Classic Eventing Nation

“It Gives You a Really Great Community”: Get to Know Auburn Eventing

By on Jun 6, 2022 11:30 am -

Auburn University. Photo by Shelby Allen.

As the Auburn Eventing Team is fresh off their win at the USEA Intercollegiate Championships, we wanted to get to know the team and how it started. Auburn’s team is just one of 28 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Teams in the country. The intercollegiate program is continuing to grow and it’s a wonderful way to continue eventing in college and experience the sport in a team-oriented sense.

In 2013, Mary Atkins Hunt founded Auburn’s eventing team, which started with just a few childhood riding buddies. Along with Mary, Carley Whetstone, Claire Robinson, Betsy Kaywood, Kyndal White, Lucia Menozi, Sally Colbert, Meagan Baker, and Casey Driscoll were the founding members of the team.

Fun fact: Auburn was actually one of the founding teams in the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Program, which officially started in 2015 after Leslie Threlkeld and Claire Kelley brought their ideas to life. In May of 2016, Auburn earned third place at the inaugural USEA Intercollegiate Championships at Virginia H.T. where eight other schools were competing.

Photo courtesy of Auburn Eventing.

“We are really fortunate in that the area we are in at Auburn is surrounded by a lot of big events and venues, so there were already several girls at the school who were eventing,” this past year’s president, Gabrielle Yashinsky said.

The team really began to grow as the intercollegiate program in general is becoming more popular within the U.S. “We have girls visiting Auburn and looking at the school specifically because of the program, so it’s really cool how it’s developed from just a few members to now we have 41 girls on the team,” Gabrielle said.

As the team continued to grow, they became more well-known within Auburn, garnering more of the school’s support. Aubie the Tiger, their mascot even showed up to cheer the team on at championships this year!

Auburn University’s mascot “Aubie” was out cheering on the team at Intercollegiate Championships last month. Photo by Shelby Allen.

The team meets once a month and the executive members talk about upcoming events and they host clinics once or twice a month. Outside of horses, the team comes together for events like football watch parties, tailgates, and team dinners.

“We also do team workouts twice a week where we are fortunate enough to have personal trainers within the Auburn Rec Center that we get to work with who have helped us focus on specifically what will help with our riding skills,” Gabrielle said.

Most members board at H&G Horse Quarters, Silver Lining Equestrian, Bright Farms, or Flint Hill Farm. “Everyone gets to choose what they want, where they want to put their horse depending on their needs, at various distances from campus, and different coaches and stuff like that,” Gabrielle said.

Lindsey Lanier, owner of Flint Hill Farms, is generous enough to allow the team to host their clinics at her property. “It has nice cross country and a dressage arena, so we all come together for that at this one specific barn whenever we’re bringing someone in or hosting a clinic,” she said.

Photo courtesy of Auburn Eventing.

Even if students don’t have their own horse, they can still participate in team activities. Members who aren’t able to bring their horse to school with them, their horse is injured, or they don’t have a horse can be part of the team as non-competing members.

“They’ll do things like audit clinics, cheer us on at all the team challenges, do all the social events, and meetings so it allows them to still participate even if they don’t have a horse at the current moment,” Gabrielle said.

Since the team doesn’t receive funding from Auburn, they put a lot of effort into fundraising. They focus on funding championships, clinics, and shows. Fundraisers like selling t-shirts and sweatshirts, hosting an auction, or opening their clinics to the public helps bring in more funds. “We’re always adding new things to help us raise money so that we can support the team even more,” Gabrielle said.

Photo by Shelby Allen.

Auburn’s eventing team has been fortunate enough to be sponsored by Fairfax & Favor and they recently started a new partnership with Lululemon. “It’s really cool that some of these brands are starting to see what we’re doing and want to be a part of it and we get great deals out of it.”

Gabrielle has enjoyed being part of the team throughout her time at Auburn, even though she was worried about having enough time for it at first. “I think most of our girls say that having a horse at school has been very therapeutic for them in a way because it’s a way to escape off campus to hang with other people who have the same love for horses that we all do,” she said.

Photo by Shelby Allen.

“It just gives you a really great community and especially at a school like Auburn where it’s really big and intimidating, it’s super nice because you’re meeting all these people with similar interests right away,” Gabrielle continued.

The team has worked hard all season to bring home the win at championships this year. “To bring home the national championship and the spirit award was just a really amazing feeling I think that everyone will remember for a long time,” Gabrielle said.

Having a team-like atmosphere in eventing is becoming increasingly valued, thanks to the founding of the intercollegiate program. “Everyone’s always there to support each other and help out, so it’s just a super close-knit group of girls who all share the same passion,” Gabrielle said.

“I’ve loved my four years on the team and wouldn’t change anything about it,” Gabrielle said.

War Eagle and Go Eventing.

