Classic Eventing Nation

Besties Heather Morris and Tamie Smith Win All the Things at AECs

By on Sep 28, 2015 11:30 am -

California girls Heather Morris and Tamie Smith were a force of nature at the 2015 Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships. They rolled up into Tyler, Texas, like a hurricane and blew out with four National Championships between the two of them.

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Heather started her Saturday off with a win on Get Rowdy in the Professional’s Choice Training Horse division. The 5-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Team Express Group LLC took the weekend in stride, finishing the week on their dressage score of 22.5.

“He just grew up so much this weekend,” Heather says. “He can sometimes go in and be a little bit casual but the atmosphere in there kind of lit him up a bit and he was so good.”

What’s next for the baby superstar? “He’s ready to go to Prelim but I’m not going to move him up until next year,” Heather says. Instead, we can look forward to seeing him compete against his peers in the Young Horse Championships at Galway next month.

Later in the afternoon, Heather took a second victory gallop aboard Merial Intermediate winner Charlie Tango. Like Get Rowdy, the 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse owned by Team Express Group LLC won the dressage on 24.8 and never looked back.

The show jumping course was causing plenty enough trouble for the Intermediate division, with rails flying for all but the top two finishers, Heather and second-placed Jessica Schultz riding her own Lock ‘N Load.

“He was jumping like a freak in the warm-up,” Heather recalls, “and then the horse in front of me went clean and so obviously I couldn’t have any rails, but he’s such an amazing show jumper. I’ve had him since he was 4 and so our partnership is good, and he really hates touching anything.”

Heather Morris and Charlie Tango. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Heather Morris and Charlie Tango. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

It’s not their first big win together — the pair bested both CCI2*s they entered this year, first at Galway and then at Rebecca Farm — but victory never gets old, especially when it’s shared with a special horse.

It’s always fun to see how riders celebrate in the moment they realize they’ve won a big event, but of all the fist pumps, high-fives and neck pats I witnessed this weekend I think my favorite reaction belonged to Heather and Charlie Tango. After their double-clear round, Heather dropped his reins and gave him a full-on bear hug that went on and on. Honestly, I thought someone was going to have to pry the two apart.

“I always give him a kiss,” Heather said. “He’s such a good boy.”

Heather Morris and Charlie Tango. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Heather Morris and Charlie Tango. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Meanwhile, Tamie Smith was busy racking up her own collection of champion ribbons. Fresh off her big CIC3* shut-out with Maui Baum at Plantation Field last weekend, Tamie’s momentum carried over to the AECs where she matched Heather’s two wins with two of her own.

First she captured the Preliminary Horse championship with Fleeceworks Royal, a 6-year-old Holsteiner owned by Judith McSwain. We’ve been following this partnership since the striking grey mare made her debut in the 4-Year-Old Future Event Horse Program, and Tamie has done a beautiful job of developing her ever since. “Rory” had some momentum coming into this weekend herself, having topped the CIC1* at Copper Meadows earlier this month.

“I’m thrilled with her,” Tamie says. Rory has a tendency to be a bit “rude and bossy” in the show jumping, so they’ve been doing some 6-Year-Old Jumper classes, which are 1.30 meter and 1.35 meter for championships. By comparison, a 1.10 meter prelim show jumping course seems like a walk in the park. “She just kind of went into the ring and was really comfortable, like, ‘Ah! This is Novice.’ But she felt really good and really rideable and I’m super proud of her.”

In addition to her Prelim win, Rory earned the honor of being the top-placed Young Event Horse program graduate at the AECs. Can’t wait to see what this mare adds to her already-impressive resume next!

Next up was Tamie’s ride on Anita Nardine’s California-bred 7-year-old, Favian. The pair laid down the lowest dressage score of any AECs division, a 21.5, and held fast to their lead for the rest of the weekend.

Favian’s budding eventing career thus far has been a team effort. Tamie took him to his first show, Jess Hargrave took him to his second, and Heather took him to his third. “We were trying to get him qualified and he hasn’t really had a person,” Tamie says. “But from the first time I rode him until today, he’s been super. He’s ready for Training level, and that’s what you hope for going into a championship.”

Needless to say, Tamie and Heather had a lot to celebrate this weekend — and who wouldn’t want to be on that party train?

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When Chinch went missing for a solid 24 hours, coincidentally last seen at the Heather/Tamie press conference, we weren’t sure whether he’d been abducted or had staged his own chinchnapping as an excuse to party all night with friends like AEC cross-country course designer Captain Mark Phillips…

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…USEA President Diane Pitts…

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…and, of course, these double-trouble hooligans:

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(See more photo evidence of Chinch’s wild Saturday night shenanigans on Eventing Nation’s Instagram @goeventing.)

Just when we were about to call the police, he mysteriously showed back up during Tamie’s awards ceremony with Favian.

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Phew… crisis averted!

Go friends. Go fun. Go Eventing.

#AEC15: Website, Final Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Fab Freebie: Two William Fox-Pitt Clinic Auditing Passes

By on Sep 28, 2015 9:30 am -
William Fox-Pitt teaching a clinic at Great Meadow. Photo by Jenni Autry. William Fox-Pitt teaching a clinic at Great Meadow. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Have you heard? William Fox-Pitt is coming to Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia, to teach a two-day clinic on November 10-11, and EN is giving away two auditing passes thanks to Team EnGaged Clinics.

Auditors will watch five different groups over the two days. Up to four riders will be selected for each group: 4-year-old horse, 5- and 6-year-old horse, Training, Intermediate/Preliminary and Advanced/Intermediate.

On the first day, each rider will receive a 30-minute private lesson on the flat with William. On the second day, each group will receive show jumping and cross country instruction in the stadium at Great Meadow. The event is closed to the public except for auditors.

Enter to win the two auditing passes using the Rafflecopter widget below. Entries will close on Friday EST at midnight, and we’ll announce the winner in Friday News & Notes. If you want to get your auditing passes now, click here to sign up on Blue Horse Entries. If you’re interested in riding in the clinic, you can apply here.

Follow the Team EnGaged Clinics Facebook page for updates on the clinic, and you can also join the Facebook event for the clinic here. Good luck! Go Eventing.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday News and Notes from Event Clinics

By on Sep 28, 2015 12:51 am -
Mako looking fierce! Photo courtesy of Lacey Messick. Mako looking fierce! Photo courtesy of Lacey Messick.

Lacey Messick competed in the Preliminary Amateur division at the American Eventing Championships this weekend, and she entered her adorable 8-month-old German Shepherd puppy in the popular dog show, too. ‘Mako’ looks so cute in his eventing themed outfit for the costume contest. “Don’t even think about jumping in to Mako’s cross country water jump!” Lacey said. If you can’t tell, he’s wearing a blue shark outfit. Thanks for sharing, Lacey!

U.S. Weekend Action:

University of New Hampshire H.T. [Results]

Flora Lea Fall H.T. [Results]

Surefire H.T. [Results]

Stable View H.T. [Results]

Sundance Farm H.T. [Results]

Running Start H.T. [Results]

Nutrena USEA AEC H.T. [Results]

Jump Start H.T. [Results]

Monday News and Notes:

It’s an horse owner’s worst nightmare – fire. Stored hay can not only cause a fire but also increase the speed at which it spreads, which is why many farms won’t store hay in buildings where animals are housed. Hay can actually spontaneously combust if the moisture concentration conditions are right, and monitoring the temperature of stored hay could help prevent disaster. [Preventing Hay Fires]

Lloyd Landkamer, a sport horse breeder, USEF official, FEI steward and dedicated volunteer, passed away at his home on Friday after battling cancer. He was 60 years old. Lloyd worked many jobs behind the scenes at some of the biggest dressage shows in the country and he served on several USEF and USDF committees. [USEF Mourns the Passing of Lloyd Landkamer]

Charlotte Dujardin taught a master class at the Rolex Central Park Horse Show this weekend, and a group of lucky spectators got to watch her complete Grand Prix dressage movements on a horse called Renaissance Tyme, whom she had only ridden once. She along with U.S. Dressage Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover discussed the movements and gave the audience tips on how to get the most out of their horses at home. [Top 14 Lessons from Charlotte Dujardin]

Here in the South, we’re awfully thankful for rain after a long, dry summer, but continuous rain and some flooding the last several days wreaked havoc on the TomorrowWorld music festival that takes place at Chattahoochee Hills in Georgia. [TomorrowWorld Limits Attendees After Weekend of Weather Issues]

Team Belgium won the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping finale on Saturday. Belgium, who failed to qualify for the Rio Olympics during Aachen a few weeks ago, took an early lead in the Nations Cup competition last Thursday in Barcelona. The Brits and Dutch were hot on their heels in the final round, but Belgium got it done. Team USA finished fourth. [Belgium takes the Furusiyya 2015 title in gripping finale]

AEC helmet cam!

Life Advice for Jr. Beginner Novice Ryan Wood from 4* Ryan Wood

By on Sep 27, 2015 5:30 pm -
Ryan Wood and Galway Blazer. Photo by Leslie Wylie. Ryan Wood and Galway Blazer. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Could there be a new “Woodsy” in town? Ryan Wood, a 15-year-old from Mobile, Ala., just wrapped up a super weekend here at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships. She and her horse Galway Blazer laid down a double-clear show jumping trip to secure third place in the competitive Jr. Beginner Novice division, finishing on a score of 33.0.

With the pressure on and this being her biggest competition yet, Ryan was as composed as any rider I’ve seen here this weekend. She sat up patiently down every line, counting her steps, and could have won an equitation class out there while she was at it.

Ryan Wood and Galway Blazer. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Ryan Wood and Galway Blazer. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Ryan Wood and Galway Blazer. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Ryan Wood and Galway Blazer. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

But while she may have had ice in her veins during her round, as soon as they crossed the finish it was all smiles and a big pat for her partner. From start to finish, this was a fun pair to watch and we look forward to keeping an eye on Ryan’s eventing career as it progresses!

Ryan Wood and Galway Blazer. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Ryan Wood and Galway Blazer. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

There is, of course, another Ryan Wood floating around out there in the event world, who is older, (arguably) wiser, and has a few more jumps under his belt.

Ryan Wood and Fernhill Classic at Bromont 2014. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Ryan Wood and Fernhill Classic at Bromont 2014. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

I asked 4* Ryan Wood if he had any words of wisdom for Jr. Beginner Novice Ryan Wood. The prompt: “If you could go back in time and give yourself some teenage eventing (or life) advice, what would it be?”

Here is what he had to say:

Here’s some life advice for you, 4* Ryan Wood: Watch your back! Ryan may be new to the sport now, but give her a few years and she may be giving you a run for your money!

Go Eventing.

#AEC15: Website, Schedule, Ride Times/Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Watch Leslie Law’s Epic Save at the AECs

By on Sep 27, 2015 3:30 pm -
Screenshot courtesy of RNS Video Media. Screenshot courtesy of RNS Video Media.

With the powers of stickability and a strong equine neck combined, Leslie Law had a lucky save aboard Cooley’s Rule of Law during their cross-country ride at the AECs. Check out the quick reactions from both horse and rider as they have a near-fall at the water, captured by our friends at RNS Video:

Nice save! The pair were 6th after cross-country in their Preliminary Horse division, but ultimately withdrew before show jumping.

For more awesome video footage from the AECs, check out RNS Video’s Youtube Channel. Go Eventing.

Tell Us How You REALLY Feel About Placing 2nd in the Gold Cup Final, Quantum Solace

By on Sep 27, 2015 1:35 pm -

Most horses would be stoked about being named Reserve National Champion. But while Caroline Martin was all smiles and poise during yesterday’s Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final awards ceremony, Quantum Solace had other ideas. Perhaps, having laid down such a pristine double-clear round, he assumed that he’d won?

As the 10-year-old Argentinean Thoroughbred gelding’s fidgeting progressed into a full-blown comedy act, I couldn’t help but snap some photos.

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Look at me! I’m Gold Cup champion! Neener, neener, neener!

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The  taste of victory, so sweet.

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I hope mom blows all $20,000 of that prize money on carrots. I’ve earned it.

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Ready for that blue ribbon now…

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Wait! There must be some mistake. That ribbon’s not blue.

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Well, this is depressing.

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Stupid red ribbon. Stupid “Reserve Champion” cooler. I’m going to shred that thing, and then I’m going to poop all over it.

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But first, I’m going to ruin this stupid photo op.

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Get this thing off me!

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Mom!!!!

Blue ribbon or not, you’re a champion in our book, Quantum Solace.

Go Eventing.

#AEC15: Website, Schedule, Ride Times/Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Business in the Front, Party in the Back: 7 Things We Loved About the AEC Trade Fair

By on Sep 27, 2015 11:30 am -

By day the 2015 Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships Trade Fair was a shopping smorgasbord, featuring booths full of equestrian et cetera we need/want/have-to-have. When dusk rolled around, however, the big indoor got rowdy on us, each evening hosting some sort of Texas-style shindig. From two-stepping on the dance floor to beef brisket and a mechanical bull, the USEA and Area V know how to throw a party!

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Here were a few of our favorite features:

1. This opportunity to grace the cover of Eventing USA.

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How you’d LIKE to look jumping into the Head of the Lake:

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How you’d ACTUALLY look jumping into the Head of the Lake:

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2. Tall boots living in peace and harmony with cowboy boots.

La Mudial Custom Boots is equal opportunity.

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Tall boots with fringe? Now there’s an idea for you, La Mundial. And the dog… I can’t even.

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3. Shirts galore.

I’m totally snagging one of these official 2015 American Eventing Championships shirts. Not only do they look sharp, they’re made of a lightweight tech fabric possibly inspired by the toasty Texas climate. (It’s 90 degrees here, guys. 90 degrees!)

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Here they are modeled by the amazing and infinitely color-coordinated USEA crew. Want one for yourself? We hear there may be a few available after the event from the USEA Shop, in addition to other assorted logo gear.

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More sassy shirts, like these Phyllis Stein originals from Exceptional Equestrian.

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And I know what Jenni is getting for Christmas!

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4. Sweet sales.

I do not even know what is on this rack, but I’m probably going to buy it.

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5. Shiny objects.

Texas is all about some big, sparkly belt buckles and gratuitous bling. Gotta have the bell boots to match!

BeFunky Collage

6. Texas. Beer. Garden.

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Looks like somebody had one too many. Check out EN on Instagram @goeventing to see what shenanigans led up to this sad, sad moment.

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7. And last but not least this mechanical bull, which showed up for the competitor’s party.

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They say the better you are at eventing, the worse you probably are at riding a mechanical bull. The trick to staying aboard a machine designed to buck you off (which you’d THINK you’d be great at — I mean, you’ve been training your whole life for this moment, right?) is to do basically everything every trainer has ever told you never to do, like pinch with your knees, point your toes down, lean forward and cling desperately to the bull’s neck.

Which explains why this talented young rider got spun in approximately 2.5 seconds…

…while I lasted practically forever.

Go Riding!

#AEC15: Website, Schedule, Ride Times/Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Oliver Townend, Liz Halliday-Sharp Winners at Ballindenisk International

By on Sep 27, 2015 10:00 am -
Liz Halliday-Sharp and HHS Cooley at Red Hills 2015. Photo by Jenni Autry. Liz Halliday-Sharp and HHS Cooley at Red Hills 2015. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Oliver Townend (GBR) and Cooley SRS won the CCI3* at Ballindenisk in Ireland this weekend, finishing on their dressage score of 44.3. Sam Watson was the only other rider to add no penalties to his initial score in the 32-horse class. He accomplished this on Horseware Bushman, who finished fifth, and he was also fourth with Imperial Sky.

Eight-year-old Cooley SRS is spending is his first season at the three-star level with the very experienced Oliver, who has been partnered with this horse since 2014 when they won the CIC2* at Floors Castle in their first FEI appearance together. This year they won at Burnham Market in February and were fourth in the horse’s first three-star at Alnwick – Burgham. Cooley SRS is a graduate of the upcoming Goresbridge Go for Gold sale.

Brazil’s Ruy Fonseca was riding at Ballindenisk with Tom Bombadill Too in their first event back after winning bronze at the Pan American Games in Toronto. This weekend they finished seventh. Mark Todd and NZB Campino picked up their second CIC3* win of the year, their first at Tatersalls and another at Ballindenisk. They were second after dressage with a 36.6, and added only a rail in show jumping to stay ahead of second place Emily King and Brookleigh.

America’s own Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp was third in CIC3* with HHS Cooley, who she said on Twitter today “has the biggest heart in the world.” They jumped clear in both phases, adding only time penalties to their initial score of 37.6. Liz also won a big CIC* class with her up and coming 6-year-old Holsteiner Oskar.

Click here for full results.

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Sunday Links from One K Helmets

By on Sep 27, 2015 12:01 am -
Horse people will make everything horse related. Lego XC from Alison Robinson's Facebook Page Horse people will make everything horse related. Lego XC from Alison Robinson's Facebook Page

If you leave horse people unattended with anything for any length of time, they will find a way to make it in to something horse related. If you leave an Eventer unattended with anything for any length of time it will turn in to something cross country related.  I can’t begin to count the number of times I’ve seen abandoned items on the side of the road or fallen logs and caught myself thinking about what a lovely cross country jump it would make. This might be indicative of some form of compulsion, obsession or addiction. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. After looking at Alison’s handiwork, I find myself wondering exactly how many legos it would take to make a 1/3 scale model of the Head of the Lake.

U.S. Weekend Action:

University of New Hampshire H.T. [Website] [Live Scores]

Flora Lea Fall H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Surefire H.T.  [Website] [Live Scores]

Stable View H.T. [Website] [Entry Status][Live Scores]

Sundance Farm H.T.  [Website][Live Scores]

Running Start H.T. [Live Scores]

Nutrena USEA AEC H.T.  [Website] [Live Scores]

Jump Start H.T.  [Website] [Live Scores]

Sunday Links:

Kaley Cuoco does what we all want to do after a divorce, buys a new horse!

At the Red Mile, horse racing evolves in to something that looks like a casino

Montana legislator wants horse racing back at the Missoula fair

Western Milling recalls Western Blend Horse Feed

Buyers passing up on quality horses

Geothermal wins Churchill Downs’ first Lukas Classic

Sunday Video:

Jacob Fletcher Wins Fat Stacks, Swag, Glory for Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final Win

By on Sep 26, 2015 9:00 pm -
Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino. Photo by Leslie Wylie. Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

When it comes to prize-giving, the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships balls harder than anybody. And no division has more at stake than the Adequan Gold Cup Final — in addition to a $20,000 check, the winner walks away with a serious haul of product from the event’s generous sponsors.

Jacob Fletcher was the leader going into today’s show jumping grand finale but if he was feeling any pressure, you couldn’t tell. He and Atlantic Domino were 100% composed as they tackled the Marc Donovan designed course, breaking character only after all four feet had landed from the final fence.

Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Jacob and Domino led from start to finish this weekend, adding four cross country time faults to a winning dressage score of 27.6 then sealing the deal with a double-clear in show jumping today. Show jumping is the horse’s forte, so no one was surprised when the pair pulled off today’s final-phase hat trick.

“On his record and subjectively, show jumping is his best phase,” Jacob says. “But even saying that I’ve never been in the lead or even in the top three in a big, big competition, so I was very nervous. I’m only riding two horses this weekend, too, and I think it’s much easier to stay in the game if you’re riding a lot of horses and you don’t have time to get off and think.”

Jacob came here thinking that the event would be a good prep for his fall CCI3* at Galways Downs, but winning was a welcome bonus — especially since Area V is his stomping ground and 2015 marks the third and final year the AECs will be held here at Texas Rose Horse Park. With Laine Ashker having won it in 2013 followed by Buck Davidson in 2014, Jacob quipped, “Somebody from Area V had to win it before it leaves!”

“I think we’re really getting on the right track and I’m most happy we had a good, clear, confidence-building round this weekend,” Jacob says, adding with a let’s-get-real-here smile, “I enjoyed winning, too. I’ve never done that before at a big competition. But the biggest thing for me is that the horse is going well and that he can be more confident the next time we go out.”

As for what he plans to do with that check for $20 grand?

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

“Probably invest it,” he says. “I’m very much into the stock market and I don’t have any money now, so I have a few stocks waiting.”

For a 21-year-old, Jacob Fletcher, we think you’re going to turn out just fine.

Elsewhere in the division, the no. 2 and no. 3 positions switched places when Buck Davidson and Wundermaske pulled a couple rails. Caroline Martin and Quantum Solace moved into their place on the wings of a double-clear round, one of only three in the 11-horse division.

Caroline Martin and Quantum Solace. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Caroline Martin and Quantum Solace. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Buck Davidson and Wundermaske. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Buck Davidson and Wundermaske. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

2011 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final winners Barb Crabo and Eveready II finished fourth on a four-fault round.

Barb Crabo and Eveready II. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Barb Crabo and Eveready II. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

It’s great to see past winners like Barb and Buck making an effort to keep the AECs on their schedule although it’s easy to see why they do. It’s a special event for professionals and amateurs alike, a true representation of the heart and spirit of the sport here in America.

Adequan Gold Cup final scores:

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Go Eventing.

#AEC15: Website, Schedule, Ride Times/Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram