Classic Eventing Nation

Austin O’Connor Set to Return to $100k SVC Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field

By on Feb 7, 2025 11:00 am -

Austin O’Connor competes Carlson 119 at the 2024 Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase. Photo by Christine Quinn Photography.

The Aiken Horse Park Foundation and the GPE Organizing committee are thrilled to announce that four-time Olympian & 2023 Maryland CCI5* winner, Austin O’Connor (IRL), is returning to compete at the $100,000 Stirling Venture Capital Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field, presented by Taylor Harris Insurance (GPE), Friday, February 28th & Saturday, March 1st, 2025 at Bruce’s Field in Aiken, SC.

The current FEI World #22, O’Connor added his fourth Olympic appearance to his career just this past summer, representing Ireland at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. Arguably one of the most consistent cross-country riders of the day, O’Connor has 14 CCI5* completions and nine championship appearances on his resume.

This will be O’Connor’s second appearance at #AnEventLikeNoOther. No stranger to the showcase format, the Irishman remarked, “This particular venue [Bruce’s Field] lends itself well to it. It’s a real crowd pleaser! One seat sees all. I think it’s an excellent format, a great variation of the sport.” On the skills it takes to catch ride a horse at this level, “The main thing is to not irritate him. Make sure he’s happy and I don’t change his system. I’ve got to adapt to him more than him adapt to me.”

Austin O’Connor and Carlson 119. Photo by Shelby Allen.

In 2025, O’Connor will be taking on the Aiken Showcase aboard You’ve Got The Lux, owned by Elizabeth Welker-Ebling, Andrea Welker, and David Ebling of Strafford, PA. “Poppy” is a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare by Lux Z, out of Valeska (Carolls Flight). These two Irish natives should have a grand time showing off for the crowds in Aiken, SC.

Poppy and Welker-Ebling train out of Cairn O’Mount Stables. The mother-daughter team of Susie Beale & Amanda Beale Clement base in Aiken during the winter season and are organizing a clinic with O’Connor Feb 25 & 26. O’Connor has generously agreed to donate one clinic spot to the 2025 Area II Young Rider Fund Raising Campaign. Dressage, cross country, and show jumping spots are all available as well as opportunities to audit! For more information and sign ups, click here.

Along with O’Connor, several other exciting entries have been confirmed, including defending champions, Will Coleman & Chin Tonic HS (Chin Champ x Wildera), owned by Hyperion Stud. Also joining the competitive line up are 2022 Champions, Boyd Martin & Federman B (Eurocommerce Washington x Paulien B), owned by the Annie Goodwin Syndicate. Other notable combinations include:

  • Phillip Dutton & Denim
  • Phillip Dutton & Possante
  • Emily Hamel & Corvett
  • Sarah Kuhn & Mr. Cash van de Start
  • Will Coleman & Off The Record
  • Sharon White & Claus 63
  • Dana Cook & FE Quattro
  • Julie Wolfert & SSH Playboy
  • Ariel Grald & Isla de Coco
  • Ariel Grald & Diara

Ride for Charity

2024 Ride for Charity #TeamGreen
Aiken County Pony Club with Team Captain, Emily Hamel

An integral piece of #AnEventLikeNoOther, the Ride for Charity portion of the competition is core to the MISSION of Bruce’s Field. Each year since the GPE’s inception, local and national charitable organizations have been paired up with competitors to get in on the action. As in previous years, the 2025 event will see 6 charitable organizations paired up with 6 teams of competitors. The top 3 placing teams at the end of the competition earn a check for their respective organization. Participating organizations in turn support the showcase by providing volunteers, most notably at the ticket gates. Each participating organization is also given the opportunity to set up informational booths in the Vendor Village and are encouraged to promote their charity and educate attendees about their cause. Several of the charitable organizations participating in the 2025 GPE Ride for Charity are:

  • Aiken County Pony Club
  • Tri-Development Center of Aiken
  • Great Oak Equine Assisted Programs
  • Aiken Volunteer Mounted Unit

As we finalize all the details of this year’s Ride for Charity, we’ll give you a more in-depth look at each of these amazing organizations and the work they are doing to serve the community. The popular “Online Vote” will also be published for YOU to get involved and vote for your favorite Ride for Charity team. We encourage you to visit each organizations website and learn more about their important work.

Spectator Course Walks

Photo by Sally Spickard.

One of the best parts of #AnEventLikeNoOther are the up close and personal opportunities with some of the BIGGEST names in the sport!

