Classic Eventing Nation

Previewing the Biggest YEH and FEH West Coast Championships

By on Oct 26, 2022 9:00 am -

Michlynn Sterling and Carrigfadda at the 2022 Twin Rivers Fall International. Ride On Photo.

Twin Rivers Ranch is preparing to host the largest field for the Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) and Future Event Horse (FEH) West Coast Championships since they were first run as a standalone event in Paso Robles, Calif., in 2020. A total of 65 horses were entered as of the start of the week of the competition that will culminate the year of YEH events for 4-year-olds and 5-year-olds and FEH events for yearlings, 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds, and 4-year-olds.

The entrants include former YEH and FEH West Coast champions. Some will begin their weekend by competing in the Last Chance Qualifier on Thursday, Oct. 27, before the championships take place with dressage and conformation evaluations on Friday, Oct. 28, and jumping tests on Saturday, Oct. 29.
“We feel like we’re starting to develop a tradition,” said Connie Baxter, organizer for events at Twin Rivers. “We’re thrilled with how this event has grown and how excited riders on the West Coast are to showcase their young talent.”

The Baxter family’s commitment to growing the YEH and FEH series on the West Coast is also reflected in Andrea Baxter being a member of both the USEA’s YEH and FEH committees.

“I’ve worked very hard to keep the West Coast relative and growing,” Andrea Baxter said. “It’s my vision to make it look and feel like an FEI event for these young horses. They’re only young once, so it’s a unique opportunity for these special young horses to show themselves off.”

There were 41 horses that competed in each of the 2020 and 2021 Dutta Corp. USEA YEH and FEH West Coast Championships.

Among the 20 horses entered in the 5-year-old championships in 2022 are the top three 4-year-olds from 2021—Anita Nardine’s Oldenburg gelding Quinn HSR (Quarterback x Bonne Chance) ridden by Kaylawna Smith-Cook, Michlynn Sterling’s Dutch Warmblood gelding Musquito (Fly x Silona), and Sterling’s Irish Sport Horse gelding Gaelic Gamble (Island Commander x Marlton Dusk).

Sterling’s third 5-year-old entry is Irish Sport Horse gelding Carrigfadda (Luidam x The Big Lady), who is coming off posting the best YEH 5-year-old qualifying score in the country in 2022 with 87.3 and winning the Novice Amateur division on their dressage score of 23.9 at the Twin Rivers Fall International in September.

Michlynn Sterling and Carrigfadda at the 2022 Twin Rivers Fall International. Ride On Photo.

“He is the best jumper I’ve ever sat on,” Sterling said about Carrigfadda. “He loves to jump. He just eats it up. I’ve never felt something like that.”
Also in the 5-year-old field is the 2021 USEA FEH 4-Year-Old West Coast champion, Oldenburg mare Graceland’s Ladera (Libero Star x Rittersporn) ridden by Charlotte Freeman. They won a YEH 5-year old qualifying event at Shepherd Ranch in California in June.

For the 12 YEH 4-year-olds, with 10 currently entered in the championships and an additional two in the Last Chance Qualifier, Layla Self’s Oldenburg gelding Indelible (Sandro’s Star x Ava) had the third highest 4-year-old qualifying score in the country in 2022 with 85.3 ridden by Maxance McManamy at Shepherd Ranch in August. McManamy was the 2009 USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year across all breeds and disciplines.

Four of the nine riders with horses entered for the 4-year-old championships will be traveling from outside of California—Ashley Horowitz from Colorado on Irish Sport Horse gelding Monbeg Salt Fever (Womanizer x Eden Breeze), Catie Cejka from Washington on Irish Sport Horse mare MRF Nonchalant (Metropole x Cavalier Carnival Rose), Erin Storey from Idaho on Canadian Warmblood gelding Grayscape (Farscape DSF x Lotta), and Michele Pestl from Washington on German Sport horse gelding Tristan (Titulus x Elaisa).

The field of 10 for the USEA FEH 4-Year-Old West Coast Championships includes Hanoverian gelding RSH Goliath (Gringo-Gallipoli x Sam’s Girl), an FEH West Coast champion as a 2-year-old in 2020 and as a 3-year-old in 2021 when presented by Chloe Smyth.

Two FEH 4-year-olds, The Big Easy (Mr Lincoln B x PLS Hippo Q) and MBF Kingsriver Romeo (Womanizer x Soraja), both Irish Sport Horse geldings, are also entered in the YEH 4-year-old Last Chance Qualifier.

Michlynn Sterling and Carrigfadda at the 2022 Twin Rivers Fall International. Ride On Photo.

Among the eight FEH 3-year-olds, Belgian Warmblood mare Trilogy (Claire de Lune x Honor Jean) was the FEH West Coast champion as a yearling in 2020 when presented by owner Janine Jaro and as a 2-year-old in 2021 with Ghislaine Homan-Taylor. Megan Bittle’s 3-year-old American Warmblood gelding Nevadas Ember BDF, fourth as a 2-year-old in 2021, enters the 2022 championships off of the highest FEH qualifying score across all ages this year with 88.3 at the Twin Rivers Summer Horse Trials in June.

Martin Plewa from Germany and Marilyn Payne from New Jersey will be the YEH judges at Twin Rivers. Earlier this month, Plewa and Payne judged at the Dutta Corp. USEA YEH East Coast Championships at the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill. Plewa was the national coach of German eventing team from 1985 to 2001 and is well-regarded for his work with young horses. Payne, an eventing judge at the 2008 and 2016 Olympics and recently President of the Ground Jury at the 2022 American Eventing Championships, is the chair of the USEA Young Event Horse Committee.

Payne and Katie Rocco from Massachusetts will be the FEH judges at Twin Rivers. Rocco judged the USEA FEH East Coast Championships at Loch Moy Farm in Maryland last month.

Ride On Video will again produce a livestream of the Dutta Corp. USEA YEH and FEH West Coast Championships. Last year’s livestream attracted approximately 1,000 viewers.

“You ride your upper-level horses, and you know them really well, and then the young horses, it’s like, ‘I wonder what they’re going to do,’” Rebecca Braitling, who rode three YEH championship horses in 2021, said about the camaraderie among riders after last year’s event. “Coming out, you feel like you’re ready to go to the Olympics.”

FEH & YEH Last Chance Qualifier & West Coast Championships (Paso Robles, CA): [Website] [Entries/Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Number of Horses (as of Oct. 24)
YEH-5: 20
YEH-4: 10 (with potentially 2 more in Last Chance Qualifier)
FEH-4: 10
FEH-3: 8
FEH-2: 7
FEH-YR: 10
TOTAL: 65 (includes 2 with entries in both YEH-4 and FEH-4)

Sponsors and Volunteers

Twin Rivers is proud to host the 2022 Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) and Future Event Horse (FEH) West Coast Championships with generous support from sponsors.

Presenting sponsors for the season include: LEGIS Equine, horsemen insuring horsemen, Auburn Labs, manufacturers of the adaptogenic APF Formula for horses, people and dogs; Best Western PLUS Black Oak, which offers exclusive discounts for exhibitors; and Professional’s Choice, manufacturers of sports medicine boots for equine athletes.

Supporting sponsors include: Chubby Cov, makers of beautiful custom stock ties; Riding Warehouse, the horse gear and apparel supplier; RevitaVet, a leader in preventative maintenance and rehabilitative infrared therapy devices; and Devoucoux, saddle makers dedicated to the partnership between horse and rider.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Christina Gray of Gray Area Events at [email protected].

Volunteers play a major part of events at Twin Rivers. Twin Rivers’ generous volunteer incentive program includes vouchers for show stabling and credits for schooling between events at the beautiful 500-acre venue. That is in addition to the genuine appreciation of the Baxter family and the entire Twin Rivers team. To sign up, please visit www.twinrivershorsepark/volunteer.

Wednesday News & Notes from Haygain

By on Oct 26, 2022 12:01 am -

Have you heard? There are quite a few things up for grabs in this month’s fundraising auction benefitting Strides for Equality Equestrians! The auction is running online (you can view items and place bids here) through the end of October. Included in the auction are things like lessons with top riders such as Holly Jacks, Ashley Johnson, and Reese Koffler-Stanfield, a membership to Ride iQ, a full-scale golf outing for the golf fan in your family, and even a month of advertising right here on EN! All proceeds go to further Strides for Equality Equestrians’ mission of increasing visibility and opportunity for riders from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds.

U.S. Weekend Preview

FEH & YEH Last Chance Qualifier & West Coast Championships (Paso Robles, CA): [Website] [Entries/Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (Fairburn, GA): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Full Moon Farms H.T. (Finksburg, MD): [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]

Major International Events

Les 5 Étoiles de Pau:[Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Save 15% on H&C+ Annual] [H&C+ Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Ultimate Guide to Pau] [EN’s Instagram] [Visit Kentucky Performance Products]

Wednesday News & Reading

*Equine Media Job Alert!* The USEA is currently hiring a Media and Communications Assistant, with availability to work remotely or out of the USEA’s Leesburg, VA headquarters. The salary for the position is around $50,000 and is a full-time, benefits eligible opportunity. If you’re located in the western part of the U.S., even better! Applications close on Friday, October 28. [Learn more and apply]

You’ll want to translate this one from French (thanks, Google), unless you’re one of the lucky multi-linguals reading this, but inside you’ll learn more about current Olympic individual champion Julia Krajewski and her philosophy. “I think what makes the difference between a good rider and a great rider is that little extra effort. I have great admiration for riders who manage to keep several horses at an excellent level over time. But this is no coincidence, it is the fruit of hard work,” she says. “You have to be resilient because one thing is certain, it’s not always easy. One day we win and the next week we lose. But the most important thing is to listen to your horses.” [Read the full interview]

Could a device used in soccer be instrumental in learning about footing and how it affects our horses comfort and performance? Possibly so. According to TheHorse.com, “the Hi-Pitch Screener (HiPSter) machine runs over grassy soccer turfs to assess five aspects of the terrain: hardness, shock absorption, energy resistance, vertical displacement, and rotational resistance”. Researchers believe this machine could be useful for evaluating footing for competition horses. [Ok, fine, I’ll watch the World Cup this year]

#TackFacts from Sterling Essentials: There’s more than one way to clean your tack well, but not every way is equally simple and effective. Use this primer from Sterling Essentials to pick up a new trick or two:

Sponsor Corner

Wednesday Video Break

Get pumped for Pau!

#TerraNovaTuesday Video: Watch Jacob Fletcher’s Winning 4*-S Cross Country

By on Oct 25, 2022 4:30 pm -

Jacob Fletcher and Fabian fly around Capt. Mark Phillips’ TerraNova cross country track. Photo by Al Green Photo.

Jacob Fletcher swooped to the 4*-S victory this weekend at The Event at TerraNova, located further south in Myakka City, FL, with the 12-year-old KWPN gelding Fabian (Up To Date – Ineke). It’s the pair’s second 4*-S win in as many attempts since beginning their partnership in February of 2020. The gelding had previously been campaigned in Ireland by Millie Dumas before joining Jacob in the states under the ownership of Fletcher Farms.

Thanks to the H&C+ live stream from TerraNova, you can watch Jacob’s winning cross country ride below (or, if you can’t see the embedded video, click here to watch on Facebook). If you want to watch more from The Event at TerraNova, click here. You can also revisit Amanda Chance’s notebooks from her first trip to TerraNova here.

Jacob Fletcher and Fabian at The Event at TerraNova on H&C

Catch up on the action from The Event at TerraNova CCI4*-S on H&C! Check out winner Jacob Fletcher and Fabian galloping over the cross-country course set by Captain Mark Phillips, and then head to H&C to watch and rewatch all three phases of competition. Your front row seat to world-class sport is here 👉 https://bit.ly/3SxuxDK

TerraNova Equestrian Center 5o1 Sport Horses Jacob Fletcher Eventing Nation United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA)

Posted by Horse & Country TV on Tuesday, October 25, 2022

The Event at TerraNova (Myakka City, FL): [Website] [Final Scores] [Order Al Green Photos]

Coming Soon: The Goresbridge ‘Go For Gold’ Select Event Horse Looms Large

By on Oct 25, 2022 3:56 pm -

We’re eagerly awaiting this year’s Goresbridge ‘Go For Gold’ Select Event Horse Sale, held annually in Cork Co., Ireland and featuring a quality group of young event horses ready to take the next steps in their careers. Riders of all backgrounds shop sales like this each fall, aware that the next World Champion or Novice packer may await, at a better-than-market price in some cases.

This year, we’re excited to finally be attending the sale in person, as Tilly Berendt will be hopping over to have the full Goresbridge experience (minus, of course, the actual horse buying part — we aren’t made of money, folks. Anyone up for an EN syndicate? It could DEFINITELY be a thing..). In anticipation, I’ve collected all the need-to-know as the catalog is already available for perusal, featuring videos and x-rays (coming soon) for each horse listed.

The Go For Gold sale will take place November 14-16, 2022 at the Barnadown & Ambersprings Hotel in Wexford.

From the Go For Gold website:

The Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale of pre-selected event horses has been the success story of recent years. Now heading into its thirteenth renewal, the sale has truly achieved its aim of bringing together Ireland’s best young event horses to one venue for one sale.

Staged in November at Barnadown and the Amber Springs Hotel in Co. Wexford, the sale offers around 60 -70 proven and potential event horses from the age of three, all of whom have been carefully selected by a highly experienced panel of producers and international riders.

Many of the sport’s most recognisable names regularly attend the sale and among them is the current world number one Oliver Townend, and fellow Olympian rider Michel Jung (GER). Others include Kim Severson (USA), Astier Nicolas (FR) Joe Meyer (NZ), Kitty King (GB), Nicola Wilson (GB), Gemma Tattersall (GB), Tom McEwen (GB), Buck Davison (USA), Boyd Martin (USA), Robin Walker (USA), Sam Ecroyd (GB), Emily King (GB), Mary King (GB), Cathal Daniels (IRE), Caroline Powell (NZ), Sam Watson (IRE), Joseph Murphy (IRE), Camilla Speirs (IRE), Patricia Ryan (IRE), Austin O’Connor (IRE) and Nicholas Aldinger (GER).

This year, a total of 63 3-year-olds, 18 4-year-olds, and 9 5-year-olds will be available for sale. Even if you aren’t planning to attend the sale in person, virtual bidding and a full live stream of each horse ahead of the sale (as well as the sale itself) will be provided on the Go For Gold website.

[Click here to view the full sale catalog]

Curious about the performance of last year’s Go For Gold sale? Click here to view the results — and stay tuned for some stories (including our wishlist(s) of horses we’d most like to bring home) coming soon here on EN all about some Go For Gold graduates. In the meantime, here’s one in particular we love to share.

Christina Henriksen and Cisco’s Calor Z Win the 2022 USEF CCI2*-L Eventing National Championship

By on Oct 25, 2022 11:30 am -

Christina Henriksen and Cisco’s Calor Z, 2022 USEF CCI2*-L Eventing National Champions. ©Xpress Foto

Competitors enjoyed a mild and sunny weekend at the Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park, which hosted the 2022 USEF CCI2*-L Eventing National Championship. This year’s National Champion title and Richard Collins Trophy went to Christina Henriksen and Cisco’s Calor Z.

Henriksen (Keswick, Va.) and her own 2015 bay Zangersheide gelding started their event strong, with a 28.5 and second-place standing in the dressage phase. They followed it up with double-clear rounds in both cross-country and show jumping, ultimately taking the win by less than a single point.

Henriksen has been working with “Cisco” since last summer and has been focused on developing a strong partnership with him.

“Kate Walls found him last summer and I went over and tried him and loved him but felt like it was going to be a while to mold the partnership,” said Henriksen. “He is an amazing jumper, and he’s very forward-thinking. My biggest struggle with him has been containing his exuberance and his excitement for life. I didn’t compete him last fall; I focused on the training process and us building a partnership together and just getting to know each other.

“He’s an incredible athlete and I think he has all the makings to be a top horse,” Henriksen continued. “That being said, I think it’s very important to build that partnership with him now and take my time with him. The biggest thing has been getting the rideability and that’s taken 14 months, and it’s a work in progress. But he has the biggest heart and is one of the coolest horses I’ve ever had.”

Henriksen said she had the CCI2*-L championship in mind as a goal event when mapping out her competition schedule for 2022. She’d previously competed at Hagyard Midsouth in 2014 and enjoyed the atmosphere and experience there, and this year’s event didn’t disappoint. One of the highlights was competing in the Kentucky Horse Park’s iconic Rolex Stadium.

“We didn’t get to jump in the Rolex Stadium when I was there in 2014, and so to be able to walk down that ramp and compete in the stadium for a national championship class is incredible,” she said. “And the cross-country, I remember it being strong for a CCI2*-L. I did many two-stars and three-stars when I was in England, and I would say this two-star was comparable in quality and the technicality. There were some good questions that are great to ride in preparation for next year and the stuff you’ll see at the Intermediate and the three-star level.”

Cisco will get a vacation after his National Championship win, and Henriksen looks forward to big things with him in the season ahead.

“He’s very ready to move up to Intermediate,” she said. “I’ll pick and choose where we go and what we do pretty carefully under the guidance of Bobby Costello, who has been my coach for the last year and a half. Bobby’s been helping me make Cisco’s schedule this year, so we’ll sit down at some point and figure out what the plan is. But I feel this horse has all the makings to go as far as I can take him.”

Julie Wolfert and HSH Bitcoin, 2022 USEF CCI2*-L Eventing Reserve National Champions. ©Xpress Foto

Julie Wolfert (Bucyrus, Kan.) finished second riding HSH Bitcoin, a distinctive 2016 palomino Irish Sport Horse owned by Meaghan Marinovich-Burdick and Michele McCarty Woods. Marley Stone Bourke (Berryville, Va.) finished in third place with Kung Fu Quality, a 2016 Thoroughbred cross gelding she co-owns with Sharon Church and Tim Bourke.

As the top-finishing young rider in the CCI2*-L, Annabelle Friend (Nicholasville, Ky.) and her 2003 Thoroughbred gelding, Fine With Me, took home the Harry T. Peters Trophy and the title of USEF CCI2*-L Junior/Young Rider Eventing National Champion. The pair finished on their dressage score of 35.9 and placed ninth overall in the class.

Area IX Golden Spike Event’s Future At Risk: How You Can Help

By on Oct 25, 2022 9:00 am -

Haley M. Johnson and Tango school at Golden Spike. Photo courtesy of Golden Spike H.T.

Since 1987, Wasatch Pony Club has run one of just two events in Utah each year at Golden Spike. Throughout its history, however, the event has had to fight off development plans that would see the facility used for eventing redeveloped as a multi-use recreational facility or paved over to make room for more parking.

As this conflict arises fresh, organizers are asking for the public’s help to show the viability of equestrian sport — and, more specifically, the cross country course, at Golden Spike Event Center/Weber County Fairgrounds. Area members are encouraged to fill out a survey indicating their interest in continuing eventing at the venue, and today (October 25) is the final day to submit responses. You can do so by clicking here.

The Golden Spike committee sent out the following statement to members this weekend:

Golden Spike Cross Country Course is one of two USEF recognized courses in Utah, and one of a handful left in the Intermountain West. It is unique in being free to the public to school, and all improvements and maintenance are completed solely by Wasatch Pony Club’s volunteering and fundraising efforts – for over 35 years.

During an Open House conducted on September 8th, Golden Spike Event Center and Weber County representatives introduced the team conducting the study – Victus Advisors. They are currently collecting public input about the facility and its future uses. A major issue that was brought up during this meeting was the fact that the Golden Spike Event Center is losing a large parking lot to the West that belongs to Ogden City for office/warehouse development, and parking for the County Fair will be inadequate.

The Weber County team tried to reassure the general horse community that they are not shutting down horse facilities, but when asked specifically about the racetrack and cross country course, they did not deny that those facilities are under assessment for repurposing. Because of its very nature as a “free to school” public XC course, the Cross Country Course generates the least revenue per square foot and is the most at risk to become a parking lot.

Supporters are also encouraged to send emails to help increase the representation of the eventers who would be affected by the loss of the event. “In your email please specifically mention the Cross Country Course,” the organizers’ email requested. “It is imperative that the study now being conducted by Weber County and Golden Spike Event Center reflect the use of the Cross Country Course. If we are not represented, the very real possibility exists that we may lose that facility.” You can send your email to [email protected].

To learn more about the history of Golden Spike, click here to read the USEA event profile.

Tuesday News & Notes from Ocala Horse Properties

By on Oct 25, 2022 12:01 am -

I loved this Instagram post from Jennie Brannigan, who has a long relationship with Nina and Tim Gardner, who themselves are legendary supporters of our sport through ownership, sporthorse breeding, sponsorship, and mentorship. Tim even showed up for the 4-year-old Starspangled (spoiler alert: you might want to keep an eye or both on this one! “Cali” is another homebred of the Gardners and is a half-sister to Twilightslastgleam on the sire side and is out of former Advanced mare — piloted by Jennie — I Bella) and her eventing debut at Waredaca this weekend. What a star! Our sport is lucky to have such incredible owners — be sure to thank one today!

Events Open This Week

Full Gallop Farm Jingle Bells H.T. (SC)

Events Closing Today

Tryon International Three-Day Event (NC); Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks (FL); River Glen Fall H.T. (TN)

Tuesday News & Reading

It’s auction season! If you’re in the market for a quality horse with the potential to save a few dollars, there are quite a few auctions hosted in the fall and winter primarily in the UK and Europe (personally, I’d love to see a sale like this here in the U.S.! Who’s with me?). One auction, the Sovereign Auction of sport horse foals and embryos, is hosted online and this year features a full sibling to Ros Canter’s World Championships partner, Lordships Graffalo. [More on the auction]

Golden Spike Horse Trials in Utah is in danger of losing access to its venue. We’ll have a full news story coming later this morning, but for now it would be greatly helpful, if you’re in the area, if you took a moment to fill out a survey, which helps inform the county that there is feasibility and interest in continuing to host events at the venue. Today is the final day to submit responses. [Take the survey]

Ok, I know I’m going to ignite a debate here, but I have to know: hay on the ground or hay in a net for your horse? I’ve fed both ways but generally favor on the ground feeding to a low hay net, for obvious reasons. Now a veterinarian weighs in on the pros and cons of each style. [Ask Your Vet: Hay Feeding]

Jacob Fletcher took home his second 4*-S win of the year this weekend at TerraNova. For him, it’s been all about consistency as he’s worked up the levels with Fabian. This weekend? Proof in the pudding that this consistency pays off. [Jacob Fletcher Trusts the Process]

Sponsor Corner

IDK, I think you’d have to pay me to leave home if this was it…

#TrainingTipTuesday Video Break

Something fun to work on this winter: balance on landing. Cathy Wieschhoff is here to help:

Monday Video Break: More Maryland!

By on Oct 24, 2022 4:00 pm -

It is peak fall eventing season right now and therefore as absolute eventing maniacs we are thriving.

But of course we still can’t get enough! Even with the final five-star of the year, Les Etoiles de Pau, on the immediate horizon (peep the exciting entry list here) and yet another super busy weekend only just behind us, we can’t help another look back at our U.S. fall five-star when given the opportunity.

Local Maryland eventer Emma Hinke filmed nearly every five-star rider across Ian Stark’s cross country track to give us an enjoyable up-close look at a variety of different fences. It’s also another great way to get an idea of the terrain that competitors faced. If you find yourself hankering to relive the entire event, Sally Spickard gathered up all the need-to-knows right here.

Bonus! Emma also caught the show jumping rounds of the top three. Brace yourself for some epic cheers from the grandstand!

Nominations Open for Arena Saddles Sportsmanship Award

By on Oct 24, 2022 2:00 pm -

Meghan O’Donoghue’s crew cheer her on. Photo by Abby Powell.

Nominations are now open for the Arena Saddles Sportsmanship Award!

Creating the Arena Saddles Sportsmanship Award is a way for Arena Saddles to say thank you and give back to the incredible equestrian community. The foundation of this award is to honor equestrians who put others before themselves and display acts of selflessness, kindness and integrity that our equestrian community is known for.

Arena Saddles are on the look out for an everyday equestrian who demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship and who is deserving of recognition. The ideal recipient of the Arena Saddles Sportsmanship Award isn’t necessarily the equestrian who wins the most ribbons or has the fanciest horse. The recipient should:

  • display exceptional sportsmanship, such as handling victory and defeat with grace and dignity,
  • treat everyone with fairness and courtesy, and
  • set an example by creating a positive and encouraging environment.

As a reward for their positive influence and sportsmanship, the recipient will receive an Arena saddle of their choice and five runners-up will receive a beautiful Arena Saddle Bag as a recognition prize.

Arena saddles are classically crafted from European leather. As a discerning rider, you will appreciate the elegance and quality of Arena Saddles. Whether competing in dressage, tackling a challenging course of jumps or riding the trails, you will feel supported through the exceptional close contact and complete adjustability for your horse’s unique conformation. Thoughtful touches, such as the ergonomic stirrup bar and softly padded knee inserts for comfort, are just some of the reasons you love your Arena saddle.

Do you know a remarkable equestrian who deserves to be rewarded for their selflessness and positive influence within the equestrian community with an Arena saddle?

Maybe one of your friends generously offered you a helping hand or regularly provided advice to help you in your riding. If you know someone shining a light in your equestrian journey whom you wish to honor for their positive influence, nominate them before November 30 2022!

To make your nomination visit the Arena Saddles website here: https://bit.ly/3Ei2Nzx

FEI Launches Bidding Process for 2026 World Championships

By on Oct 24, 2022 12:00 pm -

The individual medallists at the 2022 FEI Eventing World Championships: Yasmin Ingham, Julia Krajewski, and Tim Price. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The FEI has launched the bidding process for the FEI World Championships 2026 in all the FEI disciplines. The process begins today (October 24 2022), and will end in June 2023 with the allocation of the Championships by the FEI Board. It will consist of the following four phases:

Phase 1: Expression of interest (October 24 2022)

Phase 2: Bidding (Mid-January – April 14 2023)

Phase 3: Review of bids (Mid-April – June 9 2023)

Phase 4: Allocation (June 2023)

The bidding process will start with a call for expressions of interest from National Federations and Organising Committees who would like to engage with open and non-binding discussions with the FEI regarding the potential submission of a bid. Detailed information on each phase of the bidding process can be found on this document.

Expressions of interest should be sent to [email protected]. The submission of an expression of interest is entirely optional and is not a pre-condition to National Federations/Organising Committees submitting a formal bid in Phase 2.

“The launch of the bidding process for the FEI World Championships 2026 is an important milestone,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. “This year we hosted hugely successful World Championships in Jumping, Dressage and Para Dressage, Vaulting, Eventing, and Driving. We were fortunate to work with very professional Organising Committees producing events of the highest order. The result proved popular with the athletes and National Federations. No less than 411 athletes and 340 horses representing 49 nations competed at the Ecco FEI World Championships 2022 in Herning (DEN) whereas 127 athletes and 274 horses from 29 NFs were represented at the FEI World Championships 2022 in Pratoni del Vivaro (ITA).”

“The events attracted worldwide interest with over 7,000 articles published in the international press. But the platforms where the Championships were perhaps the greatest hit were social media. The number of followers on the FEI’s social media channels grew by 42% compared to the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2018. Impressions and engagements were 56% and 97% up respectively whereas video views increased by a staggering 233%.

“This success gives us confidence that the new flexible approach is the best way forward,” Ingmar De Vos continued. “As was the case for the FEI World Championships 2022, bids will be accepted from National Federations and Organising Committees who are interested in hosting the FEI World Championships 2026 in one or more FEI disciplines. The FEI World Championships 2026 for Dressage and Para Dressage should remain combined. Bids for the full “FEI World Equestrian Games™” comprising all disciplines will also be considered.

“We look forward to interesting bids from many regions of the world and are available for any queries or clarifications all the entities considering a bid may have,” President De Vos concluded.

A detailed Bid Guide containing an overview of all the requirements/rights/benefits associated with hosting the FEI World Championships 2026 will be available as of mid-January 2023.