Classic Eventing Nation

Wednesday News & Notes from Morven Park

By on Aug 7, 2024 12:01 am -

Yesterday marked the end of the equestrian events at the Paris Olympics and, safe to say, the German team’s performance will have prompted an appropriate amount of beer drinking from our Deutsch friends.

King of eventing, Michael Jung, got the party started when he topped the podium for a third time last week, followed up by Queen of dressage, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl’s continuation of her epic winning streak when she defended her individual title from Tokyo. The German domination was rounded off by Christian Kukuk show jumping his way to Olympic glory, thus completing the triarchy of equestrianism and making history as he did so. Germany already held the record for being the only nation to have taken individual gold in all three disciplines at a Games, that came in 1936, and now they are the only country to achieve the feat twice.

Let’s raise our glasses with a ‘Prost!’ to Germany, and go eventing.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Fair Hill International Recognized H.T. (Elkton, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

GMHA Festival of Eventing August H.T. (South Woodstock, VT) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Masterson Equestrian Trust YEH/NEH Qualifier (Lexington, KY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Otter Creek Summer H.T. (Wheeler, WI) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

WindRidge Farm Summer H.T. (Mooresboro, NC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Woodside Summer H.T (Woodside, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

UK International Events

Hartpury International Incorporating the British Championships (Gloucestershire) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Wednesday News and Reading

I won’t have been the only one with a tear in my eye as Carl Hester finished up his Olympic Freestyle to ‘Those Were the Days, My Friend’. Carl was the youngest British rider at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 and went to Paris as the oldest, and had hinted in the run-up that this Games would be his last. When he put down a PB with Fame, and very nearly a career best for Carl, you couldn’t help but think that, should he decide this would in fact be an end to his Olympic career, it was a befitting way for the dressage superstar to call time. Carl Hester has been a part of my horsey life from the very start; I had his poster pinned to my wall (next to one of Pippa Funnell) when I was a pony mad kid who lived for my Saturday morning riding lesson. Even then, in the early days, it was clear that a whole host of equestrians looked to him as a horseman of the best kind, and there’s no doubt that we’ll continue to do so far, far, into the future.

The US saw silver success in the show jumping at Paris. Whilst there was disappointment for the US eventers who we all thought were in with a shot of a team medal, at least, but ended up finishing 7th in the team competition with Boyd Martin and Fedarman B the best of the Americans individually in 10th, there was an altogether different story in the show jumping camp where McLain Ward, Laura Kraut and and Kent Farrington took team silver with just one pole down between the three of them. Chef d’equipe Robert Ridland was obviously delighted with the team’s performance, but also with the sport itself, saying, “It was an amazing Games … just looking at those grandstands, there’s not an empty seat in the house. This is the sport at its best. It just doesn’t get any better”. Read more about the riders who’re bringing home the hardware for the States.

Horse stories from elsewhere at the Games: US gymnast (and team bronze medalist in Paris) Brody Malone may be well-known to sports fans for his high-flying high bar routines and strength and endurance when working the pommel horse, but his roots are with a different kind of horse (our kind of horse) – he grew up competing on the junior rodeo circuit in team roping. Gold medal winning rower, Britain’s Georgina Brayshaw is another athlete with horses in her past, having been a keen rider up until a life-changing accident when she was fifteen, leaving her with injuries which suggested she may never walk again. In an amazing feat of overcoming adversity, Georgina did in fact make a full recovery, taking up rowing at University and now becoming an Olympic champion.

In other Olympic news… Blink and you’ll miss it – the men’s 100m made history when all eight competitors finished in under 10 seconds – listen in to the phone call between the fastest human being on the planet, the USA’s Noah Lyle, and his dad after the race. From land to water and a world record in the pool when the US women won the 4x100m medley relay. Bathroom break alert: you’re in the middle of a 273km cycle race in the Olympics and you need to pee. Sticking with cycling for a second with a standing ovation for the last-place finisher showcasing the true spirit of the Games. Over on the court, Britain’s tennis ace Andy Murray officially retired in Paris; the following day he made up for all the donuts he’d missed out on over the years of being an athlete. And finally, I gift you the Mona Lisas, plural, at the Olympics, watching water polo, because, Paris, baby, Paris.

Sponsor Corner:

Beautiful Morven Park! Photo by Sally Spickard.

Where will you be on October 12th? Join us at Morven Park for their fall CCI4*-L! Tailgate passes are currently on sale. Buy your pass now to get a front row seat to one of only three CCI4*-L courses on the East Coast. Park your car right in the thick of the excitement, and you’ll have prime viewing of the main combinations on course against the backdrop of the iconic Davis Mansion. Tailgate spaces will be available until October 7th, but often sell out early—don’t miss your chance! Buy your Tailgate Pass here.

Video Break

We’ll wrap things up today with Snoop Dogg digging horses because, quite frankly, we’ll never get enough of this.

Body Protectors 101: Everything You Need to Know

By on Aug 6, 2024 2:04 pm -

Your body protector is a foundation piece of safety equipment as an eventer and is the fabulous choice for equestrians of all disciplines. How do you know if your body protector is an optimal fit to provide the necessary protection? How should you care for it? And more importantly, how do you know it’s time to replace it?

Fit
Your body protector will either have closures on the sides made of laces or Velcro. Ideally we want for vest to be adjusted to the middle of the closures so that there’s room for adjustment depending on clothing choices, weight fluctuations, etc.

The anchor point for a body protector is across the chest, so this is where it should be most snug, but it should also fit snuggly below the last rib to prevent the vest from riding up. You also want to ensure that there is ample room for movement of the arm and that the vest doesn’t ride into the armpit.

The vest should come 1-2 finger widths below the last rib on the front of the body and the back reaches to the approximate SI joint. Ideal back length is one hand width from the bottom of the vest to the base of the saddle. Some riders prefer their vest to be slightly longer while others prefer shorter depending on the activity they’re engaging in. For example, a 5* Event rider might opt for a shorter vest, given that they are jumping extreme down banks and dropping into big water, so as to not get caught on the back of the saddle during these efforts.

Your vest shouldn’t gap at the shoulder and some vests offer shoulder adjustability to help prevent this.

Care
You want to make sure your taking good care of your body protector so it can do its job!

Keep your vest clean and fresh by regularly spot cleaning and deodorizing it. Never put your vest in the washing machine. Store it in a dry, temperature controlled environment. If you put your damp, sweaty vest in your trailer or tack trunk, yucky stuff will begin to grow on it – more on that later.

Regularly check the condition of your vest’s foam. When you squeeze it, it should bounce back to its regular form. There shouldn’t be any permanent unevenness or divots – this could indicate that the foam has been compromised.

Also check your zippers and closures. The last thing you want is a zipper failure or a lace breakage when you’re out galloping around!

Replacement
Generally, we say that vests have a life span of 3-5 years, just like your helmet. If you are riding in it just a few times a week and you have taken great care of it, you’ll likely be more towards the 5 year mark. But if you ride multiple horses a day several days a week, then you might need to replace more frequently.

If your vest hasn’t been well taken care of or if it’s super stinky (note above regarding sweat and storage), chances are that bacteria has invaded the foam and has compromised it’s efficacy. Certainly if you see issues with your closures, or visible damage to foam, you should replace it.

We all want our equipment to last as long as possible, but we only have one body, so we should take care of the equipment that protects it, and replace it when it’s no longer up to the job.

Our partner, Ride EquiSafe, is thrilled to announce their first annual Safe in the Saddle week! From August 4-10, they’ll be sharing important safety content to help you stay safe while you’re doing what you love.

Wondering how to check for the fit of your equipment like helmets, body protectors and air vests? They’ll have you covered! What about taking care of your equipment to keep it in tip top shape? And when should you replace it? (Duct tape does not count as maintenance!)

Ride EquiSafe is passionate about staying safe and stylish in the saddle, which is why they carry the broadest selection of safety equipment in North America. And here’s the best part: This is your opportunity to get fully outfitted in the latest safety gear – at a discount! All purchases of safety equipment will be eligible for a 10% discount AND cash back on a gift card valued at another 10% of your overall order value. Buying an air vest? You’ll also get a free canister with your order!

Shop here. 

British Eventing Support Trust Announced as Official Charity for Cornbury House Horse Trials 2024

By on Aug 6, 2024 1:30 pm -

Piggy March and the ex-racehorse Our Old Fella. Photo courtesy of Cornbury Horse Trials.

The British Eventing Support Trust is delighted to announce its selection as the official charity partner for the prestigious Cornbury Horse Trials, taking place from 11th to 15th September 2024. The event, set in the spectacular Cornbury Park near the town of Charlbury in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, promises an exciting lineup of equestrian competitions and activities.

Cornbury Horse Trials hosts international classes at CCI3*-S and CCI2*-S level, British Eventing intermediate and open intermediate classes, as well as the Howden Way Youth Championships CCI3*-S and CCI2*-S classes. With such diverse competition on offer, the partnership with the BE Support Trust aims to not only elevate the profile of the charity among riders of all levels, but also to raise funds for its vital work supporting the physical and mental health of British Eventing riding members.

Jane Hunter-Walsh, general manager of the British Eventing Support Trust, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership:

“We’re thrilled to have been chosen as the official charity partner for this year’s Cornbury Horse Trials. It’s a super event that’s always so well attended by competitors and spectators which means it will be the perfect place to spread the word about our work. We’re busy planning great fundraising events so keep a close eye on our social media for more info.”

David Howden, Founder and President of Cornbury House Horse Trials added: “As a passionate supporter of eventing and of developing young riders through the Howden Way, I know the job Jane and her team do at the British Eventing Support Trust (BEST) is vital. They aim to ensure the physical and mental wellbeing of the eventing community throughout the country. So I can’t wait to help them not simply raise funds but increase awareness about this enormously valuable work.”

Throughout Cornbury House Horse Trials, the British Eventing Support Trust will be hosting a series of events and activities, as well as having staff on hand to answer visitor questions. While specific details of these events are yet to be confirmed, attendees can expect plenty of opportunities to learn about the charity’s mission and contribute to its cause.

The British Eventing Support Trust looks forward to engaging with the equestrian community at Cornbury Horse Trials and is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such a prestigious event. For more information about the British Eventing Support Trust and updates on their planned activities for this year’s Cornbury Horse Trials, please visit the website or follow them on social media. You can also choose to make a donation to BEST at checkout when purchasing your tickets.

Amelia Newcomb: Spreading Dressage for All Across the Globe

By on Aug 6, 2024 9:30 am -

Photo courtesy of Amelia Newcomb Dressage.

“I love riding, I love horses, and then of course, I love helping as many people as possible to really be able to enjoy their horses, to make progress and communicate with our horses and to have a really good relationship with our horses.”

Amelia Newcomb is well on her way to reaching as many people as possible; currently she’s teaching as many as 400,000 people via her social media accounts and YouTube channel. But unlike many dressage trainers, she isn’t in segmenting her student base to only professionals or just beginner riders.

Instead, her mission is Dressage for All.

With students literally across the globe, Amelia is teaching dressage to riders of all levels from a variety of disciplines in places as far away as Japan, the Middle East, and even Africa.

“Dressage really is the foundation that allows you to do all of the other disciplines, whether you’re on the trail or you’re jumping, or you’re chasing after a cow, or you just want to enjoy your horse as a pleasure horse,” Amelia said. “You want to have the fundamentals of dressage, you want your horse to be supple and relaxed and on the aids, so that you can stay safe and enjoy your horse. It’s really about helping people regardless of their level, or their horse’s breed, or their discipline. It’s about developing a connection with your horse, and then also teaching your horse to use and move their body in a way that’s really healthy and efficient for them.”

A Multi-Disciplinary Background

Coming from a multi-disciplinary background herself, Amelia practices what she preaches. “I started out riding dressage, and then I went to the Western world for a while. I had a horse who was really difficult and he was rearing and so we went back to doing groundwork and natural horsemanship stuff to kind of rehab him and get him back going. I did roping, reining, and cow horse stuff for a while. So I’ve definitely been in that realm as well.”

There’s a reason why many of the best riders out there are not the best teachers. It’s difficult to teach what comes naturally to you. Amelia’s journey to becoming a professional rider is probably what makes her such a good teacher.

“When I started riding, I was not a natural rider. I fell off a lot, I was very unbalanced and uncoordinated, and it was hard for me to really learn how to stay on and what to do with my body and how to develop my seat and my position,” Amelia said. “I have also had some really, really difficult horses. Horses that made me feel like I’m not a good rider, and I should just quit, and I should give up and this is too hard. And so I feel like it’s my obligation to give back and to help people through that journey, which can be so difficult and so hard, and so heartbreaking at times. If I can help them just that little bit to get through some hard times, or to figure something new about their horse or about their riding, then that’s really special.”

Now, Amelia has grown to appreciate the difficulties that come with riding horses. “One thing I love about riding and horses is that you’re never done learning. It’s endless. My husband says, ‘You can be frustrated for life.’ There’s always going to be a new problem or something that you need to try to fix.”

Amelia’s journey to teaching was sparked with a little support from her brother, Joseph Newcomb, who runs Joseph Newcomb Dressage. “So my brother actually had a YouTube channel, and he was like, ‘Oh, you should start one,’” Amelia said. “I started making one YouTube video each week and it started out really slow. But then I started getting feedback from people saying, ‘Wow, this video really helped me with my riding.’ It just grew from there.”’

The Benefits of Going Virtual

Originally I was admittedly skeptical of Amelia’s business model. Having only ever taken in-person lessons, I was a little confused as to how students could learn a physical sport online. It turns out, I wasn’t the only one who started off skeptical. “At first, I thought, ‘Oh, there’s no way that people could learn to ride online,’” said Amelia. “But the proof is there. I was at the Horse Expo last weekend, and I had people come up to me with tears in their eyes, saying, ‘You’ve changed my life.’ And I had never even met them before. It’s become something really special.”

Because she does all of her teaching through Zoom, Youtube, Facebook, and her website, there’s no geographic limit to Amelia’s student base, and she works hard to ensure there’s no financial obstacle either. Amelia promotes accessibility to the sport with various forms of free content. “One thing that I think is very hard about any horse sport is that it is very expensive and it can get very elitist,” Amelia said. “So that is also part of the Dressage for All mission. If you want to learn and you want to have a better relationship with your horse, I’m here to help you.”

Amelia’s 30 Day Challenges are likely her most popular program, and it’s easy to see why. With a chance to win cash prizes totaling $10,000 dollars, there’s a big incentive to not only join the challenge, but commit to it wholeheartedly.

“The challenges are really fun because they motivate you to work towards a goal,” Amelia said. “You have 30 days to improve your riding in a specific area. You submit a video at the beginning and at the end, and then we review hundreds of videos, which is kind of insane. But whoever improves the most wins the most.”

If you want to have a little bit more of that community feel that’s present in traditional lesson programs, you can join Amelia’s Dressage Club. “We do have an amazing community. We have a free Facebook group, which is called Amelia’s Dressage Club. It’s just a group of horse enthusiasts that are excited about learning. We work really, really hard to keep it a safe space where people can ask questions, and get positive and constructive feedback.”

Basics, Empathy, Respect

Amelia’s program is founded on the philosophy that most training issues can be solved by a return to the basics. “Oftentimes, when you run into a training problem with your horse, it’s when you’ve made things too complicated. It’s about really going back to the basics and breaking things down, step by step, and kind of using frameworks and using exercises to make it more understandable for you and for your horse.”

Photo courtesy of Amelia Newcomb Dressage.

Her background in natural horsemanship has impressed upon her a deep gratitude and respect for the horses she works with.

“What’s really important to me is helping the horses, because by helping the riders, I’m helping the horses to feel more secure and more confident and to understand what they want from their riders,” Amelia said. “Horses are such incredible creatures, the fact that they let us ride them and train them to do these amazing things is remarkable. We have to train our horses through understanding and kindness, rather than just forcing them and adding pressure. So that’s part of why I do it, too. It’s not only for the people, I do love all my audience, but it’s also for the horses.”

Learning dressage online is completely different from traditional in-person lessons, making it a good choice for dedicated students who want to extend their learning to outside the saddle. “When you’re on your horse, you have to be very much in the moment,” Amelia said. “What’s happening around you? Is your horse getting tense or nervous? What’s the rider next to you in the arena doing? What’s your horse going to spook at? Sometimes in the moment, it’s hard to digest new information. Your trainer might be trying to explain to you the theory of riding or a new exercise or where to put your leg, but you’re so wound up in what’s happening or what could happen, that it’s hard to process that information.”

Amelia recommends studying her content in a quiet moment. “Go home at night, sit on your couch, and hear that instruction again when you’re in a moment where you can really close your eyes and visualize and think through it. It really, really helps.”

It’s for exactly this reason that Amelia says trainers will recommend her videos and blogs to their students. “Their students are going home and studying and learning outside of their lesson time, it allows the student to make a lot more progress and to really maximize their time in the saddle.”

Dressage for Safety and Fitness

How often do you work on your dressage each week? I’m willing to bet there’s quite a large group of eventers out there who spend more time focusing on their show jumping technique or gallop sets. However, Amelia emphasizes that we should focus on our dressage not only to get ahead in competitions, but also for safety and fitness.

“I think that a big part of dressage is about getting your horse on the aids and developing communication and trust with your horse, and you need that when you’re out on cross country,” Amelia said. “If the footing isn’t perfect, or if you have a big fence, or if your horse gets spooked, you have to have that control and that adjustability to be able to keep you and your horse safe. First and foremost, dressage is about safety and having that control and that bond and that partnership.”

Amelia points out that you can’t exactly teach your horse to be more responsive in the heat of the moment as you bear down upon a large fence. Or, at least, it’s a lot safer if you teach responsiveness and adjustability before you find yourself in that position.

“Horses can only learn in times when they’re relaxed, and they feel safe,” Amelia said. “You always want to teach your horse how to respond to your leg, to your reins in a situation where they’re safe and they’re relaxed. You don’t want to wait to see if the aids actually work in a pressure-filled situation, like when you’re at a full gallop and you’re headed to a fence. If your horse isn’t listening– that’s not a good feeling. And that’s not going to be good for you or for your horse. It really is first and foremost about safety for you and for your horse.”

Photo courtesy of Amelia Newcomb Dressage.

Commonly referred to as weightlifting for horses, dressage can also help build our horses’ fitness. “It takes so long to build a partnership with our horses that to have to start over again because of an injury is just terrible and heartbreaking,” Amelia said. “A big part of dressage is the soundness, both physical and mental for the horses.”

With the right exercises, we can help our horses become more symmetrical, which reduces the risk of excess wear and tear and compensation injuries. “One thing that we always work on in dressage is getting our horses really symmetrical, and using their bodies in a way that’s efficient. If your horse isn’t supple, and they’re leaning in and counter bending, they’re going to be putting a lot of pressure on that inside front leg and that’s not so healthy for them long term,” said Amelia.

Amelia believes dressage can transform the event horse both in and out of the ring. “I think of dressage as kind of like gymnastics. We really want our horses to be both strong and flexible,” Amelia said. “It’s amazing how with consistent training, you start to feel your horse change in the way that they use their body. They use their body more evenly. They use different muscles. And you’ll even see that when you turn them out in the field, they’ll start carrying themselves differently.”

Since starting out with just one YouTube video a week, Amelia has built herself a significant online following. With a platform of 32,000 followers on Facebook, nearly 74,000 followers on Instagram, and 292,000 subscribers on Youtube, Amelia has a lot of eyes on her every move. “I feel like I have such an obligation now to be providing really good quality, correct content, and making sure that it’s the right type of content that’s actually going to help people.”

No matter how many followers Amelia gains, her end goal stays the same: to help horses and to help riders with Dressage for All. “Riding is hard,” Amelia said. “We all have days that we feel like we should just quit and give up. We need to be able to reach out and get the support we need, no matter who we are, where we come from, or in what discipline we ride.”

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

By on Aug 6, 2024 4:00 am -

Happy Tuesday, folks – although honestly, this is the first time in a long time that I’ve had any concept of what day of the week it is, and even that’s only because EN editor Sally asked me at dinner the other night if I was still good to take Tuesday News & Notes today. ‘Huh, I really thought tomorrow was a Thursday,’ I thought to myself, for the forty-eighth time since I got to Paris.

Something odd happens to your concept of time, here, and your concept of the days, because every day is a whirlwind of twelve or fifteen or eighteen hours of work and hustle and as there aren’t any rest days in between – a new anomaly that’s been brought in this Games for us equestrian folks, and which I do not support – there’s never a moment to recalibrate and work out where you are in relation to the days to come. Instead, you navigate your way through with a vague understanding of what comes next – ‘I have to wake up at 5 tomorrow for a horse inspection’ or ‘I need to make sure I get in at 9 to set my remote cameras for an 11 start’ or ‘we’ve all been here for five hours, maybe the coffee stand will open soon and I can pay an extortionate eight euros for a thimble of caffeine’. 

Which is not to say I’m complaining – being in Paris is the most extraordinary experience, and the most tightly-sealed bubble I’ve ever been in in my life. There is nothing beyond Paris for me right now. I can think only about our sport, in both immediate and broader-reaching terms, and I can think about the city itself, and beyond that? I would reserve a bit of brain space for fearing how much of a backlog of other stuff I’ll have to tackle when I get home in a few days, but I simply cannot, because that stuff doesn’t exist to me. La vie en Olympic time, baby.

There’s been something slightly jarring, because of all this, about seeing the Instagram posts and stories from our eventers, who returned home and got straight back to the grind, as you absolutely have to do. But my brain cannot compute – it’s scrolling through these things and going, ‘there’s life outside this very small pocket of France? Are you sure? What do you mean, someone’s taking their five-year-olds to a training show? Is Snoop Dogg even THERE?’ I really hope that on the flip side of all this, all of us sharing the post-Paris comedown together will make it easier to manage. Otherwise this might make for a rough landing! But over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be keeping part of my brain firmly in the bubble as Sally and I work through a tonne of post-Paris pieces – analysis, reflections, image galleries, and much, much more, so we can all fend off the post-Olympic blues for as long as possible. And in the meantime? There’s King Kazu, proudly putting his hard-won bronze medal on all the horses who helped him on the long road to winning it. We do not deserve this man.

Events Opening Today: Unionville International H.T., Meadowcreek Park H.T – Fall Social Event, Heritage Park H.T., Honey Run H.T.

Events Closing Today: Full Gallop Farm August HT, Shepherd Ranch Pony Club H.T. II, Town Hill Farm H.T., Bouckaert Equestrian H.T. International

Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:

When it comes to laying down a quick, capable, competitive cross-country round, show-day success begins well before you head to the warm-up. Your course walk, or walks, are one of the most important parts of your day, because it’s there that you’ll make plans, suss out economical routes, customise your ride to your horse’s strengths and compensating for his weaknesses, and create safe, educational opportunities, too. But that only happens if you walk it properly, rather than just zooming around with a pal, taking photos on your phone and occasionally walking out your strides while your mind’s on the burger van. Course designer and coach Cathy Weischhoff’s got some great tips to make sure you make the most of it.

Beyond the performances in the main arena at Versailles, there’s a whole village of people making them happen. At the forefront of those backstage but totally essential cast members? The grooms, of course! Horse Sport caught up with the grooms looking after Canada’s show jumpers to find out more about their week in Paris. Check it out here.

Another mainstream media article on the Charlotte Dujardin scandal – but this one’s by someone who knows our sport incredibly well. Pippa Cuckson, former deputy editor of Horse & Hound, has spent decades in the horse world, putting her head above the parapet and becoming a mouthpiece for difficult truths. Her involvement now in working through our current storm with the media is an interesting and, I think, ultimately positive one – she’s not going to sugarcoat anything and she’ll point out hard truths that few people want to hear, but ultimately, facing them and changing the sport for the better is the only way out of all this. Read her piece here.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by KPPusa (@kentuckyperformanceproducts)

Sponsor Corner: We’ve all been there. You go to say hi to your horse and… drool. All over the floor, all over your shoes, and hopefully not all over you. Clover slobbers are a seasonal issue that occurs in horses who are kept on clover pasture. But is it just unsightly or will grazing too much clover actually hurt your horse? According to Kentucky Performance Products, clover slobbers come with increased risk for dehydration, colic, and more. Read more here.

Watch This:

Video Break: Japan’s First-Ever Olympic Medal

By on Aug 5, 2024 2:30 pm -

We’re still relishing the success of the Japanese eventing team in Paris (how was it already a week ago??), and while we’re still working on a deep-dive into what led to this bronze medal, you can catch up on the quick facts in this recap from the FEI.

Weekend Winners: Caber Farm, Bayou Gulch, Catalpa Corner, Cobblestone Farms, Hoosier Horse Trials, Huntington Farm, Olney Farm, & River Glen

By on Aug 5, 2024 10:00 am -

A big weekend for Eventing! Not only did we see eight recognized Horse Trials running this weekend, and a cross country course designed by Derek DiGrazia at Caber Farm, we also saw Bayou Gulch HT bringing Eventing back to the Colorado Horse Park.

We had seen Bayou Gulch on the calendar earlier this year, and spoke with event organizer Heather McWilliams about their efforts, and the community surrounding the event back in March, so it was exciting to see the efforts come together this past weekend! Congrats to the entire team and Colorado Eventing community for making it possible!

We’re extending a big congrats to our Weekend Winners, with a special shout out to the winner of our Unofficial Low Score Award, Michael Nolan and Rock Acapella, who won the Novice Open A at Cobblestone Farms on a 21.4.

Area VII Young Rider Benefit H.T. at Caber Farm (Onalaska, WA) [Website][Scoring]

Open Modified: Rebecca Buehler and WT Isobele (34.9)
Junior Training: Alexis Johnson and Encore (33.3)
Training Amateur: Macaulay Dukes and SRF Western Territory (33.3)
Open Training: Patience O’Neal and Barney Come Home (33.1)
Junior Novice: Flynn Patinkin and Black Cape Hero (32.8)
Novice Amateur: Jamie Clark and Hooligan (25.0)
Open Novice: Anna Collier and MFS Flywire (30.8)
Junior Beginner Novice: Violet Lorenzen and Cosmo (28.1)
Beginner Novice Amateur A: Meredith Hill and Navigator (29.1)
Beginner Novice Amateur B: Katherine Schaefer and Rocky Monster (30.3)
Open Beginner Novice: Patience O’Neal and VIVA LAS VEGAS (28.8)
Open Starter A: Aurora LeTellier and Berkeley (34.0)
Open Starter B: Virginia Bryant and King of the Bramble (33.5)

Bayou Gulch H.T. (Parker, CO) [Website][Scoring]

Open Modified: Rebecca Caulfield and Fernhill Opulence (35.0)
Open Training: Emma Sletten and Indigo (28.5)
Junior Novice Rider: Catalina Powell and Frosty’s Choice (33.9)
Novice Rider: Anastasia Keyser and Heros Quest (26.4)
Open Novice: Darlene McInnes and Jimmy Wofford (30.6)
Beginner Novice Rider: Aimee Walters and Incredable Image (33.4)
Junior Beginner Novice Rider A: Celia Baumgartner and Ardeo Wicklow Mountain (29.0)
Junior Beginner Novice Rider B: Olivia Brayman and Oakdale (30.6)
Open Beginner Novice: Anna Marek and Deanfield Ice Queen (30.6)
Open Starter A: Hayley Griffith and JP Peppy Gay Wilson (24.0)
Open Starter B: Nicole Ackerman and ITT Gift Of Gold (28.0)
Starter Rider: Addy Dunlap and Ashes West (29.7)

Catalpa Corner Charity Horse Trials (Iowa City, IA) [Website][Scoring]

Open Preliminary: Camryn Holcomb and Quite Breit (39.0)
Junior Training: Ava Kaiser and Jake’s Jack Frost (74.0)
Senior Training: Anna Sornberger and Mr. Shenanigans (31.9)
Junior Novice: Tamaroa Bruce and Awesome Ekati (38.1)
Senior Novice: Chelsea Kang and Bowknot Billy (28.6)
Junior Beginner Novice: Holly Goen and Ildiko T (28.1)
Senior Beginner Novice A: Renee Senter and Regina (27.7)
Senior Beginner Novice B: Mallory Huggins and Overeasy (29.3)
Junior Starter: Lily Boettner and Namibia (30.8)
Senior Starter: Paula Matuszak and Teance (31.2)

Cobblestone Farms H.T. II (Dexter, MI) [Website][Scoring]

Intermediate/Preliminary-Open: Alexa Thompson and Parlez Clear (35.7)
Preliminary-Open: Isabella Novak and Dreamliner (36.6)
Modified-Open: Maxine Preston and Cooley Contendor (27.4)
Training Rider A: April Hays and Anteros HSH (32.8)
Training Rider B: Katie Schutte and Rigden (29.1)
Training-Open: Holly Russell and Cooley Seeking Fortune (26.4)
Novice Open A: Michael Nolan and Rock Acapella (21.4)
Novice Open B: Kate Sand and SE SMALL BATCH (26.7)
Novice Rider A: Kendall Westgate and Bright Prince (25.6)
Novice Rider B: Alyssa Cairo and EWSZ Jalando (25.8)
Novice Rider Jr: Anabelle Iverson and Delgado (25.6)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Nicole Taylor and Indigo (27.5)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Taylor Reis-Crihfield and Strong Royalty (25.3)
Beginner Novice Rider Jr: Keira Dawes and Good Humor (28.8)
Beginner Novice-Open: Kara Andrew and Bridge View (24.4)
Starter Rider: Ava Hobbs and Ricky Ricardo (28.7)
Starter-Open: Alison Haneberg and Rockwood Lunar Eclipse (30.0)

Hoosier Horse Trials (Edinburgh, IN) [Website][Scoring]

Open Preliminary A: Alexandra Baugh and Hubert Des 3 Arbres (24.3)
Open Preliminary B: Dan Kreitl and Odyssey (35.0)
Open Modified: Madyson Hsue and Iso Cambria (32.6)
Open Training A: Eleanor Winter and Figlio (26.2)
Open Training B: Megan Edwards and Legende De Mies (25.9)
Open Novice A: Emery Reagan and Allure (27.8)
Open Novice B: Callia Englund and Fernhill Celtic Flight (26.4)
Open Novice C: Mia Farley and Leroux (31.2)
Open Novice D: Kate Schmitz and Undaunted Rags (27.5)
Open Beginner Novice A: Amy Nelson and Hummingbird’s Paradox (30.0)
Open Beginner Novice B: Jessica Boesch and Top Secret (26.6)
Open Beginner Novice C: Charlotte Welsh and Caruso (34.7)
Open Beginner Novice D: Melanie Helms and Edelweiss du theil (23.4)
Open Starter A: Lindsey Shepard and Requesting a Fly By (23.1)
Open Starter B: Megan Edwards and Take A Bow (26.7)
Open Starter C: Katherine Naselsker and Foudroyant de Bellerose (24.0)
Tadpole: Joshlyn Hernandez and Cookie (37.8)

Huntington Farm H.T. (South Strafford, VT) [Website][Scoring]

Open Training: Julia Hulett and Ardeo Krafty Warren (31.0)
Junior Novice: Ellie Moran and Maximus (31.4)
Open Novice A: Blythe Darby and BS Monaco (26.7)
Open Novice B: Laura Pitassi and Jagermeister (27.8)
Junior Beginner Novice: Isla Wise and Willie Nelson (44.0)
Open Beginner Novice: Annabelle Sprague and Tullogher Vidimus (28.2)

Olney Farm Horse Trials (Joppa, MD) [Website][Scoring]

Modified: Colleen Rutledge and Roulette (39.0)
Open Training: Cynthia (aka Cindy) Buchanan and stroll to the beat (35.0)
Novice Rider: Carla Lindsay and Take Note (26.1)
Open Novice: Daniel Clasing and Homer (25.9)
Beginner Novice Horse: Savannah Fulton and Mr.O Brien (22.8)
Beginner Novice Rider: Sarah Laird and Captain Morgan (29.4)
Intro CT: Monica Fiss and Noona (41.6)
Open Intro: Ashley Norris and Cinco (36.4)
Open Starter 1: Jazz Napravnik and Iron Pearls (28.0)
Open Starter 2: Gina Franz and FMF Sullivan (24.4)

River Glen Summer H.T. (New Market, TN) [Website][Scoring]

Open Intermediate: Matthew Ulmer and Wellview Mister Lux (49.2)
Intermediate-Preliminary: Lauren Lambert and Biscotti (52.3)
Open Preliminary: Elisa Wallace and Tullymurry FIFI (30.2)
Open Modified: Claire Maloney and Phoenyx (39.2)
Open Training: Ashley Greene and Lavei (25.3)
Training Rider: Katherine Farmer and Incredibulldelay (36.4)
Training Novice: Tawn Edwards and Delta Z (68.3)
Jr Novice Rider: Madison Zgutowicz and My Valentine (22.2)
Open Novice: Yeardley Pendleton and HTF Charming Cooley (26.7)
Sr Novice Rider: Alison Damick and Beyond Infinity (42.6)
Jr BNovice Rider: Catherine Wells and Secret Agent Man (36.6)
Open BNovice: Elle Den Haring and Stella (23.8)
Sr BNovice Rider: Alexandra Lefholz and Chili Pepper (30.9)
Open Starter Sec A: Shana Boteler and TRF Elphaba (34.0)
Open Starter Sec B: Breah Crocker and Unlikely Hero (42.0)

Monday News & Notes from Futuretrack

By on Aug 5, 2024 2:30 am -

There’s nothing quite like sharing success, and really who better to enjoy the spoils of Olympic glory other than our beloved barn dogs? Tom McEwen demonstrated this with his two dogs, who honestly wear an Olympic medal better than all of us.

Today in Paris we’ll begin to wrap up the equestrian disciplines with the Individual Qualifier in the show jumping, which will send 30 pairs forward to tomorrow’s medal round. We anticipate some hot competition for this, and if you want to branch out and study up you can check out EquiRatings Form Guide to the field here.

And let’s also congratulate our latest medalist, Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, who secured a back-to-back individual gold with a stunning freestyle paying homage to France and its music.

U.S. Weekend Results

Area VII Young Rider Benefit H.T. at Caber Farm (Onalaska, WA) [Website] [Results]

Bayou Gulch H.T. (Parker, CO) [Website][Results]

Catalpa Corner Charity Horse Trials (Iowa City, IA) [Website] [Results]

Cobblestone Farms H.T. II (Dexter, MI) [Website] [Results]

Hoosier Horse Trials (Edinburgh, IN) [Website][Results]

Huntington Farm H.T. (South Strafford, VT) [Website] [Results]
Olney Farm Horse Trials (Joppa, MD) [Website] [Results]

River Glen Summer H.T. (New Market, TN) [Website] [Results]

Monday News & Reading

Ingrid Klimke’s got multiple skills up her sleeve, and while we’re still awaiting her Olympic debut in the dressage there’s still much to learn from her simple approach to dressage (and dressage for jumping. Check out some of her tools of the trade here.

We’re looking forward to the American Eventing Championships in Lexington later this month, and ahead of the competition the USEA has caught up with several AEC-bound pairs. Don’t miss this special story on a reunion with a homebred horse.

Blair Castle’s final fling is rapidly approaching, and it’s going to be a sorely missed fixture on the UK’s eventing calendar with its testing terrain and unmatched atmosphere. Read up on the final Blair Castle event here.

Video Break

Relive Jessica von Bredow-Werndl’s World Cup freestyle:

Shane Rose Defies the Odds with Return to Olympics in Paris

By on Aug 4, 2024 10:00 am -

Shane Rose and Virgil. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

When Shane Rose cantered down centerline for his fourth Olympic appearance in Paris last week, he had already overcome incredible odds to even be in contention for his spot representing Australia.

Shane epitomizes the term “grit”, coming back from multiple egregious injuries that would have rendered many other careers obsolete. Before 2024, Shane had come back from a bout with thyroid cancer and multiple broken bones, including those sustained from a kick to the face from an unruly young racehorse in 2006 that left him in a medically induced coma for a week.

After winning the Adelaide CCI5* with his longtime partner, Virgil, in 2023, all systems were go for Shane to make another trip to the Olympics. The pair won their first CCI4*-S at Hastings together on March 7.

A few days later, disaster struck.

Shane was out for a routine cross country school on March 14 when his horse hung a leg, sending him to the ground with the horse landing on top of him (the horse was uninjured in the accident). He was rushed to the ICU with a severe concussion, a broken pelvis, femur, and ribs — in total, 19 fractured bones. During one subsequent surgery, a steel rod was placed to stabilize his broken femur.

At this point, the Olympic Games were just over four months away, and in that moment the biggest concern became Shane’s physical recovery first, riding second. But the Olympic dream stayed in his mind. Thus begun a determined journey of recovery, assisted by a team of doctors and physios, as well as Shane’s family and colleagues on the yard who kept his horses, including Virgil, ticking away.

Shane Rose and Virgil. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

By the end of April, Shane was walking with assistance. In June, Shane returned to riding. On July 3, Australia announced its team traveling to Paris. Shane and Virgil were on the list.

Once he was back in the saddle, Shane was of one mind: the job he had to do in Paris. “I’m not thinking of the journey I’ve been on,” he told us after his dressage test in Paris. “I’m here to produce a performance here the Games. The fact that I was injured is irrelevant now. I’m here to do a job. My job is to do the best job I can for the team. I feel like I’m in a good position to do that. I feel as strong as I need to be. Stronger than I’ve probably been. I have done a lot of rehab.”

Australia wouldn’t quite catch a medal in Paris, though Chris Burton made a successful, if temporary, return to eventing to clinch individual silver with Shadow Man. Shane and Virgil finished in 20th individually with some time in both jumping phases as well as one pole down in the team final of show jumping.

If you ask Shane, he feels the most pride in his horse rather than himself. Virgil, who is 19 this year, is likely doing his last Championship or major event for Shane. It’s been an illustrious career, with a team silver medal earned in Tokyo, two World Championship appearances, four CCI5* podiums with one victory to their names.

Shane Rose and Virgil. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

“I’m really proud of my horse,” Shane reflected after his final show jump round in Paris. “He’s done an amazing job. 19 years old, not too bad. He’s an amazing horse. He’s done a lot. This is his sixth occasion in Europe and back to Australia. So for the miles that he’s done and the soundness that he’s had throughout his whole career.”

How does one maintain soundness at the top levels over a career that spans over 13 years?

Shane noted that Virgil has dealt with some small bouts of tendonitis but has otherwise never missed work throughout his career. “We’ve looked after him. I think that’s probably why he hasn’t missed any work in his whole career. He’s stayed in work pretty much. He’d have a couple of weeks off at the most. The longest spell he’s had since he’s been a five year old is quarantine, which is about four or five weeks, getting back to Australia.”

Prioritizing championships also means less wear and tear and more intentional selection of competitions. “We’ve prepared for championships. He’s come over to Europe and done five-stars like Pau and Burghley and LuhmĂźhlen trying to get to championships, but I haven’t needed to try and back him up at multiple three-day events throughout his career in a year. And I think that’s probably helped. He’s a beautiful type of horse, he’s put together well, he’s got good feet. I think he’s always done things within himself. So I think that’s helped his career, but you know, there’s not many horses that can be a four-star horse for 13 years.”

Shane Rose and Virgil. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

As for his own journey to Paris, Shane’s quick to wave off any praise or admiration. For him, it’s always been about the horse. “I felt like every day I’ve improved incredibly, even since arriving here,” he said. “I think I’ve improved in the week I’ve been here. Now look, I’m 100 percent. I’ve had a lot of people supporting me to get here. I certainly couldn’t have done it without all their help. If you want to do something, there’s a way to do it.”

Shane Rose and Virgil. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

We may yet see Shane returning to another Games, as he’s got some younger horses in the pipeline and hasn’t ruled out a campaign for Los Angeles in 2028 or Brisbane in 2032. “I have been thinking about Los Angeles and Brisbane for a long time,” he said. “I’ve got horses that are young enough to be in Brisbane, if I’m still riding in four years. So I don’t know. Like I haven’t got a plan. I like riding and whilst I’m competitive and have the horses to do it, then I can’t see myself stopping. I don’t have an end date.”

Shane summed himself up succinctly, after displaying visible emotion when asked about Virgil and what it meant to get him to this final Olympics for his veteran partner: “I guess I’m pretty determined.”

Sunday Links

By on Aug 4, 2024 12:01 am -

I had no choice but to fill today’s post with my favorite Olympic champion — USA’s newest mascot ✨Snoop D-O-Double-G✨

After virally losing his mind over Steffen Peters’ “rave horse” dressage during the Tokyo Olympics, Snoop has been nothing but vocal about his excitement over “the horses” — and as an official commentator and correspondent for NBC in Paris, of course he had to go all out. Calling in friend, cohost, and Friesian owner Martha Stewart, they took to Versailles dressed in full kit, including custom shadbelly, Samshield helmet, gloves, white breeches, and even half chaps over his black sneakers. I love him, I’m obsessed, we’re all obsessed, we need more, someone get Snoop on a horse. And honestly, this might be one of the best things that could’ve happened to dressage these days.

Thanks Snoop ✌️

U.S. Weekend Action

Area VII Young Rider Benefit H.T. at Caber Farm (Onalaska, WA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Bayou Gulch H.T. (Parker, CO) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Catalpa Corner Charity Horse Trials (Iowa City, IA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Cobblestone Farms H.T. II (Dexter, MI) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Hoosier Horse Trials (Edinburgh, IN) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Huntington Farm H.T. (South Strafford, VT) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Olney Farm Horse Trials (Joppa, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

River Glen Summer H.T. (New Market, TN) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Links to Start Your Sunday:

Show Jumping Gold: Great Britain! 12 years after Peter Charles won Team Gold in London with Scott Brash and Ben Maher, his son wins Team Gold with the same team partners

Dressage Gold: A 15th Gold for Germany! Isabel Werth’s 13th medal, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl’s third, and Frederic Wandres’ first

Laura Collett: ‘I felt like an outsider but I was determined to win gold’

A very good Gold Medal Boy — Laura and London are home and posing…

… and so are Ros and Walter!

Morning Viewing: Last week, Japan had only one Olympic medal hanging in its equestrian cabinet — a Gold belonging to show jumper Takeichi Nishi from the 1932 Los Angeles Games. After a surprise qualification last year due to China’s Team disqualification, Japan knew they needed to step up. After a mass purchase of top horses by the December 2023 deadline — three of which are owned by the Japanese Equestrian Federation themselves — the team of “middle-aged Japanese” men met up in the UK to hold a pre-event training camp before loading up for France. Little did they know that they’d soon be making history to win the first eventing medal for their country.