Classic Eventing Nation

By the Numbers: Poplar Place CIC3* & Advanced

By on Sep 9, 2015 11:00 am -
Marilyn Little and RF Demeter at The Fork. Photo by Jenni Autry. Marilyn Little and RF Demeter at The Fork. Photo by Jenni Autry.

September’s Poplar Place event is a staple of the southern eventing circuit and a good prep for those who are headed to the American Eventing Championships. The Poplar courses are always solid, intimidating and creative. Hilly terrain makes this course all the more challenging, so a clear round here is a solid accomplishment.

With Plantation Field heavily waitlisted for next week, it’s possible that we will see some last second entries in the CIC3* and Advanced this weekend. Marilyn Little is cross-entered with three of her pairs at Plantation, while a couple of others have completely defected from the Plantation wait lists to re-route for a sure run at Poplar. The CIC3* is a healthy field of just over 20 entries, while the Advanced is a bit more sparse with only six.

Poplar Place is the sole eastern event to choose 2015 FEI 3*-A for the fall, as Fair Hill will be running the B test. Happily, Poplar also traditionally chooses the more difficult Advanced test, 2014 USEF A-A, for their fall event. Tremaine Cooper is the long-standing cross country course designer for Poplar, while Jan Brodkin, who also does Rocking Horse, designs the show jumping.

TOP FIVE CIC3*

1. Marilyn Little and RF Demeter: Marilyn and her ever-consistent partner RF Demeter are back at it for the first time since winning the CCI3* at Bromont in June. A trip down south would pay off for them as they look to make it two wins in a row.

RF Demeter has done this test only once so far, scoring a 46.7 at Red Hills earlier this year. Marilyn and this mare jumped double clear over their only Jan Brodkin course at Rocking Horse in 2013, and when show jumping comes first, these two almost always jump double clear.

This pair has three double clear cross country rounds over Tremaine Cooper’s course at The Fork, and while the hills of Poplar might make it tougher to meet optimum time, you can be sure that RF Demeter will be one of the swiftest rounds. Look for these two on top with a final score in the mid-40s.

Marilyn Little and RF Quarterman. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Marilyn Little and RF Quarterman. Photo by Jenni Autry.

2. Marilyn Little and RF Quarterman: Marilyn has brought a string of five hugely talented horses to this show, and quantity doesn’t necessarily negate quality in this instance. RF Quarterman, though young, has been showing his potential all year and should be able to obtain his highest placing to date as he begins his prep for his first overseas competition at Boekelo CCI3*.

RF Quarterman is another who did this test at Red Hills, with his score of 47.0 displaying his potential. While he hasn’t jumped a Jan Brodkin course yet, he’s likely to go double clear as he has yet to have a rail in a CIC3*. This will be his first run over a Tremaine Cooper course, but overall this horse averages only 8.8 time penalties across the country. Marilyn will complete her double with a score in the mid-50s.

3. Jon Holling and Downtown Harrison: Downtown Harrison has already had a good start to his post-injury campaign with a win at the Chattahoochee Hills Advanced a couple of weeks ago. Jon could keep it rolling with a top three placing this weekend as he prepares for a run at the AECs.

Downtown Harrison hasn’t done any of the new 2015 FEI tests yet, but he is quite proficient on the flat, averaging a 44.3 since 2013. He jumped clear over the same Jan Brodkin Rocking Horse course as RF Demeter in 2013. Jon will be taking the horse over his first Tremaine Cooper course in quite some time, but overall these two average 12.8 time penalties across the country. The should nab third, with a score in the mid-to-high 50s.

4. Ronald Zabala and Mr. Wiseguy: Ronald and his longtime partner are back at it again. Ronald withdrew this horse after doing the combined test at Richland, but if he decides to tackle the full course here, he should come away with a top five placing.

Mr. Wiseguy hasn’t done this test yet, but averages a 49.7 overall this year. This pair does overall average one rail and 3 time penalties in the show jumping phase. A quick run across the country with only 6.8 time penalties should help them snag fourth place with a score in the low 60s.

