Classic Eventing Nation

Monday Video: Relive Will’s Win and Get Excited for Aachen

By on Jun 27, 2022 5:00 pm -

We are exceedingly excited to head back to CHIO Aachen this week to watch the formidable Will Coleman and Off the Record defend their CCIO4*-S title!  Relive the memories in this video, featuring footage from all three phases as well as some memorable moments captured in still.

Has it really been a year already since the pair became the first-ever American competitors to take top honors at this prestigious event? Actually no, it hasn’t — because last year’s World Equestrian Festival at CHIO Aachen was postponed from it’s usual late June timetable to September in order allow spectators at the event. Nevertheless, we’re already ready to head back to Germany and cheer on Team USA.

Stay tuned for much more from Aachen later this week! Tilly Berendt will be our boots on the ground and we’ll be bringing you the best coverage, as always.

The FEI Youth Equestrian Games Get Underway as Participants Draw Horses in Aachen

By on Jun 27, 2022 1:30 pm -

Let’s get the YEG party started! Photo ©FEI/Liz Gregg.

It’s going to be an extraordinary 11 days packed with a whole range of experiences for the 30 athletes taking part in the FEI Youth Equestrian Games 2022 which got underway in Aachen, Germany this weekend with the draw for horses. Competing with your peers on a horse with which you are familiar is challenging enough, but building a whole new partnership over the six days in the lead-up to the first round of the Team competition next Wednesday, June 29, takes it to another level.

To compete in the hallowed Soers Arena in Aachen is a lifetime ambition for athletes in every equestrian discipline, and one that this group of young Jumping riders, who are all aged between 15 and 18, are unlikely ever to forget.

The borrowed horses have been carefully selected for their jumping ability and temperament, and a training day tomorrow includes a session in the iconic Main Arena. That will be followed by a warm-up competition on Sunday and further training sessions during which the new horse/rider relationships will become well established over the next few days.

These Games, which will conclude with the battle for Individual medals on Saturday 2 July, have been devised to replace the Dakar 2022 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) which were postponed to 2026. The YOG has featured Equestrian Jumping every four years since the inaugural edition in 2010.

For Team USA, Mimi Gochman takes a moment with her drawn horse. Photo ©FEI/Liz Gregg

Qualification

The qualification for the Youth Equestrian Games 2022 mirrored that for the YOG, with most quota places filled through the 2021 Challenge Qualifiers while Belgium, France and Great Britain qualified at the 2021 FEI European Jumping Championship for Juniors and Children. As host country Germany is automatically entitled to a single quota spot and the home representative is 17-year-old Charlotte Höing, team gold medallist in the Children’s Championship in Fontainebleau (FRA) four years ago.

The selected athletes will compete in six continental teams, and Charlotte will ride for Team Europe alongside representatives from Belgium, France, Great Britain and Greece with Germany’s Peter Teeuwen in the role of Chef d’Equipe for this group.

The USA’s DiAnn Langer will manage Team North America whose five-member side includes riders from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and America while Ecuador’s Jaime Morillo will guide the South American selection that includes one rider from his own country along with individuals from Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Senegal’s Papa Seck is Chef d’Equipe for Team Africa whose athletes hail from Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia and Zimbabwe while Tunisia’s Ahmed Bedoui will lead Team Asia, with athletes from Iran, Jordan, Palestine, Qatar and Uzbekistan.

The sixth and final continental side is a mixed group running under the heading of Team Australasia. Led by Australia’s Todd Hinde and with representatives from Australia and New Zealand, it also includes individuals from Saudi Arabia, Syria and the UAE.

Photo ©FEI/Liz Gregg

Multi-Cultural

It is a superb multi-cultural line-up of competitors and the young athletes are also being provided with a Culture and Education programme throughout their visit, with a number of sessions designed to encourage their development in both a personal and sporting capacity in line with Olympic values.

Dr Alan Currie, a member of the IOC Mental Health Working Group, will give a lecture on mental fitness while David Übis from the Uniklinikum RWTH Aachen will talk about physical fitness. Professor Christopher J. Newman and Doctor Stéphane G. Tercier from Lausanne University Hospital will discuss the risk and management of concussion, Olya Abasolo from the International Testing Agency and the FEI’s Catherine Bollon will address the topic of Human Anti-Doping and German influencer Harriet Charlotte Schulz will share her knowledge of effective use of social media.

There will be an interactive workshop on Equine Anti-Doping and Equine Welfare with FEI Legal Counsel Anna Thorstenson, a career advice session and a team-building session with JustWorld’s Estelle Navet.

