Classic Eventing Nation

Weekend Winners: Heritage Park, Honey Run, Meadowcreek, Twin Rivers, Unionville, & University of New Hampshire

By on Sep 23, 2024 12:00 pm -

Happy Monday, Eventing Nation! We’re here to kick off the week right with our weekend recap of our Weekend Winners! Enjoy catching up on the action from Heritage Park, Honey Run, Meadowcreek, Twin Rivers, Unionville, and University of New Hampshire.

Congratulations to all on successful outings, with an extra special shout out to the winner of our Unofficial Low Score Award, Nancy Roche and Saphyra, who scored a 20.3 in the Beginner Novice B at the University of New Hampshire!

Heritage Park H.T. (Olathe, KS): [Website][Scores]

Open Preliminary: Christy Niehues and Flight School (63.4)
Open Training: Rayna Williams and Storm Surge (35.0)
Preliminary/Training: Lauren Schiller and Chairman of the Board (58.0)
Novice Junior: Stormy Britt and ABOYNAMEDSUE (35.0)
Open Novice: Kara Claxton and Arya (28.9)
Beginner Novice Junior: Holly Goen and Ildiko T (30.3)
Open Beginner Novice: Renee Senter and Regina (30.3)
Open Starter: Maris DiTolla and Lightning Thief (32.0)
Starter Junior: Addison Hamlett and Just Enough (35.7)

Honey Run H.T. (Ann Arbor, MI): [Website][Scores]

Training: Erika Erlandson and SBT Rynca (45.8)
Novice A: Alyssa Cairo and EWSZ Jalando (29.4)
Novice B: Michelle Weeks and Cup O’ Noodles (37.2)
Beginner Novice A: Deena Zaitounh and See My Tuxedo (23.8)
Beginner Novice B: Julie Wooldridge and FWF Sir Galahad (31.6)
Starter A: Margaret Wooldridge and Kiss the Warrior (24.0)

Meadowcreek Park Fall Social Event H.T. (Kosse, TX): [Website][Scores]

Open Preliminary: Amanda Merritt and Apparition (39.3)
Junior Training Rider: Victoria Smith and Someday Never Comes (34.8)
Open Training: Hannah Corlett and Ernest Fuerst Dance (33.2)
Senior Training Rider: Christy Wood and Con Able RFB (33.1)
Junior Novice Rider: Makenzie Stewart and True Emperor (36.7)
Novice – Championships: Olivia Miller and 50 Shades of Envy (23.3)
Open Novice: Ashlyn Hayworth and Lincoln Park (31.7)
Senior Novice Rider: Sienna Scott and Merry Magdalena (36.2)
Beginner Novice Championships: Shelby Owen and GTB Felix Felicis (26.9)
Beginner Novice Rider: Mckenna Butler and Whittington (34.1)
Open Beginner Novice: Hannah Corlett and Depart (32.8)
Starter A: Harper Rankin and Envision AND Evie Rodakis and Beasley (38.3)
Starter B: Rebecca Speer and Hana (27.0)
Starter Championships: Mary Boster and Pasadena Fling (33.0)

Twin Rivers Fall International (Paso Robles, CA): [Website][Scores]

CCI4*S: James Alliston and Cora (44.8)
CCI3*S: Tamra Smith and Kynan (30.0)
CCI2*S: Gabriella Ringer and Get Wild (28.6)
CCI1*S: Lauren Burnell and Freedom Hill (28.8)
Open Intermediate: Tamra Smith and Mai Baum (30.9)
Open Preliminary: Sophie Tice and Viva La Vida (24.3)
Open Modified: Paige Beauchamp Crandon and Fyfin Ramiro (24.1)
Training Rider: Anna Brostrom and Girl of California (30.7)
Open Training: Tamra Smith and Kareena K (21.0)
Jr Novice Rider: Michaela Smith and Cashmaker (28.3)
Sr Novice Rider: Nicci Guzzetta and Little Richard (23.9)
Novice Amateur: Michlynn Sterling and Crockanboy Dancer (31.7)
Open Novice: Amber Birtcil and Nadeche (29.7)
Jr Beginner Novice Rider: Ella Smith and Bittersweet 2 (29.4)
Sr Beginner Novice Rider: Caroline Sanoner and Fast In Love Z (30.6)
Open Beginner Novice: Lauren Billys Shady and Dicaprio Z (30.0)
Open Starter A: Mia Budelli and Armani (31.8)
Open Starter B: Gina Miles and Lightning (28.3)

Unionville H.T. (Unionville, PA): [Website][Scores]

$40,000 Brooke USA CCI4*S: William Coleman and Diabolo (27.5)
Precise Buildings CCI3*S: Ema Klugman and RF Redfern (28.8)
Back on Track CCI2*S A: Sharon White and Arden Augustus (26.6)
Back on Track CCI2*S U25: Meg Pellegrini and Gorgeous DHI (26.3)
Long Creek Wines CCI1*S A: Lillian Heard Wood and Cooley Maestro (28.9)
Long Creek Wines CCI1*S U25: Kelsey Seidel and Chico’s Man VDF Z (32.4)

University of New Hampshire H.T. (Durham, NH): [Website][Scores]

Modified: Fiona Kling and Kilbracken Blu (35.7)
Training: Erin Renfroe and Aim High (36.2)
Novice A: Ava Sprowl and Riot’s Veronica Mars (22.5)
Novice B: Eleanor McMahon and Tweezer (29.4)
Beginner Novice A: Rachel Greene-Lowell and American Epic (29.3)
Beginner Novice B: Nancy Roche and Saphyra (20.3)
Starter A: Anne Burkhardt and Sequel (27.0)
Starter B: Skyley Hudson and Yankee gentleman (34.7)

Twin Rivers Fall International Recap: Veterans and Rising Stars Shine

By on Sep 23, 2024 9:30 am -

James Alliston and Cora. Photo by Ride On Photo.

Cora’s four-star win with James Alliston in the mare’s first event at the level, along with Tamie Smith’s victories with her veterans Mai Baum at Intermediate and Kynan in the three-star, were highlights of the 2024 Twin Rivers Fall International in Paso Robles, California. Also, Get Wild and Gabriella Ringer won the CCI2*-S after capturing the CCI2*-L at this year’s Twin Rivers Spring International. Lauren Burnell returned to FEI competition with victory in the CCI1*-S aboard Freedom Hill after what she described as “a pretty intense hip surgery last October.” And, in the USEA’s Young Event Horse (YEH) qualifiers, Andrea Baxter and MBF Dig Deep won the 4-year-old division, and Amber Birtcil was one-two in the 5-year-old division with Zippity Doodah and Orpheus.

In the CCI4*-S, Cora clinched victory with clear jumping and adding 4.4 time penalties on cross country to finish on a score of 44.8. It’s been a quick rise for Alliston and the big 9-year-old bay Oldenburg mare (Commissario x La-Montana) since their first event together at Novice at the 2022 Twin Rivers Fall International. In 2024, they were reserve champion in the CCI3*-L at the Twin Rivers Spring International in April, as well as runner-up in the CCI3*-L at The Event at Rebecca Farm in Montana in July.

James Alliston and Cora. Photo by Ride On Photo.

“It was awesome,” Alliston said. “I’m really thrilled with how it went. She’s a nice horse, obviously, but you never know the first time you move up a level how they’re going to handle the bigger jumps. Everything is harder and all that, but she did really, really well. I was very impressed.”

Alliston also won the CCI4*-S at this event in 2023 with a 9-year-old bay Oldenburg mare in Karma (Escudo II x Travita). Karma would go on to make her five-star debut at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2024 and most recently finished ninth as part of the Defender U.S. Eventing Team at the CHIO Aachen CCIO4*-S in Germany.

“They’re both very careful; that’s the similarity,” Alliston said. “Obviously, Cora is a huge horse, sort of 18 hands, and Karma is more normal-sized, I would say 16.2. Karma is very fast tempo, high activity in the canter, fast tempo. Cora is so big that she has a big, huge stride but a slower tempo. She’s also fast to ride because she’s not strong; she doesn’t pull at the jumps. So, you can kind of not waste much time setting her up. She’s so huge that you can also do a step less in some of the lines in the show jumping and cross-country; you can easily take a stride out. They’re quite different to ride, opposite ends of the spectrum, but both very careful and both good jumpers.”

Alliston said he would point Cora to the Advanced level at Ram Tap in Fresno, California, in October, while Karma would wait to return to competition in 2025 with Kentucky as a five-star goal.

Tamie Smith and Kynan. Photo by Ride On Photo.

In the CCI3*-S, Smith finished one-two with Kynan (Envoy x Danieta) and Lillet 3 (S.I.E.C. Livello x Princess L), with both recording zero jump penalties and finishing within one point of each other. Kynan’s score was 30.0 in the 9-year-old bay Dutch Warmblood gelding’s first event since May. Lillet 3 finished on a score of 30.9 in the first FEI event for the 8-year-old dark bay Holsteiner mare with Smith. “Lillet” has won FEI events with two other riders—the CCI4*-S at Kristianstad in Sweden with Andreas Dibowski in 2024 and the CCI2*-S at Baborowko in Poland with Maj-Jonna Ziebell in 2023.

Smith also used the Fall International as the comeback event for her 2023 Kentucky five-star winner Mai Baum (Loredano x Ramira), winning the Intermediate level with clear jumping on a score 30.9, as a prep for the CCI5*-L at the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill next month.

“I had a super weekend with all of the horses,” Smith said. “The tracks were challenging, and the [Twin Rivers] team did a phenomenal job on the footing. The massive effort to get the footing right was evident, and I know I can speak for all of the competitors how grateful we are for the huge improvement that was made.”

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Ride On Photo.

In the CCI2*-S, Ringer and Get Wild won with a score of 28.6. The 20-year-old rider and 12-year-old bay Dutch Warmblood gelding (Plot Blue x Cantana) have been a team for more than six years since starting at Novice in 2018. They’ve now collected 18 blue ribbons in 39 events together.

“He made it feel easy out there, and there were plenty of challenging obstacles on this track,” Ringer said. “He was fast and jumped well. Since his win this spring in the CCI2*-L, we have just been trying to keep things consistent. It’s been my mission all season to be the rider he deserves, and we’ve taken big strides in that direction.”

Gabriella Ringer and Get Wild. Photo by Ride On Photo.

In the CCI1*-S, Burnell and Freedom Hill, a 14-year-old bay Irish Sport Horse gelding (Fernhill Vriend x Sallymount Clover), finished on their dressage score of 28.8. Burnell returned to competing in USEA-recognized events in March after more than 16 months. This was her first FEI event since 2021.

“I am so lucky to have the partnership that I have with my horse,” Burnell said. “It was tough on me having to take an entire year off figuring out what surgery I needed, so to win my first FEI show back makes me a bit emotional. He’s the best horse ever. He’s so steady and consistent. Just a dream to ride. He’s a true professional.”

Lauren Burnell and Freedom Hill. Photo by Ride On Photo.

The Fall International’s YEH competition showcased the next generation of potential FEI stars. In the 4-year-old qualifier, MBF Dig Deep, a bay Dutch Warmblood gelding (Golddigger x Amber) that Andrea Baxter acquired from the 2023 Goresbridge Go For Gold auction in Ireland, posted the best 4-year-old qualifying score in the country with 88.15, according to the USEA’s list of horses qualified for the Dutta Corp. USEA YEH Championships.

“I’ve never been so excited about a horse as I am for Dig Deep,” Baxter said. “He’s a super athlete with all the qualities to be a top horse. I bought him as another ‘easy button’ accident, but this horse is the real deal. I’m so excited.”

Andrea Baxter and MBF Dig Deep. Photo by Ride On Photo.

Baxter won the 2023 USEA YEH 5 Year-Old West Coast Championship with Camelot PJ (Colman x Hauptstutbuch Evita), with whom she finished ninth in the CCI2*-S at the 2024 Fall International. She was also sixth in the two-star with The Big Easy (Mr Lincoln B x PLS Hippo Q), the same placing “Yoda” had in last year’s 5-year-old championship, along with winning The Safe Harbor Award given to the 5-year-old with the most graceful and rider friendly performance throughout the competition. Baxter also rode the 7-year-old Adventure (Avos Jordan Z x Rockmount Lillie) in the CCI2*-S, finishing 12th.

“My other three are always battling for ‘which one is the best’ and I still can’t decide,” she said. “They are all so different but so cool.”

Amber Birtcil and Zippity Doodah. Photo by Ride On Photo.

Amber Birtcil, who had two of the top-five in the 2023 5-year-old West Coast championship, had the top-two in the 2024 Fall International’s 5-year-old qualifier with Zippity Doodah (Zirocco Blue VDL x Zolga’s Sundae) winning with 86.20 and Orpheus (Gerardus x Hiewitta) second with 86.15.

“They are both lovely great-brained 5-year-olds that I’ve really been enjoying producing,” Birtcil said.

Twin Rivers Ranch will host the Dutta Corp. USEA YEH West Coast Championships on October 25-26, with a Last Chance Qualifier on October 24. “It’s actually my favorite event all year,” Birtcil said.

The full list of winners from the 2024 Twin Rivers Fall International:

CCI4*-S: James Alliston and Cora (44.8)
CCI3*-S: Tamie Smith and Kynan (28.8)
CCI2*-S: Gabriella Ringer and Get Wild (28.6)
CCI1*-S: Lauren Burnell and Freedom Hill (28.8)
Open Intermediate: Tamie Smith and Mai Baum (30.9)
Open Preliminary: Sophie Tice and Viva La Vida (24.3)
Open Modified: Paige Beauchamp Crandon and Fyfin Ramiro (24.1)
Open Training: Tamie Smith and Kareena K (21.0)
Training Rider: Anna Brostrom and Girl of California (30.7)
Open Novice: Amber Birtcil and Nadeche (29.7)
Sr. Novice Rider: Nicci Guzzetta and Little Richard (23.9)
Jr. Novice Rider: Michaela Smith and Cashmaker (28.3)
Novice Amateur: Michlynn Sterling and Crockanboy Dancer (31.7)
Open Beginner Novice: Lauren Billys Shady and Dicaprio Z (30.0)
Sr. Beginner Novice Rider: Caroline Sanoner and Fast In Love (30.6)
Jr. Beginner Novice Rider: Ella Smith and Bittersweet 2 (29.4)
Open Starter A: Mia Budelli and Armani (31.8)
Open Starter B: Gina Miles and Lightning (28.3)
YEH-4: Andrea Baxter and MBF Dig Deep (88.15)
YEH-5: Amber Birtcil and Zippity Doodah (86.20)

Twin Rivers Fall International (Paso Robles, CA): [Website] [Scores]

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

By on Sep 23, 2024 6:53 am -

Here’s a cool opportunity for those of you in the Lexington, KY area! The University of Kentucky’s Eventing Team will be hosting a showcase at Valley View Farm consisting of a competition led by pro team members and mounted demos in an effort to fundraise for the upcoming Intercollegiate Championships at Stable View in the spring.

This Showcase will take place on October 6, and you can purchase tickets for $50 here.

US Weekend Action:

Heritage Park H.T. (Olathe, KS): [Website] [Results]

Honey Run H.T. (Ann Arbor, MI): [Website]

Meadowcreek Park Fall Social Event H.T. (Kosse, TX): [Website] [Results]

Twin Rivers Fall International (Paso Robles, CA): [Website] [Results]

Unionville H.T. (Unionville, PA): [Website] [Results]

University of New Hampshire H.T. (Durham, NH): [Website] [Volunteer] [Results]

Major International Event Results:

Blenheim Palace International H.T. (UK): [Website] [Results] [H&C+ Live Stream and On-Demand Viewing]

Your Monday Reading List:

Just in case you, like me, really need it this morning: here’s a miniature horse called Tony Smalls whose paintings can be bought in galleries and who once fathered an illegitimate child called Sugar Smalls. You’re welcome.

Blenheim’s jam-packed, beautiful event played out over the weekend, and while the main story was the almost show-stopping heavy rain that plagued the top ten’s showjumping efforts, one of the other big stories of the day was Tim Price’s first-ever win at the event. You can find out all about how he got it done in this report from our pals at Horse and Hound.

Over on H&H, there’s also news — released yesterday — of Louise Harwood’s fall at Blenheim. We’re sending all our best wishes to her for a speedy recovery.

An interesting read here from COTH on that elusive work-life balance. Can it be done? Is it possible to have it all? Are horses simply incompatible with a varied, relaxing life? Read the piece here and join the discussion.

Morning Viewing:

Why choose an OTTB? Here’s a few reasons:

Tim Price and Happy Boy are Singing in the Rain at Blenheim Palace CCI4*-L

By on Sep 22, 2024 2:53 pm -

New Zealand Olympian Tim Price produced a classic display of horsemanship when he posted his first win at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials in Oxfordshire, in the most dramatic of weather conditions.

The black clouds that had been threatening finally burst as the CCI4*-L neared its tense climax in the showjumping arena, but Tim’s mount, Susan Lamb and Therese Miller’s 12-year-old Happy Boy, was immaculate over the fences, despite the soggy conditions.

Happy Boy won the prestigious World Championship for Young Horses at Le Lion d’Angers, France (as a seven-year-old) in similarly damp weather on a grass surface. “I held that in the back of my mind as we were warming up,” said Tim. “I knew that he was athletic and that he was capable of it, and he’s a fighter. This has been fantastic. You don’t take these days for granted.”

Tim, a winner of Burghley, Pau and Luhmuhlen five-stars and the runner-up at Burghley last weekend, is the first New Zealander to triumph in the CCI4*-L at Blenheim since Andrew Nicholson in 1991. His wife, Jonelle, is a dual winner of the CCI4*-S.

British Olympian Daisy Berkeley tasted victory at Blenheim in 2006 and she almost did so again, a clear round on Camilla Case, Martha Ivory and her mother Caroline Dick’s Diese du Figuier elevating her from sixth to the runner-up spot.

“I’m thrilled with this horse,” said Daisy. “He’s so beautiful and athletic. I could hardly see through the rain and I was suddenly slipping in the saddle, but I just told myself to ride him like a good horse. He was superb, as he has been in all three phases.”

Germany’s Jérôme Robiné and Black Ice hit just one show jumping rail to finish third in what has been an impressive Blenheim debut. US rider Jenny Caras (Sommersby) and Calvin Bockmann (The Phantom of the Opera), another member of the German army, both jumped clear to rise to fourth and fifth respectively, while Alexander Bragg’s single rail down on Ardeo Premier dropped him to sixth.

Also for the US, Phillip Dutton and Denim finished eighth overall on a score of 41.5. Our Canadian representative Dana Cooke and Quatro finished 41st on a score of 69.3.

The CCI4*-S for eight and nine-year-old horses came to a thrilling conclusion when Irishman Padraig McCarthy riding Peter Cattell and Diane Brunsden’s MGH Zabaione clinched the win by just 0.4 of a cross-country time penalty – a mere second.

It was an Irish one-two, as the overnight leader, Georgie Goss on Kojak, who was last to go across country – the top 20 ran in reverse order of merit – rode valiantly across country in pouring rain and so nearly held onto the top spot.

Padraig, who lives in Devon and is married to the 2009 Blenheim winner Lucy Wiegersma, had only been 10th overnight and was unaware of his victory for some time as he was preparing to show jump in the CCI4*-L, in which he finished 14th on MGH Mr Messack, the only horse to finish within the optimum cross-country time.

The CCI4*-S has often been a pointer to future equine stardom – five former winners have gone onto five-star glory, including the dual Olympic gold medallist London 52 (with Laura Collett) – and Padraig describes the home-bred eight-year-old MGH Zabaione, by Zaball out of Viancara, as “the most complete event horse I’ve ever ridden. He has won at every level.”

Caroline Harris rode one of the quickest cross-country rounds, for 1.2 time penalties, to finish third on Cooley Mosstown. Piggy March, who won the inaugural running of this class, in 2009, was fourth on Dassett Arthalent and Sam Ecroyd, the only rider to achieve the optimum cross-country time, was fifth on Bloomfield Manuscript.

The Elite Stallions Cup for the highest ranking British Bred Horse in the eight and nine-year-old Championship went to Corimiro, ridden by Sarah Bullimore owned by Mr Brett Bullimore, Mr Bruce Saint, Christopher & Susan Gillespie.

“It has been another great weekend of competition, with thoroughly worthy winners,” said Event Organiser, Katrina Midgley. “We’ve seen some brilliant horsemanship from a truly international field, plus great support from owners, spectators, and our invaluable sponsors and volunteers. Roll on next year!”

Blenheim Palace International H.T. (UK): [Website] [Scores] [H&C+ Live Stream Replays]

Video Break: Take a Quick Tour of the New Barns at Kentucky Horse Park

By on Sep 22, 2024 10:00 am -

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Derek Braun (@derekabraun)

Split Rock Jumping Tour’s Derek Braun took to Instagram this week for an impromptu tour of the newly-constructed barns at the Kentucky Horse Park. While the Horse Park is of course used for competitions across disciplines, we’ll be especially keen to see some 4* and 5* horses stabled here next year for Defender Kentucky. Take a peek and get excited! Construction continues with plans to eventually redo all of the barns currently standing in the stabling area.

Sunday Links

By on Sep 22, 2024 12:29 am -

A check in with our most recent Burghley champion is a great way to start our Sunday, and here’s a look at Lordships Graffalo, the partner of Ros Canter in Paris and for her recent Burghley win, making the most of his vacation time. You earned it, Walter!

U.S. Weekend Events

Heritage Park H.T. (Olathe, KS): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scores]

Honey Run H.T. (Ann Arbor, MI): [Website] [Ride Times]

Meadowcreek Park Fall Social Event H.T. (Kosse, TX): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scores]

Twin Rivers Fall International (Paso Robles, CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer] [Scores]

Unionville H.T. (Unionville, PA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

University of New Hampshire H.T. (Durham, NH): [Website] [Volunteer] [Scores]

Major International Events

Blenheim Palace International H.T. (UK): [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Timing & Scoring] [H&C+ Live Stream]

Links & Reading

Learn about Show Jumping Course Design from the Experts at the 2024 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention

U.S. Dressage Team Multi-Medalist Suppenkasper to Retire from Competition

USEF Membership Alert: Altrenogest/Progestogen Use in Stallions and Geldings

Road To The Thoroughbred Makeover: Surviving A Nightmare

Great Images from the Paris 2024 Paralympics

Sacroiliac Joint Pain in Horses

Video Break

Scenes from a busy day of jumping at Blenheim Palace!

Liz Halliday Update 9/21: Out of the ICU

By on Sep 21, 2024 3:33 pm -

Photo by Shelby Allen.

Liz Halliday’s team has shared a new update on her status. Liz fell on cross country at the AECs on August 29 and has been on the road to recovery from a traumatic brain injury.

Further updates can be found on Liz’s website here.

“We are grateful to share that Liz has been moved out of the ICU and is making steady improvements as she prepares to transition to inpatient rehab to begin her therapy. The road to recovery from a severe traumatic brain injury is long, but Liz is showing her incredible strength and resilience every day.

We want to extend our deepest thanks to everyone who has reached out with messages of support and encouragement. Each note, photo, and video has brought immense comfort to Liz and her family and friends. We continue to read every message to her and show her the love pouring in from around the world.

This weekend, we invite you to take a #LapforLiz and hug your two- and four-legged loved ones a little tighter. Let’s keep the positive energy and support flowing as Liz takes on this next phase of her recovery. Your support means the world to us.

Thank you for being with us on this journey. Together, we’re all helping Liz reach each new milestone. #KeepFightingLiz”

[More Updates on Liz Halliday]

 

Happy Days for Tim Price after Blenheim CCI4*-L Cross Country

By on Sep 21, 2024 3:25 pm -

Tim Price and Happy Boy. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

The great New Zealand horseman Tim Price has yet to add the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials to his many accolades, but that could be about to change now that he has taken the lead in the CCI4*-L after cross-country with an exemplary round on Susan Lamb and Therese Miller’s Happy Boy.

“He was foot perfect,” said Tim, who is also lying eighth on CHIO 20. “I asked him quite a lot at fence five [the Blake Morgan Flyer] and he really stood off. I decided to take the long route at the top water at 15 [the James Hallam Insurance Brokers Water Complex] because he was travelling so beautifully. It’s a nice flowing course, especially if you ride up positively to the fences.”

The Dorset-based Kiwi, currently number seven in the world, has risen from fourth place after dressage to first with one of the fastest rounds of the day – just four seconds over the optimum time of 10 minutes 12 seconds. However, he does not have a show jumping fence in hand over German army rider and Blenheim debutant Jérôme Robiné, who has dropped one place to second with six time penalties on Black Ice.

“I was pretty happy with my round and I knew I was on the minute markers, but after the water [fence 15] at the top of the hill, I knew I needed to give my horse a breather,” explained Jerome.

It is all change at the top of the leaderboard. Fast, bold cross-country rounds have elevated Ireland’s Ian Cassells on Kellys Quality from 10th to third, Alexander Bragg (Ardeo Premier) from 26th to fourth and Aaron Millar (Count Onyx) from 20th to fifth. Daisy Berkeley, the 2006 winner, has moved up eight places to sixth on Diese Du Figuier and Zara Tindall rode a storming round on Classicals Euro Star to rise 20 places to seventh.

There were 46 clear rounds from the 75 cross-country starters, but only Irishman Padraig McCarthy, lying 15th on MGH Mr Messack, achieved the optimum time.

Germany’s Calvin Bockmann (The Phantom of the Opera) and Piggy March (Brookfield Future News) were both well placed going into cross-country, but had the misfortune to trigger the frangible rail at fence 17, the Isuzu Challenger. Jesse Campbell, who had been lying third on Diachello, retired after a run-out and there was a shock when Gemma Stevens, who looked set to take the lead with her committed riding on Jalapeno lll, had a frustrating glance-off at the penultimate fence.

Georgie Goss has retained her lead in the CCI4*-S for eight and nine-year-old horses with a beautiful clear showjumping round on Molly Fisher, Lucy Fleming and Samantha Wilson’s Kojak, a horse bought three years ago from the Netherlands, where he was competing only in dressage.

“I’ve been working with Ian Woodhead and Olivia Oakley, who was here to warm me up, and that has helped a great deal,” said Georgie, who now represents Ireland. “To have a two-point lead after dressage and show jumping at an event of Blenheim’s stature is amazing.”

For the U.S., Jenny Caras moved up to ninth place aboard Sommersby, adding 2.4 time penalties for a two-phase score of 34.6. Phillip Dutton and Denim remain in the top 20, adding 14.8 time penalties for a score of 40.7 and 19th overall ahead of show jumping.

The CCI4*-S cross-country action starts at 9.30am and the first section of CCI4*-L show jumping for the lower placed riders at 11.30am. Catch the exciting finales of both classes through Horse & Country. Keep track of live scores and results through Eventing Scores (www.eventingscores.co.uk). Tickets are still available to purchase at bpiht.co.uk

Blenheim Palace International H.T. (UK): [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Timing & Scoring] [H&C+ Live Stream]

Managing University and Horses from a Student’s Perspective

By on Sep 21, 2024 10:00 am -

By Jenna Levesque

Photo courtesy of Athletux.

It’s that time of year again. Leaves start to change colors, the horses start to grow their fuzzy coats, pumpkin spice lattes come back out, and classes start again. The caffeine count goes up, and the hours of sleep go down. Trying to compete at the upper levels while being a full-time university student is not easy, but I am here to tell you from personal experience, it is possible.

Four years ago, I committed to a small school in VA. Weeks before the move-in date I did the most typical thing an inspiring upper-level event rider could do, I deferred. At first for just one semester, and then shortly after for a second. I was devastated at the thought of leaving the program I have been so fortunate to work and be a student in.

While I continued to work full time as a working student for Caitlin Silliman, I was also completing college credits online. After completing my freshman year online, my parents then pulled the “we are going to sell the horse if you don’t go to University” card, and the “we are not joking this time” card. Still not wanting to move away from the opportunities offered as an eventer in Chester County, I found West Chester University. A mid-sized university located just 30 minutes away from the barn.

After figuring this out I decided to apply as a transfer student, got it, and accepted; all before even visiting the school and less than a month before classes even began. While terrified and still unsure of this change, I can confidently say that looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever could have made. Thank you, mom and dad, for threatening to sell my horse.

While now in my senior year of University, I have learned a lot about navigating school, competing at upper levels, and in my case still working part-time as a working student.

It’s not easy. I had a lot of people warn me of this, but I never thought it would be a problem for me as I had been a full-time working student for years before starting classes. I was used to working hard, putting in the hours, and being tired. I was wrong, it is in fact not easy. It takes a lot of adjustment, making mistakes, and learning from them.

When trying to work and compete at the upper levels, you are not a normal college student. Not every Thursday through Saturday is going to be spent at the frats or bars. You will not be able to stay up until past midnight hanging out with friends and still get up to go to the barn at 6am the next day, trust me I have tried and it’s not enjoyable.

You probably will walk through campus in breeches at some point, it’s inevitable. The hay and straw will follow you to class, and if you’re like me your hairnet might still be tied in when you sit down for your Management 202 lecture. At the end of long barn days or weekends away completing the last thing you want to do is sit down and study or complete assignments, but unfortunately that’s typically what needs to be done.

Although these past few years have been some of the busiest and most challenging of my life, I wouldn’t trade them for anything. During my time at university, I’ve forged countless new friendships, explored new activities, joined various clubs, and created lasting memories that I will treasure forever. While I’ve always been outgoing, my university experience has truly allowed me to grow and evolve, bringing me closer to the person I aspire to be.

If you’re considering attending university while still aiming to train/compete at the upper levels, I assure you it’s not only possible but also incredibly rewarding.

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

By on Sep 21, 2024 12:06 am -

Some major upgrades are underway at Bromont Horse Park in Bromont, Canada just to the east of Montreal. This project involves a teardown of the existing stalls in the permanent stabling and an upgrade to the footing in the barns, followed by a build of new stalls. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from this must-see/must-do event north of the border.

U.S. Weekend Events

Heritage Park H.T. (Olathe, KS): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scores]

Honey Run H.T. (Ann Arbor, MI): [Website] [Ride Times]

Meadowcreek Park Fall Social Event H.T. (Kosse, TX): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scores]

Twin Rivers Fall International (Paso Robles, CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer] [Scores]

Unionville H.T. (Unionville, PA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

University of New Hampshire H.T. (Durham, NH): [Website] [Volunteer] [Scores]

Major International Events

Blenheim Palace International H.T. (UK): [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Timing & Scoring] [H&C+ Live Stream]

Links & Reading

Core Memories from Classic Three-Day Events Across the Country

Is My Horse Bored? How to Recognize the Symptoms

Hot on Horse Nation – Hats Off For Helmets: How One Major Crash Changed My Approach to Helmets

British Combinations confirmed for The Le Lion D’angers Young Horse Championships 2024

WEC – Ocala is Expanding Equestrian Sports to Everyone

Sponsor Corner: World Equestrian Brands

Did you know you can now find Equipe saddles on World Equestrian Brands? The Selleria Equipe brand represents quality craftsmanship and attention to the detail, representing manufacturing excellence in Italy and worldwide. Each saddle is crafted to satisfy the demands of both the rider and the horse in their chosen equestrian discipline. Selleria Equipe combines this craftsmanship spirit with a great design and material innovation, using a revolutionary carbon fiber in the tree. [Click here to learn more]

Video Break

Ride between the ears around the Training level cross country at this year’s AECs in Kentucky!