Classic Eventing Nation

Dutch Team Named for FEI Eventing European Championships

By on Aug 25, 2021 2:00 pm -

Merel Blom and The Quizmaster. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The following press release has been translated from Dutch. Please forgive any translation errors.

National coach Andrew Heffernan will take a relatively ‘young’ Dutch team to the European Senior Eventing Championships, from September 22 to 26 in Avanches, Switzerland. However, the coach who lives in Great Britain opted for routine, which is clearly present in this TeamNL.

In addition to veteran Merel Blom, a team of experienced young riders has been selected by Andrew Heffernan for the European Championship eventing in Avenches. He chose Sanne de Jong, Aliene Ruyter and Jordy Wilken, all three of whom were part of the team that finished second in Haras du Pin’s FEI Nations Cup last week. Three riders that were regularly part of the Dutch teams in their junior and young riders period and have already gained the necessary experience in various Nations Cup competitions. Sanne de Jong and Jordy Wilken were also on stage earlier at the Dutch National Championships in Boekelo. They will be joined in the European Championship team by their contemporary Janneke Boonzaadjer, who represented TeamNL at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Janneke was also present in Haras du Pin, but she did not compete in the Nations Cup with her Olympic horse Champ du Tailleur who was enjoying his holiday.

Merel Blom is the most experienced member of the team. This will be her fourth European Championships for the rider. TeamNL at the European Championships consists of four combinations, the fifth will start individually.

The selection is also a great success for the KNHS Talent Team, Janneke Boonzaadjer is currently still part of the Talent Team and both Sanne de Jong and Jordy Wilken were previously members of this select group of talents.

National coach Andrew Heffernan is looking forward to the European Championship, “The Team Spirit was great in Haras du Pin, I am looking forward to working with this group again in Avanches.”

Merel Blom (35, Aalten)
The Quizmaster (v.Albaran xx), KWPN, 12 years old
Owner:Blom Sports Stables en Stal Hulsman B.V.

Janneke Boonzaaijer (24, Renswoude)
ACSI Champ de Tailleur (v.Quidam de Revel), KWPN, 14 years old
Owner: H.J.C. Roozendaal en Lieke van der Werf

Sanne de Jong (26, Aalsmeer)
Enjoy (v.Cartano), KWPN, 12 years old
Owner: Sanne de Jong en Jantien van Zon

Aliene Ruyter (25, Opheusden)
Bomba (v.Verdi), KWPN, 15 years old
Eigenaar: A.J Ruijter

Jordy Wilken (27, Olst)
Burry Spirit (v.Casco), KWPN, 15 years old
Owner: J. Wilken

FEI Eventing European Championships: [Website] [EN’s Coverage]

Germany Names Participants for 2021 FEI Eventing European Championships

By on Aug 25, 2021 11:00 am -

Anna Siemer and FRH Butt’s Avondale. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Teams and individuals named for the upcoming FEI Eventing European Championships are beginning to emerge, and Germany is the latest nation to announce who will be representing the country in Switzerland next month. The European Championships will be hosted at Avenches September 23-26.

Each nation has the ability to send a four-member team along with two individual competitors. In alphabetical order, the following combinations have been named to the German squad:

  • Andreas Dibowski and FRH Corrida (12-year-old Hanoverian mare owned by the Dibowski family)
  • Michael Jung and fischerWild Wave (9-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Klaus and Sabine Fischer and the Jung family)
  • Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD (17-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Ingrid Klimke)
  • Dirk Schrade and Casino 80 (11-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Freya Rethmeier)
  • Anna Siemer and FRH Butts Avondale (14-year-old Hanoverian mare owned by Dr. Volker Steinkraus)
  • Christoph Wahler and Carjatan S (12-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Lena Thonenies and Christoph Wahler)
  • First Reserve: Andreas Ostholt and Corvette 31 (13-year-old Westphalian mare owned by Rudolf Westmeyer)
  • Other Reserves: Emma Brussels and Dark Desire GS (12-year-old Hanoverian mare owned by Jürgen Brüssau/ Sophie Leube and Jadore Moi (11-year-old Bavarian mare owned by BG Jadore Moi and Sophie Leube)

FEI Eventing European Championships: [Website]

Eventing Stallion Party Trick Among Four Horses Killed in Lorry Accident

By on Aug 25, 2021 9:00 am -

British eventer Nick Gauntlett‘s young stallion Party Trick, plus three horses belonging to British-based US rider Sophie Hulme (Ice Cool Cooley, Charisma TH, and Fairytale Cooley) died on Tuesday afternoon (August 24) in a lorry accident on Scotland’s A9, less than an hour from their intended destination of Blair Castle Horse Trials. Nick took to Facebook to confirm the news, sharing that his horsebox had broken down and was struck by another lorry.

Nick’s post reads:

“Tough day… maybe an understatement! My amazing family are fine & that is definitely the main thing, but today we lost Party Trick & 3 of Sophie Hulme’s horses. Having broken down just 30 [minutes] from Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials we sat on the grass verge & watched a lorry (whose driver we think may have been on his phone) plough into our truck. You don’t need the details but we lost all 4 horses on board. We are obviously all heart broken. Lucy Morgan & Asha Riches-Wood, the emergency services, vets and people generally were amazing. Thank you everyone for your words of support and offers of help. The Eventing world yet again proving what at an amazing family it is.”

Nine-year-old Party Trick, by Badminton winner Chilli Morning and out of a Tolan R mare, had been making a splash in the eventing world, both as a sire and as a competitor in his own right, and had stepped up to four-star this season with success.

We are additionally devastated for American rider Sophie Hulme, who hails originally from California and has written for EN in the past (including this piece spotlighting Party Trick). Each of Sophie’s string of horses was entered for this week’s CCI2*-L; Ice Cool Cooley had jumped well around Haras du Pin and Gatcombe previously with Sophie, while Cairnside Sir Alex competed to four-star with Nick in the irons, notching up an impressive top-ten placing at Tattersalls in 2015 before Sophie took the reins in 2019. This week would have marked their first international run together after a top twenty finish at Burgham last month. It was also to be an international debut for Charisma TH, who joined Sophie’s string earlier this summer.

No further information on the accident has been released, as yet, by the Scottish police, though a local news report confirmed that an air ambulance had attended the scene. There have been at least eleven accidents on the A9 since the beginning of June, with several fatalities in that time period and a number of incidents involving freight lorries, making this Scotland’s most notorious road and one, perhaps, in need of more stringent policing.

There are no words to convey the sheer horror and heartbreak of today’s accident. Our most heartfelt sympathies go to Nick and Amanda Gauntlett, Sophie Hulme, and all those connected with these wonderful horses.

#EventerProblems Vol. 274 from Ecovet: The Lost and Found

By on Aug 25, 2021 6:07 am -

Lost shoes, lost fly masks, lost bell boots … it’s enough to make an eventer lose their mind. Here are a few things your horses lost, and were later discovered, this summer.

Remember to tag ’em on Instagram for inclusion in a future edition of #EventerProblems!

Go Eventing.

Looking for a proper #EventerSolution? Look no further than Ecovet!

Wednesday News & Notes from Haygain

By on Aug 25, 2021 12:01 am -

Don’t forget: the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics are happening now! Dressage officially kicked off on Wednesday, Tokyo time, with the First Horse Inspection, and the competition will open tomorrow (very early Thursday morning, U.S. time) with Grade II riders leading off. Click here to view the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic schedule and results.

Let’s catch up a bit with the U.S. team. Be sure to give them all a follow and support their efforts this week. Good luck to all!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Five Points H.T. (Raeford, Nc.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]

Seneca Valley Pony Club H.T. (Poolesville, Md.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]

Shepherd Ranch H.T. (Santa Ynez, Ca.): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Town Hill Farm H.T. (Lakeville, Ct.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Major International Events:

Land Rover Blair Castle International H.T. (Atholl, Scotland): [Website] [Schedule] [Entries/Times/Scores]

Millstreet International H.T. (Millstreet, Ireland) : [Website] [Scores]

Wooroloo Bates Saddles International H.T. (Perth, Australia): [Website]

Wednesday News & Notes:

The long-awaited USEA American Eventing Championships are almost upon us! With a record number of entries received following last year’s postponement, and with it being the last year AEC is hosted at Kentucky Horse Park (for the foreseeable future at least), it’s sure to be a weekend to remember in the Bluegrass State. Get all the info you need to know for next week in the USEA AEC info hub here.

We heart volunteers! Spotlighted in the most recent VIP Volunteer column on the USEA is California’s Golly Martin, who has been an invaluable help to both riders and events alike. Read all about her lifelong dedication to the sport here.

German gold medalist Andreas Dibowski keeps it simple when it comes to teaching cross country riding. The word you need to know? “Forward”. In this article from Practical Horseman, learn more about the foundational skills Andreas uses to instill proper instincts and good riding in his students.

You won’t want to miss out on Equitana this year, happening in October at Kentucky Horse Park! With a Phillip Dutton clinic, bodywork seminars, a full shopping experience, and many other exhibitions aimed at all aspects of equestrian sport, Equitana promises to be a true celebration of the horse. Click here to find your tickets.

Wednesday Video:

Get to know the Para-Dressage competition happening in Tokyo:

Tuesday Video: ‘Grooming Is an Inside Job’ #WeRideTogether PSA

By on Aug 24, 2021 6:00 pm -

*Trigger warning* This video contains discussions of sexual abuse and misconduct.

Grooming is an inside job. So is prevention. Your voice has power.

Here is preview of the third PSA of the #WeRideTogether campaign. It elevates the voice of Jessica Manning, a horsewoman and horse lover whose abuser used horses to groom and sexually abuse her.

Watch the full-length video here.

#WeRideTogether gives a voice to survivor stories, provides resources to report abuse and get help, and offers educational information for athletes, coaches, and families. Sexual misconduct and abuse have long been an issue in equestrian sport, and is often ignored, minimized, or wrongly blamed on the victim. The equestrian community is no longer sitting idly by.

The microsite will be updated on an ongoing basis to provide a safe place for survivors to share their experiences. It is intended a true movement and cultural shift that demands increased accountability from trainers and coaches, gives survivors a safe platform for their voice, and helps diminish the stigma and fear of coming forward.

Visit WeRideTogether.Today to learn more.

Sport Horse Nation Spotlight: Three Connemara/Thoroughbred Crosses We Covet

By on Aug 24, 2021 12:30 pm -

In the market for a new four-legged partner? You may find your unicorn on our sister site, Sport Horse Nation. To help with the search, we’re going to feature a selection of current listings here on EN. We include the ad copy provided; click the links for videos, pricing and contact information.

What do you get when you cross the toughness and bravery of a Connemara with the blood and heart of a Thoroughbred? The ideal event horse! This week we’re drooling over three Connemara/Thoroughbred crosses that tick all the boxes, especially for a rider on the petite side like me.

The first one is already up and running, the second one is green but promising, the third one is a yearling filly, and the fourth one — yes, there’s a surprise fourth one — is the filly’s dad! He isn’t for sale but is at stud, so you can breed your own Thoroughbred and create your own cross!

Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Warning: Perfect Horse

⚠️Warning⚠️ Perfect horse, proceed with caution.

Louie (Lulu) is a 2017, Connemara/Thoroughbred mare, standing at 15 hands. Top of the line in every way imaginable. Recognized showing experience through novice, ample scope for moving up. Consistently low scores in dressage. Steady, balance, and athletic. Incredible jump. It breaks my heart even writing this ad because she is just that special. She has the most lovely disposition, sweet as they come. Stunning conformation, with movement to match. EASIEST horse to ride, always making the rider look good. Although young, this horse is as consistent as they come. She is absolutely phenomenal and I can’t say enough good about her. Everyone who has met/watched her go will also say the same, she has a large fan club. A truly special horse who is ready for her forever person. I am in no rush to sell her as I know how special this horse is, she will only be going to the best of the best home. I fell in love with this one so it will break my heart to see her go. It’s my job, that’s why she’s for sale. Happy to answer any questions, as finding her an elite home is my top priority. Until then, I will have fun continuing her training and competing her in young event horse championships.

Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Fancy Imported Connemara/Tb

Eamonn is 7yo, 15.1h, takes up the leg, and has a horse sized stride. Eamonn is a nice mover with three comfortable gaits. He was imported in the fall of 2019 with only a couple of rides under saddle. He has done a lot of ground work here in the States and has a solid foundation under saddle. He is still green as we have gone slow and done things correctly. He gets his confidence from his rider and therefore prefers a rider who is confident and quiet. He is beginning to understand leg to hand contact and improving greatly with each ride. He is very sweet and a total cuddle bug. He has impeccable ground manners all the way around. Will stand ground tied or cross tied for hours. Great for vet and farrier and loads on the trailer without hesitation. Eamonn is best suited for a rider who will take their time in bringing him along correctly, he could be brought along by a quiet and confident intermediate junior or amateur with the help of a trainer. Eamonn had an introduction to jumping when he was first imported and seemed to really love it but his owner wanted to focus on giving him a proper start in dressage. We could see Eamonn doing any discipline but feel he would excel in dressage, hunters, or eventing at the lower levels.

Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Connemara/TB yearling filly

Beautiful dark bay filly by Redbud’s Blue Moon and out of the winning TB mare Blue Temptation. 14-2 hands at 15 months. Family history says she should mature at 15-3 to 16 hands. Intelligent, a joy to work with, very athletic, and a beautiful mover. She’s registered (HBM 2828 LVII) with the American Connemara Pony Society. Her sire is an Overall West Coast Supreme Champion Stallion and is 3rd in USEA FEH West Coast Championships and now producing outstanding juveniles qualifying for FEH Championships. This one might be his best filly to date!

Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

R Blue Moon Connemara Stallion

Proven to Cross Beautifully with your Thoroughbred, Sport Horse and Pony Mares.

14.3h Black, Purebred Registered Connemara Pony Stallion Sired by Wildwych Eclipse and out of our Dual Premium Imported mare Glenormiston Amelia (Domo Cavallo Praize).

While still a very young stallion R Blue Moon has sired 10 Offspring Qualified for USEA/FEH Championships (in All 3 Regions) with scores as high as middle 80s.

R Blue Moon offspring are Tall, Athletic, Attractive Individuals with excellent Gait Quality and outstanding talent over the fences. Owners report excellent rideability, sensibility and trainability.

Top Quality Purebred and Half Bred Connemaras Available

Listings included in this article are randomly selected and confirmed to be current and active before inclusion. Sport Horse Nation features user-generated content and therefore cannot verify or make any warranty as to the validity or reliability of information.

Tuesday News and Notes from Legends Horse Feeds

By on Aug 24, 2021 5:30 am -

Nothing has made me laugh more this week than the FDA’s new, no-sh*ts-given approach to social media. Step away from the Ivermectin, buckaroo, unless you’ve got worms — and even then, it’s probably best to go have a nice chat with your doctor instead.

National Holiday: It’s National Waffle Day. We won’t judge you if you have them for all three meals today.

Events Opening Today: Radnor Hunt H.T., Morven Park Fall International CCI4*-L,CCI3*/2*YH-S, CCI4/3*/2*-S & HT, Heritage Park H.T., WindRidge Farm Fall H.T., Hitching Post Farm H.T., Central FEH Championships at Haras Hacienda, St. Johns H.T.

Events Closing Today: CDCTA Fall H.T., Flora Lea Fall H.T., Chardon Valley H.T., Tryon Fall Horse Trials, Copper Meadows Eventing, LLC H.T.

News and Notes from Around the World:

A working group has been formed to address modern pentathlon’s showjumping issues. Comprised of a number of successful Olympians, and in conjunction with the FEI, it aims to improve the lot of both horses and athletes in the sport. [British former Olympic champion joins pentathlon group to help tackle riding concerns]

Riding is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Sometimes, self-belief can be one of the most powerful training techniques at your disposal — and psychologist April Clay wants to help you harness it. [Building a More Confident Rider Through “Self-Efficacy”]

Hitting the deck is never fun, and in some cases, the aftereffects can be serious — even if you feel mostly okay. Now, US researchers are working on new ways to ease post-concussion headaches, which can linger on like a bad date waiting for a snog, in our experience. [US researchers seek best way to tackle post-concussion headaches]

Speaking of serious studies and things, did you know that your USEA membership dues help to fund equine medical research? Check out what got the money this year. [Funding Approved by USEA Board of Governors for Equine Medical Research]

Listen: Get to know Karla Parsons, the amateur eventer and bonkers babe behind Muddy Mayhem, your new favourite TikTok account and webcomic.

Watch: Jump around Ocala II with Elisa Wallace and Riot Gear.

Monday Video: Phillip Dutton’s Next Generation

By on Aug 23, 2021 4:30 pm -

I post a lot about our 4* and 5* horses, but I haven't always shared as much here about our young horses and OTTBs at home. This is 3-year-old Undaunted Rags (by Union Rags), now owned by Kevin Keane. Undaunted Rags was trained by Graham Motion and last raced on July 19th, and we have had him for about 10 days now. In this video, I talk through our ride yesterday to show a bit of what I do with the younger horses. If there's interest in following along, I'll continue to share more of what we work on and Undaunted Rag's progress.

Posted by Phillip Dutton Eventing on Wednesday, August 18, 2021

With his win on Fernhill Singapore in the CCI4*-S at the MARS Great Meadow International yesterday, we’ve just seen what Phillip Dutton can do with a horse he’s produced from a four-year-old. It figures that he’s already got the next generation in his barn and under saddle, carefully bringing them along and looking towards the future with the trademark cautious optimism of any eventer.

One such horse recently arrived in his barn is Undaunted Rags, a three-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Union Rags – Lookout Lady, by Smart Strike) who last raced just about one month ago and was trained by Graham Motion. Dr. Kevin Keane, Phillip’s veterinarian and fellow four-star competitor now owns the young horse. Graham, a noted Thoroughbred racehorse trainer local to the Fair Hill Maryland area, and Phillip have created a great racehorse to sporthorse pipeline with Phillip having trained several of Graham’s ex-racers up through the levels of eventing now, perhaps most notably Icabad Crane, who won one of the very first America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred competitions, and Sea of Clouds, who also just completed the 4* at GMI yesterday.

In the video above, Phillip talks through one of this first rides on this new baby OTTB. We’re looking forward to following their progress!

Want to Level Up Your Riding at Home? Check Out the Newly-Launched RideiQ App

By on Aug 23, 2021 2:00 pm -

McKinsey Lux (Ride iQ Co-Founder) and Leslie Law filming for RideIQ lessons.

Ride iQ launches new app to give equestrians broad access to the world’s best coaches
Launching with a mobile app, Ride iQ members will have access to a library of 100+ on-demand audio lessons taught by world-class coaches

Ride iQ launched its membership and mobile app today. As the first audio-focused training platform for equestrians, it offers something completely new to riders: the opportunity to get on-demand instruction while they ride. It is the equestrian-equivalent of Peloton’s guided runs. Ride iQ is currently focused on English disciplines with coaches who specialize in eventing, hunter/jumpers, and dressage. Ride iQ membership costs $29.99/month or $249/year.

Ride iQ provides affordable, unlimited access to world-class coaching for more enjoyable, safe, and productive schooling. While the Ride iQ mobile app and audio lessons are the foundation of the business, other membership benefits include access to live virtual Office Hours with Ride iQ coaches, the private Ride iQ Facebook group, and private Ride iQ podcasts. Ride iQ’s team is dedicated to compassionate horsemanship and effective training and seeks to elevate the global standards for equestrian partnerships and performances.

“If I had something like this as a kid growing up in the sport that could have kept me focused and inspired, it certainly would have helped me a lot. I think it’s that access not only to good instruction, but motivation.” – Jon Holling, 5-star event rider

Kyle Carter taking a lesson from Dennis Mitchell for a Ride iQ recording.

Members get unlimited access to a library of 100+ audio lessons that can be selected based on topic, preferred coach, experience level, and more. Ride iQ lessons cater to all levels and focus on:

  • Mastering a specific skill
  • Improving a horse’s way of going
  • Perfecting a dressage test, movement by movement
  • Training a green horse
  • Improving rider position and use of aids
  • Exercises to achieve the desired outcome

Lesson examples include Walk Canter Transitions with Ema Klugman, a green horse progressive program with Jon Holling, Improving Unsteady Connection with Doug Payne, OTTB warmups with Holly Hudspeth, dressage test playbooks with Peter Gray, and Using Ground Rails for Stride Accuracy with Leslie Law.

Ride iQ lessons are not meant to replace in-person lessons, but instead provide support during independent schooling rides. Currently, schooling rides lack guidance and rely on a rider’s existing knowledge and abilities; with Ride iQ, those rides can be a source of improved understanding, helpful exercises, new insights, and better experiences for horse and rider.

“I’ve said it for years: this is an information game. There’s a reason that the majority of medal winners are over 35 in this sport. It’s not because we get healthier, it’s because we’ve accrued more knowledge.” – Kyle Carter, Olympic event rider

Ride iQ provides everyday riders access to an elite level of coaching that is currently only accessible to a small minority of equestrians. By giving broad access to exceptional coaching, Ride iQ will raise the standard for safer riding and better performances.

“I really think that through programs like Ride iQ and others, it’s a way we can help spread good training techniques and it will benefit everybody.” – Peter Gray, Olympic event rider and top-level dressage judge

Ride iQ coaches include:

  • Leslie Law
  • Lesley Grant Law
  • Ema Klugman
  • Holly Hepp Hudspeth
  • Peter Gray
  • Jennifer Carter
  • Jonathan Holling
  • Doug Payne
  • Kyle Carter
  • Dennis Mitchell
  • + more coaches will be added regularly after launch

Ride iQ was founded in 2021 by sisters McKinsey and Jessa Lux. McKinsey and Jessa grew up eventing in Minnesota. Wanting to move up the levels, both sisters moved their horses to Ocala, Florida during high school to work with Kyle and Jennifer Carter, now their partners in Ride iQ.

“I transferred to online school for high school so I could move to Florida and train with the best coaches. Had Ride iQ existed, I would’ve had the necessary resources to pursue my passion in my hometown in Minnesota. There are riders all over the world that want to be great and do right by their horses, but they simply do not have the necessary mentorship or tools to do so. Ride iQ can change that. – McKinsey Lux, Ride iQ Co-founder and amateur Eventer