Classic Eventing Nation

Friday News & Notes from FLAIR Nasal Strips

By on Sep 18, 2015 12:03 am -
Sunrise over Plantation Field = A+. Photo courtesy of Cindy Lawler's FB.

Sunrise over Plantation Field = A+. Photo courtesy of Cindy Lawler’s FB.

Yesterday I celebrated the fall weather by taking Nyls cross country schooling, which is always a great combination of super fun times and hilariously stupid times, as he spooks sideways violently as he passes every jump, but locks onto the most insane tiny angle of a corner like a beast. After ten years together, I’ve just developed a sense of humor about it. Who cares if he spooks at passing jumps, as long as he focuses up in time to jump the one in front of him? I wish I could bottle the feeling he gives when he over jumps a huge brush fence and lands with pure glee at a full gallop. It’s amazing.

Blenheim Links: Website, Ride Times & Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram, @samanthalclark

Plantation Field Links: Website, Schedule & Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram, @jenniautry

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Stoneleigh-Burnham School Fall H.T. [Website]

Plantation Field CIC & H.T.  [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Marlborough H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status]

Tryon Riding & Hunt Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Fleur de Leap H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Otter Creek Fall H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status]

Twin Rivers Fall H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Stanton Farms H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status]

Stone Gate Farm H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

News From Around The Globe:

Current World Champion Sandra Auffarth leads Blenheim CCI3* after day one with Ispo. Sandra took individual silver last week at the European Championships, and has put herself in good position with this horse for this weekend. Ispo is a relatively new ride for Sandra, and this is their best test to date. Jonelle Price is leading the CIC3* with Cloud Dancer. [Blenheim Day One Standings]

Point Two is giving away 1,000 new Air Vests. That’s right. One. Thousand. New Air Vests! This opportunity comes on the heels of Point Two announcing the grand opening of their new manufacturing plant in Wellington, Florida. As the leading Air Vest manufacturer in the U.S., Point Two has it going on. This offer is only open to USEA members. [Free Air Vests]

Eventer Sean McQuillan knows a thing or two about the hardships of Eventing, and this beautifully written blog speaks to the tough nature of the sport. I don’t even think I can properly summarize this blog, so here’s an excerpt: “The relationships we form with our equine friends are such a deeply personal, emotional experience. There is something magical in the bond that forms between horse and rider. The trust they put in us is not to be taken lightly. We as riders have a duty to them to not abuse that trust and to always have their best interests at heart. We need to be honest about the big picture and not just our own desires even if that means ending the relationship.”. [When Dreams Come Up Against Reality]

Ah, the age old question. Can you get a DWI while riding a horse? Well, technically, yes. However, Louisiana resident Jake Williams discovered that sometimes you just get a Public Intoxication ticket. He did have the sense to not drive his truck and trailer home while drunk, but instead decided “the horse knows the way home”. Famous last words? [Drunk Dude Rides Horse]

“Butter soft deerskin”?? I’ll be honest, you had me at butter, because that is my lifeblood. Any type of leather that is described as butter, well, you know what it feels like. Silky smooth, conforms to your body, soft to the touch. But then they added deerskin and I knew they would also be hard wearing. What am I talking about? Oh, these ridiculously comfy and stylish SSG Pro Show Deerskin gloves. Which you definitely need. [SmartPak Product of the Day]

#TBT: Triplicate Take Two

Plantation CIC* 2014 water complex:

[adrotate banner=”85″]

Elizabeth Bortuzzo and Omina Lead CIC1*-A at Plantation Field

By on Sep 17, 2015 7:07 pm -
Warm up before the first bell in dressage. Photo by David Taylor. Warm up before the first bell in dressage. Photo by David Taylor.

The CIC 1* Division A wrapped up this afternoon at Plantation Field International Horse Trials with only a few things changing in the field toward the end of the day. Elizabeth Bortuzzo put in an accurate, polished test to finish in the number 1 spot after dressage with a 39.7 on her own Omina. Elizabeth and Omina, a 2006 Polish Warmblood mare, haven’t had the summer season she hoped for, but she said she’s hoping to turn that around at Plantation.

“After dealing with an abscess after the Horse Park of NJ, we were sidelined until Loudoun. We were on the wait list with plans to go to Morven Park instead, when I got the email on Tuesday informing me Omina and I got a spot, so this worked out for us pretty well.” Elizabeth said. “Today was the first time I have ridden this test, and all things considered it went well.”

Elizabeth Bortuzzo, Omina, and Chinch hanging in the barns after dressage. Photo by David Taylor

Elizabeth Bortuzzo, Omina, and Chinch hanging in the barns after dressage. Photo by David Taylor.

The 1*-A was showing in Ring 1, which is situated closest to vendor village that surrounds the main arena. With several saddle companies and many other vendors, this event has the true feel of an international event. “There is a lot to look at in the main arena, and I felt I could have had a little bit better ride, but I am very pleased with Omina after the dressage,” Elizabeth said after the dressage.

Kristen Bond received a 42.4 for her test, which has her hanging in second place after this first phase on Liz Bond’s Enough Already, a 7-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. Having ridden third in the class, she put in a very nice test that kept the pair sitting at the top all day long. The two seemed not to be phased by any of the activity as vendors and spectators got settled in for the day.

Kristen Bond and Enough Already in the Plantation Fields CIC1*-A. Photo by David Taylor

Kristen Bond and Enough Already in the Plantation Fields CIC1*-A. Photo by David Taylor.

“The horses have a tendency to be fiery, especially on top of a hill, but this year they all seem to be super quiet and settled,” Kristen said. “I didn’t pre-ride, and warmed up as I normally do. Enough Already is a superstar horse that has loads to give.” When asked about the course for Saturday, Kristen said, “The course looks really goo,d but I will be taking a closer look at it tomorrow. Plantation is such a great event that we are lucky to have so close to home.”

There is a three-way tie for third place between Ryan Wood, Kelly Prather and Erika Nesler; all three riders put in a solid test earlier in the day that has them sitting on a 44.7.

Ryan’s mount Ruby, a 6-year-old Oldenburg mare, is owned by Summit Sport Horses and was bred by Ilona English.”This is her first FEI event and she could not have been better. She’s a very obedient and rideable horse that has good flash about her,” Ryan said. “Ruby thrived on the atmosphere a bit and got good energy from it. I brought her by yesterday for ring familiarization and had a 15-minute pre-ride this morning just to get her where she needed to be.”

Ryan Wood on Ruby at Plantation Fields CIC1*-A. Photo by David Taylor

Ryan Wood on Ruby at Plantation Fields CIC1*-A. Photo by David Taylor.

With the theme for Plantation Field International being “Down Under In the Aussie Outback,” Ryan is especially hopeful that he can clinch the win for Australia this weekend.

Stay tuned for even more from the Best. Event. Ever. Tomorrow we continue with the CIC One-Star division B starting at 10:51 a.m. EST. Go Plantation Field. Go Eventing

Plantation Field: Website, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram

Leader Board after dressage

Leaderboard after dressage

Selena O’Hanlon and Doug Payne Top Plantation Leaderboards

By on Sep 17, 2015 6:51 pm -
Selena O'Hanlon and Foxwood High. Photo by Jenni Autry. Selena O'Hanlon and Foxwood High. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The first 12 horses did their dressage this afternoon in the star-studded CIC3* division at Plantation Field International Horse Trials, with Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High leading the way in the early going on 41.3. We’ve seen dressage scores for “Woody,” a 12-year-old Canadian Sport Horse gelding owned by John and Judy Rumble, drop nearly 20 points in the past year, and they delivered yet another personal best score today here in Unionville.

“I’m really excited about how he’s done this year, especially since Bromont onward, as I’ve been trying to get to the 30s to be competitive in Europe. I’ve gotten a personal best every time out. Jacquie Brooks helped me a lot when I broke my collarbone last November, and I’ve continued to work with her a lot. I’m staying across the street at Bruce (Davidson’s), who I’ve been training with since I was 7. He knows me inside and out, and I’ve been working with him since Monday,” Selena said.

“Woody has also been getting more confident, and that really makes a difference. Starting with Bromont, I felt like I got the score that I deserved, and it became more about going in there to win it instead of being timid and worried about how we looked as a pair. He’s also way more rideable now in the ring, so I can bring a little bit of Colombo to Woody.”

The super performance in the little white box is made all the more special by the fact that Woody’s owner, John Rumble, was sitting ringside to cheer him on during the test — as he always is for this horse’s events. John has his own storied history in eventing, having won a team bronze medal in eventing for Canada at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, where he also placed 16th individually. It’s wonderful to have top riders like John go on to be owners in the sport.

“John never misses a beat,” Selena said. “He’s very understanding whether you have a good day or bad one. He says, ‘We’ll drink to commiserate or drink to congratulate, but either way, we’ll have a drink and dinner.’ He’s been very happy with the work Woody has been doing with both Jacquie and Clayton (Fredericks). The fact that John is so supportive as an owner means there’s only the pressure I put on myself.”

Canada is well positioned at the top of the CIC3* leaderboard currently, as Jessica Phoenix and Abbey GS are holding second place on 42.3 after being first into the ring in this 67-horse division. This 14-year-old Trakehner mare owned by Charlotte Schickedanz floats across the ground and really delivered a lovely performance today; she’s also a stellar jumper and one you will absolutely want to watch go on Saturday and Sunday if you’re planning to be here at the Best. Event. Ever.

Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice are holding third place on 43.8 in the horse’s first FEI competition since Rolex Kentucky CCI4*, where the horse 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Caroline Moran, Annie Jones, Michael Bombar, Kevin Keane and Evie Dutton chipped a stifle on cross country. “Happy” looked in good form today and is on track to compete in the CCI3* at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International next month.

Doug Payne and Lysander. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Doug Payne and Lysander. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Looking to the CIC2*, Doug Payne has a lot to be celebrating tonight after throwing down the best dressage score of his FEI career to handily lead with Lysander on 31.7. EN readers should be very familiar with “Big Leo” by now, as we’ve been following his career for the past three years since he was featured in EN’s Got Talent. The 8-year-old Thoroughbred/Holsteiner gelding owned by Doug and Kristin Michaloski and bred in the U.S. by Elizabeth Callahan, just keeps getting better and better.

“He’s not that great of a mover, but he always seems to pull out these amazing dressage scores. He scored a 13 in a Training level test once. He’s so consistent,” Doug said. But he’s actually giving the credit for the test to his super groom Michelle Novak, who gave him some pointers before the test that ultimately helped seal the deal.

“She told me that I needed to watch when I was coming out of my corners and preparing for the next movement, like a half pass, because she said I was throwing my body to the inside,” Doug said. “Sure enough, I kept my weight in the stirrup in the corners, and there you go.”

While he’s thrilled to be leading the CIC2* at the end of the first day — with 17 horses still to come tomorrow — Doug said the goal this weekend definitely isn’t about winning. “I’m trying to get him as much experience as I can,” he said. “I’ll move out at a good pace on cross country, but I won’t go full out. Show jumping is the greenest of his phases. Marc (Donovan) always creates clever courses that require you to be on the ball. Hopefully we can pull it off.”

Alex O’Neal and Rendezvous With Charly are sitting about five points behind Doug and Big Leo in second place on 36.1, with Peter Barry and Long Island T rounding out the top three on 38.6.

The remainder of CIC3* and CIC2* dressage will start at 8 a.m. EST tomorrow, with the two-star wrapping up around 11 a.m. EST and the three-star continuing all the way through until 4:30 p.m. EST. Stay tuned for a full report on the leaders in the CIC* A division after dressage.

Plantation Field: Website, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram, @jenniautry

Buck Davidson and Wiley Post Lead Advanced at Plantation Field

By on Sep 17, 2015 3:11 pm -
Buck Davidson and Wiley Post. Photo by Jenni Autry. Buck Davidson and Wiley Post. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The first 10 horses in the Advanced division did their dressage late yesterday afternoon here at Plantation Field International Horse Trials, and the remaining six went early this morning, with Buck Davidson and Wiley Post leading the way on 30.4 at the conclusion of the first phase. This 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by Lisa Darden is a lovely mover, and Buck said he was really happy with the test “Max” delivered.

“He was quite relaxed today. He’s definitely a Thoroughbred, and he can get a little bit nervous. He also gets a little bit tired through his back in dressage, so I have to be careful with getting the walk right,” Buck said. “If I ride him twice the day before and then I get on him for 15 minutes before the test, he’s usually good to go. I was really proud of how he handled the atmosphere. Sometimes with rings that are set higher up like this, he can get a little distracted, but he was very focused today.”

There is plenty for horses to look at around the main arena, which this year is lined with vendor tents and also features the new ringside Purina Riders Lounge presented by Oxford Feed and Bowman’s Feed. Every year this event seems to up the ante even more, and as Buck put it: “It’s become the signature event in America.”

“I was saying to Phillip (Dutton) that it’s funny how the harder you work, the luckier you get. Every year for a long time now it’s been a beautiful weekend,” Buck said. “In the early years when the event was still getting started, it would rain or be cold. But now every year the sun is always shining, it’s nice and warm outside, and everyone is in a good mood. It makes everything that much better. I’m grateful to Katie and Cuyler Walker and the whole organizing committee for all their hard work.”

Caroline Martin and Spring Easy. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Caroline Martin and Spring Easy. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Caroline Martin is sitting in second place after dressage on a score of 30.4 with Spring Easy, a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding she owns with Sherrie Martin. That’s their best score to date at the Advanced level, and Caroline said after the test that she was thrilled with how “Paddy” performed this morning.

“I was a little worried that he felt too behind and tense in warm up, so for the last 10 minutes before I went in the ring, I stretched in rising trot on the buckle,” Caroline said. “Then when I went around the ring, I just gathered him up and picked up the canter. I think that’s what really helped his frame.”

With the big plan for Paddy being a trip to the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International next month, Caroline has been diligently working to sharpen their performance in all three phases, and she said her goal for this weekend is to jump a clear round in show jumping.

“We’ve been working harder on the the show jumping and strengthening his hind end,” she said. “We went to Saugerties and did some jumper classes there, and Silvio (Mazzoni) came over in the last week and helped me a lot with his jumping. He’s a good cross country horse, but I have to explain each question properly, not let him overthink it and make sure he’s straight.”

You might notice Paddy’s beautiful amber eye in the photo, and she said that’s one of the things that stood out to her the most when deciding to buy him. “He tries the hardest and is such a sweet horse. He does have a little bit of an attitude. If you don’t feed him right away, he gets so mad,” she laughed. “He reminds me a lot of  Ty (Titanium) on cross country, which makes me happy. I would really like to take him to Bramham next year. I think we have a good partnership, and he would really take care of me.”

Lillian Heard and Share Option

Lillian Heard and Share Option. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Lillian Heard did both of her dressage tests yesterday in this division and is sitting in third and fourth places on LCC Barnaby and Share Option on scores of 31.2 and 31.3, respectively. While Lillian said she wasn’t expecting Barnaby, a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding she owns, to be beating her seasoned four-star partner after dressage, she also said that the horse kept his cool and really allowed her to produce a good test.

“He can sometimes get a little bit hot in the ring, and when he went in I could feel he was relaxed,” she said. “We did the first couple movements and he was really good, and after the third movement, I thought in my head, ‘This could be a really good test!’ I knew it was one of his better tests.”

Lillian tries to get Barnaby off the farm as much as she can to expose him to new atmospheres, which she thinks has helped him immensely. “One of the other things I’ve been playing around with is walking into the ring and starting to go around the ring at the walk first,” she said. “For the ones that can really light up, it can deter them a little. They can walk in and take a breath.”

“Whitey,” a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Lillian owns, also did a very nice test and is looking in very good form as these two gear up for their overseas debut at Les Etoiles de Pau CCI4*. “Especially in the past couple shows, I’ve gone into the ring and he’s been really good,” she said. “I am starting to trust him a lot. He’s always relaxed.”

Lillian is planning for this event to be their final prep event before shipping to France (as long as the jumping goes well this weekend — touch wood!), and then she’ll start working on the four-star dressage test in addition to continuing to raise funds for her trip. She is holding a fundraiser next Saturday in Potomac, Maryland (details here) and she also has a GoFundMe account at this link.

Stay tuned for much more from the Best. Event. Ever. CIC2* and CIC* dressage is just wrapping up for the day, and CIC3* dressage is getting underway shortly. Go Plantation Field. Go Eventing.

Plantation Field: Website, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram, @jenniautry

Screen Shot 2015-09-17 at 12.29.57 PM

Blenheim Palace CCI3* Day 1 Dressage a Wrap with Two Americans in Top 10

By on Sep 17, 2015 2:38 pm -
Sandra Auffarth and Ispo lead after the first day of dressage at the Blenheim Palace CCI3*. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Sandra Auffarth and Ispo lead after the first day of dressage at the Blenheim Palace CCI3*. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

As we wrap up the first day of dressage at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials it’s been a day of mixed fortunes for the USA. First out for us this morning, Liz Halliday-Sharp made the most of Fernhill By Night’s big movement, making only tiny errors — she is kicking herself for getting a bit stuck on the first turn on the haunches, wondering if perhaps her studs were too big, perhaps she asked for too much in the trot lengthening she told me, he almost struck off to left canter from the walk… but overall it was a consistent test and she is the best of the Americans lying 9th overnight.

Lauren Kieffer did a beautiful test on Veronica and was harshly marked for a score of 46.2. Period. She lies in equal 10th place at this stage.

Jen McFall and Will Coleman’s horses both fell victims to the atmosphere and mistakes marred their tests. High Times rather lived up to his name, a bit to Jen’s surprise as she said he’s been somewhat subdued here up until now, but he jogged in the walk, took the wrong lead in canter, and changed in the first extended canter.

Jen was one of the few riders who said she noticed the music — she was unlucky enough to have some high energy ’80s Gloria Estefan (“Dr. Beat!”) for her test while conversely this morning William Fox Pitt and Cool Mountain for example had a classical rendition of “Greensleeves,” snore — hmmm! (and Will Coleman: Pulp’s “Common People,” Micheal Ryan: Adam Ant’s “Prince Charming” — Seriously….?!)

Will Coleman’s Obos O’Reilly can either be pretty stunning or very naughty, and he found it difficult to keep a lid on his nerves this afternoon, despite Will’s tactful handling — after the first halt he moved off sideways to the right and broke into canter, but then Will managed to get him back on side and salvage the test without any more major errors, just a lot of tension which is a shame as he’s such a nice horse.

Sandra Auffauth will be the overnight leader on Ispo on a score of 37.2, still the only one to score under the 40s. Sandra of course took over the ride after Benjamin Winter’s death at Luhmuhlen last year, and said that it was a difficult and emotional decision but that his mother has come over from Germany to watch her ride this weekend and Ispo is now best friends with Opgun Louvu. Ispo spent the week up at Blair Castle with the German team so that she could ride him, stopping again at the Yorkshire Riding Centre on the way back down to Blenheim; this is her first visit here and she’s very impressed, “It’s a really nice park and beautiful cross country, I think it’s not the last time I’m here!” Sandra and Ispo have won one and been placed in a CIC3* in Germany.

BL15brinkman9-17d1a-1339-2

We have two Americans in the top 10 in a smoking hot field Day 1 at the Blenheim Palace CCI3*, and we have the best damn support team in the world — Joanie Morris, Shannon Kinsley and David O’Connor. Photo by Shannon Brinkman. Enough Said!

We have lots more to look forward to tomorrow, we ‘re hoping for a big test from Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen, and as the judges are familiar with him perhaps they’ll give him really good marks (!).

We’re also looking forward to Lauren’s second test in the CIC3* on Vermiculus (she lies equal 7th in the CIC3* on Landmark’s Monte Carlo), Emily Beshear on Shame on The Moon and our adopted American, Aussie Kate Chadderton.

I caught up with Kate after she’d walked the course and asked her what she thought, “It’s huge! It’s really big, it’s technical enough. I think the water’s massive, (the jump in at 13AB) the A is on a bit of an angle and then it’s quite a decent two strides, and a very tall, very big jump in to water. I think that it will be really good on a scopey horse, mine’s very quick and has plenty of scope but it’s still a tough enough question. The mounds at 9AB is tough enough as well, I think that’s going to require a big, strong jump in and then a very quick right hand turn back to B and I think that’s going to be quite a challenge for my horse because he likes to take on the fences and he’s very, very bold so to get him back enough is going to be a challenge. Both that one and the first water are the big questions for me so far.  Everyone had said it was big, Boyd had said it was really big, so I’m not surprised, I’m definitely very, very respectful. I didn’t expect it to be small, I didn’t come here to jump a small course. He did Bromont which is also big enough but this is another notch up again from that. He jumps a big fence better than a small fence. Fair Hill is comparable definitely but there you go up the hill and back down, here you’re going up for a really long time, and then you’re going up and down and up and down, I think it’s tougher than Fair Hill. The questions are about the same but then with the terrain it makes it all that bit harder.”

Kate, as we know, came here to Blenheim off her own steam, fundraising some of the money to get here, selling one of her horses, and thanks to the generosity of a couple of very kind supporters, and they’re still struggling, and although she admits it’s been tough, she can’t recommend the experience highly enough, “This is definitely, definitely a step up in every respect, just walking around here there are five or six different shows going on that we don’t even know about; it’s a whole other world and I think that anyone who’s serious would really benefit from the experience, for sure.” Wishing Kate the best of luck, she’ll go last of the day tomorrow at 16:37 GB time.

Emily Beshear has a large, purple-attired (Deep Purple Eventing) fan club in attendance here with her at Blenheim so I thought she’d be pretty easy to spot, but I haven’t bumped into her all day, and I was sorry not to catch up with Elisa Wallace either. I hope all the U.S. contingent have fun at the cocktail party tonight, but not TOO much fun, and yes, it IS in the palace, and no, I don’t have an invitation! Thank God for sunshine today, and no more bloody rain.

Thanks to all the riders for chatting to us, to all the grooms who wait so patiently while we do so after long, long preparations already, to all the families and support crew who smile, and hug and…support! And thank you of course for making Eventing Nation part of your day. Keep checking back for more from Blenheim, and Plantation, and also make sure to keep checking Shannon Brinkman’s site as she’s adding stunning shots all the time. Going to find some wine and Go Eventing!

Blenheim: Website, Ride Times & Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram, @samanthalclark

Lauren Kieffer and Veronica Get Blenheim Dressage Done, Sit in Top 10 Currently

By on Sep 17, 2015 12:39 pm -
Lauren Kieffer and Veronica. Photo by Samantha Clark. Lauren Kieffer and Veronica. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Veronica went to work in the Blenheim Palace main arena this afternoon, turning in a lovely test which I was surprised didn’t score better. Her mark of 46.2 currently has her sitting in equal 9th place but there wasn’t much not to like.

Veronica to me is everything you look for in an event horse — in the dressage arena she’s pretty and attractive and can certainly move and point her toes, and Lauren went for it in the extensions, showing big differences and plenty of impulsion, cadence and spring. The whole test was lovely and forward, and correct and accurate, and Veronica is such tough cookie too — what’s not to love?! Many thanks to Lauren for stopping to chat after her test…

Rushing out to catch Jen McFall, and Will Coleman’s test, but gasping after hearing Sandra Auffarth’s score on Ispo. Yes, it was accurate and there were no mistakes, but there wasn’t nearly nine points difference between her and Veronica — I think if we had put a German tail coat on Lauren and GER after her name she’d have broken into the 30s too! Seriously, Sandra’s test was lovely, but so was Lauren’s. Lots more to come from Blenheim including a video chat with Clark Montgomery, both Will and Jen, and Kate Chadderton’s thoughts on the course. Go Blenheim!

Blenheim: Website, Ride Times & Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram, @samanthalclark

Thursday Video from Zoetis: Some Inspiration for This Year’s Plantation Field Bareback Puissance Hopefuls

By on Sep 17, 2015 12:00 pm -

This year’s PRO Bareback Puissance competition takes place on Sunday and we’re all looking forward to seeing who will soar the highest. In addition to earning a lifetime supply of respect from his or her eventing peers, the winner will take home $1,000 in prize money courtesy of vet-turned-4*-eventer Dr. Kevin Keane and Sports Medicine Associates.

A look back at the past couple winners:

Willie McCarthy cleared 6’1″ aboard Ibella to win it in 2013….

Willie McCarthy and Ibella. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Willie McCarthy and Ibella. Photo by Jenni Autry.

… and last year Justine Dutton cleared 5’11″ with Casino Royale.

Justin Dutton and Casino Royale. Photo by Alec Thayer.

Justin Dutton and Casino Royale. Photo by Alec Thayer.

Who’s going to be this year’s winner?

As inspiration to all the 2015 Bareback Puissance hopefuls, we present this video Robert Whitaker breaking the world bareback puissance record in 2011.

The spectacle took place at the Stockholm International Horse Show. The jump is 2.12 m (6’9″), and the horse is Waterstone II. Robert Whittaker is the son of legendary showjumper John Whittaker.

Keep an eye on Eventing Nation throughout the weekend as Jenni Autry keeps up updated on all the Plantation Field action.

Plantation Field: Website, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram, @jenniautry

Liz Halliday-Sharp Gets U.S. Off to Good Blenheim CCI3* Start, Currently 5th

By on Sep 17, 2015 8:40 am -
Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night. Photo by Samantha Clark. Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and her mother’s Fernhill By Night have always been pretty solid in the little white box, but this year they’ve improved even more, finishing 2nd at the Hartpury International and winning the Brightling Park CIC2*. However, you know it’s a competitive division when a former four-star winner Cool Mountain languishes in 3rd place, and will probably drop further by the end of the proceedings when we look at who still has to come so we’re thrilled with their score of 45.9, currently good enough for 5th place.

Liz and ‘Blackie’ did a really nice test — good trot work, good canter, no mistakes, perhaps it lacked some of the flash they sometimes have but as she explained in our interview, he’s an enormous horse to package together, and even more difficult when he’s a little tense.

Liz’s  mother Deborah who owns the horse is back in California and so is following along via social media, Eventing Nation and as many links as possible. Many thanks to Liz for stopping to chat, and wishing them the very best of luck for the rest of the competition — we’ll catch up again soon.

Go the West Coast at Blenheim Palace, and Go Eventing!

Blenheim: Website, Ride Times & Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram, @samanthalclark

Blenheim CCI3* Cross Country Course Preview

By on Sep 17, 2015 8:00 am -
1

Where it all begins!

Once again designed by Eric Winter and beautifully built and presented by David Evans and his crew, this year’s Blenheim International CCI3* course asks plenty of questions, and that coupled with an enormous field stacked with quality means the winner, heck the top ten, even twenty, come Sunday night can consider themselves in a very elite group.

The time is always hard to make at Blenheim with its undulations, two long water crossings, and perhaps even more so this year with the course going clockwise, so we can look forward to a real cross country competition on Saturday. U.S. Team Coach David O’Connor says we can also hope to look forward to a strong finish from our U.S. combinations, and he likes the course too.

“The footing is fantastic, even if it rains I think it will be good, and it’s unbelievably beautifully presented, as David Evans’ courses always are. I don’t think it’s the strongest one I’ve ever seen; going this way I think it’s also a little easier — it’s a little harder fitness wise and a little easier course wise, but there’s a lot to jump especially towards the end.”

Of all the CCI3* events in the U.S., David would compare Blenheim to Fair Hill: “It’s the strongest CCI3* that we have because of the terrain and the footing so it feels a lot like that, they have similar qualities. Galway is flatter and the terrain is not as much of an issue there, Jersey is a course that feels very intense whereas this is a big, galloping course. This is a very good group we have here this year; we’re looking to be very competitive here. I think everybody has got experience. I’m looking for a very good weekend.”

You can read a description of the course here and check out our photo gallery below. I’ll be trying to catch up with all our riders in between the dressage to get their thoughts on the course, and perhaps drag them out to walk a couple of fences with us! Thanks for making Eventing Nation a part of your Blenheim experience, we’ll be back with much more — Go the USA at Blenheim Palace, Go Eventing!

Blenheim Links: Website, Ride Times & Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram, @samanthalclark

 

Lauren Kieffer and Landmark’s Monte Carlo Get the U.S. Ball Rolling

By on Sep 17, 2015 6:11 am -
Lauren Kieffer and Landmarks Monte Carlo complete their CIC 3* test at Blenheim Palace. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Lauren Kieffer and Landmarks Monte Carlo complete their CIC 3* test at Blenheim Palace. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Lauren Kieffer and Landmarks Monte Carlo got the U.S. off to a good start at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials on Thursday morning; second to go under sunny skies, gasp, in the CIC3* on Ms Jacqueline Mars’ homebred, Lauren rode her customary cool, accurate test and ‘Patrick’ as he’s known obliged with steady, willing paces and a lovely attitude, not at all put off by the energy, and the action going on all around him.

Not only is there a significant amount of atmosphere here at Blenheim, there’s the Pony Club jumping taking place in an adjacent arena! Immaculately turned out by super groom Shannon Kinsley, ‘Patrick’ is by Irish Sport Horse Formula One, and out of an Australian Thoroughbred Glamour. They scored 46.7, which has them sitting in equal second place currently.

Lauren was kind enough to stop and chat briefly after her test and give us her thoughts on Saturday’s cross country. We’ll have more with her later as well of course after her test on Veronica, and wish her the best of luck.

Thanks for chatting, Lauren, and fingers crossed for a stellar weekend here at Blenheim Palace. Go Kieffer Eventing!

Blenheim: Website, Ride Times & Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram, @samanthalclark