Classic Eventing Nation

Chin it to Win It: Will Coleman Bests Dressage Lead with Second Horse

By on Mar 16, 2023 6:28 pm -

Will Coleman’s exceptional up-and-comer Chin Tonic HS delivers his first 4* sub-20 to take a narrow lead. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage day at the 2023 Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International was a ping pong match with the indomitable forces of Liz Halliday-Sharp and Will Coleman volleying back and forth for control of the Yanmar America CCI4*-S. Ultimately, it was Will who came out ahead with the only sub-20 result of the class.

While his first ride, 2021 victor Off the Record, took the early lead, it was stablemate Chin Tonic HS who shut down the afternoon. The 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Chin Champ – Wildera, by Quinar Z) earned a four-star personal best of 19.4 for his efforts with several scores of nine scattering his test sheet.

“He’s like riding piece of cooked spaghetti,” Will said of “Chin” who was sourced by Vicky Castegren’s Hyperion Stud. “But he’s just so incredibly elastic and he has these amazing gaits — I think there’s still things to get better at, obviously, and I missed one change, but he seems to be maturing in a good way and we’re gonna keep working to try to get a little better.”

Despite the misstep in the second flying change, Will, who trains with Ian Woodhead on the flat, earned a 72.29% from Bobby Stevenson (USA) at C and 81.90% from Andrew Bennie (NZL) at B. For Will, there haven’t been any lightbulb moments to produce the horse on the flat, but rather a close attention to detail in his day-to-day training.

“[I’m] just trying to do everything a little bit better. I don’t think there’s been one thing that I’ve decided, ‘we need to do this.’ Dressage is all about developing your horse to their physical and mental peak, and you’re never really done. So I don’t think I’m doing anything different; I’ve got a good program with my wife and my staff and my coaches. We know we’re not good enough yet. I’m just trying to get a little bit better,” he said.

If you’ve ever wondered if some horses know how truly talented they are — wonder no more because “Chin” is keenly aware of his place in the spotlight. “He’s like Mariah Carey — a total diva,” laughed Will. “He’s just kind of one of those good looking guys that knows he’s a good looking guy.”

Recent Bruce’s Field victors Liz Halliday-Sharp and Miks Master C sit in a close second at the culmination of the first phase. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Riding for Debbie Palmer and Ocala Horse Properties, Liz Halliday-Sharp and Miks Master C brought forward a score of 20.1 for second place. Partnered with the 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Mighty Magic – Qui Luma CBF, by Flyinge Quite Easy 958) for just over a year, Liz says she feels like the partnership is really starting to come together, though they certainly have already had a big start to the season with a win at the Grand-Prix Eventing Festival earlier this month.

“It’s still very much a work in progress, I’ll be honest. I was thrilled with the score and I really believe he’s capable of scores in the teens regularly. But he’s still not quite strong enough yet and he gets a little bit tired in the ring,” Liz said. “He’s just got so much power that he kind of bears down on me a little bit. Some of the marks aren’t perfect yet: the halts weren’t 100 percent. The reinback is getting better — it was something that he needed a lot of work on when I got him. That was actually quite a lot better today, so we’re heading the right way with that.”

For a powerful horse like “Mickey”, Liz says the challenge is not about producing excellent movement, but instead it’s about polishing and managing his natural ability. Part of it, too, has been about refining the tack choices she opts for.

“I’ve been riding him in the double just to try and teach him to carry himself and not just become a big freight train. It’s just all power and he doesn’t really know where to put it sometimes,” she explained. “He’s got a lot of power. Amazingly, he’s 70 percent blood. He’s by Mighty Magic, so he’s super blood, and he can gallop like no one’s business. I think we’ve spent the whole winter getting him really strong now because he was quite weak and wiggly when I got him last May, and now he just doesn’t really know where to put [that power]. Because it’s like, all there. And I’m like, ‘Come here, just come down a little, you don’t need to go that big with the legs.’ But it’s a work in progress. I think when we get it polished in another few months, he’ll be unbelievable.”

A run here at Carolina is a calculated plan on Liz’s part with even bigger goals toward a five-star debut later this spring. “He’s going to do his first five star at Kentucky, and I wanted him to get two four-star runs in before that. I actually really wanted him to do a course that’s ditchy with some really big drops in the water. That’s something he needs to practice regularly. So I just wanted to have all the boxes ticked before I went to Kentucky. I’m just tweaking a few things, but the only way I’ll really know what I have is if I really let him go on a proper course,” she said.

It’s a good day in the office for Will Coleman: though he sacrifices his morning lead with Off the Record, he remains third going into the jumping tomorrow. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Will’s World Championship silver medalist Off The Record, who led the morning session, ended the day in third on a first-phase result of 22.1.

“Off the Record, he wouldn’t be the best in cold weather — he’s such a stiff horse by nature. But I really thought he warmed up great and the test maybe was a bit safe, but it was really clean. He’s just becoming a consummate pro; I’m really, really proud of him,” he said. Still, he says, there were moments in the test where he felt he could have eked out a few more marks.

“I just think maybe I could’ve gone for a bit more expression at times. He just felt like he was maybe holding just a little bit, and I didn’t want to push him out of out of rhythm and make a mistake. So I rode just to try to execute a clean test, and oddly it makes a nicer picture, maybe, than it feels when you ride him like that — so maybe I should do that all the time!”

Doug Payne and Starr Witness sit fourth overnight. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s score of 24.6 wouldn’t be and all time best for Starr Witness, but Doug Payne was pleased as punch with the little wins he achieved with the 12-year-old KWPN mare (Chello III VDL – Carmen, by Veneur).

“I think she was she was very, very good. It was freezing this morning, so I think she still was a fraction on edge, but I couldn’t be happier with her overall progress and the trend she’s setting this year. That’s really exciting,” he said.

The pair lost a couple of marks when the mare fizzed out of the corner, but nonetheless, that moment was one of Doug’s proudest: “I tell you what, in the canter medium, she went to start in the corner and she almost went to do a little spook sort of thing, and historically, that would have been a much bigger deal. So I think, although it’s probably the worst score in the test, I was actually most proud of her there because she put it right back together unbelievably quick, and then we were able to ride the rest of the movement. I think it’s a sort of indication of where she’s at in her progression, and she’s just trending better and better.”

Boyd Martin’s new ride, the exciting Commando 3, delivers in their first international together to take fifth provisionally. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Commando 3 landed in Boyd Martin’s barn just a few months ago, but the new relationship is blossoming for the veteran rider. The 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Connor 48 – R-Adelgunde, by Amigo xx)owned by DSN Equestrian Ventures was produced and ridden through the four-star level previously by Swedish Olympian Louise Romeike before finding his way stateside.

“I tried him in the middle of last year, and then again, I snuck up there when we were in Europe training for the WEG,” Boyd said. “Luckily for me, it was at the same time Louise fell pregnant, so it was sort of perfect timing on both ends that she was in a position where she’d sell him, and I was very, very grateful that I could ride the horse.”

In this, their first International outing, they produced a score of 25.8 for fifth place, and the rest of the weekend will be a learning opportunity. “We’re still very green. We’re still trying to get to know each other, and this is a huge challenge. We’ve done one Prelim and an Intermediate, out at Thomson, Georgia, so this is a big step,” he said.

Despite the unusual preparation, Boyd thinks the world of his new ride. “I absolutely love him; I feel like he’s world class in all departments. He jumps the moon, he gallops like the wind, and he moves like Totilas. Give me six to 12 months and I think the sky’s the limit. I’m very grateful to the people behind DSN Equestrian Ventures for giving me the opportunity to partner with him,” he said.

Sixth place is shared between Liz on her second ride Cooley Quicksilver and Will Faudree with PFun, both on 26.1.

Sydney Elliott took eighth aboard Carol Stephens’ QC Diamantaire. The 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Diarado – Lantana, by Sandro Hit) nailed a 26.2 — beating their previous personal best at the level of 26.4.

Kentucky-based Allie Knowles and Katherine O’Brien’s Morswood are ninth on a score of 28.3. Boyd Martin’s trailblazer Contessa rounds out the top ten on a 30.2.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Be Cool. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Liz Halliday-Sharp went one-two in the The Cordelia Family Foundation CCI3*-S.

Cooley Be Cool, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Heritage Fortunus x HHS Carlota) owned by The Monster Partnership and Ocala Horse Properties, edged just ahead on a 23.1. Liz has opted to start his season at the three-star level due to an injury that sidelined “Dave” for most of 2022.

“I’m over the moon with him. He had a weird injury in the stall actually at Bromont last year, which is why he had the second half of last year off. I don’t know what he did — rolled and whacked himself in the stall. It was minor, but it was enough to keep him out for the rest of the year, which was pretty tedious. But in a way, I really think it’s done him the world of good. He’s come out this year and he’s a completely different professional horse. He’s always been a bit cheeky and a bit of a goof, and he still has that in him. But he now goes in the ring, and he just performs. So I’m completely thrilled with him. I’m really excited for what he can do this year,” she said.

Waiting in the wings is Cooley Nutcracker, a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Tolant R x Ballyshan Cleopatra, by Cobra), who is in the reserve position on a score of 26.7.

Dom Schramm and Quadrocana. Photo by Brandt Gamma Photography.

Dom Schramm produced the very best dressage score of the day to lead the CCI2*-S with Quadrocana. The German-bred mare has some recognizable heritage as she’s by Rocana II, a full sister to Michael Jung’s fisherRocana.

“She’s the first foal of any of the three full sisters — the Rocana sisters. I’ve had her since she was a four year old and she’s just such a lovely horse. She’s dead easy to ride, dead easy to train, and she does all the work for me. She just makes me look good,” he said.

“She’s been no slouch on the flat pretty much her whole career. But this year, in particular, I said to my coach, Nicholas Fyffe, that I really wanted to start to train her more like a Prix St. Georges horse. So rather than just kind of doing what is going to be in the Advanced Test or the four star tests, I wanted to take the approach, ‘What would we do if we were producing her to go and do a Prix St. George at the end of this year?'” he said.

“I really need to take that approach, not just for her, but also for me to kind of get the nuances because that’s the standard now. When you go to Europe, these guys, they’re specialists in all three phases — and that’s the standard we have to ride at. So now I go into the dressage test now much more thinking about not just one or two steps along, but even beyond what she’ll ever have to do in eventing.”

Caroline Martin and Cascadella 8. Photo by Brandt Gamma Photography.

Caroline Martin leads the 13-deep CCI* class with Cascadella 8. The German mare (Cascadello I x Chaluna, by Ciacomo) carries a 24.7 to the upcoming show jumping phase.

That’s all from the first day of competition here at Carolina International — be sure to join us tomorrow for a show jumping showdown!

You can follow along live with the action on Horse & Country’s live stream. You’ll need an H&C+ subscription (you can save 15% off an annual subscription here using code EVENTINGNATION15 – the code is case-sensitive – this weekend only!), or you can also purchase a one-time viewing pass for this event for $19.99. Click here to access the live stream.

Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International: [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Ride Times] [Order of Go] [Live Scoring] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Form Guide] [Volunteer]

The top ten after dressage in the CCI4*-S at Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International, presented by Yanmar America.

Thursday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: America Runs on Duncan (and Helmet Cams)

By on Mar 16, 2023 2:00 pm -

I love listening to a helmet cam’s audio almost as much as I love watching the video, and this one from Amanda Cousins at Southern Pines last weekend is worth turning the volume up for! Listen and watch as Amanda navigates Jessica Goldberg’s America Runs on Duncan (which may also win my favorite name of the year) to a win in the Prelim Rider division. Make sure to watch until the end for the celebration. Many congrats, Amanda and Duncan!

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.

Will Coleman in Early Command of SRF Carolina International CCI4*-S

By on Mar 16, 2023 12:49 pm -

Will Coleman and Off the Record. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

We’re blessed with a lovely first day of competition here at the 2023 Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International, with the FEI divisions getting underway with their first phase.

While the 2022 winning horse, Dondante, is not here to defend his title this weekend, Will Coleman nonetheless finds himself positioned well to take a third win and second consecutive trophy in the Yanmar America CCI4*-S division, taking the early lead with the Off the Record Syndicate’s Off the Record (VDL Arkansas – Drumagoland Bay). The pair earned a flashing 22.1 from the judging panel of Robert Stevenson and Andrew Bennie. Judging from B, Andrew Bennie awarded Will and “Timmy” two 9s: one for the final flying change and one for the collective mark for harmony. The score of 22.1 is just a tick off of this horse’s personal best at the level; he scored a 21.9 at Great Meadow’s 4*-S in 2020 previously.

Doug Payne and Starr Witness. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Second in the morning session and initially taking charge of the 4*-S are Doug Payne and Starr Witness (Chello III VDL – Carmen), owned by Laurie McRee, Catherine Winter, and Doug and Jessica Payne. Despite being early on in the going and displaying some exuberance, Doug and the “Ginja Ninja” earned a 24.6 for their efforts and will be in second ahead of the afternoon’s rides.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Liz Halliday-Sharp delivered a stellar test aboard the Monster Partnership’s Cooley Quicksilver (Womanizer – Kylemore Crystal), earning a 26.1 from the judges to sit third ahead of the lunch break.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Nutcracker. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Looking to the 3*-S and 2*-S divisions, taking the early leads are Liz Halliday-Sharp aboard the Nutcracker Syndicate’s Cooley Nutcracker (Tolant R – Ballyshan Cleopatra), formerly ridden by French rider Astier Nicolas before joining her string after the 2021 season. This pair earned a 26.7 for the Cordelia Family Foundation CCI3*-S lead, starting their season with some leg-up events after finishing the 2022 season at the Advanced level.

In the Breezeway Sporthorse and Diagnostic Clinic and Friendship Mobile Veterinary Imaging and Sports Medicine CCI2*-S division, Australia’s Dom Schramm and the Quadrocana Syndicate’s Quadrocana (Quadrofino – Rocana II) earned a personal best of 22.7 to take the lead in the morning session. A fun fact, in case the name Quadrocana sounds somewhat familiar, the mare’s damsire, Ituango xx, is the sire of Michael Jung’s fischerRocana FST.

We’ll be back underway after lunch at 1:00 p.m. EST and as always you can follow along live with the action on Horse & Country’s live stream. You’ll need an H&C+ subscription (you can save 15% off an annual subscription here using code EVENTINGNATION15 – the code is case-sensitive – this weekend only!), or you can also purchase a one-time viewing pass for this event for $19.99. Click here to access the live stream.

Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International: [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Ride Times] [Dressage Order of Go] [Live Scoring] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Form Guide] [Volunteer]

Countdown to Paris: 500 Days to the XXXIII Olympiad

By on Mar 16, 2023 9:00 am -

Photo © FEI Christophe Taniére

The road to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games has hit another milestone: There are 500 days before the XXXIII Olympiad, which will host equestrian sports 27 July through 6 August at the iconic Palace of Versailles.

For athletes in the Olympic disciplines of Dressage, Eventing and Jumping, the biggest objective on the road to Paris remains qualification. With 500 days to go, some key nations—including host nation France—have secured their quota places, with these National Federations focused on team appointment. Others, meanwhile, are set on fielding their best teams for remaining events with qualification opportunities.

Jessica von Bredow Werndl and TSF Dalera at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo ©FEI – Christophe Taniére.

Dressage

Including the host nation, seven nations have qualified for Dressage competition in Paris, accounting for 24 of 45 available team quota places (3 athletes per team). This group includes all three medalists from Tokyo 2020 (JPN). Defending champions Germany, the United States and Great Britain all earned their places from their results at the 2022 FEI World Championships in Herning (DEN)—as did Denmark, Sweden, The Netherlands and Australia.

All eyes will be on Germany on the road to Paris, as not only did they top the team competition in the last Olympics, but its athletes Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Isabell Werth also claimed the individual gold and silver medals, respectively. Bredow-Werndl remains at the top of her game and sits atop the FEI Dressage World Rankings with her partner from Tokyo, TSF Dalera BB.

Twenty-one team quota places (accounting for seven teams) remain, many of which will be decided at the year’s continental and regional championships. Most notable will be the 2023 FEI European Dressage Championship, set for Riesenbeck (GER), 4-10 September. Fifteen individual quota places are also available, awarded to athletes from nations that have not already accepted a team quota place. Of course, these athletes will be a mix of males and females, as equestrian sport remains the only Olympic event in which men and women compete as equals.

Laura Collett and London 52. Photo ©FEI – Christophe Taniére.

Eventing

Nearly half of the team quotas places have already been secured in the sport of Eventing. Germany is among the first nations qualified, which should provide some excitement. After all, the nation produced Eventing’s first ever female individual Olympic gold medalist in Julia Krajewski in Tokyo. In addition to the host nation, the United States, New Zealand, Ireland, Sweden and Switzerland have also qualified. These places were all earned at the FEI World Championships in Herning, where the United States secured its first team medal at a World or Olympic Championship since 2004. The United States is the only nation from North, Central or South America to have secured a team quota place.

Most notably, Tokyo’s silver medalists Australia have yet to secure their place. They have remaining opportunities at the Group F and G FEI Designated Olympic Qualification Event at Millstreet (IRL), 01-04 June and the FEI Eventing European Championships 2023 in Haras du Pin (FRA) and via the 2023 FEI Eventing Nations Cup Series.

The competition for ranking points for the Individual slots has started, and will continue through the rest of the year.

Peder Fredricson and All In. Photo ©FEI – Christophe Taniére.

Jumping

Jumping offers the most quota places of all the equestrian disciplines, with 75 up for grabs, including 60 team athletes.

Sweden is undisputedly the team to watch on the road to Paris, having claimed team gold medals at both the Tokyo Olympic Games and the FEI World Championships 2022. Safely qualified, their concern will be trying to replace Peder Fredricson’s incredible All In, who earned a most celebratory retirement in February. “Allan,” as the barefoot bay was affectionately called, won six championship medals in his career. In Tokyo, he became just the second horse in history to jump the entire Olympic Games without having a single rail.

The Netherlands, Great Britain, Ireland and Germany also secured their places in Herning, while Belgium earned its spot at the FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final 2022 in Barcelona (ESP). Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates secured team quota places at their Group F Designated Olympic Qualification Event, but 33 team quota places remain.

The United States earned the silver medal in Tokyo, but they will rely on the 2023 Pan American Games to qualify for Paris. Among the powerhouses of the sport, the U.S. won back-to-back team gold medals at the 2004 and 2008 Games and has medalled at seven of the last 10 Olympics, but the pressure will be on in Chile for them to add to that Olympic resume. If they do not qualify at the Pan Ams, they would have one last opportunity at the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final 2023 In Barcelona.

The 2023 FEI European Championship in Milano (ITA), 29 August – 03 Sept. will also offer three team quotas for European nations from Group A and/or B. Fifteen additional individual quotas are also available for athletes from nations that have not already accepted a team quota place

Don’t miss a hoofbeat! Follow equestrian sports’ road to Paris at https://inside.fei.org/fei/games/olympic.

Thursday News & Notes

By on Mar 16, 2023 12:03 am -

Photo via Christine Smith Lo

If you’re into fun Between the Ears photos like me, I highly recommend the Facebook group of the same name. You’ll get to see photos like this one, which I’m pretty sure is the most perfect photo I’ve ever seen, and photos from riders all around the world. I love seeing the different places that riders can explore on horseback, and it’s maybe the last true way to see some of these places. Riding out of the ring has always been a soothing meditation for me, and I’m lucky that my neighbor has 2,000 acres in conservation easement, so I’m a big fan of photos between the ears.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International: [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Ride Times] [Dressage Order of Go] [Live Scoring] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Form Guide] [Volunteer]

Ocala Winter II (Ocala, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Pine Top Spring H.T (Thomson, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Ram Tap National H.T. (Fresno, CA) [Website] [Volunteer] [Entries / Ride Times / Scoring]

News From Around the Globe:

Things that only seem normal for horse people: a court case over a dead stallion’s semen. Paul Schockemöhle won his case against Totilas’ previous owner, Kees Visser, to hold exclusive breeding rights with any frozen semen from the stallion. The case hinged on whether buying Totilas in 2010 for €9.5m – in a verbal agreement – included exclusive breeding rights. It also focused on whether a box of 301 semen straws with a value of “at least several hundred thousand euros” delivered to the new owner were a gift or something else. I’m sorry, I’m still stuck on the VERBAL agreement part with that much money!! [Totilas Legal Dispute]

Stretching! I love it! For my horses, that is. I have several horses that truly need them, appreciate them, and feel better when I do them before and after a ride. However, it’s not as simple as yanking their legs out front once after you tighten the girth. Making sure that the muscles are not strained by your methods, and knowing the difference between static and active stretching is important. Learn more here and make your horse happy! [Stretch Your Horse]

If you need more proof that stretching your horse is a good idea…have a look at Off The Record’s daily stretching routine. Timmy even has a specially made stretching block that he is eager to utilize! [Stretching Time with Timmy]

When a horse-crazy girl was diagnosed with cancer at 13 years old, her world came to a standstill. That was, until a representative from the Make-A-Wish America shared that she could wish for anything her heart desired. “Most children asked for a trip to Disney, to the zoo, or a meet & greet with their favorite celebrity. I am always one to take everything a step further & push my limits, so I wished for my own horse…” [My Silver Lining Has Four Hooves]

Feeling spicy and want to start a fight at the barn today? Look no further, my piquant friends! There are two types of people in this world: people who brush their horse’s tail every day, and people who will hunt you down and beat you up if they see a brush near their horse’s tail. Which one are you? [To Brush, Or Not To Brush]

Your Guide to the 2023 Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International

By on Mar 15, 2023 10:00 pm -

Doug Payne and Starr Witness. Photo by Brant Gamma Photography.

It’s officially here: the 2023 Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International, presented by Lumbee River EMC, kicks off today with a full slate of both national and FEI divisions riding their dressage tests. The headlining Yanmar America CCI4*-S — the first 4* on the 2023 FEI calendar — will begin this morning just before 9:30 a.m. EST.

All the FEI action and then some can be seen on Horse & Country’s live stream, available to H&C+ subscribers or for a one-time $19.99 purchase here. For the FEI division, all dressage will be completed on Thursday, followed by show jumping on Friday and cross country on Saturday.

Keep an eye on this page all week for the latest coverage from Carolina, where EN is pleased to provide the press experience for media members.

Need to study up on the competitors? Check out our Yanmar America 4*-S Form Guide here.

If you’re attending the event this weekend, be sure to check out the awesome trading cards the event has created with help from EquiRatings — they’ll be available in each competitor packet, at each vendor village tent, and in the Carolina Club!

 

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There is also a full slate of family and spectator-friendly activities happening all week — check out the full schedule here.

EN’s Coverage

Will Coleman in Early Command of SRF Carolina International CCI4*-S
Meet the Horses and Riders of the 2023 Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International 4*-S, presented by Yanmar America

Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International: [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Ride Times] [Dressage Order of Go] [Live Scoring] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Form Guide] [Volunteer]

Between the Ears with Emily Hamel

By on Mar 15, 2023 1:00 pm -

It seems like these days we look at each other’s lives through the lens of a highlight reel. We get to see the incredible trips, the best jumps, and the moments that we’re proud enough of to put on social media. What we don’t talk about is how much pressure this adds to athletes on both ends of the news feed.

Riders, whether professional or not, are made to feel like they ‘have to’ post something that makes them look cool and successful. Then, as we consume this content, we are stuck with the disillusioned perception that the sport is easy and that if you’re not succeeding, then maybe you aren’t cut out for it. I would like to take this opportunity to go ‘between the ears’ of some of the riders that make up our Eventing Nation and work to understand some of the real challenges this industry presents.

To get started, I spoke with 5* rider Emily Hamel, who just so happens to be one of my very best friends. Now, I think Emily is great about being vulnerable both on social media and in person, however, after coming off of a year in Europe and successfully completing both Badminton and Burghley, it’s hard not to romanticize her and Barry’s journey to the top. So let’s go ahead and take a journey between the ears…

Photo courtesy of Emily Hamel.

Can you tell me about a time that you lost your confidence in your riding? How did you overcome it?

“The summer/early fall of 2019 was a rough patch for Barry and me. We were struggling to get our second 4*-L qualification after completing our first 4*-L brilliantly at Fair Hill in the fall of 2018. I went into Bromont that summer feeling great, but a few silly rider errors on cross country and the first E on our record.

I was pretty devastated by this mostly because I felt I should have done better. After allowing myself to be sad for a day, I promptly devised a plan and started training hard for Fair Hill in the fall. Again, I was feeling great going into the event, but unfortunately got launched out of the saddle at fence 7 on cross country when we disagreed on the distance to the Trakehner. This crushed my confidence in my riding and I wondered if I would ever get qualified to run a 5*.

Luckily, I had been through enough disappointments before and know there was no use dwelling on it. However, I give myself a day or two max to throw myself a pity party. After the party is done, I come up with a new plan. In this situation, it consisted of me extending my season and aiming for the 4*-L at Jockey Club in Ocala. Leading up to the event, I had several cross country lessons with Phillip to boost my confidence through competence which led to a great outcome and qualifying score.”

I love how Emily says “Luckily, I had been through enough disappointments” here. While there are certaintly events and circumstances that can shake our confidence, it is actually being able to push through difficult times that make us more mentally tough and in turn, more confident.

Emily’s belief in herself and her abilities have been able to help her push through mistakes and difficulties even beyond the struggles she experienced in the 2019 season.

After coming very close to taking a swim at Badminton, Emily went on to finish a beautiful cross country round. In those moments, there is no space for self-doubt, only trust in yourself and your ability to do hard things. In the sport of eventing, it’s so unrealistic to think everything is going to go perfectly all the time, it is however, realistic to expect yourself to get stronger with every obstacle you overcome.

Emily Hamel and Corvett. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Have you ever experienced burnout? Why? What tools did you use to get through it?

“Oh yeah, because working with horses is hard! I’ve worked in the horse industry for myself and other professionals since high school. Throughout the years, I have experienced varying forms of burnout. It happens most often when I’m working hard AND feeling like I’m not moving in the right direction. One can be manageable for a while, but both are a lethal combo.

Whenever I feel like burnout is coming, I know it’s time for something to change. That’s part of the reason I decided to go to England last year. Not only did I want to compete at Badminton and Burghley, but I also wanted time and space to focus on Barry and figure out my next step after our European adventure.”

What was one of the biggest obstacles you had to overcome on your way to one of your proudest achievements?

“I would say injuring my knee and having to have surgery four weeks before competing at Badminton was quite the obstacle. I was on a serious emotional roller coaster for a while there with being on the waitlist for Badminton, then hurting my knee, then getting the news I got off the waitlist, then expediting my surgery/recovery time so I could ride at Badminton.

I couldn’t have done it without the amazing group of people who took care of me and my horses while I healed. Shout out to Tyler for wheeling me out of the barn on a tack trunk! So when I completed Badminton it was a huge win in so many ways.”

I think the biggest takeaway here is perseverance. There are countless stories of individuals who overcome physical, mental, and financial limitations through unstoppable perseverance.

As I was literally carrying Emily around less than a month before she was supposed to head overseas, I saw her worry, I saw her question but I never saw her give up completely. She made a plan, and she found her way. I had joked with Emily a few months before when she rented her house out for the year before heading to Aiken and said “I guess you’re just going to have to make this happen, Badminton, Burghley the whole nine yards” — and she did.

Confidence is just the colloquial term for self-efficacy –- the belief that you can successfully do a particular thing. Maybe it’s wild to think, “I’m getting knee surgery and then getting on a plane to run my first overseas event at the 5* level”, but clearly it worked.

We don’t get to choose which obstacles stand in our way, but we do get to choose how we react to them, and in that choice, our experience can and will change.

Emily Hamel and Corvett at Badminton. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

What advice do you have for someone in the sport currently facing adversity?

“Welcome to the club! No matter how perfect someone’s journey may look, there is no doubt they have had to overcome multiple things to get to that place. I think knowing that you are not alone in the struggle is the most important thing and having a good support system to help you get through it is key. Also, I always like the think that it’s the adversity that makes for a good story. So as much as it may suck in the moment know that it will make the wins that much better in the end.”

Virginia Horse Center Eventing Secures 2023 Pan American Games Judges & Ground Jury for H.T. and FEI Level Competition May 25-28

By on Mar 15, 2023 10:30 am -

Marina Sciocchetti and her horse Master Hunt won the International Event in Fontainebleau and placed seventh Individually at the 1984 Olympic games in Los Angeles.

Joanie Morris has been hard at work assembling a top panel of judges and technical delegates for the VHC Eventing’s May Horse Trials and CCI. The event is fortunate to have secured Italian Olympian, Marina Sciocchetti, who will serve as President of the 3*/1*/A-CT Ground Jury. A native of Somma Lombardo, located in Northern Italy, Sciocchetti will add to an impressive list of other officials at VHC Eventing’s May Horse Trials & CCI before heading to Bromont to judge their June CCI 3-Day Event.

Sciocchetti will be joined in the judge’s box for the CCI 3* and Advanced CT by Bobby Stevenson. This is a rare opportunity for high-performance riders to get in front of a judging panel of this caliber, as both Stevenson and Sciocchetti are members of the Ground Jury for the 2023 Pan American Games in Chile. VHC Eventing will be hosting an Advanced Combined Training division in addition to the CCI 3*, which will also provide spectators with the ability to observe talented athletes at this level of equestrian sport.

Sciocchetti achieved a great level of success during her early riding career, winning the Italian Junior Championships four times in dressage and twice in Eventing, before finishing sixth in the European Junior Championships. Aboard Rohan de Lechereo she was a member of the Italian Team at the European Eventing Championships in Luhmulhen, and the Olympic games in Moscow where they helped Italy achieve a team Silver medal.

Italian Olympian, Marina Sciocchetti, will serve as President of the 3*/1*/A-CT Ground Jury.

With her younger horse, Master Hunt, Sciocchetti won the International Event in Fontainebleau and placed seventh Individually at the 1984 Olympic games in Los Angeles. She then began to train young horses and competed in show jumping for several years having good results in the Championships for young horses and Piazza di Siena in the 7-year-old classes.

Sciocchetti has trained the Italian Pony Eventing team for 14 years and was the Chef d’Equipe of the Italian Junior Team in 2012 and 2013. Her resume also includes being a FEI judge in Le Pin, Pratoni del Vivaro, Le Pouget, Montelibretti, Strezgom, Baborowko, Ballindenisk, Avenches and Schwaiganger. Sciocchetti is currently in charge of the Young Horses Department of the Italian Federation for Dressage and Eventing, and works with the Italian Breeding Society in an advisory capacity.

Marina Sciocchetti will be joined in the judge’s box for the CCI 3* and Advanced CT by Bobby Stevenson. Stevenson, who hails from Big Horn, Wyoming and Southern Pines, North Carolina, has been an official for the past 32 years as well as FEI level TD and Judge for 14 years. Stevenson, who has ridden through the 3* level, credits Brian Ross as being an early mentor in his riding career. Stevenson has operated a training and sales business out of Southern Pines for years, but now travels extensively as a judge. He has served as a judge and/or TD at many international events including; The Virginia Horse Trials, The Kentucky 3 Day Event, Fair Hill International, Loch Moy, Southern Pines, Red Hills International, The Event at Rebecca Farm, Adelaide (AU), Blenheim Palace Horse Trials (UK), Le Lion (FR), and others.

This is a rare opportunity for high-performance riders to get in front of a judging panel of this caliber, as both Stevenson and Sciocchetti are members of the Ground Jury for the 2023 Pan American Games in Chile. VHC Eventing will be hosting an Advanced Combined Training division in addition to the CCI 3*, which will also provide spectators with the ability to observe talented athletes at this level of equestrian sport.

VHC Eventing is honored to present the following cast of top-level TD’s, judges and staff for the May Horse Trials and CCI:

  • President Ground Jury 3*/1*/A-CT – Marina Sciocchetti
  • Member Ground Jury 3*/ and Judge AI – Bobby Stevenson
  • President Ground Jury 2* L and 2S* – Amanda Miller
  • Member 2* Ground Jury (and YEH Judge) – Beth Wheeler
  • President GJ National Divisions – Sara Miller Leary
  • GJ Member National and 1* – Holly Matt
  • GJ Member National – Julie Congleton
  • Technical Delegate (3S/2L/2S) – Gretchen Butts
  • Technical Delegate (National and 1*) – Rick Caldwell
  • SJ Judge – Kathy White
  • FEI Chief Steward – Dana Diemer
  • FEI Stewards – Shelley Ryan, Manny Diemer, Jeff Legg
  • Vet Delegate – Jim Hamilton
  • Associate Vet – Karen Reynolds
  • Announcers – Brian O’Connor & Mark Combs
  • Control – Diane Pitts

The VHC Eventing webpage is live, with the full list of committee members, course designers and event staff. Details on vendors and sponsorship, lodging, event entries, volunteer positions, cross-country maps and facility information are being added on a weekly basis.

Entries open April 11th, so start to make your plans early by visiting VHC Eventing.

Wednesday News & Notes from SRF Carolina International

By on Mar 15, 2023 12:01 am -

Photo courtesy of Carolina International.

Oh Carolina!

SRF Carolina International is ready!

The competitors are familiarizing themselves with the ring, Ian Stark’s cross country course is being walked, the welcome party drinks are on ice, and the giant checks are waiting to be filled out.

5* event rider Ariel Grald, is doing a course walk of the 4* cross country at 1pm (EDT) today (Wednesday) and make sure you’ve got your Eventing Manager team locked in before the competition kicks off down the center line with dressage tomorrow (Thursday) at 9am EDT (6am PDT, 8am CDT, 1pm GMT).

For those of us not able to be there but with Carolina in our mind, all of the action will be live streamed on H&C+ (subscription required). You can follow along with the live scores here.

The EN team – headed up by Chinch – are in situ ready to share all the news and excitement from the event. Make sure you’re following @carolinainternationalcci and @goeventing for all the latest photos and updates.

Whose names will be on those giant checks come Saturday evening? Will you make it into the top 10 on the Eventing Manager leaderboard? How many trading cards will Chinch collect?

Carolina knows!

U.S. Weekend Preview

SRF Carolina International CCI and H.T. (Hoke County, NC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Ocala Winter II (Ocala, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Pine Top Spring H.T (Thomson, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Ram Tap National H.T. (Fresno, CA) [Website] [Volunteer] [Entries / Ride Times / Scoring]

Wednesday News and Reading

When an old friend meets a new one – Charlotte Dujardin’s baby is starting out at the stables early. This Instagram post by Charlotte just makes your heart smile. [Valegro, Meet Isabella]

Emily Hamel’s had an eventful couple of weekends. Last weekend she was tearing up the cross country at the Grand-Prix Eventing Festival, this weekend she was in the ER after a horse took a chunk out of her ear. So whatever randomness your day throws at you today, at least a horse didn’t bite half your ear off. Hope you feel better soon Emily! [Ouch!]

What happens when artists are asked to depict the uniqueness of Thoroughbred racing? Well, just take a look at the entries for this year’s The Art of Racing program, run by 1/ST and the Maryland Jockey Club, partnered with the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). Artists from across the country have been submitting their work and now it’s time for the public to vote for their favorites. The entries are as individual as the horses they depict, and there are some very cool interpretations of the sport. [Get Your Art Critic Hat on and Cast Your Vote]

And the Oscar goes to… Jenny the donkey! There is some debate over whether the Jenny that graced the stage at the Dolby Theatre in LA was in fact one of the two donkey stars of Oscar-nominated film ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’, but it was cool to see a donkey at the Oscars all the same. [Best Donkey]

A horse’s legs are kind of vital, so it’s important we take care of them after they’ve worked their socks off for us. We need to know what to be aware of and what to do post-workout if we want to take the best care of our horse’s legs we possibly can. From leg inspections to icing, liniments, poltices and wrapping, paying attention to our horse’s limbs pays dividends both in the short and long-term. [Post-workout Leg Care] And on the topic of icing, here’s one way to do it! [Ice Ice Baby!]

Wondering when to introduce your foals to dry feed? It’s baby time here in the Welsh countryside and whilst it’s lovely to look around at all the cuteness popping out in the fields, it also comes with a fair bit of responsibility. Like parenting a child, there are milestones to be mindful of. Knowing what to feed your foal and when is an important part of aiding the little one’s growth and development. Karen Davison PhD from The Horse has the answer. [Feeding Foals]

We were hoping to see them Stateside, but Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale won’t be contesting the 2023 Dressage World Cup Finals. After winning the final leg of the Western European League, Great Britain’s ‘Lottie’ and Glamourdale booked their place in Omaha for the World Cup Finals, but it turns out that Glamourdale has important business to attend to at home – he’s needed on breeding duty. A shame for the spectators but we’ll continue drooling over videos of their stunning Freestyle instead. [Dad Duties For Glamourdale]

Sponsor Corner

The day we’ve all been waiting for is here! Will you be tuning in to Eventing Nation to keep up with the action from Carolina International?

Video Break

When it comes to National Napping Day, who other than Boyd Martin’s Thomas (Tsetserleg) to show us how it’s done?

Tuesday Videos: Understanding the Barn Sour Horse

By on Mar 14, 2023 3:00 pm -

Chelsea Canedy and Little Einstein. Photo by Sally Spickard.

There is something so frustrating about having a barn sour horse. I can still distinctly remember trying to hack my horse from my farm to literally across the street to ride at Peter Gray’s, only to spend 30 minutes spinning and hanging on for dear life while my horse decided I was, without a doubt, riding him toward his death. I ended the ride feeling dejected and disappointed, unable to figure out the right tools to end on a good note.

Luckily, if you’re in my situation now, there are an infinite amount of resources available to help navigate these situations. And as stressful as they are for us as the riders, they can be infinitely more so for our horses.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting eventer and horsemanship pro Chelsea Canedy in the past, and I’ve really come to appreciate her clear communication techniques. In a recent Equestrian Masterclass with Noelle Floyd, Chelsea talks about how to manage barn sour horses. These two short videos provide a few of the tips she teaches in her Masterclass, and they’re well worth checking out!

Now excuse me while I invent a time machine so I can make it over to Peter’s, finally!