Classic Eventing Nation

Area VI Lifts All Boats in A Rising Tide of Change

By on May 30, 2023 9:00 am -

Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.

More than a year of debate surrounded the December 2022 announcement of Area VI’s calendar revisions (For more context from Area VI’s perspective, click here). A new process for the creation of the U.S. eventing calendar had broken ground in April of 2021, the aim of which was to bring “critical structure and overdue stability.” Additionally it would “facilitate a healthy calendar to the benefit of the U.S. Eventing athletes, their horses, stakeholders within the sport, and the U.S. Eventing Pathway as a whole,” Amber Braun, Managing Director of Eventing at USEF, explained.

The creation of three week breaks in Advanced competition came from a new policy from the USEF Strategic Task Force Committee for the new Eventing Calendar Process Proposal: “The Task Force recommends that preparation for all CCI5*-L and CCI4*-L competitions, Games, and Championships should be placed in three-week intervals leading up to the competition in order to ensure optimal preparation and welfare of the horse.”

With concerns that upper level horses were running too often, horse welfare became a top priority. On the East coast, with more than 20 venues across different Areas offering 72+ upper level competitions in one calendar year, that was possible; difficult but possible.

When word came to the Area VI Committee in late 2021, the new calendar seemed possible too. “Honestly I liked it for my upper level FEI horses initially,” said Bec Braitling, member of the Area VI Committee. “The more it went on…the realization of how deep it would impact our national calendar became apparent.”

As the 2023 Area VI calendar began to take shape, committee members realized there were two snags: The Area would have back to back horse shows in order to accommodate the breaks in upper level competition and lose a CCI3*-L in the spring.

A policy that prioritizes horse welfare and strategic planning is something to be lauded and emulated, not condemned. But for Area VI, the consequences of adhering to the new schedule and its resulting loss of international competition had the potential to challenge the health of the sport financially and its ability to hold elite level eventing.

For Bec Braitling, Christina Gray, Teresa Harcourt, and Andrea Pfieffer, members of the Area VI Committee, this meant an intervention was needed.

Bec Braitling and Caravaggio II. Photo by Ride On Photo.

The National Calendar

At first glance, it would be feasible to accommodate three week breaks by extending the California eventing season into the winter. But as Bec pointed out, “We HAVE to run on a two week schedule here, due to weather mostly. The winter is wet and the footing doesn’t allow ‘year round eventing’, the summer is DARN hot in most areas, so we cluster Feb through May and Sept through November — and it’s busy! Once you switch to three weeks, you squeeze out competitions and force some to run back to back weekends. We cannot support this schedule. There just aren’t enough entries to split.”

Mitigating the loss of FEI competition in the spring remained a serious obstacle, but the national calendar ranked higher in the concerns of the committee members and organizers of Area VI. As a whole, they decided that it was more important to keep eventing viable rather than allow any single event to fall away.

“Ram Tap was going to be severely impacted,” Andrea Pfieffer, chair of the Area VI Committee, explained. “Terry [Hilst] last year, she stepped up. She pulled that Advanced together for the Area when we really needed an Advanced at the end of the year… [Terry] did it for the area and did an amazing job.” Terry Hilst, organizer at Ram Tap Horse Park, had also loaned an enormous amount of equipment to the Horse Park at Woodside so that they could run their October horse trials after parting ways with former organizer Robert Kellerhouse. Creating direct competition between any venues was not an option for the committee.

Christina Gray, secretary to many horse shows across the U.S. including Area VI staple Twin Rivers Horse Park, commented that many of Area VI competing members are not professionals. “When we were going to put events back to back and you’re an adult amateur and you’re working or you’re a kid in school, you can’t be gone two or three days out of every week. It’s people enjoying the sport and this is their vacation that they’re taking.”

Olympic rider for Puerto Rico Lauren Billys turns and burns with Can Be Sweet. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

“In fairness to USEF, these proposals were open for comment from riders and there was little to no feedback,” Bec added.

So the work began to try communicating the gravity of the situation. “The people that could make a change jumped onboard,” Andrea said. “We were able to hit it on all sides… Bec being on the [USEF Calendar Working Group] made a huge impact, Teresa Harcourt on the Board of Governors made a big impact, and…I [talked] directly to Rob [Burk], [talked] directly to Jonathan Elliot up at Aspen because he’s on the [USEF Calendar Working Group]…it was a collective group who absolutely made the changes happen.”

Bec stressed the importance of getting involved: “One key point I want to get across is how we perceive governing bodies and how we complain about things that happen, but not many step up to take positive action. I’ve actually never been much of an ‘activist’ type and am usually guilty of being a complainer and not a doer myself! This time…I was able to sit across from Bill Maroney (USEF) himself and with the help of members of the Strategic Calendar Task Force present the facts, the struggles associated with the revised schedule and ultimately develop a solution. That’s so important going forward, we HAVE to be a part of our sport, be advocates for our sport, be INTERESTED in what’s going on and participate…Not nearly enough riders help shape the sport at the governance level, but then complain about things we don’t like. That’s why the newly established USEF Calendar Review Task Force is so important. But riders, organizers and supporters need to give feedback so those concerns can be addressed. Fill out questionnaires, respond to emails asking for feedback. Without it, we can’t change the things we don’t agree with.”

Photo by Sherry Stewart.

The International Calendar 

Twin Rivers Horse Park (Paso Robles, CA) had previously held a CCI3*-L division at their April Horse Trials. Without it, the only other option for a run prior to Rebecca Farms in July meant a 3.000 mile trek (one way) east to Tryon.

For those not well versed in upper level eventing, the absence of a spring CCI3*-L created a challenge. Horses and riders need to complete a national Advanced in addition to two CCI3*-L and one CCI4*-S or one CCI3*-L and two CCI4*-S in order to achieve qualification for a CCI4*-L. No matter which route a rider took, it would have meant either a trip to Tryon in the spring for the first and Rebecca Farms in July for the second OR taking a full year or more to achieve CCI4*-L qualification.

Area VI members are used to driving far. “If you grew up in California, you grew up in a vehicle,” Andrea pointed out. “On the West Coast, you do have to be willing to get in the truck and travel a bit. So getting in the trailer, driving 10 hours to get to Galway? To me, it’s a jaunt.” Rebecca Farms in Kalispell, MT is a 20 hour drive without stops from Galway Downs in Temecula, CA while Tryon is a full 34 hours without taking into account rest and food breaks.

So if an option existed and competitors are used to driving, why was there a problem?

Within the whole Area, just six venues offer 19 competitions, both upper and lower levels, in the calendar year. If you are willing to go farther, three venues outside Area VI in Washington and Montana offer an additional four upper level competitions. Even when taking Tryon into consideration, the proposed calendar operated under the assumption that competition plans would go perfectly.

Amber Biracial and Cinzano. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.

“If your horse had an abscess and missed an Advanced, there’s not half a dozen in different Areas that I can drive to and go, ‘no big deal we missed this one’. I can drive to Virginia or Kentucky or Florida or Maryland,” Andrea Pfeiffer remarked, a concern echoed by Bec. “Back east, there’s a lot of Advanced events. You can pick and choose. But out here, if your horse missed one, you’re making it so these horses are essentially going to be an entire year behind where you wanted to be.” As we have learned with the recent covid pandemic, losing a year is not an ideal situation for horse or rider.

