Classic Eventing Nation

Friday News & Notes Presented by Stable View

By on Jun 9, 2023 12:03 am -

Yesterday in Maryland. Photo by Paige Ervin.

Yesterday the smoke from the fires in Canada hit my area of Virginia pretty good. I’ve been seeing a haze for a few days now, but today it was bad enough to call off riding for fear of lung particles for my horses. I texted my friend in Canada as well as my EN girls at Bromont to check in, and somehow the smoke patterns have spared them! It’s astonishing how far reaching something like this can be, because we don’t generally think in Virginia that we are breathing Canadian air. Now would be a super great time to discuss the environmental impacts of national and global events, and the far-reaching consequences of even the smallest political and legal decisions regarding taking care of planet earth, but that honestly feels almost too on the nose.

MARS Bromont CCI (Lac Brome, Quebec, Canada) [Website] [Schedule] [Entries] [Volunteer][Live Scoring] [EN’s Coverage]

EN has boots on the ground for Bramham International Horse Trials in the UK too, where Tilly will be bringing us all the ins and outs of the show. You can follow along with the live stream on H&C+ (subscription required).

Bramham International Horse Trials (Wetherby, West Yorkshire, UK) [Website] [Schedule][Volunteer] [Ride Times / Live Scoring] [EN’s Coverage] [Live Stream]

 

U.S. Weekend Preview

Apple Knoll Farm H.T. (Millis, MA) [Website] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Cobblestone Farms H.T. I (Chelsea, MI) [Website] [Entries / Ride Times / Scoring]

Golden Spike H.T. (Ogden, UT) [Website] [Volunteer] [Entries / Ride Times / Scoring]

Middleburg H.T. (The Plains, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Plantation Field H.T. (Coatesville, PA) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]

Queeny Park H.T. (Saint Louis, MI) [Website] [Volunteer] [Entries / Ride Times / Scoring]

River Glen June H.T. (New Market, TN) [Website] [Entries / Ride Times / Scoring]

News From Around the Globe:

Air quality is being affected in many parts of Canada and the east coast of US, and we have to consider the welfare of our horses in sport. Concerns over air quality are ever-present as both humans and equines can be equally impacted. The USEF has supported individual competitions in decisions to either suspend or cancel due to compromised air quality. These things can change rapidly depending on weather, geography, and other factors, so it’s important to keep an eye on live updates for air quality if you’re planning on riding or competing over the next week or so. [USEF Competitions Update]

Does a personal review of the lady who placed third at Kentucky this spring count as best of blogs? Hard to say, but either way, Liz Halliday Sharp can ride and write, and we highly recommend reading this article. [My Weekend in Kentucky]

Bahrain has been stripped of the team title following an equine anti-doping case involving a banned substance and the horse Hera Durances, ridden by Abdulrahman Mohammed Alzayed. The FEI Tribunal confirmed the disqualification of the athlete and horse combination from the event and imposed an eighteen-month ineligibility period for the athlete, who has also been fined. As a result, Team Bahrain’s results are null and void as they no longer have the three required combination results to count for the team ranking and all the remaining teams on the leader board move up by one place, with France taking gold, Portugal slotting into silver and Italy stepping onto the podium with bronze. [France Named FEI Endurance World Champions]

Honestly, mothers are superheroes. Charlotte Dujardin returned to competition just two weeks after returning to the saddle since giving birth to her daughter Isabella in March. Her timeline for returning to riding was delayed, but that didn’t stop her from taking a double win in her comeback show, Windsor CDI4*. [Charlotte Reflects on Motherhood]

 

Bruno, Thomas, and Luke are officially on the way to Germany! 

Colleen Loach Takes Day One Lead in MARS Bromont CCI4*-L

By on Jun 8, 2023 6:27 pm -

Colleen Loach and FE Golden Eye. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Despite smoke billowing south from the devastating wildfires still raging throughout Canada, the air quality remained clear in the little pocket to the east of Montreal that seems to have primarily escaped the windblown plumes. We had a good amount of rain this morning — though not enough to concern anyone about it affecting the footing in anything other than a positive way — that gave way to slightly warmer temperatures and sun in the afternoon. We continue to keep those affected by the wildfires and smoke in our thoughts, and are grateful that both we and the horses here are able to breathe clean air and safely enjoy Bromont this weekend.

Nine of the 19 horses entered in the CCI4*-L competition at MARS Bromont CCI have completed their dressage tests this afternoon, and it’s Canadian Olympian Colleen Loach who has set the early gauntlet aboard her own and Amanda Bernhardt’s FE Golden Eye. The pair earned a mark of 27.6 — one of just two scores under 30 in the first half of the division — to set the standard ahead of the conclusion of dressage Friday.

This weekend stands to be among the biggest tests “Goldie” will have faced to date, though the 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Goldfever 3 is not short on experience at this level. Bromont will be his fourth start at the 4*-L level, with his best result to date being a fifth place finish in the inaugural Morven Park 4*-L in 2021. He’s also competed at Jersey Fresh (2021) and Tryon (2022). Mixed in between his eventing starts are also some rounds in the show jumping ring; most recently, Colleen and Goldie picked up a second place finish (right behind stablemate Vermont, who is here competing in the 4*-S this weekend) in the 1.35-1.4m Grand Prix here at this venue last month.

“We tried a little bit of a different warm-up strategy with Goldie today, working him a bit harder on the pre-ride,” Colleen noted after her test. The goal, with the help and input of Canadian chef d’equip Rebecca Howard, was to work on getting the big gelding a little more through in his body. “I’m not sure I would do it again. He was a little bit fussy, not quite as flowing and smooth in the contact as usual, so it’s good to know that what we were doing before worked better. But I was pretty happy with him. He was very obedient and overall had a pretty nice test — I’m being quite picky as I know he has a lot of good things in there.”

Colleen described her off-season as being focused on thoroughness and getting Goldie more in front of the leg — atmosphere doesn’t tend to rile this laid-back fellow much, so getting him to come up and into the contact presents a challenge at times. “He’s gotten a lot better — or I’ve gotten a lot better at riding him!”

In 2022, Colleen chose to run at Tryon instead of Bromont, but she earmarked this event in 2023 because she felt it would be a proper test for her horses. “I love Bromont, I love the cross country course here and it’s close to home,” she elaborated. “It’s just a really special event, the atmosphere is great and I think it’s a suitable course to Goldie.”

Lillian Heard Wood and Chilly. Photo by Cealy Tetley Photography.

Second on the other sub-30 score of the day in the 4*-L are Lillian Heard Wood with Steve Berkowitz’s Chilly (Zanjero xx – Tax Rob xx, by Artax xx), sitting on a score of 29.0 ahead of Saturday’s cross country. If you’ve ever read anything about this incredible OTTB from Oklahoma, you know this guy has one heck of a story. If you haven’t, you can click on over to our Form Guide to read what Abby Powell wrote about his history. Suffice it to say, a mysterious illness in 2020 kept Chilly down for several months, to the point where both Steve, an equine vet by trade, and the team at New Bolton in Pennsylvania were stumped on the origin of the illness. Eventually, the now-11-year-old gelding pulled out of the sickness on his own, and Lillian was able to resume her training. Now, he’s ready to contest his first 4*-L with a very capable cross country rider in the irons, and he’s put himself into exceptionally good stead after the first phase.

Jennie Jarnstrom-Dennis and Flower Girl. Photo by Cealy Tetley Photography.

Completing the top three after day one are Sweden’s Jennie Jarnstrom-Dennis and Flower Girl (Futurist – Lucy, by Romino), who spent the 2022 season primarily focusing on Short format events to improve their competitiveness. They very nearly beat their FEI personal best today, earning a mark of 31.0 from the judges (Marina Sciocchetti at M, president Andrew Benne at C, and Jane Hamlin at E). Time will be a factor for this pair to retain this standing at the end of Saturday, but for now enjoy that lovely test feeling, girl!

We will see the second half of this division tomorrow, and we’re predicting Colleen will stay in the lead, but could face a strong challenge from the likes of Ariel Grald and Diara, if they can replicate some of the scores earned at the level below this, or Sara Kozumplik and Rock Phantom, who’ve been knocking on the door of a solid sub-30 mark as of late and earned a 25.9 in their final prep for this event at an Advanced/Intermediate run last month. Ariel withdrew her first ride, Forrest Gump 124, from the competition ahead of her dressage test.

Lauren Nicholson Sits Pretty on New Ride

Lauren Nicholson and Larcot Z. Photo by Cealy Tetley Photography.

It was just a few weeks ago that Lauren Nicholson, with the help of Ms. Jacqueline Mars, acquired the ride on Larcot Z. Previously owned by Reagan Lafleuer and campaigned most recently by Will Coleman, Larcot Z now adds even more depth to Lauren’s string, already with a win at the 3*-S level under his belt.

In fact, Lauren’s had her eye on this stunning 10-year-old by L’Arc de Triomphe ever since Reagan brought the gelding over for a lesson with David O’Connor when he was a five-year-old. “I tried to buy him off her then!” Lauren laughed. “And I have a little bit harassed her for years, like ‘you want to sell him yet?'” That persistence (I’ll use that word here instead of “harassment” Lauren!) paid off, as when the decision was made to put the gelding up for sale, Will called Lauren first and offered her the sale.

“Long story short, [Reagan and Will have] done a beautiful job producing the horse,” Lauren continued. “He’s such an athlete. Right now I’m really just trying to figure out his buttons and not take anything away from how well he’s been trained. And, you know, it’s a fine line of just trying to make him my own without taking anything away from him. There’s few horses that I would feel confident going to a three-Long on such a short history, but I really felt at home on him and having known his history so well, with both Reagan and Coleman, I’m super lucky.”

Their score of 28.4 edges out Boyd Martin and Sandra Holden’s Chiraz, who also delivered a test with some lovely moments to earn a 29.6. Chiraz was formerly campaigned by Nicola Wilson (GBR) and Mikki Kuchta before joining Boyd’s string, and this weekend brings their first 3*-L start together.

Michelle Koppin held the 3*-L lead for a good chunk of the day, on a score of 31.0 with her own and John Koppin’s Calcourt Valley. This pair bested the score earned in the 3*-S here at Bromont in 2022, when they finished eighth overall. This is this pair’s second start at the 3*-L level; they previously finished inside the top 25 at Maryland’s CCI3*-L championship last fall.

Mixed in with the 3*-L division and competing for their own set of ribbons are the U25 riders, many of whom are recipients of this year’s MARS Bromont Rising Grant. Best placed of that group are West Virginia-based Lea Adams-Blackmore and her own Frostbite, who are currently tied for third with Michelle on a score of 31.0. This is the second year Lea has benefitted from the MARS Bromont Rising program, and she gives a lot of credit both to her longtime coach at home, Sharon White, as well as Bettina Hoy and Cara Whitham (who are here to help coach and mentor the Bromont Rising students this weekend) for helping her crack the code with “Frosty”.

“I’ve felt like the big goal for me was to just not sacrifice, you know, getting a seven because we’re going for a nine,” Lea commented. “We just wanted to have a really consistent, pleasant test. The places where we could get those extra points, we would do our best, but I really didn’t want to make it a huge stressful thing for him. I just finally got him to the point where he goes in the ring and he is able to take a breath — we’re both able to take a breath. It’s a lot of me just not putting that pressure on him. So I was so pleased.”

Lea Adams Blackmore and Frostbite enjoy a post-ride snack. Photo by Cealy Tetley Photography.

Speaking to the benefits of the Bromont Rising program, Lea was quick to list off a few things she had picked up over the last few days. The grant recipients attended workshops with Cara and Bettina to break down their dressage tests and learn about the whole system that must be in place to find success in this sport.

“This is my second year and the program is amazing,” Lea explained. “The lectures, the help on the ground, the course walks…I know last year, it was a little bit different — we didn’t have Bettina here. I felt like last year and this year, it’s been great to feel like you have access to those people. My normal coach, Sharon White, couldn’t be here this week, so it was huge to have somebody that can just give you that insight and the lecture, the centerline workshop yesterday — those are the kinds of things that you’re going to be thinking about before you go in. You’re not going to completely change your test, but having those little details and riding for those extra marks are how you kind of work your way into the upper rankings if you can just focus on that. And I’m so, so excited to walk the course with [Bettina] tomorrow, and just get her take on it. It’s just been an awesome experience both years.”

Dutton, Schulman Lead Two CCI2*-L Divisions

Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Shutterfly. Photo by Cealy Tetley Photography.

The CCI2*-L is split into two divisions this weekend, one as an open division and one for the U25 riders. Phillip Dutton slotted into the lead (and gave a double fist pump when we informed him of his score) with about half of the horses finished on Thursday aboard Fernhill Shutterfly on a score of 24.5. The 9-year-old Irish gelding by Sir Shutterfly was sourced originally by Fernhill Sport Horses and Carol Gee before first being purchased by fellow eventer Julie Richards before then changing hands to Kevin Keane. He’s now owned for Phillip by Dave Vos, Caroline Moran, and John Ingram.

“He’s had a few ownership changes, but he’s an exciting horse for us to have,” Phillip said. “He’s got a great blend of that Thoroughbred feel underneath, but he’s got a pretty good brain as well. This is his first two-star Long, but he is a little bit older and he did a little bit of everything in Ireland — Pony Club, and show jumping. He’s certainly very gifted on the flat. He’s got a nice presence and movement and balance. At Tryon, he got a little spooky, so I prepared him a little bit better today, and he was right on the money and didn’t put a foot wrong.”

Speaking to why he chose Bromont for this debut, Phillip said he likes the test the horses face here as they look to move up the levels. “This is a proper test for good horses with the cross country the way it is, and he needs to get to be able to do these tough, stronger cross country courses. And this is ideal for that.”

Sara Shulman and Cooley Chromatic. Photo by Cealy Tetley Photography.

Currently leading the U25 CCI2*-L following dressage, which completed Thursday for this division, are Sara Schulman and her own Cooley Chromatic. Also a MARS Bromont Rising recipient, Sara says she has benefited immensely from the help she’s received this week, in addition to that from her longtime coach, Jan Byyny. This pair’s score of 22.0 gives them a healthy breathing margin of 8.1 penalty points ahead of second-placed Emeline Gilbert and EWSZ Mozart.

“[Bromont Rising is] the first program of this type that I’ve been able to be a part of, which has been really awesome,” Sara said. “And I think the coaching, especially for dressage, with Bettina yesterday morning was incredibly helpful, especially because my main coach, Jan Byyny, was able to be there alongside. So having those two eyes working together, working for me, and as well as in the warm-up this morning was super helpful to just shape up the little finer details and create an even better test.”

Sara pointed out the detail-oriented approach that has been instilled throughout this program, noting some tips she’d taken away from the educational seminars and lessons thus far. “Using everything in the ring to your disposal,” she said when asked what one of the top tips she’d gleaned was. “So being able to use every corner as a preparation point, as well as thinking through each movement, breaking down even the transitions that go into the movement, and being able to add a bit more detail into it.”

Friday and Beyond

Competition resumes tomorrow with the remainder of the CCI3*-L and CCI2*-L competitors in the morning, followed by the conclusion of the CCI4*-L and the CCI4*-S, which does not begin until tomorrow, in the afternoon. Cross country will follow on Saturday, followed by the Second Horse Inspection and show jumping on Sunday. I’ll be back tomorrow with more from the action, as well as a cross country preview of the 4*-L, so don’t go anywhere — or if you do, go and find somewhere to order me a bunch of Nestle Aero bars as it’s wildly unfair that I cannot get them in the States and I’m currently considering changing residences solely to have access to this delightful discovery (not really, but I did think about it for at least two seconds).

MARS Bromont CCI (Lac Brome, Quebec, Canada) [Website] [Schedule] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Live Scoring] [EN’s Coverage]

“As Happy as His Name Would Suggest”: Reigning Bramham Champ Izzy Taylor Takes Early Lead With Happy Days

By on Jun 8, 2023 5:07 pm -

In eventing, we’re so often beholden to a cliché, and “it’s not going to be a dressage competition”, particularly, is one that we hear time and time again at these big, bold cross-country focused events such as Bramham. But more than ever before, that’s true this week — and not just because Ian Stark has built one of the beefiest Bramham tracks of his tenure this week. Instead, it’s because the judges are being kind of, well, mean.

Okay, maybe that’s overegging the pudding a bit: after all, it’s the judges’ job to set the standard, and as long as they remain consistent in their stringency, there’s no harm done. But across the three classes that took to the dressage ring today — the CCI4*-L, which saw its first 23 competitors; the under-25 CCI4*-L, which saw five, and the CCI4*-S, which put forth its initial 35 competitors — we saw just two competitors go sub-30.

Izzy Taylor and Happy Days take the early lead at Bramham. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The first to do so is now our overnight leader in the feature CCI4*-L class: Izzy Taylor, who won this class last year with Monkeying Around, posted a 29.9 late in the day with eleven-year-old Happy Days, taking over Piggy March‘s long-time lead with Brookfield Cavalier Cruise.

Though this is a rerouted plan for Izzy and Happy Days, who were eliminated on the cross-country at Badminton, the reigning title holder is excited to return with another great chance.

“He’s a very cool horse, and he just stayed with me all the time,” she says, explaining that developing his self-assurance has been key to producing him. “He’s taken a while to come around, which is probably not really fair to say, as he’s still quite young, but he’s grown in confidence. Usually he’s actually quite an introvert, and this week, he’s been full of himself so far, so that’s a good sign for him. He’s as happy as his name would suggest!”

Izzy Taylor and Happy Days. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Happy Days scored almost the same as he had at Badminton, where he put a 29.6 on the board — but this arena, Izzy explains, is actually tougher in many ways.

“Bramham is very different to, say, Badminton — it’s much closer, the crowd. We seem to be very close to the members’ marquee this year, which I believe is causing a little trouble. So it’s much more of a close-feeling atmosphere, so I’m really pleased that he didn’t get overexcited by that.”

As a slightly introverted soul, Happy Days has sometimes previously leant into going a bit too quiet in the ring. Today, though, his newfound self-belief gave him the confidence to really show himself to the ground jury.

“He’s very laid back — like, super laid back,” laughs Izzy. “But everyone expresses their worries differently — he’s super laid back, and then he gets worried and he goes too laid back. But now he’s beginning to realise that actually he’s alright, so he might show a few people a few things. But he’s very cool, very low maintenance in terms of, he likes to be loved and fed — food is the key to Happy’s life.”

Though Piggy March couldn’t quite hold onto the lead with her CCI4*-L debutant, Brookfield Cavalier Cruise, she sits less than a point behind Izzy on 30.8 and will hold second place going into tomorrow’s competition. She was one of many riders, though, who was disappointed not to see a number on the board that reflected the quality of the horse’s work in the ring.

“He’s a really smart horse and it was a clear round — we didn’t make any mistakes. There’s still more to come from him, just his development, strength, cadence, that sort of thing. But, it was pretty solid, and there wasn’t a mistake there, so I was pretty pleased,” she says. “He went how I expected, but I was a little bit disappointed with his mark. That’s the worst mark he’s had by quite a long way, and I would have understood that with mistakes, but he didn’t really make mistakes. There’s still tiny little bits to look like a very established horse still to come, but I thought there wasn’t really enough to knock him down, and 30 is usually a mark where there are a couple of mistakes in a test, and he didn’t have any. But they’ve continued with that — I haven’t watched any more dressage, but they’re obviously just on the slightly more negative theme, which if they stay that way, that’s fine.”

Brookfield Cavalier Cruise comes here having won a CCI4*-S section at Thoresby earlier this spring — a first international outing for the new-old partnership.

“He’s just recently back to me this year =- I had six months or so with him as a six-, coming seven-year-old, and I did his first intermediates,” says Piggy of the now ten-year-old, who was previously piloted by Tom McEwen and prior to that, Harry Meade.. “He’s a beautiful horse and I’m very lucky to have him. He’s a horse that’s won with every rider, at every level. He’s had a few riders through change of circumstances, or whatever it might be, and we do change around sometimes [in the Brookfield team] — we work on numbers sometimes, if one of us has more than than the other we swap around and we do work together as a team. I was the lucky one that got asked to take him. He obviously won very well with Tommy [McEwen] last year, and has looked very impressive with everyone, but I think with Brookfield Inocent being off and the top horses not being there, they decided to swap around to try and keep it even. I’m lucky to have him.”

Now, with that newer partnership in mind, Piggy hopes to use the week ahead as something of a fact-finding mission with the exciting young horse.

“This is his first time here, and his first time at this level for a Long. He’s a lovely big horse with a lot of potential, but this week will be very interesting. I’m not overly confident, but I’m not also worried — I’m interested and ready to give it a go.”

Mike Winter and El Mundo take overnight fourth. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Badminton re-routers Aaron Millar and KEC Deakon sit third after delivering a smart test for 32.4 — not quite the very competitive 28.8 they put on the board at the spring five-star, but still enough to put them well in the hunt here. They’re followed closely behind by Canada’s Mike Winter and El Mundo, who hold fourth place on 33.3, and who also rerouted from Badminton, where Mike opted not to run the gelding cross-country. Now, they make their Bramham debut with high hopes for the weekend to come.

“I didn’t run cross country at Badminton, because I just felt some fast horses — and I’m maybe not the fastest cross country rider anymore — they were sort of knocking on 30 time penalties and more,” explains Mike. “I really wanted to get my Paris MER, and he’s the one horse I have, so I made the decision to reroute and Jonathan Nelson, his half owner, is from up here, so this was always his choice over Badminton.”

The 14-year-old gelding shone in the busy, buzzy main arena — a testament, Mike says, to the amount of exposure European and British-based horses get to atmosphere from a young age: “He’s really good, and he doesn’t mind it at all. I think that’s good about actually moving from North America — to produce a horse in this country is way easier, if it’s a championship horse, because they do this since, like, Osberton, or even some of the events like Wellington. They just have a lot of opportunities for them to grow up.”

For Mike himself, having a horse with the innate ability of El Mundo, who originally came to his yard as a young sales horse but, after a long rehab period from an injury, became part of the family, is also transformative.

“I grew up riding thoroughbreds that you couldn’t push and that like, you always had to work to keep them up. He wants to be uphill. He’s easy and has a good temperament, and so I’ve just got to let his engine work. Sometimes I’m happy with something that’s what I call sub-powered; just like, a nice test. Matt Ryan said to me at Badminton last year, ‘I think you almost got time penalties!’ Fair enough — dressage is not naturally my thing. But to have a nice horse teaches you, doesn’t it?”

The top five is rounded out by Sarah Bullimore, who sits equal with Mike on a 33.3 after a smart test with the nine-year-old Evita AP.

The top five overnight in the feature CCI4*-L.

France’s Morgane Euriat and Baccarat d’Argonne lead the under-25 CCI4*-L overnight. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Britain’s toughest, most terrain-heavy four-stars are always the ones that draw the most significant field of French entries, and Bramham is no exception. France holds the crown in the prestigious under-25 CCI4*-L, but in the absence of last year’s winners, Heloïse Le Guern and her French team mount Canakine du Sudre, one of her compatriots is making a great effort to keep the trophy in situ across the Channel.

Morgane Euriat certainly isn’t coming here unprepared, either — she finished sixth in this class last year with the smart and swift Baccarat d’Argonne, romping home just one second over the optimum time in a typical open, French style. Now, a year later, she feels like she has an even better chance with the twelve-year-old Anglo Arab, who sits in first place overnight on 29.7 — the best score of the day across all the classes.

“Two months before we came last year, she had a cancer in her ovary, and now she has one ovary less,” explains Morgane. “Now, she’s been able to have more preparation to come to Bramham.”

Though the pair had led after cross-country last year, it was the showjumping that was to be their downfall: they pulled four rails on the final day. This year, though, Morgane has every intention of putting those demons to bed.

“We’ve tried a lot to do the show jumping on the grass, because in France, we are never show jumping on the grass and last year she was not too good about that,” she says. “I really want to come back here for a win and be good on the show jumping.”

Richard Coney and Mermus R Diamonds. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Under-25 pathfinder Richard Coney holds onto second place overnight with the first of his two rides, 13-year-old Mermus R Diamonds, who posted a 31.3 to sit nearly eight points clear of third-placed Tom Bird and Rebel Rhyme (39).

This is Richard’s long-awaited return to this class after a fourth-place with Kananaskis in 2019, and in the meantime, he’s amassed some fairly significant experience: he was seventh in the Young Rider European Championships that summer, made his five-star debut at Pau in 2020 with two horses, finishing ninth with Mermus R Diamonds, and then, after focusing solely on national level competition through 2021 and the first half of 2022, returned with a bang to international competition last year, jumping clear around Blenheim and Boekelo.

“I feel a slight bit more experienced [than last time I was here], but I’ve not done too much,” says Richard. “I’ve been quite quiet over the past couple years; I’ve not done like, loads and loads. I had one horse last season at four-star, and he went to Boekelo and that’s sort of got me back into it a little bit.”

The top five overnight in the CCI4*-L for under-25s.

Ros Canter and MHS Seventeen. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Also running alongside the two showpiece CCI4*-L classes is the CCI4*-S, which boasts 77 competitors and provides its own unique preparatory challenge. Ros Canter leads this overnight after delivering an exciting late-in-the-day performance from relatively new ride MHS Seventeen, who posted a 32.6 to edge out Steven Heal and Quidam de Lux, who had led for much of the day on a 33.1.

“I took him over just under a year ago from Nicola Wilson, who’d actually only had him for about six months herself, which is why he’s not that well known,” says Ros of the ten-year-old Irish gelding. “We’ve just been bumbling along, really. He won the three-star at Osberton, the long format, last year — that was only my third event on him — but we’re still getting to know each other.”

Though Ros explains that this class was always the aim for him, the tough British spring has meant that she’s been able to give him less of a robust preparatory lead-up than she’d have liked, and as a result, “we’ve come here very inexperienced,” she says. “He’s done one Advanced at Cirencester, which is when they didn’t have a water in because it was flooded, so, at the level, he’s very inexperienced. He did the dressage at Chatsworth, but that was it, so this is a feeling-out weekend.”

Part of the experience for the smart up-and-comer is gaining his first experience of a significant atmosphere – something that he dealt with admirably today, bar an expensive spook at the A end of the arena, which sits in close proximity to the busy hospitality tent.

“He went quite spooky in the top corner, but Chris [Bartle] was saying that lots of horses have done that today,” says Ros. “He changed at the end of his extended canter, which was a shame because that’s something he doesn’t normally do. The rest of it was just a bit green, and I’m surprised I’m in the lead at the end of the day with with a test that was a bit green, but on the other hand, his way of going in the last week has changed. It’s starting to feel proper where he was a bit pony-like before.”

Ros will be expecting to be kept plenty busy managing the gelding through the rest of the weekend, which will see them showjump in the hugely atmospheric main arena on Saturday morning before heading out onto a challenging cross-country track set by Ian Stark.

“He’s a lovely model of a horse; he’s a beautiful horse, and he’s a very careful jumper, but he would be spooky,” says Ros. “He could have a look at a filler; he’d be that kind of spooky. So I’m going to have to be on my guard a little bit round here. He did an intermediate last weekend actually, as we’ve been so short of runs, and he ran out at the third last, which was a white house painted with black stripes, having absolutely bombed round the rest of it. It’s been a really good wake up call for me — I’ve got to be on it right ’til the last fence. But he is really cool — he’s good fun, and he’s the right size for me!”

Tomorrow takes us into dressage day two, which will see another full day of CCI4*-S competition commencing from 9.45 a.m. and finishing at roughly 5.00 p.m., while the remainder of the CCI4*-L competitors will take to the ring from 10.30 a.m. to 3.08 p.m. The final six riders in the under-25 CCI4*-L will come forward from 4.00 p.m. to 4.45 p.m. Join us at the end of the day for a full report on the state of play, plus plenty more on Ian Stark’s bold, tough courses. Until then: Go Eventing!

The top five at the end of day one in the CCI4*-S.

Bramham International Horse Trials: [Website] [Schedule][Volunteer] [Ride Times/Live Scoring] [EN’s Coverage] [Live Stream]

Statement on Air Quality at Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park

By on Jun 8, 2023 2:40 pm -

Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Officials at the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park and the MARS Bromont CCI are closely monitoring the air quality index to ensure all horses and riders are not at risk due to smoke from wildfires in the province.

