Classic Eventing Nation

The Call Of The Open Road

By on Sep 18, 2013 6:00 pm -

On the road again!

This past weekend Team DF loaded up for a cross-country schooling trip.  We stopped in at Fresno County Horse Park and found that they were in the middle of some construction.  By all accounts it should be well finished by the time their mid-October event arrives, but it left us in need of a different plan.

We ended up re-routing to Connie Arthur’s Lone Tree Farm.  This added a few extra hours of road time to an already very long day.  Fortunately Lone Tree was kind-of-sort-of on the way home and welcoming enough to take us on two hour’s notice.  We drove thru miles of rolling yellow hills and past lakes and reservoirs.  It was warm out, but the air-conditioner kept things pleasant while I jabbed around blindly on the radio looking for something to listen to.

Truthfully, the extra road-time wasn’t bad at all. Road-tripping with horses-in-tow, whether it’s for an event or just a day-trip is one of my favorite things in the world.  There are special sorts conversations that one can only have with your barn-besties in the cab of a truck.  Whether it’s putting together a game plan for the rest of the show-season, debating which clinic to attend or verbally crafting the perfect pair of custom tall-boots odds are good that you’ll find plenty of smile-worthy conversation.

Those moments are the memories that come first when I think of showing – all the inside jokes, the shared dreams, the boundless hope and all of the hypothetical and would-you-rather type questions that come on the road.  We laugh and joke about what our horses would do if they were people – write Mad Men Fan-Fiction, have a Twitter account more incomprehensible than Courtney Love’s or be a hopelessly-coffee-addicted hipster.  We insist that we remembered to pack everything and then relentlessly tease the friend who meekly suggests a 1am stop at the local 24 hour super-store for some forgotten essentials like oh, say… something other than show-clothes? (We should have made you sleep in your hunt-coat.)

And then at times there is an odd sanctity to those conversations, an unspoken agreement that the things said in that private space are never to be repeated.  The truck-cab serves as a confessional booth, letting us share things that we might not necessarily share otherwise.  I suspect that has something to do with the fact that at least one party to the conversation must keep their eyes on the road and that redirection of focus grants the freedom to a bit more open and a bit more vulnerable.  These moments in the crew-cab confessional are often the ties that bind barn-besties and the barn-family.  As the wheels turn and the road hours go by, those bonds are cemented and sealed by the shared experience.

Go Team DF. Go Road Tripping. Go Eventing.

Start-Box Jams of the Day: Reader Submissions

By on Sep 18, 2013 5:00 pm -

Just as everyone has diverse taste in music, riders have different taste in pump-up music. Start-Box Jams plays homage to the songs that give us the courage to tackle cross country. Do you have some favorite start-box jams you’d like to share with EN? Email me at [email protected]

I have been absolutely amazed by the overwhelming response.  EN-readers not only love their Start-Box Jams, but have some pretty fine taste in music.  Here’s the first round of our reader-submitted Start-Box Jams.  Maybe you’ll find something to add to your playlist!

Seema Sonnad sent in a great list of suggestions that included C+C Music Factory’s – Things That Make You Go Hmm.  I can’t deny it, this song is a secret pleasure of mine.  It’s on my gym-jams playlist and it may just have to migrate over to my pre-Event playlist as well.  After all, my Dressage tests are a thing that make my trainers go “hmmm…”

Veronica Low and her Canadian Sport Horse gelding ‘Eddy’s Martini’ prep with one of the quintessential jams of the 80’s –  Falco’s Rock Me Amadeus.  Infectious and catchy, you’ll be singing this one all day long.

Drew Kemerling suggested a most excellent cover-song you may have heard recently on your local rock-station Five Finger Death Punch’s Bad Company. There’s something about driving guitar and growly low voices that brings on the war-face and feeling of bad-assery.

Laura Baxter keeps it classic and simple with Battle Hymn of the Republic.  She says it helps her keep the rhythm and that it also motivates her horse if she sings it while she’s out on course!

So, what’s your start-box jam? Be sure to send it in.  We’d love to share it!

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Plantation Bareback Jumping Challenge

By on Sep 18, 2013 3:30 pm -

Oh man, other than running my own cross country round this weekend, I’m looking forward to the Bareback Puissance at Plantation Fields. I don’t know if these people have extra grippy pants, or sticky spray that’s actually Gorilla Glue, or just horses with really flat backs, but I am pretty sure if I attempted it on my horse I would be launched into space. Last year was especially exciting as Caroline Martin won at 5’11 with her own Nacho, while others valiantly tried and came just short of the mark. I’ve included several riders in the 5’8 round, and then Caroline’s winning jump just to get your blood pumping for this Sunday’s challenge. Go Bareback Puissance!!

5’8 Round

 

Caroline’s winning jump at 5’11

 

Swedes Prepare for Plantation Field

By on Sep 18, 2013 2:00 pm -

Sara Algottson-Ostholt will ride Ballyneety and Niklas Lindbäck will ride Brewster in the CIC* at Plantation Field. Photo courtesy of Boyd Martin.

Swedish Olympians Sara Algottson-Ostholt and Niklas Lindbäck met their mounts for the Plantation Field CIC* this morning at Boyd Martin’s Windurra Farm. The two riders are catch-riding two of Boyd’s regular mounts at Plantation this weekend to bring a little international flair to the event. Nine countries in total will be represented at Plantation, which organizers are hailing as the “Best. Event. Ever.”

Sara is riding Ballyneety, a 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by George and Gretchen Wintersteen, while Niklas is riding Brewster, a 7-year-old Thoroughbred/Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Katie and Cuyler Walker. Sara and Niklas rode the horses for the first time this morning, and Boyd said the first rides went extremely well.

“They both clicked with the horses straight away, which was quite impressive to watch,” Boyd said. “They’ll have a jump school tomorrow morning at my place.” In the meantime, Sara and Niklas are exploring the gargantuan King of Prussia Mall this afternoon, getting a taste of American shopping. Having braved that mall several times, they might be wise to wear their air vests.

If you’re headed to Plantation this weekend, be sure to catch Sara and Niklas riding; I included their ride times below. Many thanks to Plantation organizers Denis Glaccum and Katie Walker for working to bring such talented riders to Plantation Field and to Boyd for providing them with horses to ride. Go Plantation!

Niklas Lindbäck ride times: Dressage: 2:52 p.m. Friday, Show Jumping: 9:38 a.m. Sunday, Cross country: 02:52 p.m. Sunday

Sara Algottson-Ostholt ride times: Dressage: 3:48 p.m. Friday, Show jumping: 9:54 a.m. Sunday, Cross country 1:12 p.m. Sunday

[Plantation Field Horse Trials]

You’ve Got This, Amy

By on Sep 18, 2013 11:54 am -

From the Amy Barrington Recovery Page on Facebook

Every day for the past two weeks, I’ve sat down and stared at a blank white screen, trying to to think of something to write about my coach Amy Barrington. And every day I’ve felt like all the words have been sucked out of my body. As a writer, you’re always searching out the narrative in things. You piece together bits of information until they start resembling something meaningful–everything happens for a reason. But in the wake of Amy’s accident, I’ve not been able to find that thread. I just don’t understand. How could such a terrible thing happen to such an undeserving person?

Amy is one of the most careful eventers I know. She always wears a helmet. She takes her time developing both horses and riders. She would never give you the green light to move up a level a day before you were ready. In the five years I have ridden with her, never once has she pointed me toward a question she wasn’t 100% confident my horse and I could answer. I talked to Amy on the phone a couple days before her accident and the last thing I said to her was “Good luck,” with regard to Southern Pines H.T., which she was heading to over the weekend. But Amy doesn’t rely on luck–she relies on being prepared.

Photo by KC Betzel

Unfortunately, there are things in life we can’t prepare for. Sometimes we get blindsided. Everything we know can change, faster than the blink of an eye. Accidents happen, and we may never get an explanation of why or what it’s all supposed to mean. The best any of us can do is throw ourselves wholeheartedly into making the best of whatever hand we’ve been dealt.

These are the facts: Amy is tough. Both physically and mentally, she’s strong. She’s got the biggest course of her life in front of her, but Amy WILL get the job done, because that is what Amy does. After a week of touch-and-go progress, Amy took a huge step forward on Tuesday, opening her eyes for the first time since the accident. Her husband Greg, who has been so wonderful about keeping everyone informed, reported in his daily update, “She saw me, Ben and many of her best friends. She expressed emotion. It is evident that all the prayers, energy, karma and whatever it is that the animals send out, is bringing her back to us.”

One of Amy's students, Jill Decker, brought a pair of rubber reins to the hospital, hoping their familiarity would elicit a response: "The left hand purposefully latched onto them and you could certainly see the fingers grappling to find the correct hold. As I positioned the rein under her thumb and between her pinkie and ring finger, she held it!"

The groundswell of support that has lifted Amy up these past two weeks is nothing short of incredible. From keeping the barn up and running to raising over $30,000 toward Amy’s medical expenses (you can make a tax-deductible donation here), it is clear that the eventing community takes care of its own. For updates on the latest fundraising efforts and ways you can contribute, “like” the Amy Barrington Recovery Page on Facebook here. The page itself is a phenomenon, a sprawling get-well card full of positive energy and prayers and personal accounts of how Amy has touched so many lives. Truly, it is a reflection of Amy’s own generous spirit.

Michele Mallonee shared this photo of "Ride for Amy" bracelets on Facebook with the note, "Ponies and Friends...ALL IN! GO AMY!!!!"

Yesterday, Amy was transported to the Sheperd Center in Atlanta, where she’ll receive the best care possible from brain injury specialists. She’s got a long, hard journey ahead of her, but we’ll be with her every step of the way.

We need you back, coach. I need you back. Grab mane and kick. We’re all waiting for you on the other side.

Go Amy.

Plantation Field CIC3* Preview

By on Sep 18, 2013 10:30 am -

Recent Richland CIC3* Winners: Trading Aces & Boyd Martin (photo by Jenni Autry)

As is now the tradition, I’m here to bring you a thoroughly exhaustive and intense look at all the riders entered in this weekend’s big competition: Plantation Field Horse Trials, the CIC3*. Let us not forget that there is also a CIC1*, a CIC2*, and horse trials from Preliminary through Advanced levels, which pretty much guarantees that everybody on the east coast who is competing at the upper levels will somehow find a way to be there.

Plantation has really put forth an effort in the latest years to become a destination event, and this year they are unveiling a new warm up arena (yay!) and also importing some foreign talent, as Sara Algottson-Ostholt will be riding one of Boyd’s horses in the CIC1*. With the excitement of the bareback puissance (which last year reached 5’11 with Caroline Martin & Nacho!) AND the very cool Downton Abbey themed shops (nerd moment), Plantation promises to be a fantastic time! So, without further ado, your CIC3* competitors!

[Plantation Website] [Entries] [2013 Schedule] [Ride Times]

 

Lisa Barry & F.I.S. Prince Charming: Lisa has a super jumping horse in this little grey gelding, and he has a wonderful flying white tail over every jump as he kicks out his hind end. This pair won the Advanced at Red Hills earlier this spring, and finished on their dressage score at The Fork in the CIC3*, but have only contested two Intermediates since then, so they’ll be looking to get a good result at this 3* as a return to the Advanced level for the fall.

Peter Barry & Kilrodan Abbott: Always a crowd favorite, Peter and Eddie will be contesting this event in fine form. Peter was most recently 8th at the Richland CIC3*, finishing with only time penalties to add to his dressage score of 56. This pair has of course cruised around Rolex like no big deal several times at this point, and nobody doubts that they can jump around almost any track. I expect that these two will put in a nice performance, and clean jumping rounds to sit in the top 15 riders at the end of the weekend.

Nora Battig & Steppin’ Out: I saw Nora and this lovely mare compete at Millbrook just a few weeks ago, and I really liked what I saw. They are new to the Advanced level, and have somewhat of a mixed bag of results on their record, so I think Nora will be pleased with a solid result at the CIC3* level for their first attempt this weekend.

Susan Beebee & Wolf: Wolf is the horse that everybody wants to have, and for good reason too. He’s absurdly good looking, a consistently good dressage horse and he can jump like hell. This pair was 7th earlier this spring at The Fork CIC3* and won an Advanced at Chattahoochee, going on to finish 14th at Bromont in the CCI3* with a stop on cross country. Wolf just moved up to Advanced this year, and it’s safe to say that the talent is there, but they are still figuring out some nuances together. If their weekend goes well, watch out for these two.

Emily Beshear & River King: Emily got Riley earlier this year, and they’ve had some good results as they finished all the qualifications for a CCI3* in one season earlier this spring. Riley was 7th at the Ocala CCI2*, 7th at the CIC3* at Jersey and was in the top after dressage at Bromont only to garner a stop on cross country. These two perform well on the flat and usually quite accurately on cross country, but struggle with their show jumping, so I know Emily will be focused on getting away from the colored poles as much as she can on Saturday.

Tracey Bienemann & Zara: Tracey and her big red mare completed a few Advanced horse trials last year, but have not competed at this level since Plantation 2012, so I’m sure they will be a little rusty and happy with a solid completion. Zara has a distaste for dressage that suits her big red thoroughbred mare status, and a rather distinct jumping style that sometimes lends itself to rails, but she’s very honest on cross country, and Tracey loves her a lot.

Susan Beebee and Wolf (photo by Jenni Autry)

Jessica Bortner-Harris & Win The War: Jess has had a bit of an unlucky year with her horse Bug, after jumping the wrong side of a corner in the CCI3* at Bromont, and then falling prey to a cabin combination at Millbrook, she’ll be looking to get her groove back here at Plantation and finish feeling like her horse is back to his old self in the jumping phases.

Timothy Bourke & Luckaun Quality: This pair is new to the Advanced level, having just moved up at Millbrook, but they also contested the Richland CIC3* and finished with some time and two rails over the tough jumping tracks. I expect that Tim will be looking for some more experience at this level before contesting a bigger 3* later this fall. This horse dreads the Dressage, but like a nice Irish horse should, lives for the running and jumping.

Zachary Brandt & Cavallino Cocktail: When he’s not becoming a Crocodile Dundee, Zach is apparently invading the East Coast with his lovely grey mare Scotty. They were 10th at the CCI3* at Jersey Fresh earlier this spring, and went right on to place 5th at the CIC3* at Rebecca Farms, and just came off a lovely 4th place finish in the Intermediate at Five Points. Watch out for these two!

Jennie Brannigan & Cambalda: Despite the fact that Jennie has had arguably the worst luck EVER with contesting her first CCI4* this spring with Ping, this pair remains virtually unbeatable at all the other levels. If they aren’t first, they are second. Their dressage is very accurate and the horse can jump to beat them all. If Jennie goes for the clock on Sunday, we’re all in trouble.

Jan Byyny & Inmidair: Jan is having a similarly bad luck season, and she’s one of the most determined competitors out there, so she’ll be here this weekend to prove us all wrong! JR is a super cool little horse who can turn in a seriously good dressage test under her guidance, and can jump the heck out of anything out there. If Jan is out there gritting her teeth and gettin’ it done like I know she can, you should very well expect her to be in the top placings at the end of the weekend.

Caitlin Calder & Jolliyat: Caitlin & Cliff moved up to the Advanced level early this spring, and they’ve already got a CCI3* under their belt. They’ve had the odd batch of bad luck in the mix, but I know Caitlin has been working very hard on the subtle magic of pulling it all together this summer, and I expect she’ll be trying to get that in order here this weekend. Cliffy is a super jumper and incredibly catty on the cross country, so I have no doubt that it is well within their reach.

Zach Brandt and Cavallino Cocktail. (Photo by Bill Olson)

Kate Chadderton & Collection Pass: Kate thinks the world of this little horse, and he’s even got his own fan club: The Cole Club! Cole moved up to Advanced this spring and took on the Bromont CCI3*, placing 11th overall. They had a nice break after Bromont and came back to complete the Richland CIC3* with some time and a few rails. I know Kate was disappointed with her dressage at Richland, so she’ll be hungry for some improvement here. Cole is a super little jumper and Kate can ride the heck out of some cross country, so I expect these two to finish with clean jumping efforts.

Leslie Chelstrom & Cecelia: From what I’ve seen with Leslie and Cecelia in my divisions for a few years now, they both have a large amount of talent. They’ve been active at the Advanced and 3* level for two years now, and they have enough experience to know how to handle the challenge. This pair won an extremely competitive division of Advanced this spring at The Fork, but sadly were unable to complete Bromont CCI3* when they ran into trouble on cross country. This mare is incredibly obedient on the flat and a super jumper, and Leslie rides her well. I expect them to finish in style.

Will Coleman & Conair: Will just very recently acquired Joey and this competition will be only their 3rd together as a pair. They competed at Richland in the Intermediate and finished well there, and just made the move up to Advanced last weekend at Five Points, where they added only some time on cross country to their dressage score to finish 7th. Will seems really excited about the horse, so I’m interested to see him go this weekend, and I don’t doubt that they can get it done, and make it look pretty.

Hallie Coon & Namaste’: Unfortunately, I don’t know much about these two. They have completed two Advanced HT earlier this spring at Rocking Horse and Poplar, but since then have only competed at a CCI* and the Intermediate at Richland, so this weekend at Plantation will be the biggest challenge they have yet seen in their career.

Courtney Cooper & Who’s A Star: Tag is Courtney’s first homebred, and certainly qualifies as a star. This spring he was 3rd at the Jersey Fresh CCI3*, but since then has had an inauspicious return to the Advanced level, coming home with trouble on XC at both Millbrook and Five Points. Courtney will be happy to get around this course clean and have her old jumping machine back in order.

Sally Cousins & Tsunami III: Sue and Sally comprise probably the toughest pair out competing this weekend. While their dressage will not be up in the top after the first day, Sally knows how to get around inside the time and Sue knows how to jump clean. If the jumping phases prove to be influential (as they should), these two will get the award for the highest leap from day one to day three.

Leslie Chelstrom & Cecelia (photo by Jenni Autry)

Sally Cousins & Ideal Contini: Sally’s second ride, Taz, has really been a great addition to her string of horses. Taz can compete with the best on the first day, and while he’s not the easiest horse to ride over jumps, Sally could ride a mule around and it would probably go clean. They’ve had a very successful spring, with a 4th place at Jersey Fresh CCI2*, several wins at the horse trials level and most recently 2nd at Millbrook in the Advanced. She fell prey to a TE last weekend at Five Points, so I know she’ll be kicking herself into high gear to get over that this weekend.

Buck Davidson & Knight Lion: This horse is one of the least experienced horses in the field, and I sure hope Buck’s groin has healed, because he might have to do some cowboy riding on cross country day. Knight Lion was 3rd at the Bromont CCI2*, and has one Advanced HT under his belt from June, but he also has a slightly unsettling record of competing at Intermediate a few times and then Training level before moving back up. Buck should be pleased with some more confidence building mileage on this horse at the end of the weekend.

Buck Davidson & Petite Flower: Buck recently took over the ride on this little mare (bred by his father, Bruce) from his student Caroline Martin, after Bromont this year. Though she may be a tiny little Thoroughbred, she is mighty and can jump anything. She successfully moved up to Advanced at Millbrook two weeks ago, and was en route to do her first CIC3* at Richland, but Buck pulled his groin muscle in a fall off his first horse, and made the choice to save his strength for another day. This will be her second effort at the Advanced level and her first CIC3*.

Maggie Deatrick & Divine Comedy: Maggie and her thoroughbred chestnut gelding have somewhat of a mixed bag heading into this weekend. They completed two Advanced horse trials in the spring of 2012, but then returned to the Intermediate level, and have only had one other crack at Advanced, this summer at Millbrook where they finished with three rails and some time to add to their dressage score. Given that they are fairly inexperienced at this level and this is their first CIC3*, I think a nice solid round will make this rider happy.

Phillip Dutton & William Penn: The first of Phillip’s three rides in the 3*, this horse has quite enough experience at the Advanced level to do well here. I saw him at Millbrook and though that his dressage lacked some of the pizazz that some of his stablemates have, but I’m sure he can do well as he’s a lovely mover and a lovely jumper.

Phillip Dutton & Fernhill Fugitive: This horse had an unfortunate fall at Jersey Fresh CCI3* this spring, but bounced right back to win the CIC2* at Virginia and place 7th at the Bromont CCI3* a few weeks later. He contested the Richland CIC3* a few weeks ago, and although Dressage isn’t his strongest point, he finished 15th in the competitive crowd there and I’m sure will do well here.

Buck Davidson & Petite Flower at Millbrook (photo by Susan Drover)

Phillip Dutton & Mr. Medicott: Phillip is still testing out his new partnership with Cave, and while their debut at Millbrook in the Advanced was decent, I feel like they still have some style points to work out. They had a rather rough go at Richland in the Show Jumping, and I hope to see some smoother communication here at Plantation.

Eliza Farren & Bantry Bays Dublin: Eliza and her little Connemara gelding, Dublin, have had quite a bit of experience at the Advanced level now, and will be looking to improve upon their performance at Richland, where they were 32nd with a stop on XC. I saw her earlier this spring when she attempted the Red Hills CIC3*, and she had an unfortunate fall in the water, and in true pony form, Dublin took off into the back forty, leaving his rider soaked and trotting after him with a grim smile on her face. Should these two get everything in line, they can finish quite nicely.

