Classic Eventing Nation

Sunday Links

By on Jun 1, 2025 12:39 am -

We love a good link-up! This week, Equestrian Fitness Academy’s Ifa Simmonds, Nicky Caden Equestrian, the team at Cool Ridings in the UK, and other riders and coaches got together for a few days of learning at Racewood Training Centre (home to high-tech riding simulators) for a Rider Coaching Day organized by eventer and Cool Ridings founder Lydia Heywood. Enjoy some scenes from a great week!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Equestrians’ Institute H.T. (WA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

IEA Horse Trials (IN): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

The Spring Event at Archer (WY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Ocala Summer H.T. (FL): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

GMHA June H.T. (VT): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Poplar Place June H.T. (GA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [ref=”https://evententries.com/#LiveScoreszPhdTSyZB4_0jqP1FTY2XQ==” target=”_blank”>Scoring] [Volunteer]

MCTA H.T. at Shawan Downs (MD): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring]

Essex H.T. (NJ): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club Spring H.T. (NY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

Major International Events

Chaumont en Vexin CCI4*-L/S (France): [Website] [Timetable] [Timing & Scoring]

Millstreet International CCI4*-L/S (Ireland): [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Live Stream]

Links & Reading

Recognize Excellence in Eventing: USEA Appreciation Award Nominations Are Open

Active Riding Trips: Stacey Adams Spreads Love of Horses Globally, Making Travel Dreams Come True

‘I thought if one person like me could learn more about horses, that would be brilliant’: how This Esme’s drive to make riding more accessible drew in millions of fans

Planning for Equine Emergencies

Thoroughbred Logic, Presented by Kentucky Performance Products: Five Thoroughbred-Approved Pieces of Tack

Video Break

How to *properly* scope out a water jump:

Patrick Whelan is Irish Champion as Kevin McNab Wins CCI4*-S at Millstreet

By on May 31, 2025 6:00 pm -

Patrick Whelan, first winner of the Connollys Red Mills EI120 National Championship. Photo by Bit-Media.

Rising eventing star Patrick Whelan was crowned Irish National Champion after a strong finish as runner-up behind Australian Kevin McNab in the Connolly’s RED MILLS CCI4*-S at Millstreet International Horse Trials.

The inaugural Connolly’s RED MILLS EI120 National Championship title is awarded to the highest-placed member of Eventing Ireland in the class.

Patrick, 28, from Murrintown in Co Wexford, has had a good month, completing his first Badminton in 36th place. At Millstreet, where he was riding owner-breeder Seamus Carew’s Altitu, he rose from seventh after dressage with a clear showjumping round and the second-fastest cross-country time of four penalties.

“He’s a really consistent horse who is rarely out of the ribbons,” said Patrick of the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse by Orestus VDL with whom he was a member of the winning team in last year’s FEI Nations Cup at Millstreet. “I’ve been competing him since he was six and have hardly ever had a bad day as we’ve come up through the levels. We’re off to Luhmuhlen (five-star) next, which is all part of the natural progression.”

Kevin, whose sympathetic horsemanship is always a joy to watch, was fastest across the country (3.6 time faults) with Sonia Moltke and his wife Emma’s nine-year-old Oldenburger Faro Imp and clinched the win, having led throughout the competition. His less experienced horse, Wilfred Lancer, incurred a run-out and 15 penalties for a missed flag to drop from third to 22nd.

Ireland-based British rider Daniel Alderson was third on Islandwood Quality Control.

“Faro Imp has a real natural motor and travelled very well,” said Kevin. “I had one or two green moments with a young horse [Cassie in the CCI2*-L], but she will have come out of it a better horse when she finished. There aren’t many better cross-country tracks in the world and that is why we come to Millstreet every year.”

Kevin McNab (AUS) and Faro Imp (OL) – winner of the CCI4*-S – Connollys RED MILLS. Photo by Bit-Media.

British five-star rider Gemma Stevens has retained her lead in the Noel C. Duggan Engineering CCI4*-L after an assured cross-country performance on Flash Cooley, in which she only added 1.2 time penalties. This gives her a rail in hand for Sunday’s showjumping finale.

Only two riders achieved the optimum cross-country time of 10 minutes: Italy’s Giovanni Ugolotti, who has retained second place on Duke of Champions, and Ireland’s Aoife Clark, who rose from seventh place after dressage to third on Full Monty de Lacense.

Gemma also leads the Goresbridge Horse Sales CCI3*-L with another Cooley horse: TJM Equestrian’s Cooley Park Muze, a nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse by Pollux de Muze Z. Again, she has the luxury of a rail in hand over the second- and third-placed Irish riders Jack O’Haire (Jamaica Rose) and Ben Connors (OLS King Aragon).

An exciting show jumping finale is assured in the Donal Hickey Motors CCI2*-L on Sunday with a mere 0.8 of a penalty separating the top three.

Kevin McNab lost his lead on Cassie with a cross-country run-out, but is in third place on Channel RF (by the same sire, Cassall) behind new leader Giovanni Ugolotti riding Valentine Tourres’ Magherard Candy Boy (by Sligo Candy Boy) and, in current second place, Ireland’s Robbie Kearns with the seven-year-old Irish Sport Horse Belline Thistle Bethelastime by Grafenstoltz.

As ever, the Pony riders were great fun to watch enjoying themselves on Paul Brady’s beautifully presented cross-country track. Kitty Cullen and Coppenagh Spring Sparrow finished comfortably within the optimum time of 6 minutes 51 seconds to hold onto their overnight lead in the Connollys Red Mills CCIP2*-L.

However, they do not have a showjumping rail in hand over Hugh Kelly and Fairhouse In A Pickle, who were even speedier and rose four places to second. Sweden’s Freya Von Moltke has slipped a place to third on Grantstown True Loves.

The cross country for the rest of the short-format classes takes place Sunday, starting with the CCI1*-Intro, while show jumping for the long-format classes gets underway at 09.30. Both phases are available to watch on www.millstreet.horse/eventing where start lists and results can also be found.

Millstreet International CCI4*-L/S (Ireland): [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Live Stream]

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

By on May 31, 2025 12:01 am -

If you haven’t checked out the Eventing Weekly podcast, you’re missing out on some seriously hilarious and authentic conversations with the people in our sport. In the latest episode, hosted by horse-husbands Mitch and Brayden, features two U.S. rising stars, Mia Farley and Olivia Dutton! You can check out the latest episode wherever you get your podcasts or here.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Equestrians’ Institute H.T. (WA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

IEA Horse Trials (IN): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

The Spring Event at Archer (WY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Ocala Summer H.T. (FL): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

GMHA June H.T. (VT): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Poplar Place June H.T. (GA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [ref=”https://evententries.com/#LiveScoreszPhdTSyZB4_0jqP1FTY2XQ==” target=”_blank”>Scoring] [Volunteer]

MCTA H.T. at Shawan Downs (MD): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring]

Essex H.T. (NJ): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club Spring H.T. (NY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

Major International Events

Chaumont en Vexin CCI4*-L/S (France): [Website] [Timetable] [Timing & Scoring]

Millstreet International CCI4*-L/S (Ireland): [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Live Stream]

Links & Reading

Join the Action at the 2025 USEA AEC as a Sponsor and Vendor!

Walking The Walk at the Virginia Horse Center

It’s All About That Base! Strengthening You Base of Support in the Saddle

Why Brand Credibility is Crucial for Equestrian Businesses in 2025

Sponsor Corner: World Equestrian Brands

Don’t miss out on one of the best 1% Better interviews yet on the World Equestrian Brands’ social media! This interview brings in the perspective of top show jumper Lillie Keenan, who has some tips we can all use – regardless of discipline.

Video Break

Just a funny for you, and a cheeky name to boot, depending on how you pronounce it!

Sound up if you are over 18 🤣🤣🤣

Posted by Melissa Montevideo May on Thursday, May 29, 2025

A New Japanese Star Emerges at Belsay (2)

By on May 30, 2025 3:20 pm -

Yuya Segawa and Vegas De L’Elfe. Photo by Athalens.

Japanese riders have taken the sport of eventing by storm in recent years, and the newest star in their firmament, Yuya Segawa, shone at Belsay by scoring his first European international victory in the NIS Group Services/Encon Technical Solutions CIC2*-S.

Riding Vegas De L’Elfe JRA, 25-year-old Yuya show jumped clear and added just 1.2 cross country time-faults to his second-placed dressage mark of 30.2 to take the competitive class by less than a penalty from Scotland’s Louisa Milne Home.

Yuya, who is based in Leicestershire with eventer Richard Jones, only took over the ride on 16-year-old Vegas De L’Elfe from fellow Japanese rider Shunto Takahashi in April.

“He is a great horse who has a lot of experience and knows his job and I think I will learn a lot from him,” said Yuya. “He felt very confident across country and it was fun to ride him.”

Belsay formed the first element of the 2025 Northumberland Challenge, which offers a huge prize-pot of £61,000 to riders who win or are placed in the CCI2*-S, CCI3*-S and BE100 at the three Northumbrian international events of Belsay, Alnwick Ford (18-22 June) and Burgham (24-27 July). Yuya now has his sights set on Alnwick Ford and Burgham – and his ambition is to ride for Japan at the Olympics.

Louisa finished second with her own and Susie Wilks’ Future Plans on 32.2, while rising British star Jago Jackson, 17, was third on Cooley Top Boy.

Katie Magee and Agadir Gano. Photo by Athalens.

Local riders also made their mark on Friday afternoon at Belsay. Barnard Castle’s Katie Magee enjoyed the perfect Bramham preparation run by winning the Galbraith Intermediate Novice on Angela Hislop’s Agadir Gano.

“Our bit snapped across country at Belsay (1) two weeks ago, so today was all about testing out a new bit and checking we had brakes,” said Katie. “The course was fantastic and the ground is amazing, so we’ve really enjoyed it. The fact that the Belsay team has run two brilliant events in two weeks is incredible – I think we should have two Belsays every year!”

Will Murray, who lives in Durham, won the Evelyn Partners/HorseQuest Novice Masters’ on Linda Philipson’s seven-year-old mare Drumrankin Idha.

“I’m very lucky – I’m a part-timer rider these days; I’m the lead coach for British Eventing in the northern region – so I just turn up and ride a couple of days a week, and the team at Linda’s do all the fitness work. My showjumping coach Philippa McKeever came to warm me up today, which was a big help, because I thought it was a proper track. The mare finds the cross country very easy and she’s naturally very fast. I’m a lucky person to ride such a special horse.”

Local rider Lucinda Atkinson has held on to her lead in the Barbour CCI2*-L on PRF Made In England with a faultless cross country round, adding nothing to her dressage mark of 27.4. Eliza Bell (Macgyver) and India Wishart (BP Quinnton) are second and third.

In the Lycetts British Junior Championships, the podium remains unaltered after cross country. Lucy Standish is in first place on Global H on 25.9. Second is Ella Howard (Marchwood, 27.8), with Oscar Fitzgerald third with 28 on Super Cillious.

Annabel Ridgway has kept the top slot going into the final showjumping phase in the Project Pony British Pony Championships on Akim De L’Arquerie ahead of Maisie Greening (Kilnaspic Lily) and third-placed Alice Fraser (Bookhamlodge Pennylane).

Izzy Taylor has maintained her lead in the Hambro Sport Horses CCI3*-S on Bayaanaat with a dressage score of 26.2, but Willa Newton has slipped into second on Hartacker with 26.2. India’s Shashank Kanumuri is third on 27.8 with Gideon II.

A busy Saturday at Belsay starts with dressage for the national intermediate classes at 8 a.m. (3 a.m. EST) and CCI3*-S showjumping at 8.30 a.m. (3:30 a.m. EST). Cross country commences at 10.30 a.m. (5:30 a.m. EST). There is also a BSPS show in the Castle Arena, a fun dog show, lots of children’s entertainment, excellent shopping and delicious locally produced food and drink available.

To purchase tickets for Belsay and to find out more information, please visit www.belsayhorsetrials.com. All the cross country at Belsay will be shown on Horse & Country TV’s live streaming platform H&C+ here.

Kevin McNab and Faro Imp Have the Magic Touch to Lead Millstreet CCI4*-S

By on May 30, 2025 3:12 pm -

Kevin McNab (AUS) and Faro Imp (OL) lead the way after dressage in the CCI4*-S – Connollys RED MILLS. Photo by Bit-Media.

Leading Australian rider Kevin McNab opened and closed the dressage phase for the Connolly’s RED MILLS CCI4*-S at Millstreet International Horse Trials, Co Cork, Ireland, with two impressive performances. He is now in first and third places, on Sofia Moltke’s Faro Imp (score 28.8) and CCI4* first-timer Wilfred Lancer (29.7), the two horses split by Sweden’s Sofia Sjoborg riding Govalent for a score of 29.2.

Faro Imp is an Oldenburger by F One USA out of a Master Imp mare; the nine-year-old was recently second in the Strzegom CCI4*-L in Poland and is bound for the Aachen CCI4*-S in Germany. Kevin, who also heads the leaderboard for the Donal Hickey Motors CCI2*-L with Hugo Junker and Alexa Gartenberg’s seven-year-old grey mare Cassie, has been visiting the premier Irish horse trials since its inception a decade ago.

“We always try to have horses to come here because we know we will get good surfaces and Mike Etherington-Smith’s cross country courses are always educational and a nice challenge,” he explained.

Patrick Whelan is best of the Irish in seventh place on Altitu in the class of 30, while Irish-based Daniel Alderson is in contention for the newly announced Connolly’s RED MILLS EI120 National Championship title which will be awarded to the highest placed Eventing Ireland member in this class.

British Olympian Laura Collett is in first place in the Goresbridge Horse Sales CCI3*-L with a mark of 27.1 on Sheena Pilkington’s nine-year-old Dutch-bred C-Let’s Dance van de Beemd, already a winner of a CCI3*-L on Irish soil, at Lisgarvan last year.

In an all-British top four, Laura is followed by Louise Bradley (Ardeo Mandela), Caroline Harris (Lester Ckv) and Gemma Stevens (Cooley Park Muze). Badminton hero Austin O’ Connor is best of the Irish in fifth place on Diamond Mistress.

British-based US rider Hallie Coon’s brand new partnership with Bruce Fraser and Keith Norman’s Headleys Quixote, has got off to a flying start as they are in the lead in the Foran Equine CCI3*-S, which is only their second competition together. The British-bred 10-year-old by Flyinge Quite Easy 958 has been produced by Hallie’s friend, Zimbabwean rider Julia Norman.

“He’s spectacular and I think he will be something special,” said Hallie, who is another regular Millstreet visitor. “The cross country here is such a course for horses – you always come away with a better horse as it is such an education. It should suit mine as he is a big, galloping, jumping type, but it is very much a fact-finding mission.”

Carla Williamson and Ann Magee’s Karolita O are in pole position in the Carr & Day & Martin CCI1*-Intro on 23.9; Kitty Cullen heads the Ponies, sponsored by Connolly’s Red Mills, on Jane Hancock’s Coppenagh Spring Sparrow (28.9); and the experienced Sam Watson, winner of the CCI4*-L last year, has the exciting seven-year-old Irish Sport Horse Ballybolger Goldman, owned by Rosemary Ponsonby, Lesley Crampton and his wife Sparkles, in first place on 31.1 penalties in the Coral Cove Championship for young horses.

Tomorrow’s busy cross country day starts at 8am with the CCI2*-L while the show jumping action kicks off with the CCI4*S at 9am. Both phases are available to watch on www.millstreet.horse/eventing where start lists and results can also be found.

Millstreet International CCI4*-L/S (Ireland): [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Live Stream]

New Study Highlights the Importance of Understanding Equestrians’ Perceptions of Horses at the Olympics

By on May 30, 2025 9:30 am -

Shane Rose and Virgil. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

A groundbreaking study conducted by Hartpury University, EQuerry / Co, and Via Nova Training aims to understand how equestrians react to visual representations of horses in sport, and how these perceptions impact the sport’s Social Licence to Operate (SLO).

Understanding Perception Through Imagery

Since their introduction to the modern Olympic Games in 1900, horses have played an integral role in equestrian sport. As the only Olympic discipline that relies on a second athlete – the horse – the conversation around ethics, welfare, and public perception has never been more critical. With the Paris 2024 Olympics positioned as the “Olympics of Horse Welfare”, the study will explore how people perceive images of horses in Olympic sport, focusing specifically on equestrians’ responses.

Using a photo-elicitation approach, the study presents participants with randomly selected images from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, spanning dressage, showjumping, and eventing. These include moments such as training, veterinary inspections, competition, and post-event interactions. Participants then anonymously share their thoughts and feelings, enabling researchers to analyse which images evoke positive, neutral, or negative perceptions, and the beliefs driving those reactions.

This study will help identify:

  • What visual cues contribute to positive perceptions of horse sport?
  • How do different groups of equestrians interpret the same images?
  • What role does the media and social platforms play in shaping opinions?

Why This Matters

Understanding how imagery shapes perceptions within the equestrian community is essential to safeguarding the sport’s broader public image. This research is not about confirming what we already know — it’s about discovering what we don’t.

By moving beyond assumptions and revealing how riders, owners, and fans interpret visual cues around welfare and ethics, stakeholders will be better positioned to address concerns, develop effective communication strategies, and ensure equestrian disciplines remain trusted and ethically grounded Olympic sports.

Whether you’re a rider, a horse owner, a fan, or simply someone who watches equestrian events every four years, your opinion matters.

Want to take or share the study? Find it here.

Friday News & Notes from Stable View

By on May 30, 2025 12:01 am -

Some news regarding this year’s FEI Eventing Nations Cup, which will replace the leg originally designated for Jardy with Lignières September 25-29 in France. You can view the full schedule and standings for this year’s Nations Cup, which is led by Great Britain after the first leg at Bicton earlier this month, here.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Equestrians’ Institute H.T. (WA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

IEA Horse Trials (IN): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

The Spring Event at Archer (WY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Ocala Summer H.T. (FL): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

GMHA June H.T. (VT): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Poplar Place June H.T. (GA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [ref=”https://evententries.com/#LiveScoreszPhdTSyZB4_0jqP1FTY2XQ==” target=”_blank”>Scoring] [Volunteer]

MCTA H.T. at Shawan Downs (MD): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring]

Essex H.T. (NJ): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club Spring H.T. (NY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

Major International Events

Chaumont en Vexin CCI4*-L/S (France): [Website] [Timetable] [Timing & Scoring]

Millstreet International CCI4*-L/S (Ireland): [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Live Stream]

News & Reading

Andrew Nicholson is putting out some energy into the world ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics. In the wake of Badminton, he penned a column for Horse & Hound, noting that he felt Badminton made for a “perfect audition” for Olympic hopefuls. Read his words here.

Several U.S. horses and riders are in the running to receive this year’s Holekamp/Turner Grant to send one qualified pair to the 2025 FEI WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championships for Young Horses at Mondial du Lion in Le Lion d’Angers, France this October. Check out the rising stars who are eligible to apply for this opportunity here.

How can you ensure your older horse is living her best life? There are always things we can do as stewards of our horses to ensure their longevity, and if you’re looking for some advice on managing a senior horse, check out this article on Practical Horseman.

Sponsor Corner: Stable View

Ariel Grald and Diara. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Summer is heating up at Stable View, and so is the competition! The 2025 Summer Horse Trials (June 20–22) are right around the corner, and with a stacked schedule and plenty of fun in store, it’s shaping up to be one of the highlights of the season.

🏇 Calling All Volunteers
Want the best seat on course? Stable View is still seeking Jump Judges and Dressage Scribes—a perfect way to get involved and enjoy top-level competition up close. Sign up at eventingvolunteers.com or email Melissa Rundt at [email protected].

📋 The Lineup

Cross Country Course Designer: Mogie Bearden-Muller

Show Jumping Course Designer: Michel Vaillancourt

Dressage Tests: 2022 USEF Tests across all levels (Advanced–BN)

🗓️ Tentative Schedule:

Thursday: XC Course opens at 3:00 PM

Friday: A/I/P/M Dressage + Show Jumping for A & I

Saturday: T/N/BN Dressage + SJ; A/I/P/M go XC

Sunday: T/N/BN Cross Country

🍷 Gaze & Graze Is Back!
Join us Friday and Saturday evenings from 5–7 PM in Ollie’s Inn for complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks for riders, owners, grooms, and supporters.

🏆 Adult Team Cup Challenge
It’s team spirit, with a twist! Build your team of 3–4 riders across any level—from BN to Advanced—and compete for ribbons and prizes through 3rd place. Email [email protected] with your team info by the closing date. Want to support this friendly showdown? Sponsors for prizes are welcome!

Get ready for sunshine, sport, and southern hospitality at its best—see you at Stable View! Learn more here.

Video Break

Get some help with your lateral work from Lucinda and Ellie Fredericks:

Izzy Taylor In Charge of CCI3*-S at Belsay (2)

By on May 29, 2025 2:49 pm -

Izzy Taylor and Bayaanaat. Photo by Athalens.

British rider Izzy Taylor has the Hambro Sport Horses CCI3*-S at Belsay International Horse Trials under control: her three rides in the class occupy first, third and fourth places after the first day of dressage.

In the lead at the Northumbrian event with a score of 26.2 is the former racehorse Bayaanaat, a nine-year-old by the Derby winner New Approach owned by Izzy, Lavinia Taylor and Caroline Goodwin. Dassett Showman is third with 28.2 penalties, and Barrington Boy is fourth on 28.6.

“All three horses tried incredibly hard in tricky windy conditions,” said Izzy. “Bayaanaat is a massive trier who did me proud today. He’s really learning that he’s a good horse and is getting confident in himself. Dassett Showman is a relatively new ride and I was delighted with how his brain stayed with me throughout. Barrington Boy is a young horse and there were some great highlights of his test day, but he struggled the most of the three in the conditions.”

Scotland’s Wills Oakden slotted into second with 28.1 on Geoff and Elspeth Adam’s Mile Beach.

Indian rider Shashank Kanamuri delivered a cool performance in windy weather that meant the letters surrounding the dressage arena were blowing down as he rode his test. The 20-year-old, a second-year economics student at Loughborough University, scored 29 on Wellfields Casino Royale to lead the NIS Group Ltd/Encon CCI2*-S.

Shashank Kanamuri on Wellfields Casino Royale. Photo by Athalens.

“This is only my third-ever ride on him – he’s very new to me – and I’m still getting used to him,” said Shashank. “He’s really scopey, and I think there is a lot of potential for us as a partnership.

“I was going across the diagonal in long-rein walk and some of the letters flipped down and we had to pick our way through them, but he was really focused. He’s got a super-positive mentality and he just gets on with whatever he is asked to do.”

Shashank has only 0.3 of a penalty in hand over Japan’s Yuya Segawa, second on Vegas De L’Elfe JRA with 30.2.

North Yorkshire-based Lucinda Atkinson is in pole position in the Barbour CCI2*-L on PRF Made In England with a mark of 27.4, ahead of Eliza Bell (Macgyver, 29.6).

In the British Junior Championships, sponsored by Lycetts, Lucy Standish is in first place on Global H with a dressage mark of 25.9. Second is Ella Howard (Marchwood, 27.8), with Oscar Fitzgerald third with 28 on Super Cillious.

Annabel Ridgway tops the Project Pony British Pony Championships after scoring 24.6 on Akim De L’Arquerie, ahead of Maisie Greening (28.1, Kilnaspic Lily) and Chloe Chan (28.3, Blennerville Rua).

While dressage for the CCI3*-S continues tomorrow (Friday, 30 May), cross-country for the junior and pony championships, the CCI2*-S and the CCI2*-L starts at Belsay at 9am. There is also a National Schools Equestrian Association (NSEA) show, and other activities and entertainment include a fun dog show. British Eventing national classes also start on Friday.

To purchase tickets for Belsay and to find out more information, please visit www.belsayhorsetrials.com. All the cross-country at Belsay on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be shown on Horse & Country TV’s livestreaming platform H&C+ – see the link list below to access more information.

Belsay (2): [Website] [Timing & Scoring] [Live Stream]

Gemma Stevens Leads Millstreet CCI4*-L with ‘Flash’ Test

By on May 29, 2025 2:40 pm -

Gemma Stevens (GBR) and Flash Cooley (ISH) lead the way after dressage in the CCI4*L – Noel C Duggan Engineering. Bit-Media Photo.

Competition is underway at Millstreet International Horse Trials, Co Cork, Ireland where more than 400 horse-and-rider combinations representing 14 nations have gathered.

The 19 starters in the Noel C. Duggan Engineering CCI4*-L have completed their dressage tests and British five-star rider Gemma Stevens is at the head of the leaderboard at this early stage after producing an expressive, accurate test on Flash Cooley for a score of 26.4.

Brazilian rider Marcio Cavalho Jorge is in second place on Royal Encounter and dual Olympic gold medallist Laura Collett is lying third with new ride Drumgiven Mr Charisma. The three top-placed horses are all Irish Sport Horses – Flash Cooley is by CSF Mr Kroon out of an OBOS Quality mare, Castlefield Ruby.

“He was a joy to ride and did everything in a relaxed, happy way,” said Gemma of Prue Dawes’s 13-year-old grey gelding.

After walking the cross country course designed by Mike Etherington-Smith, Gemma commented: “They make such an effort here at Millstreet. The presentation of the course and of the going are superb and the new fences look educational. It’s great that the organisers here keep on investing and upgrading everything.”

All other classes are ongoing: Britain’s Louise Bradley and Ardeo Mandela head the 28-strong Goresbridge Horse Sales CCI3*-L on a score of 27.5 and Millstreet regular Kevin McNab from Australia riding Cassie leads the Donagh Hickey Motors CCI2*-L at the halfway mark on 28.3.

Britain’s Emily Young-Jamieson on Chica Naika is the current leader of the Foran Equine CCI3*-S with 28.9 penalties, Hallie Coon and Boleybawn Olivia, members of a strong USA squad, are leading the CCIYH2*-S Coral Cove Championship with 32.3 and Maeve Deverell and Annaharvey Dunowen lead the Carr & Day & Martin CCI1*-Intro on 25.

Two well-supported and competitive Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse qualifiers saw victories for Diarmuid Ryan and Bridget Speirs’s BT Just Special by I’m Special De Muze out of an Irish Thoroughbred mare, Chitter Chatter (five-year-olds) and Jason Doerflinger with Ralph Conroy’s Milchem Giovanni by Tyson out of an Irish Sport Horse mare Milchem Dreamer (four-year-olds).

All other classes conclude tomorrow, with the Connolly’s Red Mills CCI4*-S kicking off at 12 noon; Kevin McNab and Wilfred Lancer are first into the arena.

For more information and links to start lists and live results when available, visit www.millstreet.horse/eventing. Admission to the public is free of charge on all days. Live streaming of all the action from the Main Arena and two full days of cross country will be available via the Millstreet website, social media channels and ClipMyHorse.tv and in the link list below.

Millstreet International CCI4*-L/S (Ireland): [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Live Stream]

Thursday News & Notes from Virginia Horse Center Foundation

By on May 29, 2025 12:24 am -

Piggy March and the ex-racehorse Our Old Fella. Photo courtesy of Cornbury Horse Trials.

Exciting news from the UK! Cornbury House Horse Trials has announced an exciting new addition for 2025: a dedicated Thoroughbred class at the Open Novice level offering a staggering £45,000 top prize. The initiative, spearheaded by Dash Grange Stud’s Jayne McGivern and Cornbury’s founder David Howden, is open to Weatherbys-registered Thoroughbreds and aims to showcase the breed’s potential beyond the racetrack. It’s also a natural extension of Howden’s ongoing commitment to Thoroughbred aftercare, including the recently launched Howden Way Thoroughbred Aftercare Program (TAP) — a nationwide support system to help former racehorses transition to new careers. Could this be your horse’s future destination? You can learn more about this program here.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Equestrians’ Institute H.T. (WA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

IEA Horse Trials (IN): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

The Spring Event at Archer (WY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Ocala Summer H.T. (FL): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

GMHA June H.T. (VT): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Poplar Place June H.T. (GA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [ref=”https://evententries.com/#LiveScoreszPhdTSyZB4_0jqP1FTY2XQ==” target=”_blank”>Scoring] [Volunteer]

MCTA H.T. at Shawan Downs (MD): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times]

Essex H.T. (NJ): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club Spring H.T. (NY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

Major International Events

Chaumont en Vexin CCI4*-L/S (France): [Website] [Timetable] [Timing & Scoring]

Millstreet International CCI4*-L/S (Ireland): [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Live Stream]

News & Reading

Each year the US Pony Club awards a media internship at Kentucky in honor of the late Ann Haller, a longtime well-known face on the press and media team at many events. This year’s recipient, William Coon, has been a volunteer during Kentucky before and was eager to learn about the sport from a new angle through this award. You can read more about his experience — which included an opportunity to meet this year’s winner, Michael Jung — here.

A quality canter is a strong base of support for just about everything you do in the saddle. Another key ingredient to adjustability is the ability to obtain the right canter for the task you’re doing. Different types of jumps or transitions require their own type of canter. In this breakdown, grand prix show jumper Elizabeth Gingras walks us through her favorite exercises to work on this without jumping a million fences. Read or bookmark it here.

Ahead of CHIO Aachen in July, take a dive into the history books of the next World Championships venue (2026). This ten-day festival is an annual spectacle that dates back to 1898, when it began as a racing tournament. What was started as a way to bring horse enthusiasts and new fans together has grown into an attraction that sees over 350,000 spectators each year. Learn more about this historic event and venue here.

Sponsor Corner: Virginia Horse Center Foundation

Photo by Veronica Green-Gott

Did you know that in addition to eventing, Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA also hosts a full calendar of other equestrian events each year? This year’s slate includes the VHC Youth Equestrian Festival in July, breed shows, the Thoroughbred Heritage Horse Show, and much more. You can view the full calendar at Virginia Horse Center here.

Video Break

Guess who’s back! Doug Payne’s former 4* eventer, Starr Witness, is back and ready to tackle the dressage ring again: