On April 7, amateur eventer Jennifer Wiedrick suffered a heavy fall that resulted in a break at her C4 vertebrae. Jennifer subsequently underwent surgery to place a rod in her neck and is currently recovering at Shepherd Center, a neurological treatment and rehabilitation facility, in Atlanta, Georgia.
To help support Jennifer’s ongoing recovery, which will likely require skilled nursing for the rest of her life as well as in-home modifications, a GoFundMe has been set up and a benefit clinic will be hosted at Barnstaple South in Ocala this Saturday, June 11. Andrea Davidson and Kyle Carter will be donating their time and the funds collected from the one-day clinic to Jennifer’s recovery fund.
Julie Wiedrick and Webster at the Ocala Jockey Club in 2016. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
“Please join Kyle Carter and myself in a fundraiser clinic for Jennifer Wiedrick this Saturday, June 11 at Barnstaple in Ocala,” Andrea wrote on social media. “The clinic will be 100% donated to Jenny and her family. There is no set amount for the clinic, so please come and show your support.”
If you’d like to ride, please email or direct message Andrea at [email protected]. You must include your preferred clinician and whether you’d like dressage, show jumping, or cross country help. There is no set price for the clinic; rather participants are encouraged to donate what they feel comfortable for their lesson.
We’re pulling hard for Jennifer and her family and will provide further updates on her recovery and ways to help as they are available.
Sarah Bullimore and Corouet. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
After the exciting announcement of the US eventing team for CHIO Aachen, which will take place at the start of July, we’ve got some more line-ups to share with you — and the British certainly aren’t messing around as they prepare to head to Germany. The CCIO4*-S competition at Aachen is historically used as an important selection trial, as well as a hugely prestigious team competition in its own right — and the Brits have opted to send out a field of big guns, including the reigning World Champions Ros Canter and Allstar B, one of the country’s finest ‘young guns’ in Yasmin Ingham, on her second-string horse, and two top-class competitors in Tom McEwen and Toledo de Kerser and Sarah Bullimore and Corouet who’ll be hoping for redemption after uncharacteristic errors at spring five-stars. Here’s how the line-up looks:
Sarah Bullimore and Corouet – 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Balou du Rouet x Lilly Corinne, by Lovis Corinth), owned by Brett Bullimore, the Kew Jumping Syndicate, and the rider
Ros Canter and Allstar B – 17-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Ephebe For Ever x Narenca B, by Ekstein), owned by Caroline Moore and the rider. Direct reserve – Izilot DHI, owned by Alex Moody and the rider.
William Fox-Pitt and Little Fire – 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Graf Top x Heraldiks Angara, by Heraldik), owned by Jennifer Dowling and the rider.
Yasmin Ingham and Rehy DJ – 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Tinaranas Inspector x Rehy Misty, by Big Sink Hope), owned by Moorecroft Limited.
Tom McEwen and Toledo De Kerser – 15-year-old Selle Français gelding (Diamant de Semilly x Ariane du Prieure II, by Papillon Rouge), owned by Fred and Penny Barker, Jane Coppell and Alison McEwen.
The French team has gone for a different tactic, focusing their team strategy on developing exciting young horses — and the nine- and ten-year-olds they’ve selected have delivered some promising results over the last season. It’s a particularly poignant selection for Chaman Dumontceau who, prior to joining the string of Stéphane Landois, was the ride of Thaïs Meheust, who tragically passed away after a riding accident in 2019 at the age of 22.
Here’s the French team in full:
Luc Chateau and Cocorico de l’Ebat – 10-year-old Selle Français stallion (Propriano de l’Ebat x Nela des Bruyeres, by Papillon Rouge), owned by Caroline Queval and the rider
Stéphane Landois and Chaman Dumontceau – 10-year-old Selle Français gelding (Top Berlin du Temple x Cocagne des Pins, by Narcos II), owned by S.C.E.A. Blue Cherry Stable
Camille Lejeune and Good Size des Quatre Chênes – 10-year-old Belgian Sport Horse stallion (King Size x Jamila des Quatre Chenes, by Figaro de Belle), owned by Catherine de Foy
Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza – 9-year-old British-bred Sport Horse (Cevin Z x unknown dam), owned by Jane Young and Martin Thurlow
Benjamin Massié and Climaine de Cacao – 10-year-old Selle Français mare (Captain Paul x Nolis du Bois Heroult, by Trophee du Rozel), owned by Claire Mugnier, Malaurie Marceron, and the rider
Both line-ups will be made up of a four-person team and an individual pair, and this will be decided upon closer to the time of the competition. Keep it locked onto EN for all the latest Aachen updates and, of course, wall-to-wall coverage from the competition itself. Go Eventing!
I’ll let Simon Grieve intro today’s News & Notes, as I think his post from earlier this week will resonate and help others understand why months like Pride month matter. It’s prudent to be cautious not to fall into exploitation — and for me it’s a good reminder to check in and figure out where I can do better with my understanding and ongoing commitment to learning more outside of “awareness months” — but these months are intended to celebrate, educate, and commemorate. Let’s not forget that! We want to celebrate all riders from all types of backgrounds, and everyone has a different story to tell.
There is still time to register for the upcoming US Equestrian DEI Community Conversations, scheduled for Monday, June 13 at 5 p.m. EST. This edition, which is held over Zoom with a panel of speakers, will center around Cultivating Inclusive Spaces for Transgender and Non-Binary Equestrians. You can register for a Zoom invite here. There’s no cost to attend and you do not need to be a US Equestrian member.
During Pride month but equally importantly at all times, understanding our peers who are members of the LGBTQ+ community is key to broadening perspectives. You can take a look back at a previous DEI Community Conversation on exactly this topic here. Want to dive deeper? I find the “How to Be a Better Human” podcast to be on my frequently-played list most weeks and this episode was a great listen.
It’s been a dream year so far for Canadian rider Lindsay Traisnel. She’s traveled from Canada to France and back, cultivating her riding career as she’s gone. Now she operates Windsor Equestrian Centre with her husband and fellow eventer Xavier Traisnel, working together to run the barn and also raise their two daughters. Oh — and she just ran around the Kentucky 4*-S in April, no big deal. Read more about Lindsay here.
Want to improve your body control in the saddle? Me too. Luckily there are a few exercises that are simple to incorporate into your next ride that can help you hone in on this. Read more here.
Watch This on H&C+
Don’t miss the cross country phase of competition at Bramham International on Saturday (June 11)!
“One more water. One more fence, chief. And you are a star.”
You can’t help but love this helmet cam of Ali Fisher and 15hh Irish Sport Horse, Carnivale King. We love the way Ali talks to her horse the whole way ’round the course (and we’re envious of her ability to count strides!). This pair ran clear with time across the country around beautiful South Woodstock, Vermont at the Green Mountain Horse Association’s (GMHA) June event.
One thing to know about GHMA if you’re planing a visit: your horse better be OK with water! As you can see from Emily’s video, one very unique thing about the GMHA property is the mountain stream that winds through it. You always end up crossing it a few times (not all crossings are flagged) on every course. The stream also winds right next to the barns and you can often find competitors hanging out and letting the river to the work of cooling their horses’ legs — you won’t find a more relaxing way to cold hose, I guarantee it!
You thought Memorial Day was the unofficial start of summer, but just ask any Area 1er: summer has only well and truly arrived in the Northeast with the kickoff of GMHA’s June event. GMHA hosts a number of shows across disciplines every year, including three recognized horse trials that take place in June, August, and September. Their banner event, The GMHA Festival of Eventing, which takes place in August, is Area 1’s only FEI event and offers CCI2*-S and CCI3*-S classes as well as national divisions from Beginner Novice through Intermediate (oh yeah, and there’s price money for the Intermediate, 2*, and 3*!) This year they’ve also added an Advanced and Advanced/Intermediate combined test.
There really is something for everyone, so if you’re looking for a scenic, fun event with some cooler temperatures and great ground in the late summer then make sure to put GMHA on your schedule.
Bonus video! Enjoy this romp around the Novice course courtesy of Emily Scott (you can follow her on YouTube here!) and Z Camelot who ran double clear across country.
GMHA June H.T. (South Woodstock, Vt.): [Website] [Results]
Lauren Kieffer and Landmark’s Monte Carlo. Photo by Jenni Autry.
It’s been three years since we’ve seen horses and riders hop over the border to our lovely neighbors in the North and the MARS Bromont CCI. Located at the south end of Quebec, just over the Vermont/Canada border and just to the east of Montreal, Bromont is a slice of eventing paradise and poutine and we can’t wait to be back this week.
Abby Powell will be our eyes on the ground this weekend, and we’ll have loads of action coming your way all weekend. Here are a few need-to-knows as well as a quick preview of the entry list. Want horse stats? Hop over to the USEA’s Fact Facts for a round-up.
This year, a total of 133 entries across two CCI2*-L, a CCI3*-L, CCI4*-L and CCI4*-S divisions will compete, riding dressage before the Ground Jury of Marliyn Payne (USA), Sue Baxter (GBR), Peter Gray (CAN), Bea DiGrazia (USA), Cara Whitham (CAN) and tackling Derek di Grazia’s (assisted by Jay Hambly) cross country track on Saturday.
Bromont also marks the return of the Bromont Rising Grant Program for riders under 25. This program provides funding assistance as well as special coaching, course walks, and lectures at competitions to a handful of young riders who submitted applications. There is also a U25 CCI2*-L with 17 horses and riders entered.
18 combinations will contest the headlining CCI4*-L division, with another 13 entered in the CCI4*-S:
Fresh off a trip to Badminton with Leamore Master Plan, Ariel Grald brings forward the young star Forrest Gump 124, owned by Annie Eldridge, for his first 4*-L
Phillip Dutton will compete Caroline Moran’s Quasi Cool (who made a remarkable recovery from a gruesome eye injury not six months ago), who finished second in the 4*-S at Kentucky in April
Canadian multi-Olympian Jessica Phoenix will compete the stallion Humble GS, owned by Charlotte Schickendanz, as well as Jim Phillips’ Wabbit. She’ll pilot Karl Niemuller’s FE Blackjack in the 4*-S
It will be a 4*-L debut for the 13-year-old Contessa, one of Boyd Martin’s rides owned by Club Contessa
The 2021 Le Lion 7-year-old winner, Cute Girl, who was picked up by Hallie Coon in the off-season, will step up to her first 4*-S with Hallie in the irons
You can preview the full entry list here. We’ll have much more to come all weekend from Bromont, as well as Bramham in the UK, so don’t go anywhere and thanks for following along!
Dressage marks are a reflection of your training — but what if you don’t have access to training all the time? Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Once every two weeks, I trailer over to my dressage coach’s farm for lessons. She’s rarely there. She spends the winter season in Florida, but she has a built-in camera in her arena at her facility in Maryland, which is close to where I live. When I arrive, I tack up and get on my horse, and then I call her. She can see me on her camera, and we proceed with a lesson just as if she were sitting at C.
I was skeptical at first -— I thought that my coach would have to see me and my horses in the flesh from inches away to teach us effectively. Somehow, the separation of the camera would change the dynamic.
In fact, it does not.
Perhaps the only difference is that both teacher and student need to remember to charge their phones before the lesson. Remote lessons feel and work exactly the same way in-person lessons do. There is simultaneity, direct feedback, and the possibility of accessing coaches who live hundreds or thousands of miles away.
The effectiveness of remote communication — whether through Zoom, Google Meet, or some other medium — took almost all of us by surprise during the pandemic. Suddenly people in different time zones could meet simultaneously with remarkable success. Obviously the importance of seamless, efficient platforms is integral -— otherwise, people become frustrated with unclear connections and delays in sound or visuals. But the major lesson from the pandemic about remote meetings was that they are excellent substitutes for in-person meetings.
The equestrian world would do well to embrace this lesson more broadly. I only know three coaches who do remote teaching. Not only could coaches expand their market reach by offering remote services, but students could gain access to so many more experts. There are different ways that people can do remote lessons.
My coach has a camera set up in her arena, so I can just call her on the phone. However, there are also apps like Ridesum, which is conveniently set up for it and has a nice recording option.
On the app, riders can either connect with their coach using two phones (one to record from the ground, and one to speak into) or just one phone (recording from a tripod and connected via Bluetooth headphones to the rider). Users can also record their lessons through the app and then watch them later, which can be a major benefit for learning and review of important concepts. There are also a whole slew of features useful for coaches to keep their busy schedules organized, making Ridesum worth checking out (and no, this isn’t a sponsored post!).
The advent of Zoom has meant that a college student in California can tune into a meeting with a team of researchers in Massachusetts without ever getting on a plane. It took a global pandemic for people to use technology in this way, at least on a regular basis and a major scale. Remote coaching has similar potential, but it has not caught on as much yet.
Apps such as Ride iQ offer access to guided riding, and more coaches are embracing remote coaching — but there’s still a ways to go. A live coaching app like Ridesum has the potential to make equestrian sport and training more accessible for riders at all levels by connecting them with trainers despite their location. Riders gain access to the Ridesum trainer pool with instructors from over 40 countries in every equestrian discipline.
Although it may seem unnatural or less real to have a lesson with a coach who is not physically in your arena, the differences between in-person and remote coaching are negligible. I was skeptical at first, but I liked my coach so much that I wanted to figure out a way to keep working with her. I am glad that I was open to trying the remote lessons because it has made continuity in our training throughout the year possible.
The horse world is known for being set in its ways and rather old-fashioned at times, but this is one area where the possibilities abound if we are open to some change. The technology is at our fingertips.
The equestrian world can be a daunting place, especially for ethnic minority groups who often experience discrimination or acts of microaggression while simply trying to enjoy and succeed in the sport they love. According to British Equestrian, over 96% of riding centres are located in areas with lower-than-average ethnic diversity – and that’s just one of the many gloomy statistics in relation to diversity within equestrianism. Therefore, we find it so encouraging to hear about the work being done to help move towards an industry that is more welcoming for those from under-represented communities.
Jamaican event rider, Lydia Heywood, aside from her achievements in producing horses and competing internationally, is determined to change the demographic of equestrian sport and work towards an industry where everyone can feel welcome and wanted. Lydia is also kept busy with her role as DEI Consultant at the Royal Agricultural University and is impressed by their enthusiasm to make everyone feel welcome. She also has an exciting role at A-Plan Insurance as their Equine Development Executive — and the income helps her to continue competing!
Lydia is the founder of Cool Ridings, a foundation with one very important and wonderful ambition: to celebrate, support, and encourage diversity in the equestrian world.
Members of Cool Ridings receive support to help them perhaps one day represent a developing nation in equestrian sport. There are also opportunities for them to meet and have an exciting day of riding among like-minded equestrian athletes who are also overcoming the industry’s diversity and accessibility barriers.
Photo via Cool Ridings on Instagram.
Lydia supports several other organisations that are working towards similar goals, such as the Ebony Horse Club in Brixton. She also works alongside some major equine organisations to make plans as to how we can increase accessibility and create a more inclusive and diverse industry.
It was wonderful to hear from Lydia and we were lucky to hear more about her experiences while growing up in the equestrian world:
Lydia writes:
“Cool Ridings and I are grateful to work with brands that stand with us in an effort to celebrate and support diverse talent. When I started my equestrian career as a teenager it would be fair to say I felt alienated from my peers at Pony Club and on the showground. Hiding to put my hat on was the norm and I barely watched equestrian sport before the age of 20, which might seem peculiar as a fiercely competitive young rider. The subconscious reason for this was the fact it did not have a global feel as only a handful of nations were represented at the top of our sport.
In 2017 I began representing Jamaica in Eventing and that’s something I knew would inspire others. Ebony Horse Club in Brixton welcomed me to be a Mentor in the same year and the young people were both delighted and taken aback by the fact I represent a nation they resonated with. How do we forge a path for these talented riders to join me I thought… Diversity is lacking enormously, and time is of the essence so whilst not having all the answers I founded Cool Ridings!
Photo via Cool Ridings on Instagram.
I feel that equestrian sport must move with the times to stay relevant and find new sponsors that competition prize funds and event organisers can benefit from. Celebrating and supporting riders with the ability to represent developing nations is powerful. Feeling out of place isn’t a comfortable feeling and buying all the correct kit can be a struggle! I think it’s fair to say as equestrians we all take pride in our appearance and my Mother, Claire, worked all hours to try and cover the costs of having a competitive daughter! Underrepresented riders, in the UK and worldwide, have real buying power which benefits the brands that stand with us.
Incorporating a diverse range of models in marketing campaigns is a very effective way to increase a sense of belonging for underrepresented riders. Recently Cool Ridings aligned with Ariat on a training day with three-time Italian Olympian Vittoria Panizzon, which gave 12 members the chance to gain top tips and friendships. The camaraderie is so heart-warming to see and reinforces my belief that we should aim to have a base where we can all train together. Cool Ridings is in year two and growing quickly, contributions of embroidered team saddle pads from Le Mieux are worn with pride and enable us to have conversations about our community.”
We are so thankful to Lydia for providing such thought-provoking insights into life as an international event rider representing a developing nation.
We’re looking forward to virtually meeting with some member of Cool Ridings in June to have a chat about how they can best promote themselves as equestrian athletes and build relations with sponsors. At the very minimum, equestrian businesses must ensure they provide a safe place for everyone and do not give off any non-intentional exclusive messages. We hope that everyone will join us in celebrating diverse talent so we can build a sport that resembles the world we live in!
Okay, it’s official, we’ve found it: the greatest cross-country outfit the world has ever seen. There have been many moments in my life when I could have benefited from a figurative pair of Big Girl Panties, and as it turns out, putting a literal pair of them on is a great way to find your mojo. I look forward to seeing this trend at the five-star level. Boyd, you up for it?
Are you an aspiring professional, aged 21 or under? If so, don’t miss out on the chance to apply for US Eventing’s Emerging Athletes 21 program, which opens today and could put you on a pathway that’ll change your life. [Get your application in now]
Enormous congratulations to British Olympian Gemma Tattersall and her partner, Gary Stevens. The two tied the knot in an intimate ceremony at Gemma’s parents’ home in East Sussex, and even included their beloved terriers in the proceedings. [Take a break to check out some wedding photos]
Horses: they’re always finding new and creative ways to injure themselves. Take Phillip Dutton’s ride Quasi Cool, for example, who broke his orbital bone after running into a tree. After an extraordinary effort by his vets and home team, he’s back at his best. [Click for the gory details of how they did it]
Eric Smiley is back with another op-ed for Horse&Hound: and this one, on letting horses make mistakes for long-term gain, the importance of being ready vs being qualified, and learned helplessness across the country is well worth a read. [Sometimes, those 20s are key]
The Queen’s jubilee took place over the weekend in the UK. A lifelong horsewoman in her own right, she was honoured with a number of celebrations that referenced her love for riding — and plenty of media retrospectives, too, including this look back at some of her favourite horses over the years. [Do royal horses poo gold?]
Just when you thought the perfect job doesn’t exist…Ride iQ is hiring a part time Social Media Marketer! If you’re an equestrian with a strong background in creating and implementing content strategies on social channels, this role could be a good fit for you! Ride iQ is a high-growth business with a lean team, so the best fit for this position will be a proactive, creative person who takes initiative and enjoys startup environments! If you’re interested, email your resume to [email protected].
Listen to This: Check out the latest episode of the USEA podcast, in which Dr Paul Haefner discusses how you can implement sports psychology practices into your daily riding.
Watch This:
Take a spin around GMHA’s Novice track:
Got an ulcer-y horse or wondering if your horse is at risk? Check this out:
Equi-Jewel®
Simply put, horses need energy. Energy is traditionally supplied by cereal grains such as oats, corn, and barley. These feedstuffs deliver energy as carbohydrates or starch.
But what if you want to supply more energy to your horse without increasing the feed intake? Feeding a fat supplement is an excellent way to achieve this.
Fat is considered a source of “calm” energy and is thought to modify behavior in some horses, making them more tractable. This, in turn, allows horses to focus their energy on work rather than nervousness.
Amande de B’Neville, the 12-year-old Selle Francais mare ridden by Germany’s Julia Krajewski and owned along with Dr. Bernd Heicke, ran across country for the first time since she and Julia brought home the individual eventing Tokyo Olympic gold medal this weekend at Weisbaden.
A few particularly lovely things about this video are the cheers that follow “Mandy” and Julia around the course and obvious appreciation and love for the mare that Julia shows after crossing the finish line.
The pair led the CCI4*-S fixture at Longines PfingstTurnier Wiesbaden in Germany from pillar to post, very nearly finishing on their dressage score but adding just 0.8 time penalties across country to end the weekend on a score of 26.8. Michael Jung and Highlighter took second place with a score of 31.8 and Austria’s Lea Seigel and her Tokyo Olympic partner DSP Fighting Line round out the podium on 38.5. Click here for full results.
On our sister site, Horse Nation, the Mythbuster Monday series is always popular as we tackle a variety of equestrian myths to either bust or confirm. Today’s discussion: Can horses breathe through their mouths?
Each Monday, Horse Nation dives into different equestrian myths and provides research-based evidence to either bust or confirm those myths. Today’s topic: Can horses breathe through their mouths? Do different bits in a horse’s mouth hinder breathing? What happens if their nose is stuffed? Read further to find out!
Meghan O’Donoghue and Palm Crescent. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Myth: Horses can’t breathe through their mouths
Myth or Fact: Fact
Pixabay/HansisWelt/CC
The upper respiratory tract begins at the horse’s nose and runs down the back of the throat to the trachea and then to the lungs. The soft palate separates the nasal cavities from the oral cavities. This makes horses obligate nasal breathers. The epiglottis sits on top of the soft palate and blocks air flow from the mouth to the trachea and lungs.
An article by Camille Saute of Equisense compares the soft palate of a human versus a horse. While a human’s soft palate ends as a drop, horses have a longer soft palate that closes the connection between the nose and digestive tract. Therefore, horses can only breathe out of their noses.
While this may seem like it would cause issues during activity, horses have different ways they obtain the amount of oxygen needed. One of the ways horses can capture oxygen is by contracting their spleens. When doing this, they release red blood cells into the bloodstream which allows the capture of more oxygen.
Buck Davidson and Carlevo. Photo by Shelby Allen.
According to Grace Eire in her article, the upper respiratory tract only being connected to the nostrils aids in the prevention of inhaling and choking on food particles. However, it is a downfall when horses are in respiratory distress because they can not use their mouth to aid in breathing.
Dr. David Marlin, an exercise physiologist, states in his article that horses can only breathe from their noses. This is because the soft palate completely separates the mouth from the airway. When horses breathe while working, they breathe in time with their strides. A cantering horse takes one breath for every stride. The inability to use the mouth to breathe makes this important. If the horse can not get his breaths to match his strides he may become anxious or unsettled.
Graphic via FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips.
During exercise, when humans begin to get winded, they tend to start to breathe out of their mouths. Because horses can not do this, they adjust their breathing to their gait When going from a trot to canter to gallop, instead of breathing faster horses tend to breathe deeper. The longer the stride, the more time the horse has to fill his lungs.
David J. Mellor, PhD and professor of animal welfare science, states in an article by The Horse, that tack can affect a horse’s breathing and feelings of breathlessness. Horses are obligate nasal breathers but factors in the mouth can interfere with the breathing from the nose. Mouth-gaping due to bit pain puts the horse in positions that make it more difficult for him to breath from his nose.
Daniela Moguela and Cecelia. Photo by Shelby Allen.
A horse that gives to the bit or is bit-free can hold the soft palate down onto the tongue allowing optimal breathing from the nose. The slightest gape from fighting the bit can make it more difficult for a horse to breathe.
An equestrian who rides on a tight rein cramps a horse’s head and neck into a position that also decreases nasal breathing.
After diving into the research, it appears that horses can only breathe through their noses. Ill fitting bits can cause a horse to gape his mouth open, causing a decrease in air flow to the lungs. While exercising horses have some “tricks” they use to maintain optimal air flow through their nose. The sync their breathing to their strides and/or use spleen contractions to increase oxygenation.
FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips are an excellent way to ensure your horse can breathe easy during work and exercise by providing support for the nasal passages and thus allowing less restricted and greater air volume to pass into the lungs. Dr. David Marlin talks on this topic in the videos below:
Do you have an equine myth you’d like Horse Nation to tackle? If so, send it their way! Email your suggestions to [email protected]. Put Mythbuster Monday in your subject line.
