Agria Top 10 Indoor Eventing is a new concept at Sweden International Horse Show and it appeared a hit with the crowds at Friends Arena in Stockholm. The final delivered lots of excitement as the last rider to go won by just one hundredth of a second. And it was France’s Maxime Livio who was crowned the very first Top 10 Champion of indoor eventing.
Maxime Livio (FRA) and Boleybawn Prince – winners of the Agria Top 10 Indoor Eventing 2022. Photo by Roland Thunholm/SIHS.
This year marked the launch of Agria Top 10 Indoor Eventing at Sweden International Horse Show. The brand-new competition for some of the world’s best eventing riders covers two classes with a warm-up and a final. In the 2022 world premiere Maxime Livio and Boleybawn Prince managed to win both. The Sunday final was extraordinarily tight as the French rider beat Sweden’s Frida Andersén and Box Compris by as little as one hundredth of a second. Germany’s Julia Krajewski and Nickel 21 came in third.
Frida Andersen and Box Compris, second in the Agria Top 10 Indoor Eventing 2022. Photo by Roland Thunholm/SIHS.
“I think this was a good demonstration of what cross country is, with trouble for some and really nice rounds for others and the finish really close”, Maxime Livio says at the press conference. “You have to ride him well because he is so talented, so if you make a mistake you can really blame yourself. So I was really focused today on doing my best,” he says of the horse Boleybawn Prince.
All three riders on the podium praised the course, which even contained a water jump.
“It is a cool show really, with a great audience and, I think, an interesting course,” says Olympic gold medalist Julia Krajewski. “You couldn’t just go for it, so the riders go tested,” she adds.
And so we re-enter the grind! I mean, as a British-based ENer, I kind of never left it, but I’m straight back in the mix this morning taking a train to London in my breeches to go for a ride with a showjumper in the city. It’s certainly never boring being an equestrian journalist, and now that I’ve got this assignment on my roster, I’m beginning to wonder if I ought to insist on doing all my interviews on horseback. Heads up, eventers: I want to ride your steeds, and I want to do it right now. Okay, hang on, not all your steeds. I’d like to have the option to cherry pick. Basically, what I’m saying is: Tamie, call me. Mai Baum and I have some business to attend to.
National Holiday: It’s Cyber Monday! Fortunately, ‘cyber’ means something very different now than it did to those of us who grew up in Yahoo! chat rooms in the early noughties.
US Weekend Action:
Pine Top Thanksgiving H.T. (Thomson, GA): [Website] [Results]
Your Monday Reading List:
I love intrepid women who’ve defied the social convention of their time — and Victorian adventurer Isabella Bird is certainly one of those. She covered a huge swathe of the US on horseback, and despite being less than five feet tall, she did everything that needed doing all by herself — from wrangling cattle to gutting bears. For some reason, there’s a TV show about one of the Spice Girls retracing her route in the works, but we can dig it. [Let this woman be your Monday inspiration]
Ever fancied giving hunting a go? Even if you’re not keen on the idea of killing something — which is totally fair enough — there are so many great trail hunting options to give you the thrill of the chase and the inimitable experience of riding across the country at speed. But getting started can feel kind of intimidating — unless you can follow along with the advice and experiences of another rider first. [Prepare yourself for the most fun you’ll ever have on a horse]
Goodbye to event horse owner and former British team member Shirley Thorp. The extraordinary equestrian died at the age of 89, following a colourful life that included trips around Badminton in the 1950s and ’60s. [Read more about her here]
Further evidence has been collated that proves the effectiveness of horses in therapy situations. This time, the research has been conducted on adolescents in care environments, many of whom have come from enormously traumatic backgrounds. [The case for access to horses, universally]
Morning Viewing:
We all love a cross-country helmet cam video — but how about a Grand Prix showjumping one? Prepare to spend plenty of time in the air over these fences!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year: not Christmas, but time, instead, for Laura Collett‘s Badminton winner London 52 to come back into work. Why should we care about one of many five-star horses re-entering the 9-5? Because ‘Dan’, as he’s known at home, is a particularly special sort of chap. When his first jump of the year rolls around, we’re all treated to a particularly unique show – and Laura becomes eventing’s Calamity Jane. And as a palate whetter? She’s compiled a selection of clips from previous years to give us all a taste of what we’re in for. Laura, please let us know what breeches you’re wearing, because we could do with sticky bums of that magnitude ourselves, frankly.
Can’t see the embedded Instagram content? Click here to get your fill of London 52’s interpretive dance moves!
In this excerpt from her book Pilates for Horses, eventer and Pilates instructor Laura Reiman teaches us two great (and simple!) exercises to strengthen your horse’s core and thoracic sling, and increase his ability to take weight on his hind end.
Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.
Has your horse tried Pilates yet? Pilates is an empowering method that all people can use for their own health and wellness, and to help strengthen their horse’s mind and body as well. As a Pilates teacher, I often hear concerns that someone isn’t flexible, or strong, or balanced enough to try Pilates. The reality is that this methodology can work for every body—all you have to do is have the courage to start.
My Pilates for Horses program can be useful for you whether you’re a beginner or a professional, and whether you use a handful of exercises or all of them. Whatever your horse’s current need, there is a modification to help better serve you. If you remember why you are doing each exercise, not just how to do it, you will be able to easily adjust or switch to a different exercise that hits the same muscle group in a different way, based on how your horse is feeling that day. Keep in mind the principles of Pilates as you work and ride:
Strive to find these principles in both yourself and your horse. Make goals and celebrate small milestones. Be safe, and have patience. Consult a vet when appropriate and find a trainer who is willing to work at your pace, setting a thoughtful and progressive training schedule for your horse. No matter your discipline, Pilates-inspired exercises can be utilized in some way to create a stronger, more mobile, and balanced horse. Above all, have fun!
Exercise: Nose Forward Reach
WHAT
Also considered an incentive stretch, this exercise emphasizes core engagement by asking your horse to shift his weight forward toward a treat, without moving his feet.
WHY
– Activates the thoracic sling including the serratus ventralis, pectorals, and subclavius as well as hip/pelvis stabilizers including the gluteals, sacrocaudalis dorsalis, tensor fasciae latae, quadriceps, bicep femoris, adductors, and sartorius.
– Stretches the rectus capitis dorsalis and lateralis, multifidus cervicis, rhomboids, splenius, and trapezius.
– Increases balance and stability.
– Improves self-carriage.
HOW
1. Stand in front of your horse and hold one hand gently against his chest to stop any forward steps.
2. Offer a treat right in front of his nose to get his attention.
3. Slowly move the treat in a straight line away from the horse, enticing him to shift his weight forward toward the treat without taking a step.
4. When using a clicker, activate it 3–4 feet in front of the horse’s nose.
5. Make sure your horse’s neck is straight with no tilt and the nose is pointing forward toward the incentive.
6. Hold for 10 seconds to start, working up to 30 seconds over the course of several weeks.
7. Repeat 2–4 times.
WHEN
Every day, before or after work. Hold for 10–30 seconds and repeat 2–4 times.
Tips and Common Issues and Precautions
– The goal is for your horse to shift his weight forward without actually stepping forward, but watch your feet. Your horse will most likely take a few steps before you figure out how far you can move the incentive away or how much pressure you need to keep on the chest.
– Use a treat that you can wrap your hand around so the horse can smell but not eat it immediately, and will hold his forward stretch.
– Allow your horse to be in control of the stretch—do not pull him into position or hold his nose down.
Photo by Roberta Reiman.
Exercise: Weight Shift Back
WHAT
Ask your horse to shift his weight and/or rock backward without stepping back.
WHY
– Contracts the thoracic sling, multifidus, and muscles surrounding the stifle.
– Teaches your horse to load and engage the hind end.
HOW
1. Apply gentle pressure to your horse’s lead rope or chest, asking him to shift his weight backward without moving his feet.
2. Release pressure quickly so your horse doesn’t step back. The quick release is essential to keep your horse from actually stepping back.
WHEN
Every day, before or after work. Repeat 2–4 times.
Tips and Common Issues and Precautions
– If your horse refuses to shift his weight, try lifting and holding a front leg for 10 seconds to release some of the weight on the forehand before replacing the foot and trying the exercise again.
– Placing stability pads under the front legs can also help release weight and tension in the front, activating the stabilizer muscles so they are easier to recruit. Try placing a pad under one or both front feet for 15–20 seconds before removing them and trying the exercise again.
– For increased difficulty, lift one of your horse’s front legs and hold it up while asking for the weight shift.
So far this off-season, we’ve dealt with the emotional blow of the retirement of Jonelle Price’s Classic Moet and Faerie Dianimo, plus Sarah Bullimore’s Reve du Rouet — but none of those quite prepared us for the announcement that British team stalwart, five-star superhero, and all-around exceptionally good egg Tina Cook is hanging up her upper-level boots.
The announcement came yesterday via a story in Horse and Hound, wherein she told the magazine that she plans to continue producing horses up to three-star level, but won’t continue competing through four- and five-star, nor will she vie for spots on British teams, any longer. The decision comes after the sad death of her top horse, Elisabeth Murdoch and Keith Tyson’s 15-year-old Billy the Red, following a brief attempt at retirement in the field. The gelding competed at Pau CCI5* last autumn, finishing 16th, but hasn’t competed internationally since, as some unevenness of stride became evident in the run-up to Badminton. Being turned out to enjoy his remaining years, Tina explained to H&H, wasn’t a viable or happy solution for the busy-brained, clever little horse, and so the tough decision was made to put him down.
“I took the decision that was right for the horse,” she says in the article, which you can read in full here. “I get so attached to my horses; it was so sad but if they can’t have a happy retirement, you have to do what’s right by the horse. And at the same time as announcing that, I thought maybe now’s the time to say what’s probably going to happen.”
Tina Cook and Billy the Red at Pau in 2021. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Tina will now focus her attentions primarily on the youngster, and of course her children, 17-year-old Isabelle and 15-year-old Harry. Izzy is a keen eventer herself, and won individual silver and team gold this year at the Junior European Championships with the homebred mare, Mexican Law, while Harry enjoys playing rugby.
Tina Cook and Billy the Red at the 2019 European Championships. Photo by William Carey.
Across Tina’s extraordinary career, she’s given us all — fans of the sport, reporters, and fellow riders alike — so many happy moments and memories, which her former teammates have been commemorating across social media since the announcement.
“What a women,” writes Gemma Tattersall, who competed alongside Tina at the 2017 European Championships at Strzegom and the 2018 World Equestrian Games at Tryon. “Absolute legend. No better lady to be on a team with. She gave me the most incredible support on the teams I went on, I learnt so much from Tina and will be forever grateful. Proper team player and proper horsewomen.”
Tina Cook and Billy the Red at the 2018 World Equestrian Games. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Pippa Funnell, too, paid tribute to her longtime friend: “So sad to hear the news of Billy The Red. He was a brilliant but quirky little number with whom Tina brought out the very best, what a tough decision for Tina but absolutely the right decision to have Billy put down. On making this tough call she has made another very difficult decision and that is to call time on her illustrious career at the very top of our sport.”
“Tina has to have been one of Team GB’s greatest members,” continues Pippa. “She came into her best form always at the big Championship’s, there was no better person to have on a team and I am fortunate enough to have been part of several of those. Many many fond memories but looking forward, she is such a fantastic producer of young horses and that she will continue to do up to 3 star level and as she says her time and efforts will go into helping and supporting Isabelle and Harry. I know we will share many more fun days as dear friends but I will miss sharing the nerves, sharing the highs and sharing the lows, we have had so many laughs at top events throughout the world.”
Tina’s Senior team career began back in 1993, when she was given the call-up for the European Championships with her Pony Club and Junior team mount, the full Thoroughbred Song And Dance Man. They returned with an individual silver medal, establishing Tina — the daughter of late racehorse trainer Josh Gifford and showjumper Althea Roger-Smith — as the poster girl for the pony-mad for the next three decades. Her roster of achievements would go on to include two Olympic appearances, at Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012, where she won team and individual bronze at the former and team silver at the latter, finishing sixth individually. She would also ride at four World Equestrian Games, taking team gold in 2010 and team silver in 2014, and seven total Senior European Championships, most notably becoming the European Champion at Fontainebleau in 2009 with the exceptional Thoroughbred Miners Frolic.
Tina Cook and Star Witness at Burghley in 2018. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.
Tina’s horses, which she produces at her home base in West Sussex, where she grew up, have often been larger-than-life characters, too. There have been the Thoroughbreds, such as Miners Frolic, who continued to prove what the breed could do long after it fell out of fashion, and the quirky souls, such as Star Witness and Billy the Red, with whom Tina competed at the 2017 and 2019 European Championships, taking team gold and silver, respectively, and the 2018 Tryon World Equestrian Games, where they finished ninth individually.
“[Billy] has just got a bright brain; he’s not malicious, and he’s not nasty — he was just born bright and it’s just about finding the key. He isn’t one you’d want to overwork, as he’d probably get worse, so it’s just that fine line of doing twenty minutes and then hoping,” explained Tina to EN last year. “He’s desperately spooky — oh my god — on hacks and stuff like that. When I rode him this morning he spooked at a pile of stinging nettles, slipped, and whipped ’round. He’s always the same, but that’ll be him all his life; sometimes he spooks at flowers, sometimes he doesn’t, and so I always have to prepared for the unexpected. You just have to smile your legs around him, smile, and get on with it! I ride him at home myself — I don’t think it’s fair on anyone else to have to ride him just in case anything happens, so it’s me and him all the time.”
But for all Billy’s quirks, he was also one of the most reliable jumping horses in the game, with speed, accuracy, and careful feet on his side that made him a stalwart member of the teams. And, of course, he was an inspiration well beyond the upper levels of the sport, paying a visit to London’s Ebony Horse Club, where he and his rider shared an insight into the sport with the riders there.
Though a five-star win eluded Tina throughout her career, she was one of the most formidable competitors in the world at this level, with countless placings at Badminton, Burghley, Pau and Luhmühlen to her name. We have no doubt we’ll continue to see her on site at these competitions — particularly the Big Bs, at which she’s become a mainstay of the on-site commentary and presenting teams, and will, we expect, be the nervous mum of a competitor before too long, too.
Tina Cook and Miners Frolic at Badminton. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Whichever way the journey goes from here, thank you, Tina, for all you’ve done for the sport so far. We’re still the pony mad kids with eventing posters on our walls at heart, and you’ll always be our poster girl, really.
On Friday I did a 5k trail run (can you call it a Turkey Trot if it’s not on Thanksgiving day?) that took place at a local cross country schooling field. We ran past fences that I’ve jumped on my pony (the photo above is the same schooling field in the spring!) and through a bit of the bordering trail system. I stepped on my fair share of old manure throughout the race, but I didn’t mind.
I wanted to give this race a little shoutout because I think it’s a really neat community effort. In this case the race supported my local trail association, but I could see cross country schooling facilities hosting running races to support other local causes or their own operations. To me it seems like a great shared use of the land.
Do you think this model would work in your area? It’s something to think about!
SmartPak Pick of the Week: SmartPak’s Black Friday sale is currently in full force! You can score 20% off select brands, plus and additional 15% off much more using the code BF2022. Want more? Spend $200 and get today’s free gift!
Imagine, if you will, cantering into an arena packed with tricky questions, in front of a roaring crowd and pounding music — on a horse you’ve only ridden a couple of times. That’s the situation at hand for all those intrepid riders who pick up catch rides for the indoor eventing classes at some of the biggest shows around the world, and this weekend, a number of them are doing so in Sweden, including Boyd Martin. He finished fifth in the first round of the class on Thursday evening, and so will enter the ring at the halfway point in tomorrow night’s finale with Caruccio Paradise. Check out his first round ride in today’s video!
The USEA celebrated its 60th anniversary at the 2019 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, and all of the attendees took home a special USEA Publication – Eventing In America. This is the second edition of Eventing in America with the first being published in 1999 to commemorate 40 years. Now, 20 years later, the USEA has once again taken a look back at its history and the memories of six decades of the sport and produced a publication that takes the readers year-by-year.
A few copies of Eventing in America are now available for purchase – the perfect opportunity to preserve the history of the sport in the U.S. The publication costs $10 and is available to purchase here through www.ShopUSEA.com.
Eventing in America features a page from every year of the USEA’s existence from 1959 to 2019 including all of the U.S. teams at the Olympics, World Equestrian Games, and Pan American Games as well as all of the USEA leaderboard and special award winners. The book starts in the 1920s with cavalry photos and text from some of the USEA’s founding fathers, Alexander MacKay-Smith, Major General Jonathan R. Burton, and Denny Emerson. Each decade is opened up with stories of the period – giving a taste of how the sport evolved over the years from the cavalry to the formation of the USCTA (now USEA) to the golden era under Jack Le Goff to the new millennium and the present day.
From “The Founding of the USEA” by Denny Emerson
Alexander Mackay-Smith realized that there was a need for some sort of Association between Pony Club for youngsters and the USET for international riders if eventing were ever to get established in the United States.
“Accordingly, I sent a letter to everyone I knew interested in eventing to come to a meeting during the Pan American Games in Chicago in September of 1959. About 25 people came to the meeting. We founded the USCTA and elected officers pro-term, with Philip Hofmann as president,” said Mackay-Smith. . . . Even though six decades have passed since that meeting in Illinois, many of the ‘pioneers’ from that day are still active as leaders and innovators in American horse sports. I would hope that they feel gratified that the little Association which they had the vision to create has grown into such a respected and significant leader in the American horse community. The USEA is synonymous with good sportsmanship, good riding, and an emphasis above all else on a respect for the well-being of the horse. That’s quite a legacy.
The Olympics in Montreal saw the U.S. continuing their double gold streak. From left to right: Mary Anne Tauskey/Marcus Aurelius (21st); J. Michael Plumb/Better and Better (individual silver); Bruce Davidson/Irish Cap (10th); and Tad Coffin/Bally Cor (individual gold). Sue Maynard Photo.
From “The Golden Era of Eventing”
For the U.S. Eventing Team, the 1970s was a decade of medals. At every single major championship, the U.S. brought home a podium placing. According to Alexander Mackay-Smith, this success is due to Neil Ayer and Jack Le Goff who both came to the forefront of eventing in the U.S. around 1970. Mackay-Smith said, “They were to influence eventing in North America as no others had before.” . . . In 1973 the first FEI event was held in the U.S. at Ayer’s Ledyard Farm in Massachusetts. Ayer was both the organizer and course designer and invited riders from all over the world to come compete. The inaugural event was won by Britain’s Sue Hatherly and Harley, but the U.S. would have their redemption the following year on British home turf when the 1974 World Championships were held at Burghley. The U.S. won the team gold medal by a huge margin and also claimed individual gold and silver. With their wins, the U.S. also won the rights to host the next World Championships, but a location was needed.
From “A New Millenium”
2000! A new millennium dawned and the USCTA, soon to be the United States Eventing Association (USEA), was ready to face whatever the next decade would bring. The impact of this new technology called the internet, changes to the very nature of the sport, improving safety for horses and riders were all challenges to be met… On the home front, the Association was preparing for a name change. In the mid 1990s the USCTA had adopted the name Eventing USA for the magazine replacing the old USCTA News. Was this prophetic? Farsighted? Maybe. The FEI decreed at the end of century that the name of the sport internationally would be eventing, not “horse trials” or “combined training” or “military” but eventing! In 2000, the work began to legally transition the U.S. Combined Training Association to the U.S. Eventing Association. The USEA was re-branded and was launched with a new name, decal, and logo wear at a grand party at the 2001 Annual Meeting & Convention in Portland, Oregon.
Want a sneak peek inside of the book before purchasing? Current USEA members are able to read Eventing in America by logging into https://services.useventing.com/ and navigating to the Eventing USA Archive.
A couple of weeks ago, the Wesko Equestrian Foundation took a particularly exciting trip: the riders, plus mentor Pippa Funnell, travelled to the home of the Cadre Noir in Saumur, France, to take part in the inaugural Young Riders Academy Jumping Forum, which allowed them to learn from riders such as showjumping legends Kevin Staut and Franke Sloothaak, French team stalwart and Cadre Noir rider Thibault Vallette, and more. Their days in France were jam-packed with ridden sessions, chances to watch and learn, a roundtable discussion on training and the all-important conversation on social licence — and, of course, plenty of good French food and wine!
The British-based Wesko Equestrian Foundation was set up in memory of Christina Knudsen, whose own stake in the sport included ownership of the Foundation’s namesake, Tim Price’s Luhmühlen winner Wesko. Its intention? To bridge the gap between the successful Young Rider programme and Senior-level competition by providing a year of mentorship, opportunities, training, and business education to a selected group of 21-28-year-old young professionals — but its scope goes beyond that, too, with links to London’s Ebony Horse Club, an inner-city riding programme, and plans for further expansion to include developing eventing nations. In short? It’s something we’d all quite like to be invited into, frankly — but even if some of us have aged out of its remit (guilty as charged), we still enjoy the odd opportunity to stick our noses in.
Although our invitation to France must have got lost in the post, we did enjoy getting to follow some of the training sessions from afar — and here are ten of the wisest snippets shared during the course of the lessons with Franke and Pippa.
Franke Sloothaak: “The rein back should be the same as asking the horse to move forward, otherwise they can’t move their hind legs — so don’t restrict the movement.”
Pippa Funnell: “If you work on your horse, your horse gets better. If you work on yourself, all your horses will get better.”
Franke Sloothaak: “If the horse is rushing, stop it after the fence and not before. If the horse is slow, speed them up after the fence, then the next time they’ll already be thinking more forward.”
Pippa Funnell: “If you turn your body over a fence, you lose the horse’s outside shoulder — so keep the body straight.”
Franke Sloothaak: “If he’s a strong and forward horse, you want to do lots of canter/walk/canter transitions so that he’s thinking more about the slow transition and not pulling.”
Pippa Funnell: “When riding a different or new horse it is really important to focus it on something easy to help it relax and trust you.”
Franke Sloothaak: “To encourage more activity, try two strides in a forward pace and then return to two strides of the normal working pace. Inside leg equals impulsion. Outside leg controls the bend. Use this with walk to canter transitions on a circle. Together with the two strides forward exercise it helps to get the horse thinking forward.”
Pippa Funnell: “What gives us the edge as a good rider? Small margins, staying open-minded and often something as simple as staying hydrated.”
Franke Sloothaak: “The outside rein is the most important. Leg yield from the inside on a circle to get the horse responding and moving forwards.”
Pippa Funnell: “How do we become great horsemen and -women? It’s all about the partnership. A partnership between horse and rider should be like a marriage, it should be about trust, honest, communication and companionship. Break the trust and you will break the confidence between horse and rider. I’m a great believer in empathy and getting inside a horse’s head to work out how they’re thinking. Repeat. Reward. Understand.”
Small Business Saturday is honestly one of my favorite things, but then again I do seriously try to abide by the Small Business Saturday mentality year-round. If you think about it though, being an equestrian makes it pretty easy to shop small, since there are so many fantastic equestrian small businesses out there. I hope you’re supporting your favorite ones today — and the rest of the year!
