This is the 46th year of horse trials at Morven Park, and like so much of 2020, it is not what any of us had planned or hoped for. Course building was underway for Morven Park’s first CCI4*L, with an exciting new course designed by Michael Etherington-Smith, and a CCI2*YH-S and CCI3*YH-S to showcase up-and-coming equine talent.
This would have been the first time a CCI4*-L course was offered at Morven Park, which was sure to attract Olympic competitors and hopefuls. Park staff were anticipating a record number of competitors, volunteers, and officials to attend from around the United States and other countries.
With COVID-19 restrictions in Virginia limiting event attendance to 1,000 participants, Morven Park made the difficult decision to cancel the FEI levels and concentrate on hosting a great event for the National levels, Novice through Advanced.
“We really did not want to cancel this event,” says Morven Park Executive Director (and former amateur event rider) Sheryl Williams. “Running five National levels instead of 11 National and FEI levels allows us to stay within the mandated limits and still achieve our goal to provide an outstanding eventing experience for our equestrian community.”
While no spectators will be allowed on the property for the event, all of the action will be covered here on Eventing Nation through the weekend. Our team will be working in conjunction with the photography team headed up by Erin Gilmore and Shannon Brinkman to bring you up-to-date information on the action as it happens.
Morven Park wishes to thank the volunteers, competitors, and supporters that are making this year’s Fall Horse Trials possible! Equestrian Center sponsors B&D Builders, LLC, SmartPak, Coat Defense, and Total Equine Veterinary Associates are joined by Taylor Harris Insurance Services, a Horse Trials GOLD sponsor for 2020.
COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines and all competitor information is available at MorvenPark.org/HorseTrials.
Team Equilume rider Sam Watson and Imperial Sky (Shibs Of Blue x Puissance) took home the top honors in the first Irish CCI4*L of the abbreviated 2020 season at Ballindenisk this past weekend. Consistency (as much of it as one can have this year, truthfully) has been key for this pair, which has not finished lower than second in their last six international events together.
It was a small yet mighty field for the CCI4*L, which also featured Sarah Ennis, Joseph Murphy, Cathal Daniels, and others. A dressage mark of 30.5 would give Sam and “Toby” the early edge, which would prove to be all they needed around a softer cross country track. Sam said he was a bit “ring rusty” in the show jumping, but the pair would finish the weekend on their dressage score to take home the win.
Ballindenisk is also a seemingly favored venue for the 14 year old Imperial Sky, who also won the long four-star here in April of 2019. He also won the then-CCI2* at Ballindenisk in 2013 as a seven year old.
Sarah Ennis and Horseware Woodcourt Garrison (32.1) picked up the 11 year old Irish gelding’s best finish at the CCI4* level thus far with second place, followed by Camilla Spiers and Lukas (34.0), a 9 year old Irish gelding who also takes home his best finish at the level to date.
Take a gander through some action shots from the CCI4*L from this Irish Eventing Times social media post:
📷 CCI4*-LAll photos from Ballindenisk International (2) are being provided by Horse Sport Ireland. You are welcome to…
So what goes into a top rider such as Sam’s routine to take his horses into each event in top form? For starters, Sam has talked before about his use of Equilume on his competition horses. As we head into drearier weather (especially in Ireland!), natural light becomes harder to find enough of. Equilume’s stable lighting system and light masks offer an effective way to ensure each horse has proper light. You can hear Sam’s thoughts on using Equilume in this video:
The days are getting shorter and, even in August, we still get gloomy days. Check out the Equilume page or see posts below for a chance to WIN some of these game-changing lights. Brighten up your horses days (with more cost-effective lights than standard), and improve health and performance while you’re at. Quick wins and marginal gains people. Get them in before winter..!
Equilume is an Irish equine biotech company providing scientifically validated lighting solutions to the global equine industry. Their patented blue light technology strengthens circadian rhythms and has profound effects on equine health and behaviour.
The Equilume Cashel Light Mask is an individual headpiece that provides timed, low-level blue light to a single eye throughout the day to stimulate optimum health, performance and coat condition.
The Equilume Stable Light provides horses with biologically effective light in a system that replicates the benefits of Nature’s light indoors, designed to maximise health, performance and breeding efficiency for stabled horses.
Equilume products are backed by science and trusted by equestrians and veterinarians worldwide.
It’s been a week or so since we closed the book on Britain’s only CCI4*-L of 2020 — the Blenheim that wasn’t, but then kind of was again, thanks to the efforts of Musketeer Events and Burnham Market International Horse Trials. While it wasn’t quite like a week spent at the palace, it certainly ticked a useful box for the assembled horses and riders, who were able to nail down some much-needed qualifying results and plan accordingly for their 2021 campaign.
But enough of all that, which we know you already know. How about the important stuff — like who looked damn good out there on course? It wouldn’t be an international outing without some serious jumping effort analysis, so let’s get down to business.
Today’s effort is fence four on the CCI4*-S class, which combined the eight- and nine-year-old section with an ‘open’ four-short. Early on in the course, this chunky table features a clear, forgiving ground-line to help encourage a confident, safe effort — but after three previous run-and-jump fences, its difficulty lies in what comes after. This fence was immediately followed by a right-hand turn into the first combination on course, the quarry at 5AB, at which competitors had to jump a beefy house down into the dip, coming back up and out over an airy angled rail at the lip of the quarry. While fence 4 could easy be taken out of stride, it needed to be jumped strategically, setting up for the turn and adjustment of stride to follow and installing just the right amount of ‘attack.’
With that in mind, we turn the decision over to you, dear readers: who jumped it best?
Sarah Bullimore (GBR) and Conpierre. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Izzy Taylor (GBR) and Hartacker. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Yasmin Ingham (GBR) and Banzai du Loir. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Alex Hua Tian (CHN) and Jilsonne van Bareelhof. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
James Rushbrooke (GBR) and Rowland. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Paolo Torlonia (ITA) and Shadow Chanel. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Correction: This post has been updated at 12:55 pm EST with a new poll as the original poll was malfunctioning. Apologies for any inconvenience.
I wrote a tiny amount about the Equestrians of Color project showcasing riders of all disciplines a few weeks ago. Since then, stories about some of the riders featured in this beautiful photography project created by Shelley Paulson have been published regularly.
Christina Chen, one of the first riders featured on Equestrians of Color, says that microaggressions, which are often unintentional but still hurtful, are predominant among her experiences as a rider of color. “It’s very common for someone to ask me if I am related to or know another Asian person who happens to be an equestrian and most of the time, I don’t know that other person,” she said. “The common question, ‘Where are you from?’, with the follow-up question of, ‘No, where are you really from?’ is asked inside and outside the equestrian world, and is very alienating. I cannot help but continue to feel like an outsider even though I have only lived in the States and consider myself an American.”
Christina says that she wants to see more faces like hers within our community, but that she is proud to be a representative and a role model for others who want to see themselves reflected and represented across equestrian disciplines. She hopes that as the equestrian community continues to grow there will an increasing amount of opportunities for riders of all socioeconomic and racial backgrounds to get more involved with horses.
Don’t miss more about Christina and many others – alongside stunning photos from the EOC team – here.
Applications for the Optimum Equine Youth Equestrian Scholarship are still open! A robust list of mentors awaits scholarship recipients – including Katherine Un, whose essay for Nation Media’s Diversity Scholarship can be found here – as OYES gears up to support young riders from marginalized and underrepresented communities forge ahead with horses. To learn more and apply before the deadline of October 15, click here.
Ahmed Sharbatly is hoping to become the first Arabian Para dressage rider at the Olympic Games in Tokyo next year. Ahmed represented Saudi Arabia at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, Nc. and has spent the ensuing years honing his craft as he looks ahead to Tokyo. He also hopes to grow the sport of dressage within his home country, where most equestrians participate in endurance, racing, or jumping. Read more about Ahmed’s road to Tokyo here.
World Animal Day is coming up on October 4. And as good as our event horses have it (though, if you ask them, it could always be better!), it’s easy to forget that many other working animals around the world sadly do not enjoy the same standard of care. One thing sorely missing from the lives of many animals worldwide is proper veterinary care. According to Horsetalk NZ, there are only 725 vets serving the country of Tanzania, which has a population of over 56 million people. For comparison, there are over 70,000 vets in the U.S.. Learn more about the work of hardworking charities such as Spana (the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad) and how you can help here.
The USEA has a fun way for you to enjoy the Adult Team Challenge concept virtually this year. The Virtual Adult Team Challenge will tally results from any USEA recognized events at the Beginner Novice through Preliminary levels through November 22. Each Area will be involved and coordinate their own challenges. Read up on how you can jump in the fun here.
As wildfires continue to burn in California and fire season still looms large, it’s as good a time as ever to brush up on preparedness and prevention. Natural disasters can be, well, disastrous to contend with, so proper preparation is key to safely managing risk. Equine Guelph provides some excellent resources in a new course offered to horse owners the world over.
Wednesday Video Break: I stumbled upon this little gem from Morven Park a few years ago on YouTube.
Ecovet is an entirely different type of fly spray … and you apply it to your horse in a different way, too. With fly season upon us, we’re sharing some tips for how to best apply Ecovet:
So you’re almost through the sales process — it can be a tricky and overwhelming procedure if you’re new to it, but it can also be wholly rewarding all the same. Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, Courtney Cooper and C Square Farm have some quality advice for navigating the sale process in this video series (catch up on Part 1 here and Part 2 here).
This third and final video in the series tackles the topic of closing up the sale. This means pre-purchase exams, negotiations, finalizing the bill of sale, understanding commissions, and more. Sounds like a lot, right? Sure! But it doesn’t have to be complicated. Some common sense and attention to detail will help any sale go that much smoother.
Tune in for Courtney’s tips on wrapping up the sales process in the video aboe. And Courtney loves questions and feedback! You can comment on the video or send a message to the C Square Farm Facebook page for Courtney to answer.
Beautiful new FEI Stabling barns at Galway Downs. Photo by Kim Miller.
Galway Downs, a popular spot on the Area VI calendar nestled in the heart of southern California’s wine country of Temecula, is looking primed and ready for the forthcoming fall International event happening Oct. 28 through Nov. 1.
The eventing operations at Galway, overseen by Robert Kellerhouse of Kellerhouse Presents, have undergone massive upgrades in recent years, spanning from upgraded footing to new arenas and upgraded temporary stabling. As we get closer to Galway Downs International, more facility features have been given a facelift, including the addition of more turf to replace much of the predominantly dirt cross country tracks.
The cross country course will also see a new designer’s touch, with the task switching from Eric Winter to Clayton Fredericks this year. Ian Stark also designed the CCI4*L track here when the level was designated as a CCI3*. Clayton recently sat down to share his thoughts on the new course and the facility itself:
Check out our interview with Clayton Fredericks where he addresses the new CCI4*-L course, what it was like designing with the new grass, and the year-round maintenance plans Galway Downs now has in place for the FEI tracks. Stay tuned for a full course preview as we get closer to the event.
Posted by Galway Downs on Friday, September 18, 2020
“We’ve got a good variation throughout the course,” Clayton says in the interview. “What we’ve tried to do is create a really flowing track which incorporates the areas that you’ve got here…because they’re really the good places for building. But what I’ve tried to do is create different lines through there…and maybe make a new use of those traditional areas.”
The major change is, Clayton says, the decision to stick primarily with the same track going forward which will be managed by the eventing crew year round. This track will also feature the new grass, aiding the overall goal to have the horses see fewer changes of footing. In previous years, horses in the FEI divisions would often switch from dirt to grass or sand.
As for how Clayton would describe the course? “Challenging I think is the key word,” he says. “Challenging and flowing.”
The Galway Downs International Event has destination competitions for all levels!The October 28-November 1 event will…
We’ll also welcome the USEF Futures Team Challenge riders to Galway Downs for the CCI4*L and CCI3*L competitions. The Adequan USEF Futures Team Challenge is a new program established in 2019 to provide team experience and educational opportunities to newer or younger riders. This will be the first time the Futures Team Challenge will travel to the West coast.
Also new and exciting for National competitors is the addition of Modified-Training Challenge (M-TC), Training-Novice Challenge (T-NC), and Novice-BN Challenge (N-BNC) divisions. These Challenge events will be run over three days in the new Grand Prix arena at Galway to give riders the “real feel” of competing in a long format event. This idea was born after the announcement that the Training Three-Day would not be held this year.
Entries for the Galway Downs International Event and H.T. are now open and will close on October 13. For more information, visit the Galway Downs Omnibus listing here.
Japan’s Yoshiaki Oiwa and Poland’s Paweł Spisak traded places back and forththroughout the course of last weekend’s LOTTO Baborówko Horse Sale Show CCI4*-S, but it was Yoshiaki would ultimately come out on top in the Polish event’s headline division.
Sunday saw the show’s finale, which hosted not only international classes but also Polish championships for seniors and young riders as well as in the Polish Cup in four age categories.
CCI4*-S winner’s ceremony. Photo by M&R Photo.
Yoshiaki and Calle 44 took the lead after Friday’s dressage, when the rider’s own 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Cristo 5 x Sara IV, by Quebec) posted a 27.4. They gave the lead to second-placed Paweł Spisak (POL) with Banderas after having picked up a bit of time cross country, but earned it back again on show jumping day to win the class by just eight-tenths of a point. Harald Ambros (AUT) riding Lexicon finished third.
The CCI4*-S class also determined the medalists of this year’s Polish national championships for seniors. The gold medal went to Paweł Spisak (POL) for the eighth time in his career. Mateusz Kiempa (POL) took the silver, and Małgorzata Korycka (POL) went home with the
bronze.
Yoshiaki Oiwa and The Duke of Cavan. Photo by M&R Photo.
Yoshiaki also dominated the CCI3*-S class for the prize of Kuhn Maszyny Rolnicze. He won the division from pillar to post with The Duke Of Cavan. Second place went to Nadine Marzahl (GER) with Vally K, and Johanna Pohjonen (FIN) was third with Conner K.
Kamil Rajnert and Emilia of Chin. Photo by M&R Photo.
Kamil Rajnert (POL) established his leading position in the CCI2*-S after dressage with Emilia of Chin, and he kept his score until the last day. Katharina Kopp (GER) was second with Clintina, and third place went to Karolina Ślązak (POL) with Tores P.
Kate Chadderton and FF Valour claimed 2nd place in the Open Preliminary A at ESDCTA in New Jersey over the weekend. We have to assume that success is contributed to her awesome coach, baby Mia. I hear Mia has reasonable rates and produces excellent results in case you’re searching for a new coach.
National Holiday: The day we’ve been training for… it’s National Coffee Day
Sam Watson and Imperial Sky won the CCI4*-L over the weekend at Ballindenisk International Horse Trials in Co Cork. Sarah Ennis and Horseware Woodcourt Garrison were second and Camilla Speirs finished third with Lukas. [Sam Watson claims victory in feature at Ballindenisk International]
Nothing better than a Thoroughbred, right? Paddy The Caddy is one of the best. He likes to be the center of attention and thrives in a big show environment. Learn more about this cheeky guy behind the stall door. [Behind The Stall Door With: Paddy The Caddy]
France’s five-star, Pau, (which, heck, is the only CCI5*-L of 2020 now) is right around the corner so this seems like an opportune time to get to know one of the stars of the French eventing team, Astier Nicolas.
Astier is of course the reigning Olympic individual silver-medalist and a member of the reigning gold medal team from Rio 2016. The FEI caught up with Astier to ask how he got into riding, why he chose eventing, and more.
It’s time to round up the winning scores from around Eventing Nation once more!
This week’s Unofficial Low Score Award was earned by Mary Ann Ghadban, a stalwart supporter of eventing in her own right as a longtime owner (you may recognize her as the owner of Under Suspection, who has been piloted by Hannah Sue Burnett and Lynn Symansky in recent years, as well as a member of the Donner Syndicate). Mary Ann and Capture The Spirit, an 11 year old Westphalian mare, received a score of 21.2 in the dressage phase at Middleburg Horse Trials and would go on to finish on that personal best score to win their Novice division. Congratulations, Mary Ann!
Here’s a look around at scores from the other events running this weekend.
CCI2*S: Liz Halliday-Sharp and Maryville Sir Henry (27.4)
CCI3*S: Boyd Martin and Fernhill Prezley (30.6)
CCI4*S: Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night (29.3)
Open Intermediate: Kristin Schmolze and Foxdale’s Celtic Charm (30.1)
Open Preliminary A: Doug Payne and Baron (28.5)
Open Preliminary B: Arden Wildasin and Tokyo Drift (29.6)
Preliminary Rider: Olivia Hahn and Fernhill Chaos (30.4)
Open Training A: Lindsey Lanier and Anchorman (28.2)
Open Training B: Jenny Caras and Sommersby (21.6)
Training Rider A: Megan Northrop and Harrison (28.2)
Training Rider B: Eric Sampson and Pancho Villa (27.5)
Novice Rider: Lisa Edinger and Quinto Quest (29.1)
Open Novice A: Diego Farje and Wise Channon (24.1)
Open Novice B: Mary Bess Davis and A Touch of Natal (30.2)
Beginner Novice Rider: Deirdre Vaillancourt and Eluca (28.5)
Open Beginner Novice: Susan Thomas and FGF Cantankerous Woman (27.5)
Preliminary: Mallory Stiver and Hugo Boss (31.7)
Training A: Julie Wolfert and Namibia (29.3)
Training B: Travis Atkinson and Don Darco (27.1)
Novice A: Katie Sisk and Long Legs Lenore (25.5)
Novice B: Heather McWilliams and Southern Soiree (30.7)
Beginner Novice A: Rochelle Costanza and Caradoc (27.5)
Beginner Novice B: Britany Chism and Dealer of Hope (23.5)
Beginner Novice Jr.: Payton Robinson and Vivace Tempo (30.0)
Starter Jr.: Mollie Ritsch and Eros (32.2)
Starter Open: Robyn Ritsch and Taylamor Penelope (28.3)
Open Training: Manuela Propfe and BoozeTraveler (36.6)
Open Novice: Jennifer Achilles and Excel Star Lance (26.0)
Open Beginner Novice A: Vanessa Barnes and Gunner Pony (30.8)
Open Beginner Novice B: Kelly Shear and Jack Be Nimble (32.5)
Open Intro: Carylann Williams and Dem Poco Hancock (32.5)
Open Starter: Lindsay Lechner and All About It (31.5)
Open Preliminary A: Alyssa Phillips and Cornelius Bo (37.6)
Open Preliminary B: Caroline Martin and Life Story (31.7)
Open Training: Caroline Martin and Redfield Galway Blake (27.3)
Training Rider A: McKenna Martinez and Commitment (26.1)
Training Rider B: Morghan Lake and Finnegan (32.8)
Novice Rider A: Julia Cutler and Premier Jet (27.9)
Novice Rider B: Louise Ackiewicz and Black Pistol (26.2)
Open Novice: Missy Ransenhousen and Carlingford’s Emperor (23.1)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Emilee Kenney and Bantry Bays Winston (32.0)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Peyton Brienza and Guinevere (28.8)
Open Beginner Novice: Nancy Lee and PHF Wine Snob (29.5)
Preliminary: Anna Loschiavo and Drumloman Lad (25.4)
Training A: Beth Murphy and Jimba (29.3)
Training B: Katherine Cooper and Gigi (28.4)
Novice A: Abigail Hilliard and Memo (33.4)
Novice B: Alexander Conrad and Ricky (25.5)
Novice C: Kimberly Sevigny and Sander (31.2)
Novice D: Alison E Silvester and Breeze (27.9)
Beginner Novice A: Jillian Rose Perry and Estrella Bosque (31.0)
Beginner Novice B: Anneka Paelinck and Maleficent (25.8)
Beginner Novice C: Rebecca Saria and Prince Caspian (30.0)
Beginner Novice D: Sage Kurten and JW Silver Ops (24.0)
Intro A: Spencer Stickles and Myserty Machine (33.1)
Intro B: Julia Slater and Good Mark (37.8)
Intro C: Anne Burkhardt and Mr. WB (31.7)
Joan Davis of Flatlandsfoto sent in these photos of a few of our Larkin Hill winners – many thanks as always, Joan! You can view and order your show proofs from Flatlandsfoto here.
Anna Loschiavo and Drumloman Lad (P). Photo courtesy of Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Sage Kurten and JW Silver Ops (BN-D). Photo courtesy of Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Katherine Cooper and Gigi (T-B). Photo courtesy of Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Spencer Stickles and Myserty Machine (I-A). Photo courtesy of Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Alexander Conrad and Ricky (N-B). Photo courtesy of Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Open Preliminary 1: Lindsen Wiesman and Discreto (34.6)
Open Preliminary 2: Timothy Bourke and Lennard (25.9)
Preliminary Rider: Sofie Harangozo and Coco Rosso (31.0)
Open Training 1: Maya Black and Double Diamond C (24.5)
Open Training 2: Cindy Anderson-Blank and Windchase Starfire (26.4)
Open Training 3: Ema Klugman and RF Redfern (26.0)
Open Training Jr/YR: Mia Farley and Northern Victory (23.3)
Training Senior: Mary Clare and Golden King (26.4)
Open Novice 1: Emily Beshear and Roman Attitude (22.4)
Open Novice 2: Mary Ann Ghadban and Capture the Spirit (21.2)
Novice Horse: Kendyl Tracy and Obora’s Goldwing (22.4)
Novice Senior 1: Luba Abrams and Huey (25.2)
Novice Senior 2: Lindsay Berreth and Oh So Extreme (27.4)
Novice Junior: Grace Fiedler and Fanfare VT (25.9)
Open Beginner Novice 1: Katherine Lorenzen and Strawberry Muffin (24.0)
Open Beginner Novice 2: Erin Murphy and Rough Heart (21.9)
Beginner Novice Rider: Courtney Bolam and Black Label (30.1)
Beginner Novice Junior: Katelyn McFarland and Mardi Gras (23.3)
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