Classic Eventing Nation

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

By on Jan 28, 2023 12:01 am -

Photo via Jon Holling on Facebook.

This is NOT me cheering for the Eagles this weekend (or maybe it is, honestly, I’m all for a Kansas City/Philadelphia Super Bowl for all sorts of reasons), but this is me sharing two of the funniest dudes in eventing and their ongoing love of not taking life all that seriously (sometimes). Anyone who knows Mr. Jon Holling knows he’s a diehard, leave ’em in the dust Packers fan (bless him)…so you can imagine the physical and emotional toll that has taken hold after a lost bet forced him to don the Eagles green this week at Rocking Horse. Meanwhile Buck, who keeps an Eagles jump in his field, is riding high after another big win. Better luck next time, Jon. We hope you’re doing okay.

U.S. Events This Weekend

Full Gallop Farm January H.T. (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Rocking Horse Winter I H.T. (Altoona, FL): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Saturday Links

A Must-Read: U.S. Eventing Horse and Rider of the Year: Mai Baum and Tamie Smith

Bid Now through 2/5 on Items for the CDCTA Fundraising Auction

How long should your reins be for dressage?

Introducing a new Modified Rider division at USEA American Eventing Championships

Christoph Hess: The Importance of the Stretch

Sponsor Corner: Our World Equestrian Brands pick of the week!

A set of gorgeous Pialotta Open Front Boots are available on the World Equestrian Brands outlet store! Brown leather and hunter green straps? Yes, please.

Saturday Video

Meanwhile, out here in California, we’ve got the real self-motivated horses (click here if the TikTok video below doesn’t display in your browser):

@skyclad_farms when you lose your rider but still have more gas in the tank 😂😂😂 #horseshow #horsesoftiktok ♬ The Home Depot Beat – The Home Depot

Friday Video: The Curious History of Team GB Head Honcho Dickie Waygood

By on Jan 27, 2023 6:24 pm -

You probably know the two chaps in charge of the British eventing team — Dickie Waygood and Chris Bartle — as a pair of slightly mythical figures, able to swoop in and turn the very good into world-beatingly great. Under their care, the Brits have become the most dominant force in the sport, holding Olympic, World, and European medals consecutively until Pratoni this year (and can we just take a moment to remember when they won the Europeans as a team AND took all three individual podium places?!). But behind the medals are fascinating men — and this long-form interview with Dickie proves just that. Previously a member of the Household Cavalry, and then a top-level event rider who piloted a horse for the Queen, he gained a huge wealth of fascinating experience in all aspects of the horse world before becoming the chef d’equipe that turned the fate of the British dressage team around. Now, as half of eventing’s golden duo, he’s one man you need to know.

Olympics in the Time of Inflation: No Test Event for Paris – and the Horse Inspection’s Off-Limits, Too

By on Jan 27, 2023 10:51 am -

Ground preparations are underway at Versailles. Photo courtesy of the FEI/Paris 2024.

The eventing competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics will not be put through a full trial run, as was revealed at last week’s FEI Eventing Forum.

Previous iterations of the Olympics have seen a full test event – generally staged a level below the Olympics themselves, which is held at a modified four-star level — take place a year or so prior to the Games, allowing officials to fine-tune any potential issues with the field of play and backstage logistics. Test events also allow national governing bodies to get a sense of the venue, which can impact selection and preparation decisions over the following year, while in many cases, the buzz and excitement of an Olympic test event also draws in enthusiastic spectators, plenty of whom come without any prior familiarity with the sport.

Next year’s Olympics organisers, though, have cited cost-cutting measures as the reason behind their decision not to host a tradition test event. In many ways, it comes as little surprise: the equestrian disciplines are due to be held in the grounds of the Chateau de Versailles, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of France’s most significant tourist attractions, and while we can only speculate about the costs involved with both building the temporary arenas and closing down part of the site to visitors for the duration of the test event, they’d likely be significant.

Instead, GL Events Equestrian Sport, who were appointed as the organisers for the equestrian disciplines at last month’s FEI General Assembly, will host a cross-country test event at Versailles, which will be open to national federations and national Olympic committees. That will offer them a chance to ensure the footing, and the planned pontoon crossings, work as intended, as well as the proposed layout of warm-up and cool-down areas. The arena-based phases, however, will be held in the spring of 2024 at established competition venue Fontainebleau, which will be outfitted with the same footing earmarked for Versailles, and will be used to ensure the officials are au fait with their tasks during the Games themselves.

It was also announced at the FEI Eventing Forum that the first horse inspection will not be open to the public as it ordinarily is. For more of the latest from Paris, check out our summary of last month’s General Assembly, complete with proposed course maps.

EN’s pre-coverage of the Paris Olympics in 2024 is brought to you with support from Zoetis — Long Live the Horse.

Friday News & Notes Presented by Stable View

By on Jan 27, 2023 12:03 am -

Winter, in a nutshell. Photo courtesy of Walnut Lawn Farm.

Its January, and I’ve now had TWO really good flat schools in a row on Turkey. For those of us who don’t go south, this is big, because it means I’ve left the road hacking stage of winter fitness and moved into the arena. I even texted a dressage friend of mine to tell her the good news, and let her know that I was feeling ready for her to yell at me to sit back and make my horse do real work. She gets it, and was excited about the lack of exuberant bucking this week as well.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Full Gallop Farm January H.T. (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Rocking Horse Winter I H.T. (Altoona, FL): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

News From Around the Globe:

I love this New Event Horse series from the USEA! The USEA NEH Program was created to be an introduction to the sport of eventing for both horse and rider, and the 2023 NEH Calendar is now available here. Adapted from the YEH program, NEH classes are intended to assess a horse’s capability for eventing and provide a steppingstone to recognized eventing by focusing on education and preparation to begin competing in a correct and progressive manner. Horses are asked to compete in two sections: the dressage phase and the jumping test/gallop/general impression phase. The ultimate goal of the NEH is to choose the horse that possesses the talent and mind set and who, with proper training, would be the horse most likely to become a competent, safe, and fun adult amateur, junior, or young rider horse at the Preliminary levels and below. [2023 Debuts NEH Program]

If you’re feeling adventurous, working abroad can offer equestrian and life opportunities that are unrivaled. However, it’s not for the faint of heart, and especially if you are a young working student, the challenges come fast. Blogger Valentina Martinez is a Mexican teenager who left at the age of sixteen to start working abroad with horses, and tells frankly of her experiences. [The Reality of Working Abroad]

Do you know how you get really, really good in a horse sport? There are some truisms: Just keep doing it; take lessons; hopefully have your coach help with your horse occasionally. But here’s the thing a lot of people miss: Even if you’re a novice dressage rider, getting basics from a coach who genuinely feels the training scale in their bones will change the trajectory of your riding. It doesn’t speed you through the levels faster (in some cases, it is the opposite, actually) but for the goal of making elegant, happy horses who can score well in competition, there is no way around it. If you can’t ride in a clinic, auditing is 1000% worth it, for any level. [Audit Clinics with the Best]

Best of Blogs: Five Development Training Session Questions with Leslie Law

Seriously, what is with that one corner of death in the arena? I’ve ridden many horses in many different arenas, and almost every one has The Corner which terrifies even the most sensible of horses. Horse Network asked Equine ethologist Renate Larssen explains why some horses spook at one corner of the arena—and how to re-train their response. [What’s With The Corner of Death?]

Thursday Video: The Story of the Irish Thoroughbred

By on Jan 26, 2023 6:13 pm -

It feels like a near universality for young, horse-mad folks in the US to dream of running away to Ireland — the Emerald Isle of horsepower and horsepeople, where riding across the country is something that’s in your blood and in the blood of your sure-footed horse, too. Certainly, I spent much of my teenage years delving into documentaries, articles, and books on Irish horse culture and bloodlines, and still feel a bit wide-eyed with wonder when I get to pop over to look at good young stock. If you’re hardwired a bit like I am, this documentary on the Irish Thoroughbred industry will make for a great bit of evening viewing indeed!

Virginia Horse Center to Remain Hub of National and International Eventing

By on Jan 26, 2023 2:26 pm -

Allison Springer and Crystal Crescent Moon, winners of the 2019 USEF Two-Star Eventing National Championship at Virginia Horse Trials. Crystal Crescent Moon, owned and bred by Nancy Winter, a graduate of the USEA Young Event Horse program. Photo by Brant Gamma.
Media Contact:

The Virginia Horse Center Foundation is pleased to announce that national and FEI level eventing continues at the VHC under the name of Virginia Horse Center Eventing (VHC Eventing) May 25-28th, 2023. Through the leadership efforts of VHCF Board President Roxanne Booth and CEO Glenn Petty, VHC Eventing has received unanimous approval from the USEF to hold Beginner Novice through Intermediate level horse trials plus CCI 1*L, CCI2-S, CCI3-S and CCI2-L.

“After months of proceedings with the USEA and the USEF, we are delighted to announce that we have received unanimous approval by vote from the USEF Hearing Panel for horse trials to be held May 25-28th at the Virginia Horse Center,” stated VHC Foundation CEO Glenn Petty. “In addition, we are thrilled about the newly formed VHC Eventing Organizational committee and the improvements which are currently underway to the cross-country course.”

Leading the team of industry experts is Event Organizer Joanie Morris and the course building team of Tyson Rementer and Levi Ryckewaert, who are busy constructing over 100 new cross-country jumps.

Rementer was the recipient of the 2022 USEF Posthole Digger award, presented to a builder who has exhibited exceptional ability and dedication to the sport through their work. He and his crew are well known for their course building talents at the Kentucky 3 Day Event, The Carolina International CCI and Red Hills International Horse Trials.  Rementer was also instrumental in helping CEO Glenn Petty lead the acquisition of over 80 FEI level jumps, that Rementer built for Red Hills International, to be delivered to VHC Eventing in early February.

Morris’ resume in horse sport includes leadership positions for multiple US Olympic teams and World Championships, Managing Director of Eventing and Press Officer for all FEI Sports for the USEF, sponsorship activation at the 2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event as well as Event Director for the $50,000 Grand Prix Eventing Showcase in Aiken, SC.

Morris is quickly assembling a top-shelf team for VHC Eventing. “I feel grateful for the opportunity to be involved with such a wonderful group of people at this venue steeped in eventing tradition. We are focused on creating a quality competition with top-quality courses and officials.”

In addition to the leadership mentioned above, confirmed members of the VHC Eventing staff and committee include: FEI Course Designer Jay Hambly, National Course Designer John Wells, Show Jumping Course Designer Michel Vaillancourt, Event Secretary Heather Petersen and Volunteer Coordinator Emily Kolakowsky. Brian Ross, the original visionary and organizer of the Virginia Horse Trials 1989 to 2014, is the Honorary Organizing Committee Chair.  The Organizing Committee members are Mark Combs, Kim Severson, Jerry Schurink and Carrie Camp.

The committee for VHC Eventing plans to elevate every aspect of the 2023 event to delight competitors and spectators through improvements to the footing and re-design of the cross-country and show jumping courses. In addition, the committee will strive to honor Brian and Penny Ross’s original vision of the event atmosphere by bringing back several fun traditions for this beautiful destination event, such as the opening party and bonfire.

During the initial organizational committee meeting for VHC Eventing Ross noted, “Penny and I couldn’t be any more excited with the formation of this new committee at Virginia Horse Center Eventing and we are confident that they will continue with the well-loved traditions that we founded in 1989.”

Stay tuned! Website and social media for Virginia Horse Center Eventing coming soon!

Contact Lisa Davis Engel for sponsorship and vending opportunities.

Pam Fisher Lives On in the Legacy of ‘Equine Soulmate’ Sea Lion

By on Jan 26, 2023 9:45 am -

Pam Fisher and Sea Lion. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Last October, the eventing world lost one of their own when California-based trainer and rider Pam Fisher passed away unexpectedly due to an undiagnosed medical condition.

Originally from the East Coast, Pam spent several years working as an assistant to steeplechase trainer Taylor Jackson. During her time there, she also exercised racehorses at Fair Hill Training Center and worked as a stable manager under Jack LeGoff for the U.S. Equestrian Team.

Eventually, Pam made her way west to Colorado, starting her own Ruffian Stables, where she trained horses in multiple disciplines and provided rehabilitation services for horses recovering from injuries.

Pam also produced several horses to the upper levels, finding particular success with — and love for — off-the-track Thoroughbreds. Her background in the racing industry gave her plenty of experience with the breed as well as an appreciation for their talent as sporthorses. In 1994, Pam and her Thoroughbred gelding, Lancelet, competed to the Advanced level, and the following year were long-listed for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

Fast forward to 2004, when Pam was contacted by JoBeth Kemp about sending an off-the-track Thoroughbred named Sea Elephant to her for training. It was a connection that –- unbeknownst to all of them at the time — would end up being the equine partnership of Pam’s career. She had trained and loved the horse’s brother, Out to Sea (aka “Sailor”), and JoBeth Kemp told her, “If you love Sailor, you’ll really like his brother!” JoBeth sent him to Pam sight unseen, with the understanding that he would not be gelded and if, for whatever reason, Fisher no longer wanted him, she would send him back.

Pam Fisher and Sea Lion. Photo courtesy of Katherine Boone.

That never came to pass, as it was love at first sight for Pam the moment the horse unloaded from the trailer.

A 16.1h bay stallion, Sea Lion was originally registered and raced under the name Sea Elephant. But, according to longtime friend Katherine Boone, the registered name just wasn’t going to cut it for his sporthorse career. “Pam didn’t care for that name, saying, ‘I just couldn’t get my head around galloping an elephant over Advanced level obstacles on a cross country course!’” He was re-named Sea Lion, a nod to his boldness and bravery, and a name that seemed to suit him much better in his new career.

It was clear from the beginning that their partnership would be a strong one. Pam and Sea Lion made their recognized eventing debut in 2007, quickly moving up the levels together thanks to a combination of her experience and Sea Lion’s natural aptitude for the job.

Pam Fisher and Sea Lion. Photo by Samantha Clark.

By 2010 they had reached the Advanced level, and in 2012 made their now-5* debut together, competing at the then-monikered Rolex Kentucky. Katherine described their partnership with one word: fearless. “Sea Lion would carry Pam over anything, and I do mean anything… navigating the most challenging obstacles, always with his ears forward, eager for the next one.”

One of Pam’s favorite stories, which she often recounted to Sea Lion’s fans, was how she promised Sea Lion that if he took her to Rolex, she would let him start breeding -– a promise she upheld. His first foal, Seacret Agent, was born the very next spring.

Pam later relocated from Colorado to a 400-acre ranch near Santa Ynez, CA, and Sea Lion continued his breeding career alongside his performance career, quickly finding a balance between the two. He continued competing at the upper levels of eventing but also branched out to hunter derbies and 1.20m show jumping, further showcasing his versatility as a sporthorse.

Katherine remembers, “Pam was so very proud of Sea Lion’s consistently strong work ethic, his outstanding athletic ability, and the fact that he retired sound from eventing then went on to compete barefoot (and win!) in hunters and jumpers. But more than anything, she admired and appreciated his temperament and disposition. He was a stallion through and through, but she could still take him on trail rides with mares and geldings… as long as Sea Lion was in front!”

Photo courtesy of Katherine Boone.

While she had always appreciated Sea Lion as a competitor, Pam soon discovered that she got just as much joy and fulfillment from his breeding accolades. He quickly earned his breeding approval from multiple warmblood registries, including the American Hanoverian Society, Oldenburg North America, and the American Trakehner Association. The Hanoverian Verband thought so highly of him that he was even invited to spend a year standing at stud in Germany – a rare offer for any North American based stallion. Through frozen semen, Sea Lion has been made available for breeding overseas and now has foals in five different countries, proving his popularity as a sire.

No matter how many foals Sea Lion sired, though, Pam never failed to be excited about each and every one. According to Katherine, “every single time she heard a mare was in foal with a Sea Lion baby, she was ecstatic. Then, when she got photos of her ‘grandbabies’, she was over the moon! She loved that Sea Lion attracts such a wide variety of breeds…. Irish Sport Horse and Irish Draught, Quarter Horse, Arabian, Trakehner, Hanoverian, Paint Horses, Canadian Sport Horse, Dutch Warmblood, even Clydesdale.”

Losing Pam so unexpectedly was devastating to all who knew and loved her, and came with some uncertainty about what would become of her beloved Sea Lion and the two Sea Lion offspring she owned. Luckily, Katherine was able to help, and Pam’s family has signed over the horses to her on the premise that she will retain ownership of Sea Lion and find appropriate homes for the others. Thanks to the efforts and dedication of Pam’s family and friends, now 25-year-old Sea Lion will continue to live out his golden years in California, just as Pam had always envisioned.

Katherine has decided that Sea Lion will now be retired from active breeding duties, but he will still be available via frozen semen. All proceeds from Sea Lion breedings will be used to pay for his continued upkeep.

Pam often described Sea Lion as her “equine soulmate” and became dedicated to preserving his legacy via his offspring. In doing so, she also tied her own legacy to his. After her passing was announced on Sea Lion’s Facebook page, an outpouring of his fans honored her by posting photos and updates of their own Sea Lion foals. In a way, she and Sea Lion became synonymous, and her memory will continue to live on both in the horse that knew no limits, as well as his offspring.

In honor of Pam, could everyone who has a Sea Lion baby post a current photo in the comments below and tell us a little about him/her?

Posted by Sea Lion on Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Thursday News & Notes

By on Jan 26, 2023 12:03 am -

Horse courtesy of William Funnell, photo courtesy of Carl Hester.

I love that Eventing has gotten so competitive that many of our riders worldwide are branching out into other disciplines in order to hone their craft. What I’d really like is for other disciplines to catch on to the trend as well! Carl Hester is best known for his dressage success, obviously, but good riding is good riding, and he can look perfect over a jump as well. We can all learn something from riding different horses in different situations, and even Olympians aren’t exempt.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Full Gallop Farm January H.T. (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Volunteer]

Rocking Horse Winter I H.T. (Altoona, FL): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

News From Around the Globe:

It was the year of Will Coleman in 2022, with Dondante bringing home the USEA Horse of the Year title. Will Coleman had a huge 2022 with his string of horses, including a team silver medal at the FEI World Eventing Championship in Italy on Off The Record and top four-star placings with Chin Tonic HS, but it was Dondante whose consistency paid off to earn the USEA Horse of the Year title. While “Al” doesn’t always get the spotlight due to his stablemates’ accomplishments, he firmly established himself as a five-star contender in 2022. He won Carolina CCI4* in the spring, and was 7th at Kentucky and cruised around Maryland easily. [Dondante Brings Home the Awards]

Podcast of the Day: Emma Lomangino & The Journey to 5*

Finishing as the highest placed American in FEI rankings at number five isn’t a bad way to cap off your season. If you’re not sick of hearing about all of Will Coleman’s success yet, COTH caught up with him to learn about his reflections on the season, his hopes for 2023, and how he spends his winter “relaxing”. [Questions for Will Coleman]

Best of Blogs: What Makes a Horse Gaited?

The Virginia Horse Center has secured the date for their spring horse trials! They announced that national and FEI level eventing continues at the VHC under the name of Virginia Horse Center Eventing (VHC Eventing) May 25-28th, 2023. Through the leadership efforts of VHCF Board President Roxanne Booth and CEO Glenn Petty, VHC Eventing has received unanimous approval from the USEF to hold Beginner Novice through Intermediate level horse trials plus CCI 1*L, CCI2-S, CCI3-S and CCI2-L. Leading the team of industry experts is Event Organizer Joanie Morris and the course building team of Tyson Rementer and Levi Ryckewaert, who are busy constructing over 100 new cross-country jumps. [The Future of VHC]

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: All Hail Boleybawn Prince, Indoor Eventing Superstar

By on Jan 25, 2023 3:30 pm -
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Maxime Livio (@maxime.livio)

You don’t need to be fluent in French to understand the gist of Maxime Livio‘s latest Instagram reel: the nineteen-year-old Boleybawn Prince has begun the year as he finished the last, picking up his third consecutive win in a row in an indoor eventing competition. This one came at Saumur, and follows on from decisive victories at Geneva and Stockholm — proving that age truly ain’t nothin’ but a number. Check out his lightning fast round and get inspired!

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1% More: Planning for the Year Ahead with Woodge Fulton

By on Jan 25, 2023 2:00 pm -

Woodge Fulton and Captain Jack. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

“1% More” is a blog series in which World Equestrian Brands-endorsed and trainer team riders give us one booster tip that will help us to improve our competitive edge by 1%. As any true athlete knows, all of those 1%s add up to significant results.

It’s January! Time to set goals and make big plans for the new year. If you are lucky, you have already or are getting ready to head down to Florida for the winter season. But what about the rest of us? How do we work towards our big goal horse show of the year when our ponies are fat, hairy, and covered in snow?

We sat down with 5* event rider Woodge Fulton to learn how we can approach 2023, even if it’s not yet time to hit the ground running. Click here to read the full blog on the World Equestrian Brands site.

WEB: Thanks for sitting down with us, Woodge! We’d love to chat a little about what happens when we start setting goals in January that might be months away, especially if we happen to not be headed somewhere warm to get a leg up on the competition.

WF: I think this tends to attract a type-A go-getter, goal-setting mentality, which I think in a lot of ways can work to our advantage. I think we want to be careful that our horse has no idea it’s January 1. And so you just want to be careful that we weren’t having a nice holiday and we had Christmas, and we’re getting on maybe two days a week and hacking around. And then all of a sudden, January 1 comes and there’s a big wave of publicity about the New Year. And everyone on social media down south is jumping big and galloping fast and your pony is a little fat and hairy. I think it’s really easy to sort of lose sight of your own goals and what your milestones are, and A), get discouraged and then B), the tendency would be to push too hard because it’s January 2 now and we’ve got big plans. We don’t want to break anyone in January, that’s for sure!

WEB: We don’t! So what can someone do if they’re sitting in a cold place, thinking about what to do for all of their big goals and they’re not going to Florida?

WF: Walk! I think walking is underrated — it’s boring and it’s especially not much fun to do when it is freezing. But get some heated gloves and some heated socks, and if you have a safe place to walk on the road and it’s not super icy. Just getting out of the ring and going and walking until you freeze to death is a good place to start!

And then also create a plan week by week by week for your horse’s fitness so that way it doesn’t come March and you haven’t even seen your dressage saddle in three months. There’s no reason you can’t walk in your dressage saddle and there’s no reason the horse can’t walk on the bit. There’s no reason you can’t do little lateral stuff as you’re walking. But I think those bite-sized pieces every single day adds up over time.

I think on the flip side of that, just being mindful, too, of the day you’re having — if it’s negative 40 and everything’s covered in ice, maybe just take the blanket off and groom your horse.

I think social media is great in a lot of ways, and it opens everyone’s eyes to different ways of learning, and you’re able to see everything. But on the other hand, everyone is only putting their best work out there. So while it may look like Susie Q in Ocala is training from sun up to sun down every single day, that doesn’t mean that’s your program or that’s going to work best for you and your horse.

[Read the rest of this blog on the World Equestrian Brands website]