Classic Eventing Nation

Wednesday News & Notes from Haygain

By on Mar 17, 2021 12:01 am -

The Optimum Youth Equestrian Scholarship (OYES), currently in its third round of applications since launching in 2020, aims to provide more opportunity within the equestrian industry to assist youth from underprivileged communities. Through financial awards and mentorship, the scholarship hopes to open more doors and, in turn, create a more diverse and equitable industry for all.

To help raise funds and awareness for the scholarship program, OYES has teamed up with Riding Warehouse and Better Dressage Scores to put on a Virtual Horse Show with USDF, USEA, and WDAA classes available for participation. Interested riders can submit entries through April 8 for feedback from judges Aviva Nebesky, Ida Norris, and Janice Mumford. To learn more and enter, click here.

The deadline for the spring award is April 15, 2021, so there is still time to submit your application for consideration. OYES is also always seeking more mentors interested in helping scholarship recipients and applicants – to learn more and to read about past applicants, click here. You can also read more about the program and its founder, Mandy Collier, who also collaborates with board members Shaq Black and Jacqueline Ely, in this interview with HorseRookie.com.

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.: [https://flhorsepark.com/” target=”_blank”>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]

National Holiday: Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Wednesday News and Notes:

Entries are now open for the Twin Rivers Horse Park Fundraiser Combined Test, happening April 3 and 4 in Paso Robles, Ca. Combined tests from Walk/Trot through Advanced as well as single dressage and jumping rounds will be offered, and funds raised will go to benefit ongoing facility upgrades and maintenance. To learn more and to enter or sign up to volunteer, click here.

Our weekly email newsletter is getting a facelift! Starting this Friday, 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.

We’re gearing up with our planning for coverage of the 2021 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event! We can’t wait to bring you the most comprehensive coverage of the beloved Kentucky event this year, and we’re also cooking up some cool perks for our Patreon supporters! Haven’t joined us on Patreon yet? Click here to learn more.

How does entering an event prior to closing date help the organizer? The USEA’s re-sharing of its 2015 series, “The Entry Fee is Only the Beginning”, continues with part three on entry timing from an organizer’s perspective.

Benefits of steaming your horse’s hay range from improve respiratory health to greater hydration levels, with a slew of other perks in between. If you’re new to the concept, use this reference page from Haygain to read up on the topic.

Just In on Jumper Nation: Incorporating mindfulness in the barn can help us focus and establish a stronger relationship with our horses. How so? Gillian Warner writes on the topic of developing partnerships for Jumper Nation here.

Wednesday Video Break: Piggy March talks about the biosecurity efforts taken in her stables to keep her horses and team safe amidst the EHV-1 outbreak.

In Memory of Tremaine Cooper

By on Mar 16, 2021 2:23 pm -

Former USEA president Carol Kozlowski with Tremaine Cooper 2016. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

It deeply saddens us to report that beloved husband and father, horseman, and well-accomplished course designer Tremaine Cooper passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 13, 2021. He was 52 years old.

Tremaine was perhaps best known in the eventing community as a course designer, having gotten his start riding on his family’s farm with a “fat little pony named Daisy”, putting together little courses for the Pony Club run out of the farm. He would eventually compete up through the former CCI2* level himself in addition to course design. After taking a year off before college to do some course building, Tremaine was officially hooked on the art of design.

“The thing I love about designing is it’s not something you can read a book about and all of the sudden know everything there is,” he said in an interview in 2015. You can do it for 50 years and still be learning…it’s not a static thing, you can always have something better.”

From left: Rob Banner, Great Meadow Foundation president; Darrin Mollett, co-organizer; Mike Etherington-Smith, course designer; Tremaine Cooper, course consultant; and Travers Schick, course builder. Photo by Shauna Alexander.

Tremaine was well-known for his courses all over the U.S. as well as overseas, designing at venues including Aspen Farms, Full Gallop Farm, Virginia Horse Trials, Morven Park, and many, many more. He was also frequently seen mentoring fellow course designers, always nodding to those who came before him and spent the time teaching him the craft.

He was also a staunch supporter of safety, putting his experience behind emerging concepts such as frangible technology and the Modified level as a stepping-stone between Training and Preliminary. Indeed, a true list of every accomplishment, accolade, kind word, and time spent from a person who was a true integral part of the eventing community would take up hundreds of pages.

Tremaine Cooper leaves behind a family and a community of riders and eventing enthusiasts who are forever impacted by his legacy, which has been sadly cut far too short. You can read much more about Tremaine’s legacy in the USEA’s In Memoriam here; we will update this piece with information concerning a memorial and/or donations once they become available.

This past Saturday was a day filled with mixed emotions. I was in Aiken doing some last min design work on Full Gallop's…

Posted by David Taylor on Monday, March 15, 2021

Honestly I’m at a loss for words right now. Tremaine was one of the kindest most reserved people I knew. He served on…

Posted by Jonathan Holling on Monday, March 15, 2021

Tremaine Cooper3/16/2021 0 Comments PictureI think I’m still in shock that I won’t see Tremaine Cooper again. As I…

Posted by Jan Byyny on Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Devon Horse Show $50,000 Arena Eventing to Return in 2021

By on Mar 16, 2021 1:30 pm -

Boyd Martin and Contestor. Photo by The Book LLC.

After the cancellation of the 2020 Devon Horse Show due to the coronavirus pandemic, we’re pleased to see the historic show make its return this May – and the prize list indicates that the $50,000 Arena Eventing will also be returning this year. The 2021 Devon Horse Show is scheduled for May 27 through June 4, 2021, with the Arena Eventing occurring on Sunday, May 30 at 7 p.m. EST. Entries for the Arena Eventing, which will distribute $50,000 in prize money through 12th place, are now open and will close on Monday, May 17.

Screenshot via the Devon Horse Show 2021 Prize List.

With a twisting track designed by Capt. Mark Phillips and with Sally Ike serving as Technical Delegate, the condensed format version of cross country jumping is sure to thrill onlookers accustomed to traditional hunter and show jumper courses.

Arena Eventing was first introduced at Devon Horse Show in 2017, with Sara Kozumplik Murphy taking home the inaugural win aboard Rubens d’Ysieux. Chris Talley and Sandro’s Star won the event in 2018, followed by Boyd Martin and Contestor in 2019. Who will the 2021 champion be? Stay tuned for entries as the event draws closer.

Riders interested in submitting an entry can find information here. The event will be classified as Intermediate Level/Arena Eventing, so riders can consult the USEF Rules for Eventing, Annex 3 for qualification information.

Want to relive the action from Devon? Check out this helmet cam ride from Doug Payne and Flamount’s Mischief, who finished fifth here in 2017:

Go (arena) eventing!

Woods Baughman to Receive USET Foundation Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant

By on Mar 16, 2021 11:30 am -

Woods Baughman and C’est La Vie 135. Photo by Abby Powell.

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation has named Woods Baughman of Lexington, Ky., as the recipient of the 2021 Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant. Baughman is a current member of the US Equestrian 2021 Eventing High Performance Pre-Elite Training List.

As the recipient of the grant, Baughman will receive up to $5,000 to help offset expenses associated with his training over the next year.

“I can’t thank the USET Foundation and the people involved with this grant enough,” stated Baughman, 25. “You can never have enough training, and I’ll certainly put this to good use.

“It can be hard trying to put yourself in the right place without having enough financial backing to get the training and support that will help the rider and horses improve,” he continued. “Having good eyes on you is important because there is always something you’re missing. It’s huge to have this help and not have to worry about if I can make this happen.”

Baughman plans to use the grant to support training with his horse C’est La Vie 135, a 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Contendro I x Aarking xx).

“C’est La Vie is at the top of the sport and I think if I can polish him, he’s really world class,” explained Baughman. “Anything and everything I can do to fill my gaps [in training] so that I can show off the horse I am lucky to ride is worth it.”

The USET Foundation Amanda Pirie Warrington Fund allocates the Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant annually. Pirie’s family established the fund in her memory for the purpose of providing financial assistance to an eventing athlete identified with great talent and ability to represent the United States in the future. It is intended for a recipient that will benefit most from the opportunity to continue their training with top coaches and to compete against the world’s best in eventing, one of three Olympic equestrian disciplines.

Thanks to the Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant, Baughman can continue to focus on his training and prepare for competitions, helping to reach his goal of representing the United States on the international stage.

2021 Carolina International Will Stream Exclusively on Horse & Country TV

By on Mar 16, 2021 9:00 am -

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

Horse & Country (H&C), the international equestrian sports network, is pleased to announce exclusive coverage of the 2021 Carolina International on its streaming service, H&C+ from the 18th to the 20th of March. With the event closed to the public, in line with USEF and FEI guidelines, H&C+ members can still enjoy the action from one of the most prestigious three-day events in the calendar.

Viewers will be able to watch all three phases from the 4*, as well as the Showjumping and Cross Country from the 3*. Riders confirmed include Will Coleman, Phillip Dutton, Will Faudree, Clayton Fredericks and Liz Halliday-Sharp. With an Ian Stark designed Cross Country course, it’s set to be a fascinating competition as combinations set their sights on Kentucky.

“We’re delighted to be streaming the Carolina International,” said H&C Executive Producer, David Qualls. “Our coverage will ensure that, notwithstanding the closed doors, the event reaches the widest possible audience in 2021.”

H&C+ members can watch online or with H&C’s mobile apps, as well as on Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, and Amazon Fire. Membership is just $9.99 per month and full details on how to join can be found at horseandcountry.tv.

Over and above H&C’s extensive sports coverage, members also get access to over 1,600 hours of programming, including Masterclasses by Will Faudree and Will Coleman, and episodes of H&C’s Barn Talk series featuring profiles of both Wills and Liz Halliday-Sharp.

Tuesday News & Notes from Legends Horse Feeds

By on Mar 16, 2021 12:01 am -

Clayton Fredericks and FE Stormtrooper. Photo by Shelby Allen.

We’re up to 44 pairs entered in the Land Rover Kentucky Three Day CCI5*-L. Three have joined since our last update: Clayton Fredericks with two entries, FE Stormtrooper and Ophelia, and Phillip Dutton added Sea of Clouds to his roster. Entries close March 23, but with EHV-1 causing quite a stir in Europe, overseas entries still remain unknown.

Check out the complete list of entries here.

National Holiday: National Freedom of Information Day

Events Opening This Week: Waredaca H.T., River Glen Spring H.T., Barnstaple South H.T, Fresno County Horse Park H.T.,

Events Closing This Week: Rocking Horse Spring H.T., Pine Hill Spring H.T., The Fork at TIEC

Tuesday News:

Our weekly email newsletter is getting a facelift! Starting this Friday, 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.

If you’ve spent any time on Facebook, you’ve probably come across a video of Ingrid Klimke gliding through intricate cavaletti. If I’m being honest, all these exercises are a bit mind boggling, but it’s a gold mine of information, and a handy reference to bookmark. [Cavalletti Training for Every Horse and Discipline]

Aachen has moved their date from July to September 10-19 this year. At this point, organizers are unsure if spectators will be allowed, but hope to have an answer when tickets go on sale in June. [Aachen CHIO Moved From June To September]

Buckle up because it’s time for a canter crash course. If you’ve got five days, International show jumper Kama Godek has a program to create a more adjustable canter. [5 Days to More Adjustability at the Canter]

We are delighted to hear that Harry Meade is set to go eventing again this month. After sustaining a nasty fall last October, Harry has been carefully recuperating from a head injury.  [Harry Meade to return to eventing after a ‘grim’ few months following head injury]

Tuesday Video: Check this out — a clone of Chilli Morning having a jump day:

Monday Video from Cambox: Power Through Pine Top Aboard Quality Time

By on Mar 15, 2021 5:30 pm -

We really struggled to put together our Eight Mares We Can’t Wait to Watch in 2021 list and knew we’d be unintentionally snubbing some lovely horses in narrowing down our list. Quaility Time, known around the barn as “Lily”, is one of those mares who certainly would have fit right in on that list were we not narrowing it down to one horse per nation. This mare is a really exciting mount for American-based Irishman Tim Bourke, so consider this an official honorable mention!

The 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Guidam x Ruby Roller, by High Roller) owned by Carla Abramcheck easily powered through the Pine Top Farm Advanced course late last month to finish second in the A division and we’re really looking forward to see what other events she’ll be tackling in 2021. We already brought you a preview of this ride, recorded with the Cambox Isi3, now here’s the full round!

Pine Top Advanced H.T.: Website, Final Scores

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

Chatsworth International Joins 2021 Roster of COVID Cancellations

By on Mar 15, 2021 2:00 pm -

Tim Price and Xavier Faer. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

It’s been rather a grim fortnight for eventing folks in the United Kingdom, with a plethora of international cancellations obliterating much of the spring and early summer calendar. And things don’t appear to be perking up with any urgency: on Friday, March 12, the team behind the Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials, set to take place May 14–16, announced that they, too, had fallen victim to ongoing pandemic regulations.

“Like so many other events, the challenges we face this year are very similar to those we experienced in 2020,” explained Patricia Clifton, Horse Trials Director in a statement. “The government roadmap out of the pandemic provides many reasons for hope, but it has been made very clear that the dates given are ‘best case’ and subject to change. As a result. we do not feel that we can guarantee the high standards of safety and quality that we usually would, not only to everyone directly involved but also the local area, which is always so supportive.”

Chatsworth, which hosts classes through CCI4*-S, including, in better years, a leg of the Event Rider Masters series, is a hugely popular fixture – a fact evidenced by its annual flood of entries, which make a spot at the Derbyshire competition especially highly-coveted. It’s also a valuable stepping stone to long-format competitions – and its loss represents another huge blow for riders aiming for Tokyo this summer.

“It is desperately sad that we have to cancel for the second year in succession, especially as we have been working really hard with all stakeholders, including British Eventing, to find some sort of solution, but it has proved a challenge too far,” continued the statement. “Another significant issue was the impossibility of us, or to our knowledge any events, obtaining insurance against the pandemic.”

The Duchess of Devonshire, who so generously opens her estate each year to the wider community, commented, “I am extremely grateful to Patricia and her team for the time and energy they have put in to try and enable this year’s event to go ahead. This decision was not an easy one, however, throughout the pandemic the health and wellbeing of our visitors, colleagues, partners and local communities has always been our number one priority, and this remains the case.”

Title sponsor Dodson & Horrell’s Managing Director, Sam Horrell said: “While we are naturally disappointed that this fantastic event will not take place in 2021, we are very thankful to everyone at Chatsworth who have worked tirelessly over the past few months to try and make the horse trials happen. We instead look to the future and very much look forward to the 2022 event.”

The 2022 iteration is set to take place from May 13-15, subject to confirmation from British Eventing. In the meantime, British-based riders will need to get creative as they grapple to plot their roads to Tokyo and beyond – though some savvy organisers may have a solution up their sleeves. Keep it locked onto EN for all the updates.

Rule Change Proposal Concerning Minimum Eligibility Requirements Pushed to 2023

By on Mar 15, 2021 12:30 pm -

Photo courtesy of Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

After receiving over 1,200 responses from members concerning the proposed modifications to Appendix 3 of the USEF Rules for Eventing – pertaining to qualifications for moving up – the USEA has elected to table the issue until the 2023 eventing season.

Since more information on a proposed increase of Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) involving as many as 10 qualifying events has been released, members did not hesitate to voice their opinions on the matter.  Safety lies at the heart of this discussion, and many members have expressed concerns over a lack of information or communication (which certainly was not helped by the inability of the USEA to host in-person meetings and conventions for the past year) as well as the terms of the proposed changes.

On Friday, March 12, the USEA released the following statement:

On March 1, 2021 the USEA Board of Governors submitted a rule change proposal to US Equestrian (USEF) modifying Appendix 3 of the USEF Rules for Eventing. That proposal was outlined at the 2019 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, shared in May 2020 by the Chair of the USEA Cross-Country Safety Subcommittee Jon Holling, later discussed in Eventing USA and through various other communication platforms including a live webinar hosted by the USEA. This was one of four different safety-related rule proposals submitted by the Board to the USEF and previously considered with the membership. The Board made it clear that they shared the position of the USEA Cross-Country Safety Subcommittee that more needs to be done to ensure that riders and their horses obtain more than just a minimal amount of experience before advancing through the levels. Moreover, riders, horse owners, and coaches need to take more seriously the increased risk related to moving up through the levels without adequate and substantial preparation.

“The USEA Cross-Country Safety Subcommittee has done an amazing job to champion a major change in how horses and riders are allowed to move through the ranks of our sport,” said USEA Vice President of Competitions, Jonathan Elliott. “The consensus from the feedback I have received and observed is that there is a need for this change, but there are many factors to consider. In the end, this is a safety-driven rule change proposal, and we need to make sure we get it right, not perfect because that will never happen, but right.”

Following submission to the USEF, the Board opened a public comment portal for the membership to respond regarding their thoughts on the Appendix 3 rule change proposal. The Board has received over 1,200 responses since the original announcement. They recognize those surveys include valid concerns that the USEA had not fully addressed publicly. Among that input, it has become clear that without an in person USEA Annual Meeting & Convention in 2020 and related meetings, a large portion of the membership did not feel fully informed about the proposal as developed. Following several committee meetings within the USEA as well as at the USEF, the Board determined that more work needed to be done to both investigate the questions raised and communicate the reasoning behind the rule change proposal.

“I believe more time is needed to continue to develop a complete proposal with justification for the proposed changes,” Elliott continued. “Big strides have been accomplished over the last few years with other safety-related rule changes and the frangible technology fundraising and I am optimistic an updated Appendix 3 will join that evolution of our sport in 2023.”

The USEA Board of Governors unanimously voted on March 11, 2021 to table the Appendix 3 rule change proposal with the intention to further investigate and communicate the purpose behind the proposal. The Board has made it clear that they will submit an amended proposal again with the intent for implementation in 2023. To this end, the USEA will establish a task force to further review the proposal, make additional inquiries into related data, and analyze the input received. This task force will consist of representation by individuals from diverse backgrounds and geographically varied locations around the country. The goal is to have an updated rule in effect for the 2023 competition year.

Weekend Winners: Copper Meadows, Full Gallop, MeadowCreek Park, Red Hills

By on Mar 15, 2021 11:00 am -

After the tumult of 2020, it’s a bit surreal to be looking at a full eventing calendar this week. If you recall, right around this time last year we began to see the first events falling victim to the surging coronavirus. From this week a year ago forward, the world as we knew it changed immensely.

While the virus is still fighting to keep its stronghold on the world, encouraging news about vaccine rollouts and case numbers continue to come in, giving us hope that some normalcy is on its way. We once again extend our deepest gratitude to the essential workers, healthcare workers, first responders, and everyone else who has helped keep the world turning, even on the bleakest of days. And to the victims and families of those who were taken by the virus, our thoughts and condolences continue to be with you.

The eventing community was out in force this weekend, so there’s plenty of action to cover from the four recognized events that ran. Our lowest scores of the weekend come to us from our friends on the West coast at Copper Meadows in Ramona, Ca. Our Unofficial Low Score Award this week goes to Jordan Linstedt and Big Sur, who won their Open Novice division on their dressage score of 21.0. Jordan also took home the win in the Open Training aboard Lovely Lola on a score of 22.9, and I would be remiss not to mention my very good friend, Kayla Surrett, who won the Training Amateur division also on a 22.9, as a perfect prep for her upcoming move up to Preliminary later this month at Galway. Well done, kid!

Copper Meadows Winter H.T.: Final Results

Advanced CT: Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo (48.2)
Intermediate: Sarah Lipetz and Southern Belle (72.9)
Intermediate CT: Hailey Blackburn and Kilbunny Amigo (37.1)
Open Preliminary: Megan McIver and Dassett Whisper (40.5)
Preliminary Rider: Stephanie Simard and Roosevelt (29.3)
Open Training: Jordan Linstedt and Lovely Lola (22.9)
Training Amateur: Kayla Surrett and Blue Suede Shoes (22.9)
Training Rider: Sasha Isaacman and WTF Doria (29.8)
Novice Amateur: Bari Boersma and Chattachoochoo (27.4)
Novice Rider: Razieme Iborra and Mother of Dragons (29.3)
Open Novice: Jordan Linstedt and Big Sur (21.0)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Kelson Freiden and RHS Caspar Conthargos (28.9)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Olivia Keye and Oso Mighty (22.8)
Open Beginner Novice: Melissa Nice and Rides Like a Bentleigh (29.7)
Intro: Taurie Banks and Opening Knight (29.7)

Full Gallop Farm H.T.: Final Results

Preliminary: Amanda Conti and Griegermeister (32.2)
Preliminary/Training: Sierra Shurtz and Master Brooklyn (29.1)
Training A: Fylicia Barr and Justforthehalibut (45.9)
Training B: Anabelle Friend and Fine With Me (33.3)
Novice A: Booli Selmayr and Flowerhill Sophia (27.1)
Novice B: Jessica Schultz and Hardwired (31.7)
Training/Novice: Rachel Miles and Cooley Nyx (34.3)
Beginner Novice A: Mikki Kuchta and Hallygul (32.8)
Beginner Novice B: Sherry Stephenson and Buckharo (31.7)
Beginner Novice C: Maya Chinana and Popstar (28.3)
Starter: Lazet Katy and Addie (33.6)

MeadowCreek Park Spring Social Event: Final Results

Open Preliminary: Ellen Doughty-Hume and Mr. Melvin (44.1)
Preliminary/Training: Gabriela Diaz and Back to Victory (56.0)
Open Training: Tristen Wigg and Pegasus Princess (33.8)
Training Rider: Lindsay Holliday and Numba One Stunna (39.3)
Jr. Novice: Elle Snyder and Fernhill Bijzonder (27.6)
Open Novice: Alexandra du Celliee Muller and Del Rio (30.2)
Sr. Novice: Sarah Keltner and Briteman (34.6)
Jr. Beginner Novice A: Kaetlyn Perkins and Arizona Sweet (31.1)
Jr. Beginner Novice B: Caroline Burkhardt and My Mexico (32.5)
Open Beginner Novice: Christiana Schultz and Alexa Dawn (29.4)
Sr. Beginner Novice: Amanda LeBlanc and Redemption (32.5)
Starter A: Michelle Kennedy and Right Swipe (34.8)
Starter B: Janet Taylor and Just Sum It Up (36.0)

Red Hills International: Final Results, EN’s Coverage

CCI4*S: Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous (22.4)
CCI3*S: Tamie Smith and Solaguayre California (24.1)
CCI2*S: Alyssa Phillips and Cornelius Bo (27.3)
Advanced: Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle (31.8)
Open Intermediate: Katie Malensek and Landjaeger (33.1)
Open Preliminary: Hannah Sue Burnett and Coolrock Wacko Jacko (24.6)
Preliminary Rider: Sallie Johnson and Fernhill DiCaprio (25.8)