What happens when you put over 200 horse-and-rider combinations into a CCI4*-S? A lot of things, really — including a journalist and photographer with a memory card absolutely brimming with photos, all of which would like to see the light of day on this here eventing website. And so, dear readers, we bring you the second of our Who Jumped It Best? extravaganza’s from England’s Aston le Walls, which stepped up to the big leagues earlier in the week to take on the classes ordinarily hosted at Chatsworth.
On Saturday, we looked at the Protexin Table, a wide, forgiving single fence sandwiched between the penultimate and final combination on course. This time, we’re going to look at what came immediately before it – the last of the Greenwich brushes.
This penultimate combination at 19ABC was comprised of a skinny brush fence — the Voltaire Design Brush — which was followed by two reasonably narrow brush fences with solid ground lines that prevented a deep approach. All three fences were situated on a curving left-handed turn, with four positive strides between the A and B element and three between the B and C. Upon landing, riders had to continue that positive, forward stride to the Protexin table. Here’s a look at Tom Jackson tackling the combination, which saw no faulters through the day:
Now it’s time for you to cast your eye over a selection of horses and riders as they pop out over 19C. Who do you think makes the best overall picture over the jump? Take a look, pick your favourite, and then scroll down to cast your vote.
Alex Hua Tian and Don Geniro. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Andrew Nicholson and Swallow Springs. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
David Doel and Ferro Point. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Emma Hyslop Webb and Darrant. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Harry Mutch and HD Bronze. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Jessica Campbell and Aghalaan Wee Dan. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Katey Cuthbertson and Incognito IV. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Laura Collett and Mr Bass. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Oliver Townend and MHS King Joules. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Simon Grieve and Drumbilla Metro. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Toshiyuki Tanaka and Swiper JRA. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
It was another action-packed weekend of eventing with, count ’em, ten USEA-recognized events running all throughout the country.
This week, our Unofficial Low Score Award winners are James Alliston and Get Wild, who won their Preliminary division at Galway Downs on a score of 17.4. This is a personal best for the 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. Congratulations!
Also, a shout-out is in order for one of our Amateur’s Corner writers, Area IV’s Nancy Fronczak who picked up the win in their Open Novice division at Mill Creek Pony Club on a finishing score of 33.6. You can read about Nancy and her awesome hardworking amateur life here.
Open Intermediate: Amy Ruth Borun and Vitalis (33.5)
Open Preliminary A: Kelly Ransom and Heart of Hollywood (27.0)
Open Preliminary B: Hannah Sue Burnett and Stakkato Bronx (25.2)
Preliminary Rider: Emily Shilling and Enchanting Class (37.3)
Open Training A: Isabelle Bosley and Woodstock Argo (23.6)
Open Training B: Caroline Martin and Galwaybay Blake (24.3)
Training Rider A: Will Rowland and Over Rider (35.2)
Training Rider B: Melissa Micai and Hugo Boss (30.0)
Novice Rider A: Michelle Clark and Zues (29.1)
Novice Rider B: Alana Moro and Southern Star (27.4)
Open Novice A: Lee Maher and Here and Now (23.8)
Open Novice B: Isabelle Bosley and FourFields Classek (29.5)
Jr. Beginner Novice: Gianna Fernandez and Excel Star Vero Amore (28.1)
Beginner Novice Rider: Tara Astacio and Money to Burn (25.7)
Open Beginner Novice: Deborah McWhirter and Fernhill Fine Diamond (25.0)
Open Intermediate: Lauren Billys and Castle Larchfield Purdy (26.5)
Open Preliminary: James Allison and Get Wild (17.4)
Preliminary Challenge: Taren Hoffos and Regala (25.0)
Preliminary Rider: Addison Johnson and Regal Promise (33.1)
Jr. Training: Adelaide Rudkin and Confetti 42 (37.4)
Open Training: Nicholas Cwick and Balou Print (28.3)
Sr. Training: Kristin Terris and Rathcash Olympia (32.6)
Training Challenge: Shelby Murray and Reverie GWF (27.4)
Jr. Novice: Shelby Murray and Sonik Mambo No. 5 (27.9)
Open Novice A: Chloe Smyth and Guinness on Draught (29.3)
Open Novice B: Bari Boersma and Chattachoochoo (26.2)
Sr. Novice A: Astrid Gardner and Broctane (35.7)
Sr. Novice B: Jordan Chase and Wellington (34.0)
Jr. Beginner Novice: Amber McKain and Burton Hill (29.2)
Open Beginner Novice: Chloe Smyth and Baker Street Irregular (28.6)
Sr. Beginner Novice A: Amanda Jane and To the Moon and Back (31.4)
Sr. Beginner Novice B: Kate Flaherty and Eli’s Coming (31.6)
Open Introductory: Carole Lieberman and Gimli (35.6)
And that’s a wrap for our Spring Horse Trials of 2021!
Taren Hoffos & Regala took the lead in our Preliminary…
Modified: Jocelyn Have and Cadbury VT (30.2)
Training: Barbara Fitch and Donte (30.0)
Novice 1: Julie Howard and Isn’t She Sweet (29.3)
Novice 2: Danielle Downing and Shannonbay CoCo (26.9)
Beginner Novice 1: Robert Piro and Sallymount du Cruise (34.4)
Beginner Novice 2: Margaret Doherty and Bring It On (34.2)
Open Preliminary: Bruce Davidson Sr. and Invito (31.2)
Preliminary Rider: Mckenna Martinez and Commitment (60.8)
Modified: Martin Douzant and Fernhill Melody (28.3)
Open Training: Ainsley Hagen and Risque S (35.2)
Training Rider: Jhett Jenkins and Hint of Gold (33.2)
Novice Rider A: Rachel Narrow and Nui (26.6)
Novice Rider B: Kate Thresher and Silver Bop (30.7)
Open Novice A: Courtney Olmstead and Eliza Do A lot (24.8)
Open Novice B: Jan Byyny and Layla LFS (27.4)
Beginner Novice Rider: Lauren Allen and FGF Bob’s Wired (29.0)
Open Beginner Novice: Edward Ewbank and Dolly (28.5)
Open Preliminary A: Buck Davidson and Cerafino D (23.9)
Open Preliminary B: Jean Thomas and Magic John (28.8)
Preliminary Rider: Erin Wages and Semisonic Rembrandt (32.5)
Open Training A: Joe Meyer and Ardeo Harlequin (26.4)
Open Training B: Joe Neyer and Fernhill G.I. Joe (22.1)
Training Rider: Tracey Corey and Super Nova (26.2)
Novice Rider A: Kyla Tovar and Mighty Smart (26.2)
Novice Rider B: Melissa Sheffield and Vego (27.6)
Open Novice A: Callia Englund and Boss Indy (28.4)
Open Novice B: Alan Montemayor and Sebastian (24.2)
Beginner Novice Rider: Brenda Hutton and WYO Dun Maid (22.5)
Open Beginner Novice: Brie Seltser and CzechMate (24.4)
Starter – Intro A: Meghan Richards and TN Anonymous (28.9)
Stater – Intro B: Shannon Norris and Baseline (33.9)
Open Preliminary: Julie Wolfert and Cloud Nine (31.1)
Training Rider: Morgan Taylor and Cat’s Causeway (35.0)
Training Open: Jana Lyle and Heavenly SCF (34.3)
Novice Junior: Paige Borylo and Talisker (34.3)
Novice Open: Nancy Fronczak and RendezVous (33.6)
Novice Rider: Audrey Plummer and Sydelle (40.2)
Novice Senior: Jamie Hill and Amaretto (32.1)
Beginner Novice Junior: Meredith Cornstubble and Sage (31.3)
Beginner Novice Open 1: Jordan Payton and Set In Stone (31.3)
Beginner Novice Open 2: Makinley Neill and D’stinctive (30.8)
Beginner Novice Senior: Clare Walker and Danger Mouse (30.8)
CT – Beginner Novice: Abbey Clark and Smokin Star (44.8)
CT – Starter – Green As Grass: Logan Ostergard and Happy (36.6)
CT – Starter – Open: Keira Stubbs and Fancy That (33.0)
Starter Jr/YR: Brady Schneider and KS Bluestem Cimarron B (42.7)
Starter Open: Mallory Stiver and Danger Zone (32.3)
What a fun weekend at the Mill Creek Pony Club Horse Trials. The rain held off for cross country which made for perfect…
Open Intermediate: Stephanie Goodman and Drs Resolute (43.9)
Open Preliminary: Karen O’Neal and Clooney 14 (22.4)
Open Modified: Marc Grandia and Alchemist II (22.2)
Jr. Training: Dane Padgett and Cafe Noir (22.9)
Open Training: Ghislaine Hoban-Taylor and Mt. Whitney (27.1)
Training Amateur: Brianna Lerner and Horton (36.7)
Jr. Novice: Stella Wright and Balladeer Kilbrickens Lad (28.3)
Novice Amateur: Jacquelene Rivers and Jett Stream (33.5)
Open Novice: Meika Decher and Verily (22.9)
Beginner Novice Amateur A: Sarah Shear-Starbird and Written in the Stars (31.2)
Beginner Novice Amateur B: Kim Day and WHF West Point (32.5)
Jr. Beginner Novice: Gwen Ott and PF Thorn (31.4)
Open Beginner Novice: Sarah Sullivan and La Copine (25.0)
Introductory A: Isabelle Gellner and Crown Indigo (31.9)
Introductory B: Juli Collier and Chasing Alpenglow (35.0)
Future Event Horse 2 Year Old: Serena Carlson and Ivy League (76.5)
Future Event Horse 4 Year Old: Louise Leslie and Cnick Cnack JJM (82.1)
Future Event Horse Yearling: Briella Gates and Raynbeau Russano (70.5)
Young Event Horse 4 Year Old: Sarah Sullivan and La Copine (79.0)
Young Event Horse 5 Year Old: Brooke Phillips and JL’s Dartagnan (80.9)
Open Intermediate: Forrest el-Effendi and Get Rhythm (47.6)
Open Preliminary: Megan Sykes and Tennessee Whiskey (40.8)
Preliminary Rider: McKinsey Wickman and Chabadu (39.9)
Preliminary/Training: Alyssa Craig and OT Bandini (37.5)
Jr. Training Rider: Ellis Dillard and Normandy’s Coles’ Clover (32.3)
Open Training: Lauren Hoover and Atlanta VII (29.5)
Sr. Training: Rachel Kiczuk and The African Queen (27.7)
Training Horse: Lauren Lambert and Biscotti (31.4)
Jr. Novice: Elle Snyder and Fernhill Bijzonder (27.1)
Novice Horse: Laura McEvoy and Visconti (24.1)
Open Novice: Vienna Allport and Caramel Macchiato (27.6)
Senior Novice: Cecily Peters and Tomgar Conspiracy (31.0)
Jr. Beginner Novice A: Stella Mallett and Windchill (31.3)
Jr. Beginner Novice B: Charlotte Bigby and DaVinci (26.8)
Open Beginner Novice A: Nicole Hawley and Casper the Friendly Horse (30.8)
Open Beginner Novice B: Karen Kruse and Código (31.0)
Sr. Beginner Novice A: Miranda Gallegos and King Henry (32.3)
Sr. Beginner Novice B: Madison Pietrzykowski and Harris Tweed (29.0)
Introductory A: Heather Joslyn and Jackpot (34.8)
Introductory B: Joan Cleveland and Parade in Brazil (32.3)
Introductory C: Christina Ntafos and Code Red (23.0)
We’ve officially got ourselves an event horse! Presto conquered Texas Rose this weekend with Megan Sykes and was a very…
Preliminary: Brooke Molde and Goundwork (45.8)
Training: Maria Temperini and The Flying Dutchman (31.2)
Novice A: Emily Garside and Heathen’s Gold n’Blue (24.5)
Novice B: Ashley Johnson and Tully Sparrow (24.8)
Beginner Novice A: Lydia McKenzie and Elderglen’s Top Secret (34.2)
Beginner Novice B: Rachel Bitsko and Well Al Be (23.1)
Beginner Novice C: Heather Krysty and Renoir (22.9)
Beginner Novice D: Lisa Boncosky and Tenses Carlos (28.3)
Starter A: Hannah Fifik and Heart of Gold HOF (32.8)
Starter B: Laura Podboy and Part of the Plan (29.7)
Preliminary: Pip Hayes and So Cool (38.3)
Training: Nikki Gai and High Note (43.0)
Novice: Marissa Nielsen and Louie14 (28.3)
Jr/YR Beginner Novice: Elle Francis and Be Mine (30.0)
Open Beginner Novice: Eileen Morgenthaler and Chicago GS (33.6)
Jr/YR Introductory: Sati Sowa and Chocolate Rocket Man (33.1)
Open Introductory: Zabou Cullum and Lisbane Flame (33.6)
Starter: Melissa Bohlmann and Fancy Pants (35.0)
Look, I’m an easygoing sort of gal about most things, but after spending most of the past week consistently soaking wet, and after hearing countless horror stories from friends who needed to be towed INTO events, I’m ready to put my foot down on behalf of Britain’s eventers. Dear, darling sun, please come back so that we can all get back to moaning about the ground being too hard. Many thanks in advance.
National Holiday: It’s Norway’s Constitution Day. Happy birthday, Norway. You don’t look a day over 21.
US Weekend Results:
Galway Downs Spring H.T. (Temecula, Ca.): [Website] [Results]
Fair Hill International H.T. (Elkton, Md.): [Website] [Results]
Hitching Post Farm H.T. (South Royalton, Vt.): [Website] [Results]
Hunt Club Farms H.T. (Berryville, Va.): [Website] [Results]
Five internationals took place over the weekend: Tamborine and BarastocNaracoorte Horse Trials in Australia each ran classes from CCI2*-S through CCI4*-S, while New Zealand hosted the Taupo International, running long format classes from CCI2*-L through CCI4*-L. Denmark’s Kalundborg ran from CCI1* to CCI3*-L, and Minsk in Belarus delivered classes from CCI2*-L to CCI4*-S.
While results from most of these events are still forthcoming, the New Zealand Three-Day Event at Taupo has wrapped up with some very worthy winners. The CCI4*-L went the way of Olympian and dairy farmer Matthew Grayling and Trudeau. Matthew has previously won championship titles here before in the two- and three-star classes, both aboard Parklane Hawk, later a five-star champion for William Fox-Pitt.
The CCI3*-L was taken by Shannon Galloway and the ex-racehorse Day Walker, both of whom have battled enormous obstacles to get to this point: Day Walker was struck down by a mystery illness after running the four-star at New Zealand’s Horse of the Year Show, and it was unclear whether he’d return to competition. He did, thanks to the enormous efforts of Shannon and the team around her, but as they got back into the swing of things, a brush with an electric fence resulted in the horse kicking Shannon in the head and necessitating 13 stitches. We suspect this big win will put the ups and downs of the last few months to bed for this pair.
Finally, the winner in the CCI2*-L championship was fourteen-year-old Scout Lodder and Money Shot, owned by her mum. This is the first year that Scout has been old enough to be eligible for the class, and Scout, who has only ridden the nine-year-old gelding for six months, was awed and emotional at the result — as was her mum, Dannie, who had to give up riding after a number of health complications. “He is quite special because he got me through when I had my brain haemorrhage – he was the first horse I rode after that. He helped me through my worst times,” she says of the gelding. Those who know Scout weren’t at all surprised by her victory — she first made waves on the circuit when she won a pre-novice (105cm) class full of adults at just ten years old. Undoubtedly a star of the future.
Your Monday Reading List:
It’s an odd Olympic year, but an Olympic year nonetheless — but what does that look like for team chef d’equipes? British Performance Manager Dicky Waygood shares his view, and his backstory, with British Eventing Life. [We Talk To…Richard Waygood]
We all know the sport’s superstars — but how about the lower-level riders who dream every bit as hard? Like high school senior Isabel Lopez, who’s busy preparing for her first recognised event at Fair Hill with her OTTB, Emmie. They’ve got a great story, and we’ll certainly be rooting them on! [“If you don’t set the goal, you will never get there!”]
Waredaca has announced the return of their Road to the Three-Day Challenge series. If your bucket list includes ‘jump steeplechase fences and have the most fun EVER’, you’ll want to check this one out. [Waredaca Announces Their Classic Three-Day Challenge]
And finally, meet Hall of Fame showjumper Adolph Mogavero, whose sparkling career took him from the racetrack to the top of the jumping leaderboards in the mid-20th century. [The Stylish and Versatile Adolph Mogavero]
Every episode of the Worldwide Tribe podcast is beautifully crafted, poignant, and enormously educational on the grim realities of the refugee crisis. Host Jaz O’Hara, whose family has expanded to include several young refugees, takes a person-first approach to looking at a complex topic, and gives marginalised people the space to tell their own stories. Sometimes, we all need a dose of perspective — and this will give you all that and more.
I’ve been dreaming of passport checks, duty-free browsing, and that wall of heat that hits you as you step off the plane somewhere temperate — and Yassine, who runs beach-riding experiences in Essaouira, Morocco, is guilty of fuelling most of those daydreams. My travel bucket list has a new entry.
Morning Viewing:
It’s not eventing, it’s eventing’s weird cousin who shows up to the family reunion, spikes the punch, and somehow fashions together a slip-n-slide from tarps, bricks, and washing up liquid. Never change, combined driving.
Equestrian Australia has announced the deaths of two horses at two separate events this weekend. One rider was reportedly transported to a hospital, and the other is confirmed to be safe. At this time, no information has been provided as to the nature of the deaths and whether or not they were falls and/or fence-related.
One horse death occurred in the CCI4*-S division at Naracoorte Horse Trials in South Australia. The federation issued the following statement:
Equestrian Australia has become aware that earlier today during the Naracoorte Horse Trials CCI4*S an incident has occurred.
The rider is stable and has been transported to hospital, however the horse passed away immediately.
In accordance with EA-FEI event SIMP and Critical Incident Management Plan, incident response protocols were followed. More information will follow in due course.
Our sincere condolences to the rider (owner) and all other relevant parties.
Andrew Hamilton (Acting CEO)
The second death occurred in the CCIN1* at Tamborine Equestrian Group One Day International Event. Equestrian Australia issued the following statement:
Equestrian Australia has become aware that earlier today during the Tamborine Equestrian Group One Day International Event CCN1* an incident has occurred.
It is confirmed that the rider is safe, however the horse has passed away. The horse has been respectfully removed to a private and secure location.
In accordance with EA-FEI event SIMP and Critical Incident Management Plan, incident response protocols were followed. More information will follow in due course.
Our sincere condolences to the rider (owner) and all other relevant parties.
Andrew Hamilton (Acting CEO)
Update: May 17, 9:00 a.m. EST
Equestrian Australia has released updated statements regarding the two horse deaths that occurred. The statements read as follows:
Equestrian Australia (EA) would like to advise, that Laura Rae, has returned home safely yesterday following the incident at Tamborine Equestrian Group One Day International Event.
The horse Laura was riding affectionally known as ‘Bob’, passed away from a cardiovascular incident.
EA would like to commend and thank the Serious Incident Management Team who responded to this incident promptly and who diligently took care of the rider, the horse and all first responders.
Support continues to be provided to all relevant parties.
Equestrian Australia (EA) would like to advise, that Usman Khan, the rider transported to hospital yesterday following the incident at Naracoorte Horse Trials Event, was discharged from hospital last evening.
The horse Usman was riding called ’Kasheer’ (aka Benny), passed away from a proximal cervical fracture.
EA would like to commend and thank the Serious Incident Management Team who responded to this incident promptly and who diligently took care of the rider, the horse and all first responders.
Support continues to be provided to all relevant parties.
Ellis and her friend Senna, very excited and nervous for their first show. Photo by DeAnn Long Sloan.
I’ve never been one for participation trophies or ribbons — even at the earliest stages of competition. I always thought it was my rather competitive nature. After all, I was raised by a man who would ask, “Why bother playing if you’re not trying to win?” This was in reference to card games, boardgames, team sports and any other competition one might enter.
Now, his point wasn’t that you shouldn’t play if you couldn’t win, but that the objective of competition was, of course, to come out on top. Looking back, I don’t think he would have disagreed with the sentiment that being second just meant that you were the first loser, but that’s a discussion for another time.
But here’s the thing: even though winning was valued and pushed, we were still taught to be good sports. We were taught that being a sore loser is unacceptable and being a sore winner is even worse.
As a lifelong competitor, I’ve always placed extreme emphasis on good sportsmanship. I can remember very clearly the times I have fallen short as a sportsman, and I still feel a rush of guilt when I recall them. Fortunately, those times have been few and far in between. As a coach, I tried to instill in my athletes the importance of good sportsmanship both on and off the court (I coached volleyball players, not equestrians). And as my oldest child begins her competitive career — albeit at the entry level — I try to make sure I am instilling the same in her.
Looking on, waiting for her turn. Photo by DeAnn Long Sloan.
However, it wasn’t until recently that I really thought about how to go about instilling this idea of good sportsmanship and grit in my kids. As a coach, it was easy (haha — “easy”) to sell it as a program philosophy and culture: We don’t gloat when we win. We don’t speak poorly of our opponents. We keep our heads held high and shake our opponents’ hands after the match no matter what the outcome. It didn’t matter what the players said in the locker room or what their parents told them in the car on the drive home: as a program, we were classy and exuded sportsmanship. This is what we do. Easy enough.
It’s a lot different when you’re trying to coach your own kid to become the competitor and the sportsman you know she can and should be. It was only after watching her struggle in her first schooling show (one where she actually had a full class and not everyone would pin) that it occurred to me that there is only one way to really teach your child to be a good competitor: Let your child lose.
You don’t learn to be good winner until you know what it’s like to lose after working hard and trying your best. You don’t know what it’s like to accept that sometimes your current skillset isn’t enough to come out on top until you lose. You don’t know what it’s like to go back to practice or back to the arena or back to your horse determined to work harder, learn more and do better until you lose. You don’t really understand the feeling of accomplishment that comes with winning something until you lose.
As a parent, instilling all those values is hard.
I stand by my opening line about not believing in participation trophies, but here’s the thing. When it’s your kid waiting for the judge to call her name to retrieve a ribbon for her walk/trot over crossrails class and you see her face fall every time her number isn’t called (especially when the judge mistakenly reads three numbers that are all in the same series as hers), it’s hard. And you find yourself really really hoping for a ribbon for your kid, even though you watched the class and know she missed her diagonals when other kids didn’t. You still want your kid not to suffer the heartbreak because you know she tried really hard and she’s just learning about diagonals in the first place. You find yourself thinking that maybe participation ribbons — just this time, just for the first show — wouldn’t be so bad. Or at least I did.
But here’s the other thing: that heartbreak, that difficulty — it’s necessary. It teaches your child about grit and determination and working harder during lessons so that she gets the right diagonal next time. It teaches your child that even though she’s disappointed with how she did, she still needs to tell her friend congratulations, thank the judge for her time and thank her coach for all her help and hard work. It teaches your child that she still needs to pat her horse, give him a carrot and tell him he’s a good boy after every ride. It teaches your child that tomorrow is another day and another chance to work harder, learn more and focus on improving upon your weaknesses.
Ellis on Jack, her noble OTTB lesson steed. She got her diagonal during this particular shot. Photo by DeAnn Long Sloan.
It also opens the door for discussions about the value of having gone into the arena to compete at all and the importance of doing it again. It opens the door for discussions about judged events and the importance of controlling what’s within your control and accepting the judge’s or the referee’s call. It gives you the chance to tell your child that you’re proud of her for her effort and the work she put in, whether or not she earned a ribbon. And, if your child is at all dramatic like mine, it opens the door for discussion about how someone else’s success over yours doesn’t mean the other person cheated or somehow got something she didn’t deserve — it leads to discussions about focusing on and improving yourself.
And those tears in the back seat of the truck on the way home? Well, they teach that there’s a lot of medicine in some Dunkin’ Donuts or an ice cream cone.
So, let your child lose. It’s probably the best lesson she’ll get.
She did finally pin in one class, but if you look closely, you can see the tears behind the mask (which she refused to remove because she was so upset). Photo by DeAnn Long Sloan.
After essentially a whole spring season away from home, Tamie Smith has finally returned back to her home base in California. While Mai Baum got to fly home in style after his five-star debut at Kentucky, Tamie still had a little work left to do at Jersey Fresh last weekend with two horses in the 3*-L and another two in the 4*-L. Once that was over, she made the 40+ hour trek back to the west coast. Now that’s a road trip!
It’s that time again, folks: time, indeed, to don your Simon Cowell caps and pick your favourite superstar from an enviable line-up of options. This time, we head to England’s Aston le Walls, the inaugural CCI4*-S at the much-loved venue that stepped up to replace Chatsworth after its cancellation. Today, we’ll turn our beady eyes to the Protexin Table, a beefy standalone fence that served as a quick let-up fence between the tricky penultimate and final combinations on course.
But don’t think for a moment that this table was part of a long, easy galloping stretch — instead, it came up fast after competitors had navigated a three-part line of brushes, and the table was close enough to it that it almost rode like a related distance. Throughout the day, we saw a variety of rides to it — those who tried to hold for a stride, and those who planned ahead and were able to land from the previous hedge galloping onward, taking the table in their stride easily. Once they were over it, there wasn’t much ground to cover before they found themselves at the final combination, which was the most influential of the day and required maximum rideability and focus.
And so, with that in mind, meet your candidates. Then, scroll to the bottom of the page and cast your vote for the pair you think jumped it best.
Piggy March and Brookfield Quality. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Emilie Chandler and Gortfadda Diamond. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Caroline Harris and Falko TH. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Gemma Tattersall and Chilli Knight. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Harry Dzenis and My Eastwood Brightside. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Harry Meade and Tenareze. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Imogen Murray and Ivar Gooden. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Rosie Fry and True Blue Too II. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Tina Cook and Billy The Red. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Vittoria Panizzon and Super Cillious. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that anyone who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can participate in indoor and outdoor activities, large or small, without wearing a face covering/mask or physically distancing. An individual is considered to be fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer, Moderna, etc.), or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson). If you have not been vaccinated yet, and are looking for a place to do so, click to find a vaccine.
Based on this very encouraging news and the rapidly changing guidance from national health authorities, effective immediately, USEF is amending the COVID-19 Action Plan to align with the CDC announcement. At a minimum, competition organizers and all persons at USEF-licensed competitions are required to follow state and local regulations for face coverings/masks and social distancing. In the absence of state and local regulations, USEF recommends compliance with the CDC guidelines. Competition organizers are able to impose stricter requirements at their discretion.
Personal responsibility is essential, as competition organizers are not required to verify vaccination status. Let’s all continue to act responsibly and keep our sport open, and our nation moving forward in a positive manner.
A few reminders as we move forward:
• Be patient with and respectful of competition organizers, competition staff, and licensed officials as competitions transition to this new protocol. Adjustments may not be immediate and competition organizers are able to impose stricter requirements at their discretion.
• Competition organizers must post and communicate to competition staff, competitors, officials and spectators the COVID requirements under which their competition will operate.
• Anyone who is not fully vaccinated must exercise personal responsibility and wear a face covering/mask wearing and continue to practice social distancing and frequent hand washing.
We would like to acknowledge and thank our members, competition organizers and their staff, licensed officials, the USEF staff, and the entire equestrian community who effectively implemented the COVID-19 Action Plan over the past year, helping to ensure a safe environment for competitions and participants.
A fully updated version of the USEF COVID-19 Action Plan will be posted to the USEF website no later than close of business on Tuesday, May 18.
Yesterday we learned of the passing of the celebrated show jumper Judgement ISF, Crown who was laid to rest at the age of 29 at Iron Spring Farm where he was bred. “Judgey” broke barriers for North American-bred jumpers and with Beezie Madden in the irons he represented the US on 10 Nation’s Cup teams, winning gold in 2007 and 2008, among many other accolades. When he retired back to Iron Spring Farm at the age of 18 he had garnered nearly $1.5 million in prize money. Our hearts go out to all who loved this incredible athlete. [A Tribute to Judgement ISF (1991-2021)]
If you’re producing a young horse with the hope of making a successful eventer down the line, you’ve likely felt the pressure of getting it all ‘right’ when training for cross-country. It’s all about those fine lines, after all — and the fine line of building communication and partnership without dampening his innate fifth leg, that inbuilt ability to self-preserve, is probably at the forefront of your mind.
This super instructional clip from Cathy Wieschhoff will give you some great ideas for beginning your youngster’s training in a way that helps him figure it out for himself safely and successfully — and all you need is a lunge line and a bank to play with. Happy training!
