Buzzterbrown is well known around these parts for his outstanding event videos. Here, he has a bit of fun filming Rolex on a 60 to 70 year old Keystone K-8 wind up 8 mm film camera using Fomapan R ISO 100 black and white film, processed by Yale Film & Video in Burbank, CA.
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Kate Chadderton sent us this photo of her horse Cole smelling the roses, er, geraniums at Bromont.
I can’t believe that this weekend is the Game of Thrones season finale Bromont. Did you hear about the Red Wedding yesterday’s dressage? Carnage! Some really nice tests. What’s going to happen next? Winter is coming, I mean, that cross-country course sure looks tough. Guess we’ll have to stay tuned to HBO EN to find out.
Bromont Links:
[Website] [Schedule] [Live Scores] [CCI3* Preview]
Events This Weekend:
Genesee Valley Riding Club Spring H.T.: [Website] [Ride Times]
Aspen Farms H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status]
Derbyshire Farms H.T.: [Website/Ride Times]
Plantation Field H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status]
Copper Meadows H.T.: [Website] [Ride Times]
Arrowhead H.T.: [Website] [Ride Times]
Queeny Park H.T.: [Website] [Ride Times]
Difficult Run Pony Club Spring H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status]
Texas Rose Horse Park Summer H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status]
News:
The USEA recaps two recent events in the SmartPak Equine USEA Classic Series: the Indiana Eventing Association Horse Trials, which offered long-format novice and training divisions, and the Colorado Horse Park CCI* and Horse Trials, which also offered a training three-day division. Last weekend also saw three Future Event Horse and Young Event Horse competitions, held in Maryland, Vermont and California. [USEA]
The competition is stiff this weekend at Bramham, where Maxime Livio, Zara Phillips and William Fox-Pitt aboard Doug Payne’s former ride Running Order are holding down the top spots in the CCI3* after Thursday’s dressage. [Wetherby News]
British eventing lost a supporter on Wednesday in David Rea, a beloved cross-country fence judge who volunteered at both the Sydney and London Olympics, the World Equestrian Games, Blenheim, Burghley and countless other events both in the UK and abroad. [Horse Talk NZ]
After falling at the final fence in Saumur last week when on course for a top finish, Kitty King immediately bounced back to winning ways at Tattersalls CCI** in Ireland this weekend. [Swindon Advertiser]
Best of the Blogs: I love Emily King’s blog, “The Olympian’s Daughter.” She uses so many exclamation marks!!! Check out her latest entry. [Eventing Worldwide]
Hot on Horse Nation: Check out Will Baxter’s behind-the-scenes video from the Badminton vet box. [HN]
Found on Facebook: You can get your copy here.
http://vimeo.com/67731393
Kyle Carter and Madison Park at the Bromont CCI*** First Horse Inspection
It’s always a pleasure to catch up with Kyle and Jennifer Carter, and the extra day here at Bromont has meant we’ve had a little extra time to spend chatting which has been a lovely bonus. Five Ring Eventing have made the long trip up to Canada from Ocala, Florida with their two daughters, their comeback kid Parker in the CCI***, and two students, Venezuelan Elena Cebellos and Casey Dannehower. The Carters recently put their Ocala property on the market, and when I first saw the news I was worried at first that things might not all be well, or that they might be relocating to Kyle’s native Canada, but as he explained, it’s all part of an exciting master plan.
Kyle does his dressage on Madison Park on Friday at 10:11am .
At the First Horse Inspection on Wednesday Kyle wore his ‘lucky tie’ that his older daughter Riley gave him a couple of years ago at a school function; he’s worn it at every Horse Inspection since then and he’s yet to be spun, but more recently she gave him a purple one, her favourite colour, so he told me he plans to wear that on Sunday, provided he gets that far, he added quickly, nervous of jinxing himself!
Riley practicing her own dressage test under Kyle’s eagle eye, no word yet on her official FEI debut.
Many thanks to the Carters for chatting, and wishing them the very best of luck this weekend, and with the sale of their farm. Go Five Ring Eventing!
Erin has brought two horses up to Bromont this year – Paddy the Caddy for the CCI* and Mettraise in the CCI** (dressage score 60 for 12th place). We caught up after the first day of dressage to find out a little bit more about these two young horses, and what she thinks of the Bromont course.
