Classic Eventing Nation

Saturday Links

By on May 29, 2021 12:01 am -

Here she is, the stadium at the Equestrian Park in Setagaya City, Tokyo! This arena, which sits in a rather metropolitan area alongside the Tokyo University fo Agriculture, will play host to the Olympic Equestrian events (with the exception of the cross country phase, of course). The stadium actually already has an Olympic legacy, as it was originally built for the 1940 Olympics, which were canceled because of World War II, and then were used for the 1964 Olympics. In 2019 the park was completely overhauled in preparation for 2020 2021 and in the future it will be used for events by the Japan Racing Association.

As excited as we are to finally be able to get these Olympics underway, our excitement is dotted by trepidation over the COVID situation in Japan. Just yesterday, it was announced that the country’s state of emergency would be extended until a month before the Olympics are scheduled to begin. We very much hope that the Games go well, but out thoughts are with the people of Japan also.

U.S. Weekend Action:

Virginia International H.T. (Lexington, Va.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]  [Live Scores]

Spring Coconino H.T. (Flagstaff, Az.): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Equestrians’ Institute H.T. (Elum, Wa.): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

May-Daze at the Park H.T. (Lexington, Ky.): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Mystic Valley Hunt Club H.T. (Gales Ferry, Ct.): [Website]

The Spring Event at Woodside (Woodside, Ca.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Saturday Links:

Will Faudree Opens Up About Antigua, His Horse Of A Lifetime

A Course for All Seasons

Tamarillo’s clone takes his first eventing win: connections feel he has five-star potential

Three Days Left to Enter SmartPak’s Mud Madness Giveaway!

The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team Withdraws From Compiègne Nations Cup

Have You Filled Out the 2021 Eventing Nation ‘Gallop’ Poll Yet? Win a YETI EN Mug!

Saturday Video: Happy 100th Birthday, FEI!

Kitty’s Sitting Pretty: Houghton Dressage Update and Gallery

By on May 28, 2021 6:57 pm -

Kitty King and Vendredi Biats seal the deal for the overnight lead. Photo by Hannah Cole.

For all our talk yesterday about the joy of watching the soon-to-be-superstars of the eventing circuit make their mark on the leaderboard, as overnight leader Jilsonne van Bareelhof did for China’s Alex Hua Tian, today’s best efforts were delivered by some very familiar names indeed.

Though Jilsonne van Bareelhof – or ‘Chocs’ – remains firmly in contention on his score of 24.3, he couldn’t quite cling onto his lead today when Kitty King and top horse Vendredi Biats inched into the top spot with a 24. It’ll come as no surprise to avid watchers of the sport that ‘Froggy’ threw down a great mark; the expressive and charismatic Selle Français gelding, who won Bramham CCI4*-L in 2019, has consistently proven himself a force to be reckoned with in this phase. But nevertheless, Kitty has walked away from nearly every test feeling as though not everything went quite to plan — until today.

“There’s always one little something that’s annoying, but today we didn’t have one of those ‘somethings’, so that was much better,” says Kitty, who was recently named to the British Olympic squad long list with the gelding. “We’re nearly getting there, so that’s good. It was great ground for him to work on, and I was really happy with him; he did his changes well and it was really solid, which is what we’ve been working at with him – just going in and consistently getting those solid performances.”

William Fox-Pitt and Little Fire. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Slotting in behind yesterday’s leaders is William Fox-Pitt and his five-star partner Little Fire, who put a 25.4 on the board. This marks the third consecutive sub-26 score for the 12-year-old gelding, who finished ninth at Badminton in 2019 and missed out on a placing at this month’s Aston le Walls CCI4*-S by dint of 10.8 expensive time penalties. We’ve watch him get increasingly extravagant in his movement as he’s gained in strength and experience, and today’s performance was a real clear round for the natural performer.

Sarah Bullimore and Conpierre. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Sarah Bullimore and Conpierre, who had originally been aimed at Luhmühlen before Germany’s ban on UK travellers, produced a tidy test for 27 and overnight fourth, despite some minor lapses in the connection early in the test. Like many of his rerouted compatriots, he’s now likely to head to Bicton for his next run, where Bramham’s CCI4*-L and CCI4*-S classes will be run. Joining him there will be provisionally fifth-placed Therese Viklund and Viscera, representing Sweden and sitting on a 27.5 in this tough marking class.

Today’s update is a markedly short one, because this phase isn’t quite over yet – we’ll be revisiting the dressage arena tomorrow morning for one short, final session in which the three Nations Cup teams will throw down their first-phase efforts. Then we’ll head into showjumping through the afternoon — so stay tuned for plenty of in-depth updates on the action.

Until then, Go Eventing!

The top ten after the second day of dressage in Houghton’s CCIO4*-S.

Houghton International and Nations Cup: Website | Times and Live Scores | Course Preview | EN’s Coverage | EN’s Instagram | EN’s Twitter

Team USA Reacts to Announcement of Tokyo Olympic Eventing Selections

By on May 28, 2021 2:54 pm -

We were treated to an earlier-than-usual announcement of Team USA for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, which were postponed from their original dates in 2020 to run in July and August of this summer. The eventing will take place from Thursday, July 30 through Monday, August 2 in Tokyo, Japan and the U.S. team is as follows:

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and Z, a 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned by Thomas Tierney, Ann Jones, Caroline Moran, Simon Roosevelt, and Suzanne Lacy

Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (Lexington, Ky.) and Deniro Z, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Ocala Horse Properties

Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Luke 140, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by The Luke 140 Syndicate

  • First Direct Reserve: Tsetserleg TSF, a 14-year-old Trakehner gelding owned by Christine Turner, Thomas Turner, and Tommie Turner
  • Second Direct Reserve: On Cue, a 15-year-old Selle Français mare owned by Christine Turner, Boyd Martin, Thomas Turner, and Tommie Turner

Traveling Reserve:

Doug Payne (Aiken, S.C.) and Vandiver, a 17-year-old Trakehner gelding owned by Debi Crowley, Doug Payne, and Jessica Payne

We caught up with the three team members and traveling alternate for their reactions to the news:

Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Phillip Dutton

At the age of 57, Phillip Dutton once again proves that age is no more than a number as he looks ahead to his seventh Olympic Games. He first competed at the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996, representing Australia and helping the team earn a gold medal aboard True Blue Girdwood. His first Olympics as a member of Team USA was Beijing in 2008. In 2016, Phillip earned individual bronze with Mighty Nice. This year he brings forth the 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding, Z, as his partner for Tokyo. Acquired from Portugal in 2015, Z would go on to be Phillip’s 2018 World Equestrian Games partner and collect numerous top placings at the four- and five-star level.

“(All of my horses are) on a trajectory, whether it’s this cycle or the next one, but it’s good timing for Z,” Phillip said. “Obviously last year I felt ready, but this year is even more so and he’s getting better and improving and hopefully can be a real asset to the U.S. team. I think he’s improved on a lot of things, little parts of each phase and so I think it’s been a beneficial time for him.”

As for it being his seventh Olympics, Phillip says it still gives him as much of a thrill as it did the first time. “It’s a great honor and privilege,” he said. “This will be my seventh Olympics and it still hasn’t altered from the first time: I’m really humbled and privileged to be selected to represent my country and I’ll be doing everything I can to make sure that we don’t let anyone down.”

Boyd Martin and Luke 140. Photo by Conklin Photographic.

Boyd Martin

This will be the third Olympic appearance for Boyd Martin, who first represented the U.S. in 2012 at the Games in London. He was also a member of the U.S. team in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

“I’m very grateful to be named on the Olympic team,” he said. “To me, this is a huge privilege and honor to represent your country. By saying that, it’s not a time for celebration. We have a mission ahead of us and the goal is never to just make the team — it’s to go to battle in ‘the land of the rising sun’ and for these three horses to put in an absolute sensational performance. The next couple of months are going to be mega-focused and a lot of hard work and I believe we will get to Tokyo with no stone left unturned.”

Luke 140, owned by the Luke 140 Syndicate, took up the top spot on the list of Martin rides, a testament to the selectors’ belief that this rising talent is peaking at just the right time.

“It’s hugely impressive that had the Olympics been a year ago, Luke 140 wouldn’t have even been on the radar,” Boyd said. “So it speaks to his talent and tenacity that he’s stepped up to be my Tokyo ride this year. I can’t thank the owners enough for believing in his potential and bringing him over from Germany to take this trip with me.”

It was a bit of a surprise to see Luke 140, one of the lesser experienced horses at the top of Boyd’s string, get the nod from the selectors over Christine and Tommie Turner’s Tsetserleg TSF and also over the 15-year-old Anglo-European mare On Cue, also owned by the Turner family, who finished fourth at Kentucky last month. Boyd and “Thomas” had an unfortunate parting of ways just a few from home at Kentucky, but the fact that the Trakehner gelding by Windfall has the depth of experience that he does can’t be denied. So it’s bit of a tough spot for Boyd, who is always emphatic about not favoring any of his star horses over their stablemates but recognizes the long partnership he has with Tsetserleg.

“I do feel a bit of the heartbreak that Chris and Tommie Turner are feeling today,” Boyd said. “The family has backed me and a group of horses for many years, and it would have been a great reward for them to see Thomas go to the Olympics. They do own a couple of shares in Luke, so they still will have that huge honor of having a horse in the Olympics. But their devotion to Thomas is a huge part of any success I’ve had with him.”

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Liz Halliday-Sharp

Earning her first Olympic berth is Liz Halliday-Sharp, who will represent the U.S. aboard Ocala Horse Properties’ Deniro Z, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding who finished 10th at Kentucky last month. Named as the reserve for the 2018 World Equestrian Games and the traveling reserve for the 2019 Pan American Games, Liz knows how it feels to be right there on the cusp of what has been a lifelong dream and goal of hers — and now, she finally gets her turn to shine.

“I’m overwhelmed, I’m honored, I’m excited!” she told EN. “It’s my first Olympic Games so it’s really exciting and I’m so happy for my owners and team and my family and everyone who has helped us get to this point. It truly is a group effort.”

Despite her success on the racetrack — she completed the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 2006, finishing fourth, among multiple other top finishes before retiring from driving in 2012 — Liz says nothing can quite compare to the elation she’s feeling at yesterday’s news. “I think nothing feels like the Olympics, it’s been my dream since I was a kid — my entire life,” she said. “There’s nothing quite like that, so this is the dream come true.”

Doug Payne and Vandiver. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Doug Payne

Doug Payne and Debi Crowley’s Vandiver will step into the role of Traveling Reserve this year, which takes on a unique position given the format changes to the Olympic eventing for this cycle. To read up on these changes, click here. Essentially, a Reserve pair can be substituted in at any point in the competition (unless the disqualified/eliminated pair is eliminated for dangerous riding or abuse of horse), with a corresponding penalty. Will this make it more likely that we’ll see Doug and Vandiver step in to save the day in Tokyo? It’s anyone’s guess, but Doug’s taking the responsibility seriously.

“I think it’s one of those things that we’re still so far away and when you look historically and there is often some sort of turnover,” he said, “And without a doubt you don’t wish that on anyone, and it’s clearly my responsibility to step in if called upon. If not, we’ll provide as much support for the team as possible.”

Vandiver will come back into fitness from his run at Kentucky to be prepared to contest the Olympics should the team need him. It’s the first Olympic nod Doug has earned – he’s no stranger to team competition, though, having helped Team USA to a gold medal at the 2019 Pan American Games aboard Starr Witness. “It’s a tremendous honor and something you’ve worked your life for,” he said. “And to have the opportunity to potentially represent your country is pretty special. We’re very lucky to have the support of Debi and Kevin (Crowley) who bred him, and our family and friends and everyone – it’s just an awesome feeling.”

Vandiver, Doug says, is like a finely aged wine or whiskey, coming out stronger and better each year. At the age of 17 this year, the proud representative of the Trakehner breed (and of U.S. breeding!) sired by Windfall is ticking along as well as ever. “We’re very lucky with him,” Doug said. “Funny enough as he’s gotten older, he’s gotten sounder and stronger and better, so it’s a unique set-up. Honestly, we’re getting toward the backside of his competitive career but I think he’s got a lot left to give – it’s wild to think about and very special.”

Learning from the Best Out West: Area VII Adult Riders Camp

By on May 28, 2021 9:00 am -

Covid Chaos Campers. Photo courtesy of Erin Tomson.

For most of us in the Pacific Northwest, our Eventing season is just beginning to gear up. Just a week after our season opener at Spokane Sport Horse Farm, Area VII Adult Riders returned to the beautiful facility in Spokane, WA for camp. It was dubbed “COVID Chaos Camp” because, after a year off from most of our events and regular activities, everyone was equally excited and prepared for the unexpected! The fabulous organizers brought together 56 campers, 12 staff people (who also rode), and four top notch instructors for three days of riding, learning, comradery, and a few shenanigans.

The camp instructors this year included three very successful 5* riders: Sharon White, Rebecca Braitling, and Melissa Beardsley. Area VII legend, Liz Tukey, winner of the USEA Cornerstone Instructor Award in 2020, rounded out this amazing group of dedicated and knowledgeable instructors. They all taught long days and never missed a beat, and then still had enough energy left for a really interesting discussion on Saturday evening about the evolution of our sport from the days of long-format three-day eventing to what it is now.

Photo courtesy of Erin Tomson.

Although I wish had notes from all four instructors, my time was primarily spent with Sharon and Bec, so I have compiled their wisdom for all to benefit from. I was very excited to ride with Sharon, fresh from her most recent Kentucky run and full of experience to share. Sharon’s teaching style is energetic, enthusiastic, and encouraging while holding riders to high standards. Throughout the weekend, she reminded riders that “horses go the way they’re ridden” and that it is the rider’s responsibility to mind their position, as well as their intention, because most of the time horses do exactly what they’re asked to do. If your horse stops at a fence, it’s probably because you asked them to … either in your mind or body. Sharon wanted riders to take responsibility for their mistakes, but also take credit for riding well. She also encouraged us to take responsibility for our pace and rhythm, and to always “trek true” which is my new favorite way of reminding myself to hold the line!

Despite the level of responsibility that riders carry, our sport is unique because it’s a partnership between a human and equine athlete. Horses certainly have their strengths, weaknesses, and individual personalities, which is part of what makes eventing so exciting. One of Sharon’s catch phrases is to “water the flowers, not the weeds.” In other words, play to your horse’s strengths, rather than focusing or dwelling on their weaknesses. She also promotes repetition -– riders and horses learn from repeating jumps and exercises, and making improvements throughout the process. It was inspiring to hear Sharon say that she has made many mistakes over the years and that often it is “only through failure that you learn how to get things done.” Eventers are adrenaline junkies, and many of us are perfectionists as well.

