Classic Eventing Nation

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

By on Dec 2, 2025 12:01 am -

It’s Awards Season over at EquiRatings, and you can join us in taking a look back at some of the top performances and ones to watch from 2025. To kick things off, take a look at some of the highest-rated performances of the year from the best in the business:

Want even more stats and details to dive into? Receive the FREE end of year recap via email here.

U.S. Events Opening Entries Today

Stable View Aiken Opener H.T. (SC)

U.S. Events Closing Entries Today

None!

News & Reading

We’d love your help shaping Season 2 of The Go Eventing Podcast! Take our quick listener survey here and let us know what you want more of in 2026!

If you have a young horse or are simply interested in how the USEA Young Event Horse program works, the latest episode of The USEA Podcast is for you! Take an insider’s look at this pipeline of development that can be a great fit for a 4- or 5-year-old event horse here.

The dressage world (and equestrian world at large, truly) bids farewell this week to two legends: Valegro and Uthopia, the superstars partnered with Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester throughout their careers. These two greats of the sport crossed the bridge on the same day, leading to an emotional outpouring of support for the losses. You can read more in tribute to these special horses here.

Sponsor Corner: Kentucky Performance Products

Is your feed room ready for winter?

There’s nothing worse than realizing you’re low on supplies when the snow starts flying. As the seasons change, so do your horse’s nutritional needs—especially when access to fresh forage declines and the cold sets in. That’s why our friends at Kentucky Performance Products are here with five smart tips to prep your feed room, hayloft, and supplement stash before winter hits.

✅ Declutter and organize your feed room so you’ve got space for everything you’ll need this season.
✅ Stockpile concentrates like pellets and sweet feed—just don’t forget to rotate your supply!
✅ Fill your hayloft with plenty of good-quality fiber to help horses generate heat and stay warm.
✅ Take inventory of your supplements and consider whether any changes are needed now that pasture is gone.
✅ Check the labels on your medications—some may freeze and lose effectiveness if left in a cold barn.

And don’t forget: Hay is not an adequate source of vitamin E.
Vitamin E is a crucial antioxidant that supports muscle, nerve, and immune function, especially when fresh grass is unavailable. Make sure your horse is getting enough this winter—ask your vet or explore trusted vitamin E supplements from Kentucky Performance Products, formulated with science and your horse’s well-being in mind.

➡️ Learn more at kppusa.com.

Video Break

A wild race finish from the Japan Cup this weekend!

China’s Alex Hua Tian Takes the Lead on Eventing Day One at FEI Asian Championships Pattaya 2025

By on Dec 1, 2025 12:05 pm -

Alex Hua Tian and Manjushri. Photo by Yong Teck Lim.

Dressage competition kicked off the Eventing discipline at the FEI Asian Championships Pattaya 2025 this afternoon. Alex Hua Tian (CHN) and the Irish Sport Horse Manjushri, known as Bodhi in the barn, took the lead riding the CCI3* test to an impressive 27.2 penalty points. The last ride in the arena proved second best when Thai rider Korntawat Samran rode B.Grimm Billy Elmy to wrap up the first phase with 28.8. Rounding out the top three as we head into tomorrow’s cross country competition is Ashish Limaye (IND) aboard Willy Be Dun who finished on a score of 29.4.

“I’m really happy with Bodhi. He has such talent and quality in all phases,” Alex Hua Tian said of his horse.“I felt he really tried for me. We did make some small uncharacteristic mistakes, so I was a bit nervous watching the last few horses.”

Horse and rider combinations representing five nations throughout Asia will head out on the cross-country course tomorrow morning. A demanding test of endurance and ability, the CCI 2*-L track includes 22 efforts. With questions asked throughout the course, the leaderboard often changes in this phase.

Alex Hua Tian and Manjushri. Photo by Yong Teck Lim.

Hua Tian looks forward to the challenge. “Helen’s course looks great,” he said. “The strongest I’ve seen at this level in Asia so far.”

After day one, Hong Kong leads the team standings on a total of 92.2 penalty points. Chef D’Equipe, Corinne Bracken, noted “With the tragedy that has struck Hong Kong in the last few days, obviously it is at the forefront of our minds. However, I think my riders showed strength and I’m immensely proud of their performance showing solidarity as a team.”

Finishing the day with a total of 99, India sits second in the teams standings, while Thailand is currently third with a cumulative 103.2. “Very happy to be here in Thailand competing in Asia,” Hua Tian, who is based in Britain, said. He echoes what other Championship competitors have also commented,“Thailand and Thai Polo have put on such a nice event, it really is paradise.”

FEI Asian Championships Pattaya 2025 (Thailand): [Website] [Scores] [Live Stream]

Weekend Winners: Pine Top

By on Dec 1, 2025 9:24 am -

We’re (turkey) trotting our way into a new week, celebrating a successful weekend at Pine Top’s Thanksgiving HT!

Congrats to all of our Weekend Winners, with a special shout out to the winner of our Unofficial Low Score Award: Kristen Wilson and FGF Wonderwall, who scored a 23.2 in the Beginner Novice Rider B division!

Pine Top Thanksgiving H.T. (GA): [Website][Scores]

Preliminary/Modified: Arden Wildasin and Dalegra (29.7)
Modified: Rebecca Barber Tyler and Bondi Beach (35.8)
Modified/Training: Jennifer Helgren and Del Rio (34.0)
Open Training: Lily Barlow and Sportsfield Kan Do (28.3)
Training/Novice: Collins Zgutowicz and Rossmount Aldi Hero (33.6)
Training Rider: Allisa Huestis and Watch Maker C (30.9)
Novice Rider: Payton White and Skyfall 007 (28.6)
Open Novice: Michael Pendleton and princess (34.2)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Ashelyn Daniel and Hanky Panky (33.2)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Kristen Wilson and FGF Wonderwall (23.2)
Open Beginner Novice: Darrelle Powell and Fifth Symphony (32.1)
Starter A: Mary Shea and VR Any Given Sunday (24.7)
Starter B: Laila Alexander and Twinkle Toes (32.3)

Pine Top Eventing Thanksgiving Recap

CONGRATS to Payton White and Frankie winning the Novice rider. Proud of all your…

Posted by Green Hill Sport Horses on Sunday, November 30, 2025

Monday News & Notes

By on Dec 1, 2025 1:24 am -

Today is the day! Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 $100,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field in Aiken, SC! This year’s event will take place February 27 and 28, featuring dressage and show jumping on February 27 and a unique, condensed cross country track on Saturday, February 28. This year, Canada’s Jay Hambly will take over design of the cross country course from the retiring Capt. Mark Phillips, while fellow Canadian Michel Vaillancourt will reprise his role as show jumping designer.

We hope you’ll join us for this exciting, unofficial opening to the season in one of the best eventing hotspots in the country. You can learn more and book in your tickets and hospitality experiences (hint: tailgaiting does tend to sell out!) here.

U.S. Events This Weekend

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

News & Reading

We’d love your help shaping Season 2 of The Go Eventing Podcast! Take our quick listener survey here and let us know what you want more of in 2026!

It’s no secret that grooms work exceptionally hard to care for their charges. Between the long hours (and long seasons), the multiple responsibilities to juggle and the pressures of being a part of any top-level program are enough to cause mental strain on anyone. In their latest Grooms’ Roundtable discussion, the USEA Grooms Committee welcomed Tyler Held, Adam Short and Alyssa Dobrotin for an open discussion about mental health. You can watch the replay here.

In the name of safety and frangible technology, 5* rider Jon Holling has been taking to the roads to raise awareness. With news of a renewed matching grant from The Manton Foundation to aid the ongoing development of safety technology on cross country courses around the U.S., Jon has challenged himself to run 10 miles for every $50,000 raised. Thanks to his and others’ help, the USEA Foundation is taking in strong donations to close the year and reach their matching goal of $250,000. You can read more about this personal mission for Jon here.

Sponsor Corner: Shop EN’s partners this holiday season!

This holiday season, you can save big on gifts for you, your horse and your loved ones with a few deals from our partners:

ENDING TODAY, World Equestrian Brands’ biggest sale of the year features 20% off nearly storewide, including custom E.A. Mattes products, Equilibrium therapeutic items and more. Don’t miss out on the deals here.

Also over at Ride EquiSafe, you can save 20% off on select safety equipment, also ending today. The bigger focus for Ride EquiSafe this year, though, is Giving Tuesday. To that end, 10% of all safety sales made through the end of this year will be donated to the Kevin Babington Foundation.

Video Break

Have you been taught to widen your hands when riding on the flat to create a connection? Amelia Newcomb breaks down this concept — and what the truth about it is — in this training tip video:

Sunday Links

By on Nov 30, 2025 12:32 am -

A new experience is coming at the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by MARS Equestrian! The forthcoming Members Pavillion provides a new vantage point and space to relax during a busy week, featuring a private retreat where you can unwind, savor food and beverage offerings, and take in the atmosphere from an exclusive on the rail vantage point. In the spirit of holiday savings, you can receive discounted rates on your Members Pavillon ticket and a complimentary stadium ticket upgrade until December 1. You can see more deals on tickets to the #BestWeekendAllYear here.

U.S. Events This Weekend

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

Links & Reading

Pressure Proof Tip with Daniel Stewart: Turkey and Triggers

Gen Z Equestrians and Mental Health at the Barn

Dressage blood rule clarification and changes to eventing series: what’s coming for FEI competitors in 2026

Video Break

5* rider Simon Grieve has some practical tips for better control over fences — check them out:

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

By on Nov 29, 2025 12:55 am -

Some motivation for you to kick off your weekend, sourced from 5* rider Mia Farley, who posted a retrospective of her career, in which patience has truly paid off with some special horses. Not every horse of a lifetime starts off that way — many, far from it. But with patience, tact and proper production, you never know what heights you can reach.

U.S. Events This Weekend

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

Links & Reading

5 Top Horse Care Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

“Wicked: For Good” Now Collaborating at a Horse Show Event Near You

Learn How to Open Your Hips and Lengthen Your Legs to Enhance Your Horse’s Movement

Sponsor Corner: World Equestrian Brands

Don’t miss out on the biggest World Equestrian Brands sale of the season, happening now through December 1! You can receive 20% off your purchase, including items like custom E.A. Mattes products, safety stirrups from Amerigo or Equipe that adhere to updated USEF rules and more. Use code 25BFCM20 to save — get started with your shopping here.

Video Break

Waylon Roberts stops by The Jon and Rick Show:

Eventers Win Big at 2025 Horse & Hound Awards

By on Nov 28, 2025 4:24 pm -

Ros Canter takes the Professional Rider of the Year title at the Horse & Hound Awards. Photo courtesy of Horse & Hound.

Jane Holderness-Roddam collected the Horse & Hound Lifetime Achievement Awards at last night’s Horse & Hound Awards, in partnership with NAF and Agria. Jane, a double Badminton winner and Britain’s first female Olympic eventing team gold medallist, announced in August that West Kington Stud, which she founded with her late husband Tim, will close at the end of the year. As well as her personal riding achievements and the work of the stud, Jane has given her time, knowledge and energy unstintingly to numerous causes in the horse world and the audience took to their feet to recognise her contribution.

Receiving the award from former Lifetime Achievement winner, longstanding Horse & Hound columnist and team-mate Mark Phillips, Jane reminisced about the fairytale of taking Our Nobby from Pony Club teams right through to Badminton and the Olympics.

“My family have been a fantastic support to me all along and of course everybody else, but none of us would be here if it wasn’t for the horse,” she said, raising spontaneous applause from the guests. “Horses are everything – they helped me so much when my parents died when I was quite young. The best thing was going out for a ride and crying my eyes out with Our Nobby. Whenever anything happened, I’d just go out and talk to the horses and they often put me back on track, which is wonderful.”

The 10th Horse & Hound Awards took place at Dallas Burston Polo Club in Warwickshire, where some 300 people gathered to celebrate the equestrian stars of 2025. More than 107,000 votes were cast as fans rallied to support their idols, as
well as unsung heroes of the horse world. Badminton and Burghley winner Ros Canter and her ride Lordships Graffalo were big winners too, taking home an award each. Ros picked up the Zoetis Professional Rider of the Year award and co-owner Michele Saul joined Ros on stage to collect Lordships Graffalo’s Hit-Air Event Horse of the Year prize.

Ros said: “He’s a truly wonderful horse – not just a wonderful event horse, but a great character and a great person, so it’s a privilege to have him at home with us. He’s full of himself, he’s a confident kind of chap who loves pulling faces, licking things and is into everything. But equally he’s pretty chill – he goes to those big occasions and absolutely thrives. He never really gets nervous.”

Other winners included Becky Moody’s European team silver medallist Jagerbomb (Dressage Horse of the Year for the second year in a row), Scott Brash’s double European silver medallist Hello Folie (Showjumping Horse of the
Year), three-time Royal Windsor show pony champion Stoneleigh Showtime, ridden by Isabella Walker (Show Horse of the Year) and young rider showjumping European champion and puissance star Rachel Proudley (Young Rider of the
Year).

You can read more about the winners here.

The Horse & Hound Awards 2025 winners are:
● Zoetis Professional Rider of the Year: Ros Canter
● Baileys Horse Feeds Vet of the Year: Claire Maher
● Show Horse of the Year: Stoneleigh Showtime
● Horse & Hound Podcast Unsung Hero of the Year: Victoria Privett
● Hit-Air Event Horse of the Year: Lordships Graffalo
● Absorbine Groom of the Year: Kim Masson
● NAF Five Star PROFEET Farrier of the Year: Greig Elliott
● Showjumping Horse of the Year: Hello Folie
● SPILLERS Horse Feeds Pony of the Year: Mighty Max II
● Agria Horse of a Lifetime: Hovis
● Amateur Rider of the Year: Hollie Clark
● Dressage Horse of the Year: Jagerbomb
● Young Rider of the Year: Rachel Proudley
● Inspiration of the Year: Abi Lyle
● Horse & Hound Lifetime Achievement Award: Jane Holderness-Roddam

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.