Classic Eventing Nation

Sport Horse Nation Spotlight: New Year, New Ride!

By on Jan 7, 2025 1:56 pm -

Have you checked out the new-and-improved Sport Horse Nation lately? EN’s longtime classifieds sister site recently received a big makeover to help make it the best eventers-only matchmaking service in the land. 270 listings are now live … check it out today.

Eat healthier, exercise, wake up earlier, be more organized, stop procrastinating … on buying that brand new event horse you’ve been wanting, that is!

Here are 10 new listings that have rolled into Sport Horse Nation so far in the new year 2025. Could one of them be YOUR New Year’s resolution?

HSH Bali

  • Year Born: 2020
  • Height: 16.2
  • Breed: Irish Sport Horse
  • Gender: Gelding
  • Eventing Competition Level: Novice (US)
  • Location: Riegelsville, PA, USA
  • “With blood, movement, and scope to spare, “Bali” is everything you want in a modern event horse. He has had a light but very educational start to his career, including already winning on his debut horse trials in the US. We feel that Bali is what every professional would love to have in their string or equally kind and good willing enough for a competitive Amateur/Young Rider.” Learn more …

Absolutely gorgeous TB!

  • Year Born: 2017
  • Height: 16.2
  • Breed: Thoroughbred
  • Gender: Gelding
  • Eventing Competition Level: Novice (US)
  • Location: Cochranville, PA, USA
  • Price ($USD): $18,000
  • “Checkout this gorgeous guy! Romeo is a smart jumper with lovely movements that would suit just about anyone. His balanced canter and auto changes make him a super horse to jump around any discipline. He has competed at schooling shows up to the Novice level.” Learn more … 

Redfield Osellie JDV

  • Year Born: 2019
  • Height: 16.2
  • Breed: KWPN
  • Gender: Gelding
  • Eventing Competition Level: Novice (US)
  • Location: Riegelsville, PA, USA
  • “Cape Coral RBF Z x V. Sellie 1 Z. ‘Osellie’ has just arrived, and we are very excited about this prospect. A few fast facts > He competed in 1.0m jumper classes in the Netherlands prior to being imported, goes in a snaffle mouth and would be a dream horse for a competitive amateur or young rider and would equally be a great addition to a professional’s string.” Learn more …

Competitive and quality

  • Year Born: 2016
  • Height: 16.1
  • Breed: Thoroughbred
  • Gender: Gelding
  • Eventing Competition Level: Novice (US)
  • Location: Aiken, SC, USA
  • Price ($USD): $25,000
  • “HH Junebug has a terrific record and has been well travelled and exposed to plenty of recognized and unrecognized competitions. Her jump is athletic and honest. On the flat she scores well and is very very easy on the eye. She finds XC a blast and hasn’t met a jump she doesn’t like! A very sound mare, PPE welcome. Current owner has owned and trained her for the past 2 and a half years. I think very highly of this mare!” Learn more … 

Noble

  • Year Born: 2016
  • Height: 17.1
  • Breed: Thoroughbred
  • Gender: Gelding
  • Eventing Competition Level: Novice (US)
  • Location: Sierra Vista, AZ, USA
  • Price ($USD): $30,000
  • “Noble is compact and very sporty with three beautiful gates. He has competed Beginner Novice in recognized USEA horse trails all over the United States, dressage shows, and hunter jumper shows, fox hunted, and done many pair paces. Has competed in the .85 and .90 jumpers. He has been schooled up to training level and has the athleticism and talent to take his rider to the top levels. he is ready for his step up to Novice. Has a wonderful jump that feel effortless. Has Prelim and above potential.” Learn more … 

SUPER Athletic Coming 5 y/o TBM with THE BEST Brain

  • Year Born: 2020
  • Height: 16.2
  • Breed: TB
  • Gender: Mare
  • Location: Bluemont, VA, USA
  • Price ($USD): $15,000
  • “Love The Hustle, aka Chessie is a 4/3/20 16.2 hh TBM who only raced twice, but is impeccably bred to be a major athlete. One Grand Sire is Curlin, one of the winningest race horses of all time, who won the World Cup in Dubai. The other Grand Sire is Kitten’s Joy, arguably one of the best turf horses of all time. This one was supposed to be my upper level eventer some day, and it is killing me to put her up for S, but sometimes divorce runs your life.” Learn more … 

Novice Eventer

    • Year Born: 2017
    • Height: 16.1
    • Breed: Thoroughbred
    • Gender: Gelding
    • Eventing Competition Level: Novice (US)
    • Location: Charlotte, NC, USA
    • Price ($USD): $15,000
    • “Fresh off a 5th place finish in his debut at Novice at Stableview in December! Very in your pocket personality, the class clown, and first one up to you in the field. Can be a little pushy and mouthy but not a mean bone in his body.” Learn more … 

Alexis Jo 10 yr old OTTB Mare

  • Year Born: 2014
  • Height: 16
  • Breed: Thoroughbred
  • Gender: Mare
  • Eventing Competition Level: Prospect
  • Location: Orange City, IA, USA
  • Price ($USD): $6,000
  • “Lexi has schooled full beginner novice courses in the past, jumped over 3′ with room to spare, has attended schooling shows in both dressage and combined training, and has even competed in competitive trail. I have focused on dressage with Lexi the last few years and she could easily be an FEI dressage horse, but she could easily pick up eventing and jumpers too. She was the bravest cross country horse I had ridden. If I pointed her at a jump she was going.” Learn more … 

Chip Chop – Cute Novice Eventer Ready for more

  • Year Born: 2017
  • Height: 16.1
  • Breed: Thoroughbred
  • Gender: Gelding
  • Eventing Competition Level: Novice (US)
  • Location: Aiken, SC, USA
  • Price ($USD): $20,000
  • “Eventing miles through novice with an amateur. Sound & sturdy, above average mover. No maintenance, front shoes only. Easy to put together on the flat, very rateable & adjustable over fences! Chip is nicely forward without pulling or getting fast/frantic. He’s well schooled on the flat and has easy lateral work, does shoulder/haunches in, and naturally wants to work over his back. He’s very brave over fences with no XC stops on his record, happy to take any distance, doesn’t hold a grudge.” Learn more … 

Cute and Docile Event Prospect Available

  • Year Born: 2019
  • Height: 14.3
  • Breed: American Warmblood
  • Gender: Mare
  • Eventing Competition Level: Prospect
  • Location: Burlington, NC, USA
  • Price ($USD): $18,000
  • “She has been slowly started and ponied extensively through the Moss Foundation. Whether you ride her regularly or once a week, she will be the same horse. She is such a blast to ride and will make a super nice mount for an ambitious jr/yr or smaller adult amateur. She will best be suited for a rider that is in a regular program if you want her to go up the levels.” Learn more … 

Poggio Horsemanship Fund Sponsors IGNITE’s Sport Science Seminar

By on Jan 7, 2025 9:00 am -

IGNITE for Equine Athletes welcomes the USEA Foundation’s Poggio Horsemanship Fund as the newest sponsor of the 2nd Annual Sport Science for the Olympic Disciplines Seminar in Ocala, Jan. 12-13, 2025.

Established in 2020, the Poggio Horsemanship Fund helps the Foundation educate riders, owners, grooms and eventing enthusiasts to give their horses every benefit when it comes to improving their lives.

The Poggio Fund’s mission aligns perfectly with IGNITE’s. The Fund was established in honor of a horse whose 10 years of Advanced level eventing success manifest the competitive and welfare outcomes IGNITE targets for all equine athletes.

“You don’t have long term success with short term vision,” notes IGNITE president Mark Revenaugh, DVM, a core member of Poggio’s care team during the horse’s many Team USA contributions. Owned by Dr. Mark Hart and ridden by Amy Tryon, Poggio competed in two Olympics and two World Equestrian Games, earning two team medals and one individual medal.

Poggio’s rider, the late Amy Tryon, “had an amazing vision of what it was to look after the horses,” explains Max Corcoran, international groom and president of the US Eventing Association when the Poggio Horsemanship Fund was established. “Poggio was a team horse from 1998 to 2009. To keep any horse going at Advanced for 10 years is just amazing.”

Dr. Revenaugh sees absolute alignment between the Poggio Fund and IGNITE’s mission, as well as the story of Poggio’s success and longevity. “IGNITE is about trying to get better outcomes with longevity as a priority, while also looking out for the welfare of our horses.”

Sport Science Seminar Agenda

IGNITE’s Sport Science Seminar for the Olympic Disciplines gathers experts from the human and equine high-performance worlds. They will present and share research, training and conditioning approaches and actionable preparation and performance metrics.

The seminar takes place Jan.12-13, 2025 at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala and includes interactive workshops at the University of Florida WEC Equine Clinic.

“This event is the only seminar in North America focused on providing riders, trainers, veterinarians, farriers, therapists, grooms, owners and their supporting teams with the knowledge and tools needed to enhance their own horse management practices,” said Joop Loomans, DVM, PhD, MBA, IGNITE’s executive director. The gathering is part of IGNITE’s mission to advance high-performance horse health, longevity and performance.

Sign Up & Other Info

  • Registration for two days is $175; and $95 for one day.
  • IGNITE ELITE Members register for free. (Registration still required)
  • IGNITE Pro Members receive a 25% registration discount.
  • Register for the Sports Science Seminar here.
  • Members of the media can inquire about complimentary registration here.
  • Sponsor inquiries here.

Join IGNITE here.

About IGNITE

IGNITE is a platform for advancing leading-edge knowledge, evidence-based approaches and collaborative, proactive practices focused on injury prevention, peak performance and longevity for equine athletes. Five levels of membership provide access to in-person events and an extensive, constantly updated library of live and on-demand content.

For more information, visit www.igniteforequineathletes.com.

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

By on Jan 7, 2025 12:01 am -

Did you miss CrossCountryApp’s round-up of the most inventive jumps found on courses around the world in 2024? It’s well worth a glance through! From the famous Stag jump in Paris, to a Taylor Swift theme, to colorful aboriginal art, and beyond, you won’t want to miss the full round-up here.

Events Opening This Week

Full Gallop Farm Mid-February H.T. (SC); Pine Top Advanced (GA); Three Lakes Winter II at Caudle Ranch (FL)

Events Closing Today

Rocking Horse Winter I (FL); Full Gallop Farm January H.T. (SC); Galway Downs Annual Fundraiser Clinic (CA)

News & Reading

US Equestrian wants to learn more about your body protector and air vest usage and preferences. Click here to take the survey if you are over 18.

Our partner, SmartPak, believes in creating a lasting impact across equine communities. That’s why they make a concerted effort each year to donate to organizations in need. Read their 2024 Give Back recap here.

We aren’t done recapping 2024 yet! If you’re a bookworm, this top list of horse-oriented books will fill up your shopping cart quickly!

Planning to attend the upcoming USEA Eventing Coaches Program workshop at Galway Downs in California next week? Meet the faculty you’ll be learning from here.

Capt. Mark Phillips hasn’t quite called time on his designing career yet, stepping in to design this year’s Agria Blenheim Palace International and the FEI Eventing European Championships in September. Read more on his reaction to the new posting here.

Sponsor Corner: Kentucky Performance Products

Did you know? Supplementation with vitamin E is most crucial during the winter when horses are fed diets almost exclusively composed of preserved forages.

Lack of vitamin E can result in:
– Sore, stiff muscles
– Poor immune system
– Neurological disorders

Elevate Maintenance Powder can be used to maintain adequate blood levels and is economical for long-term use.

Learn more at KPPusa.com.

Video Break

We can’t wait to see what’s on tap for this year’s cross country course at Defender Kentucky! Do you have your tickets yet?

Tickets On Sale + Capt. Mark Phillips Unveiled as Course Designer for Agria Blenheim Palace International and FEI European Championships

By on Jan 6, 2025 11:02 am -

m McEwen (GBR) at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials 2024. (c) Libby Law

The Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials box office is now officially open for ticket sales! This much-loved event will host the esteemed Agria FEI Eventing European Championship from September 18-21, 2025. Competitors from all over Europe will step out onto the iconic turf in front of the South Lawn in the Autumn, with the wonderful UNESCO World Heritage site, Blenheim Palace as an unforgettable backdrop.

2025 marks the third year that Stable Events has organised the horse trials and Event Director Katrina Midgley considers hosting the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship ‘the cherry on top’ of this milestone year. “We’ve been dedicated to reviving this incredible event and 2025 is going to be a landmark year! It’s the 20th anniversary of Blenheim’s last hosting of the FEI Eventing European Championship – so many have told me they were there in 2005. We’re going to make sure 2025 is an experience they’ll never forget either!” said Katrina.

To add to the excitement, the horse trials have appointed Captain Mark Phillips as Course Designer for the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship with Blenheim stalwart David Evans as one of the Assistant Course Designers. A hugely successful event rider himself, Captain Mark was part of the British three-day event teams that won a world title in 1970, a European title in 1971, Olympic gold medals in 1972 and a team Silver at the 1988 Olympics. In addition, he was a four-time champion at Badminton Horse Trials, in 1971, 1972, 1974 and 1981. Captain Mark has been designing cross country courses all over the world for several decades and is known for his creativity, whilst keeping horse and rider safety as top priority. When last at Blenheim Palace, the FEI Eventing European Championship was won by Captain Mark’s daughter, Zara Tindall née Phillips, riding Toytown on her senior team debut in 2005.

“In recent times I’ve been cutting down on my Course Design duties and have concentrated more on a Course Adviser role at many of the major events both in this country and the US to help with the development of the next generation of Designers,” said Captain Mark Phillips.

“I was honoured to be asked and am looking forward to designing this year’s Agria FEI Eventing European Championship cross country course at Blenheim. I’m also very happy to continue my Adviser role and help the FEI with their specific request to help younger designers. As such they are flying Jay Hambly over from America and I’ve already had help from David Evans and Helen West with the initial plans.”

Don’t miss out on the equestrian event of the year! The Box Office is now open so visit www.bpiht.co.uk to take advantage of the advanced ticket special offers. Standard parking remains free of charge, entry for those aged 12 and under is free, plus there are options to add on your grandstand and members tickets. Camping and glamping tickets will be available soon so that you can be amongst the action at the venue for the whole duration.

Weekend Winners: Sporting Days Farm

By on Jan 6, 2025 9:00 am -

We’re backkkkkk!!! And so excited to be kicking off the 2025 season with Sporting Days Farm. It’s the moment we’ve been waiting for: Our first 2025 Weekend Winners addition to celebrate all of the success from this past weekend!

Congrats to all on a successful outing, with a special shout out to the winner of our Unofficial Low Score Award: Ivie Cullen-Dean and Fernhill Cardevega who won the Preliminary/Training on a 27.1!

Sporting Days Farm January H.T. (SC): [Website][Scoring]

Open Preliminary: Claire Robinson and Fernhill Swatch Out (34.4)
Preliminary Rider: Heidi Jones and You’re Electric (48.5)
Open Training: Ryan Wood and Fernhill Hotshot (29.4)
Preliminary/Training: Ivie Cullen-Dean and Fernhill Cardevega (27.1)
Training Horse: Ryan Wood and Cooley LA (31.7)
Training Rider: Jaclyn McElhaney and Strongest (36.9)
Novice Rider: Madeline DiNicola and Willbrook Brown Yeats (31.7)
Open Novice: Margaret Ragan and Carlingford Wells (28.9)
Beginner Novice Rider: Elizabeth Enloe and Ardeo Dream (35.0)
Open Beginner Novice: Sallie Johnson and Fernhill Money Talks (31.5)
Starter: Sallie Johnson and Fernhill Capital-K Z (34.0)

Monday News & Notes from Futuretrack

By on Jan 6, 2025 12:01 am -

Exciting news to help you make your travel plans for the new year: the MARS Badminton ticket office is officially open for this year’s event (May 7-11)! Priority ticket booking begins today, dedicated for anyone who had signed up to access the sale early. If you missed out on the priority booking sign-ups, never fear, general tickets go on sale next Monday, January 13. Be sure to mark your calendars and we’ll see you in England! Click here to visit the Badminton box office.

U.S. Weekend Results

Sporting Days Farm January H.T. (SC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

News & Reading

Benefitting from the surge in sports betting stemming from legislation that has been enacted in recent years, the city of Philadelphia has awarded a $500,000 grant to the nonprofit youth polo and access program, Work to Ride, to help the organization build a new indoor arena. Read more about this grant here.

There’s much to glean from watching training sessions, even if they aren’t directly related to eventing. We’ve been following the USEF Horsemastership Sessions in Wellington, Fl., where show jumping legend Beezie Madden imparted some knowledge in the most recent day of training. Read about the session focused on adjustability and gymnastic work here.

There’s a lot of information out there now about the human microbiome and its function, but what about the equine microbiome? Is it time to start talking about this? The Horse dives in here.

Blindfolding horses removes visual stimuli ostensibly to make a frightened animal more reliant on the handler in emergencies, such as leading from a burning barn. An earlier study showed horses actually took longer to lead and displayed more avoidance and resistance behaviours when blindfolded. However, a large variation in individual response was noted, which could be due to temperament. Read up on some research dedicated to this here.

Video Break

Meet British 5* rider Simon Grieve and his string of horses over on his new YouTube channel:

Sunday Links

By on Jan 5, 2025 12:01 am -

It wouldn’t be a polar vortex without some very (happy) muddy barn dogs! Exhibit A: EN’s Abby Powell’s dog, Chief, making the most of the snow melt while his mom picked paddocks. No regrets, right?

U.S. Weekend Events

We’re back! The U.S. season kicks off this weekend in Aiken, and you’ll find links to events happening during the upcoming weekend here each Wednesday – Sunday in our News & Notes.

Sporting Days Farm January H.T. (SC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Links & Reading

Apply to participate in the GMHA Junior Horsemanship clinic by February 1

Bid on some great items and support the Maryland Combined Training Association

Proof of Concept Confirmed On Final Day of the 2024-2025 EA21 National Camp

2025 Horsemastership Series: Kursinski Emphasizes The Importance Of Releasing Pressure

Thousands of new training opportunities to benefit riders and former racehorses

Video Break

Meet the athletes at the first USEA Emerging Athletes Training Camp of 2025 this week in Florida:

Video Break: When an Olympic Show Jumper Meets an Olympic Eventer…

By on Jan 4, 2025 9:30 am -

What happens when a five-star show jumper takes a lesson with a five-star event rider? Olympic show jump rider and Stübben NA athlete Daniel Bluman joined up with his brother Steven to see if they have what it takes out on the Windurra USA cross-country course. 💪

Posted by Boyd Martin on Thursday, January 2, 2025

What happens when a pair of well-respected show jumpers is invited to try out eventing for the first time?

Boyd Martin welcomed show jumpers Daniel and Steven Bluman to his Windurra USA base in Pennsylvania to see how the brothers took to eventing. It’s safe to say: we think they’re hooked!

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

By on Jan 4, 2025 12:01 am -

If you missed out on this week’s closing date for the Stable View Aiken Opener H.T. January 18-19, never fear! Late entries are being accepted through January 10, and the Winter Combined Test will accept entries until January 8. Click here to learn more and register for an event at Stable View.

U.S. Weekend Events

We’re back! The U.S. season kicks off this weekend in Aiken, and you’ll find links to events happening during the upcoming weekend here each Wednesday – Sunday in our News & Notes.

Sporting Days Farm January H.T. (SC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

News & Reading

Catch up with 4* eventer and 2024 Road to the Horse champion Tik Maynard in this podcast interview with fellow horseman Phil Haugen.

How inheritance tax changes could hit equestrians, and other things the horse world is talking about

EquiRatings: 10 Things We Learned the Hard Way in Our 10 Years in Business

System Locked and Loaded on Day 3 of the 2024-2025 EA21 National Camp

Considerations to Reduce the Risk of Hindgut Upset

Sponsor Corner: World Equestrian Brands

Equilibrium Products makes the highest quality boots on the market, and they are available via World Equestrian Brands!

Constructed using a proprietary layering system, while also staying ridiculously breathable. Click here to shop for Equilibrium products.

Video Break

A special tribute to an even more special pony:

Friday News & Notes from Stable View

By on Jan 3, 2025 12:01 am -

We may be a few days into a new year, but we’re still loving the 2024 recaps everyone has been sharing! What was the highlight of your year?

U.S. Weekend Preview

We’re back! The U.S. season kicks off this weekend in Aiken, and you’ll find links to events happening during the upcoming weekend here each Wednesday – Sunday in our News & Notes.

Sporting Days Farm January H.T. (SC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

News & Reading

In the heart of Ocala, Fl., where equestrian culture intertwines with a thriving art scene, two artists are using their talents to celebrate kindness, creativity and the timeless beauty of horses. Cara Van Leuven, a seasoned equine artist living with bipolar disorder, and Kelsey Mahoney, a Sharpie artist with Down syndrome, joined forces to create “Be Kind,” an exhibit on display through Jan. 4 at the Marion Cultural Alliance, and contribute to Brooke USA’s upcoming Divertimentos and Dressage fundraiser. Read the full story here.

Rounding up some of the horse health research that took place in 2024, this article from The Horse dives into the science of how horseshoes affect hooves. Read it here.

“Representation matters. Art matters. Storytelling matters. Beyoncé’s productions have not only celebrated Black culture but have elevated it on global stages, creating moments that spark conversations and inspire generations. Being part of this legacy is a responsibility I don’t take lightly. It motivates me to keep pushing for greater visibility and equity, whether it’s through my equestrian achievements, my academic pursuits, or my storytelling aspirations.” Read all about the incredible experience of equestrian Zoie Brogdon, who worked on Beyonce’s halftime performance in Houston last week, and why it mattered so much.

Sponsor Corner: Stable View

Catch up with the latest winter improvements happening at Stable View!

Video Break

The basics of dressage with Amelia Newcomb: