Classic Eventing Nation

Friday Video from SmartPak: If Equestrians Did ASMR

By on Jan 14, 2022 6:16 pm -

These days, none of us are immune to the TikTok and YouTube recommendations for endless videos of curiously unblinking women who whisper into microphones and scratch away at their cameras, which I think is meant to make you feel like you’re getting a facial, but is probably actually the opening of a special portal directly to hell. But for all I raise an eyebrow at some of the ASMR oeuvre’s oddities, I do kind of get it. Is there anything more relaxing than watching a shoddy looking hoof get turned into a work of art by a farrier? Or that perfect first line in a clip, which cuts through inch-long fluff like a hot knife through butter, leaving a shining, rippling coat in its wake? I reckon I could watch braiding tutorials for hours, not because they make my scalp tingle (does that not feel like you’ve got lice? Please feed back and let me know), but because there’s absolutely nothing more satisfying than watching totally uniform, utterly frizzless plaits appear along a scrupulously clean neck. I’d love to take the credit for gathering all these deeply soothing notions into one video for you, but I cannot: instead, we must all thank this random person on YouTube. Random person, I appreciate you for giving us all a seven minute meditation on the finer things in life. I also appreciate that you didn’t turn your camera on and pretend to braid my forelock while whispering threateningly at me. Namaste.

US Equestrian Names Elite Eventing Program Task Force + Managing Director of Eventing Vacancy Posted

By on Jan 14, 2022 6:00 pm -

Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

US Equestrian CEO Bill Moroney named a forthcoming task force as a step on the way to securing the High Performance Eventing program’s leadership at last month’s USEA Annual Meeting & Convention. These moving pieces are part of a chain of events set off (publicly, at least) by the non-renewal of former U.S. Eventing Performance Director Erik Duvander’s contract in December. It was just one of the notable departures from eventing’s “front office” in December: jumping coach Peter Wylde’s contract was not renewed, and Managing Director of Eventing Jenni Autry is also no longer with the federation.

On Friday, US Equestrian announced the formation of an Elite Eventing Program Task Force to strategize on and build a leadership structure and performance pipeline for future U.S. teams at Olympic Games and World Championships. Members of this Task Force include:

  • Will Coleman
  • Max Corcoran
  • Derek Di Grazia
  • Ariel Grald
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp
  • Dr. Mark Hart
  • Leslie Law
  • Eric Markell
  • Lynn Symansky
  • Christine Turner
  • Will Connell

Both USEF President Tom O’Mara and CEO Bill Moroney will also attend all meetings of the Task Force, per a US Equestrian press release. “These respected members of the Eventing community have proven expertise in sport on a global level within their respective roles and represent a diverse constituency of athletes, owners, coaches, licensed officials, governance leadership, and team support personnel,” US Equestrian stated. “The task force members were appointed by the USEF President and the USEF Athletes’ Advisory Committee and will report directly to the President.”

Stakeholders may provide their comments to this task force, but this feedback is required to be sent to the USEF Eventing Elite Program Task Force dedicated inbox.

Meanwhile, the vacant Managing Director position has been opened for application — you can view the job description and application requirements here. US Equestrian has yet to make any public moves toward replacing Erik Duvander (though the formation of this Task Force could be seen as a step toward making this decision) as we look ahead to this fall’s World Championships for Eventing in Italy.

Keep an eye on EN for more updates as this story develops.

 

 

Snaps from the 2022 Emerging Athlete Eventing 25 Assessment Sessions

By on Jan 14, 2022 2:00 pm -

The top tier of the Under-25 set is hard at work preparing for a successful season, and beyond. 2022 Emerging Athlete Eventing 25 assessment sessions are taking place in Ocala, Florida, Aiken, South Carolina, and Temecula, California in order to decide the final Emerging Athlete Eventing 25 program list.

Once selected, riders will benefit from coaching, high-intensity training sessions, and mentorship, all designed to help prepare them for, and produce them towards, a career at the top levels and on US teams. You can a list of this year’s program participants and learn more about the pipeline program here.

Let’s check in with these talented young rider via their Instagram snaps, which include lots of video from the two-day assessment sessions in Ocala and Aiken! Next week USEF Developing and Emerging Athlete Coach Leslie Law will head to the West Coast for another session.

 

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Find a 2022 T.I.P. Eventing Award Competition Near You!

By on Jan 14, 2022 1:00 pm -

2019 Beginner Novice Junior 14 and Under Championship T.I.P. Champion Chambery with Sierra Thomas and Reserve Champion Inanewyorkminute with Catherine Frank. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

It’s pretty wild to wrap one’s mind around the amount of momentum the Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) has gained since it was launched by The Jockey Club a decade ago. T.I.P. recognizes and rewards the versatility of the Thoroughbred through sponsorship of Thoroughbred classes and high point awards at sanctioned horse shows, performance awards, and non-competition awards — and the number of participating shows and horses continues to swell each year.

Earlier this week T.I.P. announced that it has approved nearly 7,000 awards and classes at more than 1,400 shows in 46 states and six Canadian provinces in 2022. Awards are available in virtually every imaginable discipline including, of course, eventing. To be eligible for T.I.P. shows, a Thoroughbred is defined as any horse that has been registered with The Jockey Club or a foreign Thoroughbred stud book recognized by The Jockey Club.

This year’s eventing T.I.P. calendar is massive, stretching from coast to coast and well into Canada. A full calendar of shows offering awards is available here. We created a map and listed participating schooling and recognized horse trials for the first half of 2022, so get to planning today!

Stable View CT – 1/15 (Aiken, SC)
Full Gallop Farm January Schooling HT – 1/16 (Aiken, SC)
Stable View Aiken Opener – 1/22 (Aiken, SC)
Full Gallop Farm January Recognized HT – 1/29 (Aiken, SC)
Sporting Days Farm HT – 2/5 (Aiken, SC)
Full Gallop Farm February Recognized HT – 2/9 (Aiken, SC)
Ocala Winter I HT – 2/10 (Ocala, FL)
Full Gallop Farm February Schooling HT – 2/16 (Aiken, SC)
Stable View Eventing Academy – 2/20 (Aiken, SC)
Full Gallop Farm February II Recognized HT – 2/23 (Aiken, SC)
Full Gallop Farm March I Recognized HT – 3/2 (Aiken, SC)
Buckhorn Dressage and Combined Tests – 3/5 (Vass, NC)
SEDA Schooling Show – 3/5 (Folsom, LA)
Sporting Days Farm HT – 3/5 (Aiken, SC)
SWDEA Spring Event – 3/5 (Tallahassee, FL)
Red Hills International – 3/10 (Tallahassee, FL)
Full Gallop Farm March II Recognized HT – 3/12 (Aiken, SC)
Southern Pines HT – 3/12 (Raeford, NC)
Red Gate Farm Starter HT and Jumper Show – 3/14 (Bluemont, VA)
Full Gallop Farm March I Schooling HT – 3/16 (Aiken, SC)
Ocala Winter II – 3/17 (Ocala, FL)
MDHT March Starter Horse Trial – 3/19 (Adamstown, MD)
NWFL Leapin’ Leprechaun Show – 3/19 (Graceville, FL)
Stable View Eventing Academy – 3/22 (Aiken, SC)
Carolina International – 3/23 (Raeford, NC)
Texas Rose Horse Park HT – 3/25 (Tyler, TX)
Eagle View Equestrian Schooling HT – 3/26 (Wichita, KS)
Paul Frazer CT and Dressage Show – 3/26 (Lexington, KY)
Full Gallop Farm March III Recognized HT – 3/27 (Aiken, SC)
Full Gallop Farm March II Schooling HT – 3/30 (Aiken, SC)
Bucks County Horse Park Shows – 4/1 (Revere, PA)
Locke Meadows Dressage Shows & Combined Tests – 4/1 (Berryville, VA)
Stable View Spring HT 2/3/4* – 4/1 (Aiken, SC)
Morven Park Spring HT – 4/2 (Leesburg, VA)
Champagne Run Mini Trial – 4/2 (Lexington, KY)
Middle Tennessee Pony Club Mini Trials – 4/3 (Nashville, TN)
Buckhorn Dressage and Combined Tests – 4/9 (Vass, NC)
LEC HT #1 – 4/9 (Folsom, LA)
MDHT April Starter Horse Trial – 4/9 (Adamstown, MD)
CDCTA Spring Horse Trials – 4/10 (Berryville, VA)
Full Gallop Farm April Schooling HT – 4/10 (Aiken, SC)
Ocala International – 4/13 (Ocala, FL)
Fair Hill International Horse Trials – 4/15 (Elkton, MD)
FENCE – 4/16 (Tryon, NC)
KDEA CT AND DRESSAGE SHOW – 4/16 (Wichita, KS)
Longleaf Pine Horse Trails – 4/16 (Raeford, NC)
River Glen Spring Horse Trials – 4/22 (New Market, TN)
Big Cheese CT & Dressage Show – 4/23 (Walnut Grove, GA)
Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Spring Horse Trials – 4/23 (Leesburg, VA)
NWFL Spring Fling Show – 4/23 (Tallahassee, FL)
SAPC Springfest Starter Horse Trials – 4/23 (Chesapeake City, MD)
Sporting Days Farm HT – 4/23 (Aiken, SC)
University of New Hampshire Spring Horse Trials – 4/23 (Durham, NH)
The Spring Event at Skyline – 5/6 (Mount Pleasant, UT)
Wayne Eventing Derby at Fox Valley Saddle Association – 5/6 (Hampshire, IL)
Apple Knoll Farm HT – 5/7 (Millis, MA)
Fair Hill Starter Horse Trials – 5/7 (Elkton, MD)
Poplar Place May Horse Trials – 5/7 (Hamilton, GA)
The Vista Combined Test and Dressage Show – 5/7 (Aiken, SC)
Waredaca Horse Trials – 5/7 (Laytonsville, MD)
Windridge Farms Spring HT – 5/7 (Mooresboro, NC)
CDCTA Ct Dressage & Combined Training Association – 5/8 (Salem, CT)
Riga Meadow Equestrian Center – 5/8 (Millbrook, NY)
SPOKANE SPORT HORSE SPRING EVENT – 5/12 (Spokane, WA)
Barrington Mini Event I – 5/14 (Barrington, IL)
Bluegrass Pony Club Combined Test and Clear Blue Jumper – 5/14 (Lexington, KY)
Gray Lily Farm Annual Spring Horse Show – 5/14 (Havana, FL)
Lynnleigh Farm 2022 2phase Series – 5/14 (Sandy, UT)
May WHES – 5/14 (Raeford, NC)
MDHT May Starter Horse Trial – 5/14 (Adamstown, MD)
Spring Gulch HT – 5/14 (Littleton, CO)
Stable View Summer HT – 5/14 (Aiken, SC)
Texas Rose Horse Park Horse Trials – 5/14 (Tyler, TX)
Will O’ Wind (OEA) – 5/14 (Ontario)
Winona horse Trials – 5/14 (Hanoverton, OH)
Barrington Mini Event II – 5/15 (Barrington, IL)
Full Gallop Farm May Schooling HT – 5/15 (Aiken, SC)
Red Gate Farm Starter Horse Trial – 5/16 (Bluemont, VA)
Indiana Equine Foundation Charity Horse Show – 5/20 (Lebanon, IN)
Fair Hill International Horse Trials – 5/21 (Elkton, MD)
KDEA CT AND DRESSAGE SHOW – 5/21 (Wichita, KS)
Spring Gulch Horse Trials – 5/21 (Littleton, CO)
Stable View Eventing Academy – 5/21 (Aiken, SC)
The Spring Chicken Event – 5/21 (Ogden, UT)
Wildflower Show – 5/21 (Rochester, IN)
Grandview (OEA) – 5/22 (Ontario)
May Daze Horse Trial – 5/27 (Lexington, KY)
Big Cheese Horse Trial, CT & Dressage Show – 5/28 (Walnut Grove, GA)
Mill Creek Pony Club HT – 5/28 (Raytown, MO)
Minds Eye Horse Trials – 5/28 (Sturgeon County, AB)
Mystic Valley Hunt Club HT – 5/28 (Gales Ferry, CT)
The Vista Combined Test and Dressage Show – 5/28 (Aiken, SC)
Glen Oro (OEA) – 5/29 (Ontario)
Life’s A Ride Schooling Show – 5/29 (Saco, ME)

Learn more about the T.I.P. program, view participating horse shows, and apply for a T.I.P. number at the website here.

Go Thoroughbreds. Go Eventing!

 

Eventing Supporters Honored at USEF Pegasus Awards Dinner Celebration

By on Jan 14, 2022 9:00 am -

Howard Simpson and David O’Connor at the 2018 USEA Awards Banquet. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The 2022 Pegasus Awards Dinner Celebration was held last night at the USEF Annual Meeting in Naples, Fla., and we were pleased to see contributors to the sport of eventing honored.

Howard Simpson of Lake Forest, Ill. was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to major equestrian events in the U.S. He and his wife, the late Martha Smith Simpson, hosted the first American Continental Young Riders Championship at their Temple Farms in 1985. In 1988, the competition became the North American Young Rider Championships, now called the North American Youth Championships. He served as the director of the NAYC for more than 20 years.

Simpson was instrumental in the creation of the Kentucky Three-Day Event as the first CCI4* (now CCI5*) in the country, and later led the evaluation team that recommended the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill as the second CCI5* in North America.

Simpson has been active in governance of equestrian sport over the years. He was on the Board of Directors and several committees and councils for US Equestrian. He was on the Board of Governors, served as Vice President of Communications, and is currently a member of the Rebecca Broussard International Developing Rider Grant Selection Committee for the United States Eventing Association Foundation.

The late Tremaine Cooper, a prolific course designer, as well as Sue Hershey, who was instrumental in starting the USEA ICP program, were honored with a Richard E. McDevitt Award of Merit.

You can view a complete list of award winners here.

Friday News & Notes from Zoetis

By on Jan 14, 2022 12:03 am -

When you see it… Photo courtesy of Karen Earth.

Last week, the wet snow caused massive damage in my area of Virginia, and I was personally out of power for a whole week. Not having power or internet (or heat!) really makes you realize some things, namely how addicted we are to our phones and having distractions on hand constantly. I also don’t have service at my farm, so in some ways it was like entering a pleasant dark hole, because I wasn’t bothered by anyone! However, I had to use way too many blankets and sleep with my outdoor clothes on, which I do not recommend. Super duper looking forward to the next snow storm predicted on Sunday!

U.S. Weekend Preview (woohoo!):

Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks (Reddick, Fl.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Additional Volunteering Opportunities: [Ram Tap January Combined Test – Fresno, Ca.]

News From Around the Globe:

Did you know? EN’s News & Notes is always open for news items. Is your facility hosting a clinic? Want to announce a schedule change or other update? You can submit your news item by emailing [email protected] (note: sale ads and working student/groom openings are not permitted — check out Sport Horse Nation for these services — and inclusion in News & Notes is subject to editor discretion).

The Ocala and Aiken migration is well underway, and many eventers are high-tailing it south for warmer temperatures and the opportunity to get a jump start on prep for the upcoming season. Whether it be for a long weekend or a few months, a trip south can be a memorable one that also makes a difference by providing opportunity to focus on and enjoy your horse. If you haven’t made the trek yourself, there are a lot of questions to answer and the process can be overwhelming. So we’re tapping into the think tank that is our EN community. We want to know: what’s your best advice for a first-timer heading south this winter?

Best of Blogs: A Horseman’s Guide To Being A Professional

“E. caballus: The Domesticated Horse” runs at the Griffin Museum of Photography in Boston through Feb. 27. The seven photographers with work in “E. caballus: The Domesticated Horse” are all talented and take different approaches to their common subject. Some of those approaches are highly inventive. Because of that subject matter, though, the talent and inventiveness might get overlooked. Content like this can almost make form seem beside the point. Really, are there any creatures on the planet, human beings included, more loved by the camera than horses? [Basically A Lot of Great Horse Photos]

Video:

Thursday Video: Top Grooms in Focus

By on Jan 13, 2022 5:00 pm -

There’s much to be learned from all disciplines, and one thing we all share in common is an all-consuming obsession concern with the health and wellbeing of our equine partners. So this new episode of FEI’s RIDE series is well worth the watch, as they take a look at the Team behind the Team.

As part of the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup, FEI talks to top show jumping riders Martin Fuchs and Marlon Zanotelli about their grooms. Andrea Hoenack and Sean Vard, accompany the horses to every tournament and travel around the world with them, discuss their best practices and how they prepare the horses for the journeys and competitions.

Ram Tap H.T. Celebrates Return to Roots With Season Kickoff This Weekend

By on Jan 13, 2022 11:51 am -

Photo courtesy of Ram Tap Horse Trials.

Feel like you’re having a flashback to 10, 20 or even 50-60 years ago when looking at the 2022 USEA Area VI calendar? Ram Tap Horse Trials is back, replacing in name the venue known since 2012 as Fresno County Horse Park.

Ram Tap kicks off an exciting calendar of events, clinics and schooling opportunities this weekend with a USEA recognized combined test offering Intro through Advanced divisions. Organizer Terry Hirst’s letter for this weekend’s Combined Test has some fun history in it:

Learn more at ramtappark.com.

Volunteer Nation: 7 Events That Could Use a Helping Hand This Weekend

By on Jan 13, 2022 10:00 am -

The event season is HERE! And with it, a need for volunteers. Can you help?

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.

Here are eight events that could use a helping hand this weekend:

USEA Events

2022 January Combined Test (January 15th, 2022 to January 16th, 2022)

Majestic Oaks Recognized Horse Trials (January 11th, 2022 to January 16th, 2022)

Other Events

January Schooling Dressage (January 12th, 2022)

Pipe Opener I (January 14th, 2022 to January 15th, 2022)

XC Control Clinic with Susan Watson (January 15th, 2022)

Winter Combined Test (January 15th, 2022)

Pine Hill GHCTA Schooling Horse Trials (January 15th, 2022 to January 16th, 2022)

Thursday News & Notes Presented by Stable View

By on Jan 13, 2022 12:03 am -

Dara Knot! Photo courtesy of Babette Lena.

A familiar field is sporting a new name! Welcome Dara Knot to the Eventing family! Babette Lena has announced the new name for the Aiken venue, and we are all delighted to see where this new chapter takes us all. As Babette explains it, “the Dara Knot is the Celtic symbol for inner strength, and comes from the Gaelic word ‘Doire’, which means ‘Oak Tree’—representing wisdom, power, endurance and strength. This property embodies all of those qualities, and as we take stewardship of and build on the farm’s strong foundation we felt this name was the most respectful direction we could take. It just seems to make sense as the best way to honor and respect the legacy of Paradise Farm.” Also, small note, due to the predicted ice storm in Aiken this weekend, the open house for the farm will be delayed a bit.

U.S. Weekend Preview (woohoo!):

Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks (Reddick, Fl.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Additional Volunteering Opportunities: [Ram Tap January Combined Test – Fresno, Ca.]

News From Around the Globe:

Did you know? EN’s News & Notes is always open for news items. Is your facility hosting a clinic? Want to announce a schedule change or other update? You can submit your news item by emailing [email protected] (note: sale ads and working student/groom openings are not permitted — check out Sport Horse Nation for these services — and inclusion in News & Notes is subject to editor discretion).

The Ocala and Aiken migration is well underway, and many eventers are high-tailing it south for warmer temperatures and the opportunity to get a jump start on prep for the upcoming season. Whether it be for a long weekend or a few months, a trip south can be a memorable one that also makes a difference by providing opportunity to focus on and enjoy your horse. If you haven’t made the trek yourself, there are a lot of questions to answer and the process can be overwhelming. So we’re tapping into the think tank that is our EN community. We want to know: what’s your best advice for a first-timer heading south this winter?

Your farrier needs your help. After all, you need his help too! We don’t talk enough about safety in farriery and the necessary precautions required for farriers to work effectively and with the least risk. Farriers should communicate with horse owners and barn managers about safety issues because many of them really do want to improve situations; they just don’t know how. [From the Farrier: 8 Tips for Safer Shoeing]

Attendees of the 2022 USEA ICP Symposium at Barnstaple South Farm in Ocala, Florida on February 8-9 will get a first look at the all-new USEA Eventing Handbook by the Levels. This educational tool was developed over the course of two years and is loaded with materials and resources targeted for all levels of eventing professionals, instructors, and coaches. The ICP Symposium has undergone a reboot and will feature an interactive and inclusive format that encourages participation and input from active professionals at all levels through a hands-on live teaching session. While geared towards eventing professionals, the ICP Symposium is open to all who wish to attend and will feature relevant information that all riders and eventing enthusiasts can learn from. [ICP: Be The Best Instructor You Can Be]

Welcome to Myth Buster Monday (even though it’s Thursday whoopsie), where Horse Nation will be diving into different equestrian myths and providing research-based evidence to either bust or confirm those myths. Today’s topic: chiropractic care in young horses. Is it harmful for young horses to have their bones and joints manipulated while growing? Read further to find out! [Chiropractic for Young Horses?]