Marylanders where you at? Because this is your new mascot. I have never seen so much flag of Maryland on one person. Well done to this rider! If you competed in the July Horse Park of New Jersey at Stone Tavern HT, then our friend Amy Dragoo has all your photos! Check them out at this link.
National Holiday: National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day🍪
Your defense mechanisms may be holding you back. Even subconsciously you may be repressing or rationalizing experiences. In the moment, this might make you feel like a disappointment has passed, but it will stay in the background. Coping strategies, though? They can help you get through it. [Daniel Stewart’s Tip of the Month: Ego Defenses]
The Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse 2020 is going virtual this year and opening the doors to riders around the world to participate. The event is open to four- and five-year-olds, and riders are required to submit a combination of videos and photographs to cover three phases; dressage, jumping and conformation. [Virtual Burghley Young Event Horse final goes global]
What’s we’re listening to:USEA Podcast #263: Producing a Young Horse. Lauren Nicholson and USEA President Max Corocran sit down to delve into what it takes to produce young horses. Looking for the spark notes? Lauren’s top three tips: 1. Treat them like horses in the beginning. 2. No timeline for a young horse –some horses are ready for YEH Championships and some horses can’t trot a crossrail. 3. Get them out a lot without an agenda. Corcoran’s top three tips: 1. If you aren’t comfortable doing this yourself find someone to help you. 2. Be very patient. 3. If you have a horse that isn’t going to work out, it is okay to be honest with yourself.
ICYMI: The 2020 USEF Pony Finals have been canceled after individuals tested positive at the Kentucky Horse Park. [2020 USEF Pony Finals Canceled]
Tuesday Video: Combined Driving is Eventing’s sister sport, and no one does it better than Boyd Exell.
It’s no secret that Tamie Smith and Mai Baum can d-a-n-c-e DANCE. Tamie and 14-year-old German Sport Horse gelding owned by AlexandEllen Ahearn and Eric Markell, have been topping first phase leaderboards for a while now — perhaps most notably doing so on their way to winning the Fair Hill CCI4*-L (then CCI3*) in 2015 and then making a splash in their Team USA debut at the 2019 Pan Ams — and it was no different in the Advanced division at Rebecca Farm this year. “Lexus” and Tamie led wire-to-wire to pick up the win, adding just a few cross country time penalties onto their stellar dressage score of 17.7.
If a 17.7 at the Advanced level sounds really low and impressive to you that’s because yes, it is! In fact the USEA confirmed earlier today that it’s the lowest dressage score at the Advanced level since 2006, besting Darren Chiacchia and Windfall II’s 17.9 scored at the Richland Park Horse Trials in August 2008.
And what does a 17.7 scoring Advanced test look like? Watch and learn courtesy of Ride On Video!
One doesn’t need to look far to find written evidence of the over achieving nature of Cayman Went, the off-track Thoroughbred gelding piloted by Phillip Dutton in the early 2000s. A bright horse who took to eventing quickly as a four year old, Cayman Went was well known for his freakish talent that earned him a hard fought second place (“Not to worry,” Phillip said after an unlucky rail put David O’Connor and The Native at the top of the podium. “This time last week I would have been happy with second.”) at Fair Hill CCI3* (now CCI4*-L) in 2001 at the age of just seven.
“Cayman” was also one of the horses owned by Annie Jones, one of Phillip’s biggest supporters and owners through the years. Annie’s owned all or part of several of Phillip’s horses, including easily recognizable stars such as Woodburn, The Foreman, Mighty Nice, and many others. A fun fact: Annie used to do much of Cayman Went’s fitness work in his heyday, an avid horsewoman and fox hunter herself with a background in the Thoroughbred industry. Another fun fact? Phillip and Evie Dutton’s twin daughters, Mary and Olivia, were also born the same weekend Cayman Went had his big finish at Fair Hill.
Cayman wasn’t the only horse to show incredible talent and acumen for winning at a young age, and the Australian native’s already golden touch with sensitive horses has proven to be a winning formula for success with these talented athletes.
Phillip and Cayman would go on to finish in the top 20 at Kentucky in 2002 and the top 15 at Badminton in 2003 before later retiring from eventing and finishing out his career as a fox hunter. As if to say “challenge accepted,” Cayman went out first on cross country at Kentucky in 2002 and jumped clear over a course that included a fence that was later removed after the Ground Jury deemed it too difficult.
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Isabelle Santamauro working on a head-to-the-wall leg yield under Peter’s watchful eye. Photo by Joan Davis / Flatlandsfoto.
During this year’s competition hiatus, Peter Gray continued doing what he does best — helping horses and riders improve — via his Remote Centerline Workshop series, in which he virtually judged dressage tests. Now, as the sport begins to emerges from its shell, Peter has been helping horses and riders find their way back into fighting form with a series of clinics on the east coast.
Peter’s resumé as a rider is impressive enough: three Olympics, Badminton and Burghley, two WEGs, individual Bronze medalist at the Pan Am Games, the list goes on. Not every great rider is also a great coach, but Peter is an exception, having served as a High Performance Eventing Coach for Canada, Venezuela, Guatemala and Columbia. He’s also a five-star eventing judge, manages horse shows, always seems to be working on about a million side projects, and promptly replies when you text him a question at 5:30 a.m.
If memory serves, the first time I encountered him in person was 10 or 15 years ago, and it was twice in one day: in the morning he was giving a cross country lesson to a Canadian team rider at Jon Hollings,’ and later in the day he was passaging a pure dressage horse around the ring at his farm. I was like, “Is this the same rider? Eventers aren’t supposed to be that good at everything.”
Alas, he is, and the best we can do is benefit from his experience.
Suzi Gornall and Lindsey Elwell preparing for their jump lesson. Photo by Joan Davis / Flatlandsfoto.
Samantha Morse, a 17-year-old young rider, was among the participants at Kay Slater’s True North Farm clinic in Harwich, MA. She shared the following comments:
“I was thrilled to be able to ride with such a well respected and intellectual individual who I knew would focus on precise, positive and elastic work for not only myself and my mare, but also every individual who rode with him,” Samantha says. “My mare came out better each day, clearly happy and proud of herself through Peter’s thoughtful instruction.
“Through shifting the focus to training the horse, my riding improved and thus my mare’s suppleness, mood, and relaxation improved. Not only did she feel happy to work, relaxed, forward-thinking and ready for more after each set, but so did I. I felt confident, pleased and excited for more while also very satisfied and thankful for such an opportunity from Peter and Kay.
“After the past weekend with Peter, I am looking forward to this year’s training with my mare, future clinics with him and the rest of the competition season. A deeply felt thank you goes out to Peter for the extraordinary instruction that left myself and my horse feeling proud and pleased, and to Kay for always putting thought into who she brings into the farm, what they offer for the riders and horses, as well as creating a positive training environment through constantly encouraging others to always be learning, work hard, and provide correct, thoughtful care for their horse.”
Photo by Joan Davis / Flatlandsfoto.
Katherine Cooper is another who has recently benefited from Peter’s instruction: “Coping with the COVID has been hard for us all, so having the chance for my friend Peter Gray come for a quick clinic at Beniah Lane Farm in Epping, NH, was a very happy occasion!We had several really helpful dressage lessons, where Peter shared his wealth of knowledge and sense of humour to get horses and humans to lower their heads and move forward!We then moved to the jump field for lessons that started with elevated trot poles and progressed to turning exercises emphasizing a soft, following hand.
“We then headed to Pinetree Equestrian in Beverly, MA where Peter took over my usual Thursday clinic.The kids were so excited to host such a highly qualified trainer that they painted all the jumps and turned their ponies to the max!There was a party atmosphere with friends and family coming out to watch a socially-distant learning opportunity.Peter used his keen eye to help a variety of horses and riders improve their connection and his wit to keep everyone laughing.We were sorry to send him off to the Cape at the end of the day but hope he can make it back again!”
Peter is a tricky one to keep up with — he’s teaching in Boston this week then off to judge at Fair Hill, then … TBA. He’s teaching a clinic at L’Esprit Equestrian in Woodstock, Illinois, on Aug. 15-16 (view information about that here) among future dates, I’m sure. Should you happen upon an opportunity to ride with him, don’t hesitate!
In summer 2020 we launched a 1st Annual $5,000+ Diversity Scholarship with the support of generous donors, inviting minority equestrians to contribute to the discussion of diversity and inclusion in equestrian sport. It is the mission of this annual bursary, which we intend to expand in coming years, to call for, encourage, elevate and give a platform to minority voices in a space where they are underrepresented.
How do we build a more diverse, inclusive and accessible sport? In the coming weeks we will explore this question alongside many of the 27 Scholarship recipients as they share with us their essays in full. Collectly, their perspectives coalesce into a body of work that will no doubt help inform a viable path forward for equestrian sport, and we are committed to connecting their actionable ideas with the public as well as leaders and stakeholders of the sport.
Today we welcome Maryland eventer Deonte Sewell.
Schooling Justine Dutton’s 2016 Nations Cup horse Huck Finn before he heads back out on lease! Photo by Lisa Madren.
The closest I ever got to a horse as a kid was on the TV screen or playing with a toy horse from my local Walmart. I grew up in a middle- to low-class home and no one else in my family was involved with horses besides my grandfather. I remember watching the Olympic games with him and listening to all of his stories with the horses. I would ask him if he did all the things the people on the TV were doing. He replied ”no.” I asked him why not and he just simply said,” It’s a king and queen’s sport.”
Being so young I didn’t understand what he meant. I thought it was a good thing! I looked at him and said, ”I want to ride horses! Maybe one day I’ll go to the Olympics.” I’ll never forget him laughing with the biggest smile on his face. Granting me his blessing to pursue a career with horses but also warning me the road would be tough.
I still couldn’t exactly wrap my head around why he called it a “king and queen’s sport.” I was a kid and didn’t really care! I just knew I wanted to ride! I wanted to make it to the Olympics. My heart was set out to do it no matter how it would happen. I knew what I wanted.
When I got a little older my mother signed me up for various interscholastic sports, none of which I felt much love for. I knew what I wanted to do and that wasn’t it. Coaches, fellow classmates, and even some family would ask me what I had planned for the future and of course I would tell them about my epic idea of riding horses for a living and one day making it the Olympics. I was usually met with a pessimistic laugh and an ironic “good luck” comment. However, I was fortunate that there were some who truly wanted to help. They even helped me find a place to ride and finally have a lesson where I could learn the ins and outs about horses.
The doubt from people hurt but not enough to steer me away from my goals. I just didn’t understand why it seemed so hard for a black person to ride horses. However, my first horse show was a real eye-opener. I felt as out of place as a big red dot on a pristine white piece of paper. I remember the piercing stares from all the little kids on ponies and others seeming confused as to why a black man was riding at a show. I heard the whispers as I rode around the ring in my jeans and polo shirt. My mother couldn’t afford breeches that would fit me and I paid for that show with my earnings that I had saved from the summer. My coach at the time was of minority descent. He noticed how self-conscious I felt and reassured me that I belonged there just as much as everyone else. That day I finally realized why my grandfather had called the horse world a king and queen’s sport.
That day made me think about why in most old Hollywood movies the farmhands/grooms were always of a minority descent. They seemed to always know more about riding and horses than the actual trainers but never portrayed the trainers or professional riders themselves. Why does it seem that the only place in the show world for minorities is to pick up after the kings and queens of the sport?
I started working on the track after high school. I was nervous about starting a real horse job with real pay but it honestly couldn’t have worked out better for me. I started out as a groom but the more involved I became at the track the more I noticed some black guys on horseback! It gave me hope to want to move on beyond the grooming stage. I worked hard and eventually landed some rides on the pony horses. I still felt the stares and heard the not-so-quiet doubts but in general, the people at the track were more accepting of me trying to move beyond being a groom.
Although working with racehorses wasn’t exactly what I wanted to do, I felt too nervous and out of place to try and reach out to the show world of riding. I found peace with my new job. Grooming horses, mucking stalls, catering to the exercise riders, and occasionally riding here and there. It was so perfect!! It just felt like I was supposed to be working with horses. I also became friends with a lot of the Spanish grooms. I noticed that some expressed quite interest in galloping but because they were good at grooming were never given a chance. I was just happy that my boss let me ride the pony horses occasionally but wondered why these other guys always seemed to hit a ceiling once they became grooms.
I’ve always looked forward to mid-October because that meant Fair Hill International had rolled around. It was my hometown’s biggest event and all the top event riders would be out! One year I was hanging around the stables just hoping to catch a glimpse of some of the riders I had always idolized when I spotted a black male driving in. I raced over to him before anyone else could. I thought, “Wow, what a great groom he has to be if he’s at Fair Hill!” I couldn’t wait for the next day at jogs to catch a glimpse of him amongst the other grooms holding buckets and rugs and see who he was working for.
However, on jog day he wasn’t standing in the paddock with the other grooms but running down the jog strip, horse in hand! He was a rider! A competitor! I couldn’t believe it. I remember thinking if he could run down the Fair Hill jog so could I. I looked forward to going back and watching him ride! It was the highlight of my week. Randy Ward opened my eyes to the fact that it was possible for black riders to compete at the top levels of the sport. I wasn’t just dreaming anymore! I just saw my first black event rider! I knew I wanted to follow in his footsteps, opening doors for other young black riders in eventing even if he didn’t realize that’s what he was doing! We could be more than grooms.
My boss gifted me a horse and a nice sponsorship to help me get a start in the sport. I was so excited! People finally wouldn’t look at me as if I didn’t belong. I was finally heading in the right direction to ride professionally. I felt like I was finally going to be able to ride with the kings and queens. More blessings began to pour in as I pushed further into my journey. I was getting to ride with some pretty awesome people that I’d only ever seen from afar. The dreams were becoming reality! People started to look at me with a bit more respect. People started rooting for me to succeed. My community noticed that while it was still really strange to see a black man on a horse I seemed to be making it happen.
I finally landed a job teaching kids in my hometown. I was excited! I was an instructor! Finally no more confusing looks and assumptions that I was a stable hand. Sadly that excitement quickly diminished. My role in the barn was yard boy. When I was able to teach I was met with the wide eyes, awkward smiles, and the beating around the bush question as to why it wasn’t the young blonde teaching. It was a big blow to me. But I felt like I had worked hard to get a chance to teach and wasn’t going to give up.
After each new lesson parents would always end their conversations with, ”For a black male you really know a lot. By the way, no offense!” I was offended every time I heard that stupid remark. Why was it so hard for me to be taken seriously as a teacher and not a groom or stable hand? But then again, had I not also assumed that the only black man pulling into Fair Hill must have been a groom? I slowly started to build a defense by laughing it off and sarcastically tell them never to judge a book by its cover and letting the comments go. I was in my happy place! I had multiple students from different ethnicities. Parents were pleased to see their kids are learning.
Like most common stories everything comes to an end. I had to retire my best friend from the sport. I was so close to riding in the big boys league! Not only that, I had just landed a sweet new job working for two professionals! Bummed was an understatement. I felt like I was back at square one again without my horse. I chose to pass him along to a close friend whose kid could get rated mileage in the hunter ring. I knew I wasn’t going to get any money back on him as he wasn’t re-sellable but I was OK with my decision. This was an opportunity for my friend’s daughter to make a pathway of her own. I was happy to be an asset to her career.
Having this new awesome job as an assistant, I thought it was definitely going to be different! People would see me riding more. People would see my determination and drive. They would see me giving more just to be seen as an equal. This job gave me the opportunity to make a lot of connections. I started to believe that I was actually a valuable asset in the business. In making these connections, I found that often people would try to relate and show support by using Randy Ward as a connection, while at the same time forgetting his name. It was frustrating to feel like these types of comments were necessary in order to talk to me. Me being a good rider and hard worker were not enough.
Receiving this grant would definitely mean the world to my career. Just like many young amateurs pursuing a professional career, I struggle financially. Nothing in life is cheap, especially in the equine business. The grant could help me find a partner to continue my career, cover lessons, or afford new tall boots. For me the price of new tall boots is far more expensive than a paycheck. It would definitely give me an advancement in bringing awareness to inner-city kids with dreams of riding and maybe one day I will be running down the Fair Hill jog strip.
Nation Media wishes to thank Barry and Cyndy Oliff, Katherine Coleman and Hannah Hawkins for their financial support of this Scholarship. We also wish to thank our readers for their support, both of this endeavor and in advance for all the important work still to come.
GET INVOLVED: Deonte writes of competing in his first horse show in jeans because his mother couldn’t afford to buy him breeches. The Rider’s Closet is a non-profit whose mission is to ensure that riding apparel is accessible to scholastic riding programs, pony clubs, equestrian camp programs, equine charities and individual riders in need. The program serves riders of all ages and at every level of horsemanship. The Rider’s Closet accepts new or gently used show shirts, breeches, show coats, schooling attire, boots and half chaps in adult and children’s sizes. If your items can be worn again with confidence by another rider, The Rider’s Closet can help find them a new home. Learn more here.
Also…. Not two hours after we published Deonte’s essay, the good people at Mountain Horse USA stepped up to sponsor him a new pair of tall boots!
As the chaotic energy of 2020 rages on around us, I’m always glad for a bit of good news. Ramp that up to great news, and it’s enough to feed me for weeks — and I’m sure I’m not alone in this. Something going right — even if it’s just a little something, like finally nailing the changes or producing a foot-perfect round of jumps in a lesson — refuels your weary brain, giving you impetus to keep on keeping on.
Over the weekend, that impetus was given to all of us at Team Nation Media by the announcement that our ever-expanding new Diversity Fund would be split among 27 extraordinary applicants. Between them, they represent so many disciplines, so many parts of the world, so many viewpoints, so many lived experiences, so many hopes for the future and resolutions to see the world, and the horse industry, become a better place. I feel stronger and smarter and better for having been exposed to what they have to say, and I think you will, too. One scholarship fund won’t change the world, but if it offers a platform and some validation to people who so often struggle to get either of those things in the horse world, the change will come. It will be brought about by all of us together, elevating one another and learning when to be silent and listen, and when to stand up and fight for what’s right.
More than ever, I feel so honoured to be a part of this team — a team that’s always had the heavy conversations behind the scenes, the ‘okay, we’ve identified the shit, now how do we shovel it?’ frankness that’s seen us through a pandemic (so far, anyway!) and will see us through the reshaping of an industry, too. Over the last months, our team behind the scenes has provided a safe space for no-bullshit, no bigotry discussions; a welcome antidote in the early days of summer, when communicating online offered up a 50% chance of ending up with extraordinarily nasty private messages from those who simply can’t — or rather, won’t — accept that things aren’t ‘just fine’ as they are. These days, the ratios are skewed so much more in the favour of people interested in positive, productive change — people learning, people reading, people adding their voices to the mix in a way that moves the dialogue along, rather than tearing it down and watching it burn. It almost feels like we can exhale, but we’re not quite there yet. There are still petitions to sign, imbalances to address, micro- and macroaggressions to nix. This summer has seen some headway made — now let’s regroup, refuel, and prepare for what’s to come. We’ll be bringing you the perspectives of our scholarship recipients over the next couple of weeks to help you do just that.
National Holiday: It’s a jolly good day for our friends north of the border — today is New Brunswick Day, British Columbia Day, and Alberta Heritage Day. How aboot that?
“I can’t wait until she kicks my ass.” Thus spake top lass and truly excellent eventer Tamie Smith after an excellent showing at Rebecca Farm saw her and daughter Kaylawna sweep the top four places in the Advanced class. In this piece, she gets real about her headspace — the mentality she’s adopted to cope with the pandemic, the rollercoaster ride of having been a young mother and an aspiring pro, and the unique duality of being the mother of a mixed-race daughter and the wife of a police officer during the defining civil rights movement of our generation. [Ringside Chat: Tamie Smith Reflects On Silver Linings, Motherhood And Resiliency]
Shortly before his passing on July 17th, civil rights leader and congressman John Lewis penned one final missive. “When historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st century,” he implored, “let them say that it was your generation who laid down the heavy burdens of hate at last and that peace finally triumphed over violence, aggression and war.” There’s plenty of work to be done yet, but let Lewis’s legacy give you the push you need to make this week a great one. [Together, You Can Redeem the Soul of Our Nation]
Now that eventing’s back up and running, what does 2020 look like for Team USA’s High Performance horses and riders? Erik Duvander gives us all a detailed update, walking us through the challenges faced so far and the plan of action from now until Tokyo. All I’m saying is, the French had better dust off ‘Cotton-Eye Joe’. (Honestly, they never need an excuse.) [High Performance in the Time of COVID-19]
No Burghley? No problem. An intrepid team of eventers, including 5* riders Louise Harwood and Alan Nolan, are planning to cycle from Badminton to Burghley on what would have been the weekend of the 2020 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, all in aid of the the vital air ambulance services that so many riders have found themselves indebted to. No word yet on whether they’ll have a crack at the Cottesmore Leap, which one rider — who shall remain unnamed — stated with worrying confidence is “totally jumpable on foot, if you had a good run up and the proper trainers on.” [‘If you have a goal, you work harder’: eventers swap saddles in Badminton to Burghley challenge]
What I’m Listening To:
I really, truly thought I’d managed to find and devour every pod that had ever been recorded featuring interviews with either of my two favourite contemporary writers, Zadie Smith and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I was wrong — boy, was I wrong. A quick panic search when I ran out of new episodes of my old standbys mid-muck out brought up the holy grail — a conversation between both women, recorded in 2015 and released by the New York Public Library.
Oh, man, what a total and utter joy of a listen this is. You get a snippet of Adichie’s extraordinary novelAmericanah, you get honest, funny chat between two exceptionally quick-witted people, you get open discussion on feminism (you can be a feminist and a hot babe who likes to shake what her mama gave her, Adichie says firmly, and I quite agree), race, writing, relationships, and life in general. Whether you’re a writer, a reader, or just a human being who’s curious about the multiplicities that reside within all your fellow muddled-up people, you’ll get so much out of this. If you’re anything like me, you’ll also add another ferocious red lipstick to your collection, too.
Donation Station:
As a perennially poor gal trying to keep myself and a horse alive, I’m all too aware that some of you may find it difficult to commit to monetary donations to the causes you believe in. But if you’re cash-strapped and feeling helpless to make a difference, never fear — there are so many ways you can still play a valuable part in making the world a better place. Live close to a horse rescue or an access programme? Great! Get over there and volunteer — you’ll never, ever regret it. Got a tack trunk full of stuff you never use, but which always seems to rise from the bottom just to get in your way? How about a wardrobe full of riding clothes you’ve duly replaced but hang onto just in case you need a backup? Super.
Make this week the week that you finally Marie Kondo your horsey life and find all that stuff a loving new home. Riding for the Disabled programmes, inner-city access programmes, animal sanctuaries, and even equine-assisted rehabilitation programmes can all use functionally sound equipment, and that old show jacket could be the final puzzle piece for an aspiring competitor who has nothing but their big dreams and a riding school horse to work with. Something as simple as cleaning out your (literal) closet could help that rider become a competitor. That’s something truly special.
Monday Video from Fleeceworks:
It’s not wholly horsey, but rather, a celebration of the power and profundity of sport — and Nike’s ‘You Can’t Stop Us’ ad campaign is getting everyone talking, in a good way. Give it a watch, and remember why we all do what we do, no matter what life throws at us along the way.
Lot 1: Ardingly (Asagao xx x Lupina, by Cefalo), a 2020 German Sport Horse colt. View details. Photo courtesy of Deutsches Sportpferd.
The bidding has begun for nine select foals standing at online auction via the German Sport Horse Association. All of them are bred to the nines with top-class stallions and Thoroughbred dam lines that have produced five-star winners including La Biosthetique Sam FBW and fischerRocana FST as well as Billy the Red, DSP Quintana P and Asha P.
The bidding began on Friday, July 31 and will end on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 7:30 p.m. local time / 1:30 p.m. EST with the final bid-up!
Not only do all foals have the coveted Thoroughbred in their pedigree, their mothers and siblings have successful performance records in the sport of eventing. Foals from the lines of well-known four- and five-star eventing horses such as John the Bull, by Luidam; Cooley Master Class, by Ramiro B; and Kelecyn Supernatural xx, by Filante xx. As sires Asago xx, Gentleman, Colorit, Dominator, Asca, Perigueux, Balvenie and Hickstead White are on the collection list. All foals are shown with detailed video sequences and a health certificate in detail here. Further information can be obtained from sales manager Fritz Fleischmann +49 151 53115783.
Don’t miss to secure your future eventing star now! Visit the online auction here.
Lot 2: Geneva (Gentleman x Capuccina, by Con Sherry), a 2020 German Sport Horse colt. View details. Photo courtesy of Deutsches Sportpferd.
Lot 3: Charlbury (Colorit x Amangani xx, by Goofalik xx), a 2020 German Sport Horse colt. View details. Photo courtesy of Deutsches Sportpferd.
Lot 4: Deauville (Dominator Z x Fee IV, by Lauries Crusador), a 2020 German Sport Horse colt. View details. Photo courtesy of Deutsches Sportpferd.
Lot 5: Albury (Asca x Halle Berry, by Heraldik xx), a 2020 German Sport Horse colt. View details. Photo courtesy of Deutsches Sportpferd.
Lot 6: Alnwick Ford (Asagao xx x Kir Royal, by Kolibri), a 2020 German Sport Horse filly. View details. Photo courtesy of Deutsches Sportpferd.
Lot 7: Pompadour (Perigueux x Birke, by Betel xx), a 2020 German Sport Horse filly. View details. Photo courtesy of Deutsches Sportpferd.
Lot 8: Burghley (Balvenie x Quinta Calida, by Quintus Gold), a 2020 German Sport Horse colt. View details. Photo courtesy of Deutsches Sportpferd.
Lot 9: Hartpury (Hickstead White x Foresta xx, by Petit Loup xx), a 2020 German Sport Horse filly. View details. Photo courtesy of Deutsches Sportpferd.
Michelle Clarke has pretty much nailed the anatomy of the Eventer. There are so many good ones here, but my favorite has to be “Learnt dressage test the morning of the event.” It’s like she knows me! For more fun, check out her Facebook Page.
William Fox-Pitt and Chilli Morning led the field after dressage at Rio 2016. Photo by Jenni Autry.
If everything had gone as planned this year, we would all be hunkered down for an exciting weekend of eventing in Tokyo right now. We’d all be a little groggy this morning, having stayed up late last night to watch the first day of dressage halfway around the world, but you’d better believe we’d all be at it again tonight for dressage day two. Alas, only 355 days to go ’til the Games now …
Saturday Video: Instead of dot-watching as the 2020 edition takes off, tune in to a countdown of the best-of Mongol Derby moments from the last decade. Will our own Leslie Wylie make the cut? She frickin’ better. The woman did ride 25 miles without stirrups after all.
Special announcement from Mongol Derby founder Mr Tom:Join us as we retell the greatest moments of the last decade of the #mongolderby .#DerbyDiaries ~the drama unfolds August 2nd. Get to jibbering you lot and ready your finest G & T for the occasion.
I’m not sure there’s a horse person out there who doesn’t relish the opportunity to go ‘through the keyhole’ for a good snoop around another rider’s operation – and if that glimpse behind the scenes comes at a gorgeous event I’ve never been to, so much the better. I’ve heard tell of Rebecca Farm and all the things that make it wonderful, but as a UK-based eventer and journalist, the wilds of Montana (can I locate it on a map? Only if you put a gun to my head, and even then I’m not confident) are slightly out of my remit. So I was delighted to stumble upon this comprehensive montage of Area 9 young rider Molly Sullivan‘s trip to Rebecca with her horse Fernhill Friend Request, which ticks all the boxes, really: those hazy, half-lit mornings feeding in, the dance routine unique to attempting to plait a fit horse at a big party, the other dance routine unique to ensuring you know your dressage test, a final schlep around a beefy course, a – shut the front door – PURPLE start box, and a sky that really does look a whole lot bigger than any I’ve seen before.
Okay, okay, I’m convinced – send me to Rebecca, Eventing Jesus. I am READY. I might even have a look at a map.
