Classic Eventing Nation

Friday News & Notes from Stable View

By on Nov 28, 2025 8:24 am -

 

 

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While most of us are hunkering down and daydreaming about next season, some intrepid eventers just can’t stop chasing those adrenaline rushes — and for their sake, and for those of us curled up on the sofa at home in need of some good live-streamed sport, we’re grateful to indoor shows and eventers’ derbies. This week’s feature class is taking place at the Sweden International Horse Show, and takes place in two parts: last night saw the first round, which serves as a qualifier for Sunday night’s finale, take place, and crowned a worthy winner in British-based Swede Sofia Sjoborg and Eastbourne. Can they take the whole shebang come Sunday? Stay tuned!

U.S. Events This Weekend

Pine Top Thanksgiving H.T. (GA): [Website] [Entries/Times/Scores] [Volunteer]

News & Reading

If your horse is losing their sight, adjusting their management and work might feel like an overwhelming and honestly, kind of frightening task. But it doesn’t have to be. There’s plenty of ways that a partially-sighted — or even totally blind — horse can lead a full and satisfying life, provided you’re on the ball with what’s happening and understand how to make the right accommodations. This piece, which features case studies from owners of partially-sighted horses, is a useful starting point if you’re facing this issue.

Sure, you know the Laws — but do you really know them? Go behind the scenes at their Ocala base with Lesley and Leslie, and find out more about life after Olympic gold, budgeting for long-term success, creating shared training philosophies, and much, much more. Read it here.

Did you have to figure out looking after your horse and sorting Thanksgiving dinner yesterday? You’ll probably find something in common with this mad woman from the 80s, who took multitasking to a whole new level.

Sponsor Corner: Stable View

 

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You might have missed the chance to enter Stable View’s “Winter Wonderland” USDF dressage show on December 6 and 7, but never fear! If you want to get some valuable time between the white boards, you can still sneak an entry in for the December 3 Schooling Dressage Collection show, which features classes at all levels from Intro to FEI. It’s a great chance to put your training into practice in a relaxed environment and get feedback, too, to help you refine your winter work. Entries close today, so don’t dilly-dally — you can find all the info right here.

Video Break

Who’s got a new mustang in for training? That’s right: it’s ya girl Elisa Wallace! Join in on the very start of the process with her latest video.

Weekend Winners: SAzEA

By on Nov 27, 2025 11:47 am -

Hello, Eventing Nation! We’re jumping into Thanksgiving week thankful for our equine partners, and are reflecting on SAzEA this past weekend. Despite some challenging weather, the event was able to modify and run successfully!

Congrats to all of our Weekend Winners, with a special shout out to the winner of our Unofficial Low Score Award, Anastasia Keyser and Heros Quest, who scored a 22.2 in the Area X Open Novice Championships!

SAzEA Fall H.T. (AZ): [Website][Scores]

Area X Open Training Championships: Anastasia Keyser and Bellatrix (32.7)
Open Training: Shannon Frost and Sly Desert Cat (49.5)
Area X Open Novice Championships: Anastasia Keyser and Heros Quest (22.2)
Open Novice: Madison Lerner and Cascaletto Blue (38.4)
Novice Rider: Carolyn Hoffos and Normandy Kivalo (29.8)
Area X Open Beginner Novice Championships: Anika Hill and Midnight Express (27.8)
Open Beginner Novice: Cassandra Majeski and Aristeia (38.9)
Beginner Novice Rider: Leilani Simson-McCluskey and Pink Flamingo (32.2)
Area X Open Starter Championships: Cynthia Allen Lapp and Ruby Pearl (25.7)
Open Starter: James Heckman and Snazzy Ladys Man (36.7)
Starter Rider A: Laura Jaeger and Dondero (28.3)
Starter Rider B: Cassandra Majeski and Bailarina (36.0)
Open Pre-Competition: Lara McAloon and HRH Magnificent (58.7)

 

Thursday News & Notes

By on Nov 27, 2025 9:25 am -

 

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Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at EN to all of you! May today be full of joy, gratitude, people and animals who bring light to your life, and, of course, food. Maybe you need a bit of inspiration on that front. Maybe you need an excuse to bring your horse into the house so you can get that one weird uncle to stop talking about politics. Maybe the above will help.

U.S. Events This Weekend

Pine Top Thanksgiving H.T. (GA): [Website] [Entries/Times/Scores] [Volunteer]

News & Reading

FedEx will not be flying horses until January after grounding part of its freight fleet for repairs. The decision to ground the flights comes from the Federal Aviation Authority after a UPS flight crashed shortly after takeoff in Kentucky earlier this month. The (admittedly very justified) decision is already making an impact on horse racing.

The impact of social media on mental health is hardly a new conversation. But now, there’s enough studies on the correlation between phone use and poor mental health to draw a fairly immovable conclusion: all this stuff is probably breaking our brains. Most susceptible are those from the ages of 12 to 27, generally colloquially dubbed Gen Z — and the nefarious influence of social media is almost certainly affecting their barn life, too. Actually, scratch that, most of us are probably impacted in some way by it all when we’re with our horses, even if we don’t realise it yet. This piece is an interesting starting point if you want to find out more about it and learn how to create a safe space at the yard, too.

Last night saw the 2025 Horse & Hound Awards unfold at Dallas Burston Polo Centre (how are the heads today, attendees?), and eventing legend Jane Holderness-Roddam was the deserving recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Jane won Badminton at just 20 years old and then went on to become the first woman ever to compete in eventing at the Olympics – and her extraordinary legacy doesn’t finish there. Catch up on the highlights of one heck of a life with horses here.

Video Break

Go on then, let’s have some more Simon! This time, he’s sharing with you his simple exercises for improving control in a jumping course.

FEI Tribunal Update: 20-Month Ban Given to Andrew McConnon in Viral Horse Abuse Case

By on Nov 26, 2025 11:50 am -

Andrew McConnon and Wakita 54. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

After a protracted tribunal, North Carolina-based eventer Andrew McConnon has been given a 20-month suspension by the FEI for horse abuse. The suspension is backdated to the start of the provisional suspension McConnon received on January 8, 2025, and will as such finish on September 8, 2026.

The suspension means that McConnon is “banned from taking part in any competition or event, or in any related activity under the jurisdiction of the FEI or any National Federation [and] also prohibited from training any FEI/NF registered athletes and/or FEI/NF registered horses,” per a statement released by the FEI this morning.

He has also been fined 2,500 Swiss francs (approximately $3093).

The tribunal reached its decision on Monday, November 24, and found McConnon “to have engaged in abuse of horse as well as in a conduct that has brought the FEI and equestrian sport into disrepute thereby violating Article 142.1 (Abuse of Horse) in conjunction with Article 164.11 (Offences) of the FEI General Regulations. McConnon was further found to have breached the FEI Code of Conduct on the Welfare of the Horse by those same actions.”

The FEI’s full reasoned decision will be published soon; in the meantime, McConnon has 21 days to lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, if he chooses. We’ll bring you further updates as soon as we have them. You can catch up on all the information and reporting about the opening of the case and the timeline of events here.

Wednesday News & Notes

By on Nov 26, 2025 9:15 am -

In need of some bargain bits and pieces for your tack room? Want to own a piece of eventing history? Then the Fox-Pitt Eventing tack sale might just be your shopping trip of a lifetime, if you can make your way to Dorset on the 7th of December. We can’t promise what they’ll have up for grabs but we reckon very, very long stirrup leathers might be in abundance, if that’s the sort of thing you need.

U.S. Events This Weekend

Pine Top Thanksgiving H.T. (GA): [Website] [Entries/Times/Scores] [Volunteer]

News & Reading

Equine herpesvirus isn’t something to mess around with. With recent outbreaks in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma dominating the equine news cycle, it’s a salient reminder that we all owe it to our horses and our equestrian community to know how to best prevent it and how to spot symptoms so we can mobilise quickly. Take five and read this primer, and you’ll be in the know and ready to go. 

Speaking of equestrian communities, is there any family better – okay, or weirder – than your barn family? We’re all familiar with the idea of blood family and chosen family, but barn families are a different, third thing – we choose the place, and often a couple of the people, like the trainers we work with, but for the most part, it’s luck of the draw who you share the space with. Which, of course, can lead to a huge variety of personalities and opinions and no shortage of interpersonal chaos. But even if you keep your horses at home, you’ve got a village around you – and this piece from Sarah K. Susa is a celebration of all the people we keep in our orbit who help us through the self-inflicted madness of having horses.

Last week in the UK, the annual World Horse Welfare conference covered some serious, and much needed, ground. One of the speakers on the day was none other than Pippa Funnell, whose philosophy has always been, at its heart, to be friends with her horses. She spoke at length about many of her early horses and the lessons she learned from them that she still brings to her horses today. Check out the highlights here if you, like us, are forever fangirls of Queen P.

Video Break:

Get to grips with some winter training with the internet’s favourite eventer, Simon Grieve:

Champions Return to Pattaya: Anticipation Builds for the FEI Eventing Asian Championship

By on Nov 25, 2025 2:07 pm -

Korntawat Samran of Thailand and B.Grimm Billy Elmy during the FEI Eventing Nations Cup in Montelibretti. Photo by Massimo Argenziano for the FEI.

Excitement is mounting as Asia’s top eventing athletes prepare to return to Thailand for the FEI Eventing Asian Championship 2025, which takes place from 30 November – 3 December. With three national teams – Hong Kong, India and Thailand – and 17 individual athletes confirmed across a total of five nations, this year’s Championship promises world-class sport, a vibrant spectator atmosphere, and a showcase of the sport’s rapid development across the continent.

The Thai Polo Club – an expansive 250-hectare equestrian haven on the outskirts of Pattaya – once again provides the stage. Designed by polo visionaries Harald Link and Mrs. Nunthinee Tanner, the venue features state-of-the-art arenas, permanent cross-country and endurance courses, and horse-centric facilities unique to the region.

“This venue has always been special,” says Hong Kong athlete Annie Ho, who will compete in both eventing and dressage in Pattaya. “I actually won the inaugural Asian Eventing Championships in 2013 here. The facilities were impressive then, but they’ve raised the bar even further.”

This hybrid-format competition begins on 30 November with the first horse inspection followed by arena familiarisation. Monday 1 December will see athletes perform the CCI3*-B Dressage test, showcasing the precision and harmony expected at the level. The action continues on 2 December with the CCI2*-L cross-country test across the venue’s permanently maintained course, before the event concludes on Wednesday 3 December with the second horse inspection, the CCI3* jumping test, and the team and individual medal ceremonies.

Among this year’s top contenders is China’s Alex Hua Tian, who will be competing in Pattaya with his 4* horse, Manjushri. Hua Tian, who qualified for the Beijing Olympics at just 18 years old, has made a notable impact on the eventing world ever since.

“Alex is definitely one to beat,” says Ho. “A couple of the Thai riders have also had excellent seasons in Europe, so it’s shaping up to be a very competitive championship.”

For Ho herself, expectations are high as she partners with Evita AP, owned by British Olympian Sarah Bullimore. Based in Hampshire, UK, where she trains with Team GB athlete Piggy March, Ho reflects on what makes representing Hong Kong so meaningful. “It’s always a privilege to represent your country at a championship. Even though ours aren’t on the same scale as the Europeans, the team atmosphere is absolutely incredible. It’s one of the reasons I keep going. It motivates me to ride at these amazing venues and be part of something bigger.”

The host country has named five athletes for the eventing competition. Three of them, Weerapat Pitakanonda, Korntawat Samran and Preecha Khunjan, were part of the gold medal winning team at the FEI Asian Championship in 2019, where Korntawat Samran also won individual bronze.

There are a number of rising stars competing, including 20-year-old Shashank Kanumuri from India who took over the ride on Wellfields Casino Royale from John Tilley this season. This combination has an excellent cross-country record to date so should be ones to watch.

Hong Kong’s Owen Wong is just 21 years old but has already made his mark on the Eventing world. He will compete Harthill Phantom, previously campaigned by Dutchman Andrew Heffernan to 5* level, so a good performance is expected. Meanwhile Qatar, an emerging eventing nation, will send two individual athletes this year: Mohammed Jabor H R Al Naimi and Mohammed Salem M L Al Marri, who both started their careers in the sport of jumping.

Eventing’s growth across Asia is unmistakable, Ho explains. “Japan has traditionally dominated, but we’re seeing real depth emerging from Thailand, China, and even us in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s youth programme has been hugely successful in bringing through the next generation. And at the China National Games last week, there were seven teams competing – that’s a big sign of progress.”

As always, horse welfare is central to championship operations. The event will host 15 FEI-accredited veterinarians from a range of nations, with the Veterinary Commission led by Dr. Emily Sandler-Burtness (USA), an experienced official at multiple FEI Championships and Games. The Thai Polo Club’s permanent veterinary facilities – overseen by a leading Argentinian equine specialist and supported by international and local farriers, trainers, and stable staff – ensure exceptional care throughout the competition.

With nearly 40 million tourists visiting Thailand each year and more than 24 million travelling specifically to Pattaya in 2024, the Championships – which showcase multiple equestrian disciples – are poised to attract a lively international audience. During the 2019 edition at the same venue, spectators from around the world filled the stands, creating an electric atmosphere that is expected to return in full force.

Fans unable to attend will have access to complete live and on-demand coverage via FEI TV/ClipMyHorse.

As anticipation builds, teams, athletes, and supporters alike look forward to a thrilling celebration of courage, precision, and partnership between horse and athlete. The FEI Eventing Asian Championship 2025 is set to deliver a compelling showcase of sport, national pride, and the future of eventing across Asia.

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

By on Nov 25, 2025 10:16 am -

 

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It feels like this has been an autumn full of poignant goodbyes to some of the former greats of the sport, and today, we’re sad to share the news that Laura Collett’s Rayef has been laid to rest at the age of 26. Before there was Laura the European Champion, Olympic gold medallist, and multi-five-star winner, there was Laura the Junior rider: after a successful Pony career aboard Noble Springbok, she was able to sell her pony for enough to create a career-starting nest egg, and one of the first purchases she made was that of the young and inexperienced Rayef, who she found in the pages of a horse sales magazine. She produced him from BE100 (US Training level) through to her Badminton debut in 2011, where they finished 11th, and along the way, they won double gold at both the Junior Europeans and the Young Rider Europeans. The pair were selected for the 2011 European Championships and were alternates for the London Olympics, when Laura had barely aged out of Young Riders, and so to say that Rayef has been a fundamental building block in the story of one of our generation’s greatest riders is no exaggeration. Fly high, Rayef – may we all get the chance to have a horse so transformative enter our lives.

U.S Events Opening Entries Today:

Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks

News & Reading:

Is improving your horse’s topline one of your off-season projects? It’s not a bad one to have: this is a slow, but rewarding, process that has to be done properly, and the yawning months of the winter are a great time to get back to basics and work on those foundations with the help of nutritional changes and groundwork exercises. This primer, from the UK’s Your Horse magazine, covers all the essentials and provides you with some handy starting points for that in-hand work you’ll be mastering. Goodbye, noodle neck!

We all know that volunteers are the lifeblood of our weird, expensive, impractical sport – but that goes so much deeper than the odd day of fence-judging for some of these warriors. Like, for example, Crystal Santos, who is Area I’s Volunteer Coordinator, and makes sure that her troops are ready for action and placed in roles that allow them to flourish. Oh, and she’s often squeezing in her own competitive rounds around all this, too! Meet the northeast’s resident Wonder Woman in this piece.

It’s hardly glamorous, but knowing how to keep your horse’s turnout blankets waterproof is a seriously good trick to have in your arsenal, and could save you a whole bunch of money. Here’s how it’s done, how to check your horse’s current wardrobe, and how to ensure you maintain those garms for as long as possible, without hefty bills from the rug-wash lady.

Sponsor Corner: Kentucky Performance Products

25-ENHN SM_11

Switching from pasture to hay too quickly can lead to disruptions in the microbiome, which can result in GAS COLIC. Slowly making the transition from pasture to hay allows the microbiome to adapt without disrupting the delicate balance.

View and download a handy infographic from Kentucky Performance Products on how to reduce your horse’s seasonal stress by slowly switching from pasture grass to hay here.

Video Break:

Oh, go on then, let’s have a little winter warmer in the form of Jonathan Bailey telling us about his favourite co-star, Jack. A little treat, because we like you.

Oliver Barrett Takes Sydney CCI4*-L Victory on Homebred Hero

By on Nov 24, 2025 5:05 pm -

Oliver Barrett and Sandhills Briar. Photo courtesy of the Sydney 3DE.

The final day of the Limitless Lodge Sydney International Three-Day Event in Australia saw Shenae Lowings and Bold Venture, the two-phase leaders, surrender their spot at the top of the leaderboard after a shock three rails, opening the door for 21-year-old Oliver Barrett and Sandhills Briar to move up from runner-up position into first place — the talented young rider’s first victory at this level.

Oliver and his nine-year-old homebred delivered one of just three clear rounds in this influential final phase, and even the 1.2 time penalties they picked up along the way kept them a healthy margin ahead of Sophia Hill and Tulara Baltango, who also jumped clear to step up from third to second place. Sam Jeffree and Wimborne Conjuror delivered the only other clear of the day to take fourth place, ahead of Oliver and his other ride, Sandhills Gem, the best-placed mare of the competition.

Oliver’s successes didn’t just come in the feature CCI4*-L class: he also finished second in the 4CYTE CCI3*-L with Tempranado, truly marking him as a Southern Hemisphere star on the rise.

“I couldn’t be prouder of all three horses this weekend. Briar was super in all three phases, he’s such a cool horse to ride and a real thrill to be able to win,” says Oliver. “Gem was also super and it’s an honour to be awarded with the Holstein Park Leilani Trophy [for the best mare of the competition]. Thank you to Jean and Jade Findlay for their continued support of eventing and this award.”

Tempranado showed her potential for the future this weekend as well finishing on her dressage score. Bred by Alan Skinner, she has the pedigree to be a great horse with her Dam Tempranillo competing at 5 Star with Chris Burton and her Sire Diarado being one of the world’s leading eventing stallions. She hopefully is one to watch in the future.”

Just eight of the thirteen starters in the CCI4*-L completed the class, while over in the CCI3*-L, the Thoroughbred reigned supreme. The final top ten featured seven full Thoroughbreds, led by Hannah Deegan and HK Hawthorn, who held the lead from pillar to post and added just one rail to their first-phase score.

Ophelie van Prinseveld and Lamosa Velisha took the win in the Bates Saddles-sponsored CCI2*-L, while Olympian Megan Jones had a long drive from South Australia, but made it well worthwhile with a second place finish aboard Cadello MPH.

The CCI4*-S, sponsored by Agnes Banks Equine Clinic, went the way of Sam Woods and SS Eight Count, who added just 4.8 time penalties across the country to their first-phase score, and the CCI3*-S, sponsored by Rose-Hip Vital, was scooped by Emma Mason and Warrego Marco Polo, who were the only pair to finish on their dressage score.

The week’s trophy winners are as follows:

Robert Slade Memorial Trophy – Presented to the Winner of CCI4*-L Event

Oliver Barrett and Sandhills Briar

Holstein Park Leilani Trophy– Presented to Highest placed mare in CCI4*L

Oliver Barrett and Sandhills Gem

Rod Winchester Trophy – For Best and Fairest Young Rider

Charlie Richardson

Rachel Watts Award for Excellence

Geoff Spears

Best Dressed at Agnes Banks Equine Centre Trot-Up

Sam Jeffree

Maddie Cooper

Kohnke’s Own 2025 Young Event Horse Championship

95cm – VH Royale ridden by Blair Richardson

1* -5/6yo Bellhaven Chatterbox ridden by Kadi Eycamp

2*- 6/7yo Cracker Night ridden by Zachery Thorne

3*-7/8yo Oaks Quasimoto ridden by Judy Clarke

Best Performed Thoroughbred in the CCI4*-L

Bold Venture ridden by Shenae Lowings

Best Performed Thoroughbred in the CIC3*-L

HK Hawthorn ridden by Hannah Deegan

Equestrian NSW GRASSROOTS CHAMPION 65CM

Amelie Scott and Leonardo Ricciardo

Equestrian NSW GRASSROOTS CHAMPION 80CM

Shive Weidemann and Sandhills Shiver

Equestrian NSW GRASSROOTS CHAMPION 95CM

Sharna Dolbey and Hillwood Park Thorlindah Hyacinth

Equestrian NSW GRASSROOTS CHAMPION 1 STAR

Keira McNally and Yoicks Vegas

Equestrian NSW GRASSROOTS TEAM CHAMPIONS 2024

“Young and Eventful”

Tanisha Donnelly -Dom Perignon MVH

Annabelle Hwang – Squidward

Dane Schwartz – Chuppa Chup

Ruby Huggett – Fairfield Double Delight

Grooms Award presented by Horseland

Holly Brimblecombe (groom of Bloomfield Findon)

The full results can be viewed here,.

FEI World Championships Eventing Officials Designated

By on Nov 24, 2025 9:00 am -

Gemma Stevens and Flash Cooley compete at Aachen, the site of the 2026 FEI World Championships. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

We have our Ground Jury for this year’s FEI Eventing World Championship, set to be held at Aachen August 13-16 during the first few days of the two-week competition. We already knew our course designer would be Italy’s Giuseppe della Chiesa, who designed Aachen’s 4*-S course in 2025 and also designed the 2022 World Championships at Pratoni del Vivaro.

The following FEI officials have been designated to work these World Championships:

Ground Jury President: Anne-Mette Binder (DEN)
Ground Jury Member: Peter Gray (CAN)
Ground Jury Member: Joanne Jarden (IRL)

Technical Delegate: Phillip Surl (GER)

Chief Steward: Caroline Farwick (GER)

You’ll be able to view more information on the World Championships here as we get closer to the event. Qualifications opened on January 1, 2025 and will go through the close of nominated entries in July of 2026. Stay tuned for much more coming your way as the year begins and we look ahead in earnest to our next major Championship!

Monday News & Notes

By on Nov 24, 2025 12:01 am -

Which 5* winner do we have kicking off our Monday news today? You won’t have to look too far to take a guess — it’s none other than Maryland 5 Star champion Austin O’Connor! Did you guess right? Click here for the latest edition and test your recognition skills.

U.S. Event Results

SAzEA Fall H.T. (AZ): [Website] [Scores]

Major International Events

Sydney International Three-Day Event CCI4*-L (Australia): [Website] [Scores] [Live Replays]

News & Reading

The FEI Eventing Nations Cup will have a refreshed format in 2026 as the FEI aims to encourage more nations to compete and to vie for the title at the season ending finale held at Military Boekelo in October. The Nations Cup will once more be hosted in the UK and Europe next year, and the teams will start from a clean slate with double points at the Final. In previous years, the Nations Cup champion was often decided in advance of the final due to points accumulation, and while points will still accrue from each leg, the Final now becomes anyone’s game. Additionally and as always, the top nation not already qualified for the next Olympics via another route (i.e. the FEI World Championships, where the top seven nations less the host nation — in this case, the U.S. for the LA28 Olympics — will earn a berth to the Games) will earn its team spot for the Olympics. You can read more on the changes to the Nations Cup format here.

TerraNova closed out the year in a big way for the start of the 2026 US Equestrian Open of Eventing series. The CCI4*-S served as a qualifier for the 2026 Final, and it was the final chance to earn some points toward that $50,000 leaderboard bonus (split among the eventual top three points earners at the end of the season). Read a full recap on that final qualifier here.

Are you participating in No Stirrup November? This concept, originating from a desire to get stronger in the saddle, has gone through several iterations over the years, and it’s important to remember that your horse’s back should not pay the price for your no stirrup practice. If you want some tips for getting stronger this month, here’s a place to start.

Video Break

Will Coleman’s Off the Record enjoying his holiday time: