Classic Eventing Nation

The Big German June Continues: Your First Look at CHIO Aachen Eventing Entries

By on Jun 21, 2023 10:16 am -

Yasmin Ingham with Sue Davies and Janette Chinn’s Banzai du Loir. Photo by Shelby Allen.

We’ve finally gotten a look at the 43 horse and rider combinations representing 10 nations in next week’s CHIO Aachen CCIO4*-S – plus, the six horses and riders who’ll be taking part in the Jump & Drive relay class under lights, one of our favourite fast-paced novelty classes in the game, which pits six teams made up of a showjumper, an event rider, and a combined driver apiece, against one another in a bid for glory in front of a packed stadium.

But first, let’s have a look at the entries in the eventing proper, which takes the form of a team competition, but isn’t part of the FEI Nations Cup calendar — so success this week won’t count towards points tallied in that series, and as such, won’t help any nations gain Olympic qualification. (Not that any of these guys will need it: the full teams here are all already qualified for Paris.) We’ll see teams fielded by the USA, Switzerland, New Zealand, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Australia and France, while Sweden and Belgium will also appear with individual competitors in Frida Andersen and Box Leo, and Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Ducati d’Arville and Jarno Verwimp and Mahalia, respectively.

We always see seriously top-end line-ups for Aachen, which is an invitational competition and, as such, is always ridden competitively — you won’t see riders coming here with the aim of doing a schooling round or a slow prep run. Rüdiger Schwarz always builds a tough, technical, twisty track in which time is a big factor — similar, then, to the CCI4*-S we saw at Luhmühlen last week.

Sandra Auffarth and Viamant du Matz win Aachen 2022. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The home side has a serious team hunting for national glory: Michael Jung heads up proceedings with fischerChipmunk FRH, and is joined by reigning champion Sandra Auffarth and Viamant du Matz, plus Christoph Wahler and Carjatan S, who was also part of the gold medal-winning Pratoni team last year and was second at Luhmühlen CCI5* in 2021. The team of four is completed by last year’s Blenheim CCI4*-L winners, Malin Hansen-Hotopp and Carlitos Quidditch K. As the host nation, Germany also gets extra individual slots — and so we’ll see young up-and-comers Calvin Böckmann, Rebecca-Juana Gerken, and Libussa Lübekke competing too, as well as seasoned competitor Anna Siemer.

Think that sounds like a good team? Wait ’til you meet the British front: World Champions Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir lead the charge, ably assisted by Kirsty Chabert and Classic VI, who were second at Luhmühlen CCI5* last year, Tom McEwen and JL Dublin, runners-up at Boekelo last season and Kentucky this year, and Gemma Stevens (nee Tattersall) on the impressive young Flash Cooley. They’ll be joined by Hector Payne and Dynasty, who will compete as individuals.

Will Coleman and the ‘weird’ Off The Record get the job done to take Aachen’s coveted CCIO4*-S in 2021. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

A bit of commotion for the US team, please: newly-minted Kentucky champions Tamie Smith and Mai Baum are joined by 2021 Aachen champions Will Coleman and Off The Record, who made history by becoming the first American winners of the competition when they took the trophy two years ago. They’re joined by Kentucky podium finishers Liz Halliday-Sharp and Miks Master C, plus the ultra-experienced Phillip Dutton and Z. Dan Krietl and Carmango will come forward as individual competitors, continuing their first summer competing abroad.

The Kiwis are bringing forward big guns, too; three of their four team members — Tim and Jonelle Price on Falco and McClaren, respectively, and Clarke Johnstone on Menlo Park — competed at the Pratoni World Championships last year, while Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier finished in the top ten at Pau on the mare’s CCI5* debut last year. Samantha Lissington and Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ hold the individual spot.

Switzerland brings forward very nearly the same team with which they won the Pratoni test event and Nations Cup leg last year: Robin Godel and Grandeur de Lully CH, Mélody Johner and Toubleu de Rueire, Patrick Rüegg and Fifty Fiftyand Nadja Minder and Toblerone also took part in the World Championships, earning themselves a spot at Paris in the process.

Ireland’s team is helmed by Cathal Daniels and the super-fast, super-experienced Rioghan Rua. He’s joined by a team of slightly less experienced horses but hugely experienced riders in Susie Berry and Kilcandra Capitol, and Sarah Ennis and Action Lady M, as well as the five-star combo of Joseph Murphy and Calmaro.

France’s team can never be underestimated at Aachen, either. This year, they bring forward experienced five-star competitors Gireg le Coz and Aisprit de la Loge, Benjamin Massie and Edition Fonroy, Kentucky competitors Maxime Livio and Carouzo Bois Marotin, and Luc Chateau and Cocorico de l’Ebat, with Badminton competitors Arthur Marx and Church’Ile as individuals.