Lisa Marie Fergusson & Feral Errol: And the winner for the name that is the most fun to say over the loudspeaker goes to…..! But seriously, Lisa and this horse have had a pretty good start to their relationship. They’ve only been together since the beginning of this year, but they have won a few horse trials at Intermediate and won the CCI2* at Rebecca Farms. They haven’t had that kind of luck at the Advanced level, and that was where Errol’s previous rider Gina Fiore had trouble with him as well, so we shall see if Lisa can get it done. They are coming off an elimination in the Advanced at Five Points last weekend, so that can either mean they are down in the dumps, or they’ve got a fire lit under their butts!

Sinead Halpin & Manoir de Carneville: There isn’t a whole lot that I can say about this partnership that you haven’t heard about ten times before. They burst onto the international scene with a fantastic finish at their first 4* at Rolex and topped it off last year by coming 2nd to the Silver Fox himself at Burghley. Separately, Tate and Sinead have been recovering from minor injuries, but they seem to be back at it lately, and will be bringing their A game. Tate is incredibly obedient in all the phases, and his only weakness is the occasional rail or two in stadium. I expect them to kick all our butts anyway, though.

Helen Hayn & Aqua Tom: Helen and Tom completed two Advanced HT’s last year (one of them here at Plantation) but have only completed one in 2013, just last weekend at Five Points, where they had some trouble on cross country as well as three rails. This will be their first attempt at the CIC3* level, and they’ll be pleased with a nice clear round and some time penalties.

Lillian Heard & Share Option: Lillian has had Whitey for 7 years now, and their partnership is a lovely sight to see. After an injury put him out of commission for a few years, Whitey returned to the upper levels this spring, and had a great comeback at the Jersey Fresh CCI3* placing 4th, as well as a 3rd place at Fair Hill CIC3* before that. He most recently completed the Richland CIC3*, with a rail and some time to add to his dressage score. He’s a lovely mover and jumper, and Lillian is a super rider, and they get along very well. I expect this pair to be quite competitive this weekend, and they will make it all look easy while out on course.

Sinead & Tate at Barbury 2012 (photo by Samantha Clark)

Lauren Kieffer & Lucky Devil: Taz is a lovely 8 year old gelding who has been brought up the slow and correct way through the Intermediate level by Lauren, and has had some very good results so far. He has done two Advanced HT’s at Richland and Five Points, and will be contesting his first CIC3* this weekend. I’m positive that Lauren can give him a thoughtful and confident ride around this big course.

Lauren Kieffer & RF Cosima: Cosi is fresh off her win at Richland in the CIC2*, and is looking to kick some butt here at Plantation. Lauren’s string of solid competitive horses is getting ridiculous, and this horse is no exception. These two were 5th at the Jersey CIC3* and 3rd at the Bromont CIC3*, as well as a nice win in the AI at VAHT. The mare is still relatively inexperienced at the level, but every time she goes out she’s in the top placings at the end of the weekend.

Boyd Martin & Trading Aces: After winning the Richland CIC3*, this pair is a serious threat to those looking to grab the blue ribbon. They are solidly top three after dressage, and Oscar is a very careful natural jumper who usually leaves the poles up. With Boyd in the irons on XC, the two can do no wrong, and should be placed well up in the top at the end of the weekend. Boyd & Oscar are using this as one last prep run before heading for Boekelo CCIO3* this October.

Selena O’Hanlon & A First Romance:  This gelding hasn’t had a lot of competition this spring, but he finished 12th at the Bromont CCI3* and most recently was 19th at Richland with only time to add to his dressage score. The flatwork is not where he finds his joy in life, but they both excel in the jumping phases. Selena is one of the most efficient XC riders I’ve seen in a long time, as her horses are perfectly trained to barely require a tug before the fences and they set themselves up beautifully. Sometimes, you think you’re watching a hunter course in fast forward!

Selena O’Hanlon & Bellaney Rock: Selena’s second ride has had a bit more to do this spring, placing 10th at Red Hill CIC3* thanks to a quick clear XC round, and finishing in 4th place at the Bromont CCI3*. He also competed at Richland, placing a bit above his stable mate in 12th place. He’s a lovely big Irish chestnut gelding with lots of chrome, and a beauty to watch as he lopes around these big courses with ease. Watch for him on cross country day as he makes it look easy.

Doug Payne & Crown Talisman: Doug is thrilled to have another horse at the Advanced level after he lost his 4* competitor Running Order to WFP across the pond, and Tali is a great new start for him. This horse is still green at this level, having only moved up to Advanced at Millbrook, but he finished Richland CIC3* in good style with a few rails and some time on cross country. Doug is looking for some improvements and some more experience for his horse before contesting a CCI3* this fall.

Selena O'Hanlon & Bellaney Rock at Richland (photo by Jenni Autry)

Holly Payne & Santino: Sunny is an exceptionally talented horse; he’s a great mover and a super jumper and he’s a seriously cool horse for the future with Holly. She has taken her time and brought him along right, and he just moved up to Advanced at Pine Top prior to Holly’s injury, and then again at Millbrook a few weeks ago, where he finished 10th. He did his first CIC3* at Richland, where he was 19th with a few rails and some time, and they’ll be looking for a nice performance here to set them up for the fall.

Ian Roberts & Faolan: Faolan is entering his first CIC3* with not much under his belt, as he’s only contested two competitions total this year. He won an IP at Sporting Days early this spring, and then jumped around his first Advanced at MCTA with two rails and some time to finish second. Hopefully Ian’s long history of experience will counter the balance of Faolan’s inexperience.

Caitlin Romeo & Spirit Of The Outback: Caitlin and Jake have done a handful of Advanced horse trials together, most recently placing 10th at Five Points. These two have come up the ranks through the Young Rider program together, and Jake is a super jumping irish horse, so while I don’t think their aim is to be competitive in the top ten, I do believe they will be able to jump around just fine.

Colleen Rutledge & Covert Rights: We all got to know Colleen & CR through Jenni’s “EN’s Got Talent” series last year, and since then the pair has been progressing nicely. CR has gotten to be quite big, but as only a 7 year old he just recently moved up to the Advanced level at The Horse Park of NJ, winning his debut following a 3rd place at Jersey Fresh CCI2*. He also recently put in a great performance at the Richland CIC3*, finishing 4th with one of the only clear show jumping rounds. Colleen might be the one to surprise us all and sneakily insert herself in the top five here at Plantation, surrounded by 4* horses.

Kate Samuels & Nyls du Terroir: Nyls and I have had more than enough preparation for this level of competition, but despite the fact that my horse is a super freak jumper, I’m a little bit of a late bloomer. We’ve entered 3*’s before but always been cursed at the last minute by things like bruises or lymphangitis, so this will be our first effort at this level. Our dressage has been improving, and Nyls is a cross country machine, but he is very difficult to ride in Show Jumping when it is held prior to XC, so I will be happy with a competitive score and a rideable horse. We were most recently 3rd at Millbrook Advanced, and I’m hoping to have some minor improvements from that score.

Kristin Schmolze & Ballylaffin Bracken: Kristin moved Rox up to the CCI4* level this spring at Rolex and was elated to see him step up to the plate and finish with a nice clear cross country round. Rox is a supermodel of a horse, but we’re still waiting for him to stop acting naughty occasionally in Dressage! However, when I saw her at Millbrook, he looked like he’s grown up a lot and matured into a wiser horse that can throw down the kind of score he deserves in the sandbox. Kristin is aiming him at Galway Downs CCI3* this fall, so she’ll be using this as a prep run.

Jimmie Schramm & Bellamy:  ‘Hells Bells’ as Jimmie fondly calls her mount, is her first Advanced horse and they are getting to know the level together. He’s an incredibly talented jumper and he wants to do everything right for his rider. They contested their first CIC3* at Richland and were disappointed to be caught out at the tricky corner combination late in the course, but I know they’ll be on point here. This pair is looking forward to a fall CCI3*, and you’ll be able to spot them by noticing a horse jumping a foot over everything with jockey who looks like she’s having the time of her life.

Jimmie Schramm and Bellamy (photo by Jenni Autry)

Caitlin Silliman & Catch A Star: Caitlin had a rather disappointing go at Richland when Hoku got into her old bad habits of stopping in Show Jumping. They had a wonderful round earlier this year at Rolex, and we all know they both have talent in spades. Caitlin will be glad to have Saturday over and done with so she can move on to cross country, where they both really shine.

Caitlin Silliman & Remington XXV: Caitlin’s second ride is an old campaigner! Remi knows his job inside and out. They won the CC2* earlier this spring at Jersey Fresh, and due to the new FEI qualification regulations, have been steadily working their way up the levels. They recently finished in good stead at Richland with only two rails and some time to add to their dressage score.

Jen Simmons & GV Tuscany: Jen and GV Tuscany will tackle their first three-star at Plantation. They were fourth in the CIC2* at Jersey Fresh earlier this year before Jen took a spill in the CCI2* at Bromont. They had a comeback run at Millbrook, where they placed 11th in the Advanced. If this pair can bring their A game on cross-country day, they should have a solid weekend.

Lizzie Snow & Coal Creek: Lizzie and Coal Creek had a solid showing at Plantation last year, finishing 13th in the CIC3*. This year, they completed the CCI3* at Bromont and will be looking for a clear cross-county trip this weekend. Lizzie and Coal Creek struggle with time on cross country and rails in the show jumping, but she’s a super stylish rider and has the skills to get it done this weekend.

Erin Sylvester & No Boundaries: Erin and Bucky burst onto the international scene last year with a double clean trip around their first CCI4* at Rolex and then completing the tough Burghley in the fall in fine form. These two also completed Rolex this spring, but they didn’t have as much luck as the first time, and Bucky decided that he would let out his wild side in Dressage. He is perfectly capable of a good test, he just doesn’t always keep a lid on it. She got a really good test out of him at Richland, however, and I hope to see more of that magic here at Plantation as she prepares for Fair Hill CCI3*.

Lynn Symansky & Donner: We all know the story of Lynn & Donner quite well by now, as they shone in the Pan American Games in 2011, and then were missing for most of 2012 only to burst back out this spring with a superior grasp on the flatwork and crushing it in the jumping phases. Lynn & ‘The Flying Deer’ won The Fork CIC3* this spring, despite a spiral fracture in her pinky finger, and proceeded to completely dominate at Rolex for Donner’s first CCI4*, finishing on her dressage score. I expect that Lynn might take it a little slow on the XC, as she’s got her sights set on something bigger this fall: Pau CCI4*, and she won’t want to get her Thoroughbred too fit too quick! However, look for a polished performance from both of these athletes.

Laura VanderVliet & Running Wolfe: This pair has been in and out of the Advanced level this spring, varying their schedule with some Intermediate runs in between. While they don’t really agree on the necessity of Dressage in the competition, the horse has the capability to jump around just fine. However, their dressage score will place them well out of contention.

Laura Vello & Winning Facts: Laura and Wynn have a few Advanced under their belts from 2012 and 2011 but this spring has been a light one for them, competing in Training through the Advanced at Millbrook and the Richland CIC3*, where they had some trouble on cross country. I believe she’ll be looking for a good round here to get a  qualifying result and more solidified at the level before attempting something bigger this fall.

Caitlin Silliman and Remington XXV (photo by Jenni Autry)

 

Julia Wendell & Cavendish: Julia and Cavendish have been competing at the Advanced level for quite some time now, and know the job well. They had an unlucky go at Jersey Fresh this spring in the CIC3*, but have come back none worse for the wear. The horse is a lovely big bold type, and knows exactly how to do his job, and Julia will be thrilled with a nice clear round with her old friend.

Sharon White & Under Suspection: Sharon has a cool new addition to her string with this horse. While he is relatively inexperienced at this level, his first attempt at the Advanced level at Five Points went quite well, and he finished 4th in a competitive field. I suspect she’s aiming him at a bigger 3* this fall, but I don’t know all the details. I haven’t seen him in person, but I’m excited to watch him go.

Sharon White & Wundermaske: Sharon’s second ride is Patch, who was supposed to go to Blenheim this past weekend, but had a tumble at Millbrook in the Advanced and just didn’t seem to quite recover from it, and so Sharon made the wise decision to give him a little more time here in the States before tackling a big course. They ran into some more trouble on cross country at Richland, but then rebounded to win their division of Intermediate last weekend at Five Points, so Sharon will be looking for a nice confidence building cross country round here at Plantation.

Amanda Wilson & Cool Decision: I’m not terribly familiar with this pair, but they hail from Pennsylvania and they are fairly new to the Advanced level. They’ve completed two Advanced horse trials, at Fair Hill and MCTA, and they completed Richland with two rails and some time on cross country. I’m sure they will be looking for the ever-elusive better dressage score, and a repeat of their successful CIC3* cross country round.

After Fires, Floods, Colorado Awaits Plague of Locusts

By on Sep 18, 2013 9:00 am -

Rowing across Sally Dalton's cross country course

Colorado eventer Sally Dalton — and her horses — watched in horror as floodwaters tore through the cross country course she had completed just weeks earlier in Longmont, Colorado. Fortunately, her family and animals are safe. “Bye bye cross country course,” she said. “I looked out our window this morning and couldn’t believe when I went down to the field and saw a lake instead.” Left Hand Creek, usually lazy and slow, roared from 20 feet across to 500 feet wide and angry.

The flooding was dramatic and dramatically random. Farms and subdivisions along usually pokey creeks were far more likely to be washed out, though which direction waters rushed was unpredictable. Hardly a mile from Dalton’s course, the Rocky Mountain Horse Trials’ Silo Farms cross country course is merely soggy. “It didn’t even fill the water jumps all the way,” said Course Manager Gayle Udall. Yet another mile away, the footing and fencing at Green Tree Farm’s lower arena are miles downstream, along with eventer Kristie Hunziker’s set of jumps. Who knew you needed to put your name and phone number on your standards? All horses, dogs and chickens there are safe along with the people.

Green Tree outdoor arena "footing"

The rain pummeled Boulder County “in biblical proportions,” according to the National Weather Service. A biblical dose of fire (more “hellfire” then “burning bush”) singed us earlier this year. Why can’t we get biblical proportions of the funner Old Testament faves, like wine, rejoicing and “begetting?”

As we’ve seen across the country when the horse community faces mind boggling events (Super Storm Sandy, FEI rule changes), we rally and help one another. The same’s been true here in Colorado.

At X, Halt, Tread Water.

Area IX eventers are a rugged lot, what with the rocky mountain footing and a competition season that’s 10 minutes long. This year’s season opened with Abbe Ranch Horse Trial, where you could smell the smoke from the massive forest fires incinerating acres upon acres of nearby Black Forest horse country. It will close in a few weeks with championships at the Colorado Horse Park, where Education and Entertainment Director,Vivien Van Buren, said they “were very, very lucky, and hardly had any damage at all.”

The event will go on as scheduled. Between then and now, no doubt, riders will have much more practice riding through water.

Know a direct link to help Colorado’s horse community? Please send it and we’ll post it. In the meantime, ways you can give to HelpColoradoNow.org, a partnership between the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) and Colorado Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (COVOAD).

Wednesday News and Notes from MDBarnmaster

By on Sep 17, 2013 11:59 pm -

Amy and Gallerone at the 2011 AECs. Photo courtesy of Leslie Threlkeld/USEA

Today I’m happy to report good news from Amy Barrington’s Recovery Page: Amy’s eyes are open! While from the sound of things she has a long rehab ahead, Amy’s husband Greg reports that Amy opened her eyes and held her family’s hands on Monday. Soon she will be moving to a top class rehab facility in Atlanta called the Shepherd Center where her recovery will continue. While things are sounding hopeful, her recovery is probably going to be slow and expensive. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to Amy’s recovery fund, there is now a page established in her name on the website HelpHopeLive. Everyone at EN continues to send our thoughts and prayers to Amy and her family, let’s hope for more good updates! [Donate to Amy’s Recovery Fund]

Weekend Preview:

Twin Rivers Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Times]

Northwest Equestrian Fall Gala H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Times]

Plantation Field H.T.[Website] [Entry Status]

Otter Creek Fall H.T. [Website] [Ride Times]

Marlborough H.T [Website] [Entry Status]

Stone Gate Farm H.T. [Website]

Stoneleigh-Burnham School Fall H.T. [Website]

Tryon Riding & Hunt Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

Coconino H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Times]

Irish Olympian Aoife Clark scored her first big win last weekend just eight miles from her home base in Oxfordshire. While Clark finished 7th at the London Olympics last year at 8th at the recent British Open, this was her first CCI3* win. She told the Oxford Mail that ““to win here means a huge amount. This mare is just at the right stage to be looking at the (2014) World Equestrian Games and then Rio.” [Oxford Mail]

Ireland is on quite a roll this week: The Irish eventing teams took home the junior team gold   and the young rider team bronze at the Junior European Eventing Championships. The competition was held over the weekend at Haras de Jardy in France. Irish junior Elizabeth Hayden took home individual junior silver, and the young rider team pull off their bronze medal without the benefit of a drop score after their fourth rider was eliminated on the cross country. [Eventing Worldwide]

 Good news: Adequan is available again. Manufacturer Luitpold Animal Health announced that a shipment of the drug was released last week and should already be in veterinarians’ hands. However, supply does remain limited and will not be enough to satisfy demand. Luitpold said that it is working “diligently” to get out more product as quickly as possible while still maintaining high quality levels. [The Chronicle]

This week on the Eventing Radio Show: Breaking down Blenheim. Blenheim riders Clark Montgomery and Jessica Phoenix and attendees Max Corcoran and Katlin Spurlock join Jess and Samantha to talk about their stellar weekend in England. [Eventing Radio Show]

The USEA has announced a new partnership with sponsor Eventing Training Online, a provider of online video training. The website will be the “Official Online Education Partner” of the USEA, and will create exclusive training videos that will be available on the USEA website. In addition, USEA members will be offered a discount on subscriptions to the site’s services. [USEA Announcement]

This week on SmartPak’s “Ask the Vet:” Is pasture enough? Dr. Lydia Gray discusses mineral requirements for horses that live in the pasture all the time. [SmartPak Blog]

Thoughts After Blenheim

By on Sep 17, 2013 5:00 pm -

Meghan O'Donoghue and Pirate at Blenheim. Photo by Samantha Clark.

US Eventing High Performance has to be in a good mood after Blenheim CCI3*.  Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen finished third (tied for second, really) and first-timer Meghan O’Donoghue was 11th with Pirate.  Meghan received the Jacqueline Mars grant which helped fund her trip– and for what seems like the first time in a long time, grant money was very well spent.  Meghan and Pirate really stepped up on the international stage and proved their Rolex performance was no fluke.  While their three rails were disappointing in show jumping, her clear cross-country round is most important.  Phillip Dutton and Ben also had no jumping faults on xc, but a bunch of time penalties and five heavy rails down dropped them significantly down the results in 33rd.  Ben is still relatively green at the level, and we know Phillip has the experience; though their performance could have been better, it was certainly not an embarrassment.

 

US results at international events has been a mixed bag this year.  Saumur CCI3* saw two Americans in the top 10: Will Faudree with Andromaque in 5th, and Marilyn Little in 8th with Smoke on the Water.  The two other grant-receivers, however, did not go clear on cross-country– Hannah Sue Burnett had a stop with Harbour Pilot, and Buck was eliminated on The Apprentice for missing a flag on a corner and not re-jumping it.

Marilyn Little and RF Demeter finished a strong 7th at Luhmuhlen CCI4*; but fellow Americans Jolie Wentworth had two stops on cross-country with Good Knight, and Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda suffered a fall at the first water.

At the World Cup CIC3* in Aachen, the US team fell apart.  Tiana Coudray had a great weekend with Ringwood Magister, going clear cross-country and finishing 9th.  Her teammates, however, did not fare as well.  Marilyn Little suffered a fall from Smoke on the Water; Will Faudree had two runouts with Pawlow before they fell landing from the last fence; and Clark Montgomery also had a runout with Universe.

 

The trend seems to be that going clear cross-country corresponds to a respectable, and often competitive result. Perhaps it’s not truly the dressage and show jumping keeping us behind other nations; generally when our riders go clear cross-country, they can do well.  At Blenheim, we sent two riders across seas to compete, and both of them went clear.  That’s what we need: consistent, clear cross-country finishes.  Let’s hope US Eventing High Performance can continue this trend going on to Boekelo CCI3* and Pau CCI4*. [Grant Recipients]

Maybe Football Players Aren’t So Tough After All…

By on Sep 17, 2013 3:30 pm -

War Paint is quite likely the calmest horse on the planet.

This GIF surfaced on Buzzfeed today and I about lost my lunch laughing. There was some audio and video taken during a Kansas City Chiefs game that shows prominent safety Eric Berry shaking in his cleats at the sight of War Paint.

We all know that football players are among the toughest out there. You couldn’t pay me enough to go out there and get beat up as much as they do! Well, maybe you could, but that’s beside the point. I’ve talked about War Paint before, and having seen him in person, this horse is a true saint. I doubt he even swishes his tail at flies for fear of hurting them! So maybe that is what makes this so comical to me; this man is legitimately having a cow at the sight of War Paint!

Maybe Mr. Berry should get in touch with Eric Moore, who is an ex-football player turned eventer. Needless to say, I am the proud owner of an Eric Berry jersey, but now I will have to laugh a little every time I put it on.

Buzzfeed also posted another article with a video interview of Berry explaining why he harbors a fear of our favorite four legged friends.

You can read the full article (complete with more GIFs and the full video) here.