Classic Eventing Nation

Jockey Club Signs Five-Year Contract to Run Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials

By on Dec 2, 2020 9:00 am -

Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border take Blenheim in 2017. Photo by Libby Law.

The fate of the UK’s SsangYong Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, which has long been run as British Eventing’s sole self-organised competition, has been secured after a bidding process that’s been ongoing throughout the latter half of 2020. From 2021, the event – which hosts a CCI4*-L alongside the prestigious CCI4*-S for eight- and nine-year-olds, will be run by the Jockey Club in an exciting first foray into eventing for the organisation.

A five-year contract has been signed for the running of the event, which was cancelled in 2020 as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with its classes relocated to Norfolk’s Burnham Market International, run by Musketeer Events – one of the expected frontrunners of the bidding process.

“The international horse trials is one of our most prestigious events, attracting world-class riders to compete in this iconic competition,” said Blenheim Palace Estates Director Roy Cox in a statement released this morning (December 1). “We are delighted its future has been secured and have every confidence the Jockey Club, with its rich history and wealth of experience, working alongside British Eventing is the perfect combination to ensure this great event, which contributes so much to the local area, continues to thrive.”

Sarah Bullimore rides Lilly Corrine during the Event Rider Masters finale at Blenheim. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

The Jockey Club, which was founded in 1750 and boasts Her Majesty the Queen as its patron, has considerable experience staging world-class competition: with over 340 fixtures in its remit, including industry stalwarts such as the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National, it’s the largest commercial group in racing, turning over an extraordinary £201.1 million in revenue each year.

Ian Renton, Regional Managing Director of the organisation, hopes that Blenheim’s proximity to Cheltenham – dubbed ‘the home of jump racing’ and responsible for an estimated £100 million annual boost to the local area – will allow for further opportunities to broaden eventing’s scope as a spectator sport.

“It truly is a great honour to be appointed to organise the Blenheim Palace Horse Trials for the next five years,” he said. “We look forward to working closely with Blenheim Palace and British Eventing to ensure the event has a fantastic future.

“As a company, we welcome nearly four million people a year to events at our venues and our team are excited to put on a fantastic show at Blenheim in keeping with the international prestige of both the horse trials and the palace itself.

“With he Home of Jump Racing just 40 miles away, I’m also confident there are economies of scale and cross-promotional opportunities from this partnership,” he continued. “Overall, we’re thrilled to be involved and thank the Blenheim Palace and British Eventing team for placing their faith in us.”

Piggy French and Brookfield Inocent win the CCI4*-L in 2019. Photo by William Carey.

Eventing first came to Blenheim Palace, the Oxfordshire seat of the Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill, in 1990. That fledgling competition was won by Lucinda Fredericks on Just Jeremy, and by 1994, the young event had grown roots sufficient to host that year’s European Championships for Young Riders. In 2005, it stepped up to host the Senior European Championships, and in 2009 – following the event’s only cancellation prior to the pandemic – the much-heralded CCI4*-S class was introduced. In its eleven runnings, the class has produced an extraordinary roll of honour, with winners going on to success at the upper echelons – including five CCI5* victors. After some speculation this autumn that bids for the fixture included plans to potentially relocate the event, it’s a great relief to see it stay in situ at its home of three decades.

Jude Matthews, Chief Executive of British Eventing, said: “Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials is a key fixture in the British Eventing calendar, showcasing some of the most talented horse and rider combinations in the world. The event has been established over many successful years and we look forward to working with the Jockey Club to continue this development and to potentially bring our sport to a wider audience.”

British Eventing’s decision to step back from organising the event – the only one it organises directly – came in August of this year to allow the body to “focus on the delivery of core sport.”

The 2021 renewal of the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials is set to take place from September 15–19.

Wednesday News & Notes

By on Dec 2, 2020 12:01 am -

The International Museum of the Horse at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. has announced the launch of a new website chronicling the stories and impact of Black Americans in the horse industry. Made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the International Museum of the Horse, the new website, africanamericanhorsestories.org, is intended to act as a resource for research and education in understanding the rich history of Black equestrians.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Rocking Horse December H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status]

Sporting Days Farm H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Major International Events:

Portugal Winter Tour Week 3: [Website] [Entries]

Wednesday Reading List:

The United States Hunter Jumper Association is hosting a Diversity and Inclusion session as a part of its virtual annual meeting this month. You can register here to tune in on Friday, December 4 at 11:00 a.m. EST.

