Classic Eventing Nation

Share Your Story to Win an UltrOZ System Trial from Hamilton BioVet

By on Aug 4, 2014 12:30 pm -
Photo provided by Hamilton BioVet. Photo provided by Hamilton BioVet.

A few weeks ago, our resident product reviewer, Colleen Peachey, wrote about her experiences with the UltrOZ Therapeutic Ultrasound System. Colleen was so thrilled with the results that she went ahead and purchased a system of her own to continue using on her horses.

What exactly is the UltrOZ Therapeutic Ultrasound System? It’s a wearable, unattended (that’s right, just put it on your horse, and they can hang out in their stall eating hay for the entire treatment time) state-of-the-art therapeutic system that utilizes Low Intensity Therapeutic Ultrasound (LITUS) to assist with both maintenance and treatment for your equine athlete.

Ultrasound therapy has been used by veterinarians for decades to treat common soft tissue and bone fracture injuries. It’s great for treating tendon and suspensory injuries, splints, muscle strains and tears, fracture and bone chip repair, minor strains, bumps, bruises and inflammation. You can speed up your injury recovery time with this FDA proven device.

If you’re curious to see what equine professionals are saying about this product, here are just a few testimonials from some well-known faces around the industry:

Splint Treatment
“The horse was 40 percent improved at seven days, 100 percent sound at two weeks. The splint reduced in size 50 percent by week three. The speed of return to soundness and the rapid reduction in the size of the splint were the atypical components of the outcome compared to the normal case. The horse has remained sound and back into work six weeks later.” — Dr. Chris Newton, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital

Fracture Healing
“It is my veterinary medical opinion that UltrOZ therapeutic ultrasound is responsible for the majority of increased fracture healing noted in the past 30 days. This particular system is ideal because it is very user-friendly, which allows the barn manager or trainer to apply the therapy daily without a licensed therapist or veterinarian involved.” — Dr. Holly Schmitt DVM, Hagyard

Suspensory Ligament Tear
“We treated a 12-year-old dressage horse for a right hind medial branch suspensory ligament tear with the UltrOZ unit for one hour a day for six weeks. This lesion had failed to respond to other therapies, and after treatment, we finally saw excellent improvement in echogenicity and fiber alignment. We are happy with the results.” — Dr. Tracy Turner, DVM, Elk River, Minn.

Soft Tissue Injury
“I’ve been using the UltrOz system on one of my horses with a minor soft tissue injury and it is incredibly user friendly and straightforward. I have seen significant improvement with the use of the system on this particular injury and also on a variety of different injuries. I am very impressed with the outcome of all of them! I love how small and portable the system is. It’s easy to take to the events and easy to use anywhere.” —  Lizzie Snow, Upper-level event rider

Do we have you convinced yet? Well, you’re in luck then! We’ve partnered with Hamilton BioVet to offer a free two-month trial of the UltrOZ System, which retails for $1,295, to one of our readers!

How do you enter? Send us your story of why you’d like to try out the system. Is your horse on stall rest from an injury? Do you have a horse who struggles with a recurring soundness issue? We want to hear about it!

Send your story, in 200 words or less, and a photo to [email protected] no later than Friday, August 8 at 5 p.m. EST. We will narrow the field down to a group of finalists and put the final results to your vote.

This is a great chance to try a hugely beneficial product, and we’d like to extend a major thanks to Hamilton BioVet for offering this opportunity. It is interesting to note that virtually every person who has tried the therapy system has ended up a proud owner of one after seeing the wonderful results.

Hamilton Biovet

Courtney King Dye Honored in Emotional Ceremony at Millbrook

By on Aug 4, 2014 11:00 am -

Silva Martin presented the inaugural Charles Owen Equestrian Memorial Award to Courtney King Dye in an emotional ceremony yesterday at Millbrook Horse Trials. Courtney will donate the $5,000 award to Riders4Helmets, the helmet advocacy group that formed after she sustained a traumatic brain injury when she fell from a horse while not wearing a helmet in March 2010.

Courtney, Silva and Steve Blauner, who speaks about the award at the beginning of the video, all talked to EN about the award last week in this story; I’ll let their words do the talking. Read on for a transcript of Courtney’s speech during the awards ceremony:

“I just want to say how special it is to get this award. I’ve always said that the difference it makes — if I could save one person’s life — makes my accident seem worthwhile. Riders4Helmets had made my accident save many lives. The difference it has made astounds me.

