Classic Eventing Nation

Monday Video: Big Burghley Fences, Teeny Tiny Bicycle

By on Aug 29, 2022 5:00 pm -

The whole EN team is completely keyed up and excited for the return of The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials this week (yeah, it’s basically September already! Can you believe it?) and after a two year COVID-induced hiatus I wasn’t sure if anything else could could get me looking forward to streaming Burghley cross country this Saturday even more than I already am. Oddly enough though, this video has done just that — and there isn’t even a single horse in it!

This video features professional Trials Rider, Duncan Shaw of Scotland, as he tackles some of the biggest Burghley fences on his teeny tiny bicycle. Trial Biking is extreme sport where competitors navigate an obstacle course and penalties are awarded for setting foot or hand on the ground. The lowest score at the end of the competition wins. Sounds a little familiar, no?

These fences always look enormous even with a 16.3-hand Warmblood in the frame for reference, but get ready to appreciate their size and scale on a whole new level thanks to this video.

P.S. My sincerest apologies to any Trials Riders out there reading this — I’ve literally just Googled your sport, but I see you and I appreciate you as a fellow participant in a sport of insanity. Come jump more cross country courses!

Real Rider Cup Returns to Fair Hill in Aid of Off-Track Thoroughbreds

By on Aug 29, 2022 3:53 pm -

Thoroughbreds get their chance to shine in the next edition of the Real Rider Cup. Photo by Bethany P Photography.

After an enormously successful inaugural run in Lexington in June, which raised over $90,000, the Real Rider Cup is back — and this time, the charity showjumping event is heading to Fair Hill on September 16. Created by Anita Motion, the show is designed to raise vital funds for ex-racehorses rehabilitation, and features an exciting line-up of riders mounted on off-the-track Thoroughbreds.

Riders include former winner Penelope Miller, who has ridden in four previous Real Rider Cups, will ride once again for Team Racing Media, while fundraiser Keira Nygaard, whose parents Erik and Pavla own and operate Thor-Bred Stables, was among the leaders in Kentucky and comes now to Maryland with her eyes on the top prize. Paddock analyst and host for America’s Day at the Races and Saratoga Live, Maggie Wolfendale Morley, returns for her second Real Rider Cup. 1/ST Racing once again maintains a strong presence with Maryland Jockey Club’s marketing & events manager Brittlan Wall and analyst/broadcaster Kali Francois, among others. MidAtlantic Equine Medical Center also steps to support, furnishing a team of its own. And don’t count out the kids: Team Racing Kids is back with a strong lineup, too.

No one does horse racing like Maryland, and some of the state’s best racehorses will be demonstrating their talent in a new career. Two-time winner of the Maryland Million Turf, multiple stakes winner and earner of $434,801 Phlash Phelps will be in attendance with Sabrina Morris. Multiple stakes placed warhorse Grandiflora, winner of $357,334 will also compete with junior rider Jaidyn Shore in the tack. From outside of Maryland, Maggie Morley will be riding multiple stakes winner Ninety One Assault, who earned $440,283.

There’s plenty of time to get involved to show your support: while the roster of riders is closed, title sponsorships are still available for the Maryland event and riders are actively fundraising to meet their pledges. Spectators are encouraged and there is no cost for admission. Come for the thrilling competition and stay for the lively afterparty! Refreshments will be on hand courtesy of Wesley’s and Spring House Spirits with live music by Release. Learn more and donate today at therealridercup.com!

Burghley’s Back – And Here’s How to Watch It, Wherever You Are

By on Aug 29, 2022 11:00 am -

Pippa Funnell wins Burghley – again. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

We’d never advocate wishing one’s life away — but we’d be telling a dirty rotten fib if we said we haven’t been quietly counting down the days ’til the return of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials here at EN. After three years off the boil, due to that pesky pandemic situation, it’s back and looking better than ever, with a new directorial team, a new course designer in Derek di Grazia, and an exciting field of entries from around the world. In simple terms, what we’ve got here is nigh on a week of live-streaming action to glue ourselves to, and we couldn’t be happier.

Like Badminton this spring, Burghley is running its own streaming subscription service, which will cost £20 ($23.47) for the year and includes plenty of archival content. You’ll not only get wall-to-wall coverage of each phase of this week’s action (including horse inspections!), plus a course preview, behind-the-scenes features, the finale of the Burghley Young Event Horse class, and daily magazine programmes — you’ll also be able to watch highlights shows going back to 1990. To sign up, click here.

British-based viewers won’t have the option of tuning in to Burghley via BBC’s red button service this year, but there will be a two-hour highlights programme broadcast on Sunday, September 4, on BBC2. As always, too, we’ll have boots on the ground covering the event from pillar to post, with in-depth reports and plenty of bonus content lined up each day.

Fancy popping in to catch some of the action live? Advance ticket sales have now ended, but you will be able to pay on the gate. Here’s a look at what you’ll get for your entrance charge each day:

Wednesday 31st August    

16.00  (11.00 a.m. EST) Main Arena: First Horse Inspection

Thursday 1st September

7.30: Gates Open

8.00 – 9.30  Members Only: Breakfast served in the Members’ Enclosure

9.00 – 17.30: Shops Open

9.00 – 17.00 (4.00 a.m. — 12.00 p.m. EST) Main Arena: Dressage

12.30 approx. Main Arena: Yogi Breisner Jumping Masterclass

9.00 – 17.00 Ring 2: LeMieux Pony Club Team Jumping Competition

18.00: Showground Closes

Friday 2nd September

7.30: Gates Open

8.00 – 9.30 Members Only: Breakfast served in the Members’ Enclosure

9.00 – 17.30: Shops Open

9.00 – 17.00 (4.00 a.m. — 12.00 p.m. EST) Main Arena: Dressage

12.30 Main Arena: Carl Hester Dressage Masterclass

9.00 – 17.00 (4.00 a.m. — 12.00 p.m. EST) Ring 2: Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Final

