Classic Eventing Nation

#FlashbackFriday Video from SmartPak: Ping Around Kentucky with Theodore O’Connor

By on Mar 31, 2023 3:30 pm -

Remember that time when a pony finished on the podium at Kentucky? You can watch all three phases of this Super Pony’s memorable performance above.

Most eventing fans will recognize the name Theodore O’Connor, the legendary, small but mighty partner of Karen O’Connor. Standing just 14.2 hands, “Teddy” may have been small statured, but you wouldn’t have wanted to tell him this.

Theodore O’Connor was a unique mix of Shetland, Arabian, and Thoroughbred (Witty Boy – Chelsea’s Melody, by Honestturn), bred by Wynn Norman. The story of Wynn’s breeding career is quite a good one — you can go down the rabbit hole in this Chronicle of the Horse write-up from 2008, and her program was built from the Thoroughbred she purchased off the track and a Shetland/Arabian mare.

Partnering with Karen from 2005 until his early passing due to an accident in 2008, Theodore O’Connor picked up a win in the then CIC3* at The Fork and added a Pan American games individual and team medal in 2007. He inspired a full generation of eventers, and even a Breyer Horse, and we’ll never tire of watching these archive vidoes of him at his peak.

Have you heard of the SmartPak SmartBarns service yet? SmartPak wants to make it easier for you to take great care of the horses and clients in your barn. The SmartBarn Services Team pairs you with your very own Barn Consultant, giving you access to exclusive benefits, including: Supplement advice & planning, Personalized account management, and Inside access to SmartPak Experts. Visit smartpak.com/SmartBarns to learn more.

Galway Day 1: ‘World Class’ in the Wild, Wet West

By on Mar 31, 2023 12:00 pm -

Tamie Smith and Danito. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.

“World class.” That’s what Galway Downs Spring International dressage judges Helen Brettell and Robyn Fisher said — in unison — of the two rides that put Tamie Smith in the one and two spots in the CCI4*-S after dressage.

Tamie’s 21.8 with Ruth Bley’s Danito edged out the 22.2 logged by Alexandra Ahearn’s Mai Baum. After open dressage and show jumping outings to warm-up earlier this year, today was Mai Baum’s first eventing competition since helping Team USA earn silver at the World Equestrian Games in Italy last fall.

Tamie was also 3rd with Julianne Guariglia’s Solaguayre California, with a 31.7, and 6th on a 33.8, with Elliot V, a Dutch Warmblood owned by the Elliot V Partnership. For good measure, Tamie’s daughter, the accomplished young professional, Kaylawna Smith-Cook, took the 4th spot with her own Passepartout, a 14-year-old German Sport Horse, on a 32.5. The Smiths head into Friday’s show jumping occupying the top 5 spots in the 11-horse division.

Outside of once at a Horse Trials some time ago, this was Danito’s first time topping Mai Baum, aka “Lexus.”

“Danito has been on the verge for a while,” said Tamie of the 14-year-old Hanoverian. “Every year he just keeps getting better, although so does Lexus.”

The conditions were wet after forecasts for a brief spot of rain became a few hours of heavy rain just as the international divisions began in the Grand Prix Arena. “Lexus probably had a few more percentage points in there because he would have been stronger off the ground,” Tamie reflected. “I had two mistakes because Lexus didn’t like the puddles. He put his foot down quick a few times, resulting in a couple of rhythm mistakes. He didn’t like getting splashed with mud.” The 17-year-old German Sport Horse, is “allowed to be a prima donna!” Tamie said.

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.

“For Danito, that was probably his best test to date. He didn’t really care about the ground at all. He’s just mowed right through it.”

The judges agreed. “Had it not been for the wet conditions, those two tests would likely have been in the teens,” Robyn said. “The horse that came out ahead never put a foot wrong. And then you have a rider like Tamie who has the experience to know when she can push and when she can’t.”

“Horses who have correct training and muscling are going to handle it,” Helen added. “Both of those horses’ tests were world class. They would be up there anywhere in the world.”

