Classic Eventing Nation

The Race to Le Lion: Gina Set to Receive 2023 Holekamp/Turner Grant

By on Sep 27, 2023 9:30 am -

Chris Talley and Gina. Photo courtesy of USEA/Meagan DeLisle.

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is pleased to announce that Gina, owned by Corwin Sport Horses, LLC, is the likely recipient of the 2023 Holekamp/Turner Grant and The Dutta Corp. prize. Gina (Gentleman x Ballerina) is a 7-year-old Hanoverian mare ridden by Chris Talley and was bred by Hartwig Von Holten in Germany. The pair aims to represent the U.S. at the 2023 FEI Eventing World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in the 7-year-old CCIYH3*-L Championship. The Championship will take place at La Mondial du Lion in Le Lion d’Angers, France, from Oct. 19-22, 2023.

The intention of the Holekamp/Turner Grant is to further develop an upward pathway for U.S. team horses in the sport of eventing. The grant recipients who are North American-bred are awarded the full cash grant of $17,500. If the winner is an imported horse, he/she will be awarded $8,000. Since Gina was imported, her team will be awarded $8,000USD. The team will also receive The Dutta Corp. prize which is one round-trip flight to Europe. The grant will be officially awarded after Gina passes the first horse inspection at the Championship in France.

Chris Talley runs his business in partnership with Hannah Salazar, owner of Zarazoga Acres. He describes the partnership as having a great team synergy who balance each other’s strengths and weaknesses. “It takes a village,” Talley said of the operation, and noted that Talley found Gina in partnership with Salazar, and one of Salazar’s loyal supporters and owners, Joan Allen.

“I have an unhealthy obsession of searching for horses online,” Talley admitted. “I go through sales ads night and day, and I stumbled upon Gina. She was at a barn in Germany, and we all [Salazar, Allen and Talley] watched her video of her at the walk, trot and canter, and then as soon as we saw her free jump down one line, it was enough to make us call and setup a vetting. This was during COVID at the end of 2020, so getting to Europe was hard to go try her in person, so we actually purchased her off the video.”

Allen owns Corwin Sport Horses, LLC, and Talley said the team feels like a family. “Joan Allen is incredible, and the most supportive owner that you could have. I absolutely adore her. We make all decisions with the best interest of the horse in mind, and she is always supportive of Hannah and I trying new things with the horses, whether it be shipping off to a dressage show, or trying something different. It can be long days, but it’s incredibly rewarding.”

The horse that has the highest score from the 2021 USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) 5-year-old Championships that is also qualified to compete in the 7-year-old Championship receives the Holekamp/Turner Grant. This is the first year in the history of the grant that the overall Champion from the YEH Championships will be the recipient of the grant. Gina won the Dutta Corp. USEA YEH East Coast Championships on an impressive 95.2, topping all scores from both the East and West Coast Championships.

If the highest-scoring YEH horse from the 2021 YEH Championships does not qualify or is unable to attend, the grant is then awarded to the next highest scorer who is qualified and able to go. For Talley, he has three fully qualified horses for La Mondial du Lion, and plans to bring two of them. Gina will compete under the Holekamp/Turner Grant after acceptance at the first horse inspection, and Talley also plans to compete his own Loughtown Cici ZA (CC Captain Clover x Castlelawn Diamond Clover), who placed in the top 20 nationwide at the 2021 USEA YEH Championships. As a backup, Talley has Lynn Berry’s Rappahannock (Rosenthal x Sunny Dey) prepared, who placed in the top 15 nationwide in 2021 and is also fully qualified for the 7-year-old Championship in France.

“I’ve heard [La Mondial du Lion] has a big atmosphere, but I think for these two horses I’m bringing, especially Gina, they like the atmosphere,” explained Talley. “[Gina] went with Hannah to Dressage at Devon [Devon, Pennsylvania], and rose to the occasion, and then won the 5-year-old YEH Championship at the Maryland 5 Star. I put a lot of pressure behind it, and with the addition of the atmosphere at Maryland, she shined under that pressure. I just need to keep my own nerves under wrap in France.

“We’ve been working all three of these horses since they were 4 years old with the goal of getting to this point,” he added. “You set out on these journeys to achieve something, and sometimes it doesn’t happen, but to have three in the grass ready to go, it’s just surreal,” stated Talley.

Wednesday News & Notes from Ocala Horse Properties

By on Sep 27, 2023 12:01 am -

Tilly’s been sharing Elisa Wallace’s vlogs from her Mustang Magic Makeover series with you, and I’m with her in loving following along with the journey of Dior, the mustang mare who’s the star of this year’s program. Although I’m not immune to drooling over the awesomeness of 5* event horses, I’m actually a total sucker for the gutsy little guys. It’s the best thing about having stayed the size of a small teenager – getting to ride feisty ponies who have no qualms in doing whatever the hell they want, when they want, eliciting curse words and giggles in equal measure as they’re just too damn cute to be cross with.

Whatever your choice of equine pal, go eventing!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Course Brook Farm Fall H.T. (Sherborn, MA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

ESDCTA New Jersey H.T. (Allentown, NJ) [Website] [Volunteer]

Fleur de Leap H.T. (Folsom, LA) [Website] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Jump Start H.T. (Lexington, KY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Ocala Fall Horse Trials (Ocala, FL) [Website] [Volunteer]

Old Tavern Horse Trials (The Plains, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]

Spokane Sport Horse 9th Annual Fall H.T. (Spokane, WA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Stable View Oktoberfest 2/3/4* and H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]

Sundance Farm H.T. (Plymouth, WI) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Tomora Horse Trials (Greeley, CO) [Website] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Major International Events

2023 Asian Games (Hangzhou, China) [Equestrian Schedule and Info]

Wednesday News and Reading

It’s all going on this Friday at Osberton Horse Trials in the UK. In support of Riders Minds , the bespoke online mental health and wellbeing resource for equestrians, there will be a quiz, cocktails and a Robbie Williams tribute act, so if you’re headed that way, make sure you dress the part in something purple and help raise awareness and funds for this important initiative. [A Good Cause to Party]

Social license is on the agenda at the International Conference of Horseracing Authorities next week. As well as discussing racing in an evolving society and strategies for a proactive response to public expectation, there will be an update on the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority in the US, including anti-doping and medication control measures and current affairs in racing in America. Equine welfare will obviously be a hot topic, and The Jockey Club UK will share insights into effective resolution and communication. The conference takes place on October 2nd and there will be a live stream and replay available on the IFHA (International Federation of Horseracing Authorities) website. [Racing’s Agenda]