18.00: Showground Closes

Saturday 3rd September

7.30: Gates Open

8.00 – 9.30 Members Only: Breakfast served in the Members’ Enclosure

9.00 – 17.30: Shops Open

10.30 approx: Shetland Pony Grand National

11.00 – 17.00 (6.00 a.m. — 12.00 p.m. EST): Cross Country

18.00: Showground Closes

Sunday 4th September

7.30: Gates Open

8.00 – 9.30 Members Only: Breakfast served in the Members’ Enclosure

9.00 – 17.00: Shops Open

9.00 (4.00 a.m. EST) Main Arena: Final Horse Inspection

10.30 (5.30 a.m. EST) Main Arena: Showjumping

12.00 Main Arena: The Fell Pony Society Display

12.20 Main Arena: Racehorse to Riding Horse (HOYS) Qualifier

13.55 Main Arena: Military Band

14.30 (9.30 a.m. EST) Main Arena: Showjumping

15.25 Main Arena: Parade of Hounds

15.40 (10.40 a.m. EST) Main Arena: Presentation of Prizes

9.00 – 17.00 Ring 2: BSPS Gold Cup Sports Pony Competition

17.00: Showground Closes (No admittance to Burghley Park after 15.30)

Weekend Winners: Great Meadow International, Shepherd Ranch Pony Club H.T., Town Hill Farm H.T.

By on Aug 29, 2022 9:51 am -

It’s been a small but perfectly formed line-up of eventing over the weekend, and notably, a great weekend for double wins, with riders taking home a duo of blues at each of the three events running. Congratulations to Liz Halliday-Sharp, Booli Selmayr, and Jolie Wentworth for getting the job done in fine style!

MARS Great Meadow International: [Website] [Results]

CCI4*-S: Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver (25.6)

CCI3*-S: Liz Halliday-Sharp and Shanroe Cooley (26.1)

CCI2*-S: Alyssa Phillips and Cornelius Bo (27.2)

Preliminary A: Hannah Sue Hollberg and J (23.7)

Preliminary B: Erin Kanara and Windchase Lionstar (27.1)

Piedmont Equine CCI2*-S Under-25: Benjamin Noonan and Street Fighter (31.6)

Piedmont Equine CCI3*-S and CCI4*-S Under-25: Nicholas Beshear and Rio de Janeiro (32.1)

Shepherd Ranch Pony Club H.T. (Santa Ynez, CA): [Website] [Results]

Open Preliminary: Jolie Wentworth and KF Klosterbrau (29.0)

Preliminary/Training: Deborah Rosen and Cascaletto Blue (31.9)

Open Training: Allyson Hartenburg and Karel H (28.3)

Training Rider: Emma Weber and Phiero SR (37.6)

Training/Novice: Ashton Benefiel and Libris Charlotte (32.6)

Novice Rider: Emma Pistone and Paulank Pepper Pot (29.2)

Open Novice: Jolie Wentworth and Denfer du Banney (29.2)

Novice/Beginner Novice: Avery Jones and Manaslu (28.6)

Beginner Novice Rider: Piper Huntley and The Sun Feels Good (30.3)

Open Beginner Novice: Lindsey Smith and Fleeceworks Sprout (21.3)

Open Introductory: Valeska Davis and Veneration (23.7)

FEH Yearling: Sarah Cullum and Cape Fear (89.0)

YEH 4 Year Old: Maxance McManamy and Indelible (85.3)

Town Hill Farm H.T. (Lakeville, CT): [Website] [Results]

Preliminary: Booli Selmayr and Quality Touchdown (45.4)

Training A: Booli Selmayr and Just My Style (28.3)

Training B: Elisabeth Libby and Irish Silk (33.6)

Novice A: Constance Sharp and Hazel Rock Sun (31.7)

Novice B: Anneka Paelinck and Maleficent (35.4)

Novice C: Laura Fazio and Royal Dancer 43 (26.7)

Novice D: Marcia Kulak and Who Can Charm (24.7)

Beginner Novice A: Quinn Ellis and Good Harbour (28.2)

Beginner Novice B: Tara Astacio and Money To Burn (24.4)

Beginner Novice C: Kimberley Sevigny and Cruiser (30.0)

Beginner Novice D: Amie Loring and Excel Star Cast Away (22.7)

Starter A: Elizabeth Sacksteder and Ballylee Comic Storm (31.3)

Starter B: Abigail Reiners and Quincy (24.3)

Starter C: Jillian Hoag and Dark Secret (31.0)

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

By on Aug 29, 2022 8:09 am -

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mia Farley (@_miafarley)

Got a case of the Mondays? Mia Farley illustrates perfectly what that feels like with this, the photo to end all photos. That’s one way to beat the heatwave, I guess!

National Holiday: It’s National Uprising Day in Slovakia. On this day in 1944, the country begin its resistance against the Nazi regime, helping contribute to the fall of the Third Reich.

US Weekend Action:

MARS Great Meadow International: [Website] [Results] [Erin Gilmore Photography] [EN’s Coverage]

Shepherd Ranch Pony Club H.T. (Santa Ynez, CA): [Website] [Results]

Town Hill Farm H.T. (Lakeville, CT): [Website] [Results]

UK Weekend Results:

Land Rover Blair Castle International H.T. (Pitlochry, UK): [Website] [Results]

Scottish Grassroots Eventing Festival at Blair Castle: [Results]

Llanymynech (2): [Results]

Shelford Manor (2): [Results]

Wellington: [Results]

Your Monday Reading List:

Andrew Nicholson’s three-time Burghley winner Avebury was undoubtedly a modern-day legend of the sport. But his arrival into the world was inauspicious — in fact, as it turns out, he was only ever bred as a way to finagle cheaper bills at Andrew’s yard. The unlikely prospect then went on to become one of his rider’s greatest-ever partners. [The strange story of Avebury]

Regular readers of EN will be familiar with Daniel Stewart, whose book excerpts we frequently share. He’s one of the leading equestrian sports psychology pros, and his instructional content has helped so many riders shift their headspace into a more productive place — and even better, he teaches clinics, too! This clinic report gives you a feel for the work he does and how it could help you and your horse. [Fix your mindset to fix your riding]

Did you know that horses can get the hiccups? These diaphragmatic spasms are referred to as ‘thumps’ and are most commonly found in horses who exert themselves at a high level, such as racehorses and eventers. They can actually have an impact on performance, though, so getting familiar with them isn’t a bad idea. [Don’t try to make them drink water upside-down]

Still panicking about the possibility of ulcers? Assuage your stress by learning more about how they form, the symptoms they present, and the treatments used to get rid of them. [Essential reading for horsey folks]

The FutureTrack Follow:

 

I’m loving the Lucinda Green XC Academy for its useful snippets of wisdom — almost all of which are applicable no matter what level you’re at.

Morning Viewing:

Head to Hartpury Horse Trials with vlogger and Horse&Country presenter Rhi:

Liz Halliday-Sharp Takes Dual Victories, Team USA’s Ready to Fly at MARS Great Meadow

By on Aug 28, 2022 9:00 pm -

Cooley Quicksilver proves once again his competitive nature with another 4*-S win. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.

We knew we wouldn’t see every pair going for the notoriously difficult optimum time at MARS Great Meadow International, but a few of the top 10 riders gave it a good crack in the CCI4*-S conclusion this hot, balmy afternoon.

In the end, it would be Liz Halliday-Sharp with The Monster Partnership’s (Ocala Horse Properties, Renee Lane, Deborah Halliday) Cooley Quicksilver (Womanizer – Kylemore Crystal, by Creggan Diamond) who steadily crept up from their starting placing of fifth to take the overall win. She wins by the skin of her teeth on a 25.6 — just one second of time added on cross country — as Team USA member Tamie Smith let the Ahearn family and Eric Markell’s Mai Baum (Loredano 2 – Ramira, by Rike) cruise home to finish on a score of 26.9.

“Monster”, who is 11 this year, has already proven himself to be a competitor: he was fifth at Luhmühlen’s 5* in June, just after winning the tough Lexington 4*-S in April. This is his second 4*-S win, and Liz says the Irish gelding is feeling more professional with each go.

“I was completely thrilled with him,” Liz commented. “It’s his first run back since Luhmühlen, and he just keeps getting better. I mean, he’s only an eleven-year-old, so he’s done quite a lot. But he is still young horse and he was just totally professional in all three phases, and I couldn’t be more pleased with him.”

A 26.5 is a competitive finishing score anywhere in the world, Liz noted. “And that’s something I always strive for.” Liz has penciled the Maryland 5 Star in for both Cooley Quicksilver and her stalwart partner, Deniro Z, also owned by Ocala Horse Properties, who finished inside the top 10 on a score of 36.1.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Shanroe Cooley pick up a win en route to a trip to France this fall. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.

Liz also secured a second win in the 3*-S this weekend with Ocala Horse Properties Shanroe Cooley (Dallas VDL – Shanroe Sapphie), who at seven will aim for October’s FEI World Young Horse Breeding Championships in France. This was a wire-to-wire win for Liz, finishing the weekend without adding any penalties to their dressage score of 26.1.

Partnered with Liz since his four-year-old year, “Dallas” has been tapped for Le Lion for some time now as Liz produced him through the levels. “He just finds it really easy,” she said. “So it’s nice now because I’m going to go to his next run and just tone everything down a little bit since this was the first time I put a bit of pressure into him. And I think that was good for him. Now we can just settle down a little and have a nice run a Stable View [in September]. And then hopefully he’ll go in a really strong position for a lovely young Seven Year Old World Championships.

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum cruised around with just a few seconds of time. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.

Team USA Ticks the Boxes

For the combinations heading to Pratoni for FEI World Championships, today was intended to be a challenge without asking too much of each horse. Chef d’equipe Bobby Costello reaffirmed his role as supporter, noting that each rider knows their horse best and knew the type of ride each needed.

Tamie Smith said she opted to let Mai Baum pick the pace out of the box, saying she was even a bit surprised to see she’d only come home with 6.4 time penalties as she thought they’d just cruised around.

“This is his first run since Badminton,” Tamie said. “And this is kind of what I do before a big Long format…He actually went faster than I expected him to. So I was kind of pleasantly surprised to that I only had six time when I got through the finish flags.”

With a handful of problems scattered around the course but primarily time playing a factor, some riders noted that the course felt somewhat ‘soft’, however Tamie says it suited what she felt her horse needed.

“I don’t think you can really say it’s too soft,” she explained. “Because, for me, I’m not trying to have, you know, a really hard run. I’m just trying to get him thinking and look in between the flags. And that was enough to do out there to get the horses back on their game.”

Ground also played a role in riders’ decision to crank on the gas pedal; several pairs simply opted to withdraw, including second-placed Will Coleman (Chin Champ – Wildera, by Quinar Z) and Hyperion Stud’s Chin Tonic HS. Will had been on the fence on Saturday night regarding cross country today, and opted to save his talented young horse’s legs for another run. Despite the harder summer ground, riders were also complimentary of the organizing and grounds crews’ efforts to aerate and work the track.

“But it’s very challenging anywhere in the Mid Atlantic,” Bobby Costello said of the going. “I think everybody rode their horses very intelligently. The riders rode very smart, quick enough to give their horses a work but nothing crazy. So I was really happy.”

Will Coleman and Off the Record make quick work of a massive brush table on course. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.

Looking to the rest of the U.S. team riders: Will Coleman‘s Pratoni horse, the Off the Record Syndicate’s Off the Record (Arkansas – Drumagoland Bay, by Ard Ohio) is the next highest-placed on the weekend, picking up eight seconds of time but still moving up to third overall on a final score of 31.1. Ariel Grald and Annie Eldridge’s Leamore Master Plan (Master Imp – Ardragh Bash) collected 20 seconds of time to end in 11th on a 38.9. Boyd Martin came home 30 seconds over time with the Turner family’s Tsetserleg, who looked to be skipping around a Novice. Lauren Nicholson brought Ms. Jacqueline Mars’ Vermiculus home clear with 19 seconds of time to finish inside the top 20. Reserve pair Phillip Dutton with the Z Partnership’s Z (Asca Z – Bellabouche, by Babouche VH Gehucht Z) also turned in a steady clear round, amassing 16.8 time penalties.

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.

All Eyes on Pratoni

The riders and grooms will now focus on the long journey that begins this coming Friday, which will take the horses out of USET headquarters in Gladstone, NJ. The Americans are basing in France at Vittel, a venue east of Paris that hosts FEI eventing along with racing, polo, and training facilities. Eventing Elite Program and Team Facilitator aka Logistics Chief and Senior Cat Herder Max Corcoran along with Bobby Costello chose the venue while at Aachen earlier this summer, describing it as having all the facilities the team would need for final training: including ample opportunity for show jumping practice on grass.

It’s an established fact that the horses going to Pratoni have experience jumping on grass. Most jumped around Badminton this year, and they’ve all at some point competed at venues such as Carolina International and Red Hills here in the States, both of which have historically held show jumping on grass. But jumping on grass is not something we do much in this country, especially once you leave the lower level events in search of higher level offerings.

For his part, Bobby isn’t particularly fazed: “Honestly, we jump on grass all the time at my farm!” he laughed.

Most of the horses on the squad have clear rounds on grass on their records, but Bobby acknowledges the fact that this weekend, with its show jumping on groomed footing held ahead of cross country, would leave some space for necessary practice in France.

“I believe all of these horses that are on the squad have jumped and jumped well on grass, so I’m not overly concerned,” he said. “Also, the footing there is kind of an ash base, so I think it will not be overly slick conditions should they get some moisture. And we definitely will be jumping on grass while we’re training in France.”

It’s been an intense experience for Bobby, who was appointed Interim Chef d’Equipe in April of this year, a role last held by Erik Duvander. While Erik still works privately with most of the riders on the squad for Pratoni, Bobby’s the one steering the ship. While it may not have been on his to-do list in the moment, Bobby’s extensive experience lends itself well to this role: he’s competed at the Olympic level of the sport, working with multiple coaches and Chefs during these years, held positions on countless committees and leadership boards, and has acted as a High Performance selector. In many ways, one could surmise it was the next logical step for someone who is already quite well-respected within the community.

“I honestly didn’t know, going into it, exactly what it was going to take for me to do this job successfully,” he elaborated. “I’ve been lucky that I’ve seen every single part of [the sport], so nothing has been a surprise. But, no one has done this job strictly just as a Chef d’Equipe. You’re slightly one step removed, kind of looking in and being of support when it’s necessary. And kind of knowing when to step back because riders know their programs are working on all cylinders. I guess I didn’t know exactly what it would be like, but I’ve been very, very happy with the experience.”

Only time will tell if Bobby will consider keeping the position after Pratoni — for now, he’s contracted to lead the team to Italy, and he says he’s keeping an open mind but focusing on the task at hand first. The role is tough: there are many more weekends spent away from home, more pressure, more expectations. Bobby, who says he really enjoys working with riders as a coach, says he wants to ensure that he gives a lot of thought to what he wants to do next.

“I actually don’t think I’m going to know until I’m on the other side of Pratoni,” he said. “At least in the last several years, this has not been the ‘master plan’ for me. I truly love a lot of the coaching and helping riders at the upper levels, and I get a lot out of that. And in all honesty, that will be a big question: am I willing to give a little bit of that up?”

Overall, for Bobby this final outing for the U.S. squad ticked the boxes. “I think overall it was a really good prep event,” he explained. “I could not have been happier with the way the horses looked in the dressage. We all have in mind what their scoring potential is, and I think all the horses are right in that zone. Show jumping for the most part was good, but there were a couple of horses that underperformed a bit. But I think it will only make those riders go home and really give some thought to what needs to be tweaked — and I think it really is just more of a tweak. Today [cross country] I think went very well. I think everybody rode their horses very intelligently. I left it, after discussions with the riders, very much in their hands. I think they know I trust their judgement, and they all want to be very competitive in Pratoni. They knew the rides they needed to give their horses today and I am in full support.”

We still await the final confirmation of which four pairs will make up the U.S. team and which pair will compete as an individual — we can expect that announcement sometime between now and the final entry deadline of September 5.

It’s been a hot, balmy weekend at Great Meadow, but I had an absolute blast as always. I’ll leave you with some social media missives below, but in the meantime thank you for following along with us all weekend. Next up, Tilly Berendt will make a quick pit stop at a little event called Burghley before she heads to Pratoni the following week, so stay tuned right here on EN for all the eventing coverage you can handle and a whole lot you don’t need.

As always, #goeventing.

#MARSGMI: 
[Website] [ Final Scores] [Live Stream Replay][Erin Gilmore Photography] [EN’s Coverage]

Germany’s Katharina Tietz Finds Success in Strzegom Summer CCI4*-S

By on Aug 28, 2022 6:02 pm -

CCI4*-S winners Katharina Tietz & Chapeau Claque 49. Photo by Leszek Wójcik.

Meanwhile in Poland, yet another CCI4* event has wrapped up: Strzegom Summer Tour. Katharina Tietz of Germany won the class with the 9-year-old Chapeau Claque 49, and was third as well with Aspen T.

With Chapeau Claque 49 she was eighth after dressage, had one down in the jumping and galloped for the win with a clear cross-country round, only two seconds over the optimum time. She finished third with Aspen T. They were in the 16th position after the first trial and went up nine places after keeping all the jumps up in the second one. She reached the finish of the cross-country with additional penalties for time.

Second place went to Sanne De Jong with Jersey MBF. The Dutch rider was 6th after dressage and only added time faults later on – for two seconds in the jumping and 18 in the cross country.

Libussa Lübbeke and Darcy F placed 4th the CCI4*-S. Photo by Leszek Wójcik.

Almost 300 horses competed at the event, representing 12 countries. The competitors faced four international short-format competitions and three national classes.

In the 3*-S the win belonged to Anna Siemer (GER) with Lillybelle EA, who secured her victory after a clear jumping round. Second place went to Polish rider Wiktoria Knap with Quintus 134, who stayed in this position throughout three trials. Third went to Germany’s Anna Lena Schaaf with Cocolares, going up from the seventh overnight.

The winner of the 2*-S was Germany’s Jan Matthias aboard Ibsen 27. He took the lead after the cross country and went clear on today’s jumping course. Second went to the Netherlands’ Sanne de Jong with Larosaleen W, and third to her compatriot Janneke Boonzaaijer with Mirage.

The 1*-Intro finished with the victory of Willemina Van Der Goes-Petter (NED) with Legende P. Polish rider Kalina Kasak with Primavera was second, and Germany’s Isabella Von Roeder with Bob – third.

CCI4*-S Final Top 10:

Blair Castle: Astier Nicolas Wins CCI4*-S, Caroline Martin Finishes 5th

By on Aug 28, 2022 2:27 pm -

The Land Rover Blair Castle Horse Trials concluded today, with victors crowned across one- through four-star levels. In the CCI4*-L, Tom McEwen and Luna Mist kept their #1 spot through show jumping for the win, as did overnight CCI4*-L leaders Astier Nicolas and Babylon de Gamma through cross country.

The U.S. sole representative Caroline Martin had two horses in the CCI4*-S. She collected 8.4 time penalties on today’s cross country to move another spot up into fifth with Islandwood Captain Jack, while Redfield Champion was eliminated cross country.

View complete final scores here.

Four-star (S)

The four-star short-format concluded today with the influential cross-country phase. France’s Astier Nicolas and Babylon de Gamma retained their overnight lead to win the Scottish Open Champion title, one they also won here in 2019, finishing as runners-up last year. The pair sped around the cross-country track which proved challenging for many in the fastest time of the day, seven seconds inside the optimum time, to complete on 27.2.

“He’s just too good,” Astier said of the 11-year-old. “With many horses you use softer bits as they get older but with him I have to go harder – he’s just a rocket. I am amazed by his fitness as he has only had one other run this year due to having had hoof surgery but he has fought his way back and wants to be here. He’s a Blair expert!”

When asked about his thoughts on the cross-country course, Astier commented: “I think it was more difficult than previously but that may be my memory. The courses here can look easy when you first walk them because, if the fences were on the flat they wouldn’t be too technically difficult, but when you factor in the terrain, which I think is some of the most challenging in the world, they become much more difficult. I love coming here – everyone is very friendly, the landscape is beautiful and the ground is second to none.”

Oliver Townend finished second with Sir John Peace’s As Is, a relatively recent acquisition to his string having been produced by Oliver’s great friend and New Zealand Olympian, Andrew Nicholson. Second out on course, the pair made light work of it and were the only other combination not to incur time or jumping penalties. They completed on their dressage score of 30.2. “He’s top class, he gallops, he jumps, what else can I say?” said Oliver.

Tom McEwen and Mrs Alison Swinburn and John and Chloe Perry’s Brookfield Quality dropped a place and finished third on 34.6 after picking up 6.4 time penalties. Tom, however, was still delighted with the horse whom he has recently taken on from Piggy March who also rides for the Brookfield Stud: “Coming here with him was a fact finding mission really,” admitted Tom.

“Riding a horse who has been ridden by one of the best in the world is a bit nerve wracking to be honest and we’re still getting to know each other. He’s a heck of a character and has a big jump which I’ve had to get used to but I can’t fault the way he’s gone.”

Cross-country pathfinders Wills Oakden and DHI By Design finished fourth on 40.0. The USA’s Caroline Martin, who is currently based with Pippa Funnell, was fifth with Islandwood Captain Jack on 42.9 ahead of Pippa herself with Maybach on 44.0 in sixth. 

Four-star (L)

As was the case in the three-star long, Tom McEwen was in the enviable position of having two show jumps in hand at the top of the leaderboard going into today’s final phase.

Riding Martin Belsham’s mare Luna Mist, he added just .4 of a time fault to take the title on a total score of 32.3. The pair only began their partnership at the start of this season and this was their first outing at this level: “You never know what you’ll have at the end of a three-day event,” said Tom, “and although this was a small class it was a proper test and she’s proved to me that she’s a 5* mare. She made both jumping phases feel easy, particularly today’s show jumping track which was up to height.”

The only fault-free show jumping round of the day, from Oliver Townend and another mare, Paul Ridgeon’s Cooley Rosalent, meant they retained second place. The eight-year-old’s performance also proved to her jockey that she was all that he had thought she was and more: “She’s never felt so good or so spectacular,” said Oliver. “She’s had a great experience over proper 4* tracks and she’s done nothing that tells me she isn’t a 5* horse.” He added that she may well be aimed at Maryland 5* towards the end of the season.

Nini French and her own Time For Harry were third on 54.8 and Louise Harwood with her own Native Spirit Fourth.

Three-star

After today’s final show jumping phase, Tom McEwen posted another good result for owners Mrs Alison Swinburn, John and Chloe Perry when he retained his overnight lead with their nine-year-old gelding Brookfields Cavalier Cruise. The pair had two show jumps in hand but needed neither and completed on their dressage score of 22.9:

“He’s always been up there after dressage and show jumping at one-day events but has never really been allowed to have his day as we’ve been saving him a big occasion. It’s great that he’s had it today,” said Tom. “This is actually his first long format event and he really stepped up – for a big boy he’s really well-balanced.”

Behind the pair there was just one fence between the next six-placed riders and the leaderboard was shuffled in what was an exciting final phase.

Sam Ecroyd and his mother’s home-bread Withington climbed a place from third to eventual second after they jumped clear and Max Warburton and Deerpairc Revelry (who had been second after cross-country) rolled a pole and dropped to seventh:

“We came here to get our 4* long-format qualification,” said Sam, “and luckily I’ve always had good rounds here. Withington has been produced very slowly as he’s found it quite tricky to learn how to control his power and agility – he’ll have a good break now and hopefully we’ll have a proper season at 4* level next year.”

Perthshire-based Wills Oakden added to the bounty of rosettes he has collected over the course of the event finishing third with his wife Stephanie’s Cooley Pot of Gold on their dressage score of 39.1: “It’s been a brilliant weekend all round,” he admitted. “I came here knowing I had horses capable of getting into the top 10 in their respective sections and I’m glad it all worked out here as it doesn’t always!”

New Zealand’s Caroline Powell and CBI Aldo rose from ninth to fourth following their clear showjumping round, while Katie Magee and Nelson De La Pomme climbed from 10th to fifth after they also went clear. 

Two-star

The top of the leaderboard changed after every phase during this year’s two-star competition. Dressage leaders Caroline Powell and Tik Top lost their advantage when collecting 5.6 cross-country time penalties, opening the door to dressage runners-up Lucinda Atkinson and Twice Proved.

However, a lowered pole in the showjumping plummeted the pair to eventual fifth, so influential was the final day on the results.

The eventual winners, Wills Oakden and his wife Stephanie’s Keep It Cooley, had been just 0.1 of a penalty behind Lucinda and made no such mistake, jumping an immaculate clear round to take the title.

“This season he’s won two intermediates and was runner up in the three-star short-format at Alnwick Ford. The idea was to bring him here to be as competitive as we could be; he’s a horse we absolutely believe in, and love to bits. I’m very proud of him – he’s a serious machine and has been super all week.

“It’s the first time we’ve had a win here. We had one on Friday in a small class and Steph said, ‘that’s the Blair-duck done, they might start coming now’. Finally we have actually done it.”

Also benefiting from clear rounds were Nina De Haas from the Netherlands, riding JVK Mr Maguire, and Harrison Colling on Trevi Fountain who finished second and third respectively.

One-star section F

Section F concluded this morning with competitors running across country. The final top three all jumped clear inside the time and completed on their respective dressage scores. 

Heading the leaderboard on 28.3 was 18-year-old Maia Fleming from East Lothian with the 18hh Candyman Leanorth who was previously competed up to 3* level by Toots Bartlett:

“It felt like a breeze to be honest,” said Maia. “He made it feel so easy and riding here was a really good experience – it’s a massive atmosphere.”

Maia will now concentrate on horses and target Young Riders classes with Candyman Leanorth next season.

At the other end of the size scale, a 14.1hh pony, Stonehavens Cloud, ridden by Elizabeth Jelfs finished second on 31.5 with Emma Wake and Chrissi third on 33.2. 

CCI4*-L Final Top 10:

CCI4*-S Final Top 10:

CCI3*-L Final Top 10: 

Land Rover Blair Castle International H.T. (Pitlochry, UK): [Website] [Schedule] [Timing & Scoring]

MARS Great Meadow International 4*-S Live Updates

By on Aug 28, 2022 1:11 pm -

The dimensionally imposing Brush Table at fence 9A. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Good afternoon from MARS Great Meadow International! We’re anxiously awaiting the start of the CCI4*-S class, where we’ll see our potential Pratoni World Championship pairs strut their stuff in the hopes of team selection, along with many many other top combinations looking to start their fall season off in style.

Our fearless leader Sally Spickard is on the ground in Virginia and I’ll be bringing you a play-by-play of the action remotely. If you missed the previous two days of action, check out yesterday’s report here.

#MARSGMI: [Website] [Schedule] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Order of Go] [Scoring] [Live Stream] [Volunteer] [Tickets] [Erin Gilmore Photography] [EN’s Coverage]

3:27 PM: Here are your top ten pairs at MARS Great Meadow International! Stay tuned for the full report from Sally a bit later.

3:22 PM: Through the finish flags for Tamie and Lexus aaaannnnd…. they pick up 6.4 time penalties, which means the race car driver Liz Halliday-Sharp and the The Monster Partnership’s Cooley Quicksilver clinch the win! What a fantastic season this pair is having. Tamie wasn’t exactly wasting time, but she’s got a little thing called the World Championships next month to be keeping in mind. These two highly competitive female riders gave us a tense finish to #MARSGMI, that’s for sure.

3:20 PM: A piece of cake through the coffin at fence 17 for Tamie and Lexus — they’re in the home stretch now.

3:19 PM: Argh, one little second over time for Liz and Monster! Tamie is likely going for a nice positive outing before Pratoni, but she’s got 11 seconds in hand over Liz so it’ll still be down to the wire for the win today.

3:18 PM: Liz totally looks like she’s going for it as she encourages Monster on through the MARS Sustainability Bay. Tamie and “Lexus” are easily through 11AB.

3:16 PM: Liz and “Monster” make the 12ABCD complex look like child’s play. With Will and Chin Tonic HS withdrawn, our final pair and leaders after the show jumping, Tamie Smith and Mai Baum are also out on course now! Time sure does fly when you’re watching cross country.

3:13 PM: Now we have Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver on course as well. This pair won the Lexington 4*S held in conjunction with the Kentucky Three-Day Event this spring and then earned a top 5 finish at Luhmühlen 5* the following month. They’re flying so far!

3:12 PM: Boyd Martin and Federman B are also out fo the box and already through 11AB.

3:09 PM: Buck and Carlevo were so fast, they’ve already finished by the time I was catching up typing scores! They’re home clear with 4.4 time penalties. That slots them into 4th provisionally. And whoa! Phillip Dutton and Carlchen, also on course now, slide over the log at 12A. Phillip sits it and they complete the rest of the complex.

3:04 PM: We’re back underway now with Buck Davidson and Carlevo — another alternate pair for Pratoni. This team had such an excellent showing at Kentucky this spring.

3:01 PM: Plot twist! We’ve just heard that second placed Will Coleman and Chin Tonic HS have withdrawn and will not run XC. Ever the consummate horseman, Will is likely saving the young horse’s legs for bigger things this fall. We have a couple other score updates for you too:

  • Tamie Smith and Solaguayre California: 20 jumping penalties, 17.6 time penalties.
  • Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan: clear jumping, 8 time penalties.
  • Kaelen Speck and Charmed Victory: 20 jumping penalties, 30.8 time penalties.
  • Hannah Sue-Hollberg and Carsonstown: 20 jumping penalties, 24.8 time penalties.
  • Lillian Heard had a frangible pin at 4A and then a runout at 4B before retiring.

2:59 PM: Hmm. We’ve just heard that there’s a hold on course for a fence repair at 4AB and Lillian  Heard and Cooley Gentlemen appear to be walking off course at that spot. We didn’t see hat happened, but it looks like the pair is OK but will not continue on course.

2:55 PM: Shoot! Carsonstown doesn’t lock on to the B element of 4AB and Hannah will pick up a 20 there. Ariel and Simon are still going easy but having a great ride andSimon’s tail is still acting like a propeller!

2:54 PM: Hannah Sue-Hollberg and Carsonstown are on course now. Ariel and Simon are having a great steady ride and are through the first water at 11AB.

2:50 PM: Kaelen Speck and Charmed Victory are our newest on course, but they’ve just picked up a refusal at 9B. We’ve also got Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan fresh out of the box, with “Simon” swishing his tail in anticipation of the fences to come. If they go double clear they’ll slot into the clubhouse lead with a 30.9. It’s been a real joy watching this pair blossom and we can’t wait to see them in Pratoni next month.

2:46 PM: Dang! Tamie Smith and Solaguayre California have an early runout of course as well — we haven’t seen them on camera yet. They were the ones tied for fourth with Will, but that won’t be true anymore, sadly. Shannon Lilley and Ideal HX are home with 20 jumping faults from the corner complex plus 19.2 time penalties.

2:44 PM: Liz and Deniro Z ping easily through the GIANT picnic table while Will and Timmy make easy work of the water at 11AB.

2:42 PM: Another exciting pair is on course with us now: it’s Will Coleman again, this time with Pratoni-bound Off The Record. He’s riding a bit out of order, as “Timmy” is currently tied for fourth on a score of 27.9.

2:41 PM: Liz Halliday-Sharp and Ocala Horse Properties’ Deniro Z are on course now and have made easy work of the 9ABC corner complex. Phillip and Z are home with 16.8 time penalties. Shannon Lilley and Ideal HX are through the MARS Sustainability Bay

2:38 PM: Also on course now are Shannon Lilley and Ideal HX, but darn, they pick up a runout at the last of the corners at 9ABC. Boyd indeed gave Thomas a nice easy run: they’re home with 12 time penalties. Phillip and Z are nearing the end of the course and also don’t look to be in a particular rush.

2:34 PM: Our traveling reserve pair for Team USA, Phillip Dutton and Z, are now on course. Heather Gillette and Vincent Chase are home clear with 23.2 time penalties.

2:30 PM: Boyd doesn’t look in a rush to complete the course. He’s just out there have a nice gallop and and easy pre-championships run. Meanwhile, uh-oh, Jennie Brannigan and Global Ex have an early runout on course and Jennie puts her hand up. This is a new partnership — Jennie is temporarily in the irons for Hallie Coon — so Jennie decides to save things for another day.

2:28 PM: Close, but no cigar! Lauren and Patrick take home 2.8 time penalties on top of their lovely clear round. It sure looked like they might have been going for the time. Heather Gillette and Vincent Chase now join us on course while Boyd and “Thomas” near the back third of the course — looking good and clear so far. Doug and Camarillo are home clear with 22 time penalties.

2:25 PM: Here comes a round to watch: Pratoni-bound pair Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg are on course now and through fence 6. Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge are home clear with 21.2 time penalties.

2:23 PM: Whoa! Looks like Camarillo stepped on a bell boot or something in the MARS Sustainability Bay and got a little tripped up — like stepping on your shoelaces. He and Doug scramble a bit over the fence on the way out of the water, but they make it and Doug puts the gas pedal down on the other side. Lauren and “Patrick” are FLYING and get the most beautiful ride through the giant brush and double corners at 9ABC.

2:21 PM: Fresh out of the box, its Lauren Nicholson and Landmark’s Monte Carlo. I’m gassed after a single Beginner Novice course, I don’t know how these riders manage multiple rides, especially at this level.

2:19 PM: Doug Payne is back already — this time with the striking grey Camarillo, this is one of Doug’s younger horses at the level and they’ve already made easy work of the first water . Lindsay and Bacyrouge make easy work of the MARS Sustainability. Tamie and Danito have finished clear with 3.6 time penalties — what an exciting round for that pair! They have the clubhouse lead now on a score of 33.0, ahead of Will and DonDante on a 34.8.

2:15 PM: Tamie and Danito give us a masterclass through the MARS Sustainability Bay and Canada’s Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge are now on course as well.

2:12 PM: Tamie Smith and Danito have joined us and are about halfway around the course already. They’re looking completely on form. Mia Farley and Phelps are home clear and gather just 1.6 time penalties for the second fastest round of the day. OTTB power! Zach Brandt and Direct Advance have also completed the course with their 20 penalties and some time.

2:11 PM: Eek! Our newest on course, Daniel Poulsen and Capability Brown have retired after the horse padded the ground and slid over the log ahead of the down bank at fence 12. They then run by the other elements of this combination and Danielle calls it a day. Bummer!

2:08 PM: Mia Farley is on course now with a very strong and eager Phelps. This is a young horse she’s quite excited about, and I can see why! He’s totally in the zone and locked onto every fence. Mia is getting a real arm workout though, trying to hold him back. He is a former racehorse after all!

2:03 PM: We have our first double clear of the day! Phillip Dutton and OTTB Sea of Clouds have come home bang on the optimum time. I’m a little behind on reporting scores so here’s a couple more:

  • Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle: clear with 2.8 time penalties.
  • Sarah Kuhn and Mr. Cash van de Start: clear with 27.6 time penalties.
  • Doug Payne and Quantum Leap: clear with 5.6 time penalties.
  • Lauren Nicholson and Vermiculus: clear with 7.2 time penalties.
  • Holly Jacks-Smither and Candy King: clear with 16 time penalties.

2:01 PM: We’ve just had word that Zach Brandt and Direct Advance have had an early runout on course — not sure where, as we haven’t seem him on the livestream yet.

1:59 PM: We’ve got Phillip Dutton and Seas of Clouds out on course now and about halfway through, plus Buck Davidson is back with his second ride of the day, Erroll Gobey.

1:55 PM: Ahh! Holly gets tipped forward over the first element of fence 12, but she get’s back in the driver seat just in time for the drop at the B element.

1:53 PM: Holly Jacks-Smither and Candy King, a Pratoni-bound pair for Team Canada, are also on course now and Candy King is another horse excited to get out there today! He’s a bit on the muscle starting out.

1:52 PM: One of our Pratoni-bound pairs Lauren Nicolson and Vermiculus a.k.a. “Bug” are now on course and they’re pinging easily over everything so far! You can tell Bug is pretty stoked to be getting to run and jump — his little Anglo-Arab tail is flying high! Katie Lichten and Yarrow unfortunately pick up a refusal at the jump into the MARS Sustainability Bay and Katie decides to call it a day.

1:48 PM: Our newest pair on course now are Katie Lichten and Yarrow. I have to give Katie and her family a little shout out — they own the beautiful Aquila Farm is Hamilton, Massachusetts which has an amazing cross country schooling field that they keep open to local riders. It’s an incredible resource to have in my area!

1:45 PM: On course now we have Sarah Kuhn and Mr. Cash van de Start along with our CCI5* National Champions Doug Payne and the young Quantum Leap. Erin Kanara and Campground are home clear with 17.6 time penalties, as are Jill and Obos Darko.

1:40 PM: Oh dear, we just caught up with Alina Patterson and Flashback who were our newest on course, but Alina has popped off at, I believe, the fence 12 complex. Alina is up, but visibly bummed and Flashback is taking himself on a little walk back to the stables.

1:36 PM: Jill Thomas and Obos Darko are on course and catch a funky stride to the A element of 9ABC. They then have a runout at the corner B element but they get it on the second try. Meanwhile, Jennie has a bit of a flyer into the MARS Sustainability Bay, but she pops herself back into the tack quickly like the pro she is and carries on.

1:32 PM: Sydney and Q are home with 5.2 time penalties and now we have two additional pairs on course: Erin Kanara and Campground, who are already through the coffin complex at fence 17 cleanly, as well as Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle, another alternate pair for Pratoni.

1:28 PM: Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire, one of the alternate pairs named for the World Championships team, are now on course and looking good so far. Both Will and Buck have now finished the course and picked up some time: 4 time penalties and 12.4 time penalties respectively.

1:22 PM: Will Coleman and his direct reserve horse for Pratoni, DonDante, are out the box and on course now — this pair is in 12th place, so they’re riding out of order since Will has two other rides in this division. Buck and Sorocaima are having a lovely clean ride so far.

1:18 PM: And we’re underway with Buck Davidson and Sorocaima, an 11-year-old Thoroughbred gelding who made his 5* debut with Buck at Kentucky this spring. First out was initially supposed to be Ariel Grald and Forest Gump 124, but they’ve withdrawn. Also withdrawn ahead of XC are Hannah Sue Hollberg and Lukeswell along with Daisy Trayford and Ermintrude.

The actions kicks off at 1:15 PM and in the meantime, let’s review the course:

The cross country track is designed by David O’Connor and takes the 4*-S combinations over a total of 3740 meters with 32 jumping efforts set at 22 numbered questions. The optimum time is 6 minutes, 34 seconds. Well be interested to see if anyone guns for catching the optimum time today over Virginia’s rolling hills especially, as seems to be the case everywhere in the country, over some hard ground. You can view the course below or, if the embedded post does not show up, here. Plus, take a sneak peak and get a little extra insight from Sally’s course preview here.

Take a Walk Around David O’Connor’s CCI4*-S Cross Country Track at MARS Great Meadow

By on Aug 28, 2022 9:00 am -

Fence 18AB, the MARS Sustainability Bay Lobster Trap, features a slightly more forgiving B element than last year’s brush arrowhead.

Fact: The Plains, Virginia wouldn’t be known for being flat. Despite its position early on in the beginnings of the fall season, David O’Connor’s track remains a formidable test for any combination, seasoned or otherwise. This year’s 4*-S track is no exception, and while the general ebb and flow of the track has similarities to its 2021 edition, some questions have been tweaked and added for this year.

You can view the full course below or, if the embedded post does not show up in your browser, here.

The track features 32 jumping efforts across 22 numbered obstacles, set on a 3740 meter track at an optimum time of 6 minutes, 34 seconds. Time is famously difficult to achieve here, and not every rider will be gunning for it to be sure. Many horses here, aside from the Pratoni-bound, will be aiming for big fall Long formats, including the Maryland 5 Star and Pau. Others will be looking for a test of mettle, putting the pedal down to really go for the top of the podium.

To that end, it’s a fascinating task a course designer is assigned: you must, in this instance, be giving enough of a test of World Championship-caliber horses without expending too much effort, be objectively challenging for greener horses or riders to set them up for a positive experience, and be mindful of where the horses are at in their respective fitness programs at this point in the “new” season” — among many, many other factors.

Fortunately here, the terrain provides a significant enough challenge that fitness can be tested. David’s questions frequently ask riders to select their line and commit to it, and while dimensionally it’s not the largest course (though there are a couple of positively massive fences on the track — the Brush Table at fence 9A is particularly top of mind to me), it will provide riders with a healthy amount of data to analyze later.

The dimensionally imposing Brush Table at fence 9A. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Cross country for the CCI4*-S begins today at about 1:30 p.m. EST and can be viewed live with your H&C+ subscription here. The order of go for today can be found here.

#MARSGMI: 
[Website] [Schedule] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Order of Go] [Scoring] [Live Stream] [Volunteer] [Tickets] [Erin Gilmore Photography] [EN’s Coverage]