Classic Eventing Nation

#TrainingTipTuesday: Improve Your Simple Changes and Canter-Trot Transitions

By on Apr 11, 2023 3:30 pm -

A simple change of lead through the trot will appear on your dressage tests as you move into the Preliminary and above level of eventing, so it’s a good thing to practice these transitions at home. Not only are simple changes tested, they’re also a key ingredient to eventually moving on to flying changes. At the least, the canter-trot-canter transition is highly useful for achieving balance, impulsion, and straightness.

But this is often a task easier said than done — as are most things with riding, let’s be honest — so Amelia Newcomb has broken this concept down in one of her latest instructional videos. I’ll borrow some notes from this video’s description:

Your goal for your trot-canter-trot transitions across the diagonal is to turn up the diagonal at canter, transition to trot just before X, use 5-6 trot steps to change bend, and transition back to canter. This is your end goal, but when we are beginning to teach the transition, we’ll use much more trot to prepare.

To start teaching the change of lead through trot:
1) Pick up the canter, and turn onto a diagonal line
2) At X, or slightly after, transition to trot
3) Change bend, and pick up the canter again at C

As your horse gets better and better at this exercise, you can decrease the amount of trot in between the canter until you reach your goal of just 5-6 trot steps on the diagonal! When you are riding this exercise, make sure to ride good corners and get your horse bending. Even ride a little shoulder fore as you are working on these transitions.

If your horse is running through your aids, or has trouble bending during your transition down to trot, try riding some 10m circles at X. You can do a figure eight pattern with these circles or just ride one 10m circle. To ride the figure eight:
1) At X, start circling the direction you were originally tracking (if you were going left, then circle left first, and vice versa)
2) Coming out of your first circle, change bend, and ride a circle the other direction
3) Then, as you are finishing your second circle, continue on the diagonal

You can learn much more from Amelia on her full YouTube page here — plenty of great info here to take back to your own rides! Save this one and try it on your own.

Maryland International Offering $1000 Scholarships for July FEI Event

By on Apr 11, 2023 1:00 pm -

Photo courtesy of Erin Gilmore Photography.

One of the biggest barriers to access in eventing is the sheer cost of competing a horse. Even at the national levels, the costs associated with boarding, training, shoeing, and competing a horse are high. The FEI levels are even more expensive because of the costs that competitions accrue from hiring FEI stewards and judges. FEI events are almost always held across multiple days, so riders have to pay for stabling their horses as well.

Increasing access to our sport is something Eventing Nation is passionate about. We were excited to see that the Maryland International Equestrian Foundation (MIEF) is awarding four scholarships that are equivalent to $1,000 to riders competing at the 1*, 2*, 3* and 4* levels at the July Maryland International in Adamstown, MD. The scholarships will assist by covering entry fees, stabling, as well as rider and groom/grounds person accommodations.

The applicant criteria is as follows:

• Applicant must be a current member in good standing with USEF and USEA

• Horses and riders must be sound and capable to compete at the level of scholarship they are applying for.

• Open to riders and horses who have never competed at 5* competition

• Rider must never have competed outside of North America.

• Horse and rider combination may not have competed above the level for which they are applying.

• Funds are to be used for the 2023 Maryland International.

• Members of the MIEF Board of Directors and members of their families are not eligible. Family members or current clients of the Scholarship Award Committee are not eligible.

• The Board and Selection Committee reserve the right to award scholarship to an alternate rider in the event of injury or illness to horse and/or rider.

Applications are due by May 1, with decisions made by June 1. There is a preference given to U.S.-bred horses, which is part of MIEF’s mission statement.

To find out more about the applicant criteria and apply for a scholarship, click here. To learn more about what the goal of MIEF is, click here. View the omnibus listing for the Maryland International H.T. here.

Go Eventing.

Check Out the Full Slate of Action on the LRK3DE Schedule

By on Apr 11, 2023 11:00 am -

A feeling like no other: the Rolex Stadium, full of people united by the love of horses once again. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

We’ll all be meeting in Kentucky before we know it, and a full slate of action awaits as the #BestWeekendAllYear gets underway beginning Wednesday, April 26. The full confirmed schedule of events and demonstrations has been published, so let’s dive in and find out what we have to look forward to at LRK3DE this year!

