It’s JOG DAY IN MONTANA and yes I am so excited that I just broke the rules and typed in call caps for longer than socially acceptable.
While I am not on the ground at Rebecca Farm this week, our own Allie Heninger is, and she’ll be our eyes and ears all week long, publishing daily Reporter’s Notebooks and keeping us up to speed on social media. Speaking of, you may have noticed we’ve tackled competition coverage from a different angle at recent events (take a peek at Veronica Green-Gott’s Maryland Horse Trials notebooks here if you aren’t up to speed). As a way to introduce new reporters to the insanity that is event coverage, we opted to encourage them to take in the event with their own eyes, rather than sending them with a cookie cutter formula.
So, I’d love to know: what do you think? Should we do more “reporter’s notebook” style reporting at events? Share your opinion in the poll — it’s always useful for us to know what you like to see.
The action kicks off today (Wednesday) at 3:30 p.m. EST / 1:30 p.m. local (MST) time with the First Horse Inspection for all FEI divisions. At 6:00 p.m. EST / 4:00 p.m. local time, the Classic Three-Day Divisions will have their First Horse Inspection. Dressage will begin on Thursday, but the majority of the FEI divisions will not begin competition until Friday. All divisions will run cross country Saturday, followed by show jumping on Sunday.
If you’re in the area, the event can always use a few more volunteers! Click here to see what positions are available (or check with the Volunteer Coordinator on site to see how you can be helpful!).
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.
Horse Lovers Math brought this crazy/hilarious/weird/ingenious service to my attention this week.
How much more fun will vacation time be if you know that every time someone emails you while you’re ‘out of office’, a horse taps out a response on a giant keyboard on your behalf?
Seriously, this is a real thing.
And you get to pick which horse best suits your PA needs.
Are you after a fast typer who’s likely to nap on the job?
Or perhaps an assertive, efficient worker with shiny hair?
Maybe you require a friendly sort who’s trained in corporate buzzwords.
Take your pick. Like I said, this is real.
As well as obviously being fun, behind the initiative there’s a serious message about work-life balance and truly switching off from the office whilst you’re on vacation.
So, ‘OutHorse Your Email’ and relax in the comfort of knowing an Icelandic pony is trotting out those out of office replies on a giant keyboard for you while you indulge in whatever vacation shenanigans take your fancy.
Seriously, I am so tempted to set this up not just for vacation time, but as my automatic response.
We all know it’s red on the right, white on the left – but what about the other markers on course? When they’re flashing past you at gallop-speed, it’s really important you’re totally on it with what’s what. Refresh your flag knowledge with this reminder from USEA. [Insanity in the Middle]
I would hack 1000 miles, and I would hack 1000 more… Not only has this rider taken on the Man V Horse race this year, he’s also hacked 1000 miles. Fitting in riding around his 12-hour work shifts, Mike Mills has managed to squeeze in 236 hours and 19 minutes of hacking to complete the #Hack1000Miles challenge. And who better to spend all that time with than your best friend? [Meet Mike and his Best Mate Bali]
Extinct in the wild since the 1960s, takhi horses once more roam the Mongolian steppes, but are they truly the wild horses they once were? This short TED-Ed animation takes a look at the complex story surrounding the takhi horse project, exploring questions about conservation, zoos and whether today’s takhi horses are truly takhis. [The Bigger Picture]
Did you know that playing country music to your horse increases the amount of time they spend eating? Jazz, on the other hand, has the opposite effect. For today’s science supplement, we’re taking a look at the effect of sound on horses. We all know horses are super sensitive to sudden loud noises, but life on the farm can produce a cacophony of sounds – some of which humans can’t hear but horses are all too aware of. Research suggests that sound is certainly something we should be looking at when it comes to welfare. [Sound Therapy]
Learn all about helping your horse deal with spooky things, and the all important emergency stop. This clearly explained five-step technique focuses on turning your horse’s fear into curiosity. Horses are going to notice the ghost in the bushes, it’s hardwired into their DNA, and it’s our job as riders to learn how to help our horses out when they’re spooked. This step-by-step guide shows you exactly what to do when your horse spots a spook, so that you can help him deal with his fear in a healthier way than running away. And if the all-out bolt does happen, there’s also clear instructions for how to perform an emergency stop. [It’s a G-G-G-Ghost]
You’re not a ‘real rider’ until you’ve fallen off x amount of times. That’s what I was told when I was starting out, and, taking this advice literally, I had a good go at adding to my tally at every possible opportunity. I even had a dog-eared list detailing what happened, when and why – the last entry resulting in a broken shoulder and a wing-shaped bruise stretching from my eyebrow to my heel. We’ve all heard the saying about getting back on the horse, but in some cases, it’s easier said than done. I did get back on – with a lead line and my arm in a sling, I gingerly walked round the field. Then I got off and went back to my trusty pony, who was infinitely more naughty than the OTTB I’d fallen off, but I knew him and loved him and so felt safe. We all have our own ways of dealing with confidence crises, here are some that Heels Down Mag has collected. [Back in the Saddle]
It’s just over six weeks ‘til Burghley (cue my crazy Burgley’s coming dance)!
In this teaser reel (we can’t wait for the full film!), Piggy March and Vanir Kamira take a trip along Winner’s Avenue and discover a very special plaque.
We’ve shared Evie Llewellyn-Smith’s awesome vlogs here on EN before, and one of her latest was worth a share! How would it be to go and spend some time training at European Champion Nicola Wilson’s yard? That’s exactly what Evie got to do, and she brought us along for the ride (literally) in this episode.
After connecting with Nicola ahead of BE Nationals, Evie asked if some extra training would be available and the always generous Nicola agreed. Evie takes us through her jumping lessons with Nicola, commenting on the exercises she worked on with each of her horses and what Nicola coached her on. It’s quite interesting and a good way to see what Nicola likes to teach, so pop open a snack and enjoy!
Colleen Loach and FE Golden Eye. Photo by Shelby Allen.
As a part of a twice-yearly review of its National Team Program, Equestrian Canada has made a few modifications and additions to the roster of eventers. The National Team Program is used to identify and cultivate talent that shows potential to go on and represent the maple leaf on the international stage in all major disciplines (show jumping, eventing, dressage, para-dressage), with high performance athlete services distributed to riders according to their tier of designation.
The eventing riders are currently divided into the National Squad, to which we have two promotions in this cycle (Karl Slezak and Hot Bobo and Colleen Loach with FE Golden Eye), and the Development Squad, to which a total of five new combinations have been added. The current Canadian NTP squads are:
Dana Cooke and FE Mississippi Syndicate’s Mississippi
Colleen Loach and Peter Barry’s Vermont + Peter Barry, Amanda Bernhard & Colleen Loach’s FE Golden Eye
Jessica Phoenix with her own and James Phillips’ Wabbit
Karl Slezak and his own Hot Bobo
Lindsay Traisnel and Patricia Pearce’s Bacyrouge
Mike Winter and Jonathan Nelson, Emma & Michael Winter’s El Mundo
Hanna Bundy and Lovely Assistant. Photo by Shelby Allen.
The Development Squad is:
Hawley Awad and her own + Jollybo Syndicate LLC’s Jollybo
Melissa Boutin and her own Obeah Dancer GS
Hanna Bundy and Lovely Assistant
Kyle Carter and The Barnstaple Group’s G Star Van de Klinkenberg
Dana Cooke and Kingfisher Park’s Quattro
Holly Jacks and the Candy King Limited Partnership’s Candy King
Sandra Auffart and Viamanta du Matz. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
It’s not long now until the 2023 FEI European Eventing Championships for Seniors kick off in France at Haras du Pin. This cycle of competition will take place August 9-13. Definite entries are due to the FEI by July 24, and while many nations have already named their teams we’ll see a few more confirmations come in ahead of the deadline. Stay tuned as we’ll have a full Form Guide by team in true EN tradition coming your way at the start of August.
First to reveal their final squad this week was Germany, who as always poses a serious threat to be competitive in France next month. Their Euros team will include:
Nicolai Aldinger with Timmo
Sandra Auffarth with Viamant du Matz
Malin Hansen-Hotopp with Carlitos Quidditch K
Michael Jung with fischerChipmunk FRH or Kilcandra Ocean Power
Jérôme Robiné with Black Ice
Christoph Wahler with Carjatan S
The Germans also named two reserve pairs: First reserve is Emma Brüssau with Dark Desire GS, followed by Calvin Böckmann with The Phantom of the Opera and Libussa Lübbeke with Caramia.
Four of the above-named pairs will represent Germany as a part of the team, while two will ride as individuals. The team and individual designations will be determined on site.
Joseph Murphy and Calmaro. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Also moving to name their team for Euros are the Irish, who are led this year by Swedish Olympian Dag Albert. As with Germany, the final team members will be named in France, but the six-member squad will be:
Susie Berry and Clever Trick
Ian Cassells and Woodendfarm Jack O D
Sarah Ennis and Grantstown Jackson
Jennifer Kuehnle and Polly Blue Eyes
Joseph Murphy and Calmaro
Felicity Ward and Regal Bounty
“I am delighted with the squad that are traveling to Le Pin au Haras,” Dag said of the selections. “I have selected a very capable squad with some experienced squad members travelling mixed in with new talent, which is very exciting, and I am looking forward to seeing them all perform out there. I believe we can get a great result in Le Pin au Haras.”
You can stay on top of updates on entries on the FEI website here. Stay tuned here on EN for much more from Europeans, and as always Go Eventing!
EN’s coverage of the FEI European Championships for Eventing is brought to you with support from Kentucky Performance Products.
How cool is this? This year’s Breyerfest, which was held over the weekend at the Kentucky Horse Park, saw a seriously special new model debut: that of jockey Cheryl White, who was the first Black woman to hold a jockey’s license in the US back in the 70s. I love that we’re now moving towards a point where any young rider can see someone who looks like them succeeding, and we’re highlighting increasingly diverse role models. There’s still a whole lot of work to be done, but it’s a positive step in the right direction. Read more about Cheryl – and her new Breyer model set – here.
Great news for the Dubarry Young Event Horse series, which culminates in a finale at Burghley: both Nicola Wilson and Andrew Nicholson have been signed on as judges for the final. Between them, they have an extraordinary wealth of experience in spotting talented young horses — and exacting standards, too. I can’t wait to see which horses they pick out as their best in show.
We’ve all had an experience with a particularly spooky horse, right? It’s not always fun — but where’s the line between managing a flighty personality and suppressing a horse’s base instincts? This op-ed from a show barn picks a side, and I’m inclined to agree.
She’s not an eventer,but I reckon most of us have watched McLain Ward’s HH Azur jump and felt no shortage of emotion when the Grand Slam contender was retired from the sport at Aachen. The Chronicle of the Horse sat down with the rider to reflect on his journey with the plucky mare and some of the highlights of their career together. Check it out.
Here’s a great listen for your morning muck-out: the latest episode of the US Eventing podcast takes stock on the pathway to Paris, what the team has been up to lately, and how it all shapes the training and planning over the next year.Give it a spin.
Sponsor Corner: All signs point West! Eventing Nation’s coverage of the legendary Event at Rebecca Farm will be sponsored by Kentucky Performance Products. First up: A total of 19 riders will receive financial support to assist with travel costs for competition in the 3* or 4* divisions. Read more here!
Watch This:
Head down a 90s rabbithole with this compilation video from Badminton in 1997:
Most of us are in the thick of eventing season and, let’s be honest, can probably braid our horse’s manes with our eyes closed at this point. But plenty of us, myself included, are single horse riders who don’t show every other week of the season or even every month — that means my braiding technique often needs a little brushing up from time to time.
Take a peek at these three tutorials on putting in button braids from US Dressage, Amelia Newcomb Dressage, and Baxter Equine Services. Each method is very similar, but ever so slightly different. Play around and see what works best for your and your horse’s mane!
A bit of a quieter weekend, with only two USEA recognized events running, but we saw plenty of Eventers out at both Champagne Run and Maryland.
Congratulations to all on successful weekends, with a special shout out to our Weekend Winners, and the winner of our Unofficial Low Score Award, Hannah Hawkins and FE Unic, who scored a super 19.1 in the Open Beginner Novice A division at Maryland!
Champagne Run at the Park H.T. (Lexington, KY): (Website) (Scoring)
Preliminary/Training: Benjamin Noonan and Street Fighter (29.1)
Modified/Training: Stephanie Calendrillo and Dispatcher (30.2)
Open Training: Lauren Harris and SH Just for Laughs (31.4)
Training Horse: Rachel Miles and Cooley Keystone (28.6)
Training Rider A: Kyra Steinrock and Roses Are Red (31.7)
Training Rider B: Kaylianna McMorris and Fernhill Future Star (31.2)
Training/Novice: Megan Edwards and Legende De Mies (23.8)
Junior Novice Rider A: Lydia Kish and Tuvia (33.3)
Junior Novice Rider B: Charlotte Schaef and Normandy’s Cole’s Clover (24.7)
Novice Horse: Madeline Bletzacker and Drummer Boy (22.4)
Open Novice: Monica Foley and Letuspray (24.2)
Senior Novice Rider A: Christine Reinhart and Two Step Hero (27.8)
Senior Novice Rider B: Madeline Bletzacker and Landtino S (23.1)
Senior Novice Rider C: Chelsea Garrison and Je Suis Bernard (28.3)
Beginner Novice Horse A: Kim Green and Seas Courage (24.7)
Beginner Novice Horse B: Christina Reinke-Cisler and Hugo Jackman (27.8)
Junior BG Novice Rider A: Elle White and Lincoln Park (27.2)
Junior BG Novice Rider B: Josie Jacobs and Junior Mint (25.7)
Junior BG Novice Rider C: Brynn Keil and Princeton (32.1)
Open Beginner Novice: Alexandra Knowles and Cormint Willow Star (19.7)
Senior BG Novice Rider A: Olivia Stone and Borlando Bo Regard (25.9)
Senior BG Novice Rider B: Darcy Kammeier and Let it Be (27.5)
Junior Starter A: Langlee King and Fool’s Gold (27.0)
Junior Starter B: Gianna Ruocco and Tucker (29.7)
Senior Starter A: Marina Cable and Twenty Twice (29.7)
Senior Starter B: Gindi Orloff and Rango (27.7)
Open Intermediate: Kim Severson and Arden Juju (36.8)
Open Preliminary: Chris Talley and FE Marco Polo (32.9)
Preliminary Rider: Abby Foltz and Absolute Zero (35.3)
Modified Rider: Sylvia Byars and CSF Dassett Decoy (30.2)
Open Modified: Rebecca Lee and The Dutch Master (29.5)
Junior Open Training: Theodora Byars and HH Gunsmoke (33.3)
Open Training A: Allison Springer and Cooley High Flyer (24.2)
Open Training B: Boyd Martin and Joey Fiddlesticks (25.3)
Training Rider A: Erin Wheatley and Banc D’or (24.7)
Training Rider B: Grace Clark and Di Saronna MF (28.9)
Junior Open Novice A: Iselin Byars and Bloomfield Pocket Money (28.1)
Junior Open Novice B: Macie Brock and Kolor Me Gone (27.5)
Novice Rider A: Avery Cascarino and Excel Star Quidam’s Cavalier (25.8)
Novice Rider B: Julianna Simon and Flashy Miss (36.1)
Open Novice A: Jaclyn Burke and Chance of Liftoff (27.2)
Open Novice B: Alexandra Baugh and Undaunted Rags (25.6)
Open Novice C: Ryan Wood and Ben Lomond (21.1)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Tess Guinn and Riviera (24.7)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Joy Hill and Shar’s Dancer (28.2)
Junior Open Beginner Novice: Emma Makovitch and Twoggeron (27.4)
Open Beginner Novice A: Hannah Hawkins and FE Unic (19.1)
Open Beginner Novice B: Jeannette Lussi and Rock’N Ranger (25.9)
Young Event Horse – 4 Year Old: Savannah Fulton and Oh Wow LJS (80.250)
Young Event Horse – 5 Year Old: Boyd Martin and Nocciola KW (87.450)
The home side dominated the French leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ from beginning until end. Their overall score of 101.5 put them well ahead of Belgium who completed on 142.8. Third place went to Great Britain who finished on 149.9.
This was the fifth leg of this popular series which took place for the first time at Haras de Jardy, in Normandy this weekend, and attracted nine European nations as well as Australia. The victorious French team was made up of experienced team members Maxime Livio and Gwendolyn Fer, together with up-and-coming talent, Julie Simone and Camille Lejeune. All four riders performed well enough to put them inside the top ten with Livio winning the CCIO4*-NC individually on the impressive grey, Api Du Libaire, and Lejeune finishing in second place aboard Dame Decoeur Tardonne.
