Classic Eventing Nation

Event Horse Madness: The Elite Eight

By on Apr 2, 2020 1:00 pm -

You ever do that thing where, in the middle of a global pandemic and a national lockdown, you just forget what day it is? Yeah, me too. On the plus side, that means you guys got a few extra days to go to battle for your favourite horses in the Sweet Sixteen round – and boy, did you ever. Now, we’re down to just eight horses, fighting it out for the chance to be the winner of EN’s Event Horse Madness, 2020 edition. Let’s have a quick recap of how gameplay goes down.

HOW IT WORKS

32 of the world’s best event horses will come together in an NCAA-style bracket, with the winners of each bracket advancing to the next round and facing a formidable new opponent. In order to avoid a year-long argument amongst team EN — and because we’d really, really love to bypass any aggressive comments chastising us for missing anyone — we pull our contenders from the Olympic rankings, which are updated to the end of 2019. Then, we use those rankings to fill four categories, as follows:

  • Seven horses from North America
  • Seven horses from the UK and Ireland
  • Seven horses from continental Europe
  • Seven horses from New Zealand/Australia

“But that doesn’t equal 32,” we hear you protest. And you are not wrong, you little math whizzes. The next step is to find the four best-ranked horses from the rest of the world. Each of them will then be added to one of the above groups in chronological order, and seeded based on their position in the rankings.

These horses represent the top ranked six of each of their global regions. If a horse has since been sold to another region, they’re skipped over. (Before you come for us, know that this only happens in one case — and its previous rider is still represented by another horse in the bracket.)

Once pulled from the rankings, each horse is given a seed number within its group. The higher their position within the Olympic rankings, the higher their seed number. Winners of five-stars or major championships in 2019 will automatically be given top seed.

HOW THE WINNER IS CHOSEN

It’s all popular vote, baby, so the fate of your favourite is entirely in your hands. We wholeheartedly encourage as much devious social media campaigning as you fancy undertaking. This is, after all, Very Serious Bizzness: the winner will get full bragging rights as the EN readers’ favourite horse in the whole WORLD.

Each round will open up for voting as follows:

Round of 32, Part 1: Wednesday, March 18
Round of 32, Part 2: Friday, March 20
Sweet 16: Thursday, March 26
Elite 8: Thursday, April 2
Final 4: Sunday, April 5
Championship: Wednesday, April 8

TODAY’S LINE-UP

There was some surprise upsets in the Sweet Sixteen round, particularly in Camp Europe: Felix Vogg‘s Colero beat superstar SAP Hale Bob OLD, piloted by Ingrid Klimke, by a hair, while Tim Lips‘ remarkable Bayro, who was tragically euthanised this week, edged out Michael Jung‘s fischerChipmunk FRH. In the British quarters, Sarah Bullimore‘s quirky 5* partner Reve du Rouet advances to the Elite 8 over Oliver Townend‘s Burghley-winning Ballaghmor Class, and 2019 Badminton victor Vanir Kamira just sneaks in ahead of Imogen Murray‘s Ivar Gooden.

It’ll be a closely-fought contest for the Americans in this round, as National Champ Tsetserleg and beloved Bug Vermiculus face off for a spot in the final four. Meanwhile, a little further south, Tim Price‘s Ascona M has won each round by a landslide – but can she maintain her trajectory against three-time Adelaide winner Willingapark Clifford? It’s time to choose your fighter and find out. 

Train with the Stars: EquiRatings Launches Virtual Coaching App

By on Apr 2, 2020 11:00 am -

Ready to up your game while stuck at home? EquiRatings can help with that.

The future is now, folks – or at least, we’re speeding there ever-faster as our current circumstances force us all to get a little bit creative. Something that’s on the rise is the advent of digital coaching, which allows riders to continue to hone their skills even when they can’t see their trainer for lessons.

If there’s any company that’s embraced the forward-thinking nature of sports technology for the equestrian market, it’s our friends at EquiRatings. For the past few years, we’ve seen them develop a method of interpreting data that’s resulted in significantly lower fall rates and remarkably accurate performance predictors, creating both a safer sport and a new way for team selectors to make big decisions. Their data has also given the media a more in-depth view of the sport, both at large and in minute detail. Gone are the days of sifting through FEI records with a notepad and a calculator, and our math-phobic brains couldn’t be happier.

In recent months, EquiRatings has also come up with a way to bring stats to riders at every level, with the introduction of their Simple Metrics. These easy calculations allow riders to identify their strengths and weaknesses, which in turn offers a way to set both long- and short-term goals. But until now, they’ve left the act of getting from point A (your current performances) to point B (your goals) to the trainers.

“We knew pretty quickly that we had a gap in the improvement loop, just no money, or time, or team to solve it yet. People said, ‘I get that this is my performance now and I understand the targets, but how do I actually get better?’,” explains the team. “We didn’t have the answer immediately. ‘That’s the art, the coaching, the learning, we are just the science’, we initially thought. Before long, we realised that if we were ever going to actually close the loop for people, we needed to help them access the coaching.”

With this in mind, EquiRatings partnered with US digital company OnForm, which has devised a system for athletes across a number of sports to work remotely with their coaches. OnForm utilises a variety of methods: it can be used to send video back and forth, with a messaging system for trainer and student to discuss the footage and the ability for coaches to record voiceover analysis, and it can be used to mark up the video, too – useful for demonstrating a better line to a fence, for example, or the need for more or less angle in lateral movements.

So who’s it for? Well, everyone, really, as EquiRatings explains:

  • Coaches who want to access the global market of equestrian athletes
  • Athletes who may be limited in their access to feedback by either time or distance
  • In-person coaches who want to give a rider feedback quickly during a lesson using precise slow-motion controls and markup tools
  • Teams or organisations who wish to organise equestrian videos or clips centrally and then distribute for discussion and feedback from coaches, selectors or committee members
  • Athletes and owners to share training clips, with a voiceover tool for videos being uploaded to social media with explainers or stories.

This means that you can use the app to keep up-to-date with your current trainer or, rather excitingly, you can opt for video feedback and coaching advise from a number of high-profile riders and trainers. One of those is EquiRatings cofounder and Team Ireland stalwart Sam Watson, who has launched his new training website, chock full of insight into improving your performance, in tandem with the release of the app.

“My biggest passion is progress and I strongly believe that riders seeing their own performance, accompanied by expert feedback is the key to better understanding, faster learning and improved performance,” explains Sam. “Access and opportunity can be major blockers to performance progress in sport. ‘I only see my coach twice a month’ is no longer a reason to train without purpose or without feedback. This tool is a great step for EquiRatings to bring people through the full loop of where you now, where you want to get to and now, how to do it.”

Here, Sam offers up a quick demo of how the app can be used to review a submitted video.

Ready to give the app a go? It’s currently available on iOS, with plans for an Android release soon, and can be downloaded from the app store. To celebrate the launch and ensure easy access for coaches and riders affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, EquiRatings has made the app free to join until the end of May. After that, you’ll be able to subscribe for $7.99 a month, or $79 annually. Within the app, coaches set their own prices for feedback, ensuring that they receive 100% of the revenue.

Want some more information before you dive in? The Eventing Podcast has a new pod dedicated to the app, with great tips on how to get the most out of it. EquiRatings has also put out an article with ten tips for remote coaches to help ease the transition from in-the-ring coaching to virtual education. Still on the fence? Dive into this fascinating article that posits that video is one of the most useful tools for improvement – as evidenced by Oliver Townend, who set two dressage records at Badminton and then admitted that his incredible results were mostly down to watching videos of dressage superstar Carl Hester in action. If it works for him…

A Groton House Farm H.T. Dream on Hold

By on Apr 2, 2020 9:00 am -

Debbie MacConnel and My Echo. Photo by Lyndsey Adams.

This week’s announcement that Groton House Farm H.T. (June 26-28 in South Hamilton, MS) is canceled is heart wrenching. OK maybe a small exaggeration but let me explain….

Groton House is magic to me and I have NEVER had the pleasure to participate. Way back when I lived in Boston and then the North Shore of Boston, I rode out of Myopia, fox hunted, did some jumpers and played over the cross country jumps in the woods. I started dabbling with the idea of eventing. I watched Groton House but hadn’t taken the leap into what I now call my home sport, eventing. Eventers are the VERY best people in the whole wide world and my only regret is that I didn’t become an eventer until I was just shy of 40 years old.

Back in 2002 I lived in Ipswich, MA, on a funny little corner lot where three roads intersected. It was a triangle of land with just enough room for a single paddock and two stalls where I kept my horses. I had wonderful access to the Essex county trail association. My own little slice of paradise! It was there that I started thinking that I wanted to event but never quite took the leap and in 2003 life took a turn which included a swift kick to the head that nearly killed me — lucky for me my farrier Steve was there to call 911 to come to save me. After recovery I made a bizarre choice and moved to Lexington, KY, and Groton House became a dream…

In the spring of 2003 I entered a barn in Lexington, KY, called Champagne Run and told trainer Maggie Wright that I want to event this horse! Maggie said, “What’s he done?” To which I replied, “He jumps and he’s a little quirky on the flat, picks up right lead from the walk and left from the trot but you can’t switch them around!” She laughed saying, “There is a show in two weeks time, I can get you in, what would you like to do?” My reply, “Well, Novice of course!”

Debbie MacConnel and My Echo. Photo by Lyndsey Adams.

Two short weeks later I walked my first cross country course convinced that those Novice fences looked mountains, I innocently ask, “What should my goal for this horse be?” Maggie’s priceless reply without hesitation, “Well a CCI* (now **). I ran home and googled CCI* and to my dismay realized this trainer thinks I am going to take this horse Prelim and participate in a long format three-day. I was pretty sure that Maggie had lost her mind and oh what a sleepless night I had that night!

And so began my love for eventing, ad with clear cross country and stadium rounds and less than stellar dressage score I conquered that first event! Fast forward 2 1/2 years to MidSouth Team Challenge at the Kentucky Horse park where My Echo and I conquered the CCI* long-format (and won)! Intermediate was the next logical step until I realized a month later that I was pregnant with my now 13-year-old son.

So back to Groton House, in June 2017 we packed our bags and headed back to Massachusetts. Excited for the opportunity to finally do Groton House my show cloths were optimistically packed in the trailer for the trip. That first summer was occupied with house hunting and plans to compete quickly moved to 2018. 2018 arrives and wouldn’t you know it I had a perpetually lame horse due to one misbehaving hoof and being new to the area couldn’t find the right farrier to help with the problem. Finally in 2019 I made it back to competing with two great mounts and cobwebs firmly planted in my brain! My goal to ride at Groton House was again postponed due to my nephew’s wedding in Oregon.

Coming into 2020 all plans revolved around competing at Groton House! My son’s camps, potential family vacations, visits to Oregon to see family, the entire summer planned around Groton House! And well we all know what is going on in the world with social distancing and lock downs everywhere. What struck me in the cancelation of Groton House is the “hope” that we will be on the other side of this soon. No one knows what the coming months will bring. No one knows if the kids will go back to school or whether summer camps will take place or when life will return to normal. No one knows if we will even have an eventing season in 2020.

Photo by Lyndsey Adams.

All that I know is that if we do I’ll be ready as my horses live in my backyard. I truly feel for everyone affected but this with barns closing to boarders and life as we knew it coming to a quick halt, I am taking this time to slow down, listen to my horses and the most miraculous thing is happening. I am now introspective in my riding and all the things that my trainers, Stephie Baer and Lainey Johnson, have worked with me on over the past year+ are sinking in.

In slowing down I have begun to interpret the meaning of things that weren’t sinking in cause I always had a “show to go to or a clinic to ride in or a GOAL to reach.” I want to use this time to reflect, regroup and slow down to focus on the good. Forgetting about competitions to focus on my partnership with my horses is truly a gift (though still wish I had Groton house in my headlights).

Thursday News & Notes from Taylor Harris Insurances Services (THIS)

By on Apr 2, 2020 12:03 am -

Liz Halliday’s Blackie adopted a mini to accompany him on trot sets during the pandemic. Photo from Liz Halliday.

Well, days of the week are becoming challenging at this point, and Virginia is on shelter-in-place orders until June 10th, at which point I don’t really know how well I’ll be doing with time and space in general. I thought about setting the day of the week as part of my morning alarm, but that seemed like what a crazy person would do, so I’m not there. Yet.

National Holiday: National Peanut Butter & Jelly Day

News From Around the Globe:

Working a horse at liberty is always a cool thing to watch, but how do you even get started with that? How about literally starting a horse under saddle at liberty? This whole thing sounds crazy and confusing, but then I read DeAnn Sloane’s blog on Horse Nation and everything was cleared up. [Ponying to Prepare for a Liberty Start]

If you’re able to ride, now is the time to work on those niggling details you’ve been neglecting. How about the rein-back? It challenges many a horse and rider, and it doesn’t need to be that complicated. Take a look at the official protocol for riding and teaching rein-back from the German Equestrian Federation. [Backing Up the Right Way]

A question that many horse women are familiar with: how to integrate baby and barn? Sometimes it’s seamless (with the assistance of real family and barn family) and sometimes it doesn’t quite work out the way you imagined, and horses fade into the background. COTH blogger Karen Hopper Usher thought she would raise her baby in the barn, but reality has been different so far. [On Briefly Considering Getting Out of Horses]

 

 

 

 

Athletux to Host Three-Part Instagram Live Q&A Sessions

By on Apr 1, 2020 12:37 pm -

Need some human interaction — at least of the virtual variety? Our friends at Athletux are staging a three-part Instagram live Q&A series that should be fun AND educational. For each session, tune into to the Instagram link LIVE, and we’ll also embed the posts right here on EN.

  • Wednesday, April 1st at 5pm PST/8pm EST: Questions & Answers on “Marketing Your Equine Business or Brand During COVID-19.” Tune into @athletux’s Instagram LIVE!
  • Friday, April 3rd at 5pm PST/8pm EST: Questions & Answers on “Grooming, Horse Care, Moving Farms and More With Brannigan Eventing Super Groom Tyler Held.” Tune into @branniganeventing’s Instagram LIVE!
  • Saturday, April 4 at 12pm PST/3pm EST: Questions & Answers on “Horse Sales with Caroline Martin.” Tune into @carolinemartineventing’s Instagram LIVE!

Equestrian Marketing Firm Athletux has recently restructured its business model to focus on three main areas: equestrian brands, athletes and events. This is a particularly exciting development for brands, who will benefit from Athletux’s wealth of industry insight to help build their image, maximize use of social media platforms and email marketing campaigns, manage sponsored riders, assist with graphic design and more. Learn more by visiting the just-launched new Athletux website here.

FEI Creates New Policy for Calculating World Rankings During Covid-19 Outbreak

By on Apr 1, 2020 9:58 am -

As part of its measures aimed at minimising the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on the FEI Calendar, the FEI has put in place a new policy for calculating the world rankings from 1 April until the Calendar returns to normal. The new policy was initially discussed with the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) specifically for the Longines Jumping Rankings, but will now be used for each of the disciplines where a rolling 12-month period is used for the calculations.

Starting from 1 April 2020, the period during which ranking points remain valid in Jumping (Longines Rankings), Eventing, Dressage and Para Dressage will be prolonged by one month and will continue to be prolonged for an additional month with each new ranking until the competition calendar returns to normal.

Points earned in ranking competitions at events that take place during the current Covid-19 affected period will continue to count, and the maximum number of results that count for each athlete will remain, ie for the Longines Jumping Rankings best 30; Dressage best eight; Eventing and Para Dressage best six.

Rankings for the other FEI disciplines – Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining – are calculated on a fixed period (calendar year or other fixed period) so they will remain untouched. The change to the Driving Rules that means the discipline rankings will be based on a rolling 12 months does not come into effect until 1 January 2021.

For Jumping, Eventing, Dressage and Para Dressage, the following system will apply:

– The rankings established after 29 February 2020 remain unchanged (points valid for 12 months: best results at events taking place between 1 March 2019 and 29 February 2020)

– The rankings established after 31 March 2020 have been calculated based on the best results at events taking place between 1 March 2019 and 31 March 2020 (points valid for 13 months)

– The rankings established after 30 April 2020 will be calculated based on the best results at events taking place between 1 March 2019 and 30 April 2020 (points valid for 14 months)

– The rankings established after 31 May 2020 will be calculated based on the best results at events taking place between 1 March 2019 and 31 May 2020 (points valid for 15 months)

– and so on until the competition calendar returns to normal.

A working group will recommend to the FEI Board at what point the competition calendar is deemed to have returned to normal worldwide. As of that date, the rankings will continue to be calculated over the extended timeframes above, guaranteeing there will always be at least 12 months of normal competitions included in the calculation of the rankings.

The new system provides a level playing field for all our athletes as ranking points can still be earned in countries where the sport is able to continue, regardless of the length of time the current situation lasts, but athletes in countries where the sport is on hold will not lose points. An athlete’s ranking points can only improve, not decrease during this period, as the relevant number of best results in each discipline still applies.

Twelve months after the competition calendar is deemed to have returned to normal globally, the timeframe during which ranking points remain valid will be decreased by one month with each new ranking until the standard 12-month rolling timeframe has been reached.

 

Wednesday News & Notes from Ecovet

By on Apr 1, 2020 12:03 am -

Embed from Getty Images

Andrew Hoy has sadly reported the passing of one of his well-known partners, Master Monarch, this week. Andrew paid tribute to Master Monarch on social media, touching on many of the incredible moments they shared together:

“Master Monarch, owned by Tom Attwood, passed away at the wonderful age of 29 today.

He has been an incredible horse and we have enjoyed many fabulous events & successes together, with 2006 certainly being the ‘standout year’ in our partnership:

We started the season on winning the CCI4* (now CCI5*-L) at Kentucky / USA [Kentucky Three Day Event] and then won Bronze with the Australian Team at the [CHIO Aachen] World Equestrian Games later that year.

Our journey took us around many of the major events and alongside top 3 placings at both Badminton and Burghley he also won the World Cup Event in Fontainebleau and Marbach.

I am so very thankful to his owner for giving me the chance to ride such a wonderful horse and for the very special times we had together.
So many beautiful memories.

Rest in peace, my friend.”

National Holiday: April Fool’s, which almost seems cruel at this point. However, April Fool’s is one of EN’s most revered holidays. In honor of this day, here’s a look at a story that I had a lot of fun writing a few years back.

What’s the story behind the medals U.S. Eventing has collected? Take a deep dive into the history books, starting with the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, and learn about each medal won through the years by the American team. [History of U.S. Eventing Medals]

Need resources to navigate the coronavirus pandemic? US Equestrian maintains a robust guide and resource list for equine professionals and riders affected by the outbreak. Keep this page bookmarked. [US Equestrian Coronavirus Resources]

Maryland 5 Star Competition Director Mary Coldren certainly knows her way around a three-day event. A huge supporter of the sport through her work at Fair Hill International and elsewhere, Mary was recently featured in the Maryland Sports Commission newsletter as a recognition of her ongoing efforts. [Women In Sports: Mary Coldren]

Badminton Horse Trials Director Jane Tuckwell is no stranger to cancellations. Faced with the coronavirus pandemic and the forced cancellation of this year’s Badminton, Jane reflects on the difficult decision that comes at no small cost to anyone involved. [Director’s Blog: Jane Tuckwell]

Wednesday Video: Since this week would be The Fork week, let’s relive 2019 with Doug Payne and Quantum Leap in the CCI4*-S.

Ecovet is the only fly repellent that improves insect-related skin sensitivity. Learn more at eco-vet.com.

Tuesday Video from Flexible Fit Equestrian USA: An Update on Madison Park

By on Mar 31, 2020 4:00 pm -

Posted by Kyle Carter on Thursday, March 26, 2020

Who what’s Madison Park been up to since his retirement three years ago? Having a crack at the lower levels, and obviously killing it, but now Kyle Carter is using this downtime to have some fun with his old friend.

Kyle said:

“Having a bit more time on my hands for obvious reasons I did a little school over fences on Mr Madison Park! My partner in crime for 11 years at the advanced level and 9, 5 star appearances 3 teams and 2 medals. My last jump on him was at his last advanced when he was 19. Now at 22 I just wanted to appreciate that I could still have a chance to do this. We both have less in front of us than behind but how lucky am I to still have this opportunity to spend time with him.”

At 22, Parker looks like he has many happy years ahead of him. Thanks, Kyle, for sharing this update with all of his fans.

Go eventing.

Posted by Kyle Carter on Thursday, March 26, 2020

Posted by Kyle Carter on Thursday, March 26, 2020

Flexible Fit Equestrian: Redefining Comfort & Quality at an Affordable Price. Learn more at www.ffequestrian.com.au. 

Entries Open for Stable View’s First Virtual Dressage Competition

By on Mar 31, 2020 1:30 pm -

Photo courtesy of Stable View.

Looking to stay sharp while competitions are on hold? Stable View has just the thing for you. They’ve announced a new virtual dressage show series.

All you need is a video of your test to enter. Licensed judges will review the rides and provide feedback. Ribbons and $100 will be awarded to the top three winners for each test.

Only the first ten entries will be accepted for the class. To enter, email a link to your video to [email protected].

Here’s the rules:

  • The test must be ridden from start to finish in one video.
  • Please follow your local guidelines or restrictions regarding social distancing.
  • Classes are open to professionals, amateurs and junior riders.
  • Dress and turnout is optional, show attire not required.
  • Test callers are permitted.
  • Upload your video to Youtube with your name, your horse’s name, and the test you are riding.

Week 1

Tests: USDF Training Test 3 or USDF First Level Test 3
Judges: Sue Smithson (S) and Debbie Rodriguez (S)
Submission Deadline: April 6

Week 2

Tests: USEA Novice A and USEA Training A
Judges: Amanda Miller (R) and Janis Linnan (S)
Submission Deadline: April 13

Week 3

Tests: USDF Training Level 1 and USEA Beginner Novice A
Judges: TBD and TBD
Submission Deadline: April 20

Canceled/Postponed Events: Virginia H.T., Groton House Farm H.T., Intercollegiate Eventing Championships

By on Mar 31, 2020 11:52 am -

Two more events have announced cancellations or postponements today due to conditions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. Both Virginia Horse Trials and Groton House Farms will not run their previously scheduled events:

Virginia Horse Trials (May 21-24, 2020 in Lexington, VA):

Following an order issued by Governor of Virginia declaring a ban on all gatherings of 10 or more people and stay-at-home orders, Virginia Horse Trials has announced the postponement of its May horse trials, scheduled to run May 21-24. The event will now look to move the event to July, if possible. The organizing team issued the following statement:

Following the Executive Order of the Governor of Virginia yesterday banning gatherings of greater than 10 people until 10th June 2020, and in the best interests of everyone’s health and safety, it is with great regret we have to announce that we will not be able to run Virginia Horse Trials on 21-24th May 2020.

It is our intention to work with USEF, FEI and Virginia Horse Center to find a new date in July if possible to run the event. It is likely that it will run during the week as we have so many events already running at the weekends however we will be as flexible as possible in finding a solution.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your support and I hope that during these unknown times everyone stays safe,” said VHT Organizer Andy Bowles. “We look forward to seeing you once we get through this.”

Groton House Farms Horse Trials (June 6 and June 21 in South Hamilton, MS):

The situation with the Coronavirus definitely seems to be escalating and will not be over soon. This leads to the clear, yet disappointing reality that after 40+ years GHF 2020 will not be able to run this year. This will also include the Spring Two-phase and the Summer Classic.
We can now focus on getting through this crisis and looking forward to GHF 2021 with renewed energy and enthusiasm !
Stay well everyone!
Intercollegiate Eventing Championships (May 16-17 at Chattahoochee Hills in Fairburn, GA):
The USEA has announced the cancellation of its Intercollegiate Eventing Championships, which were scheduled to be held May 16-17 alongside Chattahoochee Hills Horse Trials. At this time, Chattahoochee Hills’ May event is still scheduled to run.

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is disappointed to announce that due to COVID-19, the 2020 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championships on May 16-17 at Chattahoochee Hills Horse Trials are canceled.

“I am so very sorry for the students, especially the seniors, who have been looking forward to the Championships. They have worked incredibly hard all year to train and fundraise, but in the interest of a level playing field, I believe this is the right decision. I urge our students now to remember the spirit of the intercollegiate program and show their utmost camaraderie and friendship during this difficult time for our sport, our community, and our world. We will come back from this better than ever,” said the USEA Intercollegiate Committee Chair Leslie Threlkeld.

 To stay abreast of the most recent updates to the equestrian competition schedule during the coronavirus pandemic, follow this continuously updated post.