Many thanks to Erin for chatting, and wishing her the best of luck on both her horses this weekend. Go Bromont and Lilybridge Eventing!
Sharon White won the CCI2* dressage today at Bromont on a 49.8 with Don Sheffield, a 7-year-old Oldenburg gelding competing in his first event at this level this weekend. “Shu” was second in the CIC2* at Jersey Fresh last month and won the CIC2* at Fair Hill in April, as well as his intermediate division at The Fork earlier this year. It ultimately became clear the horse was ready to tackle his first CCI2*, and Wiley Grosvenor, Shu’s owner and breeder, encouraged Sharon to compete him at Bromont this weekend. It’s no surprise the horse is so good in the dressage, as he is sired by Don Schufro, a team bronze medal winner at the 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong and a prolific dressage sire. As Sharon discusses in my interview with her, she will be looking to give Shu a solid introduction to the two-star level on cross country on Saturday, and EN wishes her the best of luck. Go Sharon, and Go Bromont.
Doug Payne and Running Order at Rolex 2012, photo by Heather McGreer
William Fox-Pitt won Bramham CCI3* last year with (then) new ride Chilli Morning; he’s back at it again this year, and also with Doug Payne’s former mount Running Order. The pair are currently in third place after the first day of dressage with a score of 49.6. Chilli Morning does dressage tomorrow. [Results and Ride Times]
Bramham CCI3* Top 1o after Thursday Dressage
| No | Horse | Rider | E | C | M | Pen | Pl | |
| 24 | CATHAR DE GAMEL |  |
Maxime Livio | 174 | 187 | 167 | 44.4 | 1 |
| 3 | LORD LAURIES |  |
Zara Phillips | 171 | 173 | 178 | 45.6 | 2 |
| 2 | RUNNING ORDER | |
William Fox-Pitt | 171 | 169 | 162 | 49.6 | 3 |
| 1 | ARCTIC SOUL | |
Gemma Tattersall | 166 | 161 | 168 | 51.0 | =4 |
| 10 | MERLOTS MAGIC |  |
Vittoria Panizzon | 165 | 163 | 167 | 51.0 | =4 |
| 18 | SECULAIRE | |
Donatien Schauly | 159 | 179 | 153 | 51.8 | 6 |
| 15 | OPI DE SAINT LEO | |
Didier Dhennin | 152 | 176 | 156 | 53.2 | 7 |
| 29 | MERE OAK |  |
Jonelle Richards | 163 | 159 | 160 | 53.6 | 8 |
| 17 | ZAGREB | |
Alexander Bragg | 162 | 155 | 157 | 55.2 | 9 |
| 27 | DEBIUT | |
Regis Prud Hon | 163 | 161 | 149 | 55.4 | 10 |
Buck Davidson and Santa's Keeper moved to fourth in the CCI2* on a 54.8.
Buck Davidson and Santa’s Keeper put in the best test of the final group to go in the CCI2* at Bromont, scoring 54.8 to move into fourth place. As you’ll see in the video below, the test was really solid sans a couple bobbles that prevented them from challenging Sharon White and Don Sheffield for the lead. Santa’s Keeper, a Thoroughbred gelding, broke to the canter in the beginning of the trot work and swapped leads in the counter canter, but Buck really encouraged some lovely work out of him. This horse was second in the Ocala Horse Properties CCI2* in April, and I think he’s going to be very competitive this weekend. Jordan McDonald and Glencento, a Dutch cross mare, were the final pair to go in the CCI2* and scored a 57.2 to sit just behind Buck in fifth place. Jordan is having a bang-up day, as he’s also holding second place in the CCI2* with Prince Mayo on a 50.2.
Jordan McDonald and Glencento are in fifth place on a 57.2.
Elena Ceballos and Nounours du Moulin, a Selle Francais gelding, scored 63.8 to sit in 16th place. Aside from breaking to the canter in the trot work at the beginning of this test, this was a very solid performance for Elena. She looked really happy with the horse after leaving the ring. Abigail Wilson and Fernhill Flag, an Irish Sport Horse gelding, were the first pair to go in the final group of the day; they scored a 65.5 to sit in 17th place right behind Elena. This was an obedient test, with the horse looking perhaps a touch too quiet throughout. Jessica Phoenix and Extraordinaire, a Selle Francais/Hanoverian gelding, scored 66 to sit in 19th place. This horse is only 7, and his greenness showed as he was spooky before entering the ring and a bit nervous throughout the test. Jessica worked hard to hold him together, and he looked fantastic when he did relax, especially in the medium walk.
Elena Ceballos and Nounours du Moulin scored 63.8 to sit in 16th place
Robin Walker and Rowdy Friend, an Irish Sport Horse gelding, scored a 71.9 to sit in 23rd place. They unfortunately picked up an error right off the bat when he failed to change rein at the medium trot, proceeding ahead straight instead. The horse also wasn’t keen to walk out of the reinback and looked tense throughout the test. While we saw some lovely tests in this final group of riders, no one could catch Sharon White and Don Sheffield, who win the dressage in the Bromont CCI2* on a 49.8. Jordan McDonald and Prince Mayo are in second on a 50.2, and Booli Selmayr and Castle Diamond are in third on a 54.3. Of course, this isn’t a dressage show, and Samantha said the cross-country course looks huge and incredibly challenging. We’ll be bringing you a preview of the course shortly. Unfortunately, the weather has deteriorated drastically this afternoon, with temperatures dipping into the 50s and a steady rain continuing to fall. Fingers crossed for better weather tomorrow. Until then, go Bromont!
[Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
A discussion of the Belmont Stakes wouldn’t be complete without this video: Secretariat’s Belmont, 1973. Forty years later, it never gets old!
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From Lauren:
Triple Crown Chaos is coming to an end Saturday with the Granddaddy of all Classic Races, the Belmont Stakes. For horses and riders alike, the first trip around the Belmont oval is akin to a first centerline in the Rolex Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park or a first gallop around the Badminton XC course. Everything is simply massive. One of only a handful of tracks in the world that measure a mile and a half in circumference, you could literally drive 10 school buses abreast all the way around it. Some horses are taken aback by the scale of such a magnificent landmark of racing history and some riders have difficulty relating their ample experience on one-mile tracks to a track 50% bigger. The Belmont Stakes, run over a distance of 1 ½ miles, is also most likely the longest race any of these horse will ever run.
In this day and age, horses simply are not bred or trained to run that far. Why, you ask? The bottom line is risk vs reward. While the race horse owning game is largely played by those with so much wealth that they are spending what amounts to Monopoly money, they still appreciate turning a profit when possible. In Grade 1 races, a profit becomes a real possibility and trainers and owners alike will go to great lengths to maximize their steed’s potential. But to breed and, most importantly, train a horse to run a mile and a half at racing speeds takes far longer than training that same horse to run at a sprint distance of a less than a mile. Just like getting event horses fit, you can take almost any horse Beginner Novice virtually right of a field without much conditioning, preparation, or expense. Getting a horse to a 4*, on the other hand, literally takes years and so many thousands of dollars that I refuse to think about it. Much the same is true with racehorses and when a small amount of conditioning, training, expense, and risk can be doled out and still produce the same monetary rewards (after all, there are plenty of sprint G1s to be won out there with multi-million dollar purses), many owners and trainers will air to the side of the get-rich-quick hustle. One other consideration to keep in mind when pontificating over what it takes for a horse to race a mile and a half is soundness. It takes, at the very least, TWICE as many races and FOUR TIMES as many breezes to get a horse fit for a mile and a half versus 6 furlongs. All of that wear and tear cripples more horses than it produces. With all of these factors in mind, I introduce to you the Belmont Stakes contenders for 2013.
$1,000,000 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), 3YOs, 1 1/2 miles (dirt)
Post / Horse / Jockey / Trainer / Odds
1 Frac Daddy / Alan Garcia / Ken McPeek 30-1
Traffic and trauma in the Derby took this horse far back under the twin spires. Not expecting a huge effort here but Kenny wouldn’t run him back if he weren’t tearing down the barn so he’ll be one to watch in the paddock. If he looks the part, expect a sneaky move into the top four or five.
2 Freedom Child / Luis Saez / Tom Albertrani 8-1
This horse is fresh after almost a month off from a huge win in the Peter Pan but his front-running style will work against him in such a long race. Not expecting a top four here.
3 Overanalyze / John Velazquez / Todd Pletcher 12-1
Skipped the derby and has a track record of defeating Oxbow by 5 ¼ lengths in the Arkansas. Expect a big run from this fresh horse and a likely top four finish.
4 Giant Finish / Edgar Prado / Anthony Dutrow 30-1
While this horse appears to prefer synthetic surfaces, I worked for (and greatly respect) Tony at Delaware about ten years ago and Edgar has won the Belmont twice. Not expecting a top four finish nonetheless.
5 Orb / Joel Rosario / Shug McGaughey 3-1
At his home track, which negates the need for and stress of shipping, he stands to be comfortable and competitive going into this last race of his Triple Crown push. Still, three races in five weeks is incredibly hard to overcome. I expect a top four finish but not a win.
6 Incognito / Irad Ortiz, Jr. / Kiaran McLaughlin 20-1
How can you not bet your longshot money on a horse named Incognito? Horses like Upset and Regret have lived up to their names and it would not shock me in the least to see this colt sneak up the rail to a bounding top four finish.
7 Oxbow / Gary Stevens / D. Wayne Lukas 5-1
Put in the biggest effort of his life in the Preakness. Elite horses of every discipline experience peaks and valleys and unless this horse is really a world class competitor, which I don’t think he is, I think another valley is on his horizon. Coupled with his front-running style, I don’t expect a top four finish from him.
8 Midnight Taboo / Garrett Gomez / Todd Pletcher 30-1
Repole will run anything anywhere to be in the limelight. Doesn’t appear to deserve a spot in the Belmont gate (has never run in a stakes race) and seems to be more suited for a race like the Easy Goer on the undercard. Hell, if I had a horse that could stumble through a mile and a half and has millions I’d run him too but as a better, he’s not getting any of my dead-presidents-not-Monopoly money.
9 Revolutionary / Javier Castellano / Todd Pletcher 9-2
A very game 3rd in the Derby and four weeks of rest bode well for this horse and with five horses in this race, you could put $10 to win on each of Pletcher’s starters and almost be guaranteed to come out ahead. Expecting a top four from this horse almost certainly and expecting his odds to creep up to a better pay out with Oxbow and Orb undoubtedly taking most of the uneducated money.
10 Will Take Charge / Jon Court / D. Wayne Lukas 20-1
While this horse really hasn’t jumped up and won anything big or seemed particularly impressive, his female family lends him to a capacity for distance and his sire has thrown progeny with a propensity for versatility. Might sneak up for fourth or fifth.
11 Vyjack / Julien Leparoux / Rudy Rodriguez 20-1
This horse’s works have looked a bit labored and he hasn’t galloped out strongly at all in my opinion. Don’t think he’ll have the distance and his shed row manners have been atrocious. I’ll be passing on putting any money down here.
12 Palace Malice / Mike Smith / Todd Pletcher 15-1
Blinkers off may encourage this horse to go to the front even more and I am still really impressed by his early 3 y/o performances. At these odds, I’d wager a few dollars he’ll put in a big effort and close in on the top four.
13 Unlimited Budget / Rosie Napravnik / Todd Pletcher 8-1
Girl horse and girl rider? Sign me up. Sorry guys, feminist vote goes here. Pletcher also trained Rags to Riches up to a Belmont win, so if anyone can get a filly ready he’s the man. Hoping for a top four, not $100-to-win sold though.
14 Golden Soul / Robby Albarado / Dallas Stewart 10-1
I kicked myself about twenty times when this horse jumped up and ran second in the Derby. I live in a house owned by the farm that stands this horse’s sire and should have, at the very least, included him in my super (which then would have hit and paid around $25,000). *face palm* Not making the same mistake twice and will be betting this horse. Top four unless he just left all he has to give at Churchill.
NBC has promised 6 ½ hours of Belmont Coverage so be sure to tune in. Post time is 6:36. Go Baby Go!
Sharon White and Don Sheffield took the lead in the CCI2* on a 49.8.