Gwendolen Fer (FRA) rides Romantic Love during the Cross Country during the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ 2023 – Haras de Jardy (FRA) – FEI/Libby Law Photography
Speaking after the event the triumphant Livio summed up the result for his team and his own performance with his Selle Francais gelding. “It’s always a great feeling to have such a win, especially when we are in France for the French team. I am very pleased especially for this horse because he has come back at the high level just this week and he concluded with a win and I am so happy. It was his first big show of the season so the pressure was a little higher. It is always a pleasure to ride at Jardy because it’s a nice place for the horses and it was a pleasure to come back with one of my top horses and I was pleased. I really appreciated his mentality because he was really connected with me”.
FRA-Maxime Livio rides API Du Libaire during the Cross Country for the CCIO4*-S. 2023 FRA-Haras de Jardy – FEI Eventing Nations Cup | France. Marnes-la-Coquette, Paris. Saturday 15 July. Copyright Photo: FEI/Libby Law Photography
With world-renowned course designer Pierre Michelet in charge of the cross-country, riders knew they would face a tough test. The French designer has designed a number of championship courses, including the Rio Olympics, the 2014 FEI World Championships in Haras Du Pin and Pau CCI 5*. Whilst France led throughout, the cross-country course shook up the order beneath that. Germany, who were second behind France after the first phase, had only one rider complete the competition and therefore finished in 10th, the bottom of the table.
Camille Lejeune commented on the severity of the cross-country course, which proved to be particularly influential and saw a number of eliminations, retirements and both jumping and time faults throughout the day. “That was the first time for the Nations Cup in Jardy. It was a very tough course, very twisty, lots of fences and a lot of jumps. Something like 40 jumps in six minutes 38 so it was a very quick race. Everything was great with my horse”.
Livio was happy to be riding a more experienced horse on the cross-country. “The course was technical with many combinations and big angles and different striding with many choices for the riders but my horse is very experienced so I was quite confident. The time here is always difficult so I decided to go for the time at the beginning of the course and then just feel my horse. From beginning to end he was very motivated and focused on each fence so he finished inside the time and I think he enjoyed a lot, the course”.
The sixth leg of the Nations Cup plays out in Avenches, (Switzerland) which takes place from 20-23 July. The Series will conclude at Boekelo (NED) from 4-8 October, where the final Paris Olympics team place will be awarded to the highest place nation not already qualified. Belgium, who are one of those nations looking for a place in Paris, continue to lead the series on 440 points. They have targeted the Nations Cup for the purpose of helping their chance of qualification, and have sent a team to every one so far.
How cool is this?! Faerie Usain and Faerie Good Golly, both by Upsilon and out of Classic Moet (by embryo transfer), are full sisters and turned five this year — and they’ve been enjoying their first eventing outings. With exactly the same genes, one looks just like dad and the other is very like mum. We can’t wait to see more of these two little rockets!
National Holiday: It’s World Emoji Day! Sum up your horse in emojis; mine’s 🦄💩😈🥰
U.S. Weekend Action:
Champagne Run at the Park H.T. (Lexington, KY): Website | Results
The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm (Adamstown, MD): Website | Results
Your Monday Reading List:
There are some wins that just feel bigger than others. For British eventer Enid Grant, it’s a BE80(T) (US Beginner Novice) victory that stands out, because it came with a horse who was so tricky to gel with that she tells H&H she spent the first year falling off him. Now, they’re on a roll, thanks to some great help, plenty of compromise, and some smart changes at home. [Read their story here and restore your faith in your own tricky bugger]
And another cool win for you, this time in a 2*, for America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred. OTTB Reloaded took the CCI2*-S class at Maryland under Will Faudree, proving why he was such a success a few years back at the Thoroughbred Makeover, and completing a cycle that’s seen him succeed with a number of riders in the irons. [Go Thoroughbreds!]
Researchers in the UK have developed a new back-mapping system, which could be a massive step forward for horses. It’s estimated that 35% of ridden horses suffer from back pain, with many of those coming as a direct result of poor saddle fit — and now, we could be much closer to accurately locating and treating issues. [Here’s what they’re working on]
In need of a holiday, but can’t stand the idea of a horse-free few days? Then check out these hotels around the world — some just have nods to horses through their architecture and decor, while others offer horses for gorgeous hacks, schoolmaster lessons, and more. [Spice up your Pinterest travel board]
Morning Viewing:
Relive Emily Hamel’s big UK adventure in this interview clip published this week by An Eventful Life:
