Classic Eventing Nation

Friday News & Notes from FLAIR Nasal Strips

By on May 3, 2013 12:33 am -

Thanks to Caroline Daly for this little gem!

Dressage Day One is upon us….yet again! It feels like only yesterday that we were anticipating Rolex dressage beginning, and yet, so far in the background. Well, onwards and upwards, we’ve got Badminton starting today after all 84 horses were accepted at yesterday’s jog. Today we have everybody’s first horse doing dressage, including Michael Jung’s Leopin FST, Mary King with Imperial Cavalier, WFP with Oslo and Andrew Nicholson with Avebury (Jenni’s pick to win the whole darn thing). I like that there are “coffee” breaks in between groups of the dressage, it makes it so….British!

Check out the links below for all your Badminton needs, as well as a link to watch it online via FEI TV. Unfortunately, FEI TV is a paid subscription, but if you’re in it for the long haul, it’s worth every penny. It does not show Dressage today or tomorrow, but the XC and Stadium are full coverage, and include some dressage highlights before watching XC on Sunday.

Badminton Links:

[Website] [Ride Times] [Dressage Results]

[Watch Live @ FEI TV]

Events This Weekend: 

Heart of the Carolinas 3-day Event: [Website] [Entry Status]

Weatherford and Greenwood Farm CIC2*, CIC1*, HT: [Website] [Live Scores]

Penny Oaks HT: [Website] [Entry Status]

Riga Meadow CT: [Website]

MCTA HT: [Website] [Entry Status]

Poplar Place May HT: [Website]

News:

Boyd finally got that ankle fixed and is through his surgery ready to hobble around and teach lessons! Boyd had four torn tendons and ligaments in his right ankle, and decided to push through the pain in order to get around Rolex with Oscar. While his 4* weekend didn’t exactly end the way he wanted, he did get to the surgeons this week, and in true Boyd fashion, managed to convince the surgeons to take photos with his phone during the operation. If you want to see some gory photos, click here. WARNING: Graphic Images of a Gross Ankle [Boyd’s Surgery Blog]

Looking for some more thrills after Rolex? Happen to be near New Jersey next week? Jersey Fresh needs volunteers! Not only will you get to see some of the top riders and horses in the country, but you might even get to meet yours truly. There is a CCI2*, CCI3*, and a CIC of both those levels running that weekend, and it promises to be a good time. Jersey is always a beautiful event, so volunteer! [Volunteers Needed at Jersey Fresh]

Yesterday at Badminton was also full of Eventing thrills, with the amateur grassroots championships. Badminton’s sun-drenched parklands were the backdrop for the culmination of both the 2013 and the postponed 2012 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Grassroots Championships, a competition series aimed at the amateur rider. Good jumping came to the fore this year with testing cross country courses and an electric atmosphere providing the ultimate championship challenge. [Celebration of Grassroots Championships]

Photos of the Badminton Jogs from British Eventing FB: [Photos by Adam Fanthorpe]

If you need a strong Badminton fix this week, head on over to Horse & Hound, our vastly superior English counterpart. I’ve always had a subscription, just because I’m a little obsessed with British Eventing, but did you know that it’s ridiculously easy to get the digital version right now on your computer? In advance, you’re welcome. [H&H Digital Subscriptions]

Best of Blogs: Walking In The Hoofprints of Greatness

 

Thursday Video: Animated Badminton Course Walk, presented by Sylvan Farm Retirement Dispersal

By on May 2, 2013 5:15 pm -

The excitement for Badminton is building. Here’s a virtual coursewalk on cross-country, taking a tour of the grounds and giving a 3-D look at the track riders will tackle on Sunday.

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Decorated sport horse breeder and USEF judge Judy Hedreen of Sylvan Farm has announced her retirement after more than thirty years. As part of her retirement, Hedreen will sell the majority of her horses via live auction on June 1, 2013 at 3pm PDT. Bid by phone, on-site or via the internet. The sale and horse preview will be streamed live via the Internet at www.sylvanfarmauction.com. This unprecedented access to their collection of homebreds includes show horses, young prospects, broodmares and a FEI licensed stallion. Low reserves will apply. A live video preview will be broadcast on May 31, 2013 at 4pm PDT

Jacky Green: Thursday at Badminton

By on May 2, 2013 4:56 pm -


Photo via Jenni

From Jacky:

Well, it’s jog day.  But because there are the grass roots championships going on suddenly the quiet jog day has turned into a hugely busy tradestand and course walk day and lots of tweedy folk trundling round the tradestands.  A quick walk through saw more tweed on offer than at Cheltenham, several hazards negotiated such as dogs on extension leads that nearly resulted in my friend being poleaxed, a trip through the craft tent that left us scarred of “The Woodland Trust” as the guy looked like a Cult resource guy and left us cold with his sale regime.  We declined odd looking cheese, looked away at strange jewelry and emerged to more tweed back on the line.

Wow!  The shopping today was fab if you wanted to spend £2.5 k on garden furniture.  Or if you wanted a polo shirt for twenty quid.  Or if you wanted to buy a car or a quad bike.  We stuck with the food and some nice earings and headed back the solitude of the lorry park before the jog.  Clark Montgomery jogged possibly the most beautiful horse of the day in Universe and Rebecca Howard looked stunning with Riddle Master.. ….

Roll on the rest of the week and what will be will be……..

Forget the Battle, Win the War

By on May 2, 2013 4:42 pm -

Bug and I in a lesson with Bonnie Mosser this spring. Photo by Alice VanBokkelen.

I know that I have used this title before, but it just rings true with me.  It seems to most definitely be the theme for Bug and I.  It has been awhile since I have checked in, and I thought I should give everyone that cares an update.

Ever since Southern Pines, we have been dealing with Bug’s foot soreness.  He has gotten a lot better, but he is still not quite right.  In light of this, our spring schedule has been erased.  To the untrained eye, he may look sound, but I know that he isn’t 100%.  He has been enjoying his vacation by antagonizing the other horses over the fence.  We will get through this battle and move on to the next.

So, here I am with all of my plans in the can.  This seems to be a pretty common theme in our sport, and one has to learn to get out the pencil and start over.  For Bug, there is no planning until he gets sorted.  For me, I have two really cool greenies of my own to get out and about, and I have plenty of others to ride in the barn.  When your good horse is out, what do you do?  I plan to ride, ride, ride.  I’m going to use this time to get my position so rock solid that I’m ready to be even better than before when Bug is back.  What better way to get stronger than to ride squirmy babies?  If there’s one thing about babies, they teach you to get strong and tight in the saddle!

Sometimes, it can be hard not to let my mind walk down the road of sadness, but then I remember that so many have been where I am, and they all survived.  Bug will be back to fight again, and I am just so lucky and blessed to have him in my life.  He owes me nothing.  I owe him everything.  I am enjoying our relaxed time together.  There is no pressure right now.  I can stand in his stall and scratch him (which he demands and will even move around to make sure you get the right spot!) and just breath.

We will be back, and we will win the war!

All 84 Horses Accepted at Badminton

By on May 2, 2013 2:15 pm -

Andrew Nicholson and Avebury

All 84 horses that presented at the first horse inspection this afternoon were accepted here at the Badminton Horse Trials. Only Italian Marco Biasia’s Tatchou was sent to the holding box and later accepted upon reinspection. The weather for the jog turned out to be just lovely, with temperatures in the 60s and plenty of sun shining. I don’t have an exact count on the crowd, but I’d wager that there were more than 500 people watching the first horse inspection. This is truly an all-star field, and I really looked hard for a horse that stood above the rest. But there are so many that look fantastic — not to mention that have plenty of experience and top placings in four-stars — that I can really say it’s anyone’s game at this point.

William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk

Even though my pick to win Rolex — William Fox-Pitt and Chilli Morning — didn’t pan out, I’m going to throw a hail mary and make another pick for Badminton. After watching the jog and taking past results into account, I’m picking Andrew Nicholson and Avebury to take the win and seal the deal on the Rolex Grand Slam. Andrew Nicholson’s Nereo — his team bronze medal partner in London — also looked lovely and even drew applause from the crowd, so we of course can’t rule him out. William Fox-Pitt’s Oslo and Parklane Hawk also looked in fine form, and I didn’t notice William’s broken finger wrapped in any way, nor did he seem to be favoring it. And don’t think I’ve forgotten about Michael Jung. Of course, La Biosthetique Sam FBW is the horse to beat, but I also thought Michael’s second mount Leopin FST looked incredible. Then again, Michael could probably take a carousel horse around and make it look good.

Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW

For the North American contingent, Universe trotted up beautifully for Clark Montgomery and looks in fantastic form. Shiraz also looked brilliant for Colleen Rutledge, and trotted down the jog lane without fanfare. Canadian Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master looked great in the jog, with Rupert sporting a maple leaf clipped into his hindquarters. Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister put on a bit of a show as one of the last to trot up when Finn pranced down the jog lane and caught the attention of the crowd. I could really say lovely things about each of the horses that jogged today, but I’m going to let the pictures do the talking instead. All four of the North American horses ride dressage on Saturday, but I’ll be looking to catch up with them for interviews tomorrow.

Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister

As far as others to watch, both of Mary King’s horses — her London team silver-medal winning parter Imperial Cavalier and Kings Temptress — looked very fresh and ready to go. Jock Paget’s mounts Clifton Lush and Clifton Promise also looked fantastic. While more people will be watching Kristina Cook and Miners Frolic, I thought her second horse De Novo News really looked stunning. Lucy Jackson’s Willy Do dragged her down the jog lane, looking very keen. And I have to give a shoutout to Ludwig Svennerstal of Sweden, who stole the show by jogging up with Alexander in a full tuxedo complete with bow tie. All the dressage action kicks off tomorrow morning at 9:40 a.m. local time with the test ride, and Oliver Townend and Armada ride their test at 10 a.m.

[Website] [Ride Times] [Dressage Results]


Keep checking back for more photos from the jog!

Photo Diary from the Rolex Finale

By on May 2, 2013 12:30 pm -

I had the same great view for the conclusion of Rolex as I did for dressage — a spot right by the in-gate as riders went into the stadium hoping for a clear trip and exited with mixed results. It’s an emotional roller coaster being that close to the riders and experiencing the highs and lows right along with them. I felt like I was riding co-pilot on the victory gallops with Lynn Symansky and Donner and Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice as they delivered beautiful clear rounds, and I felt the crushing disappointment right along with Buck Davidson when things didn’t go his way with his beloved Ballynoecastle RM. That’s eventing for you — the highest mountains and the lowest valleys all packed into a few minutes. I hope these photos help you relive those final moments of the 2013 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Go eventing.

 

Colleen Rutledge Discusses Her CCI4* Quest

By on May 2, 2013 10:53 am -

Yes, I did stop in the middle of traffic to take this picture for you.

Greetings from Badminton! The first horse inspection begins in about 45 minutes in front of the beautiful Badminton house, and I’ll be bringing you a full report and photos from all the action at the jog. But first, I caught up with Colleen Rutledge for a quick interview before she went to change into her “monkey suit” — as she called it — for the trot up with Shiraz.

Colleen is looking to make history here at Badminton this weekend as the only rider to complete five of the world’s six CCI4* events on the same horse. She seemed incredibly composed and in good spirits — definitely ready to tackle one of the world’s toughest events.

In other news, I’m thrilled to be at Badminton and so looking forward to bringing you all the action here on EN this weekend. Today was my first foray into driving in the UK, and I’m pleased to report that only a few roundabouts were harmed in the process. It’s incredible to be here at an event where SO many people are in attendance for a jog.

There are countless spectators enjoying Pimm’s at the many outdoor seating areas and shopping the trade fair stands everywhere I turn, not to mention watching the Mitsubishi Motors Grassroots Championships.

The word on the street is that this is higher attendance than usual, as evidenced by the media center running out of meal tickets before this road weary EN reporter could grab a sandwich. It’s safe to say that we’re seeing an uptick in spectators and media alike because of the significance of this weekend — the first time in history two riders will be facing off for the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.

I just received the order for the first horse inspection, and Andrew Nicholson has chosen Nereo and Avebury as his two mounts to contest the Grand Slam, while William Fox-Pitt has picked Oslo and Parklane Hawk.

It’s also worth noting that the weather is brilliant here at Badminton, mostly sunny with temperatures in the mid-60s. The rain cloud that followed me at The Fork and Rolex looks to be gone for good. Stay tuned for much more from Badminton, and don’t forget to read my preview for a full scoop on all the great story lines I’ll be following this weekend.

The jog begins at 4:30 p.m. local time with Oliver Townend and Armada leading the way. I’m off to try to catch Clark Montgomery for an interview before the jog, and I’ll also be looking to catch up with Tiana Coudray afterward. Go Badminton.

Lila Gendal: Dancing The Canter

By on May 2, 2013 10:30 am -

Lila Gendal is the newest edition to our family of bloggers here on EN, and she comes with a particularly interesting perspective. Lila lives in Vermont, and works for the famed Denny Emerson at Tamarack Hill Farm, and when she’s not buried in snow, she is privy to the inner workings of one of the Eventing world’s most illustrious program. Lila has an amazing mare named Valonia that she has been slowly bringing up through the ranks, and is able to ride many of Denny’s young horses, and learn the “old school” way of doing everything. Read her first blog here. 

