Classic Eventing Nation

Buck Davidson and Cooley Candyman Lead Morven Park CCI4*-L Following Dressage

Buck Davidson and Cooley Candyman. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.

After dressage, Buck Davidson secures the lead in the CCI4*-L at the Morven Park Fall International Horse Trials & CCI in Leesburg, Virginia!

Davidson scored 29.6 in the CCI 4*-L while riding Cooley Candyman, owned by Cassandra Segal and Rolo 7 LLC. Phillip Dutton on Quasi Cool and Colleen Loach on FE Golden Eye tied for second in the division with a score of 29.8. Will Coleman maintained his lead in CCI4*-S, with a score of 27.7, while riding Chin Tonic HS owned by Hyperion Stud.

“The cross-county course is as good as I’ve seen anywhere in the world,” said Davidson, “We are all missing Tremaine [Cooper] this year and I think he would be proud to see this course.” Tremaine Cooper designed and built the Morven Park Horse Trials & CCI courses for over 30 years and tragically passed away in 2021. Coleman added, “It is sad that Tremaine is not here to see the running of the 4*-L. He loved this place and he loved cross-country, so it is bittersweet to be on course without him.”

After no faults in show jumping, Clayton Fredericks remains in second and third place in the CCI4*-S, riding FE Stormtrooper and FE Ophelia, both owned by Kingfisher Park. “I started off slightly disappointed because the horse I intended to bring was injured in the 4*-S at Stableview, but these horses I brought for short format did remarkably well on a tough track today,” said Fredericks. “I’m quite happy with how they performed today, and this is good preparation for Stormtrooper who’s competing at Maryland next week.”

Phillip Dutton and Quasi Cool. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.

At the end of the first day of dressage for the CCI3*-S competitors, Matthew Brown leads riding Super Socks BCF with a score of 26.4. Lillian Heard leads in 3*-YH-S after scoring 27.4 on Absolut Cooley. Brown, who was eliminated at Unionville for going off course, said “Today felt like redemption for me. After the pandemic year, I knew I really needed to refocus for this horse trials.” He continued, “I am excited to compete on one of Derek di Grazia’s courses.”

Arden Wildasin maintained her lead in both of the CCI2*-S divisions, riding Southern Sun and Tokyo Drift, and scoring 27.7 and 27.2 respectively. Caroline Martin, riding Galwaybay Blake, is placed first in the CCI2*-YH-S with a score of 25.1

CCI3*-S competition continues tomorrow with show jumping at 8:00 a.m. while the CCI4*-L, CCI4*-S, and CCI2*-S divisions begin cross-country at 9:00 a.m. In addition to the FEI competition, the national horse trials kicks off with dressage at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday and features almost 200 riders.

The tentative schedule, ride times, show program, and live results are available at MorvenPark.org/HORSETRIALS. Spectators are welcome to attend Morven Park Fall International Horse Trials & CCI, and admission is free.

The Morven Park Fall International Horse Trials & CCI are made possible by many generous sponsors. This year’s Official Sponsor is SmartPak, a popular equine supplement and supply company. The 2021 Gold Sponsor is Taylor Harris Insurance Services; Silver Sponsors are Adequan and CWD; and Bronze Sponsors are Coat Defense, Total Equine Veterinary Associates, and Arden.

Morven Park International CCI4*-L (Leesburg, Va.): [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Schedule] [Volunteer]

 

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The Snuggle is Real: Team USA Gets Cozy at Boekelo

Eventing Nation’s coverage of Boekelo is brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products, our go-to source for the best support your horse can get. With a full line of proven supplements designed to help your horse feel his or her best, you can have peace of mind knowing that Kentucky Performance Products has your horse’s top health in mind. Learn more about KPP by visiting kppusa.com.

There are two serious jumping phases left to tackle at Military Boekelo CCIO4*-L, in which the US currently sit in a close second place, but no matter what happens this weekend, we reckon our American contingent have already won the prize for the most team spirit: you can find them at the in-gate for each and every US rider’s test, acting as a roving cheerleading squad and all chipping in to help with the serious business of sorting the horses after their tests. Oh, and there’s been a whole heck of a lot of hugging going on, too, and who can blame them for feeling a bit heart-eyed, really, when their horses are easily the most ludicrously cute in the field? Dive in and feel the love with our in-gate gallery from the first phase here in the Netherlands.

Hallie Coon is all smiles after a super test from the inexperienced Global Ex. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Tamie Smith’s green but exciting Solaguayre California gets a well-deserved bit of fuss after a top-ten test. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Jennie Brannigan’s FE Lifestyle says “no fanks!” to the post-test bit check, and who can blame him, really? Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Hallie Coon’s Global Ex gets some love from groom Tabby Fiorentina. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Matt Flynn is very tall, which makes him perfect for the tough job of removing ears for the steward’s inspection. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Tamie Smith and Erik Duvander discuss the finer details…

…and then hug it out for good measure. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Jenni Autry and Jennie Brannigan take the two-pronged approach to horsecare after Danito’s test. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Tamie Smith’s groom, Taylor Greene, takes on horse-whisperer duties. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Danito: picture perfect and one of the US’s brightest rising stars. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

We want to talk about one thing and one thing only: Wizzerd’s ears. We’re obsessed. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Even chef d’equipe Erik Duvander can’t resist a bit of pony patting. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Tabby Fiorentino, Jennie Brannigan, and Ash Heller watch on as Hallie Coon prepares to enter at A. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

After the test, it’s all about the full team debrief — and that includes celebrations with the squad. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

 

Confirmed: Team USA wins the gold for the cutest horses here at Boekelo, as Global Ex happily confirms. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Teammates Tamie Smith and Jennie Brannigan celebrate after Tamie trailblazes to a super score with Danito. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Global Ex receives a highly coveted high-five to the schnozz from Jennie Brannigan. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Sorry, but could Danito BE any more adorable? We think not. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The man behind the magic: Tamie Smith shares a hug with Jo Hinneman, the German dressage guru who’s become her right-hand man during the pandemic, and with whom the US squad based themselves before Boekelo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

QC Diamantaire is all character after a super test with Sydney Elliott puts him just outside the top ten overnight. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

US Eventing’s Managing Director Jenni Autry doesn’t play favourites, but if she did, Wizzerd would be right up there. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Tyler Held, head groom for Jennie Brannigan, shares a moment with FE Lifestyle. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

“Didn’t I do well?” Wizzerd smiles for his people after a sweet test with Matt Flynn. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The best way to get attention? A full squad pile-on, as FE Lifestyle proves. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Hallie Coon and her partner Ash Heller stave off the early morning Boekelo fog. It’s snuggle szn, baby. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Military Boekelo: [Website] [Entries and Live Scoring] [Live-Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

Don’t Miss Out on the Eventing Extravaganza Happening at TerraNova’s First FEI Event This Month

Photo courtesy of TerraNova Equestrian Center.

You’ve seen the sneak peeks at the gorgeous TerraNova Equestrian venue in Myakka City, Fl., and now you can snag the chance to take your horse for a spin at the brand-new facility hosting its first recognized/FEI event October 22-24. If you haven’t sent in your entry for the weekend — which will offer national divisions (with prize money for all!) from Starter up through Intermediate as well as FEI divisions from CCI1*-S through CCI4*-S — you’ve got some extra time thanks to a closing date extension through Tuesday, October 12. The headline CCI4*-S division will compete for $17,500 in prize money, but there is cash to be won in each and every class at TerraNova.

Riders competing at TerraNova also have a unique opportunity to help make a difference for a variety of local nonprofit organizations that have been selected as beneficiaries of grants after the event concludes. Each rider will have the opportunity to select and ride for one of three charity partners in the competition: Southeastern Guide Dogs, Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee and Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy. This will then be turned into a team style competition, with collective scores counted and the winning “team” determining the highest grant recipient. Grants will range from $10,000 for the winning organization to $5,000 for the third-placed team/organization.

For spectators (or riders who like to have a good time!), there is also a full slate of VIP Experience options to take in the event in style. With options that include full-service catering and bar options, comfortable seating, and the best views of competition, there is an experience for everyone who wants to make a weekend out of the TerraNova event.

“We are looking forward to a great event and opening the facility for the first time,” TerraNova owners Hannah and Zach Ketelboeter said. “The courses look fantastic, and we can’t wait to see everyone enjoying it.” Captain Mark Phillips, assisted by Mogie Bearden-Muller who has also designed the CCI1*-S, CCI2*-S and national levels, is the designer for the CCI3*-S and CCI4*-S this weekend. Nick Granat will design the show jumping courses. “It has been an incredible journey that I have been honored to have been part of and that I’ve rarely been as proud of anything in my life,” Sara Kozumplik Murphy, who has been involved with TerraNova on multiple fronts since the facility’s infancy, commented.

To learn more about The Event at TerraNova, including how to enter, click here.

Oliver Townend is Teaching a One Day Clinic at Appleton Equestrian on October 11

Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

FEI Eventing world #1-ranked rider, three-time Kentucky Three-Day winner, and recent Olympic gold medalist Oliver Townend is coming to compete for the crown at the inaugural Maryland 5 Star, but before he gets down to business he’s stopping at Juli Sebring’s Appleton Equestrian facility to teach a one day clinic on Monday, October 11.

This will be a very limited opportunity, but there are still a couple of spots available for riders who want to learn from Oliver. Auditing spots are also available for $25. The clinic will begin at 2 p.m. on Monday at Appleton Equestrian (1966 Appleton Road, Elkton, Maryland 21921), and riders will be divided into combined groups by level. The cost for riding in this clinic is $375.

To learn more and to sign up for the clinic, visit Strider here. Oliver will also be riding Juli’s CCI3*-L horse, Ulises, who he campaigned through the CCI4* level before the gelding was sold to Juli, at Maryland next week.

Enter to Win VIP Passes to the Maryland 5 Star!

We couldn’t celebrate the opening of the second North American five-star without a bit of a party, so we’re inviting you to join us in Maryland next week with a giveaway of two VIP passes to the event! Here’s a look at what’s up for grabs:

Tier 2 West Grandstand Club 4-Day Package Pass (Single Pass x 2): This Pass offers access to an exclusive club experience (Cincoro Club) to purchasers for all four competition days and phases of the event. 4-DAY PASSES ARE INCLUSIVE OF GENERAL ADMISSION PASSES AND RESERVED SEATS FOR THE DAYS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE.

Tier 2 West Grandstand Club 4-Day Passes grant you the following benefits for all four days of the event:

  • Front and center reserved, covered bleacher seating within the Tier 2 West Grandstand
  • Reserved seat remains reserved for your use on Saturday for viewing and enjoyment of equine demonstrations taking place in the Main Arena.
  • Premium rail-side view of elite competition taking place in the Main Arena
  • Access to the exclusive Cincoro Club located directly behind the Tier 2 West Grandstand. Cincoro Club amenities include:
  • Gourmet catering by The Classic Catering People available for purchase
  • Catering offerings to include:
  • Continental Breakfast Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
  • Buffet Lunch on Thursday, Friday and Sunday
  • Boxed Lunch on Saturday
  • Variety of Beverages
  • Full Service Bar
  • TV screens so you don’t miss any of the Main Arena Action
  • Climate control for increased comfort regardless of the days’ weather
  • Private Bathrooms
  • One (1) VIP Parking Pass valid for all four days
  • Admittance into the event venue and all the amenities as outlined for General Admission including:
  • Admittance into the event venue, including unlimited infield access
  • Access to GA bleacher seating in designated areas of the North Aintree Grandstand
  • Unlimited access to our curated Retail Vendor Areas
  • On-site fan activations
  • Wide variety of food and beverage offerings
  • Access to viewing around the Warm-Up and Practice Arenas
  • Access to viewing of the Young Event Horse Competition (Thursday and Friday only)
  • Access to walk the entirety of the new Cross Country Courses up close and personal to all the action with purchase for Saturday

Sounds fun, right? We agree! It’s easy to enter: simply use the form below or click here to sign up for the Eventing Nation Maryland 5 Star Daily Digest, which will begin sending on Wednesday, October 13. You must sign up by 12 p.m. EST on Monday, October 11 — the winner (one winner will receive two passes) will be drawn and notified via email and in this post Monday afternoon.

Good luck and we’ll see you in Maryland!

EDIT: Congratulations to our winner, Joanna Y.! Joanna, please check your email for communications regarding your VIP passes. Enjoy your weekend!

P.S.: If you’d still like to receive our Maryland Daily Digest email, you can sign up here.

Day Two at Boekelo: The Leaders are Untouchable, But Tamie’s Twice in the Top Ten

Eventing Nation’s coverage of Boekelo is brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products, our go-to source for the best support your horse can get. With a full line of proven supplements designed to help your horse feel his or her best, you can have peace of mind knowing that Kentucky Performance Products has your horse’s top health in mind. Learn more about KPP by visiting kppusa.com.

Hallie Coon’s Global Ex gets some love from groom Tabby Fiorentina. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

With the team competition’s first phase endeavours done and dusted yesterday, today was all about those riders coming forward as individuals — and once again, we were treated to a showcase of some seriously exciting up-and-coming horses. Absolutely spoiled with an enormous selection of summer and autumn three-days this year, many riders’ top horses have already had their big latter-season outing, or will head on to tackle the forthcoming five-stars at Maryland or Pau, and so Boekelo this year provides a rare and exciting opportunity to give their next generation of superstars an educational experience in a championship atmosphere.

Though nobody could touch yesterday’s top four, which sees dressage leader Sophie Leube and Jadore Moi, second-placed Tim Lips and Lady Chin van’t Moerven Z, and third-placed Tamie Smith and Danito head into cross country without a second in hand between them, followed by William Fox-Pitt and Grafennacht by the merest of margins, the rest of the leaderboard experienced something of a shake-up through today’s competition.

Malin Hansen-Hotopp is best of the second day with Monsieur Schnabel. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Germany’s Malin Hansen-Hotopp and the delightfully-named Monsieur Schnabel are the highest-placed new entrants, sitting fifth overnight after delivering a four-star personal best of 25.1.

“[German chef d’equipe] Hans Melzer is always saying he’s really special,” laughs Malin of the 13-year-old Trakehner gelding, the second of her two rides this weekend. “Schnabel only runs on cross-country as fast as he wants to, and I can’t do anything about that. But he’s the first horse I have for four-star again after a long time where my sons were born, and he’s given me the chance to do it all again. He’s not really the winning person, because he has his own mind, but he’s picked me back up.”

Today, though, he certainly looked keen to make himself known as a ‘winning person’, and Malin was delighted with the work he produced in the ring: “He’s always surprised, and at the beginning he was afraid of the camera, but then he was good. The changes were really, really good, and he was really looking after me and waiting. For me, it was a really perfect feeling; I think I can now just get him really to my legs, and he’s trotting better and better as a result.”

Tamie Smith debuts a superstar in Solaguayre California. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

US pathfinder Tamie Smith, who sits third overnight with yesterday’s ride Danito, has always been a force to be reckoned with between the boards, but a pandemic silver lining has allowed her access to a serious secret weapon in the form of dressage trainer Jo Hinneman, whose yard in Germany she’s used as a base during the course of her autumn European tour.

“He actually lives 20 minutes from me in California, so I’ve known him and cliniced with him over the years,” she explains. “But then with COVID, he was meant to come back to Germany and couldn’t, so I’ve been so lucky to be able to train with him over the past two years consistently. Then when I said I was coming over here to do Aachen and Boekelo, he said, ‘oh, we’re right there, perfect!’ So I came to his farm and it’s been unbelievable; I’ve gotten to ride some really good horses and the knowledge and experience has just transformed everything for me.”

And so, brimming with confidence, Tamie piloted the expressive and attractive Argentinian-bred Solaguayre California to an impressive 25.6, which puts her into equal sixth place with Great Britain’s Nicola Wilson and Coolparks Sarco, who rode as part of the British team yesterday. That competitive mark was helped along by a well-timed peak: the inexperienced mare had struggled to get her flying changes in the warm-up, but made two sweet, very slightly green efforts in the ring to score 6s and 7s, with one solitary 5 thrown in. Elsewhere in her score sheet it’s hard to see through all the 8s, particularly in the trot work, which saw her trend well in the lead in the very low 20s, giving the mare’s connections plenty to be excited about as her fledgling career unfolds — particularly as she only began her FEI eventing career last year, notching up five top-three placings out of her six international runs.

“She was amazing [today]. She’s green, and because she was bred in Argentina she won’t actually be ten until the end of the year,” she says. “And she’s been difficult at times — she bucked me off three times in a week once! — but she’s such a worker and she was so good. She’s just learning the changes, and I didn’t get a single one in my warm-up, but Jo just kept saying, ‘you’ve got to move her back and prepare her to get a more collected canter before the change.’ When you do that, sometimes you get tension, and so I was trying to balance how much I could do, but in there I was like, ‘I’m freakin’ going for it!’, and she got both of them.”

A dream comes true for Willemina Van Der Goes-Petter. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Just half a point behind Tamie is Dutch debutant and talented amateur rider Willemina Van Der Goes-Petter, who made a lifelong dream come to fruition just by entering at A — let alone scoring a 26.1 with Ekino to find herself in eighth place provisionally.

“My goal was to ride at Boekelo before my fiftieth birthday, which is next year,” she says with a beaming smile. “We had the luck to find this horse, and we’ve been training for eight years for this.”

But Willemina didn’t actually buy the Dutch Warmblood with the intention of making him her top-level eventing mount: “He was meant for my husband to ride and hunt, but it was a bit too dangerous for him, so I started riding him,” she explains.

Willemina has sought advice from some of the best in the industry in pursuit of her goal, and it was Lucinda Fredericks’s voice that was in her head as she navigated her way through her sparkling test.

“She was in my mind all the way — she’s helped me a lot,” she says. “She really helped me to ride the corners, and to make a difference in the trot, and to go from the shoulder-in to the medium trot and really make every movement a separate movement.”

An emotional Merel Blom completes her test with Ceda NOP. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

It’s been a great couple of days to be a supporter of the Dutch, who are hoping to see one of their own win their country’s showpiece event for the first time ever in this, the competition’s fiftieth year. As they head into cross-country, they do so with three riders in the top ten — and at the very end of the day, it was the reigning Dutch National Champions, Merel Blom and Ceda NOP, who would confirm the hat-trick, posting the eleven-year-old mare’s four-star personal best of 26.2 to share equal ninth position with France’s Sidney Dufresne and Tresor Mail.

Yoshi Oiwa and Calle 44 come forward as one of the most experienced combinations in this year’s field. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

US team rider Sydney Elliott holds onto eleventh place going into cross-country on her score of 26.7 with QC Diamantaire, a spot she shares with Japanese Olympians Yoshiaki Oiwa and Calle 44.

“I’m very happy; he was so quiet and calm and doing his best job, so I’m very pleased,” says Yoshi of the fourteen-year-old Holsteiner, who has been such a consistent performer despite not being the most conventional-looking horse for the first phase. But appearances aren’t everything, and even if Calle 44 could pass as a gentleman’s hunter, he’s got plenty of talent hidden beneath his unassuming exterior — and a seriously competent jockey aboard.

“Basically from the beginning to the last, I’m just concentrating on keeping the rhythm, and in the training, too — and maybe it’s also the type of the horse, that he has a good rhythm,” says Yoshi, who famously led the dressage at the London Olympics in 2012 on another mount, putting Japanese eventing firmly on the map. “It’s his character; I can put my leg on and he’s not jumping away, he’s just calm and doing his job.”

Brian Morrison’s Global Faerlie Flashy shows her power. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Just a smidge behind on 27.2, Brian Morrison leads the way for Ireland with the exciting nine-year-old mare Global Faerlie Flashy, who sits thirteenth going into cross-country after making the very most of her expressive, balanced paces in the ring.

“She’s got a very good trot, and with the two mediums and the extended, this test suits her,” says Brian. “She’s still kind of green at the level, and this is just her second four-star, so we kind of went in not knowing how she’d handle the atmosphere, but she was really good.”

Just some moments of tension in the walk and one imperfect change precluded a top-ten result for the British-bred mare, who contested the Seven-Year-Old World Championship at Le Lion d’Angers in 2019 and who, on paper, is close to the ideal event stamp. Her high Thoroughbred percentage and quick, clever brain have meant that Brian has become a master in the art of compromise as he’s produced her through the levels.

“She’s a very blood mare, so like all good mares, you sometimes have to take what you can get. You can’t really be too tough on her. But I think we’ve cracked the code to her — we work her harder at the start of the week and then we slow it down as the week goes on and just do lots of stretching. Once her brain quietens down she’s very easy to ride; it’s just about getting the brain on side, but once that happens, she has all the talent, and we’re really using this to get her prepared for next year and the WEG.”

Hallie Coon and the small-but-might Global Ex get their week off to a great start. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Just two of our three US individuals came forward today after this morning’s withdrawal of Katie Ruppel and her longtime partner Houdini, and the close-knit contingent came out in force to support Hallie Coon and her inexperienced but exciting 12-year-old mare, Global Ex. This is a relatively new ride for Hallie, who began her partnership with the horse last November at Portugal’s Barroca d’Alva. Previously, she’d been campaigned to three-star by fellow American Katherine Coleman, who bought her as a two-star mount from Ireland’s Brian Morrison of Global Event Horses. She made her four-star debut early this year, and in four runs at the level has picked up two top-ten finishes — including a ninth place in Kentucky’s tough CCI4*-S this spring — and two further classy clears.

We’re used to seeing Hallie out and about at the top levels with her former five-star ride Celien, and although ‘Dolly’ is a very different stamp to the rangy Tenerife VDL mare who excelled on the flat, Hallie is excited about the diminutive grey’s considerable strengths — strengths that’ll surely come in handy as they make their move up the leaderboard through the weekend from today’s starting point of 32.1 and equal 32nd place.

“I thought she was super in there. She’s really green on the flat still, and we’ve been schooling the changes a lot, but she’s not quite there yet — but I’m feeling really good about the quality, overall. She tried super hard and she was a lot more up in the frame and in the contact. She’s got such a great brain and she works with me in there, and that’s the best thing I could imagine. I couldn’t be more pleased with her,” says Hallie.

Boekelo’s course, which mixes twisty combinations with open let-ups, is tailor-made for a catlike, positive type of horse — and even with the mare’s relative inexperience, that’s exactly what Hallie will be sitting on tomorrow afternoon.

“It’s a really good course for her, I think; she’s really nippy and really quick, and she’ll do just about anything she can to get between the flags,” she says. “So I think I just have to get her out there and not think that she’s small, because she doesn’t ride like a small horse. She’s got a huge stride but sometimes I can doubt the step and pull, and I just need to believe in it a little bit and push for those distances, and then I think it’ll be the perfect course for her. I think I’ve got one of the best horses for Sunday, too, and so I’m looking forward to the jumping phases a lot!”

Cross-country will kick off from 10.00 a.m. local time tomorrow, which is 9.00 a.m. if you’re in the UK and a perky 4.00 a.m. if you’re an East Coaster. Here’s how the US contingent stands on the leaderboard, and the times they’re set to leave the startbox:

  • Tamie Smith and Danito (3rd on 24.7):
  • Matt Flynn and Wizzerd (34th on 32.2):
  • Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire (joint 11th on 26.7):
  • Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle (joint 32nd on 32.1):
  • Hallie Coon and Global Ex (joint 32nd on 32.1):
  • Tamie Smith and Solaguayre California (joint 6th on 25.6):

And here’s a recap of the individual top ten as it stands after dressage. There’s not a second to be spared between the top three, and just four seconds covering the entirety of the top ten — and Boekelo, which ordinarily puts up a hard-to-catch optimum time, looks set for yet another shake-up as the day unfolds.

The teams, too, are closely packed, with Great Britain leading the way on a six-second margin over Team USA. Four seconds behind them is Germany, while France sits in fourth on a wider 12-second margin, hotly pursued by the home team one second behind them. Stay tuned, as we’ll be bringing you a closer look at the course to come, plus plenty of behind-the-scenes content from Boekelo. Until then: Go Eventing!

Military Boekelo: [Website] [Entries and Live Scoring] [Live-Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

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

Thank you to the amazing volunteers who have been dedicating their time helping make our park look beautiful!! We are so excited for next weekend to see all of the hard work pay off!💙

Posted by Mid-America Eventing Association on Sunday, October 3, 2021

The success of an event can begin with volunteer work weeks or even months before the first horse heads up the centerline. Job well done to everyone (four-legged friends included) who pitched in to help paint jumps in preparation for this weekend’s Heritage Park H.T. in Olathe, Kansas.

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

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

USEA Events

Radnor Hunt Horse Trials (October 8th, 2021 to October 9th, 2021)

Poplar Place Farm Fall Horse Trials (October 9th, 2021 to October 10th, 2021)

Heritage Park HT (October 7th, 2021 to October 10th, 2021)

Woodside International Horse Trials 2021 (October 7th, 2021 to October 10th, 2021)

Morven Park Fall International & HT 2021 (October 6th, 2021 to October 10th, 2021)

Windridge Farms Fall HT (October 8th, 2021 to October 10th, 2021)

Other Events

KDA (October 8th, 2021)

2021 MDHT October Starter Horse Trial (October 8th, 2021 to October 10th, 2021)

JACKPOT SCHOOLING SHOW (October 8th, 2021 to October 10th, 2021)

Friday News & Notes

Friendship and camaraderie goals. Photo by JJ Sillman.

Whenever a non-eventer asks me why I chose the sport of Eventing, aside from the obvious adrenaline rush of cross country, I always say it’s because of the people and the attitude at competitions. When you are walking out to cross country, it doesn’t matter if you’re at a 5* or a Beginner Novice, somebody on their way back from riding the course will tell you good luck, and nine times out of ten, give you tips on how the course rode. What other sport would offer competitors helping others? Not many, and certainly not many in the horse world. But in Eventing, you congratulate the winner and you mean it.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Morven Park International CCI4*-L (Leesburg, Va.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Schedule] [Volunteer]

Woodside International H.T. (Woodside, Ca.): [Website] [Volunteer] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Heritage Park H.T. (Olathe, Ks.): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Hitching Post Farm H.T. (South Royalton, Vt.): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Poplar Place Farm H.T. (Hamilton, Ga.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]

Radnor Hunt H.T. (Malvern, Pa.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

WindRidge Farm H.T. (Mooresboro, Nc.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Major International Events

Military Boekelo Enschede CCIO4*-L & FEI Nations Cup of Eventing: [Website] [Info Hub] [Entries] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

News From Around the Globe:

Ready to take a walk around the brand new Morven Park International CCI4*-L cross-country course? Derek di Grazia designed the 5,700-meter course set on the grounds of the historic Morven Park property. With 44 jumping efforts across 26 numbered fences and an optimum time of 10 minutes, di Grazia has built a true four-star test. [Fence by Fence Cross Country Walk at Morven 4*]

Sorocaima might have re-routed to Morven CCI4*-L instead of debuting at the 5* level in Maryland, but he still has a pretty cool story. Purchased as a four-year old out of Parx Racetrack by Matthew Bryner, then found his way to Nilsson Moreira de Silva’s barn, and after that to Jill Henneberg’s program for a young rider. Competing at the training level with that young rider, Jill called Buck Davidson in 2019, and told him that the horse had too much talent for her student, and he should seriously consider the gelding. Cam quickly climbed the levels with Buck, and within two years was competing competently at the Advanced level. [Ex-Racehorse Sorocaima Climbs the Levels]

The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm hosted the 2021 Area II Championships over the October 1-3 weekend. With nine different championship levels offered in addition to their regular horse trial divisions, Loch Moy was bursting at the seams with horse and rider pairs all weekend long. Reporters from the USEA caught up with some of the Area II Champions to recap their experience at this year’s season finale and to share their thoughts on their equine partners that helped make their victory gallops possible. [Riders Recap: Area II Championships]

We want your spooky halloween horse stories! From the haunted steed of the Headless Horseman to the ghost riders in the sky, horses have always figured prominently in our favorite hair-raising tales we love to tell this time of year. Horses have the power to invoke our deepest emotions, and when you take a horse with mane and tail a-blowing in a chill October breeze as the sun dips down beneath the horizon and the air grows suddenly cool, the shadows playing tricks on your eyes, you have the perfect recipe for a ghost story for the ages. And we want to hear yours! Whether you have an old tale that’s been passed down in your barn family or you conjure up the best spooky story in your mind and put it down on paper, we’re calling for your best horsey Halloween tales for our second annual short story contest. We’ll publish the best around Halloween. [Fifth Annual Horse Nation Halloween Short Story Contest]

Thursday Video: Get to Know Georgie Spence

Georgie Spence and Halltown Harley. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

In the latest episode of FEI TV’s “RIDE” series, we get to better know British eventer Georgie Spence and her top horse Harley. She talks about her journey from showjumping to eventing, the privileges of working with horses, and her special bond with Harley.

“I think being in sync with a horse is sort of understanding what boundaries you’re allowed to cross, and I think with any relationship or partnership with any animal or any person is that sometimes you have to let them lead. Sometimes a horse can be really strong and you can’t dominate them and you have to just say, do you know what, I trust you and I’m going to let you go,” she says.

Go Eventing.

All 24 Horses Pass Morven Park CCI4*-L First Horse Inspection

Natalia Neneman and Electric Lux. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.

We’re looking forward to following along at Morven Park this week as the Leesburg, Va. venue prepares to kick off its much-anticipated CCI4*-L as a highlight of the fall eventing calendar. Twenty-four combinations will contest the CCI4*-L and all were accepted in front of the Ground Jury, made up by President Gretchen Butts, Jo Young and Jame Hamlin.

Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.

Erin Gilmore is the official show photographer this weekend — if you’re competing this week, you can order your photos from Erin here — and we’ve got some gorgeous shots from a beautiful Virginia fall day.

CCI4*-L dressage kicks off tomorrow and while there is no live stream, you can follow scores here. In addition to the horse inspection, the CCI 4*-S and CCI 2*-S started dressage today.

The 4*-S leader is William Coleman with Chin Tonic HS, who scored a 27.7. Will reflected, “We had a great day for sure! Chin Tonic, owned by Hyperion Stud, is a really talented horse! This is his second event and second 4* competition and we think he’s got a bright future.” When asked about competing at Morven Park, Will continued, “I love Morven Park! I have been coming here since I was a kid and am excited about the 4*-L.”

Clayton Fredericks and FE Stormtrooper are second on a score of 31.0. Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights are third on a score of 31.5.

Arden Wildasin leads the CCI 2*-S divisions “A” and “B.” She scored 27.7 riding Southern Sun in “A” and scored 27.2 on Tokyo Drift in “B.”

The 2*-YH division leader is Caroline Martin, riding Galwaybay Blake, who scored 25.1. When asked about her first day of competition, Caroline said, “He’s a superstar and I’m lucky to have the ride on him.” She continued, “This is my favorite event of the year and I have to thank my groom Hannah Koehler and my business partner Casey McKissock for getting me here.”

Friday will see the start of the 4*-L and 3*-S dressage competition at 8 a.m. In the afternoon, competition continues for the 4*-S and 2*-S competitors with show jumping in the Grand Prix Arena. 3* show jumping begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday.

In addition to the international levels, the horse trials divisions start on Saturday. Meanwhile, 4*-L and 2*-S cross country start at 9 a.m. This year’s course designer, Derek di Grazia, is a world-class eventer and served as cross country course designer for the 2021 Olympic games in Tokyo. If you’re at Morven Park this week, be sure to check out some special course walk opportunities with Meghan O’Donoghue and more.

Best of luck to all competitors!

Morven Park: Website, Ride TimesLive Scores,