And now a happy tale of a little OTTB who’s switched out the track for the trail, with some buffalo thrown in for good measure. “Hot tamale” ‘Shorty’ struggled to find a new purpose after an injury put paid to her racing career, but then Bridget Hollern came along looking for a prospect for the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover Western disciplines and Shorty’s new life on the ranch began. [From Track to Trail]

It’s retirement for the big red wall at Washington D.C. International. The Puissance wall may have evolved in terms of safety, with clear ground lines and ultra-lightweight blocks replacing the, frankly terrifying behemoth from yesteryear, but increasingly it’s becoming redundant in the modern sport of show jumping, with few entries due to the specialist nature of the class. Although its draw as a spectator sport can’t be denied, top show jumpers like McLain Ward acknowledge that “it was a great class” but “it’s not what the challenge of the sport is today”. [It’s Farewell to a Show Jumping Spectacle]

Camels, cats, horses, donkeys, dogs, monkeys, and even a turtle or two. The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust are on call 24/7, facing unique challenges and a mountain of day-to-day responsibilities as they take care of Gambia’s equines (and other animals). [Every life matters at the Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust]

And finally, dressage makes it into the mainstream. I was perusing the lifestyle pages the other morning when I spotted this list of perks of getting on a bit based on things you become better at as the years go by. And yes, randomly, mixed in with activities such as ultramarathons, chess and bedroom shenanigans, dressage has made the cut. Apparently, dressage excellence is most likely to be reached in your 50s, so if you’re still struggling with circles, and are sub-50 (in age, not dressage score), you now have a very good excuse. [Aging to (Dressage) Perfection]

Sponsor Corner

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Video Break

As we eagerly anticipate next year’s Olympics, let’s take a look at the history of horses at the venue for the equestrian events, the Château de Versailles.

Tuesday Video: Michael Jung’s Dad Olympics

By on Sep 26, 2023 2:30 pm -

Somehow, today’s video seems to need very little in terms of introduction. We all know Michael Jung as a German Olympic and World Champion — but did he just win the Eventing Dad Olympics, too?

We think Boyd may have something to say about this, but hey, what else are hot-walkers for?

Click here if the embedded Instagram post below does not display in your browser.

Coming This Week: Your Guide to Stable View Oktoberfest

By on Sep 26, 2023 12:00 pm -

Doug Payne and Camarillo. Photo by Christine Quinn Photography.

We’re fully into the fall season now as we look ahead to the remaining major FEI events on the calendar for 2023. A few big events are yet to come, not the least including Morven Park’s CCI4*-L, the MARS Maryland 5 Star, Boekelo’s Nations Cup, the Pan American Games, and Pau’s CCI5* all in October. To that end, we’ll see a strong contingent of competitors at this weekend’s Stable View Oktoberfest, always a key highlight on an eventer’s fall schedule.

Of course, Oktoberfest does not solely fun a 4*-S. In fact this year, Stable View has partnered with the USEA to offer an all-new USEF/USEA Eventing Developing Horse National Championships for 6- and 7-year-olds. This program is intended to bolster the development pipeline and provide a pathway step for horses graduating from Young Event Horse (4- and 5-year-olds) competition, or who may have missed out on those competitions for one reason or another.

“The 6-year-old and 7-year-old Championships are new for 2023 and are the first step in the creation of a USEF Developing Horse Program, which has the ultimate goal of talent identification, cultivation, and guidance for potential team horses, serving as a pipeline for the USEA Young Event Horse Program and Championships,” a press release from the USEA states.

Stable View will also host riders at National levels, with divisions ranging from Beginner Novice through Advanced also running this weekend. That means we’ll see over 400 entries all said and done, and we can’t wait to get this party started! EN’s team of Shelby Allen and Veronica Green-Gott will be your eyes on the ground, also representing Stable View by running press operations.

Here’s a look at what to expect this weekend, whether you’re competing or spectating or following from afar:

Tailgaiting and a car show? A real neighborhood event at Stable View! Photo by Christine Quinn.

THE SCHEDULE

Competition begins first thing on Friday with the 4* dressage. For those who will be on site on Thursday, be sure to stop in for a free Yoga and Sound Bath session led by Mark and Rohena Armstrong. Stop by the Stable View Pavilion on the top floor Thursday at 3 p.m. to get all limbered and centered for the weekend ahead.

Intermediate, 3*, and 4* pairs will also show jump on Friday. Also happening Friday at 7 p.m. will be a celebration for course designer Capt. Mark Phillips, who has designed at Stable View since its inception.

Saturday will feature a Classic Car Show by Aiken Horsepower as well as cross country for the top levels, while the other do their dressage and show jumping. There will also be a special edition of Stable View’s famous Graze & Gaze at the Pavilion featuring a mechanical bull from 5-7 p.m.

On Sunday, the National lower levels will finish up their competition, with the upper level and FEI winners crowned on Saturday. To stay up to date with any and all schedule changes and on-site alerts, please subscribe to the event WhatsApp chat here.

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

THE ENTRIES

26 horses and riders are currently entered in the headlining CCI4*-S division at Stable View Oktoberfest. It’s a varied roster, with several pairs putting the final touches on for the upcoming Pan American Games or their respective 4*-L and 5* destinations this fall. We’ll also see a handful of horses making their early starts at this level to gain experience and mileage alongside Olympic and 5* veterans.

Lucienne Bellissimo will bring forward her two top rides, each aiming for the 4*-L at Morven Park (October 12-15). Both 11, Dyri and Tremanton have each collected a few competitive placings at this level, and while Lucienne’s focus will be on the larger goal of Morven Park, this track will be useful as a set-up and a fine-tune of the gears ahead of the final major stop on her calendar.

Mary Bess Davis has made a remarkable comeback after suffering a neck injury in a fall at Carolina International this spring. After spending just five months out of competition, Mary Bess returned in August and now brings forward her Advanced partner, Imperio Magic, for their first run at the level since finishing 10th at Carolina. No word yet on where Mary Bess is aiming this fall, but she’s coming off a strong Advanced run at The Fork at Tryon and should be coming into this weekend looking to pick up where she left off this spring.

Phillip Dutton and Azure. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Phillip Dutton is aiming for as many unique 5* runs as possible with the very experienced Z, using Oktoberfest as a prep ahead of Pau at the end of October. Meanwhile, stablemate Azure is aiming for her 5* debut at MARS Maryland 5 Star just before he hops over to France next month. Z has had much success at this venue in the past, winning Oktoberfest’s 4* in 2019 and finishing second in the spring edition in 2021. Azure has some competitive results to her name this year, too, including a win in the 4*-L at Bromont this spring.

Chile-bound Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire are putting the final touches on their training ahead of their championship team debut at the end of October. The U.S. team’s final outing will be at Loch Moy (MD) at the start of October. Sydney and “Q” certainly know each other like the back of hand and hoof at this point in their partnership and should be looking for a strong run that will inject loads of confidence ahead of their Pan Ams trip.

Savannah “Woodge” Fulton’s Cash Point is in the earlier stages of his Advanced career and is showing much promise as he gains more experience. This will be Cash Point’s fourth start at the Advanced/4* level, most recently finishing sixth in his first 4* at Great Meadow last month. This is a horse Woodge has been excited about and producing since the outset of his career, and this pair is among at the 3*-L Championship at Maryland 5 Star in October to cap off their 2023 season.

Emily Hamel and Corvett. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Looking for the highest jumping powerhouse in the field? Look no further than Corvett, the fan-favorite partner of Emily Hamel, who this season has moved her base to Aiken, SC. Emily spent time abroad last year, competing at both Badminton and Burghley with her horse of a lifetime. She’s back in the States full-time now and aiming for an incredible sixth CCI5* start with “Barry” at Maryland next month.

Christina Henriksen and JTH Zest are looking to get their mojo flowing this weekend after a somewhat rocky beginning to their season. This is a pair who’s been partnered together for many years, collecting multiple competitive placings in FEI competition but then experiencing some growing pains as they moved into the Advanced rankings. It’s no task for the faint of heart and certainly one for the determined, and Christina will be tackling this weekend seeking a strong finish that gives both her and her British mare a boost for their fall goals.

Another relative newcomer to the Advanced/4* level is Calcourt Valley, partnered with Michelle Koppin. Calcourt Valley has been Michelle’s top horse, becoming her first 4* horse this year with a top-15 finish in their debut at The Fork earlier this month. This second run at the level will be all about experience for this pair.

Also based in Aiken full-time is the always stylish Sarah Kuhn, who brings forward Mr. Cash van de Start for one of his final preps ahead of an exciting 5* debut at MARS Maryland 5 Star. To be honest, my biggest question for Sarah is whether or not she’s begun planning her Maryland jog outfit and what the over-under is that it will include animal print. But also, this is a partnership that’s spent much time preparing for this next step, and while Mr. Cash van de Start can display some exuberance in the first phase, he’s become a consummate competitor for Sarah and should put in a reliable performance this weekend.

Leah Lang-Gluscic and AP Prime. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Who can relate to the story of the humble off-track Thoroughbred sold for under $1000? Most of us, am I right? That’s the gist of how Leah Lang-Gluscic came to know one AP Prime, who at 18 years young this season seems to be in the, well, prime of life tackling Advanced and Short-format competition as if it were tadpole level. AP was one of the only horses to make the tough optimum time at AEC in Kentucky last month and stands to repeat the feat this weekend. Leah will be looking to be competitive here with her old friend, relishing every moment on cross country in this “enjoy it” era with a once-in-a-lifetime horse.

After trekking overseas to compete at the Nations Cup leg at Strzegom earlier this year, Andrew McConnon now brings the 11-year-old Ferrie’s Cello back out for his fall campaign. This pair was in the top 15 at the USEA Advanced Final at AEC last month and now eyes a long-awaited 5* debut at Maryland. They were initially entered for the Kentucky 5* this spring but a minor setback forced their withdrawal and re-route.

Based at Stable View in the winter months, Brazil’s Nilson Moreira da Silva will bring forward the 8-year-old Irish gelding Elmo for a debut at the 4* level this weekend. Also prepping for the Pan American Games, Nilson’s had a bit of a gap between Advanced horses, having moved on from Rock Phantom (now piloted by Sara Kozumplik) and former rides Magnum’s Martini and Muggle. Elmo now stands to be his next top partner, and though they had a frustrating Technical Elimination in their first Advanced together at Chatt Hills, they’ll be heading into this weekend with a clean slate looking to put some valuable mileage under this young horse’s girth.

Another 8-year-old features next on our roster — it’s a true weekend for the pipeline, eh? — in Alex O’Neal‘s Redtail Penumbra. This will be this pair’s second Advanced competition together, having finished second in the Advanced at Chatt Hills earlier this month most recently. They also debuted at the 4* level earlier this summer at Ocala, finishing 13th with some green moments in the jumping phases. A fun fact: Redtail Penumbra is a product of Alex and Ellie O’Neal’s breeding program — a true reward to produce a homebred to this level (and hopefully beyond!).

Doug Payne and Quantum Leap. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Doug Payne is next up, bringing forward three strong options in seasoned campaigner Quantum Leap, the gutsy stallion Quiberon, and the not-so-feral-anymore Camarillo. This is a very different set of horses with three unique styles of going, but I’m sure Doug wouldn’t have it any other way as he seems to like keeping things exciting (I’m not sure why else anyone would choose to fly teeny tiny airplanes for fun). I know Quantum Leap is aiming for the Maryland 5 Star — no word yet on the fall plans for Quiberon and Camarillo, but Doug can typically be counted on to be competitive at these Short formats and will be looking to test the gears on all of his horses ahead of their fall destination events.

This weekend marks the third Advanced/4* start for Canada’s Waylon Roberts and OKE Ruby R, who is 10 this year. While they would sadly incur a Compulsory Retirement in their first 4* at The Fork earlier this month, they’ve otherwise had a pretty steady climb to this level, finishing in the top 10 at Bromont’s CCI3*-L this spring. Show jumping would be the phase Waylon would, on paper at least, want to tighten up — but in this early stage when a horse is still getting her bearings at this more technical level, experience and positive outings are what matters the most.

Pour me a Hot Bobo, the #supermare is back and feeling spicy! Canada’s Karl Slezak has been tapped for the Pan American Games squad next month — ever important as Canada still seeks Olympic qualification for 2024 — with Lexington 4*-S winner Hot Bobo. This event will then serve as a prep to ensure everything is in working order ahead of their big trip to the Southern Hemisphere. Should they decide to go fast(ish) on cross country Saturday, this pair could be a big threat to take the prize here at Oktoberfest.

Melanie Smith and Shakedown Street. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Melanie Smith and Shakedown Street have several competitions at this level under their belts now, most recently completing the Lexington 4*-S this spring. This pair has won at this venue in the past, taking the Advanced win at Stable View’s Summer H.T. last June. This will be this pair’s toughest competition since Kentucky, but that 4* is notoriously tricky and has hence been nicknamed a “5*-Short” in jest, making it an excellent preparation for those hoping to continue on or eventually step up to the 5* level.

