Classic Eventing Nation

Giving It Our All

By on Jan 19, 2014 3:00 pm -
Skybreaker down the bank THF Skybreaker down the bank THF

Last night I watched the 2014 Figure Skating Championships in Boston, MA. I have always been a huge fan of figure skating, especially right now, considering my friend Brooklee Han has been chosen to represent Australia in the ladies individual figure skating for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. I can’t even imagine what’s going through her mind right now, but I am so unbelievably thrilled for her and cannot wait to see how she does!

Back to the Boston Championships, I watched this one girl, Mirai Nagasu, the 2014 Bronze Medalist, who apparently did not get chosen to go to Sochi. She skated her heart out in Boston, and seemed to be a crowd favorite, from the overwhelming applause and standing ovation prior to her performance. She skated to the middle of the rink, took her position, and you could see her crying, while trying to hold it together. She was overwrought by emotion, and that moment actually brought tears to my eyes. I don’t know this girl. I’ve never seen this girl skate. Really, I had no connection to her. But watching her stand out there, being supported and cheered on by thousands was astounding. You knew she gave it her everything, and she worked incredibly hard to get to where she is today. She clearly had her sights set on Sochi, and yet this was not the year.

2014 Bronze Medalist Mirai Nagasu

Watching Mirai skate her heart out last night got me thinking about the avid competitors and athletes in the world of eventing. Those of us who want nothing more than to be the best riders we can be. Those of us who are desperate to wake up in the morning, go feed our horses, and ride from sun up till sun down. Those of us who are anxious, excited and thrilled to compete every other weekend. Horses are our lives, and this is it, and we want nothing else, or not much more.

But then life gets in the way, and some of us have families, and have full time jobs that have nothing to do with shoveling manure. Some of us have countless other responsibilities. When do we have time to pursue our dream of becoming famous? When do we have time to ride ten horses a day, when we only have one horse to ride? How do we even compare ourselves to those established four star riders, and all of the up and coming super stars waiting to take the spotlight? How do we expect to become the best riders we can possible become when we only ride 40 minutes a day? Do we throw in the towel, or keep pursuing our dreams, and our immense goals?

Valonia, aka The Beast

Valonia, aka The Beast

I say keep going. I say, never stop trying. No, we are all not going to Rolex someday, or Badminton, but that doesn’t mean we cannot dream, and we cannot set other goals, right? If I got anything out of that amazing performance last night, it was that you can work really hard, give your soul to a certain sport, give your blood, sweat and tears, and still not quite make it. Watching Mirai last night, and thinking about Brooklee Han going to Sochi is inspiring.

Their stories provide serious motivation and make me want to try harder, work longer hours, and study videos, books, and photos to help me improve. They make me want to keep going, regardless of the level I am competing at. So, I have no sponsors. So, I am not on anyone’s radar, because I am going novice and training at small events in Area 1. So, I am not working for Boyd, Will, or Sinead. That doesn’t mean that I am nobody. That doesn’t mean that YOU ALL are nobody. We are here, we are trying, and we can succeed if we give it our all.

Video: Who’s Afraid of Big Bad Ozzie?

By on Jan 19, 2014 1:30 pm -
Screenshot from YouTube

Screenshot from YouTube

We all know that horses can be, uh, finicky creatures. For instance, my gelding will gladly play with and munch on a tarp (sending other horses scurrying in the opposite direction), but a tiny plastic bag wafting across a field gives him a total meltdown. My friend’s OTTB won’t bat an eye at cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles, or other man-made horrors, but large rocks and discolored patches of grass are sure signs of lurking monsters!

But has anyone seen a horse that’s afraid of another horse? Particularly one as cute and charming as Ozzie the Icelandic Horse. My Virtual Eventing Coach posted this adorable video of horses having minor cardiac incidents when they come upon little Ozzie on the trail.

Here’s Part 2:

Look out, world! Ozzie is coming through!

New Mother Zara Phillips Looking Forward to Badminton in May

By on Jan 19, 2014 12:00 pm -
Zara Phillips and High Kingdom

Zara Phillips and High Kingdom

The Western Daily Press has a nice article about Zara Phillips, her new baby, and plans to return to competition.  Zara mentioned she has her sights set on Badminton this spring– her own mother competed at Burghley when Zara was four months old.  And beyond Badminton, Zara hopes to make another British Olympic Team, at Rio in 201

The Western Daily Press included comments from British team coach Yogi Breisner who noted that many riders have made a successful return after having children. He sees no reason why Zara should not return to top form.

[Click here to read the full story.]

Wise Dan Wins Eclipse Horse of the Year Again

By on Jan 19, 2014 10:30 am -
Wise Dan, photo via Santa Anita's Twitter

Wise Dan, photo via Santa Anita’s Twitter

Thoroughbred Champion Wise Dan (Wiseman’s Ferry – Lisa Danielle, by Wolf Power (SAF)) took home three big titles, including repeat Horse of the Year, at the Eclipse Awards last night.  The 2007 chestnut gelding owned and bred by Morton Fink defeated Mucho Macho Man and Game On Dude for Older Male, and Point of Entry and Magician for Turf Male.  The voting for HOTY wasn’t even close… Dan earned 208 votes, compared to just 21 for Mucho Macho Man, and 15 for Will Take Charge.  Wise Dan finished 2013 with four GI wins, with his only loss of the year coming in the Shadwell at Keeneland– moved off the turf due to weather, on very sloppy Polytrack where he finished a game second.

Wise Dan has been enjoying a little vacation at trainer Charlie LoPresti’s Forest Lane Farm, but he’ll soon start legging up again in preparation for a start at Keeneland this spring.  And we may not have seen Wise Dan at his best, yet.

From The Bloodhorse:

“The more you’re around him, the more you realize how special he is,” LoPresti said. “Even in the Shadwell, he tried his heart out on a track that was like running in the Florida Everglades. Even in defeat, he showed up. They just don’t come around that often, horses like him–the soundness of him, the ability. It’s just a dream come true to have horse like that.”

According to Fink, fans could finally get what they’ve been hoping for—a return to dirt by the six-time champion.

“I’m hoping that I can convince Charlie—if the horse stays like he is—this year, to run on the dirt going long,” the owner said.

 

Other notable Eclipse Award winners:

3-Year-Old Male – Will Take Charge

3-Year-Old Filly – Beholder

Female Sprinter – Groupie Doll

Older Female – Royal Delta

Jockey – Javier Castellano

Trainer – Todd Pletcher

Owner – Ken & Sarah Ramsey

Breeder – Ken & Sarah Ramsey

[See full list of winners and voting results at the Louisville Courier-Journal]

 

Reducing Waste (From Both Ends of the Horse)

By on Jan 19, 2014 9:00 am -
Photo from Wikimedia Commons Photo from Wikimedia Commons
Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

In the depths of a Minnesota winter, I notice two big things in my horse’s pasture: 1) the horses tend to gather with their heads buried up to the ears in a round bale, and 2) they proceed to decorate the snowy landscape with clumps of manure. It’s a biological perpetual motion machine, one that is made all the more apparent when said horses are brought inside each evening to eat more (and poop more) in their stalls. My barn has recently began using Cinch Nets around the pasture’s bales to reduce waste, which has helped to increase the duration and quality of forage in the pasture; no more wasted, trampled, urine-sodden hay, and the Cinch Net itself paid for itself with just a few feedings.

I also read a study by Martinson et al. From the University of Minnesota Extension describing and comparing various brands of round bale feeders, such as Cinch Nets, Hay Sleigh, and Hayhuts. Do you have experience using any of these hay feeders, and have you noticed any differences in quality, waste, or money required to feed your horses? What are some creative methods your barn has used to keep your horses well-fed and your turnout areas clean (or as clean as they ever will be)?

Screenshot of University of Minnesota Extension website

Screenshot via extension.umn.edu

Bonus video: A friend of mine posted this video on Facebook, and I swear it is the best invention ever for efficiently cleaning stalls. Has anyone used the Brockwood Stall Shi*fter, and is it as amazing as it looks?

Go horsekeeping. Go Eventing.

Sunday Links from ERS-Eventing.com

By on Jan 19, 2014 12:01 am -
"There's a large amount of chatter, Jim. They're up to something."

It’s been a rough start to 2014, hasn’t it?  It seems like we just can’t get a break. We’ve had the tragic loss of some top event horses, drought status and unprecedented fire danger being declared in California and now the Polar Vortex coming back to give the East coasters another taste of bitter cold. Don’t despair though, EN.  Things will start looking up soon as we are only 93 days away from the first horse inspection at Rolex! Also, I probably shouldn’t tell you guys this, but the EN chinchillas are hard at work planning what can only be described as epic insanity for Rolex. Seriously, you won’t want to miss it.

Events This Weekend:

Poplar Place January HT: [Website] [Ride Times][Live Scores]

Sunday Links:

New Federal Budget Effectively Bans Horse-Meat Processing 

Year of the Horse: Silver Stallion Heads To Vegas

Horses Evacuated From California Wildfires

Penn National Tests Horse Showing EHV-1 Symptoms

Horse Burial Rules Debated in Iowa

Woman Fed Up With Horse Poop In Her Neighborhood

Sunday Video:

ERS-Eventing

ERS-Eventing.com provides riders with an interactive online portal that showcases product information, demonstrations, tutorials and reviews from fellow competitors and top international riders.

Ludwig Svennerstal Moving to Mark Todd’s Yard

By on Jan 18, 2014 4:00 pm -
No, that's not James Bond, it's Mark Todd's new yard mate Ludvig Svennerstal and Alexander at Badminton 2013! Photo by Jenni Autry. No, that's not James Bond, it's Mark Todd's new yard mate Ludvig Svennerstal and Alexander at Badminton 2013! Photo by Jenni Autry.

Hot on the heels of the sale of his Olympic mount Shamwari to Boyd Martin, Ludwig Svennerstal is packing up his horses and moving in with Mark Todd at Badgerstown. All six of his horses including, King Bob and Alexander, are moving and Ludwig has high hopes for Badminton in May.

From ludwigsvennerstal.com

Ludwig is moving his string of 6 horses to Mark Todd at Badgerstown, at the end of January. This includes his top horses King Bob and Alexander aimed at Badminton in May.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity of training side by side with one of the world´s best event riders through all times,” says Ludwig.

“It will be very inspiring, and give me a chance to be in a professional environment with great facilities,” continues Ludwig, who is hoping for a medal at the World Equestrian Games in August.

As Ludwig is reorganizing his stable with horses and is hoping to replace Shamwari with a younger horse, with Rio de Janeiro 2016 in mind, he feels excited about the future.

The location of Badgers Town is ideal as it is close to many events and to the M4 which makes it easy to communicate to the rest of England and Europe.

I took just enough Swedish in college to flirt with the hot exchange student.  That said, Lycka till Ludwig!

Lionheart Euthanized Following Colic Surgery Complications

By on Jan 18, 2014 2:23 pm -
Lionheart with William Fox-Pitt. Photo by Samantha Clark. Lionheart with William Fox-Pitt. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Allison Springer has just announced via Facebook that Lionheart has been euthanized following complications from colic surgery. While it initially seemed like Lion was doing better and would pull through after his first surgery on Monday, a second surgery revealed that a vascular accident had occurred in the colon, and both the small and large intestines were irreparably damaged, according to the statement. The EN team extends our condolences during this incredibly tragic time. This has been an unbelievably difficult start to 2014.

From Allison Springer Eventing on Facebook:

Lionheart, the spectacular event horse, owned by Team Lionheart Syndicate LLC and ridden by Allison Springer has succumbed to complications from a week long colic episode. Lionheart, a 12 year old Westphalian gelding, was euthanized after the second of two abdominal surgeries. Surgery revealed that a vascular accident had occurred in the colon and both the small and large intestines were irreparably damaged.

When the colic first presented last Monday, Lionheart was immediately taken to Palm Beach Equine Medical Center on the advice of Allison’s veterinarians Dr. Kent Allen and Dr. Susan Johns at Virginia Equine Imaging. Lionheart was under the care of Dr. Bob Brusie and Dr. Kathleen Timmons and the staff of Palm Beach Equine who worked tirelessly during the last week giving emergency and supportive care to the horse around the clock. A team of experts consulted on the complex colic case during the week and finally it was decided to re-explore the abdomen this morning.

Upon further exploratory surgery, it was obvious that despite his valiant battle Lionheart would not survive. Allison was with him stallside for long hours every day and most nights during his struggle and ultimately made the final decision with collaboration of her veterinary team. Allison said, “This was one of the most challenging and heartbreaking weeks of my life. Lionheart dealt with this as the true champion he was, never giving up. In the end, when the time came and there were no more options. I’m very appreciative of the tremendous veterinary effort made to save Lionheart.”

Dr. Bob Brusie commented on the cause, “the horse had excellent care and there was nothing in the history that would explain the vascular accident that comprised the small intestine and then over time went on to overwhelm the cecum and large bowel. This sort of vascular accident, similar to a stroke, is very unusual in my experience.”

Lionheart, previously ridden by William Fox-Pitt and a silver medalist at the London Olympics, was one of the promising hopefuls expected to help the US Eventing Team be even more competitive at the upcoming World Equestrian Games and Rio Olympics. David O’Connor, US Eventing Team Adviser said, “I’m devastated for Allison’s loss and offer her my deepest sympathy.”

Allison Springer expressed her sincere appreciation to each member of the Team Lionheart Syndicate and her dedicated veterinary support team for their tireless effort and care during this difficult time.

Saturday Video: George Morris’ Four Cornerstones of Riding in America

By on Jan 18, 2014 1:30 pm -

This video comes to us from the George Morris Horsemastership Training Sessions a few weeks ago, where he explains the four basics that make up the American rider over jumps. While he is talking about hunter jumper riders, these are base skills that we can all apply to our riding, even in Eventing. The first cornerstone is the ability to hold a steady position in what he calls the “forward seat”, but can also be viewed as simply a mobile seat that follows the movement over the jumps. His second notion is that of a firmly down heel and a steady lower leg, one that does not unintentionally kick or prod or tap. After this, you’ll notice that he admonishes an auditor for letting their child run loose! As a third cornerstone, George emphasizes the jobs of the eyes and their focus throughout a course. “Eyes have two jobs: direction and distance to the obstacle”. The final basic skill is the ability to have hands that follow the horse’s mouth instead of artificial releases over fences. George knows his stuff, you gotta admit!

Eventers to Compete at Jump Extreme in Ocala Tomorrow

By on Jan 18, 2014 12:00 pm -

Some of the sports top eventers and show jumpers from six different nations will team up on Sunday, Jan. 19 to debut Jump X Extreme with a Nations Cup competition in the Ocala area’s newest cross-country park.

Jump X Extreme provides riders a chance to be challenged over cross-country terrain while jumping stadium fences as a means to train horses and for riders to become more accurate without the intimidation of solid fences. Fredericks Equestrian International and Exmoor Eventing are introducing this new format to Ocala area riders as a complete show series with a championship show to end the season.

Everyone is welcome to come out and enjoy some cocktails and mingle with some of the sport’s top riders. Festivities begin at 2 p.m. with the Nations Cup demonstration at 4 p.m. The rider roster includes eventers and show jumpers with most of them having competed at the Olympics for their respective nations.

  • Clayton Fredericks and Scott Keach (AUS)
  • Ruy Fonseca (BRZ)
  • Jessica Phoenix and Selena O’Hanlan (CAN)
  • Joe Meyer and Kirk Webby  (NZL)
  • Daisy Trayford and Robin Walker (UK)
  • Jennie Brannigan and Michael Pollard (USA)

Upcoming show dates will offer three class levels  (2’9″, 3’3″, 3’6″+) open to any horse/rider combination.  Each entry combination will complete two separate rounds of the same course, with a break in between.  The order-of-go will be determined by random draw, and will run in reverse order for the second round.  Each rail that comes down adds 20 seconds to rider’s time. No penalty for refusals. An optional Joker Fence is available at the end of the course. If the rider jumps it without taking down the rail, 40 seconds is removed from the rider’s time. If the rail is knocked down, 40 seconds are added to the rider’s total time.

The time from both rounds is added together and the rider with the fastest combined time wins. Prize money will be awarded from 1st to 3rd place sharing a minimum of 20% of the entry fees. The show series will be held at 850 NE 110th Street, Ocala, FL 34479 on Jan. 29, Feb. 12, Feb. 26, Mar. 12 and Mar 26. Sign up at www.evententries.com. Entry fee is $100 for two jumping rounds.