You don’t have to compete in recognized events to be an eventer, and thanks to venues like Barnstaple South, Stable View, Carolina Horse Park, Copper Meadows and many others all over the country, schooling show opportunities are a great option to experience the sport in a more accessible way. Whether you’re new to riding or eventing, you’re showing a young horse the ropes, or you simply want to give your well-stretched wallet a break, finding quality schooling shows is the perfect solution.
Barnstaple South, which began its popular Jackpot Schooling Show series this year, has been hard at work making improvements to its offerings, and the next show on September 12 promises to have plenty of fun for all.
Featuring among these exciting upgrades and improvements are:
A clinic with the dressage judge of the show on the Saturday before each of the schooling shows on the fall calendar
Videography services from Richard Equine Video in September and November with recorded commentary from the judge
Free cross country coursewalks led by local professional each Friday before the schooling show
Cross country courses flagged and numbered for schooling the week leading up to the show
Use of high-quality show arenas at neighboring HITS Ocala for dressage and show jumping
Each Jackpot Schooling Show promises to be a grand time for all involved — and there is always the opportunity to win some of your entry costs back in these unique classes! To send in your entry for the next show on September 12 or to sign up for any of the other upcoming fall shows, click here.
Strides for Equality Equestrians is preparing to hand out its second Ever So Sweet Scholarship in partnership with the USEA Foundation, and you still have time to apply! The Ever So Sweet Scholarship is aimed at providing opportunity in the form of training with five-star rider Sara Kozumplik Murphy and her husband, international show jumper Brian Murphy. Applications for the upcoming period close on October 15 — you can learn more about the Ever So Sweet Scholarship and how to apply here.
Should 11 penalties be given in every instance of breaking frangible pins? It’s a debate that’s taken on a life of its own as more riders incur penalties for instances that, in the court of public opinion at least, may not have prevented a fall. After several riders had a pin, or a part of it, down at Bicton this past weekend and after some of the instances in Tokyo, some riders are sharing their opinions on the implications the penalty has. Horse & Hound reports here.
Did you know what Virginia-area White Oak Stables offers a rolling Show Division Sponsorship as part of their Diversity Program? Aimed at being a source of opportunity for riders looking for a leg up, the Show Division Sponsorship is offered offset the cost of competing at a show. Recipients also receive a customized saddle pad. You can learn more and apply here.
Not all riders spend multiple hours in the saddle every day. Some spend most of their days at a desk or doing other work, so what are some ways to combat the accompanying devastation to one’s posture? Here are four in-office exercises all you “desk jockeys” out there can put to good use.
Does your horse get antsy or anxious when it’s time for the farrier to visit? It’s an issue that plagues horse owners all over, and while every horse is an individual there are some things to try if you’re dealing with farrier anxiety. Save these tips to try next time your horse is due.
Have you gotten your tickets for Equitana USA yet? The early October exhibition and education event promises to be all-out spectacular with a little something for everyone. Check out the schedule of events here — and mark your calendars!
Strides for Equality Equestrians leadership member Catherine Reddick was a recent guest with Chris Stafford on the Women in Sports podcast. Learn more about Strides for Equality’s DEI work, Catherine’s crossover experience between rowing and horse sports, and more in this conversation.
Wednesday Watch This:
If you’re new to H&C+, the video on-demand catalog available to you is easy to get lost in. Honestly, I’ve had my subscription for well into a year now and I’m still discovering new series! The vision behind H&C+’s vast library is to have a dedicated space for the involved equestrian to find entertainment, sport and education. This week, I’m getting caught up on the Eventing Masterclass series. In the most recent episode, Simon Grieve walks us through some ways to combat the omnipresent “rider frightener” fences. There are Masterclass episodes with Liz Halliday-Sharp, Will Coleman, Laura Collett, Oliver Townend and so many more to list — and they’re all included with your H&C+ membership! Here’s the page to learn more.
Haygain Social Shout: Watch how simple it can be to add hay steaming into your routine.
We here at EN have been following “Kizzy & Etties Pony Adventures” on Facebook and Instagram since these two British sisters were knee-high to a grasshopper, which is to say roundabout since Kizzy had just turned 5 and Ettie was 2. Time flies when you’re having fun, and now they’re — gasp — 7 and 5!
As the children of avid fox hunters, their horse-girl gutsiness and velcro-bummed stick-to-the-saddle skillsets are going stronger than ever. Here are a few recent videos:
Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) is honored to host world-class eventing competitions. From the incredible horse and rider athletes to the manicured courses and state-of-the art arenas, the experience brings a wow factor to fans and spectators every time. But, there is one very key component to every eventing competition and without it, the recipe for a successful eventing competition falls flat – volunteers.
It might surprise you just how many volunteers are needed to adequately host a horse trials, like the Tryon Fall Horse Trials on September 10-12. From jump judges and scribes to timers, score runners and so many more roles, much of the operations around an Eventing competition is dependent upon volunteers generously giving their time to make the event happen.
And just how many are needed for the Tryon Fall Horse Trials? 141!
While several people have signed up to assist, there are still many open shifts to fill. Whether you have volunteered for an equestrian competition before or this is completely new, there is a role for you. TIEC has been fortunate to have volunteers return regularly to participate in our competitions and they are always happy to help others learn the ropes.
Brian and Darlene Tribby have volunteered at TIEC for years and are always eager to sign up for a shift, particularly in eventing.
TIEC Volunteers Brian and Darlene Tribby. Photo courtesy of TIEC.
“Darlene and I started volunteering at TIEC for the World Equestrian Games in 2018. Since then, we have considered TIEC to be our home away from home. Being able to watch the world’s best riders and horses is a dream come true. Eventing is so amazing. Just to think that one rider and horse can participate in three separate disciplines — show jumping, dressage, and cross country — is awesome!” explained Brian.
Suzanne Lindley has volunteered at TIEC since the beginning and recently returned from volunteering for Eventing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics! (More on that soon!) She loves Eventing and is looking forward to joining us for the Tryon Fall Horse Trials next weekend.
Suzanne Lindley (left) volunteering at the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018. Photo courtesy of TIEC.
“I have been volunteering for Eventing since TIEC started running events, beginning with the AECs [American Eventing Championships]. The White Oak Course now in use is one of the best and prettiest in the world and we are privileged to get to work events at such a world-class facility. It is also special that all levels, even Beginner Novice, get to do their cross country phase on the same course with the ‘big boys’… that is not true in most places!” said Lindley.
As an active volunteer at TIEC, Lindley understands the importance of having enough volunteers for eventing competitions and how grateful the competitors are for their help.
“There is no nicer group of people in the horse show world than eventers … they thank the volunteers all the time and really appreciate that their competitions can’t happen without us!”
Llyn Shook, another seasoned volunteer at TIEC, agrees and finds great reward in her service.
TIEC Volunteer Llyn Shook at the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018 standing with dressage competitor Julio Mendoza Loor. Photo courtesy of TIEC.
“Volunteering at TIEC has enriched my life with learning experiences through involvement in vital support roles in a variety of USEF, FEI and USEA competitions,” said Shook. “What a delight to see up close the exquisite equine athletes with exceptionally skilled riders. My love of horses and enjoyment of being around others who love horses makes volunteering at TIEC awesome.”
With the Tryon International Three-Day Event returning to TIEC this November 10-14, the Tryon Fall Horse Trials in September is a great way for volunteers to practice and gain experience for the larger competition.
“We are honored that the National Eventing Championship will be held here in Mill Spring this November and we look forward to helping out in any way that we can,” said Brian.
Lindley encourages anyone with an interest in horses or eventing to sign up to volunteer at TIEC.
“I guarantee that anyone who loves horses would get hooked if they joined the TIEC eventing volunteer crew! TIEC takes great care of us, including being sure we are properly trained, equipped, and well fed, too!”
To sign up as a volunteer of the Tryon Fall Horse Trials on September 10-12 and get an up close and personal view of the action, click here or visit Tryon.com/Eventing.
Two more teams have been confirmed for the 2021 European Eventing Championships, set to take place in Avenches, Switzerland, from September 23-26: Ireland and Switzerland have released announcements. Great Britain, Germany and The Netherlands‘ squads have already been announced. Additionally, Ireland named its squad for the Aachen Nations Cup CCIO4*-S, which begins on Friday, September 17.
Cathal Daniels and Rioghan Rua (IRL) at the 2018 WEG in Tryon. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
IRELAND
The Irish squad for Aachen Nations Cup is as follows:
Cathal Daniels with Rioghan Rua (ISH) – owned by Margaret and Frank Kinsella
Alex Donohoe with Kilcandra Bonnie Reward (ISH) – owned by Daphne Ladley
Joseph Murphy with Calmaro – owned by Claire & Charlie Mayne, Joseph Murphy and Annette O’Callaghan
Elizabeth Power with Azure (ISH) – owned by Elizabeth Power
Sam Watson with Ballybolger Talisman (ISH) – owned by Julia Watson and Sam Watson
The Irish squad for the FEI Eventing European Championships is as follows:
Clare Abbott with Jewelent (ISH) – owned by – Catherine Abbott, Barbra Allen and Lisa Rosbothm
Cathal Daniels with LEB Lias Jewel (ISH) – owned by Jo Breheny
Padraig McCarthy with Leonidas II – owned by – Diane Brunsden, Peter Cattell and Padraig McCarthy or Fallulah – owned by Amanda Boyle, Nicholas Boyle, Diane Brunsden, Peter Cattell and Padraig McCarthy
Joseph Murphy with Cesar V – owned by The Way Forward Syndicate
Fred Scala with Everon Vivendi (ISH) – owned by Emilio & Fred Scala
Steven Smith with Galwaybay Echo (ISH) – owned by June Burgess
Speaking ahead of these two important fixtures, Irish Eventing team manager Sally Corscadden said:
“In an Olympic year, it is very positive for Irish Eventing to field teams to compete at both the prestigious Aachen Nations Cup and the Senior Europeans Championships in Avenches, Switzerland. After the loss of so many top events and restrictions in travel over the past year, these are both great competitions for our athletes to gain valuable international experience at the highest level.
“The European team has a mix of experienced and first time athletes. Along with Cathal Daniels, it is great to have Padraig McCarthy, Joseph Murphy and Clare Abbott back at a Championship, and to give Fred Scala and Steven Smith their first caps. On their day, all these combinations can deliver strong competitive performances. From the six travelling combinations, four will be selected to represent Ireland as a team and the two remaining athletes will compete as individuals.
“Aachen is a Nations Cup like no other, with a real Championship feel. The most experienced combination is Cathal Daniels and Rioghan Rua, Joseph, Sam and Esib [Elizabeth Power] are very experienced but are on up-and-coming horses, it will be great exposure for them.
“In particular, I would like to thank the owners of these horses, who invest so much in our sport and without who it would not be possible for us to compete on the world stage.”
Robin Godel and Grandeur de Lully CH (SUI) at the 2018 WEG in Tryon. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
SWITZERLAND
For the first time since 1983, the European Championships are taking place in Switzerland. The Eventing Selection Commission of the Swiss Equestrian Sports Federation FSSE announced the following squad:
Eveline Bodenmüller, Maur (ZH), avec Violine de la Brasserie CH Owners : Mathias Bodenmüller, Christian Kron
Beat Danner, Heiligkreuz-Mels (SG), avec London Blue CH Owner: Beat Danner
Robin Godel, Dompierre (FR), avec Grandeur de Lully CH Owner: Jean-Jacques Fünfschilling
Patrick Rüegg, Altwis (LU), avec Fifty Fifty V Owner: Angela Häberli
Felix Vogg, avec Cartania II Owner : Felix Vogg, Phoenix Eventing S.à.r.l.
Team Manager Dominik Burger says that “The Tokyo Olympics were not an easy time, but now you have to get up, move on and keep fighting. To participate in the European Championship in our own country and this so soon after the Olympic Games — it is a challenge, but also an opportunity. We have an excellent team and we will do everything we can to offer the public very good sport and the best possible result per team.”
In addition to the team manager, the riders will be accompanied by Antonia Müller, team veterinarian, and mentored by Cross coach Andrew Nicholson and Jumping coach Lesley McNaught.
We’re inching ever closer to the Young Horse World Championships at Le Lion d’Angers, and it’s about this time of year that I start to get really excited about these slightly gangly child prodigies and what they’ve been up to through the summer. Fortunately for me, France’s Tom Carlile always provides the sterling content I need — like these photos of his impressive string of Upsilon offspring, all of whom look to be the spitting image of their beloved sire. Even more impressively, Upsilon offspring took all three places on the podium in the French national championships for seven year olds, with Etoile de Beliard taking top honours, followed by Epsilon First Lady in second and Arnaud Boiteau’s Eau Vive de Brenne in third. Now THAT’S what we call total domination, and I can’t wait to see them in person and watch the world’s best producer of young horses (in my humble opinion!) work his magic again.
National Holiday: It’s the International Day of Clean Air. Can you do one simple thing to cut emissions today? I’m going to walk into town rather than take my car, which might seem like a really teensy-weensy action, but imagine if all of us did that today?
In the midst of busy Gloucester in the west of England, there’s a riding school with a difference. Head behind the scenes at St James City Farm, an urban riding school dedicated to providing a safe haven for local young riders and particularly Muslim equestrians. [Inside Gloucester’s Muslim horse riding school]
There’s not much we love more than a bit of colour on a cross-country course. Luckily, talented COTH tog Lindsey Berreth agrees and has collated a gallery of some of the splashiest at the AECs. [Favorite Photos: A Rainbow of Horses at the AEC]
Eventing Nation’s coverage of the 2021 USEA American Eventing Championships is brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products. We want to share the joy of eventing this week, so we invite you to nominate an AEC rider for our “Kentucky Performance of the Week” contest, happening now in partnership with Kentucky Performance Products. Learn more here.
Cami Pease and Vibrant, Beginner Novice Amateur Champions. KTB Creative Group Photo.
For Immediate Release: The final competitors of the 2021 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds geared up for the last day. Taking place in the Kentucky Horse Park’s iconic Rolex Stadium, riders from all six Beginner Novice divisions put their best foot forward in the show jumping phase. Endless prizes were handed out, the champions were decorated with tri-color ribbons, the Adult Team Champions were named, and several special awards were distributed throughout the day.
Beginner Novice Horse
Kristine Burgess and Marisol. KTB Creative Group Photo.
Thirty-five competitors from the Beginner Novice Horse division were the first of the morning to kick off competition bright and early. Coming into the last phase of the event, Hugo, Minnesota’s Kristine Burgess, and her own Marisol proved they were going to be hard to beat. The pair had not picked up any faults in the previous day’s cross-country phase and entered the stadium on only 25.5 faults. The 5-year-old Trakehner mare by United States put on her final performance of the week in style and left all rails standing within the time allowed to take the championship.
“This is only her fourth show so it was kind of an unknown of how she would handle all of the atmosphere because none of our other events have been anything like this,” Burgess explained. “She just took everything on and handled every new situation so well; I’m extremely proud of her.”
The mare was purchased for Burgess’ mother Lianne, but with Kristine’s prior experience training various young horses, she took the reins.
“I always say if she was the first young horse that I was able to train, I would think that I was just the best trainer in the world,” she laughed. “She is so level-headed about everything and so willing to try and do the right thing all of the time. I always say her job is to see the jump and jump the jump and she has really gotten that down now.”
Laura Kosiorek-Smith and Star Quality CSF. KTB Creative Group Photo.
Reserve-placed Laura Kosiorek-Smith maintained her standing on Star Quality CSF in a fault-free round that left her and Chrissteen Miller’s 7-year-old Canadian Warmblood mare (Schwarzenegger x Garcia) with a final score of 28.0. The mare was originally purchased purely for dressage purposes with her owner but under the tutelage of Kosiorek-Smith it was quickly discovered she had a natural knack for hacking out and jumping.
“Whenever I start a new horse in my program I always take them out and teach them how to jump even though her owner only wanted to do dressage with her,” she explained. “She’s had a bit of a break because of COVID but once I took her back into my program her owner agreed to let me event her. She placed very well at some recognized horse trials earlier in the year so I just said ‘why not do Kentucky as well’ and the rest is history!”
Kalie Beckers and Calla GBF. KTB Creative Group Photo.
It was all girl-power at the top of the podium as Kalie Beckers navigated her self-bred 6-year-old American Warmblood mare (Carush x NA) Calla GBF into another clear round for the yellow ribbon only 0.3 points behind Kosiorek-Smith. However, the sailing was not always so smooth for the pair.
“Getting here was actually a bit crazy because I live in Louisiana and we had to evacuate for hurricane Ida three days earlier than we had planned on leaving to come here originally,” Beckers described. “Luckily, this horse park is a great place to be and we were lucky to get to settle in here.
Beckers produced the young filly by of her previous Young Riders Grand Prix dressage stallion Carush; she is the first home-bred and self-produced baby of the farm so the win is extra special for Beckers.
“This is a huge win for us,” she gushed. “She is definitely her father’s daughter in that she got his ‘palomino stallion’ attitude even though she is a mare, but she has really matured this year and handled this whole event very well so I’m really proud of her.”
The Thoroughbred Incentive Program awarded Rebecca Lee and the 9-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Congrats x Touch Me Once) A Proper Villain with the honors for the division as the pair held the lowest qualifying score of 30.5.
Beginner Novice Master Amateur
Gerlinde Beckers and Roscommon Fagan. KTB Creative Group Photo.
In an exciting turn of events for the Beginner Novice Master Amateur division, Gerlinde Beckers had the show jumping round of her life to jump from fourth to the first and earn the championship. Beckers and Roscommon Fagan, the 17-year-old Connemara gelding (Balius Malachi x Lasrachai’s Blue Oak Dunlaith) have taught each other the ropes of the unique sport and sat in fourth place with their dressage score of 28.5 prior to the final phase. After what Beckers described as her ‘first-ever’ clear round in the show jumping phase, the duo totaled only the 28.5 which was enough to secure the tricolor win.
“I always have a rail, so I just figured it was coming. I am fairly new to the sport of cross-country and frankly jumping terrifies me,” laughed the primarily FEI dressage rider. “When I acquired this gelding, his breeder gave him to me because she wanted him to have a good forever home, and I didn’t want him at the time but I am honestly so grateful because he has given me so much confidence and made this fun for me.”
The trek to AEC was not one Beckers was even sure was possible till the middle of the week. Her private farm in Independence, Louisiana was one of many affected by hurricane Ida and she refused to leave before the storm had passed.
“It wasn’t until Wednesday morning that I even decided to make the trip because I had to see if the roads would be clear enough to get a horse trailer through,” she explained. “My husband is still at home doing things like filling generators and keeping the farm operating and my daughters ended up coming with me to help here so I am really just so grateful to everyone who made it possible to even get here.”
The day was doubly special for Beckers whose daughter, Kalie Beckers had just received the third-place honors in the Beginner Novice Horse division with her self-produced mare Calla GBF.
“My daughter competed in Young Riders for many years so I have walked her down the ramp to the Rolex Stadium many times; for her to be the one walking me down that ramp was incredibly special,” she finished tearfully.
Michelle Cameron Donaldson and Danny Boy. KTB Creative Group Photo.
An emotional victory was also had by Livingston, Montana resident Michelle Cameron Donaldson and her 20-year-old Percheron gelding Danny Boy. Cameron Donaldson sat tied for fifth place but she and her long-time partner pulled off a storybook finish to overtake the reserve position on 29.9. The gelding gave the performance of his life for what Cameron Donaldson says was one of his last events; according to her, Danny Boy is Kentucky-bred and she felt it would be poetic for his final few performances before retirement to be held at the iconic venue. Cameron Donaldson had a late start to her riding career, only picking up the sport in 2011 and spending a portion of her time in the hunter/jumper discipline before switching to eventing.
“I had wanted to event for a while but there were certain aspects of it that made me think I would never be able to,” she described. “One day a very good friend of mine pulled me aside and said to me ‘you are good enough to do, now go find yourself a horse’ and so I began looking.
“I only rode Danny for about 20 minutes and I just knew he was the one,” she recalled. “I have been so blessed with the best partner and team around me; I am just so grateful to everyone that has been part of this journey and encouraged me to keep going even on days I wasn’t sure I could do it.”
Stephen Fulton and DB Cooper. KTB Creative Group Photo.
Stephen Fulton of Full Moon Farm based in Finksburg, Maryland rounded out the top three with his own 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding DB Cooper. The pair skyrocketed from seventh to third place in the final few moments of the division as they crossed the timers without penalty to end with their dressage score of 30.0.
Fulton, originally a jumper rider in his earlier years, switched to the eventing track when he met his wife who was already competing in the sport at the time and now functions as the farm’s trainer.
“I have been competing in this discipline now for about 35 years, and my wife also competes, and my daughters ride so it’s really wonderful to be able to enjoy the sport as a family,” he said. “We have been to the AEC about 10 times at least and we just love it. To be a part of this event at Kentucky Horse Park has been so cool, I have always said that one day I wanted to ride in the stadium and see my name on that giant Rolex billboard and now that vision has come true.”
The TIP award for the Beginner Novice Master Amateur division was won by Emily Slaven with her 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Leelanau x President’s Woman) Senator Lee.
Beginner Novice Amateur
Cami Pease and Vibrant. KTB Creative Group Photo.
Just under 50 horse-and-rider combinations contested the show jumping course designed for the Beginner Novice Amateur division in the Rolex Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Overnight leader Cami Pease used her and her horse Vibrant’s former equitation experience to flawlessly navigate the track and seal the deal for their victory with only their dressage penalty of 24.8.
Although the pair started off their partnership as an equitation team, they have been no stranger to success in the event field having won the last six of their events together. After the 21-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Orlando x Fatima Van De Heffenk) tore his meniscus in what Pease expected to be a career-ending injury, he managed to successfully recover fully in a little over a year and was introduced to the eventing discipline.
“The barn we moved into did eventing and I just kind of thought it would be something fun and different for us to do since we probably wouldn’t be competing in the equitation anymore after his injury,” Pease explained. “I wasn’t really sure how well he would take to it but we did our first event in 2017 and he has been fantastic about it ever since. I think he actually had an easier time with the transition than I did because It took me quite a while not to get nervous about the cross-country fences and reconfigure my body position to sit a bit taller and have more of a seat and leg ride.”
“I don’t think I’m ever going to have another horse like him and because of his age this is where he is comfortable,” she added. “So to have an event like this that makes us Beginner Novice people feel just as important as the more upper level competitors is very nice; I really appreciate it.”
Sophie Ann Stremple and Dolly. KTB Creative Group Photo.
Sophie Ann Stremple of The Plains, Virginia overtook the previous class reserve with Shannon Davis’ 15-year-old Hanoverian mare Dolly by going fast and clear in 27.3. In her debut at AEC, Stremple piloted not one, but two horses throughout the week.
“This horse is a bit of a new relationship for me but she is really great and her owner, Shannon Davis, has been wonderful as well to give me the opportunity to ride her,” Stremple said. “I was firmly a hunter/jumper rider and then because my grandfather had dressage horses he ended up getting me into dressage, but then I missed the jumping so once I found out about eventing it was like the best of everything!”
Hannah Reeser and Ltl Ireland Summr Soldier. KTB Creative Group Photo.
Third place honors went to Hannah Reeser by producing a fault-free effort once again on the final day and leaving their original dressage score of 27.4 untouched. Reeser takes extra pride in the day’s end result as Ltl Ireland Summr Soldier, her 7-year-old Morgan mare (October Fox x Abby Darling) is home-bred and self-produced.
“We have been together since the very beginning, so to see her come all this way and place well against the big warmbloods and fancy-moving horses has been a truly great experience.”
Reeser and her family run a small breeding operation specifically focused on one line of Morgan horses. “We aren’t a big breeding facility but we found one line we especially liked and we really like the attitude of the Morgan breed,” she detailed.
Fourth-place finisher Emily Nichols and her 9-year-old Thoroughbred mare (Trifecta Scott x Blue Muse) Galway Girl were the division’s TIP winners on 29.5 points.
Beginner Novice Rider
Leigh Wood and Dollar Mountain. KTB Creative Group Photo.
The Beginner Novice Rider division saw a shakeup in the final results when the formerly second-place combination of Leigh Wood and Dollar Mountain flawless round gave them the edge and bumped them to the lead on 27.1.
Wood partnered with the 16-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Forestry x Formal Tango) after a long search for her next partner following the retirement of her previous horse. “Parker” as he is affectionately called at home, had raced up till his 7-year-old year and had only been restarted for under a year when she picked him up.
“I trotted him for about three steps and I looked at my trainer and said ‘yep, he’ll work,” she laughed. “I have had amazing help from the people at Rebecca Lee Farm to bring him along and he is just my best friend and dream horse. No matter what phase we are in, he just goes to work when he gets in there.”
The event is one Wood has had on her bucket list for years, stating that she even has a notebook she keeps with pictures from previous AEC events. With injuries and pandemics, Wood was unsure if she would ever truly make it into the Rolex Stadium.
“It has been an amazing, wonderful experience and I just can’t thank everyone who has put this on enough, including my husband and my entire fantastic team,” she explained.
The win at the iconic event today is even more meaningful for Wood as she revealed the inspiration behind her career.
“As it is almost the 20th anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001, I am overwhelmed to have won this today and I’m dedicating it to my late friend Jennifer Lewis,” she tearfully confirmed. “She and I were both flight attendants for American Airlines as well as fellow equestrians and we lost her on flight 77 that day. I keep a photo of her in my tack trunk and she rides with me every day now. I call my horse Parker Lewis in honor of her and I know she was here with us in spirit today.”
Wood’s partner, her beloved Parker, was also the recipient of the TIP award for the division.
Katherine Rutherford and Amazingly Lucky. KTB Creative Group.
Katherine Rutherford took the weekend away from her position as a small animal veterinarian to pilot her 13-year-old Paint gelding Amazingly Lucky into the runner-up result with a final score of 29.4 carried over from the dressage and cross-country phase.
“It was a real team effort to have a positive and successful weekend here,” Rutherford credited to her trainer, husband, and horse. “I get nervous so easily but thankfully my horse is very much a steady-eddy.”
Although Rutherford started off her experience with horses in the hunter/jumper field, she admitted she has always had an interest in eventing.
“As a kid, it was not something that locally was available to me but I was always curious about it and I even competed in a few unrecognized events with my hunter. I took a few years off of riding for school and work and when I did decide to get back into it I was in an area where I was able to do it more.”
Anna Hendey and Sheldon. KTB Creative Group Photo.
Anna Hendey was in complete awe as she and her own Sheldon rode for ribbons as the third-place winner and reserve champion of the TIP award. Hendey and the 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding ( Victory Gallop x Complete Spring) rose from their original sixth place position by producing one final fault-free round o finish with only 0.4 more penalties than Rutherford.
“I am in complete shock and I may start crying,” Hendey admitted. “This has been an incredible experience for me; I didn’t think I was ever going to come here with my horse being the way that he was for many years.”
For Hendey, the goal of the whole event had been just to not get disqualified. She has worked tirelessly to produce him to this level despite his hot-headed demeanor. The inspiration behind her determination is her late friend Ashley Stout.
“Two years ago, my friend passed away in a riding accident at my barn,” Hendey explained. “After she passed away, I really got myself together and started riding for her; she is always with me and I just wish she could’ve been here in person today.”
Junior Beginner Novice
Erin Buckner and Picassi. KTB Creative Group Photo.
In the penultimate and largest division of the AEC, 64 entries consisting of young competitors and their mounts vied for the top spot in the Junior Beginner Novice division. In a record-breaking moment, Erin Buckner of Woodstock, Georgia cleared the final jumping timers fault-free to finish first on the lowest score in Beginner Novice AEC history.
Buckner and the 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Paparazzo x Lady Lily) Picassi set the bar unbelievably high from the start of the competition as they clocked the lowest dressage score of the division to date on 18.5. Two flawless jumping phases later and the young rider made history.
“I never could’ve expected to get that low of a score,” Buckner admitted. “We qualified in 2020 but then it was canceled so we basically had a year to prepare. I knew he had the potential to have a really great dressage phase if we could get him more fluid, so we’ve worked extensively over the last year on that and keeping him forward in all of our phases.”
Buckner took over the ride for her sister after she hung up her boots and the pair have worked their way up from smaller jumper classes to now. The day was a ‘redemption tour’ of sorts for her as she explained that her 2019 experience at AEC did not go as planned.
“This weekend has been fantastic, and definitely a whole 360 degree turn from our last time here,” she laughed. “Two years ago we were sitting in third and then had a very unfortunate refusal which knocked us into dead last, so this has definitely been satisfying.”
Anneka Williams and Juneaux. KTB Creative Group.
Anneka Williams and Juneaux broke their own personal best with a first-day dressage score of 22.4. After a successful cross-country phase, the pair headed into show jumping in the third but an unfortunate rail for a competitor and another clean round produced by Williams secured her the reserve position instead.
“I have had the best weekend ever,” she exclaimed. “To score so low in dressage was a terrific feeling for me because it was our personal best. I loved the cross-country course here as well, I think that was one of my favorite parts.
Of the 14-year-old Appendix Quarter Horse mare, Williams said “she actually competed in show jumping until I took over the ride on her but she is doing really great and we are learning together.
Caroline Burkhardt and My Mexico. KTB Creative Group Photo.
Dallas, Texas’ Caroline Burkhardt jumped from fifth to third place to finalize the top three. She and the 18-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (RaMexico x Odyssey) My Mexico carried over a first phase score of 23.6 but left all rails standing in show jumping.
“This horse just lights up when he knows it’s time to compete and takes me to everything,” Burkhardt detailed. “We both definitely enjoy the cross-country phase the most because he is just so excited to go and he has competed up to Preliminary before so he knows how to get across the course.”
Annika Foley and her 7-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Atlantic Beauty x Kitten’s Joy) were the division’s TIP leaders and the leaders of the entire Beginner Novice section with only 23.9 penalties.
Junior Beginner Novice 14 & Under
Laura Voorheis and Hillcrest Hop. KTB Creative Group Photo.
The 2021 AEC concluded with 27 of eventing’s up and coming stars closing out the competition in the Rolex Stadium as part of the Beginner Novice Junior 14 and Under division. Laura Voorheis reigned supreme throughout the course of the three days adding nothing to her dressage score of 27.1.
Voorheis partnered with the 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Dilshaan x Queen Judy) Hillcrest Hop after trainer Tom Dugan selected the mount from Ireland.
“Once he came over from Ireland I tried him out and I just loved him,” she gushed.
“We have been working a lot on the show jumping phase and just keeping him from getting strung out,” she continued, “but my favorite phase this weekend was our dressage probably because it was one of our best tests.”
Larkyn Hendren and Sandy. KTB Creative Group Photo.
Crestwood, Kentucky’s Larkyn Hendren and her rescue pony, Sandy also held tight to their podium position in second place having produced fault-free efforts over the two jumping phases to finish with a score of 29.0.
The 20-year-old Arabian mare was a happy accident for Hendren who had not seen the pony before she was shipped to the farm from a rescue in Alabama in hopes of finding a home.
“Our partnership was a bit rocky at first but I think we have figured each other out pretty well now,” she explained. “I have never been here to AEC before and to be able to make it this far with an older rescue pony has been very special.”
Carla Lindsay and Paint Misbehavin’. KTB Creative Group Photo.
Westminster, Maryland’s Carla Lindsay and her 14-year-old Paint gelding Paint Misbehavin’ broke out of their tie for fourth to instead ride for ribbons as the third-place recipient.
“Finishing the cross-country phase was a huge accomplishment for me because sometimes he can be so wild it gets iffy,” Lindsay stated. “To have been able to finish that successfully and to be here in this position now is just so amazing.”
Abigail Walker and The Perfect Storm MK (Comet Shine x Danse Don’t Fight), an 18-year-old Thoroughbred gelding were the recipients of the TIP award with their score of 34.1.
Adult Team Championships
The Only Neigh is Up. KTB Creative Group Photo.
The Beginner Novice Adult Team Championships were won by The Only Neigh is Up on a 97.4. The team consisted of Cami Pease and Vibrant, Jodie Potts and Cat’s Confetti, Arielle Orem and Beorn, Sharon Church and Ruffan’s Run.
Eventing Nation’s coverage of the 2021 USEA American Eventing Championships is brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products. We want to share the joy of eventing this week, so we invite you to nominate an AEC rider for our “Kentucky Performance of the Week” contest, happening now in partnership with Kentucky Performance Products. Learn more here.
Gerlinde Beckers & Roscommon Fagan. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photo.
The AEC Beginner Novice Master Amateur division has been putting a little tear in our eye all weekend with inspiring and emotional stories that represent the heart and soul of our sport. Each competitor worked hard to get here, tactfully played the cards they drew, and will be able to look back on the championship event with a well-earned sense of pride.
The score board’s contents got dumped into the blender on Sunday, as show jumping catapulted some combinations up and others down. A few fewer than half the division turned in a double-clear round and were justly rewarded. Our winner, Gerlinde Beckers and her own Roscommon Fagan, jumped from 5th to 4th to 1st over the course of the weekend. Area VII adult rider Michelle Cameron Donaldson and Danny Boy, the 20-year-oldbig red draft cross that captured all our hearts, did a 7-5-2 climb, and Stephen Fulton and DB Cooper sailed to a double-clear third place finish.
Gerlinde Beckers & Roscommon Fagan. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photo.
Show jumping isn’t typically the strongest phase for Gerlinde and her 17-year-old Connemara gelding (Balius Malachi x Lasrachai’s Blue Oak Dunlaith), but Roscommon Fagan pulled out the stops to post a clear round at the AEC and win on a final score of 28.5.
“I always have a rail, so I just figured it was coming. I am fairly new to the sport of cross country and frankly jumping terrifies me,” laughed the primarily FEI dressage rider. “When I acquired this gelding, his breeder gave him to me because she wanted him to have a good forever home, and I didn’t want him at the time but I am honestly so grateful because he has given me so much confidence and made this fun for me.”
The trek to AEC was not one Gerlinde was even sure was possible until the middle of the week. Her private farm in Independence, Louisiana was one of many affected by hurricane Ida and she refused to leave before the storm had passed.
Gerlinde Beckers & Roscommon Fagan. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photo.
“It wasn’t until Wednesday morning that I even decided to make the trip because I had to see if the roads would be clear enough to get a horse trailer through,” she explained. “My husband is still at home doing things like filling generators and keeping the farm operating and my daughters ended up coming with me to help here so I am really just so grateful to everyone who made it possible to even get here.”
The day was doubly special for Gerlinde whose daughter, Kalie Beckers had just received the third-place honors in the Beginner Novice Horse division with her self-produced mare Calla GBF.
“My daughter competed in Young Riders for many years so I have walked her down the ramp to the Rolex Stadium many times; for her to be the one walking me down that ramp was incredibly special,” she said tearfully.
Michelle Cameron Donaldson & Danny Boy. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photo.
An emotional victory was also had by Livingston, Montana resident Michelle Cameron Donaldson and her 20-year-old Percheron gelding Danny Boy. Cameron Donaldson sat tied for fifth place but she and her long-time partner pulled off a storybook finish to overtake the reserve position on 29.9. The gelding gave the performance of his life for what Cameron Donaldson says was one of his last events; according to her, Danny Boy is Kentucky-bred and she felt it would be poetic for his final few performances before retirement to be held at the iconic venue. Cameron Donaldson had a late start to her riding career, only picking up the sport in 2011 and spending a portion of her time in the hunter/jumper discipline before switching to eventing.
“I had wanted to event for a while but there were certain aspects of it that made me think I would never be able to,” she said. “One day a very good friend of mine pulled me aside and said to me ‘you are good enough to do, now go find yourself a horse’ and so I began looking.
“I only rode Danny for about 20 minutes and I just knew he was the one,” she recalled. “I have been so blessed with the best partner and team around me; I am just so grateful to everyone that has been part of this journey and encouraged me to keep going even on days I wasn’t sure I could do it.”
Stephen Fulton & DB Cooper. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Stephen Fulton of Full Moon Farm based in Finksburg, Maryland rounded out the top three with his own 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding DB Cooper. The pair skyrocketed from seventh to third place in the final few moments of the division as they crossed the timers without penalty to end with their dressage score of 30.0.
Stephen, originally a jumper rider in his earlier years, switched to the eventing track when he met his wife who was already competing in the sport at the time and now functions as the farm’s trainer.
“I have been competing in this discipline now for about 35 years, and my wife also competes, and my daughters ride so it’s really wonderful to be able to enjoy the sport as a family,” he said. “We have been to the AEC about 10 times at least and we just love it. To be a part of this event at Kentucky Horse Park has been so cool, I have always said that one day I wanted to ride in the stadium and see my name on that giant Rolex billboard and now that vision has come true.”
The TIP award for the Beginner Novice Master Amateur division was won by Emily Slaven with her 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Leelanau x President’s Woman) Senator Lee.
Brandy Snedden & Peaches and Cream finished 4th. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photo.
Brandy Snedden & Peaches and Cream. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photo.
We may have been up-the-wall busy with the USEA American Eventing Championships and the Bicton Park CCI5*, but there were several other events running over the weekend making for a stuffed weekend winners recap for you! If you want to catch up on the happenings at #AEC2021, click here and for your Bicton fix click here.
Our Unofficial Low Score Award this week comes to us out of AEC, where Erin Buckner and Picassi finished their Beginner Novice Junior championship weekend on their impressive dressage score of 18.5. Erin and the 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding Picassi have been partnered together since 2018, and this weekend’s score squeaks past their previous personal best earned in 2017 (18.8). Let’s hear from Erin after her big-time win:
Advanced: Boyd Martin and On Cue (33.7)
Intermediate: Leslie Law and Lady Chatterley (25.5)
Preliminary Amateur: Arden Wildasin and Southern Sun (24.2)
Preliminary Horse: Liz Halliday-Sharp and Shanroe Cooley (28.5)
Preliminary Junior/Young Rider: Vienna Allport and DHI Zatopek B (28.3)
Modified: Julie Wolfert and Namibia (25.2)
Training Amateur: Lisa Niccolai and KC’s Celtic Character (27.6)
Training Horse: Lauren Lambert and Biscotti (24.3)
Training Junior: Shelby Murray and Reverie GWF (22.4)
Training Rider: Katie Sisk and Long Legs Lenore (30.7)
Novice Amateur: Cecilia Emilsson and Blazing Angel (22.3)
Novice Horse: Adalee Ladwig and Argenta MSF (27.0)
Novice Junior: Mia Brown and Duke HW (22.3)
Novice Junior 15 and Under: Margaret Frost and Euro Star (29.6)
Novice Master Amateur: Mary Millhiser and My Boy Tex (27.4)
Novice Rider: Jane Musselman and Bentley’s Best (24.2)
Beginner Novice Amateur: Cami Pease and Vibrant (24.8)
Beginner Novice Horse: Kristine Burgess and Marisol (25.5)
Beginner Novice Junior 14 and Under: Laura Voorheis and Hillcrest Hop (27.1)
Beginner Novice Junior: Erin Buckner and Picassi (18.5)
Beginner Novice Master Amateur: Gerlinde Beckers and Roscommon Fagan (28.5)
Beginner Novice Rider: Leigh Wood and Dollar Mountain (27.1)
Preliminary/Training: Ryan Wood and Carmella (33.9)
Training Open 1: Jennie Brannigan and Beaulieu’s Surprise (29.3)
Novice Open 1: Ryan Wood and Ben Nevis (18.8)
Beginner Novice: Sara Baron and Tizbreezy (32.5)
CCI3*-S: Kit Ferguson and Cillbhrid Tom (39.0)
CCI2*-S: Ava Wehde and Bonaire (40.2)
CCI1*-S: Andrea McAllister and Call Me Commander (46.3)
Advanced: Sharon White and Claus 63 (43.4)
Open Intermediate: Sharon White and Cooley On Show (30.0)
Open Preliminary: Waylon Roberts and CS Carrera (30.4)
Preliminary Rider: Haley Curry and Fernhill Belmonte Do Cahim (37.1)
Modified: Sinead Maynard and Oldcourt Grafen Dance (30.4)
Open Training: Waylon Roberts and Beaulieu’s Cecelia (30.5)
Training Rider: Sara Jakomin and Two Step Hero (36.0)
Novice Rider: Barbara Brogan and Red Dirt Racer (33.3)
Open Novice: Alexandra Green Kerby and Diatendra (31.4)
Beginner Novice Rider: Katharina Huenermann and Targaryen TWF (23.3)
Open Beginner Novice: Clare Walker and Danger Mouse (31.4)
Intermediate: Jordan Linstedt and FE Friday (50.6)
Preliminary: Jordan Linstedt and Lovely Lola (27.2)
Training Amateur: Jane Drummond and Ballingowan Skies (31.1)
Training Junior: Jessica Berntson and Valerio (34.3)
Training Open: Karen O’Neal and Balladeer Kilbrickens Lad (26.5)
Novice Junior A: Natalie Barlow and Wish I Am (35.7)
Novice Junior B: Abigail Popa and Athens (26.9)
Novice Amateur: Amy Haugen and Ebenholtz (30.0)
Novice Open: Maris Burns and AM Just Right (28.6)
Beginner Novice Amateur A: Sarah Shear-Starbird and Written in the Stars (30.3)
Beginner Novice Amateur B: Caitlyn Greiser and Stuck On You (33.3)
Beginner Novice Junior: Megan Leckrone and Razzo (31.5)
Beginner Novice Open: Devin Robel and Gillou (26.8)
Preliminary/Training: Andria Pooley-Ebert and Caliente (59.3)
Open Training: Kayla Leidig and Cajun Heat (36.4)
Open Novice A: Megan Holmes and VC Casandra (27.8)
Open Novice B: John Meyers and Notorious C.A.T. (30.0)
Open Beginner Novice A: Shelby VanHoosier and Stitch This Mister (26.8)
Open Beginner Novice B: Marlene Nauta and Winston (27.5)
Open Beginner Novice C: Ruth Flanagan and Kingston Town (26.8)
Starter A: Laura McMahon and Momma’s Mia (26.0)
Starter B: Ingrid Miller and Laureate (34.8)
Weekend’s don’t come much better than the one Gemma Tattersall just had — a first five-star win and a surprise proposal at the final press conference will be pretty hard to beat, though we suspect her wedding itself will be every bit as epic. In any case, it was the perfect fairytale send-off for this extraordinary ‘pop-up’ five-star competition, and one that we hope has bolstered the hopes of eventing’s stakeholders, fans, riders and supporters after a seriously tricky 18 months. We’ve often said there’s nothing that the eventing community can’t do when we unite our efforts and energies — and that’s an exciting and reassuring notion to see confirmed once again.
National Holiday: It’s Labor Day! Informally, it’s the end of summer — but formally, it’s a celebration of the laborers who were behind America’s enormous growth, and who were finally given rights and representation in the form of trade unions in the late nineteenth century. These days, we recommend using it to raise a glass (or three) to the hard work you’ve been putting in, managing to juggle full-time jobs, your studies, parenthood, horses — whatever you’ve got going on, and however you make it happen, we know our readership is full of some seriously hard workers, and we salute you. (We’ll leave the searing op-ed on why we should use this as an opportunity to reconsider how we pay and treat grooms and other stable staff for tomorrow. Enjoy your picnic today.)
After spending the week in Devon reporting on the inaugural Bicton CCI5*, I’m enjoying catching up on everything that went on at the AECs – and my favourite bit, as always, is finding out more about the amateur and junior riders and their horses, whose incredible hard work and a lifetime of dreaming led them to the Kentucky Horse Park for the ride of their lives. One of those riders? Junior Samantha Manning, who helped her Morgan x Mustang back from the brink after a scary injury and competed in the Beginner Novice Jr Championship last week. [Manning And Good Luck Molly Overcome The Odds To Get To The AEC]
We all spend a lot of time thinking about our horse’s limbs, particularly when we compete regularly and want to avoid tendon injuries. But what about their backs? Even if you have a well-fitted saddle, could jumping sessions be causing soreness? A student at Michigan State wanted to find out, with help from a hunter-jumper rider. [Study: Does Jumping Generate Back Pain in Horses?]
Horse Sport Ireland has appointed a new CEO after a slightly tricky Olympic year, which saw a well-publicised controversy emerge when the country’s dressage team — the first one it had ever qualified — wasn’t sent to compete. Dennis Duggan will being his tenure in January 2022. [Horse Sport Ireland Appoints New CEO]
You can never follow too many eventing photographers, and one of Britain’s best is friend of EN Hannah Cole, whose images you may have seen illustrating some of our reports and content this year. Make sure she’s on your feed if you want to follow along with what’s happened on the UK scene and beyond.
