Classic Eventing Nation

Rolling Updates: Equestrian Events Canceled Due to COVID-19 [Updated 4/29]

By on Apr 16, 2020 1:00 am -

Photo via Creative Commons.

The following equestrian events have been canceled or modified due to coronavirus concerns. This page will be updated daily (last update: April 29, 5 p.m. EST).

Due to the sheer volume of events being canceled worldwide, we are now only listing canceled USEA/USEF North American events and major international CCI events.

🇺🇸United States🇺🇸

The USEA has suspended all recognized events through May 3. In accordance with the FEI, the USEF has issued a recommendation that all competitions be suspended through May 3. 

Eventing:

🇧🇪Belgium🇧🇪

🇨🇦Canada🇨🇦

All EC sanctioned competitions and activities are suspended until April 12, 2020.

🇨🇳China🇨🇳

🇫🇷France🇫🇷

France now restricting gatherings to 10 people, so all competitions are canceled. 

🇩🇪Germany 🇩🇪

🇮🇪Ireland🇮🇪

🇮🇹Italy🇮🇹

🇯🇵Japan🇯🇵

🇳🇿New Zealand🇳🇿

March 17: Equestrian Sports NZL Announces 3-Month Cancellation of All Events 

🇵🇱Poland🇵🇱

🇬🇧United Kingdom🇬🇧

As of 3/16, all British Eventing shows have been canceled with immediate effect.

Please send canceled/modified equestrian event listings to [email protected]. We will keep you posted with further updates as they develop.

Shelby Allen and Sally Spickard contributed to this report.

 

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

By on Apr 16, 2020 12:03 am -
View this post on Instagram

Easter surprise!! 🐰🐰Aubrey will be a big sister in September!! 🌸🌸

A post shared by Andrea Davidson (@andreadavidsoneventing) on

Big congratulations to Andrea and Buck Davidson! A little dose of happy news each day is important during these trying times, and we wish them all the best with their growing family. Aubrey and the pooch look very excited for their little sister!

National Holiday: (Ironically) National Wear Your Pajamas To Work Day

News From Around the Globe:

The FEI has clarified their decision around virtual competitions, saying that it is off-limits for FEI judges to participate in them, and use of any FEI tests without further compliance with FEI rules such as drug testing and welfare assessments is also not allowed. So much for getting creative, I guess? [FEI Rules Against Virtual Competitions]

The great show jumper Flexible won our hearts with his style, and won countless grand-prix level events well through his teens. Now, he’s just about cloned himself in his son, Dawson’s Gold, who is also in Rich Feller’s barn. Rich’s son Christopher is taking on the ride, as the 6-year-old is quite electric, and not only looks like his sire, but acts like him too. [Flexible Lives on in Dawson’s Gold]

The British Groom’s Association has created a video showing how coronavirus can spread around the barn. Even if you’re being super careful and practicing social distancing, it’s easy to forget how many common surfaces we have in the barn. Watching this video could help keep you and your barn friends a bit safer. [Don’t Pass It On]

$200K Raised for Frangible Fences, Thanks to YOU and Matching Funds from the Manton Foundation

By on Apr 15, 2020 9:58 pm -

Fundraising for frangible fence implementation in the U.S. took a massive step forward today. Between the USEA Foundation’s Frangible Fence Research initiative and a GoFundMe effort that raised over $87,000, eventing supporters have raised a little over $100,000. Now, the Manton Foundation has agreed to do matching funds for what you have raised up to $250,000.

The Manton Foundation was created in New York in 1991 by Jim and Gretchen Manton as a vehicle for their charitable giving. Today the foundation is managed by the Mantons’ descendants and functions as a family endeavor. Funded projects fall largely into a range of fields encompassing education, arts and culture, medical research, and community preservation.

“So we have around $200,000, just a little bit over, ready to go out to the events,” says Jon Holling, Chair of the USEA’s Cross Country Safety Committee, after a joint meeting today.

“In these tough times, it is nice to be able to share some good news with the eventing community,” said Diane Pitts, Chair of the USEA Foundation. “We are extremely grateful to the Manton Foundation and to the many, many people who have donated to the Frangible Technology Fund. Our commitment to safety and the mandate to make frangible technology more widely available will continue during this downtime as we provide grants to organizers through this fund.”

Another meeting will be held to finalize all of the details as to how that money is going out, and how/when events can apply to receive the funds. Jon says he expects to have those specifics with the next week to 10 days.

“It’ll be a bit of a phased-in program, so all the events will have access to it at the Preliminary level and above and then going forward the plan is that all of that money that we’ve raised will continue to go out to events into the future until the money’s gone,” Jon says. “There’ll be more fundraising efforts going forward.”

“Really excited about the Manton Foundation stepping on board … To every $50,000 that we raise, they will match that with another $50,000 dollars until we reach the total of $500,000, so right now we’re just really excited. I’m just really excited to come back to you with something concrete and let you know that things are happening behind the scenes so that when we’re ready to event and that first horse leaves in start box that we will have done something concrete to improve the safety in our sport.”

Jon reiterates that frangible fence implementation is just once piece of the eventing safety puzzle, but, “This is a huge piece, being able to have these frangible devices out on course, and this is a way that we’re going to get that done.”

“Thanks for sticking with us,” he says. “I know everybody’s really struggling right now with the virus and being stuck at home, and I’m just happy to be able to send out some good news to everybody and give us something to look forward to in the future.”

The USEA Foundation and the USEA would like to thank the GoFundMe initiative, led by Andy Bowles, Jon Holling, Emily Holmes, Doug Payne, Leslie Law, Kyle Carter, and Robert Kellerhouse for successfully kick-starting this latest effort.

“By working together and combining the money raised by both groups, it has given us this great opportunity to have the funds matched by the Manton Foundation,” said Andy Bowles, organizer of the GoFundMe initiative. “This is an amazing start to help provide the opportunity for organizers, cross-country course designers, and cross-country builders to use the technology available to make our sport safer.”

Grant and distribution information is currently being finalized with the assistance of a newly formed Frangible Technology Fund Review Committee consisting of Andy Bowles, Marc Grandia, Jon Holling, Emily Holmes, and Darrin Mollett.

GO EVENTING.

How to Donate

Donations to the USEA Foundation are fully tax-deductible. Donate today by going to https://useafoundation.org/donate and selecting “Frangible Technology Fund” from the dropdown menu.

All donations will help reach the matching of the Manton Foundation, help us reach our goal of $500,000, and raise the safety of eventing in the U.S.

[$250,000 Matching Grant Gives Frangible Technology Push Forward]

Learn more about the frangible technology fundraising efforts here.

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: The Making of a Pony-Lover’s Daydream

By on Apr 15, 2020 5:47 pm -

If there’s anything that binds us together as a community, it’s a shared love for a throwback – the more nostalgic, the better. And truly, they don’t come much more nostalgic than International Velvet, the late-70s eventing flick that kinda-sorta followed up the classic National Velvet and absolutely convinced us all that we could romp our way to the Olympics (and a hunky eventing honey) with little more than a foal and a dream. But what was life like on the set of this utterly incomparable bit of cinematic excellence? In those pre-CGI days, how much of the riding did lead actress Tatum O’Neal have to do herself? And which famous horsey household names made an appearance in the fast-paced competition scenes? (All of them, as it turns out!) Now excuse us while we find a dodgy torrent and sob over THAT plane scene again.

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Whether you have a hard keeper that needs extra calories to maintain his weight, or a top performance horse that needs cool energy to perform at her peak, Equi-Jewel can meet your horse’s energy needs. Equi-Jewel reduces the risk of digestive upset, supports optimal muscle function, maintains stamina, and helps horses recover faster after hard work, all while providing the calories your horse needs to thrive.

The horse that matters to you matters to us®.

Not sure which horse supplement best meets your horse’s needs? Kentucky Performance Products, LLC is here to help. Call 859-873-2974 or visit KPPusa.com.

Coming Soon! Start Getting Excited for EN’s Virtual Vendor Village

By on Apr 15, 2020 4:24 pm -

EN’s Virtual Vendor Village: Deals so great you won’t want to let them get away!

Been missing out on shopping the vendors of spring events? We are very excited to present the inaugural Eventing Nation Virtual Vendor Village, a week-long online opportunity to score fantastic deals and discover new products from our favorite brands. It’s also a great way to show our support for equestrian businesses that have had to close down shop due to coronavirus restrictions. It truly does take a “village”!

The Virtual Vendor Village will take place right here on EN from Monday, April 20 through Sunday, April 26. Throughout the week, nearly 30 companies will be offering a “Deal of the Day” on their products — which means you’ll want to check in on their “booths” daily to make sure you don’t miss a sale! Expect deep discounts, special promotions and product giveaways. PLUS! We’ll be hosting virtual “autograph signings,” live Q&As with top five-star riders and flashback watch parties.

We don’t want to give away too much of the surprise, but rest assured we’ll start dropping hints about our top-shelf assortment of Vendors in the coming days. Stay tuned!

Go Eventing. And get ready to Go Shopping!

Five-Star Drummer: QuaranTunes with Cathy Wieschhoff

By on Apr 15, 2020 11:47 am -

How five-star eventer Cathy Wieschhoff is keeping spirits lifted during quarantine: a Facebook Live drum set each night. And she’s not just pottering around with it, either — this lady knows her way around a drum kit!

A little teaser:

Each morning Cathy posts the day’s playlist to her Facebook page, and then friends can tune in live at 8 p.m. EST to hear the set.

Tonight’s playlist:

Playlist for tonight 👍👍👍

Happy at Home 🏡🏡🏡

QuaranTunes with Cathy 🥁🥁🍷🍷

8:00

Tune in 😎😎😎

Share ✅✅✅

Posted by Cathy Wieschhoff on Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Cathy, whose Carriage Station Farm/CW Event Team is in Lexington, Kentucky, has worked tirelessly in the service of our sport over the years — thank you for everything you do, Cathy. And also, we heard it was her birthday yesterday … HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Rock on, EN. Go Eventing.

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: Raring to Go from Retired Racehorse Project

By on Apr 15, 2020 9:00 am -

We’re excited today to point you toward a new-to-the-Wishlist resource: the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) Horse Listings. These listings drew our attention for a fantastic reason: RRP has made their online listings free to use during the COVID-19 crisis, as an effort to assist horsemen and women in the racing industry and their charges during this time.

As tracks have closed and race meets across the country have been canceled, there’s an increased need to find Thoroughbreds new homes at this time, and RRP is here to help. RRP also has sample Bill of Sale documents that can be downloaded and used by sellers, and if you’re a new OTTB buyer, be sure to check out this helpful how-to article.

You’ll find a great mix of horses here in the RRP listings — from those being sold directly by their race connections, to ones who’ve already started to enjoy a little down time, and horses who have already begun their second career — plus, you’ll also find horses located in all parts of the country! Here are three that caught our eye this week:

Contest. Photo via Retired Racehorse Project Horse listings.

Contest (RAMONTI (FR) – COOL CONTEST (IRE), BY ONE COOL CAT): 2012 16.0-hand Kentucky-bred gelding

This eight-year-old was race-trained as a youngster, but never ended up making an official start. Though he has no physical limitations to keep him from partaking in any more strenuous occupations, Contest has mainly been a trail horse since 2017, and a very reliable one too, hacking out alone or in a group, over bridges, through water, and near traffic. There’s no reason to think he couldn’t go on to be your next great fox hunter or event horse!

Located in Liberty, North Carolina

View Contest in the Retired Racehorse Project Horse Listings.

Rock On Wye. Photo via Retired Racehorse Project Horse Listings.

Rock On Wye (ROCK SLIDE – HAMSEH, BY DANZIG): 2012 16.2-hand Maryland-bred gelding

Can you resist a well-built, well-bred gelding with a stunning set of dapples? Rock on Wye is waiting a lucky person to scoop him up! A minor bow ended his short racing career in late 2017, but his owner gave him ample time off the allow him heal and he is reportedly sound. He has a lovely swinging and over-tracking walk and his connections call him a “smart, forward-going horse with a kind personality.”

Located in Easton, Maryland.

View Rock On Wye in the Retired Racehorse Project Horse Listings.

Runa. Photo via Retired Racehorse Project Horse Listings.

Runa (LATENT HEAT – C U LATER, BY JUMP START): 2014 15.3-hand Iowa-bred mare

Runa’s connections think she could succeed in anything from jumpers to barrel racing, saying she has the attitude and speed for and she looks like a handy type, indeed! Any rider who likes a pocket-rocket type will tell you as well, that handiness and cat-like quickness are assets on the cross country course as well. Runa is being sold by her owner/breeder whose farm she has returned to since retiring from the track. The farm is a small operation which produces racehorses with their second careers in mind — very commendable!

Located in Rogersville, Missouri.

View Runa in the Retired Racehorse Project Horse Listings.

Wednesday News & Notes from Ecovet

By on Apr 15, 2020 12:01 am -

One wonderful thing that has come from this period of downtime and lockdown is seeing happy, relaxed horses enjoying some extra time off. While it’s true, many horses thrive on a job — especially top stars such as Price Eventing rides Bango, Ringwood Sky Boy, and Xavier Faer — this is as good a time as ever to remember that a bit of a break can do us all a bit of good. When it feels especially tough, take a look at these happy faces and remember what matters most.

National Holiday: Today is National Laundry Day so…have fun, I guess?

News & Notes:

An FEI representative yesterday issued a note to FEI officials and judges intending to clarify the governing body’s stance on the rise of virtual competitions. Indeed, virtual competitions have seen an uptick given the current state of the world, and reactions to the instructions have ruffled more than a few feathers within the community. [FEI Clarifies Important Rules Regarding Online Competitions]

Many riders are all about unique fitness routines outside of the saddle. Courtenay Tuxhorn fills us in on some best tips for improving and maintaining fitness as a rider while also providing a glimpse at her personal training routine. [Training Your Weaknesses with Courtenay Tuxhorn]

How did riders do during Stable View’s virtual dressage competition? Meaghan Marinovich Burdick was looking for a way to get in a competitive outlet, and it turns out that virtual horse shows might be just the ticket. [Marinovich Burdick Scores In Stable View Virtual Dressage]

African Horse Sickness has struck horses in Thailand with a severe mortality rate. While humans contend with the COVID-19 pandemic, horse owners in Thailand now must also safeguard against this lethal equine disease. The World Organization for Animal Health checked in recently with an update on AHS. [African Horse Sickness: OIE Webcast Offers Sobering Reality]

Wednesday Video:

Want to learn more about US Equestrian’s insurance offerings for members? Learn more:

Independent Study: Ecovet Outperforms All Other Repellents* in Both Efficacy and Duration

A 2019 research study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology confirms that, in head-to-head comparisons with other fly spray products, Ecovet is the most effective at inhibiting flies AND Ecovet lasts the longest. Watch the video to see the study results in action, and learn more about how Ecovet stacks up against other fly sprays > eco-vet.com/study

Tuesday Video from Flexible Fit Equestrian USA: Ben Hobday, Tiger King

By on Apr 14, 2020 4:38 pm -

The Real Tiger King 🐅 👑 Please vote for us AtMarketing@bolesworth.com#BenExotic #HiddenTalent #NHS #pleaseVOTE #LetsRaiseMoney #CaroleBaskin #carolebaskinfedherhusbandtothetigers #hobdayIsland #YehBoi #EquestrianRelief …Liverpool International Horse Show..@davidspade @liverpoolhorseshow @carole_baskin_official @dappersinstagram @theellenshow @therock @willsmith @gypsyking101

Posted by Ben Hobday on Sunday, April 12, 2020

Do you think Carole Baskin fed her husband to the tigers? Ben Hobday certainly does.

He’s nailed a Joe Exotic impersonation in his latest video. He’s got it all: the mullet, the earrings and a willing tiger (erm, pony) to put on a show.

For those of you who have abstained from the time suck that is the Tiger King documentary, welcome to the nightmare!

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

2020 Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Unable to be Rescheduled

By on Apr 14, 2020 12:17 pm -

Following the suspension of the 2020 Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event (JFI), the event’s Organizing Committee investigated possible alternative dates for this year. However, rescheduling the event is not possible and the event will not be held this year.

“When the crisis caused by the coronavirus made it impossible to hold our event as scheduled, we looked into possible dates where we could hold it later in the year,” said Morgan Rowsell, Co-organizer of Jersey Fresh International. “However, no suitable date was possible and it simply is not going to work out. Unfortunately, we will not be able to hold the event this year.”

The event, which was to serve as a qualifying selection trial for the United States’ Eventing team for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, had been scheduled to take place at the Horse Park of New Jersey, May 6-10. Featured would have been CCI Four-Star and Three-Star events featuring many of the nation’s top Eventing horses and riders in addition to a new Preliminary Division for future stars in the sport.

“With the Olympics also moved to next year, we anticipate our event holding its usual place of significance on the Eventing calendar,” added Rowsell. “We thank all our sponsors – especially major sponsors B.W. Furlong & Associates, Zoetis, AIG and Boehringer Ingelheim – for their support and we look forward to returning with a great event in 2021!”

The Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event/Horse Park of New Jersey is a 501(c)(3) Not-For-Profit, Charitable and Educational organization. Further information about JFI is available at www.jfi3d.com. Further information about the Horse Park is available at www.horseparkofnewjersey.com.