Classic Eventing Nation

For 75 Bucks They’ll Put a Fan Cutout of You in the Stands at Kentucky

By on Mar 19, 2021 10:16 am -

Photo via LRK3DE.

This just in from Kentucky:

“The 2021 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ won’t have spectators this year, but don’t let that keep you from the event!

“Display your LRK3DE support by showing up at Rolex Stadium with a Fan Cutout. For those who are interested in this opportunity, we are grateful and appreciate your support! The fan cutouts will be produced on the same high quality, weatherproof material that we use in our signage to ensure it is a proper representation of you and your likeness.

“For only $75, your Fan Cutout will be displayed in Rolex Stadium during the ‘Best Weekend All Year’! Cutouts will be in place for the entirety of the event, from April 22-25.

“And who knows, you may even catch a glimpse of yourself on the event live stream!”

Order yours here. If you spot a five-foot-tall fan cutout of a chinchilla in the stands this year ….

Tee-hee.

 

Friday News & Notes

By on Mar 19, 2021 12:03 am -

The right way to celebrate finishing dressage. Photo by Brittany Caroline.

I’m sad to be missing Carolina this year, I think it might be my favorite event of the year. The facility is impeccable, the weather is usually nice, the green grass is delightful, and the cross country is one of the best. I’ll be tuning in all weekend to cheer on my friends as they cruise through those pine woods and pump fists through the finish flags. Don’t forget to keep watching our remote coverage for all your updates too!

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Carolina International CCI and H.T.: [Website] [Schedule] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Orders of Go] [Live Stream] [Volunteer]

Ocala Winter II H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]

Pine Top Farm Spring H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]

Southern Arizona Eventing Association H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times] [Volunteer]

International Eventing Preview:

Oasby Elite H.T. (UK): [Website] [Entries] [Live Stream]

News From Around the Globe:

I’m sure you’ve already been watching our coverage of Carolina International, but are you ready for some fast facts heading into the weekend? With four national levels T-A and three international levels 2*-4*, this weekend is packed with action from all your favorite pairs. Check out the USEA’s breakdown of all the divisions here. [Carolina International Fast Facts]

Our weekly email newsletter is getting a facelift! Starting today, we’ll transition to our all-new weekly email, the EN #ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)! Catch up on news you may have missed from the week, as well as useful links for the upcoming weekend’s events. It’s free to sign up – you can do so here.

Trust and understanding are Andrew McConnon’s two most important factors when training young horses. “Horses are very talented,” McConnon observed. “I think most of them can jump the height of the fences we ask them to jump, but if they don’t understand their jobs or they don’t feel comfortable with not only their rider but with themselves, that can limit a horse pretty drastically. So, if a horse understands me and what I’m going to ask of them, that becomes very important.” [Understanding the Young Event Horse with Andrew McConnon]

How do you celebrate turning 102? Well if you’re Lucia Sines, you put on a red leather jacket, some red boots, and a red cowboy hat and go for a riding lesson. Born in 1919, she’s always loved animals, but never had the opportunity to ride until this day. Worth waiting 102 years for! [Centenarian Goes Riding]

There was an article last week about young professionals experiencing burnout, which I felt what that writer was trying to convey. A lot of riders earning their stripes are treated poorly, and it’s tough. I understand feeling bummed by treatment from other humans in the equestrian world, but complaining about having to do laundry and ride “bad” horses doesn’t quite jibe with me. Are there bad horses? All horses you ride are a privilege, and each one will teach you something, the bad ones will teach you double. [There Will Be No Future Horse Trainers If All You Want To Ride is Nice Horses]

Video: 

Phillip & Olivia Dutton Dominate FEI Dressage at Carolina International

By on Mar 18, 2021 11:01 pm -

Dutton family triple-threat incoming! Phillip Dutton leads both the CCI4*-S and CCI3*-S divisions at Carolina International with daughter Olivia leading the CCI2*-S. We caught up with the Duttons as well as other top-placed pairs contesting the event in Raeford, North Carolina this week.

