Classic Eventing Nation

Reporter’s Notebook: Across the Montana Country at Rebecca Farm, Home of the Ogopogo

By on Jul 21, 2023 10:59 pm -
Photo by Shannon Brinkman. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

As both a #RebeccaVirgin and an FEI event first-timer, I’ve obviously been in heaven here at Rebecca Farm the last few days. Today, after receiving a massage in the Vendor Village tent, I spoke the words, “can I get a deep fried cookie dough topped with ice cream?” to a food truck lady and proceeded to eat it on a picnic table in the middle of a beautiful grass field while watching some Classic Three-Day riders fly by on course… so yes, I’ve had a very good day.

This is the peak of athleticism.

In anticipation of tomorrow’s Cross Country Day, I want to not just give an overview of Ian Stark’s CCI4*-L course (check out our Instagram reel of all the 4*-L jumps here!), but also take a look at the other awesome jump designs featured across the levels as well — because let’s be honest, that’s what a large majority of you readers would be riding! Take a look at the course maps here to follow along while watching.

All levels from Novice up will be starting with the famous Rebecca Train, which gives us seven different options of varying levels of brightness. As some of my teammates mentioned earlier on this week, it’s more the situation that’s “looky” rather than the jumps themselves, as very few horses have actually seemed to care much at all about the seemingly-imposing line.

Next up for Beginner Novice through Training is what I consider to be a very photogenic line — even featuring some friendly riding advice.

The Western Town feature is quite the fun corner with tons of cute hidden easter eggs. The 2* and Prelim levels get a rather tricky approach around a rather prominent mound — atop which sits the famous Stetson jump — and through the keyhole of a sheriff’s office. Between the “City Hall” and “First Interstate Bank” lies a nice water complex for many of the lower levels.

#TheBigStetson

The Training level and Novice Three-Day levels were blessed with the full array of food court fun, featuring a 9ab Carrot-to-Corn combination while the coveted Hot Dog jump was reserved just for the Classic Novice riders.

Training level riders seem to be getting all the fun designs, as one of their last questions is the “Doggie Jump”, complete with a scattering of real dog treats for those walking to distribute among their walking friends.

In terms of the upper level courses, we head out in another direction from the start, heading for the “Ogopogo” and Avery Island pond, where we see some very stunning water complexes that start to have more and more of that Ian flair. For those who also had to look it up, it turns out that the “Ogopogo” is Canada’s Loch Ness Monster of sorts — a mythical water creature who inhabits a lake in British Columbia… and also a small pond within a cross country course. Those darn things must travel fast.

Say hello to “Ogopogito”.

This line of tables are particularly gorgeous, where we can once again see just how much meticulous care and thought is put into every one of these obstacles. They are also very appropriately named, as these really are out in the boonies of the far north corner of the tracks.

Around this combination is where I started to really say, “Oh wow okay, here’s that 4* flair.” While every jump is beautifully designed and thoughtfully placed, I think giving a single question in a duck combination its own little water complex is some next-level dedication.

And finally, the Tree Pond nestled between the native Reservation and the Cavalry Camp areas isn’t even involved in any of the questions, it’s just plain beautiful (look at that goose living his best life). A few of the levels go right around the edge of this water, and I honestly wouldn’t mind the time faults taken by just taking a little pit stop to admire this grotto of tranquility. Maybe not too long though, because this is still Montana, and bugs are still a thing.

And now that you’ve been appropriately convinced of the majesty that is the Rebecca course, let’s get on to the FEI rider placements after a hot day in the sandbox!

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Moonshine take the lead in Rebecca Farm’s CCI4*-L. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Liz Halliday-Sharp has stolen the lead in our CCI4*-L today by over five points after a particularly clean and refreshing test aboard The Monster Partnership’s Cooley Moonshine. Currently scoring 25.6, this weekend will hopefully mark the 11-year-old gelding’s first completion at the level, as the pair looks to build on their sixth place finish at Tryon’s 4*-S last month. Thanks to being one of 19 recipients of the Rebecca Broussard Travel Grants, the pair was able to make their way West from Ocala, Florida, to tackle Kalispell’s sprawling course.

“He’s spectacular,” says Liz. “I’ve had him from a five-year-old so we’ve been together a long time. He’s quite a quirky, interesting horse. He’s quite an edgy character, but he’s getting better and better with age and he’s been trying really, really hard for me, so I’m thrilled with him.” Liz and “Billy” haven’t scored outside the top ten in the since 2021 when they first moved up to the 4* level, so we expect to see the show continue on a positive note for them tomorrow. Billy has quite the record to be sure, as the two have only one cross country jump fault on record, and Liz’s success here last year as the champion of both the 3*-L and the 4*-S certainly doesn’t hurt.

Our second rider in the box today takes a second-place position going into Saturday, as Buck Davidson and 13-year-old Business Class look to complete their second ride together since Katherine O’Brien’s gelding transferred from Allie Knowles just a few months ago. The pair seemed to already be meshing quite well, and bring a score of 30.8 with them into cross country. This is Buck’s first time taking the long jaunt to Rebecca Farm from his Pennsylvania home base since 2018, and he clearly couldn’t have come at a better time. After taking the win in both the 3*-L at Tryon in May — their first event together — as well as the Advanced level at Stable View’s Horse Trials last month, it seems that us West Coasters may be in for a rare treat from this pair.

James Alliston, our Rebecca Farm 4*-L Champion two years running, sits in a comfortable third aboard Alliston Equestrian’s nine-year-old Oldenburg mare Karma, who makes her debut at the level this weekend after only five international events together. The pair have an incredibly clean record, with only two of their 20 runs outside the top ten. Their score today of 32.6 is a personal best in the FEI ring, and we can bet that this duo’s experience here at Rebecca Farm — including taking home a third at the American Eventing Championships last year — will easily allow them to maintain their spot inside the ribbons.

Our elite little 4*-S squad is led by Tamie Smith and young eight-year-old Kynan on a score of 29.2, another 4* debut of the week. Tamie and Kynan traveled out to Tryon in May to take a solid second place in the 3*-L, with four other top-five international runs already under their belt. “He just keeps doing all the things… almost exceeds my expectations,” Tamie says of the bay gelding. “He was super today. It’s his first Advanced test — first four-star — and I was ecstatic with him.”

The pair have only been together since June 2022, when Kynan and Tamie ran Training level at the Twin Rivers Summer Horse Trials, and Tamie has been very enthusiastic about his quick progress. “I had a couple of little green moments, but nothing that maybe the untrained eye wouldn’t have been able to see,” she states. “He really went in there and tried and was with me the whole way, so I’m super, really proud of him. He’s an exciting horse.”

A memorial plaque for Solaguayre California on course.

Lucia Strini follows a good six points behind Tamie in the 4*-S aboard Excel Cool Quality on a 35.4, followed closely behind by Emilee Libby and Toska at 36.9.

While Alyssa Phillips maintained both of her leads in the 2*-L and the 3*-S overnight aboard Cornelius Bo and Oskar, Jordan Lindstedt slid right in to the first position in the 3*-L with Kiran D’Souza’s FE Friday at 29.1.

Don’t miss out on cross country day tomorrow — be sure to tune in and follow #TheBestEventInTheWest live (for free!) with Ride On Video and Horse & Country.

Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

EN’s coverage of Rebecca Farm is brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products. You can learn all about Kentucky Performance Products’ full line of trusted, science-backed nutritional supplements by visiting kppusa.com.

The Event at Rebecca Farm (Kalispell, MT) [Website] [Ride Times/Scoring] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

Photos by Allie Heninger unless otherwise noted.

Friday Video Break: Nicola Wilson’s Next Chapter

By on Jul 21, 2023 2:00 pm -

We are in eternal awe of the grit and determination shown by European Championship winner Nicola Wilson, whose career path changed dramatically when she suffered a massive set of injuries in a fall at Badminton in 2022. Now, she has dedicated her time and her yard to helping others, and she sat down in an exclusive interview with Simon Grieve to catch us up on what life looks like these days.

It’s an episode not to be missed, though you will need to use your H&C+ pass to watch the show, “Nicola Wilson: The Next Chapter”.