 

Lila & Valonia in 2011, in a Miguel Ralao clinic

I cannot count how many times I have heard the following phrase from Denny: “Dance the canter” . When I first started riding with Denny, the concept of dancing the canter was about as foreign to me as baseball statistics. I’ll never forget my first jump lesson with Denny. Let’s paint a picture here. Imagine a C- student sitting in a classroom hiding behind a text book in order to avoid making eye contact with the teacher. The teacher asks a question, while the entire room anxiously raises their hands waiting to shout out the correct response, but instead the C- student shirking behind the desk gets called on and has one pathetic and extremely incorrect answer. In my first jump lesson I was lucky if I had a C-. I had absolutely no clue what I was doing that day; let alone what the heck dancing the canter meant. Naturally I did not ask Denny to please explain his concept, because that would have been too easy and of course I was deathly afraid of him.

Fast forward about a year and a half when a light bulb switched on and I had an epiphany. I was struggling on the flat one day when Denny decided to get on my stiff and inverted mare. As soon as he got on, he completely changed the way my horse was going. She went from rigid and inverted, to soft, light, and through. Prior to getting on my horse, he explained what was going wrong, but I couldn’t process this information simply because I was such a green rider at the time. The second he got on my horse, I understood. I realized what the problem was and what needed to be done. I remember getting back on my mare and was able to mimic (to a degree) what he had just accomplished. I discovered that day I was very much a visual learner and evidently NOT an auditory leaner. I had to see something in order to have any hope of replicating what I was attempting to accomplish.

Once I established how I was able to learn a concept, I ran with it. I watched as many lessons as I possibly could. I watched Youtube videos of grand prix dressage riders, jumpers and event riders. Watching talented riders was the best thing I could do to get better. Riding wasn’t enough for me; I had to learn from watching in order to perfect my own skills, or utter lack of skills for that matter. I was mesmerized when Intermediate or Advanced riders would come for a jump lesson. Anytime Denny rode with us I was like a sponge soaking in all the lessons to be learned. He always had (still has) this remarkable way of making jumping look effortless, whether he was on a “crotch rocket“ or a “deadhead”, he made riding look like a walk in the park.

Skybreaker at a Tamarack jumper show in 2012

After countless years, horses, and hours spent in the ring I finally was able to grasp this whole dancing the canter concept. What Denny was attempting to explain to me that day was that the quality of your horse’s jump is directly proportional to the quality of your horse’s canter. A horse with a bad canter most likely will follow his poor canter over a jump, resulting in a less than perfect jumping effort. Similarly, a horse with a good canter — a canter with a quick hind end that lifts the front end will arguably follow his/her good canter over the jump, resulting in a successful jumping effort. When Denny speaks of dancing the canter, often times he counts to three while simultaneously clapping his hands in the rhythm he wants your canter to sound like. For instance, in a quick, upbeat rhythm, ‘One, Two, Three, One, Two, Three, etc..’ Opposed to the lackadaisical canter in a slow, downbeat rhythm: O N E, T W O, T H R E E, O N E, T W O, T H R E E, etc. I discovered that eventually I didn’t even need to look a horse jumping. I could close my eyes and listen to a horse cantering around jumping and I could tell if that canter was the “right” canter or not just from the sound.

Now when I warm up Valonia for a jump lesson, right away I know if her canter will suffice for the jump school ahead. I know right away if she isn’t quick enough off my leg, or if she is too heavy in front. This instantaneous feeling I have now for the canter took a very long time to establish, not only conceptually, but developing a feel for it as well. Now I know what it means to dance the canter and I know how it feels. Understanding a concept doesn’t mean anything if you don’t know how it feels (at least in my world it doesn’t). So much of riding is about feeling. So much of what Denny teaches is about analyzing concepts and theories and applying them to your riding. I had to feel something in the saddle before I had any hope or understanding his lessons. For me, I had to watch others ride, then develop the correct feeling under saddle, then execute.

World Equestrian Brand’s Top Dog

By on May 2, 2013 8:40 am -

Now that Rolex is over it is time to see which pooches made the cut for World Equestrian Brands Top Dog contest!

A quick reminder of what’s up for grabs: WEB has generously donated a full set of the NEW Equilibrium Airlite XC boots for the grand prize!

The Equilibrium Airlite XC boots are a favorite of many riders, both professional and amateur, who look not only for protection, but additional benefits for their horses.  The Equilibrium Airlite XC deliver not only protection from concussion and penetration, but they are extremely light, flexible, don’t hold water, and designed to help keep the legs from heating.  And, even some of the most sensitive horses don’t get rubs!

So help us choose the winner and select your favorite pooch of the 2013 World Equestrian Brands Top Dog Contest!

1.  From Caitrin O’Shea

Sophie, feeling inspired by all the great XC rounds, decided she should do a little schooling Sunday morning. Photo courtesy of Adam Frizzell.

2.  From Debbie Chidsey:

Hanging out at jump #12 on cross country

3.  From Jason Hill: 

Why walk?

4.  From Katie Bowles:

Best seats in the house at the Head of the Lake!

5.  From Laura Tegelberg:

Look who we found trying to hitch a ride with Bruce

6.  From Maire Yowan: 

Picture taken after XC Saturday near the Head of the Lake... tired puppy!

7.  From Sandy Mercier:

Nap time

8.  From Sheryl Gallucci:

Hitching a piggy-back-ride

9.  From Stacy Ersek:

After 6 hours of driving from PA, we finally have arrive in KY to attend 2013 Rolex. My name is Paisley and this is my first time at Rolex. I am 11 weeks old and am a Sheepadoodle.

10.  From Tori Myers:

The fashionista

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That’s all folks! Vote for your favorite dog in the polls below and the winner will walk home with an awesome set of XC boots! Thanks for playing everyone. Go dogs!

Thursday Reader from Devoucoux

By on May 2, 2013 12:33 am -

Jennie & Cambalda have re-scheduled their spring 4*....and redesigned their hat!

Happy Thursday, Eventing Nation! There’s a lot of reasons why the next few days could be full of excitement and historic moments. Jogs for Badminton are today, at 4:30 British time, 11:30 EST. Many things are happening over the pond, all of which are thrilling. Possible Grand Slam? Possible world domination by Michael Jung (again)? What about Colleen Rutledge and her quest to finish all five CCI4*’s on the same horse? Seriously folks, hold onto your socks. Did you read Jenni’s excellent break-down of what’s happening at Badminton in the coming days? You didn’t? Shame on you, and here it is. [Badminton: Let The Madness Begin]

General Badminton Links:

[Website]

[Schedule]

[List of Entrants]

Events This Weekend:

Heart of the Carolinas 3-day Event: [Website] [Entry Status]

Weatherford and Greenwood Farm CIC2*, CIC1*, HT: [Website] [Entry Status]

Penny Oaks HT: [Website] [Entry Status]

Riga Meadow CT: [Website]

MCTA HT: [Website] [Entry Status]

Poplar Place May HT: [Website]

News:

Looking for some more thrills after Rolex? Happen to be near New Jersey next week? Jersey Fresh needs volunteers! Not only will you get to see some of the top riders and horses in the country, but you might even get to meet yours truly. There is a CCI2*, CCI3*, and a CIC of both those levels running that weekend, and it promises to be a good time. Jersey is always a beautiful event, so volunteer! [Volunteers Needed at Jersey Fresh]

If you need a strong Badminton fix this week, head on over to Horse & Hound, our vastly superior English counterpart. I’ve always had a subscription, just because I’m a little obsessed with British Eventing, but did you know that it’s ridiculously easy to get the digital version right now on your computer? In advance, you’re welcome. [H&H Digital Subscriptions]

Also, Horse & Hound will be running a live blog during Badminton, which is good to know if you’re unable to watch on the live feed. [Badminton Live Blog from H&H]

Colleen reports that Shiraz has arrived at Badminton and is all settled in. The two are one of a few pairs trying to make history this weekend. If Colleen completes Badders this weekend, she will be the first Eventer in history to complete five of the six CCI4*’s in the world on one horse…..and hopefully she’ll keep her clean XC record! [Colleen Rutledge Eventing]

While we were all enraptured by Rolex, the 2013 Reem Acra World Cup Dressage happened. Guess what? The Germans won. German rider Helen Langehanenberg rode her stallion Damon Hill to victory, with Dutch stalwarts Adelinde Cornellissen (Parzival) and Edward Gal (Glock’s Undercover) in second and third. [World Cup Dressage in Photos]

SmartPak Product of the day is in honor of my 30 year old pony, Hershey, who keeps on kicking in her old age. However, just like every pony on the face of the earth, with the spring grass comes the dreaded muzzle. As of the past five years, she has finally accepted it as her fate, after fighting with me for ages and trying to escape from it every night, I found one that stuck. Additionally useful if you have an extraordinarily easy keeping horse, so they don’t stuff their faces with grass all night! [SmartPak Grazing Muzzle]