Finally, Australia delivers us a team of up-and-coming horses gaining international experience. Kevin McNab will ride the former Caroline Harris mount, Miss Pepperpot, and Bill Levett will ride the ten-year-old Sligo Candy Cane, who led after the first two phases in Bramham’s CCI4*-S this summer. California-based Rebecca Braitling has also made the journey with her longtime partner Caravaggio — and we’ll be catching up with her on site to find out how her European excursion has been treating her this summer.

Julia Krajewski and Nickel 21 compete in the Jump & Drive class at Aachen in 2022. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Now let’s take a look at the Jump & Drive: while we don’t yet know who they’ll all be teamed up with for this brilliant late-night class, we do know that we’ll have six fantastic eventers taking part: for Australia, it’ll be Andrew Hoy, riding Cadet de Beliard; for Belgium, it’ll be Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Pumpkin de la Liniere; for the Brits, we’ll see the hotly-anticipated return to the world stage of Gemma Stevens‘s Santiago Bay; for Germany, it’ll be a double-header in Calvin Böckmann and Crunchip P and Anna Siemer and Pirate Smile; and for Ireland, it’s Joseph Murphy and Belline Fighting Spirit.

Take a look at the entries in full here, and keep it locked on EN for all the coverage you could possibly desire from this showcase event, starting from next Thursday, June 29. Go Eventing!

EN’s Coverage of CHIO Aachen is brought to you with support from Kentucky Performance Products and Ocala Horse Properties.

Wednesday News & Notes from Ocala Horse Properties

By on Jun 21, 2023 12:01 am -

It’s midsummer’s day today and I can’t help but reflect on the fact that the eventing season is galloping along far too quickly for my liking. Four of the seven 5*s are in the rearview – Shane Rose has won his third Adelaide, Tamie Smith has become the first woman in 15 years to take Kentucky, Ros Canter defeated the Badminton mud to lead the event from start to finish, and Laura Collett has just made Luhmuhlen her third 5* win with her Olympic team gold medal winning partner, London 52.

What a season it’s been so far, and, although I wish it would slow down some so I can hold off the long winter without eventing for a while longer, there’s still plenty of excitement left to be had before I hunker down to watch re-runs until we start all over again.

For one, CHIO Aachen – which starts on Friday – will be offering a bonanza of equestrian events to cover the needs of most die-hard horse sport fans.There’s dressage, show jumping, eventing, driving and vaulting all going on at the World Equestrian Festival.

Flying the flag for the US in the 4*-S are Will Coleman and Off the Record, Phillip Dutton and Z, Liz Halliday-Sharp and Miks Master C, and Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Dan Kreitl and Carmango go as the US individual combination.

For team GB we have Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir, Tom McEwan and JL Dublin, Gemma Stevens and Flash Cooley, and Kirsty Chabert and Classic VI. Riding as an individual for Great Britain is Hector Payne with Dynasty.

Gemma Stevens will also compete in the Ride and Drive with Santiago Bay, and Australian eventer Bill Levett’s daughter, will represent Britain in Vaulting.

EN will have boots on the Aachen ground, where Tilly will be bringing us ALL the news from the event. Keep up with the EN coverage and follow @goeventing for all the content you can handle.

CHIO Aachen World Equestrian Festival (Germany) [Website] [Schedule] [Starters and Results] [EN’s Coverage] [Live Stream]

Major International Events

LOTTO Strzegom H.T. / FEI Eventing Nations Cup (Poland): [Website] [Entries] [Live Stream] [Timetable] [Scoring]

U.S. Weekend Preview

Bucks County Horse Park H.T. Revere, (PA) [Website] [Entries / Ride Times / Scoring]

Fox River Valley Pony Club H.T. (Barrington Hills, IL) [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Summer H.T. (Leesburg, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Midsouth Pony Club H.T. (Lexington, KY) [Website] [Volunteer] [Entries / Ride Times / Scoring]

Round Top H.T. (Castle Rock, CO) [Volunteer]

Stable View Summer H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]

Valinor Farm H.T. (Plymouth, MA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Woodloch Stable Young Event Horse Qualifier (Hugo, MN) [Website] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Wednesday News and Reading

There’s royal approval for the Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare in King Charles’ Birthday Honors. Roly Owers has been awarded an OBE for his services to equine welfare. He says, “What I find inspiring is that recognition at this level demonstrates the continued relevance of horses to society and the part we all play in protecting their welfare for future generations.” Here, here. [Royal Approval]

And on the subject of kings and horses… King Charles took to horseback for the Trooping of the Colour at the weekend – the first time a monarch has been mounted at the event since 1986, when the late Queen rode her 18-year-old mare, Burmese, at the spectacle. [All the King’s Horses]