Coming soon, EN will also be publishing a guide to autograph signings, course walks, sponsor promotions, and other happenings as we become aware of them. Want more info each day? Sign up for the free LRK3DE Daily Digest email, which will be sent each day beginning Tuesday, April 25 through Monday, May 1. Find all of EN’s latest coverage, sponsor promotions and discounts, chances to win daily giveaways, and much more! Click here to sign up.

View the full schedule here

View the CCI5* Entries

View the CCI4*-S Entries

Still need tickets or tailgating? You can snag some here. 

Wednesday, April 26

  • 1 p.m. Cross-Country Course Open to Public
  • 2 p.m. First Horse Inspection; CCI5*-L only, sponsored by Hagyard Pharmacy — High Hope Inspection Lane
  • 2:30–5 p.m. Competitor Arena Familiarization – Thursday Competitors only, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim — Rolex Stadium

Thursday, April 27

  • 7 a.m. Gates Open
  • 7:15 a.m. –6 p.m. Hospitality Tents Open (Hospitality Ticket Required)
  • 7:45 a.m. CCI4*-S Dressage Test Ride — Rolex Stadium
  • 8 – 11:30 a.m. CCI4*-S Dressage Tests Begin — Rolex Stadium
  • 8:00 a.m.–6 p.m. Sponsor Village & Courtyard, The Hill, and Trade Fair Open
  • 12:15 p.m. CCI5*-L Dressage Test Ride — Rolex Stadium
  • 12:45 –4:30 p.m. CCI5*-L Dressage Tests Begin— Rolex Stadium
  • 4:45–7:15 p.m. Arena Familiarization – Friday Competitors only, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim — Rolex Stadium

Friday, April 28

  • 7 a.m. Gates Open
  • 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Hospitality Tents Open (Hospitality Ticket Required)
  • 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sponsor Village & Courtyard, The Hill, and Trade Fair Open
  • 8–11:30 a.m. CCI4*-S Dressage Tests Resume — Rolex Stadium
  • 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Champions Live! — Walnut Arena
  • 11 a.m. Kentucky Invitational CSI3* Jog, sponsored by Hagyard Pharmacy-Claiborne Ring
  • 12:30–3:30 p.m. Demonstrations and Exhibitions — Walnut Ring
  • – 12:30–1:30 p.m.: Retired Racehorse Project
  • – 1:30–3:30 p.m.: EEI Mounted Games Invitational Round 1
  • 12:30 – 4:10 p.m. CCI5*-L Dressage Tests Resume — Rolex Stadium
  • 6 p.m. Grand Prix Hospitality Tents Open (Grand Prix Hospitality Ticket Required)
  • 7 p.m. Kentucky Invitational CSI3* $38,700 Welcome Speed Cup 1.45m, presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute — Rolex Stadium – Hospitality tent for Grand Prix to be open from 6-9 p.m. Other tents to remain open until 9 p.m.

**Also happening Friday will be the annual EN x Ride iQ Course Walk, and we’ve got an exciting special guest leading the way this year! Stay tuned for advance sign-ups and more information coming soon.**

Saturday, April 29

  • 7 a.m. Gates Open (including Land Rover Tailgating)
  • 7:30 a.m.– 4:45 p.m. Hospitality Tents Open (Hospitality Ticket Required)
  • 7:30 a.m. –6 p.m. Sponsor Village & Courtyard, The Hill, and Trade Fair Open
  • 8:30 a.m. Deadline for Tailgating Vehicles to be Parked
  • 8:30 – 11 a.m. Demonstrations and Exhibitions — Walnut Ring
  • – 8:30 a.m. EEI Mounted Games Invitational Round 2
  • – 10 a.m.: Retired Racehorse Project
  • 9 – 11:45 a.m CCI4*-S Cross-Country Test
  • Noon Kentucky Invitational CSI3* Course Walk — Rolex Stadium
  • 12:30 p.m. CSI3* Rider Autograph Session – Hagyard Tent (#312/313, The Hill)
  • 1–4:15 p.m. CCI5*-L Cross-Country Test
  • 5 p.m. Grand Prix Hospitality Tents Open (Grand Prix Hospitality Ticket Required)
  • 6 p.m. $226,000 Kentucky Invitational CSI3* 1.60m — Rolex Stadium – Hospitality tent for Grand Prix to be open from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Other tents to remain open until 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 30

  • 7 a.m. Gates Open
  • 7:15 a.m. Non-Denominational Worship Service — Zoetis Schooling Complex, Pavilion between Stonelea/Claiborne Rings
  • 7:30 a.m. CCI4*-S and CCI5*-L Horse Inspection, sponsored by Hagyard Pharmacy — High Hope Inspection Lane
  • 7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Hospitality Tents Open (Hospitality Ticket Required)
  • 8 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Sponsor Village & Courtyard, The Hill, and Trade Fair Open
  • 10:15 a.m. Opening Ceremony, WEG Team Recognition and Presentation of Officials and Flags — Rolex Stadium
  • 10:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CCI4*-S Jumping Test; reverse order of placing — Rolex Stadium
  • 12:30 – 12:45 p.m. Presentation of the Awards — Rolex Stadium
  • 1:15 p.m. CCI5*-L Jumping Course Open for Competitor Inspection — Rolex Stadium
  • 1:45 p.m. Drag – Rolex Stadium
  • 2 p.m. CCI5*-L Jumping Test first group; reverse order of placing — Rolex Stadium
  • 3 p.m. CCI5*-L Jumping Test second group; reverse order of placing; awards immediately after — Rolex Stadium
  • 4 p.m. Presentation of the Awards — Rolex Stadium

Cheers to an Impending Return to 5* for Stella Artois

By on Apr 11, 2023 9:00 am -

Jennie Saville and Stella Artois finish up their final Kentucky prep at Stable View. Photo by Shelby Allen.

After a top placing at the inaugural Maryland Five Star in 2021, the absence of Stella Artois during the following competition season was keenly felt. The striking dark bay mare owned by the Stella Artois Syndicate is one of Jennie Saville (neé Brannigan)’s top horses, one she’s produced since the Novice level, and together they had achieved Jennie’s highest five-star placing so far in her career, finishing fourth overall and the second highest placed American combination.

Even after a triumphant clear showing, Jennie felt a tug of concern for “Toddie’s” right front tendons after the competition, but scans of both front legs immediately following Maryland – a routine practice for Jennie’s horses after any big event – appeared fine and Jennie sent the mare off on her normal postseason vacation.

It was the following spring during Toddie’s first jump school in preparation for the final running of Red Hills when Jennie felt something was not quite right. She and her team had already begun bringing the mare back from her vacation and she looked good as they brought her back into work. Toddie had spent the early part of 2022 in training with Silva Martin and at a planned dressage-only outing at the Ocala Winter I Horse Trials she and Jennie scored a stellar 23.2 in a Preliminary test.

“She’s a pretty stoic horse,” Jennie says. “I have to really pay attention to how she feels, because she won’t show anything and then something like [Boekelo] will happen.”

Jennie Brannigan and Stella Artois. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

When we talk about tough event mares, we can count Stella Artois, a 15-year-old Hannoverian mare (Satisfaction FRH – Comtessa, by Contender), amongst the toughest. Jennie cites the Boekelo Nations Cup in 2019, as an example. The mare jumped a beautiful clear show jumping round to finish out the competition, despite elimination on the cross country the day before (this event was used as a test event for the new Olympic format, thus Jennie and Toddie were able to jog and jump the following day). After the competition it was discovered she had jumped that round with a ruptured muscle.

This time, just ahead of her 2022 season debut, Toddie actually showed just enough of that ‘not-quite-rightness’ for Jennie to feel that something was up. Scans revealed a tendon injury in the left front leg and her 2022 season ended before it began.

“I’m a big believer in horses getting breaks,” says Jennie. For her that always includes a generous postseason vacation period as well as an ample amount of time off for injury.

“I think a lot of people do a lot of therapies thinking they’ll get they’re horse back fast,” Jennie says. While Toddie did respond well to the Artemis Class 4 Cold Equine Therapy Laser, a therapy that Jennie says she’s seen great results with, she always considers time to be the greatest healer of all.

“Once they get hurt I’m like, ‘OK, I’m not gonna see them for a year,’” says Jennie.

Many of Jennie’s competition horses enjoy their vacations and time off at long-time supporters Nina and Tim Gardner’s farm in Pennsylvania, where they are tended to by Karen Hokanson, who treats them like her children. Jennie says she and Karen share the same philosophy when it comes to allowing horses to heal: slow and steady wins the race.

You could argue that ‘slow and steady wins the race’ applies to Jennie’s perspective on competing as well.

Jennie’s aim is to set her horses up for success at the big goal events, not to win as many horse trials as possible – a mistake she says she sees some of today’s young riders making which results in over-running their horses, but Jennie is quick to admit that she made similar mistakes at that age as well.

Jennie Brannigan and Stella Artois. Photo by Abby Powell.

Even when she first sat on Stella Artois as a 5-year-old at Philipp Kolossa’s in Germany, Jennie knew she’d be a bit of a tricky horse for her, but she fell in love regardless.

“The second I saw her I thought, ‘Oh wow, she’s amazing. This is the nicest horse I’ve ever found,’” Jennie recalls. “I knew this horse is too big for me and she’s going to be strong, but I love her. Her gallop is amazing and it’s very easy on itself. I wanted a horse that could gallop and could gallop easily.”

Though Toddie is a great galloper – even at 40% blood – her long back puts some extra stress on her body when she lands from a fence. Because of those hard landings and also because of how strong she is across the country, Jennie is careful to pick and choose the events that she lets the mare go all out for.

“I never take Stella to any horse trials trying to be competitive,” Jennie says. “I like to event my horses less frequently and I choose to go slower at [national] events.”

Last month, Stella Artois made her return to competition after the careful rest and rehab for that tendon injury over a year ago. Jennie first took her for an easy spin around the Open Preliminary at Rocking Horse Winter III Horse Trials followed by a showing at Carolina International in the CCI3*-S, adding only those planned cross country time penalties at both events. They then contested the CCI4*-S at Stable View last weekend, again solely adding cross country time penalties to their score, as their final preparatory event before heading to the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, where we look forward to cheering them on in Toddie’s return to the five-star level.

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

By on Apr 11, 2023 7:43 am -

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tom McEwen (@tommceweneventing)

In just about a week or so, our British contingent for Kentucky will be hopping on a plane across the pond — and with them, they bring some seriously high hopes for a big win. It’s pretty hard to bet against the likes of last year’s runners-up, Yas Ingham and Banzai du Loir, but Tom McEwen’s chances look pretty swish on Nicola Wilson’s reigning European Champ JL Dublin, too, in his five-star debut. Frankly, though, I’m quietly convinced that Liz or Will might be waiting in the wings to snatch the crown back for the US. I’m getting butterflies just thinking about it! My first Kentucky! What a thrill! If you see me wandering around in a happy daze, clutching a massive camera and a chinchilla, do say hi – I want to know who you think is going to scoop the title!

Events Opening Today: Tryon International Spring H.T.- Pending USEF Approval, Virginia Horse Center Eventing, USEA MDHT YEH Qualifier, Woodside Spring H.T., Mill Creek Pony Club Horse Trial, Willow Draw Charity Show, May-Daze at the Park H.T., Equestrians’ Institute H.T., Spring Coconino H.T.

Events Closing Today: University of New Hampshire Spring H.T., Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Spring H.T., Horse Park of New Jersey Spring H.T.

Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:

Southern belles have plenty to look forward to this year. Check out what US Eventing has in store for Area V — which comprises Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma — in 2023, and get your diary out, because there’s plenty to be jotting down as far as season goals go! [Head down to Area V]

When it comes to gym bros, protein is king. But is this essential macronutrient the most important part of your horse’s diet, too, or should it take a back seat to more critical conduits of nutrition? Equine nutritionist Madeline Boast is setting the record straight, so you can put that boiled, unseasoned chicken away for a moment. [Getting your horse’s protein right]

Who among us hasn’t wept bitterly over the death of Ginger? A whole new generation is about to be traumatised by Black Beauty, which is getting a brand new edition  in partnership with longstanding British equine charity Redwings. The book will help raise vital funds for the horses, ponies, and donkeys in Redwings’s care, which means that it’s a must-have on every pony-mad kid’s birthday and Christmas lists this year… just be prepared to gift them a bit of therapy a few years down the line, too. [Bookworms unite]

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m a bit of a control freak. I like to know I have every duck in a row in every situation — but in eventing, those ducks are usually punch-drunk squirrels having a bar fight, and I haven’t got a hope in hell. That’s why I was so keen to dive into blogger Justine Griffin’s recap of a two-day eventing clinic in Ocala, where she learned that you can only control certain parts of your ride — but you can maximise the positive influence you’re exerting over them to yield a better, more fun outcome. [Things I need to learn, volume 4584830]

Sponsor Corner: Did you know that Omega-3 fatty acids…

💪 help support healthy levels of inflammation in the joints

🤧 mitigate the severity of allergic reactions

💘 support normal fertility rates

🦠 sustain healthy immune function

Check out Contribute from Kentucky Performance Products if you think your horse could use any of these benefits!

Watch This:

I’m gearing up for my first ever trip to Kentucky, and I’m so excited that I cannot stop watching old YouTube videos of previous years’ cross-country rounds. Join me:

Monday Video: The Jackie Chan Horse Movie You Didn’t Know You Needed

By on Apr 10, 2023 3:05 pm -

We’ve got something a little different for you this week to end your Monday. It may not be eventing-related, but I think we can totally get away with filing it under ‘insanity in the middle’.

Whether you’re a Jackie Chan fan or a light-hearted horse movie fan (or both — then you’ll really enjoy this), you’re in for a treat thanks to the latest Chan flick, Ride On, which hit theaters this past weekend. Full disclosure, I haven’t yet seen the film myself but the trailer did certainly make me chuckle!

Ride On is a family-friendly film that follows an aging stunt man looking to make a comeback and save his beloved horse, Red Hare, from repossession by training him to do stunts as well. Described as “gently meta” by Variety, the film repurposes footage of big-ticket stunts from prior Chan films as flashbacks to the character’s glory days. It’s as much of an homage to the stunt industry (and the dangerous career path of stunt men and women) as it is to the legendary career of Chan.

Who Jumped It Best? Stable View Preliminary

By on Apr 10, 2023 2:00 pm -

Who Jumped It Best?

Our latest edition of Who Jumped It Best takes us between the pines of Aiken, S.C. to Stable View’s Spring International Event & H.T. In stark contrast to Saturday’s gloomy, soggy conditions, Sunday’s competitors had nearly perfect going. The previous day’s rainfall produced springy, pristine footing for the remaining combinations on cross country.

Preliminary competitors kicked off the morning, and we caught them very early in the track, at fence 2. Mogie Bearden-Mullen’s course opened up with good, open galloping from the jump before turning up the heat with challenging combinations in the latter half. Though straightforward, a course’s beginning fences are crucial to set the tone and the step of a course.

Take a look at these seven Preliminary horse and rider combinations and cast your vote in the poll at the bottom of this post.

Stable View Spring 2/3/4* and H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Scoring] [EN’s Coverage]

Charlotte Collis and Call The Law. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Molly Koch Toome and Diamond Lad. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Mikki Kuchta and Semore Smoke. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Susan Gornall and Gray Area. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Hugh Wrigley and FE Santos. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Emily Ballard and Sexy Swingin Walk. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Callia Englund and Boss Indy. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Weekend Winners: Stable View, CDCTA, Pine Hill & Rocking Horse

By on Apr 10, 2023 11:45 am -

Plenty going on this weekend in the Eventing World, as we saw multiple Kentucky-bound pairs competing for $30,000 in prize money in the 4*S at Stable View. If you missed the action, check out EN’s coverage of Stable View, as well as enjoy the weekend recap in our Weekend Winner series, where we’re celebrating successful outings at Stable View, but also at CDCTA, Pine Hill, and Rocking Horse.

Let’s also take a moment for a special shout out to the winner of our Unofficial Low Score Award, Janine Malseed and Cooley Jet Set, who earned a 21.4 in the Open Novice B at Pine Hill this weekend. Great work!

Stable View Spring 2/3/4* and H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website][Scoring][EN’s Coverage]

CCI4*-S: Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver (25.5)
CCI3*-S: William Coleman and Larcot Z (38.5)
CCI2*-S: Ariel Grald and In Vogue (24.8)
Advanced: Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan (37.5)
Open Intermediate: Lucia Strini and DHI Kevin G (37.7)
Open Preliminary: Lauren Lambert and Biscotti (28.8)
Preliminary Rider: Mikki Kuchta and Special Reserve (39.7)
Modified Rider: Lainey Phillips and Global Exellencia Z (27.6)
Open Modified: Jane Jennings and Clarkes Sweet Music (24.3)
Open Training: Ashley Adams and Global Halcyon (26.0)
Training Rider: Devon Champlain and Champagne Event (25.0)

CDCTA Spring H.T. (Ruckersville, VA) [Website][Scoring]

Open Preliminary: Jessica Chappell and Bryn Taran Laurel (33.2)
Open Training 1: Kendyl Tracy and Avalon Realta (33.1)
Open Training 2: Cecelia Meza and LL Silver (38.3)
Open Novice 1: Kaitlin Clasing and Maberlinus M (25.2)
Open Novice 2: Kaitlin Clasing and Whiskey Chaser (32.2)
Novice Rider: Julie Augustine and Texas Riddle (30.3)
Open Beginner Novice: Daniel Clasing and TGS Lions Sunshine (30.9)
Beginner Novice Rider: N. Lynn Sadler and What’s Happening (33.8)
Intro: Inna Dzekunova and Beorn (38.9)
TIP Preliminary: Wendy Masemer and Fibber and Molly (50.5)
TIP Training: Cecelia Meza and LL Silver (38.3)
TIP Novice: Julie Augustine and Texas Riddle (30.3)
TIP Beginner Novice: Jessica Sappenfield and Island Dancer (31.2)
TIP Intro: Inna Dzekunova and Beorn (38.9)

Pine Hill Spring H.T (Belleville, TX) [Website][Scoring]

Open Preliminary: Sierra Fishell and Galiamo (34.0)
Open Training: Kelley Kays and Falconwood’s Good Karma (35.1)
Open Novice A: Emily Mosher and Out on Bail (27.8)
Open Novice B: Janine Malseed and Cooley Jet Set (21.4)
Open Beginner Novice A: Megan Correia-Bittner and Millionn (23.8)
Open Beginner Novice B: Marcella Pinell and Dark Shadows d’Avalon (21.8)
Open Beginner Novice C: Marissa Corcoran and Just Eddie (24.7)
Open Beginner Novice C: Savannah Ware and Worth The Wait (24.7)
Open Starter A: Christine Wheelwright and Lady Marmalade (29.0)
Open Starter B: Emarie Graham and Grandisimo (35.7)
Open Starter B: Abigail Zimmer and Regal Regon (35.7)
TIP Preliminary: Sierra Fishell and Galiamo (34.0)
TIP Novice: Taylor Tiberg and Text Me (32.2)
TIP Beginner Novice: Laura Mann and Problem Solved (25.3)

Rocking Horse Spring H.T (Altoona, FL) [Website][Scoring]

Intermediate/Preliminary: Kimberley Bégin and Ballinagore rock quality 43.2)
Intermediate Rider: Ali Kuhn and Little Hail (37.6)
Open Intermediate: Conor Rollins and Prime Target (32.8)
Open Preliminary: Lisa Barry and Rosie’s Aventadora (24.7)
Preliminary Horse: Colleen Loach and Canada Day (25.0)
Preliminary Rider: Sarah Newman and Hang Time (30.8)
Modified Rider: Skyler Norris and Fu Pegchu (29.8)
Open Modified A: Lynn Symansky and DHI Kickodieza (27.0)
Open Modified B: Madeleine Richards and Global Turning Point (25.0)
Open Training: Anna Loschiavo and Fernhill Maverick (25.3)
Training Horse: Sharon White and Arden Casino (24.4)
Training Rider: Nancy Lee and PHF Wine Me Up (26.4)
Novice Horse A: Jordan Duffett and Charlie il Postino (28.5)
Novice Horse B: Madeleine Scott and Oaks (23.3)
Senior Novice Rider A: April Hays and Anteros HSH (29.4)
Senior Novice Rider B: Valli Corbin and Napoleon Z (29.3)
Open Novice A: Lea-Claude Pelletier and Cherry Lane (24.7)
Open Novice B: Anna Loschiavo and Bruno (27.2)
Beginner Novice Rider: Raegan Samson and McLaren (25.0)
Open Beginner Novice: Brooke Bayley and Bonheur (27.4)
Starter: Janet Gordon and Lucky Gamble (33.0)

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

By on Apr 10, 2023 8:55 am -

Happy lazy Monday to all those benefitting from a day off work today! For all the rest of us (hey, horse people), I hope you get your paws on plenty of discounted Easter choccies today. I’m planning a trip down the road to get those £1 Easter eggs for a 25% markdown, and if that means all my meals today are in chocolate form, then so be it. We’ve got to fuel up for the season ahead, friends.

National Holiday: It’s National Hug Your Dog Day. Do any of us really need any extra encouragement?

U.S. Weekend Action:

Stable View Spring 2/3/4* and H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Results] [EN’s Coverage]

CDCTA Spring H.T. (Ruckersville, VA) [Website] [Results]

Pine Hill Spring H.T (Belleville, TX) [Website] [Results]

Rocking Horse Spring H.T (Altoona, FL) [Website] [Results]

U.K. Weekend Results:

Norton Disney (Lincoln, Lincs.): [Results]

Breckenbrough (Thirsk, Yorks.): [Results]

Larkhill (Amesbury, Wilts.): [Results]

Your Monday Reading List:

National Hunt — that is, jumps racing — horses are a special kind of tough. They tend to keep racing far longer than their flat racing counterparts, and afterwards, they can enjoy several more careers. In case you need any further evidence that Thoroughbreds are just the coolest, H&H caught up with a few legends of the sport to find out what they’ve been getting up to since their final fling across the finish line. Spoiler alert: there’s at least one Grand National winner out eventing.

British events love a bit of glamping, don’t they? Bramham is the next Big B to get the Glastonbury treatment, with boutique yurts available to book this year. If you can nab yourself an invite to the Thursday night cocktail party, which is always rather rowdy, you’ll be glad of a bed within stumbling distance. Here’s how to book.

Do you love a trail ride with your dog? If you’ve got the space to do so safely, I completely envy you — it’s a no-go here in the UK for those of us who use public bridleways! This piece, though, will help you finesse the process if you do have enough land to want to get out and about with both of your four-legged best pals. Happy trails!

It’s time for a sit-down with Bobby Costello. His tenure as interim chef d’equipe has turned into a permanent appointment in the position, and along the way, US Eventing has achieved some seriously lofty goals. But how did Bobby get where he is now, and what’s next on the agenda? Exciting times for the US Eventing team!

The FutureTrack Follow:

Formerly British eventer Julia Norman has made the big decision to swap to Zimbabwean nationality — a claim she can make via her mother’s birth in the country. That’ll make her just Zimbabwe’s second-ever five-star eventer, and you can follow her adventures and results on Instagram!

Morning Viewing:

Oh, NBD, just Jessica von Bredow-Werndl absolutely smashing it again.

Will Coleman and Larcot Z Conquer CCI3*-S + More From Stable View

By on Apr 9, 2023 9:10 am -

Will Coleman and Larcot Z. Photo by Shelby Allen.

A year ago, eventer Reagan LaFleur started her career in law, and because of her new professional time constraints, decided to hand the reins of her own Larcot Z over to Will Coleman. Now one season later, Will and the 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding (L’arc de Triomphe — Kocote de la Londe) have cashed in on their partnership, claiming a win in the Stable View CCI3*-S.

Reagan produced “Dwight,” aptly named after the character from The Office for the natural middle part of his forelock, through the two-star level. “I bumped him up did his first intermediates last year,” Will said. “He’s a really attractive horse — beautiful type, like a real blood type and a great jumper.”

He earned a 30.5 on the flat, with a score of nine for his final halt. A fault-free show jumping and just 8 cross country time penalties gave the pair a winning result of 38.5. Will was especially proud of the up-and-coming horse considering the deluge of rainfall he faced in addition to Mogie Bearden-Muller’s cross country track.

“It was just raining so hard. I could barely see I felt like I needed windshield wipers for my eyeballs,” Will said. “I think he was backed off by the ground. The ground held up really nicely, but it was still soft and kind of squishy. It just made the jumps maybe feel a little bigger, and he’s quite a careful horse so it was a good experience for him. He was really honest everywhere. I really can’t fault him.”

The LaFleur family have given their blessing for Will to continue campaigning Dwight for now, and he says he’ll aim for a spring three-star long, but hasn’t narrowed down yet exactly which one he’ll chose.

Doug Payne and Quiberon. Photo by Shelby Allen.

With 23 starters, only two came through the finish inside the time: Doug Payne and Waylon Roberts, who finished second and third place, respectively.

Doug piloted his and his wife’s 8-year-old Oldenburg stallion (Quite Easy — Avalon) to a second place finish on a score of 43.5. Only one rail in yesterday’s show jumping was added to their final result. A promising member of Doug’s string, Quiberon was bred in the U.S. by Didi Callahan.

Waylon Roberts and OKE Ruby R. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Canadian rider Waylon Roberts finished third with OKE Ruby R, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Namelus R — B. Termie R 6) owned by John Koppin, Michelle Koppin and Waylon, on a final score of 46.

North Carolina-based Ariel Grald picked up two wins in both the Advanced and the CCI2*-S.

Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan. Photo by Shelby Allen.

It was her World Championships partner Leamore Master Plan who took top honors in the Advanced after braving nearly the worst of the weather across both jumping phases. Annie Eldridge’s 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Master Imp — Ardragh Bash) has had a quieter spring following their 11th place finish at Pratoni, only so far running a combined test in the Carolina International four-star, but this weekend he stretched his legs for the first time adding 6.8 time penalties to their final score of 37.5.

Buck Davidson and Erroll Gobey. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Buck Davison was second with Erroll Gobey, who will be the pathfinder at the upcoming Kentucky CCI5* on a score of 44.

Australian transplant riding under the New Zealand flag, Hayley Frielick was third with her Dunedin Black Watch. They cruised to add 20 time penalties which included adding the third four-star corner which was not flagged for the Advanced course as an extra bonus fence.

Ariel Grald and In Vogue. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.

In the CCI2*-S, Ariel’s partner In Vogue topped the leaderboard. Top Run Equestrian’s 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Future Trend — Ballymolloy Holly Hock) finished on her dressage score of 24.8.

“She’s owned by one of my best friends Claire Williams. We bought her during COVID as a 4-year-old from Ireland [off] videos. Bought the horse for Claire, and we’ve sort of shared the ride she you know, has a busy, real person job. So I take her for a little while and then Claire rides are a little bit, so she’s kind of bounced back and forth. But unfortunately Claire got hurt skiing this winter, so I’ve been riding her all winter,” Ariel said. “She’s just really, really cool. The more you do it, the more she steps up, and she’s actually getting quite hungry to go do the job. She’s just getting better and better.”

Lucia Strini. DHI Kevin G. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Lucia Strini took top honors in the Open Intermediate with DHI Kevin G, an 8-year-old KWPN (Dakar VDL — Varia) owned by Plain Dealing Farm, on a score of 37.7.

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