Classic Eventing Nation

Horses Test Positive for EHV-1 at Virginia Horse Center

By on Jun 23, 2023 3:00 pm -

Sunrise over the Virginia Horse Center. Photo by Dave Taylor.

Two horses displaying neurologic signs at a USEF licensed competition at the Virginia Horse Center (VHC) were confirmed positive for Equine Herpesivrus-1(EHV-1). Both horses were immediately moved off the grounds to a veterinary clinic. One horse is receiving medical care and is stable. Sadly, the other horse was euthanized due to the severity of clinical signs.

Approximately 80 exposed horses that were stabled in the same barn as the two positive horses at the VHC have been placed under quarantine, prohibited from competition, and placed in isolation by the State Veterinarian’s Office of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. All exposed horses are being monitored twice daily for fever (temperature over 101.50° F) and other clinical signs.

No other horses at the horse show are considered exposed and the horse show will continue. However, out of an abundance of caution, the unexposed horses are having temperatures and clinical signs monitored.

The USEF Equine Health and Biosecurity Veterinarian, Dr. Katie Flynn, has been in direct communication with all parties regarding the response to the confirmation of EHV-1. “I applaud the VHC staff, the show veterinarians, competition management, and show participants for their prompt response and collaborative efforts to immediately implement biosecurity measures to protect the health of all equines on the premises,” said Dr. Flynn.

Based on the thorough assessment of the premises by the Virginia State Veterinarian’s office, and the immediate activation of the VHC biosecurity and disease response plan upon confirmation of EHV-1; the USEF supports the continuation of competition with the enhanced biosecurity measures and monitoring of horse health through twice daily temperature recording and observation for signs of illness. USEF will continue to monitor the situation.

As a reminder when commingling horses, there is always a risk of disease. There is no way to eliminate all risks. Vaccination and good biosecurity practices reduce the risk of disease while at competitions. For more biosecurity tips for keeping horses healthy during competition visit https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/Kgxcgp4ytKE/exhibitor-biosecurity-measures-pamphlet

For more information on EHV-1 or the latest on disease outbreaks visit https://equinediseasecc.org/.

How to Watch Strzegom’s Nations Cup Jumping Phases – For Free!

By on Jun 23, 2023 1:00 pm -

Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk. Photo courtesy of LOTTO Strzegom Horse Trials.

Is June the most action-packed month of the season? It’s very possible – and certainly, here at EN HQ, we’re pretty sure the crazy train has never whizzed along quite so quickly. In Europe this week, hot off the back of last week’s Luhmühlen CCI4*-S and CCI5* – and ahead of next week’s CHIO Aachen – all eyes have turned to rural Poland, where the LOTTO Strzegom Horse Trials has attracted a host of serious competitors for classes from CCI1* through to CCI4*-L. Most notably, though, is the Nations Cup CCIO4*-S that’s happening this weekend – partly because it’s the latest leg to play host to the intense battle for series domination this year, which will earn one nation a coveted place at next year’s Paris Olympics, and partly because it’s also the site of the latest USEF development grant. The US has a strong team of four tackling this week’s competition, gaining experience and fighting for top placings, too.

Dressage has now concluded, and the small but perfectly-formed German team is in the lead, followed by our US European Development Grant-winning team in second. The Dutch team sits third, and best-placed of the nations who are fighting for that Olympic qualification at the end of the season. Individually, it’s even better news for the US: Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake are out in front going into tomorrow’s jumping phases on a score of 28.1, followed by Germany’s Johanna Marloh and Crazy Carlotta on 29.3 and the Netherlands’ Sanne de Jong and Enjoy on 29.4. You can check out the full scores so far here.

Tomorrow is all about cross-country, and it’ll be starting at 13.00 local time (12.00 p.m. BST/7.00 a.m. EST). As part of the FEI Nations Cup series, it’s all free to watch live on the FEI’s YouTube channel, and you can also rewatch the action that’s happened so far. Here are tomorrow’s starting times, and you can rewatch day one’s dressage here:

And day two’s dressage here:

Here’s where you’ll be able to find tomorrow’s cross-country stream:

And finally, following Sunday morning’s horse inspection, you’ll also be able to tune in for the Nations Cup showjumping, from 14.30 local time (13.30 BST/8.30 a.m. EST), here:

Go Eventing!

Two Months ’til the Euros: Taking Stock at Haras du Pin

By on Jun 23, 2023 11:00 am -

The unique terrain of Haras du Pin will host the European Championships this summer. Photo courtesy of Haras du Pin.

On Wednesday June 14, media and institutions gathered at the magnificent Haras National du Pin (Orne, Normandy) for a preview of what is sure to be the highlight of the summer eventing calendar. In the presence of Astier Nicolas, double Olympic medallist and member of the French team, Michel Asseray, French National Technical Director in charge of eventing, and Pierre Le Goupil, international course designer, the details of the event, in terms of both sport and entertainment, were outlined. It was also an exclusive opportunity to discover the infrastructures of the brand-new Pôle International des Sports Equestres (PISE), where some of the tests will be held.

Four new sub-irrigated arenas, natural grandstands, spacious and functional permanent stables, and a multi-faceted reception building: the PISE offers new perspectives for competitors and spectators alike. The main arena will host the opening ceremony on Wednesday August 9, followed by the dressage test on Thursday August 10 and Friday August 11, before giving way to the breeding competitions organized by Cheval Normandie, the association gathering all the sport horse breeders of Normandy. The action then moves to the Parc du Hautbois on Saturday for the crucial and always spectacular cross-country test, before finishing on Sunday on the iconic Château arena with the ultimate show-jumping test…and the reveal of the new European champions!

Thus, the continent’s best combinations will come to compete for medals but also, for some nations, a spot at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024. As a major event of the 2023 season, the FEI Eventing European Championships is for many the main goal of the season. With a core group of twenty people (plus up to 300 volunteers during the competition), everything is currently being put in place by the Ustica association, organizer of the event at the Haras National du Pin, to offer all teams and spectators the best possible conditions to guarantee great sport and a great show.

Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza at Haras du Pin. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Guillame Blanc will act as event director, as he has been since 2017 on the ‘Grand Complet’ (CCIO4*-S FEI Eventing Nations Cup), within the organizing association Ustica, as well as acting as technical delegate for numerous international competitions.

“After so many years of competition, you grow up,” he smiles. “When you look back and see where we started from 27 years ago with our first competition, it’s really satisfying. It’s also a challenge, especially for an organization like ours, which is entirely associative. All our projects are progressing well. We’re finalizing with Argentan Intercom and the SNCF to make it easier for spectators to get here. Everything is falling into place. We have also established several collaborations with various research and health organizations to ensure maximum safety for the horses’ well-being.

“This is very important to us. The new infrastructures built on the site will enable us to move up another level. This is a major challenge. With the Paris Olympics on the horizon, it will also enable us to repeat protocols with very high-level horses.”

These words were echoed by the French team rider Olympic team champion and individual runner-up at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Astier Nicolas: “The unique site of the Haras du Pin offers us an excellent opportunity to develop our horses on a cross-country course of the highest level. Of course we enjoy competing abroad, but we’re even more excited here in France, where we’ll have home advantage before the Olympic Games next year.”

The cross-country course, the highlight of the four days of competition on Saturday August 12, is the focus of much attention. While the course remains a “secret” right up to the last moment, course designer Pierre Le Goupil’s plans have been drawn up.

“The course is mapped out and the obstacles are all in my head,” he says. “We’ve planned a big loop of over 4000m in the grasslands of the Haras du Pin, an area very different from the Parc du Haut-Bois, where the start and finish will take place. Efforts will be progressive but even, with decreasing difficulty at the end. The terrain is never flat, and riders will need to keep their horses’ energy to tackle the course’s topography, which is comparable to that of the 2014 World Equestrian Games. The course has been designed for some forty obstacles, spread over 5800m, to be cleared in around ten minutes. Discovery will be limited, as all the nations are used to coming to this terrain on the occasion of the Grand Complet. Riders know every inch of it. We have a superb setting and a perfectly adapted course with plenty of space and gradients. Normandy is a beautiful place.”

With a year to go until the Olympic trials (July 27-29 for eventing) in the gardens of the Château de Versailles, only seven European nations have already qualified: France (as host country), Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland, the USA, and New Zealand at the World Championships in Pratoni last year; Poland in a group C qualifier at Baborowko; and Australia and China in a qualifier at Millstreet. The FEI Eventing European Championships in Le Pin-au-Haras will distribute two new tickets for countries that have not yet qualified. The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Spain, Belgium, Italy and Austria are candidates for these two tickets — the penultimate chance to see Versailles (a final ticket will be awarded at the end of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup circuit).

“There’s qualification for some nations, with inevitably some happy but also some disappointed ones at the end of the competition, but we can be sure that the nations will also want to show their muscles a year before the Olympic Games,” predicts the director. It promises to be one hell of a good fight — and a hell of a show, with the Tricolores, on the podium at the last two Olympic Games (gold in 2016, bronze in 2021), hoping to win their first ever European team title in front of their home fans.

Strides for Equality Equestrians: Summer Ever So Sweet Scholarship Awarded to Sabrina Sharpe

By on Jun 23, 2023 9:00 am -

Strides for Equality Equestrians is thrilled to announce that Sabrina Sharpe of Missouri has been selected to receive the Summer 2023 Ever So Sweet scholarship to study with Sara Kozumplik at Overlook Farm. Sharpe is the youngest ever recipient of this competitive, one-of-a-kind scholarship opportunity for equestrians of diverse backgrounds to train, learn, and build their professional networks under the guidance of an upper-level professional eventer.

Sharpe, 17, is a rising senior at Park Hill South high school in Kansas City, MO. She is a nationally rated Pony Clubber, certified in HB level horse management and working toward her C3 certification, and she has successfully evented through Novice. She currently competes with her 7-year-old off-track Thoroughbred gelding King (TJC: Barbie’s King), who she restarted herself in 2021. Sharpe and King are working to make a transition to hunter-jumpers after King showed a lack of enthusiasm for cross-country.

One of Sharpe’s hopes for her ESS Scholarship is to learn from professionals how to reckon with changes in training goals that come from listening closely to what the horse wants and needs, and how to balance her horse’s needs against her own eventing aspirations. In her application, she wrote candidly about the impact of this experience and its relation to broader experiences as an equestrian of color. “Because of facing many obstacles, such as financial access, being a first generation equestrian in my family, and being a person of color in general, I was proud and excited to buy and start my own OTTB, which has been a great joy and an extreme heartbreak. In one regard, he is amazing at dressage, show jumping and hunters, and is delightful on the ground, but on the other, I love cross country and he does not.”

Sharpe will begin her scholarship with Kozumplik this week at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, FL, where she will meet Sara and ESS alum Sierra Lesny and hit the ground running in her educational experience, witnessing and participating in Kozumplik Equestrian’s Florida season. Through the generous sponsorship of Kozumplik and Edy Rameika, Sharpe and King will then spend the remainder of the summer months training with Sara at Overlook Farm Equestrian Center in Berryville, VA. The scholarship covers expenses for full board and training costs for King, several lessons per week, housing for Sabrina, a stipend to cover living expenses, competition fees, and coaching at competitions.

Sabrina will also improve her horse care skills by learning to manage and care for upper-level horses and working with the Overlook team in the running of a large, competitive barn. She is especially excited to gain experience with the upper-level eventing world as she contemplates what her future professional and personal equestrian goals will be. She is also excited to have more opportunities and a larger platform to share her experiences as an equestrian of color and to educate others on the importance of inclusion and representation across the horse industry. In her application, she shared that she has experienced prejudice as a rider of color, “but in light of those experiences, I have found more good than bad in people, I’ve developed everlasting friendships, met people that have helped me grow in my riding experiences, and recently have been discussing the importance of allyship in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Ultimately, I want a career that allows me the opportunity to help others with a similar background as mine.”

Sharpe is the fifth recipient of an ESS Scholarship, the first participant to train at Overlook Farm while still in high school, and the first recipient representing the Midwest and USEA Area IV. In addition to the opportunities she will have this summer, Sharpe will serve as an ambassador for the ESS Scholarship in coming years and will join a growing community of Ever So Sweet and Leg Up Scholarship recipients who are working to make diversity more visible in equestrian sport.

Follow Sabrina’s journey firsthand on the @see.eversosweet Instagram, and check in with her and the other alums at @stridesforequality on Instagram and on the Strides for Equality Equestrians Facebook page. Learn more about Strides for Equality across our website, and consider donating to support riders like Sabrina today!

Friday News & Notes from Stable View

By on Jun 23, 2023 12:01 am -

Michael Jung and Kilcandra Ocean Power lead the CCI4*-L at Strzegom. Photo by Leszek Wójcik.

We’re looking forward to following along with this weekend’s action at the LOTTO Strzegom Horse Trials taking place in Poland. Featuring a CCI4*-L division as well as a CCI4*-S FEI Nations Cup competition, a developing U.S. team is also competing this weekend.

Under the direction of USEF Eventing Emerging and Development Coach Leslie Law, the USEF Development Tour is designed to give riders additional team experience in an overseas environment. US Equestrian targeted this event as well as the CCIO4*-S at Boekelo in October as two stops for the U.S. to target in 2023 — look for a more seasoned team to take the reins at Boekelo, but for now it’s to the sport’s next top stars for this weekend.

Dressage got underway in the 4*-S on Thursday, and we’ll have the conclusion of the division’s tests ridden today. All four of the U.S. horses and riders will compete beginning today, and if you’re an early bird I’ll list the times below as there is a free live stream provided by FEI TV on YouTube all week. Friday’s dressage will begin at 4:30 a.m. EST here. You can view the full list of Friday’s start times here and the full timing & scoring list here.

Belgium’s Maarten Boon is the current CCI4*-S leader with Gravin van Cantos, a 12-year-old KWPN mare. In the CCI4*-L division, Michael Jung leads the way following dressage with the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Kilcandra Ocean Power (BGS Ocean View – Bonnie Dolly, by Bonnie Prince) after earning a mark of 31.5. This weekend mark’s Kilcandra Ocean Power’s first CCI4*-L start. The USA’s Matt Flynn has also rerouted to Strzegom with Wizzerd following a fall early on cross country at Luhmühlen last week and will sit in sixth place on a score of 35.8 ahead of cross country.

Major International Events

LOTTO Strzegom H.T. / FEI Eventing Nations Cup (Poland): [Website] [Entries] [Live Stream] [Timing & Scoring] [Scoring]

U.S. Weekend Preview

Stable View Summer H.T. (Aiken, South Carolina): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]

Midsouth Pony Club H.T. (Lexington, Kentucky): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]

Fox River Valley Pony Club H.T. (Barrington Hills, Illinois): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]

Woodloch Stable Young Event Horse Qualifier (Hugo, Minnesota): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]

Loudon Hunt Pony Club Summer H.T. (Leesburg, Virginia): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]

Round Top H.T. (Castle Rock, Colorado): [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]

Valinor Farm H.T. (Plymouth, Massachusetts): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]

Bucks County Horse Park H.T. (Revere, Pennsylvania): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]

Friday News & Reading

Attending this weekend’s Stable View Summer H.T.? Here are a few “Early Insights” for you:

  • Ice and water will be on hand all weekend to help stay cool — look for brown ice containers as well a well-stocked Rider Lounge for water. There will be also misting station for horses (or humans — no judgement here).
  • Don’t forget to join the Stable View team for the always-lovely Graze and Gaze social hour with food and drinks, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings in the pub behind the Pavilion.
  • Find more information about the weekend in the Show Program here, or in the links list further up in this article

Arielle Aharoni and her CCI4* horse, Dutch Times, have been together since very nearly day one. Having purchased “Dutch” as a weanling, Arielle has been working on her partnership with the supremely athletic gelding, culminating most recently in a second place finish in the 4*-L at Bromont earlier this month. You can read all about her journey with Dutch in the latest Nancy Jaffer column here.

We love a clinic report, and this one brings a double bonus: a clinic with both Tik Maynard and Sinead Maynard! The Green Horseman blogs about the experience here.

Got a graduating senior in your household? Be sure to have them apply for a USEF Higher Education Scholarship. Applications are due on July 31. This scholarship program awards five $1,000 scholarships each year to US Equestrian members from any breed or discipline who are committed to continuing their equestrian involvement in college. College classes in equine subjects, participation in an intercollegiate equestrian team, or a horse-related job, internship, or volunteer position are among the ways that scholarship recipients can continue their participation in the equestrian community. [Apply for a USEF Higher Education Scholarship]

In his latest column with the USEA, sports psychologist Daniel Stewart dives into the concept of transforming from “worrier to warrior”. One form of “doubtful thinking” Coach Stewart refers to is the “pre-excuse”. What, exactly is that, besides my early justification for not making it to the gym today? Find out here.

Friday Video Break

Get a preview of what the riders at Strzegom will be tackling this week with a replay of the 2022 Nations Cup cross country:

Thursday Video: Eventers Do the Derby

By on Jun 22, 2023 5:00 pm -

Shane Breen and Can Ya Makan win the Hickstead Derby in 2022. Photo courtesy of the All-England Jumping Course at Hickstead.

This week plays host to one of the most iconic classes in equestrian sport: the Hickstead Derby, which has been running over an unchanged course since the 1960s, and features legendary obstacles that are steeped in history, including the Derby Bank, the Devil’s Dyke, and more. Every few years or so, we see an intrepid eventer or two taking on the challenge, and this year, we’ve got an extraordinary three of them riding throughout the week to gain qualification for the main event through the trial classes. Those are Gemma Stevens (neé Tattersall), who has a brilliant catch ride in Shirley Light’s Dime Bar, and German superstars Kai Rüder and Sandra Auffarth, the latter of which has picked up some serious mileage over the Hamburg Derby track, which was the inspiration for this class some sixty years ago. We’re buzzing to see how they all go — and bring you all the news of their rides, too — but in the meantime, get in the spirit of the thing with this collection of videos, showcasing the specific set of skills required for Derby success.

First up, here’s a video of Sandra’s round at the Hamburg Derby five years ago:

And another, showing how she schools her horses to prepare them for the challenge of that Derby Bank and vertical fence combo:

Here’s a clip of Gemma Stevens schooling over some frankly colossal fences in preparation for this weekend – that wall!

Here’s a cool throwback video of showjumper Nick Skelton and Apollo logging a clear round at Hickstead back in 1990:

And finally, some insights into riding the Bank and the Devil’s Dyke from reigning champ Shane Breen and his brother, former winner Trevor.

Go Eventing – or Showjumping – or whatever this mad class counts as!

Two Easy-to-Use Exercises to Improve Canter Rhythm: An Excerpt from ‘Arena Tracks’

By on Jun 22, 2023 1:00 pm -

In this excerpt from his book Arena Tracks, Christian Baier of Southern Blues Equestrian Center gives us two foundational exercises that help teach horse and rider to adjust stride length and balance and find the ideal approach to an obstacle or combination.

Photo courtesy of Christian Baier.

Exercise 1: Canter Poles to Support Rhythm in the Approach

This setup of poles and obstacles builds on the basic exercise with canter poles on the long sides and diagonals. Utilizing the canter poles helps the horse and rider not only determine suitable rhythm for the situation, but also maintain a suitable and steady rhythm in the approach to the obstacle. The canter poles provide the rider with valuable feedback to determine if the strides are too long and fast, just right, too short and slow, or if the rhythm is changing within the canter poles themselves.

The circles on the short ends can, if needed, be very helpful for horse and rider to make necessary adjustments to the canter stride length and balance to achieve a more ideal approach and rhythm to the next obstacle.

The tracks by themselves are very basic so when the understanding for these are established in dressage work as well as over ground poles, they should not cause any difficulties. When difficulties are present, the solution is generally to go back and review the dressage tracks again and practice them over poles to determine where the source of the problem is. Ideally, the horse should not have to change length of canter stride or speed over the canter poles, assuming the rider established an ideal rhythm for the measured distance between the poles.

When the canter strides are a bit short, the horse will have to lengthen them to reach across the poles, and if the canter strides are a bit long, the horse will have to shorten them to fit the strides in before the obstacle.

• Purpose: Training rhythm in the approach to the obstacle while using canter poles for feedback regarding stride length and speed.

This course can be set in most arena sizes. Setting the poles and obstacles in a way that allows for circles to be ridden on the short ends (as illustrated) can be very helpful for horse and rider in establishing or reestablishing suitable rhythm. The distances used here and in Exercise 2 are generally suitable for the typical Warmblood horse. Distances between the canter poles and the poles and obstacles are 3 meters (9.8 feet). Note: Different types of footing, different arena sizes, and different heights of obstacles require adjustments to the measured distances.

Diagram:

Graphic courtesy of Christian Baier.

Exercise 2: Awareness of Rhythm and Track

This setup of obstacles is a good checkup regarding how rhythm is maintained throughout the course without the help of canter poles as in the previous exercise. Here, instead, the related distance will be a gauge and source of feedback for how the rhythm and length of stride is managed by the rider. Good tracks are important for the course to ride in a harmonious way, while the placement of the obstacles in this course will help the rider in making appropriate choices in regards to the track without the use of cones.

Thinking of this course in three sections, with each section teaching a different set of skills, will help with both warm-up jumping and the later work with the complete course. The first of the three sections of the course is basic level with two single obstacles on the long side, Obstacles 1 and 5, both of which should be built in a way that they are able to be jumped from either direction. The next section is the obstacle in the center that can be ridden on the circle and as change of direction out of the circle. The last described section is the related distance on the opposite long side from the two single obstacles, these are Obstacles 3 and 4, which also should be built in a way that they safely can be jumped from either direction. The three sections can be used in any order, depending what is most suitable for horse and rider. The course itself can also be divided into two sections: Obstacles 1 through 5, and Obstacles 6 through 10. Dividing the course into sections as described can be very helpful for both the trainer teaching the course and the rider learning the course.

• Purpose: To demonstrate awareness of rhythm and basic tracks.

This course can be set in most arena sizes with only minor modifications. For a longer arena, lengthening the related distance and spreading obstacles 1 and 5 farther apart is recommended. The related distance as illustrated here measures 20 meters (65.6 feet) and is suitable for five strides if ridden with normal-sized Warmbloods over low obstacle height.

Diagram:

Graphic courtesy of Christian Baier.

This excerpt from Arena Tracks by Christian Baier is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books (www.HorseandRiderBooks.com).

US Equestrian Announces Opportunity Fund Grants Awarded to USEF Community Outreach Organizations

By on Jun 22, 2023 11:00 am -

US Equestrian is pleased to announce that it has awarded more than $128,000 in USEF Opportunity Fund grants to 13 USEF Community Outreach Organizations in the fund’s second year.

The 2023 USEF Opportunity Fund grants will support a range of projects, from expanding programming and purchasing safety equipment to infrastructure improvements and business operations support. Grantees are listed below in alphabetical order:

Beachwood Center for Wellbeing (Charlestown, R.I.)

Beachwood will use this grant for programming costs associated with the services and therapies offered to their clients. Also, the grant will be used for updates to their new facility in Wellington, Fla.

Ebony Horsewomen (Hartford, Conn.)

Ebony Horsewoman will use the grant for operating costs to fund horse care,feed, and staffing needs.

GallopNYC (New York, N.Y.)

GallopNYC plans to use the grant for programming support services for their clients directly.

Horse SenseAbility (Sherborn, Mass.)

This grant will be used for programming costs to support at-risk youth and young adults. These participants develop life skills by learning about, caring for, and being with horses in a peaceful, rural setting.

Horses N Heroes (Ocala, Fla.)

Horses N Heroes plans to use the grant to help with programming costs to support economically disadvantaged girls in the Ocala community.

Horses of Hope (Isabela, Puerto Rico)

Horses of Hope is in the process of moving locations to expand the services offered. The grant will be used to assist with this transition as well as facility improvements.

Kentucky Horse Park Foundation Mustang Troop (Lexington, Ky.)

The Mustang Troop, based at the Kentucky Horse Park, plans to use the grant to enhance programming. By increasing the staff and herd, the Mustang Troop hopes to serve more youth in the area.

Kindle Hill Foundation Charity (Blue Bell, Pa.)

Kindle Hill will use the grant for program fee assistance resources as well as advancement of internal operations with purchase of HIPAA-compliant technology.

Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center (Redmond, Wash.)

Little Bit will use the funds to purchase new horses for programming. The goal of seven new horses would allow Little Bit to expand on the current services offered. Additionally, this would allow for a few of their horses to enjoy a well-deserved retirement.

Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue (Dover Plains, N.Y.)

Lucky Orphans will use the grant to supplement participant costs in the youth development program and the equine assisted therapy program.

Manes for Movement (Torrance, Calif.)

Manes for Movement has added a new horse to the herd. This grant would be used for operating costs of feed, shelter, and farrier/veterinary care.

Maryland Therapeutic Riding Inc. (Crownsville, Md.)

Maryland Therapeutic Riding will use the grant to purchase two BEMER horse sets to enhance the health and wellness of their 16 horses.

Taking The Reins (Los Angeles, Calif.)

Taking The Reins plans to use the grant to support the operating costs of horse care, feed, and staffing needs.

Learn more about all of the USEF Community Outreach organizations here.

“I can’t say enough about these Community Outreach Organizations. I have learned so much about their missions, values, and operations over the past two years, and it’s just amazing to see and hear their stories and how they work with horses to help so many people, said Tom O’Mara, President of US Equestrian.

“This started with US Equestrian members, from all around the country, identifying the need to connect with these organizations, and then it was easy to pitch the Community Outreach Program to the USEF Board and get an enthusiastic buy-in to make this work,” said O’Mara. “USEF staff and volunteer members have worked diligently to make this all happen, so thank you to all who’ve kick-started such a worthwhile undertaking. We have members, sponsors, friends, families, and event organizers all pitching in. This really shows the power of our US Equestrian community. I encourage you to take some time and scroll through the links and learn more about the organizations.”

These grants were awarded through a competitive grants request process. One hundred-percent of funds raised for the Opportunity Fund are dedicated to supporting the USEF Community Outreach Program and its recognized USEF Community Outreach Organizations. These organizations can be found across the country and are committed to bringing horses to traditionally under-represented and/or under-served communities, including active military and veterans; low-income individuals; people with disabilities; Black, Indigenous, and people of color; and more. The USEF Opportunity Fund aims to extend the reach and impact of these outstanding organizations to improve access to horses and bring the joy of horse sports to as many people as possible. These grants were made possible by the generous contributions of the USEF Board of Directors, members, partners, and competition organizers. Please consider supporting the Opportunity Fund and make a donation today.

About USEF Community Outreach Organizations

Recognized USEF Community Outreach Organizations are united by their standards in their mission to provide equine-based learning opportunities and to support the positive impact horses can have within their local communities. These organizations must meet certain standards of horse and human welfare, including USEF Safe Sport requirements and abiding by the USEF Non-Discrimination Policy, as well as offering their services for free or on a sliding scale of fees based on financial need, and more, before being recognized through this program.

How You Can Help

  • Opportunity Fund – Donate today to help fund grants for the USEF Community Outreach Organizations.
  • Shop USEF – Show your support with the purchase of a USEF Community Outreach Program pin. 100% of the proceeds from pin sales will be contributed to the USEF Opportunity Fund.

“Our Hopes and Dreams For Her Were So High”: Tamie Smith’s Solaguayre California Euthanised After Freak Luhmühlen Injury

By on Jun 22, 2023 8:54 am -

Tamie Smith and Solaguayre California. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

We’re devastated to report that Tamie Smith‘s Luhmühlen mount, Solaguayre California, has been euthanised following a freak injury to her knee while jumping through the first water complex at the German five-star, which was her debut at the level.

The pair jumped cleanly through the complex, which was one of the most influential questions of the day, though the twelve-year-old mare did hit her knee on the C element of the final fence while clearing it. After jumping the next fence, a table that came up very shortly after the water, Tamie felt that California was slightly off, and opted to pull the mare up. California was then transported off the course and to a local equine hospital as a precautionary measure to avoid any risk of infection to the cut over the joint. There, a fracture to the knee was discovered, though the prognosis was an optimistic one, and the mare, who is owned by David and Julianne Guariglia, was booked in for surgery to start the repair process. It was then that the injury was discovered to be a much more complex one, and the tough decision was made to euthanise California.

Tamie has shared a statement on her social media channels, which reads as follows:

“My heart is broken as I write this and say that Solaguayre California was humanely euthanized after a planned surgery to repair a slab fracture to her knee. As California jumped out of the C element of the water at the Luhmühlen CCI5*-L, I felt her hit the jump and what seemed to be just a sting and disappointing moment of having to pull her up to save for another day. Initially the assessment of her recovery was favorable as we stopped when we did and it seemed to be a simple fix. However it has turned out much more extensive and the damage was irreparable.

“This is devastating to our team, her owners and I cannot quite imagine life without our girl, however her tenacity and grit was the complete example of how we get through times like these.

“I find comfort knowing we were able to get her to the best surgeon with the best medical team. There were so many amazing people who helped facilitate this and no stone was unturned on trying to find a perfect plan to having her make a full recovery.

“California was a star in the making and showed the world, especially this season, how incredibly gifted she was. Our hopes and dreams for her were so high. Our hearts are broken. 💔

“As I sit here hugging the black stallion in a puddle of tears I have to reflect at the incredible honor it is to have these partnerships with our horses. How lucky are we to experience such a bond with these athletes.

“I know that living… means you take the good with the bad. Life’s uncertainty can’t disable your life because you are afraid of the risk of living, it isn’t easy, but it is better to have experienced the moments and memories and to live for every moment than to just sit and be safe.

“California was the epitome of ‘Carpe Diem’… so I take this meaning of living life to the fullest in her memory.  My brain is spinning, my heart is broken, but I know I have you all to keep me pushing on.”

The EN team sends its most heartfelt condolences to Tamie, the Guariglia family, and all the connections of Solaguayre California. We’ve loved enjoying the privilege of watching her climb through the levels – join us in looking back at some of our favourite moments of her career.

 

Thursday News & Notes

By on Jun 22, 2023 5:31 am -

If the 2010s were the decade of Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW’s total domination, the 2020s are swiftly becoming the domain of Laura Collett and London 52. This is an incredible accomplishment, rightly being celebrated by EquiRatings: the duo has delivered three of the top five finishing scores at five-star, ever. Incredible stuff, and made even more exciting because of that high-profile tricky year they had back in 2019, in which the hotly-tipped young horse had to learn his job at the upper levels with the whole world watching. Laura had to deal with some serious disappointments that year, but remained steadfast in her dedication to the horse — and look how it’s paid off. It’s a great comfort to all the rest of us mere mortals, who might be battling through our own 2019 right now but truly believe our horse has what it takes. Keep the faith alive, folks.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Stable View Summer H.T. (Aiken, South Carolina): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]

Midsouth Pony Club H.T. (Lexington, Kentucky): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]

Fox River Valley Pony Club H.T. (Barrington Hills, Illinois): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]

Woodloch Stable Young Event Horse Qualifier (Hugo, Minnesota): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]

Loudon Hunt Pony Club Summer H.T. (Leesburg, Virginia): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]

Round Top H.T. (Castle Rock, Colorado): [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]

Valinor Farm H.T. (Plymouth, Massachusetts): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]

Bucks County Horse Park H.T. (Revere, Pennsylvania): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]

News From Around the Globe:

One of our favourite classes on the ‘dark side’ is the Hickstead Derby, which takes place this weekend. This iconic class, which has been running since the 1960s with an unchanged course and some of showjumping’s greatest feature fences — such as that bank — and it always draws a great field of entries and a huge crowd. This year, the eventers are well-represented with an entry from Gemma Stevens (neé Tattersall) and catch-ride Dime Bar, who she’s piloting for the Light family. But before we look forward to that ride on Sunday, let’s take a look back at some of the greatest moments that William Funnell, husband of Pippa, has experienced in his long tenure contesting the class. 

Speaking of historical, traditional shows, I found this throwback piece from COTH fascinating. It’s the sage recollections of the hunter-jumper world from the 1920s through the 1960s, as shared by 1936 Maclay champion, Ellie Wood Baxter. I’m particularly interested in her memories of Madison Square Garden, and the very different courses competitors had to tackle there. Check out her musings and memories here.

This is turning into a curiously jumper-themed edition of N&N, and I’m not sorry. In this piece, you’ll meet OTTB El Tormenta — or Eddie — who won the Woodbine Mile in 2019 and is now thriving in his second career, thanks in part to a great new Thoroughbred Jumper series. We love anything that helps promote these incredible athletes, and we love multitalented Eddie.

Last week, Tim Price opted to withdraw Happy Boy after the horse’s bloods were up upon arrival. This isn’t necessarily unusual: long-distance travel can bring on all sorts of little (and sometimes big) bugs and coughs, and it’s wise to monitor horses closely while they travel and upon arrival to ensure any travel sickness can be combatted. Now, researchers in Italy have revealed the findings on a study on the physical responses of travel, including the inflammatory response it brings on — and the stress response, too. It’s well worth reading if you ship your horse long-haul at any time.