Layan Al Mommani (JOR). Photo ©FEI/Liz Gregg

After the draw for horses some of the riders spoke about their feelings and the challenges that lie ahead over the next week and more ….

America’s Mimi Gochman, Team North America – “I’m very excited and I feel confident that all the horses are going to be amazing. I think it’s going to be a really great learning experience and we’ll get to learn from a lot of professionals and watch a lot of the best junior riders in the world compete so it’s all about learning from each other and doing the best you can. The biggest challenge will be focusing on the courses and not getting distracted by the atmosphere – it’s a very big ring, there’s a lot to look at, a lot of people, a lot of cheering – so just focusing and remembering what I’ve been taught, remembering the basics and keep my horse comfortable and my team comfortable”.

Qatar’s Saad Ahmed Al Saad, Team Asia – “Before the draw we were all nervous but I have hope because I trained hard over the last few months to get ready for any horse, and I hope I can do something good in this competition because it’s a great opportunity for me as a youth rider. And it’s also great for me to get to know these other people and to get to know my horse. The biggest challenge for me will be controlling the pressure in this big arena in front of this huge crowd!”

Saad Ahmed Al Saad (QAT) enjoys a first day of training. Photo ©FEI/Liz Gregg

Mimi Gochman chats about her FEI Youth Equestrian Games experience from CHIO Aachen

18-year-old Mimi Gochman is the U.S. representative on the North American Team at the FEI Youth Equestrian Games at CHIO Aachen!

Tune in as she chats about the experience and what she's been up to in Germany… 🇺🇸🇩🇪

Posted by US Equestrian on Sunday, June 26, 2022

LINKS: 

Youth Equestrian Games 2022

Athlete Profiles
 
Education programme 

Live Broadcast: ClipMyHorse.TV

Enjoy a few more photo highlights from training with the drawn horses. While we may not see these kids taking on any eventing this week, it’s really cool to see the opportunity presented and we enjoy following along! Maybe we’ll see eventing added in the future…

Weekend Winners: Fox River Valley, HPNJ, Inavale Farm, Larkin Hill, Loudoun Hunt, Midsouth, Stable View, Valinor

By on Jun 27, 2022 11:30 am -

Let’s hear it for our Area III champions, crowned this weekend at Stable View in Aiken, SC! Stable View hosted a full competition featuring championships divisions, prizes for the most horses and farthest distance traveled, and more. This event also played host to the pair who would secure the Unofficial Low Score Award this week: Lara Roberts and Fernhill Show Biz won their Novice Horse Championship division on a score of 20.0. Well done!!

Keep scrolling for full results from Stable View and much more:

Fox River Valley H.T. (Barrington, IL): [Website] [Live Scores]

Open Preliminary: Rebecca Gall and Winning Attribute (41.0)
Open Training: Kristen Rozycki and Lady Liera (26.9)
Training Rider: Ella Wegerich and Falynah B (26.9)
Novice Rider A: Sarah Harrison and We Been Spotted (28.4)
Novice Rider B: John Meyers and Notorious C.A.T. (36.3)
Open Novice: Debbie Knuth and Honky Tonk (33.8)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Marygrace Sinclair and Witch Hunt (28.7)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Kyla Tovar and Shannondale Jordi (24.4)
Open Beginner Novice: Taryn Sabala and Parkmore Irish Annie (21.2)
Starter: Sydney Steverson and Redfield I Am No Jeddi (30.3)

Horse Park of New Jersey H.T. I (Allentown, NJ): [Website] [Live Scores]

Advanced: Hannah Sue Burnett and Carsonstown (48.7)
Open Intermediate: Phillip Dutton and Carlchen (33.6)
Open Preliminary A: Daniel Clasing and Butts Arthur (34.2)
Open Preliminary B: Hannah Sue Burnett and Stakkato Bronx (35.2)
Open Modified: Christian Vasconez Egred and CiD Donnie D (31.0)
Open Training: Susie Beale and Over The Moon (29.0)
Training Rider: Katherine Maroko and Rosie’s Little Miss Liberty (28.1)
Novice Rider: Emma Brooks and Legendary Man (32.5)
Open Novice: Kristen Merala and Excel Star Kerry Pippin (26.1)
Open Beginner Novice: ElizaBeth Durden and Tout De Suite (26.6)
Beginner Novice Rider: Ingrid Johnson and Resplendence (27.2)

