Classic Eventing Nation

#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?

Need to preserve healthy joints?

Ask your vet about JointWise™.

JointWise:

  • Maintains a balanced immune response within the joint, decreasing damaging inflammation and the development of osteoarthritis.
  • Preserves fluid motion and flexibility.
  • Supplies the building blocks necessary to support normal cartilage growth and the regeneration of damaged tissues.
  • Sustains ample high-quality synovial fluid, which lubricates and nourishes the joints.

For more information, visit KPPvet.com.

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]

Friends of Ferdinand, Inc. Launches New Broodmare Pilot Program

By on Mar 17, 2021 3:30 pm -

Stock image.

Friends of Ferdinand, Inc. (FFI) is thrilled to announce the launch of their new pilot program called Broodmare Bunch. This program is an expansion of FFI’s current mission to rehab, retrain, and rehome Thoroughbreds directly off the track after their racing careers. Broodmare Bunch will be open to Thoroughbred mares who have been pensioned from broodmare duty as part of the horseracing breeding industry. The program will assist potentially at-risk broodmares in finding homes after their breeding careers have ended.

“While there are many organizations that assist horses fresh from the racetrack, there are very few that have a program dedicated to the broodmares. This is an unmet need,” says FFI President Sara Busbice. “Anything from fertility issues, difficulty foaling, lack of successful racing offspring, or downsizing a herd can cause a broodmare to be removed from a breeding farm, often at a young enough age that she could go on to have a terrific ‘third’ career after her jobs on the racetrack and as a mother are over.”

Trainer Lori Miller, who runs Greenstone Stables where many of FFI’s horses live during their retraining, expressed her excitement about FFI expanding into this new realm of the Thoroughbred industry. “We would certainly be fulfilling an industry need by adding broodmares to our roster,” she says. “Diversifying our herd will give us the ability to have more horses available for different levels of potential adopters. We are looking forward to expanding our existing program by bringing these new horses into our barn!”

The pilot program for FFI’s Broodmare Bunch is launching in March 2021. Individuals or farms interested in submitting a broodmare for consideration into the program can do so by filling out a “Donate a Horse” form on the Friends of Ferdinand website. A limited, select number of broodmares will be accepted into the program initially. Preference will be given to horses with connections to racing or breeding in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.

As the only Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-accredited program in Indiana, FFI is dedicated to assisting off-track Thoroughbreds transition to their second or third careers. The program has TAA-accredited farms around Indiana and Ohio as rehabilitation and retraining facilities for Off-Track Thoroughbreds, and these will also be available for mares that are part of the Broodmare Bunch.

The Broodmare Bunch is funded in part by groups and individuals donating to FFI. One of the first, and largest, benefactors of the Broodmare Bunch is the Indiana Thoroughbred Alliance (ITA). ITA is a collaboration of breeders, owners, trainers, and horse-racing enthusiasts dedicated to the continued success of Thoroughbred breeding and racing in the state of Indiana. Their donation of $5,000 will help to launch the program. The money was raised from ITA’s first stallion service auction in December.

“As passionate breeders in Indiana, we know how important it is to not only find second careers for our racehorses, but also for our broodmares,” says Christine Cagle, owner of Springcliff Farm and ITA board member. “The ITA is not only dedicated to the promotion of horse racing in Indiana, but also to the transition of second, or third, careers for our Thoroughbreds. This partnership was a no-brainer.”

Photo courtesy of Friends of Ferdinand.

To learn more about the Broodmare Bunch program, visit the Friends of Ferdinand website. If resources for these broodmares are important to you, and you want to support Broodmare Bunch or get involved, you can direct your questions and comments to [email protected]. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to support this new program, you can do so securely through the Friends of Ferdinand website. 

For more updates on this exciting new expansion of Friends of Ferdinand’s retraining program, and to learn about the mares that will be accepted into the pilot program of Broodmare Bunch and eventually listed for adoption, follow FFI on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay in the loop.

Friends of Ferdinand, Inc. (FFI) is a 501c3 nonprofit equine organization that is dedicated to retired racehorses, and the only organization in Indiana that is accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA). Graduates from the FFI program have gone on to have success in eventing, dressage, calf-roping, western riding, trail riding, as hunter/jumpers, and as therapy horses. 

Harry Meade Is Back in the Tack

By on Mar 17, 2021 12:00 pm -

Harry Meade and Tenareze at Luhmühlen in July 2019. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

It’s been a slow road to recovery for 2014 British WEG silver medalist Harry Meade since a fall at Thoresby last October left him with a head injury. His foot got caught in the stirrup, and he was repeatedly kicked in the head by being dragged at a gallop; by the time his foot eventually detached from the stirrup his hat had been badly damaged and kicked free from his head.

Harry is a horseman through and through and has one of the biggest hearts in the sport — even while badly concussed and injured being loaded into the ambulance, in fact, he asked for a message to be sent to the competitors waiting at the start, apologizing for holding them up! — and his resilience has shown through time and time again. We couldn’t be happier to hear that he is back in his happy place, on the back of a horse.

Harry Meade and Superstition in October 2020. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Harry Meade Eventing shared this update on Friday:

“It’s great to see Harry finally back on a horse and feeling good. He twice started riding and twice had to back off, but is now on a consistent path and coping well. It’s been a fairly grim and humbling few months for Harry – unfortunately with a head injury a simple determination to push through is futile – but he’s now the other side of the main difficulties he was faced with.

“Whilst he’s largely recovered and to the outside looks and sounds himself, he’s still limited by his mental stamina. The neural fatigue he has been experiencing is incomparable to any sort of normal tiredness – the brain starts to shut down with very little warning and the only remedy is to go straight to sleep. However, we are thankful that the thinking part of his brain has been unaffected.

“We’re aware that this is a still an ongoing process and improvements will continue over the course of the rest of the year. The great thing is that thanks to the hard work and patience of those involved in his rehab he is back doing what he does best.

“We’re very grateful to our superb team here at Church Farm, our supportive owners and the brilliant professionals who’ve been working with Harry throughout his rehab, and it’s lovely to see all their support paying off.

“The horses are in great shape and Harry’s planning to start at the elite pathway events before and the season proper kicks off properly as planned in early April.”

Go Harry. Go Eventing.

Painted Ponies Art Walk & Auction to Benefit Carolina Horse Park Foundation

By on Mar 17, 2021 9:30 am -

“Secretariat” by Tiffany Teeter. Photo courtesy of Carolina Horse Park Foundation.

Painted Ponies are once again roaming the streets of downtown Southern Pines! The second annual Painted Ponies Art Walk and Auction runs through March 30 as 12 five-foot tall fiberglass works of art line Broad Street for all to view as visitors walk the downtown area. After the display is over, the ponies will be auctioned off on Saturday, April 3 from 5 – 6:30 p.m. EST with the proceeds benefiting the Carolina Horse Park Foundation.

This year’s auction will take place both live AND online, hosted by professional auctioneers Ben Ferrell and Matt Newsom. People can register now to bid on their favorite pony! There are also several raffle options and the chance to donate to a ‘Fund A Potty’ campaign to build permanent bathroom facilities at the Park.

Carolina Horse Park is, of course, a preeminent venue on the Area II eventing calendar, with its marquee event Carolina International CCI fast approaching on March 18-21, 2021. Other events throughout the year include its War Horse Event Series, Longleaf Pine H.T. (April 17-18), and Five Points H.T (Aug. 28-29). View a full calendar of horse trials here.

Founded in 1998 as a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization by equestrian enthusiasts, CHP is dedicated to the preservation of open space for equestrian events, as well as educational and recreational purposes. We are grateful for their support of the eventing community, and the Painted Ponies Art Walk and Auction is an opportunity to support them in kind.

“The Sun and Her Flower” by Jenay Jarvis.

“Sergeant Reckless” by Larissa Lycholaj.

“Home of American Golf” by Dan Dreyer.

 

For more information about the Painted Ponies Art Walk and Auction, visit www.CarolinaHorsePark.com.