Got the Travel Bug? Volunteer at August’s Bromont Nations Cup to Win at $1000 Air Canada Certificate

By on Jul 21, 2023 12:00 pm -

Photo courtesy of Bromont CCI.

Exciting news! If you want to take in eventing at its Canadian finest, you definitely want to add Bromont to your calendar. There are two FEI events at the former Olympic venue each year: one in June and one, which also hosts the sole North American FEI Nations Cup leg, in August. The latter is approaching August 11-12, 2023 about an hour’s drive east of Montreal at the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park.

Now, here’s the really fun part. Volunteers are a vital component of every event, and at the August Bromont volunteers’ names will be put into a special drawing to receive a $1,000 Air Canada gift card. That’s some serious travel power, as Air Canada has really great fares to multiple destinations all over North America.

When you volunteer at an event, you get the best seat in the house! Photo by Abby Powell.

If you’re a Bromont regular, then you could have up to three entries into the drawing — one for each event in 2023 you’ve volunteered at. The winner’s drawing will take place on site at the end of the day on Saturday, August 12.

You can sign up to volunteer by clicking here. You can expect to receive communications about your volunteer role during the week of August 7.

The entry list can be found here, and we’re anticipating an exciting competition with representatives from multiple federations as the closing date (August 4) nears.

Belgium Names Combinations Traveling to FEI European Eventing Championships

By on Jul 21, 2023 10:00 am -

Karin Donckers and Fletcha van’t Verahof. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Belgium is eyeing two potential qualification pathways for Paris in 2024, and one of those comes next month at the FEI European Eventing Championships to be held in France at Haras du Pin. Two teams without existing Olympic qualification will leave France with a berth in hand, and today Belgium named the six-combination squad from which a final team of four and two individuals will be selected later on with input from team manager Kai Steffen-Meier.

The roster for Belgium will include:

  • Lara De Liedekerke – Meier – Hermione d’Arville
  • Karin Donckers – Fletcha van’t Verahof
  • Cyril Gavrilovic – Elmundo de Gasco
  • Tine Magnus – Champagne Pia Z
  • Senne Vervaecke – Google van Alsingen
  • Jarno Verwimp – Mahalia

Belgium also has a shot to qualify for Paris via the FEI Nations Cup. The winning country (or top-placed country without existing Olympic qualification) at the end of the 2023 Nations Cup series will also earn a berth, and as it stands currently at the top of the leaderboard with four Nations Cup competitions left on the calendar.

Catch up on all of EN’s Europeans coverage here.

EN’s coverage of the FEI European Championships for Eventing is brought to you with support from Kentucky Performance Products.

Friday News & Notes Presented by Stable View

By on Jul 21, 2023 12:03 am -

Engineer Mountain Trail, near Durango CO. Photo by Holly Smith Foy

Ok everybody in the eventing world might very well be obsessed with photos of Big Sky Country in Kalispell, Montana this week, but lets not forget views between the ears from elsewhere in the world. Honestly, this photo from Colorado took my breath away, and made me want to immediately abandon everything in my life and apply for jobs in the west doing any kind of duties as a ranch hand. I can’t be the only English rider that fantasizes about this, right?

U.S. Weekend Preview

The Event at Rebecca Farm (Kalispell, MT) [Website] [Ride Times/Scoring] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

Applewood Farm YEH & Mini Event (Califon, NJ) [Website] [YEH Ride Times] [Mini Ride Times]

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

Full Moon Farms H.T. (Finksburg, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Horse Park of New Jersey Horse Trials II (Allentown, NJ) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]

Silverwood Farm Summer H.T. (Trevor, WI) [Website] [Scoring]

Major International Events

CCIO4*-NC-S (Nations Cup) (Avenches, Switzerland) [Website] [Entries] [Program] [Live Stream]

News From Around the Globe:

If you ever feel bad about your equitation, just look at some photos of Barbie. While you’re all losing your minds this weekend about Rebecca Farm Barbie this weekend, don’t forget to connect with your roots by revisiting hot pink Barbie with her palomino steed, terrible riding style, and free flowing mane. [Why Riding Barbie is the Best Barbie]

When Kathryn Jenkins and First Commander stepped into the ring as finalists for the 2020 Thoroughbred Makeover Show Hunter division last fall, it wasn’t just the culmination of many hours of hard work – it was a comeback story. When Jenkins found him, Mattis hadn’t yet begun his under-saddle retraining but he looked relaxed, sound, and happy jogging and cantering at liberty in the field and passed a pre-sale veterinary soundness examination. He seemed sweet, quiet, and like he’d be a gentle kick ride. Unforunately, the pair experienced many rest/recovery/return cycles, and Kathryn would notice odd bursts of attitude changes in her formerly sweet gelding – an unwillingness to go forward, sometimes sprinkled with sudden and aggressive tantrums. Her rehabilitation of his severe kissing spines is a story for the ages. [Kissing Spines to Makeover with Physical Therapy]

Random Summer Horse Wish List: Yes, Of Course We Have That

The USEF announced the athlete-and-horse combinations that have been named to the Short List for the U.S. Dressage Team for the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games. The dressage portion of equestrian competition will run October 22-23 and 25 in Santiago, Chile. Susie Dutta, Codi Harrison, Charlotte Jorst, Kevin Kohman, Anna Marek, Christian Simonson on two mounts, Sarah Tubman and Jennifer Williams will all attend a competition viewed by selectors, and the final team is expected to be announced mid-september. [Dressage Pan-Am Short List]

Reporter’s Notebook: “If You Build It, They Will Come” to The Event at Rebecca Farm

By on Jul 20, 2023 11:32 pm -

Fence 18 on course for the CCI4*-L at Rebecca Farm. Photo by Allie Heninger.

“The most beautiful event all year.”

“One of my favorite events.”

“Not to be missed.”

The Event at Rebecca Farm truly is a corner of Western eventing paradise. Riders of all levels across the country hold Rebecca as “a bucket list event”, and as a self-appointed “Rebecca Virgin”, it didn’t take long to see why. In fact, I was already in love before we even drove through the entrance gates – the rolling fields of grass are like Disneyland to those of us making the 12+ hour trek from the mountain deserts.

My first impression of this truly stunning venue was that it appears to be meticulously cared for with no expense spared. Every inch of the grounds is manicured and polished with an efficient layout and tasteful design. My multi-layered sunburn may be the only negative I’ve experienced this week — although the crew here has certainly kept that in mind as well, offering multiple water stations, misting areas after cross country, and bagged ice across the grounds.

A close second to the facility’s extreme attention to detail was that as much as this event caters to the upper levels, they seem to put just as much effort into providing an equally high-class experience for riders in the lower levels. Just one walk of the cross country course shows that they hope for everyone to be included in the amazing educational experience offered here. From “Good Luck Ponies” and “Decision Dinos” to the amazing swag bags received with each rider’s packet, all riders ared taken care of and everyone feels like a part of the community.

During the competitor’s briefing, all riders are offered Good Luck Ponies, Lucky Leap Frogs, and Decision Dinos. Photo by Allie Heninger.

As someone who has not yet attended any East coast events, I hope my assessment is able to accurately present an unbiased viewpoint of an event that is so vital to the Western US. Traveling here to Kalispell with my trainer and fellow riders from our barn family, I was amazed that despite the large number of competitors, the community still remains very close with everyone seemingly knowing everyone. Each class in the national divisions have at least one rider I recognize from our own Area IX events, and while going out to dinner at a local restaurant, we even ran into a rider from Utah working there as a server, as she had been up here training in the area for the last few months.

While I myself have limited in-person event experiences to offer up in comparison, I hope that my naivety may actually serve to provide an opinion similar to those like me in our sparsely-populated western regions — where a majority of this week’s competitors have traveled from. While we may, as a teammate of mine joked, give off pretty “feral vibes” by default, Rebecca is a chance for us all to get cleaned up, show off a little, and experience a taste of what those on the East coast may often take for granted.

In case you still haven’t fully grasped the beauty that this venue and event hold, just take a scroll through Rebecca Farm’s Instagram as well as tagged posts from competitors, and you’ll be blessed with some drool-worthy shots of the stunning landscape, those amazing framing mountains, some truly stunning waterscapes, and the actual dream-worthy gallop lanes through their hay fields. I’ve been a horse girl my whole life, and never have I wanted to be a horse more than this week here at these grounds. Our poor Utah horses are so confused, not only about their food actually growing out of the ground, but that they are living in the horse-equivalent of how I would feel in a room packed with charcuterie grazing tables (look it up if you don’t already know — you’ll never be the same).

One huge win for Rebecca this year was the inclusion of the event’s first ever Beginner Novice course, courtesy of the venue hosting last year’s American Eventing Championships. Over 850 entries poured in from competitors for the Beginner Novice level after opening, with only 150 riders winning the coveted “Rebecca Lottery” and receiving acceptance to the event. They say “if you build it, they will come”, and they certainly did.

Now that this event runs nearly every possible level from Beginner Novice to CCI4*-L, Rebecca is truly a gift for all. Trainers and coaches riding in the FEI levels are warming up next to junior riders wearing saddle pads in all colors of the neon rainbow, and there are 12-year-olds from Wyoming seeing Olympic riders for their first time at the ice cream food truck. Every division’s cross country course is littered with interesting and custom obstacles, not only the upper levels, so many of those at Training level will have their first opportunity to ever jump a moose or an ear of corn. Many will also have their first chance to ride in or witness a Classic Three-Day Event series, offered at the Novice and Training Levels, for which several educational opportunities and walks have already been offered this week.

Could Rebecca Broussard have ever imagined how big this would become and how much of an impact she would have on eventers from across the country? Her vision and passion have certainly been carried on through her foundations and family, who not only generously provided travel grants to 19 riders this year, but several National and International Developing Rider Grants as well to those they hope to see progressing further in the sport.

Sunset is my favorite time to course walk. Photo by Allie Heninger.

Today’s roster included the first day of dressage for some of our FEI riders. Leading both the CCI2*-L and 3*-S divisions from today is Alyssa Phillips — all the way from Ocala, Florida — aboard her own mounts Cornelius Bo (Concours Complet – Charlotte, by Carismo) and Oskar (Coriando – Nicole, by Marlo). While she and Oskar will remain in first position heading into cross country on Saturday, we still have a few remaining riders in the 2*-L tomorrow that still have the chance to contest her lead. We expect to see an excellent show from Oskar, who took last year’s silver in Rebecca Farm’s 4*-L and were champions at the Maryland International 3*-S just weeks prior.

Karen O’Neal aboard Clooney 14, owned by Annika Asling, and Tamie Smith riding Julianne Guariglia’s Crafty Don follow closely behind Alyssa in the 3*-S, with Erin Kellerhouse tying with herself for 4th place heading into the next phase.

Alyssa Phillips and Oskar lead the CCI3*-S after dressage.

Stay tuned in here at EN for more to come while I experience this all for the first time; I can only hope that many of our readers will be inspired to make the journey here to see it all for themselves. Tomorrow is Dressage Day for our 4* riders, and you won’t want to miss the absolutely stunning show I’ve been catching glimpses of in the warmup ring. For those watching from home, you can watch the livestream of #TheBestEventInTheWest (if that’s not already a hashtag, I’d like to propose that we make it one) for free on both Horse & Country and Ride On Video.

Good luck to everyone tomorrow and Go Eventing!

EN’s coverage of Rebecca Farm is brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products. You can learn all about Kentucky Performance Products’ full line of trusted, science-backed nutritional supplements by visiting kppusa.com.

The Event at Rebecca Farm (Kalispell, MT) [Website] [Ride Times/Scoring] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

Thursday Video Break: Scope Out the Water Complex at the IEA Classic Three-Day

By on Jul 20, 2023 3:00 pm -

I’ve always wanted to compete in a Classic Three-Day event. Having been too young to really experience the thrills of eventing in its original format, I’m very grateful that the format remains at lower levels to this day. While I’m all in favor of evolution and change, I do think there are some really cool aspects to the “long” format that instilled a greater sense of horsemanship than perhaps some training programs encourage today.

The Indiana Eventing Association’s annual Horse Trials is one such place where you can test the waters of the classic format, hosting Beginner Novice, Novice, and Training Three-Day competitions. Thanks to RNS Video, you can see a compilation above of the water complex riders tackled on the cross country phase of competition.

You can find the full list of Classic Three-Day Events available in the U.S. here.

Eventers Ride to ‘Halt Cancer at X’ at Rebecca Farm

By on Jul 20, 2023 12:00 pm -

Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

A staple on the schedule at The Event at Rebecca Farm each year is the Halt Cancer at X fundraising drive, which can be seen in pink ribbons painted on horses, loads of pink outfits, and ample opportunity to donate money to the worthwhile cause all week long.

Halt Cancer at X was founded in memory of Rebecca Farm founder Rebecca Broussard in 2012. Rebecca Broussard passed away in 2010 after a brave battle with cancer, having left a lasting legacy not only on the local equestrian community but upon the city of Kalispell and beyond. That legacy now lives on in many ways, one of which is Halt Cancer at X.

Sarah Broussard participates in the Halt Cancer at X Challenge at the 2016 event. Photo by Noah Clayton.

The program provides financial grants to support local organizations, providing mammography screenings, financial assistance and other services to breast cancer patients, with nearly $1 million in donations made since its inception. Donations continue to fund breast cancer research and local community outreach/awareness programs. Grant applications for this year’s cycle are currently open through October 1.

For those competing or otherwise attending Rebecca Farm, you can make donation pledges at the show office, and keep an eye out for other activities including a silent auction that will also help raise funds for Halt Cancer at X. You can learn more about the program by clicking here.

The Event at Rebecca Farm (Kalispell, MT) [Website] [Ride Times/Scoring] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

Galloping and Shortening Your Reins at the Same Time: Navigating the Devon Horse Show (and Life!)

By on Jul 20, 2023 10:00 am -

Ema Klugman and Bronte Beach. Photo by Abby Powell.

A couple of months ago, I competed in the Arena Eventing class at the Devon Horse Show. It is always a privilege to ride in the storied Dixon Oval, and I try to target the class each year if I have a horse or two who is qualified to do it.

This year, I took two greener horses: RF Redfern, who recently stepped up to 4*, and Slieve Callan Alpha, who just did his first couple of Intermediates. Neither of them had done the class before, but I thought that if I rode them well, they could be competitive, and even if they made mistakes, I would learn about them through the experience. The class is unique in that it is a mix of cross country and show jumps between two large arenas. There is no terrain, but there are lots of tight turns and related distances.

I asked Mary Lisa Leffler, who occasionally helps me out in the show jumping, if she could coach me in the class. I knew she would be at Devon anyway, and I thought that maybe she would give me some useful tips, especially in the jump-off. She has won dozens of Grand Prix, but to my knowledge she has never done any eventing. Needless to say, when we got to the crazy angled jumps and skinnies, she basically told me: ride these like you do in eventing. She, wisely, did not want to mess me up for the parts of the course I already knew how to ride. She gave me useful pointers on riding the show jumps, and also noted places in the first round where I could save some time.

The plan we hatched when walking the course proved to work: both of my horses were clear in the first round and qualified for the jump-off. We had the opportunity to walk the jump-off again, so I headed back into the arena with Mary Lisa to find the tightest lines.

Near the end of the jump-off track, there was a long gallop from one end of the arena to the other. Mary Lisa turned to me and said, straight-faced, “can you gallop and shorten your reins at the same time?”. I had never thought about it. I replied, “yes, I think so.”

“Good,” she said. Her point was that in order to be competitive, I needed to recover from the prior fence and make up time simultaneously. I couldn’t do one thing, and then the next: I needed to multitask. And this was a race: fastest wins at Devon, and if you waste time, you can go from competitive to mid-pack in about half a second.

The plan didn’t quite come off when I came back on my first horse. Slieve Callan Alpha, who we call “Blizzard” in the barn, had an awkward jump at the beginning of the course when I mis-rode a skinny, and I found myself with not only long reins but only one stirrup for the majority of the rest of the course. Needless to say, I was in survival mode rather than competitive mode. He was a very good boy to finish clear, but we were not fast. (He ended up finishing in eighth place nonetheless.)

Back for a second time, I was determined to be more accurate, smoother, and faster. RF Redfern, known affectionately as “Fern” to her friends, really seemed to eat up the crowds in the first round, and I was hopeful that she would be competitive in the jump-off. She felt quite good in the warm-up area. I jumped one bigger vertical in the final stages of my warm-up, and she overjumped it. I know she is a horse who thrives on confidence, so I had my team lower it by three holes, and I jumped it again to ensure she was happy and not feeling too tested prior to going in. Then we were ready to go.

Sometimes when you have a good round on a horse, you don’t remember the details all that well -— you just remember the feeling. When I got to that section of the course with the long gallop up the middle of the arena, I promptly galloped and shortened my reins, as instructed. Fern was with me, and I was with her. It was a great feeling to be clear and fast, and to have the support of the crowd all the way through the finish line. I gave my mare a pat and told her she was a genius.

In the end, we were fifth in the class. Hopefully one day before I’m too old, I’ll win it! But more than the result, I was happy with our partnership. The course at Devon can feel like you’re in a tumble-dryer, and maintaining a connection with your course throughout the whole thing is really special.

I have been writing this little column for Eventing Nation for a few years now. My articles have been rather sporadic at times, but I have enjoyed sharing my experiences of being a top-level eventer and a “baby lawyer” with you as my audience. I’m now entering my final (!) year of law school, and I recently accepted a clerkship for a judge in DC following graduation. All of the things are somehow fitting in, although sometimes I wonder how I’ll keep juggling them as I enter my professional (non-horse) career.

Like a magical round on a magical horse, all of this feels like it’s happening at once fast and slow. I’m trying to remember that to be competitive, sometimes you have to gallop and shorten your reins at the same time, ever-ready for the next hairpin turn.

Thursday News & Notes

By on Jul 20, 2023 12:03 am -

Accepted in Montana! Photo by Cali Johnson.

One of my oldest horse friends has made her way to Montana with Sir Lightening Bolt Lyles and will be contesting the 4* this week. I am very jealous but also full disclosure I will be rooting for her and nobody else with full bias. Also, no lightening bolt action in the dressage please, sir, only on Saturday, okay? Her groom, Cali, has to be the best groom for grey horses that has ever existed, so I wish her little to no poop stains for this moments occasion, but I realize that’s probably reaching for the stars. Good luck everybody!!

U.S. Weekend Preview

The Event at Rebecca Farm (Kalispell, MT) [Website] [Ride Times/Scoring] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

Applewood Farm YEH & Mini Event (Califon, NJ) [Website] [YEH Ride Times] [Mini Ride Times]

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

Full Moon Farms H.T. (Finksburg, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Horse Park of New Jersey Horse Trials II (Allentown, NJ) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]

Silverwood Farm Summer H.T. (Trevor, WI) [Website] [Scoring]

Major International Events

CCIO4*-NC-S (Nations Cup) (Avenches, Switzerland) [Website] [Entries] [Program] [Live Stream]

News From Around the Globe:

Almost ten years ago, Camille Sarah picked up a four-year-old paint saddlebred/trakehner gelding. He’d been bred to be a driving horse, but didn’t like the job, so his owners gave up. When Mia Valdez first met Perfect Storm, he was meant to be a lesson horse at her barn, but “Tempe” didn’t take to the lesson horse life, and after a few rides together, Valdez knew he was meant to be hers. The pair have been together for four years and made their Preliminary debut this year, but when Valdez first got Tempe, neither had any eventing experience. [Rescue Horse to Prelim Master]

This is a story about your butt. It’s also a story about horses racing humans. But mostly it’s a story about how you got your butt, why you have your butt, and how your butt might be one of the most important and essential things for you being you, for being human. In this podcast episode, Heather Radke and Matt Kielty talk to two researchers who followed the butt from our ancient beginnings through millions of years of evolution, all the way to today, out to a valley in Arizona, where our butts are put to the ultimate test.  [Man Against Horse]

Competing in a long-format three-day event is the ultimate test of preparation, conditioning, stamina, and determination for horse and rider. Recovering your horse from the rigors of a Classic Series Three-Day Event, both during and after the event, is a critical component to your overall success. Recovery is a simple yet complex process that requires a lot of planning and effort from the horse owner, and it doesn’t just begin and end in the vet box on endurance day. [Recovering from a Classic Three-Day]