Classic Eventing Nation

5 Last-Minute Horsey Christmas Gifts for Under $20

By on Dec 23, 2021 3:00 pm -

Procrastination happens, especially to horse people. Between work and the barn and everything else you’re trying with varying degrees of success to juggle in your life, you have approximately seven minutes to yourself at the end of day, which is just enough time for not much at all.

Unfortunately — and we hate to be the ones to drop this bomb on you — Christmas is just around the corner. So the time to wrap up that shopping you’ve been putting off is now.

Still stumped on what to get that special trainer/farrier/vet/eventing buddy in your life? Here are a few places to turn for fast, easy and inexpensive yet awesome last-minute gift ideas.

The Liquor Store

Nothing says “thanks for putting up with my crap all year” like a bottle of good old-fashioned alcohol. Conveniently, several widely-distributed wine brands feature horses on the label: Wild Horse, Dark Horse, Leaping Horse, Firesteed and 14 Hands are all widely available, modestly priced and good-tasting.

My pick: the 14 Hands “Hot to Trot” Red Blend. It’s polished and bright with aromas of cherry, ripe berries and plum, a well-rounded wine that’s perfect for both special occasions (“Hey! I made the Olympic team!”), or for no real reason at all (“Hey! I didn’t fall off in my lesson this week!”)

14hands_beauty_varietals

Photo via 14 Hands Winery

The Drug Store

The neighborhood Walgreens or CVS is an annual destination for crunch-time holiday shoppers looking to dazzle their loved ones with some “as seen on TV” gadget and a singing Hallmark card. With a little thought and creativity, you can make it work for your 11th hour horsey gifting needs as well.

How about an abscess kit for a barnmate? Epsom salts, diapers, scissors and of course some crazy-print duct tape … all that fun stuff you can never find when you need it.

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Photo via Duct Brand

The Grocery Store

Bake up a batch of homemade horse cookies, bag ’em up, and sneak them into your barn mates’ tack trucks. Boom! Christmas. Amanda Uechi Ronan compiled a list of recipes for Horse Nation here. Banana-glazed apple, apple and oat chewies, oatmeal carrot crunchies … they sound good enough to eat yourself.

Ain’t got time for baking? No horse ever complained about receiving a gift bag of carrots, apples and peppermints.

Photo: Pixabay/Creative Commons

Photo via Pixabay/Creative Commons

SmartPak

Not only are SmartPak gift cards quick and easy (click here, fill out a few details and … voila!), you can have them emailed straight to the recipient’s inbox. They arrive the same day, which is handy in the event that it’s Dec. 25 at 10 p.m. and you suddenly realize you forgot someone on your horsey gift-giving list.

They’re available in any amount from $10 to $1,000 and you can even add a thoughtful message, like, “Of course I didn’t forget your Christmas present! You’re the best farrier in the world! (p.s. Esprit lost a shoe if you wouldn’t mind tacking that back on tomorrow.)”

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Photo via SmartPak.

A Good Cause

Make a donation to a local horse rescue or other organization in their honor. These days most 501(c)(3)s accept donations online and will happily send your recipient a personalized greeting card acknowledging the gift. No matter how much or little you are able to give, it will be greatly appreciated. Bonus points if you donate to a cause that is meaningful to the giftee, like an OTTB rescue for the owner of a Thoroughbred.

Screenshot: New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program.

Screenshot via New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program

Go Shopping (like, right now).

Best of 2021 Video Countdown: #9 – Pippa Funnell’s 2003 Rolex Grand Slam Win

By on Dec 23, 2021 1:00 pm -

Each day between now and the New Year we’re counting down the top 20 most popular videos shared on EN in 2021. The #9 spot goes to this video, which garnered 2,088 views when it was originally posted on March 2, 2021.

I thought it appropriate to dedicate a weekly video to just a few of the bold women who have achieved milestones in the sport of eventing, in celebration of Women’s History Month. To kick things off, I dug into the archives to find this gem of a video montage looking back on British rider Pippa Funnell’s historic Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing win in 2003.

