Classic Eventing Nation

Thursday Video from Cambox: Run Around Carolina International with Tim Bourke and Quality Time

By on Mar 25, 2021 5:30 pm -

Ride along with Tim on Carla Abramcheck’s Quality Time in the Advanced at Carolina International CCI and Horse Trial where they were double clear! Carolina always has some of the best cross country courses of the year and they didn’t disappoint this year.
Filmed with Cambox Horse

Posted by Bourke Eventing on Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Tim Bourke and the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare, Quality Time (Guidam – Ruby Roller, by High Roller) owned by Carla Abramcheck took home the blue ribbon in the Advanced division at Carolina International last weekend. The pair added just a single rail in the show jumping to seal the deal for their win, and we’re treated to a special edition of Tim’s Cambox video with a view of the live stream to compare perspectives.

Cambox is currently on sale for up to 30% off! Click here to score a deal.

Volunteer Nation: 6 Events That Need Help This Weekend

By on Mar 25, 2021 1:00 pm -

Volunteering is the best way to spectate events while we’re still on a spectator ban enforced by US Equestrian. What better way to stay socially distanced and take in your favorite sport? Each Thursday, we round up the still-available volunteer positions at events happening around the country. Have you volunteered lately? Send a photo from your day to [email protected] so we can share it!

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: Stable View Spring FEI 1*/2*/3*/4*
Dates: Thursday, March 25 through Saturday, March 27
Address: 117 Stable Dr, Aiken, SC, 29801
Positions Available: XC Water Distribution, Vet Box Assistant

Event: Full Gallop Farm March II H.T.
Dates: Sunday, March 28
Address: 3828 Wagener Rd, Aiken, SC, 29805
Positions Available: XC Jump Judge, XC Start Timer, XC Warm-up, Dressage Bit Check, Dressage Scribe, Dressage Steward, Hospitality Helper, Floater, SJ In-Gate, SJ Jump Crew, SJ Scribe, SJ Steward

Event: Majestic Oaks Recognized H.T.
Dates: Thursday, March 22 through Monday, March 28
Address: 17500 N US Highway 441, Reddick, FL, 32686
Positions Available: Dressage Bit Check, Floater, General Help, SJ Jump Crew, SJ Warm-up, XC Crossing Guard, XC Jump Judge, Dressage Score Runner, Hospitality Steward

Event: Morven Park Spring H.T.
Dates: Saturday, March 27 through Sunday, March 28
Address: 41580 Sunday Morning Lane, Leesburg, VA, 20176
Positions Available: XC Jump Judge

Event: Poplar Place Farm Spring H.T.
Dates: Saturday, March 27 through Sunday, March 28
Address: 8191 US Hwy 27E, Hamilton, GA, 31811
Positions Available: XC Finish Timer, XC Jump Judge, XC Start Timer, Dressage Scribe

Event: Texas Rose Horse Park Spring H.T.
Dates: Saturday, March 27 through Sunday, March 28
Address: 14078 State Highway 110 N, Tyler, TX, 75704
Positions Available: XC Jump Judge, Dressage Scribe

By the Numbers: Galway Downs CCI4*-S

By on Mar 25, 2021 10:00 am -

The East coast eventing scene is on a roll, with international 4*-S events every weekend from now until mid-April, but the West Coast has its own share of top pairs making their final preps before heading to the Bluegrass. Galway Downs will see thirteen pairs contest the 4*-S this weekend, with three pairs headed next to Kentucky. Emilee Libby and Jakobi will be making the horse’s 5* debut next month with Lauren Billys and Erin Kellerhouse will make the trek with Castle Larchfield Purdy and Woodford Reserve to contest the 4*-S.

Galway is a venue that is constantly re-inventing itself in order to bring the best of eventing out to the West coast and this weekend is no exception. Clayton Fredericks will be designing the 4*-S for the first time, after making his debut as course designer here last fall for the 4*-L. Marc Donovan, another east coast favorite, returns for the third year to create the stadium courses.

In the last half decade, the winner of this division has had two things in common: a clean round in stadium and finishing at most 3 seconds over optimum time. While doing those two things will not guarantee you a win in this division, one thing is apparent: you cannot win the division without it. In the last edition of this event in 2019, Emilee Libby and Jakobi were the only pair in the field to do so, and clinched the win as a result.

DRESSAGE

Helen Aliston and Ebay. Photo by Ride On Photo.

Helen Alliston (née Bouscaren) has been a rider to watch with her current mount Ebay, placing in the top three for five of their six completions and winning twice at the A/4* level in their last four outings. The pair demonstrated their potential last winter when they laid down a 23.6 in the Advanced at Twin Rivers and reiterated that it wasn’t a fluke this February, scoring a 25.7 at the same event.

Meanwhile, Erin Kellerhouse and her ride Woodford Reserve made waves in their debut at the top level with a similar record; they too have placed in the top three for five of their six starts at this level. This pair has scored sub-thirty in all but one outing, so will ready to contest with Helen and Ebay for the lead after the first phase.

SHOW JUMPING

Woodford Reserve has jumped clear in four of his five A/4*-S starts, so don’t be looking for Erin Kellerhouse to drop down the ranks at all during the second phase. On the other hand, Ebay has more typically had a rail or two than jumped clear, and last put in a fault free stadium round in 2018. He and Helen Alliston will leave the door open for Lauren Billys and her long-time partner Castle Larchfield Purdy, who have stepped up the game in this phase. In their four outings over the last two years, this pair has incurred only one rail.

Emilee Libby and Jakobi. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Keep an eye out too for Emilee Libby and Jakobi in this phase, as they climb the leaderboard based on the strength of this horse’s jump.

CROSS COUNTRY

Lauren Billys and Castle Larchfield Purdy. Photo by Shelby Allen.

There’s not likely to be much movement on the final day in the top three placings; Woodford Reserve, Castle Larchfield Purdy, and Ebay all boast speed ratings that indicate they could very well make the time if the historic percentage of clear rounds at this venue is equaled. Even if they don’t, their average pace is very similar to one another, leaving little separation in the scoring on the final day.

Jakobi and Emilee Libby will likely be just outside the time but will continue to climb into a top four placing.

PREDICTIONS:

WINNER

Erin Kellerhouse & Woodford Reserve. Photo by Sherry Stewart

Woodford Reserve and Erin Kellerhouse have been knocking on the door for a year for a win at the 4*-S level; this weekend will be ripe with opportunity for them.

FASTEST CROSS-COUNTRY ROUND

Chloe Smyth & Stag Party. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Keep an eye on the young pair Chloe Smyth and Stag Party to set the pace for the day; in three clear completions at A/4*, they set the pace at Woodside and were only 9 seconds off the leader at Copper Meadows last fall.

Sally Spickard will be on the ground in Temecula bringing you coverage from each phase of the CCI4*-S at Galway Downs, and Ride On Video is also providing a live stream for those who’d like to follow along.

Galway Downs International: Website, Entry Status, Ride Times, Live Scores

By the Numbers: Stable View CCI4*-S

By on Mar 25, 2021 8:00 am -

New to the spring competition schedule is Stable View 4*-S, which tried to put on their inaugural spring show last year only to be an early casualty of the pandemic. With a slate of 52 entries far exceeding their attendance record for the fall show, Stable View’s attraction to the riders headed to the long formats this spring can’t be understated.

Thus far, the venue’s Advanced and CCI4*-S divisions have hardly been a dressage show: in fact only once has the winner of the dressage gone on to win one of these divisions and that was in a sparsely populated Advanced class that was held alongside the show’s first FEI edition. While the winner of these classes have come from the top five dressage tests all but once, they rarely have produced the win thanks to the tricky nature of cross country here. In fact, in order to win this division, you have to put in a speed rating of zero, meaning the pair either needs to make the time or be the fastest round of the day. Five of seven winners here have done it, with a sixth pair winning off only one second of time.

Up until 2019, Phillip Dutton and Boyd Martin dominated this venue, winning every Advanced and 4*-S division until 2020. Phillip returns this weekend with Z, who has won this division twice, while Buck Davidson trots out Carlevo, the horse who broke the streak of ex-Australian winners. Liz Halliday-Sharp, who won last fall, will have a pair of contenders as well but not her Stable View winner Fernhill By Night, who finished second at Carolina International just last weekend.

DRESSAGE

If you read this and think you’ve read it before, don’t feel surprised because once again we have Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous competing head to head in the first phase with Tamie Smith and EnVogue, two weeks after they met at Red Hills. Unsurprisingly, Marilyn and RF Scandalous are the most likely to lead after day one; they’ve now extended their winning dressage streak to eleven consecutive A/4*/5* starts. With a two-year average of 22.0 penalties, it’s hard to see where anyone will be able to catch them.

Buck Davidson and Carlevo. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Tamie and EnVogue slip into the next slot with an average of 27.7 for the level, having broken 70% in all but the mare’s first start at the 4* level. Despite seven consecutive scores in the twenties, they will have sharper competition this weekend in the form of Buck Davidson and Carlevo, who won last year at this venue in June. Although Carlevo can lack the consistency of the two aforementioned mares, he consistently scores sub-thirty more often than he doesn’t, including clocking in a 25.8 earlier this year at Rocking Horse.

Not to be left out is another previous winner, Z with Phillip Dutton. Phillip did his homework with this horse during the pandemic lockdown and came out swinging, dropping their average in dressage nearly four points between the 2019 and 2020 seasons. The question will be if they can keep up the qualify of work in 2021 without that prolonged period to concentrate on it; a score of 23.4 at Pine Top this winter indicated that he perhaps has only gotten better.

The young horse Trendy Fernhill will be a fresh addition to the leaderboard under Jenny Caras; this horse has won two consecutive outings at the A/4*S level, although this will by far be the most competitive field he has faced thus far. In five starts, he has averaged a 29.8 which would leave him well placed this weekend.

SHOW JUMPING

Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

The stadium will leave the top of the leaderboard unchanged, with three of the four top placings unlikely to drop a rail. RF Scandalous often moonlights in the jumper world with Marilyn Little and has had only two rails in 16 of 18 career stadium rounds; the last one occurred in 2018. Z too is a notoriously careful jumper; he and Phillip Dutton have put in 25 clear rounds out of 29 at the A/4*/5* levels.

Buck Davidson and Carlevo are also more likely to jump clear than not; they’ve jumped clear in 9 of 11 A/4* starts in the the last two years. Trendy Fernhill and Jenny Caras have had only one rail in five rounds at the level and have twice won thanks to clear stadium rounds.

Meanwhile, some stalkers after dressage will start making their move up the leaderboard. While Stella Artois can occasionally throw in a top score, she more consistently stalks the leaders after day one and makes up ground in the stadium phase on day two. She and Jennie Brannigan have jumped clear in seven of eight starts in the last two years.

Idaho-based Sara Mittleider and La Paz are another pair to keep an eye out for in the stadium. This pair jumps clear more often than not at the A/4*S level, clocking in only two total rails in six career starts. Another Sara, Sara Kozumplik-Murphy and Rubens d’Ysieux, join the super careful club with six clear rounds in seven stadium starts as a pair; they only incurred their first rail together at this level at the Advanced at Morven Park last fall.

CROSS COUNTRY

The question as always for RF Scandalous is going to be cross country time and whether she and Marilyn Little have sufficient cushion from their stellar dressage and stadium phases to keep their lead over the remainder of the field. Although this pair made time for the first time at the level two weeks ago, the fact that 36% of the field also made the time was an anomaly not only for the venue but for the level itself. At the 4*-s level, clear and inside the time rates of 30% or higher have only occurred thirteen times worldwide since 2015, so finishing times at the 2021 Red Hills will be an outlier for most horses.

Since Stable View is another venue notoriously tough to make the time at, it is much more likely that this pair will be back to needing some seconds in hand going into the final phase. Luckily, their talent in the first two phases will probably give them some breathing room, but ultimately the question, as always, will be is it enough?

Two-time winners Z and Phillip Dutton will be ready to pounce as one of the fastest pairs in the field. The 2018 WEG pair have accumulated a grand total of only 1 second over optimum time in two runs here at this venue, both of which culminated in a win.

Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Buck Davidson and Carlevo will be a touch slower, along with Jenny Caras and Trendy Fernhill and Sara Mittleider and La Paz, all of whom will probably rack up around ten seconds worth of time penalties. This will leave the door open for some speedsters to nab a top five spot; Jacob Fletcher with Atlantic Domino are capable of blazingly fast rounds when they want to, and have made the time at two venues difficult to catch the time at. EnVogue could also come roaring back to the top of the leaderboard with Tamie Smith if she returns to typical form; her clear rounds tend to be paired with the fastest pace of the day.

PREDICTIONS:

WINNER

Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

RF Scandalous should be able to make it two in a row this weekend, with enough cushion between her and the other top pairs to give her the time she needs to complete on cross country.

EXTENDING CLEAR JUMPING STREAKS

Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Singapore. Photo by Abby Powell.

Z is a great stadium horse but it’s his stablemate Fernhill Singapore who currently owns the longest consecutive streak of clear A/4*-S rounds in this field. Under Phillip Dutton, with one lone catch ride from Boyd Martin, this horse has jumped clear in his last seven at A/4* rounds.

BIGGEST MOVER

Nilson Da Silva and Magnum’s Martini. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Magnum’s Martini is a strong candidate to move well up the order after the jumping phases; with loads of experience at this level, this horse knows what comes after dressage!

OTHER DIVISIONS

  • As a 4-year-old, 2 A.M. won the 2016 East Coast YEH Championships. Under Charlotte Babbitt, he is back on the East coast to contend in the 3*-S.
  • Joe Meyer competes former Price ride Kindred Spirit II in the 3*-S division. Under both Tim and Jonelle this horse competed through the 4*-L level.
  • Former 5* ride RF Eloquence is back on the East coast with Meg Pellegrini in the 3*-S division.
  • Keep an eye out for Cornelius Bo in the 2*-S division. Under owner Alyssa Phillips, he has won his last eight consecutive events from Training level up through Prelim and 2*-S.
  • River King has competed up through the Advanced level with four total riders, including current rider Anna Pierce; they will be in the 3*-S division this weekend.

Dressage starts today. While there is sadly not a live stream for Stable View this weekend, we’ll be bringing you media reports from the press team on the ground all weekend.

Stable View International: Website, Entry Status, Ride Times, Live Scores

Thursday News & Notes from Ecovet

By on Mar 25, 2021 12:03 am -

Zara Tindall as a wee babe at Badminton. Photo courtesy of Badminton HT FB.

Congratulations to Badminton rider Zara Tindall and husband Mike on the birth of their baby boy Lucas! Zara and Mike welcomed their third child this week in a quick birth at home. Born into royalty but always a horse girl at heart, Zara has long been a valued member of the British eventing squad. I absolutely love this photo that Badminton Horse Trials shared of Zara as a little girl patting
Mike Tucker’s horse General Bugle in the stables at Badminton.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Galway Downs International H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Stable View Spring 1*/2*/3*/4*: [Website]
[Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Full Gallop Farm March II H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]

March H.T. at Majestic Oaks: [Website] [Volunteer]

Morven Park H.T.: [Website] [Volunteer]

Poplar Place Farm March H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Texas Rose Spring H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

News From Around the Globe:

With 199 entries this weekend at Stable View, it’s a packed event with horses of all levels. Stable View has been running FEI levels since 2018 at their Oktoberfest event at the end of September. This year is the first year they will also offer FEI levels in the spring – this week, Stable View will run CCI1*-S, CCI2*-S, and CCI3*-S, and CCI4*-S divisions and host the first Adequan/USEF Youth Team Challenge of the year. Ready for some fast facts? [Stable View Fast Facts]

A sunken road may include as many as four jumping components at the upper level. For instance, it could be a vertical, then a stride to a considerable drop into a pit, a one-stride distance to a bank going out of the pit, and beyond the bank, another vertical or even a bounce. But a sunken road is more than just a combination of cross-country elements. It tests your horse’s power, balance and agility to jump down, then rock back and rebalance within a short distance to jump up again. Learn how to train your horse for sunken roads with Boyd Martin in this article. [The Downs and Ups of Sunken Roads]

Chris Bartle knows a thing or two about what makes a winner. He should know – he’s won at the highest level of both eventing and dressage himself, and trained gold medal teams for two different nations. “It’s the third element that is critical to a champion, they are not worried about making a mistake. The first quality is will to win, the second is attention to detail, and third, not afraid of making mistakes – the willingness to take a risk. Fourth is mental toughness. I always say in every sport, life goes in waves, up and down, keep rowing the boat and you’ll meet the next wave coming up, but don’t jump out of the boat!” [What Makes a Winner?]

Looking to get in on ownership of a top talent from the beginning? Stephen Bradley has an amazing mare in Erika Louvo who he believes is a horse with potential for the upper levels of eventing, and he is looking for owners to form a partnership to keep her in his barn. Learn more and watch some videos of Erika here.

Ecovet is still having their spring sale! Don’t forget to stock up on the best ever fly spray that will last you all day by using the code SPRING2021 to get 30% off on everything from their site. [Ecovet Spring Sale]

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: The Secrets of Success at the Billy Stud

By on Mar 24, 2021 7:11 pm -

Before champions can be made, they must be born – and both these steps, and then a few more, can be found in action in West Sussex, England, at The Billy Stud. Home to eventing legend Pippa Funnell and her husband, top showjumper William Funnell, The Billy Stud is in the business of building tomorrow’s superstars from the bottom up.

Now in its 22nd year, the stud is one of Britain’s most successful breeding operations – and its forward-thinking virtual and in-house sales mean that anyone with some funds to spare can add a Billy youngster to their spring. But what goes into bringing up baby for a career on the world’s biggest stages? Go behind the scenes with the FEI to discover the Funnells’ horses-first ethos.

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  • Maintains a balanced immune response within the joint, decreasing damaging inflammation and the development of osteoarthritis.
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For more information, visit KPPvet.com.

More That Meets the Eye: How Ride On Video Started With Some Borrowed Cameras and an Idea

By on Mar 24, 2021 2:30 pm -

There is so much more that goes into putting on an event than meets the eye. In this series, “More Than Meets the Eye”, we’ll be taking a deeper dive into all the people who make events what they are: videographers, photographers, course builders, volunteers, you name it! In part one of this series, we take a look into how California-based videography service Ride On Video creates priceless footage for eventers of all levels. To nominate someone to be featured in this series, please email [email protected].

Photo courtesy of Ride On Video.

Ride On Video – a California-based videography service we all know and love – has been videoing West coast events for nearly 14 years.

A media background combined with some people skills was the perfect match to kick-start Ride On Video for founders Bob and Debi, but they never planned to start such an operation. Their daughter, Tayler, was competing one weekend and they got a little bored, so they jokingly said, “Go ask people if they want you to film them.” Next thing you know, a friend introduced them to other trainers, which led to them filming breed shows. Ride On Video was on to something – they could earn back their daughter’s entry fees and it was fun!

“I always joke that Ride On Video was started on two borrowed cameras and an idea because at the time we didn’t have good video cameras, we would borrow from friends,” the founders explained. The budding service began to cover driving shows and ventured out to the eventing world. They had just a few cameras, but they also had a lot of heart and fell in love with the sport fast.

A perfect filming setup! Photo by Ride On Video.

“What’s number one to us is the riders. What we do is for the riders. We always want to put out the best thing that we can for the riders. One: it’s the best lesson they can spend their money on, watching their competition with their trainer and studying it. Two: if you have a great go, what a great thing, right? It’s priceless.”

A lot goes into the process of filming for Ride On Video, which proudly films every rider competing so that a later order may be placed. From arranging travels to uploading the footage, it takes a whole team. The Ride On Video crew starts at a show at about 5 a.m., getting the schedule from the show office and setting up each camera. It’s not just the cameras, though. Each numbered camera has a corresponding tripod, battery, radio, and clipboard which all go in the corresponding bag. After shooting the riders, footage gets compressed in order to go to editing. Once edited, the video gets uploaded to the website. “It’s labor intensive, but it’s a labor of love,” Ride On Video says.

Photo courtesy of Ride On Video.

“If you were at the Olympics or if you’re the intro kid, I cheer for you all the same. I admire these riders so much. What they do is so special,” the company explained. From the riders that are starting at their first rated show to the professionals, the team loves to hear how their rides went and keeps up with the community on social media. “People always ask what the secret of Ride On Video is and I feel that it is that we passionately love the sport and the people in it.”

Stay tuned for a feature coming next on the new arm of Ride On Video: Ride On Photo. To find Ride On Video at an event near you, visit rideonvideo.net.

Go Eventing.

Unprecedented Turnout Expected at Galway Downs Spring International This Weekend

By on Mar 24, 2021 11:30 am -

Erin Kellerhouse and Woodford Reserve. Photo by The West Equestrian/Kim Miller.

An unprecedented turnout of horses and riders for this week’s Galway Downs International Horse Trials, March 25-28, marks a milestone on the West Coast eventing scene. One year ago, it was the first major West Coast eventing showcase to be shuttered by the COVID-19 virus.

When it was safe to resume competition under “new normal” protocols, Robert Kellerhouse’s Kellerhouse Presents team led the way in staging safe, enjoyable and constructive competition for horses and riders. When competition couldn’t be hosted, the Kellerhouse crew made the most of it by accelerating and expanding upgrades and enhancements that have become a trademark of the 242-acre equestrian venue located in the heart of Southern California’s Temecula Valley Wine Country.

Many of those improvements were showcased at the Galway Downs International last fall. It featured CCI4*-L competition that drew top East Coast riders and hosted the USEF National CCI3*-L Championships. Boyd Martin, Liz Halliday-Sharp and Phillip Dutton were among the international stars who had not competed in Temecula in several years and they went home with rave reviews.

“It was great for the West Coast to have them see the level of improvements in everything,” notes Asia Vedder, chair of USEA Area VI and an upper-level competitor who finished as reserve champion in the USEF’s National CCI3*L Championships last fall. “Robert and his team work really hard at constantly improving the facility, which is much appreciated. He’s been able to make many of the improvements because he thinks outside the box, particularly when it comes to working with organizers in other disciplines.”

Kellerhouse’s three-year partnership with hunter/jumper organizers, Nilforushan Equisport Events, has led to particularly transformative upgrades in footing, exhibitor amenities and elsewhere. The wholehearted support of Galway Downs owner Ken Smith is the bedrock supporting the venue’s continual growth.

On top of substantial upgrades unveiled in the fall, first-rate all-weather footing has been added to additional arenas. The cross-country tracks designed by Clayton Fredericks (3 & 4*) and Bert Wood (2*-BN) will be roped off for the upper levels, as they were to great effect in the fall. Both designers assure exciting new obstacles and challenges on all routes.

While spectators are not allowed due to COVID-19 safety protocols, a new, permanent VIP pavilion allows exhibitors safe social distancing in comfort while watching the action in the Grand Prix Arena. Sponsor Ride On Video will be live-streaming the FEI action.

Volunteering is the best form of spectating and there are opportunities available here.

The international, Advanced and Open Intermediate divisions begin on Thursday, March 25, with dressage in the morning and show jumping in the afternoon. Cross-country will wrap up on Friday. Competition through Beginner Novice continues through Sunday.

Exhibitors from throughout the Western United States and generous sponsors make the Galway Downs International Horse Trials the perfect international season opener.

Galway Downs International: Website, Entry Status, Ride Times, Live Scores

Perspective: Quantity Over Quality Will Stifle the Grassroots of Eventing

By on Mar 24, 2021 9:00 am -

A number of riders have shared with us their opinions about a recently proposed rule change by the USEA concerning the increased number of MERs to move up to Preliminary, Intermediate and Advanced. As of March 12, this change has been tabled until the 2023 competition season. Tamie Smith recently appeared on an episode of The Jon and Rick Show to discuss the proposed changes, and she shares those opinions with us today. To read other Perspective pieces on this topic, click here.

Tamie Smith and Danito. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve spent countless hours on the phone discussing the implications of the proposed increase in events used as Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) from four to 10. As a professional rider and ICP Level 4 coach who has based on the West coast for nearly the entirety of my career, it’s hard not to foresee the starvation of a sport that is already suffering in Area 6 – and the stifling of thousands of other grassroots riders who live in even lesser populated areas – should this change go into effect.

I’m happy to hear that the USEA and the Safety Committee have pushed this proposal to 2023, hopefully to consider more feedback and better options, but my questions and concerns remain. The proposal suggested a number of 10 events with MERs achieved in order to qualify for a move up to Prelim. Here’s why this is problematic for eventers in areas such as California, the Midwest, or essentially anywhere aside from Areas 2 and 3.

Speaking from my experience as a California eventer, trust me when I say we are not lacking for power in numbers of riders here in Area 6. We are a strong community full of professional, amateur, and young rider talent – you can clearly see the talent rising to the top in the most recent Under 25 Training List, where several talented kids named hail from the West coast.

No, what we are starving for here is events. We are used to driving five to eight hours to compete in California, traveling up and down the entire coast of the country in order to complete one season.

In 2021, there are 22 USEA-recognized events on the Area 6 calendar; several of which remain under “Pending USEF Approval” status. By contrast in Area 3, you are at nearly 30 recognized events just by the end of March. Now add in the hundreds of miles driven to get from one end of California to the other (or to drive from other, less populated states, such as Montana or Arizona), and you’re facing a steep challenge for even the most well-supported, well-funded riders.

If the number of MERs increases to 10, the sport will starve in areas except for those on the East coast. It’s simply not a sustainable number. And the argument to relocate is not feasible for the majority of riders. Essentially, what this rule tells me is that the talented riders who have made their livelihoods in areas that are not hubs of the sport will find themselves far out of reach of achieving necessary qualifications.

It’s a no-brainer to me that the more experience you have as a rider, the less likely you are to have an accident. But there has been no quantifiable data made available that shows a direct correlation between a minimum of 10 MERs and a safe cross country round. So why are we jumping straight from four to 10 without first making the MERs more stringent? Let’s start there.

After lengthy discussions with other professionals on the West coast, a formula that emerged was the idea of six MERs (up from four), with stricter requirements for each phase.

It’s my opinion that a horse scoring a 45 in the dressage and consistently having four poles down and a lot of time on cross country might not be ready to move up to Prelim. Horses and riders need to be properly developed, and only skating by on minimums does not accomplish this. In addition, there is evidence that a better dressage score doesn’t necessarily constitute safer jumping. However with all of the components together, the MERs will help with safer and better educated riding.

The formula that we spent hours discussing involves making an MER a 40 or better dressage score, 3 or fewer rails in show jumping, and 10 or fewer time on cross country would set the bar for quality riding a bit higher, creating better and more effective riders who are more suited to tackle Preliminary. The time requirement for cross country could be set to 10 or fewer for only one or two of the MERs, to encourage proper education and progression on speed.

By increasing the number of MERs to a more reasonable threshold such as six, you’re still asking riders to have more experience (which is never a bad thing) without freezing so many out before they even have a chance with a high number like 10.

What happens if you pick up 20 penalties on cross country? Your number of MERs would then increase to eight, giving you more time to go back to the drawing board and make some improvements.

While these figures aren’t concrete, they’re a starting point for a better solution than arbitrarily choosing a (very high) number, seemingly based on a very limited amount of supporting evidence.

An increase to 10 MERs may not seem like a big deal to those who are either flush with cash or who live in eventing hubs such as Florida or Virginia (or both), but they are a huge deal for everyone else. And even for the wealthiest of riders, 10 MERs means more miles, more potential for maintenance, and more bills – all things no one wants more of.

I’ve spent the last few years traversing the country to bring my upper-level string to the East coast to measure myself against the best of the best on a regular basis. I do not want this to become my only option, and this is what I fear would happen, eventually, if these proposals move forward. And I am lucky enough to have this opportunity regularly – what of everyone else who works just as hard? This sport is built on the dollars and participation of every rider, not just us professionals. We need to do more to support those riders, and pulling the sport away from those who happen to live in less heavily-populated areas will do nothing but damage any progress that has been made.

Eventing should not be the sport that people or horses do because they are not “good enough” to do decent in dressage or show jumping. Eventing is the most demanding of all the equestrian disciplines, and ultimately we need to have higher expectations and be better horsemen.

Wednesday News & Notes from Haygain

By on Mar 24, 2021 12:01 am -

The CREW Urban Youth Equestrians is scheduling lessons! It was a big day welcoming our first two CREW members. We had So.Much.Fun!!

We cannot wait to travel this path with these youth and see where it leads!!

Posted by The CREW Urban Youth Equestrians on Sunday, March 14, 2021

I’ve just finished reading Kareem Rosser’s memoir, Crossing the Line, and it’s gotten me thinking hard about the concept of access to horses.

Recently, I’ve seen a handful more mentions of “the aristocratic sport of eventing” or the “elite equestrian sport of eventing” than usual. I always feel a bit of a twinge when I hear our sport referred to in such a way, though I know that at their root these descriptions have a lot of truth. But it saddens me to think of the talented riders who may have fallen by the wayside – sometimes, as in Kareem’s life story, into terrible circumstances – had it not been for horses.

This is why the work being done by programs such as Work to Ride, Detroit Horsepower, the Metropolitan Equestrian Team, the CREW Urban Youth Equestrians, and many others is so incredibly valuable. I often find myself feeling helpless, wanting to help more but unsure how when I don’t currently ride or belong to a barn.

My best advice if you’re feeling similarly is to take the time to learn about access programs near you and/or around the country – chances are, through a donation or through volunteering time, there are a myriad of ways to make even a small difference. I’m also pleased to let you know that my incredible colleagues at Strides for Equality Equestrians have worked diligently to create a Resource Directory listing access programs around the country.

And pick up a copy of Crossing the Line while you’re at it. The Optimum Youth Equestrian Scholarship is hosting a virtual book club to discuss the book on Thursday, April 1 – you can RSVP to the free event here.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Galway Downs International H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Stable View Spring 1*/2*/3*/4*: [Website]
[Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Full Gallop Farm March II H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]

March H.T. at Majestic Oaks: [Website] [Volunteer]

Morven Park H.T.: [Website] [Volunteer]

Poplar Place Farm March H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Texas Rose Spring H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Wednesday News & Notes:

Michael Willham, who has also blogged for EN, catches us up on his journey with Fernhill Cayenne in the latest “Now On Course” from the USEA.

Groton House Farm Horse Trials (Area I) has announced that it will not run in 2021. “It is possible, depending upon the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, that we will be able to host one or 2 of the unrecognized events which are more manageable to implement with social distancing and masking,” the event stated on Facebook.

Casting call! Ecogold is looking for models for an upcoming photo shoot in Montreal, Ontario, and Calgary as well as Tampa, Fl. The brand is seeking models of all ages, ethnicities, body types and disciplines.

Five weeks after EHV-1 took its first horse at Venturing Hills Equestrian Farm, another two had been lost despite remarkable efforts to reverse the highly aggressive and infectious virus’ course. Staff and volunteers at the Luskville, Quebec boarding, training and lesson facility are living at the barn to monitor and care for the horses. Read how Haygain has made a huge difference, thanks to the generosity of Venturing Hills family member Peter Becke.

Wednesday Video Break

Beating the heat, a new series from the FEI on YouTube: