Classic Eventing Nation

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.

 

The Mind of an Instructor

By on Apr 14, 2020 11:58 am -

Photo courtesy of Anna Habarth.

I grew up in Pony Club. I idolized the older members in our club and at our farm. I took lessons from these older girls and learned invaluable lessons from them about horse care and about life. They took us under their wing and, quite honestly, they had a huge role shaping me into who I am as a horse woman today.

Now that I have grown up and graduated Pony Club, I have the opportunity to teach our next generation of Pony Clubbers and riders. I give weekly lessons to young kids and love to pass on the knowledge I learned growing up, as well as be that role model that I had as a child.

I take this role humbly, never taking for granted the parents who trust me with their children and the kids who trust me so deeply and will try just about anything I ask of them. With this trust also comes the responsibility to keep these children safe, while still urging them to step a toe out of their comfort zone to canter off the lunge line or to jump a vertical the next hole up the standard.

What I don’t think crosses everyone’s mind as often is what goes through a trainer’s mind to be able to push that child just a little bit further. How there is a moment of second guessing if you are pushing them too far, are you asking too much of them, are you over-facing them? To juggle the risk of failure with the promise of building confidence.

When a lesson doesn’t go as planned, I go over it again and again in my head wondering if I asked too much of my rider. Could I have set the exercise up differently, could I have told him or her to make a different correction, what could I have changed? When my rider leaves a lesson feeling drained of confidence, I am my own worst critic. I can even think of a time or two where I lost sleep blaming myself for my kid losing confidence that day.

Personally, I know that there are good days and bad when it comes to riding. Disappointing lessons and falls are just a part of our sport. Growing up, I can not think of a single occasion where I blamed my instructor for something going wrong. Yet as an instructor now, I put a lot of the blame on myself.

I care so much for these children, more so than I think their parents ever will know. I hold myself to such a high standard because all I want to see is for them to succeed. I see so much light in these kid’s eyes, how much they love their horses and their sport, and it reminds of myself when I was a kid. I know that falls and bad rides happen, but what’s most important is I’ve always taught them to get back on and keep going. Just like life. It’s this advice I keep in mind when something goes wrong, just to learn from what happened and to continually make myself a better instructor and leader for our Pony Club.

About the author: I am Anna Habarth, a 24 year old instructor with West Woods Pony Club in Arvada, Colorado. I got my start in Bay Leaf Pony Club in DeLand, Florida earning my C-3 before letting college get in the way of my riding (ugh). I recently relocated to Denver, Colorado and partnered up with my lease horse, Atlas, who I hope to event this season!

Photo courtesy of Anna Habarth.

Five Ways to Support Your Fellow Equestrians During COVID-19

By on Apr 14, 2020 9:41 am -

From competitions being canceled further into the spring to many boarding barns now closing their doors to customers, the non-health-related effects of the global coronavirus pandemic continue to increase.

For many within our equestrian industry, that means the loss of their livelihood, and for almost all of us, it means significant changes to our daily lives and less time spent in the saddle or enjoying our horses. While it’s important to remain physically distant from one another, now is a time to figuratively come together as a community.

Here are just five ways that you can support your fellow equestrians during this time.

1. Make purchases from equestrian professionals. – Your trainer has likely had to limit or entirely cancel teaching lessons or clinics; your favorite horse show photographer no longer has spring events to shoot, and your braider is temporarily out of a job (and that’s to name just three of the many types of equestrian professionals directly impacted by COVID-19). 

If you are financially able, now is a great time to pre-purchase training or lesson packages or gift certificates to gift a friend or family member with riding lessons. If your trainer or other professionals offer digital seminars, take advantage of them as you’re able. This not only supports their businesses, but it allows you to continue to learn and grow during this down time.

Have you been considering ordering prints or a large canvas of your favorite show photos? Now is the perfect time to place that order and support horse show photographers!

2. Give what you can to help those in need. – The cancellation of horse shows means a lack of work for the support staff that make them possible: the ring crew, grooms, ingate guys, stewards, judges, security, office staff, and more. We know many reading this likely have been financially affected by COVID-19 as well, but for those who are able, giving what you can to those out of work can go a long way. Check out the Show Jumping Relief Fund for one way to give.

3. Be understanding that many may struggle to afford their horses during this time – and don’t be afraid to seek help if you are among them. – Many people are struggling to figure out how to cover their own living expenses, let alone those of their horses.

4. Check in on each other and encourage group “hang outs.” – The current circumstances can be stressful, and the reduced social interaction can be tough for anyone’s mental health. Check in on your friends and barn mates and come up with new ways to “get together.” Try group FaceTime calls or perhaps pick a horse book (fiction or non-fiction) and start your own virtual book club. Need some motivation and encouragement to workout? Why not do video workouts together virtually with your barn mates?

5. Stay home.  – One of the most important things that you can do for the benefit of not only the equestrian community, but the country as a whole, is to adhere to the advised social distancing guidelines. The sooner we can stop the spread of COVID-19, the sooner we can return to the horses that we love!

Wishing everyone health and safety during this time!

BarnManager is a cloud-based software solution that provides horse owners and managers with the tools they need to streamline and simplify their daily management responsibilities. The program offers digitized record keeping for the many facets of horse care and has developed intuitive and simple business tools to make small business management accessible and easy. Want more daily news, tips, and motivation from BarnManager? Follow on Instagram here and like on Facebook here!

Tuesday News & Notes from Legends Horse Feeds

By on Apr 14, 2020 12:01 am -

One of the few positives coming out of this downtime in our season is that horse show photographers have a lot of extra time on their hands. I’ve seen the most fun throwback photos on social media in the last few weeks, like Amy Dragoo’s photo above. While we’re appreciating the efforts of horse show photographers, go buy some photos from them! Remember, without horse shows they are without an income, too. Let’s show our support for their beautiful images.

National Holiday: National Gardening Day

Tuesday News:

A sad announcement came from the USEF yesterday as the 2020 Adequan North American Youth Championships (NAYC) was cancelled. It was to be held July 22-26 at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana. Due to cancellations of qualifying events, the Championship was no longer feasible. Currently, The Event at Rebecca Farm is still scheduled to run as planned. [2020 Adequan North American Youth Championships for Eventing Canceled]

Please be aware of phishing attempts mimicking USEA authority. Any request for donation to hospice care on behalf of the USEA is not validated. [Beware of Phishing Attacks During COVID-19]

A fun inside look at Phillip Dutton’s at home training: Photos: Olympic equestrian prep at Pennsylvania farm

Tuesday Video: Ben Hobday, Tiger King

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

Monday Video from CLM DWN: Get to Know Quasi Cool, Phillip Dutton’s New Ride

By on Apr 13, 2020 5:00 pm -

Let’s get to know Quasi Cool. Quasi is a talented 9 year old Holsteiner gelding owned by Caroline Moran who came over from Dirk Shcrade’s yard in Germany last year. I’ve been taking some time to get to know him better, build the trust between us and form a real partnership.

Posted by Phillip Dutton Eventing on Thursday, April 9, 2020

Phillip Dutton has a new horse with a big future in his stable: Quasi Cool, a nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Quo Vados X B-Estelle, by Lord) purchased and imported by Caroline Moran last fall. The gelding came from Dirk Schrade in Germany and has previously been ridden through the CCI2*-S level. Since flying across the pond, Phillip has taken him to five competitions at the Preliminary and Intermediate levels and the pair has placed in the top two at four of those events.

Amply talented both on the flat and over fences, Phillip has high hopes for this Holsteiner. Watch this short video of Phillip schooling him on the flat and over cross country fences and hear what he’ll be working on with the gelding during the current lull in competition.

FEI Releases Updated Standard for Frangible/Deformable Cross Country Fences

By on Apr 13, 2020 3:00 pm -

The test setup for a kettlebell-and-chain pendulum test of a frangible fence, via the updated FEI standard for frangible/deformable cross country fences.

The FEI has released an updated standard for frangible/deformable cross country fences. The standard can be viewed in full here.

David O’Connor, Chairman of the Eventing Committee, and Geoff Sinclair, Chairman of the Risk Management Steering Group, released the following communication last week:

“After six months of extensive work initiated by the Eventing Frangible Device Working Group (Dave Vos, Geoff Sinclair, Mark Phillips and Jonathan Clissold), Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) has reviewed and approved the release of the Updated Standard V2 for frangible/deformable cross country fences.

“The work included filming fences being jumped at many events and reviewing them in slow motion as well as broad testing performed by British Eventing and MIM at Chalmers University (SWE), as well as TRL.

“The Updated Standard V2 has been endorsed by the Eventing Committee as well as the Risk Management Steering Group.

“The Updated Frangible Standard V2 can now be implemented progressively from April 6, 2020.

“As of January 1, 2021, all newly manufactured devices must comply with the Updated Standard V2. Devices manufactured according to the previous standard specifications can be used until December 31, 2021.

“MIM and British Eventing testing on current frangible devices has been done and now this new standard is published they will be able to advise if their products need any updates or adjustments.

“The Updated Standard V2 for frangible/deformable cross country fences includes the following changes:

  • “Introduction of a 40 kg kettlebell pendulum test to better represent a ‘hanging leg’ impact scenario to reproduce severe impact on fence with some leading to rotational falls which frangible fences should help mitigate. (View the setup for a kettlebell-and-chain pendulum test of a frangible fence, which includes both building and test procedure instructions, here. A video example of the test in action is below.)

  • “The addition of requirements for front and back rails of activation energies, i.e. pendulum impact energies at and above which the fence shall activate. The energies proposed have been developed by Dave Vos, based on the conservation of (after contact) energy and angular momentum with input parameters, such as jump speeds, heights, flight duration, etc., with the input of the Frangible Device Working Group members expertise and corroborating measurements from event video data.

“The Updated Standard V2 is more reliable and the testing is easier to set up in order to encourage new ideas and will hopefully accelerate new developments for frangible fence devices. It is important to note that realistic infield assessment to ensure fences don’t break too easily has been strongly debated and agreed with the Frangible Working Group understanding the importance of balancing safety with true cross country.”

We are glad to see progress being made on this very important front. Go Eventing.

[FEI: DEFORMABLE AND FRANGIBLE DEVICES]

 

2020 Adequan NAYC for Eventing Is Canceled

By on Apr 13, 2020 2:37 pm -

Team gold for Area III/VII in the 2019 NAYC CCIY3*-S. Photo by Shelby Allen.

US Equestrian has just released the following statement regarding the cancellation of the 2020 North American Youth Championships for Eventing:

“Following the cancellation of key qualifying competitions due to COVID-19, the US Equestrian Board of Directors has unanimously approved a resolution to cancel the 2020 Adequan North American Youth Championships (NAYC) for Eventing CCIJ2*-L and CCIOY3*-S, which had been scheduled for July 23-26 at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Mont.

“The USEF Board of Directors’ approval of the resolution followed unanimous recommendation for cancellation from the USEF Emerging Athletes Working Group and USEF Eventing Sport Committee, both of which cited concerns over the safety implications of preparing for a championship event during the current suspension of recognized competitions and the significantly reduced timeline for qualification.

“The Event at Rebecca Farm CCI2*-L, CCI3*-L, CCI4*-S, CCI4*-L divisions, as well as all National levels from Intermediate to Novice, also scheduled for July 23-26, have not been canceled. Additionally, the 2020 Adequan/FEI North American Youth Championships for Dressage and Jumping are still scheduled to take place as planned in Traverse City, Michigan, August 4-9.

“It’s certainly a loss, there’s no doubt about it,” said Sarah Broussard, event organizer for The Event at Rebecca Farm. “NAYC is a spectacular event and we, among many others, looked forward to hosting it again this year at Rebecca Farm. While we hate to see NAYC canceled, we respect that the USEF is working to make the best possible choice for their participants, given the complexities created by COVID-19. Although NAYC is canceled for this year, we still plan to welcome competitors for The 2020 Event at Rebecca Farm from July 24-28.”

“The safety and welfare of our athletes and their horses is our top priority,” said US Equestrian CEO Bill Moroney. “We appreciate the Broussard family’s support of the cancellation of this competition and wish them continued success with The 2020 Event at Rebecca Farm.”

“For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 impacts, visit USEF’s Coronavirus Resource page.”

You can view a rolling list of canceled and postponed events here.

EN sends its condolences to the young riders whose NAYC dreams will be put on hold. Chins up. We’ll all go eventing again someday!