Abby Hamblin and Silver Flash. Photo by ????

Abby Hamblin and Silver Flash. Photo by Samantha Clark.

5. Abby Hamblin and Silver Flash: After moving up to Advanced earlier this year, Abby and Silver Flash took a summer break after finishing fourth in their first CIC3* at Chattahoochee Hills in May. This pair had a clear run over the Poplar course in March, which will come in handy as they tackle their second CIC3*.

Silver Flash will be fairly low on the board after dressage if he matches the 65.0 scored on this test in May. But these two will begin to climb the ranks in show jumping, with two rails over a Jan Brodkin course that will likely cause plenty of trouble. This pair really nips quickly across the country, and if they match the 4.8 time penalties they accumulated over March’s Poplar course, they’ll fly up the ranks. Look for this promising young pair in fifth on a score in the mid-70s.

Ronald Zabala Goetschel and Master Boy. Photo by Pat Schmidt.

Ronald Zabala Goetschel and Master Boy. Photo by Pat Schmidt.

THE DARK HORSE

Ronald Zabala and Master Boy: Ronald is bringing not just one, but three horses down to Georgia, and his Pan Ams partner is one of them. Master Boy has been quite the world traveler for Ronald since competing at Rolex in 2013, heading to France for the World Equestrian Games test event first, then in May finishing second (behind Mr. Wiseguy) at Campo de Mayo CIC3* in Brazil. Previously campaigned through the four-star level with Oliver Townend, Master Boy is no slouch in any of the three phases and could make this weekend very interesting.

Kyle Carter and FR's Trust Fund at Ocala 2015. Photo by Bailey Moran.

Kyle Carter and FR’s Trust Fund at Ocala 2015. Photo by Bailey Moran.

THE SLEEPER

Kyle Carter and FR’s Trust Fund: FR’s Trust Fund is a horse to keep an eye on. At his first Advanced last month, he scored the equivalent of a 44.0, which might be enough to hold the lead this weekend. Unfortunately, the other two phases didn’t go quite as well, with a clear show jumping round marred by significant time penalties and a blip across the country. Kyle is sure to sort all that out quickly, and when he does, this horse will be quite formidable.

Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. Photo by Jenni Autry.

THE SPOILER

Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous: Everyone should keep an eye on the results from Poplar this weekend if only to see how our reigning Pan Ams individual champion handles her first three-star. The potential of RF Scandalous has been discussed ad nauseum, so I won’t re-hash it again. Needless to say, this is a big weekend for this mare. No pressure, Marilyn.

Joe Meyer and Clip Clop. Photo by Bailey Moran.

Joe Meyer and Clip Clop. Photo by Bailey Moran.

TOP TWO ADVANCED

1. Joe Meyer and Clip Clop: Clip Clop is a new partnership for Joe in 2015, and after an initial hiccup early on Joe stepped back and spent most of the spring getting to know this horse. He recently moved Clip Clop back up to the highest level at Richland, putting in a strong effort in all three phases to complete the horse’s first CIC3*.

Clip Clop probably won’t be in the lead from the beginning with an overall average of 37.4 on the flat. He’ll make up headway by jumping double clean over Jan Brodkin’s course on the second day. While Clip Clop hasn’t run over a Tremaine Cooper course yet, his average of only 2.8 time penalties overall will clinch the lead on a score just over 40.

2. Brittany Kart and Llewellyn: Brittany and her experienced partner tackled this course earlier this year, scoring a clean run at the Poplar Place March Advanced. No stranger to this level, Llewellyn will be putting his experience to good use this weekend.

Llewellyn performed this test twice earlier this year to the tune of a 30.7 average, likely good enough for the lead here. These two did accumulate two rails when jumping Jan Brodkin’s course in March. A clean run to match the 17.2 time penalties they accumulated in March over Tremaine’s cross country will still drop them to no worse than second. Brittany and Llewellyn will finish with the red ribbon on a score in the mid-50s.

Lillian Heard and Share Option Headed to Pau

By on Sep 9, 2015 9:00 am -
Lillian Heard and Share Option at the 2015 Eventing Prix Invitational. Photo by Jenni Autry. Lillian Heard and Share Option at the 2015 Eventing Prix Invitational. Photo by Jenni Autry.

After completing Rolex twice, Lillian Heard is now setting her sights on her first trip overseas to contest her third CCI4* event with her 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse, Share Option. She feels the time has come to test their competitive skills across the pond, and she’s working hard to fine tune all of the tools she will need to compete against some of the best in the world.

“(Share Option) has done Kentucky twice now and he had a really successful spring,” Lillian said. “I’ve done Fair Hill plenty of times and I knew I wanted to go abroad with him. My options were to do a three-star or a four-star, but I didn’t think Burghley would suit him as well as Pau.”

In her decision making process, Lillian consulted with her coach, Boyd Martin, who advised her that Pau would be a great event for “Whitey.” The chestnut gelding is a good show jumper who thrives on technical and challenging courses, which can be found at Pau. His adjustability also makes him ideal for a technical cross country course, where Lillian can make changes to his stride without worrying about getting into an argument.

“It’s not that I don’t think he could do Burghley,” Lillian explained. “But I think that course suits a big, galloping horse who just eats up the course. Whitey is a very good jumper and, if anything, he’s a little too careful. He’s much more successful on a course that’s technical and not just big. I think he could be more competitive at a four-star like Pau.”

Knowing that she’s selected an event where she has a good chance of competing, Lillian has already set to work preparing for the trip. “I’d say the biggest thing I’m working on right now is his dressage,” she said. “It’s not that he isn’t good but because it’s so competitive now. You watch people go and you think, ‘Surely that isn’t an event horse, surely that’s a dressage horse.’ So I’m trying not to be satisfied with my horse just feeling good — I’ve got to bump it up about 10 notches before I go over there.”

Lillian plans to take Share Option to Plantation Field in the Advanced division and also has him entered at Morven Park, where she will likely do a combined test. Lillian will then take her other horses to Fair Hill while her groom, Savannah Kilpatrick, ships out to France with Whitey.

In preparation for the upcoming trip, Lillian is also planning to host a fundraising event on September 26 that will include an auction of donated items. Lillian is particularly excited about one item in particular: a lesson taught aboard Share Option himself.

“It will be a lesson after Pau, on Whitey, taught by me,” Lillian said. “Not many people would do that with their four-star horses, but some riders have joked that if they could just ride him one time they’d learn so much. I just think it would be a cool opportunity for one of the kids, or for anyone really. So that’s my big item right now!”

Lillian will also be enabling online fundraising as well, and more details for these efforts will be made available as they emerge. You can follow Lillian’s Facebook page and website for more information.

When asked what her experience at Kentucky has lent her in preparation for Pau, Lillian is quick to respond. “When you go to a four-star, the idea that it’s a four-star can scare you,” she said. “It’s easy to get caught up in it. But I always try to say, when you move from Prelim to Intermediate, you just look at it as the biggest Prelim you’ve ever done. The same goes for a four-star — it’s the biggest three-star you’ve ever done.”

“I know I can do it, and I know my horse can do it. I just need to show up and be prepared. My goal is to go out and eat up that course and leave it all out there. I’ll have the support of the others who are going as well, and I have to thank Joanie Morris for helping me set up the travel and organizing for me — she is the most amazing person.”

We wish Lillian and Share Option the best of luck as they prepare for their first trip overseas together, and we’ll be on the ground at Pau, which runs October 21-25, to follow their progress along with our other U.S. riders. Go Pau!

Wednesday News and Notes from MDBarnmaster

By on Sep 9, 2015 12:01 am -
Yvonne Lucas hacks a pair out in Sky Meadows State Park in the final stages of summer. Photo courtesy of Yvonne Lucas. Yvonne Lucas hacks a pair out in Sky Meadows State Park in the final stages of summer. Photo courtesy of Yvonne Lucas.

Is it fall yet? Is it fall yet? I’m so sick and tired of heat and humidity, and I’ll be the first to admit I have become a bit of a wimp since I moved here from Texas. Scratch that, I was always a heat wimp, now I just complain about it being 90 instead of 100. Where’s my cool, crisp mornings? Where are my orange and yellows leaves? Most importantly, where is my Pumpkin Spice flavored everything?

U.S. Weekend Preview:

GMHA September H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

King Oak Farm Fall H.T.  [Website] [Ride Times]

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

Poplar Place Farm CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

Dunnabeck H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Feather Creek Farm H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Flying Cross Farm H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Area IX Championships & CCC Fall H.T.  [Website] [Ride Times]

The European Championships are on this weekend. Horse & Hound has compiled a list of 10 ways you can get into the spirit, even if you aren’t headed across the pond to watch. Included are a bunch of Twitter handles for various riders, a recipe for deep-frying Snickers bars, and a dog in a kilt. Also a link to buy said kilt so that you, too, can dress your own dog in a kilt. [10 Ways to Get Into the Spirit]

In case you missed it, the Queen will present the trophy at the European Championships. This is when it’s a bonus to have family connections. The Queen of England will be on hand to view show jumping and to present the trophy to the winner of the European Championships. With personal connections to the sport through her daughter, Princess Anne, and granddaughter Zara Phillips, it’s still a surprise and honor to have her present. [The Queen is Coming!]

This week in Horse & Hound’s Numbers: Forget Burghley, Lucinda Crawford and Vattrick scored a 10 in dressage in a BE100 section at Hutton in the Forrest. That’s not a 10 on a particular movement. That’s 10 overall. (For those who are number challenged, you can also equate that to a 90% in pure dressage or a 15.0 at an FEI event.) [Eventing in Numbers]

Equestrians form the majority of older sportsmen. The Telegraph has compiled a photo album of eight of the oldest sportsmen in the world. Included in the list are eventers Mark Todd and Andrew Nicholson, dressage rider Hiroshi Hoketsu, jockey Neville Wilson, as well as a boxer, stock car driver, golfer…and a dart player. (Also, Mark Todd appears to be giving us his best ‘come hither’ look.) [The Oldest Sportsmen in the World]

Slots are still available in a Boyd Martin clinic. Boyd will be in Stony Brook Farm in Petersborough, NH this weekend and it’s your lucky day! A few spots are still available if you’re in the area. Boyd will be teaching flat and show jumping on the first day and cross country on the second. [Boyd Clinic in New Hampshire]

SmartPak Product of the Day: I’ll be the first to admit that I have a hard time bringing myself to spend more than $40 on a belt, but after looking high and low for years, I came to the realization that 2” wide belts don’t grow on trees. I prefer the thicker belts because of the wide waistband so popular these days, so I bit the bullet and purchased this Tailored Sportman belt. [SmartPak]

Do you think the Queen will make an entrance like this one? One can always hope…

https://youtu.be/1AS-dCdYZbo

Tuesday Video from SpectraVET: Seneca Valley Course Flyover

By on Sep 8, 2015 5:00 pm -

Drones are becoming increasingly present in our sport, and they are supremely useful for cross country course previews! Over the weekend, Seneca Valley Pony Club held its fall horse trials, with divisions running from Beginner Novice through Intermediate, and drone master Jamie Rees created this spectacular flyover of the Intermediate cross country.

Jamie was also the mastermind behind a similar flyover of the course from Great Meadow — we’re really excited to see another great production!

As far as results go, Jennie Brannigan catch rode R Star for Courtney Cooper, who is currently recovering from a broken leg, to the win in the OI 1 division on a final score of 31.3. Kurt Martin had DeLuz Z out for the first time since Rebecca Farm in July and took home the win in the OI 2 on a score of 31.2.

