Classic Eventing Nation

Jackie Imholte: After Cross-Country

By on Jun 15, 2013 3:42 pm -

Unfortunately, Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda suffered a fall at the first water today at Luhmuhlen.  Jackie Imholte is grooming for Jennie and has kindly supplied us with updates from the event.  It sucks to have to write a sad summary, but many thanks to Jackie for checking in and reporting that Jennie and Ping are safe and sound.  We hope they all have a safe trip home, and good luck the rest of the year!  [Jackie’s 1st blog]  [Jackie’s 2nd blog]

 

Ping and Jackie enjoying a back scratch!

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From Jackie:

Well today obviously didn’t go according to plan. We’ve just arrived back at the hotel and have finally had a chance to digest the events of the day. We are all so grateful Jennie and Ping are ok from their fall at fence 4a but obviously it is a huge disappointment.
The course proved to be incredibly tough – shuffling around the leader board tremendously. We look forward to cheering on Marilyn and Jolie tomorrow in the show jumping. I am very lucky to be flying home with a happy and healthy horse…. and can say with certainty that everyone has learned so much from the experiences over the last week. Although we are disappointed with the outcome, thankfully Jennie and Ping will be back to fight another day.
Thank you to everyone for their support and well wishes!
Jackie

Riders 4 Helmets meets GJM Eventing

By on Jun 15, 2013 2:05 pm -

Here at Eventing Nation we’re big supporters of the Riders 4 Helmets cause. The International Helmet Awareness Day is only a week away, next Saturday 22nd June, and in a bold move Riders 4 Helmets asked our very own Boy With Dreams, GJM Eventing to make a video to promote awareness.  As you know if you’ve been keeping up with Gavin on Eventing Nation, his imagination knows no bound(arie)s and it seems he’s been well and truly run off with in this bonus episode!

)

 

Please support Riders 4 Helmets and the International Awareness Day next Saturday. As for Gavin….words fail me! What on earth will he do next? Go Eventing and we’ll find out in Episode 6! Many thanks to Lyndsey White at Riders 4 Helmets for all her tireless work to help others and promote safety around the world, and thank you also of course to our Little Boy With Dreams – who could have dreamed this?! Go Riders 4 Helmets and Go Eventing!

Andrew Nicholson Leads Luhmühlen After XC [Update: P’tite Bombe Euthanized]

By on Jun 15, 2013 11:18 am -

Andrew Nicholson and Rathmoyle King. Photo courtesy of Thomas Ix.

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Well, you can say for sure this year’s Luhmühlen CCI4* was not a dressage competition.  Only four of yesterday’s top 10 remain there after cross-country.  Moving up from third, cross-country genius Andrew Nicholson now leads with Mr. Cruise Control on a score of 38.0.  He does not have a rail in hand, however, as Zara Phillips and High Kingdom sit close in second with 39.7.  A little breathing room for them back to third, where Kevin McNabb and Clifton Pinot and Andrew Hoy and Rutherglen are tied on 47.5.  It should be noted that Rutherglen was a few seconds over the time, so the tiebreak will go to Kevin McNabb and Clifton Pinot should the two remain tied tomorrow.

 

Andrew Nicholson was first out on course with Rathmoyle King, and as he usually does, made it look easy.  The pair sit in 6th, sandwiched between William Fox-Pitt with Neuf De Coeurs (5th) and Lionheart (7th).  Andrew and William both with two horses in the top 10.  Just another day at the office?

 

The lone American hopes rest with Marilyn Little and RF Demeter, who went double clear to move up from 28th yesterday to 10th after cross-country.  Jolie Wentworth and Good Knight started off the day with two stops, at fence 11 and 28c, but I’m sure she is happy to finish.  British-based American Jules Stiller retired at fence 7 with Enjoy Me.  The course claimed a lot of riders today, including our own Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda, who fell coming into the first water at 4a.

 

Fence 4, the first water, where many came to grief.

 via Luhmuhlen’s official course preview

 

Fence 4 was a major troublemaker today, responsible for three horse falls: Andrew Nicholson and Qwanza, Nicola Wilson and Opposition Buzz, and Jennie and Ping.  Also, two riders fell there (Dee Hankey with Chequers Playboy and Tom Crisp with Liberal) and two others retired (overnight leader Ingrid Klimke and Tabasco TSF, 7th-placed Dirk Schrade and Edino).  Emeric George and P’tite Bombe suffered a bad fall at fence 12; Emeric is okay, but the mare was taken to the clinic, resulting in a lengthy hold on course.

 

Update 12:41 p.m.: Luhmühlen just released a statement with the tragic news that P’tite Bombe was euthanized following the clinical examination. EN sends its deepest condolences to Emeric and the George family. The statement reads as follows:

It is with great sadness that we have to announce that P’tite Bombe, ridden by the  French athlete Emeric George and owned by the George Family, was humanely put  down as result of the clinical examination in the veterinary clinic in Vierhöfen after a  fall at fence 12 of the cross-country course.  At every FEI event, the maximum consideration is given to safety and welfare of  horses and competitors.

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I had trouble watching the live stream, and Twitter was abuzz with harsh criticism for FEI TV.  However, I have to give major thanks to Luhmuhlen’s Twitter feed (@luhmuehlen2013) who did an excellent job of frequent on-course updates, for riders of all nations.  I’m not sure how bad the weather was, but it was raining for at least part of the day, which may have had some affect.  Stay tuned for more on EN, as tired grooms Jackie Imholte and Kate Miller will hopefully send us a report from the day.

 

[Scores] [Course Preview] [Official Site] [@luhmuehlen2013] [Live Stream]

 

RANK   RIDER   HORSE   RANK AFTER
DRESSAGE		 CROSS-COUNTRY RANK AFTER
CROSS-COUNTRY		    
    SCORE RANK FAULTS TIME SCORE RANK    
1.   Andrew NICHOLSON NZL Mr Cruise Control     38,00 3. 0,00 11:08 38,00 1.      
2.   Zara PHILLIPS GBR High Kingdom     39,70 4. 0,00 11:07 39,70 2.      
3.   Kevin MCNAB AUS Clifton Pinot     47,50 10. 0,00 11:06 47,50 3.      
4.   Andrew HOY AUS Rutherglen     46,30 9. 1,20 11:17 47,50 4.      
5.   William FOX-PITT GBR Neuf des Coeurs     47,70 13. 0,00 11:05 47,70 5.      
6.   Andrew NICHOLSON NZL Rathmoyle King     48,00 14. 0,00 11:05 48,00 6.      
7.   William FOX-PITT GBR Lionheart     48,20 15. 0,00 11:11 48,20 7.      
8.   Jonelle RICHARDS NZL Flintstar     51,50 25. 0,00 11:06 51,50 8.      
9.   Andreas DIBOWSKI GER FRH Butts Avedon     48,30 16. 3,60 11:23 51,90 9.      
10.   Marilyn LITTLE USA RF Demeter     53,50 28. 0,00 11:11 53,50 10.

CCI4* Cross-Country at Luhmühlen: Open Thread

By on Jun 15, 2013 9:04 am -

[Live Scores] [Course Preview] [Official Site] [@luhmuehlen2013] [Live Stream]

 

    • Jolie Wentworth and Good Knight: two stops, finished
    • Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda: fall at the water, 4a
    • Marilyn Little and Demeter: double clear
    • Julian Stiller and Enjoy Me: retired at fence 7

 

10:45am – Last, but certainly not least, Andrew Nicholson goes double clear with Mr. Cruise Control and takes the lead at  Luhmühlen.  Cross-country has finished for the day.

 

10:36am – William Fox-Pitt brings his second horse, Lionheart, home double clear as well.  He’ll have two horses in the top 10 going into show jumping tomorrow.  Andrew Nicholson is out on course with Mr Cruise Control, clear through fence 12, out for the lead!

 

10:32am – Overnight leader Ingrid Klimke retires with Tabasco TSF at fence 4c.  The water claims another victim.  With her double clear round, Marilyn and Demeter are moving far up the leaderboard.

 

10:25am – Dirk Schrade has a stop with Edino at the bounce out of the water at 4c and retires.  They were in 7th after dressage.

 

10:18 – American Jules Stiller and Enjoy Me retired at fence 7.

 

10:17 – Andreas Dibowski and Butts Avedon FRH are clear with a few time penalties for a score of 51.9.  Andrew Hoy and Rutherglen were clear earlier with 1.2 time penalties.

 

9:59am – Zara Phillips finishes double clear with High Kingdom.  Apparently the rain is really coming down.

 

9:52am – Marilyn Little and Demeter finish double clear.  Zara Phillips and High Kingdom are  clear through fence 20.  Andrew Hoy and Rutherglen clear through 12.

 

9:43am – Cross-country has restarted.  Marilyn Little and Demeter are clear through fence 12.  P’tite Bomb has been taken to the clinic for further diagnostics.

 

9:32am

 

 

9:25am – Cross-country is on hold for fall of horse.  Emeric George and P’tite Bomb suffered a fall; live scores says at fence 9, @luhmuehlen Twitter says fence 12.  Hope they are ok.

 

9:18am – Jock Paget has withdrawn Bullet Proof, who was in 12th place after dressage. Julia Krajewski and London-Return OLD also withdrew before xc, as well as Bettina Hoy and Lanfranco TSF (understandable after their dismal dressage performance). We’re up to 13 clear rounds now, 6 of those double clear, of the 29 horses that started on xc.

 

9:06am – Nicola Wilson and Opposition Buzz fell at 4c at the first water.  I haven’t had any luck with the live stream, and reports on Twitter (via @samathalclark) say that FEI TV has had trouble, but seems to be working at times.  Best follow along with the Live Scores and @luhmuehlen2013 on Twitter for great updates.

 

Fence 4, causing all the trouble

via Luhmuhlen’s official course preview

 

8:57am – Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda fell at the first water (fence 4a).  She’s not the only one….Andrew Nicholson and Qwanza took a dunking there too, along with two others.  This course appears to be riding very tough.  Three riders retired, five have been eliminated so far, with five double clears.

 

8:45am – Jolie Wentworth and Good Knight finished with two stops , at fences 11 and 28c.  Lucinda Fredericks and Flying Finish went clear, but moved far down the leaderboard with 19.6 time penalties.

Tipperary’s Saturday Links

By on Jun 15, 2013 12:05 am -
 

Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda at The Fork. Photo by Jenni Autry.

ist es das Wochenende: Translation-“It’s the weekend” and lots happening in Germany at the Luhmühlen CCI4*! Good luck Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda who currently stand in 16th after dressage! Good luck to Marilyn Little and RF Demeter, Jolie Wentworth and Good Knight, and Julian Stiller and Enjoy Me!

Luhmühlen Links:

[Live Scores] [Course Preview] [Official Site] [@luhmuehlen2013] [Live Stream] [Provisional Schedule]

Events This Weekend:

Aspen Farms [Website] [Entry Status/Times] [Live Scores]

Golden Spike HT [Website] [Entry Status/Times] [Live Scores]

Silverwood Farm Spring HT [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Seneca Valley Pony Club [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Valinor Farm [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Full Gallop [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Bucks County [Website] [Entry Status] [Results]

Larkin Hill [Website] [Ride Times]

Round Top HT [Omnibus]

Lost Hounds Horse Trials (June 15-16) is cancelled. For more info, go here.

The Genesee Valley Hunt Horse Trials (July 6-7) is still accepting entries. For more info, go here.

Your Saturday News:

Competing in Sports Makes For Better Study Habits

Tickets Now On Sale For World Equestrian Games 2014

Nicola Wilson, Opposition Buzz Ready for Luhmühlen

Andrew Nicholson Means Business at Luhmühlen

Jackie Imholte: Update from Luhmuhlen after dressage

By on Jun 14, 2013 5:29 pm -

Jackie Imholte is grooming for Jennie Brannigan in Germany this week, where Jennie and Ping will be contesting the Luhmuhlen CCI4*. We’ll be following along with all the action thanks to Jackie’s blogs and photos, which she’ll be sending us all weekend. Many thanks to Jackie for writing and best of luck to Jennie and Ping in Germany!  [Previous entry: Guten Tag from Deutschland!]  [XC ride times]

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Update From Luhmuhlen After Dressage

From Jackie:

Things are starting to get underway here at Luhmuhlen with the first horse inspection and two days of dressage behind us. All of the US horses trotted up beautifully and are feeling quite fit! For Jennie, Thursday was full of course walks, dressage lessons and a light jump school to let Ping have a little bit of fun.
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We had a great day today with Ping scoring a 48.7 to lie in 18th going into the cross country. I must say, after the disappointment of Rolex, it was very special to finally see Jennie and Ping perform at the top among such a competitive international field.  I made sure to “stop and smell the roses” for them while they were trotting down the center line. These two have worked so hard to get here and deserve a great result.
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The cross country course looks very tricky but I know that Ping and Jennie are ready for the challenge. Ping is very fit and is jumping better than ever.  Saturday at 2:52pm local time (8:52am ET) Jennie and Ping leave the box – be sure to cheer on from the live feed!
Here are the times for the other US riders:
Jolie Wentworth and Good Knight 1:48pm local (7:48am ET)
Marilyn Little and Demeter 3:16pm local (9:16am ET)
Julian Stiller and Enjoy Me  3:52pm local (9:52am ET)
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It has been a  pretty wonderful experience being here so far. Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming  (even the waiter who Kelley accidentally called a pig when trying to say “two”).  It is also so interesting observing the various ways in which different countries turn out and prepare their horses for the same performance. It just goes to show there are many different ways to achieve one goal!
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Ping just came in from a nice long hand graze where he of course rolled and also met the cutest mini pony ever – Needless to say he’s pretty happy. Anyways… Ping has been tucked in for the night and will hopefully get a good night’s rest waking up very brave tomorrow morning!
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Until next time…
Jackie
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A View with a Fawn Presented by World Equestrian Brands

By on Jun 14, 2013 3:00 pm -

If you happen to be out for a hack, are riding in some obscure place, or just take some cool photos aboard your mount, send them to [email protected] including a quick blurb about this photo’s story and write “The View” as the title. Today’s view is one of those heartwarming moments with wildlife that you sometimes stumble upon on a hack.

From Kim Keppick:

This is a photo my student Kate Aldrich took from the back of her horse Woodrow Wilson when she encountered a wobbly newborn fawn while on a hack. I think it’s really cool.


Paynter Returns to Racing Today

By on Jun 14, 2013 1:08 pm -

Paynter finished second to Union Rags in the 2012 Belmont Stakes.  Photo by Mike Lizzi, via Wikipedia.

 

Last summer, 2012 Belmont Stakes runner-up Paynter nearly died from a serious bout of coliits and resulting laminitis.  After winning the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth, the Awesome Again colt came down with a fever and ended up spending weeks in an equine hospital receiving intensive care, including colic surgery and laminitis treatment.  Owner Ahmed Zayat was dedicated to saving the horse’s life, and Paynter’s story touched thousands of racing fans, earning the Vox Populi Award founded by Secretariat’s owner Penny Chenery.

Six months ago, Paynter returned to the track to start training again.  Today, he is entered in his first race back, a $62,000 allowance at Hollywood Park.  Post time is 4:15pm PT (7:15 ET).

Read more about Paynter’s story from The New York Times.

 

2013 Luhmühlen CCI4* Dressage Results

By on Jun 14, 2013 11:03 am -

 

Ingrid Klimke and Tabasco TSF were among the last to go, and performed an outstanding test making the most of the black Trakehner gelding’s extraordinary movement.  Their score of 34.0 leads the pack, and bumped Lucinda Fredericks and Flying Finish (36.7) to second, with Andrew Nicholson and Mr. Cruise Control (38.0)  in third.  Zara Phillips and High Kingdom also scored in the 30s (39.7) for fourth.

 

The judges used a wide range of scores today;  Ingrid and Lucinda earned several 9s in their tests (both for Rider!), but the low end was used as necessary.  Poor Bettina Hoy had a miserable test with Lanfranco TSF, who apparently did not want to halt today…his test opened with 2s, and earned 0s for the halt/reinback.  It just goes to show, horses will be horses, no matter what the level!

 

For the US, Jennie Brannigan held on to her spot in the top 20, as she and Cambalda are tied for 18th with 48.7.  The other three American pairs are stacked together: Julian Stiller and Enjoy Me (52.2), 27th; Marilyn Little and RF Demeter (53.5) 28th; and Jolie Wentworth and Good Knight (55.5) in 29th.

[Full Results]

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 Note: Click on the “Points” links below to view individual marks for each rider’s test, movement by movement.

RANK RIDER HORSE DRESSAGE RANK AFTER
DRESSAGE
POINTS PERCENTAGE SCORE RANK
1. Ingrid KLIMKE GER Tabasco TSF     696 77,33 34,00 1.
2. Lucinda FREDERICKS AUS Flying Finish     680 75,56 36,70 2.
3. Andrew NICHOLSON NZL Mr Cruise Control     672 74,67 38,00 3.
4. Zara PHILLIPS GBR High Kingdom     662 73,56 39,70 4.
5. Peter THOMSEN GER Horseware’s Cayenne     659 73,22 40,20 5.
6. Kai RÜDER GER Leprince des Bois     655 72,78 40,80 6.
7. Dirk SCHRADE GER Edino     653 72,56 41,20 7.
8. Kenki SATO JPN Chippieh     651 72,33 41,50 8.
9. Andrew HOY AUS Rutherglen     622 69,11 46,30 9.
10. Kevin MCNAB AUS Clifton Pinot ¹    615 68,33 47,50 10.
11. Nicola WILSON GBR Opposition Buzz     615 68,33 47,50 11.
12. Jonathan PAGET NZL Bullet Proof     614 68,22 47,70 12.
13. William FOX-PITT GBR Neuf des Coeurs     614 68,22 47,70 13.
14. Andrew NICHOLSON NZL Rathmoyle King     612 68,00 48,00 14.
15. William FOX-PITT GBR Lionheart     611 67,89 48,20 15.
16. Andreas DIBOWSKI GER FRH Butts Avedon     610 67,78 48,30 16.
17. Ludwig SVENNERSTÅL SWE King Bob     609 67,67 48,50 17.
18. Emily LLEWELLYN GBR Pardon Me II     608 67,56 48,70 18.
19. Jennie BRANNIGAN USA Cambalda     608 67,56 48,70 19.
20. Andrew NICHOLSON NZL Qwanza     602 66,89 49,70 20.

US Dressage Scores from Luhmühlen 2013 [Update with Jules Stiller’s score]

By on Jun 14, 2013 8:11 am -

Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda at the Fork Horse Trials.

 

With just under 20 riders left to go, the three of the four US riders at Luhmühlen have already finished their dressage.  Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda had a great test, scoring 48.7, currently tied for 8th place, and she’ll likely stay in the top 20 by the end of the day.  Jolie Wentworth and Good Knight scored a 55.5, currently 15th.  Marilyn Little and Demeter just finished their test after the lunch break, good enough to score 53.5 and sit ahead of Jolie in 14th.  The final US rider, Jules Stiller and Enjoy Me will start their test at 9:05am ET.

 

Many more great horses are left to come (Rutherglen, Bullet Proof, Tabasco TSF, Lionheart and Mr Cruise Control) so I expect the top 15 to change a bit by the end of the day.

 

Last year’s runner-up, Lucinda Fredericks and Flying Finish currently hold a comfortable lead with a 36.7.  Kai Ruder and LePrince des Bois (40.8)  is second at the moment, followed by Kenki Sato and Chippieh on 41.5.

[Live Scores]

 

***UPDATE  9:25am***

Jules Stiller and Enjoy Me scored a 52.2 to stand 21st, right ahead of Marilyn (22nd) and Jolie (23rd).  Jennie Brannigan sits tied for 13th, with ten horses left to go.  Zara Phillips and High Kingdom had a superb test to jump into second place with a score of 39.7.  Several other horses have also moved into the top 15.

 

UPDATED LEADERBOARD  9:25am

RANK RIDER HORSE DRESSAGE RANK AFTER
DRESSAGE
POINTS PERCENTAGE SCORE RANK
1. Lucinda FREDERICKS AUS Flying Finish     680 75,56 36,70 1.
2. Zara PHILLIPS GBR High Kingdom     662 73,56 39,70 2.
3. Kai RÜDER GER Leprince des Bois     655 72,78 40,80 3.
4. Kenki SATO JPN Chippieh     651 72,33 41,50 4.
5. Andrew HOY AUS Rutherglen     622 69,11 46,30 5.
6. Kevin MCNAB AUS Clifton Pinot ¹    615 68,33 47,50 6.
7. Nicola WILSON GBR Opposition Buzz     615 68,33 47,50 7.
8. Jonathan PAGET NZL Bullet Proof     614 68,22 47,70 8.
9. William FOX-PITT GBR Neuf des Coeurs     614 68,22 47,70 9.
10. Andrew NICHOLSON NZL Rathmoyle King     612 68,00 48,00 10.
11. Andreas DIBOWSKI GER FRH Butts Avedon     610 67,78 48,30 11.
12. Ludwig SVENNERSTÅL SWE King Bob     609 67,67 48,50 12.
13. Emily LLEWELLYN GBR Pardon Me II     608 67,56 48,70 13.
14. Jennie BRANNIGAN USA Cambalda     608 67,56 48,70 14.
15. Andrew NICHOLSON NZL Qwanza     602 66,89 49,70 15.