Pippa picked up the Grand Slam win – which requires a rider to win Kentucky, Badminton, and Burghley in any consecutive order – just a few years after its inception in 1999, and since then Germany’s Michael Jung has been the only other rider to achieve this (2016). While many riders have come close (Andrew Hoy, Oliver Townend, William Fox-Pitt, and Andrew Nicholson have all won two consecutive legs), the prize remains elusive for most.

These days, Pippa’s hardly hanging about on her past success; in fact, she’s the reigning Burghley champion having picked up the win in 2019 aboard MGH Grafton Street. And really, the Grand Slam could be Pippa’s to chase once again: while modifications to the Grand Slam in light of coronavirus cancellations have not been announced, her status as the last winner of Burghley could come into play should she make the trek to Kentucky – and win – this spring.

Thursday News & Notes Presented by Stable View

By on Dec 23, 2021 12:03 am -

Horse people will understand.

Yesterday, I thought I would take a nice little group hack with my thoroughbred Turkey, my student’s thoroughbred Bird, and my 20-year-old “retired” advanced horse, Nyls. While Turkey was in fine form showing off some of his best above-the-airs combined with his impressive lateral work (unprompted, of course), the “retired” horse also spent most of the time trying to show off to the young bucks. Bird, the winningest thoroughbred I’ve ever had in my barn, walked quietly the whole time and I imagine was rolling his eyes at their idiocy the whole time.

News From Around the Globe:

Canadian horseman Tim Worden, PhD, and international show jumper Sean Jobin shared their evidence-based approach to horse management during a free webinar presented by Haygain and Ontario Equestrian in November. From simple journal-keeping to analyzing high-speed video and complex performance data, Dr. Worden and Sean advocate tactics that ensure the horse’s mental and physical “batteries” are fully charged to attain peak output. Their methods incorporate advances in human athletic performance and encompass reducing injury risk and extending career longevity. [Evidence is Everything in Sport Horse Management]

Trying to get some high level show jumping training this winter? The Babington Foundation is offering lessons with show jumping’s elite through an online auction. Proceeds from this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have a private lesson on your own horse in Wellington, Florida, with premier Olympians and Nation’s Cup athletes will help Kevin’s recovery. Bidding ends February 22nd, 2022. Athletes include Ian Millar, Beezie Madden, Kent Farrington, McLain Ward, Kevin Babington, Nona Garson, Schuyler Riley and more! [Bid on Private Lessons With a Top Show Jumper]

Best of Blogs: Jitterbug’s 2021 Letter to Santa

21-years-old and still keeping up with the young guns! Days after she and her 21-year-old Farley 4 swept the small tour at the World Equestrian Center Dressage V CDI-W in Ocala, Florida, Chloe Fullar said she still is pinching herself to be sure she’s not dreaming. The victory was an emotional one for Fullar, 37, who sold a pair of earrings she had inherited from her grandmother to pay the entry fee and travelled over 1,000 miles from her home in Berrien Springs, Michigan, to compete in her first CDI. [Legal Drinking Age For Horses New Fashion]

 

Iron horse Neville Bardos teaches yet another rider! 

 

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Every Equestrian’s Christmas List

By on Dec 22, 2021 5:44 pm -

Look, we’ve all been there. We’ve all been that kid that begged for a pony and swore up and down that they’d never ask for anything else, ever again, if that pony were to materialise on Christmas morning. We’ve all also been the filthy little liars who brazenly asked for a new saddle, five saddle pads, a monogrammed jacket, and a trailer the very next Christmas. But after that? Of COURSE we won’t ever want anything else! Never ever ever!

Parents, run for the hills.

Leave your horse a 5-star review to win!

2021 is coming to an end. It is time to take a look back at how the year has gone. If you had to leave your horse a review, would it be 5 stars? Leave us a review about your horse for a chance to win custom stickers with your horse’s name on them. Be creative!

Submit your review at KPPusa.com/5-star. All entries must be submitted by 12/31/21.

Winners will be drawn in early January.

The horse that matters to you matters to us®.  Call 859-873-2974 or visit KPPusa.com.

An Olympics for Everyone: Paris 2024 Announces Plans for City-Wide Opening Ceremony

By on Dec 22, 2021 3:00 pm -

An artist’s interpretation of the Opening Ceremony flotilla. Image courtesy of Paris 2024/IOC.

We feel like we’ve been daydreaming about the Paris Olympics for years. Cities don’t come much better than France’s sexy, moody capital, and as a previous host of the Games way back in 1924, it knows a thing or two about putting on a spectacle. For us equestrian enthusiasts, we’re certainly being spoiled: the announcement that the equestrian facility would be built at the opulent Versailles Palace made major waves across the disciplines, and rightly so. The impeccably maintained parkland and fairytale spectre of the palace itself will work in tandem to make this arguably one of the most iconic modern-day sites of our sport.

The IOC and Paris’s own Olympic committee has been hard at work over the past months planning the infrastructure and logistics of their Games, which take place in just a scant two-and-a-half years, and the most recent box they’ve ticked is that of the Opening Ceremony. Ordinarily, we see these ceremonies take place in the main athletics stadium, where athletes, connections, and those spectators lucky enough to nab a pricey ticket get to watch cultural displays celebrating the host country and cheer in the parade of athletes and, of course, the Olympic flame, which finishes its long trip around the world and officially starts the Games.

This cycle, though, Paris wanted to do something a little bit different. Instead of restricting access to the ceremony to those able to purchase a ticket, they’ve opted to open it up to the city at large for the first time ever, using the Seine as their venue and allowing everyone the chance to experience a piece of the Olympics. The idea, which was floated — thank you, I’m here all week — as early as March of this year, was confirmed at an IOC press conference on December 13th.

The opening ceremony will take place largely on boats, which will ‘parade’ athletes from a starting point at the Pont d’Austerlitz in western Paris’s 11th arrondissement to the Pont d’Iéna, in close proximity to the Eiffel Tower in the east of the city. Athletes and performers will then move to the Trocadéro Gardens, with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop, for the finale of the Opening Ceremony. This spot already has significance to the Games: it’s the site of the official handover, which took place as part of Tokyo’s closing ceremony earlier this year.

A floating orchestra will add some extra ambience to the proceedings. Image courtesy of Paris 2024/IOC.

“This Ceremony will be an exceptional experience for all the athletes taking part, but also, and above all, for the people of Paris, for France and for the whole world,” says Thomas Bach, President of the IOC. “We started discussing this Seine option with the Paris 2024 team and its President, Tony Estanguet, after the great success of the Opening Ceremony of the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games. There, over 200,000 people gathered around the iconic Obelisk monument. We were all inspired by this magical moment, but we also recognised the challenges it could create. Today, I am happy that the French authorities on all levels have carefully considered this opportunity and come to the conclusion this will happen, under the premise of all necessary security precautions. The IOC has full confidence in the creativity, flexibility and sense of innovation demonstrated, from the beginning, by the Paris 2024 team. They will ensure that the Opening Ceremony is a truly unique and emotional Olympic experience for the athletes, who will be surrounded by the public, being welcomed and celebrated by the French people. It will be a spectacular spectacle on the Seine.”

Over 600,000 people are expected to spectate at the ceremony, which will take place on July 26, 2024. Though the artistic director hasn’t yet been confirmed, the committee is planning for a spectacle that combines Paris’s rich history — including monuments such as Notre Dame and the Louvre, both of which will feature along the route — with new, bold, creative embellishments. Boats of performers and orchestras will float along the 6km route, too, and screens will be erected to allow spectators to watch the whole parade and performance from any vantage point. It’s expected that some parts of the riverside will be ‘free’ zones, with no ticketing needed, while others — presumably those with grandstand seating — will require a ticket. This will allow for roughly ten times more spectators than would fit into a stadium — a major objective of Paris’s 2024 committee President, Tony Estanguet.

The planned route for the Opening Ceremony parade. Image courtesy of Paris 2024/IOC.

Paris’s Mayor, Anne Hidalgo, gave the project her full and vocal support.

“On 26 July 2024, a truly spectacular Opening Ceremony will mean the eyes of the world are on the city, proudly promoting the values of Olympism,” she says. “The ambitious project, which is the result of intensive collaboration between hundreds of stakeholders, will bring joy to Parisians, Île-de-France residents and tourists alike. This Opening Ceremony will mark the history of the Games. For the first time ever, rather than being contained in the stadium, it will take place in the heart of the capital. Along the quays and bridges of the Seine, against this grand and unique backdrop, the athletes will be carried by a majestic flotilla of boats. The ceremony will be accessible to one and all. The choice to launch the Paris Games on the Seine is a bold one, which is part of a long-term strategy. Beginning with the opening of the embankments to pedestrians in 2016, the idea is to give Parisians and local residents back their river banks, to walk along, engage in sports, or simply admire the beautiful surroundings. The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games will mark the beginning of a new chapter in this story, with swimming in the Seine itself.”

While we generally wouldn’t recommend swimming in the Seine unless you’re really into giving cholera a go, this forward-thinking and accessible approach to the Games is widely welcomed and feels like the perfect antidote to the Olympics in the Time of Covid, with its firmly closed doors. Roll on Paris!

Best of 2021 Video Countdown: #10 – Do You Recognize This Farm?

By on Dec 22, 2021 12:00 pm -

Each day between now and the New Year we’re counting down the top 20 most popular videos shared on EN in 2021. The #10 spot goes to this video, which garnered 1,947 views when it was originally posted on Jan. 7, 2021.

There’s a brand new horse movie in town, and eventing enthusiasts watching are likely to recognize one of the filming locations: the much-loved Full Moon Farm in Carroll County, Md. Hope’s Legacy, the sequel to the 2016 film Christmas Ranch, picks up approximately 15 years after Christmas Ranch and finds Lizzy (Taylor Lyons), now a young woman, the heir to her late grandmother’s ranch. Determined to hold on to it, she finds her way into equestrian eventing with the help of former event rider and coach Linda (Dyan Cannon). Lizzy learns to stand tall as she faces challenges from her competitor Bethany (Abigail Reed) and plans for her upcoming wedding with fiancé, James (Allen Williamson).

Grace Fulton appears as the riding body double in the film, as does resident Full Moon horse Wild Orange, who stars in the film as Legacy, so there are plenty of Easter eggs to pick out for shrewd viewers. Hope’s Legacy is now available to rent or buy on most video-on-demand streaming platforms.

A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words: Meet the Skirt-less Winner of EN’s Fairfax & Favor Wardrobe Malfunction Contest

By on Dec 22, 2021 9:06 am -

We always knew our Wardrobe Malfunction Photo Challenge with Fairfax & Favor would be a hoot, but we also know our #GoEventing community is a nutty one full of good sports — and you all certainly took it up a notch for this one!

After Melissa Mayo became the overwhelmingly convincing winner of the contest, which was decided by reader vote, we decided we needed the full story behind the photo that speaks more than a thousand words:

Photo courtesy of JJ Sillman.

Melissa, the blessed soul she is, obliged us by providing us the full photo gallery and video of The Incident.

“It was the Kentucky Classique Beginner Novice Classic Three-Day in 2018,” Melissa told EN. “Skipping Class is an 2004 off-track Thoroughbred mare, also known as Ginger. I had always wanted to do a Classic Three-Day and she came home from a lease three months before this one.”

Determined to do a Three-Day with her mare, Melissa got to work getting the both of them into shape. “I had been so worried about what to wear for jogs,” she said. “I kind of wanted to slide by (not over nor under dressed). I’m a little socially awkward so didn’t want to be ‘the one they talk about’ [here she inserts 15 cry-face laughing emojis]. Apparently all my fitness training leading up to the event helped me lose more weight than anticipated…and…my skirt fell down. Thank the good Lord above for Spanx!! I sewed my skirt to my shirt for the second jog.”

But, we’re happy to report, not all was lost: “We worked really hard and got both of our backsides in shape in time. We finished eleventh on our dressage scored and won the Best Fitness Award. They also made a ‘Sportsmanship’ award for my wardrobe malfunction!”

While we can’t promise a shiny new pair of Fairfax & Favor Regina Boots will keep Melissa’s frock from falling again, we can at least guarantee that any future wardrobe malfunctions will have some extra flair thanks to the new footwear. Thanks for being a good sport Melissa (who, by the way, also went on to be Mrs. July in the Sh!tEventer 2021 calendar — honestly, you can probably retire on that note!), and as always, Go Eventing (and Spanx).

Wednesday News & Notes from Haygain

By on Dec 22, 2021 12:01 am -

Scholarship alert! The Optimum Youth Equestrian Scholarship (OYES) is an awesome opportunity for a rider from any discipline and is currently accepting applications for its Winter 2022 round of funding through January 15.

From the OYES website:

The mission of the Optimum Youth Equestrian Scholarship is to provide opportunities for youth aged 17-27 from marginalized communities to become involved or stay involved in horse sports through financial awards and mentorship focusing on not only horsemanship and equestrian pursuits, but also career planning and education.

You can learn more and apply for this scholarship here.

Wednesday News & Reading List:

It always sounds counterintuitive to put more leg on a “hot” horse — but really, it’s the secret to success in most cases. But how do you work toward getting over any trepidation on your part and over sensitivity on your horse’s part? Read this for some tips.

The sad reality is that sexual abuse and harassment still runs rampant within our community. For every brave individual who comes forward to share their story, there are countless others who are still working up the courage to share theirs — and more beyond that who might never find their voice. This is a problem that cannot be ignored. #WeRideTogether has partnered with The Army of Survivors, the only national organization advocating for and supporting child athlete survivors of sexual violence, to create the “Not Alone” PSA and share the powerful stories of elite athletes from football, diving, gymnastics and equestrian. Learn more about this resource, how you can help, and how you can find help here.

What is your go-to recovery and therapy routine? In the latest SmartPak blog, learn about SmartPaker Danielle’s “Full Franchi” routine with her horse, Duncan.

Current USEA members are able to participate in an open comment period through January 17 to provide feedback on the proposed rule changes on the docket for 2023. The rule changes, which have prompted much discussion this year, will next go to the USEF for further review.

On This Day in Horse Nation History: I’ve been enjoying digging up some older content from our sites these last few weeks, so I thought I’d share some good ones that come up “on this day”. I’ll kick things off with a good old fashioned letter to Santa.

Watch This: Get to know Will Faudree in the H&C+ series, Barn Talk:

And finally, a word from our pals at Haygain:

Tuesday Video: Level Up your Cool Down Routine

By on Dec 21, 2021 5:00 pm -

We all know how important a proper warmup is before exercising our horses and as eventer we’re pretty familiar with the cool down process too, especially after running cross country. But don’t skip on a good cool down after your day-to-day riding either!

While the cool down process may be a sped up a little over the winter if you live in a chillier climate, it’s a great time to practice the important techniques involved that will help your horse out during the competition season and maybe even add something new to your repertoire. In this video, YouTuber and equine sports therapist Lauren Allport reviews what happens in a horse’s muscles after exercise and shares some tips and tricks for cooling down — from getting your horse used to standing in ice boots to adding some massage strokes to your post-ride routine.

Sport Horse Nation Spotlight: 5 Stars for Your Christmas Tree

By on Dec 21, 2021 3:00 pm -

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.

We are cutting it down to the wire, but there’s still time to snag your dream horse in time for the holidays. These five listings are all “star” themed — we’ve got a Star Alert, Excel Star No Diggity, Excel Star Quidam’s Cavalier,Excel Star Hang Time, and a Connemara “super star.” And while they’re probably too big to top a Christmas tree with, they might just be right at home in your barn.

Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Connemara super star!

🦄 ☘️ Gentry Irish Clover (Fortrane Stuart CP x Rantis Diamond ISH ). Coming 6 year old 15.3hh imported Irish Sport Horse mare. “Trish” is a beautiful, talented and super forgiving mare that is wise beyond her years! If you’re looking for something with a packer mentality to quickly move you up the levels with confidence, Trish is your ride! She is easy, sweet, and the type of horse every trainer wants in their barn.

Have a grudge against owning a girl? She will change that. This mare is zero drama and with her adorable personality, will make you the center of her whole world! That’s right, she will whinny when she sees you. It’s like owning a little squeaky toy that lights up when you’re around. You can’t say no to that! ❤️

Trish is so good she won her first horse trials in the USA out of a large division! She has competed in Ireland through the Novice level and schools cross country through the Training level! She is brave, scopey, and will jump anything from any distance with very little input needed from her rider. She’s quiet enough to be a hunter, but forward enough to do the jumpers. This horse could do multiple jobs for you!

Here is another unicorn. These horses don’t come by very often! Trish is UTD on everything and has zero vices. This is the first horse I’ve had in my barn that I can’t give you a single bad thing to say about her…and we have some nice horses! Trish can be ridden every day or pulled out of her stall with a week off and is the same horse. She walks off the trailer at a show as the same horse you put on, easy and quiet.

Serious inquiries only. Yes, seriously…please. Budget suits the quality of horse. Priced in the mid-five figures. Located at Gentry Sport Horses in Spring City, PA.

Contact us privately for more information and videos.

Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Elegant, fearless, talent for upper levels

Star Alert is a six year old 16.3 unraced TB mare who screams upper level potential! She has lovely gaits and is schooling Training stadium and cross country with scope to spare. She is brave, catty, and smart. She will jump anything you point her at and is very adjustable to the fences. She is best suited for a confident rider as she is a forward, sensitive type, but she is kind and willing with no bad habits and is a joy to work with. She just ran Loch Moy’s Derby Cross at Beginner Novice, went clear without looking at a single obstacle, and was unphased by the atmosphere and chaos. No vices, no maintenance, loves her job. She has a single screw in her right fetlock, but multiple vets have said it should have no effect on her future soundness or potential (x-ray available to serious buyers).

Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Soft, Sweet, Safe

Excel Star No Diggity is a 16.2h grey Irish gelding by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet out of Killinick Bounce (Grange Bouncer).

He has shown successfully through 1.25m and has schooled cross country. Born in 2016, he is super comfortable on the flat with a soft jump. Easy, sweet and safe he is perfect for a junior or amateur but with the talent for a professional.

He and others are available on ExcelStarSportHorses.com

Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Dressage Scores in the 20s

Excel Star Quidam’s Cavalier is the winner of his novice divisions at both the Maryland and Full Moon Farm Fall Horse Trials, with scores in the low 20s.

He is lovely mover, and easy to make round. He is a 2016 gelding by Quidam Junior out of a Cavalier Royale mare. He has a super temperament and is quiet and uncomplicated.

Super talented, her could be a show jumper, equitation mount, or eventer. With his temperament he is suitable for a junior or amateur.

He and others are available on ExcelStarSportHorses.com.

Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Lofty Super Jumper

A super jumper with a lofty jump, Excel Star Hang Time is ready to start jumping for you. Eventing, hunting or the show ring, this 2014 16.1h gelding is by O.B.O.S. Quality out of Veloma (x Oklund).

He has shown and cross country schooled in his native Ireland. He is brave and sweet and easy to work around in the barn. A good mover and jumper, he is a chromy bay that is easy on the eyes.

Suitable for a rider of any age, he is also talented enough for a professional.

He and others are available on ExcelStarSportHorses.com.