Phillip Dutton and Carlchen in the CCI4*-S. Brant Gamma Photography Photo.

CCI4*-S

Carlchen who? Actually, Phillip’s new ride is quite well known internationally, having extensive experience at the 4* level on two continents under four previous riders. Bred in Germany, he began his career in Australia with Stuart Tinney in 2015 — they were long-listed for the 2016 Rio Olympics — before heading back to Europe to be campaigned by Francis Whittington, then Michelle Kenny of Ireland, then Lauren McLusky of Great Britain. The 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Clinton x Sunshine, by Lordanos) also gained some notoriety for having been previously owned by fallen financier Spencer Golding, whose implication in a major embezzlement case in the UK last year saw his extensive string of equine assets dispersed.

Carlchen was sourced by Carol Gee of Fernhill Sporthorses and purchased by Caroline Moran in the fall of 2019 for Phillip, but a minor injury and then the interrupted 2020 season drew out their getting-to-know-you period. They returned to competition in October 2020 and at Pine Tip in February blew everyone’s hair back with a record-breaking 15.0 on the flat in their first Advanced start as a pair. Today in the CCI4*-S, they topped the field with a score of 22.6.

“It’s still a work in progress,” Phillip says. “Obviously, he’s a talented horse and I feel very lucky to have him. We’re starting to get to know each other better and how he reacts and what I’ve got to do to get the best out of him. I still feel there’s plenty of room for improvement there, but it’s an exciting time to have a horse like this.”

Ireland’s Michelle Kenny with Carlchen in 2018. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

“We’ve had him now about a year and a half, so I have been getting to know him, but I haven’t done much competition-wise with him. He’s a really interesting horse. He’s a quiet horse, but there’s a side to him where he has plenty of energy. He has some pizazz about him as well. I’m starting to understand that. He’s getting fitter and more conditioned, so he’s a bit of a different horse there as well. He’s not quite as easy as he was probably six months ago for me because he’s so much more fit and has so much more energy about him.

“I don’t know him that well yet on cross-country, so Saturday will be a different story. It’ll be a learning process there, but there’s a lot, a lot to like about the horse. He’s so athletic and so balanced. There’s not a great deal of difficulty about it him. It’s just a case of getting to know him and producing him well and for him to get to know what I expect as well.

“He’s still in his developing his strength and fitness stage, so he’s far from peaking yet, so Saturday will be a quiet cross country round but hopefully an educational one for him.”

Best of luck to this exciting new-ish pair. As Maggie Deatrick noted in her Carolina By the Numbers, Carlchen has talent written all over his record. With a career average of 29.6 in dressage, clear rounds in 11 of 15 stadium rounds with never more than a single rail, and primarily clear cross country rounds, the main thing left for Phillip to try improve upon is the horse’s pace across the country.

Liz Halliday and Fernhill By Night. Photo by Shelby Allen.

With Phillip and Carlchen taking it a bit easy on Saturday, all eyes will be on Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night to step into the top spot. They trail by only 0.4 of a point and Carolina is a charmed venue for them, having won the marquee division here in 2018 on their dressage score of 27.9. They improved on that by several points today, scoring a 23.0. (Liz withdrew Deniro Z, who would’ve have been right up in the mix, before dressage due to an abcess. By The Numbers originally had Deniro Z and Blackie ranked #1-2, respectively.)

Liz and “Blackie,” an 18-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Radolin x Argentina XII, by Argentinus) owned by Deborah Halliday, are an old married couple who’ve found their niche in the four-star short format — their wins and top finishes at the level are too numerous to list.

“Blackie is 18 this year and he just really enjoys coming to the shows,” Liz says. And, clearly, he keeps getting better and better. Liz says she thought their score today was generous, but that he stepped up in some ways. “I think today he did the best changes he’s ever done.”

Youth is wasted on the young, isn’t it? Liz says she is playing it by ear with Blackie but that he shows no signs of slowing pace. After finishing third to Deniro at Liftmaster Grand Prix Eventing two weeks ago, she says Blackie came out the other side of the event feeling even better than when he started. “It’s fun to still have him out enjoying it.” It’s fun for us to see you two having fun, Liz!

She describes the track as a proper track from Ian (Stark, the course designer) — and make no mistake, they’re not here for a romp in the park. “We’ve come to try to win a prize,” Liz says.

Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Fun is also the word that Colleen Rutledge uses to describe her ride on Covert Rights, a 15-year-old Thoroughbred cross (BFF Incognito x Let’s Get It Right, by Covert Operation) owned by FSG Inc. and the rider. They’ve been on an incredible ride together with many top finishes, most recently a 5th and 6th in the CCI4-Ss at Great Meadow and Stable View last far. This week at Carolina the pair are third on 27.0. Colleen is also in second in the CCI3*-S with C Me Fly, a 9-year-old Westphalian mare (Cristallo II x Hera, Heraldik XX).

“They’re both great fun to ride — you have to be pleased with them. They both put in solid tests with points still left on the table,” she told EN.

CCI3*-S

Phillip Dutton and Quasi Cool in the CCI3*-S. Brant Gamma Photography Photo.

Phillip Dutton is also leading the CCI3*-S with Quasi Cool, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Quo Vados x B-Estelle, by Lord) owned by Caroline Moran, and he is 12th in the division with fan favorite OTTB Sea of Clouds.

“I had Erik Duvander helping me for a couple days last week, and it’s been really helpful,” Phillip says. “He just came to our farm and stayed there for a day and a half, so he got to know all of the horses. I think Sea of Clouds was the biggest beneficiary out of all of that. I’m really pleased with him. He did a much better test. I prepared him better than I did in Aiken, so that’s exciting knowing that I can do that with him. Quasi Cool is a cool horse. Hopefully he’s going to be a horse to be reckoned with once he gets up to the 4* and 5* level as well.”

Phillip and Liz Halliday-Sharp are 1-2 in both the CCI4* and the CCI3*-S — in the latter, Liz is second with Cooley Stormwater, an 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Camillo VDL x Thornfield Calypso) owned by The Stormwater Group. They scored a 27.0.

“I was thrilled with him,” says Liz. “He’s still a young horse, only 8. He tries extremely hard; it was a tidy test and there were no marks lost.” Liz says that he’s a great jumper and that she’s looking forward to cross country.

CCI2*-S

Olivia Dutton and Iniesta in the CCI2*-S. Brant Gamma Photography Photo.

Olivia Dutton leads the way in the CCI2*-S with Iniesta, her own 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Lordanos x Tilithya, by Voltaire). They lead the CCI2*-S on a score of 28.0. We’ve been rooting this pair on — you can read a sweet story Olivia wrote about their budding partnership here.

“There’s always room for improvement, but Iniesta’s very capable of putting in a good test if I can give him a good warm-up,” Olivia said. “I do love riding him dressage because he’s very naturally talented on the flat. We’ve worked a lot on show jumping this winter, so I’m looking forward to that too; we’ll try to do the best that we can and get a clear round. I’m kind of excited for everything. I love riding him cross country because he doesn’t get strong, and he’s much braver since I’ve gotten him. Hopefully it’ll end up being a good weekend!”

Phillip gave their test a nod of approval as well. “I thought it was good,” he said. “Certainly, he’s got unlimited potential on the flat — just the way he moves and the softness in his gait, and he’s a quiet horse. We’re excited about his future. We’re trying to bring him along gradually and see how far they can get together.”

Hugh Wrigley is 2nd with FE Santos, and Jordan Crabo — daughter of another five-star rider, Barb! — is third with FE Uncle Sam. So exciting to see the next generation of eventing stars rising.

Carolina International CCI & H.T.: Website, Schedule, Ride Times, Orders of Go, Live Stream, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage

CCI4*-S Dressage Top 10: 

CCI3*-S Dressage Top 10: 

CCI2*-S Dressage Top 10:

#ThrowbackThursday Video: Ride the 2019 Carolina International CCI4*S with Doug Payne and Quantum Leap

By on Mar 18, 2021 4:00 pm -

As we kick off the action at the 2021 Carolina International, and in celebration of the event’s return after a 2020 cancellation, we thought it appropriate to take a trip around the last cross country track we saw here in North Carolina.

Doug and Jessica Payne have owned Quantum Leap, a now-10-year-old Zweibruker gelding, since he was just a weanling. Employing the strategy of buying purpose-bred horses at a young age has ensured that the Aiken-based pair always has a pipeline of talent in the works – and Quantum Leap (Quite Capitol – Report to Sloopy, by Corporate Report) is a manifestation of that strategy paying off today.

“Baby Quantum”, as he has been affectionately called for much of his burgeoning career, stepped up to the Advanced and four-star level in 2019 after traveling to France to contest the 7-year-old Young Horse World Championship CCI2*L at Mondial du Lion in 2018. Thanks to the Holekamp/Turner Event Horse Le Lion d’Angers Prize and Grant, which is awarded to “the highest scoring horse from the USEA Young Event Horse 5-year-old East and West Championships combined during their 7-year-old year that is qualified, willing, and able to compete” on a yearly basis, Doug and Quantum Leap successfully finished the event in the top 30.

Take a ride around the 2019 CCI4*S track with Doug and Quantum Leap, who would go on to finish 20th overall in the gelding’s first attempt at the four-star level – and keep an eye out for the return of this pair to the CCI4*S this weekend! Quantum Leap is joined this weekend by stablemates Vandiver and Starr Witness. You can get your own helmet cam like Doug’s from Cambox here.

Dressage for the CCI4*S kicked off today, and you can follow all of the remaining action live on Horse & Country TV with an H&C+ membership. Click here to sign up.

Carolina International CCI and H.T.: [Website] [Schedule] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Orders of Go] [Live Stream] [Volunteer] [EN’s Coverage]

Volunteer Nation: How to Help Carolina International, MDHT, Pine Top, and Ocala H.T. This Weekend

By on Mar 18, 2021 1:30 pm -

Volunteers working hard at Morven Park. Photo via Morven Park on Facebook.

Four events happening this weekend in North Carolina, Maryland, Georgia, and Florida could all use a few more extra helping hands! And don’t forget, if you have a volunteering story or photo to share, please email us at [email protected].

We’ve compiled some resources on volunteering with COVID-19 regulations in mind. We’ll reference this list each week in Volunteer Nation, so take a few moments to familiarize yourself with what’s new and different.

COVID-19 Resources for Eventers
Volunteers Adapt to the New Normal
Volunteers Weigh In on New COVID-19 Protocols

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.

Event: Carolina International CCI & H.T.
Dates: Thursday, March 18 through Monday, March 22
Address: 2814 Montrose Rd., Raeford, NC, 28376
Positions Available: Merchandise Sales, Dressage Gate, General Help, Parking Steward, Shuttle Drivers, XC Jump Judge, Event Takedown – XC, Stable Manager

Event: 2021 MDHT March Starter H.T.
Dates: Friday, March 19 through Sunday, March 21
Address: 1235 Park Mills Road, Adamstown, MD, 21710
Positions Available: SJ Jump Crew

Event: Ocala Winter II H.T.
Dates: Thursday, March 18 through Monday, March 22
Address: 11008 S Highway 475, Ocala, FL, 34480
Positions Available: XC Decorator, XC Finish Timer, XC Jump Judge, XC Start Timer, XC Warm-up, Dressage Check-in, Dressage Score Runner, Dressage Scribe, SJ In-Gate, SJ Score Runner

Event: Pine Top Spring H.T.
Dates: Thursday, March 18 through Sunday, March 21
Address: 1432 Augusta Hwy, Thomson, GA, 30824
Positions Available: XC Jump Judge, SJ Jump Crew

Switzerland’s Avenches To Host 2021 FEI European Championships for Eventing

By on Mar 18, 2021 10:30 am -

Michael Jung, Ingrid Klimke and Cathal Daniels celebrate their individual medals at the 2019 Longines FEI European Eventing Championships. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

After a thorough bidding process, the FEI has awarded the relocated 2021 Longines European Championships for Eventing to Switzerland’s Avenches National Equestrian Institute, with the competition now formally scheduled to take place from 22–26 September.

Avenches, which is owned by the Vogg family – best known to global eventing fans, perhaps, for CCI5* competitor Felix – beat the Netherlands’ Military Boekelo and Italy’s Montelibretti in the bidding process, which was reopened after a widespread social media campaign led by Michael Jung put pressure on the FEI to reinstate this year’s previously cancelled European Championships.

Jung’s plea for a reinstated Championship named the established CCI4*-S venue at Avenches as a viable and prepared location, helmed by a “motivated and experienced” team. He went on to explain that the new Olympic format, which sees just three combinations represent each qualified team, furthered the necessity for these Championships as a way to progress the next generation of team competitors and continue the development of young eventing nations.

Though the FEI initially took a firm stance on the cancellation of the Championships, even after the reinstatement of dressage and show jumping’s respective Championships, the momentum gained by the campaign saw them capitulate to popular demand. Now, with two major championships on the calendar in the latter half of 2021, the season is looking rather more exciting indeed.

Haras du Pin will host the European Championships in 2023 after the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics caused a scheduling issue for the French venue. Photo courtesy of Haras du Pin.

“We are pleased to have the Swiss venue of Avenches hosting the 2021 Championships,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said. “Following last year’s postponement of the Tokyo Games, the FEI had originally cancelled European Championships in all three Olympic and Paralympic disciplines so that the focus could remain on the Games in 2021, but our community encouraged us to review that decision and we listened to those voices. After carefully reviewing three strong bids, which also included Boekelo in the Netherlands and Montelibretti in Italy, the FEI Board voted to allocate this year’s FEI Eventing European Championship to Avenches.”

“We are happy to be able to give our community something to look forward to during these difficult days as we tackle the EHV-1 outbreak and work to put in place protocols to get our horses and athletes back to competing again.”

2021’s allocation wasn’t the only major decision made in yesterday’s (March 16) teleconference. The 2023  European Championships were also awarded, and will take place at France’s Haras du Pin – the original intended site for this year’s competition.

 

By the Numbers: Carolina CCI4*-S

By on Mar 18, 2021 8:30 am -

Updated Thursday, March 18, at noon to reflect the withdrawal before dressage of our original #1-2 rankings: Liz Halliday Sharp/Deniro Z, who is out with an abscess, and Tamie Smith/Danito.

Carolina was the first casualty of the pandemic last year and while it came as quite a shock to the system, I don’t think anyone quite had grasped the extent to which our season, year, and lives would ultimately be turned upside-down. One thing I’m grateful for is the chance to get back to the steady churn of the spring season and by the number of entries in each show coming up over the next several weeks, so are all of the competitors.

As a venue, Carolina has made continuous improvements throughout its existence based on feedback from riders, volunteers, and other important parties. The eagerness to keep marching forward is one of the things that gives this venue its magic and makes them a perennial highlight on the spring calendar. This event has been a key prep for many leading up to Kentucky, and with Ian Stark entering his fifth year as a course designer, it’s a true test of what might be seen in the fall at the inaugural Maryland 5*.

At least one pair has made the time in the 4*-S division over the last five runnings, with two  editions seeing more than 30% of competitors finish inside the time. Although time can be somewhat of a factor, it is not generally the deciding factor. Since 2015, the winner of this event has not only put in a sub 30 dressage score, but has also finished on that score in four of five times. Carolina is an event where you have to be on your A-game in all three phases to have any hope of a win.

