It’s about that time of year when we decide to get all nosy on you collect some information about our awesome readers. We know you have many choices when it comes to your news and ridiculousness source for all things eventing, so we appreciate you and want to make sure we are giving you the best chinchilla-powered awesomeness we can muster!
So with that in mind, we’d love it and would be endlessly grateful if you’d take a few minutes of your time to fill out our ‘Gallop’ Poll for 2021. This information will be kept anonymous and helps inform our content and marketing decisions. After all, EN is for YOU, the riders and readers who spend time with us each day.
As a token of our thanks, by filling out the survey and leaving an email address, you’ll be entered to win one of three YETI Eventing Nation-branded mugs. They’re pretty sweet, as our Patreon supporters can attest to!
The Gallop Poll will stay open through the end of the month and we appreciate your responses. This should take no more than about 10 minutes to complete, at most.
Go Eventing!
Can’t see the embedded form below? Use this link to visit and fill out the Gallop Poll.
Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class. Photo by Shelby Allen.
It’s getting into list season, eventing fans, and we’re busy keeping tabs on all federations sending combinations to Tokyo this summer for the postponed 2020 Olympic Games. Great Britain is the first to jump into the fray with their long list of Nominated Entries announced this morning; as a reminder, we’ll see some big new changes to the Olympic eventing format this year, most notably the reduction of team numbers from four combinations to three, plus a traveling reserve pair. To read up on the format changes enacted in 2018, click here and here.
From the following list of nine nominated combinations, Great Britain will narrow down to their final traveling team of three plus one, helmed by British Eventing World Class Eventing Performance Manager Dickie Waygood and Performance Coach Chris Bartle, by June 28.
British Equestrian and the British Eventing Selectors can today confirm the nine eventing athlete and horse combinations, plus three reserves, that will be submitted to the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) as our nominated entries for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Only the combinations who appear on the nominated entries list (closing date 21 June 2021) may be put forward to the British Olympic Association for selection to the Games.
Nominated entries, listed in alphabetical order by athlete surname:
Rosalind Canter (35) based in Hallington, Lincolnshire, with Caroline Moore and her own Allstar B (bay, gelding, 16yrs, 17hh, Ephebe For Ever x Erkstein, Breeder: FAJ Van der Burg NED)
Laura Collett (31) based in Salperton, Gloucestershire, with Karen Bartlett, Keith Scott and her own London 52 (bay, gelding, 12yrs, 16.3hh, Landos x Quinar, Breeder: Ocke Riewerts GER)
Pippa Funnell (52) based in Dorking, Surrey, with Marek Sebestak and her own Majas Hope (bay, gelding, 14yrs, 16.1hh, Porter Rhodes x Flagmount King, Breeder: Jack Murphy IRL)
Kitty King (38) based in Chippenham, Wiltshire, with Diana Bown, Sally Eyre, Samantha Wilson and Sally Lloyd-Baker’s Vendredi Biats (grey, gelding, 12yrs, 16.2hh, Winningmood x Camelia de Ruelles, Breeder: Phillipe Brivois FRA)
Piggy March (40) based in Maidwell, Northamptonshire, with John and Chloe Perry and Alison Swinburn’s Brookfield Inocent (bay, gelding, 12yrs, 16.3hh, Inocent x Kings Servant, Breeder: John Mulvey IRL)
Tom McEwen (30) based in Stroud, Gloucestershire, with Fred and Penny Barker, Jane Inns and Ali McEwen’s Toledo de Kerser (bay, gelding, 14yrs, 16.1hh, Diamant de Semilly x Papillon Rouge, Breeder: Kerstin Drevet FRA)
Harry Meade (37) based in West Littleton, Wiltshire, with Mandy Gray and his own Superstition (bay, gelding, 12yrs, 16.1hh, s. Satisfaction FRH, Breeder: Eva Meier GBR)
Oliver Townend (38) based in Ellesmere, Shropshire, with Karyn Schuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan’s Ballaghmor Class (grey, gelding, 14yo, 16.2hh, s. Courage II, Breeder: Noel Hicky IRL)
