Classic Eventing Nation

Get Your Eyes on the Prize with Jack Le Goff

By on Aug 3, 2022 1:00 pm -

Jack Le Goff and Image on their way to a team bronze medal at the Rome Olympics in 1960. Photo courtesy of Jack Le Goff.

Whether it is on the flat in a dressage ring, in a show-jumping ring, or on a cross-country course, the eyes are the first and most important tool that a rider has. Most of my life, I have heard instructors yelling, “Keep your eyes up.” Of course, that is true, but do their students know why they are being asked to do this? There is more to it than just saying the words. The eyes should anticipate the track you are following for jumping fences, just enough to make sure you are on the track you walked for riding your course. In dressage, your eyes should be only a few strides ahead as the speed is slow and you know the geometry of the figures in the dressage arena. If you turn your head too much to one side, you are likely to get your horse off the track that you are supposed to follow. One word of caution: your head weighs between 20 and 30 pounds. If you move your head over to one side or the other, you will totally alter the balance, the direction, and the straightness. So if you have a bad habit of tilting your head, then I say, “get rid of it!” The habit, that is.

I have said for years that horses will follow your eyes. Nothing is truer because your eyes dictate the desired position needed to make a turn to the rest of your body. Consequently, it has a significant influence on your weight and balance. I have repeatedly used the example of a racecar going downhill as fast as possible and asked students to think what would happen if the driver took his eyes off the road ahead.

There is also one other imperative factor that is related to the use of the eyes and that is the sense of balance. Without getting too involved in physics, let’s accept that the center of gravity is directly under our feet. When moving forward on a horse, the balance is obviously always moving forward directly under you at a 90-degree angle. So if you keep your eyes on that 90-degree angle relative to the ground (center of gravity), you are in the best place to detect if your horse is speeding up, slowing down, or changing his balance or direction. Please experiment. Look down first and see where the center of gravity is, then raise your eyes directly in front of you and look straight ahead so your line of sight is parallel to the ground. This line will always put you at a 90-degree angle from your center of gravity and down to the ground. I would be surprised if you could not feel a remarkable difference. It is like riding a bicycle or driving a car: you will be able to feel, as well as see, whether the horse is staying on a straight line and whether he increases his speed or slows down. I guarantee you will feel it.

Observing horses teaches you a lot of things. When a horse is jumping please concentrate on his eyes and you will be able to tell at which precise moment he sees the jump. You will then see him react to that jump: he will run to it, slow down, or avoid it. The sooner the horse sees the fence, the sooner he will react to it and the more time the rider has to adjust his riding to the horse’s reaction and make the necessary corrections for a successful jump. So get his eyes on the fence as soon as you can…. People have often heard me shout, “Get his eyes on the jump!” The best way to do this is to get him straight in his neck between the reins. 

This excerpt from Horses Came First, Second, and Last by Jack Le Goff is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books (www.HorseandRiderBooks.com). 

First-Ever Burghley Winner – and Pioneer for Women in Equestrian Sport – Anneli Drummond-Hay Dies at Age 84

By on Aug 3, 2022 11:00 am -

Anneli Drummond-Hay (who would go on to be the first-ever winner of Burghley.) when she was just 16 at the European Championships.

It’s with heavy hearts that we share news of the passing of Anneli Drummond-Hay, who died on Sunday at the age of 84. Her passing came after a short bout of illness.

Anneli’s legacy in equestrian sport is extraordinary in its breadth and depth. To eventers, she’s perhaps best known as the first-ever victor of Burghley Horse Trials, which she scooped in 1962 aboard the six-year-old Merely-a-Monarch. She was just 24 years old at the time, but had amassed enough experience to pilot her green gelding to the top spot through a career that began with a decisive victory in the European Pony Championships at the age of 16. Prior to her victory with the young gelding in 1961, she’d already notched up sixth and third place finishes at Badminton Horse Trials with her former top ride, Trident.

By the time she made Monarch’s entry to Burghley, he’d already made it to Grade A showjumping classes — but his experience of horse trials was considerably more limited, and she later told Horse&Hound that his only experience of water jumps was “leaping over puddles in the road”. But they gave themselves such an extraordinary margin in the first phase that by the time they set off for the multi-part cross-country, with its long roads and tracks stints, they were a solid 30 points ahead of their nearest competitors. They had been drawn as last to leave the start box, and as she prepared to start, Anneli was greeted with some news that would dictate her plan for the challenge to come: every competitor before her had fallen, which meant that she could afford the luxury of slowing down and giving her young horse an educational ride where the intensity of the track warranted it.

“I took Monarch carefully and cantered him round – he had a huge stride that just ate up the ground,” she said to H&H. “He was a trifle spooky, but he cleared everything, including the stone wall located at the bottom of a deep ditch, a bullfinch, and the “bogey” fence, the Trout Hatchery, where a hole in the bottom had caused a lot of the falls. The Trout Hatchery that year consisted of a choice of a high post and rails to the water, or a log with a bigger drop in. I chose the latter option and then squeezed around the side, thus avoiding the troublesome hole.”

Their clear round the next day would secure the win, which they followed up with victory at Badminton the following year by a record-holding 42 points, but as women still weren’t allowed to compete in eventing teams at championships, Anneli opted to switch back to showjumping so that she could make a bid for a place at the Olympics.

By the time the 1964 Tokyo Olympics came around, though, Anneli had put herself in such a strong position across the disciplines that she was shortlisted for all three teams — all with Merely-a-Monarch. They remain the only partnership ever to achieve this and now, as the disciplines have become so distinct and professionalised, it’s enormously unlikely that it’ll ever be repeated. In 1968, they were once again shortlisted for the Olympics, this time just for showjumping, but were left off the team in favour of Marion Mould and the 14.2hh Stroller. That would be their last look-in at an Olympic team, as Anneli was offered a lucrative sponsorship deal shortly thereafter, making her ineligible for Olympic selection under the IOC’s rules at the time, which enforced a strictly amateur competition. In taking that deal, though, Anneli became the first-ever rider to secure funding in this way, creating a model for top-level riders that’s universally in use today.

Anneli Drummond-Hay and Merely-a-Monarch – perhaps the world’s first truly remarkable event horse. Photo courtesy of Badminton Horse Trials.

Many years of success at the top level of showjumping followed, including wins in the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Cup and Hickstead Derby, winning Nations Cup berths at London, Geneva, and Rome, and Grand Prix wins at Brussels, S’Hertogenbosch, Paris, Geneva, Chile, Toronto, Berlin, and many, many more. She was also a prolific winner in Derby classes, taking top honours in Hickstead’s showpiece, as well as Rome twice, Geneva, Berlin, and South Africa twice. Her tours of America also yielded enormous successes, with wins at Madison Square Gardens on her roll of honour.

In 1971, she relocated to South Africa, where she continued to teach and compete, and was awarded a number of honourable accolades — such as British Sportswoman of the Year on three occasions, South African Sportswoman of the Year on eight occasions, the Italian Equestrian Federation’s ‘Premio Caprilli’, and the Cadre Noir’s Golden Spurs. In 2010, she was inducted into the British Horse Society’s Hall of Fame. She also holds the ladies’ high jump record, at a staggering 2.36m, and was actively competing up until her death.

“Anneli set the path for all of us, as female riders, to follow,” says Helen West, British Eventing Chief Executive. “She was a woman who showed the world that women should be included and compete on equal terms with their male counterparts and it is hard to believe there was ever gender inequality when you consider that we are one of the very few sports today where men and women compete on equal terms.

“We all owe so much to Anneli and her legacy lives on with the number of women she will have inspired over the decades to not only ride but to never give up on their dream.  On behalf of myself, the British Eventing Board and our entire membership I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to Anneli’s husband Trevor Bern, their family and friends whom she has left behind.”

Anneli’s legacy is certainly one that’s felt every day by all of us women who get to enjoy competing in one of the only sports that’s truly gender equal — and her family legacy will continue to live on, too, in the form of her great-niece, Izzy Taylor, who continues to show exactly what strong women are made of.

All of us at EN offer our most heartfelt sympathies to those connected with this extraordinary powerhouse of a woman. Anneli, we salute you — and we thank you for all you did.

Hooray for Herning: How to Follow the FEI World Championships for Jumping, Dressage, Para-Dressage, and Vaulting

By on Aug 3, 2022 9:09 am -

We let Chinch watch the dressage, and now he won’t stop asking for an orange tailcoat.

While we’ve still got six weeks to go until the FEI World Championships for Eventing kicks off in Pratoni, we’re hardly short of action on the global stage in the meantime — and this week, all eyes turn to Herning in Denmark, where the World Championships for dressage, para-dressage, vaulting, and showjumping are about to get underway. Most of this week is devoted to settling horses in, training and familiarisation sessions, and horse inspections, and from Saturday, the action will kick off in earnest with the dressage team Grand Prix.

Here’s a look at how the schedule will work for each day of competition at Herning:

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6

11.00 a.m. local time (10.00 a.m. BST/5.00 a.m. EST): FEI World Team Dressage Grand Prix Championship, followed by individuals

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7

10.00 a.m. local time (9.00 a.m. BST/4.00 a.m. EST): FEI World Vaulting Female Championship — Individual Female First Round Technical Test

11.00 a.m. local time (10.00 a.m. BST/5.00 a.m. EST): FEI World Team Dressage Grand Prix Championship, followed by individuals

3.00 p.m. local time (2.00 p.m. BST/9.00 a.m. EST): FEI World Vaulting Male Championship — Individual Male First Round Technical Test

6.00 p.m. local time (5.00 p.m. BST/12.00 p.m. EST): FEI World Vaulting Pas-De-Deux Championship — Pas-De-Deux First Round Freestyle Test

8.oo p.m. local time (7.00 p.m. BST/2.00 p.m. EST): FEI World Dressage Championship — Grand Prix medal ceremony

MONDAY, AUGUST 8

8.30 a.m. local time (7.30 a.m. BST/2.30 a.m. EST): FEI World Vaulting Female Championship — Individual Female First Round Freestyle Test

1.00 p.m. local time (12.00 p.m. BST/7.00 a.m. EST): FEI World Vaulting Male Championship — Individual Male First Round Freestyle Test

1.30 p.m. local time (12.30 p.m. BST/7.30 a.m. EST): FEI World Dressage Championship — Individual Grand Prix Special

3.30 p.m. local time (2.30 p.m. BST/9.30 a.m. EST):FEI World Vaulting Squad Championship — Squad Round Freestyle Test, followed by medal ceremony for squad, female, and male individuals

8.oo p.m. local time (7.00 p.m. BST/2.00 p.m. EST): FEI World Dressage Championship — Grand Prix Special medal ceremony

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10

8.30 a.m. local time (7.30 a.m. BST/2.30 a.m. EST): FEI World Para Dressage Individual Championship — Grade IV

11.00 a.m. local time (10.00 a.m. BST/5.00 a.m. EST): FEI World Team & Individual Jumping Championship — First Competition – Speed

11.00 a.m. local time (10.00 a.m. BST/5.00 a.m. EST): FEI World Vaulting Pas-De-Deux Championship — Pas-De-Deux Final Round Freestyle Test

12.15 p.m. local time (11.15 a.m. BST/6.15 a.m. EST): FEI World Para Dressage Individual Championship — Grade II, followed by Grade IV and Grade II medal ceremonies

1.00 p.m. local time (12.00 p.m. BST/7.00 a.m. EST):FEI World Official Nations Team Vaulting Championship — Nations Team, followed by medal ceremony for Pas de Deux and Nations Team

3.30 p.m. local time (2.30 p.m. BST/9.30 a.m. EST): FEI World Para Dressage Individual Championship — Grade I

5.00 p.m. local time (4.00 p.m. BST/11.00 a.m. EST): Para Dressage Medal Ceremony for Grade I

8.oo p.m. local time (7.00 p.m. BST/2.00 p.m. EST): FEI World Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle Championship

11.00 p.m. local time (10.00 p.m. BST/5.00 p.m. EST): Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle Medal Ceremony

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11

1.00 p.m. local time (12.00 p.m. BST/7.00 a.m. EST): FEI World Team Jumping Championship – Round 1, followed by FEI World Jumping Championship — Individual – Second Competition – Round 1

2.00 p.m. local time (1.00 p.m. BST/8.00 a.m. EST): FEI World Para Dressage Individual Championship — Grade III

5.30 p.m. local time (4.30 p.m. BST/11.30 a.m. EST): FEI World Para Dressage Individual Championship — Grade V, followed by medal ceremonies for Grade III and Grade V

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12

11.00 a.m. local time (10.00 a.m. BST/5.00 a.m. EST): FEI World Para Dressage Team Championship — Grade IV

2.45 p.m. local time (1.45 p.m. BST/8.45 a.m. EST): FEI World Para Dressage Team Championship — Grade II

5.20 p.m. local time (4.20 p.m. BST/11.20 a.m. EST): FEI World Para Dressage Team Championship — Grade I

9.oo p.m. local time (8.00 p.m. BST/3.00 p.m. EST): FEI World Team Jumping Championship — Round 2, followed by Individual — Second Competition – Round 2

11.30 p.m. local time (10.30 p.m. BST/5.30 p.m. EST): Jumping Team Medal Ceremony

SATURDAY, AUGUST 13

11.00 a.m. local time (10.00 a.m. BST/5.00 a.m. EST): FEI World Para Dressage Team Championship — Grade III

2.20 p.m. local time (1.20 p.m. BST/8.20 a.m. EST):FEI World Para Dressage Team Championship — Grade V

8.3o p.m. local time (7.30 p.m. BST/2.30 p.m. EST): Para Dressage Medal Ceremony — Teams

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14

9.00 a.m. local time (8.00 a.m. BST/3.00 a.m. EST): FEI World Para Dressage Individual Championship — Grades IV, II & I

11.30 a.m. local time (10.30 a.m. BST/5.30 a.m. EST): Para Dressage Medal Ceremony for Grade VI, II & I

2.00 p.m. local time (1.00 p.m. BST/8.00 a.m. EST): FEI World Jumping Championship — Final Individual – Third Competition

2.15 p.m. local time (1.15 p.m. BST/8.15 a.m. EST): FEI World Para Dressage Individual Championship — Grades V & III

4.30 p.m. local time (3.30 p.m. BST/10.30 a.m. EST): FEI World Jumping Championship Individual medal ceremony

5.10 p.m. local time (4.10 p.m. BST/11.10 a.m. EST): Para Dressage Medal Ceremony for Grade V & III

HOW TO WATCH

No matter where you are in the world, you’ve got plenty of options for following along with all the action. The primary live-stream provider for the entirety of the event will be FEI TV, which has been absorbed into ClipMyHorse.TV. They’ll provide wall-to-wall livestreams, plus almost immediate on-demand viewing options, across the disciplines, though you will need to take out a subscription or a trial membership to access their coverage. (They’ll also be in charge of the streams from Pratoni, so it’s well worth getting your account sorted now so you’re prepared for the busy autumn season!)

There are a number of non-championship classes going on throughout Herning, too, including small-tour dressage and showjumping classes, and you can sign up to ZibraSport Equest to keep up with these, plus watch masterclasses and Riders Corner interview segments daily.

There’s currently no plan for any of the disciplines to be shown on the BBC’s Red Button service as they have done in previous years, though representatives for the service have said that this could change as we get closer to the start of the action. Keep this page bookmarked and we’ll be sure to update you with any additional coverage options that become available.

Wednesday News & Notes from Haygain

By on Aug 3, 2022 12:01 am -

I’m still consuming as much Mongol Derby content as I can, though the last riders have crossed the finish line. I’ve spent the last week having an internal debate with myself on whether or not I would be tough enough to compete in the Mongol Derby, and while I believe anyone can prepare well for something…I don’t know. I think I might just have to make do with following on Instagram, honestly.

A very special shout goes to a former somewhat-coach of mine, Julie Wolfert, and her friend and student Renee Senter from Kansas City, who completed the Derby over the weekend. Julie picked up a win in the 3*-L at Tryon earlier this spring before her Mongol Derby trip began in earnest, and Renee is part of a small ownership group nicknamed Team Pivot and also including Sheri Gurske that supports Julie and her upper-level partner, SSH Playboy, on their journey to the top. It’s a really cool story, and you’re in luck because we’ll have a full story about how Team Pivot came to be coming your way in the coming weeks.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Area VII Young Rider Benefit H.T. (Centralia, WA): [Website] [Volunteer]

Catalpa Corner Charity H.T. (Iowa City, IA): [Website] [Scoring]

Cobblestone Farms H.T. II (Dexter, MI): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

Early Bird Summer Event at Galway Downs (Temecula, CA): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Flora Lea Farm Mini Event (Medford, NJ): [Website]

Hoosier H.T. (Edinburgh, IN): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Olney Farm H.T. (Joppa, MD): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

River Glen Summer H.T. (New Market, TN): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Spring Gulch H.T. (Littleton, CO): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring]

Major International Events

ECCO FEI World Championships – Herning 2022: [Website] [Schedule & Scoring] [Live Stream]

FEI European Championships for Ponies (Strzegom, Poland): [Website] [Schedule & Entries] [Timing & Scoring] [Live Stream]

Wednesday News & Reading

We’re keeping Kentucky in our thoughts as recovery efforts continue after devastating flooding throughout the eastern regions of the state, many of which are rural. Continued rainfall has made recovery and rescue tough, and to date the death toll is 37 people. To assist those who have been affected by the flooding, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Farm Bureau have joined together to raise funds. You can learn more about this fund and donate here.

The newly-formed USEA Emerging Athlete 21 program seems to be off to a solid start, with a host of clinics scattered around the country offering opportunity for continued education for these top young riders. This week, Bec Braitling is teaching at Holly Hill Farm in Benton, LA, and day one was already full of useful insights. Bec is a well-respected coach out here on the West coast, and her calm and clear demeanor makes it easy to want to learn from here. Check out the full day one report here.

After serving for eight years as the US Equestrian Director of Sport Programs, Will Connell is stepping down following this competition season in November. Formerly a performance director for British Equestrian, Will had worked with the U.S. teams since 2014 and was instrumental in leading the Americans to top finishes across all FEI disciplines. ““I’d been thinking about it a while and decided the time was right to move on,” Will told The Chronicle of the Horse. “I wanted to make sure there was plenty of time for the federation to find the right person and for that person to have long enough in the job ahead of Paris [Olympics in 2024].”

Catching up with former top event horses in their second (or third!) careers is always fascinating, and this week we meet Gonzalo, a former 4* eventer now piloted with Trevor Breen, who picked up a fourth place finish in last weekend’s Longines King George V Gold Cup CSI5*.

Tack Mythbusters from Sterling Essentials: Did you know saddle soap is one of the worst things you can use to clean your saddle? [If the embedded post below does not show up in your browser, view it on Instagram here]

Wednesday Video Break

Take a tour of the Danish location for the ECCO FEI World Championships for Show Jumping, Dressage, Para Dressage, and Vaulting, which kick off this Saturday, August 6:

#TimeTravelTuesday: Take Us Back to Tokyo

By on Aug 2, 2022 3:30 pm -

A year ago, we were wrapping up the action from the postponed Tokyo Olympics, where we saw the crowning of Germany’s Julia Krajewski as the individual gold medalist for eventing and Team Great Britain cleaned up the team gold medal in convincing fashion. It’s quite difficult to believe it’s been a whole year since that magical trip, so I thought it fitting to take a travel back to #Tokyo2020:

Team Poland enjoy a sunset slot in the main arena during my first stop upon deplaning: Arena Familiarization! Photo by Sally Spickard.

Derek di Grazia’s Tokyo Olympic cross country course was cleverly set on an artificial island featuring epic views and even more epic temperatures. While the track at an Olympic Games isn’t dimensionally as large nor as technical as a “true” five-star event, the challenge was thickened by the temperatures and the undulations in the ground — one of Derek’s favorite things to utilize as he designs.

Julia Krajewski begins her weekend with Amande de B’Neville. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Alex Hua Tian debriefs with the team. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Julia Krajewski (Germany) and Amande de B’Neville. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Bea di Grazia sends Lauren Billys some good cheer ahead of her test. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Jesse Campbell runs through his safe words. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Michael Jung and Chipmunk FRH. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Ludwig Svennerstal and Balham Mist. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

After a busy two days of dressage, which featured a shortened test that drew mixed but generally positive reactions, it was time to tackle the challenge ahead on Sea Forest Island…

Lea Siegl and DSP Fighting Line. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Huadong Sun and Lady Chin V’T Moerven Z. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Felix Vogg and Colero. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Joanna Pawlak and Fantastic Freida. Huadong Sun and Lady Chin V’T Moerven Z. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Susanna Bordonne and Imperial Van De Holtakkers. Rafael Mamprin Losano and Fuiloda G. Joanna Pawlak and Fantastic Freida. Huadong Sun and Lady Chin V’T Moerven Z. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Andrew Hoy and Vassily de Lassos. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Doug Payne and Vandiver. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

(This was also the day EN decided to crash for a full day, in true traditional fashion, but we won’t dwell on that)

Once cross country finishes, it feels like an all-out landslide for the finish as the combinations rested and recovered for the trot-up the following day and two rounds of show jumping to determine team and individual medals.

Kazuma Tomoto (JPN) and Vinci De La Vigne. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Tamie Smith (USA) and Mai Baum. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Sandra Auffarth (GER) and Viamant Du Matz. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Doug Payne and Vandiver. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Laura Collett and London 52. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue D’Argouges. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

And then, as the dust settled in the mostly empty stadium, it was time to crown our podium toppers:

A podium finish! Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Has anyone ever seen Oliver Townend jump for joy before?! A historic moment, indeed. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Julia Krajewski and Amande de B’Neville. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Golden Great Britain! Tom McEwen, Laura Collett and Oliver Townend. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

The next Olympic cycle will bring us to Paris in 2024, where the equestrian disciplines will take place July 27 – August 6. But first, we’ll get a glimpse at the first federations to qualify for a Paris berth at the upcoming FEI World Championships for Eventing in Italy next month.

Canadian Team Named for FEI World Championships for Eventing

By on Aug 2, 2022 1:18 pm -

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The Canadian eventing team for the forthcoming FEI World Championships for Eventing at Pratoni del Vivaro (September 14-18) has been released today, and it’s arguably among the strongest Canadian teams we’ve seen in recent memory. Though we don’t yet know which of the five named horses and riders will take the four team berths, and which will come forward as an individual, we can expect to divulge that information closer to the competition itself.

The named horses and riders are as follows:

  • Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo – eighteen-year-old British-bred Sport Horse mare (Jumbo x Polly Coldunnell, by Danzig Connection), owned by the Jolly Syndicate LLC and the rider.
  • Holly Jacks-Smither and Candy King – twelve-year-old British-bred Sport Horse gelding (Grafenstolz x Eye Candy, by Moothyeb), owned by the Candy King Eventing Limited Partnership.
  • Colleen Loach and Vermont – ten-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Van Helsing x Hauptstutbuch Hollywood, by Heraldik), owned by Peter Barry.
  • Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes – thirteen-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Chacoa x KEC Galway Bay, by Gildawn Diamond), owned by Kirk Hoppner and the rider.
  • Mike Winter and El Mundo – thirteen-year-old KWPN gelding (Numero Uno x Calvaro’s Bria Z, by Calvaro F.C.), owned by Jonathan Nelson, Emma Winter and the rider.

The non-travelling reserves for the team are:

  • Dana Cooke and FE Mississippi – twelve-year-old Württemburg mare (Cassini II x Liastra, by Legaat), owned by the FE Mississippi Syndicate LLC.
  • Lisa Marie Fergusson and Honor Me – sixteen-year-old Welsh Sport Horse gelding (Brynarian Brenin x Dream Contessa, breeding unknown), owned by the rider.

Canada will be fighting for a top seven finish at the World Championships, which would secure them a team spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics — a goal that’s very much at the forefront of the squad’s collective mind after a disappointing previous Olympic cycle saw them fail to qualify for Tokyo. There’ll be plenty of fighting to do in Pratoni, but we have high hopes for this exciting line-up.

If you’re looking for all the latest information on Pratoni, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide that’s chock full of the latest coverage, team announcements, and much more. 

#Pratoni2022: Website, Box Office, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Coverage

It’s Here! Meet the U.S. Team Traveling to Pratoni for the FEI World Championships for Eventing

By on Aug 2, 2022 12:52 pm -

Like kids on Christmas, we’re eagerly tearing the wrapping off press release after press release today, and the latest to land in our inboxes is the hottest ticket of them all: Team USA has been announced for next month’s FEI World Championships for Eventing at Pratoni del Vivaro in Rocca di Papa, Italy.

The traveling team to Pratoni for the U.S. will include:

  • Will Coleman (Gordonsville, Va.) and Off The Record, a 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by the Off The Record Syndicate
    • Direct Reserve: Dondante, a 2010 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Team Rebecca, LLC
      Groom: Hailey Burlock
  • Ariel Grald (Southern Pines, N.C.) and Leamore Master Plan, a 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Anne Eldridge
    Groom: Meredith Ferraris
  • Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Tsetserleg TSF, a 2007 Trakehner gelding owned by Christine, Thomas, and Tommie Turner
    Groom: Stephanie Simpson
  • Lauren Nicholson (The Plains, Va.) and Vermiculus, a 2007 Anglo-Arabian gelding owned by Jacqueline Mars
    Groom: Sally Robertson
  • Tamie Smith (Murrieta, Calif.) and Mai Baum, a 2006 German Sport Horse gelding owned by Alexandra Ahearn, Ellen Ahearn, and Eric Markell
    Groom: Alyssa Dobrotin
  • Traveling Reserve: Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and Z, a 2008 Zangersheide gelding owned by Thomas Tierney, Ann Jones, Caroline Moran, David Vos, Evie Dutton, Patricia Vos, and Suzanne Lacy
    Groom: Sydnee Ledyard

The following combinations have been named as alternates, and are listed in alphabetical order:

  • Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle, a 2010 Warmblood gelding owned by Nina and Timothy Gardner
  • Buck Davidson and Carlevo, a 2007 Holsteiner gelding owned by Katherine O’Brien
  • Phillip Dutton and Sea of Clouds, a 2011 Thoroughbred gelding owned by the Sea of Clouds Partnership
  • Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire, a 2010 Oldenburg gelding owned by Carol Stephens
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver, a 2011 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by The Monster Partnership
  • Boyd Martin and Fedarman B, a 2010 KWPN gelding owned by the Annie Goodwin Syndicate

The competition format for Worlds will consist of four (some teams may have three members) team members with one dropped score and one individual combination. These designations will be determined and announced later on. Team USA will converge on MARS Great Meadow International August 24-28 in The Plains, VA for a final Mandatory Outing before shipping out from USET Headquarters in Gladstone.

If you’re looking for all the latest information on Pratoni, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide that’s chock full of the latest coverage, team announcements, and much more. 

#Pratoni2022: Website, Box Office, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Coverage

Rebecca Farm Adds Festival Divisions to AEC Weekend

By on Aug 2, 2022 12:30 pm -

Maddie Lichten and Yarrow. Photo by Shelby Allen.

The 2022 USEA American Eventing Championships are heading west this year, happening over Labor Day weekend (Aug. 30 – Sept. 4) at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, MT. The “eventer’s Super Bowl” each year brings together the top qualified horses and riders from all levels, including the popular $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final. Entries are currently open and will close on Tuesday, August 16.

To provide opportunity for non-AEC-qualified pairs to come and compete, organizers at AEC this year have also added a handful of “Festival” classes, which are recognized divisions that will not fall under the Championship umbrella. Riders may enter Festival divisions from Beginner Novice up through Preliminary.

You can find all of the info you need on entering and getting to AEC here and sneak a peek at 2022 entries here.

Get Your Tickets to the Maryland 5 Star Beginning Today!

By on Aug 2, 2022 10:35 am -

Tim Price and Xavier Faer. Photo by Abby Powell.

After making its spectacular debut last year and being named the Best New Event of 2021 , the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill is set to return to the Fair Hill Special Event Zone in Cecil County, MD, October 13-16. Tickets for the thrilling second edition are on sale now with tailgating options next to the exhilarating Cross-Country phase to become available on August 9.

The Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, one of only two 5* level equestrian events of its kind in the United States and just the seventh worldwide, welcomed a total of 20,886 spectators and 184 competitors that featured four of the top eight eventers in the world or its debut in 2021, when three-time U.S. Olympian Boyd Martin and On Cue made history by claiming the first American victory in any CCI5*-L since 2008. Now, the event’s management team is gearing up for a successful second year with some exciting new additions that will be announced soon!

The four days of eventing competition feature Dressage (Thu-Fri), Cross-Country (Sat) showcasing Ian Stark-designed courses, and Show Jumping (Sun).

In addition to the CCI5*-L, the event also features the USEF CCI3*-L Eventing National Championship. The Maryland 5 Star is also honored to host The Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships Presented by Dubarry of Ireland on Thursday and Friday, showcasing divisions for 4- and 5-year-old horses in what is best described as an equestrian talent search.

Tickets for the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill are on sale now at Maryland5Star.us/tickets. A variety of single and multi-day ticket packages along with exclusive Club and VIP Hospitality packages, General Admission tickets starting at just $15 and much more are available. Reserved Tailgate spots right next to the dynamic Cross-Country action will be available starting August 9.

Click here to purchase your tickets and ticket packages, and we look forward to seeing you in Maryland in October!

Tuesday News & Notes from Ocala Horse Properties

By on Aug 2, 2022 8:29 am -

In the last 4 days we have done The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead➡️Hambro Sport Horses Burgham International…

Posted by Laura Collett Eventing on Sunday, July 31, 2022

I’m not sure anything has ever encapsulated the mid-season vibe quite so deftly as this — Laura Collett‘s account of the many miles she’s driven over the weekend while flitting between three competitions on each end of the country. Are eventers lunatics? Yes, absolutely. But we reckon the good results she’s notched up make it worthwhile.

Events Opening Today: FEH Qualifier at Loch Moy Farm, FEH Championships at Loch Moy Farm, Marlborough H.T, Stone Gate Farm H.T., Otter Creek Fall H.T., Flying Cross Farm H.T., The Event at Skyline, Aspen Farm H.T., Unionville H.T., Tryon Fall Horse Trials

Events Closing Today:Applewood Farm YEH/FEH & Mini Event, Huntington Farm H.T., Ocala Summer H.T. II, Waredaca Farm H.T., Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club H.T., The Event at Archer, Caber Farm H.T.

Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:

Horse nerds, listen up: there’s some fascinating new research into the origin story of horses in the US, and there’s some pretty interesting links between the ponies of Assateague and Chincoteague and Spanish settlers. Lots to sink your teeth into with this one. [All from a solitary molar, too]

If you were at the USPC Championships East over the weekend, you might have spotted a pretty special team. The Brook Hill Pony Club rides exclusively rescue horses, with a wide swathe of unique needs, and many of the kids in the programme are overcoming mental and physical challenges themselves. [We’ll happily root for these guys any day of the week]

Nicola Wilson has released another update on her progress. In it, she shares exciting details about how she’s smashing her own movement goals, and bittersweet details on the horses leaving her yards for pastures new. [Keep on fighting, Nic]

Watch This:

Yesterday, we rewatched the cross-country from the Young Rider European Championships – now, we’re deep-diving into the Junior CCI2*-L track. Sign us up (although we’re far too old).