Classic Eventing Nation

Friday News & Notes Presented by Stable View

By on Oct 13, 2023 12:03 am -

Fall days in Virgina can hardly be beat. Photo by Kate Samuels.

The weather in Virginia has ben absolutely out of this wold nice. High forties at night, low seventies during the day, perfect lighting that makes everything look magical, and I’m honestly living my best life on horseback. My neighbors who have a few thousand acres under conservation easement and love preserving land for horseback use, they make it possible for me to enjoy parts of Virginia that otherwise nobody gets to see. I’m so lucky to have access to that, and I wish more riders had the ability to truly hack their horses out the way that I do.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Morven Park International & Fall Horse Trials (Leesburg, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times][Volunteer] [Scoring]

Pine Hill Fall H.T. (Bellville, TX) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Poplar Place Farm October H.T. (Hamilton, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Radnor Hunt H.T. (Malvern, PA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Redefined Equestrian Horse Trials (Fort Collins, CO) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]

Coming up next week: Maryland 5 Star! We’ve go SO MUCH content coming your way, so eyes on EN 👀 and go eventing!

Maryland 5 Star: [Website] [Entries] [Live Stream] [Volunteer] [EN’s Coverage]

News From Around the Globe:

What’s it like to win a day with a five-star rider? Amateur rider Tiffany Morey and nine of her closest friends got to spend the day cross country schooling and soaking up knowledge this summer from Buck Davidson. From ponies at Beginner Novice to partners at Training level, this group got to soak up all the top tips from this rider. [12 Training Tips from Buck Davidson]

Olympic show-jumper Rich Fellers has pled guilty to felony sexual abuse and has been sentenced to 50 months in prison. Rich was initially arrested in June 2021 on four counts of felony sexual abuse of his then 17-year-old student Maggie Kehring. Maggie chose to come forward in 2021 to discuss her experience, and since then her family has become a driving force behind #WeRideTogether, an organization dedicated to stopping sexual abuse within horse sports. He changed his plea from not guilty to guilty in July as part of a deal that will allow Fellers to serve time in federal prison, which he wanted to do instead of going to state prison. [Rich Fellers Sentenced]

Alison O’Dwyer has had a remarkable string of successes in her four trips to the Thoroughbred Makeover, winning the dressage division three times. But this year, she found what she really wanted in a Makeover mount, in two very different horses. With a chestnut “mare” (more on that later) who is pushing 18 hands and was a stakes winner on the track, and a small, plain bay gelding who unexpectedly turned into a heart horse, she has quite the pair this weekend. [One to Watch: Alison O’Dwyer]

If you’re looking to prevent devastating coffin bone rotation or sinking in a horse with laminitis, researchers have reported the best option might be heart-bar shoes, based on a new study examining biomechanics of common shoeing approaches in these animals. Researchers studying cadaver forelimbs recently found that heart-bar shoes stabilize the coffin bones in laminitic horses’ feet so well that they don’t move any more than they do in healthy hooves wearing the same shoes. [Therapeutic Farrier Practices Compared]

A day in the life of Will Rawlin & company! 

 

Thursday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: That Time Doug Payne Became a Roper

By on Oct 12, 2023 4:45 pm -

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Doug Payne (@dpequestrian)

Can’t view the embedded Insta post? Click here to watch the reel in the app or through your browser.

There’s nothing better than a cheeky discipline swap — and Doug Payne, who’s already a keen moonlighter with his Grand Prix jumping outings and Hunter Derby accolades, swapped eventing for something totally different recently. He picked up a lasso and got stuck right into a roping lesson with Women’s Roping Commissioner Linsay Rosser-Sumpter, who was also game enough to give jumping a jolly good go.

I can think of few things I’d find more difficult than roping, mostly because my hand-eye coordination is, well, nonexistent, but Doug’s obviously much better than I am at just about everything, and I’d say he represents us all pretty well, all things considered. This, plus Boyd and Phillip’s Western excursion early this year, and Woods Baughman’s love for a hoedown, make me think that an EN-sponsored eventers’ rodeo should probably be in the pipeline in the not-too-distant future. Yee-haw.

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Did you get your KPP sticker? Collect them all. Visit https://kppusa.com/summer23/ to grab one for your barn.

All Pass First Horse Inspection in Morven Park CCI4*-L

By on Oct 12, 2023 4:11 pm -

Ariel Grald and Diara. Photo by Sally Spickard.

We’re safely through the first jog here at the Morven Park International and Fall H.T. (Leesburg, VA), where a smaller-sized field is contesting the CCI4*-L division, added here in 2021, this weekend.

This weekend’s 4*-L Ground Jury is comprised of Peter Grey (CAN) serving as president (and very dapperly – is that a word? – dressed today, I must say), accompanied by Christina Klingspor (SWE) and Robert Stevenson (USA).

Boyd Martin and Commando 3. Photo by Sally Spickard.

There were no holds or re-presentations requested from the 15-horse field, so all will now move forward to Friday’s dressage. Sharon White and Claus 63, bound for the 2023 Pan American Games at the end of the month, will be the test riders for the 4*, and the competition itself will get underway at 8:30 am ET.

In addition to the 4*-L, there is also a robust 4*-S division competing this weekend, as well as 3*-S and 2*-S classes that are sub-sectioned to include a Young Horse division for each. We’ll also see National divisions (Novice, Training, Prelim) competing alongside the FEI classes.

A full schedule of the show can be found here. There will also be a free livestream hosted on the Morven Park YouTube channel all weekend (thanks to RNS Media and Edy Rameika for supporting this effort!) with the following schedule (subject to modification):

Friday October 13:
8:30 a.m. – CCI4*-L/-S Dressage

Saturday, October 14
9 a.m. ET: CCI4*-L/-S Cross Country
12 p.m. ET: CCI3*-S Cross Country

Sunday, October 15
9 a.m. ET: CCI2*-S Cross Country
11 a.m. ET: CCI3*-S Show Jumping
1:15 p.m. ET: CCI4*-S Show Jumping
2:24 p.m. ET: CCI4*-L Show Jumping

Click here to bookmark the Morven Park YouTube channel.

We’ll be back with much more, including a preview of Derek di Grazia’s 4*-L cross country track, as the weekend progresses. Stay tuned, and Go Eventing!

Morven Park International & Fall H.T.: [Website] [Schedule] [Competitor Info Hub] [Live Stream] [Volunteer] [EN’s Coverage]

EN’s coverage of Morven Park International & Fall H.T. is sponsored by Kentucky Performance Products, home to 5*-caliber supplements for horses from all walks of life.

The Perfect Centerline: An Excerpt from ‘Dressage School’

By on Oct 12, 2023 2:00 pm -

In this excerpt from Dressage School, rider, trainer, and judge Britta Schöffmann explains in the simplest terms why riding down the centerline is more than a start and end to a dressage test.

Photo by Gabriele Metz.

Riding Down the Centerline: What Is It?
Traveling on a straight line down the middle of the arena (from short end to short end) without changing direction.

How Is It Supposed to Look?
When executed correctly, the rider turns just before reaching the middle of the short side of the arena, enters the centerline via a quarter-volte, and rides straight down the centerline toward the middle of the opposite short side. Upon arrival there, you turn back onto the track through a quarter-volte without changing direction. Thus, if you begin the exercise tracking right, you also complete it tracking right, and vice versa. During the turn, the horse must be flexed to the inside and bent around your inside leg. When riding down the centerline, however, the horse must be perfectly straight.

Most Common Mistakes
The Horse: evades through the outside shoulder during the turn; “wanders”; sways; is on two tracks coming down the centerline.
The Rider: turns too early or too late; doesn’t ride exactly on the centerline; overshoots the centerline.

Correct Aids
Especially when riding down the centerline, it’s highly important to ride an accurate turn. This is because when the turn is ridden incorrectly, you will not be able to hit the centerline at the right spot. In order to turn onto the centerline you must, depending on the level of your horse’s training, initiate the turn before the middle of the short side while focusing on the letters “A” or “C” (depending on which end you start). Note: the letters should set the outer boundary for the turn, so give yourself ample space to begin your turn before arriving at the letter.

Shortly after initiating the first turn, look toward the middle of the opposite short side until you turn again at the end of the centerline. Focusing on the letter will help you remain in better balance, making it easier to keep the horse straight.

In order to avoid the horse evading the turn through his outside shoulder, make an effort not to overuse the inside rein and instead yield with this hand at the right moment. The outside rein and outside leg should keep the horse’s shoulder and haunches under control. If the horse still tends to evade to the outside despite these aids—perhaps because of his natural crookedness—it most often is helpful to briefly counterflex him (for one or two strides).

Goal of the Movement
Riding down the centerline is a school figure that tests the rider’s influence on his horse as well as the horse’s level of training. It requires a high degree of concentration—and a straight horse. Mistakes that occur repeatedly, such as evasion through the outside shoulder when turning or “wandering” on the centerline, are signs of incorrect aids and a lack of “straightness.” If, on the other hand, the exercise can be ridden without difficulty, it shows that the rider uses her aids correctly and the horse exhibits a certain degree of “throughness” to the aids.

Fast Facts
Basic exercise; can be ridden at all paces and basic gaits.

Pyramid Factor
This movement benefits all the elements in the Training Scale: rhythm, relaxation/suppleness, contact, impulsion, straightness, and collection.

This excerpt from Dressage School by Britta Schöffmann is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books (www.horseandriderbooks.com).

Your Dream Horse Awaits: Record Numbers of Entries for Next Month’s Monart Sale

By on Oct 12, 2023 10:53 am -

Ireland’s only elite horse sale, run by riders, for riders, once again looks to build on the success of the Covid-era hybrid virtual sale again this November. The auction dedicated to the sale of 3-year-old potential “elite” horses, run by 5* event riders Niall Griffin (IRE), Polly Jackson (GB) and Bill Levett (AUS), once again welcomes buyers from around the world to Monart Equestrian, and The Monart Spa, from 6th – 7th November, for two viewing days. The sale will then take place online during the 8th and 19th November.

In a new development for 2023, the sale will feature a wider selection of sport horses, giving the sale its “elite horse” tagline as opposed to the original “event horse” descriptor.

Sale Director Niall Griffin commented: “We’ve continuously been presented with horses with fantastic movement, great jump, and the only criticism we’ve found is they’re maybe lacking a bit of blood for the 5* level [in eventing], which would have been the only reason not to select them.

The sport is changing.  If you look at the Badminton horses, the type of horse has changed dramatically over the years, and so have the riders needs. They need to cross over more – giving them options for eventing and pure jumpers. So, we talked to vendors and decided that if these horses come forward it would be insane to turn them away.”

Karl Slezak and Monart graduate Hot Bobo. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

The Monart Sale saw record numbers of vendors enter horses for selection, requiring the organising team to add an additional selection day. The increased numbers of horses presented, the wider selection criteria and the high calibre of horses presented has resulted in a record number of horses being selected for auction. Over 170 of Ireland’s finest 3-year-old elite sport horses will be included in the auction.

One further new development for 2023 will see all x-rays being available to view on the horse’s sales profile. The step was taken to enable easier access to potential buyers and reduce the time taken to request x-rays for review.

Monart has attracted a plethora of notable buyers over the years including Olympic Champion Michael Jung (GER), Olympic Gold Medallists Oliver Townend (GBR), Laura Collett (GBR), Astier Nicholas (FRA), 5* Champion Caroline Powell (NZL), Karl and Katlyn Slezak (CAN) as well as UK based Irish senior team riders Austin O’Connor and Susie Berry.

The 2023 sales catalogue, with full sales videos, is now available to view via www.themonartsale.com. Prospective buyers are required to register in advance of the sale, whether they are intending to attend in person or online.

Lots 1 – 87 will perform their showcase on Monday 6th November, with the remainder scheduled for Tuesday 7th November. All showcases will be livestreamed via the sale’s website, with showcases added to horse profiles prior to the auction. Due to the volume of horses in the 2023 sale, auctions will be scheduled to close from 5pm on Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th November. Each horse has a closing time three minutes apart and will require a five minute period free of bids in order for the auction to close.

The 2023 Monart Sale is once again presented by Sprenger Equestrian.

Morven Park Debuts New Award for Amateurs: The Rockview Mr Diamond Award

By on Oct 12, 2023 9:30 am -

Adelaide French & Rockview Mr Diamond at Morven Park in 2021. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.

This weekend at Morven Park International includes one very special new award: the Rockview Mr Diamond Award for Preliminary riders. This award will be given to the top placed rider in the Preliminary Rider class, and was specifically created to celebrate a horse and rider combination that has worked together to get to the preliminary level. Qualifications include a dressage score under 40; no more than 8 jumping faults and 0 time penalties in show jumping; no jumping faults on cross country; and no more than 5 time penalties. Neither horse nor rider can have competed above the preliminary level, and it’s a $250 cash prize.

Looking at those qualifications, you might think it seems fairly generous, but an award with generosity of spirit could not be more fitting. Rockview Mr Diamond, lovingly known everywhere as Huey, was the single most selfless, giving, and frankly adorable horse that any of us had ever met. This one hits close to home for me, as Huey lived right down the road from me for most of his life, and his owner is one of my oldest friends. I schooled him for her when she was out of town, and clipped him every year to save him from the monstrosity that is her barbershop “skills”. I loved him as one of my own, and everybody who ever met him would agree.

Ten years ago, when Addie French was still a young rider, her heart horse arrived in the form of a freshly imported grey Irish gelding, who nobody believed would be able to do much more than Training level. The pair traveled the east coast together, working under the tutelage of almost every top-level rider as college faded and adult life began. Through their incredible partnership, and Huey’s hard-working attitude, they landed on the Training leaderboards multiple years in a row, and moved up to Preliminary, completing almost every event within driving distance with ribbons at the level.

“Huey brought home so many ribbons,” reminisces Addie. “He was the definition of a good boy; he didn’t have a best phase, he was equally good at all of them, and he was a workman. He never had the fanciest gaits, and he just jumped exactly as high as he needed to and nothing else.”

There was no interaction with Huey without snuggles. Photo by Kate Samuels.

“He worked hard every day of his life, and he always tried really hard, and even when it was super hard for him he gave me everything.” Everyone who met him fell in love with him was because he looked like a stuffed animal and he acted like every girl’s dream of a white pony. 

Sadly, we all lost Huey from our lives in the spring of 2022 to a sudden and terrible case of colic, despite his previously unmarked medical records.

Addie was inspired by Jennie Saville’s annual award at Galway International in honor of the late great Cooper, and decided to sponsor an award at one of her local competitions, Morven Park International. One of their last competitions together was at Morven Park in 2021, and they competed there many times over the years.

“I’ve always loved Morven,” says Addie, “as it’s always had really tough cross country courses with big galloping fences, tough combinations, and plenty of terrain. I feel like it’s one of the last real ‘traditional’ events, but with the recent upgrades it has also become a destination event, and it really has everything you want from a competition facility.”

The qualifications for this award were created by looking back at Huey’s scores over his lifetime, and the emphasis is mostly on the cross country performance, as that is what sets eventing apart from all the other sports. The intention is to celebrate a horse and rider pair that have neither competed above the Preliminary level, and have come up the levels together.

The perfect dream pony. Photo by Kate Samuels.

“I wanted to celebrate the partnership, just like I had with Huey. It’s very easy to compete in the amateur divisions with an experienced horse, but it’s another thing to do it on a horse you trained yourself,” says Addie. She also wanted to make sure that the prize was sizable enough to make a dent in the entry fee, and have an impact for an amateur rider such as herself.

Any time you can win money without competing at the top levels is an excellent opportunity, and a shining example of how to keep our sport viable for all participants. The Rockview Mr Diamond award is for anybody who exemplifies the qualities that we all admired in Huey: loyalty, love, hard work, and most of all, generosity of spirit.

 

 

Thursday News & Notes from Morven Park

By on Oct 12, 2023 12:03 am -

Riddle Master & Rebecca Howard. Photo courtesy of Rebecca.

We’re terribly sad to report another legend lost this week, as Rebecca Howard reported that Riddle Master was laid to rest at the age of 22 this week. Rupert may have not been solely responsible for my obsession with little brown horses with cute faces, but watching him at the 2010 WEG in Kentucky certainly contributed. Over his career, Rupert roared around every 5-star event in the world (Adelaide notwithstanding). At the end of 2013, Riddle Master was named Canadian Bred Horse of the Year – and Rebecca received Canada’s ‘Equestrian of the Year’ title. In 2016, Rebecca and Rupert were partners at the Rio Olympics, finishing 10th individually and securing her the position of top female rider in eventing at the Olympics.

Our thoughts are with everyone who knew and loved Rupert over the years.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Morven Park International & Fall Horse Trials (Leesburg, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times][Volunteer] [Scoring]

Pine Hill Fall H.T. (Bellville, TX) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Poplar Place Farm October H.T. (Hamilton, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Radnor Hunt H.T. (Malvern, PA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Redefined Equestrian Horse Trials (Fort Collins, CO) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]

Coming up next week: Maryland 5 Star! We’ve go SO MUCH content coming your way, so eyes on EN 👀 and go eventing!

Maryland 5 Star: [Website] [Entries] [Live Stream] [Volunteer] [EN’s Coverage]

News From Around the Globe:

Three weeks ago, Tommy Greengard and his horse Joshuay MBF had never competed at the 4* level, and now they’ve won one. The pair made their debut at the level at Twin Rivers Fall International, finishing third, and just won the Woodside International 4*-S. At 24 years old, Tommy has had a pretty good year, including wins in the 2022 USEA Young Event Horse 5-Year-Old West Coast Championships and in the 2022 Intermediate Championship at the USEA American Eventing Championships, as well as two FEI victories at the two-star level. [Woodside Fall International Returns After Two Years]

Plans for an exciting new eventing class for ex-racehorses, worth £50,000, have been revealed. The competition will be run at Cornbury House Horse Trials in 2025 and is the initiative of Jayne McGivern of Dash Grange Stud, with the support of David Howden, Group CEO and Founder of Howden and Founder and President of Cornbury. Jayne McGivern, owner of top event horses, was inspired to launch the class to help make the training ex-racehorses financially viable for riders. Her aim is to also raise the profile of the adaptable nature of thoroughbreds, especially in terms of their suitability for eventing. [New Prizes for Ex-Racehorses in Eventing]

Story Time: Nick & Jeannie Larkin Offer a New Embrace for Racetrack Castoffs

Mules have the same jumping ability as horses, so why not allow them to compete alongside their equine cousins? In Paris, Kentucky, breeder and trainer Kimmy Risser has proposed a new rule to also include mules in hunter and equitation divisions, citing their recent integration into jumpers, as well as their longtime participation in dressage competitions, where mules have been permitted for more than 20 years. Personally, I would love to see a mule rock up to a hunter show. [Mules Deserve Equal Rights]

 

Sponsor Corner

THAT drop at Morven. Photo courtesy of Sara Kozumplik.

It’s all happening at Morven Park International CCI4* and Fall Horse Trials this weekend! Have you bought your VIP ticket?? Celebrate 50 years of eventing at Morven Park with the best seats in the Park! Enjoy prime viewing of 4*-S and 4*-L dressage and show jumping. Each ticket includes access for all three days of action. Click here to buy yours now. 

Who Jumped It Best: Boekelo’s Devilish Drop

By on Oct 11, 2023 4:36 pm -

Who Jumped It Best?

This year’s Boekelo CCIO4*-L cross-country was a step up in the toughness scales, and plenty of tricky combinations on course had riders and coaches putting their heads together — one rider even admitted that he’d walked the course ‘probably eighteen times!’ to get the measure of it all. But there was one complex that stood out above and beyond the rest, as it tends to every year: the main water, which began at 19 with a big, square timber oxer, then followed on a right-handed 90-degree turn to 20A, a huge drop into water, and 20B, a skinny on an island within the lake. Then, it was straight onto a double of skinnies at 21AB, which were set on a forward striding pattern.

The water caused problems for plenty of reasons: it’s one of the busiest, loudest parts of the course, so there’s plenty to get distracted by, and we saw no shortage of runouts at any of those myriad skinnies, even when some riders opted for one of the available long routes. The changing, dappled lighting can also make this water tricky, and many horses, too, can have a stumble when landing in it, depending on how they jump in.

Judging a drop fence isn’t always the easiest of tasks, but that’s what we’ve got on the agenda for you today. Take a look at this selection of horses and riders as they tackle 20A — you can even see 19 in the background! — and see who you think stands the best chance of landing neatly, regathering the knitting, and making neat work of those three skinnies to come.

Christoph Wahler and D’Accord. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Phillip Dutton and Denim. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Ducati d’Arville. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Laura Birley and Bob Cotton Bandit. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Ben Leuwer and Citius. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Stephan Hazeleger and James Bond. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Karin Donckers and Leipheimer van’t Verahof. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Marcio Carvalho Jorge and Royal Encounter. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Ros Canter and Dassett Cooley Dun. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Tara Dixon and Master Smart. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

And now, it’s over to you: grab your pool noodles and cast your vote for our best diving duo!

Military Boekelo Links: Website | Entries | Live Scoring | Live Stream | EN’s Coverage

EN’s coverage of Boekelo is presented by Kentucky Performance Products.

 

Don’t Miss Out on the Best Weekend All Year: Tickets Now On Sale for LRK3DE 2024!

By on Oct 11, 2023 12:44 pm -

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum make HERstory. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

This year, after approximately a million years of waiting and wishing, I finally made my debut visit to the Land Rover Kentucky Horse Trials — home of bluegrass, bourbon chicken, one of the best Bloody Marys I’ve ever had, and, of course, wall-to-wall top-notch eventing. In short? It was perfect, and I’ve been dreaming of my next visit from basically the second my plane back to England left the tarmac.

Now, I’m very aware that you, the extended EN fam, are much more seasoned Kentucky-goers than I am, and that means you’ve probably already ransacked the box office, which opened today for Early Bird ticket buyers to get their paws on their 2024 passes. But maybe you’re not! Maybe you’re looking ahead to a first-ever trip yourself; or maybe, a little bit like me, too, you’re not totally organised, and so the opening of the box office might have passed you by entirely. If so, allow me to play the role of Santa’s horse-mad little elf, presenting you with the one gift you should definitely be giving yourself (and also maybe your barn pals) this nearly-holiday-season.

Need any further incentive? Prices for tickets are at their absolute lowest in this Early Bird sale, and this is the best opportunity you’ll have to nab the prime seats and best tailgating spots. General admission, reserved seating, tailgating, and more are all on sale now, with prices starting at just $20 – so dive on in and snap yours up. Early bird pricing will end on December 7, 2023.

Ros Canter and Sarah Charnley Among Nominees for FEI Awards

By on Oct 11, 2023 10:35 am -

Newly crowned European Champion Ros Canter enjoys the epic highs. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The eagerly anticipated FEI Awards 2023 have revealed exciting changes as online voting opens today for the Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete, Longines FEI Rising Star, Cavalor FEI Best Groom and Pivo FEI Inspire Awards.

Followers of the annual event, will no doubt notice that this year’s edition features just four categories, with the introduction of the Pivo FEI Inspire Award, uniting elements from the FEI Solidarity Award and the FEI Against All Odds Award. As the name suggests, the Award has been designed to showcase the incredible spirit and determination of individuals who serve as role models and show that anything is possible.

The FEI Inspire Award also proudly welcomes sponsor, Pivo, who became the FEI’s Official Technology Training Partner earlier this year. Pivo’s support stands alongside long-time sponsors Longines, Cavalor, and Peden Bloodstock.

The nominees in the Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete category, include Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat, fresh from a triumphant victory at the FEI Jumping European Championship in Milano (ITA), and Germany’s Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl, an undisputed powerhouse in Dressage, who has a series of gold medals to her name including a double gold at the FEI Dressage European Championship 2023 in Riesenbeck (GER). They are joined by Eventing’s Rosalind (Ros) Canter of Great Britain, who is currently ranked #2 and boasts an impressive list of wins in 2023, including the prestigious CCI5* Badminton title, and double gold at the FEI Eventing European Championship in Haras du Pin (FRA). Rounding off the list is Driving’s Marijke Hammink from the Netherlands, who holds the top position in the FEI Driving World Ranking Pony Four-in-Hand, and had an exceptional year with 11 consecutive wins throughout the season, including individual and team gold at the FEI Driving World Championship for Ponies four-in-hand in Oirschot (NED).

Celebrating the unsung behind-the-scenes heroes, the Cavalor FEI Best Groomcategory includes Steve Guerdat’s groom Emma Uusi-Simola (FIN) and Sarah Charnley (GBR) who grooms for Ros Canter. Also in the running are Danny Ingratta, a devoted groom at Millar Brooke Farm (CAN), and Sofia Flodin (SWE), who is responsible for the well-being of Dressage star Mathias Rath’s (GER) horses.

The Longines FEI Rising Star category, which spotlights young talents who have already left their mark on the equestrian landscape, includes 21-year-old Christian Simonson from the USA who has made waves in Dressage this year, and Endurance’s Rodrigo Storani Saliba of Brazil, who at 20 years old is already proving himself a force to be reckoned with. Another 20-year-old, Vaulting sensation Quentin Jabet (FRA) and USA’s Mimi Gochman, a 19-year-old Jumping prodigy have also made it to the final list of nominees.

Among the nominees for the new Pivo FEI Inspire category is Valeria Bonfiglio (ITA) who proves that passion and determination are not a number. At age 54, Bonfiglio entered her first Endurance event, and then took her first top placement in a 160km ride at 57. She is joined be Jennie Sharpe (GBR) who defied medical expectations after being diagnosed with cauda equina syndrome, and made a triumphant return to the saddle despite physical challenges. Completing the list of nominees is plane crash survivor Federico Fernandez Senderos from Mexico who, despite severe burns and vision impairment, competes successfully at 5* level in Jumping, and the Ukrainian Vaulting team of Polina Shovkova and Kateryna (Katya) Panasenko who fulfilled their dreams of competing at the FEI Vaulting World Championship for Juniors despite the war raging in their country.

The public have until 22 October to cast their vote for the 16 shortlisted candidates from 13 countries.

Established in 2009, the FEI Awards celebrate individuals and organisations that are making an outstanding contribution to the progress and excellence of equestrian sport, both in and outside the arena.

The lucky winners will be flown to the FEI Awards Gala presented by Longines in Mexico City (MEX) on 21 November.

To vote, simply click here!

The shortlisted nominees for the FEI Awards 2023 are:

Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete – paying tribute to the athlete who over the past year has demonstrated exceptional skill and taken the sport to a new level.
•    Steve Guerdat (SUI) – Jumping
•    Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl (GER) – Dressage
•    Ros Canter (GBR) – Eventing
•    Marijke Hammink (NED) – Driving

Longines FEI Rising Star – for the athlete aged 14 to 21 who demonstrates outstanding sporting talent and commitment.
•    Christian Simonson (USA) – Dressage
•    Rodrigo Storani Saliba (BRA) – Endurance
•    Quentin Jabet (FRA) – Vaulting
•    Mimi Gochman (USA) – Jumping

Cavalor FEI Best Groom – for the behind-the-scenes hero who ensures the horses they look after are given the best possible care.
•    Danny Ingratta (CAN) – Jumping groom at Millar Brooke Farm (CAN) (Ian & Amy Miller)
•    Sarah Charnley (GBR) – Eventing groom for Rosalind (Ros) Canter (GBR)
•    Emma Uusi-Simola (FIN) – Jumping groom for Steve Guerdat (SUI)
•    Sofia Flodin (SWE) – Dressage groom for Mathias Rath (GER)

Pivo FEI Inspire – For an individual who has pursued their equestrian ambition in an inspiring way and serves as a role model to show that everything is possible, and that even when faced with challenges, you should never stop believing in your dreams.
•    Valeria Bonfiglio (ITA) – Endurance athlete – Passionate Motivator
•    Jennie Sharpe (GBR) – Jumping athlete with physical impairment – Resilience Champion
•    Federico Fernandez Senderos (MEX) – Ultimate Survivor
•    Ukrainian Vaulting team of Polina Shovkova and Kateryna (Katya) Panasenko – Youth Sport Advocates

The winners will be decided through a system in which 50% of the public’s vote via FEI.org and on the Chinese social media platform WeChat, and 50% of the judges’ vote will be combined to give the final result. The seven expert judges are as follows:

•    Ingmar De Vos – FEI President & Chair of the Judges Panel
•    Bernardo Tribolet – Vice President Marketing Longines
•    Martin Atock – Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete Award Title Sponsor
•    Peter Bollen – Cavalor FEI Best Groom Award Title Sponsor
•    Daniela Garcia Nigaglioni – Secretary General of the Pan American Equestrian Confederation
•    Jessica Kürten – Chair of the Athletes Committee and member of the FEI Board
•    Diane Smith – FEI Solidarity Award winner 2022

Biographies for all the Judges can be found here.