Classic Eventing Nation

Friday News & Notes Presented by Zoetis

By on Mar 4, 2022 12:01 am -

 

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You can take the eventers off of the cross country course, but you can’t take the insanity in the middle out of them! New life goal: sit as chilly as Clark Montgomery does over this giant airy warmup oxer.

Women’s History Bit of the Day:

Two women, one American and one British, helped destroy the cliche that eventing was too tough a sport for the fairer sex. Revisit the cliff notes version of Sheila Willcox and Lana du Pont Wright‘s stories in this 2014 EN article.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

$50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field: [Website] [Entry List] [Ride Times] [Ride for Charity Fan Vote] [Live Stream]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (Fairburn, Ga.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Rocking Horse Winter III H.T. (Altoona, Fl.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Live Scores]

Sporting Days Farm March H.T. (Aiken, Sc.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

The USEF has suspended all licensed competitions in California for the next 14 days due to the ongoing outbreak of EHV-1 positive cases on the West Coast. USEF’s decision is in line with the California State Veterinarian’s cautionary recommendation that all equine events and non-essential horse movements be postponed for two weeks.

Do you know which vaccinations you need to be able to show proof of at a USEF licensed competition if asked? Now is a great time to revisit the vaccination log requirements as set forth by the USEF General Rules!

A familiar name from the jumper ring was recently spotted in the sandbox. International show jumper Lillie Keenan has been dabbling in dressage as a way to fine tune her aids and get the most out of her jumpers. Last week, she donned tails and made her Prix St. Georges debut at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival.

Watch This on H&C+: Don’t forget to become an H&C+ member to follow along with this week’s Grand-Prix Eventing at the Aiken Horse Park and check our EN’s Ultimate Guide for all the details.

Video Break: I dunno about you, but I’m pretty excited we’ll be getting to watch William Fox-Pitt compete in the Grand-Prix Eventing again! Here he is getting to know his borrowed mount, Sara Kozumplik’s Rock Phantom.

Thursday Video: #TrainWithPiggy Winter Playground

By on Mar 3, 2022 5:00 pm -

Thanks to the miracle of the internet, eventers — and especially the visual learners among us! — have access to an unprecedented amount of educational material from some of the top riders in the world. Exhibit A: Piggy March, whose “Train With Piggy” video series covers all aspects of event horse training. She teases her latest video with this YouTube clip:

“A lot of you will be out and about cross country schooling in the next week getting ready for the new season so I thought a good time to share this. It’s actually a video from last autumn but very relevant for now. All about trotting and popping, training yourself and your horse to be comfortable on difficult terrain, adjusting their stride with your balance, so much of the fundamentals of cross country riding.”

The full video (29 minutes!) and many more are available via Train With Piggy.

Your Ultimate Guide to the 2022 $50K Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field

By on Mar 3, 2022 3:00 pm -

Colleen Rutledge (shown here with her 2021 mount Confidence Game) returns to the Showcase this year with Covert Rights. Photo by Chris Quinn.

It’s almost time for the 2022 $50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field, and we’re here to answer all your burning questions: Who’s competing? What other fun stuff is happening? How can I follow the action? A few quick links to get you started:

2022 $50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field: Website, Ride Times, Live Scores, Volunteer, Ride For Charity, Tickets, Live Stream

WHAT: The “Showcase” format condenses the traditional eventing format into a fast-paced, dramatic format and puts it on stage at a highly spectator friendly venue, allowing spectators an up-close view of the sport.

WHEN:

Friday, March 4

Dressage Group 1
Test Ride – 7:30 a.m.
First Horse – 8 a.m.

Lunch Break
Retired Racehorse Project Master Class featuring Buck Davidson and Richard Lamb — 1:30 p.m.

Dressage Group 2

Show Jumping
First Horse – 3 p.m.

Saturday, March 5

Boyd Martin Course Walk – 10 a.m.

Double Dan Horsemanship – 11 a.m.

Remembering Annie Goodwin – 11:55 a.m.

Aiken Hounds Parade – 12:05 p.m.

Cross Country
First Horse – 12:30 p.m.

Break Before Top 10
Aiken Polo Demonstration

Cross Country Top 10
Awards – 4 p.m.

WHERE: The Aiken Horse Park Foundation (Bruce’s Field) in Aiken, SC — address is 931 Powderhouse Rd, Aiken, SC 29803.

WHO: 34 horse/rider combinations representing a who’s-who of high performance eventing!

HOW TO FOLLOW: 

Attending in person? General Admission can be purchased here or at the Aiken Horse Park Foundation office. For VIP tickets, please contact Kate Boggan at [email protected].

Spectating from afar? All three phases will be live streamed through Horse & Country TV with an H&C+ subscription. And, of course, we’ll be bringing you the action right here at Eventing Nation! Stay tuned ….

 

 

Tamie Smith to Teach Clinic at Stable View March 28-30

By on Mar 3, 2022 1:00 pm -

Tamie Smith & Mai Baum. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

For the first time, International event rider Tamie Smith, Temecula, CA will be teaching a clinic on the East Coast. The clinic will take place at Stable View in Aiken, SC on March 28, 29 and 30, 2022. A master clinician, Smith was the reserve member of the 2020 Olympic Team in Tokyo, a member of the gold medal U.S. team at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, and the silver medal U.S. team at the 2021 FEI Eventing Nations Cup in Aachen, Germany, riding Mai Baum. She has several upper level horses and will compete three horses at the 2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5* before traveling to England to contest the Badminton CCI5*.

The three-day clinic at Stable View is open to riders from beginner novice to advanced level. Up to thirty riders will be placed in groups of a maximum of five riders. The first day will focus on the basics as riders school dressage and trot poles in a new arena featuring footing by Attwood Equestrian Surfaces. Day two will focus on cross country schooling over the Boyd Martin/ETB cross country schooling course, with portables brought in for the lower levels. Day three will focus on show jumping, also in the arena, which will be set up for the CCI4* event taking place on the weekend after the clinic.

Monday and Tuesday evenings from 6-8pm will feature a discussion of the day’s events and Q&A with Tamie, to include hors’ d’oeuvres and refreshments at the Stable View Pub. All riders are encouraged to attend.

The Rider Lounge on Springfield Church Road will be open for the exclusive use of clinic participants and auditors; coffee, dry food, yogurt and fresh food will be available along with the use of toilets, showers, washing machines and dryers.

Stabling, in barns I and J, will be available on grounds, entrance via Gates 3 or 4. The clinic will take place in its own discrete section of Stable View, separate from the area used by regular boarders. Trails will be open to participants.

Pricing for riders: $250/one day, $450 for two days and $650 for three days. No refunds, no substitutions. Auditors are invited to attend for a fee of $40/day, Pony Clubbers are invited to audit for a fee of $25/day.

On-site accommodations can be booked via Stable View 1-484-356-3173. Fairfield Inn 1-844-951-3505 will also offer a discounted rate.

Applications will open Monday, March 7, via Compete Easy. Download the app at the Apple Store or the Google Play store.

Volunteer Nation: Six Events That Could Use a Helping Hand This Weekend

By on Mar 3, 2022 11:00 am -

 

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Events show love to their volunteers in many ways — free cross country schoolings, boxed lunches, awards, swag, and more — but perhaps the best perk is having a front row seat to the sweetest moments in the sport.

Here are six events that could use a helping hand from YOU this weekend!

As always, you can earn merit points when you donate your time through the USEA’s Volunteer Incentive Program. Registering to volunteer through EventingVolunteers.com makes it easy and seamless to both find a job and shift as well as learn what your role will entail.

 

USEA Events

Full Gallop March HT

March 2nd, 2022

Sporting Days Farm Horse Trials II

March 4th, 2022 to March 6th, 2022

Rocking Horse Winter 3 H.T.(MAR 2022)

March 3rd, 2022 to March 6th, 2022

Other Events

Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field – March 4 & 5

March 4th, 2022 to March 5th, 2022

2022 MDHT Spring XDerby

March 5th, 2022 to March 6th, 2022

USEF/USDF “Southern Comfort” Dressage

March 5th, 2022 to March 6th, 2022

US Equestrian Issues Eventing High Performance Update

By on Mar 3, 2022 9:00 am -

Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

As the competition season kicks into gear, below is an update on the work being done by the Performance Advisory Team (PAT) and Eventing Elite Program Task Force (EETF).

Performance Advisory Team (PAT) / Eventing Sport Committee (ESC) Completed Work:

The PAT will prioritize work on the following tasks:

  • Agree upon the timetable for the final build-up to the World Championships (pre-travel logistics and vet checks / travel dates / policy regarding Reserve{s}, etc).
  • Budget and Funding: Make recommendations for use of funding currently ring-fenced for “Elite”:
    • Agreed in principle that Aachen and Boekelo Team athletes / horses will receive significant funding in order to encourage applications. Further information regarding what will be supported will be published.
    • The budget for the World Championships is a separate budget from the Eventing budget, which is managed centrally across the disciplines; remuneration for team staff at the World Championships does come from the Eventing specific budget
    • Make recommendations regarding athlete funding
  • Support process of appointing an interim Chef d’Equipe / Team Manager

The EETF has met three times, including for full day “in-person” session on February 28th. The EETF will meet again to finalize draft recommendations for the following, which will then go to the relevant Eventing Committees, Working Groups and stakeholders for comment:

  • Program & team management structure and roles
  • Process and criteria for selection to the Elite Program
  • Support provided by Elite Program and use of funding
  • Communication and accountability / oversight
  • Selectors – number and appointment process
  • Socialization of recommendations

If you have questions on Eventing Programs, please contact the Eventing Department staff members. Their contact information and relevant programs may be found here.

Thursday News & Notes Presented by Stable View

By on Mar 3, 2022 12:03 am -

Well if that ain’t the truth. Photo courtesy of Horse Nation.

How is it already March? Is it a rule that time moves faster in the spring? Sometimes I feel like winter moves slow as a slug, until the moment when suddenly you’re in the middle of spring and you’re still in slow-mode and you’re left scrambling to get your crap together. Don’t get me wrong, I’m deeply thankful for the longer days and more pleasant weather, but I’m not sure that I’m quite mentally ready for the fast paced action that comes with better seasons.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

$50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field: [Website] [Entry List] [Ride Times] [Ride for Charity Fan Vote] [Live Stream]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (Fairburn, Ga.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Full Gallop Farm March H.T. (Aiken, Sc.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Rocking Horse Winter III H.T. (Altoona, Fl.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Sporting Days Farm March H.T. (Aiken, Sc.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

News From Around the Globe:

The USEA Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) is in its second year and continues to be extremely popular among junior members. This new program encourages team camaraderie and gives junior members a chance to compete in a team atmosphere. It also helps provide a pathway for those riders who seek to be part of a collegiate eventing program as they graduate high school. Interested in participating in IEL but not sure where to start? First, check to see if you’re eligible by answering these questions. [Tips on Getting Started with IEL]

There are few things more frustrating than a horse that won’t stand still while mounting. It makes hopping on for a quick schooling session a long battle, and it’s near-impossible to get back in the saddle if you have to get off while you’re riding out on trails or bridlepaths. Then there’s the safety concerns. So many accidents happen at the mounting block, and a horse who dances around or moves off makes it more likely that you’ll end up on the floor after getting one foot in the stirrup and desperately trying to swing into the saddle as your horse exits stage right. [How to Get Your Horse to Stand While Mounting]

If you’re anything like me, you’re pretty tough on yourself. In fact, it’s a trait I see that’s pretty common among equestrians. We’re always striving for better. We work exceptionally hard. We’re quick to forgive our horses and just as quick to blame ourselves. These typically common character traits are something I love about equestrians. It’s why most of my closest friends ride. But I’ve recently realized that “tough love” isn’t always the best way to treat ourselves when it comes to overall mental wellness. [Self-Compassion for Equestrians]

Watch This on H&C+: Don’t forget to become an H&C+ member to follow along with this week’s Grand-Prix Eventing at the Aiken Horse Park! [Grand Prix Eventing]

Best of Blogs: What I Learned From Being Kicked in the Head

 

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: An Eventer Goes Reining

By on Mar 2, 2022 5:05 pm -

After his exploits nearly eating dirt over his first cross-country fences of the year, Swedish 4* eventer Pontus Hugosson is back – and this time, he’s trying out something totally outside his comfort zone. Join him as he heads to one of Sweden’s premier Western riding centres (yes, really!) to ride a particularly ‘meritorious’ Quarter Horse and find out how the sport is growing in Scandinavia. Along the way, he stops off at a saloon and we all learn that ‘bling bling’ is the same in Sweden, so it’s an educational video all ’round, really.

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FEI Opts to Ban Russian and Belarusian Athletes from Competition

By on Mar 2, 2022 3:19 pm -

Just a matter of days after announcing the cessation of all FEI competition held in Russia or Belarus, its vassal state in the invasion of Ukraine, the FEI has now officially announced that athletes, horses, and officials registered as being from either country will not be able to participate in FEI competitions in any country. This announcement comes seven days into Russia’s attack on Ukraine, which is estimated to have killed several thousand civilians so far in the Eastern European country.

This Emergency Board Resolution calls upon Article 20.3 in the FEI Statutes, a seldom-used piece of governance that states: In an Emergency Situation the Board may, by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of votes cast, pass Resolutions which are normally the prerogatives of the General Assembly. In such cases, the National Federations shall be notified promptly of these measures. If a majority of the National Federations eligible to vote, responding within thirty (30) days of the date of the notice, signifies its disapproval, the measure shall be rescinded if possible.

The ban on Russian and Belarusian representatives also stretches to a ban on Russian or Belarusian flags and anthems being displayed or played at FEI events.

The prohibition will come into effect as of midnight, Central European Time, on Sunday, March 6th, so as not to cause any disruption to any FEI competitions ongoing or about to begin. The ban, which was recommended by the International Olympic Committee’s Executive Board on 28 February, represents the FEI’s condemnation of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and no date for further review has been mentioned at present.

“It is regrettable that the FEI has needed to take such severe measures, but we need to ensure the safety, integrity and fairness of FEI Competitions during these difficult times,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. “We sincerely hope that a peaceful solution can be found as soon as possible.”

The FEI now joins a growing list of major sporting governing bodies that have opted to ban Russia and Belarus, including the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), World Curling, and the International Skating Union. Curiously, the Winter Paralympic Games, which begin this week, will still allow Russian and Belarusian athletes, though they’ll compete under a neutral Olympic flag and won’t be counted in any medal tallies.

“The Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games, World Championships and World Cups and many other sports events unite athletes of countries which are in confrontation and sometimes even war,” says the IOC. “At the same time, the Olympic Movement is united in its sense of fairness not to punish athletes for the decisions of their government if they are not actively participating in them. We are committed to fair competitions for everybody without any discrimination.

“The current war in Ukraine, however, puts the Olympic Movement in a dilemma. While athletes from Russia and Belarus would be able to continue to participate in sports events, many athletes from Ukraine are prevented from doing so because of the attack on their country.”

 

Red Hills International H.T. to Offer YouTube Live Stream

By on Mar 2, 2022 12:00 pm -

Rebecca Brown and Dassett Choice finished 4th in the CCI3*-S. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

We’re just two weeks removed from the 2022 running of the popular Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, Florida, and organizers have announced a new live stream that will run on the Visit Tallahassee YouTube channel.

The live stream will run on YouTube throughout the weekend, and you can sign up to receive notifications of the start by subscribing to the Visit Tallahassee channel here.

A popular stop on the spring prep calendar, Red Hills’ FEI divisions can typically be found full of big names and upper-level horses aiming for their big three-days. This year’s 4*-S entry list includes USEF CCI4*-L National Champions Woods Baughman and C’est La Vie 135, Aachen CCIO4* winners Will Coleman and Off the Record, Phillip Dutton and his exciting new rideAzure, formerly piloted by Ireland’s Esib Power, Leslie Law and the USEA Mare of the Year/Intermediate Horse Champion Lady Chatterley, the returns of fan-favorites A.P. Prime (Leah Lang-Gluscic) and Cecelia (Daniela Moguel), and many more. You can grab a full preview of the entry list here.