Classic Eventing Nation

Applications Open for Summer 2022 Ever So Sweet Scholarship

By on Mar 15, 2022 3:00 pm -

Sierra Lesny, recipient of the second Ever So Sweet scholarship, and her OTTB Pea. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Now in its third cycle, Strides for Equality Equestrians has opened its application period for the Ever So Sweet Scholarship! Applications will be accepted online here until April 15 and the recipient will be chosen by May 1 for the summer term which runs June-August at Sara Kozumplik’s Overlook Farm in Berryville, Virginia. It is made possible by Edy Rameika, Sara Kozumplik, and the USEA Foundation who have supported SEE from the very beginning. Without them this one of a kind program would not be possible!

This is an outstanding opportunity for a young person who wants to expand their riding, horsemanship, and equestrian network on their career path as professional horseperson. It is an immersive program with busy days and lots of learning. Prior recipients Helen Casteel and Sierra Lesny had ample time in the saddle with exposure to truly top class trainers. They met world class vets and farriers and learned from the best organizers and grooms in the business as well. You can follow along with past, present and future Ever So Sweet recipients on Instagram and Facebook.

This is a fully funded scholarship provided through Strides for Equality Equestrians and its partners mentioned above. It includes all expenses associated with board & training of one horse, rent for the recipient and a small stipend, transportation to Virginia and to competitions, entries, lessons, and farrier care. It is truly a unique program that gives riders a head start or a step up in their career.

If this sounds like a program that you would benefit from on your professional pathway apply today at www.StridesforEquality.org.

Ride iQ & United States Pony Clubs Announce Partnership

By on Mar 15, 2022 1:00 pm -

Today the United States Pony Clubs (USPC) and Ride iQ announced their strategic partnership, bringing together USPC’s trusted educational curriculum with Ride iQ’s innovative learning platform. Ride iQ is a first-of-its-kind coaching platform with listen-while-you-ride audio lessons taught by world-class coaches.

Technology is helping to significantly improve athletic skills and performance across all sports, and equestrian athletes stand to benefit, too. One of the greatest limitations to a rider’s progress lies in ineffective independent schooling. Ride iQ transforms independent schooling and empowers equestrian athletes to progress toward their goals through access to world-class instruction.

“With Ride iQ, riders have a phenomenal coach in their ear providing direction, insight, and reminders for every step of their independent rides. Through our collaboration with USPC, Ride iQ’s audio lessons will help Pony Club members of all levels develop fundamental horsemanship skills, strengthen their partnerships, ride more safely, and achieve their next certifications. It’s an absolute game changer,” said Jessa Lux, co-founder of Ride iQ.

Ride iQ was founded in 2021 by two Pony Club alumni, sisters McKinsey and Jessa Lux. While the Ride iQ mobile app and audio lessons are foundational to the platform, other Ride iQ membership benefits include access to weekly live virtual Office Hours with Ride iQ coaches and guest experts, a private Facebook community for members and coaches, and a selection of exclusive podcasts.

The Ride iQ platform currently features 18 coaches across eventing, hunter/jumper, and dressage disciplines. Every Ride iQ coach has proven their ability to produce highly capable riders and has earned a reputation for exceptional horsemanship. Given that selection criteria, it’s not a coincidence that several Ride iQ coaches have strong Pony Club backgrounds, including “A” graduates Ema Klugman (5* event rider), Doug Payne (US Olympic event rider), and Gina Smith (Canadian Olympic dressage rider). Two Pony Club national examiners are also in the process of recording Ride iQ lessons that will be available soon.

Ride iQ’s growing lesson library already has over 300 audio lessons to choose from. Every audio lesson is marked with a Pony Club certification level to help Pony Club members navigate to suitable and relevant lessons. Lessons range from exercises at the walk to working on advanced skills.

Ride iQ membership includes unlimited access to the audio lessons and all other Ride iQ benefits for $29.99/month or $249/year. Through the USPC-Ride iQ partnership, Pony Club members will get discounted access to Ride iQ. As a partnership launch promotion, Pony Club members and their friends and families are invited to use the promo code “USPC” for 50% off their first Ride iQ membership payment (i.e. $15 for the first month or $125 for the first year). The 50% discount will be available for 72 hours, from March 15 through March 17. After that, the “USPC” promo code will generate a 15% discount off the first payment. “The USPC-Ride iQ collaboration represents a significant step forward in enabling Pony Club members to take ownership of their own development through innovative equestrian sports technology and expanded access to top-tier coaching,” said McKinsey Lux, co founder of Ride iQ.

“We are excited to expand Pony Club’s educational opportunities through our partnership with Ride iQ,” said USPC Executive Director Teresa Woods. “As a leader in equestrian education, we feel this technology offers unlimited potential for Pony Club members to enhance their learning as they work toward their goals.”

About Ride iQ

Ride iQ is the first audio-focused training platform for equestrians and offers something completely new: the opportunity to get on-demand, listen-while-you-ride instruction. The private Ride iQ mobile app features 300+ lessons with options suitable for equestrians at every level.

Ride iQ has coaches across hunter/jumper, eventing, and dressage including Leslie Law (British eventer, individual gold medalist), Gina Smith (Olympic dressage rider), Doug Payne (Olympic eventer, Grand Prix jumper), and several others. Visit Ride iQ.com to get started or connect with Ride iQ on Facebook or Instagram.

About The United States Pony Clubs, Inc.

The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (USPC or Pony Club) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization that builds the foundation of teamwork and sportsmanship through riding, mounted sports, care of horses and ponies, while developing and enhancing leadership, confidence, responsibility, and a sense of community in its youth and adult members. USPC is proud to offer instruction and competitive opportunities in more than 10 different disciplines through hundreds of clubs and centers across the United States. USPC’s educational standards continue to be instrumental in curriculum development for schools, universities, equestrian professionals, and organizations across the United States. Many of the nation’s top equestrians, including Olympic team members, as well as successful business professionals and leaders in a variety of fields, have roots in Pony Club. To learn more visit ponyclub.org.

#Supergroom Series: Nowhere Else Anna Lawson Would Rather Be Than with Sharon White

By on Mar 15, 2022 9:00 am -

Anna and her horse, Cinder. Photo courtesy of Anna Lawson.

There’s nothing else Anna Lawson would rather be doing than grooming for Sharon White.

Sharon White’s farm, situated on the border of West Virginia and Virginia, is like a second home for Anna Lawson, who has been working there since the summer of 2021.

“I know in my bones this is where I’m supposed to be and everything about it feels correct and right. There’s really no one else I’d rather work for honestly,” Anna said.

Anna moved from Georgia to Virginia when she was 17 years old to gain more experience in the equine industry. She started reaching out to people and one of Sharon’s first working students, Christy Hill, introduced Anna to Sharon.

Anna wanted to work for Sharon, but she knew she needed more experience before stepping up to that position. “ I wasn’t quite qualified for the job. I’d never been anywhere at all. I’ve been home my whole life, taking little riding school lessons,” Anna said.

 

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Before working for Sharon, Anna gained experience with Natalie Hollis at Destination Farm in Maryland for about three years. Anna started riding with Sharon when she was at Destination Farm to teach clinics and later trailered to Sharon’s barn for lessons about once a month.

“There was something about the way she taught me, I really liked it and I appreciated the effort she put into my riding,” Anna said.

Anna’s mom ended up working for Sharon as her barn manager, so Anna visited Sharon’s farm more often, which encouraged her to work to prove herself to Sharon.

“I didn’t think I was good enough so I kind of made it a point to prove myself to her and get her attention,” Anna said.

While Anna was working off lessons, Sharon needed more help around the barn, and the groom position was open. “She asked me, and I wasn’t going to turn down the opportunity; it’s a fabulous opportunity!”

Anna appreciates the attention to detail that Sharon has for her horses and students. “She’s a visual learner. And in that she also teaches for people who are visual learners.”

Sharon holds a high standard for her barn and Anna makes sure to uphold that standard.

Claus, Anna and Sharon at Tryon last fall. Photo by Sally Spickard.

“I’m a very detail-oriented person. The kind of care I like to give is very personal, like how amateurs spend time with their horses, they spend four or five hours at the barn, or like most people do. I like to do that with each and every horse, and it gets hard when there’s as many as we have,” Anna said.

Luckily, Anna has the support of Sharon’s working students to help around the barn. “I really couldn’t do it without the working students we have here: Lea and Olivia. They’re all very, very wonderful and they’re very good about everything,” Anna said.

Anna’s favorite horse around the barn is Claus 63. “He reminds me a lot of myself; he’s very anxious and nervous. But he tries his hardest in everything that he does.”

The best part of Anna’s day is riding her own horse, Little Red Corvette aka Cinder, who she’s had since she hit the ground. They are currently competing at the training level, with the hopes of moving up to preliminary and eventually running a 2* this season.

 

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Their first event back this season was at Rocking Horse and “It was very productive. I went entirely too fast and blew past two fences and a combination, but she was having the time of her life. So it’s okay,” Anna said.

Anna has felt at home since she started working for Sharon and sees herself doing that far into the future.

“There’s no one I can depend on– whether it’s as a boss or a coach– no one who is as invested in her students as Sharon is in all of us,” Anna said.

Go Anna and Go Eventing.

Don’t miss out on more #supergroom profiles — click here to follow this series!

Tuesday News & Notes from Legends Horse Feed

By on Mar 15, 2022 6:00 am -

I’m not sure I could possibly be any more excited about the return of head cams from European climes as we inch closer and closer to the start of the season – and EN’s first far-flung international fixture at Thoresby International CCI4*-S in England. With Badminton entries due to be released in the next couple of weeks and a smoking hot slew of top-level horses already logging their first run, I think we can expect a truly vintage season. And to start it off in fine style? It’s Cheltenham week, which tends to draw all the UK’s eventers out of their lairs to watch the very best in jumps racing. It really does feel like another time: the last time I went to Cheltenham, I didn’t quite realise that just days later, we’d all be plunged into our first lockdown. Weird notion, in hindsight.

Events Opening Today: Horse Park of New Jersey Spring H.T., Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Spring H.T., Ram Tap Horse Park H.T., University of New Hampshire Spring H.T., Stable View Spring H.T.

Events Closing Today: Morven Park Spring H.T., Rocking Horse Spring H.T., Stable View Spring 2/3/4*, Galway Downs International H.T.

#WomensHistoryMonth Bit of the Day: Instead of the past, I want to use this spot to look to the future – and more specifically, the shocking revelation that in 2022, we still haven’t benefited from any truly significant research into the effects of menopause on sporting performance. Horse&Hound‘s Lucy Elder investigates.

Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:

Paul Schockemöhle is one of the biggest names in the sport horse industry. His empire spans breeding, competition production, elite sales and performance, and, of course, a popular tack and clothing brand that bears his moniker. Now, he and his team are using his resources and leverage to provide aid and help evacuate refugees from Ukraine.

The Open Intermediate at Oasby Horse Trials in England was a who’s-who of top-level talent, featuring major names including all three members of the gold medal winning Tokyo team, our reigning World Champions, reigning Blenheim winners, current European Champions and individual medallist, and a slew of five-star winners. Check out some photos from H&H’s Peter Nixon here.

Take a closer look at the Haller Education Scholarship for Eventing Officials in the latest of US Eventing’s series on their spectrum of super grants and bursaries available for riders, coaches, officials, and more.

New research into lipid production could improve lead to improved reproductive performance. The study, which is being undertaken in Australia, may well prove to be a boon to breeders around the world.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITY OF THE DAY: Want to brush up on your feeding knowledge and learn how to keep your horse’s complex digestive system healthy, happy, and full functional? If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, when it comes to horses, a well-balanced and regularly scheduled meal can do much the same – and Legends Horse Feed is hosting an informative webinar today at 1.00 p.m. ET to help you get to grips with nutritional tailoring. Plus, all attendees will receive a voucher for a free bag of feed! Click here for more information and to join in.

Video Break:

Chatsworth is one of the iconic events returning to the calendar this year, and it never disappoints – in fact, its stunning house and grounds were used as Pemberley House in the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. We can’t promise a rich hunk will appear through the mist, but we can definitely guarantee some red-hot action like this:

Monday Video: Throwing It Back, Athens Style

By on Mar 14, 2022 4:15 pm -

This year, I’ve been on a kick of finding videos from events in the past. It’s funny, you can watch an event in person or live on TV and almost immediately forget some of the moments — good or bad — that you witnessed. I’ve really enjoyed taking a bit of a walk down history lane, noting the evolution of the sport through the years as I go.

Today’s highlight reel comes to you from the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. This year, it would be France who would come away with the team gold medal, followed by Great Britain in silver and the United States in bronze position. Great Britain’s Leslie Law won the individual gold honors after a show jumping timer controversy would eventually remove Germany’s Bettina Hoy from the top step on the podium, and this would also be the year Kim Severson won individual silver with the legendary Winsome Adante.

Relive some highlights from the cross country portion of competition in these two compilations, all thanks to YouTube user albykins. Enjoy!

#GoEventing ‘Grams of the Week: Grassroots for All at Stable View’s Eventing Academy

By on Mar 14, 2022 1:30 pm -

We’re big fans of grassroots eventing here at EN — after all, this sport is expensive and can be difficult to participate in full-time. Quality unrecognized competition opportunities offer up a chance to dabble in eventing without breaking the bank or turning up the pressure. Our friends at Stable View in Aiken, Sc. offer a great opportunity to get in some cross country schooling as well as practice in competition regularly at the Stable View Eventing Academy.

This weekend, Stable View hosted its March Eventing Academy, which offered schooling followed by a three-phase competition for levels from Starter up through Modified. Riders can also choose to ride individual dressage tests and/or show jumping rounds during competition.

You can view updated results and points standings (you can earn points throughout the season leading up to the end of the year!) here. The next Eventing Academy will be held May 20-21 at Stable View — you can view the full calendar and find out more about entering here. Next up at Stable View will be an exclusive clinic with Tamie Smith, March 28-30 (you can still enter here!) as well as the always-popular spring 4*S, April 1-3.

Let’s take a look at your Instagram posts from this weekend’s Eventing Academy! As always, you can tag your public posts with #goeventing for a chance to be featured on our pages.

Weekend Winners: Red Hills, Full Gallop, MeadowCreek Park, SAzEA, Southern Pines + More

By on Mar 14, 2022 11:30 am -

We’re wrapping up another weekend of eventing competition in this week’s #WeekendWinners column! Keep scrolling for results and social media from the recognized events that ran over the weekend.

This weekend’s Unofficial Low Score Award was earned by Elle Snyder and Fernhill Bijzonder, who won their Junior Novice division at MeadowCreek Park on a score of 21.4. Way to go!

Red Hills International CCI4*-S (Tallahassee, Fl): [Final Scores] [EN’s Coverage]

CCI4*S: Lauren Nicholson and Landmark’s Monte Carlo (42.1)
CCI3*S: Meaghan Marinovich Burdick and Riviera Lu (37.0)
CCI2*S: Leslie Law and Fupsilon Grande Lande (25.3)
Advanced: Jennie Brannigan and Twilightslastgleam (47.9)
Open Intermediate: Jennie Brannigan and Connory (45.0)
Open Preliminary: Phillip Dutton and Lincoln’s Address (33.6)
Preliminary Rider: Karli Wright and The Diesel Boy (35.4)

Full Gallop Farm March H.T. (Aiken, Sc.): [Final Scores]

Preliminary: Brit Vegas and Slew the Zodiac (34.7)
Preliminary/Training: Tracey Bienemann and Reg the Ledge (35.8)
Training: Marty Whitehouse Riney and George Alexander (23.2)
Novice A: Corinna Garcia and Lyric (23.9)
Novice B: Bethany Hulst and Going Rate (26.4)
Training/Novice: Julia Spatt and Uptown Funk (28.1)
Beginner Novice A: Rachel Miles and Cooley Keystone (24.4)
Beginner Novice B: Margaret Doherty and Bring It On (27.9)
Starter: Emma Santucci and Griffin (36.3)

Meadowcreek Park Spring Social Event (Kosse, Tx.): [Final Scores]

Preliminary/Training: Makenzie Lowe and BT Jump the Gun (40.6)
Open Training: Jody Taylor and Zippin Free (33.7)
Training Rider: Sarah Goodyear and Flagmount’s Harmony (33.1)
Jr. Novice Rider: Elle Snyder and Fernhill Bijzonder (21.4)
Open Novice: Rick Urban and Morally Flexible (23.9)
Sr. Novice Rider: Laura Sparks and GTB Felix Felicis (32.5)
Jr. Beginner Novice Rider: Avery Stroud and Valedictorian (24.8)
Open Beginner Novice: Christine McCarter and Beau Regard (35.9)
Sr. Beginner Novice Rider: Maria Balch and Mohican DF (30.0)
Starter: Heather Joslyn and Jackpot (25.3)

SAzEA Spring H.T. (Tucson, Az.): [Final Scores]

Open Preliminary: Kayla Dumier and Faramir (38.3)
Open Training: Paige Dinnie and Crown Royal (29.7)
Training Rider: Chloe Racle and Fine Dutch Chocolate (31.4)
Novice Rider A: Michaela Aulicino and Nottingham Hill (31.9)
Novice Rider B: Shawn Ortiz and Patriot’s Liberty (26.4)
Open Novice: Elaine Coller and I Am The Wind (30.3)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Bridget Kelly and Windover Tarragon (27.9)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Julia San Roman and Red Sunrise (29.1)
Open Beginner Novice: Frederic Bouland and Ninetyinasixtyfive (31.5)
Introductory: Brilee Waldron and Rehash (31.3)
Pre-Competition: William Wilkinson and Tokyo Ghoul (52.0)

Southern Pines H.T. (Raeford, Nc.): [Final Scores]

Advanced CT: Skyeler Voss and Argyle (27.4)
Intermediate CT: Christina Henriksen and Cierra (27.5)
Open Preliminary: Kim Severson and Cooley Criminal Mind (26.4)
Preliminary Rider: Huxley Greer and Roman Holiday WE (33.4)
Modified Rider: Susanne McDaniel and Corelli WWW (31.2)
Open Modified: Ferial A. Johnson and Great Recession (27.2)
Open Training: Hayley A. Norfleet and Imperial Phillip (22.4)
Training Rider A: Carroll Courtenay and Mr. Puff Higgens Jr. (28.3)
Training Rider B: Roberta Woronowicz and Fuerst Fargeaux (34.6)
Training Jr. Rider: Addison Kasley and Very Tasteful (29.4)
Novice CT: Abigail Golden Winston and Ozeki (31.2)
Novice Rider A: John Burgess and Butch Cassidy (27.4)
Novice Rider B: Sarah Murawski and Templewood (30.3)
Novice Jr. Rider: Willow Lee Chase and Diablo (33.3)
Open Novice A: Susan J. Beebee and Indiantown Gap (30.7)
Open Novice B: Nanette Schumaker and La Cosa Nostra (28.3)
Beginner Novice CT: Maria Ramberg and Imagine That (34.1) and Jordan Venegas and My Ladybug (34.1)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Mary Hunter and Maastrict VDL (33.6)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Jill Yurgeles and Dr. Shipley (33.8)
Beginner Novice Jr. Rider: Sydney Parise and MSH Ready To Rock (27.5)
Open Beginner Novice: Jasmine Hobart and Texas Avalanche (24.1)

And there were several unrecognized schooling shows this weekend — great opportunities for horses and riders to get a taste of competition without the pressure or costs. Let’s check in on social at Majestic Oaks (FL) and Poplar Place (GA):

Dressage and Show Jumping Riders to Represent United States at 2022 Maccabi Games in Israel

By on Mar 14, 2022 9:00 am -

Photo courtesy of Andrea Glazer.

A team of three dressage riders will represent the United States at the 2022 Maccabi Games in Tel Aviv, Israel this summer, July 12- 26. The U.S. dressage team members include; Lauren Sara, 59, Wynnewood, PA; Aviva Nebesky, 63, Bowie, MD; and Rebecca Cord, 40, West Grove, PA and Clarksboro, NJ. The U.S. equestrian contingent will also include a four-member show jumping team. Riders will compete on borrowed horses.

Coach and Chef d’Equipe Rebecca Cord has competed at the FEI levels and owns and operates a dressage training and sales business in Clarksboro, NJ. She is a USDF Bronze and Silver medalist, a USDF ‘L’ graduate and an ARIA and USDF certified instructor. She has previously represented the United States twice at the Maccabi Games.

A fashion designer by trade, Lauren Sara is an adult amateur who has been riding since childhood. She competes primarily in eventing, and has competed up to third level in dressage. She is a USDF Bronze medalist. Following the Maccabi Games she plans to return her focus to eventing.

Aviva Nebesky specializes in teaching dressage to adult amateurs and to individuals who have fear issues. Before becoming a full-time horse person, she was a social worker. She has competed through Fourth Level and has achieved her USDF Bronze Medal, and graduated from the USDF “L” program with distinction.

International eventing and dressage rider and longtime coach of the U.S. Para Dressage team Missy Ransehausen of Blue Hill Farm in Unionville, PA will travel with the team as an advisor.

This will be the third time in the 85-year history of the Maccabi Games that equestrian sports will be included. More than 1,100 athletes will represent the United States at the 2022 World Maccabi Games in total; the Games are comprised of over 10,000 athletes, representing 80 countries and participating in 43 sports.

In 2017, show jumper Andrea Glazer blogged about her experience at the Maccabiah Games — you can catch up on her stories here as we look forward to the next Games!

Monday News & Notes from Futuretrack

By on Mar 14, 2022 12:01 am -

Meaghan Burdick celebrates her Red Hills 3* win with a deserving young volunteer. Photo via Meaghan on Facebook.

I love following riders who hail from my original “home” Area IV, and Iowa native Meaghan Marinovich Burdick is the latest Midwest rider to make waves in the eventing community with a smashing 3* win at Red Hills this weekend. Way to go, Meaghan! You can catch up on all of the Red Hills action in Abby’s final report here.

And let’s talk a bit about some breeding fun facts from the weekend. We’re so thrilled to see breeding becoming a more popular topic here in the U.S., as understanding the lineage of these elite event horses is integral to understanding the current trajectory of the sport.

It was a great weekend to be sat on a blood horse at Red Hills! The winner of the 4* is out of a full TB mare, and the…

Posted by Amanda Chance on Sunday, March 13, 2022

#WomensHistoryMonth Bit of the Day:

In honor of Landmark’s Monte Carlo and his big win at Red Hills this weekend, take a look at the USEA Hall of Fame profile on his owner and breeder (and invaluable eventing supporter) Ms. Jacqueline Mars here.

U.S. Weekend Results:

Red Hills International CCI4*-S (Tallahassee, Fl): [Final Scores] [EN’s Coverage]

Full Gallop Farm March H.T. (Aiken, Sc.): [Final Scores]

Meadowcreek Park Spring Social Event (Kosse, Tx.): [Final Scores]

SAzEA Spring H.T. (Tucson, Az.): [Final Scores]

Southern Pines H.T. (Raeford, Nc.): [Final Scores]

International Round-up:

 

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Montelibretti Prosecco Tour CCI4*L: [Final Scores]

 

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A post shared by Laura Collett MBE (@laura_collett)

Oasby (Lincolnshire, UK): [Final Scores]

Tweseldown (Hampshire, UK): [Final Scores]

Monday News and Reading:

We know eventers are adrenaline junkies by nature, but amateur competitor Stephanie Sills has quite the adrenaline-fueled career: she’s also a Blackhawk and Medevac helicopter pilot for the U.S. Army. Read more about Stephanie and how she’s balanced her service with her eventing pursuits here.

A cool throwback story to start your week off: Chronicle of the Horse coverage from the 1996 Groton House Horse Trials, which was a selection trial for the U.S. team ahead of the Atlanta Olympics.

Looking for more ways to help horses and humans in Ukraine? NoelleFloyd.com has a resource list here (and you can also refer to ours here).

Don’t forget: Carolina International is approaching quickly! Held at the Carolina Horse Park March 24-27, the event is a popular stop for horses on their way to a spring 5* and all of the action will once again be livestreamed on H&C+!

Carolina International 2022

🔴 Coming up next: Carolina International, March 24 – 26

Tune in to H&C+ to watch all of the action from the dressage, cross country and showjumping at Carolina Horse Park.

Don’t miss it, become an H&C+ member today to watch live and on-demand 👀

Posted by Horse & Country TV on Friday, March 4, 2022

Monday Video Break:

Relive the thrilling Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field with Doug Payne and Quantum Leap:

Nicholson Nabs 4* Win, First FEI Victory for Marinovich-Burdick in the 3* at Red Hills

By on Mar 13, 2022 7:51 pm -

Lauren Nicholson and Landmark’s Monte Carlo. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

After yesterday’s cross country round, Lauren Nicholson had mentioned that Landmark’s Monte Carlo always likes it at Red Hills International Horse Trials in Tallahassee, Florida and tends to do well at this event. She’s right: the pair finished 4th here in the four-star in 2021, second in the CCI3-S in 2020, and 5th in 2019 three-star. Altogether, they’ve made the trip to Red Hills nearly every year in the last decade. This year they came out on top.

Overnight leaders Will Coleman and Off The Record withdrew before show jumping today. Will told EN that the gelding had knocked his stifle at the last water complex on yesterday’s course and while he looked good last night, he came out of the stall stiff today. Will had radiographs taken, which showed no damage, but he opted not to jump the gelding in the final phase.

Subsequently, Lauren and “Patrick”, as he’s known around the barn or “Patty” for short, were left in pole position with a rail in hand over second place. They needed it — knocking a rail at fence 9 on the Chris Barnard-designed course — but it was enough to clinch the victory with a final score of 42.1, earning a fist pump from Lauren.

“Patrick is a barn favorite,” she says. “Everyone is very exited for him. He’s 16 years old now and he’s done a lot. He’s like an old friend at this point.”

Lauren Nicholson and Landmark’s Monte Carlo. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Patrick actually won his first start at the four-star level back in 2015 at Jersey Fresh International. Since then, they’ve contested this level at 21 international events, coming tantalizing close to a win a few times over the years. Lauren and Patrick ended their 2021 season with a fantastic 6th place at the inaugural Maryland Five-Star in October and then after a winter vacation they kicked the 2022 season off with a spin around the Open Intermediate at Rocking Horse Winter II before heading here to Red Hills.

A product of Ms. Jaqueline Mars’ breeding program at Landmark Stables and Stonehall Farm, Patrick is a U.S.-bred Irish Sport Horse sired by Formula One out of a full Thoroughbred mare, Glamour, by Flash Tycoon.

“He was a quirky young horse to put it kindly, but we run a very patient program and he has really blossomed now and he’s one of my best buddies at this point,” Lauren said.

Lauren says she prefers to run Patrick at the Advanced level only a couple times a year, so they’ll fly around and Intermediate again next before aiming for a spring three-day, most likely Kentucky.

Mia Farley and BGS Firecracker. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

It’s a sweet second place for Mia Farley and her own BGS Firecracker, who jumped a stylish double clear round today — they have yet to knock a pole at the four-star level — to keep a finishing score of 43.0. The 21-year-old rider and the Irish Sport horse mare (Capitalist x Emmas Courage, by Courage II) bred by Patty Byrne of BGS Sport Horses stalked the top of the leaderboard all weekend, sitting equal 4th after dressage and moving up to 3rd after their fast round across country yesterday.

“Crack” is back and maybe on the verge of a comeback tour. After Mia and the now 12-year-old Irish Sport horse earned the USEF CCI4*-L Reserve Champion title in 2019, the mare developed a minor injury in early 2020 and Mia has been extra patient in tending to her rehab. She brought her back into full work over the course of nearly two years, stepping back up to the Advanced level last fall.

For the spring season ahead, Mia is aiming for the CCI4-L at the Tryon International May 3-Day event where she hopes to be competitive with Cracker. Looking to the fall season, she has her sights set on either a move-up at the Maryland Five-Star or possibly a trip overseas to contest Blenheim. It all depends on perceived competitiveness and funding, but both are possibilities depending on what’s in the cards.

Joe Meyer and Buccaneer. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

New Zealand’s Joe Meyer steadily climbed the leaderboard over the weekend with 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse Buccaneer, starting off in 17th position after the dressage. Their double clear show jumping round today clinched a 3rd place finish with a score of 45.5, leaping a grand total of fifteen places over the course of the weekend.

“I was so happy with him today. My wife told me I was in fifth yesterday so I said, ‘That’s pretty good going, I better leave the rails up today,'” Joe laughed.

Buccaneer was the fourth fastest horse of the division out on cross country yesterday, but Joe wasn’t always able to harness the gelding’s speed to his benefit.

“You always want a fast horse, but as a young horse I didn’t really have the controls that I needed. Now he’s a bit more experienced and I’m finding him so much easier to ride and he’s super brave. He’s fairly small — he’s only 15.3 hands — which is perfect for me. He’s just an awesome, awesome horse … When I ask him to go he just motors.”

Buccaneer was acquired as a 6-year-old by Joe and his wife Ruthie through the 2016 Gorsebridge Go for Gold sale originally as an investment for a client with the intent to be produced and sold in the States. He was bred by David McCann of Hartwell Stud in Ireland, sired by Grad Prix show jumper Clover Brigade out of a Thoroughbred mare, Tobar Bhride.

Joe ended up keeping the ride on Buccaneer and the gelding is now owned by the Team Johnny Syndicate. The pair’s next stop this year will be Carolina International later this month and then they’ll head to contest the CCI4-S at Kentucky in April and possibly a long format four-star after that.

Phillip Dutton and Azure. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

The future looks bright for Phillip Dutton and Azure, a new mount owned by Anne, Caroline, and Michael Moran. The pair tipped one rail but maintained their fourth place position after cross country to end the weekend on a score of 47.2. We will be interested to see what Phillip has in mind for this mare, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Omar x Cavalier Roselier, by Cavalier Royale), this season.

Woods Baughman and and C’est La Vie 135. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

The pairs that ended the competiton in the fifth through eighth spots on the leaderboard all vaulted themselves up in the standings thanks to double clear rounds today. 2021 USEF CCI4-L National Champions Woods Baughman and C’est La Vie 135 (Contendro I x Anette, by Aarking xx), owned by the Baughman family, round out the top five having climbed back up the scoresheet from 9th after cross country.

Great Britain’s Lesley Law finished all three of his four-star horses in the top eleven today. 11-year-old Lady Chatterley, a Holsteiner mare (Connor x Jucy, by Mytens) owned by Jackie and Steve Brown, was the highest placed of her stablemates, landing in 6th overall. Climbing from 25th after dressage, Lesley rode Tre Book’s Voltaire De Tre, the splashy Selle Francais gelding (Gentleman IV x Jasmina du Fresne, by Socrate de Chivre) to a 10th place finish and Craig McCallum’s Typically Fernhill, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Dondoctro Ryal K x Castlefield Sarah, by Guy Cavalier), rounded out Lesley’s rides in this division with an 11th place finish.

7th place is occupied by another big mover: Clayton Fredericks and his own FE Coldplay, a 10-year-old German Sport Horse gelding (Guy Cavalier x Krone 18, by Kolibri) who sat in 18th place after dressage. Finishing in 8th are Lexi Scovil and her own 12-year old Zangersheide gelding, Chico’s Man VDF (Chico’s Boy x Chardonnay Z, by Caretano). Holly Jacks-Smither and Candy King, the 12-year-old British Sport Horse gelding (Grafenstolz x Eye Candy, by Moothyeb) tipped one rail, but still rose one place from 10th overnight to finish the competition in 9th.

Meaghan Marinovich-Burdick and Riviera Lu. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Meaghan Marinovich-Burdick had no idea that her weekend away at Red Hill would end with leading the victory gallop of the CCI3-S with her mare, Riviera Lu, finishing with a final score of 37.0. Their weekend started off with a nice ‘girls trip’ feel, as a friend from overseas accompanied her to the event and the week with just one horse feels like a nice little vacation from her training business back home.

A little shuffling at the top of the leaderboard in this division also occurred overnight, with Liz Halliday-Sharp withdrawing all of her mounts, including top-placed Cooley Moonshine and 3rd placed Quite Nice 11 with whom Meaghan sat equal with in the standings after cross country. The leaders heading into the afternoon, Arden Wildasin and Sunday Times, collected 8 faults for felled poles to end their weekend in 6th place.

Meaghan and “River” started off their weekend in 16th place after a dressage test that Meaghan says she was a touch disappointed with. A spirited mare (“She’s very spooky and opinionated, to put it in the nicest way,” Meaghan says), River took particular offense to the rain covers that the camera operators had draped over their equipment. 

“I felt like I honestly left a couple points on the table with that test,” Meaghan reflects, “but I looked it up and it was actually her best dressage at an FEI event, so I’ll take it!”

Meaghan purchased the now 14-year-old Brazilian Sport Horse (Rembrandt Jmen x Ravena 3J, by Diapason des Gaves) sight unseen in 2019 and the pair has been building a partnership over the last couple years. Meaghan says that her and River’s trickiest phase is the show jumping but with the help of their coach, Cathy Jones-Forsberg, who travelled down from Illinois to support them this weekend, they were able to push their demons aside and jump double clear.

“Today I was just jumping and having fun with my buddy,” Meaghan said.

The CCI3-S top three is rounded out by Caroline Martin and her own 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Galwaybay Blake (Tolan R x Doughiska Lass, by Kannan) in second place followed by Dana Cooke and Kingfisher Park Equestrian’s FE Quattro, an 8-year-old German Warmblood gelding (Quaterstern x Elina, by Coriograf B) who originally led the division after dressage.

Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Looking to the CCI2-S division, our top two remained unchanged wire-to-wire to wire with  Leslie Law and Fupsilon Grande lande, a 7-year-old Selle Francis gelding (Upsilon x L’Irlandaise, by Singasinga) owned by Beatrice Ray-Herme winning the top prize. Sara Kozumplik and Edith Rameika’s 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Otta B Quality (Up To Date x Dicarla-H, by Vittorio) maintained second place. Both pairs finished on their dressage scores of 25.3 and 25.8, respectively.

Jennie Brannigan and Twilightslastgleam. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Jennie Brannigan certainly had a weekend to be proud of, winning both the Advanced and Intermediate divisions in addition to other top placings across division, all aboard horses owned by her longtime supporters Tim and Nina Gardner .

She and Advanced division winner Twilightslastgleam lead the division from wire to wire. The US-bred unraced Thoroughbred gelding (National Anthem x Royal Child, by Northern baby) had three rails in hand over second place and used one of them to finish on a score of 47.9. Jennie also took 6th place in this division with FE Lifestyle, the 12-year-old German Sport Horse gelding (Leo Von Faelz x Berina A, by Brandenburger) with whom she represented the U.S. in the FEI Nations Cup leg at Boekelo last fall.

Connory, a 10-year-old Holsteiner (Contrato x Hocaponta, by Laurie’s Crusador), was the Intermediate division winner. The pair took the lead after cross country, lifting them from 7th after dressage, and then jumped double clear today to stay on top. This is the third win in a row for the gelding co-owned by Jennie and Tim and Nina Gardner. They most recently won their first outing of the season at Rocking Horse Winter III in the Open Preliminary division last week and prior to that we last saw this gelding at the Fair Hill International April H.T., where he won the CCI3-S.

Finally, Jennie claimed both the 3rd and 4th places in the CCI2-S aboard Keepsake and Kismet, respectively. Both 7-year-olds were bred in the U.S. by Nina Gardner and both share the same sire, the Thoroughbred National Anthem, who is also the father of Twilightslastgleam.

Thanks again to Shannon Brinkman for her photos and to Amanda Chance and Hilary McMichael for compiling the pedigree information found in this report and heard on the livestream. That’s all from Red Hills for now — thank you for following along on EN this weekend!

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