Lots of cross country action is on tap this weekend with both Arville’s CCI4*-L and Aston Le Walls’ CCI4*-S running. We have some U.S. representatives competing at Aston Le Walls, including World Championships rep for the USA Tamie Smith and Lillet 3, who are currently in fifth position after dressage. The 4*-S will complete both show jumping and cross country Sunday, but there will still be action to follow live on H&C+.
Some great reminders for all of us on the latest In Stride podcast featuring course designer Alec Lochore, who will be the cross country designer for the LA28 Olympics:
One Big Thing: British Eventing Support Trust Raffle
Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo. Photo by Sophie Robins/Girl in the Field.
Whether you’re an eventing enthusiast, a collector of equestrian art, or simply want to support a worthy cause, this is a truly unique opportunity to own a piece of eventing history. The British Eventing Support Trust has launched a special raffle to give one lucky supporter the chance to win a one-of-a-kind sculpture created from the horseshoes of five-star and championship horses!
Over the past six months, horseshoes from some of the sport’s best-known 5* and championship horses — including London 52, Murphy Himself, Colorado Blue, Lordships Graffalo, and JL Dublin, to name a few — have been carefully collected and transformed by farrier Oliver Mitchell into a striking sculpture standing 3’6″ tall. It is a celebration of the horses that have inspired so many of us, while helping support those at the heart of our sport.
Raffle tickets are £25 each, with every ticket sold helping the Trust continue providing practical, emotional, and financial support to British Eventing competing members following injury, accidents, and mental health challenges.
The winning ticket will be drawn by the British Eventing Support Trust President, HRH The Princess Royal, at Burghley Horse Trials on Sunday the 6th of September.
We’re only a few short weeks away from the Aiken Bluegrass Concert at Stable View on August 22nd!
This unforgettable night of live bluegrass music is designed as an easygoing evening out, welcoming families, couples, and groups of friends. With on-site food options, beer & wine service, and free admission for children 12 & under, you won’t want to miss this heck of a party outside the Stable View Pavilion.
Jessica Phoenix and Fluorescent Adolescent. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Equestrian Canada is pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 Eventing High Performance Athlete Development Grant Program, a new initiative designed to help Canada’s high-performance eventing athletes access exceptional training and competitive opportunities that will accelerate their development toward international success.
With applications now open and a submission deadline of August 1, 2026, the program provides targeted financial support for athletes pursuing training, coaching, competition, and development opportunities within Canada, across North America, and internationally. Grant recipients will be announced on August 24, 2026.
The Athlete Development Grant Program has been established to reduce financial and logistical barriers that can limit access to high-quality development experiences. The program is intended to foster long-term athlete progression while strengthening Canada’s future international eventing pipeline.
Funding is available across three grant tiers:
Major Development Grants – up to $15,000 for significant initiatives such as overseas training, international competition tours, and extended development opportunities with high-performance coaches.
Training Grants – up to $7,500 for focused development opportunities, including training camps, competition travel, and specialized coaching support.
Supplemental Grants – up to $3,000 for targeted initiatives such as clinics, coaching sessions, competition preparation, and owner engagement activities.
The program is designed to support opportunities that deliver measurable athlete and horse development, increased competitive exposure, enhanced horsepower, stronger athlete-owner relationships, and progression toward future 4* and 5* competition, with the ultimate goal of preparing athletes for international team representation. Further information can be found in this PDF.
Eligible applicants must be members in good standing with Equestrian Canada, have achieved at least one CCI3*-L Minimum Eligibility Requirement (MER) between January 1, 2025 and August 1, 2026, and demonstrate a clear long-term high-performance development plan reviewed in consultation with Eventing High Performance Technical Advisor Rebecca Howard.
Applications will be evaluated by the Eventing High Performance Advisory Group (HPAG) using a transparent scoring rubric that assesses developmental impact, quality of opportunity, horse development, competitive exposure, alignment with the High Performance pathway, and overall application quality.
Equestrian Canada intends for the Athlete Development Grant Program to continue annually through at least 2028, providing sustained investment in Canada’s next generation of high-performance eventing athletes.
Athletes interested in applying are encouraged to review the complete program guidelines and prepare their applications well in advance of the August 1 deadline. For additional information about the 2026 Eventing High Performance Athlete Development Grant Program, including eligibility requirements and application details, please contact: Dr. Emily Gilbert, Manager, Eventing High Performance – Equestrian Canada at [email protected].
We love promoting opportunities for free education within the industry, and the Horse and Humans Research Foundation is providing four during the month of July:
Join us and learn how to train volunteers to observe and document equine body language using structured journaling tools and understand how consistent documentation improves equine well-being and supports communication across interdisciplinary teams.
Through this webinar with Olga Surmacheva we will explore how journaling enhances volunteer confidence, accountability, and engagement within EAS programs.
Teresa Pilegaard will answer the question: Can we build a lesson program that is more sustainable for the equine while still positively impacting the humans? Teresa answers this question by looking at case studies of Dorato’s “eclectic equines” who have improved soundness, mental states, and contentedness in their jobs resulting from this lesson program method.
Participants will follow along, interact with, compare to their experiences, and analyze key stages in the progress of the equines to include foundational training skills, bodywork, farrier support, observation in various environments, classical groundwork, and under saddle work with the trainer and with students, etc. This webinar includes brief case studies and interviews with the humans in the Dorato program who have gained greater confidence, physical balance, mental techniques, communication, planning, and more, impacting their life outside the barn for the better.
This summer, take time to refresh, restore, and renew with the second session of HHRF’s 2026 Summer Refresh Series, where Helena Harris will discuss Preventing Burnout in Working Horses. When we allow working horses some time off from their jobs, we give them the opportunity to reset not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, as well. This breaks the cycle of constant demand that leads to chronic stress and burnout. Decompression time that includes grazing freely among friends, the ability to engage in activities of their own choosing, and one-on-one time with staff, are three key elements of a beneficial reset for working horses. This webinar will cover practical ways we can incorporate these elements of the Five Freedoms into a horse’s everyday life, as well as during intentional decompression times, to ensure their long-term physical and mental health.
Join Ciara Bennett as she discusses Creating Meaningful Partnerships with Horses: The Unseen Disruptors & Obstacles of Connection. In the professional horse world, near enemies, true emotions and virtues themselves are treated the same, making it much more challenging to recognize and change the thoughts and behaviors that disrupt connection with our horses. Through intentional effort, we are able to recognize these silent, unseen disruptors of connection and create meaningful, harmonious partnerships with our horses. The goal of this presentation is to illuminate a pathway for bringing our most mindful and enlightened selves into the arena and into our relationship with horses.
This post contains affiliate links, and Eventing Nation earns a commission on qualifying purchases as part of Chewy's ambassador program.
If we ever share a hack, it’s this: your post-ride thank-you treats could be easing your horse’s tummy issues at the same time. My barn is never without Purina Outlast treats, because whether you’re a “here’s a little handful of cookies” person or an “overflowing pockets” type of gal, you can give your partner anything from a little boost to their gastric health to a full serving of Outlast supplement, all while rewarding them the same way you always do. Seems like a no-brainer to me.
Training Tip of the Day
According to Holly Hugo-Vidal, balance, impulsion, rhythm, adjustability, coordination, and feel all come together to create the ideal jumping canter. When those ingredients are in place, riders can make smoother adjustments, find better distances, and produce more consistent efforts over every fence.
Noor Slaoui leads the Moroccan charge, nominated with two horses, including her Paris Olympic horse Cash In Hand. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Following the deadline for submission of Nominated Entries for the FEI Eventing World Championships for Seniors (Aachen – August) are now available.
28 nations are represented across these nominations, representing a slight increase over the 2022 World Championships. Of those 28 nations, 16 have nominated enough combinations to potentially field a team of at least three riders. Teams can consist of three or four combinations, and up to two individual spots are also available.
We’ll have a clearer picture of the actual combinations who will make the trip to Aachen for the kickoff of eventing on Thursday, August 13 at the storied showgrounds that hosted the 2006 World Equestrian Games once Definite Entries come through on July 27. In addition, we’ll be providing a hub of information for those of you wanting to follow every second of the action, as well as a Form Guide briefing you on all nations coming forward for these World Championships.
The full Nominated Entry list is full of past Olympians, Championship winners (our reigning World Champion from 2022, Yasmin Ingham, has been nominated for the British with Gypsie du Loir) and newer faces representing the ongoing pursuit of this international stage on the part of many countries around the world.
You can view the full list of Nominated Entries for Aachen here.
More news to come for this year’s FEI Eventing World Championships, so keep it locked right here on EN for the latest. EN’s coverage of these World Championships is supported by Kentucky Performance Products.
Successful business are built on proper systems. This can be quite hard to accomplish in a functioning stable (but the facts apply to any business, large or small). Creating a healthy work environment takes more than just good intentions, and the trickledown effects of not having this in place affect both horses and humans. To help provide information on where to start, Horse Grooms is offering a free webinar on Tuesday, July 14 at 2 pm EST dedicated to The Power of Better Barn Systems.
Jessica Jackson, the founder and CEO of Barn Maids out of Las Vegas, will be leading the webinar and sharing the systems that have helped her business thrive. During the session, you’ll explore how simple systems can make barns run more smoothly, improve communication, reduce stress, and create better outcomes for both horses and the people who care for them.
You can read more about Jessica and Barn Maids here, and if you scroll to the bottom of that linked article, you’ll be able to register for the webinar.
As we await the opening of the FEI World Championships, running August 11-23 and spanning the disciplines of dressage, eventing, vaulting, jumping, driving and para dressage, the Aachen organizing team has announced the building of a brand-new stabling complex. These buildings have replaced a number of former barns, implementing updated elements such as ventilation and accessibility while still maintaining a look and feel similar to the original buildings originating in the 1930s and 1940s. The project, which provides a total of 204 stalls, was funded by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Home Affairs, on the basis of a resolution passed by the German Bundestag.
“The FEI World Championships Aachen 2026 place the highest demands in accommodation for the horses, which is why building new stables was a necessary step for us,” explained ALRV Board Member, Birgit Rosenberg. “We are thus expanding on our proven standards and creating additional opportunities to satisfy the horses’ needs as much as possible. The well-being of the horses has always been our top priority and these new stables demonstrate once again our commitment to quality and genuine animal welfare.”
Isabell Werth, the most successful dressage rider of all time, also emphasised the importance of an optimal stable environment: “It is hugely important for the horses to have a sheltered retreat where they can recover and really find peace. The temperature, ceiling height, stall size, air circulation – everything is truly Champions League quality here, promoting the horses’ well-being.”
A special focus is also being placed on accessibility: The new stable building features a modern guidance system, as well as accessible restrooms, showers and designated areas for storing electronic assistive devices. This ensures that all riders – regardless of their individual needs – can move around the stable area safely and comfortably.
Also for the grooms coming to World Championships, new facilities have been laid out to ensure a quality experience for the hardest working humans in the business. This includes exclusive dining and relaxation facilities nearby to the stabling. For us at the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein, top-level sport and animal welfare have always gone hand in hand. The grooms play a crucial role in this. That is why making their stay in Aachen as pleasant as possible is a matter close to our hearts,” explained Birgit Rosenberg.
Competition opens on Tuesday, August 11 with the first dressage competition as well as the Opening Ceremony, which also promises to be next level, in true Aachen style for anyone who’s visited in the past. Aachen previously hosted the 2006 World Equestrian Games, making this 20th anniversary a proper cause for celebration.
Eventing begins with the First Horse Inspection on Wednesday August 12, followed by two days of dressage on August 13-14, cross country on August 15 and show jumping to determine our champions on August 16. You can reference this link for more specifics on the eventing schedule. Further information, including ticket availability, can be found here.
More news to come for this year’s FEI Eventing World Championships, so keep it locked right here on EN for the latest. EN’s coverage of these World Championships is supported by Kentucky Performance Products.
One Big Thing: FEI Annual Report 2025 Now Available
Germany tops the first FEI Eventing Nations Cup leg of the season at Marbach. Photo by FEI / Libby Law Photography.
The FEI Annual Report 2025 is now available to download from the FEI Library, showcasing a landmark year for the FEI and the global equestrian community. Richly illustrated and packed with highlights, insights and key statistics, the report reflects on a year of world-class sport, strategic progress and continued growth across every area of the organisation.
The 2025 season delivered unforgettable sporting moments, from the FEI World Cup™ Finals to the FEI European Championships in the Olympic disciplines. The Longines League of Nations™ also continued to strengthen its position as Jumping’s leading FEI team series, with the addition of a new qualifier in Saint-Tropez (FRA) and a thrilling Final in Barcelona (ESP).
A defining milestone of the year was the launch of the FEI Strategy 2025–2029, which sets out the organisation’s long-term vision for the future of equestrian sport. Built around sporting excellence, responsible governance and sustainable growth, the strategy places horse and human welfare at its core while driving innovation, embracing sustainability and expanding opportunities for participation across all disciplines and regions.
Spanning 12 comprehensive sections, the FEI Annual Report provides an in-depth overview of the organisation’s activities throughout 2025. From governance, commercial partnerships and digital innovation to education, development and welfare initiatives, the publication brings together the year’s most significant achievements, inspiring stories and standout moments, offering readers a complete picture of the FEI’s work and the continued evolution of the sport.
Many horse owners may neglect their horse’s omega-3 intake, thinking it has only cosmetic benefits — giving your horse that nice shiny coat — but did you know it targets other areas of your horse’s health as well?
It’s important to keep your horse’s omega-3 and omega-6 levels in balance, but since modern diets tend to create an abundance of omega-6 in their systems, their inflammatory processes can often run high. Bringing the O3:O6 ratio back to a level playing field creates a better environment for your horse’s immune system, joints, and connective tissues.
Training Tip of the Day
Oh the controversial throatlatch — super loose? Snug with room? Lauren Kieffer clears it up:
Will Coleman and Diabolo. Photo by Atalya Boytner.
We have a U.S. roster for the Senior World Championships next month!
US Equestrian has tapped a roster of five total combinations, from which they will ultimately select a four-combination team and one individual pair. The Squad will be led by Chef d’Equipe and High Performance Manager, Leslie Law, alongside High Performance Advisor Karyn Shuter and Team Leader Christina Vaughn.
The following combinations have been selected to represent the Defender U.S. Eventing Squad for the 2026 FEI Eventing World Championships and are listed in alphabetical order.
Will Coleman (Ocala, Fla.) and Diabolo, a 2012 Holsteiner gelding (Diarado x Aljano 2) owned by the Diabolo Group, and cared for by Erin Jarboe (2026 Defender Kentucky CCI5* champions)
Direct Reserves: Off The Record, a 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding (VDL Arkansas x ARD Ohio) owned by the Off The Record Syndicate, and Very Dignified, a 2015 Irish Sport Horse mare (Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet x Ricardo Z) owned by Jerome Broussard, Gloria Callen, and Elizabeth Lendrum, both cared for by Erin Jarboe
Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and Possante, a 2013 KWPN gelding (Namelus R x Otangelo) owned by The Possante Group, and cared for by Emma Yanek (8th at Defender Kentucky in 2026; 11th individually at CHIO Aachen in 2025)
Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Cooley Nutcracker, a 2014 Irish Sport Horse gelding (BMC Tolan R. x Cobra) owned by Liz’s Nutcrackers, and cared for by Stephanie Simpson (3rd at Pau CCI5* in 2025; 11th at Defender Kentucky in 2026)
Caroline Pamukcu (Springfield, Pa.) and HSH Blake, a 2015 Irish Sport Horse gelding (BMC Tolan R x Kannan) owned by Mollie Hoff, Sherrie Martin, Caroline Pamukcu, and Deniz Pamukcu, and cared for by Chloe Teahan (second at Defender Kentucky CCI5* in 2026; reigning Pan American Games individual gold medalist)
Tamie Smith (Murietta, Calif.) and Lillet 3, a 2016 Holsteiner mare (SIEC Livello x Calido I) owned by Molly and Jennifer Duda, and cared for by Savannah Gwin (Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S winner in 2026)
Hallie Coon and Kapriccio. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
The following combinations have been selected as alternates and are listed in alphabetical order.
Jennie Brannigan (West Grove, Pa.) and FE Lifestyle, a 2010 Warmblood gelding (Leo von Faelz x Brandenburger) owned by Tim and Nina Gardner
Hallie Coon (Ocala, Fla.) and Kapriccio, 2015 KWPN gelding (Dexter R x Carambo) owned by Helen and Hallie Coon
Tiana Coudray (Santa Barbara, Calif.) and D’Artagnan, a 2014 Holsteiner gelding (Diamant de Semilly x Cassini II) owned by Kyrle Arscott, Tiana Coudray, and Annabelle James
Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and Denim, a 2015 Holsteiner gelding (Dinken x Ibisco) owned by Ann Jones, Ann Lapides, Caroline Moran, and Neill Sites
Sydney Elliott (Hoffman, N.C.) and QC Diamantaire, a 2010 Oldenburg gelding (Diarado x Sandro Hit) owned by Carol Stephens
Emily Hamel (Aiken, S.C.) and Corvett, a 2007 Holsteiner gelding (Corrido x Clearway) owned by Black Flag Option, LLC
Allie Knowles (Lexington, Ky.) and Montpellier Scais, a 2017 Anglo European Sporthorse gelding (Quasimodo van de Molendreef x Indoctro) owned by Katherine O’Brien
Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Shanroe Cooley, a 2015 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Dallas VDL x Condios) owned by Dallas LLC
More news to come for this year’s FEI Eventing World Championships, so keep it locked right here on EN for the latest. EN’s coverage of these World Championships is supported by Kentucky Performance Products.
Happy 4th of July weekend, Eventing Nation! Eventers were out around the country, celebrating the holiday with their horse and barn families.
Congrats to everyone on successful outings! We love celebrating our Weekend Winners here, and we’re giving all a shout out! As well as an extra shout out to the winner(s) of our Unofficial Low Score Award: Hannah Elizabeth and East Coast Honey AND Madeline Bletzacker and Drummer Boy, both scoring a 17.7 in the Beginner Novice A and B at Winona!
Open Intermediate: Karl Slezak and SF Darc Justice (29.3)
Open Preliminary: Cornelia Fletcher and C’est Bon PS (31.4)
Modified Rider: Casey Locklear and FLS Major Bounce (30.0)
Open Modified: Karl Slezak and Hellboy (24.0)
Junior Training Rider: Madison Zgutowicz and Keep Kitty (32.5)
Open Training: Michael Pollard and Lautner du lys (31.3)
Senior Training Rider: Jennifer Buchanan and Rumer MWF (31.3)
Training Horse: Macy Clark Bond and Presidential Nominee HU (31.8)
Junior Novice Rider: Kalli Holderfield and Maeve (30.0)
Novice Horse: Devon Tresan and EPA Cullen (26.4)
Open Novice: Cornelia Fletcher and Namaste (34.4)
Senior Novice Rider: Carrigan Hogg and Davino (32.9)
Junior Beginner Novice Rider: Addy Evans and FHF Saracena (32.3)
Open Beginner Novice A: Becky Holder and Calon Draig (27.3)
Open Beginner Novice B: Lara Markel and Sk8er Boi (29.3)
Senior Beginner Novice Rider: Amy Snow and Queen of the North (25.3)
Starter: Jo Elwood and To Infinity and Beyond DASH (29.4)
Open Preliminary: Laura Sparks and Get Ready (46.7)
Open Modified: Deirdre Orcelletto and Breeze By (53.4)
Open Training: Mackenzie Harris and Revelstoke (24.1)
Devoucoux Junior Novice: Molly O’Rourke and After the Storm (32.9)
Devoucoux Novice Rider: Stephanie McDonald and Baytown Backstabbr (34.9)
Devoucoux Open Novice: Laura Bentley and Woke Up (21.1)
Junior Beginner Novice: Ethan Sparks and At Least It Looked Pretty (37.4)
Beginner Novice Rider: Donna Struke and Singing in the Wind (20.9)
Open Beginner Novice: Laura Bentley and Atreides (29.5)
Open Starter A: Cassandra Majeski and Winx (33.8)
Open Starter B: Emily Anderson and Kingdom Springs Rayne (25.9)
Pre-Competition One Day: Anastasia Keyser and Rehash (50.4)
Open Preliminary: Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake (26.3)
Open Training: Hayley Frielick and Dunedin LB Tim Tam (28.8)
Training Rider: Avery Moore and Morning Star (51.0)
Novice Rider: Annabelle Carrajat and Just Chill Out (35.4)
Open Novice: Leeci Rowsell and Fortino (27.5)
Open Beginner Novice: Michelle Peters and Highland Storm (35.2)
YEH 4 Yr Old Saturday: Lauren Chumley and Savannah Lion (75.900)
YEH 5 Yr Old Saturday: Hayley Frielick and Dunedin Flash Baby LB (82.850)
Intro Open: Pamela Kendrew and RF Lion’s Roar (36.3)
Starter A: Chloe Long and Akari (31.4)
Starter B: Madeline Bletzacker and Verdamos SS (21.5)
Beginner Novice A: Hannah Elizabeth and East Coast Honey (17.7)
Beginner Novice Jr: Hailey Campbell and Holly Sun (32.4)
Beginner Novice B: Madeline Bletzacker and Drummer Boy (17.7)
Novice Open: Mary McKeon and Sexy Black Dress (21.1)
Training Open: Brooke Molde and Thisaintjumpstreet (32.8)
Modified Open: Julie McElhaney and Electric Love (24.3)
Open Training: Amy Bowers and High Noon (30.0)
Open Novice A: Anna Cummings and Fernhill Colano (30.3)
Open Novice B: Delaney Porter and Ox Trot (28.3)
Open Beginner Novice BNJ: Aspen van der Zee and Celtic Thunder (33.2)
Open Beginner Novice BNS: Jacquie Schoeggl and Stellaluna (31.7)
Starter A: Elizabeth Gillmor and Not So Normal (27.8)
Starter B: Elise Groover and P.S. St George and the Dragon (34.4)
Caber Farm One Day Unrecognized, 7/4 (WA): [Website][Scoring]
Intro Open: Camryn Vermeulen and Cookie (30.6)
Starter Sr: Hope Menninger and Better Than Free (32.4)
Starter Jr: Lexi Plassmeier and RD Smokin Sugarfoot (29.7)
Beginner Novice A: Lisa Martin and Native Instinct (25.0)
Beginner Novice B: Daphne Maniatis and Jackson J (26.2)
Novice Open A: Izabella Fierner and Devotion WGF (24.7)
Novice Open B: Izabella Fierner and Aspen P (30.0)
Training Open: Joshua Lacy and Pearl District (29.0)
Modified Open: Megan Packham and Jupiter STF (40.0)
Caber Farm One Day Unrecognized, 7/5 (WA): [Website][Scoring]
Starter Jr: Elena McRae and RockOTaco (28.8)
Starter Sr: Katie Ann Blanchard and Domina WSS (23.7)
Beginner Novice Jr: Mila Mancuso and Fideric (37.1)
Beginner Novice Sr: Jackie Burch and Playoff Bound (30.7)
Novice Open: Anni Grandia-Dodson and BallyGriffin Cool Run (26.4)
Training Open: Myalee Muller and Robin A. Bank (29.3)
Modified Open: Joshua Lacy and Grey Cobra (29.3)
