Classic Eventing Nation

Fourth of July Sunday Links

By on Jul 4, 2021 12:01 am -

In case you missed it, we got some big news on Friday: despite the cancellation of both Badminton and Burghley, there will indeed be a British five-star this year as Bicton Arena in Devon, England has stepped up to host a one-off CCI5* event in September over the would-have-been Burghley dates. That means that this year we’ll be seeing a five-star at not one, but two (the other being Maryland) venues where there has never been one held before. Looks like we’re in for another unprecedented year, in a way. Tickets will go on sale soon, so mark your calendars for September 2-5!

U.S. Weekend Action:

Larkin Hill H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

The Maryland International + Horse Trials: [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Twin Rivers Summer H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Cobblestone Farms H.T. I: [Website] [Live Scores]

Great Meadow Mandatory Outing: [Results]

Sunday Links:

Volunteer at the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill

Eventing With Boyd Martin

Tales from Windsor: former five-star eventer Happy Times takes show ring by storm

The 2021 AEC is Two Months Away: Prizes, Parties, and More!

Versatile Michael Jung Reigns in CSI4* at Hubside

Sunday Video: Let’s revisit the Bicton 4*-L course and perhaps get a little glimpse of what’s to come.

Team USA’s Final Stretch Before Tokyo: Watch Action from Great Meadow

By on Jul 3, 2021 9:30 am -

Will Faudree and Mama’s Magic Way. Photo by US Equestrian/Taylor Pence.

If you missed out on any of the action from the US Equestrian/Team USA Mandatory Outing at Great Meadow this week, we’ve rounded up all the footage and social media we can muster to give you a binge-worthy collection to kick off your holiday weekend.

Joined by the star-studded U.S. team of Phillip Dutton and Z, Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z, Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg TSF and traveling reserve Doug Payne and Vandiver – along with seven alternate pairs and Canada’s Colleen Loach – competitors tackled the very intense new Olympic dressage test, an Ian Stark cross country track and a Chris Barnard show jumping course to test their mettle ahead of Tokyo. You can catch up on EN’s coverage of the Mandatory Outing here, here and here.

Here’s a look at some videos and social media from an action-packed week. The Tokyo-bound athletes will next stage in Gladstone, Nj. before flying to Aachen, Germany for quarantine next week. It’s getting closer!

Dressage:

Cross Country:

Show Jumping:

Wrapping up the US Eventing team mandatory outing with Mai Baum. #tsmitheventing #teamnle #USEventing #maibaim #eventing #Tokyo2020

Posted by Next Level Eventing on Friday, July 2, 2021

Final Press Conference and Remarks:

https://fb.watch/6vsOKLZ9vo/

And a photo shoot, just for good measure:

Saturday Links from Trefonas Law

By on Jul 3, 2021 12:01 am -

2019 Larkin Hill H.T. Training A winners Cassie Sanger and Ultra Violet. Photo by Joan Davis / Flatlandsfoto.

Alert! Alert! We have a schedule update for this weekend’s Larkin Hill Horse Trials in North Chatham, New York. Due to the nasty weather forecast for Sunday the 4th, the event will instead be held on Monday the 5th. The intro horse trials and dressage schooling show that was scheduled for today will be postponed to next Saturday, July 10th. For the most up-to-date details including course walk, refund, and stabling information check the Larkin Hill Facebook page.

U.S. Weekend Action:

Larkin Hill H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

The Maryland International + Horse Trials: [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Twin Rivers Summer H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Cobblestone Farms H.T. I: [Website] [Live Scores]

Great Meadow Mandatory Outing: [Results]

Saturday Links:

US Equestrian Announces U.S. Para Dressage Team for Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020

Replacement British five-star event to run over Burghley weekend

Andrew McConnon: Risk and Reward

5 Questions With Equine Anesthesiologist Dr. John Hubbell

Hot on Horse Nation: Standing Ovation: Radical Inclusivity at B.O.K. Ranch

Can’t get enough Olympics? Every Monday beginning July 5 and daily beginning July 28 through August 3, you can get all of the latest Olympic eventing news delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for EN’s Olympic Digest newsletter for free here.

Saturday Video: It’s mustang time! Our favorite mustang whistering event rider, Elia Wallace, stormed around the Beginner Novice at the Area III Championships held at Stable View last weekend. They finished on their dressage score in 5th place.

Trefonas Law is an immigration law firm located in Jackson, WY. We are able to provide advice and assistance on a variety of immigration issues including employment based visa services, athlete visas, family based immigration, among others.

Friday Video from SmartPak: Shepherd Ranch Battle of the Intro Paints

By on Jul 2, 2021 8:00 pm -

Olympics … meh. There’s nothing I savor more than a good ol’ fashioned Intro level showdown, and we got one recently at Shepherd Ranch Horse Trials in Santa Ynez, CA. The contenders:

Addie Churchill on Walle

AND Carole Lieberman on Gimli

On one hand, there are plenty of similarities: Spots, obviously. Also both horses’ modus operandi seems to be maximum chill-mode, which I can relate to. Why canter when you can trot, is what I always say. Meanwhile, both riders are on fire, getting the job done with a mix of sheer will and pony kicks.

Walle literally poops over fence #2 — I have definitely been on the brink of this on the front end of scary cross country courses, so that makes me love him even more. Poop aside, his ears are perpetually pricked, and thanks to Addie’s confidence-boosting encouragement he looks game as heck the rest of the course. Meanwhile, throughout the course Gimli seems to be scoping the sidelines for a beer garden and a shady tree — also very relatable, first round is on me, Gimli! — but Carol coaxes him through to glory at the finish flags.

It’s fun to follow Olympians on their path to Tokyo, but I’m always just as happy to watch budding eventers on the front end of their journeys into eventerhood. Keep up the great work, Addie and Carole. Your horses seem to really believe in you, and we believe in you both!

To those contemplating eventing: We might seem like an intimidating sport, but we’re really just one big family and we welcome you with open arms. The USEA is a great resource — check out their new member resources here — and you can always email us as well.

Great Meadow Mandatory Outing Show Jumping Recap: Bon Voyage, Team USA!

By on Jul 2, 2021 7:34 pm -

Will Faudree and Mama’s Magic Way. Photo by US Equestrian/Taylor Pence.

Seven of the 12 combinations contesting the Mandatory Outing for the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team posted a clear round at Great Meadow today. Among them: two out of three of our starting lineup for the Games, with the eventing competition set to begin in less than a month from today in Tokyo.

Boyd Martin jumped clear with Tsetserleg TSF, as did Phillip Dutton and Z. Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z had one rail, the vertical in the triple combination. Traveling reserve Doug Payne had a clear round with Vandiver; traveling alternates Tamie Smith with Mai Baum and Will Faudree with Mama’s Magic Way jumped clear as well.

A unique aspect of the Olympic Games format is that each combination jumps two show jumping rounds, with one counting toward the team score and the other toward individual ranking. This makes show jumping consistency doubly critical. Toward this end, the team has been working under the guidance of Olympic team gold medalist Peter Wylde, whom eventing chef d’equipe Erik Duvander says has “come in all guns blazing and has done a massive job this past year.”

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg TSF. Photo by US Equestrian/Taylor Pence.

“We are very, very grateful to have high caliber coaches helping us,” Boyd said after his ride. “I feel like Tsetserleg is in the best form of his life. Obviously, we tumbled at Kentucky this year but I think it’s made him better. He was brilliant out on the cross country, he was very eager to jump every jump and today he came out and jumped like a buck.”

“My groom, Steph works around the clock, and my wife Silva and the guys that work for me are incredible. I feel good — mentally stable, physically ready to roll. Here we come Tokyo.”

Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by US Equestrian/Taylor Pence.

Phillip remarked, “It’s been a great couple of days at Great Meadow, thanks to everyone who put this on. It’s actually a bit humbling watching all the riders here. Any one of those riders, you’d be proud to be on a team with.”

“I don’t think any of us are taking for granted the enormity of what we’ve got coming up in Tokyo. One, the competition is going to be very stiff and then the new format which is three on a team. Like Boyd alluded to, everybody put in a lot of work and effort. Not just us as riders, but there’s so many people behind us. [We’re] starting to feel pretty prepared and confident about our chances of doing really well.”

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z. Photo by US Equestrian/Taylor Pence.

Liz said, “This has been a great opportunity for the horses to get back out. They needed to go and do a real competition. Most of our horses hadn’t run since Kentucky which was nine weeks ago. I think the preparation was great.

“Deniro Z is feeling fantastic — he’s in great form and really fought for me yesterday. I made this outing just a goal to put in a confident place. It wasn’t about running around super fast or anything like that because I can trust that on the day. We are ready to work hard and do our best in Tokyo.”

Doug Payne and Vandiver. Photo by US Equestrian/Taylor Pence.

Traveling reserve Doug said of Vandiver, “Quinn jumped exceptionally well and I’m really happy with him,” and noted the extra coaching guidance from Peter: “I do think the great thing that Peter brings to the table is that he has a broad base of experience with a variety of different horses. Each preparation he brings to the different horses is completely separate and individual. I think he’s got a great feel for it, and it’s been a huge help.”

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by US Equestrian/Taylor Pence.

Tamie with Mai Baum and Will Faudree with Mama’s Magic Way will travel with the team to Aachen, Germany.

Elsewhere on the scoreboard, four-faulters included Buck Davidson with Carlevo and Lauren Nicholson with Vermiculus. Boyd had two rails with On Cue, and Sydney Elliot had three down with QC Diamantaire. Canadian Colleen Loach, who took a tumble from Quorry Blue d’Argouges on cross country yesterday, jumped a clear round today.

In summary, coach Erik said, “It’s been a long process and a lot of effort and sacrifice but I’m super proud to be leading this group of riders.”

Boyd Martin and On Cue. Photo by US Equestrian/Taylor Pence.

You can view cross country and show jumping results here; dressage scores were not made public.

Go Eventing.

 

Bicton to Host Burghley Replacement CCI5* in September

By on Jul 2, 2021 2:55 pm -

Photo by Hannah Cole.

Bicton Arena is having a big year already, having already stepped up to replace Bramham last month and offering the first British CCI4*-L of the 2021. Now it has been announced that the Devon, England, venue will host Britain’s only five-star horse trials this year, as both Badminton and Burghley were cancelled. The event will take place on would-have-been Burghley week, September 2-5.

From Bicton:

After an acclaimed first CCI4* in June, the Bicton team, led by Helen West and Andrew Fell, applied to the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) to run a replacement CCI5*L as a one-off to meet competitor and owner demand for a competition of this level after the unprecedented cancellations of both Badminton and Burghley due to the pandemic.

The Chedington Bicton Park 5* Horse Trials should prove a great boost to the sport after two difficult seasons and will be an opportunity to see the highest level of competition in this country for the first time in two years.

Bicton has again secured the generous sponsorship from Chedington,  plus a prize fund of €125,000.  The event will be live streamed by our supporting sponsor The Eventing Channel.  The hugely experienced international course-designer Captain Mark Phillips will be creating a new cross-country track,  built by Adrian Ditcham,  in Bicton’s beautiful Grade l-listed parkland.

Bicton Arena’s new Manager,  Andrew Fell,  who will be taking over from Helen West said,  “We are thrilled to have been given this opportunity by the FEI to ensure Britain has a five-star competition this year.  It should be a great morale boost after so much disappointment.  Bicton is the home of Lord & Lady Clinton who have been so supportive of the Sport and this will be an exciting time for Clinton Devon Estates.

“Bicton is already blessed with loyal supporters, great facilities and a stunning setting and we are now full steam ahead with our aim of producing a competition truly worthy of CCI5* status.”

Dr Geoffrey Guy of Chedington adds: “We have always felt that Bicton is a wonderful site that deserves to host a high level of international competition and are so pleased to be part of what will be a historic event.”

Helen West, Appointed Chief Executive for British Eventing and Advisor to Bicton Arena for the five-star event, comments, “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Bicton and the South West, following the success of the four-star event we put on earlier this year we know that we are ideally placed to make this a huge success.

“For me, this is a shining example of what can be achieved with a collaborative approach. This whole vision was fuelled by owners, riders and organisers alike who have worked tirelessly to get this off the ground. The recognition of this achievement comes at an important time for me as I step into my new British Eventing role. It is fantastic for the sport as a whole and I look forward to exciting times ahead.”

Limited numbers of spectator tickets will be available shortly.

[Bicton to Host Burghley Replacement CCI5* in September]

France Announces Tokyo Olympic Eventing Team

By on Jul 2, 2021 11:00 am -

Tom Carlile and Birmane. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

France joins the list as the latest to announce the team it will be sending to Tokyo for the postponed 2020 Olympics later this month. While the Reserve pair was not designated in the press release, the French riders who will be going to Tokyo are (in alphabetical order):

  • Thomas Carlile and Birmane (Vargas de Ste Hermelle – Royce de Kreisker, by Diamant de Semilly), 10-year-old Selle Francais mare owned by S.C.E.A. de Beliard
  • Christopher Six and Totem de Brecey (Mylord Carthago – Jessy Landaise, by Quouglof Rouge), 14-year-old Selle Francaise gelding owned by François Souweine and Juliane Souweine
  • Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut Gold HDC (Birkhof’s Grafenstolz – Belle Meralaise, by Verglas), 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding owned by S.A.R.L. Haras des Coudrettes
  • Thibaut Vallette LCL & Qing du Briot – IFCE (Eolien II – Henriette, by Etalon OR), 17-year-old Selle Francais gelding owned by L’Institut Francais du Cheval Et De L’Equitation

#EventerProblems Vol. 269 from Ecovet: The Funniest Eventer on TikTok, Part 2

By on Jul 2, 2021 9:00 am -

Earlier this week we introduced you Karla Parsons (@muddymayhem), the British eventer who has us doubling over in laughter with her hilarious (and true) TikToks. Because you can’t get enough, as promised, here is part 2! Be sure to go follow her and do a deep dive into her videos on TikTok here.

@muddymayhemWhere do they go though?? ##fyp ##NespressoTalents ##equestrian ##equestrianproblems ##equestrianvibes ##equestrianswillunderstand♬ Please Don’t Go – Mike Posner

@muddymayhemIt’s just between us, ok? ##fyp ##equestrian ##equestrianproblems ##eventersoftiktok ##eventer ##equestrianvibes ##equestrianswillunderstand♬ original sound – Bryanlicious2

@muddymayhemAnyone else getting the impression I HATE dressage 🤔 ##fyp ##equestrian ##equestriansoftiktok ##eventer ##equestrianswillunderstand♬ original sound – Tik Toker

@muddymayhemWhen you think about it…this is the action ##fyp ##Bossit2021 ##equestrian ##eventer ##eventersoftiktok ##equestrianswillunderstand ##equestrianbadbitch♬ Scream & Shout – will.i.am

@muddymayhemFeel that burning core…no stirrup torture! ##fyp ##equestrianswillunderstand ##horsesontiktok ##equestriansoftiktok ##equestrianstrong ##eventer ##dressage♬ Blank Space bridge – Kaylen

@muddymayhemI’m not saying I bear a grudge, but….##fyp ##equestrian ##horsesontiktok ##dressage ##eventing ##equestrianswillunderstand♬ My Heart Will Go On (sound) – TikTok Sticker ID

@muddymayhemI’m *pretty* sure a new saddle would help though…##fyp ##foryou ##equestrian ##equestrianvibes ##eventer ##eventersoftiktok ##equestrianswillunderstand♬ original sound – best clips

@muddymayhemI’m the main character – featuring Fomo ##fyp ##equestrian ##equestrianvibes ##eventer ##eventersoftiktok ##equestrianswillunderstand♬ Mariners Apartment Complex – Lana Del Rey

@muddymayhemOh c’mon us eventers all know what you guys think of us 😂 ##fyp ##eventersoftiktok ##eventinglife ##eventingfail ##equestrian ##equestrianvibes♬ There goes the crackhead – Matthew Daniel Gordon

Friday News & Notes from Horse First

By on Jul 2, 2021 12:03 am -

No shame in my crush on Mama’s Magic Way. Photo by Kate Samuels.

I haven’t been out at a competition yet this year, for a variety of silly reasons, so it was really nice to go to Great Meadow yesterday and watch some of our favorite pairs gallop around Ian Stark’s cross country course. I also had way too much fun taking photos, and I love going through all of them afterwards and examining everyone’s ridiculous jumping faces when they get splashed in the water jump. Don’t worry, riders, I didn’t post those. Publicly.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Larkin Hill H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

The Maryland International + Horse Trials: [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Twin Rivers Summer H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Cobblestone Farms H.T. I: [Website] [Live Scores]

Great Meadow Mandatory Outing: [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

It’s possibly the world’s longest continuously running event held on the same site, however that’s not Naracoorte Horse Trials’ only claim to fame. Its cross-country course designer, Wayne Copping, is a local legend whose expertise is world-class.Meandering through towering old red gums across picturesque farmland, Naracoorte Horse Trials’ cross country course — and its rich history — make the unique event a must-attend for those in south-eastern Australia. What started in 1975 as a junior three-day event has since continued to run for 46 consecutive years, all the while being held at the same property, Strathyre, with the same landowners. [The Going is Always Good at Naracoorte]

Despite its tiny population, New Zealand has developed an incredible pipeline of talent in Eventing in particular – between 1984 and 2000, New Zealand athletes won six of 15 Individual Olympic medals on offer as well as three Team gongs. Their top stars during this glorious period included two-time Olympic Individual champion Sir Mark Todd and 1996 winner Blyth Tait. Now New Zealand is looking forward to another Olympic Games with Eventing and Jumping athletes looking for success in Tokyo. [Local Heroes: New Zealand]

Israeli showjumping rider Daniel Bluman will not be attending the Tokyo Olympics due to an “administrative error”. His horse Gemma W’s ownership was incorrectly registered with the FEI as American rather than Israeli. According to FEI rules, horses must be registered by January 15th of the Olympic year with owners as the same nationality as the rider, and despite an appeal to the FEI Court, Daniel’s case was denied. [No Olympics for Daniel Bluman]

I’m as guilty as anybody of neglecting my paperwork for my equine business. Is reconciling your accounts on your monthly list of things to do? Between feeding the horses, teaching lessons and keeping everything at your farm organized, you should also be verifying your checking and saving accounts, plus any credit cards, as well as your PayPal or Venmo account each and every month. While we know everyone is busy and adding one more thing to the list can seem overwhelming, if your answer was no, let us explain why it should be right up there at the top of your priority list, along with feeding the horses. [Reconciling Your Accounts]

What kind of cross country rider are you? Do you plan out every approach on cross country, and count all your strides? What do you do when something goes amiss? Are you a fair weather rider or a rough and tumble take-no-prisoners hurricane warrior? Only Lucinda Green’s quiz will be able to tell you! [Take the Quiz]

Can’t get enough Olympics? Every Monday beginning July 5 and daily beginning July 28 through August 3, you can get all of the latest Olympic eventing news delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for EN’s Olympic Digest newsletter for free here.

HORSE FIRST know that finding the right supplement can be difficult. Whether you’re looking for a calmer horse, stronger hooves or supple joints, you’ll be sure to find what you’re looking for within our product range. HORSE FIRST use only the highest quality active ingredients and are renowned for being some of the most tailored and advanced supplements on the market – “Made by horse people for horse people.”

Volunteer Nation: 6 Events That Could Use Some Help This Weekend

By on Jul 1, 2021 5:30 pm -

Fair Hill showed its hard-working (and sometimes sopping wet!) volunteers a lot of love after their starter trials last weekend, recognizing them with individual on-the-job photos on the @fairhillint Instagram feed. What a great example of giving credit where credit is due!

What are your plans for this weekend? Hopefully the weather will be a little nicer where you are, and you can strike out to your nearest event to do some volunteering.

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 Recognized Events

Mandatory Outing and Preparatory Event for the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team (June 30th, 2021 to July 2nd, 2021)

Twin Rivers Summer Horse Trials 2021 (June 30th, 2021 to July 3rd, 2021)

2021 Maryland International (CCI-S 1*2*3* plus HT) (June 24th, 2021 to July 4th, 2021)

Larkin Hill Summer Horse Trials (July 1st, 2021 to July 5th, 2021)

Unrecognized Events

IEA Leg Up Schooling HT (July 2nd, 2021 to July 3rd, 2021)

Pine Hill GHCTA Schooling Horse Trials (July 3rd, 2021 to July 4th, 2021)