Cyra Carlson. Photo courtesy of Erin Tomson.

Sharon’s advice was to NOT overdo things or try too hard to be perfect, but to “do less, better.” Learn from your own mistakes, move on from them, and learn from other’s mistakes as well. Sharon told one of the groups, “I just try to help people with what I didn’t know.” It was clear throughout camp that she wants to see every horse and rider succeed.

I had the pleasure of taking a stadium jumping lesson with Bec, during which she taught a fantastic balance of theory and applied skills. Her focus was on each rider finding the best competition canter for their horse and we did a progression of exercises to help us find and maintain the quality of canter. Bec made a delightful game out of challenging everyone to gallop forward to see how few strides we could get between two poles on the ground, and then come back around to compress the stride to see how many strides we could add. She explained that, as horses go up the levels, the expectation for how adjustable they need to be increases; however, maintaining the appropriate speed, line, and balance around your entire course is the goal for all horses at all levels.

Photo courtesy of Erin Tomson.

Regardless of level, we have to teach horses relaxation within the forward stride. Bec reminded us that in order to compress the stride, you have to ride forward first because you need impulsion (what Eric Smiley would call “available energy”) to maintain a good quality shorter stride. She also related this concept to making time on cross country and said “You never make time on strong horses” because they take too long to bring back, which wastes time and energy (theirs and yours). You learn to be quick by being able to go forward and come back immediately and within relaxation.

Bec argued, rightfully so, that event riders do not have nearly enough opportunities to practice our show jumping. This is especially true in Area VII where we are geographically spread out and most of us have to travel several hours to any and all horse shows. We simply do not have access and/or time to attend additional jumper shows or practice opportunities to ride full courses under pressure. That makes it really challenging to keep your calm and focus in the stadium ring at events. However, much like Sharon, Bec inspired us to focus on what we can practice at home and do it well — i.e. find and keep the quality of canter you need for the level you are riding! Work on your horse’s adjustability and responsiveness, and challenge yourself to always ride in your competition canter so that it feels normal when you do get the opportunity to go on course. I appreciated how Bec provided realistic advice for the average AA and worked with everyone to achieve the absolute best for them and their horse!

Photo courtesy of Erin Tomson.

As a USEA educational activity, Area VII Adult Riders Camp was a terrific opportunity to learn new things, practice tried and true skills, and shake off a year’s worth of pandemic dust. In addition to the four amazing riding instructors, we also have a wealth of knowledge among our members –- Heidi West led flexibility for riders classes early each morning, and Natalie Sullivan of On Course Equine Nutrition gave a really informative and interesting talk about equine nutrition (did you know you are probably reading your feed labels wrong?!). If you’re interested in learning more or inquiring about a nutrition consultation, you can check out Natalie’s website here: On Course Equine Nutrition

A big shout out to our swag sponsors, Kerrits and Gallops Saddlery! Thank you to Christel Carlson for opening her wonderful facility for our use and continuing to provide opportunities for our sport here in the Northwest. Thank you to Catie Cejka and Liza Linde for organizing, with help from veterans Maggie Rikard and Lou Leslie! Events such as these (in every area!) cannot run without countless volunteer hours by adult rider members – thank you to everyone who organizes, provides food, wine, and fun activities! Did I mention we have an annual puppy steeplechase here in Area VII?? Proceeds go to support Spokanimal, a local animal shelter. It’s hilarious, ridiculous, and an excellent way to support a good cause – think about ways to do the same in your own area. To all who enjoy our sport, remember to thank a volunteer, get out there and volunteer, support each other, appreciate your horses, and continue to make eventing the best sport of all!

Friday News & Notes

By on May 28, 2021 12:03 am -

Just a stunning horse at VHT for no reason other than eye candy. Photo by Kristin Schmolze

Well obviously the big news of the week is the announcement of the US Eventing Team for Tokyo, and congratulations all around to the riders who made it, and those who were listed as alternates. While trepidation continues about the running of the games in the midst of the pandemic, plans continue towards the goal with the assumption that everything in Japan will be sorted out in time.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Virginia International H.T. (Lexington, Va.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Live Scores]

Spring Coconino H.T. (Flagstaff, Az.): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Equestrians’ Institute H.T. (Elum, Wa.): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Live Scores]

May-Daze at the Park H.T. (Lexington, Ky.): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Live Scores]

Mystic Valley Hunt Club H.T. (Gales Ferry, Ct.): [Website]

The Spring Event at Woodside (Woodside, Ca.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Speaking of the Olympic Games, there is still a lot of talk about if it should be held at all this year. In May, a 350,000-siganture petition calling for Olympic cancellation was submitted to organizers, as the Japanese government extended the COVID state of emergency until at least the end of that month and a poll showed 60 percent of the Japanese public wanted the Games called off. Only 3 percent of Japanese citizens had been vaccinated by mid-May and the head of online retailer Rakuten, Hiroshi Mikitani, believed holding the Games would be “a suicide mission.” [Summer Games: Is It a Go?]

When Liz Halliday-Sharp was the only elite event rider who also competed as a professional race car driver she had two goals:  Make the podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and make the U.S. Olympic equestrian team. Halliday-Sharp, 42, just missed the podium at Le Mans in 2006, finishing fourth in the LMP2 Class and 19th overall with Intersport Racing in a Lola-AER. Now she’s accomplished her second goal by making the US Eventing Olympic Team. [Liz Halliday-Sharp Poised for Olympic Debut]

Time is running out to submit your entry to our #MudMadnessGiveaway in partnership with SmartPak! Up for grabs is nearly $500 in rain-and-mud-ready gear for both you and your horse. To learn how to enter, click here.

While you’re at it, enter to win a YETI EN-branded coffee mug as a token of our thanks for taking a few minutes to fill out our 2021 Gallop Poll to learn more about our readers. Click here to learn more.

Phillip Dutton is already taking home some records for the Olympics with his name added to the team list. At age 57, and attending his 7th Olympic Games, he’s the oldest U.S. Olympian since John Dane in the 2008 Olympics, and the second oldest U.S. Olympian since the 1952 Helsinki Games. [Phillip Dutton]

Cosby Green leads the charge for the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championships, scoring a 28.7 in the CCI3*-L at the Virginia Horse Trials yesterday. The 2021 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championships kicked off today, Thursday, May 27 at the Virginia Horse Park in Lexington, VA. This year’s event marks the fifth year of the Championships, which began in 2016. This year there are 105 entries, 29 teams, and 15 schools entered to compete for the 2021 Championship title. [USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championships]

“He’s the Most Talented Horse I’ve Ever Sat On”: Alex Hua Tian Takes Houghton Lead

By on May 27, 2021 3:24 pm -

Alex Hua Tian and Jilsonne van Bareelhof. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Such is the strength and consistency among the upper echelons of the British eventing scene that we’re used to seeing the same tiny handful of superstar horses lead the first phase week in and week out at four-stars. And so it’s always thoroughly exciting to see a less familiar face take the top spot and challenge this set supremacy – which is exactly what happened in day one of the CCI4*-S at Houghton International, incorporating 2021’s first FEI Nations Cup leg.

You may not yet be familiar with Jilsonne van Bareelhof, the 12-year-old Belgian warmblood who posted a 24.3 – one of just two sub-30 scores – to take a decisive overnight lead today. But you’d be hard-pressed not to know his rider, China’s Alex Hua Tian, best known for his partnership with top horse Don Geniro. Together, they scooped a top ten finish at the 2016 Rio Olympics – but Jilsonne van Bareelhof, or ‘Chocs’, as he’s known at home, “might be my favourite,” he admits. In fact, he says, “he’s the most talented thing I’ve ever sat on – he’s truly wonderful.”

Despite this high praise, only the most eagle-eyed eventing fans will have taken notice of the horse – he’s only run internationally seven times, a strategic move on Alex’s part as he figured out the best possible career trajectory for the gelding.

“He doesn’t run very often, but when he does, he’s just so special,” says Alex, who made the decision last year to produce Chocs as a CCI4*-S specialist, with an aim to campaign him at valuable short-format runs such as the Event Rider Masters series. This isn’t due to any shortage of talent, but rather, as Alex explains, a result of the extravagant gelding’s only apparent flaw.

“Basically, whatever we do with his feet, he loses shoes,” he explains. “But now that we’ve made that decision, he just thrives. He’s one of the those very few horses that’s exceptional in all three phases – and a lovely person. He’s as close to being a perfect horse as they get, but none of them are perfect!”

Chocs was originally produced by Australia’s Kevin McNab, who produced him through Novice (US Preliminary) before Alex bought the horse in 2017. By the end of the year, the new partnership had notched up two top-five finishes at Novice, and Alex decided to aim him at 2018’s Asian Games, held at CCI2*-L. Despite a spate of cancellations plaguing the early part of the 2018 national calendar, Alex fast tracked Chocs to a debut CCI2*-L at Tattersalls, where he made the best of a tough Ian Stark track to lead after cross-country, finishing eighth ultimately after dropping a pole.

“I remember going there and thinking, ‘I hope it’s a seven-minute Novice’ – but I hadn’t realised it was Ian Stark [designing],” he says with a laugh. “It was definitely not a seven-minute Novice. But he’s a serious animal – he pulled the whole way around and we were about thirty seconds under the time. He’s a very capable and ambitious horse.”

Alex Hua Tian and Jilsonne van Bareelhof. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Since then, we’ve seen him jump clear in a CCI3*-S at Barbury Castle, though he was withdrawn from two other starts at the level while Alex and his team crafted a plan – and a career – to suit him. While his record and trajectory might not be the most conventional, changing the goalposts appears to have worked: Chocs debuted at CCI4*-S at Burnham Market last autumn, jumping two clear rounds for a top fifteen finish, and though he clocked up twenty penalties at the same event last month, Alex has chalked it up as a positive educational moment.

“He was more interested in going than looking — he just flat out galloped past a triple brush without looking,” laughs Alex. “But I think he learnt from it.”

Today’s score is an international personal best for the gelding, and marks the latest in a decisive downward trend in his marks: he posted a 29.4 in his last CCI3*-S at Barbury in 2019, a 27 at Burnham Market last year, and a 26.5 at Burnham Market this spring. This shift, Alex explains, has come as the inexperienced horse learns to focus and settle into his season.

“He can be a fresh bugger,” he says. “He can do a stunning test, but if he’s wild, he’s wild. But now that we’ve made the decision to keep him as a four-star horse, he’ll be run much more consistently. The issue he’s always had is that because he gets fresh, and because he runs so little, when we do take him out it’s all very exciting for him. This takes the pressure off a little bit, and he should find it a lot easier. That’s where the consistency today came from – he ran at Burnham Market, he’s stayed in work, and it’s all gone better.”

As a result, Alex found a new degree of rideability – and with it, the chance to push each movement for a higher degree of expressiveness.

“I was able to have him a little more with me, and he just goes in there and turns on the power to 100%. He’s such a big mover, so to keep him in a 20×60, even in a flat, beautiful arena, can be difficult [if he’s not focused].”

Oliver Townend and Tregilder. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Oliver Townend and Tregilder produced the only other sub-30 test of the day, delivering a smart 27.7 to sit second overnight. This is a welcome return to form for the established four-star horse, whose scores tend to fluctuate – we’ve seen him go as low as 22.9 at this level at Burgham last year, and as high as 38.4, and his last two tests have split the difference at 30 and 31.1. Though two more packed sessions of dressage will likely yield a spate of competitive scores to challenge the current leaderboard, today’s judging proved that riders will have to work hard for every mark – and so the strength of Tregilder’s work today is promising indeed for the eleven-year-old British-bred Sport Horse. He won on his CCI4*-S debut at Blair Castle in 2018, and Oliver will be looking for a golden opportunity to bring this up-and-comer back into the spotlight.

Selina Milnes holds third place with her reliable Iron IV, who led for much of the day on a very respectable 30. Like Tregilder, Iron’s previous form has seen him dip into the 20s, including a 25.6 at Bramham in 2018, but he’s tended towards an upward trajectory since then and is generally a low-30s contender. Now, as he looks towards his first international run of 2021, he could well be on track to add another placing to his record.

Ireland’s Susie Berry sits fourth on 30.5 with the fresh and enthusiastic John the Bull, who scored a 30.5 after Susie tactfully piloted him through the test. Though she may not have been able to push for the extravagance this game little horse is capable of, her strong early showing for Ireland should set a precedent for her team ride aboard Ringwood LB on Saturday morning. Just a hair’s breadth behind her sits another young up-and-coming rider, though this one a Brit – Heidi Coy and Royal Fury round out the top five on 30.6.

Tomorrow will see another full day of dressage tests from non-team competitors, while Saturday morning features a short head-to-head between the three Nations Cup teams before the showjumping commences after lunchtime. Great Britain, Ireland, and Australia will battle it out for valuable points in this pivotal first leg – here’s how those teams break down:

 

The top ten after the first day of dressage in the CCI4*-S at Houghton International.

Houghton International and Nations Cup: Website | Times and Live Scores | Course Preview | EN’s Coverage | EN’s Instagram | EN’s Twitter

The U.S. Eventing Olympic Team Has Been Announced

By on May 27, 2021 3:07 pm -

US Equestrian is pleased to announce the four athlete-and-horse combinations who will represent the U.S. Eventing Olympic Team as part of Team USA at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. The team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Erik Duvander and Team Leader Jenni Autry. Competition will begin July 30 and continue through August 2, 2021, at the Equestrian Park and Sea Forest Cross-Country Course venues. Three combinations will compete as a team with one traveling reserve. Two direct reserves have been named alongside six alternate combinations.

“I believe we have a competitive team to represent the U.S. in Tokyo. All the horses have had a little break, and we will now be working to improve some details we identified at the Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L and Jersey Fresh CCI4*-L before we head to the team’s Mandatory Outing at Great Meadow in Virginia,” commented Chef d’Equipe Erik Duvander. “Following that outing, we travel to our Pre-Export Quarantine in Aachen, Germany. This is a great facility and will function as our final training camp where we will be working with dressage judges and have Peter Wylde working with us on the show jumping. This is a very focused group of athletes who are committed to delivering a top performance in Tokyo.”

The following athlete-and-horse combinations will represent the United States at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and are listed in alphabetical order:

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and Z, a 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned by Thomas Tierney, Ann Jones, Caroline Moran, Simon Roosevelt, and Suzanne Lacy

Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (Lexington, Ky.) and Deniro Z, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Ocala Horse Properties

Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Luke 140, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by The Luke 140 Syndicate

  • First Direct Reserve: Tsetserleg TSF, a 14-year-old Trakehner gelding owned by Christine Turner, Thomas Turner, and Tommie Turner
  • Second Direct Reserve: On Cue, a 15-year-old Selle Français mare owned by Christine Turner, Boyd Martin, Thomas Turner, and Tommie Turner

The following combination has been named as the traveling reserve:

Doug Payne (Aiken, S.C.) and Vandiver, a 17-year-old Trakehner gelding owned by Debi Crowley, Doug Payne, and Jessica Payne

The following combinations have been named as team alternatives and are listed in selected order:

First Alternate: Tamra Smith (Murietta, Calif.) and Mai Baum, a 15-year-old German Sport Horse gelding owned by Alexandra Ahearn, Ellen Ahearn, and Eric Markell

Second Alternate: Will Faudree (Southern Pines, N.C.) and Mama’s Magic Way, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Jennifer Mosing

Third Alternate: Will Coleman (Gordonsville, Va.) and Off The Record, a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by the Off The Record Syndicate

Fourth Alternate: Sydney Elliott (Bossier City, La.) and QC Diamantaire, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Carol Stephens

Fifth Alternate: Bruce Davidson Jr. (Unionville, Pa.) and Carlevo, a 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Katherine O’Brien

Sixth Alternate: Lauren Nicholson (The Plains, Va.) and Vermiculus, a 14-year-old Anglo-Arabian gelding owned by Jacqueline Mars

All team nominations are subject to United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee approval.

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Volunteer Nation: 5 Recognized & 4 Schooling Events That Need Your Help This Weekend

By on May 27, 2021 2:00 pm -

We LOVE the idea of an “eventing kindergarten” series, such as the one hosted by Wit’s End in Mulmur, Ontario. You can learn more about theirs here and/or sign up to volunteer!

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.

Here

USEA Events

2021 USEA FEH/YEH Qualifier + Young Horse Show/Jump Chute

May 27th, 2021 to May 28th, 2021

Woodside Eventing Spring Horse Trials 2021

May 27th, 2021 to May 30th, 2021

VHT International and Horse Trials

May 26th, 2021 to May 30th, 2021

Equestrians Institute Horse Trials May 2021

May 26th, 2021 to May 30th, 2021

May-Daze at the Park Horse Trials

May 28th, 2021 to May 30th, 2021

Other Events

MCTA Schooling Days at Shawan Downs

May 25th, 2021 to May 27th, 2021

Stone Gate Farm Mountain Trail Challenge

May 2nd, 2021 to May 30th, 2021

2021 MDHT May Starter Horse Trial

May 28th, 2021 to May 30th, 2021

MCTA Unrecognized at Shawan Downs

May 27th, 2021 to May 31st, 2021

Go Volunteers. Go Eventing!

Where’s Your Focus? An Excerpt from ‘Ride Big’ by John Haime

By on May 27, 2021 11:59 am -

In this excerpt from his book Ride Big: The Ultimate Guide to Building Equestrian Confidence, renowned performance coach John Haime tells us that to achieve top results in our equestrian sport, we need to develop laser-like focus in the saddle.

Oliver Townend and Ballaghmore Class, winners of the 2021 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Shelby Allen.

If you ask Oliver Townend (the #1 ranked FEI eventer in the world in 2020 and winner of the Kentucky Three-Day in 2021), your ability to keep your attention on the task at hand is critical to any success you might have in equestrian sport. He believes that focusing on the right things — what’s important to him and his own program—has been crucial to him reaching the top of the sport.

Oliver has convincing words for you to consider on the importance of focus and what it means to performance excellence in equestrian sport: “I don’t think it would be possible to compete successfully at the highest, or for that matter, any level, without being able to have a high level of focus. The focus levels required in competition are just too high for your mind to be able to wander — it has to be on your process and your job. It can mean the difference between winning and losing, and unfortunately, it can also mean life and death in our sport.”

So, where do you think your focus is in your equestrian experience? Is it “on your process and job,” as it is with Oliver, or do you wander in and out and let your attention drift to things around you that take away from your performance? Can you separate what matters from what doesn’t matter? Are you able to pull yourself into the moment and keep your mind focused on your riding?

What are you focused on? The right things? The wrong things?

Too much?

What’s important? What’s not important?

What just happened or what might happen?

These are all questions to ask yourself in considering whether your level of focus is helping or hurting your performance, and how it might be impacting whether you are Riding Big or riding small.

Focus is a significant area of interest today. Because of the growing number of distraction around us, including ever-changing advancements in technology, attention spans are shrinking to the point where it has become difficult for performers to keep their minds on a particular task for more than a few seconds. And science tells us there is a link between your focus skills and how well you perform your tasks. If your attention muscles are well developed, there is much more likelihood that you can excel. Confidence and focus are so closely linked. If your mind is paying attention to what’s important, what matters, and is grounded in the moment without the temptations of attention on the past and future, your opportunity to build confidence will be greater.

I became interested in the idea of focus when reflecting on my own professional sports career in golf. That’s when I realized I was struggling with focus and keeping my mind and energy centered on my plan to win a competition. When in the heat of competition, I found that my emotions would, at the worst times, knock me off my focus (I had a lack of awareness and inability to direct my emotion), and eroded my chances of being a consistent contender.

Challenging emotions like frustration and the wrong kind of anger wreaked havoc, and often diverted my attention to the past or propelled my attention into the future—exactly the places where I didn’t want to be. Because of this challenge, as may be true for you too, the real competition was always inside of me as I tried to keep my mind where it should be — confidently executing my skills in the present moment. You might know the feeling—drop a rail, have a mediocre ride, or struggle in a match, and you find it difficult to get your mind back in the game. That makes it even harder to create the right internal environment to complete the course, show your potential in the next class, or score in the final chukker. Some call it being “frazzled.”

There is always the tendency to focus on what’s not important—those distractions that are dressed up as important but really don’t do much to move things forward and help you improve. They are all little threats to your confidence.

This excerpt from Ride Big by John Haime is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books (www.HorseandRiderBooks.com).

Photo courtesy of John Haime.

 

Pre-Purchase Exams: What to Expect, Presented by FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips

By on May 27, 2021 9:00 am -

Before any investment, it is good to do your research on what you are getting into. Doing your research before investing into a horse isn’t any different! A pre-purchase exam performed by a veterinarian is the way to research the current health and soundness of a horse. Although a crystal ball would be ideal, a pre-purchase exam is the closest resource available to a suspected buyer for researching the horse in question.

The horse’s value almost always plays a role in how extensive of a pre-purchase exam a prospective buyer wants. But, whether the horse is free or has a high value price tag, money spent on a pre-purchase exam is often money saved later. The more spent on looking for potential existing problems prior to purchase, the more likely an existing problem can be found. With the information collected, more educated decisions can be made before purchase. Being able to make decisions based on potential risk is the goal of a pre-purchase exam.

A pre-purchase exam typically starts with a thorough history taking, in which the veterinarian asks questions to the seller about the horse: previous medical history, current diet, exercise routine, vices, and more. An in-depth history can help a veterinarian make informed recommendations about the horse to the buyer.

Typically, the vet then performs a physical exam. A physical exam is a systematic way of looking at all of the health organ systems of the horse. The TPR or temperature, pulse rate, and respiratory rate, is only a small component of the physical. The heart and lungs are often listened to, both prior and after exercise. Heart murmurs or evidence of inflammatory airway disease are screened for during this section of the exam. The horse’s eyes, teeth, and conformation are looked at closely, and much more.

A trained veterinary eye is also necessary for evaluating the horse for scars from previous procedures such as colic surgery, orthopedic surgery, or airway surgery. Sometimes a surprise such as a minor scar from a previous undisclosed surgery is found by a veterinarian, that could make a significant difference in the decision of whether or not to make the purchase.

An evaluation of the horse’ssoundness or a lameness exam usually comes next. This typically entails a thorough palpation of the horse, evaluating the horse in all gaits and on all surfaces, and flexions. (See our blog post onlameness examsfor more detailed information on this process). If a horse is lame at a pre-purchase exam, in some cases a basic nerve block could be performed in order to see if the region causing pain is from an already known issue or something new. For example, an owner may just want to know if the mild lameness on hard ground is coming from the horse’s feet, as they may be willing to purchase the horse and then try making some farrier changes.

A neurological exam is performed to establish if the horse’s nervous system is normal. The veterinarian may evaluate the cranial nerves by testing various reflexes on the head, and evaluates the horse’s gait via circles, backing, and other specialized maneuvers. Radiographs are the most common diagnostic procedure performed at a pre-purchase exam. How many radiographs are taken and of which regions however, is very variable. Depending on the history, intended use of the horse, and buyers budget, a radiographic plan on which areas of the horse will be lookedat is made. But again, the more time and money spent on looking for potential existing problems prior to purchase, the more likely an existing problem can be found.

More extensive pre-purchase exam procedures such as upper airway endoscopy, soft tissue ultrasound, or an echocardiogram (ECG) can be helpful and justified depending on the medical history and intended use of the horse, but are much less common. A drug screening, looking at the horse’s blood to see if any substances such as pain-medications or sedatives have been used, is the only way to determine if something could be changing what is seen on the day of the pre-purchase, and how the horse was during the trial.

It is important to note however, a pre-purchase exam can only evaluate the horse in a moment in time, meaning the horse’s health and soundness can only be evaluated for the day of the exam, and what happens in the future cannot be known. The more thorough the pre-purchase exam however, the fewer guesses have to be made. The more of an educated purchase one can make, the more likely it is to be a good match between owner and horse. Good matches lead to happy horses… and again, it’s about the horse!