“And it’s so appropriate that Silva is up here with me because her accident proves to the world that helmets do save lives. Many people have emailed me saying that they wore a helmet and it saved their lives, but no one ever hears about that. Silva’s accident was widely publicized, so the world got to hear that helmets save lives.

“I donate this to Riders4Helmets. Silva is just as much a part of it. I thank everyone for making my accident mean something instead of being a simple tragedy. I’m like Steve — I’m not an emotional person, but right now, I’m on the edge of tears.”

Go Courtney, and Go Eventing.

 

Ryan Wood Victorious in PRO 4-Bar Show Jumping Challenge

By on Aug 4, 2014 9:30 am -
Ryan Wood and Storm Warning over 4'10 Ryan Wood and Storm Warning over 4'10". Photo by Jenni Autry.

The $1,000 PRO 4-Bar Show Jumping Challenge served as a highlight of yesterday’s show jumping finale at Millbrook, with Ryan Wood and Storm Warning ultimately clearing 4’10” to win. Ryan had to best Doug Payne; who has been successfully campaigning quite a bit in pure show jumping lately; local rider and Advanced competitor Booli Selmayr; and Millbrook Hunt first whipper-in Richard Daley.

The fences started at 3’6″, with all the riders going through clear but Richard, who was unfortunately eliminated right off the bat with Clermont. The rails then went up to 3’9″, with Ryan, Doug and Booli all clearing that height. Boyd Martin provided colorful commentary in the patron’s tent, which you can hear a bit of in the video below courtesy of PRO.

Booli Selmayr and Amber Sky. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Booli Selmayr and Amber Sky. Photo by Jenni Autry.

All three again cleared 3’11”, so the poles were cranked up to 4’6″, with Doug and Amadeus the first to go through at the new height. Unfortunately, Doug and Amadeus pulled a rail at the third fence, leaving Ryan and Booli to duke it out for the win. Both Ryan and Storm Warning and Booli and Amber Sky made it through — with much clucking and encouragement from Boyd and the crowd.

The rails then went up again to 4’10”, with Ryan and Storm Warning sailing through, leaving underdogs Booli and little Amber Sky to answer back. Though they cleared the fourth and highest fence, Booli and Amber Sky knocked the third rail, leaving Ryan and Storming Warning as the victors. Congrats to Ryan, and thank you to Samantha Lendl and PRO for organizing such a fun demonstration.

Doug Payne and Amadeus. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Doug Payne and Amadeus. Photo by Jenni Autry.

All the riders tackled the 4-bar with horses for sale via David Hopper and Tatra Farm, so the show jumping challenge provided a unique opportunity for spectators to see the sales horses in action. You can watch them all in the video below courtesy of PRO; here’s a little more information on each of the horses:

Ryan’s mount Storm Warning, an 8-year old 17.h, Selle Francais by Coconut Grove, was started at the Winter Equestrian Festival in 2014, competing at 1.20 meter and finishing successfully at 1.30 meter. The gelding won the Hudson Valley Indoor Mini Prix in April and the Hudson Valley Outdoor Mini Prix in June. He also placed successfully in the 7- and 8-year-old division at Hits I and Hits II.

Boyd Martin heckles the competitors while Marcia Kulak waits to take over the mic. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Boyd Martin heckles the competitors while Marcia Kulak waits to take over the mic for Advanced show jumping. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Doug rode Amadeus, an 8 year-old, 16.2-hand Dutch Warmblood by Timeless. The gelding has competed successfully in Europe up to 1.45 meter and was imported at the end of February this year. He placed in eight out of 10 classes from 1.30 meters to 1.45 meters at the Winter Equestrian Festival, Hits II, and Saratoga, where he also placed in the $25,000 Grand Prix.

Booli rode Amber Sky, a 9 year-old,15.2-hand Holsteiner/Thoroughbred cross. Owned, bred and trained at Tatra Farm in Clinton Corners, N.Y, her sire is Magnum, who has been ranked in the past as one of the U.S. No. 1 stallions for producing young jumpers and Grand Prix horses. She has won several Classics in the Hudson Valley area, and she is also a two-time winner of the Holiday High Jump at Tatra Farm jumping 5’4”.

Richard Daley rode Clermont, a 6 year-old, 16.1-hand OTTB gelding. He was in training briefly as a 2 year old and never raced. He was then acquired by Tatra farm and retrained as a show jumper and event horse. He has been showing in the amateur divisions at the “A” shows.

Monday News and Notes from Success Equestrian

By on Aug 4, 2014 12:01 am -
Summer is made for evenings like this. Not colds. Marty with Delaney up. Photo via Stacy Meredith's Facebook Page Summer is made for evenings like this. Not colds. Marty with Delaney up. Photo via Stacy Meredith's Facebook Page

One of the things that I dislike most in this universe is the rare summer-time cold. They always seem to creep up on me at about 7:30pm on a Sunday night as I’m starting to sit down and get prepared for the week ahead. It always seems to start as a rawness at the back of my throat, itchy eyes and a mild headache that I try to write off as a lack of caffeine. By 9pm, my nose is threatening to get stuffy and I know that if I do not go to bed within the next hour Monday morning will be hell. Of course I never heed the warnings and so I’m sitting here with a stuffed nose and achey body. I suppose I will be having orange juice with breakfast and chicken soup for lunch!

Weekend Results:

Millbrook H.T. [Website] [Scores] [EN’s Coverage]

River Glen Summer H.T. [Website]  [Scores]

Olney Farm H.T. [Website] [Scores]

Catalpa Corner Charity H.T. [Website]  [Scores]

GMHA Festival of Eventing [Website] [Scores]

Monday News and Notes: 

Jock Paget must be checking his phone every five minutes. A decision from the FEI as to whether or not he can return to competition with no restrictions is expected as soon as this week. It will have been two months since the hearing where the FEI decided to remove his provisional suspension. Paget is eligible to compete at the World Equestrian Games, but he may still be facing some time away from the competition circuit. [More from NZHerald.co.nz]

Things are looking good for the US Show Jumping team as the WEGs draw closer. Team USA was victorious at Hickstead, leading from the start. The only team to finish on a zero score after the first round, they continued to put down clear round after clear round. [More from uk.eurosport.yahoo.com]

Wellington real estate drama is almost as entertaining as Orange is the New Black. A small bit of code designed to ensure fairness in real estate deals is being used question last year’s approval of an almost 60 acre dressage facility in Wellington. The parties going head to head are the developer, Mark Bellissimo, the village of Wellington and Charles and Kimberly Jacobs. Bellissimo and the Jacobs family have been going head to head over these issues for a while. [More from palmbeachpost.com]

Last week marked 100 years since the start of World War I. In addition to the millions of human lives lost during the conflict, it is estimated that eight million horses and donkeys were also killed. European armies relied heavily on horses, not only to transport ammunition to the front lines but also to pull heavy artillery across the battlefield. One million horses were sent from Britain to France for World War I duties, only 62,000 returned. Between 1914 and 1917, the US was sending a large number of horses by ship every day. These horses were so vital to the war effort that the transport ships were frequent targets of the German navy. [More from horsetalk.co.nz]

Saint Louis Encephalitis Virus which was once thought to be inert in horses has been identified in a Brazilian horse that had exhibited neurological symptoms. This is the first case in the world of SLEV infection in a horse that demonstrated neurological signs without any other infectious agent. SLEV is found all over the world and typically transmitted by mosquitos. There are no vaccines or effective treatments for the disease in any species. [More from thehorse.com]

Monday Video: Almost time for WEGs! Don’t forget your tickets!

 

Who Jumped It Best? Millbrook Show Jumping Edition

By on Aug 3, 2014 9:28 pm -
Emily Beshear and Shame on the Moon at Millbrook. Photo by Jenni Autry. Emily Beshear and Shame on the Moon at Millbrook. Photo by Jenni Autry.

It’s time to play Who Jumped It Best? Millbrook Show Jumping Edition! Since you all loved yesterday’s cross-country poll — which is currently in a dead heat between Allison Springer and Arthur and Kate Samuels and Nyls du Terroir — we’re bringing it back again today with photos of eight horses and riders from the Advanced division. Check out the photos and vote in the poll below for who you think jumped it best, and be sure to check out all of EN’s coverage from Millbrook here. Go Eventing.

Millbrook Links: [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Course Preview] [EN’s Coverage]

Tracey Bienemann and Zara. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Tracey Bienemann and Zara. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Kate Chadderton and Buckharo. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Kate Chadderton and Buckharo. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jodi Hemry and In Style. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jodi Hemry and In Style. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Kevin Keane and Fernhill Flutter

Kevin Keane and Fernhill Flutter. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Caroline Martin and Pebbly Maximus. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Caroline Martin and Pebbly Maximus. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Holly Payne and Santino. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Holly Payne and Santino. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Booli Selmayr and Castle Diamond. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Booli Selmayr and Castle Diamond. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Sunday Videos: Millbrook Advanced Show Jumping

By on Aug 3, 2014 4:49 pm -

Spectators at Millbrook Horse Trials were treated to fantastic commentary from USEF Eventing Selector Marcia Kulak during the Advanced show jumping, which you’ll hear as you watch the videos. As a selector, Marcia knows these horses and riders inside and out, and it was wonderful to have her giving educational tidbits throughout the afternoon for the sake of helping the audience learn a little more about the sport and the athletes. Thank you to Marcia for lending her time this afternoon. Go Eventing.

Millbrook Links: [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Course Preview] [EN’s Coverage]

Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch Defend Their Millbrook Title

By on Aug 3, 2014 4:28 pm -
Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch. Photo by Jenni Autry. Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Phillip Dutton jumped clear show jumping rounds with both Fernhill Cubalawn and Fernhill Fugitive, meaning Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch couldn’t afford a single rail if they wanted to defend their title as the Millbrook Advanced champions. As the last to jump in the division, Laine and Al put in a beautiful clear trip to clinch the win in the PRO Tour and Adequan USEA Gold Cup Advanced division on 31.4.

Phillip, Buck Davidson and Boyd Martin all finished with two of their three rides inside the top 10, with Big Phil taking second and third places with Fernhill Cubalawn and Fernhill Fugitive, respectively, on scores of 32.8 and 33.8, followed by Buck Davidson with Copper Beech, who had one rail down, and The Apprentice, who jumped clear with one time penalty, to finish in fourth and fifth places on scores of 37.8 and 39.9.

Buck Davidson and Copper Beech. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Buck Davidson and Copper Beech. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Sharon White, who rode today with a heavy heart after the unexpected passing of her longtime owner Sheri Weber yesterday, jumped clear with two time penalties on Under Suspection to finish sixth on 43.4, followed by Boyd and Master Frisky in seventh on 44.9 and Steady Eddie in eighth on 45.3. Both Master Frisky and Steady Eddie had a rail down.

Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights jumped clear with six time penalties to finish ninth on 45.6 in the horse’s return to the Advanced level after an extended break — a great finish on their way to accomplishing the goal of contesting the Fair Hill CCI3* this fall. And EN’s own Kate Samuels and Nyls du Terroir jumped a lovely clear round with one time penalty to finish 10th on 46.9, moving all the way up from 23rd after dressage.

Boyd Martin and Master Frisky. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Boyd Martin and Master Frisky. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Rails fell throughout the course, though the natural oxer at fence 3, which faced the crowded patron’s tent, and the purple vertical at fence 4, which faced the big crowd of spectators, claimed the most victims. In all, just six pairs jumped clear rounds and made the time. Phillip accomplished that feat on all three of his horses — Fernhill Cubalawn, Fernhill Fugitive and Atlas — as did Laine and Anthony Patch, Caroline Martin and Quantum Solace, and Allison Springer and Copycat Chloe.

It’s been a wonderful weekend at Millbrook Horse Trials, and I have much more to bring you from the day’s festivities, including photos of the $1,000 PRO Four Bar, which Ryan Wood ultimately won aboard Storm Warning, and video of Silva Martin presenting the Charles Owen Equestrian Memorial Award to Courtney King-Dye, which was an incredibly emotional and touching moment. Please join me in thanking the organizers and volunteers for facilitating such a fantastic event. Go Millbrook.

Millbrook Links: [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Course Preview] [EN’s Coverage]

Watch PRO’s interview with Laine Ashker after show jumping:

Screen Shot 2014-08-03 at 4.07.58 PM

Eventing Community Mourns the Loss of Longtime Supporter Sheri Weber

By on Aug 3, 2014 3:18 pm -
Sheri Weber, Sharon White, and Wundermaske. Photo via the PRO blog.

Sheri Weber, Sharon White, and Wundermaske. Photo via the PRO blog.

Sheri Weber was a well-known and popular face within the eventing community, and it is with great sadness that we report that Sheri passed away as a result of a stroke yesterday.

An owner for Sharon White for 18 years, Sheri was introduced to the sport when her daughter, Emily, was training with Sharon at a local pony club. Sheri currently shares ownership of Wundermaske with Sharon, and was preparing to travel to Europe this fall to watch Sharon and “Patch” compete. Sheri has also owned numerous other horses, including Rum Tum Tugger, Charlie’s Quest, and Raise a Liberty.

In 2013, Sheri was awarded the PRO As You Like It Owners Award, which is given to an owner who has had a lasting impact on a rider’s career and who has made an exceptional contribution to the sport.

“Sheri has stood behind me unwaveringly for years, never expecting anything in return, just loving the sport, the horses, and her rider. She is willing to give whatever she has,” Sharon said when Sheri received the As You Like It award. “There is nothing more influential on a rider’s career than the quiet confidence of someone believing in you, always being there no matter what, and never doubting you.”

“Sheri stands for the backbone of our sport, the grass roots love of eventing, the willingness to put whatever you’ve got into the love of the horse, the rider, and the eventing community. This influences the sport of eventing more than anything else, and is what makes our sport so different and so special.”

A tribute was read and a moment of silence was observed prior to the commencement of show jumping at Millbrook this afternoon. Our thoughts are with all of Sheri’s friends and family in this difficult time, and the EN team would like to extend both our sincere condolences as well as our thanks for all that Sheri has done for our sport.

 

Becky Holder and Can’t Fire Me Dominate at River Glen + Other Scores

By on Aug 3, 2014 3:00 pm -
A foggy morning at River Glen! Photo courtesy of Joanie Morris. A foggy morning at River Glen! Photo courtesy of Joanie Morris.

Becky Holder had Can’t Fire Me out for the first time since The Fork this weekend in the Open Intermediate-B division at River Glen, and she didn’t miss a beat, scoring a 31.9, adding just 1.6 time penalties to finish 14 points ahead of Jennifer O’Neill and That’ll Do II. Selena Pope and vanity also added just time to their dressage score, just barely missing second place on a 47.6.

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In the Open Intermediate-A division, Sarah Beth Anton and Blitz Volo picked up the win, followed by Jon Holling and Zatopek B, who was out for his first run since Bromont in June. Lara Borson-Knight and Shooby Do picked up third place.

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River Glen Summer H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Times] [Scores]

In Iowa, the Harry Potter themed cross country course was a big attraction at Catalpa Corner. Many of my Facebook friends who attended the event commented on how fun the event was; I’m definitely adding it to my list of must-see events at some point.

The live scores for Catalpa have not been updated with the final standings, so I will update this post once the scores have refreshed to avoid any confusion.

Catalpa Corner Charity H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Times] [Live Scores]

Do you have some photos or videos you’d like to share from your competition this weekend? How about a blog post on how your event went? Send it to us at [email protected]!

Sunday Video: ‘Along for the Ride’ Episode 5

By on Aug 3, 2014 1:30 pm -

I’m beginning to look forward to every other Thursday with the same fervor as I do when it’s about time for a new episode of Orange Is the New Black or Scandal. You know you’ve found a good series to watch when you plan your week around your TV. Oh, that’s just me? Ok, then I was just making all of that up.

This week on Evention TV’s Along for the Ride, Dom and Jimmie take their OTTBs to Fair Hill for some cross country schooling action, and we get to meet Dom’s newest prospect, Kaz. How will the young Thoroughbreds handle the hectic schooling environment? Dom and Jimmie also become big fans of Tucci boots, and I think they’ve officially made me a new fan as well. What’s so special about these boots? Does Jimmie’s watch shopping problem cross over to boot shopping? You’ll have to watch to find out!