Classic Eventing Nation

Who Jumped It Best? Chattahoochee Hills CCI3*-S Edition

By on Aug 31, 2020 12:35 pm -

Welcome, friends to another edition of Who Jumped It Best? This one takes us to Chattahoochee Hills in Fairburn, Georgia where we check out the CCI3*-S class. We catch this group at 15A, the Iron Arcs, a boat in the main water. This comes only a handful of strides after the airy drop in and is followed by a narrow fence at B.

Now you be the judge. Take a look at the photos below and vote for who you think presents the best overall picture.

Chatt Hills: Website, Live Scores, Ride Times, EN’s Coverage

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Stormwater. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Zoe Crawford and K.B.S. Quick Strike. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Gabrielle Hutchison and Straight Moonshine. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Elisa Wallace and Let It Be Lee. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Jonathan Holling and Pioneer Archibald. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Nilson Da Silva and Lady Colina. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Briggs Surratt and Ultimate Victory. Photo by Shelby Allen.

 

Who Jumped It Best? Chattahoochee Hills CCI3*-S Edition

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Stormwater
Zoe Crawford and K.B.S. Quick Strike
Gabrielle Hutchison and Straight Moonshine
Elisa Wallace and Let It Be Lee
Jonathan Holling and Pioneer Archibald
Nilson Da Silva and Lady Colina
Briggs Surratt and Ultimate Victory
Created with Poll Maker

Lea Jih-Vieira: ‘Breaking Down Financial Barriers’

By on Aug 31, 2020 10:07 am -

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 Lea Jih-Vieira. More voices: Aki Joy Maruyama | Anastasia Curwood | Caden Barrera | Christopher Ferralez | Dana Bivens | Dawn Edgerton-Cameron | Deonte Sewell | Helen Casteel | Jordyn Hale | Jen Spencer | Julie Upshur | Katherine Un | Kimberly Kojima | Leilani Jackson | Lyssette Williams | Madison Buening | Malachi Hinton | Mitike Mathews | Muhammad Shahroze Rehman | Scnobia Stewart

Photo courtesy of Lea Jih-Vieira/Mountain View Polo.

From eventing to reining to vaulting, equestrian sport provides disciplines for everyone. For me, I started in hunters, dabbled in barrel racing, and ended up in polo. What began as a fascination with trying to hit a ball while on a horse has led me on a journey I never could have anticipated. I started by playing in the high school interscholastic league, captaining the varsity girls team at my polo club for three years. In 2016, I competed in and won the junior polo division in the Retired Racehorse Project. Recently, I completed my freshman year at Cornell University while on the Division I women’s polo team. 

I am extremely grateful for everything I have experienced because of polo. However, I cannot help but occasionally wonder what I could have achieved had I been provided more resources. The irony in that statement is that I am by no means underprivileged; I belong to a supportive middle class family — we go on annual vacations, eat out at least once a week, and live in a safe and quiet neighborhood. Yet, my situation is no match for polo’s high economic barriers. It is hard to compete against the girls who play on their family farm’s best string of polo ponies, and the girls who spend their summers travelling the country playing in prestigious tournaments. There are countless times I turned down offers to play in tournaments because I could not afford it, or times I was only able to play because I had connections to people generous enough to subsidize the costs for me. I have missed so many opportunities to improve my game solely because I could not afford it. 

Photo courtesy of Lea Jih-Vieira/Mountain View Polo.

Despite polo bearing the nickname “the rich man’s sport,” these challenges are experienced by the entire equestrian community, regardless of discipline. Purchasing or even leasing a horse is an enormous financial burden, one that many equestrians cannot pay for. Expensive equipment and attire prevent many riders from participating in competition. Depending on where someone lives, it can be difficult to simply find a barn close enough and affordable enough to start lessons. Considering these barriers are most prevalent in urban spaces where 56% of residents are POC and 17.7% of children live in poverty, we start to uncover an explanation for the lack of diversity. 

The underlying issue why we have a lack of diversity in equestrian sport amounts to a socioeconomic issue. The historic systems in place, meant to limit people of color, are so interwoven in the fabric of our country that we may not even realize how much they influence our lives today. When ethnic and racial minorities are facing challenges like generational poverty, unemployment, and psychological distress, spending money and resources on a leisurely activity like riding is unimportant. To make equestrian sport more inclusive, we must be mindful of the struggles of these communities. It is simply not feasible for these families to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars per month for a couple of riding lessons and one competition.

It is up to organizations such as the United States Eventing Association, United States Polo Association, Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, and others to show that they care about breaking down barriers for low-income individuals interested in entering the sport. By allocating money to help this population of aspiring equestrians start their careers, these organizations are not only supporting these individuals, but are setting an example for everyone in the community — we all should care about making our sport more inclusive because we get to share the joy of it with others. By breaking down financial barriers, we will invite more diverse communities into the sport that never would have had access otherwise. 

If we fail to acknowledge just how many barriers are inherent to the sport, we fail to make it accessible to all. By recognizing its shortfalls and targeting the communities that have been historically excluded because of those barriers, the equestrian community will finally be able to effectively promote diversity and inclusion. 

Get Involved: Lea’s equestrian sport of choice, polo, has traditionally been known as one of the most cost prohibitive. But access barriers to the sport are slowly being dismantled, thanks to the hard work of individuals and clubs within the sport. No longer is it necessary to own your own string of horses or equipment to get involved — clubs like Mountain View Polo in Charles Town, WV, which Lea is shown representing in the photos above, invite anyone to get involved regardless of their age or riding experience. Many polo clubs now offer instruction — visit the U.S. Polo Association website to find a club near you.

Perhaps you’ve heard of Philadelphia’s Work to Ride program. This non-profit community-based prevention program aids disadvantaged urban youth though constructive activities centered on horsemanship, equine sports and education, and it’s free to low-income inner city at-risk youth. In 1999 Work to Ride made history with the first African-American polo team in the nation; since then it has gone on to win honors including the National Interscholastic Polo Championship, and its players have gone on to compete at the sport’s highest level. Learn how you can get involved here. 

Could this type of program model be adapted to other cities and equestrian disciplines? Let’s get to work on it.

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.

Monday News & Notes from Fleeceworks

By on Aug 31, 2020 7:51 am -

View this post on Instagram

Just a typical Grand Prix Sunday…

A post shared by Hampton Classic (@hamptonclassic) on

And so here we are, at the end of all things — or at the end of summer, anyway, particularly if you’re stuck in the endless deluge of English August right now. Even if you’re not — and unless you’re in like, the endless sun of the West Coast — you’ll have smelled the faintest hint of the changing of the seasons over the last week. The leaves are looking a little bit browner, those early mornings have an edge to them, and you might even have — gasp! — pulled out a turnout rug to keep on standby.

2020 has sped by (okay, sometimes it’s drooled by at the pace of swiftly-setting maple syrup) without most of the touchstones we usually use to mark the passing of a year. Goals have been dismantled, annual pilgrimages to major competitions have been cancelled, and in so many ways, the startling realisation that we’re heading into the sunset months feels like a personal failure. What have we done with 2020? Have we wasted a year?

We haven’t. While it might not be a normal year by anyone’s reckoning — and sure, we won’t be clamouring to repeat it anytime soon — it’s been a year of change. It’s been a year to focus inwards, to address what we really need from our lives; to hone, and to create, and to shuffle our priorities in a way we’ve perhaps never had the time or inclination to do. But it’s been bigger than us as individuals, too; bigger than perfecting 20m circles, taking time to read more books, baking the perfect banana bread. This has been a year in which we’ve learnt so much about the world around us and the part we can play in it — consciously or unconsciously, for better or for worse. So, so many of us have broadened our perspectives and closed our mouths, learning to see familiar environments through unfamiliar eyes. We’ve stood up and shouted, we’ve stood down and listened, we’ve got some things right, we’ve got many others wrong, and we’ve learned — a crucial first step in being able to enact positive, long-lasting change. Now, although 2020 is on its way out, we can look ahead to the year to come, knowing that whatever it may bring, we’ll be ready to handle it with grace and fortitude. So today, I’m not letting the hint of autumn bring me down. Instead, I’m looking at it as a step towards a better, more inclusive year. That’s a pretty damn good trade-off for having to pull the turnout rugs out, I think.

National Holiday: It’s National Diatomaceous Earth Day. Time to raise a glass to the sedimentary rock in your life. Or, if you’re in the UK, it’s time to enjoy a Bank Holiday. Much better.

Weekend Results – US:

Weekend Results – UK:

Global Eventing Bulletin:

  • The second leg of the condensed FEI Nations Cup series took place at Poland’s Strzegom Horse Trials, which ran a plethora of international classes including a CCI4*-L that was 40% Prices. They didn’t win, though. Catch up on EN’s coverage here. Full results available here.

  • Ireland’s Ballindenisk held a ‘home international’ — open only to riders within the country, in keeping with Ireland’s current border regulations — with classes from one-star to four-star. Sarah Ennis and Horseware Stellor Rebound claimed the CCI4*-S, proving that COVID-19 hasn’t dampened their inherent zoom. You can find results here.

Your Monday Reading List:

Australian eventer Paul Tapner has headed home after three weeks in the hospital. His stint follows a freak fall out hacking, which lead to a stroke. Team EN continues to send our collective well-wishes to our friend Taperz, who’s one of the busiest bees in eventing. [Paul Tapner in ‘good spirits’ as he leaves hospital following brain bleed]

There’s truly no therapy quite like horses. This beautifully-penned account of a young rider in the Maryland Therapeutic Riding programme will give you pause for thought this morning — and, okay, maybe bring a tear to your eye, too. “One important and distinct fact that must be weekly-remembered (and weekly-reminded) is that Lewis is afraid of horses. Every week, he arrives with his mother so that he might overcome the fear within his mind in order to improve the strength of his body. Fifty two times per year, Lewis finds the resolve to sit up high on the back of an animal a hundred times his size, to practice the peculiar balance beyond simply standing on one’s own feet, to stretch out muscles that would otherwise wither and fall into atrophy, to connect with beings outside of his own magnificent experience. And though we help him, we are just little humans standing below with our arms ready to catch his small form were he to fall. But he is still afraid. He sees something that we do not see.” [Good Boy]

What does it mean to be an ally? That’s the focal point of Shaquilla Blake’s op-ed for Noelle Floyd, which challenges the idea that a person can be silent without being complicit. Her voice will empower you today — after that, it’s up to you to pass that power along. [Equestrian Allies, It’s Time to Speak Up]

We’ve all picked up new hobbies during the pandemic, but have you tried your hand at a new discipline? Grand Prix dressage rider Anna Buffini has, and it’s a rogue one — she’s put her gymnastics background to good use and learned the art of Roman trick riding. And you thought DQs were poncey? [Anna Buffini Embraces Her Inner Daredevil]

Horse&Hound has rounded up some of the most, erm, creative showjumps out there. Would you be up for giving any of them a go? More leg needed, we think. [16 of the spookiest showjumping fences — would your horse go near any of these?]

Monday Follow:

We love Anne Thomsen‘s whimsical equestrian illustrations, which marry old-school picture-book charm with all the nuance of a life lived in the barn. But we really, REALLY love this little masterpiece, which reminds us all to make use of our democratic privileges (and work on rollback turns, too).

What I’m Listening To: I’d be lying if I said I didn’t LIVE for an embarrassing anecdote. Other people’s, my own, it doesn’t matter — if it combines the magical elements of a full-body laugh with a toe-curling bit of cringe, I’m in. So I was delighted to see that the latest instalment of the COTH podcast covers just that — juicy little bits of head-in-hands embarrassment from some of your favourite riders. Delish.

Donation Station: 2020 has truly been the year of the social media challenge, and here’s one for a great cause. Brooke is one of the world’s foremost equine welfare charities, working tirelessly to improve the lot of working horse, ponies, mules and donkeys around the world by providing education, outreach and vital veterinary services. You can do your part to help this week by taking part in HACK5. The premise is simple: tack up and head out for a five-mile ride, donate a fiver here, and tag five friends to challenge them to do the same. Giddy up!

Monday Video from Fleeceworks:

Sometimes, you just need to dive into one of my favourite classic videos — like this one, in which eventers and jockeys swap jobs around monster tracks at Gatcombe and Aintree. You wouldn’t see these sort of shenanigans these days, that’s for sure!

Germany Wins the Nations Cup in Strzegom; Ingrid Klimke Is 1st & 2nd on Individual Podium

By on Aug 30, 2020 12:35 pm -

Photo by Mariusz Chmieliński.

German riders were victorious in the second leg of the FEI Nations Cup in eventing, taking the top spot on both team and individual podiums. The Netherlands finished second and Poland third.