Enough time remained to make adjustments before the 2023 season was confirmed. Bec explained that, “during 2022, some of the Area VI competitions petitioned for date changes but those were denied…”

One of those denied competitions was the Twin Rivers Horse Park. As secretary for Twin Rivers, Christina Gray put together the modification request for the date change.

According to the 2023-2027 U.S. Eventing Calendar CCI4*-L, CCI4*-S, CCI3*-L, Advanced Policies and Procedures, the request needed to address four primary criteria: high performance sport impact, technical aspects (footing/stabling/management/etc), U..S Eventing team plans, and the growth of equestrian sport in the U.S. Additional criteria can include the organization’s experience, volunteer engagement, benefits for U.S. eventing, participation, local community engagement, media/sponsorship/donor opportunities, along with anything the presenter feels serves the sport’s best interest.

“It was hard..there were a lot of changes going on,” she commented. Twin Rivers had been granted Week 16 but applied for a modification to run on Week 15 instead. “We’ve run on both weekends and so we had a lot of data…which was more financially viable, which was healthier for the area, which was healthier for upper level riders trying to go to Kentucky.”

Source: Christina Gray to USEF/USEA on behalf of Twin River’s bid for modification. In 2013, the spring event moved from Week 16 to Week 15 where it has been placed in the calendar since.

Based on Twin Rivers’ data, Christina could confidently quantify the effect on high performance eventing. “[Week 15 was] drastically more used for people going to Kentucky…when they [Kentucky and Twin Rivers] are back to back weekends, that doesn’t allow for the travel that it takes because if you’re driving your own horses, it’s three day drive, and then if you’re flying your horse, you can only fly on certain days. So a lot of times you have to get a flight the week before.” As she pointed out, “that’s a bit much for horses to fly on Tuesday and jog on Wednesday.”

But it’s not just those horses aimed at Kentucky that were affected by the policy change. “Our upper level events have to have support of the lower level events to survive,” Christina said. “We’re not getting the divisions of forty or fifty at the 4* or 3* level. We’ll run an FEI event and it might have 45 entries total between all the divisions so it really takes having 350 national entries to help fund those FEI levels. And I think people don’t necessarily know that’s how it balances on the West Coast.”

Even if one venue could get an exemption from the three week policy, having events on back to back weekends competing for entries challenged any ability to hold upper level sport at all.

When Christina and Twin Rivers initially presented their desire for the modification to run on Week 15 instead of 16, the response from the governing bodies endorsed a trial year. But “on the West Coast, we can barely fill two [shows] every other weekend,” Christina went on. “That’s with support at the upper levels from all over the west. It’s not just California. You’ve got people coming from Washington, you have Canadians coming down to really fill those divisions. If you’re looking at an event making enough money to continue to run, we can’t afford to lose anything else.”

Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.

The Solution

“It was no easy feat and it really was a team of individuals. It wasn’t one person who carried the load,” Andrea recalled.

After many ears bent, letters of support written, and emails sent, the committee members managed to convey the gravity of the situation to the Eventing Strategic Calendar Task Force. The goal of this appointed group is, Amber Braun describes, “to carefully review the strategic calendar and address any deficiencies as well as consult on the future process.” The Task Force passed it on to the Eventing Sport Committee. Those modifications were then recommended to an Ad Hoc of the Board of Directors.

On January 23, 2023, the press release that accompanied the announcement of the new and approved calendar wrote: “Due to hardships demonstrated for qualification under the current structure and criteria, and to limit the travel to achieve those qualifications in the interest of horse welfare, the following modifications were approved to offer the best preparation for high-performance athletes and horses.”

That one sentence encompasses the work and effort of so many people across so much time. From Area VI committee members to USEF and USEA representatives, from elite athletes to show organizers, it shows what happens when we do the work to engage honestly with each other and to communicate across difficulties even when everyone comes with the best of intentions. However, Bec Braitling, Christina Gray, Teresa Harcourt, and Andrea Pfieffer led the charge for Area VI by doing the work to help resolve the challenges posed by new strategic policies.

In the words of Andrea Pfieffer: “The calendar, as it stands right now, is absolutely, completely workable…If we had another venue in California, that would be really fantastic. But that doesn’t happen overnight — that’s not going to be in 2024 — that’s a big undertaking to find a location…That’s my big dream. but as it stands right now, we have a very healthy calendar..I think Bec said, ‘we might be small but we are mighty.’”

Tuesday News and Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

By on May 30, 2023 7:05 am -

I love it when new eventing podcasts hit the airwaves, and this one’s already topping my list of favourites: Eventing Weekly is the brainchild of Kiwis abroad Mitch and Brayden, who are also, rather conveniently, five-star eventing husbands (Brayden is married to Samantha Lissington, while Mitch is the other half of Ginny Thompson). Now, they’re putting their heads together to cover the sport from their perspective with a series of brilliant interviews — and their second, with Badminton champ Laura Collett, is well worth tuning in for, particularly if you’re also keen on rugby. Subscribe here!

Events Opening Today: Larkin Hill H.T., Champagne Run at the Park H.T., The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm

Events Closing Today: Kent Horse Trials, Inc., Full Gallop Farm June H.T., Seneca Valley Pony Club H.T., Horse Park of New Jersey H.T. I, Honey Run H.T., Silverwood Farm Spring H.T., Shepherd Ranch Pony Club H.T. I, Aspen Farm H.T

News & Notes from Around the World:

Way before women could join in with the Olympic disciplines, they were kicking ass in rodeos. But many of their names and stories have faded into obscurity, despite how progressive their participation was at a time when traditional gender roles still reigned supreme. Horse Nation is spotlighting them in this great round-up that’ll have you daydreaming of a ranch holiday to slot into your mid-summer eventing break.

Are you meticulous about things like cleaning your tack, but less meticulous about checking in with yourself? Long days, high expectations, and plenty of pressure put upon ourselves is fertile breeding ground for a mental health wobble, and so it’s vitally important that us horsey folks take the time to keep in touch with ourselves and how we’re feeling. Just like a regular clean and oil can avoid a broken rein in the ring, regular self-care will help you to avoid a big issue down the line. Read more here. 

It probably seems like a bit of a no-brainer, but research proves that we need to school both canter leads equally. That’s because canter, unlike trot, is an asymmetrical gait, and an increased focus on one side over the other will lead to uneven muscle gain and asymmetry, as well as differing levels of wear and tear and potentially unilateral stiffness. So even if your horse feels particularly one-sided, work through it on both reins.

Not ready to say goodbye to the Intercollegiate Champs just yet? We feel the same. Dive into this gallery from US Eventing and Lindsey Berreth to relive the weekend that was.

Sponsor Corner: Is your horse stiff during warm up and sore after riding? A Vitamin E deficiency could be to blame! Elevate was developed to provide a highly bioavailable source of natural vitamin E to horses like yours. Check it out! 

Watch This:

Go behind the scenes at the Royal Stables in the Netherlands:

Monday Video: Buck Davidson Wins $50,000 Devon Arena Eventing

By on May 29, 2023 4:30 pm -

It was the eventers’ turn in the famed Dixon Oval and Wheeler Ring at the Devon Horse Show last night for the $50,000 Devon Arena Eventing class! Coming out on top by just 0.3 seconds after a nail-biting jump-off round were Buck Davidson and 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding Erroll Gobey, owned by Cassandra Segal, Natalie Sandler, and Lisa Darden. Watch their winning round above!

Buck and “Gobey” narrowly edged out eventual second-placed finishers Caroline Pamukcu and 2023 Connaught Grant recipient HSH Blake. Arielle Aharoni and her show jumping powerhouse Dutch Times took third place. Enjoy some additional clips from their big night under the lights below and click here for the full class results.

The VHC Eventing Presented by Capital Square Wrap Up

By on May 29, 2023 3:30 pm -

Virginia Horse Center Eventing presented by Capital Square wrapped up yesterday after a fun-filled weekend of top competition. The Virginia Horse Center welcomed riders of all levels from Olympic to beginner eventers.

The course updates and world class officials made the inaugural VHC Eventing, presented by Capital Square memorable.

The entire VHC Eventing management team and the Virginia Horse Center appreciate all who competed at this weekend’s event, and look forward to welcoming you back in November!

Sydney Hagaman and her own Charmeur Victorious in the CCI3* S

Sydney Hagaman and Charmeur won the CCI3* S with a final score of 31.3. Photo by Brant Gamma.

Congratulations to Sydney Hagaman and her own Charmeur. The pair won the CCI3* S with a final score of 31.3.

Hagaman lives in Middleburg and is coached by Mike Pendleton. Charmeur is a ten-year-old German Sport Horse and Hagaman has owned him since he was four. “I had always had thoroughbreds and he is the first warmblood I’ve owned,” said Hagaman.

She continued, “He [Charmeur] was really good. He was super relaxed, really rideable and jumped well in show jumping. The cross country course rode really nicely and the way it was set was great. I really liked it. The new jumps were nice and despite the fact that we haven’t had any rain, you could definitely tell where the course had been aerated.

“That was the fastest I’ve ever gone in cross country. The whole course rode well and Charmeur felt really good,” she said.

“I was very happy to be here this weekend and a lot of the riders I spoke to felt the same way,” she said. “It’s a great facility and we’re happy to see the VHC continuing eventing here.”

Click here for full results.

Sydney Hagaman Proudly Shows off her awards provided by World Equestrian Brands

World Equestrian Brands provided a newly redesigned Vespucci figure 8 bridle and Vespucci rubber reins as prizes won by Sydney Hagaman.

World Equestrian Brands has been equipping equine athletes for over twenty years. World Equestrian Brands proudly represents Amerigo Saddles, E.A. Mattes Sheepskin products, Equilibrium Products leg protection and therapy items, Vespucci bridles and strap goods, and Sergio Grasso riding boots. Visit their website for more information.

Halliday-Sharp Takes Top Two Placings in CCI 2*L

Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and The Newmarket Syndicate’s Newmarket Cooley earned an overall score of 27.3, earning them the win in the 2* L. Halliday-Sharp also took home second place honors with Deborah Palmer’s Maybach for their overall score of 28.1.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and The Newmarket Syndicate’s Newmarket Cooley won the CCI2*L. Photo from the Virginia Horse Center.

Halliday-Sharp commented, “I really enjoy this event and I’ve come every year since 2020. It’s a great event for the young horses. These are both young horses doing their first 2* long. I honestly really love the big hill and it really teaches you a lot about them as horses and how they come out the next day. This was a great experience for them, and I think it will make them bigger and better horses in the future.”

Halliday-Sharp placed second overall in the CCI2*L with Deborah Palmer’s Maybach. Photo from the Virginia Horse Center.

In addition to the top two placings, Halliday-Sharp received a newly redesigned Vespucci figure 8 bridle and Vespucci rubber reins, generously donated by World Equestrian Brands as well as a Brant Gamma Photography gift certificate.

Ariel Grald Wins CCI 2* S with Claire Williams’ In Vogue

Ariel Grald and Claire Williams’ In Vogue won the CCI 2* S with an overall score of 28.8, narrowly beating second place Kim Severson and Anita Antenucci’s Arden JuJu’s score of 29.1.

Ariel Grald Wins CCI 2* S with Claire Williams’ In Vogue. Photo by Brant Gamma Photography.

“The pressure is on when Kim Severson is right behind you,” she laughed.

“Stella [In Vogue] belongs to a good friend, Claire Williams, who has been laid up recovering from a skiing accident. We sourced her from Ireland as a four-year-old. This was her final prep run before Bromont where I will be riding her in the 2* Long. We strategically picked Virginia to work on our gallops up the hills. My intention was not necessarily to make the time on cross country, but to focus on giving my horse a good prep run. But she really loves to gallop and despite my trying to slow her down a bit on the hills, her rideability and efficiency on the cross country course has her going faster than you actually think you are. And it turned out my watch wasn’t working correctly either,” she said.

Grald also earned a fourth placing with Annie Eldridge’s Adagio’s Nobility for their combined score of 33.8.

Grald commented, “Bringing Michel [Vaillancourt] in to design the show jumping course made a huge difference. The courses were well set and while we have some good designers in the US, we need to ride various tracks and it’s important to have the opportunity to ride different styles,“ she said.

“We all recognized the positive changes to the event and the future and the direction its headed in. The feel and vibe is very different and with this reinvigoration, it will be cool to see how the event develops,” she added.

For full results on the CCI2*S click here.

Grald also won the Advanced/Intermediate with Eldridge’s Forrest Gump 124 [Shrimp] and sixth with Edridge’s Caballe.

Grald also won the Advanced/Intermediate with Eldridge’s Forrest Gump 124 [Shrimp] and sixth with Edridge’s Caballe. Photo by Brant Gamma Photography.

Grald said, “I came into the weekend wanting a little redemption because I fell off of him in the skinny ditch in the 4* Short in Tryon a few weeks ago. He [Shrimp] is heading to Bromont in the 4*Long and my aim was to have a good confidence weekend with him. I’ve only had him for about two years and this is a relatively new partnership for us. He can be a bit quirky so it’s important to keep him confident and trusting our partnership. He is very capable in all three phases, and this was a really good run for him and for us to get on the same page before Bromont.”

For full Advanced/Intermediate results, click here

Grald also won the Open Preliminary with Eldridge’s Cullintra End Game [aka Jasper] with an overall score of 38.5.

Grald commented, “This was Jasper’s Prelim debut. Annie and I bought him as a three year old from Ireland and I’ve been quietly producing him at home. He is the young one who gets put on the back burner sometimes when we’re busy with the upper level horses. He enjoys the job and finds it easy; eventing comes naturally to him. We’ve had a nice progressive run of events this spring with him. Jasper moved up to Prelim this weekend and we’re really happy with him. He is six and young and needs a lot of strength and overall development, but Annie and I are excited about him as an upper level prospect. His success this weekend just checks another box on this journey.”

For full results for the Open Preliminary, click here.

Marley Stone Bourke earned a first place finish with Benita Strini’s Superstorm Sandy with their overall score of 45.6. For all Open Intermediate results click here.

Claire Robinson and her own Fernhill Swatch Out won the Open Prelim One Day with an overall score of 33.1. For all Open Prelim One Day results click here.

Madeleine Richards aboard her own Global BGK was the overall winner in the CCI 1* L after earning an overall score of 33.8. The win marked Richards’ first FEI win and her first win on Global BGK.

Madison Richards and Global BGK in the CCI 1* L. Photo by Brant Gamma Photography.

Richards also placed third with her own The Turning Point.

Richards commented, “It was amazing to have been at the Virginia Horse Center this weekend. I haven’t been here for a while and hadn’t been here with these two horses before. I wasn’t sure how they were going to like it, but they were absolutely amazing. I’m not used to the hills here on the cross country course and I was initially a little nervous. But my horses just cruised, and we had no problems.”

Richards got Global BGK about a year ago. According to Richards, “Our relationship has been slowly growing and he’s a super horse and jumped so hard for me today. He’s been so great over the weekend and I’m really proud of him. He was so good and absolutely loved it.”

For complete CCI 1* L results click here.

Mary Cooke Catlett [Molly] drove directly from her graduation from Foxcroft to the Virginia Horse Center to compete her own Cooley Romance in the Prelim Rider Division and went on to win it with an overall score of 40.2.

Mary Cooke Catlett [Molly] drove directly from her graduation from Foxcroft to the Virginia Horse Center to compete her own Cooley Romance in the Prelim Rider Division and went on to win it with an overall score of 40.2. Photo from the Virginia Horse Center.

Molly, who will be attending the University of Virginia in the fall, commented “She’s a 17.3 big bay mare and she’s a total trooper. Even though she is very chunky, she is quick and takes really good care of me. I think she was born to be a ‘kids’ horse’ and while she does take care of me, she will also hold me accountable.”

Molly has been coming to the Virginia Horse Center for the last six years and said she did her first Novice and Modified here.

“It was great to compete here this weekend. The cross country course finally had a different loop, and the course used the terrain differently. I really liked it!” she said. “The ground was definitely better, and you could tell the grass had been aerated. The Horse Center has done a lot of work with the cross country course. We always used to know what to expect for cross country, but this time was different. The questions in the course were not so much about the jumps, but more about the terrain. It was consistent and I wasn’t worried. Overall, it was very refreshing,” she said.

Amber Mabus rode her own Mighty Grace to a blue-ribbon finish in the Novice Rider A Division earning an overall score of 30.6.

Amber Mabus rode her own Mighty Grace to a blue-ribbon finish in the Novice Rider A Division earning an overall score of 30.6. Photo from the Virginia Horse Center.

Mabus, a US veteran, did not start riding until she was older. Her horse Mighty Grace is an OTTB, and this is the first time the pair has competed away from their home in Southern Pines.

Mabus commented, “This is maybe our third or fourth recognized event and it was really cool to be able to come here. The Virginia Horse Center has such a nice atmosphere, and everyone is so nice. Even though we were away, we really felt at home here,” she said.

For complete results click here.

Woodside Recognizes the Best in the West

By on May 29, 2023 2:30 pm -

The 2023 Woodside Spring H.T. served as a celebration of the successes of the West Coast eventers that competed in the Kentucky Three-Day Event, as well as what’s in store for the future of the sport in California.

On the eve of competition on Thursday, organizers at the Woodside Horse Trials held a party in honor of both Tamie Smith’s historic win in the Kentucky five-star and the team of cross country builders led by Bert Wood that unveiled new courses at The Horse Park. Derek di Grazia designed the new Advanced and Intermediate tracks, with Wood designing the new tracks for Preliminary through Starter.

“Of course it is always a wonderful feeling being back home in California, and to have been recognized the way Woodside did is humbling and a tremendous honor,” Smith said. “There are many of us who dream of being able to accomplish big things in this sport. So I hope to continue to be an advocate and example of the ability to achieve these goals and dreams from the West Coast.”

In addition to Smith’s becoming the first American since Phillip Dutton and Connaught in 2008 and the first West Coast eventer since di Grazia and Sasquatch in 1985 to win the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, California-based James Alliston completed his first five-star since 2016.

James Alliston and Call Me Rudi. Tina Fitch Photography photo.

Alliston, who rode Nemesis to 20th place in the five-star debut for the 9-year-old Canadian Warmblood gelding (Novalis 46 x Sara’s Muse), is back competing California. Focusing on his up-and-coming prospects, he rode Call Me Rudi and Cora to a one-two finish in the Open Preliminary division at Woodside. Alliston has developed a reputation for bringing young horses up the levels, and Nemesis was the youngest in this year’s Kentucky five-star field.

“Good to be back home helping my students and riding my up-and-coming horses who will hopefully be able to go east in a few years,” Alliston said. “Very exciting that Tamie won in Kentucky having honed her skills and produced her horses in California. Courses were amazing and excited to have such challenging and educational tracks here. Many thanks to Derek and Bert and also the Woodside organizers who have worked hard on this show.”

Call Me Rudi, an 8-year-old bay Bavarian Warmblood gelding, finished on his dressage score of 25.3. Cora, an 8-year-old bay Hanoverian mare, was second on her dressage score of 26.8. James’ wife, Helen, was seventh in the division riding HSH Redfield Hillside Star.

“They are both exciting German horses who look like they have promising futures,” Alliston said. “Call Me Rudi is owned by a partnership with John Matheny and will be for Helen to ride. I think she will take over after this show.”

While Smith and Alliston have proven themselves at the highest levels of the sport, the Woodside Spring H.T. also spotlighted the continuing rise of 18-year-old Molly Duda. Duda was coming off her first career FEI win in the CCI3*-S with Disco Traveler at the Twin Rivers Spring International. The dark bay 14-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Donatelli x Cadence) won the Open Intermediate division at Woodside as the only horse at the level to finish on his dressage score, 33.4. Duda and “Disco” were the only pair to go double clear on either di Grazia’s cross-country or Marc Donovan’s show jumping courses at Intermediate. This was their third win in a row at either the Intermediate or three-star levels.

Molly Duda and Disco Traveler. Tina Fitch Photography photo.

“My trainer [Mickayla Howard] and I got emotional last Thursday when we arrived at The Horse Park— exactly one year ago at this event, Disco and I completed our first show together and took home our first blue ribbon in the Junior Training Rider division” Duda said. “Now, winning the Intermediate just a year later feels like a dream. I am absolutely filled with gratitude for this horse, and for my trainer, Mickayla, who has always supported our partnership and pushed us to be the best we can. Disco and I are still at the beginning of our journey together, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us.”

At Advanced, Amber Birtcil and the Cellar Farm Corp’s Cinzano won in the return of the 12-year-old dark bay Holsteiner gelding (Classe x Walta) to the level for the first time since 2021.

“Cinzano and I have been together for about seven years now; even though the scoreboard doesn’t reflect it, I was thrilled with our weekend,” said Birtcil, who won with a score of 108.2. “This was our return to the level, and although I felt a bit rusty, he was excellent and it felt great to cross that finish line. I’m excited to build on this and tackle the rest of the season together. The event was wonderful with new course by Derek, brand new show jumps and everything was decorated and looking stunning. They’ve truly done a wonderful job! I’m excited to come back later this year.”

Amber Biracial and Cinzano. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.

In addition to the new cross-country tracks, The Woodside Horse Trials unveiled new show jumps built by Jonathan Berger of JB Horse Standards in Sacramento. The new jumps reflected how the West Coast eventing community came together to support horse trials at Woodside with 15 training barns donating to the building of new jumps and acquisition of other eventing equipment.

“To me, the incredible thing about this weekend was that it was a celebration of West Coast eventing where everybody came together,” said Steve Roon, Executive Director of The Horse Park at Woodside. “We had enormous support from the community to enable the work to be done, and we had marvelous artisans to create the cross-country courses. We had marvelous JB jumps to execute all the stadium jumps. It truly ended up being a celebration of West Coast eventing.”

The Woodside Horse Trials recognized: Anke Herbert Dressage, Bay Haven Equestrian, Cellar Farm, Cheval Training, Chocolate Horse Farm, Equinox Equestrian, Fox Equestrian, Kismet Farms, Lauren LoPiccolo Equestrian, Portola Valley Pony Club, Rising Tides Equestrian, Sauvignon Eventing, Tayside Sport Horses, The Fencing Pony, and Webb Ranch. Many had their logos emblazoned on custom-built jump standards.

Tamie Smith speaks at the party in her honor on the eve of competition at the Woodside Spring H.T.
Tina Fitch Photography photo.

“The changes that the team at Woodside made were absolutely vital to our success and future of West Coast eventing, and to see the community from all demographics contribute was even more touching,” Smith said.

Horse trials at Woodside will continue in 2023 with the Woodside Summer H.T. with plans to add a Modified level. Then, the Woodside Fall International on October 6-8 will mark the return of eventing at the FEI levels to Woodside with a CCI1*-S planned to be run for the first time alongside the CCI2*-S, CCI3*-S, and CCI4*-S.

“In order to continue to keep our horses and riders at the top of their game, these changes and efforts are imperative,” Smith said. “Overall, Woodside and their team hit it out of the park, and I only can hope other venues and our eventing community use this as an example to strive for in years to come.”

Victoria Klein and Steve Roon from The Horse Park at Woodside present a plaque to Tamie Smith recognizing her
five-star win in Kentucky that she could choose to place on any cross-country fence at Woodside.

Links Results | Website

The full list of winners from the 2023 Woodside Spring H.T.:

Advanced: Amber Birtcil and Cinzano (108.2)
Open Intermediate: Molly Duda and Disco Traveler (33.4)
Open Preliminary: James Alliston and Call Me Rudi (25.3)
Preliminary Rider: Coco Meerkamp and Dalanteretto (29.2)
Open Training: Sophie Tice and Viva La Vida (23.6)
Jr. Training Rider: Isabelle Eppink and Enfinity (28.6)
Sr. Training Rider: Mickayla Howard and Miss Tique (23.6)
Training Amateur: Leah Yacoub Halperin and Rodrigue Du Granit (30.5)
Open Novice: Kristen Joly and Kleary’s Rosie the Riveting (29.7)
Jr. Novice Rider: Holly Fosmark and When Starz Align (24.7)
Sr. Novice Rider: Eri Takada and Toronto Z (27.2)
Novice Amateur: Angela Bryson and Petite Pavarotti (28.3)
Novice Horse: Lauren Billys Shady and Mister Cooley (22.5)
Open Beginner Novice: Alexis Helffrich and Casanova (23.2)
Jr. Beginner Novice: Zoe Barker and Kontessa M (21.2)
Sr. Beginner Novice Rider A: Eileen Morgenthaler and Levitate (23.6)
Sr. Beginner Novice Rider B: Annie Desmond and Little Elf (25.6)
Jr. Starter: Michaela Smith and Cashmaker (22.3)
Sr. Starter: Megan LeFave and Lord Rocco (28.7)

Connect with Woodside

Location: 3674 Sand Hill Road, Woodside, CA 94062
Email: Send message at http://www.horsepark.org/emailmessage.php
Website: http://www.horsepark.org/
Volunteer: http://www.horsepark.org/volunteer.php
Instagram: horseparkatwoodside

Weekend Winners: Equestrians’ Institute, Flora Lea, May-Daze, Mill Creek, Coconino, Tryon, Virginia, Willow Draw & Woodside

By on May 29, 2023 12:00 pm -

Ok, Eventing Nation, buckle up as we celebrate a massive weekend of competition. From Washington to Maryland to Texas to New Jersey, Eventers were found all throughout the country, competing from starter events to FEI.

Congrats to all for getting out and about, and working towards your season goals! A special shout out is reserved for our Unofficial Low Score Award winner, Ariah Transmeier with Bold Remark, who won the Beginner Novice Senior Rider at Willow Draw on an impressive 19.4!

Equestrians’ Institute H.T. (Kenmore, WA) [Website] [Results]

Open Intermediate: Patience O’Neal and Clooney 14 (41.6)
Open Preliminary: Sarah Sullivan and FR’s Let It Go (30.0)
Preliminary Rider: Hanni Sreenan and Zena (28.8)
Junior Training: Beatrice Wurfel and Kellican (31.1)
Open Training: Mindy Sands and Roman Express (30.7)
Training Amateur: Bobbie Smith-Ede and HS Cool River Jane (33.5)
Junior Novice: Ella Miller and McFly (29.4)
Novice Amateur A: Madison Flanders and Nobu (26.4)
Novice Amatuer B: Tracey Trewin and Coby R (29.2)
Open Novice: Kathryn Nichwander and Blind Date (27.5)
Senior Novice Rider: Anne Ward and Full Moon Fever (28.1)
Beginner Novice Amateur A: Cat Steele and G Salsa (25.0)
Beginner Novice Amateur B: Bryce Meeker and Centerfield Varsity (28.4)
Junior Beginner Novice: Talia Knox and Twisted Oliver (32.7)
Open Beginner Novice: Whitney Spicher and Excel Star High Jinx (30.6)
Starter A: Juliet Perrotta and Centerfield Futura (29.0)
Starter B: Whitney Spicher and Castleside Maguire (26.7)

Flora Lea Spring H.T. (Medford, NJ) [Website] [Results]

Open Preliminary: Olivia Dutton and Sea of Clouds (37.9)
Preliminary Rider: Matt Crutchfield and Independer J W B (45.3)
Open Training: Caroline Pamukcu and Billy Be Jolly (25.0)
Training Rider: Nancy Lee and PHF Wine Me Up (30.0)
Novice Rider: Avery Cascarino and Excel Star Quidam’s Cavalier (24.7)
Open Novice: Lee Maher and Curiosity (25.8)
Beginner Novice Rider: Adalena Campisi and Belmont (38.5)
Open Beginner Novice: Jamie Leuenberger and N’Chantress (24.4)
YEH 4 Year Old: Lee Maher and Redfield Teun (80.600)
YEH 5 Year Old: Caroline Pamukcu and D.A. Nixon (84.050)

May-Daze at the Park H.T. (Lexington, KY) [Website] [Results]

Preliminary/Training: Alexandra Knowles and Leamore Venture (27.9)
Modified/Training: Cora Severs and Cuervo (29.5)
Open Training: Diana Rich and Midway Train (34.2)
Training Horse: Jamie Allison and Jedi (34.5)
Training Rider A: Kaylianna McMorris and Fernhill Future Star (35.1)
Training Rider B: Marin Swyers and Fernhill Mac an Bata (31.7)
Training/Novice: Mary Clare Owdziej and City of Ember (26.7)
Jr Novice Rider: Sami Turner and Rainstown Covergirl (23.9)
Novice Horse – A: Simone Cardosa and I’d Toast to That! (29.7)
Novice Horse – B: Ivie Cullen-Dean and Fernhill Cardevega (26.7)
Open Novice – A: Hannah Reeser and Ltl Ireland Summr Soldier (23.6)
Open Novice – B: Sarah Grice and Close Up Aly (32.8)
Sr Novice Rider – A: Caroline Adams and Simon Says (24.8)
Sr Rider Novice – B: Ashley Anderson and Global Jedi (25.6)
Sr Novice Rider – C: Deirdre Vaillancourt and Invictus (29.4)
Beginner Novice Horse – A: Slater Boos and Will You Be Mine (32.5)
Beginner Novice Horse – B: Emma Petrick and Hawthornstud Futures Bright (25.3)
Jr Beginner Novice Rider – A: Kendall Doran and My Misty Morning (27.7)
Jr Beginner Novice Rider – B: Caraline Cathcart and Relentless (32.9)
Open Beginner Novice – A: Melanie Helms and Edelweiss du theil (19.7)
Open Beginner Novice – B: Claire Seals and Fancy Don’t Let Me Down (28.1)
Sr Beginner Novice Rider- A: Susan Hamblen and James Baxter (24.4)
Sr Beginner Novice Rider – B: Leslie van der Wal and Doonhill Dancer (32.2)
Sr Beginner Novice Rider – C: Nicola Tucker and Pandora (28.9)
Junior Starter: Mia Volpentesta and Legally Totilart (32.7)
Senior Starter – A: Elissa Gibbs and Freddie Mercury (25.0)
Senior Starter – B: Molly Schaffner and Rudy Ruxpin (19.7)

Mill Creek Pony Club Horse Trial (Kansas City, MO) [Website] [Results]

Preliminary: Ellie Furtado and Secret Tapit (52.3)
Training Sponsor Paradox Farms: Katie Sisk and Long Legs Lenore (30.0)
Novice Junior Sponsor Jack’s Favorites: Rayna Williams and Storm Surge (33.9)
Novice Open A Sponsor Gold to Blue Sport Horses: Lauren Schiller and Chairman of the Board (28.1)
Novice Open B Spn Wilhite and Frees Equine Hospital: Jillian Wisneski and Rubato (32.2)
Beginner Novice Junior Sponsor One Stop Trailer Center: Isabell Pezold and Uncharted (35.0)
Beginner Novice Open A: Nicholas Staples and WF saturdays are for the boys (35.3)
CT-Beginner Novice: Judi Dietz and Rearcross Clover Q (32.2)
CT-Green As Grass: Rachel Scriven and Macaroni Pony (35.0)
CT-Starter: Kaylin Conner and Granna (42.0)
Starter Junior Sponsor Ava and Jordan Chase: Holly Goen and Four Point Oh (36.0)
Starter Open A: Haydan Vosburgh and Kiss Me If You Can (35.0)

Spring Coconino H.T. (Flagstaff, AZ) [Website] [Results]

Intermediate/Prelim Open: Heather Drager and Winnsome (51.6)
Preliminary Open: Ashley Fischer and Cimbria RC (52.9)
Training Open: Jennifer Achilles and Excel Star Lance (36.8)
Novice Open A: Katie Willis and Royal Street (25.4)
Novice Open B: Jennifer Achilles and Excel Star Solstice (28.3)
Beginner Novice Open – A: Anastasia Keyser and Wesley (36.1)
Beginner Novice Open – B: Elizabeth Dugan and Johnny’s Lover (42.2)
Intro A: Mckenzie Doyle and Rosie (37.5)
Intro B: Lyn Fagan and On A Whim and a Prayer (Gabriel) (35.3)
Starter 1-Day: Amanda Crangle and Little Lady Liberty (23.7)

Tryon International Spring H.T. (including the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship) (Mill Spring, NC) [Website] [Results]

Open Intermediate: Emilie Mudd and Quite Nice 11 (35.2)
Open Preliminary: Sydney Shinn and HSH Crypto (27.4)
Modified: Lucienne Bellissimo and Caitane Z (26.9)
Open Training: Lara Roberts and Fernhill Show Biz (25.0)
Training Rider: Katelyn Smith and Lisbane Spartacus (31.4)
Novice Rider A: Ellie Teasley and Quintessential (31.1)
Novice Rider B: Elliana Sanchez and Chronicles of Jabez (33.6)
Open Novice: Kaley Crosby and Valentino (31.5)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Samantha Torcise and Classic (35.9)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Ajay Ryan and Master Machiavelli (27.8)
Open Beginner Novice: Brie Seltser and Paris in Color (25.3)

Virginia Horse Center Eventing (Lexington, VA) [Website] [Results]

CCI 3* S: Sydney Hagaman and Charmeur (31.3)
CCI 2* L: Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and Newmarket Cooley (27.3)
CCI 2* S: Ariel Grald and In Vogue (28.8)
CCI 1* L: Madeleine Richards and Global BGK (33.8)
Advanced/Intermediate: Ariel Grald and Forrest Gump 124 (35.8)
Open Intermediate: Marley Stone Bourke and Superstorm Sandy (45.6)
Open Preliminary: Ariel Grald and Cullintra End Game (38.5)
Open Preliminary – One Day: Claire Robinson and Fernhill Swatch Out (33.1)
Preliminary Rider: Mary Cooke Catlett and Cooley Romance (40.2)
Modified A: Lindsay Kelley and Cooley Carrera (34.8)
Modified B: Lindsay Kelley and Sydney (33.5)
Open Modified – One Day: Berkley Gardner and Aristocrat (30.8)
Open Training A: Andrew McConnon and Connery Cooper Z (28.3)
Open Training B: Ashley Adams and Global Halcyon (23.7)
Training Rider A: Riley Zgrebnak and Cooley Criminal Mind (26.9)
Training Rider B: Heidi Siegmund and Ashwood HJ Leandro (28.9)
Novice Horse: Laine Ashker and Konnons Diamant VT Willebeke Z (29.1)
Novice Rider A: Amber Mabus and Mighty Grace (30.6)
Novice Rider B: Kendal Fansler and Curioso (26.9)
Open Novice: Mandolin Whitten and Bossanova (26.8)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Eliza Klaitman and Tekkinistic (28.5)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Ella Quesenberry and Rockefeller’s Fortune (31.2)
Open Beginner Novice: Karen Mahaffey and C C the Boss (24.4)
Starter: Adriana Nannini and Hoboken Jack (30.9)
YEH 4 Year Old: Caitlin O’Roark and Maple’s Spicey Chilli (79.500)

Willow Draw Charity Show (Weatherford, TX) [Website] [Results]

Open Training: Diane Hanrahan and Lakota VI (30.3)
Training Rider: Scarlett Peinado and Shadow Inspector (27.2)
Novice Rider: Caroline Burkhardt and Stonehavens dream (27.3)
Open Novice: Hannah Corlett and Ernest Fuerst Dance (28.9)
BNovice Jr Rider: Jaeli Uselding and Benmore Westonhouse Boy (25.6)
BNovice Sr Rider: Ariah Transmeier and Bold Remark (19.4)
Open BNovice: Megan Sykes and Magnificent Red (26.2)
Starter Test: Stephanie Martin and Sea Quest Ripples (29.0)

Woodside Spring H.T. (Woodside, CA) [Website] [Results]

Advanced: Amber Birtcil and Cinzano (108.2)
Open Intermediate: Molly Duda and Disco Traveler (33.4)
Open Preliminary: James Alliston and Call Me Rudi (25.3)
Preliminary Rider: Coco Meerkamp and Dalanteretto (29.2)
Jr. Training Rider: Isabelle Eppink and Enfinity (28.6)
Open Training: Sophie Tice and Viva La Vida (23.6)
Sr. Training Rider: Mickayla Howard and Miss Tique (23.6)
Training Amateur: Leah Yacoub Halperin and Rodrigue Du Granit (30.5)
Jr. Novice Rider: Holly Fosmark and When Starz Align (24.7)
Novice Amateur: Angela Bryson and Petite Pavarotti (28.3)
Novice Horse: Lauren Billys Shady and Mister Cooley (22.5)
Open Novice: Kristin Joly and Kleary’s Rosie the Riveting (29.7)
Sr. Novice Rider: Eri Takada and Toronto Z (27.2)
Jr. Beg. Novice Rider: Zoe Barker and Kontessa M (21.2)
Open Beginner Novice: Alexis Helffrich and Casanova (23.2)
Sr. Beg. Novice Rider A: Eileen Morgenthaler and Levitate (23.6)
Sr. Beg. Novice Rider B: Annie Desmond and Little Elf (25.6)
Jr. Starter: Michaela Smith and Cashmaker (22.3)
Sr. Starter: Megan LeFave and Lord Rocco (28.7)

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

By on May 29, 2023 7:20 am -

One thing about Chinch is you just never know which party he’s going to invite himself to — and over the weekend, it was the Virginia Horse Center prizegivings that he picked as his perch of choice. We all know that a cuddle with a dirty rodent is really the greatest honour when you find yourself atop a podium, right?

U.S. Weekend Action:

Equestrians’ Institute H.T. (Kenmore, WA) [Website] [Results]

Flora Lea Spring H.T. (Medford, NJ) [Website] [Results]

May-Daze at the Park H.T. (Lexington, KY) [Website] [Results]

Mill Creek Pony Club Horse Trial (Kansas City, MO) [Website] [Results]

Spring Coconino H.T. (Flagstaff, AZ) [Website] [Results]

Tryon International Spring H.T. (including the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship) (Mill Spring, NC) [Website] [Results]

USEA MDHT YEH Qualifier (Adamstown, MD) [Website]

Virginia Horse Center Eventing (Lexington, VA) [Website] [Results]

Willow Draw Charity Show (Weatherford, TX) [Website] [Results]

Woodside Spring H.T. (Woodside, CA) [Website] [Results]

UK Weekend Results:

Bicton Arena International (East Budleigh, Devon): Results

Bishop Burton (Beverley, East Yorks.): Results

Mendip Plains Ston Easton (Bath, Somerset): Results

Blindley Heath (Blindley Heath, Surrey): Results

Shelford Manor (Shelford, Notts.): Results

Your Monday Reading List:

This is a bittersweet one, but so inspiring: when Joanna Hare was told in early 2019 that she had just weeks to live, because her breast cancer had spread to her brain, she refused to lie back and wait for the inevitable. Instead, she and her friend began working through a seriously cool horsey bucket list, which included meeting Pippa Funnell, competing side-saddle in the Caledonian Showing Championships, riding on the beach, and much, much more. Sadly, she passed away last Monday, but her memory is inspiring numerous riders to chase down the experiences they’ve always quietly dreamed of – and we reckon you should do the same. [Be more Joanna]

USC Aiken might have had one of the smallest squads in attendance at the Intercollegiate Eventing Champs, but they smashed it. The small but mighty school took the win after a tight and tense showjumping finale, plus one of their own was responsible for the lowest finishing score in the entire competition. [Go Pacers!]

How are your collecting ring manners? There’s nothing more frustrating than a rider who doesn’t seem to get the left shoulder to left shoulder thing, or doesn’t know where the appropriate track is for walking. Brush up on the essentials with this handy primer and please, I beg you, for the love of god, send it to all your friends who compete, too. Together we can make the warm-up less of a death trap! Maybe! [Collecting ring etiquette for all disciplines]

The FutureTrack Follow:

 

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If you’re not already following 2021 Luhmühlen 5* winner Mollie Summerland, where have you been?! She’s well worth a follow for the same reasons any high-flying rider is — but even more so because of her candid conversations about mental health, her regular Q&As about how to deal with the tough days, and her commitment to normalising these kinds of conversations. Life at the top isn’t always easy, and we commend Molls for her bravery in sharing her truth.

Morning Viewing:

Ever wondered what goes down at a Wesko Foundation training day? Join in on one helmed by Sir Mark Todd and find out:

 

Laura Collett Takes TopSpec CCI4*-S Title at Bicton International

By on May 28, 2023 4:00 pm -

Laura Collett wins the TopSpec CCI4*-S with London 52.

Cross country rounded off with the time being extremely influential in the TopSpec CCI4*-S at Bicton International Horse Trials. Laura Collett held onto her lead throughout on London 52, as well as bagging third place on Dacapo.

“I’ve been really chuffed with London’s performance all week, he really is a dream horse to ride and the feel he gave me cross country is the best he ever has, he is totally on song and it’s just so nice to have him out at a big party. He’s been in really good form, so it was good to come and put it all together at an event. The cross country course was fantastic, it was the perfect preparation for Luhmühlen using the hills for a really good fitness run with lots of combinations. You had to get really stuck in and ride the distances and the lines, but he did it really easily. I really appreciate the team here putting on such a good show, they deserve to have all the entries and I will definitely be coming back next year.”

On his character, Laura comments about London 52, “he’s quite a shy horse in the stable, it’s his personal space, but the second he comes out of the stable he loves all of the attention, he’s a proper show off in front of a big crowd!”

Finn Healy and Treamble win the Chatham CCI3*YR-L.

This morning saw the final phase of competition for the Chatham CCI3*YR-L where overnight leader Finn Healy kept his cool for a clear round inside the time on Amy Hawley’s Treamble, affectionately known as Amble. Leading since his dressage test on Friday, 18-year-old Finn has shown his class throughout to be crowned Young Rider National Champion. The 10-year-old mare is sibling to Michael Owen’s second-placed Treworder in the Symonds & Sampson CCI3*-L here at Bicton.

“Amble’s been amazing all week. She did a really good dressage test for 24.3. Cross country was a tough track yesterday, Helen used the hills brilliantly and made it a good stamina test. Luckily, she’s full of blood and so ate the course up just a couple of seconds over the time. Today I didn’t have a fence in hand, it was very close up at the top, and she jumped incredibly well. When she came in the arena she lit up with the crowds, knew what she needed to do and I’m just over the moon with her.”

The mare was bought by Amy as a three-year-old from Preci Spark Event Horses and was produced by Amy until she was an eight-year-old, competing up to 2* level before being sent to James Avery to ride. Finn started working for Amy, riding three times a week and from there got the ride. “I’m incredibly grateful to Amy for the support, she’s done an amazing job producing Amble and she’s a very special horse.”

Winners of the Symonds & Sampson CCI3*-L are Gaspard Maksud with Chantilly Amatullah.

The second section to show jump this morning was the Symonds & Sampson CCI3*-L. Again, retaining their lead since the dressage, Gaspard Maksud and Chantilly Amatullah went on to jump clear to win on 25.3. The grey mare was, according to owners Jane Lom and Linda Charlton, actually bred to be an Intermediate Show horse, and was produced by Paul O’Shaughnessy in Ireland. Rumour has it, the semen from Tilly’s sire Abdullah was actually bought in a raffle! Nine-year-old Tilly has quite the support group – Jane and Linda are both very involved with Riding for the Disabled and are always being asked for event updates from the members about the much-loved mare since they bought her over six years ago.

Regarding his win Gaspard commented, “This is my first three-day win, you’ve got all of the top-class riders and horses here as well, so it really means a lot to win. I have only had the mare since March, but she really wants to please, she really tries. She’s such a nice mare, she just really does a good job, I am very happy with her.”

Phoebe Locke riding Renkumb Jitterbug are the winners of the Empire Coach Builders CCI2*-L.

The final section to finish for the day was the Empire Coach Builders CCI2*-L where Phoebe Locke took a late lead when overnight leader Kitty King, who was last to go, had the final fence down. Riding her own Renkumb Jitterbug, the Somerset born eventer has represented GB at five European championships, recently gaining the title of British and European under 21 champion.

The 16.2hh, seven-year-old gelding out of Trijntje by Baloubet Junior Z is part of Phoebe’s string of horses based on her yard in Wiltshire which she recently set up professionally, having previously had her horses on their family yard.

Phoebe actually started her equestrian career as a show jumper, but was quickly spotted to have plenty of talent as an eventer and has now made a great name for herself within the eventing world, having competed up to 4*.

On her win, Phoebe commented, “It was a little bit unexpected, he’s only seven years old and it’s the first time doing a long format, so I didn’t know how he would be today show jumping after cross country, but he dealt with it really well.” Phoebe remarks fondly about Renkumb Jitterbug “He’s very cuddly and likes lots of attention and treats.”

Wrapping up the week here at Bicton International Horse Trials, Event Director Andrew Fell said, “It was a fantastic week, some of the best top-quality sport in the UK – I think the biggest thing was how much the team worked together. Everyone was here to make it happen, we were blessed with the weather and I’m so proud of what we managed to pull off.”

Bicton International Links: Website, Scores, Live Stream Replays, EN’s Coverage

Get Ready for the 2023 Arena Eventing at the Devon Horse Show

By on May 28, 2023 9:30 am -

Sara Kozumplik and Rubens d’Ysieux claim victory in the Dixon Oval! US Equestrian photo.

Memorial Day weekend brings a festive eventing spectacle at the famous Devon Horse Show in Pennsylvania: this evening’s Arena Eventing class has become an annual fixture that showcases the thrills of cross country riding combined with show jumping technicality.

A total of 23 horses and riders are entered in this evening’s contest, which will feature a combination cross country and show jumping track designed by Capt. Mark Phillips and set to approximately Intermediate dimensions.

You can view the full entry list here. Notable names include:

  • 2022 Devon Arena Eventing winners Sara Kozumplik with Rubens d’Ysieux
  • Former Devon champion Boyd Martin with both Miss LuLu Herself and Penhill Celtic
  • Team EN’s Ema Klugman and RF Redfern and Slieve Callan Alpha
  • Phillip Dutton with Azure and Denim
  • Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake

The competition will be run through both main arenas at Devon for the first of two rounds. Following round one, the top 12 combinations will return for a jump-off against the clock in the Dixon Oval. A total of $50,000 will be on the line for competitors to vie for, with $12,500 of the prize pot going to the first place combination.

I believe you will be able to tune in to watch the action live via USEF Network on ClipMyHorse.TV beginning at 7:00 p.m. EST today (May 28), however as of the time of writing the class does not appear on the Devon broadcast schedule. You can keep an eye on this schedule for updates, and we’ll update this post accordingly if we can suss out confirmation of the live stream. You will need a ClipMyHorse.TV subscription or to link your USEF account in order to watch the stream — you can find information on this here.

 

 

Sunday Links from SmartPak

By on May 28, 2023 12:01 am -
The American Horse Council (AHC) is kicking off what could be one of the biggest studies in its more than 50 years with the 2023 National Economic Impact Study. The American Horse Council (AHC) is kicking off what could be one of the biggest studies in its more than 50 years with the 2023 National Economic Impact Study.

We all know that the humorous response of “In this economy?” has started to hit home a bit harder in recent years. While we’ve all likely been affected by the effects inflation, cost of living, business closures, and those gosh-darn home prices, how has this affected our horse industry?

The American Horse Council together with USEF are urging horse owners to participate in the 2023 National Economic Impact Study (EIS) for the equine industry. “The purpose of the census is to demonstrate the value of the equine industry in the national and state economies by analyzing the direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts of horse ownership, recreation, and equine-related services.” In short, if you want to prove how valuable the horse industry is to our nation’s economy, horse owners and industry suppliers can help by contributing your information to this study.

The survey will run from April 3 to September 29, 2023 — and if all the above still isn’t enough to justify a few minutes of your time, fear not: there are some tasty prizes on the line. Survey participants are entered for the chance to win a John Deere Z545R ZTrak Mower valued at $7500; one year of Nutrena feed for one horse (a $2,000 value); one year of Purina feed for one horse (a $500 value/horse); gift certificates from Trafalgar Square Books (total value $180); enrollment in Texas A&M AgriLife Equine Reproductive Management Online Course valued at $300/enrollment; plus more. So yes of course, I’ve already submitted my responses, because I’m competitive to a fault when it comes to giveaways.

Head here for more information and to complete the survey.

U.S. Weekend Action

Equestrians’ Institute H.T. (Kenmore, WA) [Website] [Entries / Ride Times / Scoring] [Volunteer]

Flora Lea Spring H.T. (Medford, NJ) [Website] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

May-Daze at the Park H.T. (Lexington, KY) [Website] [Entries / Ride Times / Scoring] [Volunteer]

Mill Creek Pony Club Horse Trial (Kansas City, MO) [Website] [Entries / Ride Times / Scoring][Volunteer]

Spring Coconino H.T. (Flagstaff, AZ) [Website] [Entries / Ride Times / Scoring] [Volunteer]

Tryon International Spring H.T. (including the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship) (Mill Spring, NC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

USEA MDHT YEH Qualifier (Adamstown, MD) [Website] [Volunteer]

Virginia Horse Center Eventing (Lexington, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring]

Willow Draw Charity Show (Weatherford, TX) [Website] [Entries / Ride Times / Scoring][Volunteer]

Woodside Spring H.T. (Woodside, CA) [Website] [Entries / Ride Times / Scoring] [Volunteer]

Links to Start Your Sunday:

Tigers on Top: Auburn University Leads 2023 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship After Dressage

Get ready: Eventing Weekly is dropping a new podcast

Science clearly shows horses need more love and not apologies

Get to Know What’s Happening in Area IV in 2023

Joan Simmons explains the importance of incorporating horsemanship lessons in your training curriculum

Weekly Pick from SmartPak: Dr. Lydia Gray, SmartPak Staff Veterinarian and Medical Director, details all the ways you can prevent thrush, scratches, and other health issues that often plague our horses in the springtime.

Morning Viewing: Spend a day with Phillip Dutton as we see what an ordinary Thursday looks like for a seven-time Olympian in training.