Check out more scenes from Auburn’s eventing team and follow them on Instagram to keep up with more:

Weekend Winners: GVRDC, GMHA, Indiana, Archer Farms, MCTA, Ocala

By on Jun 6, 2022 9:00 am -

Plenty of action to round up this fine Monday, so let’s dive right in:

This week’s Unofficial Low Score Award winner is Dr. Melanie Helms, who won her Beginner Novice division at IEA with PS Gran Torino on a 20.3 — a personal best for this pair since their partnership began in 2021. Nicely done!

Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club Spring H.T. (Geneseo, Ny.): [Website] [Results]

Training/Novice: Tessa Bennett and Beck and Call (32.5)
Open Novice: Peytyn Geer and Dublin Red (36.5)
Beginner Novice A: Farley Wagner and Kieran (27.1)
Beginner Novice B: Anna Hendey and Sheldon (31.3)
Intro A: Molly Krotz and All Tuckered Out (38.5)
Intro B: Karen Kelley and Full Gallop’s King Red (33.0)
Intro C: Mary Snyder and Cadillac Carter (35.7)

GMHA June H.T. (South Woodstock, Vt.): [Website] [Results]

Open Preliminary: Mikki Kuchta and Special Reserve (39.9)
Preliminary Rider: Stephanie Sills and Mile Neuf Cent (36.7)
Jr. Training: Jillian Perry and Estrella Bosque (23.3)
Open Training A: Lisa Niccolai and KC’s Celtic Kharacter (32.0)
Open Training B: Alex Conrad and Lexington II (24.7)
Training Rider: Kathleen Bailey and Kennebec Rugby (28.9)
Jr. Novice: Anna Meretei and Diego Future Trend (23.9)
Open Novice A: Emily A. Mainolfi and Tucker (26.4)
Open Novice B: Jennifer Fitch and Caraway Daireing Romance (26.9)
Novice Rider A: Andrew Beal and Capstone’s MJ Tasmania (25.8)
Novice Rider B: Kathleen Bailey and Kennebec Echo (31.4)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Molly Czub and Zuko (30.3)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Jill McClabb and Innis (35.9)
Jr. Beginner Novice: Miriam Evans and Santino (26.8)
Open Beginner Novice A: Audrey Littlefield and Mr. Pumpkin (26.2)
Open Beginner Novice B: John R. Bourgoin and Take That (29.1)

IEA H.T. (Edinburgh, Ind.): [Website] [Results]

Intermediate/Preliminary: Jessena Defler and Gasparo van de Falieberg (43.4)
Open Preliminary: Adalee Ladwig and Santiago (37.0)
Open Modified: Gina Pletch and Charlotte La Bouff (23.1)
Open Training A: Kate Kirchdorfer and Galway Bay Cooley (31.2)
Open Training B: Lia van der Wal and Continuous (27.1)
Open Training C: Aspen Duffin and Tag You’re It (27.2)
Training Three-Day: Arielle Ferrell and Parkmore’s Miss Demeanor (35.4)
Open Novice A: Corinna Garcia and Schiller Nav (23.3)
Open Novice B: Cathrine Wunderlich and Concatulations (25.8)
Open Novice C: Kaylianna Mcmorris and Fernhill Future Star (24.4)
Open Novice D: Abigail Walker and The Perfect Storm MK (28.3)
Open Novice E: Bonnie Coulter and Network News (29.7)
Novice Three-Day: Kyla Tovar and Kilcoltrim Jacko (25.0)
Open Beginner Novice A: Marin Swyers and Harrison (20.9)
Open Beginner Novice B: Melanie Helms and PS Gran Torino (20.3)
Open Beginner Novice C: Emily Hummel and What’s His Face SSH3 (29.1)
Open Beginner Novice D: Julie Jarrell and All Dun Up (27.8)
Open Beginner Novice E: Siena Perry and Little Brown Bird (30.9)
Open Beginner Novice F: Rehgan Weber and Maximus (27.5)
Open Starter A: Brad Hall and Montauk Blue (31.0)
Open Starter B: Christy Schlough and Vanquish (30.3)
Open Starter C: Ava Bischoff and Jack On The Rocks (23.1)

The Spring Event at Archer (Cheyenne, Wy.): [Website] [Results]

Intermediate/Preliminary: Anna Cummings and Fernhill Cruiseaway (49.0)
Preliminary: Julie Bryer and Fernhill Dynamic (38.9)
Modified: Payton Robinson and That’s The Stuff (39.7)
Training: Madeline Backus and Baratheon (27.2)
Novice Junior: Kara Miller and Chesterland’s Knockout (24.4)
Novice Senior A: Anna Cummings and Charlie Fly (29.7)
Novice Senior B: Heather McWilliams and Southern Soiree (35.7)
Beginner Novice Junior: Lauren Weichold and River Waltz (35.9)
Beginner Novice Senior A: Deanna Hovland and Action Cover Z (34.4)
Beginner Novice Senior B: Melinda Hofmeister and My Brigadier (31.8)
Tadpole Junior: Addy Dunlap and Peachy Keen (33.8)
Tadpole Senior: Brittany Foust and HH Ragamuffin Gunner (32.2)
Starter Junior: Vivian Inman and French Jewel (37.3)
Starter Senior: Madeline Backus and Slew the Blues (28.0)
YEH 4 Year Old: Kim Wendel and MBF Reality (71.3)

MCTA H.T. at Shawan Downs (Cockeysville, Md.): [Website] [Results]

Open Preliminary: Erin Kanara and Windchase Lionstar (29.7)
Preliminary CT: Tiffany Wandy and CV Outlaw (37.4)
Open Modified A: Katie Lichten and EHF Casiro Royale (32.4)
Open Modified B: Erin Kanara and Royal Empress (29.8)
Open Training: Lillian Heard and Bellines Quality Lady (23.6)
Training CT: Angelina Pezzuto and High Prince (36.1)
Training Rider A: Annaliese Clayton and Dewey Square (33.8)
Training Rider B: Payton Myers and Tekkenistic (30.2)
Jr. Novice: Emma Hayes and Where’d It Go (32.2)
Novice Rider A: Ty Burke and Carmella (31.4)
Novice Rider B: Alec Cole and Phamtom Spot (35.0)
Open Novice A: Kaitlin Clasing and Limelight SPF (34.9)
Open Novice B: Kaitlin Clasing and Above the Fold (26.4)
Open Beginner Novice A: Shari Young and Pure Cotton (31.3)
Open Beginner Novice B: Angela M. Bailey and Sir W Dudley (29.8)
Jr. Beginner Novice: Sutton Wetcher and Good JuJu (28.1)

Ocala Summer I H.T. (Ocala, Fl.): [Website] [Results]

Intermediate/Preliminary: Georgia Dillard and Galileo WP (26.4)
Open Preliminary: Kalli Core and Mastermind (32.5)
Preliminary Rider: Stephanie Cordell and Codename Toby (35.0)
Modified Open: Jon Holling and Fernhill Copain (27.8)
Modified Rider: Lydia Bradshaw and Cassio’s Picasso (25.3)
Open Training: Libby Head and Face Value (25.3)
Training Rider: Susannah Karatzias and Cassius (29.8)
Novice Rider: Colleen Tilley and Yourdecisionnotmine (29.7)
Open Novice: Libby Head and Filly Gumbo (27.5)
Beginner Novice Rider: Kristen Mumme and Darby Rose (31.2)
Open Beginner Novice: Kalli Core and Flagmount’s Keen Ice (37.5)

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

By on Jun 6, 2022 7:22 am -

The start of June means one thing: it’s all killer, no filler eventing content from Europe. (Apologies; I took a weekend off horses and saw Sum 41 on Saturday night, so I can only think in album titles now.) This week, EN heads back to beefy Bramham in Yorkshire for arguably the biggest CCI4*-L in the world, which returns after a long hiatus throughout the pandemic. Then, we’re off to Germany for Luhmühlen CCI5* next week and CHIO Aachen, the greatest of all the CCI4*-S competitions, in the last week of the month. Das ist sehr gut.

National Holiday: In a real throwback to first lockdown, it’s cool cat Carole Baskin’s birthday. Is that a national holiday, strictly speaking? No. But it feels a touch more interesting than ‘National Eyewear Day’.

#PrideMonth Learning Opportunity: Sometimes, it can be hard to separate Pride and all that it stands for from the mass exploitation that corporate culture puts it through — and so it’s doubly important to take five and familiarise yourself with the rich history of the fight for equal rights for LGBTQ+ folks, and significant milestones such as the Stonewall Uprising. Get to grips with history — and learn how you can help the cause — here.

US Weekend Action:

Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club Spring H.T. (Geneseo, Ny.): [Website] [Results]

GMHA June H.T. (South Woodstock, Vt.): [Website] [Results]

IEA H.T. (Edinburgh, Ind.): [Website] [Results]

The Spring Event at Archer (Cheyenne, Wy.): [Website] [Results]

MCTA H.T. at Shawan Downs (Cockeysville, Md.): [Website] [Results]

Ocala Summer I H.T. (Ocala, Fl.): [Website] [Results]

UK Weekend Action:

Ascott Under Wychwood (2): [Results]

Belsay: [Results]

Little Downham (1): [Results]

Global Eventing Round-up:

It’s been a busy weekend of sport, but the highlights have come from two European hotspots: Germany’s Longines PfingstTurnier at the extraordinary Wiesbaden Palace, and Ireland’s Millstreet International.

Laura Collett enjoyed a blinder of a weekend at Millstreet, claiming both the CCI4*-L feature class and the CCI3*-L with Dacapo and Outback, respectively. Both horses led from pillar to post, and we truly hope it’s not too early to call it, but we think Laura might be on track to having a season that rivals Piggy March’s 2019. Fellow Brit Kirsty Chabert took the win in the CCI4*-S with Classic VI, who heads to Luhmühlen next week, followed up by a second and third-place finish for Ireland’s Cathal Daniels with LEB Lias Jewel and Rioghan Rua, who we’ll also see at the German five-star fixture. Jonelle Price took top honours in the CCI2*-L with Fernhill Kankan, while the USA was victorious in the CCIYH2*-S, with Cornelia Dorr‘s DHI Qyaracolle Z climbing from seventh place to take the win in her first run at the level — and at just six years old.

A smoking hot continental line-up battled it out in Wiesbaden’s sole class, the CCI4*-S fixture that’s one of the best-loved in Europe — but it was our Olympic champions, Germany’s Julia Krajewski and Amande de B’Neville, who took the spoils on their return to international competition. They beat fellow German medal fiend Michael Jung, who took second place with Highlighter, and Austrian superstar Lea Siegl, who piloted her Tokyo mount DSP Fighting Line to third place.

Your Monday Reading List:

Could show prep — including the use of coat sprays and frequent bathing — be harming your horse’s skin? There are several conditions that competition horses are much more susceptible to, whether that’s from overgrooming, shared brushes, long stints in transport, or proximity to horses from other yards — but by ensuring you’re aware of the risks, you can work to prevent issues this season. [Find out how]

We see a lot of older horses changing hands on Facebook sales groups, and it always breaks my heart a little bit. As an antidote to that sort of thing, here’s a feel-good story about a teenage girl and an unruly summer camp horse, and the promise that kiddo was able to fulfil decades later to ensure the now-37-year-old horse has the very best of retirements. [We should all aspire to this]

Is your barn and home insured against catastrophe? It’s well worth triple-checking your policy — or getting one in place if you haven’t yet. Dom and Jimmy Schramm’s frightening house fire experience will be enough to convince you. [An actual nightmare]

Have you ever been on the receiving end of social media vitriol? You’re not alone. British dressage rider and podcaster Olivia Oakeley is joining the conversation about social media negativity, and the ‘pile-on’ effect, and sharing her simple strategy for learning to deal with the haters. [Social media continues to be a plague tbh]

The FutureTrack Follow:

This week it’s got to be Yorkshire’s Bramham Horse Trials, which returns to the calendar after an achingly long wait since 2019. Ian Stark’s CCI4*-L and CCI4*-S courses look just as tough as we remember them, and each class has a seriously hot field lining up to fight for the titles — so give them a follow for sneak peeks at what’s going on, and stay locked onto EN for wall-to-wall coverage from the king of the four-stars!

Morning Viewing:

Ever fancied checking out big game from the back of a horse? Now you can — vicariously, at least — with vlogger Matt Harnacke:

Laura Collett Records a Double at Millstreet International

By on Jun 5, 2022 3:30 pm -

Laura Collett (GBR) and Dacapo on their way to securing victory in the Horse Sport Ireland CCI4*L at Millstreet International Horse Trials (5th June)

Badminton Horse Trials champion Laura Collett added two more International wins to her record this afternoon when taking the honours in the Horse Sport Ireland CCI4*L and Noel C. Duggan Engineering CCI3*L.

The Tokyo Olympic Gold medallist led from the outset in both competitions and clear rounds in the deciding show-jumping phase saw her secure victory in the CCI4*L with Dacapo, having added just 2.4 cross country time penalties to her dressage score. A short time later, Collett completed the double, when showjumping clear in the CCI3*L with Outback to finish on their dressage score, bringing to an end a great weekend of eventing action for more than 320 horses, nearly 100 of which had crossed the Irish Sea.

Laura Collett (GBR) and Outback receive their prize after winning the Noel C. Duggan Engineering CCI3*L at Millstreet International Horse Trials. (L-R: Jane Holderness Roddam (Ground Jury), Sue Baxter (Ground Jury President), Diana Chappell (owner) and David Lee (Ground Jury)

U.S.-based Australian rider Clayton Fredericks didn’t quite get the podium finish he was positioned for with Diana Crawford’s, Hugh Wrigley’s and his own FE Coldplay, with two poles lowered today in show jumping, but the pair still ended the weekend inside the top 10. Canadian rider Dana Cooke finished just outside the top 20 with Mississippi.

 

Not quite the finish we were looking for with 2 down today for 9th place in the 4*L @millstreet_horse but still incredibly proud of FE Coldplay and his efforts this week 🌟

At only 10 years of age he has made his first trip overseas and gave me one of my best ever XC rounds cruising around a tough track and finishing full of running

Ceaser will now head to the UK for a little holiday and then look forward to another big competition in 🇬🇧 in September 🤞

Huge congratulations to @bill_levett_eventing for his great finish in the 4*L and thanks for looking after our horses on the trip back to the UK 🇬🇧

#fredericksequestrianinternational #fecoldplay #fehorses #ontheroadagain

Posted by Fredericks Equestrian International on Sunday, June 5, 2022

The Donagh Hickey Motors CCI2*-L saw a win for New Zealand, with Jonelle Price taking the honours on the seven-year-old Fernhill Kankan, owned by Terese Miller and Julia Lukas. The pair finished on their dressage scores ahead of three Irish riders, Aoife Clark (Fetiche des Rouges), Clodie Coen (Union Fortunus) and Godfrey Gibbons (Mitchem Free Spirit).

“She is very much my type,” said Jonelle of the smart black mare. “She’s athletic and when Carol Gee [producer] sent me the video I loved her straight away. She’s pretty green still, but I took her to Spain to jump on the Vejer de la Frontera series which really set her up. The plan was to come here and tick the box with a view to going to Le Lion d’Angers [World Young Horse Championships] in October if she is ready.”

Short-format classes

The final scoresheet was tight in the Foran Equine CCI3*-S and at the very end of the cross-country phase victory eventually went to the experienced Irish team rider Clare Abbott on Sarah Riley’s German-bred DHI No Fear, a nine-year-old by Non Stop.

Another big Irish name, Sam Watson, was in second place, just 0.7pen in arrears, on Ballyneety Rocketman and, in an all-Ireland line-up, the overnight leader Ian Cassells finished third on Rosconnell Alto having clocked up just too many time penalties.

Josh Williamson, 15, led the Equine Warehouse CCI2*-S for Ponies and clinched it with just one rail down on Ardeo Fireman. Ben Connors was second with a clear on Cornafest Fred and Tom Nestor dropped one place to third with a rail down on Tullaree Ruby Tuesday.

The Noel C. Duggan Engineering CCI2*-S saw Emma Egan record the first FEI win of her career with Ballytoher Sabrina after recording one of just three clear cross country rounds inside the optimum time. The leader after the first two phases, Alison Holden (Lates Eddie) dropped down the order with a steady cross-country round for 15.6 time penalties.

Based just twenty minutes from the Green Glens Arena, Sian Coleman took the honours in the inaugural CCI1* Intro class, sponsored by Carr & Day & Martin with Kilroe Frolic, and the prestigious Eventing Ireland CCI2*-S for young horses resulted in a deserved victory for US visitor Cornelia Dorr with DHI Qyaracolle Z.

Other North American riders competing at Millstreet this weekend included:

  • Gillian Beale King, who finished sixth in the CCI3*-L with Richard Ames’ Rebellient as well as 13th with Mr. Ames’ RCA Royal Mist (and 30th with Derena Super Star, also owned by Richard Ames)
  • Logan Duffort, 17th overall in the CCI4*-S with her own and Georgina Barrett’s Voltage de la Nouee
  • Cornelia Dorr, in addition to her Young Horse 2*-S win, also finished just outside the top 20 in the CCI2*-S division with the 8-year-old By-The-Sea, owned by Cornelia and Ann Wehrle

“It’s been a great weekend of sport and we’re thrilled so many leading international riders came to Ireland,” said Millstreet Director Thomas Duggan. “Let’s hope we see some of them in the medals at the world championships and perhaps some of the young horses we’ve seen going brilliantly will be medallists of the future.”

Millstreet International H.T. (Millstreet, Ireland): [Website] [Scoring] [Live Stream Archive]

1% Better with World Equestrian Brands: Mindfulness in the Saddle

By on Jun 5, 2022 9:30 am -

Sharon White and Claus 63. Photo by Abby Powell.

1% More” is a new blog series in which we ask World Equestrian Brands endorsed and trainer team riders to give us one booster tip that will help us to improve our competitive edge by 1%. As any true athlete knows, all of those 1%s add up to significant results.

Sharon White is a 5* eventer based in WV. Her incredible, high-performance career has taken her all over the world to represent the USA in FEI Eventing Nations Cup competitions and as a reserve rider for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games. We look forward to seeing her compete next week at the Landrover KY 3-Day Event. 

One of my primary philosophies is that attending to the small details and the fundamentals will serve both you as a rider and a human as well as your horse. Any equestrian sport is one of just inches, so identifying small ways to be better each day can help make up that difference. It’s not only about natural talent in this sport – in fact, that’s one of my favorite things about it! Your decision to put the time in and not rush can pay off in terms of competitive success – and it’s not only about success, it’s also about health.

With our sport, there is a lot of pressure at any given time – pressure to improve, to look after your horse, and to make the right decisions, among other things. Couple this with the sport’s inherent danger, and this can be a pretty intense situation to place anyone in.

This is why I’ve come to appreciate meditation and mindfulness as a part of my daily routine. It is hard to stay present and in the moment when there are always a million things to think and worry about. But with horses, we must have the ability to be in the moment with them, not a hundred miles away thinking about all the things you still have to do that day.

Trust me. I get it! Starting a meditation and mindfulness practice isn’t easy or intuitive, but I promise that taking just a few minutes to practice this each day will make a fundamental difference in your wellbeing (and your horse’s, by association!). As with anything else, it’s a practice, so don’t worry about doing it “right” or “well.” It’s a little different for everyone.

Here are some tips for using meditation and mindfulness in your riding:

1. Make it a part of your routine.

Just like our horses, we also do well on routine. I know it can be hard to establish a new one – especially when you work with horses! – but if you look closely enough at your day, I bet you can find some times when you’re already in some routine. Maybe you like to enjoy a cup of coffee before you head to the barn or work for the day; what about an extra five minutes spent meditating? Even a tiny amount makes a difference when done over time. Or maybe you find some of your chores or work to be contemplative in nature – mucking stalls, feeding, dragging the arena, braiding, for example; try sticking in your headphones and trying a guided meditation while working at these tasks. Think of it as an opportunity for your brain to take a break from thinking five steps ahead!

2. Find a practice that works for you.

The good thing (and, sometimes, bad thing) about the Internet is that there are endless possibilities for assistance. There is no need to try it out alone! Starting with guided meditations is helpful for those who haven’t tried it before. I have a few favorites I’ll recommend to my students if they’re interested in trying meditation, but sometimes you have to try a few different things before you find what works for you.

[There’s more1 Click here to read the full list of tips from Sharon and World Equestrian Brands]

Sunday Links from Fairfax & Favor

By on Jun 5, 2022 12:01 am -

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dana Cooke (@dana.cooke)

Canada’s Dane Cooke made it her goal to get to the Millstreet International Horse Trials in Co Cork, Ireland this spring with FE Mississippi and she made it there in style! For the first horse inspection she rocked a classic pair of Fairfax & Favor Regina boots with their signature tassels in navy to match her blazer. Looking good, Dana!

U.S. Weekend Action: 

Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club Spring H.T. (Geneseo, Ny.): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

GMHA June H.T. (South Woodstock, Vt.): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

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

The Spring Event at Archer (Cheyenne, Wy.): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

MCTA H.T. at Shawan Downs (Cockeysville, Md.): [Website] [Entries] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Ocala Summer I H.T. (Ocala, Fl.): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Major International Events:

Millstreet International H.T. (Millstreet, Ireland): [Website] [Scoring] [Live Stream]

Sunday Links:

‘You’re Gonna Miss This’: The Real Estate Reality Affecting The Horse World

The Father-Daughter Dance of a Lifetime: Volunteering is Only Half the Fun for Florida Duo

The Performance Horse’s Therapy Toolkit

Awards to celebrate contribution of African American equestrians

Hot on Horse Nation: What Do You Do With the Unsupportive Horse Spouse?

Sunday Video: Want to keep your nails fresh (or at least not grimy)? Brianna Noble has a hot tip:

Laura Collett Heads a Cross Country Thriller in Millstreet CCI4*-L; Clayton Fredericks Third

By on Jun 4, 2022 5:30 pm -

Laura Collett (GBR) and Dacapo retains their lead after Cross Country in the Horse Sport Ireland CCI4*L at Millstreet International Horse Trials (1)

Cross-country day at the Millstreet International Horse Trials in Co Cork, Ireland, lived up to expectations, providing thrilling sport and a great spectacle in the beautiful surrounds of Drishane Castle at the Duggan family’s Green Glens Arena.

It was a particular triumph for British Olympian Laura Collett who retained her lead in both the Horse Sport Ireland CCI4*-L and the Noel C. Duggan Engineering CCI3*-L.

Six nations are represented in the CCI4*-L top 12, with Laura at the head of affairs after a copybook round on the handsome Dacapo, owned by Diana Chappell, Carolyn Taylor, Gillian Morris-Adams and Michael and Alison Smedley; they incurred 2.4 time penalties and now do not have a rail in hand going into tomorrow’s final show jumping phase.

New Zealanders are here in force and Clarke Johnstone, who has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere for the season, produced two out of the three rounds inside the optimum time. He has risen impressively up the order to lie second on Aces High and sixth on Menlo Park.

Australian rider Clayton Fredericks’s journey from States paid off and his superb round on FE Coldplay has elevated him five places from eighth to third overnight.

Dana Cooke, the other North America-based rider competing at Millstreet in the 4*-L, had one spot of trouble on course with Mississippi, picking up 20 penalties at the B element of the Bit Media Brush Corners at fence 8.

 

What a day of XC 🤩

So proud of FE Coldplay jumping a super clear with just 1.2 time faults around the 4*L @millstreet_horse to move into 3rd place heading into SJ tomorrow!

@seminolefeed @racingbluestorm
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Posted by Fredericks Equestrian International on Saturday, June 4, 2022

Tim Price is fourth and eighth for New Zealand on new ride Coup de Coeur Dedevin and Happy Boy, and Elizabeth Power did the home nation proud in fifth place on Senza Fine.

Bill Levett, a 4* winner at Millstreet last year, is seventh for Australia on Sligo Candy Cane and his compatriot Kevin McNab, the dressage runner-up, is 10th with 10.8 time penalties on Willunga, the Aussies split by Ireland’s Cathal Daniels in ninth on CDS Cairnview Romulu.

Arthur Duffort, the sole French rider, is 11th on Arko’s Lad and Japanese competitor Ryuzo Kitajima looks to have secured a world championship qualification on the lovely mare Cekatinka JRA in 12th.

Willa Newton, third after dressage on Cock A Doodle Doo, had the bad luck to trigger a frangible pin at fence 24 and has dropped to 15th.

Laura Collett retained her CCI3*-L lead in with a superb attacking round on the eight-year-old Outback, described by commentator Clare Ryan as having “an elastic gallop”. However, scores are incredibly tight with the price of one show jumping rail covering the top nine horses.

New Zealander Samantha Lissington is second and fifth after two great rounds on Bing Bong and Ricker Ridge Ricochet; Britain’s Emily King is third on Imposant and Aoife Clark is the top Irish rider in fourth place overnight on Sportsfield Freelance.

In the Donagh Hickey Motors CCI2*-L, New Zealander Jonelle Price had a cracking ride on Therese Miller and Julia Lukas’s Fernhill Kankan. The seven-year-old black mare was a purchase from Carol Gee last year and looks right up Jonelle’s street.. “She will have learnt a lot, which is what it’s all about here at Millstreet,” she said.

They were one of 16 combinations inside the optimum time and hold a fractional lead of 0.7pen over Ireland’s Patrick Whelan riding the seven-year-old Irish Sport Horse Altitu going into the final show jumping phase tomorrow.

The dressage leader, Virginia Thompson riding Katchafire for New Zealand, incurred 6.8 time penalties and is now in 15th place.

Connolly’s RED MILLS CCI4*S Presentation: L-R: Gillian Beale King (Connolly’s RED MILLS Ambassador), Joanne Jarden (Ground Jury), Kirsty Chabert (4*S Winner), Cathal Daniels (4*S 2nd and 3rd), Anne Marie Taylor (GJ President), John Lyttle (Ground Jury)
at Millstreet International Horse Trials (1)

Short-format classes

Kirsty Chabert regained the top spot in the Connolly Red Mills CCI4*-S in style with a hugely impressive cross-country performance on her father John Johnson and Carole Somer’s mare Classic lV.

By this late stage of the afternoon it was pouring with rain and no one achieved the optimum time, but Kirsty’s 5.6 time penalties, the joint fastest, were enough to give her a clear lead over Ireland’s Cathal Daniels, who finished second and third on LEB Lias Jewel and his gallant veteran medal-winning mare Rioghan Run.

It was a case of reparation for the winning pair, who were pathfinders at Badminton before incurring refusals at a double of corners on the way home. “I feel I can put it to bed now,” said Kirsty. “She gave me an absolutely lovely ride. It was a beautiful course and the ground was phenomenal. This is my first time at Millstreet and I’m definitely coming back; it’s a great place.”

Ireland’s Stephanie Stammschroer and Master Swatch had taken over the lead with a clear show jumping round, but fell at a downhill double of corners on the cross-country.

Ian Cassells goes into tomorrow’s Foran Equine CCI3*-S cross-country phase is first and fourth places after two clear show jumping rounds on Rosconnell Alto and Shanaclough Quality Clover. Irish team rider Clare Abbot (DHI No Fear) and Tim Price (Polystar l) are in joint second place. The dressage leader, Adam Haugh (van Thee Man) has slipped down the order to 16th with two rails down.

It remains to be seen whether Kirsty Chabert can recover her lead in the Noel C. Duggan Engineering CCI2*-S. Her 4.4 show jumping penalties on Heraldiks Girl Opposition leave her 2.6 penalties in arrears of the new leader, Ireland’s Alison Holden on Lates Eddie, before tomorrow’s cross-country.

Josh Williamson, son of the former top National Hunt jockey Norman Williamson, and Ardeo Fireman are still at the head of affairs in the Equine Warehouse Pony CCI2*-S. They were one of only two combinations inside the the optimum cross-country time of 5 mins 41 secs and have a fence in hand going into tomorrow’s final show jumping phase.

Leading young-horse producer Meath Bolger riding MBF Back to Back still leads the Eventing Ireland CCI2*-S for young horses and Sian Coleman (Kilroe Frolic) is still in the driving seat in the Carr * Day & Martin CCI1*-Intro class.

Show jumping tomorrow will be carried live for premium subscribers on Clip My Horse TV. You can find starting orders and scores for all divisions here. The CCI4*-L will jump at 12:00 p.m. local / 7 a.m. EST.

Millstreet International H.T. (Millstreet, Ireland): [Website] [Scoring] [Live Stream]

Saturday Video: Taking Flight at Woodside

By on Jun 4, 2022 2:30 pm -

I always enjoy seeing the work created by talented artists around our sport, and this cool slow-mo highlight reel from last weekend’s Woodside H.T. is just the ticket. Enjoy the action!

To view full results from Woodside, click here.

Equestrian Canada Names 2022 High Performance Squad Athletes + Fundraising Goal for WEG Set

By on Jun 4, 2022 11:13 am -

Colleen Loach and Vermont. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Equestrian Canada has named its 2022 High Performance Squad athletes as well as its Development Squad as the country looks ahead to this fall’s FEI World Championships for Eventing, where an all-important Paris Olympics qualification is on the line.

Named to the High Performance Squad are:

  • Hawley Bennett-Awad and the Jollybo Syndicate LLC’s Jollybo
  • Holly Jacks Smither and her own Candy King (More Inspiration was also named to the list)
  • Colleen Loach and Peter Barry’s Qorry Blue d’Argouges, Peter Barry’s Vermont, and Peter Barry, Amanda Bernhard and the rider’s FE Golden Eye
  • Jessica Phoenix and her own Pavarotti as well as Charlotte Schickedanz and the rider’s Wabbit
  • Karl Slezak and Kirk Hoppner and the rider’s Fernhill Wishes
  • Mike Winter and Jonathan Nelson and Emma and Mike’s El Mundo

Dana Cooke and Mississippi, who are currently overseas competing in Ireland, are one pair named to Equestrian Canada’s Development Squad. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Recently, Equestrian Canada released its fundraising goals for the season, identifying a goal of $250,000 to help bring the equestrian program forward to reach new heights. You can make a donation by clicking here, and stay tuned for more ways to get involved coming soon.

 

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From the Ground Up: Finding Time to Slow Down

By on Jun 4, 2022 10:00 am -

Gillian Warner is bringing us along for the ride as she strikes out on her own to launch her business as a professional. You can catch up on the preceding columns from this series here.

Setting realistic expectations for what can be accomplished and organizing my day to fight against my “energizer bunny” mode has provided me with the opportunity to be present.

As anyone with horse experience knows, there’s always more to be done.

Whether that’s progression in your training, fields that need to be mowed, tack that needs to be cleaned, or office work to complete, life on a farm never stops moving.

Despite fully recognizing that I’ll never completely “finish” the work, I still have a hard time accepting that. I have what has been nicknamed my “energizer bunny” mode – when I start to feel overwhelmed by tasks, I go into overdrive. The plus side of this is that I get a lot done. But it’s neither realistic nor sustainable.

“At my age, it takes a little longer than it used to for me to get back up the hill. But when you aren’t in a hurry about things, you’re liable to notice more, so I don’t mind.” ~ Bill Dorrance

Learning a lesson from the wise words of Bill Dorrance in the quote above, I’ve been challenging myself to maintain my efficiency while relaxing into the work as well.

I want to be fully present, instead of flitting about from one task to the next. I love spending time with horses (otherwise I wouldn’t have my job), but in the daily routine, and under the ever-growing list of tasks, I sometimes feel that focus gets lost. When I’m in overdrive, I miss out on the subtle interactions between horse and rider, observations that could be made, and the feeling of joy that’s so commonly associated with being around horses.

Managing and caring for a farm and so many animals means the work never stops. But giving yourself time to notice the little details and enjoy the work is critical to sustainability.

I still have so much growing left to do in this area. But I’ve already identified steps to make progress.

To begin with, for me, it’s all about setting and maintaining realistic expectations for my day. Yes, I try to fit a lot in – I want to fill any free time with another lesson, another ride, or tackle another project. However, fighting the urge to overwhelm myself with tasks by setting boundaries and expectations gives me the time to be present in the task in front of me. Also surrounding myself with a team I trust and enjoy working with has allowed me to delegate some projects and responsibility to spread the wealth of work!

Additionally, lists are critical to my attention and focus. While I’m going about my day, random new tasks pop up needing attention. If it’s time sensitive, of course I prioritize getting it done. Otherwise, I have multiple white boards for different tasks (to do today, this week, and miscellaneous projects to work on when I get “bored”). Writing new tasks on my lists takes it off of my mental to-do list while ensuring it will be remembered for later. Once it’s on the board, I can mentally move beyond it and dive into the task at present.

I enjoy being busy. I enjoy diving into projects. And I enjoy having time to spend with my horses. Finding opportunities to prevent my “energizer bunny” mode from creating a whirlwind of movement and mental overdrive has allowed me to be present in the moment, notice more details, and find joy in the endless work.