Classic Eventing Nation

Niklas Lindbäck Brings the House Down at Boekelo

By on Oct 11, 2013 5:25 am -

Niklas Lindbäck and Cendrillon

What a morning at Boekelo! The rainy, chilly weather can’t dampen the excitement in the main arena right now, as Niklas Lindbäck and Centrillon just brought the house down with a dazzling test to take a commanding lead on a score of 33. This 10-year-old dark bay Swedish mare positively floats across the ground — especially in the trot work — and every part of the test built on the prior movement, culminating in two flawless flying changes and a perfect square halt. The Swedish contingent erupted in applause after the final salute, and Niklas knew the score would be very good. He now enjoys a nearly four-point margin over Kitty King and Persimmon, and now we wait to see if anyone can match that score. Of course, it’s very early in the day, and we still have a long way to go.

Kitty King and Persimmon

We’ve already seen numerous other excellent tests this morning, most notably from Kitty King and Persimmon, an 8-year-old Bay Dutch gelding, who tried their very hardest to catch Niklas and Cendrillon. They came close with a lovely, accurate test, scoring 36.8 to move into second place; that’s also a counting score for the British team in the Grolsch Nations Cup. German team stalwart Dirk Schrade also put in an excellent performance with Lord Lauries, a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding previously campaigned by London Olympic bronze medallist Sandra Auffarth. This horse has beautiful, rhythmic gaits and worked wonderfully with Dirk for a very good score of 38.6, which puts them in fourth place behind Kenki Sato and Chippieh, the overnight leaders from day 1 of dressage.

Dirk Schrade and Lord Lauries

After the first two groups have performed their tests, Germany continues to lead the Grolsch Nations Cup team standings with a score of 125.6. Great Britain holds second place on a distant 138.6, while Sweden has moved into the top three thanks to that stellar test from Niklas — which you can watch below — with a total team score of 143.4. We still have a lot of exciting rides to see on the second day of dressage here at Boekelo. Lauren Kieffer and Veronica will be our second pair out for Team USA in the next group of riders; their ride time is 11:55 a.m. local time, or 5:55 a.m. EST for anyone back home who happens to be awake. You can catch Lauren’s test of the excellent live stream by clicking here. And Boyd Martin and Trading Aces will be third to last to go at 4:18 p.m. local time, or 10:18 a.m. EST. Stay tuned for much more from Boekelo. Go Team USA!

Boekelo Links: [Homepage] [Results] [Boekelo TV] [Live Stream]

Friday News & Notes from FLAIR Nasal Strips

By on Oct 11, 2013 12:01 am -

Kenki Sato and Chippieh at Blenheim in 2011. Photo courtesy of Eventing Safety John.

Good morning and welcome to the weekend! I’m still floating from the St. Louis Cardinals big win in the National League Division Series (also know as 4 wins away from the World Series) on Wednesday night, so if you are friends with me on Facebook, I apologize for the deluge of likely annoying status updates. In other, more relevant news, Boekelo is officially in full swing, and Jenni is partying it up with the Dutch on the scene to bring us the latest and greatest in Eventing Nation coverage. After dressage ended yesterday, Kenki Sato and Chippieh led the field on a score of 38.2, followed by none other than Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST and Geoffrey Soullez on Madiran du Liot*HN. The remainder of the US riders will dance in the sandbox today as dressage concludes. Stay tuned for much more!

Boekelo Links: [Homepage] [Order Of Go] [Results] [Boekelo TV] [Live Stream]

Events This Weekend:

Greenwood Farm Inc. Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Colorado Horse Park Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Radnor Hunt H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

The Maryland H.T. at Loch Moy Farm [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Middle Tennessee Pony Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Course Brook Farm Fall H.T. [Website]

Fall Horse Trials at the Ark [Website]

Pine Top October HT [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Friday News

The clock is ticking on the entry time for the contest that FLAIR is running. You can win $250 by winning back to back horse trials between now and October 31. Be sure to use FLAIR strips for both your cross country and stadium rounds (take photos so we can see you rocking them!), and then spend your $250 on…oh, who am I kidding, I would spend it on my vet and farrier bills. [Eventers Win Big With FLAIR]

Your heartwarming story of the day! A mare was stolen from her owner six years ago, when she was only eight months old. Fast forward to present day and the mare, who was about to become a mother, was found in very poor conditions in a field. A microchip scan revealed that the mare had an owner, and reunion ensued. [Mare Reunited With Owner Six Years After Theft]

Horse & Hound magazine tips its hat to New Zealand and Austrialian eventing. With Jock Paget’s recent success and the ongoing quality of both horses and riders being produced in New Zealand, Horse & Hound has announced a special issue that will feature much of Australia and New Zealand’s eventing talent. [H&H to Honor Australia and New Zealand’s Success]

Are you horse shopping? Ireland’s Goresbridge Go For Gold event horse sale is rapidly approaching. There are about seventy horses that will be offered for sale, from younger horses with untapped potential to seasoned competitors currently competing at International levels. Horse showcases, evening sales, and dinners are just a few of the reasons why this promises to be one of the premier fall sale events. [Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale Catalog and Performance Footage]

The Pennsylvania National Horse Show is off and running this weekend. There are a ton of great competitions being held at this prestigious horse show, from Grand Prix jumpers to Junior Medal Finals. Better yet, the show is being streamed live on USEF Network, so now you have even more ways to spend time nerding out at your computer all weekend! [Pennsylvania National Horse Show Live Webcast]

Best of the Blogs:

Bruce Davidson’s website posted this profile of Kelly Prather on their blog.

Friday Video Break

What do you get when you put Ron Burgandy and a horse in the same shot? I’m still not really sure, even after watching this.

Study: Injuries, fitness and the future of sound eventers

By on Oct 10, 2013 5:34 pm -

European studies suggest more research could lead to healthier eventers

In more sobering news from Europe than the fantastic Boekelo coverage, a Dutch study that followed the preparation of 20 horses and nine ponies selected for eventing at the European Championships in 2010 and 2011 found that 45 percent were withdrawn because of locomotor injuries.

The study, supported in part by a grant from the Dutch National Equestrian Federation, was published last month in the journal BMC Veterinary Research (check it out for interesting details about heart rate and other things) and noted on horsetalk.co.nz.

In the journal article’s conclusion, the authors noted that results of another training study in the United Kingdom that showed that 21 percent of horses intended to compete in a CCI did not start because of an injury. Additionally, in another study, also performed in the United Kingdom, 35.1 percent of the 2,138 horses included in the research were not re-registered the next year because of veterinary problems. These published values are somewhat lower than results in the new Dutch study but still “in the same order of magnitude,” wrote the scientists.

“There is urgent need, with the goal of reducing injury incidence, for similar information concerning event animals in other countries to establish whether such high wastage* percentages are universal and to better understand the effects of training methods,” wrote Carolien Munsters, one of the study’s authors.

“To prevent injuries, it is important that event horses and ponies are sufficiently fit to accommodate the physiological demands necessary for high-level competition. …This study provides preliminary evidence – requiring confirmation in larger populations – that careful monitoring of the horses might assist in realizing this goal.”

 

*”wastage” refers here to loss of the ability to use the horse, not to effects of overconsumption of Grolsch or any other delectable European beverages.

The Evolution of A Horse Show

By on Oct 10, 2013 3:30 pm -

Going to a horse show is an emotional event. You spend all your money getting there, all your energy preparing for it, and then you get there and experience everything from extreme elation to utter despair at least once in the span of three days. Then, you drive home, and recharge for a few days, only to look on your calendar for the next one coming up! We love ’em and can’t live without them. Here’s some GIFs to perfectly sum up this roller coaster of emotions.

 

When You Arrive And See All Your Friends Stabled Next To You

 

In The Warmup For Your Dressage Test

 

How Your Horse Sometimes Imagines The Dressage Judge

 

That Split Second When You Think You’ve Forgotten Your Test: In Your Head It’s Like

20 Minutes Later, When You’re Checking Live Scores, And You Didn’t Get A Good Score

 

When You Walk Your Cross Country Course The First Time

 

That One Fence: You Just Know You’re Going To Look Like This:

 

Your Coach’s Face in Show Jumping Warm Up

After Your Double Clean Show Jumping Round

 

The Night Before Cross Country: WINE

 

Heading To The Start Box: So Ready

 

After Cross Country

 

When You Get Back Home

 

British Eventing Increases Prize Money for 2014

By on Oct 10, 2013 2:34 pm -

Kitty King and Zidante at Barbury. Photo by Samantha Clark

Responding to riders’ demand for more prize money (see @EPrizemoney on Twitter), British Eventing announced a 3% increase in rewards at events next year.  However, the increase is not without a price– and riders are not very satisfied.

Matching the raise in prize money, British event entry fees are also subject to a 3% cost increase.  In addition, membership dues were also raised  £5.  Riders argue that the entry fee increase will affect all riders, while only a certain few will reap the rewards of the slight bump in prize money. [Read more at the Horse & Hound]

Coming from the US… I would welcome the idea of “complaining” about not enough prize money; I think most of us would be grateful to win anything at all, beyond a ribbon and perhaps a saddle pad.

 

 

AEC Participation by State: 2012 vs. 2013

By on Oct 10, 2013 1:00 pm -

 

After three-year tenures apiece in Southern Pines, NC; Wayne, IL; and Fairburn, GA, this year’s AECs shifted southwestward to Tyler, Texas. On paper it was a fair decision, as Texas has strongly supported past AECs and the location put the event within (a long) arm’s reach of both east and west coast eventers. We thought it would be interesting to do a side-by-side comparison of the 2012 and 2013 events–how did the change in location affect participation?

 

">

Many thanks to the equestrian design expertise of Dapplebay.com for the great infographics.

What’s the takeaway? Moving the AECs further away from the east coast, with its relatively high density of eventers, meant significantly fewer entries in the 2013 event, with participation bolstered in a big way by the host state. On the flip side, when the AECs were held in Georgia, west coast participation nearly dropped off completely. One thing, however, seems clear: No matter where you put the AECs, eventers WILL show up–and from every corner of the country.

Where do you think the AECs should be held after Texas (2016-2018)?

Kenki Sato and Chippieh Hold Day 1 Boekelo Lead

By on Oct 10, 2013 11:57 am -

Kenki Sato and Chippieh

If you remember Kenki Sato and Chippieh’s dressage test from the London Olympics last year, you won’t be surprised that they’re leading at Boekelo at the conclusion of day 1 of dressage. This 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding has a lovely partnership with Kenki, who I’ve never before had the pleasure of seeing ride in person. Kenki just returned to Europe from Japan, where he’s been competing on the jumping circuit there. In addition to being competitive at the highest levels of show jumping, Kenki really is an incredibly talented dressage rider, and it could have something to do with the fact that he’s trained extensively with Michael Jung in recent years. His test was good enough today to just edge Ze Terminator on a score of 38.2, and he became the third rider to crack the 30s.

Andreas Dibowski and It's Me xx

It’s worth noting that two of Michael’s students — Kenki and Felix Vogg — join him in the top four of the dressage standings here at Boekelo. Considering this year’s Badminton and Burghley winner Jock Paget — who’s notably absent from the competition here at Boekelo this weekend — also trained with Michael last winter, I have to imagine Ze Terminator has a waiting list of riders eager to learn from the best in the world. Michael led his team to the early lead in the Grolsch Nations Cup after the first day of dressage, and the Germans currently hold first place in the team standings on a score of 82.6. France follows in second place with a score of 96.2, with Australia holding third on a 95.6.

Ellen Svennerstal and Southway

We’ve dodged the rainy weather forecast for the past two days at Boekelo, but the skies opened up when poor Albert Hermoso Farr was preparing to start his test on Yasmina V as the last ride of the day. Of course, that’s not preventing the party from continuing on, and I can hear a heavy base line thumping next door to the press tent. The Dutch know how to watch an event — with a beer (Grolsch, of course!) in hand and good music. Also, I’ve just discovered that there’s an excellent live stream of the event available on the Boekelo website. I tested it today, and it seems to be working beautifully, so be sure to tune in tomorrow for day 2 of dressage. That wraps up my coverage for today. Go Boekelo!

Boekelo Links: [Homepage] [Order Of Go] [Results] [Boekelo TV] [Live Stream]

Liz Halliday Talks Dressage at Boekelo

By on Oct 10, 2013 11:10 am -

Liz Halliday breaks down her test with Coach David O'Connor.

I’ve really enjoyed getting to know Liz Halliday this weekend at Boekelo. Since she’s been based in the UK for nearly 15 years, she’s not a name we’re that familiar with here on EN, and that’s a shame. A woman of many talents — she’s an upper-level eventer AND a professional racecar driver — Liz stepped up to the plate to compete in her first-ever team competition at Boekelo, and she was the lead-off rider today for Team USA. As I explained in my recap of her test, her lovely mount Fernhill By Night — a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding better known as Blackie — swapped leads on the centerline before the first halt and salute, which likely marred their scores for the remaining of the test.

But as you’ll see in the video of her test — which you can view here — they really had some lovely moments, and for the horse’s CCI3* debut, I think he really had a lovely test. Liz was kind enough to speak with me right after her test, and she was quite hard on herself about that swap. But if we’re going to go after Ze Germans, we need riders who refuse to look past those little mistakes, and I applaud Liz for her commitment to riding the absolute best test she can. Kudos to Liz for making it through dressage day in her first appearance as a member of Team USA. And I have to point out that she hails from Fallbrook, Calif., which is just minutes from where I grew up in Vista, Calif., in northern San Diego county. Go Avocado Capital of the World!

Boekelo Links: [Homepage] [Order Of Go] [Results] [Boekelo TV] [Live Stream]

Michael Jung Leads at Boekelo; Liz Halliday First Out for U.S.

By on Oct 10, 2013 10:10 am -

Liz Halliday and Fernhill By Night

The whole U.S. contingent gathered ringside this afternoon to watch Liz Halliday and Fernhill By Night perform their test as the first out for Team USA. This is the first CCI3* for “Blackie,” a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding who just moved up to the Advanced level this year but thus far has shown himself very capable every step of the way. He proved that again today by handling the big atmosphere at Boekelo with poise, and Liz said she was very happy with him when I spoke to her after her test. Unfortunately, Blackie swapped on the centerline right off the bat, a bobble Liz said she’s never had happen with this horse before.

Michael Jung and Fischer Rocana FST

As often happens with mistakes early in the test, I think the judges had that blip in mind when scoring the rest of the test, which was very solid to ultimately score 51.8 to put them just inside the top 20. They had a beautiful halt and reinback — which has been tricky today for many riders as their horses have struggled with the big atmosphere — and her canter depart after the reinback was one of the best we’ve seen all day. For Blackie’s debut at the CCI3* level and Liz’s first team competition, I’d say this was a very good performance. I caught Liz for a video interview right after her test, so you’ll hear much more about her test in her own words once that finishes uploading.

Geoffroy Soullez and Madiran du LiotHN

German Julia Krajewski and Lost Prophecy held the lead for the entire first half of the day, but we didn’t have to wait long for someone to challenge her score, as Michael Jung and Fischer Rocana FST sailed into first place on a 39 as the first ride after the lunch break. This little mare is just 8 years old, and she looks like quite an opinionated horse. In typical Terminator style, they worked beautifully together, even with the mare seeming a bit tense and distracted by the atmosphere. If she can throw down a 39 at just 8 years old, think about how good she’s going to be a year from now — just one more top-notch horse in Ze Terminator’s arsenal.

Felix Vogg and Onfire

We also saw a very good test from French rider Geoffroy Soullez and Madiran du Liot*HN, who scored 39.2 to sit just behind Michael in second place provisionally. I’ve never seen this striking chestnut before, and he had some of the nicest changes we’ve seen so far today. I spotted Michael Jung coaching Swiss rider Felix Vogg in warmup before his test, and some of Ze Terminator’s luck must have rubbed off on him, as he scored 41.8 to move into third place with Onfire, one of several Thoroughbreds competing here at Boekelo. And Tim Lips, who has twice been the Dutch champion, let the hometown crowd know he means business this weekend, scoring 44.4 with Concrex Oncarlos for seventh place provisionally.

Laura Collett and Allora 3

Michael’s test sent Germany firmly into a commanding lead in the Grolsch Nations Cup team standings, while Geoffroy’s test moved the French team into second place a full 17 penalty points behind ze Germans. Australia is currently holding third place in the Nations Cup standings. We’re moving into the final riders of the day here at Boekelo, where the clouds are rolling in and temperatures are hovering at a balmy 50 degrees. In addition to the videos I’m posting to my YouTube Channel, be sure to check out Boekelo TV, who have been kind enough to interview many of our Americans and will be uploading lots videos throughout the weekend. Stay tuned for much more from Boekelo.

Boekelo Links: [Homepage] [Order Of Go] [Results] [Boekelo TV] [Live Stream]

A Guide to Surviving Your Horse’s Retirement

By on Oct 10, 2013 9:15 am -

Plaid in his prime, aka earlier this year.

You always think you’re going to have more time.

It’s been almost a month since I took my horse off the trailer; having battled tears back for the two-hour trip from Pennsylvania, where the vet told me my horse had re-injured his suspensory ligament. What did this mean? It meant, at age 20, my horse was going into retirement once again. However, this time, there would be no comeback. Putting my horse into a stall for six months at age 12, nursing him back to flatwork, and, six years later, jumping, was possible. At age 20, putting him in that stall breaks my heart every day. I could never ask him to endure the threat of another re-injury.

I always said, ‘When he tells me it’s time, I’ll retire him.’ Well, that’s easier said than done. You see a date a few years down the line, after you’ve conquered more courses, after you’ve broken a few more rules, after you’ve jumped higher and galloped faster than you ever thought possible. I always thought I’d be ready. I know now that I don’t believe you’re ever ready, not when you have a true partnership. Not when the horse knows you, inside and out, when he trots when the thought comes into your head, when he turns his butt on you in the field, then looks back at you like, ‘well, you’re still coming right?’

So, if you ever find yourself in my position, as I’m sure many of you have, and many of you still will, here’s a guide to keeping your hold on the Earth, and your heart as whole as you possibly can.

Week One, Two, and Three of #RehabSelfies

DO create a hash tag. For instance, #RehabSelfies, where you take photos of yourself and your horse while hand walking in the indoor arena. That way, you can chronicle your depressing journey on the internet. Scratching tally marks on your horse’s stall suffices as well.

DON’T go to horse shows. Helping your friends is noble, but when they get on, and their saddle is wet from the tears you shed after seeing the show jumping course you were prepared to jump, they won’t thank you.

DO have an eating plan. Does chocolate get you through the day? Eat chocolate all day long. I guarantee, once you eat chocolate cake for breakfast, brownies for lunch, and sneak Cadbury milk bars upstairs to have for dinner in bed, you will never want to have chocolate again. Keeping the weight off is good if you ever find yourself back on a horse again.

DO screen the riding offers. ‘I have a friend who has a horse you can ride,’ sounds great, until you figure out that the horse is 6, off the track, might have a brain injury, and doesn’t like cats, other horses, or people.

 

One of my favorite pictures of Plaid and me. Taken at MDHT during our first and last Training event. Photo by the wonderful and supportive Abby Gibbon.

DON’T take things personally. In the days following, I thought my Ipod was trying to kill me by playing the same sad Postal Service song over and over. Then, I realized I just had the song on my Ipod in four different places.

DO tell your horse how much you love him, every day, even if he did ruin your plans and cost you two shows of entry fees, and yes, you’ll keep him forever, and maybe if you have the money clone him, and wouldn’t that be fun, don’t you want a buddy that looks just like you and oh my god I’m going crazy..

DON’T spend all your time on CANTER, or Sport Horse Nation, where you definitely can’t afford the horses. For some reason every horse I send to my friends is a dark bay, slightly thick Thoroughbred with a star on their face. It seems I have a type.