Classic Eventing Nation

First Four-Star Is a Charm: Dan Kreitl and Carmango Receive USET Foundation’s 2022 Gladstone Challenge Trophy

By on Nov 23, 2022 3:30 pm -

Dan Kreitl and Carmango were presented with the USET Foundation’s 2022 Gladstone Challenge Trophy by Christina Vaughn, Director of Eventing Development and Emerging Programs at USEF; Cassie Holmes, Import/Export Director for The Dutta Corp.; Karin Ahlqvist, Vice President of Global Operations for The Dutta Corp.; and Sharon Decker, President, Carolinas Operations, Tryon Equestrian Partners. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

On November 13, 2022, amateur eventing athlete Dan Kreitl of Muncie, Indiana, received the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation’s 2022 Gladstone Challenge Trophy for his win in the Dutta Corp. USEF CCI4*-L Eventing National Championship at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina. The Gladstone Challenge Trophy was established in 1963 and is awarded to the winner of the fall four-star long national championship event. The trophy is inscribed annually with the winner’s name and permanently displayed at the USET Foundation’s headquarters in Gladstone, New Jersey.

Not only had Kreitl never competed in a four-star event prior to his win, it was also a first for his mount Carmango, a nine-year-old Westphalian gelding owned by Kay Dixon, known as ‘Fritz’ in the barn.

“I’ve never been prouder of the effort my horse put out,” said Kreitl of Fritz’s performance over the three days. “I pushed him for all he had on the cross-country course, and he gave 110%. There were a few jumps where I didn’t have a good ride, and he totally bailed me out. The thing I love most about this sport is the bond that’s formed with the horse and, with Fritz, the level of trust I have in him. It’s really fun. That bond between us got even stronger through this competition.”

Kreitl, a husband, father of two, and owner of a student housing business near Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, always considered his riding a hobby. In middle school, he began riding dressage at a farm near his family’s home and progressed up the ranks to ultimately compete at the 2008 CN FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAYC) in dressage before going to college. It wasn’t until he was 22 that Krietl first tried eventing and, around that time, he became acquainted with Kay Dixon who offered to sponsor Krietl’s eventing pursuits. As Kreitl and Dixon began to build a small string of horses, Kreitl’s dreams of competing at higher levels started to come into focus.

“Kay [Dixon] made this opportunity possible for me,” explained Kreitl. “I knew my goal [was to compete at the highest levels] but I often wondered if I could actually do it. Kay and I took steps [to acquire and develop young horses], and we thought maybe this isn’t just a pipe dream.”

With his dreams in reach, the 35-year-old rider began adjusting his work schedule to better accommodate his riding. While a majority of his time is still dedicated to his day job, he’s been able to concretely map out his long-term goals. As part of the prize for winning the CCI4*-L National Championship, Kreitl scored a ticket to transport a horse to Europe and back courtesy of The Dutta Corp., so he has just begun to think about what other dreams could become a reality.

“For sure the long-term goal is getting to do five-star events [with Fritz],” he stated. “Kay and I have talked about how fun it would be to compete at [CHIO Aachen in Aachen, Germany]. We didn’t really think it would happen but now with this prize, we’d like to go to Aachen to compete in the four-star if it works out.”

Dan Kreitl and Carmango in the cross-country phase of the Dutta Corp. USEF CCI4*-L Eventing National Championship at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

With his name now etched onto the prestigious USET Foundation trophy alongside Olympians and some of the world’s best athletes such as David O’Connor, Bruce O. Davidson, Phillip Dutton, and Boyd Martin, Kreitl has a new aspiration beginning to take shape. “Riding for the [U.S. equestrian] team is a dream, and one I thought wouldn’t happen,” he commented modestly. “But now that we’re getting closer, I’ve had a couple of people encouraging me to go that path. Long story short, if it could be [a realistic] opportunity I’d go for it!”

Kreitl is quick to point out that his eventing journey is made possible by a tremendous team effort from his barn team and coaches. “Liz Carter has been helping me with the horses at home and has been grooming, and I definitely couldn’t do it without her,” he noted. “Julie Miller first introduced me to the sport of eventing, and she comes to different shows and grooms for me, so we’ve been on this journey together. My coaches have helped me dramatically, especially my eventing coach Sharon White and Bonna McCuiston who has been my dressage instructor for 12 years. In the past couple of years, I have also been working with Richard Rinehart for show jumping.”

In addition to his team at the barn, Kreitl spoke to an equally supportive team at home. “I’m married to a non-horse person who is going through stage 4 cancer treatments,” he shared. “My wife Alyssa is super supportive, especially with the trials she’s going through and [being home with our two young children]; it’s incredibly impressive. She’s really the heart and soul.

“Between running our own business, doing the horses as a hobby, and my wife with her health issues, we really could not do this without the help of our extended family,” he continued. “It’s been great that everyone is very excited [about the eventing] and wants to do it.”

Krietl is realistic about the highs and lows of the sport but is taking the time to enjoy his milestone achievement. “It’s been a really fun journey, a lot of days of hard work, and disappointments along the way and thinking [winning at the top level would] never happen. So, it’s sure fun when it all comes together, and to get a big win was totally awesome.”

His advice for other aspiring athletes? “I’d say 100% chase the dream,” he concluded. “You just don’t know [what can happen]. I had no idea when I met Kay that it was a dream of hers to own upper-level horses. Work really hard, and don’t give up on the dream. When I think things aren’t going to come together and I get discouraged, [I keep going and] after a while something good happens.”

 

Save the Date for Galway Downs’ Annual Fundraising Clinic

By on Nov 23, 2022 11:30 am -

Graphic courtesy of Galway Downs.

It’s time to mark your calendars for the annual Galway Downs Fundraising Clinic and schooling weekend, held each year at the popular Temecula, CA venue to boost revenues for facility improvements and other facets of hosting eventing competition.

Riders have the option to sign up for lessons — dressage, cross country, and/or show jumping — with a variety of both local and international professionals. You can typically expect most California-based riders — Tamie Smith, Hawley Bennett-Awad, Chloe Smyth, Erin Kellerhouse, Kaylawna Smith-Cook are some local examples — to participate as clinicians, and this year organizer Robert Kellerhouse has added New Zealand Olympian Jock Paget as well as British 5* rider and course designer Ian Stark to the roster.

The clinic will be hosted at Galway Downs January 20-22, 2023, and entries will be available soon on the Galway Downs website.

The Unstoppable Nicola Wilson to Open Yorkshire Yard for Mentorship & Training

By on Nov 23, 2022 9:00 am -

Nicola Wilson wins the 2021 European Eventing Championships. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Life, these days, looks much different for Olympian and 2021 European champion Nicola Wilson.

The year had begun as one would for a top event rider, but all would change in an instant just a handful of fences from the Badminton finish line.

It had already been an intense day of sport on cross country day at Badminton, but when Nicola and her European Championships partner, JL Dublin, arrived at a right-handed corner at fence 27, it happened in an instant. Both were on the ground, and the air seemed to leave the venue. The horse rolled to his belly and stood up. His rider did not.

Nicola says the first thing she can recall now is coming to in the Badminton medical tent, just before transport to Southmead Hospital for further evaluation of a traumatic spinal injury. She would spend the next 19 days in the intensive care unit. The details of the accident remain fuzzy; as incidents like this often do, it happened in an instant, leaving little resource for understanding the how and why.

“I knew, then and there, my eventing days were over,” Nicola recalls. She speaks with a positive pragmatism, her voice devoid of pity for herself or the circumstances, full of relief and gratitude that her horse was unharmed in the fall. While I listen, I am calling to mind the image of the accident from my view on the live stream, feeling my stomach clench like it was happening again. I feel silly. Here I am, talking to the woman who survived what I simply watched from thousands of miles away.

“I was surprised that I wasn’t panicking about not being able to feel, and how accepting I was of that,” Nicola continues. “And I suppose my main thought at that point was to try to recover and be as functional as I can. I just hoped that I could have a quality of life and earn an income and live a lovely life. That suddenly became my main focus, and everything else, I suppose, sort of goes into insignificance.”

A long road lay ahead for Nicola, 46, who sustained multiple spinal fractures as well as a condition called Central Core Syndrome that resulted in loss of sensation and movement in her extremities. After release from the ICU, Nicola was transferred from Southmead Hospital to the spinal rehabilitation unit at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesborough, where she would continue her recovery until she was finally able to return home in mid-September. Through this period, Nicola regained use of her hands and arms and also began to walk with assistance.

She always finds a way, and a little help from husband Alastair also goes a long way. Photo courtesy of Nicola Wilson.

And her sunny, irrepressible demeanor remained unscathed.

In fact, just before our interview, Nicola sent me a WhatsApp message indicating she might be running slightly behind. She’d been en route from opening a new equestrian center at Craven College, an event to which she had committed at the beginning of the year.

“Of course I told them I would still be there,” she says. “If only I might need a bit of help with the scissors for cutting the ribbon!”

As Nicola eased back into life at her home yard, which she owns with her husband of 16 years, Alastair, she began to consider what would come next.

Here she was, with a purpose-built, fully functional yard that would no longer be the home of her competition horses. During her recovery, her top horses were sent to continue on with other riders: JL Dublin is now partnered with Tokyo silver medalist Tom McEwen, while rising star Coolparks Sarco has taken up with Team GB rider Piggy March, as two examples. Some of the young horses in Nicola’s program have continued on under the guidance of assistant rider Robyn Grey, but the reality Nicola’s come to accept is that her yard now needed to be repurposed.

From this emerged an idea. What if she were able to make her facilities – and herself – available for other riders seeking a base from which they could learn and compete in the UK with guidance from a top rider?

“My competitive career has ended due to this life-changing serious injury, but I feel fortunate that I’m in a position going forward of helping others achieve their dreams and goals, as those who have trained and helped me have done,” she explains. “We have the facilities here, and we know the system works. We can work on the flat, show jumping, and cross country. We have lots of hills for fitness work, and the stables were all purpose-built and designed for myself training horses to compete at five-star and Championships. So it seems a real shame to not use those facilities, and I would very much love to be able to mentor and coach and be as involved as people would like me to be.”

It’s not often riders seeking mentorship or apprenticeship are offered a chance to ride under the full attentions of a rider like Nicola. In most instances, you’re balancing your own training and competing with that of your coach. In this way, Nicola’s done what many may find to be unfathomable: from the end of her own career, she’s found a way to launch others’.

I ask her if this is a place she’s arrived at, mentally, over the last six months. She considers this for a moment, but her answer comes without difficulty. “It is bittersweet, but at the end of the day, I know I can’t anymore. I am in the position that I am in, and I want to make the most of that and move forward in a positive way and enjoy life rather than looking back in regret or negativity.”

A view of some stables in Nicola’s yard. Photo courtesy of Nicola Wilson.

“I need to and want to, that’s the kind of person I am. I will move into the next chapter of my life with as much passion and determination as I did the first.”

To that end, Nicola extends this invitation to aspiring upper-level riders everywhere: come to Yorkshire, and she’ll give you everything she has.

“I know I would get a lot of satisfaction and pleasure out of it,” she muses. “It can be a difficult world, can’t it? We need the most support when things are difficult, to help move on in a positive way and hopefully on to success.”

Nicola doesn’t want pity. At this point in our conversation, my poker face has essentially been dismantled and I’ve wiped away more than a few embarrassing tears. Once more, I feel silly as she tells me not to feel sad for her. Why was I the one crying?

Nicola wants you to know she’s doing ok, and she’s getting stronger each day. And she’s ready for this new development, telling me it feels like the right next step.

“[The accident] gave me completely new perspective on life,” she says. “I suppose that was the card I was dealt. There’s no U-turn, I could do nothing about it. And I’ve always been a naturally positive person and tried to look on the bright side, so I think that helps.”

“I’m not saying life is a bed of roses,” she concludes. “But when your husband kisses you on the forehead in the grass next to the fence because he thinks you’ve gone on, and then suddenly you’re awake, and then suddenly you get a feeling and you can wiggle a finger or a toe – then you realize that what matters is what you do with this next life.”

If you’re reading this and interested in basing in Yorkshire with Nicola, please inquire directly via email at [email protected].

Wednesday News & Notes from Haygain

By on Nov 23, 2022 12:01 am -

Becky Holder & Can’t Fire Me. Photo by Jenni Autry.

We’re fondly remembering Can’t Fire Me, the longtime upper-level partner of Becky Holder who passed away on Monday at the age of 23. “Teddy” followed in the footsteps of Becky’s other famous gray, Courageous Comet, in fact remaining Comet’s friend until the very end. “Comet especially missed him,” Becky wrote on her social media.

Can’t Fire Me was known for many things; competitively, he earned success at the Advanced and then-3* level, collecting multiple wins including the 3* at Richland Park and Poplar Place.

Our sincerest condolences and thoughts go out Becky and all who knew Can’t Fire Me.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Pine Top Thanksgiving H.T. (Thomson, GA): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Wednesday News & Reading

Our Holiday Gift Guide has landed! We’ve picked out a few of our favorite gift ideas for all types of riders and partnered with some awesome brands to bring you special deals and promotions. [Start shopping]

Looking for an equestrian business, marketing, or media job? We’ve got three leads for you! First, Philadelphia nonprofit Work to Ride is looking to grow its team and add someone who can be of assistance to the organization’s Executive Director. More info on that position here. a Next up, NOËLLE FLOYD is seeking a Digital Marketing Manager. This is a remote position and you can learn more on how to apply here. Lastly, The Chronicle of the Horse is hiring a Staff Writer, a position that can either be remote or based in the company’s Middleburg, VA office. More information on that position here. PS: If you’re a photographer, you might want to check this opportunity out.

Dates have been announced for the 2023 USEA ECP Symposium, put on by the Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) Committee. This year’s Symposium will take place at Barnstaple South in Morriston, FL January 17-19, 2023. It’s an excellent opportunity for some continuing education for instructors (and this is a bigger picture concept, too — see this column Bettina Hoy wrote for us last week), and both certified and prospective instructors are encouraged to attend. [More on the ECP Symposium]

The USEA Annual Meeting and Convention is rapidly approaching in Savannah, GA — are you attending? If so, get the scoop on what to get excited for on the latest episode of the USEA Podcast. [Listen here]

We’re big fans of Jessica Phoenix’s Wabbit (and his ears!), so to hear he’s also a bit of a party animal makes us think he and Chinch need to strike up some sort of bromance. But he’s one that needs a rider who’s understanding and well-versed in handling, erm, athletic horses well. “Wabbit is full-on and I’ve had to use all of my knowledge to ride him,” Jessie told Horse Sport. [Read all about ‘Silly Wabbit’]

Tack Facts with Sterling Essentials: Putting some tack into storage for the off-season? There are a few ways to do this correctly to save yourself a headache come spring. First: take the time to take your equipment apart and give it a proper clean. Hey, consider it a good test of how quickly you can reassemble a bridle, eh? More on storing your tack with care >here. 

Sponsor Corner

Don’t miss out on this excellent deal from Haygain, just in time for the holiday season!

Wednesday Video Break

Kenyan Jumping athlete Muthoni Kimani received the FEI Against All Odds Award — presented annually to someone who has pursued their equestrian ambitions despite a physical handicap or extremely difficult personal circumstances — earlier this month, and you definitely don’t want to miss her story:

Tuesday Video: Karl Cook on Rider Effectiveness and Turning

By on Nov 22, 2022 5:20 pm -

Show jumper Karl Cook has become a part-time educator online thanks to his involvement with the Noelle Floyd Masterclass series as well as his own newly-launched series, “Walking and Talking”, on Instagram. In each video, Karl picks a topic he wishes to expand on, often taking popularly-accepted theories and “myth-busting” them as he tests other concepts.

In this episode, Karl focuses on how riders are taught to make effective turns. He uses some common exercises that many riders have in their toolbox, taking the time to analyze both his effectiveness as a rider and the resulting impact on the performance of the horse. For the riding theory nerds out there, this video was made for you! Karl takes a fairly analytical and technical approach to his riding, which I appreciate in many ways.

Despite the fact Karl spends his time in the show jumping arena, the concepts he discusses here are nonetheless useful to us as eventers — you may pick up a new bit of knowledge to take to your next ride.

It may make sense to go back to the first videos in this series, so you can click here to view part one and here to view part two.

Can’t see the embedded Instagram post above? Click here to view it.

US Equestrian Announces Athletes Selected to the 2023 Eventing Emerging Athlete Program

By on Nov 22, 2022 2:00 pm -

Cassie Sanger and Fernhill Zoro. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

US Equestrian is pleased to announce the athletes selected for the 2023 Eventing Emerging Athlete Program. The program is designed to identify and support athlete/horse combinations age 25 and under that have shown the potential to develop into U.S. Eventing Team candidates. Participants in the program have the opportunity to work with U.S. Eventing Development and Emerging Coach Leslie Law in building skills and knowledge necessary for success on the pathway to high performance.

Athletes are selected for the program based on their application, which includes their results at the CCI3*-L level. Applicants who have not yet achieved an MER at a CCI3*-L may be talent spotted into the program by the Performance Advisory Team.

The selected athletes will participate in a training session in Ocala, Fla., Jan. 16-20, 2023, which will include mounted sessions and unmounted lectures throughout the week.

The following athletes have been selected for the 2023 program and are listed in alphabetical order.

• Alexandra Baugh (Lexington, Ky.)
• Amanda Beale (Malvern, Pa.)
• Sophie Click (Coupeville, Wash.)
• Kalli Core* (Orange, Texas)
• Alexa Gartenberg (Gladwyne, Pa.)
• Cosby Green (Lexington, Ky.)
• Tommy Greengard* (Malibu, Calif.)
• Kiersten Miller* (Rochester Hills, Mich.)
• Ben Noonan (Ballwin, Mo.)
• Meg Pellegrini (Wayne, Pa.)
• Cassie Sanger (Lakeville, Conn.)
• Madison Temkin (Sebastopol, Calif.)

*indicates athlete was talent spotted into the program

Sport Horse Nation Spotlight: Ponies with PhDs

By on Nov 22, 2022 10:57 am -

In the market for a new four-legged partner? You may find your unicorn on our sister site, Sport Horse Nation. To help with the search, we’re going to feature a selection of current listings here on EN. We include the ad copy provided; click the links for videos, pricing and contact information.

I’ve been lucky enough to sit on a lot of different kinds of horses through my career, first as a groom and latterly as a journalist. (You’d be surprised how many horses that gets you legged up onto, actually!) I’ve learned something from all of them, whether they were fresh off the track or being backed for the first time, or whether I was trot-setting five-star horses, taking horses in training out for some remedial hunting, or competing my own horse. But something that’s always a really special, educational moment is getting the chance to ride a horse that knows a hell of a lot more than I do. Often, it’s a great humbler — particularly if you’re sitting on an international horse in front of its usual rider! — but by the time you’ve worked out all the buttons, you’ll know you’ve seriously levelled up, and it’s always so much fun, too. That’s why I’ve been quietly browsing through all the very educated horses currently for sale or lease on Sport Horse Nation and daydreaming about picking up joyriding as a hobby. Let’s start with a real ‘wow’ one, shall we?

⭐️4star Horse⭐️ Ready to win

⭐️Advanced Horse⭐️

#LetitbeLee 14yo 16.2 tb Gelding

Super mover and jumper. Competitive on the flat with scores in the 20’s at the 4star. Simple to ride. I think he would be happiest showing someone the ropes. Would be perfect for a young rider wanting to come up the levels and be competitive. Hilarious personality in the barn. Sound

Most notable placings
2021 Jersey Fresh 4star Long 17th
2021 Terra Nova 4star Short 5th
2022 Tryon International 3star short 2nd (finished on dressage score)

This is a hard decision and only the perfect 5* home considered.

Reddick, FL

TRAINING/MODIFIED PACKER WITH PRELIM MILES

Training/modified level packer for your consideration.

Rain is a 16’2 big bodied homebred TB. This 14 year old guelding has over 5 years of Prelim miles in him and is ready to show an AA or junior the ropes wheither they want to event, stick to jumping or dance in the dressage ring. He’ll gladly take you training/modified, and bring home a ribbon everytime.

He moves beautifully in the sand ring and has a nice soft mouth. Honest as they come in stadium, and always tries his best to get you out of trouble. You could let him autopilot around cross country and he’d be overjoyed. He would be just as happy casually loping around a course, or showing off his engine – whatever you’d like… as long as he gets bananas across the finish line. Not an ounce of “strong” in him. He’s up for anything. Want to go on a hunt? Jump that scary intermediate table? Race against snowmobiles? Hack bareback and bridless? Stay in the crossties for hours and not move a muscle? Go swimming? The answer is yes.

He is a solid citizen. He hacks well – Prefers to stay in a group but will gladly take you out on an adventure on his own if that’s your thing. He clips, bathes, ties, loads like a charm and gets along with mares as well as gueldings (maybe too much of a ladies’ man, lol).

He’s still got lots of miles left, is eager to go out everytime and quite low maintenance considering age/experience. He loves to please and will make his next partner very happy. I love him to pieces, and I have no doubt his next owner will too. He’s captured the hearts of many along the way, and if it wasn’t for graduate school and finances I’d keep this guy for a lifetime.

Serious Inquiries ONLY, please text for more information. 5* home is paramount.

Kingston, ON

About Time Too~ Super Honest and Fancy Training Packer

About Time Too
2009 16.2h Bay Canadian Sport Horse Gelding
By Timebreaker (X Heartbreaker)

Ty is an absolute dream. A Training packer, qualified for a 2*-L. He is simply wonderful to compete, ride, and as honest as they come in all jumping phases. He is also, simply, for sale bc he is not careful enough in SJ at Prelim and higher.

He is easy to SJ and regularly jumps clean at Training and below, so we feel he is best suited to bring another rider up the levels, or give confidence to just about any lower level rider wanting to go as high as modified, competitively. He will certainly go Prelim, but rails would be anticipated.

Sound, ready to go, competing at Training currently, where he is in his element!

Sensible enough to take someone from Starter on up the levels- not hot, or electric in any way, and has a great lead change and rhythm/balance. Fancy on the flat, loves to horse show, a very sad sale that is about placing him in the job he would like best!

Aiken, SC

Experienced packer

16.3 hh TB gelding. Previously competed thru intermediate, most recently ridden by junior who won at training level. He’s pretty fancy on the flat and I’ve also won at 2nd level dressage. He’s pretty powerful, but very well schooled. Currently still owned by his breeders, they’re quite attached to him so a great home is paramount!

Cochranville, PA

Upper Level Horse, Looking for Step-Down.

DGE Themanintheglass

2007 15.2 hand chunk. Riley has been my partner since his 6-year-old year, and has competed for many, many years at the upper levels. He proved to be one of the most fantastic jumping horses, and tremendously helped cultivate and refine my skills at the upper levels. He is incredibly well-trained, although does have a Napoleon complex where he believes we are all peasants living in his world. If not in a consistent program, he can spook.. although he is quite good about knowing “who” is on his back. For example, when I teach beginner/intermediate lessons on him he barely canters, and then when a more advanced rider gets on him he can throw a random lead change in if you aren’t riding the counter-canter correctly.

He is sold 3rd-level dressage with changes, although they are not “show-ready” right now.

With his experience, comes wear and tear on his body. He has had joint injections, has kissing spine which hasn’t been an issue with correct riding and maintenance and has rehabbed a suspensory this year. All veterinary history is happy to be disclosed and discussed.

I’m looking for the “next step” in Riley’s step down from the UL. He is currently being used in lessons but prefers having one rider. I would like to find him a home where he can compete at the training level and below, and flourish as a professor. I imagine he would be a phenomenal horse for a strong D3/C level rider to learn from.

If he sticks around, I’ll be using him for my bronze medal scores. I have no problem keeping him, but I acknowledge that his skills would be valued elsewhere while I work with the next generation of horses.

Lots of videos are available, price is reflective of wanting a perfect home and knowing his veterinary history. 20k, available at Sykesville, MD.

Videos of competing:
Dressage youtu.be/tvHnIxq8ZfM
Jumping youtu.be/aEZ_J7RnSSw

And I do have videos of him with more beginner students as well, but they are on my phone and I’m not tech-savvy enough to figure out how to upload them here.

Sykesville, MD

Seasoned Event Horse with 2* Mileage

ChitChat

2009, Irish Sport Horse Mare
(Master Imp x Shanbo Happisfied)

ChitChat is a lovely mare and has been professionally produced to give a great feel in all rings. She is incredibly kind, genuine, bold and straight forward with a snaffle mouth, and goes happily forward and is light off the leg. You can take a day off and get on the next day and have the same horse, day in and day out. She is balanced and correct over fences, with an easy rhythm and has never had a XC jump fault since being imported! Has competed through the 2* level and would be great for someone looking for a been there done that horse to help you get more experience.

Located in Aiken, SC
Priced at $45,000

2* Packer and Hunter Winner – Do it all in style!

Absolute gem of a horse searching for her next partner. Lily can-do quite literally anything you’d like. Horses like this don’t come along often. Lily is a homebred of Emily Beshear’s, and has been developed within her program. She has been competitive through the two star level in eventing, but is also completely happy to tone it down and win the 3 foot division and hack in good company at the next hunter show. Could easily just do dressage with scores regularly in the 20’s, or straight jumpers with her handiness and technique over fences. The sweetest temperament and very well trained, Lily tries hard to please in everything she does and always brings a smile to your face. Lily is the perfect age and size – 8 years old, 15.3 hh with a broad barrel that takes up your leg. Lily is a homebred Thoroughbred cross by Tavistock. Full set of radiographs available.

Somerset, VA

Lovely, Kind Low Level Packer

FGF One Last Chance aka “Chauncey” is an 8 year old 16 hand OTTB Gelding with a heart of gold. Has been competing Novice with his amateur owner in South Carolina and Georgia for the last few years and since coming to Colorado in July 2022 had a competitive 6th place finish at Novice up at Rebecca Farms and made the move up to Training with a double clear cross country in August. Super scopey, kind, will jump anything you point him at. We believe he would excel as a Novice and below packer but that doesn’t mean you can’t play with the height in the ring! All the scope is there. Gets along with any horse, doesn’t have to be ridden everyday, perfect at the trailer (in or out) all day long, and goes in a rubber D-ring. We ADORE this horse and will happily keep him in our program until the perfect match comes along. Only being sold as owner is currently no longer riding. Offers considered for an easy sale and to the perfect home. Good hock/back/stifle X-rays available from late July/early August.

Fort Collins, CO

Advanced/3* winner lease

Available for an on site lease in Northern Virginia, Olney Uncle Sam is a winner all the way through the levels. At 15 he is ready to show someone the ropes. He has consistently scored in the 20s in the dressage. Super fun nippy type horse cross country and reliable show jumper. Kick ride, snaffle in all 3 phases.

Lovettsville, VA

Tuesday News & Notes from Ocala Horse Properties

By on Nov 22, 2022 8:44 am -

Anna-Katharina Vogel and DSP Quintana P at Pau – the last event on this journalist’s calendar for 2022 and one she’s very thankful for indeed. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

It’s Thanksgiving week, which means I — your loyal British and European correspondent — am taking the reins at EN this week to give the team in the US a chance to unwind, head home, and eat a lot of food. (Eat some for me, guys!) As a Brit, Thanksgiving isn’t really something that factors into my calendar, and I mostly hold a melee of opinions about the whole sorry state of affairs that kickstarted it — but I do love the idea of making space for gratitude, which is something that we’re all guilty of running out of time for in our hectic day-to-day lives.

This week, I want to try to slow everything I do down a bit and take the time to really savour the moment and the people and places who are part of it all. I’m grateful for the chance to spend time with a horse who’s changed my life for the better; I’m grateful for a job that gives me the chance to travel the world and daydream about ponies all day long; I’m grateful for a partner and friends who are more like a big extended family. Mostly, though, I’m grateful to everyone who posts photos of their Thanksgiving dinner so I can engage in a savage, wine-fuelled judge-a-thon over how you all season your meat. Happy holidays, folks — if you need me, I’ll be dragging my non-horsey boyfriend out to the field to feed my nag a selection box of root vegetables.

Events Closing This Week: Full Gallop Farm Jingle Bells H.T

Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:

Piggy March is reflecting on the season – and the sport – in her latest column for Horse&Hound. In it, she suggests different ways riders can contribute to progressing the sport — from helping one another out to getting involved in tough decisions. Plus, she praises the ‘old school’ event horse and laments the loss of some of Britain’s most useful Advanced runs. [A particularly good Piggy dispatch]

As we head into winter, we’re all cautious about the spread of EHV and EIV. But you can offer yourself considerable peace of mind by introducing sensible biosecurity measures into your barn — and ones that can take to the road with you while you’re competing, too. [Keep those ponies safe]

I’m all about a good pump-up song. I actively have to listen to ‘Church’ by T-Pain before I go cross-country, or in the car on the way to report on a five-star cross-country day, or I feel like I’ve missed something hugely important from my to-do list, which results in me getting a doomy feeling that sets the tone for the rest of the day. But as Daniel Stewart explains, there’s actually a really sound psychological basis for the use of an ‘athletic anthem’ to put you in the right headspace to compete. [Honestly, though, listen to Church]

Finally, the ‘social license’ dilemma has been put to a survey. Turns out we’re really not very popular. [The numbers suck, but we need to know them to improve]

The OHP Dream Farm of the Week:

Where do I even begin with this utterly delicious spot? The spacious, beautifully maintained arena? The generous 21 acres of space? The pool of actual dreams? The classy, cozy interiors? I love this place.

Listen to This: Want to get yourself prepared for the USEA Convention? The latest episode of the US Eventing podcast dives into what’s on the agenda and why you should be there, with Rob Burk and Max Corcoran.

Watch This: Ever fancied giving team chasing a go? British amateur eventer Lucy Robinson took to the fields and hedges — and she’s shared the rollercoaster of thoughts and emotions that happens while out there in the mud!

Monday Video: Your Education Hookup from BarnStaple

By on Nov 21, 2022 4:00 pm -

The whole EN team was really impressed by the educational offerings at the Peterson Smith BarnStaple Educational Three Day, a USEA registered educational activity, over the weekend. Not only did competitors enjoy a riding a classic long format event, but they also participated in a host of lectures and demonstrations to set them up for success that weekend and beyond.

EN’s own Shelby Allen was lucky enough to participate with her loverly horse (and she’ll be writing more about her experience later), but anybody who couldn’t be on site in Florida still had a whole livestream of the educational sessions at their disposal via RNS Videomedia. Also lucky for the rest of us, all the of sessions are available on replay on YouTube!

I’ve embedded Kyle Carter’s steeplechase demonstration above, which is both entertaining and insightful (we knew Kyle was a great speaker from our EN x Ride iQ course walks at Kentucky and Maryland — and this is just another example!) but there’s so much more to watch:

And that’s just a handful of the seminars! Check them all out here and enjoy digging into these during your offseason.

Weekend Winners: Ram Tap and SAzEA

By on Nov 21, 2022 1:00 pm -

The Eastern Eventing scene might be winding down for a moment as the wintery winds force us to add layers to our wardrobe and cling a little tighter to our neck straps, but out in the West, we turn to California and Arizona for continued Eventing action!

Ram Tap H.T. (Fresno, CA): [Website] [Results]

Open Intermediate: James Alliston and Keep Calm (25.7)
Open Preliminary: Molly Duda and Generous DHI (24.8)
Open Modified: Allyson Hartenburg and Karel H (26.4)
Open Training: Devin Robel and Gillou (28.6)
Training 3-Day: Charlotte Freeman and Graceland’s Ladera (40.4)
Novice Rider Jr: Sophia Johnson and Arogorn’s Elegant Falcon (28.2)
Novice Rider Sr: Saulo Tristao and Luxor (24.2)
Open Novice: Jennifer Wooten-Macouzet and Kensington LV (30.3)
Novice 3-Day: Sofia Seto and Armi (33.3)
Beginner Novice Rider Jr: Carly Chandler and Hells Bells (22.8)
Beginner Novice Rider Sr: Jennifer Ludwig and Griffin (33.8)
Open Beginner Novice: Lisa Sires and Even More Impressive (23.1)
Beginner Novice 3-Day: Kennedy Wiklund and Galaxy Girl (37.2)
Open Grasshopper: Rowan Thomas and Sean O’Connor (33.1)
Open Introductory: Annalise Gudiksen and Lookit Louie (25.3)

SAzEA Fall H.T. (Tucson, AZ): [Website] [Results]

Open Preliminary: Annabelle Nieman and JLo (55.1)
Area X Open Training Championship: Barbara Crabo and I.M. Over It (26.7)
Open Training: Chrystal Flanagan and E llusionist (31.2)
Area X Open Novice Championship: Anastasia Keyser and Samson (23.5)
Novice Rider: Shelby Murray and Mannoury vd Watermolen (29.8)
Open Novice: Denise Krause-Spangler and Kung Fu Slew (35.0)
Area X Open Beginner Novice Championship: Meghan Martin and LBA Otis (27.4)
Beginner Novice Rider: Fifi Abdallah and Over Easy (27.5)
Open Beginner Novice: Darci Stahl and GES Major Leaguer (37.2)
Introductory A: Jacqueline Pardue-Duran and Oaxaca (31.7)
Introductory B: Laura Bentley and Angel’s Envy (32.0)
Introductory C: Polly Lychee and MacGyver (28.3)
Pre-Competition: Bailey Thers and Ruby King Sparrow (37.2)