You know the pit of dread that bubbles up in your stomach after you over do-it on a Saturday? That feeling that comes when you realize that even though it was a super fun day, half of your weekend is already gone and the other part will be spent recovering from that fun? I had that this morning until I realized it was a three day weekend. I was filled with joy not unlike the joy I felt when I found tall-boots that actually fit me – relief and excitement for the days ahead. I’ve been debating making the switch from paddock boots and half-chaps to tall-boots for daily wear and with some of the sales going on, I may have to see if I can double up on that relieved-yet-excited kind of joy I felt this morning by going out and finding myself a new pair of boots.
Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin last year at Woodside. Photo courtesy of Sherry Stewart.
The wind blew the early morning fog out of the valley, and Ian Stark’s new cross country course got a great introduction with the Preliminary Challenge teams out on course first today at the Horse Park at Woodside in California.
In the Preliminary Challenge Horse division, our top six remain the same, with double clear rounds for Frankie Thieriot Stutes, Erin Serafini, Marc Grandia, Tamie Smith (twice) and James Alliston.
Frankie and Chatwin had a great time out on the course. “Ian’s new course was a lot of fun,” she said. “It was great doing something different and seeing how he used the terrain. Chat really wanted to run in the gallop stretches and felt thrilled to be out again.”
Chatwin suffered an eye injury a couple months ago that had Frankie and her team giving Chat eye medication every six hours, but he hasn’t taken a wrong step this weekend.
Tamie and Beth Lendrum’s Under Wraps “ate up the course with ease” – and our eyes. Tamie remains in sixth on her second horse, Fleeceworks Royal, picking up just 1.2 time, “galloping around the course with ease.” Tamie is especially pleased with Royal, who was a YEH West Coast Champion last year and is hoping for great things for her. Tamie is happy to see how much her mare filled out and grew up this year. “It’s so rewarding and so fun watching the progression,” she said.
Robyn Fisher and Carol Singh’s Betawave. Photo Courtesy of Robyn Fisher.
John Michael Durr and Ruth Bley’s Mighty Smart had a mandatory retirement at fence 5, the rolltop to drop, which was especially unfortunate after a lovely dressage test yesterday put them in ninth. The horse landed awkwardly off the bank and went to its knees and fell. Both horse and rider are fine.
Time was a significant factor, moving Bella Mowbray from tenth to 16th with only 9.2 time. That made room for Robyn Fisher and Carol Singh’s 6-year-old Betawave, who jumped from 20th to 10th, meaning that they will round out the top 10 in tonight’s stadium jumping Gala.
“I have been fortunate enough to have the ride on Leta since she was 3 years old. Her owner, Carol Singh, called me back in 2012 and we’ve been lucky enough to have a great working relationship with an amazing athlete,” Robyn said. “Leta is definitely an overachiever that doesn’t like making mistakes or being in trouble. I think that’s one of the reasons her dressage development has come a little slower than the jumping.”
Robyn and Leta entered the Preliminary Challenge in preparation for the CCI* at Rebecca Farms. “I wanted her exposed to more atmosphere in the dressage ring with the long court and show jump ring. We joke that the cross country courses are her playground because she really plays while she gallops around!”
Erin Kellerhouse had a spectacular morning riding double clear on both her entries to move into seventh with Bill’s Midnight Magic, owned by John Herich, and into ninth with Whitney Tucker’s Chavez Ravine.
In the Preliminary Rider division, the top six remained unchanged here as well. Tristen Hooks and Learn to Fly went double clear in cross country to enter stadium tonight with less than a rail in hand. In a really tight division, only 3.2 faults separate riders from second to tenth. This means any rail is worth some significant change and prizes in the $15,000 Challenge.
Ruth Bley riding Rodrigue Du Granit and Julie Flettner riding Ping Pong are both sitting on a score of 30.1 for second place, but Ruth finished just one second under the optimum time on cross country, so she will take the tie breaker if they have identical performances in show jumping.
Ian Stark’s course rewarded forward riding, and the new terrain didn’t appear to take too many combinations off balance. If it did, they handled it quite gracefully, with more double clear rides than not.
The riders seem thrilled with Robert Kellerhouse’s production of the event. As Tamie says laughing, “It’s an amazing class with so much loot!” The opportunity for younger horses in the Preliminary Challenge Horse division to experience the bigger atmosphere is also something all the riders have been thankful for. “This class is unlike anything else,” echoes Frankie. “It’s amazing that all these sponsors stand behind Robert Kellerhouse and the Horse Park at Woodside to make this all possible.”
Stay tuned for the final installment of the Woodside Preliminary Challenge. Show jumping will take place during a highly-anticipated evening Gala, with the competition starting at 4:30 p.m. Pacific. The top ten in the Preliminary Challenge divisions will jump in reverse order of go starting at 6:2o p.m. Pacific.
Do you remember your introduction to eventing? We all had to start somewhere, and with more and more horse trials offering Intro and Starter divisions, there are plenty of opportunities for newcomers to the sport to have a positive, low-pressure experience with all the excitement and atmosphere of a sanctioned competition.
Galway Downs had such a good turnout for the Intro division during their Spring Horse Trials earlier this month, that the group was split into two classes. Ann Walbert and Mary Benson’s Hail Cactus were the winners of Intro A, and they went on to finish second in the YEH 4-year-old division the same weekend. Lauren Hayatian and Little Dude led Intro B from start to finish.
It is not often that we see horses and riders starting out in the sport getting their moment in the spotlight. That’s why we love that our friends at Ride On Video recently published several videos of Intro level competitors on course at Galway Downs. Whether it’s their first competition, an outing on an inexperienced horse or a return to the sport after time away, we’re glad they’ve joined us on this great journey!
Gabriella Yuschenkoff and Auburn Excell Brady‘s Coco Chanel had two clear jumping rounds with just time to add in stadium. They finished 6th in Intro A.
Adult amateur Laura Sweet and her own Strength of Ten Bears were fourth in Intro B with a double-clear cross country round.
Anderson Rogers and Gambler didn’t have the show jumping round they would have liked, but they put in a seriously classy performance on cross country. Well done!
Thanks Ride on Video for sharing these great rounds with us! Click here for the full results from Galway, and find more great action on Ride on Video’s website and YouTube channel.
What’s YOUR problem? Tweet it with the hashtag #EventerProblems for inclusion in the next edition of this series. And don’t forget to follow Eventing Nation on Twitter @eventingnation.
Ashley Kehoe has always had big ambitions of training and competing in Europe, and it’s a goal she’s been working toward for several years. Now, it seems the stars are aligning for her as she looks ahead to a new position riding for renowned event horse source Philipp Kolossa in Germany. So she’s packing her bags (and one horse) and moving to Germany next month, where she’ll no doubt be exposed to some of the best education in the business.
Ashley has spent the last two years riding and working for Pollard Eventing, a position she feels has groomed her appropriately for the next step in her career. “The plan with Michael and Nathalie was to be with them for a couple years,” she explained. “I’ve wanted to go to Europe to experience their event circuit and learn from the best riders in the world.”
Originally, Ashley planned to finish 2015 with the Pollards while competing her mare, D.A. Vittoria, at the three-star level. Earlier this year, however, Ashley made the decision to move her mare into the jumper ring, where she felt the horse was better suited.
“She was bred to be a Grand Prix jumper and is already very successful at the 1.30m level. Sadly, dressage was always a challenge for her. Unfortunately, our sport is so competitive now, mediocre dressage isn’t good enough anymore.”
With her upper-level competition plans on hold, Ashley knew the timing was right to begin seriously planning her trip to Europe. She has Jennie Brannigan, among many others, to thank for this new opportunity with Philipp, who is well-known for finding and producing top-tier event horses. Seeking out horses with a higher percentage of Thoroughbred blood, Philipp has proven time and time again that he has the eye for serious upper-level talent.
“Jennie told me that if she had gone and worked in Europe before going out on her own that she would have worked for Philipp,” Ashley said. “She called him and introduced us. I spent a day with him while I was in Europe for a week. Everything just fell into place, and I will be riding and competing young horses for him. He has sold a lot of horses to four-star riders that he’s started in his program. His goal is really to find the new superstar event horse.”
Ashley is no stranger to competing young horses, having competed for both Debbie Adams and Sharon White before joining the Pollards. “I was responsible for working with the young horses and sales horses at Pollard Eventing, so with the new skills I have learned from Michael and Nathalie, I feel even more confident going to Europe,” she said. “I also have the O’Connors to thank; I was lucky enough to train with them for six years as a young rider.”
Aside from the pure horse handling skills, Ashley is also leaving Florida more fit than she’s ever been thanks to mandatory team Crossfit outings three days a week. “Michael believes that his fitness has been a huge part of his success, and he wanted to share it with everyone on the team,” she explained. “I appreciate him sharing that aspect of strength training with me. I do think it has made me ride that much better.”
As far as her riding is concerned, Ashley has had a great deal of experience competing through the upper levels and has also had the chance to continually hone her skills at home. “Michael and Nathalie are both masters in their own right, and I’m really grateful for everything they have taught me, especially on the flat,” she said. “They train their horses to the highest standard, and you just learn to expect that from yourself and your horses.”
Ashley will be taking her younger horse, Cinco de Mayo, to Germany, looking to continue competing him up the levels while she is there. D.A. Vittoria will be staying behind to campaign and eventually be sold under Silvio Mazzoni.
Ashley is unsure of how long she will stay. Right now she is just grateful for the opportunity to focus on working with one of the best… If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!
Auf Wiedersehen, Ashley! We wish you and Cinco the best of luck in all of your endeavors overseas.
The small but mighty Advanced division at the Spring Event at Woodside will tackle Ian Stark’s redesigned cross country course this afternoon, with the first horse leaving the startbox at 1:00 p.m. Pacific. James Alliston and Tivoli lead the division after dressage with a a 27.4, and the EN fortune teller has picked them to win.
“[The course] uses the whole perimeter of the property so it should be a really galloping, forward course,” James said in an interview on the Woodside International Horse Trials Facebook page. “It looks really big, obviously. It’s an Ian Stark course. It looks impressive but hopefully if you ride forward and boldly, the horses will go well.”
This is Ian’s first year designing at Woodside and he has opened the course up to utilize areas of the 272-acre Horse Park that have never been used before, including what James calls a “significant loop” through the woods. A new water complex, through which the Advanced competitors jump twice, has also been added at the bottom of a steep grade by the road.
The West Coast is no stranger to Ian’s courses as he also designs at Galway Downs and the Event at Rebecca Farm. Riders know they have to “ride it like they stole it” from start to finish, but horses and riders alike finish brimming with confidence.
Good luck to the competitors this afternoon. Check out the full course walk below, brought to you by the fabulous Ann Haller.
Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin, leaders after dressage in the Woodside Preliminary Challenge Horse Division.
Welcome back to Area VI, where the Woodside International Horse Park is bringing you the Preliminary Challenge, a special event for horses and riders who have not competed beyond the Intermediate level. Held once a year in May, it’s not just the allure of prize money that keeps competitors coming back (though we’re sure that doesn’t hurt!). With the unique format of dressage on Friday, and both cross country and stadium on Saturday, it gives less experienced riders and horses a chance to participate in an event full of atmosphere.
With record entries this year (33 in the Rider Challenge, and 24 in the Horse division) it’s clear this event is something people look forward to. Add to the equation a brand new course design from Ian Stark, including a new water complex and a track that goes into corners of the Horse Park never seen before by eventers, and you have all the ingredients for an exciting weekend.
Preliminary Challenge Horse Division
Sarah Braun, winner of the 2014 Christine E Stafford Eventing Groom award, and Crowning Event in the Preliminary Horse Challenge. Photo courtesy of Sherry Stewart.
Dressage started off this morning at 8 am Friday continued well into the afternoon. In the Horse division, where the rider must be on a horse that has not competed above Intermediate in the past 5 years, Frankie Thieriot Stutes and the Chatwin Group’s Chatwin are our overnight leaders. Since Chatwin has been battling an eye infection, Frankie is thrilled to have him out and competing. “The atmosphere worked to our advantage,” she said, noting that Chatwin came out a bit strong. It certainly paid off. A beautiful test to put the pair in the lead on 26.5.
Erin Serafini, of Reno, Nevada, and her own Another Star are in second with a lovely test. Erin and this Holsteiner mare have competed together from Novice and are looking forward to a successful weekend. Less than one penalty point behind Erin are Marc Grandia and Indio BMW. This Oldenberg gelding, owned by the Beamer Syndicate LLC, competed last fall back East, coming in third at the Virginia CCI*. Marc is a 2013 graduate of the Under 25 Developing Rider Training Sessions and hails from Washington State.
In fourth we have Tamie Smith, who must be racking up massive amounts of bonus miles flying from coast to coast after being named as an alternate to the Pam Am games with Alex and Ellen Ahearn’s Mai Baum. This weekend she is competing Beth Lendrum’s “Under Wraps,” a Dutch Warmblood gelding (this one is for sale, people!).
Preliminary Challenge Rider
Ruth Bley and her own Silver Sage in the Preliminary Rider Challenge at Woodside Horse Park. Photo Courtesy Sherry Stewart.
Leading the Preliminary Challenge Rider division is veterinarian Tristen Hooks and her own Learning to Fly. These two have an impressive record, never finishing lower than fourth in Preliminary divisions since 2012. A long-time member of Area VI Adult Riders, Tristen was part of the winning Adult Team Challenge Team at Training Level this year at Twin Rivers.
Julie Fletner and “Ping Pong” are less than a rail away in second with a 30.1, ensuring this is not going to be a dressage competition. Another long time team, Julie and Ping have never finished below seventh, including multiple CCI* competitions. Tied with Julie for second is Ruth Bley and “Rodrigue Du Granit.” Last year, Ruth came in second on this horse in the Challenge, and would love to win it this time around.
Junior rider Holland Garrett is in fourth with an impressive 30.9 on David Garrett’s Irish Sport Horse, LA Lux.
With a new cross country course to tackle tomorrow, and a Sarah Dubost show jumping course later in the day that will be seen in reverse order of standings, things are sure to be exciting. The top 10 from each division (Rider and Horse) will begin at 6:20 pm Pacific, with a ringside Gala dinner to benefit the Woodside Horse Park.
Stay tuned for more exciting coverage of the Woodside International Preliminary Challenge on EN!
Beautiful weather for a Cross Country day! Photo via Liz Hall's Facebook page
This weekend is an absolute mad house when it comes to eventing. So much to see and do! My favorite West Coast event to watch is in full force today – Woodside’s Preliminary Challenge. Cross country starts bright and early at 8am Pacific. By that time Stephanie, Chinch and I will be on our sixty-fifth coffee and probably rather punchy and giggly after rolling out from Sacramento at an obscene hour this morning. Come say hi, we may or may not be coherent, but we’ll certainly be friendly! Woodside’s Preliminary Challenge comes to a conclusion tonight with riders taking to the Show Jumping track in reverse order of standing. Some serious money is on the line and it’s sure to be an exciting finish!
The 2015 Fall Land Rover Competition Grant Applications have been posted on the USEF website for the following competitions: Aachen CICO3*, Burghley CCI4*, Blenheim CCI3* and Boekelo CICO3*. Additionally, the application for the National Travel Grant to Rebecca Farm has also been posted. FOR REBECCA FARM: Land Rover Competition Grant applications are due to the USEF on June 9th. FOR EUROPEAN EVENTS: Land Rover Competition Grant applications are due to the USEF office on June 26th. [More from USEF]
Hop on board Boyd and Silva’s new fan club, Inside Windurra USA, to get great backstage access into a world class Olympic level facility. Membership gives you access to their private blog and you get some cool Windurra swag as well! They are working on filming and editing more video with drone coverage at the farm. Plans are underway to get new footage and interviews with key players on the Windurra staff, so stay tuned! [More from boydandsilvamartin.com]
Since Trading Aces was sold to be an equitation horse earlier this year, he’s been a busy guy. New rider Alexandra Pielet showed him at WEF in several Maclay, USEF Talent Search, and jumper clases. The pair earned their first win together in a Washington International Horse Show Equitation division, where they placed third overall after completing a class in each ring.
Screenshot via Boyd Martin on Facebook.
Alexandra and Trading Aces also have top placings in recent USEF Hunt Seat Medal classes, and this week they are competing at Devon. Thanks to EqSportsNet, who shared a video of Alexandra and Trading Aces competing in the jumper phase of the Washington International Horse Show Talent Search, we can now get a glimpse of Trading Aces in his new career.
We wonder if she kept his barn name as Oscar or if she changed it. Nonetheless, we’re excited to see that “Oscar” seems to be thriving with his new young rider, and we wish him and Alexandra all the best.
To view more from the Devon Horse Show, visit EqSportsNet here.
If your boss doesn’t let you play #RK3DE live streaming this week during work, just quit. You don’t need that in your life #EventerProblems — 3 Day Addict (@EventerProblems) April 22, 2015
The moment of realisation – having spent 3 hours at the hairdresser – the horses are going to be the only ones to see it #eventerproblems — Laura Wallace (@burwoodeventing) April 7, 2015
What’s YOUR problem? Tweet it with the hashtag #EventerProblems for inclusion in the next edition of this series. And don’t forget to follow Eventing Nation on Twitter @eventingnation.