Sharon White and Don Sheffield were the first pair to crack the 40s in the CCI2* dressage at Bromont, taking the lead on a 49.8. This horse, a warmblood gelding, has a striking presence about him and really seemed to step up in the ring for Sharon. Their first simple transition looked a bit rocky, but the second one was much better, as you’ll see in the video below. This was a super test for this pair, and Sharon has to be pumped about the horse’s performance. Booli Selmayr and Castle Diamond, an Irish Sport Horse gelding, also had a very nice test to move into third place on 54.3. They had a flawless canter transition in the second simple change — probably the nicest we’ve seen all day in the CCI2*. Booli and Castle Diamond received a lot of love from the crowd after their final salute. Go team spirit!
Booli Selmayr and Castle Diamond are in third place on a 54.3.
Shanon Baker and Cordonelli, an Argentinian Thoroughbred gelding, were the last to go before the break and unfortunately picked up three errors in their test. But the quality of the work they put in helped redeem the test; they scored a 58.6 to move into seventh place. Jennifer Simmons and GV Tuscany were the first to go after the lunch break, scoring a 59.3 to move into eighth place. The horse, a New Zealand Thoroughbred gelding, was a little sticky in the simple transitions, but had a consistent test overall. Benita Strini and Sammy Jo, a Hanoverian mare, scored a 60.3 to sit in 12th place. The mare broke to the canter twice in the trot at the beginning of the test, but she had some really lovely moments once she moved into the canter work. This mare is super graceful and catlike in the flatwork, and I imagine she tackles the cross country with the same athleticism.
Shanon Baker and Cordonelli are in seventh place on a 58.6.
Anita Nemtin-Gilmour and Topper, a Canadian Sport Horse gelding, scored a 63.4 to sit in 14th place. The test seemed a touch quiet throughout and lacked impulsion in certain movements, but Anita seemed very happy with the horse when she exited the ring. We have six riders left to go today in the CCI2*, with Abigail Wilson and Fernhill Flag leading off at 1:59 p.m. after the break. Sharon White and Don Sheffield set the bar high with their test, and it will be exciting to see if anyone will catch them in this final group of riders. The rain continues to fall steadily here at Bromont, which I’m told is affecting the quality of the wifi connection we’re picking up in the press tent. Fingers crossed for no technical difficulties this afternoon as I try to upload videos of dressage for you lovely readers. Go Bromont.
[Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Welcome to Bromont! Of course it has started to rain lightly, and unfortunately the forecast is for it to get worse Friday and Saturday. The cross country courses are classic Derek Di Grazia – big, bold and tough and will be even more so if the forecast rain comes our way. Now I remember why everyone calls Bromont a mini- Rolex, you’re going to need a fit, brave horse on Saturday and can absolutely consider yourself ready for a tough four star if you have a good go here.
Meanwhile, though dressage continues, and the good news for Canada is that Peter Barry did a lovely test ride in the CCI** on his new horse, Katie Ruppel’s former four star horse Sir Donovan, and Jordan MacDonald leads that division on Prince Mayo at the lunch break.
In some bad news for America Buck Davidson, who has three rides here at Bromont, told EN that unfortunately Carl and Cassie Segal’s Ballynoe Castle (above at Rolex this year) will not be making the trip to Aachen to represent the US after Reggie got up in his stall with a bruised bone on his right stifle. He will be absolutely fine, Buck assured me, but both he and Carl and Cassie all think too much of the horse to take any sort of a risk with him. Marilyn Little is the alternate on RF Smoke on the Water. EN wishes all the Team Davidson connections the best, and Reggie a speedy recovery, and we look forward to seeing them back out competing, and representing the US again soon.
Many Happy Returns, Lauren Kieffer! When I asked her what she wanted for her birthday today, Lauren replied, “To win!”, to which Caitlin Silliman, who was standing next to me, responded immediately, “Veronica says, ‘Hang on!'” Who knows if that will come true on Sunday afternoon but it would certainly make a nice birthday present not only for Lauren, but also for owner Sarah Kelly who celebrates on Saturday. Best Birthday wishes to you both from Eventing Nation! Dressage has started up again, and the rain is getting a little more persistent. Be sure to keep checking EN for great updates from Jenni, and we’ll bring you more from Bromont later. Go Canadian Three Day Eventing!
