Classic Eventing Nation

Enter EN’s AEC ‘Kentucky Performance of the Week’ Contest for a Bucket Full of KPP Goodies

By on Sep 1, 2021 11:00 am -

We’re celebrating American Eventing Championships all week long with a new contest from our friends at Kentucky Performance Products! As this this is the final year (for now, at least — we hope) for the AEC to live at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, we thought it appropriate to share our love of the horse and of the sport in the form of a nomination contest. Here’s the scoop:

The prize: A bucket full of Kentucky Performance Products goodies, including a soft-side cooler, KPP gear, a mobile power bank, a 5 lb. package of Summer Games Electrolye and a tube of Trouble Free paste to try.

The ask: We’re celebrating all of the hard work that YOU put in to make it to Kentucky. Nominations are now open for the Kentucky Performance Products “Kentucky Performance of the Week” contest. Nominate the AEC competitor who has inspired you through their dedication, hard work, horsemanship, etc. by commenting on the post embedded in this article. Be sure to tag your nominee and tell us why they inspire you! Alternatively, you can email your entry and story to [email protected]. You must TAG @kentuckyperformanceproducts and @goeventing for visibility purposes on Instagram. Please use #KentuckyPerformance in your caption. Submissions are due by Sunday, September 5 and we’ll announce the winner next week — and the nominating individual will also win a prize pack!

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View or Download Your #AEC2021 Cross Country Course Map Here!

By on Sep 1, 2021 9:00 am -

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.

It’s just Wednesday but cross country for some levels is already underway at the 2021 American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena. The Intermediate and Preliminary divisions, which kicked off this six-day event-of-epic-proportions with their dressage tests on Tuesday, will take on cross country today on the Kentucky Horse Park’s hallowed grounds. Advanced, Modified and Training go cross country on Thursday and Novice takes to the bluegrass on Friday, followed by a full day of Beginner Novice cross country on Saturday.

Prelim through Advanced divisions have their warmup and start box on the far left side of the course, if you’re looking out at it from stabling, with courses that run from there through the infield and across Mark’s Lane then loop back into the infield. Beginner Novice through Modified divisions begin to the right of the infield and head past the polo fields before making a pass through the Head of the Lake and finishing up Mark’s Lane from Rolex Stadium.

All courses are designed by Derek di Grazia and built by a team headed up by Mick Costello and Tobiah Bingham, including Dave Leonard, James Rauch, Tyson Rementer, Levi Ryckewaert and Graham Schick. Sheila Woerth and Rachel Henson are responsible for the beautiful course decor. It’s always a joy to tackle cross country on the Park’s flowing, gently rolling terrain and the ground should drain well from Tuesday’s rain. The forecast is only looking up from here, with a chance of showers today followed by sunny to partly cloudy forecasts for the remainder of the week — accompanied by highs in the upper 70s, a real treat considering the relentless heat we’ve been enduring this August!

A big thanks to Park Equine Kentucky Classique, Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, Keeneland Pony Club and the Midsouth Pony Club Region and Hagyard Midsouth Team Challenge for allowing the AEC to use some of their jumps.

Optimum times:

  • 5 minutes 35 seconds for Beginner Novice
  • 5 minutes 8 seconds for Novice
  • 5 minutes 31 seconds for Training
  • 5 minutes 35 seconds Modified
  • 5 minutes 39 seconds Prelim
  • 6 min 27 second Intermediate
  • 6 minutes 24 seconds for Advanced

CrossCountry App has kindly consolidated all seven courses into a dedicated event page. If you’ve got the app you can download your course, or view it here!

Wednesday News & Notes from Haygain

By on Sep 1, 2021 12:01 am -

Photo by Kate Lokey.

Strides for Equality Equestrians (SEE) is proud to partner with the USEA this week for the 2021 American Eventing Championships, presented by Nutrena Feed. Be on the lookout for SEE stickers and this awesome jump adorned with the SEE banner! To learn more about and donate to Strides for Equality Equestrians’ efforts to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in equestrian sports, click here.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

#AEC2021 (Lexington, Ky.): [Website] [Ride Times/Live Scores] [Live Stream] [Volunteer]

Bucks County Horse Park H.T. (Revere, Pa.): [Website]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (Fairburn, Ga.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Equestrians’ Institute H.T. (Cle Elum, Wa.): [Website] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Silverwood Farm H.T. (Camp Lake, Wi.): [Website]

Major International Events:

Bicton Arena CCI5*: [Website] [Schedule] [Entries] [Live Stream]

Wednesday Reading List:

Who’s inspired you at AEC this week? We want to know! Entries are now open for our “Kentucky Performance of the Week” contest in partnership with Kentucky Performance Products. Nominate someone competing this week who’s inspired you on their journey, and we’ll select a winner to receive a big bucket full of KPP goodies! More info on how to enter here.

Want to take a look at what the AEC competitors will be tackling on cross country this week? Check out a preview of each level’s track here.

While you’re at it, check out some Fast Facts curated by the USEA for this week’s American Eventing Championships — and there are a lot of them!

“Listen to your horse. What is he telling you? How is he feeling today?” It’s how international show jumper Peter Lutz introduced himself in a recent clinic hosted for Detroit Horse Power students. Eight students had the opportunity to learn from Peter in this two-day clinic last month, and you can read about it in this article from The Chronicle of the Horse.

Haygain is wishing all AEC competitors good rides and great fun this week! And guess what! The Training Level Amateur Championship winner this week will get to take home a Haygain steamer of their own! Longtime Haygain user Allison Springer will present the award after show jumping. Good luck to all!

Are you an equestrian workaholic? It’s ok, we are too. It’s hard to define success as a rider, and often it can seem like all the hustle is in vain. NoelleFloyd.com writer Megan Roswech shares her thoughts as a lifelong equestrian workaholic in her latest essay.

Wednesday Video Break:

We’ve been loving the stories coming out of the Paralympics, so we dug up this video to learn a bit more about para dressage:

Tuesday #AEC2021 Instagram Roundup: A Soggy Start

By on Aug 31, 2021 9:00 pm -

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.

When it rains it pours, but hurricane vibes couldn’t dampen your spirit on day one of the 2021 American Eventing Championships! Here are a few soggy yet cheerful Instagram snaps from today at the Kentucky Horse Park.

The Intermediate and Preliminary divisions kicked us off with their dressage tests today and will take on the cross country test tomorrow, while the Advanced, Modified and Training divisions will begin their competition tomorrow. The Novice and Beginner Novice championships will begin on Thursday. Best of luck to all!

#AEC2021: Website, Schedule, Stabling, Ride Times, Live Scores, Live Stream, Program, EN’s Coverage

Day One at #AEC2021: Rain, Rain, Go Away

By on Aug 31, 2021 8:35 pm -

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.

Well it certainly wouldn’t be a horse show in Kentucky without an appearance from Mother Nature — or, in this case, Hurricane Ida. Though the storm has been downgraded now to a tropical depression, Kentuckians got some residual downpours from Ida as she continued to make her way across the country. Hey, at least those cross country courses will be…well-watered?

In all seriousness, though, there are thousands of people (and animals) currently displaced or otherwise affected by Hurricane Ida, particularly in New Orleans. As of this report, over 1 million residents are left without power, potentially a longterm issue, throughout Louisiana and Mississippi. One resource to use to help those affected by the storm is this list curated by Time magazine.

As for the 1000+ horses and riders competing in Kentucky at the 2021 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds today was the start of a whole week full of highly anticipated eventing action. The Intermediate and Preliminary divisions kicked us off with their dressage tests today and will take on the cross country test tomorrow, while the Advanced, Modified and Training divisions will begin their competition tomorrow. The Novice and Beginner Novice championships will begin on Thursday.

We’re lucky to have a free live stream provided by the USEA and RNS Video Media this week and you can view the live stream and schedule here. The feed is accompanied by commentary from Dorothy Crowell and Frankie Thieriot-Stutes, and the team on site is doing all they can to show as many riders and as many divisions as possible.

Leslie Law and Lady Chatterley (photo not from this week). Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

The USEA Intermediate Championship was the first division to see this morning, and after the dust (mud?) settled it’s Leslie Law and the 2020 Mare of the Year Lady Chatterley leading the way on a dressage mark of 25.5. Lady Chatterley (Connor 48 – Jucy, by Mytens xx) is a 10-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Jackie and Steve Brown who wrapped up her spring campaign this year with a win in the Ocala Festival of Eventing CCI3*-L, her third long-format at the level. British Olympic gold medalist Leslie Law is one who’s well-known and respected for his tact in producing his horses, and the time he’s spent with this mare is a testament to that methodology of patience. And at just 10, why rush? This one’s a sure talent to have on the string as she continues to progress — and one to watch as she tackles the jumping phases over the next two days!

Candace Bell winds up in second in the Intermediate Championship aboard her own 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood Fernhill Philm Star (Aragorn – KVC Yasmin), who was previously campaigned in Ireland through the now three-star level by Australian rider Ben Leahy. This is the first FEI horse Candace has picked up, and they’re coming off of a top-20 finish in their CCI3*-L debut at Jersey Fresh this spring. Candace and Fernhill Philm Star will head into cross country on a score of 25.9.

Hot on the top pairs’ heels in the Intermediate will be Elisa Wallace, who brings forward Steve and Vicki Sukup’s Riot Gear (Confetti – Lucy, by Fuerst Gotthard) as well as Rick Wallace’s Munson Slew in this division. Riot Gear will be the best-placed of the pair after the first day, sitting on a score of 26.0. This pair won the Area III Intermediate Championship at Stable View in June.

Leading the way in the Bates USEA Preliminary Amateur Championship are Madison Langerak and Kelly Langerak’s Normandy Kivalo (Kalaska de Semilley – Carina, by Coral), a 9-year-old Hungarian Sport Horse gelding, on a score of 22.5. Madison is a part of the West coast continent competing here in Kentucky this week, and so far the long trip has been well worthwhile as she’s just squeaked in a hair off of her personal best score with this horse — she earned a 22.4 at Training level at Twin Rivers earlier this year. After contending with colic surgery and other setbacks over the last few years, Madison is thrilled to be back at it with her heart horse, “Norman”, and we’re just as thrilled to see their weekend set off on a high note. Kick on, Madison!

Susan Moessner and her homebred Warmblood-Clydesdale cross stallion Satin Art (Indian Art – Epic Satin, by Epic Win) will be the first-phase leaders in the Bates USEA Preliminary Rider Championship, earning a mark of 26.7 from the judges today. This is a partnership that has stood the test of time: Susan competed Satin Art in Young Event Horse competitions in 2009 and has since amassed a pages-long USEA record competing up through the Intermediate level. Believe it not, this is this pair’s first trip bay k to AEC since 2010, so it’s a very warm welcome back and best wishes to Susan as she takes on the rest of the competition this week.

First placed after dressage in the Bates USEA Junior/Young Rider Preliminary Championship are Cassie Sanger and former Caroline Martin ride Danger Mouse, a 13-year-old KWN gelding by Kannan. Cassie took the ride over in February of this year and collected their first win together earlier this month in the Preliminary at Genesee Valley. They’ll take a score of 24.7 — the best score they’ve earned since beginning their partnership — into tomorrow’s cross country.

Last but most certainly not least of day one in the Bates USEA Preliminary Horse Championship, Liz Halliday-Sharp and Ocala Horse Properties’ Shanroe Cooley (Dallas VDL – Shanroe Sapphire), a 6-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, will take the lead on a score of 28.5. In his 2021 Preliminary campaign, Shanroe Cooley has never finished outside of the top three, so it’s no surprise to see him top of the pack early on here in Kentucky. This is another one produced from early days by Liz, who always has a variety of young horses coming up the ranks in hopes they’ll one day turn into superstars.

We’ll continue to keep you up-to-date on the leaders from each division, and we’re pleased to partner with Shannon Brinkman Photography this week for photo galleries — stay tuned for more to come from the Bluegrass State! In the meantime, let’s take a look around social media as the eventers braved the rain today:

Tuesday Video: Shepherd Ranch BN & Novice Winners

By on Aug 31, 2021 5:00 pm -

Thank heart Ride On Video for bringing us all the West Coast eventing action! Today they began posting rider videos from Shepherd Ranch H.T., which took place over the weekend in Santa Ynez, California.

Here are three of winners from the Novice Rider, Open Novice and Open Beginner Novice divisions. You can view complete results here!

Julia Wood and Absolute CCSH won Novice Rider on a score of 36.6.

Madeline Sexton and Arya Stark won Open Novice on a score of (29.5).

Pam Fisher and Sea Lioness won Open Beginner Novice on a score of 26.5.

Congrats to all. Go Eventing!

The Inclusion & Accessibility Legacy of the 2020 Tokyo Equestrian Park

By on Aug 31, 2021 3:00 pm -

The Baji Koen Equestrian Park was the venue for the majority of the equestrian events during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Photo by FEI/Christophe Taniere.

The Baji Koen Equestrian Park has won plaudits from the international equestrian community for the top notch facilities that have played a key role in the high quality of competition during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. But the Japan Racing Association (JRA) which owns and run the facilities, has far reaching plans to ensure barrier free access to equestrian sport.

JRA has worked towards the development and preparation of the Equestrian Park, not just with the delivery of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in mind, but also with a view to boosting the long term development of the sport.

“We began planning the re-development of the venue even before Tokyo won the right to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” adviser to the JRA’s horse-affairs division Takahiro Nishio explained.

“The Equestrian Park was not initially built to cater to the specific needs and requirements of people with disabilities. But through our preparations for the Paralympic Games, we have gained a better understanding of what we need to do to create a safe and welcoming structure which allows people with different impairments to fully enjoy all that equestrian sport has to offer.

“All our development plans have been created to include accessibility requirements for people with disabilities so that the Equestrian Park, which also functions as a city park, can bring clear benefits to our community even after the Paralympic Games have ended.”

Opened in 1940, the Equestrian Park was created to provide training for riders and horses, and to host equestrian competitions as well as educational and training programmes. The venue was scheduled to host the equestrian competitions at the 1940 Olympic Games which were cancelled on account of war. It was a natural choice for the equestrian events at the Olympic Games that were subsequently held in Tokyo in 1964.

While the original plan for equestrian put forward by the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee was for a temporary venue in the Tokyo Bay area, the JRA and the Japanese Equestrian Federation (JEF) pushed for the alternative which was to reuse the 1964 Olympic equestrian venue at Baji Koen. The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) were in full support of this as the Equestrian Park would deliver a more tangible and useful legacy for equestrian sport in Japan.

Post Paralympic Games, the JRA has ambitious plans to create pathways and programmes that allow riders engaged in therapeutic programmes to gradually move into Para Dressage competition. There are currently only a few therapeutic riding clubs in the country and the JRA wants to put in place the necessary structures that will allow these programmes to develop across Japan.

“The JRA has provided athletes at the Olympic and Paralympic Games with some incredible facilities in which to compete,” FEI Director of Games Operations Tim Hadaway said.

“JRA has gone over and above with their support and have provided specialists like veterinarians, farriers, footing maintenance staff and equestrian instructors. Through their  affiliated companies, the JRA also provided feed and bedding, transportation of competition horses and turf maintenance advice for the field-of-play on the Sea Forest Cross Country Course to ensure the best possible conditions for the equestrian competitions. 

“All the work the JRA has done to date is laying a solid foundation for the development of Para Equestrian sport in Japan and they have led the way by example, through their support of the Japan Para Dressage team.”

Mitsuhide Miyaji, Sho Inaba, Katsuji Taskashima and Soshi Yoshigoe are the four members of the Para Dressage team who trained and prepared for the Paralympic Games at the Equestrian Park and with the full support of the JRA.

Mitsuhide Miyaji, 63, used to work as an assistant trainer at the JRA before he suffered a stroke in July 2005 and was left without feeling on the right side of his body. Tokyo 2020 is his second Paralympic Games after Rio 2016, where he was the only equestrian representative from Japan.

A former jockey with the JRA, Katushi Takashima, 28, was injured during a race that left the right side of his body paralysed. He participated in the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 and Tokyo 2020 was his first appearance at a Paralympic Games.

Twenty six year-old Sho Inaba, who made his Paralympic debut in Tokyo 2020, was born with cerebral palsy that affected his lower limbs and he took up riding at the age of eight for rehabilitation in his hip joint. He represented his country at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 where he finished 14th.

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games was also a first for 21 year-old Soshi Yoshigoe who is a student at Nippon Sport Science University. He took up horse riding as part of his rehabilitation programme but it was not until high school that he became interested in Para Dressage. Encouraged by the President of his University and colleagues, he has made his mark on the Para Equestrian scene in Japan.

All four athletes hope that the Paralympics will be the catalyst for the continued development of Para Equestrian and other disability sports in Japan.

“Until now, there has been little recognition of Para Sports in this country,” Mitsuhide Miyaji said.

“But the Paralympics have been a good opportunity for many people to learn about Para Equestrian and for them to see how people with various disabilities can get involved in the sport.

“There was no coverage of Para Equestrian Sport in Japan when I took part in the Paralympic Games in Rio 2016. But in the build up to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, there have been many live broadcasts in Japan because of the collaboration between the JRA and Green Channel, the Satellite Broadcasting Foundation for Horseracing, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

“This has allowed people to see for themselves what the sport has to offer. Also by having so many people in Japan involved in the organisation of the Paralympic Games, it has helped change the perception of Para Equestrian sport in the country.”

Your Ultimate Guide to the USEA American Eventing Championships

By on Aug 31, 2021 1:00 pm -

Kloie Hicks and Sugar Rush. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

We’re all set to go for an incredible week in the Bluegrass State, where the USEA American Eventing Championships are kicking off today with a record number of entries across all divisions. The USEA has been hard at work priming the Kentucky Horse Park for the 1000+ horses and riders who will be tackling the championship courses set by Derek di Grazia (cross country) and Robert Murphy (show jumping), and there will also be a live stream provided by RNS Video Media for anyone who is unable to attend in person.

We’ll be bringing you daily social media highlights on our Instagram story, photos from Shannon Brinkman’s team, and plenty of other reports to keep you up to speed on the happenings in Kentucky. This is the last year that AEC will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park (for the near future, at least), so it’s due to be an extra special year, particularly when considering the cancelation of the championship in 2020. Riders who qualified for 2020 were eligible to compete this year with some additional MERs.

You can bookmark this page for updated articles from AEC, and you can also visit the USEA’s AEC hub full of more information and coverage. We’ll link some pertinent information below for you as well.

Schedule of Events

Live Stream Schedule

Ride Times

Stabling Assignments

AEC Digital Program

EN’s Coverage

Saturday, September 4

#AEC2021 Beginner Novice Cross Country Live Updates
‘It’s Been Almost 40 Years Since I Evented’: Penny Welsh & Mr. Poppers Lead AEC BN Master Amateur Dressage

Friday, September 3

Day Four at #AEC2021 Recap
By the Numbers: #AEC2021 Beginner Novice Master Amateur

Thursday, September 2

Thursday Photo Gallery from Shannon Brinkman
Day Three at #AEC2021: First Champions Crowned
Thursday Video: The First #AEC2021 Helmet Cams Are In!
#AEC2021 $60,000 USEA Adequan Advanced Final Cross Country Live Updates

Wednesday, September 1

Day Two at #AEC2021: Catching Up with Your Division Leaders
View or Download Your AEC Cross-Country Course Maps Here!
Enter EN’s AEC ‘Kentucky Performance of the Week’ Nomination Contest, presented by Kentucky Performance Products

Tuesday, August 31

Day One at #AEC2021: Rain, Rain, Go Away
Tuesday #AEC2021 Instagram Round-up: A Soggy Start

USA’s Roxanne Trunnell Breaks Paralympic Record in Stunning Night of Freestyle Displays

By on Aug 31, 2021 9:00 am -

Equestrian Freestyle Grade 1 winners: L-R: Rihards Snikus (LAT) silver, Roxanne Trunnell (USA) gold, Sara Morganti (ITA) bronze (FEI/Liz Gregg)

Roxanne Trunnell (USA) broke the nine-year-old Grade I Paralympic Freestyle record tonight in a stunning Freestyle competition which also saw Sir Lee Pearson (GBR) take his third gold of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

The highest scoring podium

Grade I was the only Grade to have three athletes with a score of over 80% on the podium. Roxanne Trunnell (USA) scored 86.927% on Dolton to break the previous record of 84.750% set by Sophie Christiansen (GBR) in London 2012.

“I just wanted a nice test. It felt good with the music the whole time,” Roxanne said. “It’s been really nice. Everyone is so happy and friendly it makes everyone in the barn happy. It’s just fun. Everyone will be excited when we get home.”

The ever-brilliant Rihards Snikus (LAT) took his second silver in Tokyo on King of the Dance with 82.087%, doubtless prompting more demands for his DJing skills when he gets back home. For Rihards, these two medals more than make up for his disappointment at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. And third place went to Sara Morganti (ITA) on Royal Delight, with 81.100%.

Sir Lee makes it a golden 14

Sir Lee Pearson (GBR) became the most successful athlete in the entire competition by taking his third gold medal of Tokyo 2020, the 14th of his Paralympic career, in the Grade II Freestyle.

His relatively inexperienced and home-bred partner, Breezer, took him to a massive 82.447% to take the title ahead of Pepo Puch (AUT) who rode Sailor’s Blue to a score of 81.007%. Meanwhile Lee’s young teammate, Georgia Wilson (GBR), added another brilliant bronze to her collection on Sakura with 76.754%, which is not a bad result for the reserve rider who was called to Tokyo as a last minute replacement for Sophie Christiansen.

“Number 14, not that we’re counting,” laughed Lee. “I’m twice over the moon. I actually didn’t care if I medalled. That horse gave me his heart in there. He was so much braver than the team and individual test a few days ago. He was still nervous, and we had a tiny little spook when we entered but I said ‘come on we can do this’.”

Lee came to Tokyo with Breezer having had to retire from their selection event. “I’ve not managed to ride this Freestyle in a competition so I’ve been nervous for days. He’s brilliant. I’m taking the best horse home. I didn’t think I could love him any more than I did before but he’s beautiful, amazing.”

Sanne’s HAEVNly gold

Sanne Voets (NED) stormed to victory in the Grade IV Freestyle with a massive personal best score of 82.085% to win her class. Riding Demantur N.O.P. to the stirring music of Dutch artists HAEVN, she finished comfortably ahead of silver medallist Louise Etzner Jakobbson (SWE) who scored 75.935% on Goldstrike B.J. Manon Claeys (BEL) took bronze on San Dior 2 with 75.680%.

Louise’s silver was even more remarkable given that she broke her leg falling off her bike just a couple of months ago, and only got back on a horse to ride two weeks ago during the horses’ quarantine in Aachen (GER).

Speaking after her ride, Sanne said: “I’m not sure I can find the right words. I was really focussed and normally when I first enter a test I try to make eye contact with the judge. I never did that here it was just me and my horse and the music. It was a bit like hypnosis. It felt powerful and soft and relaxed and confident. Sometimes when you ride a test you’re thinking ‘what do I do now?’ but it was like it just happened to me. It felt like we found that true harmony and it was the two of us and no one else.”

Michele’s golden double

Michele George (BEL) was dominant again in the Grade V Freestyle, defending her London 2012 and Rio 2016 titles with aplomb. She scored 80.590% on Best of 8 to pip Frank Hosmar (NED) to the title by just 0.350 of a point. Frank, riding Alphaville N.O.P. scored 80.240 to take the silver, while Regine Mispelkamp (GER) took bronze with 76.820 on Highlander Delight’s.

“I’m really blown away. The mare is just fantastic. What can I say, I’m a bit speechless because coming over here with a young horse and showing the world what she’s capable of is just genius. I knew she could, but I thought maybe it was a bit early to show everyone because at home she can work like a queen but at home is at home.”

Michele went into the arena just after Frank had posted his great score. “Once you’re riding into the arena you don’t look at that,” she said. “I know he had a high score but I thought the mare feels good, so I came into the arena and tried to make something even better. That’s the spirit.”

Tobias’s double delight

In the second highest winning score of the night, Tobias Thorning Jorgensen (DEN) rode Jolene Hill to his second gold of the Paralympic Games in the Grade III Freestyle. Together they scored a massive 84.347% to take the title ahead of Natasha Baker (GBR), who scored 77.614% on Keystone Daw Chorus. Anne Katrin Lubbe (NOR) took the bronze on La Costa Majlund with 76.477%.

A clearly delighted Tobias said after his ride: “I feel great. I left my head out here this time because I wanted to show I can do this. I just rode to the edge of being too much and I was probably closer to some mistakes today than I was yesterday, but I took the chance.

“I always had the dream of double gold but I knew it would be hard. I would be happy if it was a silver or bronze, just to get two medals at my first Paralympics, but two golds is amazing.”

At the end of five days of stunning Para Dressage competition, the horses and athletes of Tokyo 2020 will now start their journeys home. They will remember a record-breaking week of drama and fierce competition which saw new champions crowned and titles re-won or defended.

Great Britain top the Para Dressage table, with three golds, three silvers and two bronzes, ahead of The Netherlands’ two golds, two silvers and two bronzes. Belgium take the third spot with two golds and two bronzes, followed by the USA in fourth position with two golds and a bronze.

The world’s best Para Dressage athletes will gather again in August 2022 at the FEI World Championships in Herning (DEN). Until then, the memories of this competition in Tokyo will be slow to fade. It’s been a dazzling, brilliant Paralympic Games.

Key links

#WeThe15

Toyko 2020 Para Equestrian pages

FEI Paralympic Games History Hub

Tuesday News & Notes from Legends Horse Feeds

By on Aug 31, 2021 7:59 am -

There have been so many great initiatives throughout the equestrian world over the last year or so, all of which encourage access to the industry for riders from all kinds of backgrounds. One I’ve watched keenly is the Riding A Dream Academy, inspired and spearheaded by Ebony Horse Club graduate Khadijah Mellah, who became the first ever Hijabi jockey to win a race when she took top honours in the Magnolia Cup charity race back in 2019. Now, the first batch of participants in the Riding a Dream Academy is seeking to follow in her footsteps as an inner-city rider-turned-jockey, and they’ve just completed their first residential week in Newmarket, England, where they’ve logged plenty of hours in the saddle and learned tonnes about the world of racing. We love to see it.

National Holiday: It’s National Trail Mix Day. (Why?)

Events Opening Today: Ocala Fall Horse Trials, Pine Hill Fall H.T.

Events Closing Today: MeadowCreek Park H.T – The Fall Social Event, Stone Gate Farm H.T., Marlborough H.T, GMHA September H.T., Otter Creek Fall H.T., Flying Cross Farm H.T., Unionville Horse Trials, The Event at Skyline, Aspen Farms H.T.

News and Notes from Around the World:

Are you as psyched for the AECs as we are? We know you are — and we know you’ll be utterly, ludicrously excited to preview the courses to come this week through USEventing’s virtual cross-country walks. [Preview the 2021 AEC Cross-Country Courses]

You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who, in the wake of Tokyo, thinks the format change for equestrian sports was a good idea. Journalist Pippa Cuckson lays out her thoughts on why it backfired for the showjumping competition, and questions why equestrians are being put under this unique pressure. [Only 30 Flags in Diving, So Why the Pressure On Us?]

Want to maximise your course-riding prowess? Minimise your aids first, with help from Joe Fargis. [Joe Fargis: Keep Your Riding Simple]

There are few limits to what a great horse can do for us. For Janina Lagemann-Doné, that horse was Cayenne Z, and his role has been to help his rider deal with a life-changing cancer diagnosis in her twenties. [F you, cancer. Thank you, CZ.]

Listen: Ireland’s Sam Watson tells his Tokyo story, from pre-quarantine export in Aachen to the real deal and beyond.

Watch: Relive Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Singapore’s winning round in the CCI4*-S at Great Meadow.