Classic Eventing Nation

The Ins and Outs of Training and Modified Dressage with Allison Kavey

By on Feb 24, 2021 12:00 pm -

We are pleased to welcome our newest guest columnist, Allison Kavey of Rivendell Dressage. Allison Kavey is an international grand prix dressage rider with a long-standing affection for teaching. Her eventing clients include professionals, such as Colleen Rutledge, and juniors and amateurs ranging from Beginner Novice and up. To read Allison’s detailed breakdown of Beginner Novice and Novice tests, click here. In this column, we take a look at the new elements introduced at the Training and Modified Levels.

Photo via Adobe Stock.

One of the things I really appreciate about the eventing dressage tests is how consistently they progress up the training pyramid. The questions asked in the Training and Modified neatly correlate with the expectations required for a horse competing at USDF levels and support the strength, flexibility, and scope needed to succeed jumping fences of 3’3” (Training) and then 3’5” (Modified) with additional technical and speed requirements. While the majority of the movements in these two levels are similar, there is a significant difference since the Modified tests are held in the large arena (20’ x 60’) while Training tests are in the smaller, 20’ x 40’ arena. This article breaks down the movements for these tests and provides some general thoughts on how to organize your geometry and school to prepare for your best possible performance.

There are three new trot questions in these tests that make it clear that you have stepped into deeper dressage water: 10-meter circles, leg yields, and lengthenings.

A diagram of dressage circles. Graphic via DressageToday.com.

10-meter Circles

I admit, I love 10-meter circles because they really require correct riding from the outside leg. If you use your outside aids to shape the circle, then your horse will remain balanced, not leaning in, and still nail the size. The key to getting this is practice.
Make sure you know exactly how big 10 meters is; set some poles as guidelines so you cannot get confused. Then, fervently devote yourself to repeating the following chant: “circles are round, not oval!” My first riding teacher, the amazing Mrs. Stanton of Tanglewood Farm in Jamesville, NY used to tell us that we would need to ride 1,000 circles of every size before we could do it proficiently – and then she would add with a grin that only the round ones counted.

The Training tests have half 10-meter circle questions. In Training A, make sure that you are going straight on the centerline for about two steps while you change your bend and then start the new half circle. For Training B, make sure the horse stays balanced between both legs as you complete the half circle and start your short diagonal back to the track. That exercise invites the horse to lean in, so be vigilant! Also make sure you look up and return to the track so that your horse’s shoulder is at the letter. There are no points for getting there early, and there certainly is no extra credit for a late arrival!

Isabelle Santamauro working on a head-to-the-wall leg yield under Peter’s watchful eye. Photo by Joan Davis / Flatlandsfoto.

Leg Yields

Leg yield tends to terrify people because it is SIDEWAYS, but I bet you have been doing it all along. Every time you have moved your horse sideways with your leg to get to the middle of a fence (or back on the centerline), you were leg yielding. The essential parts of a leg yield are not losing the forward swing of the trot and maintaining a relatively straight line with the shoulders no more than half a stride ahead of the haunches.

The haunches should not lead in this exercise; there should be minimal bend in the horse’s body as she progresses away from your inside leg. Use your outside leg and rein to keep the shoulders from getting too far ahead. If your horse tends to get over eager in her front end response, push her shoulders back toward the inside with your outside leg and then begin again. You can practice leg yielding anywhere in your arena, both away from and toward the walls. I also like to change the tempo within the leg yield to make sure my horse is ahead of my leg. This is an exercise that is exceptionally useful and should be a regular part of your schooling sessions.

The leg yield question in Modified test B is much more challenging than those in the other tests. You are required to leg yield from the wall to X, then back to the wall. This invites loss of straightness and tempo, especially when you get to the change of bend at X. To nail this exercise, you need to leave the wall one step before the corner before F, where you need to change your bend, and begin your leg yield one step before your horse’s shoulder reaches F. Perform your standard leg yield, aiming for two strides before X. This gives you time to be straight on the centerline and then change your bend before heading back to M. In that leg yield, your horse will begin lusting for the wall, especially as you near the quarter line. Keep your outside leg on to maintain straightness.

Holly Jacks-Smither and Candy King. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Lengthenings

For everyone who has ever attempted to teach a still-growing baby mammoth — I mean equine — to lengthen and shorten the stride on the diagonal in a short arena, I salute you! The key to success for these young horses, including horses who are coming off the track, still growing, and developing their trots, is not to attempt to explode out of the corner like you are riding Totilas. Save that for later!

Especially when you are planning your move up to Training Level, take the trot exercises I mentioned in the last article, where you do many transitions within the trot, and start experimenting with them first on circles (you’ll need to do this anyway at the canter) and then on straight lines—quarter lines and diagonals – so you have to work to keep your horse straight, not the walls!

The key to a successful trot lengthening is to show length of stride and frame. Getting faster always means getting shorter. Work instead on gradually lengthening the step by adding leg while adding height to your post—this helps the horse differentiate between longer and faster. This is a great opportunity to work over cavalleti as well. Find your horse’s regular trot stride and set 3 or 4 poles in a row for that step. Set another 3 or 4 poles 2-3” longer. Then get brave and see what happens if you add another 2-3” over another set of poles.

The more you practice this, the easier the lengthening will get for your horse. Do not panic if the first few (or many) repetitions over cavalleti are not successful. If you are all rockstars at the gym the first day you attempt new exercises, please do not come hang out with me! Repetition will help your horse develop the strength and confidence to produce a clear lengthening of stride and frame.

Kurt Martin and D.A. Lifetime. Photo by Shannon Brinkman for Erin Gilmore Photography.

Canter Questions

There are three new canter questions in these tests: the canter lengthening on a circle, 15-meter canter circles, and the introduction to simple change (canter to X and then trot). I really loathe the eventing tests’ fondness for canter lengthenings on circles for two reasons: they invite motorcycling and tend to produce less good canter lengthenings.

Here is how to produce a good outcome for this quirky little exercise. Set up 4 poles on a 20 meter circle: one on each wall and one at each centerline. Develop your lengthening after you leave the first pole, maximize your lengthening for poles two through three, then begin to shorten after pole three in tiny increments so you will be back to the working canter by pole four. Remember the following: this exercise invites your horse to lean on her inside shoulder and lose the push and balance through her back and speed is not lengthening. Make sure you stay very squarely centered on your horse throughout and aim for the center of each pole so you can monitor her balance. If/when you feel her leaning in and down on the inside shoulder, use your inside leg to push her shoulders up and out. Half halt, rebalance, and proceed. It will get better, and as you practice, you will find your transitions to and from working canter will get more efficient and require less time. Remember you must be back at working canter BEFORE you return to the wall in the Training Level tests and Modified A. Modified B lets you lengthen on the wall, but you only get to do so for ¾ of the length of the wall. Maintain a slight shoulder-in throughout this exercise so that the outside hind leg remains available for the down transition.

My advice for the smaller canter circles is a lot like my advice for the smaller trot circles. Figure out the correct size and practice nailing it while maintaining your horse’s balance. The same is really true for the introduction to the simple change through trot.

Begin your diagonal in a normal canter and then start half halting at the first quarterline. Maintain a balance between your core muscles bringing the hind legs under and the shoulders up and your leg saying “keep cantering”. Two strides before X, allow your outside leg to move forward and soften your inside leg while adding a bit more core muscle for a gorgeous, uphill trot transition. Then do a 10-meter circle in either direction before proceeding across the rest of the diagonal. You need that 10-meter circle to make sure your horse really is balanced and uphill! This will help you prepare your next canter transition, which (gift from test writing gods here) is NOT at the end of the diagonal, giving you a bit more time and a friendly corner to help you nail that uphill transition.

Graphic via Equine Ink.

The Rein-Back

The other new movement in these tests is only in Modified B: the rein back. Everyone has their own method for teaching this. I do a lot of babies, so I start it on the ground when they are foals. Then I integrate it into their riding work once they reliably go forward from the leg. You can start it from the ground with an adult horse too, and it is not a terrible idea if you do not know if she can rein back.
A few easy mistakes to avoid: pulling hard and simultaneously on both reins, flinging both legs very far back, and leaning forward. Just experiment with your horse to see what works best. And practice trotting off after some rein backs to make sure that you can, as this exercise tends to discourage forward impulsion. I do not practice the number of steps required in the test every time, instead being happy with one or two good steps at first and then adding more as the horse gets more confident.

I hope that this has been a useful overview of the new questions asked in these tests. Remember that Modified B is a significantly more challenging test than the other three and looks a lot more like Preliminary than Training.The other three tests are quite similar and should be easily mastered with some practice and attention to detail. The same is true for Modified B, but it is one to approach with more caution and interest because it is an invitation to the higher level tests. Best of luck!

Allison Kavey. Photo by Annan Hepner/Phelps Media Group.

International Grand Prix competitor Allison Kavey founded Rivendell Dressage, Inc. in 2007 with Andrea Woodner. Allison has extensive experience teaching dressage riders from Training Level up to Grand Prix, working on position and basics to improve riders’ harmony with their horses. She also works with eventers through the CCI***** level and hunter/jumper riders looking to improve their position and flatwork. In addition to training and coaching her students, Allison develops and sells young dressage horses of exceptional quality. RDI horses have achieved many national championships and multiple top 20 placings in the USDF national standings since 2007.

A Complete History of EEI and the Kentucky Three-Day Event

By on Feb 24, 2021 9:00 am -

Nobody knows the Kentucky Three-Day Event better than Jane Atkinson, who served as Event Director and Executive Vice President of Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI) from 1984 to 2010. We thank her for allowing us to share this historical perspective of how the event and the organization came to be. 

Oliver Townend and Cooley Master Class. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

A number of posts and comments that have appeared on Facebook relative to the current financial straits of Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI) have provided incorrect information and uncalled-for bashing of EEI. Since I have been associated with the Kentucky Horse Park and the Kentucky Three-Day Event since their inception, I am compelled to comment.

A considerable amount of donations have been made in the last few weeks to help insure that in this Olympic year the CCI5*-L will be able to run, albeit without spectators. This is absolutely wonderful and in the nick of time.

However, where, I can’t help but wonder, were all those donations when EEI reached out in mid-September 2020, for support from the eventing community after the cancellation of the 2020 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event and the USEA American Eventing Championships because of Covid-19 left the organization with bills to pay and no seed money for the 2021 event. It’s not that anyone could have missed the announcement and request; it was picked up all over. More on the financial realities of organizing an event later.

I think now is the time for a complete and accurate history of how EEI and the Kentucky Three-Day Event came about so that everyone who chooses to read this post can be as informed as possible and finally realize that EEI, its dedicated and professional staff, its Board of Directors and its amazing volunteers, has always been competent, frugal and dedicated to running the best competition possible. I would put EEI up against any other organizer in the world and the fact that the other 5* organizers have incorporated many of EEI’s practices and innovations into their events, as EEI has incorporated many of theirs, only solidifies EEI as the equal of any organizer in the world. And on a whole lot less money!

Those of you who opt not to read this post, whether you think you know the complete history (you do not) or don’t care to learn the true facts, sadly speak from a position of disregard. That is just unacceptable!

First a little history of the early activity in the sport in the mid-south region of the U.S. that will surprise many:

1953

The first horse trials in the United States was held in June 1953 at Percy Warner Park in Nashville, TN. Now known as the Middle Tennessee Pony Club Horse Trials, it is the oldest continuously running event in the United States.

The Blue Grass Riding Club (BGRC) was formed in Lexington, KY as an eventing group by the horsemanship instructor at the University of Kentucky (UK), a retired Norwegian cavalry officer. It organized the first horse trials in Kentucky. BGRC was the first of what became known as LCTAs, Local Combined Training Associations.

1959

The U.S. Combined Training Association (now U.S. Eventing Association-USEA) was established and located in S. Hamilton, MA.

1966

The Mid-South Combined Training Association (MSCTA) was formed in Lexington, KY, by the aforementioned UK horsemanship instructor and members of the BGRC and covered the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, West Virginia and Indiana. It was the first regional eventing organization in the U.S. An historical note, Olympic Team Gold Medalist in Show Jumping, the Trakehner Abdullah, competed as a 6-year-old in the Training division of the MSCTA Horse Trials held at Lexington’s Masterson Station Park..

Once you are aware of the above history, it becomes less astounding (as many believed) that Kentucky was chosen as the site of the 1978 World Three-Day Event Championships.

Now to the development of EEI and the Kentucky Three-Day Event:

It was something of a perfect storm how the following events and people associated with them all seemed to come together at the right time to allow eventing to become one of Kentucky’s signature equestrian activities.

1970

Legislation was approved by the state of Kentucky in February 1970 to create a Thoroughbred Horse Park as a model horse farm because the Thoroughbred farms were closing to visitors because of fires being set at several farms. The Thoroughbred breeding industry, and the famous stallions that resided on the breeding farms in the six-county Bluegrass area surrounding Lexington were, if not the largest, certainly in the top three of visitor draws to the state. The legislation put the new state park in the state’s Department of Parks. An employee of the American Horse Council (AHC), a trade association in Washington, DC, who had come to the AHC from The Blood-Horse magazine in Lexington, was their newly-hired liaison with the recreational and pleasure horse segment of the equine industry (the term sport horse hadn’t been coined yet). She wrote to the Governor of Kentucky urging the direction of the new park to be broadened to include the entire equine industry, since whenever people heard “Kentucky” they automatically thought horse and the state had a wealth of other breeds and disciplines. The direction of the Park changed and instead of Thoroughbred State Horse Park, it was named the Kentucky State Horse Park, the term State deleted shortly thereafter and the design of the Park expanded to cover the entire equine industry in its Museum, activities and facilities.

1972

The state purchased the 1,032-acre Walnut Hall Stud on the Iron Works Pike In Lexington and a Master Plan was developed.

1974

Amid construction of Park buildings and facilities, the first equine event at the Kentucky Horse Park, the High Hope Steeplechase, was held in April on a newly developed steeplechase course constructed and cooperatively financed by the Parks Department and the Lexington Steeplechase Association.

In September, the U.S. Equestrian Team won the Team Gold Medal at the second World Three-Day Event Championships at the Burghley Horse Trials in England. The Individual Gold Medalist was Bruce Davidson of the U.S. and that win gave the U.S. the right to host the next World Championships in 1978.

In October, the Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Council, a state agency created to promote, preserve and strengthen the equine industry in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, was approached at a horse trials by the Chief Judge, a retired Hungarian cavalry officer, who advised of the U.S. World Championship wins (there was no world wide web back then) and the right of the United States to host the next World Championships by virtue of Davidson’s Individual win. He asked if the Kentucky Horse Park, construction just begun, might be a viable venue. The answer was yes!

The idea was broached to the Council members (appointed by the Governor) who, after requiring research on the sport and onsite evaluation by several knowledgeable horsemen and horsewomen, unanimously approved taking the proposal to the Kentucky Governor. Ultimately approved, the project was housed in the Kentucky Department of Parks, with the Kentucky Horse Council being the advising agency. An extensive bid package was prepared and submitted to the American Horse Shows Association (AHSA, now U.S. Equestrian Federation).

1975

After considering all bids and site visits, the AHSA Board approved Kentucky’s bid and the U.S. bid was accepted by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the international governing body of equestrian sport. The Kentucky Horse Council and the Department of Parks began the process of putting together an organization to stage the 1978 World Championships. Many horse enthusiasts in Lexington and the surrounding area were ready and willing to serve as volunteers on the Board of Directors of what would become Equestrian Events, Inc.(EEI).

The organization was set up as a non-profit charitable corporation so that donations could be accepted and would be tax deductible. Unlike most charitable organizations, however, the members of the EEI board were not expected to open their checkbooks and donate to the organization and then sit back and oversee the management of its charitable function; they were expected to provide support by taking on various roles in the production of the competition, which they continue to do to this day.

The Mission Statement of Equestrian Events, Inc.:

“Equestrian Events, Inc (EEI) is a non-profit, charitable organization that supports the development of equestrian sports through the staging of events at the highest level. EEI seeks to provide development opportunities for riders, horses and equine organizations, and to elevate the competitiveness of the United States internationally.”

1976

The first eventing competition for EEI, and the first ever held at the Horse Park, was an Advanced horse trials. Meanwhile, sponsorship and donation solicitation, developing the competition facilities necessary to produce a World Championship competition, creating hospitality designs and packages and ticket pricing was ongoing. At the same time, the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s Department of Parks was constructing not only the elements of a Park that would exhibit the vast history and relevance of the horse in the world but also the dressage complex and the jumping venue for the World Championships. The cross country course was being constructed by course builders who were professionals in that art hired and compensated by EEI.

1977

The year before the World Championships, EEI produced two competitions, the National Pony Club Rally and the National Junior Three-Day Event (the category of Young Rider hadn’t been created yet).

1978

With an estimated 170,000 in attendance over the four days of the competition, the first World Championship Three-Day Event outside of Europe was a success that brought both the sport of eventing and the Kentucky Horse Park recognition and awareness in the United States and, indeed, worldwide.

1979 to the Present

The American Horse Shows Association asked EEI to continue to produce a three-day event at the highest level annually following the World Championships. The Event was moved to the Spring and in 1982 moved to its current date to escape the heat and hard ground that was almost a constant at the end of May. In 1998, the Kentucky Three-Day Event was granted 4* status, putting it on a par with the two preeminent events in the world, Badminton (1949) and Burghley (1961) in England. When the FEI added a new, lower level 1* competition, all other events added one star to their competitions, hence the current 5* designation for Kentucky.

Today and Beyond

EEI is different than most non-profit charitable corporations in that it does not rely solely on donations to fund its mission. It produces events to fulfill its mission. The Kentucky Three-Day Event has been the primary such event, the continuation of the discipline that brought it into being. It provides a competition at the highest level of eventing and ensures the inclusion of foreign competitors since not every potential candidate for a U.S. Eventing Team has the opportunity or finances to travel to other countries to gain experience in other international events against those countries’ top competitors.

Spectator admissions, hospitality packages and sponsorship revenue provide the majority of the funding to produce the event. And while they produce revenue, they also create expense to service each entity in addition to the myriad expenses to conduct the competition – payments to the Kentucky Horse Park (stabling, rental of areas and facilities used for the competition, admission proceeds, etc., maintenance and repair of the track of the course — some 1,500 horses from other events at the Park run over much of the area used by the Kentucky Three-Day and EEI repairs and pays for that– security, cross-country course design and construction, rental of show jumps, etc., etc.

If any one of those revenue-producing centers is reduced, to any degree, the bottom line is negatively affected. In 2020, there was no revenue production. No funds coming in. And while they laid off and furloughed staff, some staff had to keep things going and working toward a return in 2021. While ticket sales had produced revenue, and they produce the largest portion of revenue, the option of refund or carry over to 2021 was offered. But, for those who carried over their ticket purchase to 2021, EEI cannot use that revenue because they have yet to provide those ticket purchasers with the item for which they originally paid.

Do you think EEI should have a big reserve that would carry them through a year of no usable income? And then have funds to produce a full-scale event the next year when spectators, the major source of income, were not going to be allowed? Sponsorship? Spectators equal sponsors. Every non-profit strives for a reserve. But in EEI’s case, contributing to a Rainy Day Fund is dependent on whether or not they have funds left over from putting on the event, not donations or contributions from the sport itself. EEI could have budgeted its existence and that of
the Kentucky Three-Day Event on such donations. It chose, however, to create an event that was necessary for the growth of the sport and to work to have that event pay for itself rather than ask the sport it has always tried to help pay for the competition.

The “profit” margin for an eventing competition that is paid for through sponsorships, hospitality and admissions is not statistically significant 99.9% of the time because those sponsorships and admissions have costs associated with them so it’s not a 100% charitable contribution as it would be if donations were the source of the funding since most donors don’t receive something of value for their donation. If they do, as is apparently expected by the crowdfunding donors to EEI, the amount of the donation is reduced by the fair market value of the item received.

Putting on an eventing competition at any level is a costly endeavor. The reserve EEI built up over the years got them through 2020, but now they have experienced a second year of no income because they didn’t know if they would be able to run in 2021. Before anything can be put in a Rainy Day Fund, seed money to get the event started for the next year has to first be put aside. That wasn’t able to happen in 2020.

I was Event Director for 26 years, beginning in December 1984 with the 1985 Event and lasting through the October 2010 event and the eventing discipline of the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games. The event I took over had lost money the year before. A Board member took out a personal loan of $3,000 and donated it to EEI so the organization could begin working toward the 1986 event. EEI never looked back.

EEI has never spent frivolously or foolishly. We did however, reduce entry and stabling fees, provide competitors with a travel allowance, minimal stabling fees and increased prize money little by little. Why, you ask, when most events gain their income from entry and stabling fees? Because it takes a whole lot of money for a rider and horse to get to 5* level and when they get there, EEI and its sponsors agreed that neither the rider nor owner should have to pay a bundle to compete at that level.

While I’m only a volunteer now, I’m sure EEI still has the same constraints and fiduciary problems it did when I was there. There is nothing nefarious, irresponsible or incompetent going on with EEI or the people associated with it.

And here’s what is very important for everyone to understand. Organizers have no overriding responsibility to put on an eventing competition, at any level. Landowners have no responsibility to allow their land to be used for an eventing competition. Both certainly gain very little monetarily, if anything. They only have the satisfaction of supporting a sport they love, doing a job well and providing riders and owners the opportunity to compete their horses.

Now you know the history of EEI and the Kentucky Three-Day Event. Please stop criticizing and start supporting an organization that, essentially, with the 1978 World Championships, the Kentucky Three-Day Event and the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games brought eventing in the U.S. to a pinnacle.

You can still make a difference. Remember that your contribution is tax deductible up to $300 if you don’t itemize. Same if you contributed in 2020.

You can donate to EEI at any time. And don’t ask what you get for your contribution. You get the Kentucky Three-Day Event. I think that’s enough.

About the author: Born and raised in Anderson, Indiana, Jane Atkinson has loved horses for her entire life, since age 3. She saved her money and bought her first horse at age 16 for $350, a 4-year-old American Saddlebred mare that she trained as a five-gaited pleasure and show horse. The horse went to college with Jane at the University of Kentucky, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science. Since the horsemanship instructor was a retired cavalry officer who taught dressage and eventing, Jane’s mare was retrained for those disciplines. 

After graduating from Rutgers University with a Masters Degree in Animal Science, Jane began working as a lab tech in the University of Kentucky Veterinary Science Department in 1969. She moved from Lexington in 1970 to accept a position as industry liaison with the newly-formed American Horse Council, an equine industry trade association, in Washington, DC. She returned to Lexington in 1972 to work at The Blood-Horse, a weekly Thoroughbred racing and breeding magazine. In 1974 she accepted a position as Executive Director of the newly-formed Kentucky Horse Council, a state government agency created by the Kentucky legislature to promote, preserve and strengthen the equine industry in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Kentucky Horse Council was not funded by the legislature as of July 1, 1984, and a non-profit charitable corporation took its place. In 1984 she accepted a position as Executive Vice President of Equestrian Events, Inc. and Event Director of Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event; previously, she had served as volunteer Chief Dressage Steward from 1976 through 1984. She was appointed Eventing Discipline Director in September 2007 for the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games and retired in October 2010. 

Wednesday News & Notes from Haygain

By on Feb 24, 2021 12:01 am -

The Life of Jimmy Winkfield

Jimmy Winkfield is the last Black jockey to win the Kentucky Derby. Learn more about him and see this painting in person at the museum!

#blackhistory #blackhorsemen #blackstories

Posted by International Museum of the Horse on Monday, February 15, 2021

Care for a walk down history lane with me? This week’s rabbit hole dive subject is Jimmy Winkfield, the last Black jockey to win the Kentucky Derby – which he did consecutively in 1901 and 1902. In fact, he rode in four Kentucky Derby races in succession, never finishing worse than third. During a time when racism ran rampant and racing was becoming almost exclusively white, an offer to ride in Russia became too tempting to turn down, and Jimmy soon found himself on a ship headed to the other side of the world.

His success as a race jockey is underscored by another display of boldness: a harrowing journey from Russia across the Transylvania Alps to Poland, fleeing oncoming Bolsheviks with 250 Thoroughbreds, Polish noblemen and horsemen.

Jimmy’s race career would spill all over Europe, finding success in each corner and spinning into an equally successful second career as a trainer. After 60 years away from the U.S., Jimmy returned with his daughter, Liliane, for a reception in his honor hosted by Sports Illustrated. The pair were denied entry to the party through the front door.

I’ve hardly done Jimmy’s incredible story justice, so I highly recommend this article over on America’s Best Racing to learn much more about his life.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Full Gallop Farm Mid-February H.T.: Website, Entry Status, Ride Times, Stabling, Volunteer

Pine Top Advanced H.T.: Website, Schedule, Entry Status, Stabling, Volunteer

Three Lakes Winter II H.T.: Website, Entry Status, Ride Times, Volunteer

Twin Rivers Winter H.T.: Website, Entry Status/Ride Times, Stabling, Volunteer

Wednesday Reading List:

For your next trot set: tune in to the latest episode of The Equestrian Podcast, featuring Erin Brown, also known as The Concrete Cowgirl. Erin has extensive experience managing stables and is a strong advocate for riding programs serving her local communities. She is also an active representative on the USEF Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion External Thought Leaders Group and contributed to the development of the USEF DEI Action Plan.

British Eventing has issued an update regarding current COVID-19 restrictions in England and Scotland. With a return to play anticipated, the organization is working on protocol to unveil in the coming days: “Our member bodies are working on various ‘return to play’ plans for release in the coming days with specific details for their sectors and stakeholder groups.”

Somehow, it’s nearly allergy season again. How prepared are you? Allergic reactions can manifest in a multitude of ways and can also be exacerbated by barn and living conditions. Learn more about allergens and avoidance in this blog from Haygain.

We’re off and running with EN’s Patreon, a dedicated eventing super-fan hub that we created in January. To say thank you to our Patrons, we’ve teamed up with Horse & Rider Books for a giveaway this week. Want to enter? Consider joining the party on Patreon!

The popular “Sire Madness” game is back for this year’s Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover. Breeding aficionados will love this game that tracks the performance of Thoroughbred sires across disciplines. Learn how to play here.

Could the 2032 Olympics be held in Queensland, Australia? There’s definitely a chance, and that chance could get stronger with an endorsing nod from the International Olympic Committee’s Future Host Summer Commission this week.

#ICYMI: Kate Samuels spent the weekend tracking down this incredibly cool story about Indiana-based Dan Kreitl and his Advanced debut on three self-produced horses.

Research has found that omeprazole, commonly used as a treatment for gastric ulcers in horses, is more effective when fed to fasted horses. Dive into the study on The Horse here.

Wednesday Video Break:

Learn more about Jimmy Winkfield:

Tuesday Video: USEA Webinar for 2021 Rule Changes

By on Feb 23, 2021 5:00 pm -

There are some rule changes afoot in the USEF Rules for Eventing set forth in 2021. Set to take effect on April 1, 2021, these changes will be important to familiarize yourself with ahead of your next competition. To help lay out the changes for this year, the USEA and USEF Eventing Rules Working Group chair Malcolm Hook have put on a webinar that can be viewed in the embedded video above. Please note, the video will go into replay on-demand mode once the live session concludes.

To view more on the forthcoming changes to the USEF Rules for Eventing in 2021, click here.

Pick a Book: An Exclusive Giveaway for EN Patrons

By on Feb 23, 2021 3:00 pm -

We launched the Eventing Nation Patreon in January and have been blown away by the fan support we have received! We’re up to over 60 Patrons and counting, and we’ve already had some great fun over in our dedicated Facebook group, Insanity In the Middle. To keep the party going, we’ve teamed up with Horse & Rider Books to give away a few books – exclusively for our Patrons!

You’ll want to sign up to become an EN Patron, if you haven’t already, as entries are open in the Insanity In the Middle Facebook group. We’ll close them on Sunday, February 28 and will draw four winners who will receive their pick of the following books:

If you have been on the fence about joining us on Patreon, you can learn more about what our mission is for it here and get an idea of what we’re doing for our Patrons here. Go Eventing!

Kimmy Cecere, Buck Davidson Top Two Rocking Horse Advanced Divisions

By on Feb 23, 2021 1:30 pm -

Photo by Bonobo Pics via the Rocking Horse Stables Facebook page.

The first Advanced horse trials of the season are always fun to watch as they give us a glimpse into which pairs are coming out of winter with guns blazing. For 2021, those fixtures are Rocking Horse II Advanced, which took place over the weekend in Altoona, Florida, and Pine Top Advanced, which happens later this week in Thompson, Georgia.

Two Advanced divisions ran at Rocking Horse with 33 pairs contesting Advanced Test A and 15 in Advanced Test B. Friday was a very wet and soggy day but the weather redeemed itself on Saturday, which dawned bright and beautiful. Everyone was taking it a bit easy on the cross country; no one came in under time and a handful of horses opting to make their weekend a combined test. Stübben NA graciously donated prize money for the divisions.

Kimmy Cecere and Landmark’s Monaco won Advanced Test A, climbing from 5th after dressage into the lead across the jumping phases. Kimmy and the 14-year-old ISH/Thoroughbred stallion (Formula One x Glamour), owned by Ms. Jacqueline Mars, turned in the fastest cross country round in the division with 5.2 time faults. Buck Davidson and Victor B Z held the lead through show jumping and had 11.2 cross country time faults to finish 2nd; Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes started and finished in 3rd.

Buck Davidson and newly-minted Advanced horse Sorocaima. Photo by JJ Sillman.

Buck finished another two horses, Carlevo and Erroll Gobey, 1st and 3rd in Advanced Test B. A fourth horse ridden by Buck, Sorocaima, stepped up to his first Advanced. Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous led through show jumping on their dressage score of 23.1 and 12.8 cross country time penalties slid them into 2nd.

View complete Rocking Horse results here.

Advanced Test A Top 10: 

Advanced Test B Top 10: 

Next up is Pine Top, where Advanced A and B divisions will run as a two-day format — you can view entry status and ride times at the website here. EN’s Shelby Allen will be heading up to Pine Top for cross country, so stay tuned for more from Georgia this weekend.

Go Eventing.

Entries for Land Rover Kentucky CCI5*/CCI4*S Open Today

By on Feb 23, 2021 11:00 am -

Oliver Townend and Cooley Master Class. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

After much shuffling and a massive amount of support from the hardworking eventing public that generated $550,000 in donations, the 2021 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event will go forward after an initial cancelation, and for riders hoping to compete in this year’s hybrid CCI5* and CCI4*S event entries are now open.

A new partnership between Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), producer of the world-class event, and the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation combined with the support of US Equestrian and longstanding sponsors Land Rover, MARS Equestrian, and Rolex has ensured that the CCI5*-L and CCI4*-S three-day events will be held, without spectators, April 22-25 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. The Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute will not be held this year.

Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” LRK3DE is one of only seven annual Five Star three-day events in the world along with Badminton and Burghley in England; Luhmuhlen in Germany; Pau in France; Adelaide in Australia and the new Five Star event in Maryland. As the United States’ premier three-day event, LRK3DE serves as the Land Rover/USEF CCI-5*-L Eventing National Championship Presented by MARS Equestrian™ for U.S. athletes.

EN will provide updates on the entry list as they are populated, so stay tuned right here for more from #LRK3DE.

Indiana Duo of Dan Kreitl and Kay Dixon Pursue Upper-Level Dreams Together

By on Feb 23, 2021 9:00 am -

Dan Kreitl greets coach Sharon White at the finish. Photo by JJ Sillman.

Having a horse reach the Advanced level of three-day eventing is the dream of so many riders and owners.  It’s a small group of individuals who achieve this goal, and an even smaller group that accomplish it several times over. This past weekend, at Rocking Horse Winter Horse Trials, a little known rider quietly entered his first Advanced level horse trials, on not one, not two, but three horses that he trained from the very beginning. 

After seeing a photo of Dan Kreitl crossing the finish line with one of his three horses — and learning that it was his very first time at the Advanced level, as well as each horse’s debut — I had to know more. Reaching that elite level is something close to a miracle, but he might be the first to do it in triplicate. 

I chatted with both Dan and the horses’ owner, Kay Dixon, this weekend, and I can tell you that their mutual respect and passion for horses is the underlying current of their incredible journey thus far, and what truly inspires all of us to keep riding and learning every day. 

Dan grew up in Indianapolis, and as the ninth of ten children, his parents were deeply hopeful that he would outgrow his interest in horses. Instead, he garnered a job at a local Bashkir Curly horse breeding farm, exchanging labor for knowledge, and eventually working enough to earn a colt of his own named Sparty. 

Dan & Sparty at the Kentucky Horse Park. Photo courtesy of Xpress Foto.

Dan fancied a career as a rodeo rider, but the owner of this farm emphasized dressage first, so he learned dressage. After high school, he moved to Colorado to work for Grant Schniedman for a year. Grant rode for the USET in the 70’s and 80’s but now competes in pure dressage, and helped Dan secure a borrowed horse to compete in the 2008 North American Youth Championships. 

“I went to Young Riders, and I went out to watch the cross country portion of the eventing competition,” said Dan. “I saw that and thought, ‘Oh, this is a little more my style!’” From then on, eventing was his dream. 

Preparing to move back to Indiana for college at Ball State University, Dan was connected with Kay Dixon, as a point of contact regarding local boarding barns. With a three-year-old unbroke stallion in tow, he was hard pressed to find a farm willing to host him, so he met Kay during freshman orientation and convinced her to let him come to her barn. 

“I’m not set up for a commercial boarding barn,” said Kay. “My husband and I have a five stall barn and we just had our own horses, but Dan wiggled his way in here, and he’s been here ever since. I can’t imagine my life without him now.”

“I couldn’t be luckier or more blessed to stumble into Kay Dixon, she’s the toughest woman I’ve ever met but also the most generous.” said Dan. “She’s incredibly involved with the horses, helps take care of them, and wants to know how they’re doing every day.”

Eezy Cruise Lad making light work of the Intermediate at Morven Park. Photo by Janet Gallay.

During college, Dan started Sparty under saddle, and they began their Eventing journey together. Kay knew that the key to success was dependent on access to good education, so she connected him with her friend Lee Ann Zobbe, who makes a point of regularly hosting top level Eventing riders for clinics year-round at her farm. 

Dan and Sparty competed through the Intermediate level, but it was clear that was his limit, and Dan had bigger dreams. Kay started quietly considering the possibility of buying some more talented horses for her friend, and the two of them contacted Lesley Grant Law, who they knew through clinics at Lee Ann’s farm. 

Through Lesley, the pair started the adventure of importing several young horses with upper level potential. Dan knew he wanted young horses, and enjoyed the process of developing them from the ground up. They watched video after video, and narrowed down the search with Leslie’s connections in Europe providing feedback on each horse. 

In 2016, Eezy Cruise Lad became the first horse in their partnership. Sired by Carrick Diamond Lad out of a Cruising mare, this Irish gelding was sure to enjoy eventing. 

“He arrived as a coming five-year-old and he barely steered at all,” laughed Dan. Eezy has feet the size of dinner plates, but the heart of a lion, and he’s all business. Within two years, the pair was competing at Intermediate level easily, until Eezy was sidelined with an injury for two years. 

Horales is a 2013 Trakehner gelding. Photo by Lee Ann Zobbe.

In subsequent years, Carmango (Fritz) and Horales (Atticus) arrived from Germany as four year olds, and provided Dan with even more experience and an array of personalities to work with. 

“Fritz is the kindest, sweetest horse that just always wants to be with you, and I swear he would lay down his soul for Dan,” said Kay. “Atticus is flawless on cross country, but he’s a bit of a priss sometimes.” 

In finding all of these horses, they emphasized that they had to have good personalities and be easy to work with on the ground. At home in Indiana, Kay and Dan do all the barn work themselves, and Kay is in her 70s, so she didn’t want anything too wild. 

In fact, until about six months ago, Dan and Kay were doing everything on their own. Dan would go to a competition with three horses in tow, and occasionally Kay would be able to join him and groom for him, but otherwise he did it all himself. 

“I have to say though, after doing Advanced on three horses, I was exhausted! I’m a pretty physically fit guy, but that was really hard work.” Now with three at the highest level, Dan tries to get a friend to help with the braiding, icing, and care on the ground so he can focus on riding a little more. 

Advanced debut, clear: Check. Photo by JJ Sillman.

Dan and the horses are down in Florida for two months now, receiving intensive training from Sharon White, who has been helping him for the past two years through clinics in Indiana. 

“Sharon always seems to have the same level of excitement for every level of riders from starter to more accomplished. She seems to find genuine joy in helping any rider do anything better,” said Kay. 

For 2021, Dan and the three have to go back and achieve their FEI qualifications, as they’ve only competed in national horse trials thus far. They’re aiming at Jersey Fresh CCI3*-L for the spring, and hopefully another in the fall, with a few moderate Advanced horse trials scattered in between. 

“Personally, I care more about their confidence than anything, so they’ve never really had a bad experience yet,” said Dan. “Sharon cannot believe how honest and happy they are in their work. I think it will be perfect for them to go back and forth between Advanced and Intermediate this year.”

Kay giving Atticus some love. Photo by Janet Gallay.

It’s hard to tell in speaking with them who is having more fun, Dan or Kay. Their partnership through the years is a testament to their mutual love of the horses. 

“This is my first experience as an owner, and I’m always telling Dan, ‘I’m not much of a competitor, but I was born to be an owner!’” Kay competed a little half Arabian horse through Preliminary, but has truly found her joy in ownership. “I’ve always loved nice quality horses, but I’m not skilled enough to ride them. But now it’s perfect and I can enjoy them and get to be part of the journey, but I don’t have to ride them!”

Dan Kreitl and Carmango. Photo by JJ Sillman.

“We’re working together to help Dan realize his dreams, but at the same time I’m realizing my dreams.” 

The real dream, of course, is Land Rover Kentucky. I advised Dan that perhaps taking three at one time to his first CCI5* was a bit ambitious, but you know, shoot for the stars!

Tuesday News & Notes from Legends Horse Feeds

By on Feb 23, 2021 12:01 am -

Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue d’Argouges are among those we look forward to seeing in Kentucky this April! Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Entries for the 2021 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI Five Star presented by MARS Equestrian are officially OPEN. After a massive crowdfunding effort, the landmark event will go ahead April 22-25 at the Kentucky Horse Park. This event will host both CCI5*-L and CCI4*-S and classes. From seasoned veterans to five-star first-timers, this is a always a big day in the spring season. Now we anxiously refresh the website until entries are posted.

Events Opening This Week: Fair Hill International April H.T. and CCI-S, CDCTA Spring H.T., Chattahoochee Hills H.T., Ocala International Festival of Eventing, Twin Rivers Spring International, Spring Bay H.T., Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, Twin Rivers Spring International

Events Closing This Week: Red Hills International H.T., Full Gallop Farm March I H.T., MeadowCreek Park – The Spring Social Event, Copper Meadows Eventing, LLC H.T.

Tuesday News: 

The Olympic dream is looking more possible as COVID is finally moving toward being more contained in Tokyo. For the first time since November, daily cases have dropped below 200. While the International Olympic Committee remains adamant that the Games will go on, this public health crisis continues to threaten that. [Tokyo reports fewer than 200 new COVID-19 cases for first time since November]

Arena inspo! Sinead Halpin Maynard has something new to add to your jump day. It might look simple at first glance, but the best exercises are. She says this one will help teach rider responsibility, while giving the space to focus on equitation. [Grid Pro Quo with Sinead Halpin Maynard]

It was a small, plain bay mustang who lit a fire in 23-year-old Sam Goione’s heart. When she bought the mare from U.S. Bureau of Land Management, a partnership was cemented in stone. [Amateur Showcase: A BLM Mustang Makes All The Difference For Goione]

Tuesday Video: Advanced event pair Nita Sanfilippo and Alarmabull are now a Prix St George combination too:

Bully PSG 2-21

Here's a bit of our Prix St George debut this morning! Bully was tense today, so it was difficult to navigate through the test. We made lemonade, and it was still good experience! We had many 7's on our score sheet… we also had a 3! Life with horses is always humbling.Bully the Advanced Horse is now also Bully the Prix St George Horse, and I am so proud of that. Looking forward to having another go next month!

Posted by High Tide Eventing on Sunday, February 21, 2021

Monday Video: An Update on Red Hills International Horse Trials

By on Feb 22, 2021 5:30 pm -

Red Hills International Horse Trials, held annually each March, is a neat example of a successful partnership that can be built between equestrian organizations and municipalities. The event, which is sponsored in part by various entities of the city of Tallahassee, Florida and Leon County is a hugely popular springtime outing for locals, attracting both horsey and non-horsey spectators alike, and an important early-season options for riders.

Red Hills draws an estimated 20,000 spectators each year and makes an estimated $4.8 million impact on the local economy. But this year, like all other events, they’ll be taking a hard hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the health and safety of the local population in mind, no spectators will be allowed onsite during this year’s competition, scheduled for March 11-14, per the US Equestrian COVID-19 action plan. Red Hills is unique in its local appeal, often attracting non-equestrians and doing community outreach with organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Despite these economic losses to the organization and without the benefit of stimulating the local economy, Red Hills is pushing forward and very much hopes to run their year’s event but they still need more entries in order to do so. In this video, eventer Jon Holling speaks with Libby Henderson, the Operations Support Committee Chair for Red Hills, about what to expect from this year’s event. 200 entries are needed in order for the event to go forward. According to Libby, entries now stand at 193, so keep them rolling in to help Red Hill beat its goal of 200! Closing date is tomorrow: Tuesday February, 23rd. 

[USEA Calendar] [Entry Forms]