Classic Eventing Nation

Reporter’s Notebook: Maryland H.T. Gallops Into the Big Leagues

By on Jul 7, 2023 10:27 pm -

Loch Moy Farm shows off its photogenic nature. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.

The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm have long been a staple of the local eventing community. Loch Moy manages to provide the perfect environment for both young riders looking to get their feet wet and for professionals looking to give their horse a great experience as they move up the ranks. Because of this unique duality, you wind up with stories of riders like five-star eventer Ema Klugman, who has been competing here since she was ten years old and is now one of the top contenders in this weekend’s event.

Many a pony clubber has learned how to event on the hills of the Maryland Horse Trials. So, to see the event “grow up” and offer an international CCI4* for the first time is bittersweet. On the one hand, I’m so excited for everyone who has worked so hard to pull off this historic moment for the venue. But, on the other hand, I hope pony clubbers and adult amateurs with green horses will always feel at home in the welcoming atmosphere provided by Loch Moy Farm.

To this end, I was pleasantly surprised with how little the competitive atmosphere changed with the addition of the 4* level. While there were some spectators in dresses and heels, the overall vibe of the event was the same as always: down to earth and welcoming. A moment that made me (for the umpteenth time) think about how much I love the eventing community was when Jennie Saville called, “Good luck!” to Ema Klugman in the show jumping ring, despite the fact that the two were currently duking it out for the lead. That moment exemplified what the Maryland Horse Trials have always been, and continue to be, about: good sportsmanship, friendly competition, and great horsemanship.

Speaking of great horsemanship, props to the many riders I saw who exited the show jumping ring and immediately got off, loosening their horses tack and giving them a big pat on the neck. In today’s heat, it’s so important that we give an extra big carrot to our faithful mounts who would probably rather be standing in their stalls in front of a fan.

Jennie Saville and FE Connery. Photo by Alison Green for Erin Gilmore Photography.

If you’ve never been to the Maryland Horse Trials before, you’re in for a treat. After winding your way up a hill, you’ll find yourself greeted by the sight of a sizable show jumping ring, surrounded by flags. As you slowly meander your way over to the parking area, you’ll get a mini tour of the show grounds. Four dressage rings, two up on a hill and two below, offer spectators a clear view of the event, particularly of the four-star ring. The VIP tent sits up on a ridge overlooking Ring 1, with four Maryland-colored sun umbrellas and adirondacks in front. Overall, everything felt within arm’s reach on day one.

Day one included both show jumping and dressage. While we had a small field in the four star and in the Advanced, there were plenty of familiar names and faces, including the aforementioned Jennie Saville and Ema Klugman, as well as Caroline Pamukcu, Lauren Nicholson, Jan Byyny, and Will Faudree. Countries represented included Australia, Canada, Brazil, and the good ol’ US of A.

For the 4*-S, it’s clear that Jennie and Ema will be duking it out for first place Saturday. After dressage, Ema and RF Redfern were in the lead with the second-lowest dressage score of “Fern’s” career, a 28.3. Unfortunately, a rail in show jumping dropped her down to second place, giving Jennie the lead by less than a point.

Jennie Saville and FE Connery. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.

Speaking of show jumping, Jennie and FE Connery were one of only two clear rounds of the day. FE Connery, or “Sean” as he’s known at the barn (yes, his owners named him after Sean Connery), has a bit of an underdog story. Jennie almost didn’t buy the then-six-year-old. “He was ewe-necked and had a yellow coat. He really hadn’t done anything,” Jennie said. “But I just loved to ride him and I knew I had to have him.”

Her gut feeling about Sean has paid off. The 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding, owned by Jennie along with longtime supporters Nina and Tim Gardner, has proven himself to be a real contender of the sport. “I’ve been working with Silva Martin on the flat and today was the first time we had two clean changes in the ring,” Jennie said. “He’s just a really nice horse to have and I’m really excited about his future. I feel like I’ve been in the top ten a lot this year, so I’m ready to go out and win.”

The Advanced field was a bit bigger than the 4* group, 24 riders to the 4*’s nine. The top three names on the leaderboard were easily predictable: Lauren Nicholson and Larcot Z, Will Faudree and Mama’s Magic Way, and Allison Springer and Vandyke in that order. Sydney Hagaman was in second place after dressage and show jumping, but withdrew before cross country.

Lauren Nicholson and Larcot Z. Photo by Alison Green for Erin Gilmore Photography.

At one point we had a little bit of a family feud going on. Maks Mojo C, ridden by Maya Clarkson, and Mama’s Magic Way, ridden by Will Faudree, were tied for third place after dressage. Both horses are by the hugely popular stud-of-the-moment Mighty Magic. Lately, it’s felt like you could throw a stick at any event and chances are high you’ll hit a horse by the Hanoverian stallion (attempt at your own risk*).

Solidly in the lead for the Advanced after day one is Lauren Nicholson and Larcot Z. While this is only Lauren Nicholson’s second FEI event with the 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding, the pair are clearly gelling well together. Prior to the Maryland International Horse Trials, Lauren took “Larco” owned by Ms. Mars, to the MARS Bromont CCI3*-L, where the pair came in fourth on a technical track. Now, they’re poised to clean up this weekend, if the horse’s prior cross country record is anything to go by, though for a step up this may be more of a “getting to know you” sort of trip on Saturday.

“Larcot and I are still getting to know each other but have become fast friends thanks to how beautifully he was produced by Will Coleman and Reagan LaFleur (who is here this weekend giving me advice and cheering him on!),” Lauren said. “It’s been a relatively quick partnership but I do feel like I’ve ridden him for years and really get on well with him. Hopefully he feels the same about me.”

 

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Looking ahead to cross country day tomorrow, riders will have to tackle a new course designed by renowned 5* course designer Ian Stark. New features have been added to the Loch Moy cross country course, including a triple bank complex at the water, coffin, and leaf pit track. Ema Klugman led a course walk, sponsored by Equestly, on Friday evening. I tagged along to hear about the 3570 meter track with a total of 34 jumping efforts and 22 questions.

[Click here to view the CrossCountryApp preview of the 4*-S track]
[Click here to view the CrossCountryApp preview of the Advanced track]

My main takeaway from this course could be summarized in one word: Surprise! But, keep in mind that I’m a weenie wanna-be eventer. The course starts out with a pretty standard first three fences to get the horse’s blood pumping and find your rhythm.

The riders will encounter their first combination at fence 4, which features three elements. However, the real excitement begins at fence six, which is a coffin with a lot of terrain that Ema thinks will feel like a real “rollercoaster ride.” She also pointed out that the horse will not have a lot of time to realize there’s a ditch after the first fence and recommended that the rider should be in a defensive position and ready to support the horse with a lot of leg.

Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.

The fun doesn’t stop there. After a few twisting turns, fence 8 is a decent drop into the water, Ema’s advice is to “kick like hell” if your horse hesitates, as you’ll only get one shot due to the tight space. Horses will have to be super brave at the first element in order to make it into the water and get out neatly.

A ditch and wall at fence 9 and a steeplechase-like jump with a ton of brush at fence 10 are the lead up to the real show: fence 11. After a tight turn, riders will come up to the ABC combination. When we here at Eventing Nation say “insanity in the middle,” we’re talking about fences like this one. The combination will ride more like a gymnastics exercise meets cross country with two up banks leading to a massive log with a steep drop on the other side. If I were riding it (which I would never), I’d be channeling my inner Man from Snowy River.

After a relatively straightforward fence 12 to let the riders and horses catch their breath, riders will gallop through the arena for a decent drop and angle at fence 13, gallop up a hill to a skinny fence 14 and then encounter the Normandy bank at fence 15. Fence 16 is where the real “surprise” comes in.

Riders will gallop up a steep hill to all of a sudden emerge in the second dressage ring and wind up nearly perpendicular to a small water jump containing fence 16. After that, they’ll gallop up a short hill to the combination at fence 17 where they’ll need to make a tight turn and carefully angle the B element, all while watching their footing on the edge of the steep hill they just cantered up before 16.

From there on out, I think Ian takes pity on his victims eventers because the rest of the course, despite a significant drop at 20 and a few tight turns, is relatively “straightforward”. Keywords from the course walk? Turn, spooky, drop, brave, kick like hell, defensive position -– oh, and did I mention turn?

Ema seems relatively unfazed, however. “I think parts of it are pretty technical, there’s a lot of terrain in the course. It’s similar to Carolina [International], which Ian Stark also designed,” she said. “It’s friendlier than you might think, but you’ve got to be on your game. The horse has to be well-educated, brave -– all the things a four-star horse should be. It’s a proper course with lots of turns, you’ll want a horse that turns well. But I’m glad it’s not soft and we’ll just have to see how it rides.”

As always, I’m very excited for cross country day tomorrow. Our first rider to hit the course and serpentine around the Loch Moy grounds will be Matt Brown on board Alderwood. We’ll keep our fingers and toes crossed for an exciting, but safe, day of cross country. See you at the finish line!

*EN does not condone throwing sticks at horses.

The Maryland International + Horse Trials (Adamstown, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times][Volunteer]

Friday Video: Ride CHIO Aachen’s Cross-Country with Lara de Liedekerke-Meier

By on Jul 7, 2023 5:00 pm -

We’re still buzzing from THAT insanely influential, seriously exciting cross-country finale at CHIO Aachen’s CCIO4*-S on Saturday – and from the thrill of seeing a top-ten finish for Belgium’s Lara de Liedekerke-Meier, too, who’s leading the charge for the country’s upward trajectory on the world stage as they fight for Olympic qualification. And so we were doubly delighted to stumble upon this helmet-cam video from Aachen, which features a rider’s eye view of the cross-country course as Lara tackles it with Ducati d’Arville, plus performance indicators from SAP on-screen and, best of all, a running commentary from Lara herself on what she had to do to make that super round happen. (Plus, it’s a great way to see just how soggy the day really was!) Sit back, enjoy, and learn – this is a great tool.

EN’s Coverage of CHIO Aachen is brought to you with support from Kentucky Performance Products and Ocala Horse Properties.

CHIO Aachen: [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Timing & Scoring] [Live Stream] [EN’s Form Guide] [EN’s Coverage]

ESNZ Announces Mid-Summer High Performance Eventing Squad Updates

By on Jul 7, 2023 1:00 pm -

Tim Price and Falco help secure a medal for New Zealand in Pratoni. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Equestrian Sport New Zealand has undertaken its summer review of its tiered High Performance Eventing Squads, which now feature the following horses and riders:

High Performance Squad

Jonelle Price and Grappa Nera (KWPN, by Karandasj out of Cetonette by Babalouba, and owned by The Grape Syndicate and Jonelle Price)

Tim Price and Falco (Hanoverian, by Cardenio 2 out of Witta by Weinberg, and owned by Sue Benson and Tim Price)

Tim Price and Coup de Coeur Dudevin (Selle Français, by Top Gun Semilly out of Tiebreak Combehory by Leprince Des Bois, and owned by Jean-Luis Stauffer)

High Performance Recognition Squad 

N/A

High Performance Futures Squad

Amanda Pottinger and Good Timing (Thoroughbred, by Nom Du Jeu out of Baloushe by Black Minnaloushe, and owned by the Volunteer Syndicate)

Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier (Irish Sport Horse, by Cavalier Royale out of Greenacres Touch by Touchdown, and owned by Chris Mann)

Clarke Johnstone and Aces High (Thoroughbred, by Another Warrior out of My Fairytale by King Ivor, and owned by Rob & Jean Johnstone and Clarke Johnstone)

Clarke Johnstone and Leopards Action (Oldenburg, by last Action Hero out of Sharade by Sandro Song, and owned by Rob & Jean Johnstone and Clarke Johnstone)

Clarke Johnstone and Menlo Park (British-bred Sport Horse, by Berlin out of Faerie Queen by Rock King, and owned by Rob & Jean Johnstone and Clarke Johnstone)

Dan Jocelyn and Blackthorn Cruise (Irish Sport Horse, by Vancouver out of Ms Cruize by Cruising, and owned by Panda Christie and Dan Jocelyn)

James Avery and One of a Kind (British-bred Sport Horse, by Jumbo out of Lady Tiggi Winkle by Primitive Rising, and owned by Hazel & Chloe Livesey and James Avery)

Jesse Campbell and Diachello (Holsteiner, by Diarado out of Visser Cholin by Chello I, and owned by Kent Gardner and Jesse Campbell)

Jesse Campbell and Gambesie (KWPN, by Zambesi TN out of Verrona by Harcos, and owned by Sarah Moffat)

Jonelle Price and McClaren (Holsteiner, by Clarimo out of Toni I by Landjungle, and owned by David & Karie Thomson)

Maddy Sievwright and Waitangi Pinterest (Thoroughbred cross, by Cassiano out of Amberlou by Aberlou, and owned by the Crowe Family)

Matthew Grayling and Trudeau (New Zealand Warmblood, by Magistad out of Clarity by Valiant, and owned by Winky Foley)

Monica Spencer and Artist (Thoroughbred, by Guillotine out of Maxamore by Volksroad, and owned by Monica Oakley)

Samantha Lissington and Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ (Holsteiner/Thoroughbred, by Caretino out of Quantum Flash by Tristaking, and owned by Pip McCarroll and Samantha Lissington)

Tim Price and Vitali (Holsteiner, by Contender out of Noble Lady I by Heraldik XX, and owned by Alexander & Joe Giannamore and Tim Price)

Tim Price and Happy Boy (KWPN, by Indoctro out of W Amelusina 17 by Odermus, and owned by Susan Lamb and Therese Miller)

High Performance Potential Squad

Abigail Long

Bundy Philpott

Christen Lane

Ginny Thomasen

Hollie Swain

Lauren Innes

Tayla Mason

Vicky Browne-Cole

Talent Development Squad

Bridie Quigley

Brittany Fowler

Carys McCrory

Charlotte Penny

Talent ID Squad

Brooke Chandler

Codie White

Emily Marett

Kelly Clarke

MacKenzie Marlo

Rebecca Wardle

Sonya Benison

The Importance of Continuing Education

By on Jul 7, 2023 11:00 am -

I am a lifelong learner. I love auditing clinics and expanding my knowledge by reading books. If I ever get the opportunity to ride with a new trainer, the answer will always be ‘yes’. If you are thinking about hosting a rider fitness clinic, I will almost always trade your session for a lesson. I love getting as many eyes on my riding as possible and hearing different peoples perspectives.

There are cardinal voices I hear in my head from my trainers, and I always come back to them if I am feeling confused. But I love learning new things. I don’t like exercising, but I will do any exercise class at least once. I can always learn something to bring back to my clients. Continuing education is something I let lead my life.

You have to go through life looking to expand your knowledge base. You can always learn more about things you know a lot about. Look at most really good professional riders and emulate them. They are taking lessons from the best clinicians they can get. They are training with top dressage rider and top show jumping coaches and not just staying in the sport of eventing.

This year I started teaching clinics. I have taught lessons since I was a kid, literally, but now people are paying me real money to get my opinion on what they are doing with their body on a horse. I really wanted to up my game. I have audited clinics this year alone with JJ Tate, Lars Petersen, Erik Duvander, William Fox Pitt, Julia Krajewski and more. I am always looking for things I can bring back to riders at my clinics. But it wasn’t until I found Team Tate Academy that really felt like I was training my eye.

I love this platform so much. It is very interactive and I have learned some much from JJ. I feel like all the content she puts out, I just eat up, and want more. I talked with JJ and wanted to bring it to you. Click here to learn about the fundamentals mini-course.

It would not be a very good fitness column without an exercise for this month, so I wanted to bring you a balance postured that is grounded in what you know, while still reaching for the unknown and greater knowledge.

TRIANGLE

This is a yoga pose that is usually done in the middle of a flow when you are already warmed up. It is a great exercise to work into you at home workouts. This is a great balance posture in also works our tight hips and side body so is a great great exercise for the rider.

  • Start by taking a confident stance length wise on your mat
  • Point your front toe towards the front of your mat. Point your back to straight ahead.
  • Bring your arms out to T position and look over the arm that is pointing toward the front of your mat.
  • The first action in this pose is reach straight straight forward from your hips (Like there is something you want to grab right in front of you)
  • The next move is to pretend your forward arm is the spout of a tea pot and poor the tea out, land your had next to your shin
  • Look down to be kind to your neck
  • Or look up to challenge your balance
  • Hold this pose for about 30 seconds the build it to the other side

Want more tips from Laura and Hidden Heights Fitness? Click here to read more of her columns on EN.

Reigning Champs Great Britain Announce European Championships Line-Up

By on Jul 7, 2023 10:42 am -

The all-female British team who took gold at Avenches in 2021 — plus individual bronze medallist Sarah Bullimore — embark on their lap of honour after a clean sweep of the medals at the European Championships. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Hold onto your hats: the second line-up announcement for next month’s European Eventing Championships, set to take place from August 9–13 at Haras du Pin, France, is a seriously big one. The British team comes into this championships holding not just the gold medal from the previous iteration, held at Avenches, Switzerland, in 2021, but with all three individual medals, too — most notably, the individual gold, which was won by Nicola Wilson and the exceptional JL Dublin, who will defend his title under new rider Tom McEwen. All six named horses and riders have either won or finished in the top three in at least one CCI5*. No pressure, everybody else…!

And here she is, folks: your radiant European Champion, the sunny and superb Nicola Wilson! Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The six named horses and riders for the squad are as follows, in alphabetical order by rider’s surname:

Ros Canter (37) from Hallington, Lincolnshire, with Michele Saul’s Lordships Graffalo (bay, gelding, 11yrs, 17hh, Grafenstolz x Rock King, Breeder: Lordships Stud, Writtle College GBR). Groom: Sarah Charnley

Laura Collett (33) from Salperton, Gloucestershire, with Keith Scott, Karen Bartlett and her own London 52 (bay, gelding, 14yrs, 16.3hh, Landos x Quinar, Breeder: Ocke Riewerts GER). Groom: Tilly Hughes

Yasmin Ingham (26) from Nantwich, Cheshire (originally from Isle of Man), with The Sue Davies Fund and Janette Chinn’s Banzai du Loir (chestnut, gelding, 12yrs, 16.2hh, Nouma D’Auzay x Livarot, Breeder: Pierre Gouye FRA). Groom: Alison Bell

Tom Jackson (30) from Godalming, Surrey, with Patricia Davenport, Millie Simmie and Sarah Webb’s Capels Hollow Drift(grey, gelding, 12yrs, 16.2hh, Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan x Lucky Gift, Breeder: Jeanette Glynn GBR). Groom: Chloe Whitelam

Kitty King (40) from Chippenham, Wiltshire, with Diana Bown, the late Sally Eyre, Samantha Wilson and Sally Lloyd-Baker’s Vendredi Biats (grey, gelding, 14yrs, Winningmood x Camelia de Ruelles, Breeder: Phillipe Briviois FRA) Groom: Chloe Fry

Tom McEwen (32) from Stroud, Gloucestershire, with James and Jo Lambert and Deirdre Johnston’s JL Dublin (dark brown, gelding, 16.2hh, Diarado x Cantano, Breeder: Volker Göttsche-Götze GER). Groom: Adam Short

Four of these horses and riders will be named to the team, while two will compete as individuals — and these designations haven’t yet been awarded.

British Equestrian has also revealed their reserve list of horses and riders, from which they’ll pull replacements if any of their named six cannot take part. These, again in alphabetical order by surname, are:

Ros Canter (37) from Hallington, Lincolnshire, with Kate James and Annie Makin’s Pencos Crown Jewel (bay, mare, 14yrs, 16.1hh, Jumbo x Rock King, Breeder: Mrs Pennie Wallace GBR)

David Doel (30) from Chippenham, Wiltshire, with Gillian Jonas’ Galileo Nieuwmoed (dark bay, gelding, 12yrs, 17hh, Carambole x Harcos, Breeder: J. W. and A. P. Jurrius NED)

Pippa Funnell (54) from Dorking, Surrey, with Sarah Ross’ MCS Maverick (bay, gelding, 10yrs, 16.1hh, s. Mill Law, Breeder: Mrs M Watson GBR)

Yasmin Ingham (26) from Nantwich, Cheshire (originally from Isle of Man), with The Sue Davies Fund and Janette Chinn’s Rehy DJ (bay, gelding, 13yrs, 16.1hh, Tinarana’s Inspector x Big Shot Hope, Breeder: Noel Russell IRL)

Piggy March (42) from Maidwell, Northamptonshire, with John and Chloe Perry and Alison Swinburn’s Brookfield Cavalier Cruise (brown, gelding, 10yrs, 16.3hh, Cavalier Carnival x Atlantic Cruise, Breeder: Martin Ryan IRL) and James and Jo Lambert’s Coolparks Sarco (bay, gelding, 11yrs, 16.2hh, Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan x Clarion Hotel Coolcorran Cool Diamond, Breeder: Michael Burke IRL)

Tom McEwen (32) from Stroud, Gloucestershire, with Martin Belsham’s Luna Mist (bay, mare, 10yrs, 16hh, Alvescot Paper Moon x Wickstead Didger I Doo) and Fred and Penny Barker, Jane Coppell and Alison McEwen’s Toledo de Kerser (bay, gelding, 16yrs, 16.1hh, Diamant de Semilly x Papillon Rouge, Breeder: Kerstin Drevet FRA)

Gemma Stevens (38) from Horsham, West Sussex, with Pru Dawes’ Flash Cooley (grey, gelding, 11yrs, 16.1hh, CSF Mr Kroon x OBOS Quality, Breeder: Jim O’Neill IRL)

Oliver Townend (40) from Ellesmere, Shropshire, with Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan’s Ballaghmor Class (grey, gelding, 16yrs, 16.2hh, s. Courage II, Breeder: Noel Hicky IRL) and Paul and Diana Ridgeon’s Swallow Springs (grey, gelding, 15yrs, 16.2hh, Chillout x Cult Hero, Breeder: Maria Keating IRL)

Bubby Upton (24) from Newmarket, Suffolk, with Rachel Upton and The Zebedee Syndicate’s Magic Roundabout (chestnut, gelding, 13yrs, 16.1hh, s. Samraan, Breeder: Sharon Shone GBR)

Confirmed riders for the 2023 FEI European Championships:

Switzerland

A Full Circle Meeting for Mai Baum at Aachen

By on Jul 7, 2023 9:00 am -

Oliver Klingebiel, nephew of Mai Baum’s breeder Gunter Gerling, accepts the LRK3DE award for winning breeder. Photo courtesy of Ellen Ahearn.

It’s quite a feat to produce a horse to the pinnacle of sport. When a horse achieves success such as a CCI5* win, the credit is rightfully distributed amongst the rider, the groom, the coaches, the owners, the support crew, and the breeders — a literal village.

In winning the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, Ellen and Alex Ahearn’s and Eric Markell’s Mai Baum earned his place in history, his longtime rider Tamie Smith also solidifying hers as the first U.S. winner of LRK3DE in nearly two decades. His breeder, Gunter Gerling of Germany, was also honored as the breeder of the winning horse.

Though Gunter Gerling has sadly passed away in the years since he chose the Holsteiner stallion Loredano to breed to his Leoni mare, Ramira, his nephew, Oliver Klingebiel, was able to connect with ‘Lexus’s’ connections over the years. When Tamie won Kentucky, she reached out to Oliver — who provided the photo below of a very young Mai Baum a few years ago after Tamie won the Fair Hill then-3* — to arrange a time for him to accept the breeder award on behalf of his uncle.

A very wee baby Mai Baum. Photo courtesy of Ellen Ahearn and Oliver Klingebiel.

That meeting happened at CHIO Aachen just last week, when Oliver and his wife drove four hours to meet Ellen and Eric as well as Tamie and Lexus. It was a meaningful award and a special full-circle reunion of sorts for all of Mai Baum’s connections.

A full circle reunion! Photo courtesy of Ellen Ahearn.

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum finished third individually at CHIO Aachen and were members of Team USA, which collected silver in the team SAP Cup competition.

Friday News & Notes Presented by Stable View

By on Jul 7, 2023 12:03 am -

Hyde Park Garden Mews. Photo by Rowi McIntosh.

I love following this Facebook page called Between The Ears because photos like this pop up on my feed and it brings me small bursts of joy. Seeing the view from equestrians all over the world is like feeling kinship with a huge portion of the population, and yet a special club. I know that a lot of my best moments in the saddle were rides alone with my horse and my dog, and just looking at a view that is beautiful, or experiencing something really cool with just my horse as witness. Also, riding in Hyde Park is probably predictably on my bucket list.

The Maryland International + Horse Trials (Adamstown, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times][Volunteer]

U.S. Weekend Preview

Arrowhead H.T. (Billings, MT) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (Fairburn, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Huntington Farm H.T. (South Strafford, VT) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]

Genesee Valley Hunt H.T. (Geneseo, NY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Masterson Equestrian Trust YEH/NEH Qualifier (Lexington, KY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times][Volunteer] [Scoring]

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

Summer Coconino HT and Western Underground, Inc. TR,N,BN 3 Day Event (Flagstaff, AZ) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

News From Around the Globe:

The world lost a legend this week with the death of Tullibard’s Hawkwind. On July 2, five-star eventer Jordán Lindstet Granquist said goodbye to her first advanced and five-star horse, Tullibard’s Hawkwind at the age of 25. “He was the one that first took me across the country to the biggest competitions of my life and opened my eyes to the endless goals and dreams in starting my career,” she wrote on Facebook. “He stole the hearts of many crowds as people could see the size of his heart and love for me as he galloped across the county. I’ll never forget the electrifying applause as we entered the Rolex stadium on Sunday 2012. Last in the standing but first in the eyes of so many that believed in us. His presence truly was remarkable and his wisdom was beyond extraordinary. When our Eventing career together came to an early end in 2013 he owed me absolutely nothing and had already given me everything.” [Flashback Friday to Tullibard’s Hawkwind]

There is evidence of “bit” wear on horses’ teeth dating back to 3500 BC, though it is generally believed that horses were first controlled by means of a rope around the lower jaw. Early designs may have been similar to the Native American “war bridle.” One of the earliest known examples of a metal bit comes from the ancient Near East, specifically from the region of modern-day Iran. If you’re a nerd like me, you’ll be fascinated with this lesson in the history of bits. [Summer School: Evolution of the Bit]

The 2023 Area III Championships took place at the Chattahoochee Hills Horse Trials last weekend. With twelve stacked championship divisions, each winning pair had their own journey to the top. Meet your newest USEA Area III Champions here. [Area III Champions]

Good equitation is valuable no matter what your discipline, as function follows form in a lot of ways. In this edition of Jumping Clinic, Beezie Madden describes correct leg contact with the saddle and horse. Not only that but Beezie comments on this rider’s release, seat, upper body and more. [Jumping Clinic with Beezie Madden]

 

 

 

 

Book Excerpt: When It Comes to Event Horses, When Is Compromise Okay?

By on Jul 6, 2023 4:00 pm -

In this excerpt from How Good Riders Get Good, Denny Emerson talks frankly about the kinds of qualities you must have in an event horse, and when it is okay to compromise.

Photo courtesy of Denny Emerson.

New Zealand’s famous (and very tall) eventer Mark Todd, FEI “Horseman of the Century,” drove quite a long way in 1983 to look at Charisma when he was offered the ride on the gelding while his top horse was laid up. He was surprised to discover that the prospect he’d traveled so far to see was a pudgy and unprepossessing 15.3 hands. Two Olympic gold medals later, Mark had got over the shock, and he and Charisma were a legendary partnership.

Ben O’Meara didn’t get Untouchable off the racetrack until the horse was eleven years old, an age at which most riders would have written him off. But Untouchable became one of the great Olympic Grand Prix jumpers.

Despite being an already “Wow!” jumper, Theodore O’Connor, an Arab/Shetland/Thoroughbred-mix just shy of 14.2 hands, was anything but my impression of a four-star horse when Christan Trainor brought him to my farm as a four-year-old. But Karen O’Connor saw something special in him a year later, and after finishing third at Rolex Kentucky in 2007, they won both team and individual gold at the Pan Am Games.

Victor Dakin wasn’t the prototype of my ideal eventer when I went to look at him in 1973. He was barely sixteen hands, his feet were narrow, his pasterns upright. He was hot as a firecracker to ride in dressage, and the Canadian Team coach had dismissed him, stating, “This bloody horse can’t canter!” He was one-half Thoroughbred, one-quarter Irish Draught, one-eighth Arabian, and one-eighth Morgan—hardly the usual mix for a top eventing prospect.

But he could run and jump forever.

By choosing to “compromise” on Victor, I was able to ride on a gold-medal-winning USET team, win the US National Championship, and ride clear rounds on cross-country over most of the world’s toughest courses for five consecutive seasons. Victor is a good example of a compromise that was a good choice, but I have also made my share of mistakes. I think many of the times I’ve made horse-buying mistakes it’s because I wanted to get something for nothing—or, to put it in plain English, because I’m cheap! I wanted to buy champagne, but I had a beer pocketbook, so I’d often get a horse that had some problem, rather than pay several times as much for a better horse.

By “problem,” I mean I would frequently buy horses that were hard to ride, either too hot or too strong, or very green. Always, of course, I’d do so assuming that I could fix that horse’s particular problems, and that often proved to be a wrong assumption. Hot horses tend to stay hot, and tough, aggressive horses sometimes calm down, but more often they don’t. Green is fixable; it just takes time. But my worst buying mistakes happened when I would compromise quality, a word that means different things to different horsemen, even when they are in the same discipline—and especially when they are in different disciplines.

In eventing, horses with “quality” are fancy movers. They trot with an elastic “flow,” and their canter is buoyant and uphill. Their gallop is silky and reaching, their jump is sharp and full of scope and power. If you start with a horse full of quality, you have realistic hopes. But if you compromise basic quality, you’ll never get there—no matter how much you struggle, and no matter how much riding skill you bring to the equation.

This excerpt from How Good Riders Get Good by Denny Emerson is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books (www.horseandriderbooks.com).

The Spotlight Beckons: Don’t Miss This Casting Call For Virginia Eventers

By on Jul 6, 2023 2:14 pm -


In wildly exciting news, a documentary film about Kim Walnes and The Gray Goose — darlings of the US Eventing Team and the five-star level of competition through the 70s and 80s — is in the works, and even better? The team behind it is currently on the hunt for a female event rider and a grey horse to stand in for the subjects of the film. There’s some poetry in that: Kim and Gray themselves acted as body doubles in the eventing classic Sylvester, where they delivered the cross-country performances for the titular horse and his feisty rider.

The social media callout reads as follows: “We are looking to cast a female event rider and a gray horse to film some footage in Dublin, VA and Woolwine, VA the week of August 14. The footage would be used for an upcoming documentary.

Rider should be experienced with galloping xc. If interested, please DM riding pictures and video footage along with contact information to Shanyn Fiske or email to [email protected]

Preference for rider / horse pairs in Pulaski County, VA and surrounding areas.”

Kim Walnes and The Gray Goose. Photo by Peter Gower.

Do you have what it takes to stand in for one of the all-time greats of US eventing history? Don’t miss your chance — drop Shanyn an email and get ready for your close-up!

Follow from Home: The Inaugural (Kind of!) Aston le Walls CCI4*-S

By on Jul 6, 2023 12:43 pm -

Behind closed doors but no less buzzy for it, Aston-le-Walls set the stage for a useful spring four-star in the 2021 season. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

This weekend sees a new event on the British calendar take centre stage: Northampton’s Aston le Walls Equestrian Centre, run by former team rider turned coach and selector Nigel Taylor, has long been a stalwart part of UK-based eventers’ season plans, with schooling opportunities galore, affiliated events throughout the breadth of the season, and arena eventing in the winter, too. But now, they’re taking the next step with their own international fixture — something that’s long topped their aspirations as as a venue.

This isn’t actually the first time we’ve seen Aston host a four-star, though: during the pandemic, they first hosted an elite competition weekend, allowing professionals and team pathway riders to give their horses an outing when government guidelines allowed for just that much wiggle room. Then, when Chatsworth couldn’t run its international fixture behind closed doors in 2021, Aston stepped up to host its CCI4*-S, with appropriately challenging courses designed by Captain Mark Phillips, and in doing so, gave many horses their first chance at an FEI event since Covid first struck.

Gemma Tattersall and Jalapeno. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Though feedback from that event was positive, Aston’s team was no doubt disappointed not to be granted an ongoing international fixture — but once again, they’re stepping in to fill a gap and save the day. This week would ordinarily be the domain of Wiltshire’s Barbury International, but after disputes between the organisers and British Eventing over unaffiliated fixture timetabling, the organisers decided to pull it from the calendar, leaving a challenging mid-summer space in the calendar. That gap is ably filled by Aston, with its ability to host two phases on a surface, thus minimising concerns about hard ground.

So what can we expect from the next few days of competition? Well, beyond that feature CCI4*-S class, there’s also a CCI3*-S, a CCI1*, several Novice sections — including a Novice Masters class — and a 105 Pony Trials class, too. The CCI3*-S sections are already well underway, and the CCI4*-S will begin tomorrow at 8.30 am, with a full day of dressage on the roster for both Friday and Saturday. Sunday will play host to this class’s jumping phases, beginning with showjumping at 9.00 am and then on to cross country, once again designed by Captain Mark Phillips, from 11 am.

Izzy Taylor’s Monkeying Around will return to Aston, where he finished second in the CCI4*-S in 2021. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

There’s a hefty line-up present in this class, and you can browse entries, check ride times, and keep an eye on live scores here.

You can also preview all the weekend’s courses via the cross-country app, with maps and virtual walks available here.

Not able to make it in to spectate, which you can do for a mere £10 on the gate? No worries: you can watch all the action as it happens from home, as ClipMyHorse.TV will be on-site to broadcast the cross-country from all three international classes.

While we won’t have boots on the ground for EN this weekend, we’ll still be bringing you news and updates as the competition unfolds. Until then: Go Eventing!