only one result at the level so far. These two horses finished second and third to their more experienced stablemate RF Demeter at their first CIC3* at Poplar Place last month, showing huge promise for the future.
Both of these horses scored in the low 40s, jumped clear in the stadium and were fairly quick across a course notoriously difficult for making time. Additionally, they both have the experience of running over a Tremaine Cooper cross country course at that show, which will be valuable this weekend. Don’t be surprised if either horse pulls an upset at Morven.
Have you ever considered different feeder or waterer options at your barn? Photo courtesy of ClassicEquine.com.
