Classic Eventing Nation

Tipperary’s Saturday Links

By on May 25, 2013 1:03 am -


Fortunately there’s no snow at the Virginia Horse Trials this weekend

I made the trip up to the Virginia Horse Trials early this morning so that  I could get the babies ridden and spend the rest of the afternoon volunteering in the show jumping arena.  The wind was blowing and creating a bit of havoc, but I think the idea of jumping outside won’t seem so bad the rest of the weekend.  Mark Donovan designed yet another great test of positive, balanced riding.  Big props to Kurt Martin and Anna Bella for putting in a lovely round in the CIC** that happened to be the only double clear.  Also, a big shout out to Kaitlin Spurlock and Fernhill Select.  Kaitlin rode one of the most beautiful rides of the day on this very talented horse.  They are currently leading the CIC**.

A special announcement to help for Plain Bay Eventing:

Harmony Grove Farm, an eventing farm in Villa Rica, GA, is having a Lellie Ward clinic and an auction to support Plain Bay Eventing June 15th and 16th. They will be auctioning a County saddle, a month’s feed from Cavalor, training packages, and paintings from a local artist.  

Events This Weekend:

Mystic Valley Hunt Club H.T. [Website] [Ride Times PDF]

Virginia Horse CIC2*, CCI1* & H.T. [Website]  [Ride Times]

Flora Lea Spring H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Paradise Farm H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Corona del Sol Spring H.T. [Website] [Live Scores]

The Spring Event at Woodside [Website] [Live Scores]

May-Daze at the Park H.T. [Website] [Live Scores]

The Event at Galisteo [Website] [Entries]

 

Links:

Oklahoma Strong

Oklahoma horse deaths at 150

Kitty King leads Saumur 3*

Faudree Stands Eighth Following Dressage at Saumur

Ways to Help Plain Bay Eventing

USET Photos from Saumur CCI***

FEI Nations Cup Teams Underway at Houghton

Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Grassroots film

Horse Trials:  Superstars of Eventing in Action at Pontispool

Smartpak is having a Memorial Day Sale!

How to Change a Trailer Tire from Evention:

Hannah Sue Burnett: After Saumur Dressage

By on May 24, 2013 5:37 pm -

Dressage has wrapped up in France at the Saumur CCI***, with the US riders well in the hunt.  Hannah Sue Burnett was kind enough to send us another postcard from Saumur, commenting on the dressage and looking forward to cross-country tomorrow.  Many thanks to Hannah for writing, and thank you for reading.  Go Team USA!

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Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot, photo by Diana Rowland

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From Hannah:

Time has been flying here in France for us Americans! We’re already through both days of dressage and have our sights on a successful day of cross country tomorrow.  Our 3* horses are all in the top 20 in a very competitive field and Marilyn is also competitively placed in the 2* in a massive division of 92!    [CCI3* Scores]   [CIC2* Scores]
The course is definitely challenging and wheels very tight so time will be tough. They are calling for rain tonight and tomorrow so that could also be a factor.  We will all be going with the throttle down tomorrow!
It’s so amazing to have the opportunity to be here competing with the world’s best and get to practice on a course designed by Pierre Michelet, who will design cross-country for the World Games next year. It is so important that we Americans get used to competing abroad in Europe to bring our competitive edge up a notch and get more comfortable on the world stage.
Without our generous sponsors, owners and supporters we wouldn’t be here. A huge thanks to Land Rover for the grants to bring us to beautiful Saumur. Thanks to Ariat we are all proud to wear our beautiful team kit and represent our amazing country. I know the whole team would agree that the GastroGard provided by Merial for all of the horses makes them travel and compete comfortably and is extremely appreciated. We will fight to be great tomorrow and all weekend for the USA!
I have to give a shout out to our team here with us—the grooms, Dr. Johns, Joanie, Bobby, coach DOC, the parents and owners and everyone at home cheering us on. We all feel greatly supported and want so badly to bring it home for you all!
Go USA!!!
HSB

Let’s get to know Caitlin Calder and Jolliyat

By on May 24, 2013 3:24 pm -

Let’s catch up with Caitlin Calder and Jolliyat at the CCI*** at Jersey Fresh. Based with Jan Byyny since this winter they’ve been steadily upping their game, and I was happy to learn a bit more about this promising young combination.

Many thanks to Caitlin for talking to us. Go Team Surefire and Go Eventing!

 

Who Is This Four-Star Rider?

By on May 24, 2013 12:58 pm -

EN reader Tracy sent us this photo of her driving her Welsh Cob mare in the marathon phase of a combined driving event.  Can you guess who is the navigator riding on the back step?  Best of luck to them at Luhmuhlen CCI4* next month!  Thanks to Tracy for the photo, and go Combined Driving!

 

Who is the navigator in this photo?

The View from Warminster Presented by World Equestrian Brands

By on May 24, 2013 12:49 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, in my opinion, comes from a very unlikely place one might choose to hack… but us crazy horse people know: it doesn’t matter where we are, if we want to ride, we will ride!

 

From Mary Cook:

Greetings from Warminster in Wiltshire County UK where my husband is an American exchange officer with the British army.  We live on the edge of Salisbury plain which is a huge military training ground with tanks, gunfire, and bombs going off all the time.  The horses are quite used to the noise. Its been a great posting for two years but we are moving back to the US soon!

Final dressage scores from Saumur CCI***

By on May 24, 2013 10:22 am -

Photo: Will Faudree and Jennifer Mosing's Andromaque after their win in the CIC3* at Jersey Fresh. They head to Saumur (France) next!

Will Faudree and Andromaque, photo via USEF Eventing High Performance facebook page.

 

Dressage scores and placings are now final from the Saumur CCI***.  Will Faudree was just knocked out of the top 5, and Hannah and Buck barely slipped out of the top 10.  Still, Coach David O’Connor should be pleased with the US results, as the team’s lowest score of 52 (Marilyn Little / RF Smoke on the Water) is only about 10 points out of first place.

  • Will Faudree / Andromaque  47.8     8th
  • Hannah Sue Burnett / Harbour Pilot  48.6  11th
  • Buck Davidson / The Apprentice  50.2   12th
  • Marilyn Little / RF Smoke on the Water  52.0  17th

 

[Full Results]

[Videos]

[XC Map]

[Watch XC live on Saturday]

 

Place   / Rider        /              Nation                          /  Horse                                             / Score

1. Kitty KING GBR Zidante 41,8
2. Bill LEVETT AUS Shannondale Titan 42,6
3. Nicolas TOUZAINT FRA Lesbos 43,2
4. Tim PRICE NZL Wesko 44,0
5. Geoffroy SOULLEZ FRA Madiran du Liot*HN 46,8
6. Oliver TOWNEND GBR Black Tie 46,8
7. Sébastien CAVAILLON FRA Only One du Reverdy 47,0
8. Will FAUDREE USA Andromaque 47,8
9. Mathieu LEMOINE FRA Quickness 48,4
10. Hannes MELIN SWE Gaston KLG 48,4
11. Hannah Sue BURNETT USA Harbour Pilot 48,6
12. Bruce O. DAVIDSON JR USA The Apprentice 50,2
13. Piggy FRENCH GBR Tinkas Time 50,4
14. Oliver TOWNEND GBR Neo du Breuil 51,4
14. Alberto GIUGNI ITA Easy 51,4
16. Frida ANDERSÉN SWE Herta 51,6
17. Marilyn LITTLE USA RF Smoke on the Water 52,0
18. Tim PRICE NZL Ringwood Sky Boy 52,6
19. Arnaud BOITEAU FRA Quoriano ‘ENE HN’ 53,0
20. Joao DUARTE SILVA POR Xaft 53,2

US Results from Dressage at Saumur CCI***

By on May 24, 2013 9:08 am -

Will and Andromaque continue their success from Jersey Fresh CIC***.  Photo by Jenni Autry.

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The four US horses and riders have finished dressage at Saumur CCI*** with very good scores.  Will Faudree and Andromaque had a great test today to set the pace for the US team.  There are still about nine horses left to go, so placings may change, but here’s how they stand so far:

 

  • Will Faudree / Andromaque  47.8     Currently 5th
  • Hannah Sue Burnett / Harbour Pilot  48.6   Currently 7th
  • Buck Davidson / The Apprentice  50.2   Currently 8th
  • Marilyn Little / RF Smoke on the Water  52.0  Currently 13th

 

At the moment, Kitty King (GBR) leads with Zidante on 41.8.  Geoffrey Soullez (Madiran du Liot*HN) and Oli Townend (Black Tie) are tied for second on 46.8.  Dressage continues until nearly 10am ET.

[Live Scores]

 

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Marilyn Little is also riding RF Black Pearl in the CIC** and scored a 54.7, currently 34th, with 15 competitors remaining.  [CIC** Scores]

Lucy Eddins’ Friday News & Notes from FLAIR Nasal Strips

By on May 24, 2013 12:33 am -

Lucy Eddins, beloved dressage and eventing judge from Virginia

Thank goodness it’s Friday, and more importantly, thank goodness the weather forecast has rain coming (never thought I’d say that!) because I can’t stand another day of this heat! For the past week I’ve thought about the possibilities of heat stroke by 10 am each day, only to realize that I have to stay out in the burning hot sun for at least 8 more hours. Bring me a cool streak!

Lucy Eddins, who was a wonderful force in the Eventing and Dressage world, and judge for many years, passed away in April of this year. At the Virginia Horse Trials this weekend, there will be a memorial service for Lucy and all that she contributed to our sport on Saturday, May 25th, 6:15pm in the Wiley Arena, at the Virginia Horse Center. All competitors are welcome, please come to honor a great dressage judge and wonderful person.

Events This Weekend:

Mystic Valley Hunt Club H.T. [Website] [Ride Times]

Virginia Horse CIC2*, CCI1* & H.T. [Website]  [Ride Times]

Flora Lea Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Paradise Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Corona del Sol Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

The Spring Event at Woodside [Website] [Entry Status & Ride Times]

May-Daze at the Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status & Ride Times]

The Event at Galisteo [Website] [Entry Status]

Saumur Links:

[Website] [Entry List, Ride Times & Results] [Cross-country maps]

News:

As we all know by now, both Hannah & Marilyn did the US proud yesterday, and stand in 2nd and 5th place, respectively at Saumur CCI3*. Hannah is our reigning Fair Hill CCI3* champion, so we know she can pull it off in all three phases with the amazing William. Tomorrow we look forward to Will Faudree & Andromaque, as well as Buck Davidson & The Apprentice. [Burnett & Little Take Top Five]

The leader of Dubai has done what I’ve been wanting for years: he made the use of steroids on racehorses a criminal offense. Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum has ordered a decree to criminalize the use of steroids on race horses following a doping scandal involving his horses in England. He says he has “directed that a decree be issued making, with immediate effect, the import, sale, purchase or use of anabolic steroids in horse sports a criminal offense under the UAE penal laws.” [Go Dubai!]

The Retired Racehorse Training Project announced today its selection of the 26 horse trainers who will participate in the RRTP Thoroughbred Makeover.Each trainer will chronicle online the training of a Thoroughbred that has raced but had no training for a second career. All will appear at Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore, Maryland on the first weekend of October to show what the horses have learned. The list includes a LOT of eventers, like Erin Sylvester, Lara Borson Knight and Allie Knowles. [RRTP Thoroughbred Makeover]

In more terrible news of the twister, a new aerial photo shows its precise path through two horse farms, claiming the lives of over 100 horses. The photograph shows the majority of the 106 acres on which the popular attraction, the Orr Family Farm, and the adjoining horse training business, Celestial Acres, once stood. While four ponies survived at the Orr Family Farm and thirty four horses survived at Celestial Acres, the real horse death toll is still unknown. [Tornado Picture]

SmartPak product of the day is….EVERTHING! Memorial Day Sale!!! Nothing like a little holiday weekend sale to make you finally break down and buy that one thing you’ve been trying to justify for months now. Go ahead, give yourself a treat. [SmartPak Memorial Day Sale!]

Best of Blogs: “An Octopus on Roller Skates” 

 

Do you want to win a day with Phillip Dutton?

 

Dressage Day One at Saumur CCI3*

By on May 23, 2013 5:45 pm -

The US Team before jogs yesterday (photo courtesy of USEF FB)

Dressage day one at Saumur CCI3* was a smashing success, with Hannah Sue Burnett throwing down a 48.8 to sit in 2nd position, and Marilyn Little scoring a 52.0 to place 5th after the first day. I’m doing my due diligence and keeping up with the happenings on Facebook, which is a great way to keep in touch due to the fabulous photo coverage from USEF High Performance.

 

Here are Hannah’s comments on her ride today, via USEF press release:

“He was really good. We’ve been a little inconsistent this spring; so I rode him quite a bit this morning because he has been quite exuberant at his last two competitions. But he was all business from the first ride and went right in the ring and was rideable,” said Burnett of the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding. “In hindsight I could have gone for it a little bit more in the trot but the canter and changes were very good.”

Looking towards Saturday’s cross country, Burnett believes Course Designer Pierre Michelet has built a demanding track.

“The course is good; it’s big and pretty technical. There are six combinations of three-strides,” said the 2011 Pan American Games Team Gold and Individual Silver medalist. “I was impressed the first time I walked it but I’ve walked it a couple more times and it keeps looking better.”

Tomorrow we have Will Faudree & Andromaque competing at 10:45 (4:45 EST), followed by Buck Davidson on The Apprentice at 2:00pm (8:00am EST). Stay tuned for more updates and cross country action, which is supposed to be available online on Saturday, for those of you ambitious enough to wake up that early!

[Saumur Website]

[Live Scores]

[Friday Ride Times]

 

RIP Flagmount’s Sterling Prince

By on May 23, 2013 4:15 pm -

We’ve just received word that Sara Kozumplik tragically lost her Advanced horse, Flagmount’s Sterling Prince, due to an accident in turnout.  Our condolences go out to Sara, Prince, and those who loved him.   Thanks to Sara Lieser of The Chronicle of the Horse for sharing this with us.

 

 

Photo by Sara Lieser

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From Sara Kozumplik:

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I announce that we lost our Prince to a freak accident in the field a couple of days ago while Brian and I were taking a week off in Ireland. He became cast, while rolling too close to a running shed, and broke his leg. While words cannot express how I feel, I know how incredibly lucky I was to be able to have this horse in my life. He was a wonderful, talented, kind, and brave horse that had the best work ethic I have ever found. The tragedy is compounded for me as he was improving hugely everyday, and I know what a star he would have been had he had the chance. Prince was about to compete at Bromont CCI*** in June. His previous rider, Melissa McMaster and her Mum, Dee, did a lovely job bringing him up to the two star level, and I am desperately sorry for them also that the story of such a horse has ended this way.
My heart goes out to his owners, the incredible Edy and Sean Rameika as well as The Pinnacle Group (Chris and Rob Desino of Ocala Horse Properties, Judith and John Lovegrove, Robert Kennedy, and Dee and Melissa McMaster) Thank you for all the support I have always received from every one of you. It is people like you that are the lifeblood of our sport, and I value the unconditional support you have given me more than words can say.
I would like to thank my local vet, Ian Harrison, my amazing neighbor, Sandy Johnson, and my staff…..Caroline Ring, Martin Gomez, and Jessica Gebbett, for all their kindness and compassion during what has been a horrible time for us all.
I will miss you every day my friend.

Sara and Prince at Rocking Horse Winter II.  Photo by Samantha Clark.