The last two previous winning pairs of Doug Payne/Vandiver (2018) and Liz Halliday-Sharp/Fernhill By Night (2019) are back again to contest the 4*-S division. Will Coleman and Off the Record also won the Advanced Division in 2018 and are here to contest the 4*-S division as well.

DRESSAGE

Doug Payne and Starr Witness. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Carolina features a plethora of horses gunning for a Tokyo slot, and that means we should see a number of pairs break the 70% mark.Starr Witness is a talented younger horse paired with an experienced rider, Doug Payne, whose average at the level is nearly as impressive at 25.9 penalties.

They won’t be alone near the top though. Liz Halliday-Sharp brings forth Fernhill By Night, who won this division the last time it was run in 2019, and has historically been Liz’s ticket to the top of the leaderboard on day one. He’s averaged 27.9 penalties over the last two years.

Hot on Liz’s heels is Doug Payne again, this time with his long-time partner and winner of the 2018 4*-S here, Vandiver. This is another horse who is maturing into top dressage scores, with a 2020 average of 25.4 that betters his two-year average of 28.1 by almost three points.

Covert Rights is a good bet to break the 70% mark as well, averaging a 29.6 over the last two years with Colleen Rutledge, while Off the Record and Will Coleman have the potential to throw a curveball into the mix after laying down a stellar 21.6 in their only 2020 start. A number of others have the potential to play at the top of the leaderboard this weekend as well but have lacked the consistency to expect it; however, keep an eye out for C’est La Vie 135, Wizzerd, Cooley On Show. And of course, one cannot forget the USEA record-breaking score of 15.0 by Carlchen and Phillip Dutton at Pine Top earlier this year. That pair is discussed in further detail below.

SHOW JUMPING

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Unsurprisingly, a number of excellent jumpers feature here. We might see some shifting at the top of the leaderboard; Vandiver is more like to incur a single rail than to jump clear, while Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night are likely to jump clean. Despite that, there’s a good chance they all maintain positions well within the top 10.

Covert Rights and Off the Record will split directions here, with Colleen Rutledge‘s horse likely to fall down in the rankings with at least a rail while Will Coleman‘s ride has only ever had a rail at one venue, Great Meadow.  C’est La Vie 135 with Woods Baughman, Ophelia under Clayton Fredericks, and Cooley On Show ridden by Sharon White should all make strong appearances in this phase as well, allowing them to move up into the top 10 if they haven’t started there.

CROSS COUNTRY

Will Coleman and Off The Record. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

The horses contending for the top position will have some speed, because at the end of the day, Carolina is impossible to win without putting in the work in all three phases. Fernhill By Night and Off the Record are two horses that you can almost certainly expect to have brought their A-game across the board and that is likely to pay off in spades on Saturday. Fernhill By Night has truly become a specialist at the short format. Off the Record has had some bad luck with injuries, but if things go well this spring could be a top contender for Tokyo as well and his superior turn of foot will make up for any deficits he might have in the first phase.

Not the be left out of the Tokyo discussion, Vandiver and Doug Payne will also make quick work of the course; if this horse puts in a clear stadium round, which he is well capable of doing, the competition will be his to lose on Saturday based on his typical average pace. Speed sensations Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights could also come roaring back if they limited the damage on Friday to one rail; Cooley On Show with Sharon White and Pfun under Will Faudree are also pairs to keep an eye on to make appearances in the top ten.

PREDICTIONS:

WINNER

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night. Photo by Jenni Autry.

In continuing with her streak of 4*-S wins, Liz Halliday-Sharp will win her second consecutive Carolina International with Fernhill By Night.

NEW TO EACH OTHER

Phillip Dutton and Carlchen. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Generally this section is reserved for horses or riders new to the level, but neither Carlchen nor Phillip Dutton fits that profile. While Phillip needs no introduction, our U.S. readers may not realize that Carlchen has had extensive experience at the 4* level on two continents and under three previous riders. He began his career with Stuart Tinney in Australia in 2015 before making the move to Europe to be campaigned by Francis Whittington. In 2018 Michelle Kenny of Ireland obtained the ride before being purchased for Phillip to ride at the end of that year. Injuries have waylaid their debut at the level until now, but Carlchen has talent written all over his record. With a career average of 29.6 in dressage, clear rounds in 11 of 15 stadium rounds with never more than a single rail, and primarily clear cross-country rounds, the main thing left for Phillip to try improve upon is the horse’s pace across the country.

These two finally made their first Advanced start as a pair at Pine Top in February, turning heads all over the world when they laid down a record-breaking 15.0 on the flat. With a bit of generosity apparent in the scoring on that day, they are unlikely to do that again today but will no doubt be right up in the mix from day one. It will be the pace that limits this horse this weekend; the biggest question will be what pace Phillip decides to push for, and if he can improve upon the effort of previous riders.

FASTEST CROSS-COUNTRY ROUNDS

Will Coleman and Off the Record. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Will Coleman‘s ride Off the Record has an extremely strong reputation for speed; in eight clear rounds at the 4* level, he has made the time on four occasions. When the time was unattainable in the other four clear completions, this pair was less than 4 seconds off the fastest pace in three of them, and has never been slower than eleven seconds off the pace.

EXTENDING CLEAR JUMPING STREAKS

Will Coleman and Tight Lines. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.

While Off the Record maybe getting more attention this weekend, his stablemate Tight Lines is the one to beat in the stadium phase. Will Coleman‘s WEG mount has not had a rail at an Advanced or 4*-S since the fall of 2017 and has posted eight consecutive fault-free A/4*-S rounds.

BIGGEST MOVER

Tim Bourke and Quality Time. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Tim Bourke and his quality mare Quality Time are the pair to watch rise up the ranks this weekend; while too young to have the maturity to put in a strong test yet, this talented horse is very strong in the jumping phases.

OTHER DIVISIONS

  • Holly Payne-Caravella returns to the saddle with her famous Never OutFoxed alongside her promising up-and-comer CharmKing in the OI.
  • Based in the UK with William Fox-Pitt for the last two years, American Lexi Scovil and Chico’s Man VDF Z make their first 4* start in North America.

Dressage takes place today with stadium tomorrow and cross-country on Saturday. Keep your eyes locked here for all of our coverage!

Carolina International: Website, Entry Status, Schedule, Ride Times, Live Scores, Live Streaming

Thursday News & Notes from Ecovet

By on Mar 18, 2021 12:03 am -

Galway Downs looking particularly magical this week! Photo courtesy of Galway FB.

One sure way to make sure the horse gods laugh at you is the make plans. Plans, say, to finally leave home for a schooling jumper show because the weather is delightful and your horse is ready and all the stars are aligned. I shouldn’t have told my horse, because he decided instead to twist a shoe and stick a clip up in his foot, and of course proceed to limp around rather dramatically, thusly nixing any plans I had to do cool things. Maybe he liked 2020 and not competing a little too much??

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Carolina International CCI and H.T.: [Website] [Schedule] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Orders of Go] [Live Stream] [Volunteer]

Ocala Winter II H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]

Pine Top Farm Spring H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]

Southern Arizona Eventing Association H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times] [Volunteer]

International Eventing Preview:

Oasby Elite H.T. (UK): [Website] [Entries] [Live Stream]

News From Around the Globe:

Jennie Brannigan came out swinging at Red Hills, after deciding to keep her top horses at home for a later start in the season. With a win in the advanced and an eye on two entries at Kentucky, it seems her hard work from 2020 is paying off. It’s been 6 years since Jennie went to Kentucky with Cambalda, and this year she’s heading there with Stella Artois and FE Lifestyle, two very talented but different horses. She dishes on everything in this COTH interview. [Ringside Chat with Jennie Brannigan]