Nicola Wilson (44) based in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, with James and Jo Lambert’s Bulana (black, mare, 15yrs, 16.3hh, Tygo x Furore, Breeder: S van Dellen NED)
Reserve nominated entries, listed in alphabetical order by athlete surname:
Sarah Bullimore (48) based in Keysoe, Bedfordshire, with the Kew Jumping Syndicate, Brett Bullimore and her own Corouet (chestnut, gelding, 10yrs, 15.2hh, Balou du Rouet x Lovis Corinth, Breeder: Sarah Bullimore GBR)
Ben Hobday (33) based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, with Jane Chamber’s and his own Shadow Man (chestnut, gelding, 11yrs, 17hh, Fidjy of Colors x Winningmood van de Arenberg, BEL)
And subject to successfully completing a confirmation event,
Oliver Townend (38) based in Ellesmere, Shropshire, with Angela Hislop’s Cooley Master Class (bay, gelding, 16yrs, 16.2hh, Ramiro B x Master Imp, Breeder: John Hagan IRL)Selection decisions are subject to the athlete and horse maintaining fitness and performance, and this list may be amended at any point up to 21 June 2021.
The selected squad of four combinations to travel to Tokyo, plus reserves, will be announced on 28 June 2021.
We’ll continue to keep you abreast of any and all team updates as the Tokyo Olympics draws closer. Go Eventing.
As the proud caregiver of a mare who ‘assumes the position’ (begs for scratches while curling herself up like a question mark) every time I lift my hand to take a photo, I related hard to Laura Collett and London 52‘s Insta vs Reality. Come on, Dan, give us a smile!
National Holiday: It’s National Brother’s Day. Tell yours he looks like a monkey and he smells like one too, but do it with love.
The continental European eventing circuit has been on fire over the weekend, with internationals on the go at Belgium’s stunning Arville, the base of Kai-Steffen Meier and Lara de Liedekerke-Meier; Italy’s Montelibretti; and Russia’s Dubrava.
Arville, which is a much-loved four-star venue, hosted its ‘introductory international’, with friendly, encouraging classes and courses at CCI1*-Intro, CCI2*-S, and CCI2*-L. Germany took top honours in the CCI2*-L, won by Christina Schöniger and Schoensgreen Continus. They climbed from second after each of the first two phases to the eventual win after two-phase leaders Eva Terpeluk and Uni’s Black Pearl, also from Germany, dropped a rail. That also allowed yet another German pair – Gesa Staas and St Stacy — to move into second.
Meanwhile, another German took the win in the CCI2*-S. Young Rider team gold and individual bronze medallist Ann-Catrin Bierlein and Qula M finished on their dressage score of 30.1, allowing them to take the win after sitting in second throughout the competition. Belgium’s Tine Magnus and Champagne Pia Z climbed from tenth to second, while dressage leaders Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and her 2020 Le Lion d’Angers mount Origi finished in third after adding 0.4 time in the showjumping and 0.8 across the country. Finally, the CCI1*-Intro went the way of Belgium’s Jarno Verwimp and Hilton, who climbed from sixth to first place despite a remarkable offensive by Germany’s Julia Krajewski, who finished with three horses in the top five.
Italy was teeming with eventing action, with Montelibretti hosting long- and short-format classes at every level from CCI1*-Intro through CCI4*-L, including a special CCI2*-L for ponies.
The feature CCI4*-L class was duly taken by Italian rider Pietro Sandei and his five-star campaigner Rubis de Prere, who led the dressage on a score of 30.8 but dropped down to second after cross-country when they picked up 11.6 time penalties. But the course and the time would both prove tough, and of the nine cross-country finishers, they were still the second fastest – and so, in jumping the only clear showjumping round of the final day, they were able to regain their lost ground and take the victory. Second place went to fellow countryman Emiliano Portale and Aracne dell’Esercito Italiano, who produced the fastest cross-country round of Saturday’s competition, while third went to Susanna Bordone and Walvis Bay.
The CCI4*-S, too, stayed in the hands of the home country, with Susanna Bordone moving up from second after the first phase to take — and hold — the lead aboard Imperial Van De Holtakkers. Switzerland’s Felix Vogg and Cartania finished in second place, stepping up from fourth after producing one of the fastest cross-country rounds of the day, while dressage leaders Geoffroy de Jamblinne and Consequent Pia Z of Belgium finished in third place.
Finally, Russia’s Dubrava hosted CCI1*-Intro, CCI2*-L and CCI3*-S classes as well as the Sverdlovsk aya Oblast’ regional championships and a three-day seminar and practical workshop for aspiring stewards and technical delegates. But that’s all we know, folks – results for the event are harder to find than unicorn poo.
Your Monday Reading List:
Following her own extraordinary success in the Magnolia Cup, young amateur jockey and Ebony Horse Club rider Khadijah Mellah has joined forces with Oil Bell and Naomi Lawson to launch the Riding A Dream Academy, named for the documentary that followed her journey from Brixton to the finish line. The Academy will provide two extraordinary opportunities to young riders from underrepresented communities: a scholarship programme that will give riders a chance to spend a week in Newmarket and a year under the auspices of a mentor, and a residential week that will encourage new riders to take up the reins. [New academy gives children from under-represented communities chance to pursue racing dream]
If there’s anything that’s more universally baffling to riders than self-carriage, I haven’t found it yet. This interesting and informative primer looks at the concept from a number of different angles and should help the idea sink in. Maybe. [Principles of Horsemanship: Part Seven — Self Carriage]
A new ban on travel from the UK to Germany could spell bad news for Luhmühlen entrants. Those affected? 41 British riders in the CCI5*, plus the last two winners of the event and a number of other British-based Kiwis and Aussies – plus a slew of CCI4*-S entrants. [Germany’s ban on UK travellers casts doubts over whether Brits can ride at Luhmühlen]
I refuse to believe there’s a single EN reader who hasn’t accidentally punched themselves in the face while doing up a girth. There are some embarrassing experiences that are just universal, frankly. [Embarrassing Mistakes All Riders Have Made]
Have you heard? We just launched an epic giveaway in partnership with SmartPak to get you all kitted out in rain/mud gear. For your chance to win over $400 worth of rain-ready gear, you’ll definitely want to check out this fun contest here.
Bravo to the carrot-toting social media manager behind the Longines Global Champions Tour account. Ahh, to be a travelling carrot escaping the plague island that is the UK…
Morning Viewing:
Take a trip to Aston le Walls CCI4*-S with Ashley Harrison and Zebedee:
Copper Meadows Eventing will host their 2nd annual Fundraising event June 5-6, 2021. The Copper Meadows Fundraiser was a great success in 2019, and we look forward to an even bigger event this summer. All funds raised to go improvements to our facilities, cross country course, and both our recognized and unrecognized events: 2019 funds allowed for Copper to add footing to our main dressage competition arena, as well as the warmup, and we added a bank to our show jumping warm up arena to benefit our derbies! Join us with an All-Inclusive weekend pass, which gets riders access to unlimited judged dressage tests, show jumping rounds, and cross-country schooling, as well as a dinner June 5th with an impressive silent auction and live raffle.
Grand Prix dressage riders Terri Rocovich and Tiffany Silverman will be on site judging dressage tests June 5 and 6, respectively, with times spaced 8 minutes apart to allow for feedback after each test. There will be a long and a short court available, and the arena will be open to Eventing and USDF tests. Show jumping will run by level, with courses designed by FEI show jump designer Jose Nava. Cross-country will be show prepped: flowers, flags, and footing drug for schooling. Local trainers will be on site and available for help with schooling all weekend, please visit our website to see a list of trainers who are attending.
The All-Inclusive Pass is $350 for both days or $200 for one day; each option includes the Saturday night dinner catered by Nutmeg Cafe. Additional dinner tickets can be purchased for $20/each. Raffle tickets are 5 for $20, raffle ticket purchasers do not need to be onsite to win raffle items! We will broadcast the raffle live on Facebook: buy tickets via Venmo and tune in live to see what you win! Great silent auction items available for bid, including: An incredible riding, dining, and lodging package from Lavender & Olive, a Horse Trials entry to a future Copper Meadows recognized event, lessons from our area’s top coaches and riders, MMA lessons from a UFC Ultimate Fighter winning athlete, autographed collectibles from 5* eventers, and so much more.
Visit our website to download the Fundraiser entry form, payment via Venmo is accepted, as well as checks and credit cards, please contact Taren with questions: [email protected]; 858-610-1693; Venmo @Taren-Hoffos.
We can’t wait to see May Coldren zipping around in her brand new Gator at the Maryland Five-Star this fall! Mary is the competition director of Maryland, which will run for the first time later this, and has been a long time, very dedicated volunteer at Fair Hill for many years. Out of many deserving nominees of the John Deere “Share How You Care” Contest which celebrated positive impacts made through horses and equestrian sports, Mary was selected as the winner. Congratulations, Mary!
Have you heard? We just launched an epic giveaway in partnership with SmartPak to get you all kitted out in rain/mud gear. For your chance to win over $400 worth of rain-ready gear, you’ll definitely want to check out this fun contest here.
Merel Blom and Rumour Has It N.O.P. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
We’re sad to report that Merel Blom‘s Rumour Has It N.O.P. has passed away following an extraordinary career and a short, happy retirement.
“With a deep sadnesses I have to announce that my biggest friend Rumour has It passed away,” said Merel in a statement on her Facebook page (May 18). Though Merel didn’t “I’m incredibly sad that it wasn’t meant to be to enjoy a long and happy retirement for Rumour at my yard. Rumour meant the world for me. Thanks for all the amazing adventures, Sjimmie.”
Merel Blom and Rumour Has It NOP (NED). Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Both Merel and ‘Sjimmie’ have been stalwart members of the Dutch eventing team, representing their country at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caën, where the team finished in bronze medal position, and again in 2018 at Tryon, where they finished 16th individually. They would notch up a top-twenty finish in the Rio Olympics in 2016, too, as well as contributing to a strong team finish at the 2015 European Championships at Blair Castle.
Merel Blom and Rumour Has It at Luhmuhlen. Photo by Julia Rau.
“It went very quickly. Last night he got colic, last night it seemed to be going in the right direction, but this morning he got into shock and we decided to put him to sleep. The chance of success of an operation was very small and the prospects afterwards were not good either,” said Merel in an interview with the Dutch federation. “Then it is very sad, but then you also have the task of choosing the interests of your horse. It hurts a lot, and I would have liked to have given him a long retirement, but it was not meant to be.”
The Holsteiner gelding (Esteban xx x Onara, by Candillo) completed 34 international competitions before his retirement was announced after the CCI4*-S at Luhmühlen in 2019. Beyond his many championship appearances, Sjimmie also enjoyed clear rounds at six five-stars, with his best results coming at Pau and Badminton; he finished 13th at the French five-star in 2012 and nabbed the same result at Badminton in 2014.
That exceptional Pau result was the five-star debut of both horse and rider, and won then-26-year-old Merel and nine-year-old Sjimmie the HSBC Bursary for the best level debut of the competition. Remarkably, Sjimmie had only been eventing for two years at that point; Merel had bought him as a six-year-old with some jumping experience in Germany and, alongside studying for her degree in law and finance at Rotterdam University, produced him through his career change. En route to that career-defining five-star debut, they completed Bramham and represented the Netherlands at Aachen, too.
All of us at Team EN extend our deepest sympathies to Merel and all of Sjimmie’s connections.
Stopping for a mid-hunter pace snack. Photo by Shana Rantala.
From an equestrian perspective, this past week has looked a lot different for me than from this time last year. I’m sure many of you can say the same! After over a year with nothing much to work towards and nowhere to go, it felt so nice to recently be able to get out and about not once but twice. First, all that hacking we’ve been doing in the off season paid off as my pony and I easily completed a hunter pace and had a blast doing so. Then a couple days later we had our first lesson back with our trainer in over a year! Little by little, things are getting back to normal.
Have you heard? We just launched an epic giveaway in partnership with SmartPak to get you all kitted out in rain/mud gear. For your chance to win over $400 worth of rain-ready gear, you’ll definitely want to check out this fun contest here.
As we inch ever-closer to the Olympics in August, the debate both for and against the running of the Games is heating up – and we’re starting to see some unexpected takes from athletes, too. In the wake of Canadian showjumper Eric Lamaze withdrawing himself from consideration due to his own medical concerns, Swiss superstar Steve Guerdat has spoken up about his own concerns in a short interview with AFP News Agency.
“Is it okay to vaccinate athletes knowing that there are not enough vaccines around the world and that people are dying every day who could have perhaps benefitted from the vaccines that we are going to keep for the athletes?” he asks, confessing that grappling with the issue has been quite literally keeping him up at night.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on the Games and the vaccination conundrum. Do you think it’s morally questionable for them to run, or do you think the world needs the positive rallying point the Games provides? Jump in the comments and share your views.
Smiles like that are their own sort of reward. Can you take some time to volunteer this weekend? Here are four events that are seeking volunteers.
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.
Sometimes in the horse world, you have to take pleasure in the small things of every day life, because the never-ending daily work of it can get tiring. Right now, and I know this sounds silly, but in Virginia it’s been cool and we’ve had what I call a blackberry spring, and at the moment, all the blackberry bushes and the honeysuckle are blooming at the same time. I’m lucky enough to have access to a few thousand acres of wilderness hacking, and there is nothing more satisfying than taking a ride down by a river in the shade and smelling the honeysuckle and the blackberries. Like I said, it’s the little things.
Spring Gulch H.T. (Highlands Ranch, Co.): [Website]
News From Around the Globe:
Seven horses are in the running for the Holekamp/Turner Grant for Le Lion Championships this fall. Camarillo is the only horse in the U.S. with full qualifications already under his belt, but six more horses are on his heels looking to get that travel grant. American-bred horses receive $17,500 to travel to Le Lion, while horses bred outside of the US receive $8,000, thus incentivizing U.S. breeding programs for promising young horses. Read about each horse here.
Have you heard? We just launched an epic giveaway in partnership with SmartPak to get you all kitted out in rain/mud gear. For your chance to win over $400 worth of rain-ready gear, you’ll definitely want to check out this fun contest here.
Holly Hudspeth has been around some of the biggest eventing tracks in the world, but now she knows the real meaning of nerves as she watches her 9-year-old daughter Hailey tackle eventing at the lower levels. Paired with the unicorn Cookies N’ Cream, the duo recently picked up their first win at the maiden level at the Carolina Horse Park for the War Horse Series. For some seriously cute photos and an adorable story, look no further. [Young Eventer Follows in Five Star Mom’s Footsteps]
Gypsy Vanner horses aren’t something we usually think about in the eventing world, but now they’re a subject in the equestrian community at large. The Gypsy Vanner horse has become the subject of recent online debate as the sensitivity of the term “Gypsy” faces a cultural reckoning. But getting to the bottom of the name—and whether it harms or helps the people it describes—is a thorny issue with an extraordinary history at its heels. [Is It Time for Gypsy Vanner’s To Find a New Name?]
Events
