Classic Eventing Nation

Wednesday News & Notes from EcoVet

By on Jun 10, 2020 12:06 am -

Like many of you, I find myself in the midst of a lot of personal reflection in the recent weeks. The events that have transpired since George Floyd’s death have triggered what I hope is a true revolution and shift in perspective within our community. While it’s true that we’re an eventing publication, the reality is that systemic racism and the limits it puts on countless people each day is a very real part of our world, too. The trickledown effects lead us here: to an industry dominated by one majority, many of the rest separated by a yawning economic divide. I acknowledge that we here at Eventing Nation continue to have more work to do in bringing attention to more voices of color and more cultures across our incredible sport.

Bearing this in mind, I’ve decided to use my weekly little space here much as Tilly has: to create more space for amplifying the voices of people of color, bringing awareness to access programs, and asking for your help in alerting us to the stories and voices we need to know about. A singular effort is always better and more successful when turned into a collaborative effort. If you have a tip for a story we should be telling or how we can be better allies, please tip me at [email protected] or the team at [email protected]. Together, we can be a solution.

PS: If you’d like a primer on why all of this is such a prominent conversation right now, read this.

National Holiday: Today I learned that June 11 is known as King Kamehameha Day in Hawaii. A monarch with a vision of unification, Kamehameha the Great brought the Hawaiian islands together as one royal kingdom in 1810, bringing an end to years of turmoil.

Wednesday News & Notes:

I’d love for you to learn about the Work to Ride program in Philadelphia, PA, this week. This program provides access to a “community-based prevention program that aids disadvantaged urban youth though constructive activities centered on horsemanship, equine sports and education.” I first caught wind of this organization, which centers much of its focus on the sport of polo, in a recent Ralph Lauren campaign. Access programs such as these are a wonderful starting point for giving more kids a life impacted and shaped by horses.

Perspective from our brave Gen Z’ers has been cropping up all over the equestrian internet recently. This op-ed from Lauryn Gray published by The Chronicle of the Horse provides a look into the life of an equestrian of color who wants to use her circle of influence to spread education. Take a read here.

US Equestrian chief executive officer Bill Moroney released a letter positing the organization’s stance and action plan regarding racism. You can also read the USEA’s statement here.

An update has been issued on the ongoing frangible jump fundraiser through the USEA. Currently, the fundraised amount sits just $85,000 short of the original $500,000 goal. Catch up on the latest efforts and how you can be involved here.

What We’re Listening To: In episode #114 of the Major League Eventing Podcast, hosts Karen and Rob chat with five-star eventer Sara Mittleider. Sara rode around Kentucky at just 19 years old and is currently on the USEF Developing rider list. Sara and her husband Attila along with her parents operate Rocky Hollow Farm in Kuna, Idaho. [Listen]

Wednesday Video Break: Go behind the scenes of the incredible Compton Peace Ride organized by the Compton Cowboys in Los Angeles this past weekend.

Ecovet is an entirely different type of fly spray … and you apply it to your horse in a different way, too. With fly season upon us, we’re sharing some tips for how to best apply Ecovet:

Road to the Thoroughbred Makeover: Back on Track

By on Jun 9, 2020 11:00 am -

For 616 accepted trainers, the journey to the Retired Racehorse Project’s 2020 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, is underway! The 2020 event will take place at Oct. 7-10 at the Kentucky Horse Park. Between now and then, five eventing trainers will be blogging their journeys, including their triumphs and their heartbreaks, successes and failures, for Eventing Nation readers. Today, we’re checking in with trainer Kristal Gessler. You can read her first RRP blog here.

Kristal is from Rexford, NY, and operates her business, Kristal Clear Equestrian, a new sport horse training facility specializing in restarting OTTBs, out of Burnt Hills, NY. This will be her second year competing in the Makeover — last year she finished 6th in eventing with her 4-year-old Prolific. This year she returns with Fraternal (barn name “Romeo”), a Godolphin-bred 2017 17-hand Thoroughbred gelding (Into Mischief  x Sister State, by A.P. Indy). Here is Kristal with her latest update:

Photos courtesy of Kristal Gessler.

After a long 60 days of uncertainty as to whether or not Fraternal and I would be attending the Thoroughbred Makeover or having to sit this year out, I believe we are finally back on track and ready to forge ahead in our training.

Back in April Fraternal sustained an injury playing in his paddock, as babies do, pulling some major muscles in his back making it impossible for him to carry any weight on his back at all. Add in a major growth spurt at the same time and this usually wonderful goofball became quite miserable with anything, even a brush, touching his back. After multiple vet visits including x-rays and ultrasounds it was determined he just needed some time and TLC to heal and grow.

As disappointed as I was at the possibility of not attending the 2020 makeover, Fraternal’s health and wellbeing is of the utmost importance. He is extremely talented and shows great potential to be an upper level competitor in the future. So taking a step back was the only option.

During the first 30 days of Fraternal’s “vacation” he spent his time lounging around, enjoying his daily grooming sessions and weekly PEMF sessions.  It became quite clear he was getting extremely bored as he was consistently getting into a lot of mischief and becoming a bit of a handful. So it was decided that he needed to start back into a low impact routine to keep his mind busy and engaged.

While still technically on “vacation” he began spending his mornings turned out in a large, lush green filed with a very dominant mare, who is doing a great job of reprimanding his extremely coltish behavior and teaching him how to be a respectable young man. There is nothing like a good mare to teach the youngsters how to behave appropriately. Along with this new turnout routine fraternal spent a few days a week doing extremely light ground work, including physical therapy exercises such as lots of stretching side to side, lifting his back, walking over raised cavaletti, endless desensitizing, and just hanging out with me as I watched other riders work their horses. This new routine proved to be quite successful as his coltish behavior became less obnoxious and he seemed much more content.

This week was his first week back into a full program. We started our week back, in full tack, working on groundwork both in the ring/round pen and out in the jump fields. While he was quite content in the ring and round pen showing off a new quite, calm and relaxed demeanor, he was quite exuberant and excited when we moved out to the jump fields. After a few days of consistent work out in the field he became much more civilized and showed us how much he really enjoyed being out  of the ring and out in the open fields.

Day 1 back in the saddle. I’m not going to lie, I was filled with mixed emotions. Excited to be back in the saddle on this amazingly talented youngster but terrified that he wasn’t going to be better and we would be back to square one. As I stepped into the stirrup,  swung my leg over,  and quietly sat in the saddle he remained calm, cool, and collected. That alone was a huge step! Before the 60 days of vacation just the weight of the saddle alone would make him dip his back and grind his teeth in discomfort.

We walked away from the mounting block and he continued to remain relaxed, back felt great, he walked freely forward without any protest. I was elated to say the least! That first ride we were able to walk/trot/canter quietly without any issue and he felt great. It was a huge relief, we are finally back on track.

Day 2 back in the saddle pretty much went the same as day 1. We kept everything exactly the same, very quiet and slow. Just a little walk/trot/canter with a few added distractions going on in the back round: dogs running around, manure dump trucks and tractors emptying the manure bin, and he remained quiet and relaxed and completely tuned in to me and our session. I was extremely happy and overjoyed.

Day 3 back in the saddle we decided to take things a step further. No ground work to start our session, instead we went for a quiet warm up hack with a buddy around the farm before our flat work. Success! After a few head tossing baby moments we quietly led the way around the farm and into the ring where we were able to work, walk/trot/canter, with another horse working around us, maintaining his composure and staying focused on the task at hand. When finished we ended our ride with another hack out around the farm, even schooling the ditch on the way back to the barn. Breathing a huge sigh of relief as we are headed in the right direction and ready to continue our journey to the 2020 makeover.

Looking forward and beginning to plan a proper competition program for him is proving to be extremely difficult due to Covid-19. Our season is just beginning to get underway here in New York,  finally. We are a few months behind where I  would have liked him to be at this point, but we will keep moving forward and take every opportunity possible to get out and get as much off property exposure as possible before our trek to Kentucky. Stay tuned for more monthly updates on Fraternal’s journey to the 2020 Thoroughbred Makeover.

Tuesday News & Notes from Legends Horse Feeds

By on Jun 9, 2020 12:02 am -

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I think Fonz was happy to be back at it!!🐋🐋

A post shared by Mike Pen (@michael.scott44) on

Over the weekend we got to welcome a few new additions to our sport: new frangible devices! This is your advocacy, effort and donations coming to fruition. Thanks, y’all, for working to make our sport safer.

Can you contribute to the USEA’s Frangible Fence Research initiative? Click here to make your secure, tax-deductible donation, earmarked for Frangible Fence Research, today.

National Holiday: National Donald Duck Day

Events Opening This Week: VHT International & H.T., Horse Park of New Jersey Horse Trials II, Hunt Club Farms H.T., FENCE H.T., Mill Creek Pony Club H.T. at Longview, Event at Rebecca Farm,

Events Closing This Week: GMHA June H.T., Fox River Valley Pony Club H.T., Horse Park of New Jersey H.T. I, Chattahoochee Hills H.T., Cobblestone Farms H.T. I, Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Summer H.T.

Tuesday News:

We’re back baby! Three recognized events were held over the weekend. While we’re thrilled to see the run, jump and gallop parade has picked back up, it’s happening just a bit differently now. [The New Normal: Eventing in the Age of COVID-19]

Covert Rights is the five-star event horse with Clydesdale blood. He can hear a peppermint wrapper from five miles away. Go behind the stall door to learn more about this superstar. [Behind The Stall Door With: Covert Rights]

Here’s today’s LOL: Top eventer’s dismay as walkers report horse ‘blocking footpath’ – in his own field

Tuesday Video:

No Need to Pull an All-Nighter: Rebecca Farm Updates Entry Policy Prior to June 9 Opening Date

By on Jun 8, 2020 7:12 pm -

Alexa Lapp and Cambalda. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Anyone who has taken a trip to the field of dreams that is Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana knows that entries can be as coveted as the first impression rose on The Bachelor. Most years have sleep-deprived eventers clicking the “Submit” button on XEntry at the stroke of midnight, only to find that 600 of their peers are doing the same thing at the exact same moment. Chaos ensues, and many riders find themselves out of luck when the dust settles. But this year, you can rest easy. On the eve of the opening date for the 2020 event, which will see an updated format in light of the coronavirus pandemic, organizers released an updated lottery system to ensure a fair chance for all competitors.

An announcement posted on the Rebecca Farm social media states:

“Good news! If you’re planning to register tomorrow (June 9) for The 2020 Event at Rebecca Farm please be aware that you can enter at ANY TIME on June 9. ALL entries received digitally or postmarked on June 9 have the same chances of getting in. ALL ENTRIES received between 12:01a and 11:59p will be put into a random draw if we are oversubscribed. This will help us avoid crashing XEntry and allow you to enjoy your beauty sleep! We look forward to seeing you all next month!”

With entries capped at 300 this year, entries may very well hit oversubscription. So it’s your best shot to go ahead and enter via XEntry or mail your entry tomorrow, June 9. May the odds be ever in your favor!

Monday Video from CLM DWN: The Cutest Piaffe

By on Jun 8, 2020 5:30 pm -

He literally is the absolute best. I can always count on #Fledgethemustang to build confidence and put a smile on a timid riders face. He is #priceless. #fledgeyisthebest #mustangsareworthit #saveahorserideamustang #Fledgeispriceless

Posted by Elisa Wallace Eventing on Tuesday, June 2, 2020

‘Bout time we could all use a cute kid on a cute pony, right?

Elisa Wallace recently introduced a timid young rider to the joys of riding with the help of her super Mustang, Fledge. In addition to eventing at the highest levels with her Australian-born off-track Thoroughbred, Simply Priceless, Elisa is well-known for her work training Mustangs and Fledge is the one that started it all as her first Mustang Makeover partnership in 2012. Since then, you’ve probably seen Fledge and his buddy Rune during some of their demos performed at the Kentucky CCI5* and other big events on the East Coast. All that liberty training sure comes in handy for showing a kid a good time!

Nupafeed Weekend Winners: We’re Baaack!

By on Jun 8, 2020 3:00 pm -

Photo via Meg Kepferle on Facebook.

Meg Kepferle described it best when she called this past weekend “eventing in the time of [Co]rona”. Eventing kicked back into recognized gear this weekend with three events running, and life looked a little bit more “normal” as I found myself drawn to the score pages to track my friends and peers. Things looked a bit different, but the camaraderie that permeates the eventing crowd never left.

Looking through this weekend’s scores, I see many finishing scores dipping down into the 20s. I know score is only a part of the equation, but if these score trends tell us anything, it’s that maybe some of that quarantine polish is paying off. I truly hope that as we return to competition, you begin to see the fruits of your hard work and of perhaps a bit of time off coming to fruition.

Many hats off to the organizers, volunteers, officials, and competitors who helped keep events safe this weekend. As messy and complicated as some of the new protocols may be, they are necessary in order to continue opening events back up. Let’s work together to make sure we keep everyone safe and healthy as we get back to doing what we love! Looking for some perspective on “the new normal”? Check out this great read summarizing the weekend from Jessica Duffy at the USEA.

Finally, a big congratulations is in order to the earner of our lowest finishing score this weekend. It was a tough competition this weekend with several scores finishing below 25, but it’s Jane Musselman and Engapore who take the honors with a score of 21.4 in the Open Novice at River Glen. Jane has won our officially unofficial award in the past, keep up that great work!

River Glen HT: Final Scores

Open Intermediate: Elizabeth Henry and Charlotte La Bouff (22.5)
Intermediate/Preliminary: Erin Pullen and Foreign Affair (35.9)
Open Preliminary: Alex Green Kerby and Fernhill Leitrim Lass (30.2)
Preliminary/Training: Claire Rowlands and Category 5 (30.9)
Open Training: Erin Pullen and Koko Chanel (31.6)
Training Rider Jr.: Adalee Ladwig and Diego (28.1)
Training Rider Sr.: Kaiya Bacon and Iron Invitation (30.5)
Training/Novice: Tate Northrop and Harrison (33.9)
Novice Horse: Megan Edwards and Rock Hard Attitude (29.9)
Novice Rider Jr.: Hannah Brandt and Philosophical (28.3)
Novice Rider Sr.: Alex Sharp and Big Star Bound (28.6)
Open Novice: Jane Musselman and Engapore (21.4)
Beginner Novice Horse: Chelsey Sawtell and Toto’s Weather Tamer (27.3)
Beginner Novice Jr. – A: Faith Newman and Jumble (28.0)
Beginner Novice Jr. – B: Marissa Griffin and Conguistador (24.5)
Beginner Novice Sr. – Marla Doran and Miss Tosonna (28.5)
Open Beginner Novice: Allison Thompson and Miss Mann (28.3)
Starter A: Erin Pullen and Fibonacci (27.0)
Starter B: Audri Hoos and Boo Ribbon (34.0)

Plantation Field June HT: Final Results

Training Horse: Hillary Moses and Cameron (37.1)
Training Rider A: Dana Lortie and Excel Star Midas Touch (27.4)
Training Rider B: Sophia Kager and Little Miss (32.9)
Novice Horse A: Alyssa Phillips and Cornelius Bo (26.7)
Novice Horse B: Alyssa Phillips and FE Celestino (20.20)
Novice Rider B: Elliot Jacobs and Buckharo (35.2)
Beginner Novice Horse A: Lauren Chumley and Scheherazade (26.9)
Beginner Novice Horse B: Donna White and Esprit de Barbereau (26.7)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Stephanie Senserini and Monbeg Icon (33.2)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Caroline Herr and Jack in the Box (33.3)
Beginner Novice Rider C: Caitlin Schwab and Sky Walker (30.3)
Beginner Novice Rider D: Kameryn Stockar and Scandalous Love (33.6)
Intro Horse A: Hannah Keller and Cassia (22.8)
Intro Horse B: Kristen LaDow and Jardin FF (37.2)
Intro Rider A: Erin Beattie and Henry (28.9)
Intro Rider B: Aimee Carson and MHF Christine (33.3)
Intro Rider C: Nicole Yoest and Fergus Maximus (32.3)
Elementary Horse: Kathryn Nelson and Moonshine (24.4)
Elementary Rider: Christina Elliott and The Twilight Zone (21.9)

Ah, eventing in the time of rona. Masks and the hill at plantation certainly highlight lost cardiovascular fitness ……

Posted by Meg Kep on Sunday, June 7, 2020

Feather Creek HT: Final Results
Note: Some scores for this event were incomplete.

Open Preliminary: Samantha Tinney and Glenbrook Cooley (38.9)
Open Training: Ellen Doughty-Hume and Summer’s Due (28.3)
Novice Rider: Emily Walden and Doneraile Star (31.3)
Open Novice: Brittany Vinson and Fernhill Royal Decree (25.5)
Open Beginner Novice: Jennifer Brown and Mr. Hughes (34.1)

Sport Horse Nation Spotlight: Matchmaker Make Me a Match

By on Jun 8, 2020 8:20 am -

In the market for a new four-legged partner? You may find your unicorn on our sister site, Sport Horse Nation. To help with the search, we’re going to feature a selection of current listings here on EN. We include the ad copy provided; click the links for videos, pricing and contact information.

We’re in the the business of matchmaking over on Sport Horse Nation. We want you to meet your dream horse! Here’s the latest listed for sale:

Have you already met your dream horse? Each week we’re spotlighting a different horse/rider combination who came together through the eventing matchmaking service that is EN’s classifieds site, Sport Horse Nation. Have a SHN success story to share? Email it to [email protected]. [Sport Horse Nation]

Woodstock Easy. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

***2 Star Horse For Sale***

Woodstock Easy is an 11 year old, 16.2 hand, TB, Gelding. He has competed successfully through the 2 star level and has scope to go higher! “Scooby” has beautiful movement and a super careful jump. He is quiet, soft, and uncomplicated to ride and has never had a cross-country fault.

Scooby has been owned and ridden by an amateur for many years and is suitable for any level rider. With his kind and easy demeanor on the ground, he is a barn favorite. Priced in the mid five figures. Located in Pennsylvania.

Gliding Class. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Uncomplicated Dream YR/AA Horse

Gliding Class is an uncomplicated dream for a young rider or adult amateur. Has successfully gone Intermediate but is also happy at the lower levels. This 11 year old 16.3 hand Irish gelding scores in the 20s on the flat and is a super clean jumper. Comfortable under saddle and easy on the ground! Priced at 65k. Located in California.

RHF Peterzano. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Upper Level Quality Mr. Perfect

RHF Peterzano. 2012, 16.1 Hanoverian Gelding. Sire: Perigueux – Dam Sire: Now or Never

Serious Inquiries Only! Priced accordingly for temperament, record, and quality. Rare opportunity to be offered on the market a young, top string horse.RHF Peterzano (aka Pepperoni) is a talented 8 yr old gelding with an outstanding temperament, and record to match.

He is only being offered to the right situation, and to help my husband and I secure our farm. Pepperoni has been in a professional program since being imported from Europe at the age of 4. He has been brought along with upper level potential in mind. He has won at every level he has competed at, with consistent scores from the low to mid twenties. He is extremely reliable in show jumping to jump clear or no more than one rail.
He only has had one cross country jump penalty throughout his Eventing career. He goes in all three phases in a snaffle.

He would also be an extremely competitive 1.30 show jumper and speed horse. He is extremely easy on the flat, and is incredibly safe in the jumping, and is not strong in the hand on cross country. He has been used for lessons off and on since the beginning, and is a real favorite to everyone who meets him. His personality is very charismatic and very sweet. He has the same good nature everyday, and loves his job. He is willing to gallop or trail ride in company, or on his own. You can even have a calm ride bareback and in a halter.

Easy to travel with, compete, shoe, clip, and an easy keeper. He gets along with every horse and person he meets, and is happy to be in a stall, on the field, in a group, or by himself. He is known by his many fans as Mr. Perfect, and he truly is. This will not be easy for us to see him go, but he will be someone’s horse of a life time. Located in Idaho.

Excel Star Darcy. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Excel Star Darcy

Excel Star Darcy: 2014 16.2h bay Irish Sport Horse gelding. By Classe VDL out of Danzig Lady.

This 6-year-old comes to us at Excel Star Sport Horses already proving himself in the jumper ring to 1.20m. He’s the rare horse that already has enough miles, but not too many, to prove his excellent disposition and athletic ability. He’s shown consistently in the 1.20m and has cross country schooled, and is ready to go out eventing or show jumping. You would be hard pressed to find a horse as quiet and uncomplicated as Darcy. He ready to do the job easily and happily. Located in South Carolina.

West of Ireland. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

2016 TB Upper Level Prospect

West of Ireland aka Winston is a 2016 thoroughbred gelding, standing 16.1+. Retired sound in July 2019 after only two starts under his breeders silks. By Gio Ponti out a War Chant mare, he is extremely irish bred, and his bone and hooves show it. Winston began his journey as a sport horse at the end of July, and has exceeded all expectations. Balanced, soft, and lovely to flat, he is schooling all lateral work and is capable beyond his age. A rhythmic, cadenced, adjustable canter leads to a brilliant scopey jump from just about any spot. Solidly schooling novice, and is entered in his first recognized event in July (after his intended first event was cancelled in March). Loads, hauls, clips, you name it – he does it well.

This is the type of horse that the competent teenager dreams of, while being talented enough for the professional who wants something with a brain. Perfect home is a must; would love to see someone win the YEH 4yo championships and then cruise up the levels. Clean set of radiographs on file to serious inquiries. Located in Kentucky.

Listings included in this article are randomly selected and confirmed to be current and active before inclusion. Sport Horse Nation features user-generated content and therefore cannot verify or make any warranty as to the validity or reliability of information.

 

Monday News & Notes from Fleeceworks

By on Jun 8, 2020 5:00 am -

What a week it’s been (again! Madness.). It’s been exhausting, it’s been bruising, it’s been desperately sad and also incredibly hopeful, all at once. The world is on the cusp of changing into something kinder, something a little bit closer to equality, and I can feel the seismic shift on the horizon. But the fight for human rights isn’t quite over yet, so stay strong, stay kind, stay gentle and patient when it’s so hard to do so, and keep helping your friends and family to understand exactly what’s being fought for.

If you ever feel under attack because of it, or a little bit like an island in a sea of dissent, know that we’re here. You can find me on social media and I will always stand by you in spirit. (NB to a small minority: if you fancy taking that invitation as an excuse to slide in my DMs and verbally attack me, know that I’ve got a week’s worth of practice dealing with those shenanigans now, so am fairly deft at roundhouse kicking a nasty message back into the ether. My inbox is reserved for joy, kindness, respectful debate, and videos of husky puppies on treadmills.)

A few people messaged me yesterday to check in on how the police horses at the Parliament Square protest were doing. We are, of course, absolutely delighted to say that a social media post has confirmed all were tucked away happily in their stables yesterday evening. No one likes to see evidence of animals in distress, least of all those of us whose entire lives revolve around them. But this note takes us into some murky waters.

What is crucial to note when discussing the viral video that made the rounds is that these protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, but that these isolated incidents are the videos that make the rounds — and that’s partly because there’s an agenda there. After spending a socially distanced afternoon photographing yesterday’s protest, I was saddened to see not a single mention or video of the thousands of people kneeling quietly, singing and dancing together in celebration of Black cultures, or joining in with a feminist celebration in which we all turned to the Black woman nearest us and told her she was beautiful. That’s what social media missed, so we have a responsibility to ensure that a viral video doesn’t become the defining moment of a movement to which it bares little resemblance.

You’re allowed to be angry because horses were involved. Nobody is taking that away from you. But we urge you to be thoughtful in the way you present your anger. That’s a powerful, wonderful thing.

National Holiday: It’s National Best Friends Day today. Give yours a little bit of socially distant love, and save an extra-sloppy smooch for the four-legged one, too.

Event Entry Notes:

Surefire Horse Trials entries will be open until Friday, June 12, 2020. All paperwork must be complete by that date. Please check the website for updates www.surefireeventing.com.

Your Monday reading list:

If you want to learn a little bit about why we’re currently seeing the biggest global protest against racism in history, Jumper Nation editor Lynn Mueller has compiled a brilliant starter list of resources for you. Can I describe Lynn for you in a sentence? Not at all — to try would do a disservice to this dynamic, intelligent woman who contains multitudes. But one of the many, many things she is is Korean, and so she knows all too well the sad reality of racism and then many insidious forms it can take. What does that mean? Well, that we should probably take a moment or ten to listen to what she’s got to say, for one. [Fight Against Inequality: Resources from Readers]

Brianna Noble has become one of the faces of the Black Lives Matter movement, and we’re huge fans of this compassionate trainer of tricky horses and her gelding Dapper Dan. Once upon a time, Dapper Dan was a nearly impossible mount, but plenty of time, love, and invaluable patience has turned him into the type of partner you can ride into a protest in a major city. Erin Gilmore caught up with Brianna to find out more about this remarkable woman and her equine partner. [Brianna Noble is the Horsewoman We All Need Right Now]

It’s no secret that equestrian disciplines are among the most whitewashed of all the sports. But how can we fix that? It’s a conversation I’ve had countless times over the past few years, with the EN team and media colleagues, with riders of all backgrounds, with my diverse group of friends outside the industry who see the horse world as something that wouldn’t want them even if they wanted to be a part of it. It’s an enormous oversimplification to say that the financial commitment that riding requires is the issue here — yes, it’s part of it, but we’re looking at a much more complex issue. But access problems that give children in underserved communities the chance to get close to these special animals is a great first step, as the Chronicle discovers when visiting Baltimore’s City Ranch. [A Closer Look at City Ranch]

Dan Jocelyn’s Olympic mount Silence has been euthanised at the grand old age of 30. There’s not much we love more than seeing these great campaigners enjoy a long, happy retirement. Now, Dan has shared some of his fondest memories with the New Zealand Thoroughbred — a touching farewell to the horse who changed his life. [‘He did things dreams were made of’: farewell to Olympic event horse]

What we’re watching: The clever, witty, and ineffably cool Dear White People on Netflix. This has been one of those shows that I’ve devoured over and over again, hungry for more and so, so grateful for its existence.

Where we’re sending a donation: Leicestershire’s The Urban Equestrian takes the concept of inner-city equestrian access programmes and moves it to the UK’s Midlands, where the city of Leicester sits amid some of the country’s richest hunting country and horsey culture. The story of founder Freedom Zampaladus is an incredibly compelling one, and the work the programme does to change the lives of its kids is profoundly valuable. They’ve got a GoFundMe here.

Monday video from Fleeceworks: 

You probably need some ponies in a paddling pool right now. We’ve got your back.

#EventerProblems Vol. 229, Presented by Haygain: All Systems Go

By on Jun 7, 2020 10:02 am -

Eventing officially returned this weekend with three actual, legit, recognized horse trials, and that means the #EventerProblems have picked back up in earnest. Here’s your latest batch:

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Tornado Tory sticking his nose through the barn doors looking for peppermint puffs! He is stuck for a few days with stitches in our limited turnout paddock, or “Parlor” as we call it, which is directly in front of the barn. He had a sarcoid removed in December but the nasty thing came back with a mega vengeance so we had @tnequinesouth Dr Dunlap look at it and if we needed to test it but he ended up just straight up taking it off! Thankfully The Dragon didn’t rip his stitches out in five minutes like he did the first time 🙄🙄🙄 . . . . . #eventer #eventersofinstagram #eventhorse #horse #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #equestriansofinstagram #dressage #dressagehorse #jumper #showjumping #jumpersofinstagram #eventerproblems

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