Nina Ligon became the first female eventer from an Asian country to compete in the Olympic Games in 2012, and this is one milestone she reflects on in her most recent think piece on Medium.

Applications are now open for the 2021 Retired Racehorse Thoroughbred Makeover. Currently scheduled for October 17-21, 2021, the Makeover will play host to competitors from both the 2020 and 2021 eligibility years to make up for the cancelation of the 2020 Makeover. Applications will be accepted through January 15, 2021 – click here to learn more.

What impact do fireworks have on horses? UK equine welfare charity The Blue Cross has launched a survey to dig into this topic more after concerned animal owners have petitioned to ban sales of fireworks to the public.

Want to support the Kentucky Three-Day Event? The organizing nonprofit for the event, Equestrian Events Inc., has been hit hard by the pandemic and has put together a fundraising auction to help. You can view the items and place your bid for the auction, which runs through Tuesday, December 8, here.

Wednesday Video Break: Want to get a feel for the new Equestriad World Tour mobile game? Here’s some gameplay and review for you to chew on while you decide which horse to buy first.

Tuesday Video from Horseware: William Fox-Pitt and Jackie Potts on Reducing Travel Stress

By on Dec 1, 2020 6:00 pm -

Traveling with horses is a detailed process that can easily turn stressful if you’re caught unprepared. Luckily, there are a whole slew of well-seasoned experts willing to lend their experience to provide some insight on reducing stress and anxiety – for both you and your horse – during travel. In the latest video from Fox-Pitt Eventing, William and top pro groom Jackie Potts shine some light on their transportation process.

Here are some of the key takeaways that you’ll learn about in this video:

  • Always be watchful for signs of ulcers, which affect upwards of 50% of horses
  • Jackie will often use a light rug to cover the neck of the horse to keep the horses warm with proper ventilation in the trailer
  • Start with a clean horse and bandage the tail to prevent soiling and protect the dock area
  • Find shipping boots that are easy to remove and that have sufficient coverage of the coronet band to help prevent pulled shoes
  • If you travel with hay nets, make sure to secure them tightly and position them properly
  • Clean your trailer out! This reduces bacteria and ammonia that can overpower the nostrils
  • Do a proper assessment of your horse’s condition upon arrival; keep track of how much he eats or drinks during transport

Area VI Council Launches Fund Drive on Giving Tuesday

By on Dec 1, 2020 3:00 pm -

Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Just in time for Giving Tuesday the Area VI Council has launched a two-week giving campaign — and their goal is 100% participation from their area’s members (of course, members from other areas are welcome, too!) Can you help them get there? Donate here.

The Council shared this announcement yesterday:

“As we get ready to close the books on this year, we, like so many other businesses across the country (and around the globe) are assessing the impact 2020 has had on our bottom line. With our eventing calendar cut to a fraction of normal this year we are looking at heavy losses from reduced event fees, an absence of fundraisers, as well as camps, clinics and a myriad of other revenue-generating opportunities which were halted due to the global Coronavirus pandemic.

“Normally, we as an Area each year put together an auction event to raise much needed funds for our Young Riders, Adult Riders and the Area Administration. This year, after serious consideration, the Area VI Council deemed it to be inappropriate to reach out to our wonderful sponsors asking for contributions (merchandise, travel accommodations, services, etc.) at a time when many are just trying to keep their doors open. Yet, we must raise income to springboard us towards gaining some financial recovery in 2021.

“So often, in times of hardship, we must look within and find a solution. This year we are asking our membership … each and every member … to take part in our year-end Appeal by making a $50 tax-deductible contribution to Area VI.

“While it is understood that some may need to give less, and others may be in a position to give above the $50 ask, the importance lies with 100% participation from our community. The responsibility to rebound from the setbacks faced this year rests with each and every one of us here in Area VI and together we can set the foundation for a strong comeback in 2021.

“As the Area VI Council, we ask for your support in sharing this campaign with your students, friends and all Area VI Members. We have created a flyer you can download here to share via text and email.

“Thank you for your participation and support,
The Area VI Council”

Every dollar counts! A tax-deductible donation can be made by scanning the QR code below with your smartphone camera or visiting givebutter.com/areaviappeal.

 

 

Giving Tuesday: Equestrian Access and Diversity Programs You Can Help Today

By on Dec 1, 2020 12:30 pm -

We’re coming to the end of the traditional holiday shopping days, and it’s perhaps the most important day of the whole lot: Giving Tuesday. Believe it or not, the concept of Giving Tuesday is not a very old one; the idea was first brought to life in 2011 by nonprofit Mary-Arrchie Theater Company in Chicago and then-producing director Carlo Lorenzo Garcia, who encouraged consumers to give back after diving in to their yearly gift shopping.

This year has been one in which many needs have been brought to light within our small community. One glaring need is that for more diversity, equity, and inclusion in equestrian sports and activities. We’ve spent a lot of time learning about access programs that help provide opportunity for young equestrians from diverse backgrounds, and we wanted to share a bit about some of these organizations with you today. This is by no means a comprehensive list, and we welcome all suggestions for other programs that could use some promotion and help this season.

Compton Cowboys

Streets Raised Us. Horses Saved Us. The Compton Cowboys was born from a group of lifelong friends who wanted to build up their community in Compton through horses. Through exposure and education (and even a few appearances in the mainstream media), the Compton Cowboys hope to draw more positive attention to their neighborhood and promote Black equestrian culture the world over. Currently listed on the Compton Cowboys wish list are footing/arena sand, paddock boots, laptops/chromebooks, and more. Visit this link to donate.

Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club

Philadelphia is home to a generations-deep love of horses, and Fletcher Street has been a part of this community for over 100 years. The mission of the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club is “to save and restore this historical, important facet of Philadelphia’s community, and most importantly, its children. Fletcher Street’s horse community is for many children, the only safe place to be mentored, to feel good about themselves, to learn important lessons in responsibility, discipline, and reward.” To make a donation, click here.

Philadelphia Urban Riding Academy

Home to the Concrete to Show Jumping program, the Philadelphia Urban Riding Academy is dedicated to providing a safe space for young riders to experience horses. The mission of this program is “to preserve and educate the public on the history and culture of the Black urban cowboys in the City of Philadelphia through equine related activities and educational programs.” Find ways you can support PURA here.

Robert Lawrence House of Opportunity

R.L. Jacobs has made a name for himself not only as a respected hunter/jumper trainer but also as the creator of the Robert Lawrence House of Opportunity. This program offers “Opportunity Clinics” taught by Robert in underserved communities and also is home to the From the Community, To the Community apparel and equipment exchange. To learn more and to donate to the program, click here.

Saddle Up and Read

Did you know that 2/3 of the children in America who are not reading proficiently in fourth grade will end up on welfare or in jail? Literacy is an important aspect of a child’s development, and Saddle Up and Read founder Caitlin Gooch has made it her mission to chance this statistic and introduce kids to books that feature Black equestrians. Want to get involved? Make a donation, donate to Saddle Up and Read’s wishlist or participate in a book drive.

 

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Strides for Equality Equestrians

Strides for Equality Equestrians was formed by a collaborative group of predominantly BIPOC riders who seek to provide more visible allyship for equestrians of color. Strides for Equality Equestrians will distribute a lapel pin and will soon have other merchandise available for purchase. In the meantime, you can join and receive your pin here.

Work to Ride

Work to Ride is a community-based prevention program that provides opportunity for disadvantaged urban youth through their horse-centric program. Located in Fairmount Park, Pa., Work to Ride also boasts a national polo team and is always seeking ways in which they can engage youth through the equine experience. Your donation helps programs like Work to Ride continue to offer these opportunities at no charge to participants. Click here to donate.

 

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Schedule Announced for Virtual USEA Annual Meeting and Convention

By on Dec 1, 2020 11:00 am -

Logo via the USEA.

The USEA Annual Meeting and Convention will be held virtually in its entirety this year due to concerns and restrictions regarding the coronavirus pandemic. Slated for December 8-12 and culminating with the Annual Meeting and Keynote Address on Saturday, December 12 at 2 p.m. EST via Zoom, the content calendar for this year’s Convention is full of great options for members to take advantage of. This year’s keynote will also feature a lineup of female event riders. To view the full schedule of events, click here.

Notable sessions that will be made available during the USEA Annual Meeting and Convention include:

USEF High Performance – Wednesday, December 9 at 3 p.m. EST: USEF Managing Director of Eventing Jenni Autry and USEF Eventing High Performance Director Erik Duvander will discuss this past year and their future goals as they look forward to the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Eventing Licensed Officials Committee Meeting – Thursday, December 10 at 2 p.m. EST: The USEA Eventing Licensed Officials Committee (ELOC) invites you to attend their year-end committee meeting. This meeting will be led by ELOC Chair Cindy DePorter and Assistant Chair Tim Murray. The mission of this committee is to strategically plan for the future needs of Licensed Officials and to act as advisors in their development for advancement from “r” to “R” to “S” and to transfer to FEI, and to periodically review/revise the syllabus and educational materials for the training and continuing education programs.

Engineering Success – From Personal Milestones to Team Gold Medals with EquiRatings – Friday, December 11 at 12 p.m. EST: Diarm Byrne and Sam Watson of EquiRatings will be discussing setting goals and targets and ways to measure progress to meet them. Examples will include riders at any level and also show how the same targets are used to guide Olympic success. The process is the same at any level – set a goal and then measure progress to that goal.

Also featuring among the sessions are a sport psychology session with Coach Daniel Stewart as well as a physical fitness seminar from Coach Tony Sandoval. The USEA Volunteer Committee will also meet in an open format on Zoom that will be available for viewing.

This content plan will also include more instructional videos published throughout the week. If you have already renewed your membership for 2021, you’ll receive a Zoom invitation via email on December 10 for the Annual Meeting on Saturday. Members are asked to renew their memberships for 2021 by Wednesday, December 9 in order to receive the invitation.

To view the full schedule and to cast your Annual Meeting of Members Official Ballot, click here.

Give Back to Your Favorite Sport on Giving Tuesday

By on Dec 1, 2020 9:00 am -

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Think about all the ways that the sport of eventing has positively impacted your life. Today is the day to pay it forward! This Giving Tuesday, consider making a secure, tax-deductible donation to the USEA Foundation to help ensure a happy, healthy future for our sport.

From a $25 “Novice” donation to a $1,000 “Four-Star” donation and beyond, gifts of any amount are welcome and can make a big difference. You can designate your donation for use where needed or earmark it to benefit your favorite program. A few options:

  • Where it is needed most — Supporting the immediate needs of USEA Inc.
  • Poggio Horsemanship Study (USEA Foundation) — Studying equine soundness, health and training
  • USEA Foundation — Securing the Future of Education and the Sport
  • Frangible Fence Research (USEA Inc.) — Collapsible Fence Study and other safety initiatives
  • Roger Haller Officials’ Education (USEA Inc.) — Funds and scholarships for Officials’ Education
  • Instructors’ Certification Program (ICP) (USEA Inc.) — Funds for Instructors Certification Program (ICP)
  • Equine Welfare (USEA Inc.) — Funds for equine safety and welfare
  • Young Event Horse (USEA Inc.) — Funds for Young Event Horse (YEH) Program
  • Future Event Horse (USEA Inc.) — Funds for Future Event Horse (FEH) Program
  • Juniors/Young Riders (USEA Inc.) — Funds for national Junior and Young Rider Program
  • Liz Cochran Memorial Grooms Award (USEA Foundation) — National Grooms Award
  • Volunteer Incentive Program (USEA Inc.) — Funds support the USEA Volunteer Incentive Program

Go give back. Go Eventing!

Giving Tuesday News & Notes from Legends Horse Feeds

By on Dec 1, 2020 12:01 am -

Photo via Michael Jung’s instagram.

Many congratulations are due for Michael Jung and Faye Füllgraebe. Michael proposed last week and now there’s wedding bells for the happy couple. In a year as crazy as this one has been, we are thrilled for every bit of good news in our sport. Congratulations Michael and Faye!

Don’t forget today is also Giving Tuesday. If you can, share the love with an equestrian charity close to your heart today!

National Holiday: National Pie Day

Events Opening This Week: Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks

Tuesday News:

Chris Ryan reminds us all why Thoroughbreds rein supreme in this latest OTTB critique. [Conformation Critique with Chris Ryan: Luprian]

I truly believe that if you can ride a naughty pony, then you can ride anything. They literally wake up every morning and chose violence, and with that narrow frame, all that separates you from the ground is whatever mercy that pony is willing to show you. [A Tribute To My First Grumpy Pony]

The Tokyo Games Organizers have decided that this pandemic won’t push the Olympics back another year. They’re shelling out $960 million on COVID-19 countermeasures in preparation. Much of this will include setting up additional infrastructure, including a testing center. [Tokyo 2020 to spend $960 million on COVID-19 countermeasures as part of additional costs]

International horse sport was busy last month as the final few competitions continued trickling in. FEI looks back on the last 30 days. [Looking back on… November 2020]

Tuesday Video: We meet one of the most important members of Team Fox-Pitt Eventing, the veterinarian.

Monday Video: Meet Amanda O’Gorman, Team Fox-Pitt Veterinarian

By on Nov 30, 2020 5:30 pm -

You’ll hear time and time again from professional event riders that it’s a team effort to get a horse to the top level and keep them their performing their best. When it comes to keeping equine athletes happy and sound, having a trusted veterinarian on your team is essential.

In the latest episode of ‘Meet the Team’ on the Fox-Pitt Eventing YouTube channel, we’re introduced to Dr. Amanda O’Gorman of Gibbs Marsh Equine Veterinary. Amanda’s role as a veterinarian is so much more than just patching up horses and administering vaccines. Enjoy this video where you’ll hear from William and Alice Fox-Pitt, head groom Jackie Potts, and Amanda herself about the different ways the veterinarian fits into the picture.

Andreas Dibowski Takes Second Week CCI3*S at Portugal Winter Tour

By on Nov 30, 2020 3:00 pm -

Weather played her strongest hand this weekend for the second leg of the three-week Portugal Winter Tour at Barroca d’Alva concluded this weekend, but eventers are a resilient bunch used to all the weather challenges that can surface in one weekend. The three-week Portugal Winter Tour kicked off last week and will conclude with its toughest divisions yet this coming weekend. It was Germany’s Andreas Dibowski who took home the win in the highest division, a CCI3*S. He and the 9-year-old Polish gelding Brennus would collect the 3*S win on a finishing score of 34.1, adding a rail in show jumping and a few seconds of time on cross country to their dressage mark.

This marks the first win at this level for Brennus, who has also been campaigned by Andreas’ daughter, Alina, throughout his career. Most recently, Alina and Brennus finished 11th in the Under 25 CCI3*L at the German Eventing Championships at Luhmühlen in October.

Brazil’s Marcio Carvalho Jorge and Joly Jumper secured second place in the CCI3*S on a final score of 40.8. This pair was looking for some redemption this weekend after parting ways on cross country in the CCI4*S during the first leg. Spanish rider Francisco Gaviño Gonzalez and Source de La Faye complete the top three in this division, ending their weekend on a score of 43.3.

Looking to the CCI2*S division, Great Britain’s Ben Hobday and Shadow Seahorse collected the win on a final score of 29.9. This second leg improves on this pair’s fifth-place finish in the same division the previous weekend. Shadow Seahorse is a newcomer to the sport of eventing, having spent the majority of his international career to date in the show jumping ring. Shadow Seahorse is entered in the CCI3*S division for the final week of the Portugal Winter Tour.

Spain’s Albert Hermoso Farras picks up the second and third place finishes in the CCI2*S for the second leg aboard Quilate 32 53 (30.6) and Grytsen Z (31.3), respectively.

The Portugal Winter Tour will conclude this week with the addition of a long-format for the CCI2*, CCI3*, and CCI4* divisions. 27 combinations are currently entered in the CCI4*L, including American rider Anna Loschiavo and Spartacus Q. Another 25 pairs will contest the CCI4*S division. Stay tuned for more from Portugal!

Portugal Winter Tour:[Website] [Week 2 Results] [Week 3 Entries]