Classic Eventing Nation

US Equestrian Names 2023 Eventing Pathway Elite Program Members

By on Dec 5, 2022 4:30 pm -

Lauren Nicholson and Vermiculus. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

US Equestrian is pleased to announce the athletes named to the 2023 Eventing Elite Program. The aim of the Eventing Elite Program is to identify and support combinations with demonstrated medal-winning potential at the next World Championships or Olympic Games, and provide them with the best possible preparation to represent the U.S.

The following combinations have met the objective criteria as outlined in the Eventing Elite Program Task Force (EEPTF) Recommendations for membership to the 2023 USEF Eventing Elite Program, in alphabetical order:

  • Will Coleman (Gordonsville, Pa.) and Off The Record, a 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by the Off The Record Syndicate.
  • Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and Z, a 2008 Zangersheide gelding owned by Evie Dutton, Ann Jones, Suzanne Lazy, Caroline Moran, Thomas Tierney, and David & Patricia Vos.
  • Ariel Grald (Southern Pines, N.C.) and Leamore Master Plan, a 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Annie Eldridge.
  • Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Fedarman B, a 2010 KWPN gelding owned by the Annie Goodwin Syndicate.
  • Lauren Nicholson (The Plains, Va.) and Vermiculus, a 2007 Anglo-Arabian owned by Jaqueline Mars.
  • Doug Payne (Aiken, S.C.) and Quantum Leap, a 2011 Rheinlander gelding owned by Doug and Jess Payne.
  • Tamie Smith (Murrieta, Calif.) and Mai Baum, a 2006 German Sport Horse gelding owned by Alexandra Ahearn, Ellen Ahearn, and Eric Markell; Danito, a 2009 Hanoverian gelding owned by Ruth Bley; and Solaguayre California, a 2011 Hanoverian mare owned by Julianne & David Guarigila.

Membership is reviewed twice annually, and combinations may be added on a rolling basis based upon the criteria specific to each program. The updated Elite Program List will be published mid-year.

To learn more about the Eventing Elite Program, please contact Gemma Stobbs, Director, Eventing Elite Program, at [email protected] or (859) 225-6929.

Monday Video: The ‘Ginja Ninja’ Goes for Grand Prix

By on Dec 5, 2022 4:00 pm -

Not one to settle for competing at the top of one sport… or two sports… Doug Payne has his sights set on competing in Grand Prix dressage with the fancy-footed Starr Witness (affectionately known as the Ginja Ninja) some time next year (TBD in conjunction with her eventing schedule!)

We’re quite familiar with Doug competing at the 5-star level of eventing as well as his routine ventures into the world of show jumping where he’ll casually jump around a Grand Prix class on a couple of horses. The next logical step is to add a third FEI discipline to his repertoire, of course!

Starr Witness, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood owned by Doug and Jessica Payne in partnership with Catherine Winter, has competed in eventing through the 4*-L level herself and sets hoof in the pure show jumping ring with Doug from time to time too, but with a dressage average of 28.2 throughout her FEI eventing career she’s a shoe-in for having a side hustle in pure dressage as well.

Tempi changes, canter pirouettes, passage and piaffe — they’ve got it all, complete with sassy tail flicks! Enjoy this video of their Grand Prix practice.

Weekend Winners: Rocking Horse & Sporting Days

By on Dec 5, 2022 1:00 pm -

Off season? Not for these southern Eventers! Personally, I’m feeling a bit jealous that they can keep enjoying horsey weekends in the sunshine, but I’m also happy to congratulate our Weekend Winners on successful weekends as I cozy up with some hot chocolate and enjoy my season of bareback hacking!

Rocking Horse December H.T. (Altoona, FL): [Website] [Results]

Open Intermediate: Leslie Law and Countess Cooley (32.6)
Open Preliminary: Leslie Law and Must Be Cooley (22.9)
Modified: Candace Elizabeth Bell and Fernhill Fuerst (26.3)
Open Training: Leslie Law and CLH Soldier Blue (23.9)
Training Rider: Ava Applebaum and FE Bail Me Out (28.9)
Novice Rider: Kensi Moore and Flower Girl (26.7)
Open Novice: Amanda Chance and Like Magic WTW (23.6)
Beginner Novice Rider: Hannah Catsulis and Vanilla Ice (29.4)
Open Beginner Novice: Kimmy Cecere and Holy Cross (30.9)

Sporting Days Farm H.T. IV (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Results]

Open Preliminary: Mikki Kuchta and Special Reserve (29.5)
Open Training: Zoe Crawford and Willbrook Brown Yeats (30.9)
Preliminary/Training: Luca Bortolamei and Portlaoise Lordano (34.0)
Training Rider: Elisabeth Chizek and Military Tradition (30.0)
Novice Rider A: Elli Palenbaum and Fernhill Classic (27.4)
Novice Rider B: Richard Moon and Tyrion (33.6)
Open Novice: Shelley Onderdonk and River Dance LC (27.5)
Training/Novice: Margaret Schneck and Sky Road (53.1)
Beginner Novice Rider: Nancy Read and Classic Chrome PCH (23.2)
Open Beginner Novice: Gabrielle Hutchison and GHE Time Traveler (27.0)
Starter: Kerry Torrey and Texas Magic Man (25.0)

12 Days of Giveaways, Day 5: Win a Custom Pedigree Report from Breed.Ride.Compete.

By on Dec 5, 2022 11:00 am -

It’s time to kick off the final month of 2022 with some free stuff — everyone’s favorite! This year, we’ve partnered with a whole slew of brands for these 12 (or more!) giveaways. There will be plenty you won’t want to miss out on, so remember to check back on Eventing Nation (and also, there are giveaways happening daily over on Horse Nation!) each day through December 12.

Today (December 5), we’re teaming up with Breed.Ride.Compete to give away a Custom Pedigree Report! Ever wanted to know more about your horse’s breeding, but not sure how or where to start? Let our expert pedigree researchers do all the work for you! You will receive a 6-8 page PDF report with information about your horse’s ancestors, other related horses, what the bloodlines are known for, their history, the mare family, photos, etc.

These reports are geared toward horse owners who are interested in learning more about their horses, but they have also been popular for sale horse packages as well. If you have any follow-up questions related to any of the information included in your report, we’ll be happy to discuss those with you too.

Please note: The Custom Pedigree Report is limited to warmbloods, Thoroughbreds, sport horses, or sport ponies.

Congratulations to Emily S. from OK — you’re our winner!

12 Days of Giveaways, Day 5: Win a Mattes Half Pad from World Equestrian Brands

By on Dec 5, 2022 9:00 am -

It’s time to kick off the final month of 2022 with some free stuff — everyone’s favorite! This year, we’ve partnered with a whole slew of brands for these 12 (or more!) giveaways. There will be plenty you won’t want to miss out on, so remember to check back on Eventing Nation (and also, there are giveaways happening daily over on Horse Nation!) each day through December 12.

Today (December 5), we’re teaming up with World Equestrian Brands to give away a fancy-and-functional Mattes AP Half Pad with Rear Trim.

Congratulations to Sara S. from KY — you’re our winner!

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

By on Dec 5, 2022 8:57 am -

The best use of a non-horsey boyfriend? Luring the feral mare back in after a year off, using coercion tactics and a selection box of root vegetables.

I’m a real fair weather rider these days, and after years working as a groom in all sorts of rotten conditions, I’m no longer feeling bad about it. But I must say, after nearly a year of my horse being out in a field with a soft tissue injury, I’m really enjoying even the moochiest of rides in the pouring rain. Twenty minutes of walking? Sign me up, baby! I can’t feel my toes, but I’m having a nice time.

National Holiday: It’s International Ninja Day, because of course it is.

U.S. Weekend Action:

Rocking Horse December H.T. (Altoona, FL): [Website] [Results]

Sporting Days Farm H.T. IV (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Results]

Your Monday Reading List:

We’re all very keen to fight the good fight for grooms and keep working to improve conditions for them. But once in a while, it’s really heartening to catch up with someone in the role who’s having a truly nice time and being treated well by their employer. That’s certainly the case for Abbie Salter, who works for British eventer Jodie Amos and has nearly a decade as a groom under her belt. Even know, she’s happy to say it’s the best job in the world. [Let’s make this a universal experience]

From turmeric curing all that ails your horse to an increasing line-up of products that claim they’ll [zap/laser/magnetize] the pain away, there’s a heck of a lot being sold to us that might be just a touch questionable. Though there’s anecdotal evidence to support just about anything (my own trainer has had great success with those titanium masks, and who actually knows how those are meant to work!), there’s also a fair amount of scepticism out there. And delightful, silly satire — my favourite thing of them all. [This rug will make your horse live forever! Naaaaht]

Qatar, who are currently busy hosting a contentious FIFA World Cup, are now putting their hat in the ring for the 2036 Olympics. Though many keen football fans are opting to boycott the World Cup in response to human rights violations in the country, Qatar believes it’s been such a roaring success so far that the next obvious step is taking on the biggest sporting stage of them all. [Qatar to bid for Olympic hosting role]

Using the winter months to put some time into a green bean? You’ll probably spend as much time reviewing training books, articles, and videos in the evenings as you do actually working with your horse – and so it’s always particularly helpful when someone collates a few good resources together. [Dive in and get those sessions planned]

Morning Viewing:

Catch up with vlogger and amateur eventer Meg Elphick as she takes a lesson with showjumper Dan Delsart:

The 2022 Nation Media Holiday Gift Guide is Here!

By on Dec 4, 2022 3:55 pm -

Holiday gift shopping season has arrived, and with it comes a new twist on our annual Gift Guide! We’re proud to present the Nation Media Holiday Gift Guide, featuring gift ideas for all types of equestrians on your list.

We’ve partnered with lots of amazing brands for this year’s interactive Gift Guide, and inside its pages you’ll find more info, special deals, and suggestions from our editorial team on what to pick up this season. Each page has embedded links, so you can shop directly from the Guide instead of opening a new window!

NM 2022 Gift Guide

And be sure to join us for two more exciting holiday events:

  • November 28 – December 4, we’ll celebrate Give Back Week in support of handful of nonprofits dedicated to growing and supporting the equine industry
  • December 1 – December 12, we’ll kick off 12 Days of Giveaways both here and on Horse Nation with chances to win prizes from 20+ different brands

Can’t see the embedded Gift Guide above? Click here!

Sunday Video: ‘Stop Laughing!’

By on Dec 4, 2022 12:32 pm -

When people ask me what a good result at the WEG has changed to my everyday life ?

Absolutely nothing 😬😅🤭

I love this horse to bit and I promise he’s a lovely horse but he can feel the cold winter 🥶 coming

And my grooms aren’t very supportive as you’ll hear with the sound on 🔉

#notforsale

Equine America UK Ltd
Baileys Horse Feeds
EquiLaterals
Mon Sellier – Renaissance
Whipley Manor Farm Ltd
See Change Now
Stirrup HR
Harcour
Freejump

Posted by Gaspard Maksud Eventing on Friday, December 2, 2022

It’s that time of year when horses are..ahem..feeling themselves, what with the drops in temperature and anticipation of coming back from their off-season holidays. The scene is no different in most top riders’ yards, as French World Championships rider Gaspard Maksud demonstrates with this hilarious video shared on his Facebook page this week.

“I love this horse to bit and I promise he’s a lovely horse but he can feel the cold winter 🥶 coming!” Gaspard captioned the video. “And my grooms aren’t very supportive as you’ll hear with the sound on!”

This video is worth a watch with the sound on, as Gaspard always has a peanut gallery assembled in his arena to provide commentary (or, in this case, relieved giggles that said peanut gallery isn’t the one sat on the horse). Enjoy the laughs, and as for you Gaspard, enjoy the ride!

Click here to watch the video on Facebook if the embedded post above is not visible in your browser.

12 Days of Giveaways, Day 4: Win a $100 Shopping Spree at Mare Modern Goods

By on Dec 4, 2022 11:00 am -

It’s time to kick off the final month of 2022 with some free stuff — everyone’s favorite! This year, we’ve partnered with a whole slew of brands for these 12 (or more!) giveaways. There will be plenty you won’t want to miss out on, so remember to check back on Eventing Nation (and also, there are giveaways happening daily over on Horse Nation!) each day through December 12.

Today (December 4), we’re partnering with Mare Modern Goods to give one lucky winner a $100 gift certificate to shop to their heart’s delight! All of the most sassy, quirky, and stylish accessories await at maregoods.com.

Congratulations to Chelsea K. — you’re our winner!

12 Days of Giveaways, Day 4: Win a Supplement Bundle from Kentucky Performance Products

By on Dec 4, 2022 9:00 am -

It’s time to kick off the final month of 2022 with some free stuff — everyone’s favorite! This year, we’ve partnered with a whole slew of brands for these 12 (or more!) giveaways. There will be plenty you won’t want to miss out on, so remember to check back on Eventing Nation (and also, there are giveaways happening daily over on Horse Nation!) each day through December 12.

Today (December 4), we’re teaming up with Kentucky Performance Products to give away a supply of three top supplements: Ker-A-Form, Summer Games Electrolyte, and Joint Armor, plus a tube of Trouble Free paste. That’s three of KPP’s most loved supplements, all coming your way!

Ker-A-Form is a scientifically formulated coat and hoof supplement that is named after one of the tissues it was developed to nourish “keratin.” Keratin is the fibrous protein that forms the main structural component of hair and hooves. Without healthy keratin, hooves and hair grow slowly and become dull, dry, and brittle. The combination of nutrients found in Ker-A-Form support keratin as well as multiple other components that make up healthy skin, hair, and hooves.

Summer Games Electrolyte is a unique blend of both electrolytes and trace minerals specifically formulated to replenish critical electrolytes in the proper ratios. Summer Games supports healthy electrolyte balance so horses stay hydrated, perform at optimal levels, and recover faster after exercise or in stressful situations.

Joint Armor’s complete formula provides your horse with the nutrients necessary to support both healthy joint cartilage and synovial fluid.

Spooky, tense, edgy, unfocused. If these words describe your horse, a calming supplement could make training easier and riding more fun. Trouble Free is scientifically formulated to support proper nervous system function and help your horse maintain a more confident, focused, and relaxed disposition.

Congratulations to Caitlin R. — you’re our winner!