Hailey Burlock and Dondante. Photo courtesy of Alleyn Evans of Shannon Brinkman Photo.
Venturing to Florida in the winter season carries many benefits, but chief among them is the ample opportunity for learning while you’re in the area. An undeniable hotbed of eventing action, particularly in the winter, the Ocala area plays host to a whole array of recognized and unrecognized competitions, clinics, lessons with top pros, and educational seminars. And these aren’t just riding opportunities — the US Eventing Grooms Association is also aiming to educate as many riders as they can reach about the ins and outs of immaculate horse care.
In 2022, the USEGA began offering educational seminars in cooperation with the Event Riders’ Association, and this winter those sessions will continue with a full slate of six seminars on the docket. Each seminar will be held at a farm in the Ocala area — best to follow the USEGA/ERA Facebook Group for more updates on where to attend and if there will be any live streaming available. This year’s educational seminars include:
January 24: Grooming 101 with Max Corcoran
February 7: Veterinary Care with Dr. Shane Harley
February 13: All Things Show Jumping with Chris Barnard
February 21: Equine Massage Therapy with Jo-Ann Wilson
March 7: Nutrition and Supplements with Cat Hill
March 14: Everything Finance! with Rich Booth
Continuing education is always something we’re up for, and EN will be bringing you reports from a few of these sessions — stay tuned for more! Go Eventing.
I’m not even a little bit sorry about leading with a meme today, because I just know so many of you will relate to this one from the frankly top-notch Dressage Queen of Memes. I’ve helped a few friends with their small breeding operations and we’ve spent weeks, if not months, doing our research into stallions, watching endless videos, tracking down progeny to see what they’re like, stopping just short of pulling together a few punnet squares (but like, I’m definitely going to try that next time). But when it comes to Hinge? My wilderness years were filled with horrors, including the time I went on a date with a chap who told me, ad nauseum, about his very iffy opinions on closed borders. For months I had a note hanging in my kitchen that said ‘PLEASE DON’T SLEEP WITH ANY FASCISTS’. It’s a rule I’ve stuck to, but lord, the dating thing was hard work.
It’s something none of particularly want to think about — but one day, we’ll all die. And when we do, we need to make sure we have watertight plans in place for what happens to our horses, otherwise they could be dispersed. If you haven’t made a will yet, this piece might compel you to do so. [Making plans for after the fact]
Ever considered using a sports psychologist? Or, more specifically, ever been put off using one because a) you’re not really sure what they do and b) you’re not sure you’re the target clientele? Dr Paul Haefner is here to dispel all your doubts, with some useful information on what to expect and how to find the best practitioner for you. And yes, you’re the target clientele, even if you don’t compete. [Get a sports psychologist on your side]
In great news for aspiring event riders on a budget, a new scheme in the UK is matching kids with competition ponies — for free. Project Pony is the brainchild of a former Team GB pony rider, and it provides free loans of very good competition mounts to young riders who may not otherwise have access to such quality to learn from. Among those kids? 5* rider Tom Crisp’s son Harry, who’s finally getting the chance to prove himself over BE courses as a result. [A pony for you, and a pony for you, and a pony for EVERYONE]
We recently reviewed the Eques Pante on EN and loved it. But what we arguably love even more is that behind these small businesses are real human beings — and the horses they love, too. Sadly, founder Jessica Andrews recently had to put her heart horse, Nahlea, to sleep, and she’s penned a lovely tribute to this special mare that shares their whole story together — from the meat man’s bargain bin to the beginnings of a brilliant business. [Saying goodbye]
If we were to measure how much we love a helmet cam by the number of “Good boys!” (or girls!) the rider shouts, then this one easily makes the top rankings. Honestly though, is there anything more heartwarming than a little baby event horse trying his heart out during his first cross country run?
Three-and-a-half-year-old Chilli Star (Coronado x A Bid For Stardom xx), an Oldenburg/ Thoroughbred bred and owned by Michelle Green at Hidden Creek Ranch Sporthorses, took on his first event at Majestic Oaks HT this weekend. With Jennarose Ortmeyer in the irons, “Legs” had a wonderfully positive experience competing in the starter division, his ears pricked the whole way ’round the course. Young Chilli Star is entered in the 2023 US Event Horse Futurity, and we look forward to following his progress!
2023 is the year that the Adelaide Equestrian Festival finally returns to Adelaide’s beautiful East Parklands!
Adelaide’s team has been working hard behind the scenes to bring the biggest and best event yet, and are pleased to welcome back Mike Etherington-Smith as Course Designer for the CCI5*. The CCI3*-L and CCI4*-S are also returning in 2023 and will showcase the up and coming riders and horses in the Southern Hemisphere.
This is the first year Adelaide has been back since before COVID, and is scheduled to run April 20-23, and tickets are already on sale.
In addition to the competition, you can expect to see a bustling Market Place at the event, and with the event’s central location in the city of Adelaide, there is no shortage of experiences to explore, with world-class restaurants, an internationally renowned wine region, beaches, and more.
Get excited for the upcoming action this April by checking out some of the highlights from past years…
Well, I feel like 2023 is officially here with the return of Weekend Winners after runs at Majestic Oaks and Ram Tap this past weekend. Celebrate the start of the season as we celebrate successful runs!
We saw many final scores in the 20s, so it’s clear that these Eventers have been putting their winter work to good use! Among all of these stellar scores, we would like to give a special shout-out to our “Unofficial Low Score Award” winner, Deborah Rosen and Dylan, who won the Open Introductory at Ram Tap this weekend on a 20.7!
Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks (Ocala, FL): [Website] [Scoring]
Open Preliminary: Leslie Law and Really All Gold (25.0)
Preliminary Rider: Madeline Hartsock and Westwick Rebel (31.1)
Open Training A: Liz Lund and Franklin Delano CF (26.9)
Open Training B: Anna Fitzhugh and Shirsheen Deal Me In (26.9)
Open Training C: Ainsley Hagen and Ardeo Red Rover (26.4)
Open Training D: Cornelia Dorr and Racing Thoughts (24.7)
Training Rider A: Ava Applebaum and FE Bail Me Out (27.2)
Training Rider B: Tessa Geven and Caheradoo Jack (24.2)
Novice Rider A: Krista Wilson and Stella (31.1)
Novice Rider B: Kyla Tovar and Shannondale Jordi (29.4)
Open Novice A: Sophia Middlebrook and Agher City Boy (26.9)
Open Novice B: Conor Rollins and Florestan (30.8)
Open Novice C: Benjamin Noonan and Kay-O (30.3)
Open Novice D: Hannah Sue Hollberg and Kito Al Z (29.4)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Rosemarie Albrizio and Ramdam de Mons (31.2)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Rosemarie Albrizio and Flash Harry (29.7)
Open Beginner Novice A: Sinead Maynard and Lightning V/Z (27.9)
Open Beginner Novice B: William Ward and Get Busy (23.2)
Starter-Intro: Vanessa Stevenson and Fidelio (29.7)
Open Preliminary: Ella Garcia and Daehling Dex (36.3)
Open Training: Sophia Haslemann and American Tribute (29.7)
Open Novice: Rebecca Mondics and Uncharted Waters (26.1)
Open Beginner Novice: Clara Marks and Crystal Blue Persuasion (28.2)
Open Introductory: Deborah Rosen and Dylan (20.7)
2022 Carolina International CCI4*-S winners Will Coleman and Dondante. Photo by Brant Gamma Photography.
The Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International CCI and HT, happening March 16-19, 2023 at Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, NC, is pleased to announce a media partnership with Nation Media and Eventing Nation. This partnership signals an innovative intention to boost the reach and visibility of the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International and the sport of Eventing through the implementation of strategic media partnerships.
“As long-time fans of Eventing Nation, we are delighted to work with their team to expand the reach of the Carolina International. This year’s event marks our 10th Anniversary, so we look forward to kicking things off in a big way. The Organizing Committee has implemented several new initiatives, including an interactive event theme, that will be a large focus in our partnership with EN.” states Shannon Habenicht, Director of Development and Communications for the Carolina Horse Park.
Eventing Nation, created in 2010 as an eventing fan blog, has grown into a robust source of global eventing news and commentary with an engaged platform of readers and social media followers.
“We are proud to expand our umbrella into press and media services in 2023,” said Eventing Nation co-publisher Sally Spickard. “Our mission is to bring our readers – eventing fans – along with us to each event we cover. As equestrian sport continues to evolve, we also wanted to identify additional opportunities to grow eventing’s ‘microphone’, and we look forward to bringing Carolina International even closer to the sport’s fans and stakeholders. We will also amplify the message of key event sponsors through strategic advertising placements and content leading up to and during the 2023 event.”
Eventing Nation will liaise with all media outlets wishing to obtain credentials for the 2023 Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International, and team members will be on site to bring a forward-thinking approach to media, athlete, and fan interactions in what promises to be a weekend to remember in Raeford.
I’m a little sad to see that Gemma Stevens (nee Tattersall, for those of you who haven’t been keeping up with your eventing weddings!) said goodbye to the very cool MGH Candy Girl recently. Gemma has been moonlighting as a (very good!) show jumper on the side of her eventing for a while now, and this pocket rocket of a mare has partnered her around some enormous, prestigious tracks. She’ll now be campaigned by British jumper Matt Sampson, and no doubt Gemma has some very good horses lined up to fill her space in her string, but nonetheless, I’ll miss seeing these plucky ladies out on course.
We won’t be seeing British eventer Georgie Goss (nee Spence) at Badminton this year — but for good reason. She and her husband Toby, who wed in July of 2021, are expecting their first child this spring! [Congratulations to the happy couple]
Whether you’re buying or selling a horse, you’ll be familiar with the idea — and the potential positives — of a trial period. But with those positives come risks; risk of injury, risk of negligence, and a liability risk, too, that can’t be overlooked. To help make the situation less fraught, it’s wise to familiarise yourself with the legal complexities of the situation, allowing you to get a robust contract in place that protects all parties, should things go pear-shaped. [Here’s what you need to know]
Single girls know the struggle: if you make it clear that you’re a horse girl on your dating profiles, you get all sorts of weird behaviour in response, from questions about what you like to use your whip for (ew) or cynical insinuations about your wealth (non-existent, thanks for playing). But when you’re on the hunt for the perfect partner — one who’ll show up and support you in your maddest, rainiest habits even if they’re not a horse person themselves, does it really pay off to hide the thing that makes you you? [The answer? More leg maybe idk]
What are the factors that contribute to your choice to stable, or turn out, your horse? Canadian researchers conducted a study on a sample group of horse owners, some of which let their horses live out the majority of the time, and some of which prefer to keep their horses largely stabled, to try to find out the ‘human’ motivators for this big decision — and what horses actually prefer. [In or out?]
It’s a good moment to click that follow button on Kimmy Cecere, who’s just gone solo after years of being part of Lauren Nicholson’s team. She’s also just finished up her first year in the UK and will be heading back for another season shortly – so you’ll get some great insights into what it’s actually like to train with some of the world’s best riders and compete at some of the biggest events.
Morning Viewing:
Here it is: a stable tour that’s actually going to make me buy a lottery ticket. How is it so clean?
Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir. Photo by Abby Powell.
By now, the eventing world is well familiar with the name Yasmin Ingham.
Maybe as a U.S.-based fan you first heard of the charming young woman from the tiny Isle of Man when she made a first trip to the 2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, finishing second to 2010 WEG gold medalist Michael Jung.
Maybe you remembered the name when she pulled off what was still a decisive upset despite the accolades she’d collected to that point, taking the full spoils of last year’s FEI Eventing World Championships.
Or, maybe you were keen to know who would be on the radar in a few years’ time, quietly amassing results at the Junior and Young Rider levels before arriving on the international stage — so you were already in the know when she became a household name.
Either way — Yasmin has established herself as an eventing force to be reckoned with, and EN’s Ema Klugman dug up this excellent find of Yasmin competing (and, surprise, winning the gold medal) at the 2013 FEI European Eventing Championships for Ponies. This was just Yasmin’s second FEI competition, and she would finish on her dressage mark with the Irish pony Craig Mor Tom. Watch and enjoy!
Here’s a great clinic opportunity for anyone local to Auburn, Alabama. The Auburn Eventing Team will be hosting Swedish Olympian Ludwig Svennerstål for dressage and show jumping lessons at the end of this week. See the info above for details and to reserve a spot!
And speaking of exciting overseas clinicians, we have word from Sara Kozumplik that William Fox Pitt will be making another midwinter trip to the States. He’ll be clinicing in Ocala at the end of February, will compete in the Grand Prix Evening at Bruce’s Field again, and then will have time to teach another U.S. clinic before flying home. Get in touch if you’re interested in hosting him!
I’m a real sucker for both a snoop around other people’s yards and a trip abroad, and this fascinating vlog serves up both: it’s a deep-dive into Olympic gold medallist Jessica von Bredow-Werdnl‘s day-to-day life at the extraordinary Aubenhausen, the sprawling facility she shares with brother Benjamin and a whole host of very, very good horses. There’s a few surprises to be found once you get through the gates, too, including Riding for the Disabled ponies, horsey spa amenities, and — best of all — much more turnout than you might expect to see at a top-end dressage facility. It’s certainly a slice of horsey heaven, by anyone’s estimations — and after you see the care and attention to detail that’s been put into the place, you won’t be surprised at all that Jessica’s career has been such a success so far.