Inavale Farm H.T. (Philomath, OR): [Website] [Final Scores]

Open Intermediate: Karen O’Neal and Clooney 14 (29.2)
Open Preliminary: Karen O’Neal and Ebenholtz (25.5)
Amateur Training: Hope Cochran and Freesela (29.4)
Jr. Training: Hanni Sreenan and Zena (26.7)
Open Training: Anna Collier and Blue Time (30.60
Amateur Novice 1: Madison Flanders and Nobu (27.5)
Amateur Novice 2: Karen King and Deadwood Sage (33.9)
Jr. Novice 1: Lizzie Hoff and HSH Limited Edition (27.3)
Jr. Novice 2: Caterina Ritson and This Lad is Gold (23.1)
Open Novice: Jennifer Wooten-Macouzet and Kensington LV (30.3)
Amateur Beginner Novice 1: Mabelle Harrnacker and HS Cool River Monalisa (38.7)
Amateur Beginner Novice 2: Jenna McFadden and Take a Shot (30.8)
Jr. Beginner Novice: Kamila Rycharska and Davy Crockett (28.2)
Open Beginner Novice: Karen O’Neal and Clarkes Monbeg Ambition (24.1)
Starter 1: Heather Hornung and HS Stella Artois (22.0)
Starter 2: Mya Flannery and Willow (32.7)

Larkin Hill H.T. (North Chatham, NY): [Website] [Final Scores]

Prelim/Training: Megan Tardiff and Vindakova (32.3)
Open Training: Jennifer Bagley and Intrinsic (31.9)
Open Novice A: Eleanor Winter and Figlio (28.7)
Open Novice B: Jaime Kalisz and Major Tom (27.2)
Open Beginner Novice A: Quinn Ellis and Good Harbour (27.7)
Open Beginner Novice B: Julianne Pangal and Car Czar (37.5)
Open Beginner Novice C: Kimberly Sevigny and Cruiser (36.2)
Starter A: Jane Gurzendad and Tennessee Whiskey (27.7)
Starter B: Allison Hamilton and Ben’s Ecliptical (32.3)
New Event Horse: Caroline Teich and Fursten Liebling (77.2)
FEH – 2 Year Old: Claudia Romeo and Seakyr (84.250)
FEH – 3 Year Old: Caroline Teich and Fürsten dansil (79.250)
FEH – 4 Year Old: Alexandra Naja and Dega (71.500)
FEH – Yearling: Lauren Schultz and Bindi (72.5000)
YEH – 4 Year Old: Claudia Romeo and Free Fall (66.100)
YEH – 5 Year Old: Anthony Lambert and Killinick Lace (78.100)

Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Summer H.T. (Leesburg, Va.): [Website] [Final Scores]

Open Intermediate: Kelly Ransom and Heart of Hollywood (65.4)
Open Preliminary: Jessica Chappell and Bryn Taran Laurel (31.3)
Jr. Open Training: Olivia Devening and Maximus (30.6)
Open Training: Martin Douzant and Silver Ruby (30.3)
Training Horse: Ashley Trier and LNJ Encyclopedia (30.0)
Training Rider: Megan Smallwood and Nevertheless (37.5)
Jr. Open Novice: Quidley Kellermann and Cruising Along (30.0)
Novice Horse: Mackenzie Lea and Top Carrera (28.1)
Novice Rider: Isabel Giordano and Davinci (25.8)
Open Novice: Martin Douzant and BSF Frame Charleston (23.9)
Beginner Novice Horse: Victoria Miller and Homefortheweekend (29.4)
Beginner Novice Rider: Bekah Bartley and Plain Brown Wrap (28.2)
Jr. Beginner Novice: Alexander Denton and Southern Comfort (29.1)
Open Beginner Novice: Brittany Hebets and Island Nominee (32.2)
Introductory: Savannah Brunkow and Major Dude (33.5)

Midsouth Pony Club H.T. (Lexington, KY): [Website] [Final Scores]