Even though she agreed the wet conditions required a conservative approach with all her rides, Tamie was “thrilled” with all four horses in the 4*. “Lexus and Danito are stronger and more confirmed in their training, and California and Elliot are greener and a weaker in their training, so I had to be more conservative with them.”

As their final prep for the Land Rover Kentucky 5* in late April, Tamie was thrilled with today’s rides and results.

Tamie Smith leads the 3*, too, with Kynan, the Dutch Warmblood owned by the Kynan Syndicate. This afternoon’s 28.8 leads a 14-horse field in this division and represents a super debut at the level for the 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood.

The 3* upper rungs are more closely packed than in the 4*, as two Pacific Northwesters are in town to give the locals a run for their money. Karen O’Neal and Annika Asling’s Westphalian, Clooney 14, sit second on a 30.9, and Jordan Linstedt and Kiran D’Souza’s FE Friday are 3rd on a 31.8.

And, even after a two course errors, Erin Kellerhouse and her own Bon Vivant GWF lurk only a little behind on a 31.9.

Tamie Smith and Kynan. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.

Karen O’Neal left her Washington state base to get out of the rain, only to find oodles of it in California these last several weeks. “I giggled a little bit when it started to rain just as I started my test, but after that I didn’t think about it at all.” That weather and a jaw surgery earlier in the year led to inconsistent prep before Galway Downs, but Karen was happy with their test given that “we are still trying to piece it all together and get back in the groove.”

“The footing was wet but great and he was good, but we always either nail the halt or don’t and today was a ‘don’t.’ Otherwise, I am super happy with him. He was relaxed and listening.”

Clooney’s tendency to spook didn’t emerge today, and Karen hopes that will be true tomorrow, too, over a show jump track designed by Marc Donovan. She heard it has some new looks to it in terms of fences and looks forward to seeing how Clooney will tackle it.

After FE Friday felt “full of himself” in the warm-up, and a last-minute equipment switch, Jordan Linstedt was relieved to have their test go so well. “He tried really hard in the ring and I’m still figuring out what works best for him,” she said. “He goes as a very pretty picture, but he’s not the easiest horse to ride. He’s been trying much harder lately and his lateral work at the trot, his 10m circles and his overall suppleness and thoroughness in his body are all ways that our hard work showed today.”

CCI2* dressage starts Friday morning at 8 a.m., with a field of 14 contenders.

The 2* division returns to the Grand Prix Arena, transformed for show jumping, at 3:05 Friday afternoon, with the 3*, Open Intermediate, 4* and Advanced to follow.

Out-of-area fans can catch all the international action on Ride On Video’s livestream, featuring excellent commentary.

Galway Downs International H.T (Temecula, CA): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring] [Live Stream]

Pulling Off a Live Stream: Behind the Scenes with Horse & Country

By on Mar 31, 2023 9:41 am -

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Setting an alarm to watch your favorite rider burn around a cross country in Europe, watching show jumping from the comfort of your couch, or parking yourself in front of a jumbotron to get the full view of the course while on location at an event: thanks largely to Horse & Country, these enhancements have made spectating equestrian sports more accessible, convenient and inclusive.

Eventing Nation stepped behind the scenes with the H&C crew while at the Setter’s Run Farm Carolina International to see how they bring the excitement of eventing to your screen – a process that begins long before they arrive on the show grounds.

“For an event like the Carolina International, we know it so well we don’t start communicating with the venue until 60 or 90 days out, because we have a lot of familiarity with where the course will go and where cameras will be located,” explained David Qualls, Executive Producer at H&C. “Any new event would require a good six months – the more time the better.”

Some of the logistical setup for livestream sports coverage involves navigating permanent structures, like at the Carolina Horse Park, where a 12-inch conduit pipe had to be installed under a public road in order to connect the production trailer to the dressage phase, located a half a mile away.

A look inside the production room at Carolina International. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Other changes are temporary, where the relatively small staff spends the days immediately before the event burying fiber cables beneath the ground, ensuring the safe travel of horses and humans. With at least six cameras connected by more than 10,000 feet of fiber, that’s a whole lot of trenching!

With only about a dozen staff members handling everything from set-up to commentating, there are some seriously long days and flexibility required. “Other than going home and grabbing some dinner and a bit of sleep, we’ve been flat out,” Helen Murray, H&C Content Producer, shared before she stepped back into the production trailer to direct the next segment of dressage.

Commentator Holly Hudspeth is joined by Helen Murray. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Helen had arrived at the Carolina Horse Park two days before the competition to work on the logistics before stepping into her production role, collaborating with the regular commentator, Holly Hudspeth, and special guests to produce the live stream.

Holly, an accomplished upper level event rider, finds her job with H&C a welcome change from the intensity of competing. “I really enjoy just being able to take a step back to watch people, and really get to know the horses and riders,” she reflected, “because when I was competing myself I didn’t get that opportunity.”

Holly uses her knowledge about the sport coupled with some heavy- hitting guest commentators to provide the livestream audience with a unique perspective of the event. Notable names like Ian Stark and Bettina Hoy have shared the mic for H&C, providing insight to the competition happening on screen, while musing about their own past experiences (like Murphy Himself bouncing a one stride with Ian).

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

During a Thursday afternoon dressage section, Holly was joined by CCI5* rider, Meghan O’Donoghue. Meghan has been behind the mic a few times for H&C and finds it a great opportunity to help promote the sport of eventing.

“I think it’s a good challenge as a commentator to try to bring some added excitement and value to what these horses and riders are trying to do,” said Meghan.

For the Carolina International CCI4*-S division, the competition results came down to the wire, with winner Will Coleman, racing the clock to win by just 1.5 points. Once the last horse crossed the finish line, the H&C crew began the packing process, carefully collecting the miles of cable, cameras and computers and preparing to do it all again at their next live streamed competition.

If you’d like to support H&C as well as enjoy more live streams year-round as well as educational and entertainment content, we’ve brought back our discount code for 15% off an annual subscription. You can save 15% off an annual subscription here using code EVENTINGNATION15 – the code is case-sensitive.

Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International: [Website] [Final Scores] [On-Demand Replay] [EN’s Coverage]

Friday News & Notes Presented by Stable View

By on Mar 31, 2023 12:03 am -

Just hangin’ out on a spring day. Photo by Anne Chapin.

Nothing I love more than hanging out riding a three-year-old bareback on a spring day. This lovely chap will be four later this year, so I’ve just been helping him out once or twice a week this winter, which is a great way to slowly work on building your relationship with a horse without overwhelming them mentally or physically. He already had a great start, and he has an excellent brain, so my work was set up for me, but it’s still fun to play around with a trusting relationship on a young horse!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (Fairburn, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Galway Downs International H.T (Temecula, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring]

Jumping Branch Farm H.T (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Morven Park Spring H.T. (Leesburg, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

The Event at TerraNova (Myakka City, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

News From Around the Globe:

A group of 20 event riders got a glimpse of Andreas Dibowski’s training philosophy recently at Tryon. Andreas recently visited the Tryon International Equestrian Center during the American Trakehner Association Convention to teach show-jumping and cross-country lessons to horses and riders from Beginner Novice to the Advanced level. The lessons included coursework utilizing combinations, related distances and turning exercises. You might not be surprised to hear that his favorite English word is “forward”. [Andreas Dibowski’s Training Scheme]

You might have heard the name Stormy Daniels recently in the news, but did you know she’s an Eventer too? Girl, she started with a weird little $500 off-track-thoroughbred mare that was entirely unsuitable too! Nobody in her family rode, but she was obsessed with horses from a very young age, and now enjoys owning eight horses, and competing at Training level. [Behind the Storm]

Best of Blogs: Jan Byyny Says You Can Teach An Old Dog New Tricks After All

Tamie Smith had nothing if not a banner 2022 year. From horse trials in her home state of California where she prepared herself and her horses to take on the best in the nation and around the world to five-star events overseas where she represented the United States on some of eventing’s biggest stages, Tamie Smith had a remarkable season and finished 2022 as the Bates USEA Lady Rider of the Year for the second year in a row. Domestically in 2022, Tamie competed in 16 events, starting and ending her season on her home turf at Galway Downs in Temecula, California, something that she believes is significant to her development and identity as an eventer. [Tamie Takes Leading Lady Rider of the Year Again]

Sponsor Corner: The Stable View $60,000 FEI 4* Horse Trials are a week away! Get ready to enjoy a weekend of top-notch eventing with this throwback video to Phillip Dutton and Z’s 2019 winning ride through the 4*-S water complex at Stable View.

Phillip Dutton and Z are your CCI 4* -S winners! Through the FITS water complex!

Posted by Stable View on Saturday, September 28, 2019

Gallery: Welcome to The Event at TerraNova

By on Mar 30, 2023 8:03 pm -

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Be Cool. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Take a normal horse show, but add a beach.

That’s the vibe in Myakka City, FL, just inland from the Gulf side of Florida, to the south of Tampa. TerraNova Equestrian became a hot spot on many riders’ calendars this year, closing with about 400 entries including a 53-strong CCI4*-S and a 72-strong CCI3*-S division.

Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Our on the road reporters, Amanda Chance and Hillary McMichael, will have much more coming your way from TerraNova this week, but in the meantime we’ve got some gorgeous shots from the event’s official photographer, Shannon Brinkman, to share.

Friday will bring the conclusion of FEI dressage as well as show jumping. FEI divisions will run cross country on Saturday. You can view the full schedule of events here. There is no live stream of this event, but you can follow along with live scores here.

Spotted: yes, our favorite emotional support mini, Nugget, made the trip with JM Durr!

Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Here’s a look at your leaders so far:

CCI4*-S: Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Be Cool – 26.6
CCI3*-S: Phillip Dutton and Denim – 29.4
CCI2*-S: Will Coleman and DHI Anchorman – 21.5

The Event at TerraNova: [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [EN’s Coverage]

Yanmar Tractors: Supporting the Horse Community

By on Mar 30, 2023 5:34 pm -

You may have noticed a new name circulating around the Carolina Horse Park at the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International earlier this month.

Everywhere you looked, bright red tractors appeared. By the dressage ring, carrying the EMTs, hiding behind record-setting winner Will Coleman. You may have even heard the name Yanmar associated with the feature division of the show, the 4*-S.

And yes, you may have also seen an eyebrow-raising Instagram reel dropped on the EN feed in the late hours of last Saturday evening…

 

View this post on Instagram

 

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We took some time to get to know the story behind the tractors and side-by-sides that swarmed the Carolina Horse Park, and why the company wants to support the horse community.

Meet Jon Richardson. Jon is the Director of the Rural Lifestyle division for Yanmar, the tractor company that sponsored the 4*-S division and is making a big entrance into the world of eventing. While this was his first time watching eventing, Jon is no stranger to what it takes to be a horseman.

As a child growing up in southern Ohio, Jon was entrenched in the world of Western riding. “I grew up in southern Ohio on the family farm, where my parents still live. It wasn’t anything big, just five, six acres. My brother and sister and I, we grew up riding and had horses for as long as I can remember, probably since I was two or three years old. I started showing Western in 4-H when I was seven or eight years old, and continued all the way through high school and then on to college, as well.”

Some kids have a dog for a best friend. Jon had a palomino quarter horse named Majestic Prince, Major for short. Although, perhaps a better name would have been Escape Artist. Jon fondly remembers his father and Major as being locked in a near daily battle, as the clever little horse would escape from his stall constantly. “He was beautiful, white mane and tail, and the full palomino color. He was ornery at times, always found a way to get out of the barn, get out of the stall, but he was fun.”

SRF Carolina International Yanmar 4*-S Winner Will Coleman stands with Jon Richardson, Yanmar’s Director of Rural Lifestyle

Jon wasn’t a weekend warrior or fair-weather rider. He and Major had quite the successful competition career. “We found him as a great deal and next thing you know, I had this little Quarter Horse palomino. I showed for 10-11 years, qualified for state a few times with him, and came close to placing at state. Never grand champion, but we certainly tried.”

Like most farm kids, Jon is no stranger to the hard work required to have a horse. “My brother had the morning duty and I had the evening duty, so we cleaned a lot of stalls, used tractors and equipment, manure spreaders and so on around the property.”

From farm maintenance to shoveling manure, Jon was involved in every little bit of horse care. That hard-working mentality and familiarity with what it takes to be a true horseman has followed him to his career with Yanmar. As the executive spearheading the company’s push into the eventing market, Jon is well aware that equestrians aren’t buying tractors for the love of machinery. They’re buying tractors so they can get back to what they really love doing that much faster – riding.

“Equestrians’ main priority is not to spend the entire day doing farm work, right? It has to be done; what they really want is to go ride. We want to make it simpler — make it easier for them to get the work done, get the stalls cleaned, get the hay moved around the property, whatever it might be, so they can get back to riding and spending more time on the back of the horse.”

Yanmar’s got some of the most useful bits of kit on the market for horsey folks.

Yanmar isn’t just here to sell tractors. This company is all about supporting the horse community as well, which is why Jon was so excited to sponsor the 4*-S at Carolina International. “One of the reasons we sponsored Carolina Horse Park and the Carolina International CCI 4*-S is that we enjoy sponsoring sports. We focus on supporting local communities and are grateful to be able to support the equine world with good, high quality equipment that they know is dependable.”

As for Jon, he has four kids and his daughters are hoping for their own version of Major someday. As we watched the nation’s best riders tackle a complicated show jumping round, I asked him if he could see himself with a horse of his own again. “I don’t think I could compete at this level, watching some of these equestrians here today and yesterday. But yes, I would love to get back in the saddle. My daughters want to ride. We’d love to get back into horses as a family. Like Winston Churchill said, the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man.”

When it comes to compact tractor companies, few seem to have their finger on the pulse of the horse world like Yanmar. Learn more about their tractors here.

This article is brought to you with support from SRF Carolina International and Yanmar America.

Record Turn-Out for Galway Downs’ Spring Season International Opener

By on Mar 30, 2023 10:00 am -

Angela Mitchell and Cornwill Cormint at Galway Downs. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.

The hub of West Coast equestrian activity spins full tilt as international competition segues from dressage to three-day eventing with the Galway Downs International Horse Trials. The action runs Thursday, March 30 – Sunday, April 2 in Southern California’s Temecula Valley Wine Country.

An unprecedented 320-plus entries, with a strong international and Advanced field, assures super sport. The international divisions start with dressage on Thursday. Friday afternoon, the CCI division show jumping unfurls in the Grand Prix Arena with a buzzing crowd in the VIP Pavilion and cheers from fans all around the showcase stage.

Clayton Fredericks’ cross-country track will determine the final standings on Saturday, for the upper levels, while Allesandra Allen-Shinn is creating tracks for Beginner Novice through Preliminary.

The inaugural Parker Equine Insurance Top Amateur Award in the CCI2* puts a cherry atop the prize giving ceremonies this year. Ride On Video is livestreaming the International for those who can’t come out in person.

Eye Opener for An East Coaster

Missy Miller and Quinn. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.

Aside from one vacation visit to California, veteran 4* eventer Missy Miller had not been to the Golden State before running her own Quinn in the CCI3*-L at Galway Downs last November. The professional rider and trainer is based in Aiken, South Carolina, and came west at the urging of her coach Tamie Smith.

As a key contributor to Team USA’s silver medal the World Equestrian Games last fall, Tamie walks her talk that a West Coast base can launch global success.

Missy is glad she took Tamie’s advice to send Quinn out West for a while, and to fly in to compete him herself when possible. “The community is smaller out there, but the caliber of riding and horses is really high,” the East Coaster says. “I was so happy with my dressage score,” said Missy after competing at RamTap in Fresno earlier this month. “And then I realized, ‘Dang! You are all so competitive out here!’”

Missy and Quinn hold their own. They finished 5th in the 3*-L last fall.

“I am so impressed with the entire Galway Downs venue,” the rider continues. “Clayton Fredericks’ courses, the arenas, the galloping tracks. Everything was just great!” She and Quinn are prepping for a 5* debut at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day in late April, and she expects this outing to be an ideal set-up.

The value of competing throughout North America – at different venues, over different terrains, in different atmospheres — is part of Robert Kellerhouse’s passionate vision for US success on the international stage. “The truth is, you have to compete all over the place to be a serious rider,” asserts the Galway Downs organizer. That’s why he and his team have built a reputation for staging world-class events that test and advance the skills of all their competitors.

In true California spirit, a good time is also guaranteed with exhibitor parties and activities that capitalize on the community’s warm and welcoming vibe.

Team Spirit

Galway Downs’ main arena boasts unique spectator seating and a backdrop of flags representing an international array of competitors. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.

Galway’s goals are exponentially accelerated by a unique partnership with Ali and Francie Nilforushan’s Equisport Events. The hunter/jumper event organizers have provided transformational help with and investment in footing and arenas – competition and warm-ups – and various exhibitor amenities.

The result brings ongoing, cutting-edge improvements to a venue steeped in equestrian traditions and managed by a proactive team focused on long-term growth.

“We need quality competitions like Galway all over the country,” notes Bobby Costello, the USEF’s technical director and eventing chef d’equipe. “One thing riders always care the most about is the quality of the footing. The improvements Galway has made with the all-weather arenas and the meticulous care of the cross-country tracks make it a great place to get our horses ready.”

Veteran course builder Rob Mobley builds all over the country and appreciates Galway’s commitment to updating courses and obstacles regularly. “We’re always building new inventory – with modern shapes and more spreads. Robert (Kellerhouse) encourages that and, the more inventory we have, the easier it is to make changes to the course.” Along with meeting safety standards, the fences must be up to spec in each division, he notes. “That’s how everyone gets prepared to move up to the next level.”

Future Stars

Kaylawna Smith-Cook and MB MaiBlume. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Bobby Costello will be on the look-out for tomorrow’s Tamie Smiths.

Like 2008 individual Olympic Silver Medalist Gina Miles and 2004 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist Amy Tryon, “Tamie has done so much for her sport in this geographic area, and for the Team and the sport as a whole.”

Along with helping Tamie tune up, Bobby will observe and work with riders on various USET training lists and radar screens – and not just the veterans. “It’s important for me to get familiar with the next generation of riders coming along,” he says. “Anyone from the up-and-coming young riders to the young professionals could be on the cusp of having a breakthrough.”

Sport supporter Donna Parker of Equine Insurance has enjoyed a front row seat to Galway Downs’ growth.

“It has been incredible to have been a longtime sponsor of Galway Downs and watch the venue grow over many decades into a truly world-class venue. In addition to our Gold and Silver sponsorship of Galway Downs, I feel privileged this year to be able to present the inaugural Parker Equine Insurance Top Amateur Award in the CCI2* at both the March and November International events to highlight the incredible adult amateurs in the sport.

“As an amateur rider myself, this award is very near and dear to my heart. I am thrilled to be able to continue supporting the sport we all care about so deeply. We look forward to seeing everyone this week and cheering on all the competitors!”

Star Studded Cast

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Speaking of Tamie Smith, she and her World Championships Team Silver partner Mai Baum headline the CCI4*-S field of 13 contenders that includes three other Tamie-piloted stars – Danito, Soliguayre California and Elliot V.

Helen Alliston is in the CCI3*-S hunt with her 2022 $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final title in tow. Her Advanced Finals reserve champ (and 3rd and 4th) husband James Alliston saddles four CCI horses, including Nemesis in the 4*-S.

USEA Intermediate Championships title holder Tommy Greengard reps the young professional ranks, campaigning four horses. They include 2022’s highest scoring 5-year-old champion, the Zangersheide gelding That’s Me Z, crowned last fall at Twin Rivers Ranch.

The world will be well represented. Two-time Olympian Lauren Billys brings Puerto Rico into the picture, with two up-and-coming unicorns. Canada and Australia fly flags, too, and riders from all regions of the West are here in force.

Galway Downs International: [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Spring Eventing in Full Swing: How to Follow Galway Downs, TerraNova, Strzegom and Thoresby This Week

By on Mar 30, 2023 8:30 am -

It’s that wonderful time of year for us eventing nerds: events happening each weekend and that tangible feeling of “something’s coming…” heavy in the air. It’s very nearly 5* season — in fact, the southern hemisphere will get the calendar started this year with the Adelaide International CCI5* happening April 20-23. From there, it’s straight into Kentucky (April 27-30), followed by Badminton (May 5-8).

Ahead of those major events is a full slate of preparatory action, and that continues this weekend with four important CCI4*-S happening in California, Florida, Great Britain, and Poland. Keep reading for information on how to follow along with each event.

Galway Downs International

Erin Kellerhouse and Woodford Reserve. Photo by Sally Spickard.

FEI World Championships silver medalists Tamie Smith and the Ahearn family’s Mai Baum headline the CCI4*-S in southern California at Galway Downs this weekend. With Mai Baum, Elliot V, and Danito entered in the 5* at Land Rover Kentucky, this will be a key prep for the Smith string, who will also be accompanied on the bus to Kentucky by Solaguayre California to compete in the Lexington CCI4*-S. Also joining the 4*-S line-up at Galway are James Alliston and Nemesis, also aimed at the Kentucky 5*, as are new California residents Missy Miller and Quinn, who will make their debut at the 5* level in April.

Ride On Video will host a complementary live stream of multiple divisions throughout the week. You can find the live stream here. The schedule is as follows (subject to change):

Galway Downs International: [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

Strzegom International Spring Open

Photo by Mariusz Chmieliński.

Some of the sport’s biggest names signed up to participate in Poland’s 4* season opener at Strzegom, including multi-medalist Michael Jung and his Pratoni partner, fischerChipmunk. No word yet on where Michael plans to make his spring destination with “Chipmunk”. We will also see Sandra Auffarth, Olympic bronze medalist and world champion who is entered at Kentucky with Viamant du Matz, as well as Dutch rider Merel Blom, team bronze medalist of the World Equestrian Games. Germany’s Alina Dibowski is also entered, and will be making the trip to Kentucky at the end of April with Barbados 26.

Strzegom Spring Open I: [Website] [Entries] [Timing & Scoring] [More Coverage]

The Event at TerraNova

Jacob Fletcher and Fabian fly around Capt. Mark Phillips’ TerraNova cross country track at TerraNova in 2022. Photo by Al Green Photo.

Over 50 riders will contest the CCI4*-S held at TerraNova in Myakka City, FL this weekend — the most robust roster of any spring 4*-S in the U.S. The entry list is a uniquely exciting one, a healthy mixture of 5*-aimed horses as well as horses and riders stepping up to the 4* level for the first time. Among these are two Mexican riders in the 4* (along with a slew of other entries across divisions): Eduardo Rivero Frangoso, who is contesting his first 4* with the 9-year-old gelding, Coloso. He’s accompanied in this division by Guillermo German de Campo and his Caribbean Games and Pan American Games partner, the 17-year-old gelding Quelite. Team Mexico can frequently be found in Florida and Aiken each winter, and in preparation for this year’s Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, the excitement around these strongly developing programs continues to build.

There is sadly no live stream of TerraNova this weekend, but we’ll be helping keep you abreast of the action thanks to roving reporters Amanda Chance and Hillary McMichael.

The Event at TerraNova: [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [EN’s Coverage]

Thorseby International Eventing Spring Carnival

The striking backdrop of Thoresby House. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography for BEDE Events.

If you’re looking for a Badminton preview — and then some — look no further than the beefy, chock-full entry list at Thoresby International. As is par for British eventers, the winter weather has seen many events abandoned or truncated, making this weekend all the more exciting and important as a pipe-opener for the spring ahead. Tilly pulled together a chunky entry preview for Thoresby here, and she’ll be joined on the road by 2022 Blogger Contest winner Diana Gilbertson. We wish them well with three days of dressage ahead of them — godspeed, ladies!

Horse & Country will carry the live stream for Thoresby this weekend, and you can view using your H&C+ subscription or by purchasing a one-time viewing pass for just about $20. If you’re in need of a subscription, we’ve brought back our discount code for 15% off the cost of an annual subscription. Simply use code EVENTINGNATION15 (the code is case-sensitive) at checkout and you’ll be all set to go!

Thoresby Eventing Spring Carnival: [Website] [Entries/Timing/Scoring/Schedule] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

Thursday News & Notes

By on Mar 30, 2023 12:03 am -

The GOAT. (No chihuahuas were harmed in the making of this photo) Photo by Kate Samuels.

I know there are 4* events happening this weekend or whatever, but I’ve got really big news you guys. They FINALLY added a donkey emoji. Do you know how many years I’ve been waiting for this? How many emoji captions I’ve missed? Well, thank goodness, it’s here to stay and Pepé is delighted for one. My resident mostly-free-range miniature donkey slash sneaky criminal is always a highlight at the farm, and delightfully smart and naughty while also being adorable and well-behaved. He deserves the recognition.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (Fairburn, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Galway Downs International H.T (Temecula, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring]

Jumping Branch Farm H.T (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Morven Park Spring H.T. (Leesburg, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

The Event at TerraNova (Myakka City, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

News From Around the Globe:

Speaking of four-star events, we’ve got a few this weekend to keep your eye on. If you’re looking at the entries at Kentucky, you’ll see a lot of them contesting their final event this weekend, whether at Terranova or Galway Downs. With 56 entries in the CCI4*-S at Terranova, they’re boasting representation from five countries, and a star studded field. Get the low down on this East Coast throw down today! But, don’t forget about the strong contingent from the West Coast! Galway Downs CCI4*-S might only have 12 entries, there are plenty of Kentucky-bound pairs, as well as some exciting debutantes. Get up to speed with Galway Downs here.

The opportunities for developing young horses in the US has never been more exciting. With the YEH Championships for both East and West Coast seeing more and more entries, and incentives for US breeders expand, we are experiencing more interest and success in the World Breeding Championships at Mondial du Lion. In addition, at the 2022 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, the USEA Board of Governors voted to approve the inagural U.S. based 6- and 7-year-old young event horse championships to take place in 2023. So how do you get more involved with your young horse? I’ve got your answers here. [Setting Goals for Young Event Horses]

I have nowhere else to put this so…..here are 10 Hilarious Horse Jokes you’re welcome.

Running a boarding barn is not for the faint of heart. It can be fun sometimes, and satisfying to provide good care for your charges, but I think most of us would agree that only the slightly unhinged decide to jump in this pool. Good news for you, we’re all unhinged! And we’ve got tips on how to run the best darnedest boarding barn that won’t drive you crazy, your clients won’t kill you for, and maybe you’ll make some money?? [Best Boarding Barn Practices]

The Virginia Horse Center is back on it’s feet for the future of equestrian sport, thanks to some drastic changes. The Virginia Horse Center had brought thousands of visitors, and their money, to the Lexington region for almost 40 years. But when it fell on hard times, its backers feared it would have to be put out to pasture. A top-to-bottom overhaul got it back on track, with changes to management at all levels, investments in updating the facilities, and new board members committed to saving VHC for the future. [Virginia Horse Center on the Upswing]

 

 

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Take a Chatty Ride around Carolina’s Modified

By on Mar 29, 2023 5:23 pm -

The longer I’m in this game, the more I realise that my favourite helmet cam videos aren’t the upper-level ones — cool as they always are! — but instead, the lower-to-mid-level courses tackled by amateur riders like me. I love the enthusiasm, the butterflies, the sheer joy at tackling a challenge in tandem — and, of course, the brilliant and inventive courses being put together for these levels. That shines through particularly at Modified, which is a level I think has so many benefits to both horses and riders — and I loved the track at the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International especially. Give it a ride in this great video, full of the kind of horsey chatter we all definitely indulge in!

Poor performance? Sour attitude?

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The horse that matters to you matters to us®. KPPusa.com.

Have you grabbed your winter running horse stickers? Check them out at KPPusa.com/winter23!