There are few things hotter than the Italian weather right now — but giving it a jolly good go is the field of entries in the 2022 FEI World Championships of Eventing. With 89 riders and 26 nations in the line-up, it’s a showcase of the very best of the sport, and if you don’t have the bandwidth to learn about all the finer details of their lives and competitive records in our extensive form guide, we’ve rounded up the quick fire details you need to know!
Monica Spencer celebrates her leading score with Artist. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
When the trip to your first World Championships involves a travel time of over 50 hours and several days in the trailer, you want to make good on your shot to make an impact.
Monica Spencer did just that with her unraced New Zealand Thoroughbred, Artist (Guillotine xx – Maxamore xx, by Volksraad xx), taking a decisive early-days lead at the pair’s first FEI World Championships with a dressage mark of 25.6.
Monica, who found out she’d been named to the New Zealand squad just three days before Artist’s flight out of New Zealand (“you kind of plan like you’re going in case you’re going and then all of a sudden you’re going!”), traveled more than 50 hours in total from her home in Taupo, New Zealand to Clarke Johnstone’s current base in Gloucestershire, England. This is her first time competing in the Northern Hemisphere, and as such the trip necessitated leaving her husband, Spencer, and her 10-month-old son, Gus, behind at home.
“I’ve been away for five weeks, so [I’m] a little more emotional than I normally,” she said. But the task at hand is in full focus, and she’s pleased with the start she’s made — a score she knows the horse she’s had since his four-year-old year is capable of earning.
“It’s, you know, we can do it at home and then you come to a stage like this and you always think some things could fall apart and hope they won’t,” she said. “But he was a trooper. He was relaxed, he just did what he was asked.”
The incredible mover caught Monica’s eye at his first show in New Zealand, where he was under the re-training of Polly MacDonald. Originally bred by Windsor Park Stud in New Zealand to race but not showing enough speed for the task, he’d been sold on and had begun his new career. “I saw him at his first show from the other side the warm up and I promptly trotted over to Polly and asked if she would sell them and I’ve had him ever since,” she explained.
Monica Spencer and Artist. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Monica will be the pathfinder for the Kiwis come Saturday, and this combination has an excellent cross country record to give them a boost. “There’s enough to do — it would be very easy to make a mistake, but I think everything’s jumpable so just got to piece it all together,” she said of the challenge ahead.
Monica Spencer pats Artist after taking the early lead this morning. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
It’s that time!
I’m so excited to welcome you to the first day of actual competition at the 2022 FEI World Championships for Eventing, hosted this year in absolutely picture-perfect Rocca di Papa, Italy at Pratoni del Vivaro. This was the host site of the 1998 World Equestrian Games and is sure to be a true test of the 89-strong field representing 26 nations this week.
We are just about ready to get underway with the first day of dressage, and you’ve got myself along with Abby Powell ready to bring you up-to-date commentary while Tilly Berendt and Shelby Allen work on site. I’ll be updating you as each rider comes in, but I highly encourage you to pick up a pass to watch yourself on FEI.TV, which is a part of ClipMyHorse.TV. You can learn more and sign up here (there is a free trial for new members!).
Our Ground Jury today includes President and judge at C Christina Klingspor (SWE), judge at H Peter Gray (CAN), and judge at B Christian Steiner (AUT). Tilly Berendt caught up with Peter Gray, who is officiating his first World Championships (and has also competed himself in the 1990 World Championships in Stockholm), earlier this year and it’s definitely a cool read if you’d like to study up.
We’ll be underway at 9:30 a.m. local time, which is 3:30 a.m. EST and, sigh, 12:30 a.m. for me out here in California. This morning we’ll see a total of 22 horses and riders, including the first rotation of team riders. After an hour or so lunch break, Abby Powell will pick up live updates for the afternoon session.
There are sure to be a myriad of beautiful tests this morning, but some key notables to key an eye on include:
Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo (CAN): 9:46 a.m. local / 3:46 a.m. EST – 34.8
Will Coleman and Off the Record (USA): 11:05 a.m. local / 5:05 a.m. EST – 26.4
Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo (GBR): 11:21 a.m. local / 5:21 a.m. EST – 26.2
Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir (GBR): 12:00 p.m. local / 6:00 a.m. EST – 21.9
We aren’t likely to see the eventual dressage winner in these first few groups, but here are a few horses Equiratings recommends keeping an eye on in the coming sessions:
Riders will be using FEI 5* Test B — you can view the test to follow along here, and if you want a really cool breakdown of the test, check out our Dressage Debrief with Peter Gray over Michael Jung’s Kentucky test with fischerChipmunk FRH:
To use this live update thread, start from the bottom. I’ll be adding updates as they happen to the top!
6:52 a.m. EST: This will be another test marred by some tension, and Shutterflyke will take a score in the 40s into the jumping phases. And that will do us for the morning session! Here’s a look at your top 10 individuals and top 9 teams (full scores here), with quite a few more heavy hitters yet to come this afternoon. Abby Powell will be along in about an hour to bring you live updates from the next sessions, and our eyes on the ground Tilly and Shelby will have more content than you can possibly handle coming your way shortly as well. Thanks for following along with me early this morning!
6:47 a.m. EST: Our final before the lunch break will be Czech rider Miroslav Trunda with Shutterflyke.
6:44 a.m. EST: Aistis is navigating this test quite well as Commander VG comes a bit undone in the extended and some changes. What a calm, cool rider and a good partner for this horse. A rueful shake of the head and a grin is all you need to know this is a rider who has fully accepted his horse as he is. Maybe he’ll be trying to tame the Lippizaner moves for the next test, though…
Commander VG says “I WILL FLY AWAY”. GIF via ClipMyHorse.TV,
6:43 a.m. EST: Commander VG is a cross country horse through and through, and we knew he wouldn’t grab a low score today but this will be another to watch for jumps up the board on Saturday.
6:38 a.m. EST: Next to see will be Lithuanian individuals Aistis Vitkauskas and Commander VG (Viegaard’s Come Back II x Nione Fortuna, by Abantos NRA STB 83 4). Korntawat scores a 32.0 to go into 10th place.
Korntawat Samran and Uster de Chanay. GIF via ClipMyHorse.TV.
6:31 a.m. EST: A 30.1 for Fouaad provisionally puts him into sixth. We now will move to our sole Thai representative, Tokyo Olympian Korntawat Samran with Uster de Chanay (Negus de b’Neville x Ironne de Chanay, by Clyde de la Combe). This is a newer ride for Korntawat.
6:29 a.m. EST: Fouaad has to exercise some tact in this canter work as Siegneur Medicott has decided that’s enough of this silly putting his head down crap and it’s time for the fun stuff. They should still sneak in under the 30s based on their trends. I’d love to see this pair have a great weekend as individuals here!
6:27 a.m. EST: A slight bobble in the walk work bumps Fouaad up into the 28 range.
6:21 a.m. EST: Hanne is grinning ear to ear as she finishes her test. They won’t be competitive in this phase, scoring a 44.3 and will look to climb the ranks in the jumping phases. Just a few before our lunch break, and next in are India’s sole pair and Tokyo Olympians Fouaad Mirza with Siegneur Medicott (Seigneur d’Alleray xx – Gina XIII, by Finley-M). This is another that’s well capable of slipping under the 30 mark. They scored a 28 in Tokyo and most recently at Arville scored a 26.6.
6:14 a.m EST: Super Swede! A big cheer from the gathered crowd for Niklas Lindback and Focus Filiocus, who also slide into the 20s for a 29.0 provisionally and fifth place. This is quite a good mark for this pair, who typically scores in the low-to-mid-30s. What a time to throw a sub-30 down, way to go! Next in will be individual pair for Denmark, Hanne Wind Ramsgaard and her homebred Amequ Torino (Toulouse – Staugaard’s Flying Colour, by Cosmeo).
6:08 a.m. EST: Next up in this block of individuals is Swedish rider Niklas Lindback with Focus Filiocus (Feliciano 823 x Blue Bells, by Be My Chief) — a very Harry Potter-sounding name, if you ask me.
6:06 a.m. EST: Yasmin scores a 21.9 to go into the lead! What a time for a personal best. For reference, Yasmin scored a 28.1 at Kentucky, where she eventually came in second.
Yasmin Ingham celebrates a killer test with Banzai du Loir. GIF via ClipMyHorse.TV.
6:05 a.m. EST Banzai du Loir’s ears flop a bit on his stretch circle as Banzai has him in a lovely, relaxed way of going. Without being there in person it’s hard to say for sure, but this ring doesn’t give me the claustrophobic, atmospheric vibes that, perhaps, Herning would have had for the other World Championships. I do believe this will be our morning leader — a great test from Yas!
6:00 a.m. EST: And we are underway now with Yasmin and Banzai du Loir (Nouma d’Auzay x Gerboise du Cochet, by Livarot), who are trending a very impressive 21.7 as they go into their extended trot.
5:38 a.m. EST: A look at the top five as they stand currently:
5:33 a.m. EST: Shane and Virgil are enjoying a really nice ride, with some canter work that shows uphill balance. Shane gives Virgil a big pat and they score a 31.5, shaving a hair off their Tokyo score of 31.7 and going into fifth. We’re now into the final judging break of the morning session and will resume at 6:00 a.m. EST with British individual rider and Kentucky runner-up Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir. This pair is a serious contender for an individual medal in what is their first World Championships appearance.
GIF via ClipMyHorse.TV.
5:26 a.m. EST: What a test from this young superstar, Lordships Graffalo! Looks like they will go onto a 26.6 for third place behind Monica and Will, provisionally. Next to see will be Australian Olympians Shane Rose and Virgil. Ah – 26.2 for Ros, and that will put her ahead of Will and into second.
Ros’ cheering section is out in full force! GIF via ClipMyHorse.TV.
5:24 a.m. EST: Will’s score has been updated to a 26.4. Meanwhile, Ros is trending at about 27 as she goes into her stretch circle.
5:21 a.m. EST: This is a combination who could slip into the lead early on here. They scored a 26 at Badminton, which is just about their average in 4* competition. Ope, we’re onto James Bond theme music now. I feel like I’m playing musical score SongPop.
5:18 a.m. EST: A really nice test from Ryuzo and Cekatinka, who has a little spook after her final halt because why not? A 32.2 is right around their average at this level and will slot them into fifth. We will now have the first of the defending World Champion team and the defending individual World Champion herself, Ros Canter, who debuts the exciting Lordships Graffalo (Grafenstolz x Cornish Queen, by Rock King), who was second in his first 5* at Badminton this spring.
5:15 a.m. EST: Now the music has moved onto the Jurassic Park theme music. What are you trying to say, Pratoni?? I thought I heard a bit of Oh Susannah (Oklahoma? Something Americana, at least) during Will’s test. I have questions.
5:13 a.m. EST: Our first Japanese rider, Ryuzo Kitajima, now comes in with the former Tim Price ride Cekatinka JRA (King Kolibri x Katinka, by Julio Marnier), who was top-10 at the last World Championships in Tryon with Tim.
5:11 a.m. EST: Monica’s score is updated to a 25.6. Will is right on her heels, scoring a 26.5 provisionally and into second for now. I know there will be things Will would like to have been better but this is a great spot for the Americans early on.
I always love Will’s quiet pats at the end of his tests. GIF via ClipMyHorse.TV.
5:09 a.m. EST: Nice changes from Will and Off the Record. Down towards 26.7 now.
5:08 a.m. EST: A lovely halt from Will, who is trending at about a 27.7 at the moment.
5:06 a.m. EST: Will and “Timmy” put in a lovely test at Great Meadow last month, scoring a 23.9 at the 4* level. Their average at the 4* and 5* level is a 27.3, but on their day they could threaten Monica and Artist’s score.
5:05 a.m. EST: Ok, now I have to compose myself as our first Americans are in the ring: Will Coleman, your 2021 Aachen champion, and Off the Record (Arkansas – Drumagoland Bay, by Ard Ohio) are up centerline.
5:02 a.m. EST: Gosh, what a great walk from this little Thoroughbred. Wow! What a test! They score a 25.5 — a new leader by a very healthy margin! I can’t stop using exclamation points! Here’s another one!
GIF via ClipMyHorse.TV.
4:58 a.m. EST: Guys and gals, I think a Thoroughbred is about to take the (early but still!) lead at World Championships. We’ll see how the walk and canter work comes out..
4:57 a.m. EST: A 38.3 for Malin Josefsson and Golden Midnight, and wow — Monica gets started with a lovely medium trot.
4:54 a.m. EST: Malin loses a few marks in her canter work and changes, but she’s going to make a strong pathfinder for the Swedish come Saturday and will have a respectable score to start on. We’ll now start the Kiwis off with Monica Spencer and Artist, a Thoroughbred of unknown breeding with whom Monica’s been partnered since the gelding was four. They’ve traveled all the way from New Zealand for this chance to make their World Championship debut. Artist was racing-bred in New Zealand but did not race. Love to see some Thoroughbreds representing here this week!
4:50 a.m. EST: A fun fact about Malin, who is also half Japanese: She balances riding with a ‘proper’ job as a small animal vet in Sweden alongside her parents. They also breed German Shepherds.
4:47 a.m. EST: Arianna is trending about a 33.5 as she comes up centerline! They earn a 33.3 and will go into fourth at the moment. Nicely done, gals. Next in will be the first Swedish rider, Malin Josefsson and Golden Midnight (Goldmine x Duva, by Maraton). This is their third championship but their first Worlds appearance.
Arianna Schivo salutes the judges after her test. GIF via ClipMyHorse.TV.
4:40 a.m. EST: And we’re getting ready to get back underway with Arianna and Quefira de L’Ormeau. This pair were 25th individually in Tokyo last year, which was their second Olympic appearance together. This combination typically scores in the mid-30s in 4* and 5* competition, most recently scoring a 37.2 at Badminton earlier this year. They did score a 32.8 at the 2018 WEG at Tryon — can they best that today?
4:36 a.m. EST: I’ve just heard over the announcements that Ruy Fonseca has withdrawn Ballypatrick SRS this morning. This pair was held in the horse inspection yesterday but were passed when they re-presented. That will leave the Brazilian team without a score to drop as their team will move forward with three riders.
4:34 a.m. EST: Psst! Want to sneak a peek at the cross country course ahead of our official preview?? CrossCountryApp has just dropped their map!
4:26 a.m. EST: We’ll now head into our first break of the day and will resume in just a few minutes at 4:41 a.m. EST with Arianna Schivo and Quefira de L’Ormeau (Iolisco de Quinhon*HN x Isabelle du Brulot, by Beausejour IV), a very experienced pair riding for home team Italy in their second World Championships appearance. Here’s a look at the first seven scores:
4:24 a.m. EST: Aw, Nadja is thrilled and gets probably the biggest cheer of the morning so far. She scores a 31.8, not quite a personal best ever but it bests her average and sets the Swiss up nicely to start things off — she’ll go into second for the moment. Really well done!
4:23 a.m. EST: Nadja is really putting in a strong effort here in her canter work, trending down towards a 31 as she comes into her flying change work.
4:22 a.m. EST: Catch up with Sam Watson after his test with SAP Talisman:
4:16 a.m. EST: A really nice performance from Esteban and the sensitive, diminutive Milana 23. They will score a 36.4 to best their average and go into fifth for now. Next to see is the first Swiss rider, Nadja Minder making her Championship debut with Toblerone (Yarlands Summer Song x Medelyne, breeding unknown). This 15-year-old Swiss gelding shares a sire with Astier’s horse, Alertamalib’or. A 33.7 is Nadja’s average at this level with this horse.
4:07 a.m. EST: Senne and Google van Alsingen really put in a great effort for their team this morning and will hit the board on a provisional score of 36.1, which is good for fourth at the moment. We’ll next see the first Spanish rider, Esteban Benitez Valle with the 18-year-old Warmblood mare Milana 23 (Medoc x Morka, by Flemmingh). This is another pair who won’t threaten the top on day one, averaging a 39 at this level. Esteban also makes his World Championship debut this weekend with Milana 23.
4:07 a.m. EST: A look at Astier’s scores:
3:59 a.m. EST: A really lovely test from Astier and Alertamalib’or, what a lovely type this one is! They will go onto a 30.8 provisionally and into the early lead. Next up for the Belgians will be Senne Vervaecke and Google van Alsingen (Watch Me x Pinot Brun VH Pannehof, by Forever), a pair that’s come up the levels together and make their Senior championship team debut this week. Senne is well-traveled through the Junior and Young Rider championship ranks, though so this step up comes as a natural progression for the talented 25-year-old. This pair typically hits the board a bit higher in the marks, so we won’t expect them to threaten Astier’s score but they will be looking to put their team into a good position as trailblazers — a role that will become even more important come Saturday.
3:57 a.m. EST: A look at score trends for the first three so far:
3:55 a.m. EST: A 34.8 for Hawley and Jollybo. We’re off to a pretty strong start with Nicolas, who had some gorgeous work in his medium trot.
3:53 a.m. EST: And now the French will start their week, sending forward Astier Nicolas and Alertamalib’or (Summer Song x Dambine, by Prince Ig’Or), a 12-year-old Anglo-Arab gelding who might be our first score in the 20s if they can get near their average of 27.9.
3:51 a.m. EST: Hawley and Jollybo have been averaging about a 33.7 in 4* and 5* competition lately, though they’ve shown some flashes of even lower and even into the high-20s in the past. This test isn’t going to be their best score ever but should hit the board in that mid-30s range to get Canada on the board.
3:47 a.m. EST: A 37.8 for Sam Watson. Hawley and Jolly (has Hawley sent out a Christmas card that says “Have a Hawley Jolly Christmas” yet? Because that should happen soon if not) have one little bobble coming out of their first halt but are now into their trot work and looking more in sync.
3:46 a.m. EST: Next to see is our first of the North Americans: Hawley Bennett-Awad comes in now with the 18-year-old mare Jollybo (Jumbo x Polly Coldunnell, by Danzig Connection). This is the second Worlds appearance for this pair together, who also competed at the WEG in Tryon.
3:44 a.m. EST: Ah, what a lovely stretching circle at the canter for SAP Talisman. A really sold effort here to start things off for the Irish team. Sam looks like he’ll be a little higher than their usual average but not for lack of effort. Christoph’s score is confirmed at 32.8.
3:42 a.m. EST: Whoops, SAP Talisman says “wait, you don’t want me to keep going?”, adding a few extra obedient rein-back steps. I just love this horse and his “I can do it!” attitude. Also, the music here makes me feel like I’m watching a sad scene in a war movie? So.. if you’re into that mood.
3:41 a.m. EST: SAP Talisman is showing a bit more relaxation early on in his test. He wouldn’t be the fanciest mover of this lot, but he’s keen to do the right thing. This pair typically averages a mid-30s mark in this phase and so far are trending at about a 36.8 as they get into their walk work.
3:40 a.m. EST: A look at the breakdown of Christoph’s scores:
3:35 a.m. EST: And now we’re seeing some just lovely work in the canter from Carjatan S, who has had quite a successful year thus far. This score is going to hit the board a bit higher than they’d initially have liked to start, but it’s looking like a low or mid-30s score to start the week off for the Germans. We’ll next see the first for the Irish, Sam Watson with the young but supremely talented and class SAP Talisman (Puissance x Ali Row, by All Royal), who stepped up in incredible fashion to represent Ireland at Europeans last year as a late call-up. He gets his proper due this week at Worlds as an 11-year-old. Provisionally, 32.8 for Christoph.
3:33 a.m. EST: If you’re a breeding aficionado and want to follow along with the patterns and trends in this year’s field, you can also purchase a copy of Breed.Ride.Compete’s breeding data for this weekend here. And you can find more bits and pieces about each pair entered here.
3:32 a.m. EST: Oh dear, another bobble here in the extended trot — I think this one will settle a bit more into the canter work.
3:31 a.m. EST: Carjatan S has been bit by the tension bug here early on in the test, unable to get into much of a medium trot because the gray gelding is just feeling himself a bit extra this morning.
3:30 a.m. EST: Andddd…first horse up the centerline – go! Thank you so much for tuning in with us bright and early this morning. We’re getting ready to kick this party off officially with German rider Christoph Wahler with Carjatan S (Clearway x Kajenna, by Galant Vert).
The muck heap at Pratoni! Photo courtesy of Jackie Potts Equestrians Services FB.
I know everyone is excited about the World Championships this week, but can we spare a moment of silent reverence for this muck heap contraption at Pratoni? Jackie Potts posted a video of the action and honestly I was so excited about the future of horse shows. Can we bring this technology to the US so I can stop dealing with horrendous terrifying muck heaps at competitions? This nifty little gadget takes your poo on an elevator ride up and away into the tidy bin in blue, making all your poo pile dreams come true.
The long-awaited 2022 FEI Eventing World Championships are just days away and horse and rider pairs from all over the country are settling in and getting the lay of the land at the beautiful Pratoni del Vivaro in Rome, Italy. The host site, which will also host the 2022 FEI Driving World Championships, was the venue for eventing at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome as well as the site for the cross-country competition at the FEI World Equestrian Games in 1998. [Fast Facts of Pratoni]
“Teamwork makes the dream work” has become a popular caption on social media feeds of athletes from all disciplines. This phrase seems particularly relevant for those in the eventing world. While the spotlight might shine on a single horse and rider combination during the heat of competition, every event rider understands theirs to be a fundamentally team sport, dependent on the efforts and skillsets of grooms, barn managers, trainers, working students, and often a wide array of friends and family, without whom the strains of competition, training, and travel would not be sustainable. But what exactly goes into the “work” that holds together a team for the long haul? One trainer who seems to have cracked the code for building a cohesive and enduring team is Fylicia Barr. [Making the Dream Work with Fylicia Barr Eventing]
Carrot stretches may seem outdated but they’re highly useful for improving performance. Not only can you as the rider use carrot stretches to learn more about their body, but your trainer can see how they react when bending both ways, and how it effects their performance under saddle. Your equine physio, saddle fitter, and vet can also learn plenty from applying carrot stretches. [Understanding Horse Performance]
One of the ways you can help your horse recover from a strenuous workout, such as a gallop or jump school, is to apply a liniment, brace or cooling gel to his legs and/or any large muscles that might be sore. This helps promote circulation which, in turn, reduces swelling in tendons, ligaments, muscles and other soft tissues. But there is a right way to apply liniment, and a wrong way. [How to Apply Liniment]
Before we dive headfirst into today’s social media recap from Pratoni, a major shout to German eventing blogger, videographer, all around content creator, and most importantly badass human Juliane Barth aka @julis_eventer, who has teamed up with us this week for some epic Instagram content and dropped her first Reel today. Nothing quite captures the essence of equestrian sport like the visual arts, and I’m so proud to have both Julis as well as Tilly Berendt and Shelby Allen on the ground and bringing all of us along for the ride.
Wednesday marked trot-up day for the field of competitors at the 2022 FEI World Championships for Eventing, and a total of 89 horses representing 26 countries will now go forward to tomorrow.
One of my favorite parts of these World Championship events is the number of riders from all over the globe who gather to compete, yes, but also to celebrate this incredible sport we are lucky to have. Scrolling through my social media feeds introduces me to riders and horses I haven’t seen before and now I’m here to share some of those missives with you. Without further ado, today’s social media recap — and it’s a big one!
The Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials event is scheduled to run today through Sunday, September 18th in England. With the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Blenheim runs in her honor this weekend as its team extends heartfelt condolences to King Charles III and all members of the Royal Family at this deeply saddening time.
As scheduled, there will be both CCI-L4* and CCI-S 4* divisions running, and today all pairs passed the first horse inspection in front of Ground Jury President Robert Stevenson (USA) and members Douglas Hibbert (GBR) and Sue Baxter (GBR). Let’s take a closer look at the pairs we’ll see this week:
For our U.S. riders in the 4*L, UK based 27-year old Grace Taylor is entered with Ann Taylor’s Game Changer. With a recent elimination at the 4*L level earlier this year, the pair will look to their previous 4* experience, including a 4*S run at Blenheim last year, where they finished fourth, to expand on their experience.
Kimmy Cecere and Landmarks Monaco. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Kimmy Cecere and Jacqueline Mars’ Landmarks Monaco have been gearing up towards Blenheim with a stay in the UK since this past spring. With runs at the 3* and 4*S levels at Floors Castle, Houghton Hall, Bramham, and Le Pin au Haras, we’ll be keeping an eye on the pair to see how their UK prep has served them to make a run at the 4*L at Blenheim.
Valerie Pride an Favian at the Maryland 5 Star. Photo by Abby Powell.
U.S. based Valerie Vizcarrondo Pride and her Oldenburg gelding Favian have been prepping for this event with the one and only William Fox-Pitt. With two 5*L attempts, and one 5*L finish at Maryland last fall, Favian and Valerie have built their partnership from their first FEI competition at the 1* level in 2016. We’ve been watching Valerie’s Instagram for pictures from around the Fox-Pitt yard, and are excited to follow along this week as well!
Gillian Beale King has been riding for Richard and Tanja Ames of Belline Estate in Ireland since the spring of 2021. Now, we see her listed with three separate rides at Blenheim! In the 4*L, Gillian is riding Rebeliant, the 11 year-old Polish bred gelding. This will be both Gillian and Rebeliant’s 4*L debut.
Gillian Beale King is the only U.S. rider to compete in the 4*S at Blenheim this week, with Richard Ames’ RCA Royal Summer and Derena Super Star. Both horses have been previously been campaigned by Gillian at the 4*S level. RCA Royal Summer most recently finished sixth at Millstreet in the 4*S, with Derena Super Star close behind in 11th.
Outside of U.S. riders, Blenheim has attracted riders from 14 countries. For Canada, we’ll see Jamie Kellock and Summer Bay in the 4*L and Kathryn Robinson and Cloud K in the 4*S. We also see a number of familiar faces within this list, notably Sarah Bullimore with Corouet, Felicity Collins and RSH Contend OR, and Zara Tindall and Class Affair rerouting from Burghley just a few weeks ago, where both riders retired at the 5*L level.
Dressage begins tomorrow and continues into Friday, with the first pair to see at 9:00 a.m. BST / 4:00 a.m. EST (Aimee Penny and PSH Encore). You can view 4*-L times here and 4*-S times here. Notable ride times include:
4*L
Grace Taylor and Game Changer: 9:35 a.m. BST / 4:35 a.m. EST
Sarah Bullimore and Corouet: 11:26 a.m. BST / 6:26 a.m. EST
Felicity Collins and RSH Contend OR: 3:45 p.m. BST / 10:45 a.m. EST
Dirk Schrade and Casino 80: 3:52 p.m. BST / 10:52 p.m. EST
Kimmy Cecere and Landmarks Monaco: 3:59 p.m. BST / 10:59 a.m. EST
Jamie Kellock and Summer Bay: 4:13 p.m. BST / 11:13 a.m. EST
Valerie Pride and Favian: FRIDAY 12:45 p.m. BST / 10:45 a.m. EST
Pippa Funnell and MGH Grafton Street: FRIDAY 2:50 p.m. BST / 9:50 a.m. EST
Gemma Stevens and Jalepeno III: FRIDAY 4:15 p.m. BST / 11:15 a.m. EST
Gillian Beale King and Rebeliant: FRIDAY 4:36 p.m. BST / 11:36 a.m. EST
Both the 4*L and the 4*S will have a free live stream available via the Blenheim Palace website — click here for tomorrow’s dressage stream and here to see the rest of the broadcast schedule. Many thanks to the team at Blenheim for making this available!
Take a look at some social media from trot-up day at Blenheim below!
Ariel Grald gives Leamore Master Plan a cuddle after presenting for the USA. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
It’s all systems go for the United States and Canada as they prepare for the dressage portion of competition at the FEI World Championships for Eventing. We unfortunately saw a premature end for the stateside-based partnership of Daniela Moguel and Cecelia, but the ten remaining North American competitors have their blinders on now for a top performance.
Ahead of the start of the dressage phase, EN catches up with friends from back home for their thoughts on the event, their prep and all things Pratoni:
Bobby Costello
“Chef Bob,” as he’s known to some, is at the helm for the stars and stripes in his role as interim Chef d’Equipe. He’s been given a uniquely challenging role, to oversea an operation as massive as Olympic qualification in such a short term role, but Bobby’s taken to the role with pride.
“I think it’s a mixture of giving everybody the latitude to continue with their own programs, because that’s what got them here, but there’s so much structure that has to happen around this competition,” he said. “So I think it’s just all been about building the trust from the riders over the last few months.”
Riders for the most part have stayed true to their teaching and training principles, and Bobby’s made it his mission to achieve team cohesion amid that.
“I think I think our time in France was time really well spent. Because everybody really started to relax into the weekend in a positive way. And I could just feel the focus improving every day, and almost, actually, the relaxation. I think when you go into when you go into a training camp like that, when you’re used to riding tons of horses a day, and then all of a sudden having one horse to ride, there’s so many other things that can come into your mind. And I thought everybody just did a good job as the week progressed, really just focusing and relaxing, and concentrating on the things that were really important. I think they’re all in a really good place, mentally,” he said.
Of course, top form is what matters most for the team at the end of the day. “What really counts now is starting tomorrow through Sunday. And we’ll see, we’ll see. But everybody’s feeling very positive. I think we have a very good shot at doing well, if we just kind of keep doing what we’re doing and, and not get distracted. And I think the riders have been showing that they’re not going to let any distractions get to them this week.”
“I mean, the priority does have to be an Olympic qualification. But I’ve said, and I’ll say it again, a quarter of a step behind that, as far as I’m concerned, is medaling because we have the horses and the riders to do that now. And not two to six years from now, right now. So Olympic qualification is absolute, but hot on the heels is a medal because these guys deserve it,” he said.
Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg
“It’s been a trip to the horses from great meadow to JFK to Frankfort to Vittel. And as he’s getting older, I think the key is to drill him less and less in preparation for good performance. So I’ve tried to leave him quite fresh. And his energy levels get quite high and looks like I’m going the end of the day on Friday. So I had my first workout on the flat today and he felt good. I’ll do a bit tonight here and give him a little jump tomorrow. I think he I think he should do a good test,” he said.
Boyd has been cemented as team anchor, so he’ll be the final team member to leave the start box Saturday. “It’s an unbelievable amount of pressure and nerves. And it seems glamorous, but it’s, you know, it’s a tough process just because you’re really trying to do every single thing you can for top performance. The biggest thing here is to ride really, really well and and give a performance of a lifetime — something that keeps you up at night.
“We’re close now — certainly crunch time — but I feel like we’re in a good place and it’s maybe it’s getting a little bit easier over the years because you sort of understand the process, but it’s still nerve racking process.”
La
Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus
“He’s right where we want him,” Lauren said of the Anglo-Arabian.
“Vittel was amazing, and they were so welcoming to us. And it was perfect place to prepare but very quiet for the horses and they got to kind of stick to their normal at home routine, so it’s not like they’re gone traveling as much.” Lauren describes their French team training with such idyllic detail, she made us wish we had joined along.
The facilities included steeplechase tracks, competition arenas and a grass jumping arena, which should lead to their advantage come Sunday. “They really had anything we could want,” she said. And of course, the cherry on top was conditioning work along the facility golf course. “I think a lot of people saw the videos of us galloping on the golf course, and I’m not sure that golfers loved it, but it was perfect for us,” she said.
Lauren and Bug have been around the world together, and that wealth of experience helped in the planning for this Championship. “I think it’s always toeing that line of, you know, you want to do your best ever, but you also have to keep it realistic knowing that our job is to to put a team score on the table,” she said.
“It’s also preparing the best way for the horse and being competitive, but not drilling them past the point of their abilities and actually going the wrong way with the competitiveness. So, I think everybody’s found a really good balance of that. And with the training camp everybody really stuck to their normal plans, what they know works for their horse, and it was really cohesive group in that way. Like, nobody felt like just because someone was jumping, they had to jump that day. We all really stuck to what we would normally do with our horses leading up to a three-day, which I don’t think has always been the case in the past.”
Canada’s Karl Slezak presents Fernhill Wishes. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes
“[The lead up] has been great. He’s been has been in England all summer, and I’ve been going back and forth,” Karl said. “Chocy” has been based at Rodney Powell’s farm where he says, “the hills have been phenomenal for him.”
He’s also taken the summer to rethink their dressage performance with the help of Alex Franklin. “We’ve been changing his shape a little bit. And so I’m hoping it’ll peak this weekend, but maybe, maybe. We’ll see.”
Canada’s Hawley Bennett Awad shares a moment with 18-year-old Jollybo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo
Hawley, a west-coaster based in California, says Jollybo has settled in pleasantly following their lengthy journey.
“It was a long haul from California. We flew with Apollo Equine, and flew from L.A. to Belgium and then stayed in the Netherlands. We stayed there for like five days, and then drove to Germany picked up Holly Jacks, and then drove from Germany to here, which was 32 hours — such a doozy,” she described.
“We’ve been here for about a week, [based just up the road at Italian eventer Mattia Luciani’s farm], so they’ve had a chance to settle. It’s hands down so nice — his whole family. It really gives me goosebumps — the nicest people I’ve ever met in my entire life. And his dad’s actually the vet here. So it’s really cool, and we love it so much. I really could move here. [I’m] blown away by the people the food and how beautiful it is.”
For Hawley, the tropical weather and ground conditions feel like home. “With the ground being dirt and it being hot, I think it’s good for us West Coast kids. It was it was 116 degrees when we left, so heat won’t bother us. But I mean, the first half, of course, is pretty hilly, so I think it’s going to be a true test. And it’s a World Championship course. Nothing’s easy when you put World Championships in front of it. So I’ve walked the course I think it’s gonna be tough,” she said.
Great British individual pair Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir, who finished second at Kentucky this spring. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
The 2022 FEI World Championships for Eventing is officially underway after the first horse inspection this afternoon, which saw our field of 90 narrowed down to 89 — and dropped one of our 27 nations out of the hunt entirely. You can read about what happened in full in our report — and keep on scrolling to get a glimpse of this afternoon’s action. This is one of the most beautiful venues in the world, and the equine competitors aren’t too shabby either!
Ears up and smile! Team USA deploys all the tricks for the team photo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Olympic individual silver medallists Tom McEwen and Toledo de Kerser come to Pratoni with a great chance of going one better. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Has there ever been a more photogenic horse? Tamie Smith gives Mai Baum a pat. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do: the Swiss support team gets the ears forward with much joie de vivre. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
The Swiss team, with cross-country coach Andrew Nicholson, pause for the obligatory team snap after a successful trot-up. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Ireland’s Susie Berry and Monbeg by Design. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Sweden’s Sofia Sjoborg and Bryjamolga van het Marienshof Z. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Australia’s Shenae Lowings and Bold Venture, who journeyed to Italy from Down Under for this event. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
The Netherlands’ Sanne de Jong and her homebred Enjoy. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Aachen winners Sandra Auffarth and Viamant du Matz. Sandra became World Champion in 2014 after winning Aachen with Opgun Louvo — can she do it again? Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Ireland’s Sam Watson wrestles with an enthusiastic SAP Talisman. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Groom Natalie Sharp and Cekatinka JRA. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Japan’s Ryuzo Kitajima gives Cekatinka JRA some love. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo, who was second on his five-star debut at Badminton this spring. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Switzerland’s Robin Godel and Grandeur de Lully CH, who won the test event here this spring. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Oliver Townend, wearing a black armband in honour of the late Queen of England, waits with Ballaghmor Class. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Miloslav Prihoda Jr.’s Ferreolus Lat tries a bit of interpretive dance on the trot-up strip. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Mike Winter’s El Mundo poses for the cameras. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
He’s the king of the world, but will he be the king of Pratoni? Michael Jung presents fischerChipmunk FRH. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Melody Johner’s Toubleu de Rueire, representing Switzerland, shows the photographers what he thinks of them. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Brazil’s Marcelo Tosi and Glenfly. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Austria’s Lea Siegl laughs as her Tokyo mount DSP Fighting Line, who was 15th at the Olympics, spooks at the photographers. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Badminton winners Laura Collett and London 52. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Several riders are mounted on homebreds this week, and one of those is Belgium’s Lara de Liedekerke-Meier. She’ll ride the nine-year-old Hermione d’Arville. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Thailand’s Korntawat Samran and Uster de Chanay. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Kazuma Tomoto and Vinci de la Vigne, who were fourth at Tokyo last year, come forward on a quest to step aboard the podium. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Belgium’s Karin Donckers and Fletcha van’t Verahof are among the most experienced pairs in the field, with a wealth of championship mileage behind them. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Canada’s Karl Slezak presents Fernhill Wishes. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Olympic individual gold medallists Julia Krajewski, in a sharp military uniform, and Amande de b’Neville. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
The Netherlands’ Jordy Wilken and his stalwart partner, Burry Spirit. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Jonelle Price presents McClaren. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Belgium’s Jarno Verwimp, who’s just 21 years old, and Mahalia. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Poland’s Jan Kaminski and Jard. Poland has two representatives in this field, and they’re a real power couple. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Holly Jacks’s Candy King goes for a stroll after a successful presentation. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Canada’s Hawley Bennett Awad shares a moment with 18-year-old Jollybo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Dr Harald Ambros, the flying dentist, presents Mountbatton 2 in traditional Austrian dress. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Denmark will have two riders in this year’s field, both of whom fundraised to get here. Hanne Wind Ramsgaard presents Amequ Torino. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Poland’s Malgorzata Korycka and Canvalencia. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
The Italians know how to dress: Giovanni Ugolotti makes a sharp picture with Duke of Champions. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
British-based Frenchman Gaspard Maksud and nine-year-old Zaragoza. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Sweden’s Frida Andersen and Box Leo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
The French team gather for a squad snap after the trot-up. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
India’s Fouaad Mirza and the former Bettina Hoy ride, Seigneur Medicott. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Luhmühlen CCI5* winner Felix Vogg brings forward his Europeans mount, Cartania. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Ireland’s Felicity Ward and Regal Bounty. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Groom Jess Elliott plants a kiss on Padraig McCarthy’s Fallulah. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Milana 23 goes in for a snuggle with Spain’s Esteban Benitez Valle. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Canada’s Dana Cooke and FE Mississippi, who were a last minute substitution into the squad. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Ireland’s Austin O’Connor stops to enjoy the shade with Colorado Blue. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
New Zealand’s Clarke Johnstone and Menlo Park. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Germany’s Christoph Wahler and Carjatan S will be pathfinders for Germany — and for the entire field. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Brazil’s Carlos Parro and Goliath, who competed at the Tokyo Olympics as a ten-year-old. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Sole Hungarian representatives Balasz Kaisinger and Clover 15. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Ariel Grald gives Leamore Master Plan a cuddle after presenting for the USA. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Spain’s Antonio Cejudo Caro and Duque HSM – perhaps the biggest poser of the Pratoni field. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
New Zealand’s Amanda Pottinger and Just Kidding. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
21-year-old Alina Dibowski and Barbados 26. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
China’s Alex Hua Tian and Don Geniro will represent their nation as individuals this week. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Aistis Vitkauskas and Commander VG come forward as the sole representatives for Lithuania – sporting a special ribbon in support of Ukraine, too. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Christoph Wahler and Carjatan S. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
The first orders of go have been released for the 2022 FEI World Championships for Eventing at Pratoni del Vivaro, and we now know who will lead the way in both the dressage and cross country phases of competition. Show jumping on Sunday will, of course, be held in reverse order of individual standing to determine team and individual medals.
Germany drew the first spot out of the 27 country berths yesterday, and they’ve put forward Christoph Wahler and Carjatan S as their pathfinders. They’ll be the first in front of the dressage judges tomorrow and the first out of the start box on Saturday. The role of pathfinder is no easy feat — you’ve walked the course, but you’re nonetheless essentially riding blind without any visuals on how the track is riding. But Christoph and Carjatan S, who were seventh individually at last year’s European Championships, are a strong cross country pair with slew of clear round experience on their record to call on for this challenge.
The order of go also gives us the first look at the team and individual designations for each country sending a full roster. For pathfinder Germany, Alina Dibowski and Barbados 26, making their World Championships debut, will ride as individuals. This leaves 2014 World Champion Sandra Auffarth (Viamant du Matz), 2010 World Champion Michael Jung (fischerChipmunk FRH), 2020 Olympic Champion Julia Krajewski (Amande de B’Neville), and Christoph as the team.
Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Looking to the rest of the order, some notables include:
Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo will lead off for the Canadians with Mike Winter and El Mundo out last for the team. Dana Cooke and Mississippi will compete as individuals.
For the U.S., Will Coleman will be the pathfinder as the 11th to see with Off the Record. Boyd Martin will anchor with Tsetserleg TSF, and Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan are the individual pair.
The defending British will send Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo first out as 13th to go, while Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir — also making their World Championships debut this week — will ride shortly after as individuals. Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class will anchor Team GB.
Full Thursday dressage times can be found here, while Friday times are here. Cross country times will be released on Friday, but riders will appear in the same order they do for dressage.
We’ll have much more from Pratoni coming your way in a constant drip all week, so keep coming back for more!
Happy Pratoni week! we’re as keyed up as a fit event horse on a runway, so to release some of this nervous excitement we’ve busied ourselves with this World Championships trivia game from our friends at Sterling Essentials.
Use the form below to take our World Championships quiz. We’ll draw a winner from the top scorers on Monday, September 19 to receive a bundle of Sterling Essentials all-natural leather care goodies, perfect for your tack cleaning regimen (or, you know, for starting a new one — no judgement here).
Hint: Most of the questions found below can be answered using our Ultimate Guide or our Form Guide 😉
Disclaimer: This contest is sponsored by Sterling Essentials LLC. All emails collected from entries will be shared with the sponsor, and you may receive marketing emails from EN and Sterling Essentials. We will not share your information outside of these parties, and you may unsubscribe at any point in time.
To play, use the embedded form below or click here. Good luck, and Go Eventing!