Intermediate/Preliminary: Jenna Schildmier and Adios (41.6)
Open Preliminary 1: Jackie LeMastus and Lup The Loop (33.3)
Open Preliminary 2: Margo Goldfarb and Ridgetop Pirate (32.8)
Open Training: Kathy Baar and Boundless (26.7)
Training Horse: Ashley Kehoe and Daktaris (27.4)
Training Rider 1: Margaret Kimmel and Garfunkel (29.0)
Training Rider 2: Audrey Cozzi and Valadour (30.5)
Novice Horse: Rachel Miles and Cooley Keystone (24.3)
Novice Rider 1: Janey Jones and Star Shrek (29.7)
Novice Rider 2: Carrie Meehan and Gold to Blue Trapper Jack (28.6)
Novice Rider 3: Robin Thomas and She’s A Hollister Girl (30.8)
Novice Rider 4: Heather Thomas and Carry Me Home (29.4)
Open Novice: Stephanie Calendrillo and Dispatcher (30.7)
Beginner Novice 1: Anna Huntress and Clear Sailing (30.3)
Beginner Novice 2: Lindsay Parsley and Kilkenny Mile (30.9)
Beginner Novice 3: Alexandra Riddle and Rock Shandy (36.4)
Beginner Novice Horse: Scott Owens and Fernhill Starlord (29.4)
Open Beginner Novice: Jenna McPeek and RCA Royal Splendor (35.9)
Open Introductory: Molly Smith and Marian (49.4)
Open Starter 1: Avery Derby and Si’Vous Plait (27.0)
Open Starter 2: Jillian Wisneski and Rubato (30.3)

Stable View Summer H.T. / Area III Championships (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Final Scores]

Advanced: Melanie Smith and Shakedown Street (50.1)
Intermediate: Kiersten Miller and Mama Mia (40.3)
Intermediate Championships: Jennie Jarnstrom-Dennis and Flower Girl (34.9)
Open Preliminary: Waylon Roberts and Quiana AF (30.5)
Preliminary Championships: Jennie Jarnstrom-Dennis and Splash Dance (30.5)
Preliminary Rider: Ella Braundel and Categorically Cooley (34.8)
Modified: Katherine Brown and Gorsehill Army (27.9)
Modified Championships: Breeana Robinette and Cape Kimberly (26.4)
Jr. Training Championships: Devon Tresan and Zavallo (31.9)
Open Training: Zach Brandt and L Angel of Poppes 24 (26.9)
Sr. Training Championships: Cindy Phillips and Third Times the Charm (25.0)
Training Horse: Jenny Caras and Beaulieu’s Cheerful (25.5)
Training Horse Championships: Jessica Schultz and Angelic Warrior (27.3)
Training Rider: Sarah Estess and Lottery Ticket (30.2)
Jr. Novice Championships: Claire Roddy and Goodness Gracious (27.3)
Novice Horse Championships: Lara Roberts and Fernhill Show Biz (20.0)
Novice Rider: Lily Barlow and Spiderman (30.6)
Open Novice: Hayley Norfleet and SRF Rose-Colored Glasses (25.7)
Sr. Novice Championships: Deirdre Vaillancourt and Invictus (23.3)
Beginner Novice Horse Championships: Carla Jimmerson and Tag You’re It (24.4)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Paiton Keen and NoTroubleAtAll (23.8)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Luciana Hackett and Way Too Marvelous BSR (35.6)
Jr. Beginner Novice Championships: Madison Zgutowicz and My Valentine (26.3)
Open Beginner Novice: Tawn Edwards and WHF Zoom (30.0)
Sr. Beginner Novice Championships: Tiffany Stewart and Crimson Clover (25.7)

Valinor Farm H.T. (Plymouth, MA): [Website] [Final Scores]

Modified: Madison Blodgett and Northern Quest Lady’s Man (46.6)
Open Training: Eliza Quigley and Kwibus (22.6)
Training Rider: Andrew Beal and Capstone’s MJ Tasmania (29.6)
Novice Rider A: Eloise Plante and Mr. Lickety (28.3)
Novice Rider B: Cassandra Lorusso-Smith and Kokette Van’t Lindehof (30.8)
Open Novice A: Jennifer Fitch and Caraways Daring Romance (33.1)
Open Novice B: Eliza Quigley and Contaro (33.3)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Emma Adams and Honey (32.0)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Maya Spichal and Grey Street (32.8)
Open Beginner Novice: Erin Renfroe and Osage Grove (33.2)
Starter A: Leyla Sheldon and Friendly Fox (30.7)
Starter B: Stacey Bagaglio and Hercules (29.7)

Polish Win at Home at LOTTO Strzegom FEI Nations Cup Leg

By on Jun 27, 2022 9:00 am -

Mateusz Kiempa (POL) riding Libertina, members of the winning team from Poland at the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ 2022 – Strzegom (POL). Photo courtesy by Libby Law for the FEI.