Friday, February 28th

In between Dressage & Show Jumping (official time TBD)

Triple Crown Feeds Show Jumping Course Walk with U.S. Olympian Phillip Dutton & FEI Level 4 Course Designer Michel Vaillancourt

Saturday, March 1st

Before Cross-Country (official time TBD) Purina Feeds Cross-Country Course Walk with U.S. Olympian Boyd Martin

These course walks are open to all ticket holders! No preregistration required. Join us at the Show Jumping In Gate and the Cross-Country Start Box and learn from the best in the business!

To secure your tickets to #AnEventLikeNoOther, click here. 

Friday News & Notes from Stable View

By on Feb 7, 2025 12:01 am -

It’s Super Bowl weekend, which means the smack talking has been in full force on social media. We’re guessing much of our eventing family is rooting for the Eagles this weekend, so we’ll let Boyd Martin and his kiddos sing us to Sunday…

U.S. Weekend Preview

Ocala Winter I (FL): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Pine Top Intermediate H.T. (GA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

News & Reading

🐎 Get some help solidifying your rides through bending lines and related distances from top show jumper Georgina Bloomberg. Together with her longtime trainer, Jimmy Doyle, Georgina walks us through a simple exercise that can help train responsiveness and stability here.

💻 We here at EN have embraced using AI — but not for creative work. The line may exist in different places for everyone, but while we’ve found AI to be supremely useful for streamlining our work, we also agree with this writeup from photography Shelley Paulson on the effect of AI-generated images and how they can adversely affect the industry. Read the piece here.

👀 Dr. Sara Gould is an attending physician at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and one author of a scientific paper analyzing the benefits and risks of using protective vests titled “Airbag Vests in Equestrian Sports: Is Use Associated with Harm?”. Dr Gould sat down with The Plaid Horse for a Q&A about the research and what it tells us. Read the interview here.

Sponsor Corner: Stable View

Entries are OPEN for the March Eventing Academy at Stable View (March 7-9)! This year, keeping with a new theme plan for each Eventing Academy, the March edition will feature a Spring theme. View more and enter here.

Video Break

We love this story about Tom McEwen, don’t miss it!

Sport Horse Nation: 10 Thoroughbreds Under $10K

By on Feb 6, 2025 3:40 pm -

Have you checked out the new-and-improved Sport Horse Nation lately? EN’s longtime classifieds sister site recently received a big makeover to help make it the best eventers-only matchmaking service in the land. Check it out today for over 300 active listings of eventing horses for sale. And also be sure to check out the newly launched Dressage Only for over 100 listings of dressage horses for sale. 

Horse-shopping on a budget? We’ve got you. This week we’re featuring 10 Thoroughbreds listed on SHN for under $10,000. Maybe one of them is your match!

2018 Eventing Mare

  • Year Born: 2018
  • Height: 15.3
  • Breed: Thoroughbred
  • Gender: Mare
  • Eventing Competition Level: Starter
  • Location: Skaneateles, NY
  • Price: $8,500
  • “She is a forward thinking mare who is a blast to ride! She is super easy to have in the barn, great ground manners, stands for the farrier, trailers, gets along with everyone and overall a sweet mare. Getting a later start to her professional training, she can excel in so many directions.”

4 y/o OTTB Mare

  • Year Born: 2021
  • Height: 16.2
  • Breed: Thoroughbred
  • Gender: Mare
  • Eventing Competition Level: Prospect
  • Price: $7,000
  • “Raven is a beautifully put together TB mare. Never raced and has no recorded work outs so is sadly not RRP eligible. She  is easy to handle on the ground, loves living out, and is an overall very sweet mare. She bathes, ties and cross ties, trailers well and is learning about clippers. She has a great brain and seems to really enjoy having a job.”

Fancy Moving Thoroughbred

  • Year Born: 2020
  • Height: 16.0
  • Breed: Thoroughbred
  • Gender: Mare
  • Eventing Competition Level: Prospect
  • Price: $6,000
  • Location: Cabot, AR
  • “Twick or Tweat Aka Wednesday is a lovely mare ready for her person! No quirks, easy on the ground, great feet, clean legs. She is sweet to handle and gets along well with others in the field. She has been on trail rides and is happy to be ridden inside or outside of the arena. Wednesday has been started over fences and is happy to do that job. She is a lovely mover and would make a very nice TB Dressage mount! Extremely comfortable to ride! This mare is ready to take in any direction and eager to find her person.”