Popular opinion in the barn is that this exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York looks rather tasty. Proof that anyone with a hay barn is a modern artist, or a social critique? I have it on good authority from an artist friend that this particular stack of hay bales is “a comment on how we value everything – the raw materials are cheap, but call it art and it’s worth a fortune. In the hay stack there’s a real gold needle with golden thread, however it’s impossible to find, representing the human condition of ignoring the value of what’s right in front of you”. I’d argue on the cheapness of hay – it depends on how many horses you’ve got, right? [Needle in a Haystack]

Whilst we’re in the art zone, check out these totally moody horse photos. The MMX Gallery in London has brought together the stunning work of the late John Reardon in ‘Whistlejacket’, an exhibition of his glorious horse photography. [Say Neigh]

Researchers in France have discovered that horse poop could be an extremely valuable resource. Turns out, that what you toss in the wheelbarrow when you’re mucking stalls is a valid prospect for biofuel and your muck heap may well be the energy source of the future. [Not Just Good for your Roses]

It’s International Yoga Day today so here’s a fun yoga class designed especially for equestrians. As well as a lovely stretch, this video comes with a healthy dose of Yoga With Adriene’s usual sense of humor, and her pupper Benji comes along for the ride. 108 sun salutations it is not, a fun frolic through some horsey poses it is. You can even sub the namaste for a yee-haw if you like! [Stirrup Posture and Horsey Lips]

Sponsor Corner

Liz Halliday Sharp and Miks Master C. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

What is it like to take a lesson from THE Liz Halliday-Sharp as an amateur? Ocala Horse Properties made it possible for this amateur rider to find out.

Click here to read all about the lesson of a lifetime.

Video Break

While we were living it large in Luhmuhlen, back in England Bolesworth International Horse show was happening and Guy Williams was winning the Puissance (again) with Mr Blue Sky UK. There is just something about this gorgeous, enormous gray that takes my breath away. Here he is clearing 2.15 meters of big red wall at London International Horse Show just before Christmas last year.

#TrainingTipTuesday Video: Up Your Corner Game with 5* Champ Laura Collett

By on Jun 20, 2023 4:00 pm -

Did you know you can learn from newly-crowned Luhmühlen winner Laura Collett without having to fly to England to beg her to teach you her ways? Laura carved some time out over the off-season to film a Masterclass with Horse & Country, a preview of which you can view above. If you’re ready to begin practicing corners with your horse, this clip will give you some advice for setting up a practice exercise at home — no cross country course needed!

You can view the rest of Laura’s Masterclass using your H&C+ subscription here. Topics include jumping skinnies, pole work, and working with young horses. Want to save some dollars on an H&C+ subscription? You can use the code EVENTINGNATION15 to save 15% off the price of an annual membership. Click here for more info.

Hangzhou Gears Up for Equestrian Excellence at the 19th Asian Games

By on Jun 20, 2023 2:30 pm -

Jacqueline Siu of Hong Kong pats her horse JC Fuerst On Tour after winning the individual dressage event during the equestrian competition at the 18th Asian Games at Jakarta International Equestrian Park on August 23, 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia. FEI/Yong Teck Lim photo.

As the prestigious 19th Asian Games draws ever-closer, equestrian athletes and fans alike are eagerly awaiting the events set to unfold in Hangzhou, China. With just 100 days remaining until the equestrian events kick off on 26 September, the excitement is building among riders, teams, and the equestrian community.

From September 26 to October 6, the magnificent Hangzhou International Equestrian Park will serve as the playing field for the competitions across the 3 Olympic disciplines of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing. A state-of-the-art venue, spread over an impressive area of approximately 54,000 square meters, awaits the arrival of world-class equine and human athletes with meticulously designed training arenas, stables and veterinary facilities.

Organized by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Asian Games bring together the OCA’s 45 member countries to compete in a diverse range of 40 sports.

Since its debut appearance at the 9th Asian Games in 1982 held in New Delhi, India, equestrian sport has become an integral part of the Asian Games program. Following a brief absence in the 11th edition in Beijing, it returned in 1994 and has been a core of the programme ever since.

At Hangzhou 2022, we can expect an impressive roster of 20 nations to participate in the equestrian events, including powerhouse equestrian countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates, alongside emerging contenders like Palestine, Qatar, and Uzbekistan, vying for supremacy and national pride.

A Rich History

Yoshi Oiwa and Bart L JRA. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Over the years, legendary riders and talented teams have etched their names in Asian Games history.

In Jakarta (INA) 2018, Ali Al Khorafi from Kuwait clinched the individual Jumping gold medal with his remarkable horse Cheril, while Ali Al-Thani of Qatar secured the silver aboard Sirocco. Meanwhile, Ramzy Al-Duhami from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia galloped to a bronze medal victory astride Ted.

Notably, the Saudi Arabian team, comprising Abdullah Al-Sharbatly, Khaled Al Eid, and Khaled Al Mobty alongside Ramzy Al-Duhami, claimed the team gold.

Hong Kong’s Jacqueline Wing Ying Siu left an indelible mark in Jakarta, winning the individual Dressage gold medal with her extraordinary horse, Jockey Club Fuerst On Tour, while Japan took the top spots in the team competition.

In Eventing, it was Yoshiaki Oiwa from Japan who emerged victorious, capturing the individual gold with Bart L JRA. India’s Fouaad Mirza secured the silver medal on his mount Seigneur Medicott, while Alex Hua-Tian from China claimed the bronze riding PSH Convivial.

The Japanese Eventing team, comprising Ryuzo Kitajima, Takayuki Yumira, Kenta Hiranaga, and Yoshiaki Oiwa, also stood atop the podium, proudly taking home the team gold medals.

Equestrian sport’s rich history at the Asian Games is a testament to the sport’s growth and popularity in the region. The inclusion of equestrian events in the program since 1982 speaks volumes about the enduring appeal and impact it has had on the Asian sporting landscape, which is growing every year.

With Hangzhou 2022 on the horizon, it offers a unique opportunity for riders and teams to showcase their talents on a continental stage, while inspiring a new generation of equestrians across Asia.

The countdown has begun, and the stage is set…

The Asian Games runs from 23 September to 8 October, with the equestrian events slated for 26 September to 6 October.

Coming Soon to Kentucky Horse Park: New Barns!

By on Jun 20, 2023 12:00 pm -

If you paid a visit to Kentucky Horse Park for LRK3DE this year (or any other horse show that utilizes the main stabling complex), you might have noticed a very different setting to greet you. The older barns that have played host to hundreds of incredible horses over the years have been razed with plans for brand-new stabling in the works from GH2 Equine Architects.

Click here if the Instagram post above does not display in your browser.

“The new construction, planned to start this fall, includes two 100-stall pavilions that combine shed-row and center aisles to maximize the number of stalls and provide ample access for trailers and exhibitors,” GH2 Equine Architects shared in a social media update. “A comfortable eave height and overhead HVLS fans encourage proper ventilation for horses (and people) attending Kentucky Horse Park’s action-packed warm season events. Restrooms, wash racks, and muck pits located in each barn help reduce the number of steps caretakers need to take, maximizing their time with their horses!”

The Horse Park took into account numerous responses from patrons collected during a public survey process, and the resulting ideas will be put into place in time for the spring show season in 2024.

An artist rendering shows an estimate of what the inside of the new Kentucky Horse Park barns will look like.

You can follow the Kentucky Horse Park and GH2 Equine Architects on social media for the latest construction updates. We’ll be looking forward to an official unveiling later this year!

Who Jumped it Best? Bromont U25 Show Jumping Edition

By on Jun 20, 2023 9:00 am -

Beautiful Bromont Stadium. Photo by Abby Powell.

This edition of ‘Who Jumped It Best’ sees some of our U25 CCI2*-L competitors at the MARS Bromont CCI show jump beneath the iconic Bromont sign, a proud relic of the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games for which Bromont hosted nearly all the equestrian events. I’d argue that the Hollywood-esque lettering with its Olympic emblem and rows of bleachers in its shadow are one of the most iconic landmarks in our sport; you see a photo of it and you instantly know where it was taken (granted having the name of the location right there helps, but you know what I mean.)

Given its celebrated history and aesthetic nature, when you go to Bromont you have to get your photo under the sign. We’ve taken care of that for the competitors whose photos we’ve included below! Each one of these young riders is a winner in our eyes, but just for funsies you can vote below for who you think made the prettiest picture.

Here’s to many more photos under the sign for these young riders!

Samantha Homeyer and Final Notice. Photo by Abby Powell.

Nadia Sabot and Neverquitdreaming (Bromont Rising Participant). Photo by Abby Powell.

Logan Harris and Omnipotent. Photo by Abby Powell.

Jack Curtis and Luska Candy Clover. (Bromont Rising Participant). Photo by Abby Powell.

Emeline Gilbert and EWSZ Mozart (Bromont Rising Participant). Photo by Abby Powell.

Caitlin O’Roark and What The Devil (Bromont Rising Participant). Photo by Abby Powell.

MARS Bromont CCI: [Website] [Results] [EN’s Coverage]

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

By on Jun 20, 2023 12:01 am -

 

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After the excitement from Luhmuhlen over the weekend, we now turn our attention about seven hours southeast to FEI Nations Cup at Strzegom in Poland. We will see four recognizable entries come forward to represent the United States as part of the U.S. Eventing Development Tour for the summer of 2023. Tour participants receive funding through USEF and the USET Foundation, thanks to the Karen E. Stives Endowment.

The team has been settled in Europe preparing for this weekend’s competition under the direction of USEF Eventing Emerging and Development Coach Leslie Law. Keep scrolling to meet the team and see some clips from their final preparations.


National Holiday: World Refugee Day

Events Opening Today: Hoosier Horse Trials, River Glen Summer H.T., Catalpa Corner Charity Horse Trials, Spring Gulch H.T., Huntington Farm H.T., Olney Farm H.T., Early Bird Summer Event at Galway Downs, Area VII Young Rider Benefit H.T. at Caber Farm, Cobblestone Farms H.T. II,

Events Closing Today: Huntington Farm H.T., Genesee Valley Hunt H.T., The Maryland International + Horse Trials, Chattahoochee Hills H.T., Arrowhead H.T., Masterson Equestrian Trust YEH/NEH Qualifier, Redefined Equestrian Horse Trials, Summer Coconino HT and Western Underground, Inc. TR,N,BN 3 Day Event,

Tuesday News & Notes: 

Never turn down free dressage advice from Carl Hester. He’s got a few training tricks on Horse & Hound today that you can add to your own toolbox. For one, he says to count your horse’s strides in the dressage arena. Learning how many strides your horse takes on the short side can make your serpentines more accurate. [8 training gems from Carl Hester that could transform your dressage scores]

Laura Collett stretches to mainstream media: [Laura Collett completes five-star treble with win on London 52 in Luhmuhlen]

Ingrid Klimke suffered a broken collarbone after a fall with Equistros Siena Just Do It while competing in the CCI4* at Luhmuhlen. The break required surgery, and Ingrid says it should be a quick turnaround to get her back in the saddle, but she’ll likely miss out on the Nations Cup at the CDIO Aachen, leaving  Sönke Rothenberger to take her place. [Ingrid Klimke Injured in Cross Country Accident, Rothenberger on Team for CDIO Aachen?]

Tuesday Video Break:

Monday Video: Ride Aspen Farms’ Prelim with Madison Langerak

By on Jun 19, 2023 4:00 pm -

Aspen Farms Horse Trials Prelim Cross Country! It started pouring as we walked to the box, but I think Norman was happy for the challenge 😊

Posted by Madison Langerak on Sunday, June 18, 2023

Time for a Monday afternoon helmet cam ride! Today we’re joining Madison Langerak and Normandy Kivalo (Kalaska de Semilly – Carina) as they tackle Morgan Rowsell’s Preliminary track on the West coast at the gorgeous Aspen Farms H.T. Situated in Yelm, WA, Aspen Farms features incredible forestry and winding cross country tracks with a distinct Pacific Northwest feel to them.

Madison and “Norman” collected the Preliminary Rider win, adding just six time penalties to secure the win on a score of 35.3.

You can view full results from Aspen Farms here.

Weekend Winners: Aspen Farm, Full Gallop, Honey Run, New Jersey, Seneca Valley, Shepherd Ranch, & Silverwood

By on Jun 19, 2023 2:30 pm -

We always love recapping the weekend with our Weekend Winners! Scrolling through the social media roundup always makes me appreciative of and impressed by the determination, hard work, and joy that Eventers pour into their horses and goals throughout all of the highs and lows of the sport.

As always, congrats on the successful rides! With a special shout out to the winner of our Unofficial Low Score Award, Jolie Wentworth and Girl of California who scored a solid 17.5 in the Open Preliminary at Shepherd Ranch Pony Club H.T.

Aspen Farm H.T (Yelm, WA) [Website] [Scoring]

CCI3*-Short: Molly Duda and Disco Traveler (36.4)
CCI2*-Short: Tommy Greengard and Kremer VD Falieberg (26.1)
Open Intermediate: Hailey Blackburn and Kilbunny Amigo (51.6)
Open Preliminary: Todd Trewin and Cooley High Society (29.9)
Preliminary Rider: Madison Langerak and Normandy Kivalo (35.3)
Jr. Training: Abigail Popa and Lutina (30.5)
Open Training: Tommy Greengard and That’s Me Z (28.1)
Training Horse: Emily Pestl-Dimmitt and Aventinus (28.1)
Training Rider: Sarah Des Lauriers and Laissez-Faire (26.4)
Jr. Novice: Simone Clark and Indio BMW (25.1)
Novice Amateur: Kristin Maloney and Wild N Free (23.9)
Novice Rider: Louise LaRue and TH Cassian (27.5)
Open Novice: Jordan Linstedt and LS Cowboy Casanova (26.4)
Beginner Novice Amateur: Melissa Mohr and Ferrani (22.4)
Beginner Novice Horse: Anna Stein and Forever Clever (26.8)
Beginner Novice Rider: Dorthe Wildenschild and Luna (28.8)
Jr. Beginner Novice: Amelia Capron and Spice (31.1)

Full Gallop Farm June H.T (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Scoring]

Beginner Novice A: Heather Keir Sinclair and Tykillen Livewire (30.3)
Beginner Novice B: Allison Chesser and Union Street (25.9)
Novice A: Cynthia Holbrook and Sweet Pea (25.8)
Novice B: Catherine Kelly and Dylano Q (27.5)
Training/Novice: Jessica Schultz and Brahms Sweets (26.2)
Training: Tonya Cummins Amato and Get Smart (30.4)
Preliminary/Training: Bonnie Mosser and A Funny Thing Happened (37.6)
Preliminary: Andre Amato and Superman (35.2)
Starter A: Ava Shiflett and LH Pretty Boisterous (34.0)
Starter B: Laurie Michelle Wettstone and Redemption Song (28.7)

Honey Run H.T. (Ann Arbor, MI) [Website] [Scoring]

Training: Hannah Willford and Kontiki (33.6)
Novice A: Kristy Barrett and Leota Pass (32.4)
Novice B: Christine Pasko and Essential Elegance (34.6)
Beginner Novice A: Kelsie Goodare and Carli 13 (25.5)
Beginner Novice B: Lilly Shultis and HES Hopeful (27.8)
Starter: Monica Pagani and Own It RFB (27.7)

Horse Park of New Jersey H.T. I (Allentown, NJ) [Website] [Scoring]

Advanced: Skyeler Voss and Argyle (41.6)
Open Intermediate: Kirsten Schuitema and One Sly Fox (35.0)
Open Preliminary: Ashley Adams and Quicksilver Gräns (27.1)
Open Modified A: Kristina Marth and Severn Starlight (30.5)
Open Modified B: Caitlin Silliman and Walaadli (24.3)
Open Training: Leslie Lamb and Toha (28.3)
Training Rider: Leslie Lamb and Toha (30.2)
Novice Rider: Maura O’Grady and Watch Out (27.9)
Open Novice: Ryan Wood and Ben Lomond (21.7)
Beginner Novice Rider: Kelly O’Brien and B.E. Never Say Never (25.6)
Open Beginner Novice: Amanda Beale Clement and Finish Strong (24.7)

Seneca Valley Pony Club H.T. (Poolesville, MD) [Website] [Scoring]

Open Intermediate: Ali Kuhn and Little Hail (46.2)
Open Preliminary: Tracey Bienemann and Menlo Park (38.0)
Open Modified: Meghan O’Donoghue and Global Eros (24.2)
Modified Rider: Julie Bigham and Bendigo (51.8)
Training Rider Senior: Devin Handy and Roulette (29.3)
Training Junior: Jaelyn Comer and Loughnatousa Yours Truly (30.3)
Open Training: Emily Shilling and Enchanting Class (29.2)
Open Novice: Kelty O’Donoghue and Deviant (25.8)
Novice Junior: Adelyn Rinehart and Wexford Cruise (20.6)
Novice Rider Senior: Katherine Holzrichter and Idlehour Center Stage (29.2)
Beginner Novice Rider Senior: Carissa Gavin and The Flying Fox (23.8)
Beginner Noivce Rider: Lorie Richards and Heat Inndex (33.5)
Open Beginner Novice: Savannah Fulton and Blue Parrot (32.3)
Beginner Novice Junior: Lillian Goeller and Bongo (28.8)
Starter 1: Kelley Williams and Run Far (27.4)
Starter 2: Jennifer Barnhard and Ari Gold (25.6)
Starter 3: Kelley Williams and Banking On You (27.3)
TIP Intermediate: Ali Kuhn and Little Hail (46.0)
TIP Preliminary: Tracey Bienemann and Menlo Park (38.0)
TIP Modified: Laila Bolsteins and Sabino Canyon (33.5)
TIP Training: Katie Mayo and Mr. Mayhem (32.0)
TIP Novice: Melissa Fox and Tito Tonight (33.0)
TIP Beginner Novice: Christine Raymer and Dobby is a Free Elf (29.0)
TIP Starter: Kelley Williams and Banking On You (27.0)

Shepherd Ranch Pony Club H.T. I (Santa Ynez, CA) [Website] [Scoring]

Intermediate/Preliminary: Becky Leisz and Gangster (31.0)
Open Preliminary: Jolie Wentworth and Girl of California (17.5)
Preliminary/Training: Sarah Cullum and Rebel’s Lancelot (33.7)
Open Training: Katherine Robinson and Pale Fire (28.1)
Training Rider: Maddie Berry and Spf Vision Quest (39.3)
Training/Novice: Andrea Baxter and The Big Easy (26.1)
Novice Rider A: Isabella Rega and Blurred Lines (32.3)
Novice Rider B: Eri Takada and Jackpot VG (26.9)
Open Novice: Katherine Robinson and Over the Top (36.2)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Amber Ryan and Starlightpistol (33.8)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Maria Schwartz and Fine Design (36.2)
Open Beginner Novice: Dede McCoy and Dune DeHeir (20.3)
Open Grasshopper: Carole Bennett and Just My Size (27.8)
Open Introductory A: Janet Nelson and Phantom Spanish Pants (27.8)
Open Introductory B: Michelle Meghrouni and Townmouse (21.3)
YEH-4 yr Old: Michlynn Sterling and Crockanboy Dancer (83.9)
YEH-5 yr Old: Andrea Baxter and Camelot PJ (86.1)

Silverwood Farm Spring H.T. (Trevor, WI) [Website] [Scoring]

Open Beginner Novice A: Lily Wenstrup and Fiona (26.7)
Open Beginner Novice B: Marcia Rigg and Celtic Gem (28.8)
Open Novice A: Katarzyna Jachymczyk and Sock Monkey (20.0)
Open Novice B: Ruth Flanagan and KINGSTON TOWN (27.2)
Open Training: Rachel Simms and Liberal Lady (36.7)
Preliminary/Training: Eric Dierks and Quintano (48.2)
Starter: Gindi Orloff and The Odd One Out (33.4)

Cross Country Riding Reigns Supreme: Molly Duda Wins CCI3*-S at Aspen Farms

By on Jun 19, 2023 12:00 pm -

Molly Duda of California and her Swedish Warmblood, Disco Traveler. Photo by Cortney Drake Photography.

It was an influential cross-country day at Aspen Farms Horse Trials for the upper level divisions and CCI3*-S and CCI2*-S. The leaderboards for the Preliminary, Intermediate, and FEI classes featured all new names by end of day Sunday–none of the overnight leaders from Saturday held their leads. Combinations who could jump clean and fast rose up the ranks.

In the CCI3*-S, Molly Duda of California and her Swedish Warmblood, Disco Traveler, (pictured above) rocketed from fifth place to first after delivering the only double clear cross-country round in the division of 12 starters. They were fourth after dressage with a score 32.4, dropped to fifth after show jumping due to a single rail, but jumped right to the top of the leaderboard today as the only pair in the division to jump clean and inside the time over the challenging cross-country track designed by Morgan Rowsell.

Madeleine Scott and her Canadian Thoroughbred, Crosby’s Gold, moved up from fourth to second after cross-country with just 3.6 time penalties. Sophie Click and Tarantino 54 jumped beautifully but moved down to third with 11.6 time penalties.

“It was incredible!” Duda said after her cross-country ride. “This is my first time at Aspen Farms. It’s so beautiful out here in the woods. It was so much fun.”

Duda purchased Disco Traveler from her trainer Mickayla Howard a year-and-a-half ago, and he’s taken her from Training level to Intermediate in that time. This is the pair’s fourth straight win at the Intermediate/3-star level this season.

“We had a bit of rain today on cross-country, but the footing held up pretty well,” Duda said. “We took it slow around the turns. He was super. He was full of run by the end of it. It was different than in California–the skinnies are a lot skinnier here. It’s challenging in different ways–a lot of hills. But he was definitely up for the challenge!”

Duda also finished in third place in the CCI2*-S with her Oldenburg mare, Lilly. They added just two time faults to their dressage score to finish on 34.2.

Tommy Greengard and Kremer VD Falieberg, winners of the CCI2*-S. Photo by Cortney Drake Photography.

The standout in the CCI2*-S was Tommy Greengard from California. Not only did he win the division with Kremer VD Falieberg, owned by Morgan Wenell, on their dressage score of 26.1, he placed second with Joshuay MBF and fourth with Count Me In, an off-the-track Thoroughbred mare he co-owns with Andrea Pfeiffer.

“Kremer was amazing!” Greengard said shortly after finishing his double clear cross-country round with him. “This is Kremer’s first 2-star short. He moved up to Preliminary earlier this spring. He was lovely. He kept trying all the way around out there. We’ve been working a lot on his fitness. It was really nice to come up here to Aspen Farms and feel like he’s taken a positive step forward on his fitness. He looks primed and ready to give the 2-Star Long at Rebecca Farm a shot.”

Greengard was equally pleased with the performance of his second place finisher, Joshuay MBF, who hasn’t competed since Twin Rivers last year.

“Joshuay was so happy to be back out,” Greengard said. “He pulled me around the course, so we had a little bit of time here and there. He was great.”

They plan to run an Intermediate at Twin Rivers and aim for FEI at Rebecca Farm in July. Greengard also didn’t want to leave out any praise for his fourth place finisher in the CCI2*-S, Count Me In.

“I’m so proud of her!” he said. “She did her first show ever at Aspen Farms two years ago, and won at the Beginner Novice level in the pouring rain. For her to be fourth here just behind the boys–Andrea and I are thrilled! She’s been a serious long-term project. She’s surprised us every single day.”

Additionally, Greengard won the Open Training division this weekend with That’s Me Z, a 6-year-old Zangersheide gelding he co-owns with Andrea Pfeiffer.

“This was his first time competing on the grass,” said Greengard. “We are so excited for him to have come up here and taken it all in stride. He jumped around great. He loved it; he seemed to have a really good time.”

Hailey Blackburn and Kilbunny Amigo, winners of the Open Intermediate. Photo by Cortney Drake Photography.

In Open Intermediate, Hailey Blackburn and Kilbunny Amigo ran away with the win, moving right up from fifth to first. The overnight leaders, Jordan Linstedt and Lovely Lola held a strong lead after show jumping, but eliminated on cross-country–not the only competitors to walk off the Intermediate course without completing. Stephanie Goodman and Carolina Morning finished second and Kelsey Horn and Cleared For Take Off finished third–both clean but with time faults.

Blackburn–a young rider originally from USEA Area VII but currently living in California while attending UC Davis’ pre-veterinary program–could not have been happier with her horse. The win was a somewhat-unexpected but welcome achievement for her and her team.

“The last time I won anything we went Novice!” shared Blackburn. “He felt absolutely incredible. We’ve spent many years getting him to steer and to listen to me. Everyone describes him as a very talented weirdo. It’s been so long building our bond and building our partnership. He’s such a special horse. Any time I make a mistake he picks up that slack for me. It’s really been the both of us growing together. To be able to finish so well, regardless of the win, on the horse who took me from Novice level to my first few Intermediates is a total miracle. I couldn’t have done it without the team at Chocolate Horse Farm. I’m just so happy–a dream come true!”

Madison Langerak and Normandy Kivalo won Preliminary Rider. Photo by Cortney Drake Photography.

Madison Langerak won the Preliminary Rider division with her gelding, Normandy Kivalo. They stayed focused despite some rain during their cross country round, jumping clean with just 6 time faults.
Kylie Cemulini and her Jumper-turned-Eventer, Eddison, finished a close second to Langerak.

“The course rode really well,” said Cemulini. “It was really positive and forward. My horse felt really, really good. He was very confident today. He was flying over every combination.”

In Open Preliminary, Todd Trewin and Cooley High Society, a chestnut Irish Sporthorse owned by Tracey Trewin, jumped fast and clear on cross-country, moving up from second for the win.

“He was absolutely fabulous,” said Trewin. “It’s the fastest we’ve run. This show was good prep for us to get him ready for Rebecca Farms. I’ve got to figure his gallop out. He is a Warmblood; I’m used to riding Thoroughbreds! He’s such a good horse. This ride today was the most rideable, fluid ride I’ve had on him.”

Todd Trewin and Cooley High Society won Open Preliminary. Photo by Cortney Drake Photography.

Trewin also finished third in a competitive Training Horse division with Vespers at Eight. Emily Pestl-Dimmitt and Aventinus, owned by Louise LaRue won that division on 28.1, and Cayden Gaffney and Incovnito placed second on 28.3. Not even one full point separated the top three.

Eight Beginner Novice and Novice divisions contested the show jumping track designed by Chris Barnard today, some in sunny conditions and some in rain. There were impressive performances at every level. The low-point score of the weekend was earned by Melissa Mohr and Ferrani, who finished on 22.4 in the Beginner Novice Amateur division.

“It was another good event,” according to Show Organizer Jonathan Elliott. “In particular it was really fun to see the crowds up on the hill for the party and the FEI show jumping on Saturday; that was great. I also think the crew we have working the show is super. They make everything go smoothly which is nice for everyone.”

Competitors consistently expressed relief that the rain was limited today, and some praised the cross-country courses as a particular highlight.

“Cross-country course design was great,” said Elliott. “Our Course Designer, Morgan, had some very good questions. There were problems on course, but they were spread out. I think the courses rode well, and there were lots of compliments from competitors on the use of terrain, including from the lower levels.”

Over $30,000 worth of prizes were awarded to top finishers this weekend thanks to generous sponsors including Windermere Equestrian Living, Gallops Saddlery, Toklat, Arion Horse Sport Tack, Kerrits, Stubben, and others.

Aspen Farms was also thrilled to announce this weekend The Arion Challenge for Amateur/Rider competitors: one horse/rider pair that wins an Amateur/Rider division at the June Aspen Farms Horse Trials and again at the September Aspen Farms Horse Trials this year is eligible to win a fully-customized Arion saddle.

Aspen Farms will host the USEA Area VII Championships September 15-17, 2023. Competitors must place first through fifth at a qualifying horse trials before August 29, 2023 to enter Championship classes.

Aspen Farm H.T (Yelm, WA) [Website] [Scores]