The future looks bright for Polish eventing, after a talented team scored a decisive win in the third leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ in Strzegom (POL). Finishing on an overall score of 139.6, the Polish teams two-phase jumping performances put them well ahead of the Netherlands on 151.1. Whilst Austria finished a close third on 151.4.

Thirty-one year old Mateusz Kiempa was man of the moment, leading the competition throughout on Libertina. A challenging cross-country course reshuffled the leaderboard after the dressage with no riders going inside the time and there were a number of eliminations, retirement and cross-country jumping penalties.

Małgorzata Korycka and Canvalencia finish in the top 10 individually for Team Poland. Photo by Libby Law for the FEI.

Kiempa, who has competed at elite level in Jumping, was joined by teammates Malgortzata Korycka, Joanna Pawlak and Jan Kamiński. Kiempa rode one of the best cross-country rounds of the day. He finished just six seconds over the optimum time. “It was a great round, the horse jumped fantastic. Libertina was really fast and reactive. It was my plan to go as fast as possible and I think it worked out well!” said the professional event rider who was also individual winner of the Polish National Championships.

Kiempa, who added just four faults in the jumping phase, was joined by teammates Malgortzata Korycka, Joanna Pawlak and Jan Kamiński. Strong three phase performances from Korycka and Pawlak strengthened the team’s chances. Thirty-one year old Pawlak jumped just one of five double clears in the competition, on Fantastic Frieda the horse she rode at the Olympics in Tokyo last year.

Whilst the Austrians took a comfortable lead in the dressage phase, some strong cross-country performances by the Polish team put the home nation out in front after the second phase. Although the Netherlands were breathing down their neck going into the jumping phase. The pressure was on as the Poles had less than a show jump in hand but they kept their cool to deliver some good jumping rounds. Meanwhile the Dutch did not have such a happy time in the final phase which nearly lost them the runner-up spot too.

Team Poland tops the Strzegom podium. Photo courtesy of FEI.

Strzegom is a popular and long-standing international venue, hosting the FEI European Championships for Ponies, Juniors, Young Riders as well as the Senior European Championships in 2017. The venue will host this year’s FEI European Pony Championships in Jumping, Dressage and Eventing from 03 – 07 August.

FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ action now heads to Avenches (SUI) from 7-10 July, the fourth of nine events in the 2022 Series. Sweden, who have participated in every leg so far, remain series leaders at this early stage.

LOTTO Strzegom Horse Trials: [Website] [Final Scores]

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

By on Jun 27, 2022 8:11 am -

 

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A post shared by Jennie Brannigan (@branniganeventing)

Happy Monday to everyone, but especially to Jennie Brannigan, who picked herself up a tan, a diamond, and a fiancé over the weekend. Honestly, #goals.

National Holiday: It’s National Insurance Awareness Day. We have reached peak boring holidays.

US Weekend Action:

Fox River Valley H.T. (Barrington, IL): [Website] [Results]

Horse Park of New Jersey H.T. I (Allentown, NJ): [Website] [Results]

Inavale Farm H.T. (Philomath, OR): [Website] [Results]

Larkin Hill H.T. (North Chatham, NY): [Website] [Results]

Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Summer H.T. (Leesburg, Va.): [Website] [Results]

Midsouth Pony Club H.T. (Lexington, KY): [Website] [Results]

Stable View Summer H.T. / Area III Championships (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Results]

Valinor Farm H.T. (Plymouth, MA): [Website] [Results]

UK Weekend Results:

Alnwick Ford (1): [Results]

Eland Lodge (2): [Results]

Farley Hall: [Results]

Launceston (1): [Results]

Global Eventing Round-Up:

The major focal point of the weekend’s global events was Poland’s LOTTO Strzegom Horse Trials, which hosted classes all the way through to CCI4*-L, as well as a CCIO4*-S Nations Cup leg, which was duly won by the home nation. The individual win in the CCIO4*-S also went the way of Poland, with Matieusz Kiempa leading from start to finish with Libertina.

Switzerland’s Robin Godel continued his incredible season with a victory in the CCI4*-L class, riding the exciting Global DHI, while Tim Price took second with the former Chris Burton ride Polystar I, and Italy’s Emiliano Portale took third with one of my personal favourite young horses on the scene, Aracne dell’Esercito Italiano. Just ten of the 18 starters completed this tough class, and it was a truly international line-up to finish, with Jonelle Price and Faerie Magnifico taking fourth and the USA’s Katherine Coleman rounding out the top five with Monbeg Senna.

LOTTO Strzegom Horse Trials: [Website] [Results]

Your Monday Reading List:

It was an exciting weekend for our friends in the world of showjumping, as Ireland’s Shane Breen took his first ever victory in the Hickstead Derby on the class’s 60th anniversary. Even more special? He lives on-site and is married into the Bunn family, who started and continue to run this iconic show. We love watching this class, which combines the best of top-level jumping with something rather more akin to cross-country. [Some lad, that Shane Breen]

Mary King, who broke several ribs, vertebrae, and a shoulder blade in a fall at home recently, is doing well. She’s up and about at home, getting on with errands and already contemplating a return to one of her favourite hobbies, tennis. [Does this woman not have pain receptors?]

Poland made it happen in their home leg of the FEI Nations Cup series at Strzegom over the weekend. Their super performances prove that this ‘developing’ eventing nation have got an awful lot going for them — and the Austrians, too, continued to excited throughout the competition. [We love watching these countries thrive]

The FEI has been honoured as one of the leading international sporting governing bodies. This accolade comes from the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations, which, rather curiously, decides who’s earned a nod based on self-assessments from each body. The ASOIF also proves our long-held belief that if something exists, you better believe there’s an organisation for it. [Is that Rule 34? Oh, wait, that’s something else]

The FutureTrack Follow:

 

 

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Want to keep up to date with life on the road with the Polish eventing squad? Give team member Janek Kamiński a follow!

Morning Viewing:

Check out Shane Breen’s winning ride over the Hickstead Derby course:

On Learning: The Application of Knowledge

By on Jun 26, 2022 10:00 am -

Photo courtesy of Ella Groner.

Did you miss earlier editions of this series? Click here to catch up. 

“Learning is not getting stuff inside of your head—it’s getting stuff back out of your head!”

These were the words of wisdom of my Property Law professor, an elderly Jewish man who has been teaching the course for nearly 40 years. If anyone is an expert on how to teach—and learn—property law, it would be him.

His point was that doing well in his class (which turned on doing well on the final exam) required us not only to digest the knowledge from lectures, readings, and discussions. That was only step one: the intake. The real requirement was for us to apply that knowledge: to take it out of our heads and put it in an essay or an oral argument.

At the time, I remembered a funny image entering my brain. Property Law was not making much sense to me at that point —- the life estate system of feudal England and its subsequent development into modern law was not the most logical thing I had ever learned about. So when my professor said this, I imagined my head as a jumble of interconnected but random ideas, and I imagined reaching in there with a hand and scooping out a few concepts and throwing them at the wall like spaghetti.

Needless to say, the picture did not fill me with confidence. I realized that I needed to organize what was in my head in order to be able to get out what I needed to apply to the question at hand. I needed to arrange that handful of spaghetti into a recognizable shape.

So how do we get “the stuff back out of our heads”? It’s not easy. When I teach clinics, I often hear this frustration from riders. For example, I will tell a rider that they have a tendency to lean too far forward on the approach to a fence. They tell me that they know this —- in fact, it’s always been their biggest weakness, but they just cannot seem to fix it. The knowledge is in their head, but they cannot get it out to apply it to their riding in the moment. It’s immensely frustrating.

What I usually tell people in a clinic setting is that they know far more than they think —- they just have to apply it. In particular, I believe amateurs sell themselves short when they think they don’t know enough to ride with excellence. Anyone can ride with excellence. Anyone can learn. And most people have the ability to apply their lessons to their riding.

Yes, you might need a reminder every now and then. A well-timed “sit-up!” from someone on the ground can make a world of difference. But at the competition, we are responsible for being that voice in our heads. We are responsible for pulling the information out of our heads and applying it—- not just throwing spaghetti at the wall, but picking the tools that make sense in the moment and using them in the best ways we know to use them.

Another thing this professor admonished us about was that you cannot come up with a solution without identifying what the problem is. “When you’re a lawyer,” he told us one day, “cases won’t walk into your office with a label on their foreheads saying “property” or “contracts” – you have to figure out what silo they fit into and what kind of law to apply, and you have to remember that there is often crossover between different areas, which might require you to think creatively.”

This advice applies no less aptly to training horses. When a horse walks into your barn, she doesn’t come with a label on her forehead or instructions about how to ride her. She’s a horse —- likely with some history —- but just a horse who is a puzzle for the rider to figure out. The process or training the horse involves the rider assessing the problems, going into their inventory of ideas in their head, pulling out the knowledge that might work to solve those problems, and repeating the process again and again.

The process is iterative. The horse will change. The rider will change. But every step is some version of learning —- taking the information, applying it, and assessing what works.

Back to that quote: “Learning is not getting stuff inside of your head—it’s getting stuff back out of your head.” It would be easy to read this simplistically, to think of the process as shoving a recipe in one’s head and spitting it out when it was needed. But applying knowledge isn’t just dusting off an old idea and plastering it on a new problem. It’s figuring out exactly what part of that knowledge matters for this particular moment. That’s the hard part.

Want more of this series? Click here to catch up. 

Sport Horse Nation Spotlight: Five Classy Thoroughbreds

By on Jun 26, 2022 10:00 am -

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.

How do you like your Thoroughbred event horses? Raced or unraced, gray or bay, experienced or just getting started in the sport … we’ve got a little bit of everything up for grabs right now over at SHN. Have a look around!

Photo via SHN.

Exmoor: Handsome, Athletic & Brave

This 9-year-old 16.2-hh Thoroughbred gelding (JC name: Fot – Posse x Nobody But Me, by Trust N Luck) has been in the equestrian program at an East Tennessee resort since coming off the track in 2020. But as much as “Exmoor” enjoys hitting our rugged mountain trails with guides, this athletic guy deserves a job more befitting of his potential.

When a guide started him over small fences this winter we discovered that he is a natural and brave jumper. He hasn’t so much as batted an eyelash over anything we’ve pointed him at. He will excel as an eventer, hunter/jumper or foxhunting staff horse. He’s soft in the bridle and goes well in a hackamore or snaffle. He’s well-muscled, crosses water happily, and hacks out alone or in company although he does prefer to lead. He’ll pair best with an experienced rider who can continue his training. Watch a video of him here.

Exmoor’s goofball personality keeps us entertained. He has a curious mind and just wants to put everything in his mouth. His work ethic is excellent and he truly enjoys being ridden. He lives out 24/7 but also enjoys chilling in a stall. He is UTD on everything, has recent clean radiographs, and we feel confident that he will pass a rigorous pre-purchase exam.

Located at Blackberry Farm in Walland, TN (25 minutes from the Knoxville airport).

Photo via SHN.

Genuine, sweet, Novice level, 7 year old OTTB, ready for his move up.

Promoted (aka Promo) is a 7 year old 16.1 OTTB, ready to move up to Training. Great brain! Solid work ethic, brave. Has multiple wins at BN and N level in Open divisions and T.I.P. divisions. 5th place overall in Eventing at 2021 Retired Racehorse Megamakeover. Appropriate for juniors, young riders, adult amateurs riding in a program. Promo has had a successful tie back surgery 2 years ago which does not limit him in any way. He has been in a professional training program since coming off the track 2 1/2 years ago. Perfect back Xrays! Located just South of Atlanta, right next to Chatt Hills competition facility. 15 minutes from the ATL airport. Price to increase with further competitions and training.

Photo via SHN.

Saving Grace

Saving Grace: 2016 16.2h chestnut unraced Thoroughbred mare

This lovely mare has been in our program since retiring from the racetrack, where she trained but never raced. She has been brought along carefully and thoughtfully, and is regularly ridden by her amateur owner. Grace is brave, always takes you to the jumps and hacks out by herself or with groups. She is a pleasure to have in the barn and just as easy and sweet as could be.

Grace started her eventing career this year and has placed every time out. There is nothing holding this pretty girl back, and she would be suitable for an ambitious amateur or young rider looking for a safe, athletic and fun horse to bring along. She will continue competing until sold, so grab her now before her price goes up!

Photo via SHN.

Striking grey TB

Broadway Jerry
4 yo TB 16.1+
Jerry is a lovely horse with a relaxed way of going and plenty of jump to spare. Jerry recently joined our program embracing his new career
and competed in the 4 YEH at the Virginia Horse trails May 26 like an old pro finishing in 2nd. Honest brave consistent jumper, loves cross country, does everything in a loose ring. Sound, suitable for a confident teenager, AA, or young pro looking for a horse with ability to move up the levels.

Photo via SHN.

Amateur/Young Rider’s Dream Horse

2011, 15.3 hh, Thoroughbred Gelding

“Holy City” aka Hank is every amateur/young rider’s dream horse! As an unraced TB with a solid, winning record through novice (USEA # 172616), Hank is straightforward on the flat and a confidence builder over fences. All of his miles have been with an amateur. Sound, happy and ready to go win his next event!

Listings included in this article are randomly selected and not confirmed to be current and active before inclusion. Sport Horse Nation features user-generated content and therefore cannot verify or make any warranty as to the validity or reliability of information.

Sunday Links

By on Jun 26, 2022 12:01 am -

Angela Bowles and Novelle. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Here is a new education opportunity for your calendar: Virginia Horse Trials is is hosting a cross country clinic with five-star eventer Angela Bowles in conjunction with their July starter trials. All profits from the clinic will go directly to friends of the Bowles family: Felicia Abbott, who has been a decades-long of eventing and Pony Club, and her son Dustin, who tragically lost their husband/ father earlier this month. You can enter alongside the starter trials at Event Entries!

U.S. Weekend Action:

Fox River Valley H.T. (Barrington, IL): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Scores]

Horse Park of New Jersey H.T. I (Allentown, NJ): [Website] [Scores] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Inavale Farm H.T. (Philomath, OR): [Website] [Ride Times/Scores] [Volunteer]

Larkin Hill H.T. (North Chatham, NY): [Website] [Ride Times] [Scores] [Volunteer]

Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Summer H.T. (Leesburg, Va.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Scores] [Volunteer]

Midsouth Pony Club H.T. (Lexington, KY): [Website] [Ride Times/Scores] [Volunteer]

Stable View Summer H.T. / Area III Championships (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Scores] [Volunteer]

Valinor Farm H.T. (Plymouth, MA): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Major International Events:

LOTTO Strzegom Horse Trials: [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Live Stream] [Event Preview]

Sunday Links:

12 Training Tips from Buck Davidson

Three Ways to Expand Community through Competitions

Ireland’s sport horse breeders to share in €2m govt funding

The Rules of ‘Poopspection’: Analyzing Your Horses’ Manure

Hot on Horse Nation: Weekend Wellness: Water Works for Horses!

Sunday Video: No dressage arena? No problem!

Who Jumped It Best? Shepherd Ranch Preliminary Weldon’s Wall

By on Jun 25, 2022 10:00 am -

Our latest Who Jumped It Best? recap comes from a very special California event: Shepherd Ranch in Santa Ynez, located just outside of the beautiful mountain town of Solvang. Shepherd Ranch is the home and training base of 5* eventer and certified badass Bunnie Sexton, and together with her family this event has been a mainstay on the Area VI calendar twice a year.

The event has suffered from low entries like many of its counterparts, which threatens the future of competitions at this gorgeous facility. It’s a perfect weekend getaway event: you can traipse into town for some delicious Danish food and culture, or you can simply kick back in your LQ on the grounds and take in the gorgeous sights. The cross country courses at this event are inviting and enjoyable, and it’s the perfect event for producing young horses or inexperienced riders.

In short: it’s everything an eventer could want, and that deserves to be celebrated!

Sherry Stewart dropped us a few shots from the Weldon’s Wall on this year’s Preliminary track, which was designed by Adri Doyal. As usual, use the poll below to vote for the pair you believe presents the best overall picture of harmony.

As always, #goeventing!

Shepherd Ranch Pony Club H.T.: [Website] [Final Results]

Grace Wechser and Raskadero. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Julie Ann Boyer and High Decorum. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Cara Lavigna and Carrick Diamond Duke. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Lauren Salgueiro and Wimpy Kid. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Zoey Greenwood and A Premier Cooley. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Jolie Wentworth and KF Klosterbrau. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Grace Wechser and Girl Of California. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Early Birds Get the Live Stream: Catch Cross Country from Poland’s Nations Cup Leg at Strzegom

By on Jun 25, 2022 2:00 am -

The early bird gets the live stream! Today’s Nations Cup cross country action from Strzegom in Poland is streaming live today on the FEI’s YouTube channel, as well as on ClipMyHorse.TV.

Following the conclusion of dressage, it’s Austria out in front both individually and in the team competitions for the CCIO4*-S competition. Mateusz Kiempa, riding the 13-year-old mare Libertina, a former top-5 finisher at the FEI World Young Horse Breeding Championships at Mondial du Lion who most recently came second in the 4*-L at Sopot in May.

Mateusz Kiempa and Libertina. Leszek Wójcik photo.

The stream will begin at 6:45 a.m. EST, beginning with the Nations Cup CCIO4*-S. The CCI4*-L will run later on, at 11 a.m. EST. You can find the order of go for 4*-S here, 4*-L here as well as live scoring here.

LOTTO Strzegom Horse Trials: [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Live Stream] [Event Preview]