Dr. Yves Rossier DVM, Veterinary Delegate, Bromont CCI provided the following statement: “Regarding the air quality here at the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park, we are very lucky — our air quality index is below 10 [as of 9am EST]. The air currents are all blowing the smoke past us to the southern areas. The rain we had in the last 24 hours and are continuing to have, has greatly settled the dust, contributing to very good air quality.”

For the MARS Bromont CCI 2023, the opening phase, dressage, will be held over Thursday/Friday. The exciting and spectator-friendly cross-country will take place Saturday and the event will conclude Sunday with the show jumping phase, to determine the overall winners. Daily general admission is free with parking $15/car.

MARS Bromont CCI (Lac Brome, Quebec, Canada) [Website] [Schedule] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Live Scoring] [EN’s Coverage]

Ireland Announces CHIO Aachen Team

By on Jun 8, 2023 11:55 am -

Cathal Daniels and Rioghan Rua. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

HSI Interim Eventing High Performance Manager Dag Albert has named his team ahead of the CCIO4* FEI Nations Cup in Aachen, Germany.

Taking place from June 28th-July 7th, the event attracts a competitive field each year, with several countries using the event as preparation for championships.

The Senior Irish Eventing Team is coming in off the back of a successful home FEI Nations Cup in Milstreet, Co. Cork on the June Bank Holiday weekend, where they recorded a third-place finish.

The team for Aachen is as follows:

  • Susie Berry with Kilcandra Capitol (ISH), owned by TruckEast Limited.
  • Cathal Daniels with Rioghan Rua (ISH), owned by Margaret Kinsella and Frank Kinsella.
  • Sarah Ennis with Action Lady M (ISH), owned by Andrew Cox.
  • Joseph Murphy with Calmaro, owned by Claire Mayne, Charlie Mayne, Richard Ames and Annette O’Callaghan.

Susie Berry has risen through the underage ranks and made her senior World Championship debut at Pratoni last year, helping Ireland secure all-important team Olympic qualification for Paris 2024. At 10-years-old, this will be the first senior Nations Cup appearance for Kilandra Capitol. This combination was fifth on their CCI4*-L debut in Blair Castle last year.

2019 European Bronze medallists Rioghan Rua and Daniels are making their return to the team. The pair finished just outside the top ten in Luhmühlen CCI5*-L last year and were third in the CCI4*-S in Millstreet last June.

At only 9-years-old Action Lady M is the youngest horse on the team. Partnered by Ennis, this combination has recorded some excellent results including a sixth place finished at the 8- and 9-year-old CCI4*-S in Blenheim last year.

Murphy and Calmaro head to Aachen on the back of their Millstreet success – finishing best of the Irish and third in the CCIO4*-NC, as well as being ninth in the CCI5*-L in Kentucky and fourth in Aachen last year.

Speaking about the announcement Albert said: “I have selected a very accomplished team of riders with a combination of experienced and potentially exciting younger horses for the future.

“It’s a strong team and I’m hoping for a good result, Aachen is an amazing venue to compete in with a really big atmosphere and it’s great to have a team competing there.”

Thursday News & Notes

By on Jun 8, 2023 12:03 am -

Uphill much? Photo courtesy of American Dream Trakehner Stallion FB.

Every spring and early summer, I know I can look forward to lots of baby spam for those of my friends mad enough to take on that adventure. And no, I’m not talking about the particularly insane decision to have human babies, but the somewhat equally bonkers choice to take on breeding a horse. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely share the dream of all equestrians of having a tiny foal to bring along from day one, but I also fully understand how risky and scary and expensive and stressful it can be. Maybe one day when I’m a wealthy housewife I can have a field of mares and foals.

MARS Bromont CCI (Lac Brome, Quebec, Canada) [Website] [Schedule] [Entries] [Volunteer][Live Scoring] [EN’s Coverage]

EN will have boots on the ground for Bramham International Horse Trials in the UK too, where Tilly will be bringing us all the ins and outs of the show. You can follow along with the live stream on H&C+ (subscription required).

Bramham International Horse Trials (Wetherby, West Yorkshire, UK) [Website] [Schedule][Volunteer] [Ride Times / Live Scoring] [EN’s Coverage] [Live Stream]

Keep it locked onto EN and follow @goeventing for all the news from Bromont and Bramham.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Apple Knoll Farm H.T. (Millis, MA) [Website] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Cobblestone Farms H.T. I (Chelsea, MI) [Website] [Entries / Ride Times / Scoring]

Golden Spike H.T. (Ogden, UT) [Website] [Volunteer] [Entries / Ride Times / Scoring]

Middleburg H.T. (The Plains, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Plantation Field H.T. (Coatesville, PA) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]

Queeny Park H.T. (Saint Louis, MI) [Website] [Volunteer] [Entries / Ride Times / Scoring]

River Glen June H.T. (New Market, TN) [Website] [Entries / Ride Times / Scoring]

News From Around the Globe:

We’re buzzing for Bromont this week — and to help you get up to speed with the competition to come, US Eventing has compiled some fast facts about the jewel in Canada’s crown. Check them out!

Gemma Steven’s (neé Tattersall) has spent the last few years splitting her time between eventing and showjumping. Now, she’s been given the chance to take part in one of the latter discipline’s most prestigious classes: the Hickstead Derby. Find out more about how it came together, plus meet her catch-ride, in this piece.

When young dressage rider Juliette Cain lost her father, she gained something crucial: clarity. This beautifully penned piece is a thoughtful, poignant reminder of how the people closest to us help define our worldview within our sport, too.

 

 

 

 

Allons à Bromont! Your Form Guide to the Horses and Riders of the MARS Bromont CCI

By on Jun 7, 2023 9:10 pm -

We are set to get underway with competition at one of the key North American CCI4* events: the MARS Bromont CCI, set in the absolutely gorgeous city of Bromont to the east of Montreal, Quebec. This is a former Olympic equestrian site (1976), and the area’s rich history is evident throughout the grounds.

There are two 4* divisions competing this weekend, a CCI4*-L and a CCI4*-S. Many riders will use the 4*-L division here as a preparation for horses they hope will eventually step up to the 5* level, and it’s a great test over a true Derek di Grazia track ahead of next year’s Kentucky Three-Day Event.

The EN team is proud to be assisting the MARS Bromont CCI team on the ground this weekend with promotion and social media support. Stay tuned for much more, and be sure you’re following @bromontcci and @goeventing on Instagram for the latest.

We’ll kick off competition tomorrow with dressage. The 4*L division will ride their tests tomorrow afternoon, the 4*S riders will do their tests on Friday afternoon. We also have a full slate of action for the MARS Bromont Rising program, which provides ample opportunity for a group of selected young riders – competing in U25 sections of the 3*L and 2*L – to obtain coaching and mentorship from program directors Peter Gray and Bettina Hoy.

For now, dive right into our Form Guide to the horses and riders competing in the two 4* divisions. Enjoy, and Go Eventing!

Want to jump straight to your favorite horse and rider? Click the links below to jump to their section (the combinations are listed below in alphabetical order by last name; sections in alphabetical order by country and last name):

CCI4*-L

Arielle Aharoni and Dutch Times (USA)
Hanna Bundy and Lovely Assistant (CAN)
Phillip Dutton and Azure (USA)
Ariel Grald and Forrest Gump 124 (USA)
Ariel Grald and Diara (USA)
Lillian Heard Wood and Chilly (USA)
Lillian Heard Wood and Dassett Olympus (USA)
Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M (USA)
Jennie Jarnstrom Dennis and Flower Girl (SWE)
Jamie Kellock and Summer Bay (CAN)
Sara Kozumplik and Rock Phantom (USA)
Kendal Lehari and Audacious (CAN)
Shannon Lilley and Ideal HX (USA)
Colleen Loach and FE Golden Eye (CAN)
Jessica Phoenix and Watson GS (CAN)
Jessica Phoenix and Isla GS (CAN)
Jessica Phoenix and Freedom GS (CAN)
Jessica Phoenix and Fluorescent Adolescent (CAN)
Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge (CAN)
Ryan Wood and Cooley Flight (AUS)

CCI4*-S

Melissa Boutin and Obeah Dancer GS (CAN)
Phillip Dutton and Z (USA)
Colleen Loach and Vermont (CAN)
Alex MacLeod and Newmarket Jack (USA)
Boyd Martin and On Cue (USA)
Booli Selmayr and Millfield Lancando (USA)

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CCI4*-L

AUSTRALIA

Ryan Wood and Cooley Flight. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Ryan Wood and Cooley Flight (AUS)
Eleven-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Plot Blue – Making Moments, by Laughton’s Flight). Owned by Linda Ledray and Ryan Wood.

Five-star Australian event rider Ryan Wood has had a rich eventing career, having been competing at the FEI level since 2002. Ryan hasn’t had the ride on the imported Irish Sport Horse, Cooley Flight, for very long; the pair first started competing together in 2021. The 2023 MARS Bromont Horse Trial marks Cooley Flight’s tenth FEI competition, all completed with rider Ryan Wood, and his third go around at Bromont.

Historically, Ryan and Cooley Flight have placed well at Canada’s premiere eventing venue. In June of 2022, the pair earned third place with a score of 58.1. Note, we’re discounting Ryan’s pre-cross country withdrawal from the 2022 FEI Eventing Nations Cup at Bromont, as Ryan withdrew due to coming down with an ill-timed stomach flu and not for riding-related reasons.

Cooley Flight is a jumping machine. Despite his short FEI career, he’s had some impressive results, including a double clear ride at the Morven Park CCI4*-L in October of last year that earned him fifth place in a very competitive lineup. The Irish Sport Horse has had zero cross country obstacle penalties in his FEI career and tends to come in between five and 15 seconds outside the time. Dressage scores for the pair tend to range in the mid-thirties. If Ryan chooses to push for the time on cross country, Ryan and Cooley Flight could have a shot at the top ten, which would be a fitting finish for their tenth FEI competition together. Keep your fingers crossed that Ryan has an iron stomach this year!

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CANADA

Hanna Bundy and Lovely Assistant. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Hanna Bundy and Lovely Assistant (CAN)
Twelve-year-old Thoroughbred mare (Colonel John – Absolutely Lovely, by Silver Ghost). Owned by Juliana Hansen.

After starting her FEI career with owner Juliana Hansen in the CIC1* in Bromont in 2018, Lovely Assistant became the ride for Canadian Hanna Bundy in 2019. Although Hanna has had previous FEI experience on rides Exquisite and D’Jion through the 2* level, Hanna piloted Lovely Assistant around both of their first 3* competitions at Bromont in 2020 where the pair finished in second place.

Since then, the duo contested at the 3*S and 3*L levels throughout the 2020 and 2021 seasons, then moving up to the 4*S in 2022. They have completed four 4*S events so far, most recently at Kentucky this April, where they added 16.4 time penalties to their dressage score of 41.8 to finish in 21st on a 58.2.

While their dressage scores hover in the low-mid 40s, this duo impressively has not seen a cross country jump penalty on their record. However, some cross country time and a rail or two could be expected. With Bromont being their first 4*L competition, keep an eye on these cross country superstars to see how they tackle the course!

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Jamie Kellock and Summer Bay. Photo by Abby Powell.

Jamie Kellock and Summer Bay (CAN)
Fourteen-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (unknown breeding). Owned by Jamie Kellock.

2022 was a whirlwind year for Jamie and “Quinn,” who was originally produced by Clark Montgomery. A second place finish in the Tryon CCI4*-S kicked things off before the pair were named to their first Nations Cup team in August. Their biggest triumph came from their overseas journey to the Blenheim Palace CCI4*-L in England.

Blenheim was their first trip across the pond and they gained invaluable education all the way. They finished 50th, but their only faults were time across the country and one rail down on the final day. This effort landed them on the 2023 Equestrian Canada Eventing National Team Development Squad as the cherry on top of their unforgettable year.

This is their second season at the four-star level. Here in Bromont last year, they nabbed 8th place, and they’ll be trying to match or improve that effort. We can expect a dressage score in the high 30s to low 40s, and will probably choose time faults over risks on cross country for a most successful trip.

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Kendal Lehari and Audacious. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Kendal Lehari and Audacious (CAN)
Ten-year-old Canadian Sport Horse gelding (Ironman – Megan’s Mayflower xx, by Rumlum Star xx). Owned by Kenal, Gwen, and Rein Lehari.

While Uxbridge, Ontario native Kendal Lehari has been an international level rider for many years – she completed her first FEI event here at Bromont in 2005 prior to representing Canada at Young Riders the following year – it’s been this talented young gray that’s helped propel her to the very upper echelons of eventing. This all-Canadian pair are ready to take their first crack at Bromont’s marquee class this year.

Initially intended to be a resale horse, Kendal purchased Audacious directly from his breeder, Carolyn Baird, as a three-year-old. However, the pair quickly bonded and “Junior” never left her stable. Kendal has been the gelding’s sole rider and rapidly became one of her top prospects.

Kendal and Junior won the CCI3*-S division at this event in 2021 and returned the following year to step up to the 4*-S. After a third place finish in their first four-star appearance, the Ontario native and her Ontario-bred gelding were named to their first Canadian national team for the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Canada CCIO4*-S here later last summer, where they finished 8th overall after adding just cross country time to their dressage score to help Team Canada clinch second place.

Kendal and Junior have tried their hand at the 4*-L level twice before but are still looking for their first completion. They made their first attempt at the level at Morven Park last fall where they retired on cross country and then tried again later that season at Tryon where they were sadly eliminated at the first horse inspection. Mostly recently however, they are coming off a big second place finish in the Ocala International Festival of Eventing CCI4*-S this April.

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Colleen Loach and FE Golden Eye (CAN). Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Colleen Loach and FE Golden Eye (CAN)
Eleven-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Goldfever – Cascade, by Contendro). Owned by Peter Berry, Amanda Bernhard, and the rider.

After being imported as a four-year-old by Fredericks Equestrian International, this compact bay gelding was quickly spotted by Colleen Loach, who was an assistant rider there at the time. Colleen proceeded to “hide away” the young horse from prospective buyers until she found the funds to purchase him, and after winning his Five-Year-Old YEH class, “Goldie” stepped up to the international ring in 2018, where he finished seventh in the CCI1* at Bromont. There are actually several “FE” horses taking the field this weekend at Bromont: fellow Canadian Dana Cooke’s two horses in the CCI3*-L, Hugh Wrigley’s 2* horse for Australia, and USA’s sister pair Benita and Lucia Strini’s 2* and 3* mounts.

After just six international competitions together, the two-time Olympian brought Goldie with her to the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, where they took 20th individually and earned a Team Bronze for Canada. Colleen and Goldie have since cleaned up across the board in both Canada and the US, with just five of his 23 completions falling out of the top 20, most recently winning at the Intermediate level at Pine Top this Spring. A nearly spotless show jumping record has seemingly brought the pair to begin dabbling in pure show jumping this year – Colleen and Goldie took the win in the 1.35-1.40m National Grand Prix here at Bromont in May, after scoring 11th place in another Grand Prix at Live Oak this spring.

Goldie has quite the impressive record at Bromont since his international debut, taking first place in Bromont’s 3*-S in 2020, second place in 2021’s 3*-S, and third place in the Nation’s Cup CCIO4*-S this past August. If this pattern is to repeat itself, we could be looking at yet another top ten finish at the 4* level – and if this pair takes fourth place this weekend, making a lovely one-two-three-four combo, those numbers will allow me to die happy.

While we’re looking at patterns, Goldie has been in and out of the top ten almost every other show for the last two years – five out of his last nine events, with 12 overall top-ten placings since 2018. After a cross country refusal dropped them to 28th place in the Land Rover Kentucky 5* in April, they’re due for another highly competitive score here on their home turf.

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Jessica Phoenix and Watson GS. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Jessica Phoenix and Watson GS (CAN)

Twelve-year-old Canadian Trakehner gelding (Humble GS – Woodstock GS, by Voltaire Pref). Owned by Rider and Charlotte Schickedanz.

The 12-year-old Watson GS has loads of experience at the 4* level at this point, having made his debut at the 4*L level in 2019 at Fair Hill with Canadian multi-Olympian Jessie Phoenix. He and Jessie have been partnered since the outset of his international career, and most recently the Canadian Trakehner gelding finished inside the top 20 at the Lexington CCI4*-S.

It’s a bit of a family affair for Jessie this week in terms of her horses: Watson GS, Freedom GS, and Isla GS are all by the stallion Humble GS, with whom Jessie competed through the 4* level. You can read more about his seriously impressive breeding career here.

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Jessica Phoenix and Isla GS. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Jessica Phoenix and Isla GS (CAN)

11-year-old Trakehner mare (Humble GS – St.Pr.u.Pr.St. Iselle, by Sir Chamberlain). Owned by Charlotte Schickedanz.

Isla GS is a newer horse to this level, with just one 4* start under her belt to date. She’s got two 4*-S starts on her record this season and will be looking for experience and mileage in this first 4*-L run. Isla GS, who is 11 this year, has also competed in pure show jumping with Jessie, who’s a bit of a Jill-of-all-trades on a horse. Isla started off as a sales horse in Jessie’s program, and she quickly showed her prowess for the sport and has found herself a spot on the Phoenix string moving forward.

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Jessica Phoenix and Freedom GS. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Jessica Phoenix and Freedom GS (CAN)

11-year-old Oldenburg mare (Humble GS – Friedel GS, by Fidertanz). Owned by Charlotte Schickedanz.

Another lightly-campaigned partner of Jessie’s, Freedom GS, is also contesting her first 4*L this weekend at Bromont. This 11-year-old mare also sired by Watson GS won the 3*-L at Virginia in 2022, finishing very nearly on her dressage mark save a few seconds of time on cross country. A low-to-mid 30s dressage mark may not yield a top spot on the board after Thursday’s dressage, but this galloping track could suit this mare quite well to make some jigs and jumps up in the standings after the jumping phases.

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Jessie Phoenix and Fluorescent Adolescent. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Jessica Phoenix and Fluorescent Adolescent (CAN)

Fifteen-year-old Canadian Sporthorse mare (Gaudi – Amelia II, by Ali Baba). Owned by Makayla Rydzik.

You won’t miss this aptly-named Canadian Sporthorse mare, whose splashy piebald color is eye-catching to say the least. Fluorescent Adolescent comes to Bromont also as a 4*L debutant, having most recently finished in the top 25 at the Lexington 4*S in Kentucky. Jessie is riding for owner Makayla Rydzik, who campaigned this mare herself through the 3* level before handing over the reins. This is one who won’t necessarily be in contention for the top prize after the first phase, and it’s probably a safe bet to think Jessie will prioritize education and confidence over competitiveness this weekend — but this is Jessie Phoenix: Ironwoman™, we’re speaking of here so we know if there is time to be made up safely out there on Saturday, you can leave it to her to get it done.

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Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge (CAN)
Twelve-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Mylord Carthago – Lelia, by Clyde de la Combe). Owned by Patricia Pearce.

There’s a certain amount of confidence that comes from bringing a horse through the levels. Combine that experience with a facility who’s running seems to really suit your horse, and your weekend might just be ‘Dreamy’.

Lindsey got Dreamy as a four year old, and while he was originally bought as a project, the rest of the sale horses got sold off and the promising Selle Francais gelding stuck around. They return to Bromont after finishing reserve to Jennie Saville and Twighlightslastgleam here last year. Dreamy ran his first 4*-S here in 2021, and really seems to enjoy the low key atmosphere of the event.

They followed up their 2022 second place finish with another second place finish at the CCI3*S at River Glen last summer. They’ve started this spring with a handful of successful CCI4*S runs, including a respectable 17th place finish at the hotly contested CCI4*S at Land Rover Kentucky.

Show jumping has always been a bit tough for this gelding who is built to run and jump, but he’s maturing into a seasoned four star competitor. Lindsey will use their experience to keep the colored poles up and fight to best their result from last year.

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SWEDEN

Jennie Jarnstrom Dennis and Flower Girl. Photo by Al Green Photo.

Jennie Jarnstrom Dennis and Flower Girl (SWE)
Eleven-year-old American Hanoverian mare (Futurist – Lucy, by Romino). Owned by the rider.

Florida-based Swedish rider Jennie Jarnstrom-Dennis comes to Bromont with her own Flower Girl. In order to spend time producing a more competitive ride, Jennie decided to stick to CCI 4*-S competitions with the mare during the 2022 season, with three runs and one completion. They came back with a bang in 2023, finishing 14th in the 4*-S in Myakka City, Florida, where they added just 16 cross country time penalties to their dressage of 33.4. Three weeks later they took third in the 4*-S in Ocala, with a dressage of 33.9, just 4.4 penalties cross country and one pole in the show jumping. In their only 4*-L run since May 2021, at Tryon a couple of weeks ago, they were eliminated on the cross country.

Flower Girl is yet to go sub-30 in the first phase, but she’s been mighty close, posting a 30.1 in the 4*-S at Stable View in 2021. All in all, she’s generally a low to mid-30s kind of gal. With 13 completions from 17 FEI starts, she has cross country penalties on her record on just three occasions. We have to go back to 2019 and a 2*-L to find a double clear on cross country day, but having said that, the pair delivered the fastest round of the day in the inaugural 4*-S at The Event at TerraNova in 2021. They’ve jumped clear over the colored poles in six of their 15 attempts, but when they don’t, more often than not they keep it to just one pole down. There’s a smidge of a time penalty here and there in the show jumping too.

Jennie’ll be hoping to put their elimination at Tryon well behind them and focus on the great form they showed at Ocala as they take on Bromont.

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UNITED STATES

Arielle Aharoni and Dutch Times. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Arielle Aharoni and Dutch Times (USA)
Fifteen-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Goodtimes – Alino Queen, by Michellino). Owned by Christina Aharoni.

Arielle Aharoni and Dutch Times return to Bromont to contest the spring CCI4*-L for the second year in the row, having finished tenth in this division last year. Later in 2022 they returned to complete as individuals in the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Canada CCIO4*-S held that summer, where they also finished tenth.

Arielle and Dutch share a unique partnership, having known each other essentially for the gelding’s whole life – Arielle’s mother, Christina, purchased the horse before he was even foaled. While Arille learned to event through Training level on a pony, Dutch Times was ridden under the tutelage of Tik Maynard and campaigned through the CCI3*-S level. Arielle took over the ride aboard Dutch in 2016. The now 23-year-old rider and 15-year-old horse have since contested 19 4* events together, most recently completing the Lexington CCI4*-S this past April where they finished 16th overall after adding just cross country time penalties to their dressage score. And it may not be a 4*, but most most recently they clinched a podium finish and placed third at the $50,000 Devon Arena Eventing just the other week.

At this level this pair generally scores in the mid-to-high thirties or low forties in the dressage and has yet to make the time across country, but watch for them to make their mark on the final day with a clear show jumping round. Arielle and Dutch dabble in FEI show jumping alongside their upper-level eventing, as Arielle seeks to contest a Grand Prix someday.

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Phillip Dutton and Azure. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Phillip Dutton and Azure (USA)
Eleven-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (Omar – Cavalier Roselier, by Cavalier Royale). Owned by Anne, Caroline, and Michael Moran.

A relatively new addition to Phillip’s string, having made her first US start in January 2022, it may seem like this stunning gray mare appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Bred and produced by Irish rider Elizabeth Powell, Azure had already competed to the CCI4*-L level in Europe before making the trip across the pond to join Phillip’s string.

Under his experienced guidance the pair certainly hit the ground running, placing in the top five at the 2022 Red Hills CCI4*S and the 2022 Tryon CCI4*L. Their latest outing was in the CCI4*S this April at Kentucky, where they added just one rail and one time penalty to their dressage score to finish seventh.

While dressage is not Azure’s best phase, she is a cross country machine, and together with Phillip this duo has yet to log a single XC penalty. She might not love her time in the sandbox, but if you’re looking for a horse that has the potential to deliver a penalty-free cross country round, Azure has to be a top pick.

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Ariel Grald and Forrest Gump 124. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Ariel Grald and Forrest Gump 124 (USA)

Twelve-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Fuerst Nymphenburg – Amaterasu, by Amerigo Vespucci xx). Owned by Annie Eldridge. 

If I had to pick a favorite Ariel Grald horse at the moment, my nod would go to Forrest Gump 124 (and yes, I know there are plenty to challenge this title!). This quirky guy owned by Annie Eldridge is one Ariel will tell you has taken some time to get to know, and for good reason: historically, Ariel will take a horse in its younger years and place her own stamp on the training process. Forrest Gump came to Ariel already an established international eventer with experience through the 3* level with Great Britain’s Tom Jackson.

Because of this amount of experience, Ariel describes her partnership with the 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding as a veritable work in progress, learning his quirks and ways of going as she spends more and more time with him. Of course, they’ve still earned their share of competitive results thus far — they’ve finished in the top 5 in eight of their FEI competitions together, and though they had an unfortunate parting of ways at Tryon last month, this could be a weekend where all of those moving parts gel together. This horse has competed here before and could go even better with a solid showing — he was fifth in the 4*L — his debut at the level — here at Bromont in 2022.

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Ariel Grald and Diara. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Ariel Grald and Diara (USA)
Nine-year-old Hanoverian mare (Diacontinus – Lady Revens, by Colon xx). Owned by Anne Eldridge.

If you’re a fan of gorgeous grays with big floppy ears, look no farther – “Dani” is your girl. This lovely mare by the popular stallion Diacontinus (by Diarado) is also just as sweet and friendly as she is talented, making her a barn favorite.

Produced up the levels by Ariel, Dani has a very good cross country record and has logged plenty of dressage scores in the 20’s. While show jumping seems to be her least consistent phase, she’s still pulled off some excellent results, including two wins at the CCI3* level in 2021. Their most recent international start was at the Tryon CCI4*S in May where they added a handful of XC time and one rail to their dressage score to finish 5th.

While Dani is still young for the level, she’s got a fantastic pilot in Ariel and has been brought along carefully – we would expect to see a strong educational finish for these two here at Bromont.

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Lillian Heard Wood and Chilly. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Lillian Heard Wood and Chilly (USA)
Eleven-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Zanjero xx – Tax Rob xx, by Artax xx). Owned by Steve Berkowitz.

Though not the youngest of Lillian’s horse that will contest this division, 11-year-old Chilly will be making his debut at the CCI4*-L level this weekend. Just last month the gelding completed his first CCI4*-S at Tryon where he finished 16th overall after adding cross country time faults and two rails to his low-thirties dressage score.

Chilly, an Oklahoma-bred off-the-track Thoroughbred, came to Lillian’s barn as a five-year-old after she first met him at a clinic she was teaching. Prior to starting his eventing career, Chilly made 29 starts under his Jockey Club name, Landron, clinching three wins and earning just under $40,000 on the track. Chilly was initially a prospect for his owner, equine veterinarian Steve Berkowitz, but turned out to be a little too hot for the adult re-rider. Steve happily turned the reins over to Lillian, maintains full ownership of the horse, and enjoys staying involved in upper-level eventing.

Back in 2020 Chilly experienced a mysterious and life-threatening illness which caused him to spike severe bouts of fever for weeks on end. His veterinarian owner couldn’t figure out the cause, nor could an entire team of veterinarians from the University of Pennsylvannia’s New Bolton Center, and his case remains a mystery to this day. Chilly went through copious amounts of banamine to treat his symptoms before suddenly and miraculously recovering; simply put, the fever broke one day and never returned. Chilly was turned out on pasture at his owner’s farm to recover and regain some weight before Lillian legged him back up and resumed competing him at Training level.

While Lillian will most likely not be looking to make a super competitive push aboard Chilly this weekend, she’ll be looking to give the gelding a great first run at this level. Their triumph will be a positive and educational round, especially considering that just a few years ago it didn’t look like Chilly might be here at all.

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Lillian Heard Wood and Dassett Olympus. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Lillian Heard Wood and Dassett Olympus (USA)
Ten-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Lancelot – Cushlamochree, by Cruising). Owned by the rider and Debby Greenspan.

For a 10-year-old, the gorgeous gray Dassett Olympus is already quite a seasoned competitor. Initially backed by Great Britain’s Kate Rocher-Smith of Dassett Eventing, Lillian sourced the gelding through Cooley Farm 2018. She stepped the gelding up to the four-star level in late 2021 and already have 11 completions under their belt at the level as a pair including three CCI4*-Ls, each of which they finished in the top 10.

This will be gelding’s third trip across the border to Bromont. They contested this division last year as well, ultimately finishing in 6th place adding just time to their dressage score. Later that summer Lillian and “Troy” were one of four combinations named to the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Canada CCIO4*-S here that August. Team USA took home the gold medal, with Lillian and Troy contributing a fourth place individual finish.

This pair has steadily been chipping away their dressage score, dipping sub-30 for the first time in the CCI4*-S at Stable View this April. Watch for them to put their best feet forward in the sandbox and likely rack up a few time penalties cross country. Neither a rail nor a couple time penalties in the show jumping are out of the question either, but another long-format top ten finish is certainly within reach for this pair.

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Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M (USA)
Sixteen-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Con Air – O-Heraldika, by Heraldik xx). Owned by Christa B. Schmidt.

Hannah Sue comes to Bromont with “Cheeto”, best friend and field buddy of Hannah’s longtime partner Harbour Pilot, Hannah Sue’s individual silver and team gold 2011 Pan American Games ride.

Cheeto has relatively low mileage for his age, having only begun his international career in 2019, stepping up to 4* in 2021 and 5* a year later. Don’t let that fool you into thinking he’s not experienced though – he’s finished in the top ten in all but one of his seven 4* starts. The odd one out came in the 4*-S at Kentucky this spring where he was 11th.

We probably shouldn’t expect them to be at the business end of things after the first phase – they’re typically low to mid-30s at the level, although they have posted a couple of scores in the mid-20s at 3*. In their two 4*-S runs this year, they’ve had a 30.8 and a 34.1 (at Kentucky and Myakka City, Florida). According to form though, they should be looking at jumping clear across the country – in their 21 FEI starts, they’ve only incurred jumping penalties on four occasions. They generally add a handful of time penalties at the level, but they have jumped double clear at the level below.

The show jumping ring is where Cheeto really comes into his own, although he has had a spate of uncharacteristic faults in his most recent runs. After seven consecutive clear rounds between the fall of 2020 and the spring of 2022, he dropped two poles in the 3*-S at The Plains, and then three in the 3*-L in Maryland. In his two runs so far this season, he’s had a pole at each. Will he be back on his clear round form for Bromont? We’ll have to wait and see.

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Sara Kozumplik and Rock Phantom. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Sara Kozumplik and Rock Phantom (USA)

Twelve-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Spirit Horse – Ballycroy Rose, by Clonakilty Hero). Owned by Edy Rameika. 

Rock Phantom joined Sara Kozumplik’s string ahead of the 2022 season after previously campaigning under Brazilian rider Nilson Moriera da Silva, with whom he reached the Advanced and 4* level. Sara’s first FEI event with “Rocky” was actually here at Bromont in the 3*L in 2022, where the newly-formed pair finished inside the top 15. A consummate horsewoman who can always be relied upon to produce her horses with tact and dignity, Sara has ticked away with this Irish gelding sensibly and may be ready to really ask for the competitive finish here this weekend. Time on cross country would be the biggest challenge for this pair, though some of that could be intentional as Sara checks her rideability and stamina. If this pair can put the pedal down on Saturday, their low-30s or high-20s dressage mark will put them into a strong position to make a challenge for the top prize.

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Shannon Lilley and Ideal HX. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Shannon Lilley and Ideal HX (USA)
Ten-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Vittorio – Elocia, by Ustinov). Owned by Alex and Shannon Lilley.

Originally from Portola Valley, California, Shannon Lilley has moved her way east to now operate out of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Ideal HX was bred by Stal Hendrix and originally sourced by Caroline Martin. Shannon picked up the ride on the chestnut gelding during the height of the COVID pandemic in September of 2020. This will be Shannon’s first time competing outside of the United States since the Pan-American Games in 2011, as well as the first stamp on Ideal HX’s passport.

Shannon and Ideal HX have had a bit of a touch and go season so far. When they’re on their game, the pair has been coming in in the top ten, but on the other hand, they’ve also withdrawn from two out of three events at the FEI level. Their best event so far has been the Grand Prix Eventing Festival at Bruce’s Field, where they came in with a point total of 37.1 and wound up in eleventh place, just outside of the top ten in the Advanced division.

Like so many other event horses, dressage is clearly not Ideal HX’s favorite phase. The chestnut gelding’s dressage scores typically range in the mid to high 30s, although the pair did get a sub-30 score at the Rocking Horse Spring Horse Trials in early April. Unfortunately, a run out or refusal on the cross country course added 20 points to that wonderful dressage score and dropped them from first place to eighth place. Show jumping is where the pair really shines. It’s rare for Ideal HX to get a time penalty in the show jumping ring, with only one measly penalty of 1.6 seconds so far in 2023. He has taken down a grand total of only three rails throughout the entire spring season. Only time will tell if he’ll continue to shine in the show jumping phase at Bromont.

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CCI4*-S

CANADA

Melissa Boutin and Obeah Dancer GS. Photo by Joan Davis / Flatlandsfoto.

Melissa Boutin and Obeah Dancer GS (CAN)
Eleven-year-old Trakehner mare (Humble GS – Claudia Cardinale, by Buddenbrock). Owned by the rider.

Melissa Boutin is no stranger to Bromont. She hails from Ascort Corner, Quebec, which is just an hour’s drive away, and she and her equine partner Obeah Dancer GS have worked their way up through the levels at this venue. In 2021 they swept the CCI2*-S, winning the division at both the June and August events. Then in 2022, though they didn’t attend the spring event, they returned to the contest the CCI3*-S in August and earned a very respectable fourth place.

Obeah Dancer, known as “Colleen” around the barn, bears the familiar “GS” suffix for Schickedanz Galten Farms of Newmarket, Ontario and is a half sister to all three of her coach, Jessica Phoenix’s, mounts in the CCI4*-L this weekend. Their sire, Humble GS, who competed through the CCI4*-S level with Jessica is arguably Galten Farm’s most prolific stallion.

This will be Melissa and Colleen’s second CCI4*-S start. They notched a sixth place finish in their debut at the level earlier this spring at the Ocala International Festival of Eventing. This pair can easily earn a low-thirties dressage score and has a relatively clean jumping record, so keep your eye on them this weekend!

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Colleen Loach and Vermont. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Colleen Loach and Vermont (CAN)
Eleven-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Van Helsing – Hollywood, by Heraldik xx). Owned by Peter Barry.

Colleen and “Monty” are one of the more experienced pairs here in this year’s CCI4*S division, having logged eleven starts together at the CCI4* level.

A big chestnut with a penchant for excellent dressage marks, Monty has been part of Colleen’s string since he was a young horse. Last year he found himself on a bit of a hot streak, finishing second at the Tryon CCI4*L and then second again at the CCI4*S here at Bromont. He was also on the Canadian team for the FEI Nations Cup leg of last year’s Bromont, helping his team earn a silver medal finish in preparation for the FEI World Championships. Unfortunately he also sprained a fetlock in that outing, which ultimately prevented Colleen and Monty from making the trip to Pratoni.

After a bit of rest their 2023 season started off strong with a 4th place finish at the CCI4*S at TerraNova, but an unfortunate 20 penalties and withdrawal at the second horse inspection derailed their 4-star attempt at Kentucky.

There’s no doubt that Colleen will be looking to get things back on track here with Monty, and given their history at Bromont, this could very well be just the ticket. They have every chance to find themselves well-placed at the end of the weekend.

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UNITED STATES

Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Phillip Dutton and Z (USA)
Fifteen-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Asca Z – Bella Bouche B, by Babouche van het Gehucht Z). Owned by Z Partnership: Evie Dutton, Ann Jones, Suzanne Lacy, Caroline Moran, Thomas Tierney, David Vos, and Patricia Vos.

Phillip Dutton brings forward his Olympic partner and 2019 USEA Horse of the Year, Z. Originally produced to CCI1* in Portugal by Francisco Seabra and then Duarte Seabra, Phillip took on the ride in 2015. Born in Australia, Phillip made the trip to the States in 1991, changing nationality to ride for the US in 2006.

Phillip is a seven-time Olympian, winning team gold for Australia in Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in 2000, and individual bronze with Mighty Nice (Ard Ohio – Sarazen) for the USA in Rio in 2016. Z was his Tokyo 2020 ride where he finished sixth with the US team. He’s also a multiple-time World Championship rider, and Z is no stranger to championship events either – together they finished 13th at Tryon in 2018, the highest placed of the Americans. On the lead-up to the Championships, he won the test event, finishing on 28 after adding just 0.4 cross country time to his first phase score.

Z has finished in the top ten in three of his four CCI5* starts, and top five in two of them. At the 4* level, he’s been top five in half of his 14 starts – winning two and placing 2nd in four others. His latest outing at the Kentucky 5* saw him adding just 0.4 cross country time to a dressage of 31.9 to finish 5th. His other run this season was in the 4*-S at Stable View in Aiken, where he finished 12th after posting a 26.5 in the dressage to which he added 16.4 cross country time penalties and a pole in the show jumping. His only trip to Bromont, until now, came in 2018 when he was 6th in the 3*-S. That day he added just 7.2 cross country time to his dressage of 27.1 to finish on 34.3.

At the 4* level, we’re generally looking at a score in the mid to high-20s in the first phase. Follow that up with the fact that Z has jumped clear cross country in his last 13 runs – in his 38 FEI completions he has just one jumping penalty (a 15 in the 4*-L at Maryland in the fall of 2019) on his entire record – and we just know that Z will be looking for the flags the whole way round the course, and is sure to be climbing the leaderboard come cross country day. They sometimes add a breath of time, but not always. Naturally a bit of a perfectionist, he’s a careful show jumper on the whole, with more clears on his score sheet than penalties. All in all, based on his form, experience and recent excellent performance at Kentucky (not to mention having Phillip in the saddle), Z may well be one to watch at Bromont.

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Alexandra MacLeod and Newmarket Jack. Photo by Abby Powell.

Alex MacLeod and Newmarket Jack (USA)
Fourteen-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Newmarket Jewel – Newmarket Chantepie, by Newmarket Venture) owned by Alex and Carla MacLeod.

Alex and “Jack” come forward to contest the 4*-L this spring after a big 5* debut at Kentucky in 2022. A full time veterinarian, Alex is constantly juggling work and upper level competition. Now based in Massachusetts, Alex previously spend some time in southern California where she and “Jack” top results including a win in the Galway Downs CCI4*-L back in 2021.

Alex found Jack in Ireland as a 5-year-old, where she and her mother, Carla, bought him and brought him stateside. She was a working student for Phillip Dutton at the time while in school, where the youngster was so “feral” that Phillip wouldn’t let Jack jump until the flatwork improved. Which it did the following year, and Alex has brought her partner along ever since.

We’ll likely see this pair in the upper 30s after the first phase, but it’s well within their wheelhouse to finish on that score, which could be a very competitive advantage on their first trek to Bromont.

Boyd Martin and On Cue. Photo by Abby Powell.

Boyd Martin and On Cue (USA)

Seventeen-year-old Anglo-European mare (Cabri d’Elle – On High, by Primitive Rising). Owned by Rider and Christine, Thomas, and Tommie Turner.

The inaugural Maryland 5 Star winner is officially back in action this season after some time off to rehab an injury. On Cue handily won the 2021 Maryland 5 Star, giving Boyd his first 5* win in the process, and this year has come out strong with some light prep runs to get her back up and running at the top levels. She’s coming off a top-15 finish in the 4*-S at Tryon last month, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Boyd start to ramp up the pressure here for a competitive run. “Cue” is one to bet on to lay down a top score in the first phase, and should she do so this weekend she’ll be well placed to make a run for it across these lovely Bromont hills. She has competed here before, finishing third in her first 4*L in 2019.

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Booli Selmayr and Millfield Lancando. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Booli Selmayr and Millfield Lancando (USA)
Sixteen-year-old Anglo European Sporthorse gelding (Lancer II – Fancy II, by Langata Express xx). Bred by Millfield Stud. Owned by Booli Selmayr, Kelly Morgan, and Jacqueline Thorne.

Bromont will be something of a rerouting for this Westchester, NY, native and her five-star partner “Lance.” Their second crack at the Kentucky 5* a few weeks ago ended prematurely when Booli came off at the first water complex.

Booli bought Lance from upper level eventer and veterinarian Kevin Keane when he was going Preliminary, and at the time she couldn’t quite put her finger on what his “it” factor was, but she’s now glad she pulled the trigger and decided to build a partnership with the Irish-bred gelding.

Lance is capable of a mid-30s, but we’ll likely see him stick slightly above that. Their strongest phase is cross country where they’ve only had three faults in their entire International career together.

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All Clear for CCI4*-L at MARS Bromont CCI First Horse Inspection

By on Jun 7, 2023 6:00 pm -

Kendal Lehari and Audacious (4*L). Photo by Sally Spickard.

We are ready to move on to dressage following the First Horse Inspection at the MARS Bromont CCI, which will begin in earnest Thursday with dressage competition for the CCI2* through CCI4* divisions. The jog was predominantly drama-free, though there were a few moments to keep the onlookers entertained.

In the end, all 19 4*-L pairs were accepted, and we saw two holds in total across divisions: in the U25 CCI2*-L, Kelly Belanger withdrew Murphy’s Got Charm from the hold box, and in the CCI3*-L, Jenny Roberts’ Sommersby was held but accepted upon re-presentation. There was also one brief stoppage while Colleen Loach’s FE Golden Eye spooked off down the remainder of the jog strip — he was quickly caught and crisis was averted, but RIP to poor Colleen’s hat!

Looking to the competition schedule, we’ll see dressage for the all divisions except for the 4*-S Thursday, with overflow and the 4*-S riding their tests on Friday. Cross country for all divisions will run Saturday, followed by show jumping Sunday afternoon.

There is sadly no live stream of the action this week, but you can follow along on both @bromontcci and @goeventing on Instagram to see much more from on the ground!

MARS Bromont CCI (Lac Brome, Quebec, Canada) [Website] [Schedule] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Live Scoring] [EN’s Coverage]

Thursday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: An Inner Look at the RDA

By on Jun 7, 2023 5:52 pm -

While top-level eventing is the lifeblood of what we do, it’s far from the only — or most important — thing a horse can do. Just as (if not more!) noble are the denizens of equine-assisted therapy programmes, who can be found changing lives in some seriously brilliant yards around the world.

Calvert Stables, based in England’s scenic Peak District, is one such place: as a Riding for the Disabled stables, it provides subsidised riding and carriage driving experiences to people with a wide range of differing abilities, allowing them to experience the joys of horses and the great outdoors regardless of any limitations they may face. Their hard work is aided by the sterling performances of the ponies in their care, such as sweet Mischief, diminutive Blu Boi, and fluffy forelocked Haggis – all of whom are available to be sponsored, if you’d like to contribute to Calvert’s mission.

Go Calvert, go RDA, and Go Riding.

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Check out this KPP article: Vitamin E and the Performance Horse – A Winning Combination.

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Four Held But All Accepted in Bramham’s First Horse Inspection

By on Jun 7, 2023 3:33 pm -

Bramham’s spectacular forecourt plays host to the first horse inspection. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The 2023 Bramham International Horse Trials got off to an auspicious start with a rather eventful first horse inspection, held in front of the palatial seventeenth-century home at the heart of one of North Yorkshire’s busiest estates. Though none were ultimately eliminated or withdrawn, four horses presented for the feature CCI4*-L class were sent to the holding box or asked to re-present: Angus Smales’s ESI Phoenix, Lauren Lillywhite’s Hacien, both competing for Great Britain, James Avery’s MBF Connection, representing New Zealand, and Grace Taylor’s Game Changer, the lone US combination in the field.

James Avery and MBF Connection. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Both the senior CCI4*-L and the under-25 CCI4*-L, which are undertaken as totally separate sections, are presided over the same ground jury: Great Britain’s Sue Baxter, who will be President of the ground jury this week, assisted by Sweden’s Christina Klingspor and the USA’s Robert Stevenson.

Though we never see entry lists here to rival the likes of, say, Blenheim with its much more straightforward terrain and rather more introductory course, Bramham’s long-format line-ups have been further reduced this year by tougher qualification requirements brought in for the 2023 season by the FEI. That means that even without any eliminations today, we go into the competition proper with just 46 combinations in the feature CCI4*-L and a scant — though arguably very experienced — eleven competitors in the CCI4*-L for under-25s. This class, which decides the under-25 national title, tends towards a high rate of attrition, often because relatively unseasoned younger riders make it a goal event early on in their four-star careers; this year, though, several of the under-25s come in with five-star experience under their belts already, and several, including France’s Morgane Euriat, who finished sixth here last year with Baccarat d’Argonne, have mileage over this course, too.

Ros Canter and Izilot DHI. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The senior CCI4*-L is peppered with exciting horses and riders, arguably helmed by the on-form Ros Canter and ten-year-old Izilot DHI, with whom the Badminton champion picked up two CCI4*-S wins last season — including one at Bramham — and then finished sixth in ‘Isaac’s’ CCI4*-L debut at Boekelo. He’s previously been a winner at CCI2*-L (Burnham, 2020) and twice at CCI3*-L (Houghton and Blair in 2021), and will be well on track to add another victory to his collection.

Astier Nicolas and Diese Cot Chat. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

They’ll have strong competition on their heels, though, from exciting entrants including Ireland’s Susie Berry, who reroutes from Badminton with Ringwood LB, Astier Nicolas and the CCI4*-L debutant Diese Cot Chat, who has historically been very swift across the country, and Piggy March and her own debutant Brookfield Cavalier Cruise, who was a winner in the CCI4*-S at Thoresby at the start of the season.

Pippa Funnell and MCS Maverick. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The CCI4*-S boasts a comparatively large field, with 77 combinations entered. Tomorrow sees the dressage commence from 9.30 a.m., while the CCI4*-L will kick off from 10.30 a.m. with Aaron Millar and KEC Deakon. That’ll continue on until roughly 3.03 p.m., and will be followed by the first half of the under-25 class from 4.00 p.m. until approximately 4.38 p.m. Though there isn’t any live streaming available for the first and final phases, all of Saturday’s cross-country across all three classes will be viewable via Horse&Country TV — and we’ll be bringing you full reports every day right here on EN, too, so stay tuned for all the news and stories you need from this showpiece British competition.

Until then: Go Eventing!

Bramham International Horse Trials: [Website] [Schedule][Volunteer] [Ride Times/Live Scoring] [EN’s Coverage] [Live Stream]