Classic Eventing Nation

Monday Video: Check Out the Maryland International 3* Cross Country

We can’t always have a livestream of every big event, so it’s thanks to some diehard phone/ camera-wielding eventing fans that we get some excellent glimpses of events around the country that we otherwise might not be able to enjoy from our couches.

Emma Hinke managed to capture nearly every rider in the Maryland International CCI3*-S across Ian Stark’s cross country course on a very soggy day this weekend. Give the video a watch for a look at all the major complexes, including the Badminton-esque broken bridge!

The Maryland International + H.T. (Adamstown, MD): [Website] [Final Scores]

Weekend Winners: Arrowhead, Chatt Hills, Genesee Valley, Huntington Farm, MDHT, Round Top, Coconino

There’s just something magical(ly hot and sweaty) about eventing in the summer, isn’t there?

This week’s Unofficial Low Score Award was hotly contested, but in the end it was Hailey Patno with Quality On Trend, who won their Novice division at Arrowhead H.T. in Billings on a score of 18.9.

Arrowhead H.T. (Billings, MT): [Website] [Results]

Open Preliminary: Alessandra Allen-Shinn and Fool Me Once (24.1)
Open Training: Hailey Patno and Burleigh Grimes (26.6)
Open Novice A: Katherine Van Alstyne and Fun and Games (19.4)
Open Novice B: Hailey Patno and Quality On Trend (18.9)
Open Beginner Novice A: Avery Calder and Lismore (23.1)
Open Beginner Novice B: Ann MacDonald and Rock Rabbit (22.5)
Starter: Ben Nevis and Emma Campbell (20.0)

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (Fairburn, GA): [Website] [Results]

Open Intermediate A: Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Be Cool (26.2)
Open Intermediate B: Liz Halliday-Sharp and Miks Master C (24.4)
Open Preliminary A: Leslie Law and Castle Howard Romeo (24.2)
Open Preliminary B: Liz Halliday-Sharp and Alina SD (30.8)
Preliminary Rider: Solomon Edwards and Graffique (33.7)
Modified Rider: Emma Spring and Fernhill Copas (23.5)
Open Modified: Leslie Law and Really All Good (23.8)
Jr. Training Rider: Olivia Moore and Kubota (36.1)
Open Training A: Joe Meyer and Gold de Riverland (24.4)
Open Training B: Bobby Meyerhoff and Cabin Crimson LF (30.8)
Sr. Training Rider: Henley Fletcher and Fernhill Kujwana (33.1)
Jr. Novice Rider: Katelyn Smith and Lisbane Spartacus (28.6)
Open Novice A: Chelsea King and Olympus (30.1)
Open Novice B: Mary Bess Davis and Mendelssohn (23.6)
Sr. Novice Rider: Molly Adams and Zenith Almost Got Away (26.6)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Julia Bryant and Mac Creiche (26.3)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Carolyn May and Big Bear’s Coriana (34.4)
Open Beginner Novice: Lauren New and Zenith Diamond (30.3)
YEH 4 Year Old: Erin Farrell and Atavious (78.950)
YEH 5 Year Old: Cole William Horn and The Wellerman (83.750)

Genesee Valley Hunt H.T. (Geneseo, NY): [Website] [Results]

Open Training: Katherine Fegan-Organ and Heartbreak Kid (30.1)
Novice A: Carol Kozlowski and Kieran (30.4)
Novice B: Sharla Englerth and Holy Land (38.3)
Beginner Novice A: Emilija Zygelyte and Carriage House Dirk (30.9)
Beginner Novice B: Carolyn Wehle and Scorecat (31.3)
Foxhunter’s: Meg Lloyd and Heracles (26.5)
Intro Junior: Maeve Green and River (36.2)
Open Intro A: Rylee Delaney and Gypsy West (26.5)

Huntington Farm H.T. (South Strafford, VT): [Website] [Results]

Jr. Preliminary: Chloe Johnson and Chilli Bean (38.3)
Open Preliminary: Anna Loschiavo and Fernhill That Guy Jack (37.6)
Jr. Training: Eleanor Winter and Figlio (28.9)
Open Training A: Stephane Jackson and Ballycapple Fernhill (29.7)
Open Training B: Eliza Quigley and Contaro (25.3)
Open Training C: Alexander Conrad and Amore (32.2)
Jr. Novice: Ava Applebaum and FE Bail Me Out (23.6)
Open Novice A: Julia Hulett and Ardeo Krafty Warren (31.4)
Open Novice B: Jane A. Hamlin and Fernhill Nicholas (25.8)
Open Novice C: Alyssa Lapierre and Witten Valley (31.7)
Jr. Beginner Novice: Geneva Rumi and James Bond 007 (31.2)
Open Beginner Novice: Andrea Flannery and The Last Kiss (30.0)

The Maryland International + H.T. (Adamstown, MD): [Website] [Results]

CCI3*-S: Alyssa Phillips and Oskar (33.2)
CCI2*-S: Kirsten Schuitema and One Sly Fox (37.0)
CCI1*-S: Conner Ann Clark and Second Chance McFly (36.9)
Open Intermediate: Jan Byyny and Beautiful Storm (39.2)
Open Preliminary: Lauren Nicholson and Landmark’s Jungle’s Gold (25.3)
Modified Rider: Casey Poe and HHS Tiger Lily (32.3)
Open Modified: Lauren Nicholson and Ziggy Stardust (26.0)
Jr. Open Training: Jacob Rozga and DeAngelo (33.1)
Open Training A: Mackenzie Parks and Mr McGoey (23.9)
Open Training B: Alexa Gartenberg and Cooley Kildaire (31.1)
Training Horse A: Jebb Simpson and Grantstown Coney Street (28.3)
Training Rider B: Susan Gehris and Steddy Eddy (23.3)
Jr. Open Novice A: Abigail McGowan and Mystic Serenade (28.2)
Jr. Open Novice B: Bailey Kent and Scooby Dooby Doo (27.9)
Novice Rider A: Ally Sobera and Casper (32.5)
Novice Rider B: Kelsey Hamilton and Eyes of the World (25.0)
Open Novice A: Kristen Merala and Excel Star Kerry Pippin (28.3)
Open Novice B: Boyd Martin and Fast Forward (30.8)
Open Novice C: Kim Severson and Cooley Corraghy Diamond (24.7)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Gillian Smith and Red Cloud (29.7)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Susan Thompson and Legion of Honor (27.7)
Jr. Beginner Novice: Peyton Travis and Badger (23.2)
Open Beginner Novice A: Jennifer Hoey and Candy Cigarette (27.7)
Open Beginner Novice B: Autumn Rae and C’adagio (24.1)

Round Top H.T. (Castle Rock, CO): [Results]

Training: Madeline Backus and Baratheon (30.9)
Novice: D. Santistevan and Vegas (30.0)
Beginner Novice A: E Sletten and New Song’s Freedom (29.1)
Beginner Novice B: Madeline Backus and Slew the Blues (25.0)
Intro: Mary Guthrie and Lone Maverick (23.8)

Summer Coconino H.T. (Flagstaff, AZ): [Website] [Results]

Preliminary: Heather Drager and Winnsome (48.9)
Open Training: Erin Contino and Handsome Ransom (29.7)
Training Rider: Razieme Iborra and Mother of Dragons (30.7)
Open Novice A: Taylor Lindsten and WonderElla (30.0)
Open Novice B: Laura Worl Kober and Sterling Impression (21.1)
Novice Three-Day: Brittany Caflisch and Balance Due (27.9)
Jr. Beginner Novice: Sierra Warner and Jurisdiction (21.9)
Open Beginner Novice: Eileen Morganthaler and Chicago GS (31.9)
Beginner Novice Three-Day: Jaeli Uselding and My Fair Prince (31.8)
Intro A: Micaela Masino and Buzz (32.7)
Intro B: Jessica Kammeyer and Sully (28.7)
Pre Competition: Carylann Williams and Dem Poco Hancock (22.3)

History Repeats Itself for Red-Hot Swiss Team at Avenches Nations Cup Leg

Team Switzerland are proving to be ‘the ones to watch’, in this year’s FEI Eventing Nations Cup™, after winning both their appearances in the Series. On both occasions the Swiss riders have won both team and individual prizes in the CCIO4*-NC-S. After winning the opening leg in Pratoni (ITA) back in May, this time they delighted their home crowd in Avenches. This promising quartet – three of whom competed in Pratoni, all showed strong two-phase jumping performances, to finish on a score of 127.7.

Just as they had in Pratoni, France had to settle for second spot in Avenches – this time scoring 134.9. There were just four teams competing in this fourth leg of the Nations Cup, and after a disappointing team performance on the cross-country, Germany lagged behind on 216.1 and Italy on 256.4.

A superb double clear in the cross-country and Jumping phases was achieved by Robin Godel, who rode the fastest cross-country clear of the day, adding just 0.4 of a time penalty to his good dressage score. This meant the 23 year old rider, was also a deserving individual winner of the CCIO4*-NC-S. He was also crowned the winner of the Swiss National Championships. Fittingly, he was riding the Swiss-bred horse, Grandeur de Lully CH. The ever-consistent pair climbed from fourth place after the dressage to first after the cross-country.

Also contributing significantly to the team victory and proving that age is irrelevant to eventing success, were 20 year old Nadja Minder and 52 year old Patrik Rüegg, who said “the atmosphere is very special. There were a lot of people on the cross-country. I am proud of our performance today”.

Making up the quartet was 38 year old Mélody Johner who rode her Tokyo Olympic team horse Toubleu de Rueire, to finish fourth individually. She has been riding ‘Toubleu’ since 2020 and describes the 15 year old Selle-Francais gelding as “a very generous and experienced horse”. Johner hopes good results here will put the pair in contention for the FEI Eventing World Championships which will be held in Pratoni from 15-18 September. “I am moved and happy. The cross-country was quite technical. The requirements we have set ourselves up to have now been met. Now we have to continue working”, she said.

The French team led after the dressage phase but lost their edge over the Swiss in the cross-country phase on the basis of time faults. World-renowned course designer, Mike Etherington-Smith built a strong cross-country test which made the most of the natural features and topography, with no riders making the time and only 19 riders out of a total of 36 jumping clear.

The event took place at the Institut Equestre National d’Avenches (IENA) – also the site for last year’s FEI Eventing European Championships as well as the FEI European Pony Championships for Dressage, Eventing and Jumping in 2008. It is on the outskirts of Avenches, the former capital of Roman Helvetia, and is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland.

The overall result means that Italy, who have attended all four legs of the Series are now leading on 245 points, whilst Sweden are in second on 220. Switzerland who have now won both of their appearances are on 200 points which puts them in third place at this early stage of the Nations Cup Series. Le Pin au Haras (FRA) will host the fifth leg which runs from 11-14 August.

Cornelia Dorr and Daytona Beach 8 at Houghton Hall. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

We also had a United States rider represented in the top 10 at Avenches this past weekend. Cornelia Dorr and her Oldenburg mare Daytona Beach 8 finished in 9th place in the CCIO4*.

Since January, Dorr has been based in the UK with McNab Eventing, using the time abroad as an opportunity to further her education. Dorr recognizes that the time away has been good for her and her horses, noting “I think we were just a little stuck in a rut together at home… Kevin [McNab] has been really great helping me with her.”

Originally aiming for Kilguilkey House’s 4*-S in Ireland, a cancellation of the event due to weather led Dorr to enter Avenches instead. Despite the change in plans, Dorr’s homework with Daytona shone through. “She just has a lot of anxiety and adrenaline and she hasn’t had an outlet for it in the dressage… This weekend at Avenches, [Daytona] put in a really quiet test for her, and I think it’s because Kevin’s helping me learn how to test ride. So I have different tactics in the ring now.”

Adding 10.8 time penalties on cross country and picking up two rails in the show jumping to add to her dressage score, Dorr and Daytona have utilized their time abroad to buckle down on homework to deliver results. Looking forward to the upcoming months, there are some exciting plans on the horizon for this U.S. pair.

Gillian Warner contributed to this report.

FEI Nations Cup of Eventing CCIO4*-S (Avenches, Switzerland): [Website] [CCIO4* Leaderboard]

#ICYMI: Courtney Carson and Vandiver Enjoy the Moment at War Horse (and Beat the Boss Man, Too!)

Ever since we got word that #supergroom Courtney Carson would be taking the reins on Doug Payne’s Tokyo and 5* partner, Vandiver, after the 17-year-old Trakehner gelding’s retirement this spring, we’ve been eagerly awaiting this very weekend.

Doug watches Courtney and Vandiver on course.

Courtney and “Quinn” made their first trip out of the start box together in the Modified division at the War Horse Event Series July leg at Carolina Horse Park — and they even won the boss-vs-groom showdown in the division as a bonus.

Courtney, who competed through the former 1* level before she began working for Doug and Jess Payne, had mostly hung up her riding boots — save the all-important fitness and conditioning work she puts on Doug’s horses — to focus on caring for the competition horses. But it has always been at the top of her list to leave the start box on Vandiver, whom she has cared for nearly since the beginning of his time with Doug, just one time.

Photo courtesy of Courtney Carson.

Quinn’s old man mascot even made the occasion! Pictured: Madelyn Leahey, Beasley Turegon, Courtney Carson, and Kelly Lulaj.

It would wind up being a big piece of cake for Courtney, who ticked up the leaderboard after sitting seventh after the first phase and eventually finished the weekend in fourth place on their dressage score of 29. Meanwhile, bossman Doug also competed in the Modified with Wendy Luce’s Cadillac Ranch, but we’re sorry to say he was just no match for Courtney and Vandiver, finishing just behind them in fifth. Better luck next time, Doug.

The next stop for Vandiver will be owner and breeder Debi and John Crowley’s farm in Huntsville, Alabama, where Debi is looking forward to enjoying taking the ride on the horse she’s watched from his first steps all the way to the Olympic stage. And we certainly can’t wait to follow along!

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

What a treat for eventing fans on the hottest weekend of the year so far: spectators at England’s Barbury International Horse Trials got to see 2021 Luhmühlen winners Mollie Summerland and Charly van ter Heiden take a decisive win in the CCI4*-S after delivering a record-setting score of 18.7 (no, that’s not a typo!). Mollie, who has been open about her struggles with the mental pressure of being a young rider in unrelenting glare of the spotlight, certainly sends us all a powerful message with her excellent performances this week: if you give yourself the grace and the space to focus on your horse and yourself, you’ll always come out better and stronger for it. Go get ’em, Molls.

U.S. Weekend Action:

Arrowhead H.T. (Billings, MT): [Website] [Results]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (Fairburn, GA): [Website] [Results]

Genesee Valley Hunt H.T. (Geneseo, NY): [Website] [Results]

Huntington Farm H.T. (South Strafford, VT): [Website] [Results]

The Maryland International + H.T. (Adamstown, MD): [Website] [Results]

Round Top H.T. (Castle Rock, CO): [Results]

Summer Coconino H.T. (Flagstaff, AZ): [Website] [Results]

UK Weekend Results:

Keyflow Feeds Barbury Castle International CCI4*-S (Marlborough, England): [Website] [Results]

Tweseldown (3): [Results]

Buckminster Park: [Results]

Global Eventing Round-Up: 

 

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The FEI Nations Cup series headed to Avenches, the Swiss setting of last year’s European Championships, for the fourth of its nine legs this season — and the crack Swiss team, helmed by coach Andrew Nicholson, continued on with its extraordinary season, taking the team and individual win. This is the second time this year we’ve seen the Swiss attend a Nations Cup, and the second time they’ve made a clean sweep: just as at the Pratoni test event, which they won, we saw Robin Godel  and Grandeur de Lully CH take the individual honours. This is Robin’s third four-star victory of the year.

Now, Italy heads up the series rankings, as they’ve attended all four legs so far and have accumulated 245 points in the process, with prolific series victors Sweden sitting behind them on 220. The Swiss sit third overall but look laser-focused on Pratoni success — and you’d be hard-pushed to want to bet against them doing themselves proud there.

FEI Nations Cup of Eventing CCIO4*-S (Avenches, Switzerland): [Website] [CCIO4* Leaderboard]

Your Morning Reading List:

The UK eventing scene said a sad goodbye to Miranda Filmer, who died last month at the age of just 30 of a rare type of cancer. The ambitious amateur eventer had previously worked for top riders including William Fox-Pitt and Mike Winter, and has already left a legacy even more enduring than her much-loved character: nearly a quarter of a million pounds has been raised for cancer research in her honour. [Check out these heartfelt tributes]

I remember so well being a teenager and wholly occupied with the panic of what I ‘had’ to accomplish before my junior years were over. (Spoiler alert: I had no money, lived in rural Maine, and cleaned stalls in order to ride; I accomplished nothing in my junior career.) I know I’m not the only one — and this essay about the ‘seasons’ of life in the saddle has got me thinking about how the mindset shifts as we get older, but the learning never, ever stops. [One for those of us who’ve moved past quarter-life crises]

Are you focusing on improving your horse’s fitness this season? Whether you’re aiming for a first long-format, or you’ve noticed you struggle to catch the clock in the final minutes of a course, it’s never a bad idea to brush up on your fitness knowledge and put the time into getting him firing on all cylinders. [Jon Holling’s here to help]

The debate about working student positions rages on apace. I enjoyed this piece on COTH, which is packed with anecdotes on the pros and cons of the traditional work-to-learn set-up that most of us have gone through at some point — and I particularly liked the section about Strides for Equality Equestrian and the work the group is doing to increase diversity at this entryway to the professional world. [Lots of hot takes]

Speaking of diversity within the sport, we’re so excited to see that London’s Ebony Horse Club has been named as the official charity for this year’s London International Horse Show. The club, which is based in Brixton, has provided access to horses and ponies for countless inner-city kids, and many of them — including Magnolia Cup winner Khadijah Mellah — have gone on to make great waves in the sport and pursue careers in equestrian industries, too. [A worthy recipient]

The FutureTrack Follow:

 

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Like a bit of high fashion with your horsing around? Give British supermodel and four-star eventer Edie Campbell a follow.

Morning Viewing:

Rewatch Avenches’s cross-country action — over one of the most stunning courses in the world, no less.

 

Sunday Links

Mary Hutchins surveys her domain earlier this spring. Photo by Joan Davis/ FlatlandsFoto.

Today we’d like to give a very special shoutout to Mary Hutchins, who spent her 90th birthday yesterday judging stadium jumping at Huntington Farm H.T.  in Vermont. Mary first discovered eventing in the ’60s and learned how to score at the Green Mountain Horse Association (GMHA) and she took part in Huntington Farm’s vert first horse trials in 1969. Since then she has become a fixture of Area 1’s eventing scene, been certified as a technical delegate and course designer, travels annually to volunteer at Kentucky and Fair Hill, and received the prestigious Wofford Cup in 2016. Happy Birthday, Mary, and thanks for all you do!

U.S. Weekend Action

Arrowhead H.T. (Billings, MT): [Website] [Volunteer] [Ride Times/Scores]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (Fairburn, GA): [Website] [Entry Status] [Scores] [Volunteer]

Genesee Valley Hunt H.T. (Geneseo, NY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scores]

Huntington Farm H.T. (South Strafford, VT): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

The Maryland International + H.T. (Adamstown, MD): [Website] [Entry Status] [Scores] [Volunteer]

Round Top H.T. (Castle Rock, CO): [Scores]

Summer Coconino H.T. (Flagstaff, AZ): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scores] [Volunteer]

Major International Events

FEI Nations Cup of Eventing CCIO4*-S (Avenches, Switzerland): [Website] [Schedule] [CCIO4* Leaderboard] [Live Stream]

Keyflow Feeds Barbury Castle International CCI4*-S (Marlborough, England): [Website] [Entries/Times/Scores] [Live Stream]

Sunday Links:

Lost in Translation: Why “Drive With Your Seat Bones” Was Probably Not What the Classical Authorities of the Sport Were Telling Us to Do

The Importance of Finding the Right Bit for Your Horse

12 Students Participate in MET Grant Week at Stonewall Farm

Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Watchdog Site Launched by Animal Wellness Groups

Breakage concerns prompt recall of Nathe horse bits

Saturday Video: Raise your hand if crossed flags have saved you a TE!

Sport Horse Nation Spotlight: Baby Fever

In the market for a new four-legged partner? You may find your unicorn on our sister site, Sport Horse Nation. To help with the search, we’re going to feature a selection of current listings here on EN. We include the ad copy provided; click the links for videos, pricing and contact information.

Got baby fever? Don’t worry — we aren’t talking about the goo-goo gah-gah, spit-up-spewing, diaper-filling, sleep-deprivation-inducing variety. We’re talking about lil baby horses, ranging all the way from still-in-mum’s-tum to toddler-ific four-year-old future superstars. Coincidentally all four horses we’re featuring this week are Irish: three Connemaras (ages in-utero, four and four) and one Irish Sport Horse foal. Squee! Come check them out.

Photo via SHN.

Connemara Sport Horse In-Utero TBS Declan Pondi x Flexible x Grange Finn Sparrow

2023 Connemara Sport Horse foal in-utero by the eventing & foxhunting stallion, *TBS Declan Pondi, and out of Brambleridge Reflexion (Flexible x Sparrow’s Tiptoes x *Grange Finn Sparrow).

This foal should have an ammie friendly temperament and be a super athlete with loads of scope over fences. An ideal youngster for an AA with aspirations or a professional looking for something to take up the levels.

Declan is successfully competing at Training level with his AA owner and has a number of wins under his belt, mostly on his dressage score in the 20’s. He has not been shown a lot the last couple of years but consistently finishes in the ribbons and is usually at the top of the leaderboards with GDCTA, Area III Eventing and the USEA/ACPS Connemara HOTY awards. He is a sensible, willing pony and passes on his temperament.

Brambleridge Reflexion, ‘Pippi’, unfortunately had her career cut short by a foaling injury with her first foal. Her full brother, Brambleridge Flex Ability, is eventing in Australia with Advanced rider, Katlyn McMorris Fletcher. Obviously her sire, Flexible, needs little introduction – most people know the story of the little show jumping powerhouse and his Olympic & World Cup fairytale stories. Flexible’s sire, Cruising, is internationally renowned for siring some of the best eventers and show jumpers in the world, often having offspring on multiple teams at the Olympics or at 5*’s throughout the world. Pippi’s damsire, *Grange Finn Sparrow, was a sire of prolific eventers and sport horses in his own right, siring the 5* horse Sparrow’s Nio and a good number of other Advanced level eventers.

This foal should mature in the 15.2-15.3 hd range and will be a powerhouse over fences.

More info at www.fadetogreyfarm.com

Photo via SHN.

Traditionally Bred ISH Filly by Flagmount’s Freedom x Grange Finn Sparrow

BRS Flagmount’s Kestrel – 2022 buckskin (grey) traditionally bred Irish Sport Horse filly with a pedigree full of successful event horses and show jumpers.

She is by the RID x TB stallion, Flagmount’s Freedom by Flagmount King, an Irish Draught stallion that is internationally renowned for siring great show jumpers. Flag competed well into his late teens and holds an eventing record through the Intermediate/*** level. He has already proven himself a consistent producer of upper level event horses with many competing with their AA owners at Preliminary & Intermediate. He has at least one offspring that has gone advanced. Most recently his youngstock have been cleaning up on the FEH circuit in the midwest.

Kestrel’s dam is by the RID stallion, *Winmaur Sargent Pepper, whom was exported back to England. He himself competed in dressage & in the jumpers, as did his sire, Snowford Bellman. That line goes to Skippy, who is most known for siring the prolific eventing stallion, Jumbo. Jumbo is the leading ‘all time sire’ of competition horses and competing mares in British Eventing. He sired 5* horses including Headley Brittania, Avebury, Mr. Chunky, & Jollybo. Kestrel’s dam is a granddaughter of *Grange Finn Sparrow, a very well known Connemara stallion that sired numerous pony and pony cross eventers including the 5* horse, Sparrow’s Nio. Other Advanced horses include Windswept, Meadow Sparrow, Wil’Ya Love Me, & Galway Blazer. There are too many to count that have competed at Preliminary & Intermediate. Despite siring a relatively small number of foals in the USA he left a big impact on the sport of eventing and we have specialized in carrying the line on.

Kestrel has a ground covering, effortless gallop and a lofty trot with good push from behind. She has clean, straight limbs, a well set on neck with a good length of rein and a powerful hindquarter. We expect her to mature around 16 hands. She is level headed and easy to handle. Her full sister was purchased by a syndicate for 5* rider, Allie Sacksen.

This filly shows a lot of promise for sport and has a temperament suitable for an AA with aspirations or a professional that wants to take her up the levels.

She will be ready to go to her new home this fall. We teach all of our foals to lead, tie & load before they go on to their new owners.

More info at www.fadetogreyfarm.com

Photo via SHN.

Loads of Potential! Oversized Imported Connemara Pony

Finnegan 4 year old 15h purebred Connemara import. He’s ready to go in any direction. Don’t let his age fool you, Finn is an old soul in a young model. He has never put a hoof wrong and takes everything asked of him in stride. Finn loves attention, grooming, kisses and truly is a barn favorite. His sweet face and long eyelashes will melt your heart. He wants to please his rider and has a very laid back personality. His unique dark gray color will get you noticed in the ring. A pleasure to work with on the ground and under saddle with a very willing attitude. Brave and talented over fences with textbook form. Finn has been started slowly and correctly. Lots of trail riding, hacking, bareback rides, and off property experiences…he loves it all. Just went to his first 3 phase last weekend and finished on his dressage score of a 22.7! No vices, easy keeper, UTD on everything, full vetting with X-rays done prior to import, located outside of Cleveland, OH.

Photo via SHN.

Quiet and Talented 4yo Connemara Gelding

‘Gold to Blue Fritz Cracker’ is a 4yo 15.1h Irish Connemara gelding. He is one of the most quiet and easy 4yo’s we’ve ever had, nothing phases him. He has been produced in Ireland slowly and correctly the last couple months with the Gold to Blue team and is ready for his new adventure stateside.
He is easy and uncomplicated on the flat and over fences, absolutely loves XC and hacks down the road alone or w friends.. Will start his competitive career in Ireland with my team until sold.

Priced in the lower mid 5’s (all import costs included in this) and comes with my 30 day happiness guarantee offered on every Gold to Blue horse.

Comes w full set of x-rays and 5 stage vetting.

More Connemaras available www.goldtobluesporthorses.com

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

Now that there’s been a party, it’s officially official! Michael Jung and Faye Füllgraebe were legally married in a civil ceremony last year, but celebrated in style amongst their friends and family with a beautiful ceremony and reception held at the Jung family farm earlier this week.

We have just one very important question for the happy couple: who got the honor of ring bearer? Their son Lio or La Biosthetique Sam? (We’re not so secretly hoping for the later.)

U.S. Weekend Action

Arrowhead H.T. (Billings, MT): [Website] [Volunteer] [Ride Times/Scores]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (Fairburn, GA): [Website] [Entry Status] [Scores] [Volunteer]

Genesee Valley Hunt H.T. (Geneseo, NY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scores]

Huntington Farm H.T. (South Strafford, VT): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

The Maryland International + H.T. (Adamstown, MD): [Website] [Entry Status] [Scores] [Volunteer]

Round Top H.T. (Castle Rock, CO): [Scores]

Summer Coconino H.T. (Flagstaff, AZ): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scores] [Volunteer]

Major International Events

FEI Nations Cup of Eventing CCIO4*-S (Avenches, Switzerland): [Website] [Schedule] [CCIO4* Leaderboard] [Live Stream]

Keyflow Feeds Barbury Castle International CCI4*-S (Marlborough, England): [Website] [Entries/Times/Scores] [Live Stream]

Saturday Links:

Do Working Student Programs Still Work?

Fit for Dressage: The Case for Grace and Lightness

The Wesko Foundation Bramham De-Brief

Maryland Horse Industry Board’s visit to Ireland strengthens ties with Ireland’s equine sector

Meet the USEA Areas: Area VI

This Week from World Equestrian Brands: Have you heard about the Equilibrium Massage Hotspot? This handheld tool is a great was to bring the benefits of both heat and massage therapy to sensitive horses (or yourself!) Even better? You can win one! Check out the giveaway details here.

Saturday Video: The FEI Nations Cup is in Switzerland this weekend!

Friday Video: From the Ground Up with Elisa Wallace

We’re big fans of Elisa Wallace’s vlog because it gives us a chance to go behind the scenes at big international events — but we also enjoy following along as Elisa puts in the time with the young or green horses she has in her program.

You can always depend on Elisa to have one or a few horses she’s working with at various stages in their training, and in her latest vlog we meet Dobby, a three-year-old Thoroughbred she’s had since he was a yearling. Slow and steady is the name of the game, and in this video we get to see Dobby’s first experience with a saddle on.

Turn the volume up and gather some pointers as Elisa walks us through her process, what she’s looking for from the horse, and what she learned about him in this session — then give her a follow on YouTube for more content.

Scenes from Avenches: FEI Nations Cup Dressage Concludes

France’s Maxime Livio and Raphael Cochet have taken the top two places in the dressage event of the FEI Nations Cup Eventing at the site of the 2021 European Championships in Switzerland.

The French team is off to a great start at the fourth stage of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup in Avenches. Maxime Livio with Elvis de Hus Z and Raphael Cochet with Difda du Very lead the way. Germany’s Elena Otto-Erley with Fines Fellow is third in the provisional individual ranking. The Swiss rider Robin Godel made an excellent start to the competition by placing fourth after the dressage with his faithful Grandeur de Lully. An individual performance that brings the Swiss team up to third place in the provisional team ranking.

Photo courtesy of Institut Equestre National Avenches.

There is no stopping Maxime Livio as he is also ranked first in the CCI3*-S category with Joel. He is followed by the Australian Kevin McNab with Vidalgo and the Swiss Anna Ilg with Cornflake Royal. Switzerland’s Felix Vogg, fresh off his win at Luhmühlen in June, took first place in the CCI2*-S class with Dao de l’Ocean.

But nothing is decided yet and all the athletes are preparing for the long awaited cross-country race which will take place tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. local / 7:00 a.m. EST on the racecourse. “The course is very similar to the one of last year’s European Championship. It is beautiful, but there are some combinations that are more difficult,” explains Robin Godel.

You can view the schedule here and follow along on the FEI YouTube channel tomorrow here.

FEI Nations Cup of Eventing CCIO4*-S (Avenches, Switzerland): [Website] [Schedule] [CCIO4* Leaderboard] [Live Stream]

Enjoy some scenes from the beautiful Avenches venue: