If you’ve ever made and promptly broken a New Year’s resolution, this edition of #EventerProblems is dedicated to you — and trust us, we’re already off the wagon, too. Maybe next year? Let’s see what you all have been up to in this young new year.
Tag your public social media posts with #eventerproblems for inclusion in a future edition!
Editor’s Note: There is some strong language contained in the posts embedded below.
No scope no hope. Photo by Abby Powell.
So after not visiting the barn on Friday after my area’s first substantial snowstorm of the year, I thoroughly enjoyed myself yesterday. I am a firm believer of taking some time to just play with one’s horse and not do anything serious from time to time. Snow is a great excuse to do just that, so yesterday I puttered around our snow-filled outdoor ring enjoying the feeling of disturbing the pristine patches of precipitation. I let my pony enjoy wandering around on the buckle while my dog showed off his impeccable form over fences.
Sunday Links:
Advice from Equestrian Stars to Young Hopefuls
‘Largest pot in the event’s history’: Burghley Horse Trials first prize hits six figures
Ireland produces “blueprint” for equine genetic improvement
Voice Recognition: How Horses Respond to Voice
Watch live foaling cams in season 5 of Foal Patrol
Sunday Video: Take us back to Maryland!
Fairfax & Favor Fan of the Week:
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Winter naughties are in full swing as event horses the world over begin to emerge from their holidays. We’re always kept entertained here at EN by the everlasting antics of Tokyo gold medalist London 52, who keeps partner Laura Collett on her toes (well, hopefully not anyway — have you seen the girl’s seat?) during the first jump schools of a new season. Let’s catch up with what London 52’s been up to this week:
First, a lesson with top show jumper Jay Halim, who’s advice is to “stop laughing at him” (we’re trying, Jay, we’re trying):
And a couple of other bucking parties, along with some memories from past seasons (hint: London 52’s seasons always start the same way!):
Good times and as always, well sat Laura! We’re guessing there aren’t many dull moments to be found on her yard.
Go Eventing.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
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. For many amateur riders, a trip to Aiken or Ocala is a major bucket list item — but it can be tricky to pull off without the right planning. After all, it’s hard to pack up and leave (with your horse!) when you have a family, a job, other horses, clients, or anything other semblance of a busy life.
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?
Use the form below or click here to send us your response. We’ll select some responses to gather into a story coming later! You can also post your advice as a comment on this post or on social media.
Photo by Abby Powell
The first major snowstorm of the season hit my area yesterday (which feels odd to say, because it seems like everywhere south of me has already been dumped on) and with the all-day precipitation making the roads pretty messy, it was wise for me to sit tight at my desk job and forgo a visit to the barn. I’m already appreciative on a day-to-day basis for the amazing staff at the barn where I board by horse, but snow stormy days like these always make me extra, EXTRA appreciative of everything they do to make sure the critters in their care are safe and comfortable.
Saturday Links:
USEF Horsemastership Series: 5 Flatwork Takeaways From Anne Kursinski
How Self-Conscious Riders Can Feel More Confident Riding in a Crowded Ring
Full-Time Horse Trainer & Pregnant: Is it Really Possible?
Travel Tips for a Healthy and Happy Horse
Saturday Video: Here’s what happens when Buck Davidson challenges a couple fellow upper-level riders to no-hands-no-reins jumping competition!
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One of my favourite success stories is that of British-based Irish eventer Padraig McCarthy, who you likely know as our 2018 double silver medalist at the World Equestrian Games. But did you know that that extraordinary performance came after only a handful of years in the sport? And did you know that Padraig actually has a PhD? The former show jumper and all-round clever clogs is my vote for president of the world, frankly, and in this in-depth video — the latest in Horse Sport Ireland’s Meet the Riders series — you’ll find out exactly why. From dealing horses around the world to the dizzying heights of academia, Padraig’s a top-notch bloke with a lot of medals yet to be won.
Plus, if you click play, you can cancel your Calm app subscription and let his Irish lilt soothe you to sleep instead. A bonus!
Photo courtesy of Foshay International.
The past two years have been trying for everyone, and our North American eventing calendar has seen quite a shakeup as a result (we’ll be sharing an updated, annotated FEI calendar with you soon).
One Canadian FEI fixture, that has become a destination event for many, is shape-shifting for 2022: Foshay International, in Jemseg, New Brunswick, Canada. We’ll let co-chairs Rob and Suzanne Stevenson and their team explain the event’s change of direction — for now:
“I’ll listen for what’s missing – And I’ll put it there.” — Rives, “Mockingbird” TED2006
Well, we have certainly had lots of time to decide on the future direction for the Foshay International! As we outline plans for this year, I’d like to draw attention to this quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald:
“Before I go on with this short history, let me make a general observation- the test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function. One should, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless and yet be determined to make them otherwise.” (“The Crack-Up” February 1936)
“The premise of the Foshay International has always been to host top-flight events in a natural hosting venue, with great footing and great courses. We have subscribed to the “build it and they will come” mantra. And we did build it. And they did come. We had studied what was needed in the sport in 2016/2017 and launched the event that we felt best suited the need of the sport in North America in 2018. We learned from the inaugural event and returned bigger and better in 2019 (remember the 3,000 spectators?).
“And then the game changed — hard to host an international event when people cannot travel to New Brunswick. So over the past year, we have worked to determine what is now needed in the sport — in the region/in the country — as we plan for 2022 and beyond.
“Though we have every intent to eventually host FEI events again, the adjustment for 2022 will be to expand to the grassroots.
“So why the grassroots? We have had a few riders from the Maritimes compete at the Foshay International in years past, however, most competitors traveled from away. The motto has been, “Dare to dream, to experience, and to seek greatness,” and really it is time to expand the experience to our regional riders that are longing to progress in the sport. We do expect that the progression will be to once again host FEI events, though for this year, the focus will be on starter through to preliminary levels.
“In order to address the need for systematic progression, we’re planning on six shows this year: plan on something the 3rd weekend of every month, from May until October (final dates to be confirmed). This will be our roadmap for a measure/manage approach.
“Essentially the idea is to start early in the season, and then with suitable experiences and coaching see progress over the course of the year.Perhaps start at one level, and finish at another. This is about setting a goal, doing the work, seeing the progress, and achieving what you set out to do. And we do hope that we’ll see some interprovincial migration. We do hope that through the experiences at Foshay, riders and their horses will be more prepared for competitions outside of the region.
“Beyond the experience of the horses and riders, we need a chance to welcome back the sponsors, supporters, parents, officials, volunteers and spectators! We have been very fortunate at Foshay, as it had become a seasonal fixture – a destination to hit on the Labour Day weekend. As 2022 shapes up, we’ll be dusting off the sponsorship list to see how past sponsors might wish to be involved in this new iteration of Foshay going forward. We’ll open up discussions with vendors to see what might be possible, all the while recognizing the opportunities made possible with the return of the Lower Gagetown ferry.
“Returning to Mr. Fitzgerald for a moment, I hope it now makes sense how we’ll hold these two ideas in our minds at the same time, how the Foshay International will be expanded to the grassroots to simply supply the sport with what is most needed – and what is most possible – in 2022. As much as we want to be a qualifying event for future Pan Am Games, we also need to ensure that we enable the progress of younger athletes and horses in the sport.
“We’ll be welcoming back all those that believe in equestrian sport. Foshay will again be a shared canvas. Whether a rider, a parent, a sponsor, and official, a volunteer or a spectator, what are you willing to do to make it possible? How will you define your own Foshay experience?
“Foshay is back. Well, it really never left. It’s just been waiting for us to catch up, to listen for what is missing, and to put it there.
“See you in 2022!
“The Foshay Team
January 2022″
Looking forward to it! We applaud Foshay’s attentiveness to the needs of its community and look forward to cheering the event on in the future. Learn more at the Foshay website here.
Horse Sport Ireland announced today the appointment of the three team managers for Ireland’s Youth Eventing High Performance Program up to Oct. 31, 2024.
Sue Shortt was re-appointed as U21 (Young Rider) and U25 team manager. Dag Albert was re-appointed as U18 (Junior) team manager, while Jane Kinsella was appointed as Pony (U16) team manager.
Denis Duggan, who took up his position as the new CEO of Horse Sport Ireland this week, said, “I am delighted to see the calibre of team managers that have come forward for the Eventing High Performance Youth Programs and I am looking forward to working with all of them during 2022 and beyond and hopefully securing more podium places at Championship level.”
Dag Albert and Sue Shortt. Photo via Horse Sport Ireland.
Sue Shortt has held the position of High Performance Team Manager for Ireland’s Under 21 (Young Rider) Eventing team since 2019. A native of Kildare, Sue has represented Ireland in eventing at Under 18, Under 21 and Senior levels including the Athens and Sydney Olympic Games and the WEG in Jerez, Spain. From 2005 to 2013, Sue was High Performance Team Manager for the Irish Pony team during which time the team and individual riders achieved numerous medal successes at European Championship level. In 2021, Sue was team manager of the GAIN Equine Nutrition Irish Young Rider (U21) Eventing team that won the silver medal at the FEI European Eventing Championships in Segersjö, Sweden.
Speaking after her reappointment, Sue said, “I am delighted to renew my contract with Horse Sport Ireland for a further three years. We have a large squad of riders again this year, including five combinations that were part of the silver medal winning team in 2021. I am really looking forward to working with all the riders and hopefully we can go one better in 2022!”
Swedish-born Dag Albert was first appointed to the position of High Performance Team Manager for Ireland’s Under 18 (Junior) Eventing team in 2019. Dag is one of Sweden’s most experienced eventing riders. He has successfully represented his country at Under 16, 18 and Under 21 level and is a BE Accredited Coach. Dag has competed numerous times at Badminton and Burghley and has represented his country at European and World Championships along with the Olympic Games at Atlanta in 1996 and Beijing in 2008. Dag managed the GAIN Equine Nutrition Irish Junior (U18) team to a sixth place finish at the 2021 European Championships in Segersjö, Sweden.
Dag commented, “I am delighted to have been re-appointed as Junior Eventing team manager. We have a very talented group of riders in the Junior High Performance squad including four riders who competed at last year’s European Championships so they bring a lot of experience with them. We also have some exciting riders moving up from ponies. The squad has already started training and we are looking forward to the season ahead.”
Jane Kinsella. Photo via Horse Sport Ireland.
A native of Kildare and now living in Meath, Jane Kinsella has a PhD in Parasitology, a QQI level 6 in training, delivery and evaluation. Jane is a HSI Level 2 coach and is currently completing the Coach Developer course with Sport Ireland. Jane has represented Ireland in Eventing at European Championship level and has over 20 years High Performance coaching experience. She coaches from grass roots to 5* level and has a proven track record of delivering success at the highest level in both Eventing and Show Jumping. Jane has coached athletes on every Pony Eventing European squad since 2013, securing many top 10 and medal winning performances.
Jane was awarded ‘HSI Development Coach of the year in 2017 and is looking forward to taking up the position of Irish Pony Eventing team manager. “I am delighted to accept the role of High Performance team manager for Ireland’s Pony Eventing team,” she said. “I would like to thank Horse Sport Ireland for this opportunity and I am looking forward to working with the incredibly talented riders and their associated support networks. The Irish Pony squads have been hugely successful over the last number of years and I aim, not only to maintain and improve upon the medal successes at European Championship level, but also to develop strength and depth in the Pony squad, producing well-educated, competitive riders of the future.“
Welcome to the dark side, kiddos! Photo via Sara Kozumplik Murphy on Facebook.
There’s nothing better than seeing someone catch the eventing bug for the first time, and Sara Kozumplik Murphy & Co.’s latest adventure is full of first-time eventers who are participating in the first ever Panama Eventing Camp. We can’t wait to see more from what looks like a great group of kids!
Friday News & Reading
Some updates have been made to the new 2022 USEF Eventing Dressage tests, incorporating feedback from members as well as judges. The updated published tests can be found here.
The ASPCA has announced the recipients of its 2021 Good People for Good Horses Awards. Eight members of the horse community were honored for their efforts to improve welfare and rehome horses in need of new living situations. Learn more about the winners here.
We all know and love the beautiful Favian, who is partnered at the 5* level with Valerie Vizcarrondo Pride. Honestly, I’m hankering to get a close-up with Favian’s trusty sidekick, the mini Theodore. Get to know “Faves” in the latest edition of Behind the Stall Door.
I can’t stop watching the #LongLiveTheHorse ad from Zoetis Equine — sorry, not sorry, I’m sharing it again. Pro tip: grab a tissue before hitting play.
Video Break: Scenes from Panama Eventing Camp!
Well sun up to sun down today for the inaugural Panama Eventing Camp!
Shown here is Romulo’s first ever time in a…Posted by Sara Kozumplik Murphy on Thursday, January 6, 2022
For their first episode of 2022, The Jon and Rick Show sat down in the Horse Trailer Pros studio with a couple special guests: Peter Gray and Ariel Grald.
Peter has a big new commitment on his 2022 calendar — he was recently called up for the ground jury for the 2022 World Championships for Eventing in Pratoni, Italy in September. Ariel had a bang-up 2021, finishing third at Luhmühlen with Leamore Master Plan, so it’s exciting to catch up with her as well.
Be sure to subscribe to The Jon and Rick show on YouTube to be the first to know about future episodes.