Why SpectraVET?

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The Queen to Present Medals at FEI European Eventing Championships

By on Sep 8, 2015 3:00 pm -
The Queen is coming! Photo by Ben Murray/Creative Commons. The Queen is coming! Photo by Ben Murray/Creative Commons.

Big news, ya’ll! The Queen herself has accepted an invitation to attend the final session of show jumping and present the medals for the FEI European Eventing Championships at Blair Castle on Sunday.

Horse & Hound confirmed the exciting news this afternoon via event director Alec Lochore, who said “it’s quite rare for The Queen to take the time to do something like this,” and everyone at Blair is freaking out extremely excited that she will be attending.

Just a guess at how everyone at Blair is feeling right now:

super-excited

oh-my-god

Snl-so-freakin-excited

The action at Blair kicks off tomorrow with the first horse inspection at 3 p.m. local time, 10 a.m. EST. EN’s own Samantha Clark will be on the grounds all weekend providing live coverage, so be sure to keep it locked on EN for all the latest from #Blair2015.

Also be sure to follow EN’s good friend @EventingConsult for behind-the-scenes photos and videos from Blair, like this clip of Michael Jung zooming around on a Segway (#MikesBike) due to still being a bit lame from his fall at Burghley:

FEI TV will stream all four days of the competition starting Thursday (click here for the broadcast schedule), so you can watch live if you have a subscription. Subscriptions rates are $24.99 for 24-hour access, $14.99 per month or $79.99 for an annual subscription. Click here to subscribe.

Go Blair. Go Eventing!

#Blair2015: Website, Entries,S chedule, FEI TV, Course Preview, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram, @samanthalclark

[The Queen to present European Eventing Championship medals]

Fall Working Student Positions: These Eventers Need Help! [Updated 9/8]

By on Sep 8, 2015 1:30 pm -
This could be you! After your barn duties are done, of course. This could be you! After your barn duties are done, of course.

As many of the young eventers out there prepare to head back to school, many others are preparing for a different type of education: hands on horse education! Even though summer is over, the work never ends for those in the horse industry, and we’ve got some new working student listings for the upcoming fall season.

Riders and trainers, please email [email protected] to add your position to the list. We’ll update this post with new listings as they come in, so keep an eye out for your ideal position. Remember, hard work and a great attitude are a must for these positions, but you will have the invaluable opportunity to learn from the professionals in the industry.

Here are your current working student positions:

Athletux (CA): Still on the hunt for an internship? We are in need of a website content intern! Great opportunity, work from school or home any where in the country with a fun team. Interested candidates please send cover letter and resume to [email protected].

Additionally, our amazing partner Sara Zwolenik is on the hunt for an intern to assist with her equestrian professional services- internship specifications include the following:

Must be detail oriented person with an equestrian background to assist with the following:

  • Entries- complete and sending off to secretaries
  • Registrations- USEF, USEA and FEI
  • Data Entry
  • Year end updating of entry sites and upcoming yearly paperwork . Checking entry status of monthly events

These are both great opportunities with possibility to grow into more permanent positions. Please contact Sara Zwolenik 484-880-2343 or [email protected].

Tracey Bienemann (MD): Immediate opening for a reliable, motivated person with Advanced/3* eventer Tracey Bienemann on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. This position may be applied for as a Season only or longer term position. Winter is in Aiken for 4-8 weeks. The right candidate will be extremely motivated to learn about ALL aspects of an eventing program, a hard worker, and a good team player. 6-7 days of hard work in exchange for a stall at Worthmore Equestrian Center, lessons, coaching at events, and riding opportunities for the right candidate. Duties will include all daily chores, grooming, tacking, bathing, clipping and show prep, show grooming and travel, and some exercise riding if appropriate. If you don’t have a horse to bring, you may ride and compete one of mine! Candidate must have own transportation, and living arrangements can be discussed. If you think you have what it takes send your bio & resume with references and riding video if available to [email protected].

Lauren Billys (CA): Lauren Billys Eventing is looking for a hard working individual who is eager to further their riding and horse management skills while learning what it takes to compete and care for horses at the highest levels of the sport. This position is available as early as this month and candidates must be able to stay on through the upcoming Fall and Spring competition seasons. LBE is located at Holman Ranch in Carmel Valley widely known as one of the most beautiful places in California.

Job duties will include tacking horses, riding horses, cleaning stalls, cleaning tack, assisting in preparing for competitions, and grooming at competitions. Applicants should have prior experience caring for and riding horses and must list references. Option to bring own horse is available, board will not be covered but all lessons, training, and trailering to competitions will be included. There will also be time to pick up another part-time job in the area if needed for additional income. This is an excellent opportunity to train and work under Three-Star Eventer Lauren Billy’s as she campaigns for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Being a part of her journey will also give the chance to travel to some of the most prestigious shows in the country and possibly to Europe. She will be competing on the West Coast this Fall and also traveling to the East Coast for the Fair Hill International Event.
If you are interested please contact Lauren directly by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone (559) 972-6014

Kyle and Jen Carter/Five Ring Eventing (FL): We looking for working student.We have a busy event barn with horses from green thru CCI****, learn all aspects of the business from selling to training and competing. Accommodations plus room for one horse. Minimum of 6 month commitment.  Please email at [email protected]

Kylie Dermody (VT): We currently have an opening for a working student to join our team for an immediate start. A small but active event barn with a team of competitive upper level event horses. This winter we will welcome our next group of young horses from Ireland — there will be horses at all levels and plenty of riding for the right person. Housing and lessons provided as well as board for one horse. If without a horse, there will be riding opportunities depending on ability; possibility of a horse to lease to the right person. We have a busy and exciting fall season about to start. Attitude and willingness to learn more important than experience. Extra opportunities dependent on individual situation and riding ability. A commitment through the Florida season is preferred (May 2016). Winters in Ocala and summers just outside Woodstock, VT. Email [email protected] or (802) 369-4204.

Dragonfly Eventing/GC Equestrian (VA): Dragonfly Eventing is looking for a hard working, energetic individual! Position is flexible, a few days a week afternoons (12/1pm-4/5pm) and occasional horse show weekend. Could include lessons on your horse or on one of our awesome horses, or training on your horse, and coaching at shows. Opportunity for lessons and clinics with top eventing and dressage riders. Flexible job duties include grooming and tacking, and even riding, hacking and lessons on competition and sales horses. This individual will have the opportunity to learn about eventing, along with learning how to bring along and start young horses. Also about how to care for performance horses and the amount of work that goes in to their care. GC Equestrian is also looking for barn help in exchange for board and/or pay. Possitions can be filled with the same individual. Dragonfly Eventing

Lillian Heard (MD): In search of a working student to join a PAID position at Lillian Heard Eventing in Poolesville, Md. We have a great working environment and tons of opportunities for improvement. Please call Lillian at (301) 938-4840 for more details or email [email protected].

High Meadow Farm/ Sarah Morton (SC):  We are looking for one or two working students to spend the winter in Aiken, SC starting in November through to the end of May.  High Meadow Farm has client’s eventing and fox hunting horses in training, and is looking for someone to help with riding and barn chores.   Working students receive lessons daily as well as opportunities to hunt and compete for the right person.  We have a beautiful barn and on-site accommodation.  Please contact Sarah Morton for details at [email protected] or 803-522-4788.  

Bunnie Sexton (CA): I am looking for a dedicated working student .Live in position and horse board/ instruction included.Must be experienced in grooming, groundwork, and have solid references. Am looking for a student to train and bring to 4* competions for at least a year commitment. Opportunities for showing and schooling on upper level horses as well as your own.Please pm me if interested!

Lellie Ward/Paradise Farm (SC): Looking for a working student. Must have own transport. Looking for help with riding, preparing horses for daily rides, cooling out, cleaning tack, setting show jumps, competitions.Opportunity to compete. 
We need someone that can multitask and help at events on site and off. Opportunity to train, show, hunt and event for right person. Prefer non smoking, no dogs, living arrangements will be offsite. [email protected]. 803-640-4918.Great opportunity for person wanting to learn many aspects of the horse business. No pay first 6 months. Applicant MUST HAVE own health insurance.

Will Faudree Heading Home from Hospital

By on Sep 8, 2015 11:30 am -
Heading home from the hospital! Photo courtesy of Will Faudree. Heading home from the hospital! Photo courtesy of Will Faudree.

Fantastic news, EN! Will Faudree is heading home from Duke University Medical Center today after undergoing surgery on Sunday to repair two broken vertebrae in his neck following his fall at Five Points Horse Trials.

Will said he is feeling better today and ready to start the recovery process. “Going to be a long road, but I have a great squad to keep the ponies ticking over until spring when I can get back out there,” he told EN this morning.

Will wanted to add that he is “incredibly grateful for all of the posts, texts, calls of support, and the amazing team I have of Nat (Varcoe-Cocks) and the girls at the farm.” He also said he is grateful for “my awesome horses, family, friends and the incomparable Jennifer Mosing.”

It’s wonderful to see Will in such good spirits, and we continue to wish him all the best for a speedy recovery.

[Will Faudree Undergoes Neck Surgery After Fall at Five Points]

Dana Cooke, Sara Siegel Recovering from Injuries at Five Points

By on Sep 8, 2015 9:00 am -
Thumbs up! Photo via Dana Cooke's Facebook page. Thumbs up! Photo via Dana Cooke's Facebook page.

We reported yesterday that Will Faudree underwent surgery to stabilize a neck injury after falling from Hans Dampf while competing in the Advanced division at Five Points Horse Trials on Sunday. We’re also sending positive thoughts to Dana Cooke and Sara Siegel as they recover from injuries incurred in mandatory retirement falls on course at the same event.

Dana broke her pelvis in a fall at fence 17 on the Intermediate cross country course. Dana was riding FE Ophelia, an 8-year-old Zweibrucker mare owned by Kingfisher Park. Ophelia was uninjured in the fall.

“I missed to a large table going uphill into a combination,” Dana wrote on Facebook. “FE Ophelia was a rockstar and tried her little heart out and pretty sure she tried not to land on me. But unfortunately she did, breaking my pelvis in three places.”

Thankfully, Dana’s injury will not require surgery. FE Ophelia was previously campaigned by Clayton Fredericks and Elinor MacPhail. She and Dana completed their first horse trials together last weekend at Chattahoochee Hills, placing fifth in the Open Preliminary.

Sara Siegel broke her collarbone when she and Pure Possession fell at fence 18b, a skinny corner on the Intermediate course. Sara is an assistant to Boyd Martin, and he confirmed to EN that Sara is doing well after having surgery on Monday morning to insert a plate and repair the broken bone.

Pure Possession, a 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by Sara, Paula and Robert Siegel, was uninjured in the fall. Sara has produced this horse from the Beginner Novice level. They moved up to Intermediate this year and have successfully completed four Intermediate horse trials with no cross country penalties.

We’re sending healing thoughts and wishing all three riders speedy recoveries.

Tuesday News and Notes from Cavalor

By on Sep 8, 2015 12:05 am -
Tamra Smith and Mai Baum competing at Copper Meadows in the CIC3* Photo by Natalie Kuhny Tamra Smith and Mai Baum competing at Copper Meadows in the CIC3* Photo by Natalie Kuhny

This weekend was a weekend dreams are made of for Tamie Smith while competing at Copper Meadows Horse Trials. When glancing at EventingScores.com, her name appears over and over and over again. Tamie took top honors in the Shires Equestrians CIC1* on Fleeceworks Royal, Western Underground CIC2* on Chatwin, and Professionals Choice CIC3* on Mai Baum. She also placed fourth on Dempsey in the CIC2* as well. Congratulations to Tamie and all of her connections on an amazing weekend at Copper Meadows.