Allison Springer & Business Ben. Photo by Abby Powell.

Allison Springer has spent some time building up a strong string of top horses in the wake of the retirement of the beloved Arthur, and this year she’s got Business Ben back in action as well as the cheeky Vandyke stepping up to Advanced and 4* competition. This first 4* back for Business Ben will likely be more of a feel it out run as the 13-year-old gelding gears back up at the top levels after sitting out the 2022 season. Allison’s brought him sensibly back, most recently running the 3*-S at Great Meadow in August. Vandyke is enjoying his first full season at this level, collecting multiple top-15 placings as he aims for his first 4*-L at Morven Park next month.

Briggs Surratt begins to round out the 4*-S roster with the tiny-but-mighty Corture (who, fun fact, was actually bred by Elisa Wallace). This weekend marks the third 4*-S start for Couture; most recently, she was 15th at The Fork at Tryon. As with many of their counterparts this week, Briggs and Corture will likely be prioritizing experience gained over competitiveness as they look to confirm themselves at this top level of sport.

Elisa Wallace and Renkum Corsair. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Elisa Wallace is our final competitor this weekend, bringing forward Renkum Corsair, who won the 3*-L National Championship at Maryland 5 Star in 2022. The pair got their fall preps underway at The Fork last weekend, finishing ninth in the 4*-S. Renkum Corsair is still relatively new to this level, but he stands to be competitive if that’s Elisa’s goal for the weekend. We don’t yet see him on any 4*-L entries for this fall, so Elisa will either be aiming the gelding for the final 4*-L at TerraNova in November or will use this week to make her final decision on a fall designation.

There is no live stream of competition this weekend, so you’ll want to keep an eye right here on EN for all the latest starting Friday. Stay tuned for much, much more coming your way from Aiken. Go Eventing!

Stable View Oktoberfest: [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]

Thrills Await as 17 Nations Gallop into 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou

By on Sep 26, 2023 9:30 am -

Anush Agarwalla of India riding Etro practices ahead of the equestrian competition during the 19th Asian Games on September 24, 2023, in Hangzhou, China.
Copyright ©FEI/Yong Teck Lim

The countdown has begun for the much-anticipated 19th Asian Games, set to start this week, promising a spectacular showcase of equestrian excellence.

17 National Federations – China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore, Syria, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan are sending over 100 skilled athletes and horses to compete in a prestigious event that holds immense significance for equestrian sports across the Asian continent.

Returning Champions and New Hopefuls

Equestrian sports made their grand debut at the Asian Games in 1982, during the New Delhi Games where the team and individual Eventing and individual Jumping categories were introduced, with team Jumping and team and individual Dressage being added to the lineup at the succeeding 1986 Asian Games held in Seoul, South Korea.

The last edition of the Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang in 2018 saw Hong Kong’s Jacqueline Siu clinching the gold in the individual Dressage competition with her gelding, Jockey Club Fuerst on Tour. She’s gearing up for another stellar performance, this time with her trusty partner, Jockey Club Huittharien, an 11-year-old mare currently ranked 76th in the FEI Dressage World Rankings. Siu, based in Oxfordshire, UK, hones her skills under the tutelage of Dressage legend Carl Hester from Great Britain.

Japan emerged victorious in the team Dressage category during the previous Asian Games, but this year, an entirely new Japanese team is heading to Hangzhou. The individual Eventing title was claimed by Japan’s Yoshiaki Oiwa on Bart L JRA, with the Japanese team also securing team gold. A key member of the winning squad in 2018, Kenta Hiranaga, is back again in Hangzhou on his gelding, Duke of Sussex.

In individual Jumping, Kuwait’s Ali Al Khorafi clinched the gold in 2018 and is back looking for more glory, this time riding the 10-year-old gelding, I, by Dantos. Saudi Arabia secured the gold in the team Jumping category at the same Games, and now has two riders from the previous winning team – Abdullah Sharbatly and Ramzy Al Duhami – returning to compete on different horses.

Four Nations, Three Disciplines

China, Hong Kong, India, and Japan are poised to bring the heat, each fielding teams in all three equestrian disciplines – Dressage, Eventing, and Jumping. The Eventing competition, in particular, boasts five teams battling it out across the three phases, while the Jumping competition sees a robust lineup of 12 teams, with 10 teams vying for victory in Dressage.

The Unpredictable Quest for Gold

With such a wealth of top Asian equestrian talent at this year’s Games, the medallists could be anyone’s guess. In the individual Dressage category, Korea has traditionally dominated, with riders like Suh Jung-Kyun, Choi Jun-Sang, and Hwang Young Shik securing two gold medals each since the discipline’s inception at the Games. Korea has also displayed stellar teamwork, clinching multiple gold medals in team Dressage over the years.

In the Eventing category, individual gold medalists have hailed from various countries, with Japan boasting four gold medals in the last eight Games, including a double win by Yoshiaki Oiwa. Japan also achieved the same feat in team Eventing.

When it comes to Jumping, again, Japan has shone the brightest in the individual events since the Games’ inception. However, the Saudi Arabian team has exhibited remarkable consistency over the past four years, capturing gold in 2006 (Doha), 2010 (Guangzhou), and 2018 (Jakarta-Palembang), plus silver in 2014 (Incheon).

Action-Packed Schedule

The equestrian action kicks off with Dressage at 15:00 local time on September 25, featuring the first horse inspection. The Prix St Georges test for both team and individual competitions will take place the following day at the Tonglu Equestrian Centre, with team medals being awarded.

September 27 sees the Individual Intermediate I competition followed by the second horse inspection and the Intermediate I Freestyle the next day to determine individual medallists.

The Eventing unfolds with the first horse inspection on 29 September at 08:00 local time, followed by the Dressage events for team and individual competitors the following day. Sunday 1, October sees the cross country phase kicking off at 08:00, with the second horse inspection, Jumping phase and medal ceremony for both teams and individuals on Monday 2, October.

Jumping enthusiasts can mark their calendars for October 3 when the first horse inspection launches the competition. The real showdown begins on October 4, with individuals facing two intense qualifier rounds and the teams battling it out in their first and final jumping rounds, culminating in a riveting team final.

The equestrian festivities conclude on Friday October 6 following the second horse inspection the day prior, with the individual competitions and medals at stake.

One thing is certain – the 19th Asian Games will deliver an incredible spectacle, featuring fierce competition, fresh faces, and seasoned contenders partnered with some of the finest equine athletes from across Asia.

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

By on Sep 26, 2023 8:13 am -

It’s been a really tricky year to be an eventer in Britain. The weather, of course, has been nearly impossible — much of the spring season was obliterated thanks to nearly non-stop rain, with many shows forced to abandon outright, and others needing to drop lower-level classes in a bid to try to save their upper-level offerings and give horses sufficient prep for the calendar’s long-format events.

But another major issue, particularly for those of us on a budget — which, let’s face it, is pretty much all of us, thanks to the cost of living crisis — has been abandonment insurance. That used to be provided under the umbrella offering from British Eventing, but now, it’s on events to individually seek out their own policy, and after nearly a full season of payouts, it’s becoming understandably harder to secure the bag for organisers. Riders, for their part, are, more than ever, waiting until the last minute to put in their entries in a bid to protect themselves from losing the cost of their entry — but that, too, throws a spanner in the works, and we’ve seen more and more organisers forced to pull the plug on their events because entries are too low to allow them to cover their own costs. It’s a major catch-22 situation for competitors and organisers alike, and will, no doubt, be one of the biggest topics on the table when the off-season hits and our governing body gets to work on planning for next year — hopefully, a dryer one.

I’m lucky enough to be based at a lovely eventing yard in the south-east of England, which hosted BE affiliated events nearly a decade ago and has since been successfully hosting unaffiliated competitions, hunter trials, and have-a-go style competitions since. They’ve been given an affiliated slot again this year, which will take place on October 14–15, and while we’re all incredibly excited to share our little patch of heaven with everyone again, it’s been an interesting insight for me to see just how much work goes into putting a competition on, particularly when it’s a family-hosted event with a small, committed team behind the scenes. We all know that our ground is super, of course — we’re the only cross-country course that doesn’t close for the winter, and I’ve enjoyed many a chilly January morning frolicking around our fields — but conveying that confidence to an understandably guarded competitor market, which has been stung so much this year, is hard work. I know, though, that Littleton Horse Trials is going to serve up that end-of-season sweetener we’ve all been needing — so if you’re UK-based, don’t miss out. Ballot day is today, and we’ve even got that delicious, fully comprehensive abandonment insurance policy secured to protect your bank account. God knows we all need that.

Events Opening Today: River Glen Fall H.T.,

Events Closing Today: Redefined Equestrian Horse Trials, Poplar Place Farm October H.T., Pine Hill Fall H.T., Morven Park International & Fall Horse Trials, Radnor Hunt H.T.

Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:

Irish chef d’equipe Sally Corscadden has spoken out after being cleared of rapping allegations in a 21-month investigation process. The investigation began after it was revealed that the trainer had used a lightweight metal rail atop fences, which made a loud noise when hit by a hoof and encouraged a cleaner jump on subsequent efforts — but for Corscadden, the ripple effect of the accusation has led to isolation, an extended professional limbo period, and treatment with a clinical psychologist for PTSD. You can read her thoughts on the situation here.

Great news for newcomers to eventing: the Starter level has been approved as a recognised USEA level for the 2024 season, though for now, there are no guarantees of any Championship routes. Starter, which is set at 70cm or 2’3, has often been offered as an unrecognised level held at recognised events, and is intended to be an accessible entry point into the sport. Over here in the UK, our lowest affiliated level is BE80, which is equivalent to Beginner Novice, and the introduction of lower classes does always tend to start a heated debate on whether we’re ‘dumbing down’ the sport — but it’s important to remember that not every rider dreams of the upper levels, and for those who simply want to have fun in the sport at a level that’s safe and suitable for themselves and their horse, the lower levels are a great boon. Recognised events on either side of the pond are subject to much stricter standards of course-building and medical provisions, so granting access to that kind of guarantee of quality for our Starter riders can only be a positive thing, I think. Here’s all the info you need to know about the new addition.

The British stallion Up With The Lark has died at the age of 23. Now, I might be taking this one quite personally, admittedly, because my own mare is a daughter of ‘Max’ — and every single one of his progeny that I’ve ever met has the same uniquely sweet, try-hard, quirky-in-an-adorable-way personality. I’ve recommended Max to so many mare owners who want to try for a foal with a great brain and that rare mix of talent and rideability; my own darling Boo Boo has jumped round 1.35 classes, evented internationally, and also given riding lessons to a bunch of enthusiastic kiddos, whose faces light up when they find the button for that trot extension, and I’ve met Max babies who’ve won Supreme titles in showing, who’ve crossed the disciplines with success, and who all put on that same puppy-dog face while begging for butt scritches. They’re really super horses, and Max will be missed by mare owners and his connections alike, including event rider Mike Jackson, who competed him to Advanced. Thanks for everything, Max!

Antibiotic resistance is a real issue, both for people and for horses. That’s one of the major reasons why a number of antibiotics were moved to prescription-only access earlier this year, in a bid to stop their overuse and avoid rendering them basically ineffective. Find out more about what veterinarians need owners to know before medicating their horses.

Who Jumped It Best?

Sponsor Corner: We have a unique Who Jumped It Best for you all the way from Blenheim this week! Instead of judging these horse and rider combinations on the cross country course, we’re taking a look at the field on the final day of competition. Who are you voting for?

Our Blenheim coverage was generously sponsored by Kentucky Performance Products.

Watch This:

How do you prepare for a Training level/BE100 outing? Join vlogger Tina Wallace as she tackles her final schooling sessions, ready for some fun:

Monday Video: Flashback to Maryland + Update on 2023 Entries

By on Sep 25, 2023 4:30 pm -

Just in case you haven’t made the trip to the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill yet, allow us to remind you of what you’re missing out on with this recap from the event’s sophomore running last year. In addition to the spectacular competition there’s food and drink, activities for all ages, shopping galore, a CORGI RACE, and did we mention the food and drink?!

This year’s event, which runs from October 19th through the 22nd , is shaping up to be just as epic in every way. Check out everything on the schedule here where you can toggle in between the competition and everything else (a pretty neat web feature if I do say so myself!)

Last week we got a our first look at this year’s CCI5-L entries and since then we’ve got one new addition to share with you: Cornelia Fletcher (neé Dorr) and her own Daytona Beach 8, who wowed the world at Burghley last fall, now bring the total five-star entries up to 29. And #cutealert: that means we’ll have a husband and wife team competing side by side in this division, as Jacob Fletcher is entered to make his five-star debut aboard Fabian. I just love love and especially I love eventing love, don’t you?

Of course — do I even need to say it? — keep it locked on EN for all your Maryland 5 Star updates!

Weekend Winners: Heritage Park, Meadowcreek, Unionville, Twin Rivers, & University of New Hampshire

By on Sep 25, 2023 1:30 pm -

Another great Eventing-filled weekend in the books! We saw plenty of successful rides across the country, from Starter to 4*, and some seriously impressive scores thrown into the mix.

Congrats to all of our Weekend Winners, with a special shout out to the winner of our Unofficial Low Score Award: Lauren Billys Shady and Mister Cooley, who won the Open Novice at Twin Rivers on a WILD 12.5! It feels fitting to also give extra applause to University of New Hampshire’s Open Beginner Novice A winner, Nancy Roche and Saphyra, who finished on a stellar 14.4!

Heritage Park H.T. (Olathe, KS) [Website] [Results]

Open Preliminary: Christy Niehues and Flight School (48.8)
Open Training: Hadley White and Marvelous Mrs. Hazel (33.3)
Preliminary/Training: Crystal Kendrick and McBean (43.0)
Open Novice: Margo Short and Poseidon (30.3)
Beginner Novice – YR: Sophia Lieberman and Bear Necessities (34.4)
Open Beginner Novice: Julie Wolfert and Bambi (25.3)
Open Starter: Julie Wolfert and Sweet Jane (41.7)
Starter – YR: Kyra Mehrhoff and Picture Perfect (35.7)
Open Starter 2: Virginia Rider and Inigo Montoya (43.7)

Meadowcreek Park H.T – Fall Social Event (Kosse, TX) [Website] [Results]

Open Preliminary: Laura Sparks and Killossery Kitten (39.8)
Junior Training Rider: Caroline Burkhardt and Stonehavens dream (35.0)
Open Training: Lauren Lambert and FE Alfonso Z (32.1)
Preliminary/Training: Rebecca Brown and A.C. Blue-KL (155.5)
Senior Training Rider: Casey Locklear and FLS Major Bounce (41.8)
Junior Novice Rider: Charlotte Bigby and Plouescat Gold (35.4)
Novice – Championships: Hannah Corlett and Ernest Fuerst Dance (28.3)
Open Novice: Julie Norman and Mister Chin (25.3)
Senior Novice Rider: Rebecca Speer and Roman Express (24.6)
Beginner Novice – Championships: Savannah Ware and Worth The Wait (26.6)
Junior Beginner Novice Rider: Caden Carter and My Mexico (30.6)
Open Beginner Novice: Shelley Peters and FGF Railroad Bill (31.9)
Senior Beginner Novice Rider: Amanda Rhodes and Flagmounts Zelda (39.3)
Starter: Megan Correia-Bittner and Shooting Stars (23.7)

Unionville H.T. (Unionville, PA) [Website] [Results]

CCI 4*S: Ariel Grald and Diara (49.9)
CCI 3*S: Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake (25.4)
CCI 2*S – A: Gabby Dickerson and Cooley Easy Trip (28.9)
CCI 2*S – B: Katie Lichten and HTS Jensen R (29.3)
CCI 1*S – A: Jennie Saville and Duke’s Duvel (40.7)
CCI 1*S – B: Rylie Nelson and Galloway Sunrise (35.2)

Twin Rivers Fall International (Paso Robles, CA) [Website] [Results]

CCI4*-Short: James Alliston and Karma (36.2)
CCI3*-Short: Erin Kellerhouse and Bon Vivant GWF (34.0)
CCI2*-Short: Julia Beauchamp Crandon and MGH Capa Vilou (31.1)
CCI1*-Short: Jillian Mader and Coolrock Wacko Jacko (32.4)
Open Intermediate: Amber Birtcil and Le Top F (44.1)
Open Preliminary: James Alliston and Justiz-ESH (17.9)
Open Modified: Rebecca Braitling and Freedom Hill (25.0)
Jr. Training Rider: Emma Pistone and Paulank Pepper Pot (32.6)
Open Training: Andrea Baxter and Adventure (31.9)
Sr. Training Rider: Jessica Higgins and Finnegan (29.9)
Jr. Novice Rider: Kennedy Wiklund and Atta Boy Atticus (25.3)
Novice Amateur: Christine Poulos and Quality Beach (28.1)
Open Novice: Lauren Billys Shady and Mister Cooley (12.5)
Sr. Novice Rider: David Timchak and Over Easy (26.4)
Jr. Beg. Novice Rider: Erika Small and Happy Hour (30.6)
Open Beginner Novice: Natalie Burk and Laced Sensation (27.8)
Sr. Beg. Novice Rider: Kate Flaherty and Eli’s Coming (23.1)
Open Starter: Bo Moore and Zodiac Kowboy (36.3)
Young Event Horse 4 Year Old: Amber Birtcil and Oxford K (85.3)
Young Event Horse 5 Year Old: Tamra Smith and Solaguayre Cantata (89.6)

University of New Hampshire H.T. (Durham, NH) [Website] [Results]

Starter Open: Sarah Varney and Who’s Your Pony (28.3)
Starter CT: Dorothy Greenshields and Glensmill Kroon Girl (33.0)
Open Beginner Novice A: Nancy Roche and Saphyra (14.4)
Open Beginner Novice B: Lily Stewart and T-Rex (28.8)
Open Novice A: Alexander Conrad and Queen’s Dude (25.6)
Open Novice B: Alexander Conrad and King Kong Vandoveris (24.9)
Open Training A: Megan Tardiff and Vindakova (25.7)
Open Training B: Lanie Mourgenos and Fit & Frisky (32.8)

Twin Rivers Sets Stage for Nations Cup & Young Horse Championships

By on Sep 25, 2023 10:15 am -

Karma is developing into one of the fastest and most-reliable cross-country horses in the West. The 9-year-old bay Oldenburg mare and James Alliston won their third-straight blue ribbon together at either the four-star or Advanced level in the CCI4*-S at the Twin Rivers Fall International in Paso Robles, California, with the only double-clear cross-country round on Saturday. Karma is now scheduled to fly from Los Angeles to Amsterdam on Wednesday, and then Alliston will join her to compete at the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Netherlands CCIO4*-NC-L at Military Boekelo in Enschede, Netherlands, on October 5-8 as part of the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team.

Other highlights in the second international event of the year hosted at Twin Rivers Ranch were the victory in the CCI3*-S by Erin Kellerhouse and Bon Vivant GWF, who led after each eventing phase in the largest FEI division, and the CCI2*-S and CCI1*-S being won by a pair of 16-year-old riders. Julia Beauchamp Crandon and MGH Capa Vilou were the only pair to finish on their dressage score in the CCI2*-S. Jillian Mader and Coolrock Wacko Jacko took the first-ever CCI1*-S held at Twin Rivers.

James Alliston and Karma. Ride On Photo.

Prior to the weekend, Alliston had said, “I definitely won’t be babying her,” when it came to his approach to the final run for Karma (Escudo II x Travita) before heading overseas. They blazed around cross-country designer Morgan Rowsell’s 3,619-meter four-star track in 6:11, 10 seconds under the optimum time and 35 seconds faster than any other pair. Their final score was 36.2.

“She was awesome,” Alliston said afterward. “Felt very bold and fit. The ground was really good, so I thought it was a nice opportunity to give her a quick run as fitness preparation for Boekelo. It was a good setup for Boekelo hopefully.”

This year, Karma was also the only horse to make time on cross-country when winning at Advanced at the Twin Rivers Summer Horse Trials, when finishing second in the CCI4*-S at the Twin Rivers Spring International, and when finishing fourth at Intermediate at the Twin Rivers Winter Horse Trials. Alliston and Karma were one of only two inside the time when winning the CCI4*-L at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana, in their event prior to the Twin Rivers Fall International.

With an eye also on potential events overseas for the horses she rode in the CCI4*-S, Tamie Smith and Elliot V (Zavall VDL x Vera-R) had the only double-clear show jumping round at the level on William Robertson’s course. They finished fourth overall after adding 19.2 time penalties on cross-country. Smith was also second with Cooley By Design (Plot Blue x Uthree Z) and fifth with Kynan (Envoy x Danieta).

Kynan is currently the traveling reserve for the United States at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, at the end of October, and Elliot V is a team alternate. They are scheduled to compete in the Mandatory Outing for the Pan American Games at the Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy on the same weekend that Alliston and Karma are at the FEI Nations Cup Netherlands.

Tommy Greengard and Joshuay MBF (Foreign Affair x Fernacchy MBF) were third in the four-star debut for both horse and rider.

Erin Kellerhouse and Bon Vivant GWF. Ride On Photo.

In the CCI3*-S, Kellerhouse and Bon Vivant GWF (Banderas x Power Point) led after a dressage score of 27.6, tied for the best across all the FEI levels. Then, they were one of only three pairs in the biggest FEI class with 17 entries to record zero jumping penalties in show jumping and on cross-country. They added just 6.4 time penalties on cross-country for a finishing score of 34.0.

“It was one of those weekends that all phases just felt great,” Kellerhouse said. “He’s getting settled and strong enough to feel confident and happy in his work.”

Kellerhouse has developed quite the partnership with the 8 year-old bay Oldenburg gelding she calls “Pierre” in the barn. They first competed together at the Beginner Novice level when Bon Vivant GWF was 4 years old in 2019.

“Jill Jaeger and I bought him as a baby from Gateway Farm [in California], where my cousin Laurel Ritter and her business partner Elizabeth Jenner bred him,” she said. “He was really the first horse that they bred that had jumping lines. They mostly breed dressage horses. As a 4-year-old he always just got the jumping and was super brave and happy to do his job.”

Julia Beauchamp Crandon and MGH Capa Vilou. Ride On Photo.

With the 2023 USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships to take place at the Galway Downs International Horse Trials in Temecula, California, on November 1-5, a pair of 16-year-old riders won the CCI2*-S and the CCI1*-S.

“We have a really strong set of young riders out here because we all work really hard out here,” Beauchamp Crandon said. “We try and compete with the East Coast and do our best, and we all just want to keep getting better. So, we have a strong desire to keep improving and work together as a team.”

Beauchamp Crandon and MGH Capa Vilou won their first blue ribbon in their 13th USEA-recognized event together. They started showing together last year after the 9-year-old dark bay Dutch Warmblood mare previously competed at the equivalent of America’s Preliminary level in Great Britain in 2021 with Sammi Birch.

“She gets on course, and she just locks in and focuses,” said Beachamp Crandon, who was also fourth in the CCI3*-S with Playing the Game (Hillviewfarm Trnvelyan x Oughterard Beauty). “She really listens to me. It’s taken a bit to get a partnership with her. This year, it’s felt more set, and I’ve been able to communicate with her a bit better cross-country, and each show has gone a little bit better. She loves working. She definitely likes to work, but she also likes her rest time.”

They were the only two-star pair out of 14 entries with a double-clear show jumping round and then one of only three with a double-clear cross-country round, finishing with a score of 31.1.

“After the dressage, she was feeling super rideable and overall very willing to listen in the show jumping, which I think helped a lot,” Beauchamp Crandon said. “This also helped us cross-country I believe, as she was a bit calmer, so I could go quicker and make better use of the track with her like this.”

Jillian Mader and Coolrock Wacko Jacko. Ride On Photo.

In the CCI1*-S, the first competition ever held at the level at Twin Rivers, fellow 16-year-old Jillian Mader and Coolrock Wacko Jacko (Jacomar x Lux D Part) led after each phase to win with a score of 32.4. They were fourth in Twin Rivers’ inaugural CCI1*-L at the Spring International and have put together five top-three finishes since.

While riders like Alliston and Smith may have horse shows overseas on the horizon, the Twin Rivers Fall International marked the return to competition in the United States for Rebecca Braitling, an Australian team member based at Twin Rivers. Braitling and Caravaggio II (Vangelis-S x Courtesan) spent the summer in Europe representing Australia at the CCIO4*-S competitions at CHIO Aachen in Germany and at Haras de Jardy in France. She and the 12-year-old British Sport Horse gelding owned by Arnell Sporthorses also took on the CCI4*-S at Hartpury and the CCI4*-L at Blenheim in England.

At the Twin Rivers Fall International, Braitling was first and second in the Open Modified division with Arnell Sporthorses’ Freedom Hill (Vriend x Sallymount) on a score of 25.0 and Jenny Ramirez’ Conlino PS (Conthargos x Zoratia) on a score of 25.2.

“It was great to be back but wild to think that just one week ago I was show jumping at Blenheim and now doing it at Twin Rivers,” Braitling said. “Big credit to Andrea [Baxter] for keeping my horses well tuned-up so I could pick up where I left off.”

Tamie Smith and Solaguayre Cantata. Ride On Photo.

With an eye toward the Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) West Coast Championships that will take place at Twin Rivers on October 27-28, Smith and Solaguayre Cantata (Canturo x Solaguayre Clarita) won the 5-year-old qualifier with the second-highest YEH score of 89.6 in the United States this year.

“Cantata is a remarkable mare, and I’m very excited to have such a promising young horse to produce for the Guariglias,” Smith said about the dark bay Argentine Sport Horse mare owned by Julianne Guariglia. “They have been so supportive to me in recent years, and it’s extra special because Cantata is from the same breeder in Argentina, Solaguayre,” referring to Solaguayre California, the mare whom Smith lost earlier this year following complications from surgery.

Also producing a top-10 5-year-old qualifying score across the country was Andrea Baxter and Estrella Equestrian’s chestnut Irish Sport Horse gelding The Big Easy (Mr Lincoln B x PLS Hippo Q) with 87.4.

Baxter, who serves on the USEA’s Young Event Horse Committee, also has Estrella Equestrian’s Camelot PJ (Colman x Hauptstutbuch Evita) and Arnell Sporthorses’ Nicolai Van De Heering (Hernandez TN x Candy D) qualified for the 5-year-old championships.

Amber Birtcil and Cellar Farm Corp’s bay Dutch Warmblood gelding Oxford K (Grand Slam VDL x Walzing Patty) won the 4-year-old qualifier at the Twin Rivers Fall International with a score of 85.3, second-best in the United States for 4-year-olds in 2023.

“He is actually quite quirky, but I really like his type, and for me he’s quite comfortable to ride which has become quite important for me,” Birtcil said. “He has been super here for his first outing, taking it all in stride. I love how the YEH introduces them to the sport.”

Birtcil acquired “Oxford” (“He’s quite serious in his personality, so it really suits him,” she said about the barn name) from the Netherlands last year. Oxford’s dam, Walzing Patty, has produced three show jumpers that have competed at 1.40 meters—one based in California, one in Europe, and one in Iran.

The USEA YEH West Coast Championships have been held as a standalone event at Twin Rivers since 2020 and will be preceded in 2023 by the Last Chance Qualifier on October 26.

“We love coming to them each year,” Birtcil said. “It’s a great showcase for young horses and being able to produce them.”

Amber Birtcil and Oxford K. Ride On Photo.

The full list of winners from the 2023 Twin Rivers Fall International:

CCI4*-S: James Alliston and Karma (36.2)
CCI3*-S: Erin Kellerhouse and Bon Vivant GWF (34.0)
CCI2*-S: Julia Beauchamp Crandon and MGH Capa Vilou (31.1)
CCI1*-S: Jillian Mader and Coolrock Wacko Jacko (32.4)
Open Intermediate: Amber Birtcil and Le Top F (44.1)
Open Preliminary: James Alliston and Justiz-ESH (17.9)
Open Modified: Rebecca Braitling and Freedom Hill (25.0)
Open Training: Andrea Baxter and Adventure (31.9)
Sr. Training Rider: Jessica Higgins and Finnegan (29.9)
Jr. Training Rider: Emma Pistone and Paulank Pepper Pot (32.6)
Open Novice: Lauren Billys Shady and Mister Cooley (12.5)
Sr. Novice Rider: David Timchak and Over Easy (26.4)
Jr. Novice Rider: Kennedy Wiklund and Atta Boy Atticus (25.3)
Novice Amateur: Christine Poulos and Quality Beach (28.1)
Open Beginner Novice: Natalie Burk and Laced Sensation (27.8)
Sr. Beginner Novice Rider: Kate Flaherty and Eli’s Coming (23.1)
Jr. Beginner Novice Rider: Erika Small and Happy Hour (30.6)
Open Starter: Bo Moore and Zodiac Kowboy (36.3)
YEH-4: Amber Birtcil and Oxford K (85.3)
YEH-5: Tamie Smith and Solaguayre Cantata (89.6)

Entries & Results | Website | YEH Championships Qualified Horses

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

By on Sep 25, 2023 8:13 am -

If you’ve been hanging around these here parts for a while, you know that one of the things we love the most is seeing a push for increased diversity in our (very white, largely affluent) industry. That’s why I’m particularly excited to see this post from Hannah Sue Hollberg, who’s been working with the MARS Maryland 5 Star on some exciting promotional content — content that, by the sounds of it, makes another positive push forward for that diversity initiative. We can’t wait to see the results.

National Holiday: It’s National One-Hit Wonder Day. I think I’ve got to put forward Natalie Imbruglia’s ‘Torn’ as my favourite example of the, um, genre.

U.S. Weekend Action:

Heritage Park H.T. (Olathe, KS) [Website] [Results]

Meadowcreek Park H.T – Fall Social Event (Kosse, TX) [Website] [Results]

Unionville H.T. (Unionville, PA) [Website] [Results]

Twin Rivers Fall International (Paso Robles, CA) [Website] [Results]

University of New Hampshire H.T. (Durham, NH) [Website] [Results]

UK Weekend Results:

Moreton Morrell (2) (Moreton Morrell, Warks.): [Results]

South of England International (2) (Ardingly, W. Sussex): [Results]

Alnwick Ford (2) (Morpeth, Northumberland): [Results]

Chard (Chard, Somerset): [Results]

Your Monday Reading List:

This year has seen a change in format for the Future Event Horse program. Now, it’s all rolled into a broader Young Horse Show Series, and one which spans the sport disciplines, giving talented homegrown young horses the chance to dangle a hoof in several disciplines that could be a good fit for them as they get older. The first of these new classes took place on Saturday at Loch Moy in Maryland – check out more about it to find out how that new format went down.

Horse obituaries always make me quite sad, but this one in H&H just made me want to find my own 15hh pocket rocket. I wasn’t familiar with the mare Ellas Drum, who managed to impress across a number of disciplines, but she sounds like she touched a lot of lives and was truly, undeniably, constantly fun. What a mare.

Art enthusiasts, history buffs, and horse obsessives, unite! There’s a bunch of 18th century Indian equestrian art going up for auction at Christie’s in London, and while most of us probably don’t have the £30,000 or so that each piece will likely yield, you can definitely still go have a good look at the works by heading over to the auction house next month. Just, um, try to pretend like you’re very rich, I guess.

Not sure what pre-, pro-, and postbiotics do? Is your knowledge limited to knowing that at least one of those things is in expensive yoghurts, possibly? Then it’s time to get to grips with the terminology, because the ‘biotics have became the new big thing in equine nutrition, and actually, using them sensibly could be a huge boon for your horse. Learn the ropes here.

 

Morning Viewing:

Follow up with mustang Dior’s first day of training with Elisa Wallace in part two of her new series: