Classic Eventing Nation

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:

View this post on Instagram

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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Haygain is a science driven company with the horse’s health as the primary focus.

We are committed to improving equine health through scientific research, product innovation and consumer education in respiratory and digestive health. Developed by riders, for riders, we understand the importance of clean forage and a healthy stable environment in maintaining the overall well-being of the horse.

Our Haygain hay steamers are recommended by the world’s leading riders, trainers and equine vets and ComfortStall® Sealed Orthopedic Flooring System is used and recommended by leading Veterinary Hospitals, including Cornell University.

Sunday Links from One K Helmets

By on Jun 7, 2020 12:01 am -

Getting on social media this weekend felt a lot like I had just escaped from an underground bunker. Horse shows? People are out eventing? I can finally put something in Sunday Links between the “U.S. Weekend Action” and the “Sunday Links”?

Please, please be careful if you are out and about. Wear your masks around others, wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face. Happy eventing!

National Holiday: National VCR Day

U.S. Weekend Action:

Plantation Field H.T. [Website] [USEA H.T. Entry Status] [Starter H.T. Entry Status] [USEA H.T. Schedule] [Starter H.T. Schedule] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

River Glen Summer H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Feather Creek H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Event Entry notes: 

Waradaca H.T.: “Having gotten the official approval from the Montgomery County Health Officer just this morning, we are a GO!! Waredaca is running a one day on June 13, levels BN thru Preliminary. Current entries received are ALL ACCEPTED.  If you still wish to enter, please contact Secretary Cindy directly at [email protected]  Payment is to be completed by END OF DAY SUNDAY; no one will be scheduled if not complete and PAPERLESS– all of the USEF and USEA required entry paperwork.   Payment can be made by Xentry, event entries or PayPal  [email protected] (PLEASE USE FRIENDS AND FAMILY OPTION) Also required from everyone planning to be on the property Saturday,–whoever else is coming with you–  a completed and ELECTRONICALLY FILED Waredaca Waiver of Liability.”

Sunday Links: 

Weekend Quick Links: June 6-7, 2020

Top 10 Tips for Keeping Your White Horse White with Rachael Livermore

Kevin Babington making progress and back teaching after serious neck injury

Wisdom: Weaver Of Friendships

Best of Blogs: So You Want To Be An Ally….

Hot on Horse Nation: How to Turn a Donut Into a Pony in 10 Steps*

Sunday Video: 

Saturday Links from Nupafeed USA

By on Jun 6, 2020 12:01 am -

Photo by Holley Covey.

As of yesterday, the official USEA eventing season is underway once again after it’s months long coronavirus-induced hiatus. Things are still going to look a little different for a while — the now commonplace sight of hand sanitizer and Lysol wipes isn’t going away any time soon. We’ve all be anxiously awaiting this moment, so be smart about it and be safe for the sake of yourself and others! Don’t forget to to all those super-easy safety measures like hand washing that we’ve had drilled into our heads over the past few months. Oh, and that mask you have to wear … please tell me everyone realizes that it needs to cover your mouth AND nose to be doing anything, right? You do breathe through your nose too, don’t you? (Yes, you do.)

National Holiday: D-Day

U.S. Weekend Action:

Plantation Field H.T. [Website] [USEA H.T. Entry Status] [Starter H.T. Entry Status] [USEA H.T. Schedule] [Starter H.T. Schedule] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

River Glen Summer H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Feather Creek H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Saturday Links:

What Do You Do When Your Safe Place Isn’t Safe?

Brianna Noble is the Horsewoman We All Need Right Now

United Horse Coalition Releases Searchable Database For Horses In Need

‘He did things dreams were made of’: farewell to Olympic event horse

The Power of R&R for Horses

Change in animal healthcare infrastructure predicted post Covid-19

Best of Blogs: So You Want To Be An Ally….

Hot on Horse Nation: How to Turn a Donut Into a Pony in 10 Steps*

Saturday Video: Who needs a new summer ‘do?

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: You Never Know

By on Jun 5, 2020 10:00 am -

You just never know where your next eventer might come from, and you just never which horse is going to take to eventing like they were born for it.

Take Left for Dead (Offlee Wild—Princess Megan, El Corredor), a 2013 Pennsylvania-bred gelding, for example. The Chronicle of the Horse published his story earlier this week so make sure you check it out, but the Cliffs Notes version is that the gelding was, unfortunately, aptly named as he was pulled from a large neglect case prior to making his racing debut and later finding his way into eventing.

Where will your next event horse come from? It could very well be one of these three OTTBs:

Spanish Bay. Photo via Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.

Spanish Bay (TAPIT – DUBAI ESCAPADE, BY AWESOME AGAIN): 2015 16.1-hand Kentucky-bred gelding

“Spanish Bay aka ‘Chico’, a 16.1h, 2015 gelding by Tapit out of Dubai Escapade by Awesome Again, arrived from Godolphin LLC and has been been well-cared for in top-class barns his whole life. As a curious, extroverted, and versatile horse, we see many exciting career options ahead for him. Put a western saddle on him, and he jogs along like a pleasure horse, ready to round up cows. Dress him up with a dressage saddle and 4 white polos, and you’ve got yourself a gorgeous dressage prospect with plenty of suspension. Give him some braids and a jump saddle, and he becomes an equitation hunter. Add to his chameleon-like adaptability a sharp mind and a competitive edge, and Chico may just be the horse that can do it all!”

Located in Lexington, Kentucky.

View Spanish Bay on Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.

Woundwithhereyes. Photo via New Vocations Racehorse Adoption.

Woundwithhereyes (INCLUDE – THAT’S A TRICK, BY MAZEL TRICK): 2014 16.2-hand Kentucky-bred mare

“Woundwithhereyes, or ‘Betty’ as we call her because of her big brown soft eyes, is a Kentucky-bred mare who’s ready to start her next career. There’s no mistaking Betty in the barn. Her tall stature and great hair are second to none. Betty is well built, has a great shoulder and succeeded on the track over the course of 33 starts and almost $150,000 in earnings.”

“This lovely lady has great presence under saddle. If you’re looking for a horse with an engine, this athletic young sport horse is the girl for you! She is eager to please and is working on relaxation and stretching. We could see Betty excelling as both an eventing prospect or a jumper. The sky is the limit for Betty. As Betty has more go than whoa, we see her pairing best with an advanced rider.”

Located in Ganesvoort, NY.

View Woundwithhereyes on New Vocations Racehorse Adoption.

Castle and Key. Photo via New Vocations Racehorse Adoption.

Castle and Key (UNCLE MO – DEJA BLU, BY SEEKING THE GOLD): 2017 16.1-hand Kentucky-bred gelding

“As if Castle and Key isn’t handsome enough, he is bursting full of personality. He spends his time in his stall napping or sticking his head out of his stall just begging for someone to come and love on him. He has a personality that will keep you laughing and always wondering what he can come up with next!”

“Castle and Key has three beautiful, lofty gates. He has more whoa than go and is very willing to please! He has been ridden in both our indoor and outdoor rings and by himself and with company. We think this guy has the total package and we are so excited to see him excel! Castle would be well-suited for any number of different disciplines including, but not limited to, show hunters, equitation or dressage with an advanced intermediate rider.”

Located in Lexington, Kentucky.

View Castle and Key on New Vocations Racehorse Adoption.

What’s Still Standing on the June USEA Event Calendar? (And Should You Enter?) [Updated 6/7]

By on Jun 5, 2020 1:01 am -

Stable View Summer H.T. in Aiken, SC, is offering a full refund in the event of competition cancellation. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

With a solid USEF Action Plan in place and USEF/USEA competition bans lifting at the end of the month, several events scheduled or rescheduled for June are gearing up to run — some more tentatively than others, due to the restrictions of their individual states. With their opening dates in the rear view and some closing dates fast approaching, many eventers are left wondering whether to send their entries in now or sit tight until the last possible moment, or even whether to enter at all.

Competition organizers, of course, want us to get those entries in as soon as possible so that they can move forward with preparations. Competitors, on the other hand, want some assurance that they’re not going to be out an entry fee if the event gets canceled. Event cancellation refund policies vary from event to event, ranging from a very generous full refund (Stable View Summer H.T.) to no refund at all (most events). Which is understandable, as competitions have to put a lot of money forward on the front end that they would not be able to recoup, but not confidence boosting for potential competitors.

We’ve listed out a current (as of May 20) schedule of the 16 USEA events in June along with opening/closing dates and refund policies. Please refer to the USEA Competitions Calendar, as well as the individual events’ websites and social media pages, for updates — as we all know too well, anything can change at any moment.

Some events have used the calendar to share their own Covid-19 protocols (in addition to the USEF’s) for running a safe competition, which also goes a long way toward reassuring competitors, many of whom are rightly wary. Many have shifted to a one-day format (Beginner Novice and Novice, for instance, might run all three phases on Saturday, followed by Training and Prelim on Sunday). Others have eliminated food and tack vendors, or come up with creative strategies — Golden Spike H.T., for instance, has enlisted local Pony Club volunteers to act as “social distance officers.” And all required to be compliant with the USEF Action Plan.

If you HAVE already submitted an entry: Please note that pending changes to the USEF Entry Agreement and Waiver and Release form will require that any signature page submitted after April 30th, 2020 be re-signed prior to the competition. Esign has been turned off in Xentry. Entrants shall be alerted when the new forms are in place for re-signing through Xentry.

To enter or not to enter … that’s a question that you’ll have to answer for yourself. And when you do submit that first entry back, do so conscientiously, taking into consideration your horse’s preparation and fitness levels — there’s no shame in dropping down a level until you’re back in the groove. (USEF President Max Corcoran shared some pearls of wisdom on this topic in last week’s “A Safe Return to Competition” USEF/USEA joint webinar.) Most importantly: Once we do get out there, let’s all work together to keep everyone safe!

AREA I

June 27 – 28: GMHA June H.T. (VT)

  • Opens May 12
  • Closes June 9
  • Divisions: BN, N, T, P
  • Event cancellation refund policy: No refund
  • Update 6/3: Canceled

AREA II

June 6-7: The Middleburg H.T. (VA)

  • Opens Apr 21
  • Closes May 19
  • Divisions: BN, N, T, P
  • Notes: Will announce decision about whether to run on Friday, May 22, pending word from the Virginia governor
  • Event cancellation refund policy:  Accepting entries but not collecting payment unless the event runs
  • Update 5/22: Canceled

June 6: Plantation Field H.T. (PA)

  • Opens Apr 21
  • Closes May 19
  • Divisions: BN, N, T, P, I
  • Event cancellation refund policy: No refund

June 13 – 14: Waredaca H.T. (MD)

  • Opens Apr 28
  • Closes May 26
  • Divisions: BN, N, T, M, P, I

Notes: rescheduled from original date. 6/7: “Having gotten the official approval from the Montgomery County Health Officer just this morning, we are a GO!! Waredaca is running a one day on June 13, levels BN thru Preliminary. Current entries received are ALL ACCEPTED.  If you still wish to enter, please contact Secretary Cindy directly at [email protected]  Payment is to be completed by END OF DAY SUNDAY; no one will be scheduled if not complete and PAPERLESS– all of the USEF and USEA required entry paperwork.   Payment can be made by Xentry, event entries or PayPal  [email protected] (PLEASE USE FRIENDS AND FAMILY OPTION) Also required from everyone planning to be on the property Saturday,–whoever else is coming with you–  a completed and ELECTRONICALLY FILED Waredaca Waiver of Liability.”

  • Event cancellation refund policy: No refund

June 13-14: War Horse Event Series June H.T.

  • Opens May 19
  • Closes June 6
  • Divisions: BN, N, T, M, P
  • Notes: Usually a schooling series, WHES applied for USEA licensure to offer more opportunities for riders to compete at recognized competitions (schooling horse trial, dressage and CT divisions are also available)
  • Event cancellation refund policy: Not specified

June 19-21: Surefire Farm H.T. (VA)

  • Opens May 5
  • Closes June 2
  • Divisions: YEH-4, YEH-5, BN, N, T, P, I
  • Event cancellation refund policy: No refund

June 27 – 28: Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Summer H.T. (VA)

  • Opens May 12
  • Closes June 9
  • Divisions: BN, N, T, P, I
  • Notes: The event will announce on or before June 10 if it will run.
  • Event cancellation refund policy: Accepting entries with no payment

June 27 – 28: Horse Park of New Jersey H.T. I (NJ)

  • Opens May 12
  • Closes June 9
  • Divisions: BN, N, T, P, I, A
  • Notes: Status of event pending Covid-19 restrictions in New Jersey. A final decision will be announced on June 5. Entries are being accepted through EventEntries only; no payment is required until June 5.
  • Event cancellation refund policy: Stabling only

AREA III

June 6 – 7: River Glen June H.T. (TN)

  • Opens Apr 21
  • Closes May 19
  • Divisions: Starter, BN, N, TN, T, PT, P, IP, I
  • Event cancellation refund policy: No refund

June 13 – 14: Full Gallop Farm June H.T. (SC)

  • Opens Apr 28
  • Closes May 26
  • Divisions: NEH, Starter, YEH-4, YEH-5, BN, N, TN, T, PT, P, IP
  • Event cancellation refund policy: No refund. Free cross-country school in future.

June 19 – 21: Stable View Summer H.T.

  • Opens May 5
  • Closes June 2
  • Divisions: BN, N, T, M, P, I, A
  • Notes: View Stable View Farm’s social distancing guidelines here
  • Event cancellation refund policy: Full refund

June 27 – 28: Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (GA)

  • Opens May 12
  • Closes June 9
  • Divisions: BN, N, T, M, P, I
  • Event cancellation refund policy: partial refund
  • Event cancellation refund policy: No refund

AREA IV

June 13: Silverwood Farm Spring H.T. (WI)

  • Opens Apr 28
  • Closes May 26
  • Divisions: Starter, BN, N, T, PT
  • Event cancellation refund policy: No refund

AREA V

June 6: Feather Creek Farm H.T. (OK)

  • Opens Apr 21
  • Closes May 19 (accepting post-entries through Monday, June 1, with no late fee)
  • Divisions: Intro, Starter, BN, N, T, P
  • Notes: The horse trials will run over-one day; haul-in fees are waived.
  • Event cancellation refund policy: No refund

June 20 – 21: Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. (TX)

  • Opens May 5
  • Closes June 2
  • Divisions: FEH-2, FEH-3, FEH-4, FEH-YEAR, NEH, Intro, YEH-4, YEH-5, BN, N, T, PT, P, IP, I
  • Notes: rescheduled from original date
  • Event cancellation refund policy: No refund

AREA VI

No events in June

AREA VII

No events in June

AREA VIII

June 27 – 28: Cobblestone Farms H.T. I (MI)

  • Opens May 12
  • Closes June 9
  • Divisions: Starter, BN, N, T, P
  • Notes: Pending status of Covid-19 restrictions
  • Event cancellation refund policy: No refund

AREA IX

June 13 – 14: Golden Spike H.T. (UT)

  • Opens Apr 28
  • Closes May 26
  • Divisions: Intro, BN, N, T, PT, P
  • Event cancellation refund policy: No refund

AREA X

No events in June

Important Links:

Friday News & Notes from World Equestrian Brands

By on Jun 5, 2020 12:03 am -

Just a horse enjoying some really great summer grass. Photo by Emily Pearson.

It’s Friday, and we’re all exhausted. No matter what your life circumstance is this week, it’s been a real slam into June, and personally one of the most exhausting things is uncertainty. Where will we be in two days? In a week? In a month? A few months? 2020 has been unkind to us all, and the best we can do is try to practice intentional and consistent kindness to everyone we come across. I hope everyone is able to spread and experience small instances of kindness this weekend.

National Holiday: National Moonshine Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Plantation Field H.T. [Website] [USEA H.T. Entry Status] [Starter H.T. Entry Status] [USEA H.T. Schedule] [Starter H.T. Schedule] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

River Glen Summer H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Feather Creek H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Somebody in Ian Stark’s neighborhood really needed some wood. So they decided to saw a chunk of his fencing out and take it home, letting his ponies out on the highway in the process. A strange crime, but the ponies were safely recovered and Ian says he’s happy to give anyone that desperate some wood that is NOT from his fence line in the future. [Thieves Dismantle Fencing]

One Baltimore equine therapy program is bringing horses to underprivileged children in a new way. City Ranch introduces children to the healing properties of interacting with horses by bringing horses, a round pen, and all their associated equipment TO the children, making it much more accessible than it usually is. It’s the only program of its kind, and especially in Baltimore, a city plagued with issues, an important one. [Behind the Scenes of City Ranch]

Flashback Friday: Rodney Jenkins & San Felipe Were Classic In Every Sense of The Word

Hot on Horse Nation: Thousands of Black Lives Matter demonstrators took the the streets of Houston on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 to protest the death of George Floyd. Among them were about 50 protestors on horseback, representatives from Nonstop Riders, the city’s urban trail riding club. [Nonstop Riders]

Just in on Jumper Nation: Thanks for the $2.49 ribbon, tho! [10 Hidden Costs of Showing: What No One Tells You Until You Get the Bill]

Best of the Blogs: Reflections From a Token Black Friend

What We’re Listening To: 

Featured Video: Good luck to everyone at Plantation this weekend! Here’s a little throwback …

Fight Against Inequality: Resources from Readers

By on Jun 4, 2020 3:49 pm -

Jumper Nation editor Lynn Mueller is, to mince no words, a boss. In addition to being an accomplished jumper of jumps, she is a runner of ultramarathons, conqueror of spreadsheets, and hobby tamer of all things creepy-crawly (her spiders and reptiles make regular guest appearances during our team conference calls).

Lynn is also Korean, and has endured her fair share of racism. She penned an editorial yesterday, Editor’s Reflection: Part of the Greater Community, that is well worth a read. Today, she follows that essay up with a post that is equal parts personal and pragmatic. 

We are all on a learning curve here. I know that the events of the past week have shaped, and then reshaped, and then reshaped again, my understanding of the nuances of democracy and equality — and I still have questions. As Kate Samuels wrote in Thursday News & Notes this morning: “Take a moment today to sit with your discomfort over current events. What a privilege it is to get to educate yourself on racism, instead of experiencing it yourself throughout your life. Now go use that privilege and actually educate yourself on how to actually help.” -LW

These resources offer an excellent jump start. Thank you for sharing, Lynn. 

Lynn Mueller and Oliver James. Photo by Andrew Ryback.

I’m Korean, though it’s still up for debate whether Asians are “really” BIPOC or POC.  Regardless, I’ve experienced racism when living in China for study abroad (Caucasian students broke into my Taiwanese roommate’s and my apartment, dumped water all over our beds, and threw all our clothes out the window into a dumpster; I was also let go from a freelance weekend English teaching gig after parents reported to the principal that there was no way I could competently speak English well enough so teach the kindergartners “Hello” and “Good bye.”)

I have really dark skin, though Ancestry.com says I’m 100% Korean, and when I lived in Korea 10 years ago, there was still quite a bit of stigma against dark skin. As a VERY broad look back in history, thousands of years ago, if you worked in the fields farming, you would naturally become tan from the sun — whereas if you were a noble, you’d be inside (and therefore, no sun, very pale).

Times may have changed now, as 10 years was a long time ago, but I’ve been pulled into an alley in Seoul by a random guy and also threatened with a crowbar at the back gate of Yonsei University where I did some of my Master’s work.

I don’t mean to tell these as “sob stories,” but rather to say that though I have experienced acts of inequality, and I can begin to understand what it feels like … but these acts and some of the ones that other minorities experience day by day pale in comparison to oppression and even crueler acts that have been faced by African Americans for centuries in the U.S. and continue now.

Some of our readers have shared resources on inequality, racial justice, and youth programs. I’ve compiled them below so the resources aren’t lost in the Facebook comments.

Equality and Racial Justice

  • Racial Equality Tools: An enormous site with tools and research. A good site to find background on how the legislative system has been affecting past and current events, too.
  • Actions to Promote Racial Justice: Aside from this article, reader suggested actions also include simply asking a friend, “What do you need? How can I help?”  The wording in which we ask can be tough.

History

  • Letter from a Birmingham Jail: The full letter from Martin Luther King, Jr. Reader reflection is that really, not much has changed since this time in 1963.

Publications or Collectives:

  • Black Reins: A premier publication for black cowboys and horse enthusiasts.  Facebook is a good place to learn about how African Americans are responding to and discussing about events (in the comments).
  • Compton Cowboys: A collective uplifting the community through the equestrian lifestyle, while highlighting African Americans in both English and Western disciplines.

Youth Programs:

  • Compton Jr. Equestrians (Formerly the Compton Jr. Posse until the retirement of founder Mayisha Akbar): A youth program teaching riding, community, diversity to keep youth off the streets.
  • Ebony Horsewomen: An organization with equine assisted therapy, therapeutic riding, and educational programs to cultivate youth leaders and encourage academic achievement.
  • Chamounix Equestrian Center Work to Ride Program: A community-based prevention program that aids disadvantaged urban youth through equestrian-centered activities.

If you have another great resource that could be added, please let me know in the Facebook comments, and I’ll add it to the list.

Road to the Makeover: The Dappir Ridge Eventing Team Forges Ahead

By on Jun 4, 2020 12:20 pm -

For 616 accepted trainers, the journey to the Retired Racehorse Project’s 2020 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, has begun! The 2020 event will take place at Oct. 7-10 at the Kentucky Horse Park. Between now and then, three trainers plus one team of four trainers will be blogging their journeys, including their triumphs and their heartbreaks, successes and failures, for Eventing Nation readers.

Earlier this year we met a team of four trainers from Dappir Ridge Eventing in Charlottesville, Virginia, and it sounds like they’ve had some hills and valleys since their last check in late March. Any journey is more fun when you’ve got buddies by your side! Here’s an update Adriana Nannini’s update — be sure to check out her website here.

Our fearless leader, Kiki Osbourne, with Sevennotrump aka “Tricks.” Photo courtesy of Adriana Nannini.

Ah, the trials and tribulations of training a baby Thoroughbred! Over the past few months, all six of our RRP horses have experienced small setbacks of some sort or another, whether it be soundness related, training related, or a combination thereof. In addition, while we normally would have been taking the babies to horse shows, schoolings, clinics, etc. during this time, coronavirus has definitely put a damper on our #fieldtripfriday plans.

Nevertheless, forge ahead we must! Our team has managed to do the best we can given the circumstances, and I am pleased to report that all of the Dappir Ridge baby OTTBs are coming along quite nicely. Now that horse shows and events are starting to open back up, we are excited to get out and about so that we can expose our mounts to new places, sights and sounds, which will help prepare them for “the Big Event” in October!

 

Adriana Nannini

“Bag o’ Tricks Lives up to his Name”

Sevennotrump, aka “Tricks,” celebrated turning 4 by undergoing a tremendous growth spurt. He came looking rather shrimpy and upside-down, but now has really blossomed into quite a large, fit, athletic creature, partially due to several months worth of hacking up and down the rolling hills of Virginia. Tricks is now very confident and thinks he’s hot stuff. He sometimes gets ideas in his little 4-year-old brain, and we don’t like Tricks to have too many ideas! So, needless to say, I’ve been spending the past few months learning how to creatively manage Tricks’ exuberance in a way that is productive.

Tricks’ show name that I chose for him is “Bag o’ Tricks” and it couldn’t fit his personality more perfectly. He’s like a playful, mischievous little boy, and is always trying new tactics to test his boundaries. I spent a considerable amount of time convincing him to move forward off my leg, because he would sometimes decide that his feet were cemented to the ground and he simply could not move. Once we overcame that, we spent another several weeks figuring out how to track straight instead of bulging our inside shoulder and running sideways. Now, to my relief, it seems as though we have that figured out.

Tricks has demonstrated real athleticism over fences, and recently went cross-country schooling for the very first time. He bravely jumped over logs, through water, up and down a bank, and even over a ditch! Tricks trailers like a perfect gentleman, and really seems to be settling into his new life as an event horse. He and Hunter’s Dream aka “Fox” are field trip buddies and lesson buddies and hacking buddies, and they’re really a cute pair of dark bay buddies! A few of the babies, Tricks included, are entered in their first schooling horse trial in July. I can’t wait to see where our summer adventures take us!

Sevennotrump aka “Tricks” is maturing into a big, athletic beast! Photo courtesy of Kiki Osbourne

Tricks and Fox are field trip buddies! Photo courtesy of Kiki Osbourne

Sevennotrump aka “Tricks.” Photo courtesy of Adriana Nannini

Kelly Giunta, VMD

“Robbie Jones’ Newfound Freedom and the Sore Foot Syndrome”

After spending many years at a racetrack it is very exciting for a young horse to experience the joys of turnout in a large field and playful new pasture mates. Robbie Jones aka “Robbie” had so much fun with it that he started pulling shoes off. With each lost shoe his hoof wall began to crumble and there was less foot to nail the shoe back on. Eventually this caught up with Robbie, his soles got very thin and bruised and the nails started causing discomfort. Robbie had to spend some time in jail (also known as stall rest). Balance films of his feet were taken with the farrier and I almost went crazy trying to figure out ways to keep those shoes on long enough for his feet to grow back out. We had about a two month setback in training but now we are finally back in action!

Robbie Jones aka “Robbie” enjoys his scratches! Photo courtesy of Kiki Osbourne

Robbie and Kelly are glad to be back in action! Photo courtesy of Ashley Holden

Robbie Jones. Photo courtesy of Ashley Holden

Alex Austin

“Tale of the Frankenfox”

Sweet little Fox (Hunter’s Dream) had a couple weeks off due to him doing some accidental cosmetic surgery. He opened up his forehead on something sharp and had to have many staples and a drainage tube put in. Our amazing vet Kelly patched him up so beautifully there is only the tiniest of scars, nearly indistinguishable.

Other than his “mini vacation,” Fox has been jumping a bit more and learning to bend. The bending he finds very hard, the jumping not quite as much. He recently encountered a BN ditch while out cross-country schooling and while he thought it was terrifying, ended up summoning his courage to make it over a few times.

He is still a rockstar to hack out, alone or in company, and makes trailering anywhere quite a pleasant experience as he climbs right on and seems to enjoy the ride!

“Frankenfox” after being patched up by Kelly. Photo courtesy of Alex Austin

Teamwork! Photo courtesy of Adriana Nannini

Frankenfox healed up as good as new and is as handsome as ever! Photo courtesy of Kiki Osbourne

Fox and Alex schooling cross-country. Photo courtesy of Kiki Osbourne

Kiki Osbourne (Our Fearless Leader)

This has been a big month for Prince Attack who had a 4th birthday, finally! I’m pretty sure that now that he’s 4, he’s put his big boy pants on and going wow all of us. He really is about the sweetest horse in the barn (well, maybe a close second to Robbie Jones) and loves attention about as much as he loves going out in his big field with all of the oldies all day long. He hasn’t caught a ride to many new places yet, but that’s definitely in his immediate future.

My friend and former student, Ally Farley, came over for a much needed session of groundwork. Prince may have thought all of it was stupid, but it has made him a better horse! A big thank you to Alex and Emily for also putting in some valuable Prince time, while I’m busy teaching-this also makes him a better horse. While he really hasn’t had any major setbacks (maybe I shouldn’t have said that out loud) we have been taking it pretty slow with him, so he ends up enjoying his working life! It’s very possible that there’s a trip to a North Carolina schooling show in his future.

Kiki riding Prince. Photo courtesy of Ashley Holden.

Alex and Prince. Photo courtesy of Ashley Holden..

Prince Attack! Photo courtesy of Kiki Osbourne.

Call Triple A aka “Buddy” continues to be one of the best brained horses on the planet, but he managed to steal a few weeks off after stepping on the clip of his shoe. But, as of last week we are back on track! He’s settled in well to his new digs at Dappir Ridge’s other facility, Chapel Springs!

Buddy and his owner, Ashley Holden. Photo courtesy of Ashley Holden.

Call Triple A aka “Buddy”. Photo courtesy of Ashley Holden.

Baltic Art aka “Thor” also has managed a short bit of time off from a kick (…..and a foot thing….) so he has returned to his regular home for 30-60 days. I’m looking forward to him being back in the barn soon!

Kiki and Baltic Art aka “Thor”. Photo courtesy of Ashley Holden.

Until next time — Go Eventing and Go Thoroughbreds!