Events Opening Today:  Waredaca H.T. and Classic 3 Day Event (MD, A-2),  Hagyard Midsouth Three-day Event & Team Challenge H.T. (KY, A-8),  Holly Hill Fall H.T. (LA, A-5),  “The Event” at Kelly’s Ford (VA, A-2),  Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (GA, A-3),  Windermere Run H.T. (MO, A-4)

Events Closing This Week:  Stable View Horse Trials (SC, A-3),  Nutrena USEA AEC, Adequan Gold Cup Finals, and ATC Finals (TX, A-5),  Jump Start H.T. (KY, A-8),  The Event Derby & Clinics at Fresno County Horse Park (CA, A-6),  Flora Lea Fall H.T. (NJ, A-2),  Surefire H.T. (VA, A-2),  Sundance Farm H.T. (WI, A-4),  University of New Hampshire H.T. (NH, A-1)

Tuesday News and Notes:

Burghley, The Good, The Bad, The Ugly. All four-star courses have their moments and some are celebrated as great saves, others send riders home early. Burghley had no shortage of these moments from Michael Jung and FischerRocana FST falling at the water to Louise Harwood being chased by a dog on course. Check out 13 moments that will make you hold on a little tighter next time you ride. [13 Heart-Stopping Moments from Burghely]

The Big Apple a No-Go for Valegro. Charlotte Dujardin has announced that after the double gold win in Aachen that they will not be making the trek across the Atlantic later this month. Valegro’s owners and Dujardin have decided to give the 2002 Dutch Warmblood a well deserved break after the European Championships . This decision was made in the horse’s best interest with eyes still hard set on the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Dujardin will still make the trip to New York to ride an un-named horse in the U.S. Open $75,000 Dressage Freestyle. [Valegro Withdrawn from Central Park]

Francis Wittington Speaks his Mind Prior to Blair. In an interview, Francis Wittington has many words of advice for other eventers. Francis feels that “we can make it safer” by re-focusing our training habits and using dressage to improve our jumping and cross country. He also believes each professional rider should have a “Plan B”, giving the example of his work in equine dentistry to pay the bills when eventing doesn’t. [Francis Wittington Interview]

Horse Cheese a Reality. A food technologist has pioneered a technique to produce cheese from both horses and donkeys. Dr. Giuseppe Iannella has discovered that the use of an enzyme found in camel rennet has made it possible to produce an appropriate curd to be able to make equid cheese. The curds from mares milk can be used to make different styles of cheese as well as using the whey to make horse ricotta. More studies will need to be preformed to assess the viability of equid cheese and milk as a substitute for those with food allergies. [Technique developed to make cheese from horse and donkey milk]

Tuesday Video Break:

Hop on board Fernhill Pimms along with William Fox-Pitt as he makes his way around the Burghley cross country course with a tiny helmet cam. The helmet cam was a prototype that is not found on the market commercially, but WFP had special dispensation to wear it. Check out the first person view of their round.

Monday Video from Tredstep Ireland: Get Pumped for Plantation Field

By on Sep 7, 2015 5:00 pm -

The fall season is in full swing around the eventing nation, and one of the most highly anticipated events of the year is coming up next week at Plantation Field International Horse Trials. The CIC3* division currently has a record high 75 entries, and there are also a number of exciting horses competing in the Advanced, CIC2* and CIC* divisions.

Tredstep Ireland riders Hannah Sue Burnett and Sharon White will also be competing! Click here to see the full entry list for Plantation Field, and then click above to watch Dom and Jimmie Schramm tell you why you need to head to Unionville, Pennsylvania, next week for the Best. Event. Ever. We hope to see you there!

Plantation Field Links: Website, Entries, Schedule, Tickets