Cute Thoroughbred Jumper

  • Year Born: 2017
  • Height: 16.2
  • Breed: Thoroughbred
  • Gender: Gelding
  • Eventing Competition Level: Starter
  • Location: Cabot, AR
  • Price ($USD): $8,000
  • “Even Higher aka Cisco is a rare find! This horse is sweet, sound, easy to be around and ready to go in any direction. He is green, but I have put some juniors on him and he is sweet and patient! Forgiving brain, cute mover, and super cute jump! He will definitely be brave enough to be an eventer, but I think he could make super cute hunter too! He always gets his knees up and makes a great shape over the jump.”

Louis is a all round horse

  • Year Born: 2013
  • Height: 17
  • Breed: Thoroughbred (OTTB)
  • Gender: Gelding
  • Eventing Competition Level: N/A
  • Price: $7,000
  • Location: Readstown, WI
  • “If you are looking a horse that you can do it all with then Louis is the horse for you. He does eventing, hunter, jumping, dressage, western games, drill team, trail riding, and you can put a beginner on him and do a lunge lesson with. You can ride him over a jumping course or run a barrel pattern then jump on him bareback and go ride around the arena for fun.”

Big laid back Thoroughbred Colt

  • Year Born: 2021
  • Height: 16.3
  • Breed: Thoroughbred
  • Gender: Stallion
  • Eventing Competition Level: Prospect
  • Location: Gonzales, LA
  • Price: $2,500
  • “Kevin been off the track for about a year now. He has had a 6 month let down from the track. He was a rescue so he still needs weight. He has clean legs and no injuries or vices. He is very easy to handle and ride, he is pastured with geldings and shares fence lines with mares. He has big lofty movement and a ground sweeping stride.”

Upper level Prospect

  • Year Born: 2017
  • Height: 16.3
  • Breed: Thoroughbred
  • Gender: Mare
  • Eventing Competition Level: Prospect
  • Location: Gonzales, LA
  • Price: $5,500
  • “Capo is such a nice mare, she is very light on her feet and has big lofty movement. She is easy to ride and handle, she has been ridden by professionals and amateurs. She has schooled up to 2ft with a lot of room to spare. She does not spook and is very brave with her rider. I do believe this mare will make it to the top of the eventing sport with the right rider.”

DGE Celeste La Vie

  • Year Born: 2022
  • Height: 15.3
  • Breed: Thoroughbred
  • Gender: Mare
  • Eventing Competition Level: Prospect
  • Location: Clarksville, MD
  • Price: $4,000
  • “Sweet as they come. Lucy has spent the last six months babysitting my other filly, and has just been restarted. Lovely mover, currently barefoot. Looks to be a very easy restart, as she didn’t care about the banging machinery as we sat on her. Would be great for a kid or AA, but talented enough project for a pro. Very sound. Ready to go!”

She’s Got Wings – lower level prospect

  • Year Born: 2019
  • Height: 16.1
  • Breed: Thoroughbred
  • Gender: Mare
  • Eventing Competition Level: Prospect
  • Location: Athens, AL
  • Price: $9,500
  • “Royce is a lovely girl who has all the makings to fit in well with any lower level hunter, eventer, or lesson program. She is a quiet ride on the flat, keeping her own tempo on a loose rein with a rocking chair canter. Royce can neck rein and steer off leg, and has learned the basics of lateral work. She has started learning about contact, and is proving to be a quick study. Royce was started over fences this summer, and is confidently jumping small courses and grids.”

Talented young prospect

  • Year Born: 2020
  • Height: 16.1
  • Breed: Thoroughbred
  • Gender: Gelding
  • Eventing Competition Level: Starter
  • Location: Fort Defiance, VA
  • Price: $6,500
  • “This young, talented prospect could go any direction. He just completed his first horse trial, finishing on his dressage score. He is an energetic and eager to please type so best suited for a scrappy teen rider, adult amateur in a program, or professional on a budget. He is brave, bold, and takes you to the jump and will have plenty of scope when he learns to jump through his back a bit better.”

Thursday News & Notes

By on Feb 6, 2025 12:01 am -

If you’re struggling with your horse when it comes to trailering, our friends at NÖELLE FLOYD have just the ticket for you! NÖELLE FLOYD is looking for some riders to participate in an upcoming series with 4* eventer and Road to the Horse champion Tik Maynard in Ocala, FL later this month. You can submit your story for consideration here.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Ocala Winter I (FL): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Pine Top Intermediate H.T. (GA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

News & Reading

🌟 Want to take part in the next USEA Emerging Athletes 21 training sessions? Applications are now open to join the EA21 roster! The purpose of the USEA Emerging Athletes U21 program (EA21) is to identify and provide consistent quality instruction to the next generation of elite event riders. The aim is to create a pipeline for potential team riders by identifying and developing young talent, providing them with training and development. Click here to learn more and apply.

🇧🇪 The Chronicle of the Horse reports further on the recent FEI Tribunal decision surrounding the disqualification of the Belgian team at the Paris Olympics last summer. Read more into the Tribunal decision and after effects here.

🐎 Every correct movement starts with hind-end engagement and propulsion. That’s the bread and butter of a recent Masterclass clinic with German Olympian Ingrid Klimke, who taught earlier this year at Galway Downs in Temecula, CA. Dive into the details with the queen herself here.

Video Break

It’s helmet cam season!

Friday Added to 2025 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships Schedule on May 2-4

By on Feb 5, 2025 9:30 am -

Photo by Annan Hepner / USEA.

Due to the response at the 2024 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships at Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina, the decision has been made to add an extra day of competition to the 2025 event schedule. The new dates for the 2025 USEA Intercollegiate & IEL Championships are Friday, May 2 through Sunday, May 4. Click here to view the event omnibus now.

In its second year at the venue, the Championships will again be hosted as a component of the Stable View Local Charities H.T. As many know, last year’s event hit the maximum entry limit of 400 horses and made for very long days for competitors, staff, and volunteer alike. By adding Friday to this year’s schedule, the team at Stable View will be able to improve daily hours of competition for all those on site.

To minimize disruption for as many Championship competitors as possible, the Opening Ceremony and Parade of Teams will remain on Friday, May 2, as is customary in previous years. This means that competition will start prior to the official opening ceremony, but the hope is that this will allow more teammates to be in attendance for the celebration. Spirit Award activities will also remain on the evening of Saturday, May 3, and have been condensed to ensure a shorter evening before the final day of competition.

The biggest change in schedule is regarding the levels of competition that will be offered each day. The upper levels, including Modified, Preliminary, Intermediate, and Advanced, are projected to run as a two-day event on Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3. These divisions will complete dressage and show jumping on Friday and cross-country on Saturday.

Starter, Beginner Novice, and Novice will be offered in a two-day format as well, but on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4. On Saturday, all the lower levels will complete dressage. Novice will also complete cross-country, while Starter and Beginner Novice tackle show jumping later that day. On Sunday, Starter and Beginner Novice will finish on the cross-country course, and Novice will close out the competition in the show jumping arena.

At this time, the Training level’s schedule is to be determined based on entries. Training may follow a two-day schedule on Friday and Saturday, or they will be spread across all three days with their dressage tests on Friday and one jumping phase per day on Saturday and Sunday. If you plan on competing in the Championships at the Training level, please keep an eye on the omnibus and communications from Stable View regarding the final schedule for your division.

The first year of the joint USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships exemplified stellar cohesion and camaraderie between program participants, and the team at Stable View is committed to ensuring the event’s continued success in year two. If you have any questions about the updated schedule for this year’s championship, please contact USEA staff liaison, Kaleigh Collett, at [email protected] or Stable View Organizer, Molly Bull, at [email protected].

As a reminder, there are no qualifications necessary to enter either championship, however, all schools and clubs represented must be registered affiliates of the USEA. Don’t forget to submit Collegiate Team Applications or IEL Application Forms, along with official affiliate rosters, to Jennifer Hardwick, USEA Senior Director of Membership Services, at [email protected] by Feb. 15.

All collegiate participants must be enrolled as undergraduate students, or with their school’s approval, be no more than 6 months past the completion of their undergraduate education, allowing December graduates to compete in the May championship. Collegiate participants are also required to hold an active USEA Membership. If you attend an accredited university or college that isn’t currently listed on the Intercollegiate Eventing Program List, consider starting a new team by reviewing the program information here and submitting a Collegiate Team Application.

All IEL participants must be enrolled in 5th through 12th grade at a public school, private school, online school or homeschool. Unlike the Intercollegiate Eventing Program, IEL Clubs can be any group of junior riders who share a common bond – like riding at the same barn, competing with the same trainer, attending the same school or being a part of the same Pony Club. For a list of the current Interscholastic Eventing Clubs, please click here. If you are interested in starting a new IEL Club, click here to learn more about the program and submit an IEL Application Form today.

If you are planning to compete in this year’s USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships, please review the omnibus listing linked here, and get ready to submit your entries opening day on March 18.. The event is expected to fill again in year two, so early submission is highly recommended to secure your spot in the championships.

UK Eventing Team Captain Kate McGown at Intercollegiate Championships with her horse, George. USEA photo.

About the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Program

The USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Program was established in 2014 to provide a framework within which eventing teams and individual competitors could flourish at universities and colleges across the country. The USEA offers a discount of $25 on annual USEA memberships for current students at universities and colleges registered as Affiliates with the USEA. Many events across the country offer Intercollegiate Team Challenges where collegiate eventers can compete individually or on teams with their fellow students. In Intercollegiate Team Challenges, each rider’s score is multiplied by a coefficient appropriate for their level to account for differences in level difficulty, and then the individual scores are added together to determine the team score. The USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship is a capstone event for the program, which is held annually in the spring. The 2025 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship will be held at Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina, on May 3-4. Click here to learn more about the Intercollegiate Eventing Program.

The USEA would like to thank Bates Saddles, Horse & Country, Kerrits, Nunn Finer, Sidelines, U.S. Equestrian, WeRideTogether, and World Equestrian Brands for sponsoring the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Program.

About the USEA Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL)

In August 2020, the USEA Board of Governors approved the creation of the USEA Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) as an official program of the USEA. The mission of IEL is to unite junior riders who are in the 5th—12th grade and provide a supportive community through which students can continue to pursue their riding interests. A group of junior members in the 5th—12th grade who share a common bond, such as the same barn, school, Pony Club, or other connection, can register with the USEA as an IEL Affiliate. The second annual USEA Interscholastic Eventing Championship will be held alongside the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship at Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina, on May 3-4, 2025. Click here to learn more about the Interscholastic Eventing League.

Wednesday News & Notes

By on Feb 5, 2025 12:01 am -

We were very sorry to learn of the passing of Humble GS this week at the age of 19. Humble GS was partnered with Canadian Olympian Jessica Phoenix throughout his eventing career, which saw him compete through the 4* level over a span of six years of international eventing. Beyond his competitive career, Humble GS was also a prolific sire, operating out of the Gatlan Farms Shickedanz breeding program that has produced several horses that Jessie eventually took through the levels of eventing. He sired several 4* and Advanced eventers, including Watson GS, Obeah Dancer GS, and Freedom GS.

We’re keeping all who knew and loved Humble GS in our thoughts today. 💔

Jessica Phoenix and Humble GS. Photo by Shelby Allen.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Ocala Winter I (FL): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Pine Top Intermediate H.T. (GA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

News & Reading

🦘 EN is THRILLED to be sending a reporter to the 5* event “down under” for the first time in 2025! You can see more about this year’s event (May 1-4), including which Paris Olympian will be serving as an ambassador and more events alongside the main competition here.

👀 Did you know that SmartPak now offers liquid supplement packs? You can step up your game with these new LiquidPaks offerings. Learn more about them here.

🤔 Fitness pro Ifa Simmonds penned a new article for The Plaid Horse that muses on the concept of “switching sides” to better our stability and strength in the saddle. For most riders, mounting from the left has become a deeply ingrained habit, passed down for hundreds of years through tradition. But what if this seemingly small, historical habit is limiting us and our horses? Read more here.

🍎 The Maryland Horse Trials is set to host a free clinic on Equine Nutrition led by expert Karen Engel from Triple Crown Nutrition on on Monday, February 17, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This informative session will include light refreshments, and Karen will be showcasing her popular “Guts N a Bucket” presentation. You can sign up on Strider here.

Video Break

Get some insider insight from Olympic medalist Laura Collett:

FEI Releases Tribunal Decision + Statement from Tine Magnus (BEL) Following Positive Test at Paris Olympics

By on Feb 4, 2025 10:44 am -

Tine Magnus and Dia van het Lichterveld Z. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Shortly following the Paris Olympics (summer 2024), the FEI released information regarding a provisional suspension of Belgian athlete Tine Magnus after her Olympic horse, Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z, tested positive for the banned substance Trazodone, commonly used in horses to facilitate stall rest and recovery, under the the FEI’s Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations (EADCMRs).

Tine denied the allegations from the outset and vowed to investigate the matter alongside her team. A provisional suspension was issued by the FEI pending a Tribunal outcome, which has now been made formal.

“The athlete was able to trace the source of the Banned Substance in the horse’s system back to the supplement RELAX PRO – Global Medics – Equine Care Group,” a statement from the FEI this week reads. “This finding was based on an independent analysis requested by the athlete from two highly recognized toxicologists. This contamination hence accounted for the positive finding in the horse, and the athlete had clearly established on a balance of probabilities, how the Banned Substance Trazodone entered the horse’s system. Consequently, the FEI and the athlete entered into a Settlement Agreement.”

The settlement amounted to a total of five months of suspension from the original date (September 3, 2024), ending on February 3, 2025. Tine was also fined CHF 4,000 (approximately $4,412 USD). The Belgian team, which finished fourth in Paris, as well as Tine’s individual placing, will remain disqualified as a result of the positive test.

On February 3, Tine released a statement on her social media pages. The following text has been translated; please forgive any translation errors. You can view the full statement on Tine’s Facebook page here.

“After the FEI informed me on September 3, 2024 that the samples taken on July 27, 2024 during the Paris Olympics had tested positive for the banned substance “Trazodone”, I ended up on a roller coaster. I was suspended immediately and in addition the fourth place achieved by the Belgian Eventing Team was also up for discussion.

As so often is the case with doping and disciplinary cases, I was banned completely. I no longer existed. All of this while I was 1000 percent convinced I was doping positive was absolutely innocent. I have always worked to the extreme to make my horses perform top without tools.

Together with my attorneys, I investigated how on earth it was possible that my horse tested positive. After all, I want to spoil myself against a doping complaint. Therefore, the FEI writes that I as a responsible person must prove whether there is cross contamination or another cause. As an athlete, you must be able to explain and prove how the prohibited drug has ended up in your horse’s system. This is a heavy burden on the shoulders of athletes, and fortunately, I passed that ordeal. I can confirm with lifted head and declare that I have never deliberately used doping.

What turned out to be the case now, the vet team advised me to use some supplements. These supplements were sold by his company to the Belgian Federation and delivered. These supplements were then made available to me.
We asked Professor Tytgat, the most renowned toxicologist associated with KU Leuven to investigate all these supplements for the possible presence of Trazodone. When Professor Tytgat RELAX PRO tested positive for Trazodone, we have had RELAX PRO purchased buses elsewhere tested with the same lot number by Professor Tytgad and by Professor Kintz in Strasbourg. Once again, RELAX PRO tested positive for Trazodone.

These results were presented to the FEI because I wanted to demonstrate that I had never intentionally administered a prohibited drug to my horse. On the package of RELAX PRO said nota bene “doping free”. The FEI told me that even when in fact I have done nothing wrong as in this case, I cannot appeal to the concept of No Fault or Negligence. As an athlete carry your risk liability even if you don’t get a blame.

Article 10.6.2 of the FEI Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Rules states the following:
No Fault or Negligence does not apply in the following circumstances: where the presence of the Banned Substance in a Sample came from a mislabelled or contaminated supplement. Persons responsible are responsible for what their Horses ingest and have been warned about the possibility of supplement contamination.

The FEI has finally offered me to agree to a suspension until February 2, 2025 and pay a fine. Cause [sic] I’m sporting this black period fast as possibly wanted to close, I agreed to this. I will soon be able to participate in official competitions again.

I thank my partner Dieter, my brother Sam, family and the owner of DIA, Kris, for always trusting me, as well as my lawyers Klaas Koentges, Piotr Wawrzyniak and Luc Schelstraete, who assisted me in the procedure at the FEI.”

This case provides a strong reminder to perform due diligence as to the viability of supplement or medication use in terms of its relation to the Prohibited Substance List; as well as emphasizes the responsibility of manufacturers to ensure proper testing and labeling is undertaken to prevent scenarios such as this.

To read the full FEI Tribunal decision on this case, click here.

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

By on Feb 4, 2025 12:01 am -

Get excited for the #BestWeekendAllYear – the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event! This year’s 5* event (which also will feature CSI5* show jumping on the same weekend, for the first time!) April 23-27 at Kentucky Horse Park (Lexington, KY), and tickets are still on sale so you can experience it along with us. Get a peek at this year’s provisional schedule above, then head on over to secure your tickets and hospitality experience here.

Events Opening This Week

March Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks (FL); Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. (TX); Full Gallop Farm March H.T. (SC)

Events Closing Today

Full Gallop Farm Mid-February H.T. (SC); Pine Top Advanced (GA); Three Lakes Winter II H.T. at Caudle Ranch (FL)

News & Reading

🎟️ Hospitality tickets at the Carolina Club are on sale for this year’s Setters Run Farm Carolina International (March 13-15). Don’t miss out on an opportunity to experience eventing’s hospitality and community with this experience. Book yours here.

🌟 A total of 59 events plan to host USEA Interscholastic Eventing League competition in 2025! This program, which encourages young riders in high school to participate in eventing and learn about team competition, has grown year over year since its inception — and it isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Read more about IEL and where you can participate here.

🏆 A new FEI working group has been established to develop a strategic action plan for the sport of dressage. The group will work on establishing a clear vision, realigning objectives, and creating actionable plans to enhance dressage at all levels. Read up on who was selected to be a part of this group and more about its mission here.

🇬🇧 Thoresby (March 28-30) has become known as the start of the FEI and 5*-prep season in the UK, and British Eventing looks ahead to this year’s event — always guaranteed to host some of the biggest names in the sport — here.

Sponsor Corner: Kentucky Performance Products

What type of joint support is best for your horse? Kentucky Performance Products has two options for you!

In Joint Armor, there are glucosamine and chondroitin, ingredients that help supply the building blocks necessary to maintain healthy cartilage and support the regeneration of damaged tissues, as well as hyaluronic acid that sustains ample high-quality synovial fluid, which lubricates and nourishes the joints and gives it its fluid motion.

JointWise also has those ingredients (glucosamine, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid), but it also contains antifactory agents, specifically MSM and a unique fermentation metabolite. This fermentation metabolite maintains a balanced immune response within the joint, decreasing damaging inflammation and the development of osteoarthritis. So, with JointWise, available only through veterinarians, you have additional anti-inflammatory benefits.

Learn more about these and other nutritional supplementation products here.

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Spot the difference!

Weekend Winners: Galway, Sporting Days, & Three Lakes

By on Feb 3, 2025 9:30 am -

Happy Monday, EN! As always, as another weekend of Eventing comes to a close, we’re kicking off our week with our Weekend Winners! We love to celebrate all of these pairs getting out and about, working towards their goals, and are thrilled to give a shout out to so many great successes!

We also want to give a special shout out to the winner of our Unofficial Low Score Award, Kendra Mitchell and Sea Gazelle, who won the Open Beginner Novice at Galway on a 19.4!

Galway Downs Kickoff H.T. (CA): [Website][Scoring]

Advanced/Intermediate: Molly Duda and Carlingfords Hes a Clover (43.8)
Intermediate/Preliminary: Emilee Libby and Toska (27.7)
Open Intermediate: Andrea Baxter and Camelot PJ (42.2)
Open Preliminary: Kaylawna Smith-Cook and Dealas (25.5)
Preliminary Rider: Kendra Mitchell and Calcourt Legend (35.8)
Modified Rider: Paige Beauchamp Crandon and Fyfin Ramiro (31.2)
Open Modified: Lauren Salgueiro and DSL Tarquin (39.5)
Junior Training Rider: Charlotte Boleda and Bellechase (26.5)
Open Training: Kaylawna Smith-Cook and Coco Chanel (23.1)
Senior Training Rider: Keelari Mauzy and West Coast Cooley (32.1)
Junior Novice Rider: Fiona Lempres and Hathaway Royale (35.6)
Open Novice: Chloe Smyth and SR Myconos (31.4)
Senior Novice Rider: Jenna Edwards and RHF Peterzano (31.1)
Beginner Novice Rider: Lesley McGill and NSC Bellamys Diamond (24.1)
Open Beginner Novice: Kendra Mitchell and Sea Gazelle (19.4)
Starter A: Allison Hurton and Chunk Norris (28.7)
Starter B: Laura Jaeger and Dondero (23.3)

Sporting Days Farm February II H.T. (SC): [Website][Scoring]

Open Preliminary: Ryan Wood and Hicks de Lyse (43.7)
Preliminary Rider: Vanessa Stoltzfus and Teddy Sarco (51.5)
Open Training: Booli Selmayr and Uptown Girl (27.8)
Preliminary/Training: Alexandra Baugh and Dream Worker (43.9)
Training Rider: Annie DeWitt and Offshore Cooley (34.6)
Training Horse: Amanda Beale Clement and B.E. Cointreau (24.7)
Novice Rider: Elena Labrador and Zen Zara (34.2)
Open Novice A: Jessica Schultz and Maggie May (23.9)
Open Novice B: Lillian Heard Wood and Johar de Braize (28.9)
Beginner Novice Rider: Ashley Thorp and Dassett Olympus (25.0)
Open Beginner Novice A: Zoe Crawford and Sportsfield Olympic Bay (28.8)
Open Beginner Novice B: Sarah Kuhn and Pokerface (29.4)
Starter: Melanie Harper and Flyboy (26.3)
Intermediate CT: Joa Sigsbee and K-Cosimo SE (44.4)

Three Lakes Winter I H.T. at Caudle Ranch (FL): [Website][Scoring]

Open Preliminary: Madeline Backus and Baratheon (32.8)
Preliminary Rider: Cindy Rawson and Evening Melody (30.7)
Modified Rider: Reese Macau and Judge Puttnam (36.9)
Open Modified: Lauren Nicholson and How Easy GG (34.2)
Open Training A: Isabelle Bosley and Constanzehof’s Stitch (26.7)
Open Training B: Gabby Dickerson and Frijole (29.3)
Training Rider: Addison Borton Way Too Marvelous BSR (34.4)
Novice Rider: Kathleen Maxwell and WPF Westerlie (30.3)
Open Novice: Heather Lawson and El Chapo (23.9)
Beginner Novice Rider: Miranda Parra and Aristocrat (33.5)
Open Beginner Novice: Fanny Lee and Hitchcock’s Doppelganger (27.4)
Open Starter: Cathy Rotola and BKP Nick Of Time (24.0)
Starter Rider: Sofia Taveras and Mr. Boombastic (28.3)

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

By on Feb 3, 2025 12:01 am -

We’re dreaming of June in Bromont! This year’s MARS Bromont CCI, which features CCI2* – CCI4*-L competition and runs alongside the MARS Bromont Rising development training program) will take place June 4-8. Bromont is one of those picturesque places that reels you in and makes you dream of summer houses or 🫢 a permanent change of scenary, and it should definitely be on every eventing lover’s bucket list. Start planning your visit here.

U.S. Weekend Results

Galway Downs Kickoff H.T. (CA): [Website] [Scores]

Sporting Days Farm February II H.T. (SC): [Website] [Scores]

Three Lakes Winter I H.T. at Caudle Ranch (FL): [Website] [Scores]

News & Reading

Simplicity, but attention paid to details, reigned supreme in a clinic with world #1 Tom McEwen, which took place at Galway Downs in Southern California. Tom’s philosophy that riders need to have the ability to think on their feet and a continual reinforcement of the basics encouraged the riders who participated to step out of their comfort zones (safely, of course). When you think about it, most clinics are, essentially, a fine-tuning of basic foundation, with a dash of personal philosophy thrown in for good measure. Tom’s approach was fascinating to read about, and you can do the same here. Bonus for Tom, Galway Downs is the proposed host site of the equestrian sports at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. 👀

Consistency is key when it comes to consistent results. Delilah’s Boy, the 2024 USEA Pony of the Year, and his 13-year-old rider, Kendal Fansler, know a thing or two about this notion. “Sammy” has been a professor for his young rider, and her relationship with him has created some lifelong memories of success and places traveled to. ❤️ Read their story.

If you have an interest in broadcast, you can learn from one of the best in the business, John Kyle, during an upcoming virtual training seminar, February 10 at 2:00 p.m. GMT / 9:00 a.m. ET. Now, space for these seminars does tend to fill up quickly, so we can’t guarantee availability, but you can register here to learn more about any other opportunities coming up. 🎙️

Looking for a remote job in the equestrian media space? Equine Network (home of publications such as Practical Horseman and Dressage Today, to name just a couple in the English space) is seeking a Digital Content Creator to join its Western Sports Group. You can learn more and apply for the gig here. 📱

You can get EN in your inbox every Monday morning! We’re working on some refreshing updates to our weekly email newsletter, and you won’t want to miss it as we roll them out! Subscribe for free here. ✉️ See this week’s edition

📺 Video Break + Partner Spotlight: Horse & Country

Did you know you can now find full episodes of some of Horse & Country’s premium content on YouTube? Dive right in with the first episode of Alex Bragg’s 6-part series, available with your H&C+ membership.

Want to save a little on your annual H&C+ membership? Use code EVENTINGNATION15 to save 15% off the price of an annual membership!