The win for the German team was guaranteed after the cross country phase, relegating the previous leaders – the Netherlands – into second place. Ingrid Klimke with SAP Asha P had the best result (2nd place on a score of 30.2) on the team, which also included Andreas Dibowski with FRH Corrida (5th), Beeke Jankowski with Tiberius 20 (7th) and Heike Jahncke with Mighty Spring (17th). SAP Asha P was the only horse in the division to post double-clear jumping rounds, moving them from 10th after dressage into the penultimate spot. The reigning European champion also won the class individually, leading from pillar to post with SAP Hale Bob OLD. They finished with a dressage score of 21.7, a four-fault show jumping round and 2.4 cross country time penalties for a final score of 28.1.

Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD. Photo by Leszek Wójcik.

The Dutch team (Merel Blom with Ceda N.O.P, Jordy Wilken with Burry Spirit, Raf Kooremans with Dimitri N.O.P and Laura Hoogeven with Wicro Quibus) were in the lead after dressage and show jumping but dropped a podium step after cross country. The best result in the team and third place individually belonged to Merel Blom.

The cross country trial saw the Polish team (Mateusz Kiempa with Lassban Radovix, Joanna Pawlak with Fantastuc Frieda, Jan Kamiński with Senior and Michał Hycki with Moonshine) move up into the third place. The best result among them belonged to Mateusz Kiempa, who moved from second after show jumping into fourth due to cross country time penalties.

Yoshiaki Oiwa with Tullyoran Cruise JRA. Photo by Leszek Wójcik.

Placings were shuffled after cross country and then shuffled again after show jumping in the CCI4*-L division. New Zealander Jonelle Price with Grappa Nera stole the lead from husband Tim Price after cross country, but then gave it away with a rail in show jumping to Japanese rider Yoshiaki Oiwa with Tullyoran Cruise JRA. Jonelle ended second with Grappa Nera and third with McClaren; Tim ended up in fourth.

More photos:

Watch a replay of CCI4*L cross country:

#LottoStrzegomHorseTrials: follow the last XC today 🔴 LIVE. Watch CCI4*-LVideo by Świat koni#shtstrzegom #wkkw #eventing

Posted by Strzegom Horse Trials on Saturday, August 29, 2020

The win in the CCI3*-L class belonged to German rider Julia Mestern with Monarts Masterpiece. Second place went to her teammate Malin Hansen-Hotopp with Quidditch K, and Merel Blom from the Netherlands was third on Crossborder Radar Love.

The best athlete of the CCI2*-L was Merel Blom with Corminta vom Gwick. The next two places on the podium were taken by German riders: Andreas Dibowski with Calahari before Katarina Tietz with Chapeau Claque 49.

As for the short format classes, Dirk Schrade won the CCI3*-S class riding Casino 80, second place went to Arthur Duffort from France with Gredington Mailthyme, and Sonja Buck with Carla Bruni finished third. Greta Busacker from Germany was the best in the Young Riders category with Coco Maurice 2 and Julia Gillmaier from Poland took home the third place, riding Red Sunrise 2. Dirk Schrade was first and third in the CCI2*-S class with Cold Red Rum and La Duma. Second place went to Ingrid Klimke riding Cascamara. The best Junior rider was Greta Busacker aboard Scrabble 15. The CCI1* Intro was won by Sophie Leube (GER) with Skyjacker 3.

German athletes dominated the podium of the CCIP2*-L class for ponies. Jule Krueger was the best with Steendiek’s Max Edition, Pita Schmid with Sietlands Catrina was second, and third place went to Linn Zepke with Betty Boo 14.

More than 217 horses from 17 countries competed in 11 classes at this year’s LOTTO Strzegom Horse Trials. Visit the event’s Facebook page for more videos, interviews and photo galleries.

Strzegom Links: Website, Results, EN’s Coverage

Sunday Links from One K Helmets

By on Aug 30, 2020 12:01 am -

Dana Cooke and FE Mississippi. Photo by Shelby Allen.

You know what they say about horseshoes and luck, well in this sport it never hurts to have a little of the former on your side. Of course, luck has a lot more leverage when it’s backed up with hard work. Keep grindin’!

National Holiday: National Grief Awareness Day

U.S. Weekend Action

Chattahoochee Hills H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Silverwood Farm H.T.: [Website] [Live Scores]

Strzegom Links: Website, Timetable, Start Times, Live Scoring, EN’s Coverage

Sunday Links: 

Paul Tapner in ‘good spirits’ as he leaves hospital following brain bleed

‘Horsemanship Can’t Be Allowed to Die Out’: An Argument for The Barn Rat

Now On Course: Seeing Double with the Curtis Twins

Tokyo Talk: USEF Releases Updated Selection Procedures

From The Magazine: Anna Buffini Embraces Her Inner Daredevil

Fitness & Flexibility: A Glimpse Inside McLain Ward’s Training Philosophy

Sunday Video: BTS with Doug Payne and US Coach Erik Duvander.

FE Stormtrooper Steps Up for Fredericks in Chattahoochee Hills Advanced

By on Aug 29, 2020 3:19 pm -

Clayton Fredericks and FE Stormtrooper. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Clayton Fredericks is riding with one singular goal: to represent Australia at the Tokyo Olympics. It’s been eight years since his last team appearance, but he thinks Diana Crawford and Kingfisher Park’s FE Stormtrooper is the horse who can can make that dream a reality.

“The plan to earn team consideration for Australia is keep winning. There’s no other way to get on the team than to create a situation where they have to have you. That means your scores have to be good and you have to be reliable, so that’s what I’ve got to do,” Clayton said.

If winning is what he needs to do, he’s on the right track. He and the 11-year-old Hanoverian (Stakkato’s Highlight x  Levina, by Levisto) took home the blue ribbon today in the Advanced Division at Chattahoochee Hills. Leading the pack overnight, Clayton and “Stu” cranked out a clear round with 8.4 time penalties to finish on a score of 39.1.

“I’ve been working hard to improve the score in the dressage and improve the show jumping and just figure the horse out really, and today was a chance to go a lot faster. I think there was only one inside the time and it was a pretty testing course,” he said. “He was super enjoyable. Everything is in line as far as I’m concerned for what we were trying to achieve.”

Rebecca Brown and Dassett Choice. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Rebecca Brown had a smile plastered from cheek to cheek as she came through the finish flags with Dassett Choice. I think we’d all have done the same after a clear round with the sporty 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Caricello x Vilja, by Hemmingway). The pair added 8 time penalties to finish in second place on a result of 40.3.

Bobby Meyerhoff’s determination on today’s cross country paved the way for a major leaderboard climb with Fortuna, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Balou du Rouet x Nova Keur, by Consul) owned by Robert Meyerhoff.  The very last pair on course, they picked up just 3.6 time penalties bumping them from 13 spots to a third place finish on 44 points.

Waylon Roberts and Lancaster. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Waylon Roberts piloted his and Michelle & John Koppin’s Lancaster to fourth place. The 13-year-old Canadian Sport Horse had a clear round with 4.8 time penalties to finish on a score of 45.1.

Jon Holling and Dushi Terma. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Dushi Terma, a 12-year-old KWPN (Valliant x Naterma, by Ammareto D I), who is owned by Jon Holling, Constance Ann Holling and Team Rebecca, had a classy run this morning with Jon Holling in the tack. This pair, who were ninth after yesterday’s show jumping, moved into fifth after 9.2 time penalties.

Brazil’s Nilson Da Silva and Rock Phantom, the dressage winners, cleaned up in sixth place. He and the 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Spirit House x  Ballycroy Rose, by Clonakilty Hero) had a quick clear for a final result of 46.3.

Nilson Da Silva and Magnum’s Martini. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Nilson didn’t let his foot off the gas with his other ride, Magnum’s Martini, a 16-year-old Oldenburg (Magnum x Momo’s Girl) owned by Nilson and the MM Syndicate. They were the only pair in the division to go double clear, which made them the biggest leaderboard climbers going from 25th to 10th on a final score of 48.2.

The Pan American Games partnership of Dana Cooke and FE Mississippi, a 10-year-old Württemberger (Cassini II x Liastra, by Legaat) owned by the FE Mississippi Syndicate, were seventh on 46.6 points. They had a clear round with 12 time penalties.

Alex Baugh and Mr Candyman. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Alex Baugh and Mr Candyman, a 13-year-old Holsteiner (Canto 16 x Montara, by Corofino I) owned by Altorac Farm, turned up the heat to move from 20th to 8th after the cross country phase. Their final score was 47 after 3.2 time penalties.

Zach Brandt had first-timer Direct Advance looking confident around the 3800m track. The 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Night Cruise x Herbst Jennie B, by Concorde) had 15.6 time penalties for a three-phase result of 47.8.

This Advanced division certainly was no dressage show. Yesterday’s show jumping coupled with Hugh Lochore’s cross country course gave riders plenty of challenge, and the leaderboard reflected that. Only one pair, Nilson Da Silva and Magnum’s Martini were able to go clear inside the time, though Zoe Crawford and K.E.C. Zara did manage to beat the clock, despite one stop on course.

Of the 30 starters, 19 finished with no jump penalties. Four withdrew before the cross country. Gabrielle Ruane and Lismakeera and Brewski parted ways at 19A, a hanging log drop, but the rider was up quickly and unharmed. Ashley Hays and Call It Courage both fell at fence 9, the Kidney Pond.

Thank you to everyone at Chatt Hills for following USEF COVID-19 guidelines.

Go eventing.

Chatt Hills: Website, Live Scores, Ride Times, EN’s Coverage

 

Dutch Lead Strzegom Nations Cup; Ingrid Klimke & SAP Hale Bob OLD Atop Show Jumping Scoreboard

By on Aug 29, 2020 5:04 am -

Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD. Photo by Leszek Wójcik.

The second leg of the 2020 FEI Eventing Nations Cup series is underway at Poland’s LOTTO Strzegom Horse Trials, with Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD in the individual lead and the Dutch team on top after Friday’s CCIO4*-NC-S dressage and show jumping phases.

Ingrid was on form with “Bobby,” the reigning European champion and her 2018 Tryon WEG and 2016 Rio Olympic partner. They posted a 21.7 in dressage then added a rail for a score of 25.7 heading into cross country. Ingrid also sits 10th on SAP Sasha P.

#LottoStrzegomHorseTrials: Ingrid KLIMKE – GER – SAP Hale Bob OLD result after the dressage test: 21,7Ingrid KlimkeVideo by Świat Koni#shtstrzegom #wkkw #eventing #FeiEventingNationsCup

Posted by Strzegom Horse Trials on Saturday, August 29, 2020

Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD. Photo by Leszek Wójcik.

An interview with Ingrid Klimke, the leader after two trials in the CCI4*-S class.

Posted by Strzegom Horse Trials on Friday, August 28, 2020

“I’m very happy, especially with Bobby,” Ingrid says. “He remembered what he had done in the arena three years ago [when they won the European Championships at Strzegom], so he did a wonderful job in the dressage. He was quite excited in the jumping and a little bit fresh, so he’s ready for the cross country. Asha was quite tense in the dressage in the beginning, but then she became calm and did a wonderful round in the jumping today.”

Mateusz Kiempa and Lassban Radovix. Photo by Leszek Wójcik.

Polish rider Mateusz Kiempa and Lassban Radovix are 2nd individually, 1.1 points behind Ingrid.

“Dressage and jumping are Lassban’s strong suits, so I was counting on him today,” says Mateusz. “It went 100% according to our plan. You always have to be fully motivated for the cross country trial. I hope everything goes as well as it did today.”

Mateusz Kiempa and Lassban Radovix. Photo by Leszek Wójcik.

The Netherlands’ Merel Blom and Ceda NOP are 3rd, and the Dutch team that also includes Laura Hoogeveen on Wicro Quibus NOP, Raf Kooremans on Dimitri NOP and Jordy Wilken on Burry Spirit lead the Nations Cup team standings. Germany sits 2nd and Austria is 3rd, followed by Poland and Italy.

Merel Blom and Ceda NOP. Photo by Leszek Wójcik.

An interview with Merel Blom from team Netherlands after the jumping trial in the CCI4*-S NC class.

Posted by Strzegom Horse Trials on Friday, August 28, 2020

Cross country takes place on Saturday — take a look at the 4* courses via these videos.

Check out a bit of the coursewalk of the cross country track in the CCI4*-S Nations Cup class with Italian rider Andrea Cinncinati.

Posted by Strzegom Horse Trials on Friday, August 28, 2020

Check out the CCI4*-S coursewalk video with #2 of the world rankings – Tim Price Team Price.

Posted by Strzegom Horse Trials on Friday, August 28, 2020

Friday was the last day of the dressage tests in the short 3* and 2 * classes. Germany’s Dirk Schrade has the lead in both of them with Casino 80 and La Duma. The 2* class for juniors and 3* class for young riders were dominated by German rider Greta Busacker with Scrabble 15 and Coco Maurice 2. It was also a showjumping day for the 1* Intro class, led by Sophie Leube riding Skyjacker 3.

New Zealand’s Tim and Jonelle Price hold the top four positions in the CCI4*-L — you can read our dressage report on that division here.

The Strzegom live stream will be broadcast on both the event website and on Facebook. The remainder of the broadcast schedule is as follows:

Saturday, Aug. 29 
Cross Country from 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. CEST / 3 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EDT

Sunday, Aug. 30 
Cross Country from 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. CEST / 3:30 – 8 a.m. EDT
9:30 a.m. CEST – CCI2*-S/CCI2* -S -J cross country
12:15 p.m. CEST – CCI3*-S/CCI3* – S – YR cross country

CCIO4*-NC-S Top 10 After Show Jumping:

Strzegom Links: Website, Timetable, Start Times, Live Scoring, EN’s Coverage

Saturday Links from Nupafeed USA

By on Aug 29, 2020 12:01 am -

Photo courtesy of LOTTO Strzegom Horse Trials.

Itching for a live stream today? If you’re up bright and early  — and we mean early — you can catch nine and a half hours of cross country action out of Poland from the LOTTO Strzegom Horse Trials. The card includes a CCI4*-L in which the Price family currently holds the top four places and the second leg of the 2020 FEI Eventing Nations Cup series. Cross country phases will be running from 3 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EDT on the event website, Facebook, and for the Nation’s Cup leg, FEI TV (which is free through the end of September.) Click here for more info on the schedule and how to watch.

National Holiday: National Chop Suey Day

U.S. Weekend Action

Chattahoochee Hills H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Silverwood Farm H.T.: [Website] [Live Scores]

Strzegom Links: Website, Timetable, Start Times, Live Scoring, EN’s Coverage

Saturday Links

Not Today, Apocalypse: Today, We Ride!

Paul Tapner in ‘good spirits’ as he leaves hospital following brain bleed

From race car driver to championship level eventer, Halliday-Sharp has a need for speed

Chilli Morning clones being prepped for competition and breeding: ‘It’s Chilli’s DNA’

With COVID-19 Staring Them Down, How Do Event Organizers Make Cancellation Decisions?

Archery history: Horseback archers of the East, Orient and ancient world

Saturday Video: Catch up with Ingrid Klimke who has two horses in top 10 of the Strzegom CCIO4*-S Nations Cup after the first two phases.

Ingrid KLIMKE – interview after jumping

An interview with Ingrid Klimke, the leader after two trials in the CCI4*-S class.

Posted by Strzegom Horse Trials on Friday, August 28, 2020

Chattahoochee Hills: The Sky’s The Limit for Clayton Fredericks & FE Stormtrooper

By on Aug 28, 2020 7:40 pm -

Clayton Fredericks and FE Stormtrooper. Photo by Shelby Allen.

For most people, 2020 has been a dumpster fire of lost dreams, but this year has been a land of opportunity in Clayton Frederick’s eyes. In January, the Tokyo Olympic Games seemed out of reach for the silver medalist, but postponement was a chance for him to seriously throw his hat into the ring for team Australia. His frontrunner at the moment is FE Stormtrooper, an 11-year-old Hanoverian (Stakkato’s Highlight x  Levina, by Levisto) who currently tops the Chattahoochee Hills Advanced division.

“You get an extra year to prepare for an Olympic Games. That for me was an advantage because I was probably slightly behind the eight ball getting these horses and getting ready for Tokyo, but this year has ended up being an opportunity to consolidate, and I think we’ll actually be pretty ready next year,” Clayton said.

For “Stu,” who is owned by Diana Crawford and Kingfisher Park, this quieter year gave him a chance to get comfortable in his skin. Today’s performances showed that in illuminating color. On the flat, he was tied for third, and had a clear show jumping in the afternoon for a two-phase score of 30.7.

“He’s starting to get more established. It’s taken a while with him. He’s a very high strung horse, so he’s needed to settle into himself,” he said. The trick? Elbow grease and patience. “It’s just work. It just takes time. This is my third year riding him, but it just takes time with them. With him, he tries so hard, so if it’s not right or he feels like he’s under pressure, he gets worried. So you’ve got to take it really steady with him and build his confidence. I really feel that it’s taken me a while to build his confidence with me – he really trusts me now.”

“I think he’s a horse certainly for teams, and having this extra year … fingers crossed, touch wood – If he stays going the way he’s going and improving like he has, I would hope that he’s going to get me back into the team,” Clayton said.

Clayton is also eighth with another promising horse, FE Always In Time, a 9-year-old Trakehner owned by Clayton, Adele Siewert and Eckart Siewert, with one pole down for a score of 36.1.

Leslie Law and First Class. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Riding for Beatrice Rey-Herme, Leslie Law moved into second place with QC First Class. The 9-year-old Oldenburg (Fuestenball OLD x Laguna, by Lortino) posted a 31.8 on the flat and added nothing to it over fences. He’s less than three seconds on the cross country course behind our division leaders.

Leslie is also fifth with Tre’ Brooks’ Voltaire de Tre, an 11-year-old Selle Francais (Gentleman IV x Jasmina du Fresne, by Socrate de Chivre) on a clear round and a score of 33.8

Zach Brandt and Direct Advance. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Zach Brandt and Direct Advance are third. This is the 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse’s (Night Cruise x Herbst Jennie B, by Concorde) debut at the level, and on the flat he laid down a 31.8 — forming a tie with Leslie Law and first class — but was one second too slow in the show jumping to drop into third on 32.2 penalty points.

Rebecca Brown and Dassett Choice. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Rebecca Brown might be wishing she’d been just a tad faster over Chris Barnard’s show jumping course today. She and her own Dassett Choice had a class round, but 1.6 time penalties broke the tie they held with division leaders Clayton and Stu. Nevertheless, she and the 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Caricello x Vilja, by Hemmingway) still hold fourth place on a score of 32.3.

Ashlynn Meuchel and Emporium. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Ashlynn Meuchel and Emporium hold sixth overnight. The 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Cartano x Upana), owned by Ashlynn and Ashley Creek Stables, rode a clear round from 14th to their current position after a faultless show jumping effort in the pair’s second start at the level.

Dana Cooke and FE Mississippi. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Canada’s Dana Cooke piloted the flashy FE Mississippi, a 10-year-old Württemberger (Cassini II x Liastra, by Legaat) into seventh place. The Pan American Games partnership jumped clear to remain on their dressage score of 34.6.

Jon Holling is ninth aboard a very promising ride, Dushi Terma. The 12-year-old KWPN (Valliant x Naterma, by Ammareto D I), who is owned by Jon, Constance Ann Holling and Team Rebecca saw one rail fall for a current score of 37. Alexandra Green Kerby and Fernhill Limited Edition round out the top ten on a score of 37.3.

Of the 30 starters, only 7 achieved rounds without poles or time over Chris Barnard’s track for a double clear jumping rate of 23.3%. In addition to those mentioned above Zoe Crawford and K.E.C. Zara were also among those who jumped clear today.

Alexander O’Neal and Pauldary’s Arctic Tiger. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Alex O’Neal and Gayle Davis’ Pauldary’s Arctic Tiger stepped up to lead the CCI3*-S class. The 8-year-old Anglo European (Pauldary’s Funky Tiger x Pauldary’s Tigers Touch of Fro), a first-timer at this level, are sitting pretty on a 29.5 ahead of tomorrow’s cross country phase.

Alex is also third with Miss MoneyPenny V, who had two rails for a score of 28.9.

Tomorrow is cross country day! The Advanced division will kick things off at 9 a.m. over Hugh Lochore’s course, followed by the three-star will follow at 10:25 a.m. Stay tuned for more from Chatt Hills.

Chatt Hills: Website, Live Scores, Ride Times, EN’s Coverage

 

 

 

 

Friday Video from SmartPak: A Toast to Chilli Morning

By on Aug 28, 2020 6:34 pm -

It’s been just a handful of days since we said a sad goodbye to Chilli Morning, the Badminton-winning partner of William Fox-Pitt and arguably one of — if not the — greatest stallions the eventing world has ever seen. And so it’s only right to see in a weekend full of eventing with a look back at some of the stellar moments of his remarkable career. Whether you use them as a valuable free riding lesson — which, frankly, we always recommend when watching videos of Lanky Will in action — or just an excellent bit of inspiration for your own journey with your horse, join us in raising a glass to the legend. May his legacy outlast us all.

Go Eventing.