Looking to get in on the Eventing media game? The USEA is currently searching for qualified applicants for a position in the Media and Communications Department. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Media, or a related field are asked to apply. Preference will be given to applicants with experience in the equestrian sport of eventing, creating and executing a media plan for web and social media, managing a content management system for a website, the ability to write and develop high-quality articles, photography, and video skills. [Work for the USEA]

Meghan McNamara’s love of thoroughbreds goes all the way back to birth, and her family has long been fans of the breed. Her grandparents bred, owned, and raced thoroughbreds, and the whole family has a long history of tracking down horses and claiming them back for sentimental reasons. Her entry to the 2021 RRP Mega Makeover is Pied N True, the last horse her grandmother ever owned and raced, and Pied has a peculiar marking that will certainly set her apart! [Carrying on a Family Legacy]

Ecovet’s spring sale is in full swing! Get your hands on the best fly spray you can possibly find for 2021 to make it the best year ever. Ecovet lasts all day long, and you just spray a little bit a time, so no more walking around smelling like a citronella smoke bomb. Use the coupon code SPRING2021 to receive 30% off your online purchase on their website! [Ecovet Spring Sale]

 

Seven years ago one of us had the brilliant idea to put a helmet cam on me riding a bike at breakneck speed around the Carolina CIC3* (now 4*) course.

 

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: At Home with Team Sweden

By on Mar 17, 2021 5:12 pm -

Ever wondered who the coaches behind some of eventing’s global teams are? In this new video from FEITV, you’ll meet Fred Bergendorff, chef d’equipe of the Swedish team and undeniable provider of eye candy at major events all over Europe.

Though many of Sweden’s riders have made waves on the world stage, the team is something of a work-in-progress – but they’re swiftly gaining on the leading nations, bagging a qualification for Tokyo, a Nations Cup series win, and a European Championships bronze medal in 2019. Now, even with the spectre of coronavirus looming overhead, they continue to go from strength to strength – thanks to some savvy adaptability and an awful lot of Zoom calls.

With both the Olympics and the European Championships on their schedule for the year ahead, could we be on the cusp of watching the great Swedish takeover?

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In Memory of Red Hills Horse Trials Co-Founder Sylvia Ochs

By on Mar 17, 2021 4:52 pm -

Photo courtesy of Sallie Ausley.

The eventing community lost a lifelong supporter of the sport in Red Hills Horse Trials co-founder Sylvia Ochs last week. Sylvia passed away peacefully in Tallahassee, Fl. on Thursday, March 11, on the eve of the 2021 event at Red Hills, at the age of 79. Fellow co-founder Sallie Ausley has graciously shared the following memorial tribute:

The Red Hills Horse Trials family has lost one of its own – Sylvia Coons Ochs, one of the event’s founders, passed away on March 11, 2021. In 1998, Sylvia Ochs with co-organizer Sallie Ausley along with three other original organizing committee and hundreds of volunteers began the first Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, Florida. The event succeeded to become a World Cup Qualifier and now a CIC**** competition.

Sylvia was the ultimate horse person. Over the years, she served as Vice President, District Commissioner and Regional Supervisor of the United States Pony Club. Her community spirit extended well beyond the horse world and impacted Tallahassee in countless ways.

She had many talents and amazing organizational skills along with grace and a magnetic personality. She spearheaded events and projects with an eye to every detail and was twice voted Volunteer of the Year! Sylvia was President of the Junior League of Tallahassee, worked with Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, LeMoyne Art Foundation, the Tallahassee Symphony, and the Museum of History and Natural Sciences.

Photo courtesy of Sallie Ausley.

Sylvia died peacefully at the age of 79. She was born in Walton, N. Y. graduating with honors from New York University Belleview School of Nursing. She is survived by her children, Lisa Perry, Karla Newton, and Dr. George Ochs and seven beloved grandchildren.

A private memorial service will be held in Walton, NY at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Tallahassee Memorial Health Care Foundation, Tallahassee Symphony or the Leon County Humane Society. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Sylvia Coons Ochs please click here.

[Remembering Sylvia Ochs]