Classic Eventing Nation

Monday News & Notes from Equine Discounts

By on Sep 21, 2026 12:01 am -

Corvett celebrates another clear 5* cross country with #supergroom Jeanna Epping. Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.

HorseGrooms, the online education and community platform for equine caretakers, has launched the HorseGrooms Foundation, a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit designed to build the educational and professional infrastructure long missing for grooms.

From mentorship and scholarships to financial and legal resources and, eventually, a recognized industry certification pathway, the Foundation is seen as a continuation of the work HorseGrooms set out to do and the headway they’ve made thus far. The platform will build on existing programs like HorseGrooms MeetUps while rolling out new initiatives including the HorseGrooms Financial Corner and Legal Corner.

Organizers behind the Foundation say the goal is to establish clearer career pathways and professional standards for grooms. At the end of the day, better-supported, better-educated grooms translate directly into better horse care and welfare across the industry.

[Read more and support the HorseGrooms Foundation]

Major International Event Results

Agria Blenheim Palace International (UK): [Website] [Scoring] [Blenheim Challenge Scores] [H&C+ Live Stream Replays]

U.S. Weekend Results

Twin Rivers Fall International (CA): [Website] [Scores]

Unionville International (PA): [Website] [Scores]

Heritage Park H.T. (KS): [Website] [Scores]

University of New Hampshire H.T. (NH): [Website] [Scores]

Honey Run H.T. (MI): [Website] [Scores]

Links & Reading

Sponsor Corner: The John Deere Equine Program — Built for Every Horse Farm

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Equine Discounts is open to any member of a national or local equine association, and a percentage of every sale goes back into supporting the equine industry. Ready to save? Call 866-678-4289, email [email protected], or text “Horse” to 866-551-2217. Visit EquineDiscounts.com for more ways to save.

Training Tip of the Day

Can’t stop tipping forward? Try this!

Go Eventing

Relive Burghley with Barry (aka Emily Hamel’s Corvett)!

Tom McEwen Smashes All Records by Doing the Double at the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials

By on Sep 20, 2026 4:30 pm -

Tom McEwen and The Fieldmaster are your Agria Blenheim Palace CCI4*-L winners. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

Britain’s Tom McEwen made history today (Sunday, September 20) at the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, as the first ever rider to win both the Agria CCI4*-L and the GFS Saddles CCI4*-S 8 & 9-Year-Old in the same year. He topped off a spectacular weekend by finishing in first and second places in the CCI4*-L, his two horses separated by just 0.1 of a penalty.

By the time Tom went into the arena as last to go on Jo and James Lambert and Penny Barker’s nine-year-old Irish sport horse The Fieldmaster, he had already secured victory whatever happened. He could afford one fence down on the young horse, a new mount this season, to remain ahead of faithful campaigner Brookfield Quality, a 17-year-old owned by John and Chloe Perry and Alison Swinburn.

“I had absolutely no idea what was going on, but fortunately both horses jumped superbly,” Tom confessed, as the magnitude of his achievement sunk in. “It’s a shame they couldn’t both have won, but what a weekend. I came here with five very nice horses and no expectations. It is a very nice result for Tom Strawson who took ‘Trev’ [The Fieldmaster] around here last year, but ‘Norris’ [Brookfield Quality] is an absolute star, a great old boy.”

Tom, who accrued a prize fund of £28,000 in this competition, is the first to score a one-two in the CCI4*-L at Blenheim since William Fox-Pitt in 2002 with Stunning and Tamarillo.

Sam Ecroyd also had an excellent weekend, rising from fifth and sixth places to finish third and fifth with clear show jumping rounds on Bloomfield Manuscript and Jackpot, a horse produced by partner Emily King.

New Zealander Jesse Campbell was one of four antipodean riders to finish in the top 10, in fourth place on Speedwell, and Burghley heroine Gemma Stevens was sixth on another son of Chilli Morning, Chilli’s Jester.

The Australian rider Oliver Barrett, who was making his first visit to Blenheim, produced a beautiful clear show jumping round on Sandhills Briar to finish 10th and best of the eight young riders contesting The Blenheim Challenge. Oliver was representing the Stars & Stripes side, who scored a convincing 12.5-4 win over the UK’s Rising Lions.

The GFS Saddles CCI4*-S 8 & 9-Year-Old class has been a pointer to future stardom ever since its inception in 2009 and, once again, this prestigious competition for young horses went right to the wire. With the top 20 running cross country in reverse order of merit, Tom McEwen, last to go on Alison Swinburn and John and Chloe Perry’s Brookfield Danny de Muze, produced an inspired performance to clinch the top prize of £7,500.

He could afford to be nine seconds over the optimum time of 6 minutes 54 seconds, but not 10, and, as in the Agria CCI4*-L, time penalties were to prove hugely influential. In the end, Tom and the talented eight-year-old Irish-bred gelding were only five seconds over to overtake the 2025 national champions Katie Magee and Cushlas Indigo, whose brilliant round was only seven seconds over the optimum time.

Bubby Upton finished third on the exciting prospect Sancerre de Tigi, ahead of Tom Jackson (My Star Turn, fourth), Yasmin Ingham (Kinda Corvette, fifth) and Irishman Padraig McCarthy (Kilroe Tiger, sixth), who was fastest of all with only 1.2 time penalties.

Katrina Midgley, Event Director, said, “This is an event like no other. We cannot thank the competitors, their support staff, our team and Blenheim Palace enough for all the effort and hard work.”

In addition to the thrilling four-star competition, visitors were treated to incredible events across the four days including the evoke Eventer Challenge, a series of Connolly’s RED MILLS Retraining of Racehorses showing classes, the Pony Club Jumping Championship and demonstrations from the European 3* Squad. Away from the equestrian activities, visitors enjoyed falconry displays, dog agility and delicious picnics from Fortnum & Mason. Plus influencers Meg Elphick and Simon Grieve made an appearance, much to the delight of fans.

Vicki Wentworth, CEO of Agria said, “The atmosphere at Blenheim is just gorgeous. At the end of our second year as title sponsor, I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved together. There’s something incredibly special about seeing our Agria-sponsored riders Ros Canter, Kirsty Chabert and Tom McEwen out there, competing alongside riders at the very top of their game, all striving for the title. And then to see more dogs here than ever, and our ambition to make Blenheim the UK’s most dog-friendly equestrian event really come to life, has been wonderful. To finish the week with Tom taking a record-breaking win – I don’t think we could have asked for a more special ending.”

In recognition of the many incredible individuals who work behind the scenes, the awards were numerous, with over 200 exhibitors in contention. Culinary Concepts (Large Stand), Bishops & Haig (Small Stand) and Mayston (Open Space), all won.

The teams managing the horses were also recognised with Marcus Bean, groom to Clarke Johnstone, being awarded the 2026 Top 4* Groom Award, which had been judged across Bramham, Scone Palace and Blenheim 4* events throughout the season.

“It has been an incredible week of talent, both experienced and new,” continued Katrina, “And I for one, cannot wait to see what the next generation of riders will do for our sport. We look forward to seeing you all in 2027!”

The Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials will be back next year from September 16-19. For more information, please visit www.bpiht.co.uk.

Agria Blenheim Palace International (UK): [Website] [Scoring] [Blenheim Challenge Scores] [H&C+ Live Stream Replays]

Sunday Links

By on Sep 20, 2026 12:01 am -

Equestrian Canada has opened applications for the 2026 Country Yucca Eventing Travel Grants, offering up to $10,000 CAD to help U25 event riders fund international and cross-country travel for competition. Named for the diminutive but fearless mount ridden by two-time Olympian Nick Holmes-Smith, the grants will award up to four athletes this cycle — $5,000 CAD for travel within North America or $10,000 CAD for overseas trips — with applications due October 12 and recipients notified October 31.

[Access the application]

Major International Events

Agria Blenheim Palace International (UK): [Website] [Tickets] [Timetable] [Timing & Scoring] [Blenheim Challenge Scoring] [H&C+ Live Stream]

U.S. Weekend Events

Twin Rivers Fall International (CA): [Website] [Entries/Timing/Scores] [Volunteer]

Unionville International (PA): [Website] [Entries/Timing] [Scores] [Volunteer]

Heritage Park H.T. (KS): [Website] [Entries/Timing] [Volunteer]

University of New Hampshire H.T. (NH): [Website] [Entries/Timing] [Scores] [Volunteer]

Honey Run H.T. (MI): [Website] [Entries/Timing/Scores]

Links & Reading

Training Tip of the Day

Are your legs and stirrup leathers uneven, or is it something more? Here’s a test to find out:

Go Eventing

Jewelent loves a crowd (and a cross country course!) as demonstrated after a clear run for the Stars & Stripes at Blenheim with Olivia Dutton yesterday:

Team GB Powerhouse Tom McEwen Leads Both Agria Blenheim Fields on Saturday

By on Sep 19, 2026 5:00 pm -

Tom McEwen and The Fieldmaster lead the Agria Blenheim Palace CCI4*-L after cross country. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

British Olympic and world gold medallist Tom McEwen enjoyed a superb day at the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials and is now dominating the leaderboard in both competitions. He now holds first and second places in the Agria CCI4*-L after cross-country and leads the GFS Saddles 8 & 9 Year-old CCI4*-S class after the show jumping phase.

Packed crowds enjoyed a thrilling day of cross-country action against the splendid backdrop of the UNESCO World Heritage site, Blenheim Palace. The elusive optimum time of 10 minutes 8 seconds, achieved by only one rider, played an influential part and considerably reshuffled the scoreboard, making for an exciting competition.

Tom is now leading the Agria CCI4*-L after two of the fastest rounds, aboard Jo and James Lambert and Penny Barker’s The Fieldmaster, a new ride this season, and ‘the elder statesman’, Alison Swinburn and John and Chloe Perry’s 17-year-old Brookfield Quality, the two horses separated by a mere 0.1 of a penalty.

The Fieldmaster, one of an elite handful of nine-year-old horses in the CCI4*-L, was produced by amateur jockey and eventer Tom Strawson and completed the CCI4*-S at Blenheim last year with his previous rider. “I spotted him here last year and liked the look of him,” said Tom. “He travelled and jumped so well throughout today and when we kicked for home he really picked up. I couldn’t be happier with him. He’s a phenomenal horse.”

Tom does not have a show jumping fence in hand tomorrow over his Tokyo Olympics teammate, third-placed Oliver Townend, who shot up 29 places on the leaderboard as the only rider of the day to achieve the optimum time, on new ride Sommersby. Oliver, who has been concentrating on producing young horses this season, was competing in only his third international competition with Sommersby, a 14-year-old German-bred gelding previously competed by American rider Jenny Caras.

New Zealander Jesse Campbell has dropped two places to fourth on Speedwell with 8.4 time penalties. An elated Sam Ecroyd also had a good day and is now in fifth and sixth places on Bloomfield Manuscript and Jackpot. Zara Tindall, who won the European title at Blenheim 21-years-ago, had a brilliant ride on the grey Classicals Euro Star and has risen 12 places to seventh.

Young rider Jack Pinkney, 27th after dressage, has sprung into contention on Monbeg Stone Town (eighth), Gemma Stevens is now ninth on Chilli’s Jester and New Zealander Tayla Mason, who set an early target with a fast round (5.2 penalties), has risen 41 places to 10th.

The dressage leader, 22-year-old Australian Oliver Barrett, is now in 11th place with 19.2 time penalties on Sandhills Briar, his clear round helping extend the Stars & Stripes’ lead to 8-4 over the UK-based Rising Lions in the inaugural Blenheim Challenge. Isabelle Cook, who is now in 12th place on Cymoon ‘F’ Z, was the only Rising Lion to score points in the cross-country phase.

The brand-new international competition taking place alongside the Agria CCI4*-L, is formatted like the Ryder Cup, sees daily head-to-head competitions between the British Rising Lions team and an international Stars and Stripes team, with the rider achieving the best result from each phase earning a point for their team.

The Agria CCI4*-L final horse inspection, sponsored by British Horse Feeds, takes place at 8am BST / 3am EST on Sunday, followed by showjumping starting with the lower placed horses at 11am BST / 6am EST. The GFS Saddles 8 & 9-Year-Old CCI4*-S cross-country starts at 9.30am BST / 4:30 am EST on Sunday.

Agria Blenheim Palace International (UK): [Website] [Tickets] [Timetable] [Timing & Scoring] [Blenheim Challenge Scoring] [H&C+ Live Stream]

Saturday Links from Morven Park International

By on Sep 19, 2026 12:01 am -

We love to follow eventing to every corner of the world in which it exists, and this week’s postcard comes to us from FEI eventing judge Valerie Pride, who is working at the 13th South American Games in Santa Fe, Argentina. Valerie is serving as President of the Ground Jury for the eventing competition, which is run at the CCI3*-L level. She’s accompanied on the Ground Jury panel by Delano Bastos de Miranda (BRA) and Gimena Fernandez Arrigoni (URU). 15 combinations representing four countries are on the roster for eventing (view the Definite Entries here).

The eventing kicked off yesterday and will conclude on Sunday with show jumping. There is no live stream that we are aware of, but you can find more updates and scores here.

Major International Events

Agria Blenheim Palace International (UK): [Website] [Tickets] [Timetable] [Timing & Scoring] [Blenheim Challenge Scoring] [H&C+ Live Stream]

U.S. Weekend Events

Twin Rivers Fall International (CA): [Website] [Entries/Timing/Scores] [Volunteer]

Unionville International (PA): [Website] [Entries/Timing] [Scores] [Volunteer]

Heritage Park H.T. (KS): [Website] [Entries/Timing] [Scores] [Volunteer]

University of New Hampshire H.T. (NH): [Website] [Entries/Timing] [Scores] [Volunteer]

Honey Run H.T. (MI): [Website] [Entries/Timing/Scores]

Links & Reading

Sponsor Corner: Morven Park International Beckons

Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Have you started planning your trip to the US Equestrian Open of Eventing Final at the Morven Park Fall International CCI? It’s a weekend you won’t want to miss in Leesburg, VA October 8-11 and with the richest non-five-star prize in eventing on offer, beautiful fall weather, and some of the best athletes in American eventing, what’s not to love?

If you’re considering attending, you’ll want to book your free admission pass and parking ticket here to help the team plan ahead for spectator traffic. Additional options for hospitality, VIP and tailgating can also be found here.

Training Tip of the Day

Before you think about jumping, an intentional warm-up can go a long way for preparation. Five-star rider Sarah Kuhn chimes in with some advice:

Go Eventing

Break down a dressage test with British five-star rider Alex Bragg at Blenheim:

Friday News & Notes from Stable View

By on Sep 18, 2026 12:01 am -

James Wofford on Carawich, 1978. Photo courtesy of Gamecock Photo.

It’s a USEA Hall of Fame induction year, which means we’re getting a drip feed of the newest class of greats who will join their predecessors in receiving this honor at the Annual Meeting & Convention in Arlington, VA this December.

Among the four-legged inductees for this Class of 2026 is the great Carawich, who many the eventing fan will know as a famous horse of Jimmy Wofford’s.

Carawich (Scratchy x Polly’s Vaughan), known in the barn as “Pop,” was one of the most important horses of Jimmy’s career. Discovered through Jimmy’s mentor Lars Sederholm, he was purchased in 1977 and quickly proved to be a remarkable partner. Jimmy and Carawich represented the United States at the 1978 World Championships, contributing to the team bronze medal and going on to earn an individual silver medal at the 1980 Alternate Olympic Games in Fontainebleau and win the 1981 Kentucky Three-Day Event.

Celebrated for his intelligence and athleticism on cross-country, Carawich developed a reputation for anticipating questions on course and forming a unique partnership with his rider. Retired in 1984, he remained one of the defining horses of Jimmy’s career and an enduring figure in American eventing history.

Major International Events

Agria Blenheim Palace International (UK): [Website] [Tickets] [Timetable] [Timing & Scoring] [Blenheim Challenge Scoring] [H&C+ Live Stream]

U.S. Weekend Events

Twin Rivers Fall International (CA): [Website] [Entries/Timing/Scores] [Volunteer]

Unionville International (PA): [Website] [Entries/Timing] [Scores] [Volunteer]

Heritage Park H.T. (KS): [Website] [Entries/Timing] [Scores] [Volunteer]

University of New Hampshire H.T. (NH): [Website] [Entries/Timing] [Scores] [Volunteer]

Honey Run H.T. (MI): [Website] [Entries/Timing/Scores]

Links & Reading

Sponsor Corner: Oktoberfest at Stable View is just around the corner!

Don’t miss out on the best view in the house at Stable View’s iconic Oktoberfest event, taking place in Aiken, SC next weekend, September 26-27. VIP tickets are still available and will include access to the upper level of Stable View’s Pavillon, catered lunch, open beer and wine bar (along with N/A options, of course) and more. Get your VIP tickets sorted here.

[More Stable View Oktoberfest information]

Training Tip of the Day

Improve your rhythm, confidence and understanding of the question when jumping using this exercise:

Go Eventing

Catch up with the USA’s Allie Knowles and her two rising stars competing in the 8/9-Year-Old CCI4*-S Championships at Blenheim this weekend:

Australia Steals the Show on Day One of the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials

By on Sep 17, 2026 4:30 pm -

Oliver Barrett (AUS) and Sandhills Briar. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

Oxfordshire’s premier equestrian event, the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, kicked off today at the iconic UNESCO World Heritage site, as riders began their conquest for the top spot, with Australian and Great Britain riders coming up trumps early on.

Dressage was the name of the game on day one, as riders took to the arenas to showcase their talent and skill. As the gates opened, Tom McEwen was the first to take to the CCI4*-S GFS Saddles 8 & 9 Year Old arena, scoring a strong 27.2 on Brookfield Danny de Muze and permanently securing the prime position.

At lunchtime, Australian Oliver Barratt was at the top of the Agria CCI4*-L leaderboard with his horse Sandhills Briar, and he maintained his lead, having taken first place from Team GB stalwart Gemma Stevens just before the mid-day break.

As the day’s competition ended, he commented, “I was thrilled! Sandhills Briar has been going well this week and I knew that if I did a good enough job, we could put a good test forward with great scores, so I was really happy it paid off.”

Tomorrow (September 18) will see the remaining horse and rider combinations battle it out in the Palace Arena for the CCI4*-L and CCI4*-S first phase honours, ahead of the cross country over the weekend.

Tom McEwen (GBR) and Brookfield Danny De Muze. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

In addition to the traditional classes, this year sees the inaugural Blenheim Challenge, an international showdown between a British U25 team and an international Stars and Stripes U25 team. The competition is formatted like the Ryder Cup, with head-to-head competitions at each phase and a fresh draw. The rider achieving the best results in each individual phase will earn a point for their team, whilst a drawn match-up will see a half point awarded to each team.

The first point was officially awarded to the Stars and Stripes team at Wednesday’s trot-up for the Best Turned Out Horse, with Tommy Greengard’s groom Adriana De Peppe taking the honours.

As Thursday’s proceedings came to a close, Oliver Barratt was in prime position to help the Stars and Stripes team take another point, with his first day leading position in the CCI4*-L dressage.

“It’s really cool to be here at Blenheim”, he continued. “It’s been amazing and it’s such a wonderful place to be able to ride. The Blenheim Challenge is a great initiative and I’m really fortunate to be a part of it.”

Also taking to the Blenheim arenas today were the first cohort of riders in the evoke™ Eventer Challenge, participating in the Riding Club 100cm and 90cm competitions. At the end of day one, over 150 horse and rider combinations had taken to the Bladon and Hensington arenas, with North Somerset’s Equestrian Training South West (ETSW) team honoured with the first team place in the RC100cm and High Wycombe securing the RC90cm first place honours. Rebecca Wilman and her horse Soviet Suspect secured the individual RC90cm gold, and Harriet Couplan with her horse Cillbhrid Mermaid took home the RC100cm gold. The competition continues tomorrow with the 100cm and 90cm Pony Club competition.

Catherine Burgress from ETSW said of the team’s RC100cm win, “Three of the team members were winners in the Riding Club National Horse Trials Championships this year, so this is a double whammy for them. They are a very experienced 90cm team, and having started at 10am today, it has been a long wait to see if they were victorious. And what a way to end the day! They have had a wonderful experience and love coming to Blenheim.”

Rebecca Wilman, the individual winner of RC90cm said of her result, “We had a lovely round. Soviet Suspect is an ex-racehorse, so he’s quite small, and this is the best we’ve ever done. Can’t get better than first. I’m chuffed!”

Agria Blenheim Palace International (UK): [Website] [Tickets] [Timetable] [Timing & Scoring] [Blenheim Challenge Scoring] [H&C+ Live Stream]

Thursday News & Notes

By on Sep 17, 2026 12:01 am -

Eventual individual European champions Laura Collett and London 52 during dressage at Blenheim in 2025. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

We’re underway today with the Agria Blenheim Palace International CCI4*-L and 8/9-Year-Old CCI4*-S Championships and today’s schedule includes the first halves of both four-star divisions’ dressage. Dressage begins at 9:00 am BST / 4:00 am EST with the CCI4*-S division, and then at 10:25 am BST / 5:25 am BEST with the Agria CCI4*-L division. You can view full scores and orders here.

For those of you following the £50,000 Blenheim Challenge, scoring for this match-based competition can be found here. Team USA/Stars and Stripes (which this weekend welcome another (temporary) Aussie transplant of sorts in Adelaide winner Oliver Barrett) has one point in their corner already as the winners of the Best Turned Out prize from Wednesday’s horse inspection.

A full explainer of this Blenheim Challenge plus today’s dressage head-to-head draws can be found here.

All of the action this weekend can be found on Horse & Country here. A membership or viewing plan will be required to view this event (you can save on a first-time purchase of an H&C+ Annual Subscription by using code EVENTINGNATION15).

Major International Events

Agria Blenheim Palace International (UK): [Website] [Tickets] [Timetable] [Timing & Scoring] [Blenheim Challenge Scoring] [H&C+ Live Stream]

U.S. Weekend Events

Twin Rivers Fall International (CA): [Website] [Entries/Timing/Scores] [Volunteer]

Unionville International (PA): [Website] [Entries/Timing] [Scores] [Volunteer]

Heritage Park H.T. (KS): [Website] [Entries/Timing] [Volunteer]

University of New Hampshire H.T. (NH): [Website] [Entries/Timing] [Scores] [Volunteer]

Honey Run H.T. (MI): [Website] [Entries/Timing/Scores]

Links & Reading

Training Tip of the Day

Today’s training tip doesn’t require mounted work! Reconnect with your horse and strengthen some foundational skills with these groundwork tips:

Go Eventing

The 20th Asian Games – Aichi-Nagoya are kicking off soon in Tokyo, Japan! Eventing is included on the roster for these regional Games, running at the CCI2*-L level and set at the host venue of the 2021 Olympics, with a unique cross country course set in the midst of Tokyo as another unique feature. Click here for more information.

US Equestrian Open and Young Event Horse Series Come to Twin Rivers Fall International

By on Sep 16, 2026 9:00 am -

Tamie Smith, seen winning the CCI3*-S on Lillet 3 at the 2025 Twin Rivers Fall International,
returns to competing in her home state at the event in 2026. Atalya Boytner Photography

Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, CA, will host its annual Twin Rivers Fall International this weekend, September 18-20. The event will partner with the US Equestrian Open for the CCI4*-S competition, and Tamie Smith, the current points leader in the national eventing series, will make her return to competing in the United States following the FEI World Championships at Aachen in Germany.

In addition, the USEA Young Event Horse Series will host a qualifier on the road to the YEH West Coast Championships for 4- and 5-year-olds that Twin Rivers Ranch will host on Oct. 23-24.

There will be FEI competition from the one-star to four-star levels, as well as national levels from Introductory up to Intermediate. Dressage for all levels will take place on Friday. The FEI dressage tests will be overseen by FEI president of the ground jury Bea di Grazia and jury member Helen Brettell, with the national level tests judged by horse trials president of the ground jury Wendy Wergeles, along with Laurel Bruun, Vicki Stashuk-Matisi, and Loris Henry.

The FEI levels will show jump on Friday as well on the course designed by William Robertson and finish their competition with cross-country on Saturday on the four-star course of Morgan Rowsell and the one-to-three-star tracks designed by Adri Doyal. National levels will be divided for show jumping and cross-country over Saturday and Sunday.

Smith has three entered in the CCI4*-S in what is her first FEI event on the West Coast this year. The U.S. national team rider changed her usual competition schedule and spent more time to start 2026 at events on the East Coast and in Europe, rather than in her West Coast home base. Highlights included winning CCI4*-S competitions at the Carolina International in North Carolina in March with Lillet 3 (S.I.E.C. Livello x Princess L), at Ocala in Florida in April with Jump To Day D (Up To Date x Nicola D), at the Kentucky Three-Day Event in April with “Lillet,” and at Tryon in North Carolina in May with Danito (Dancier x Wie Musik).

Madeline Backus and Baratheon, who were second at Advanced at the 2026 Twin Rivers Summer Horse Trials, return for the CCI4*-S. Atalya Boytner Photography

Those four-star victories have given Smith the lead in the US Equestrian Open standings. The series winner will be awarded the lion’s share of $50,000 prior to the $200,000 US Equestrian Open Eventing Final at Morven Park in Virginia from October 9-11.

Smith then went overseas with Lillet, most recently representing the United States at Aachen. Twin Rivers’four-star represents the return to competition for Danito and Jump To Day D. She has also entered Spiro P (Spiros Z x Ugomein), on whom she won the CCI3*-S at the Carolina International.

“I’m super excited to be home,” Smith said. “I missed my home base in California so much. It’s always exciting to be traveling, and I’ve had the opportunity to be able to go east and compete at some really incredible venues this spring and then go over to England, Germany, Ireland, and Scotland to be able to solidify what we did on the East Coast. But honestly, there’s no place like home. So, I’m thrilled. I’m really happy with how the horses feel. I have a great team and excellent help with people that helped me when I was away for the time I was in England.”

Madeline Backus is returning from Colorado for Twin Rivers’ fall four-star with Baratheon (Holster x Bewitching Mist) after the pair finished as reserve champions at the Advanced level in their Twin Rivers debut this summer. “We had such a great time at Twin,” Backus said. “It was just what we needed as prep for Rebecca, and albeit a long drive, we were so welcomed and really enjoyed getting to know the people and competitors there.”

Also in the four-star field, Gabrielle Shank and Billy (VDL Cardento 933 x Good Girl VD Noordheuvel) were second in the first four-star for rider and horse at Aspen Farm in Washington in June. Brennan Kappes and Camarillo (Chicardo x Rehobeth) are coming off a win in the Area VII Intermediate Championship at Equestrians’ Institute at the end of August.

James Alliston and Made By Leontine EB winning the CCI3*-S at the 2026 Twin Rivers Spring International. Emma Gray for Atalya Boytner Photography

The field of 15 for the CCI3*-S includes some of the West Coast’s best at the three-star level. There are the top-two at the level from the 2026 Twin Rivers Spring International — James Alliston and Made By Leontine EB (Scuderia 1918 Casago x Jackpot E.B.) and Lauren Shady and Clearsky (Clearway x O Corrado II). In addition, Mickayla Howard and Miss Tique (Graf Top x Miss Calido) and Andrea Baxter and The Big Easy (Mr Lincoln B x PLS Hippo Q) were one-two in the CCI3*-L at Twin Rivers in the spring.

When the three- and four-star levels show jump on Friday night, there will be a wine tasting and charcuterie hosted by the United States Equestrian Team (USET) and US Equestrian (USEF). The organizations are offering the hospitality in recognition of the valuable role that owners play in the success and growth of the sport of eventing in the United States.

Twin Rivers Fall International (CA): [Website] [Entries/Timing/Scores] [Volunteer]

Wednesday News & Notes

By on Sep 16, 2026 12:01 am -

Screenshot via EquiRatings on Instagram.

It’s a big week at the Agira Blenheim Palace International, with a full display of four-star competition on tap between the 8/9-Year-Old CCI4*-S Championships, the notoriously challenging CCI4*-L and a new competition for developing riders with an additional £50,000 prize fund on offer. The USA is participating in this Blenheim Challenge, and EquiRatings has put together a great explainer on how the competition works here.

The teams, made up of British, American and Australian riders, will face off directly within the CCI4*-L competition all weekend, with the Blenheim Challenge set up as more of a “match” between teams.

The teams consist of:

Rising Lions team

  • Isabelle Cook – Cymoon “F” Z
  • Josh Levett – Huberthus AC
  • Jess Rimmer – The Spice Merchant
  • Barnie Brotherton – DHI King Nelson

Stars & Stripes team

  • Olivia Dutton – Jewelent
  • Oliver Barrett – Sandhills Briar
  • Tommy Greengard – That’s Me Z
  • Grace Taylor – Bandito Van Polderzicht

Instead of traditional team scoring, a random draw will pit a rider from each team head-to-head, in each phase. For example, a random draw will be held ahead of dressage, and each pair of riders will face off, earning a point for each match win. So, if Isabelle and Olivia are set up in a match and Isabelle earns a 25.0 in the dressage, while Olivia earns a 26.0, Isabelle would “win” that match, collecting a point for the Rising Lions.

Adding more dimension to the match format, the grooms will also be involved — the best turned out horse will earn a point for his or her team. Teams can also assign Jokers, worth two points instead of one, adding an element of strategy that can evolve during each phase.

It’s a pretty cool concept, so swipe through this explainer and then check out the schedule and live stream on H&C+ all weekend using the link list below. EquiRatings Eventing Manager team selection is also still open for both the 8/9-Year-Old Championships as well as a the CCI4*-L.

Major International Events

Agria Blenheim Palace International (UK): [Website] [Tickets] [Timetable] [Timing & Scoring] [H&C+ Live Stream]

U.S. Weekend Events

Twin Rivers Fall International (CA): [Website] [Entries/Timing/Scores] [Volunteer]

Unionville International (PA): [Website] [Entries/Timing] [Scores] [Volunteer]

Heritage Park H.T. (KS): [Website] [Entries/Timing] [Volunteer]

University of New Hampshire H.T. (NH): [Website] [Entries/Timing] [Scores] [Volunteer]

Honey Run H.T. (MI): [Website] [Entries/Timing/Scores]

Links & Reading

Training Tip of the Day

Some advice on a horse’s shoeing schedule before, specifically in this video, a CCI4*-L. Timing of shoes matters a lot and you might be able to glean a few tips for your own routine from this video:

Go Eventing

Meet one of the important faces of the Carolina International: Facilities & Grounds Specialist Tommy Anderson!