Classic Eventing Nation

Event Rider Masters Announces Shortened 2020 Season Amid Engagement Boost

A year for the books: the 2019 ERM series podium. Photo courtesy of Event Rider Masters.

As the European season whirs into motion, the popular Event Rider Masters CCI4*-S series is keeping one eye on the past as it delves into an in-depth analysis of key performance indicators over the previous seasons.

An industry-standard independent audit, conducted by SMG Insight, revealed an uptick in global fan engagement with the series through the 2019 season. The audit shows that digital audiences – that is, those who watch the series through an online streaming service, Facebook, or through the ERM website – are up 23.5% from 2018, while terrestrial television coverage was boosted by 72 hours, with the Lignieres-en-Berry final reaching a whopping 1.8m viewers on TV alone. Social media reach has doubled through 2019, while press readership is up by nearly 150%. In total, these engagement boosts represent an increased sponsor value of 16.1% – this means that the series is now worth an estimate £61.2m to advertisers.

So what does this mean for you, the viewer? Well, it’s a big step in the right direction for television coverage of our sport, as it showcases the viability of the sport on the silver screen and proves that eventing can make a splash globally.

In the wake of this announcement, the ERM has decided to amend its 2020 season plan, opting instead to deliver a shortened season of four legs, down from the six originally announced at the end of last year.

“We are excited to be entering our fifth year of existence, with continual improvement and innovation remaining core to the ERM organisation,” says Operations Director Paul Tapner. “We will continue to create exciting new innovations to the presentation of Eventing sport in 2020. For this Olympic year we have decided to condense and intensify the 2020 Masters season, providing a crescendo of sporting excitement into the Tokyo Olympics.”

Jardy will provide the stage for the action-packed finale of the 2020 series. Photo courtesy of Event Rider Masters.

The condensed season will begin in the UK at the Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International Horse Trials (April 10-11), a popular event on the British calendar and a new entry to the ERM line-up. Then, the series will head north-west to the Dodson and Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials in Derbyshire (May 16-17), which has previously acted as the series’ opener. The third leg will return to Belgium’s Arville Castle (June 27-28), while the finale will now be held at the popular Haras de Jardy venue just outside Paris (and just in time for Bastille day, with its July 11-12 spot on the calendar).

With four fixtures comes increased pressure for each performance to count – with no space to play catch-up, the new calendar removes any wiggle room and should dish up four exciting legs to keep us all occupied until we turn our attentions to Tokyo. In addition to a revised calendar, Tapner also promises a significant increase in television offerings in 2020.

“Every year the ERM series has increased its reach to global audiences. Through new live broadcast formats planned for 2020, ERM will continue to grow its fan base worldwide,” he says, attributing the series’ success to its mutually beneficial partnerships. “Independent analysis standard to the sports industry demonstrates that ERM provides enormous value to its sponsors. We have an exciting array of sponsors aligned with ERM for 2020 and we look forward to welcoming new sponsors for years to come.”

Visit the website here.

[ERM 2019 MEDIA STATISTICS AND A NEW LOOK 2020]

Will Coleman Makes It Three for Three at $20K Ocala Horse Properties Eventing Prix

Will Coleman and TKS Cooley. Photo by Lisa Madren.

Will Coleman was on a roll at yesterday’s $20K Ocala Horse Properties Eventing Prix, landing his second consecutive win on TKS Cooley, following his 2018 win aboard Gideon. Coleman, who is based out of Ocala for the winter season, went home with the lion’s share of the prize money, $6,600, as well as the $5,000 Travel Voucher awarded by EquiJet!

Coleman chose wisely in selecting TKS Cooley for this competition, as the bay Irish Sport Horse Gelding, owned by the TKS Cooley Syndicate, has never had a rail in his eventing career. Although they weren’t the fastest, this pair snagged the win as TKS Cooley laid down the only clear round in a thrilling jump-off performance. Coleman’s stellar ride was followed by Karl Slezak in second aboard his own Fernhill Wishes, and young professional Mia Farley stole third with her own BGS Firecracker.

Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes. Photo by Lisa Madren.

Mia Farley and BGS Firecracker. Photo by Lisa Madren.

The grooms award went to Jennie Brannigan‘s groom, Tyler Held, who crafted a cool silver graphic of Brewster Walker Horse Transport’s logo on Ibella‘s hindquarters!

Photo by Lisa Madren.

The style award was rightfully given to third place finisher Mia Farley.

Photo by Lisa Madren.

Top 10 Finishers:
1. Will Coleman and TKS Cooley
2. Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes
3. Mia Farley and BGS Firecracker
4. Colleen Loach and FE Golden Eye
5. Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver
6. Lauren Kieffer Nicholson and Paramount Importance
7. Rebecca Brown and Dassett Choice
8. Sharon White and Claus 63
9. Ali Knowles and Ms. Poppins
10. Hallie Coon and Cooley SOS

You can read a play-by-play of the action via EN’s live updates here.

Photo by Lisa Madren.

This event would not be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors. Leading the way for the seventh year in a row as Title Sponsor was Ocala Horse Properties, followed by Presenting Sponsors EquiJet, Light Speed Equestrian and Stellos Electric. Prix Sponsors were Wordley Martin Equestrian, Stadium Horse Trucks and Peak Performance (BW Furlong & Associates). Our Jump Sponsors were Mars Equestrian, Buckeye Nutritionals, Stubben NA, Fox Hill Forge, Joe Meyer Eventing and Lane’s Mark Farm. Many thanks also go out to course designer Chris Barnard and his jump crew, Brewster Walker Horse Transport, announcers John Kyle, Cathy Wieschhoff and Jon Holling, EQTV, Sidelines Magazine, Max Corcoran, Scott Keach, Denise Goyea, Lisa Thomas, Mid-Atlantic Equestrian and Madren Photography. There were many other volunteers behind the scenes and we thank all of you, as this event would not be possible without the collective efforts of our entire eventing community!

Many thanks to Lisa Madren of Madren Photography for the beautiful photography!

Go Eventing.

[COLEMAN SCORES BIG IN HIS 3RD CONSECUTIVE WIN AT THE OCALA HORSE PROPERTIES’ EVENTING PRIX!]

#EventerProblems Vol. 217, Presented by Haygain: Leap Day Every Day

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#eventerproblems #eventersofinstagram #humble

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“Why wait every four years to leap in the air?” — horses everywhere.

We know you guys didn’t need to be reminded to celebrate Leap Day. Here’s your latest roundup of #EventerProblems to celebrate:

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.

A Letter to Me — Tamie Smith

If you could write a letter to your 20-year-old self, what would you say? That’s the topic of a new series by Equestrian Marketing Firm Athletux. First up to the plate: Tamie Smith. 

Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Dear Tamie,

It’s all worth it … the heartbreak, struggle, uncertainty … it’s all worth it, I promise.

As I start to write this letter to you, my 20-year-old self, I smile at how proud I am of you and all you have accomplished.

Earning your degree, being a single mom, maintaining the ability to ride and never giving up on your dream of someday becoming a professional rider and representing your country. It is all going to happen!

People will say you won’t be able to do it. They will say you will not be able to get to the top of your sport. They will say you have no business even trying, being a single mother and all. Not having a strong financial backing, they are telling you no way. At times you will wonder why you are trying at all, but I promise it’s all worth it.

Photo courtesy of Tamie Smith.

You feel broken right now, scared and overwhelmed. You’re not sure how you will put gas in your car tomorrow, and at times even what you will eat for dinner. You will find a way. You will manage to fight through the barriers that seem to be holding you back.

Focus on the goal … that impossible goal you have. The one you can only dream of now — you will surpass it and end up where you have only been able to dream of being.

Embrace the supportive people who love you. Keep them close and know that it is OK for you to accept help. You can’t do it all by yourself.

Photo by Kim Miller.

You will receive a grant to further your education that will change not only your career, but your outlook on yourself. It will feel surreal, but that is just the beginning. The impact that this grant makes on you as a person and athlete will shape your success and inspire you to try and become one of the best. It will be one of the biggest opportunities in your career. It will be a turning point for you, and it will fuel you in a whole new way.

The horses that you will get to ride will be magical. Not just one but all of them. You, yes you, will have a unimaginable string of world class horses and truly remarkable owners who stand behind not only their horses, but you. You have learned to have an empathetic approach to horses and training and have learned how to think more like your horses. The tricky horses, the ones no one else wants in their barns, they will teach you the most. But, when you have learned from them, also be OK with then realizing some horses are not suited for you, and that it is OK to eventually ride the nice ones, rather than only the difficult ones. I know, you are thinking I have to take every horse possible to be the best I can, but there will eventually become a time when this is no longer the case, just trust me.

Tamie Smith and Wembley at Kentucky. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

You will compete all over the world. I know, it’s hard to believe, you probably can’t imagine it now, but it’s true. Just put your head down and keep working hard, stay a student of the sport, and don’t ever let anyone tell you that it’s impossible. The way others will look at you will only fuel your fire. Your relentless pursuit of becoming better is what will help you achieve your goals — don’t ever lose that attitude and perspective.

I don’t know if it gets any easier, it just gets different and I can also say the tribulations will make you strong, brave and unstoppable. Riding is a lifelong lesson, believe in your program, but also keep an open mind as you always have.

Tamie Smith and Dempsey at Boekelo. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Your heart will always break when you have to sell a horse or one gets injured, but you will learn to cope with that, it is part of the business. Your horses will be your closest friends and the greatest listeners.

It’s important to just keep working hard and believe. That is what makes amazing competitors. The sooner you truly believe you can be what you’ve always dreamed of being, the sooner it will happen. Belief is one of the important lessons on this journey. Saying it is one thing, believing it is another.

Tamie Smith and Fleeceworks Royal at the American Eventing Championships. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

People will judge you for surpassing their expectations. You will be ridiculed, picked apart, and eventually they will realize that you have become what you’ve become because you worked your ass off. You are never satisfied with being the same. Make sure you continue being a student of the sport. Study, watch, listen and surround yourself with people who want to push you to the top, not ones who are trying to pull you down to them. You will end up leaving those people behind — the ones that tried to prevent your success.

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum at the 2019 Pan American Games. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

You still have so much further you want to go, but you are so close, and maybe if you could just believe a little sooner, your inevitable success would happen much faster.

Above all else Tamie, focus on what is truly important for you and your horses. Don’t chase a goal or try and make something happen. Focus! Stay focused on the process and progression. Keep your head down and do what you instinctively know is right. That instinct will never steer you wrong!

Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

You’re a champion! You are going to make all your dreams a reality. You will be a 5* (yes 5 not 4*) rider, wear the coveted Pinque coat as you represent your country, and you will still want more even then! All you have to do is believe in yourself, and not give up. Be proud of yourself Tamie. Your hard work and determination will get you wherever you dream, so dream big.

Oh and that little girl of yours, she will grow up to be even more incredible than you knew possible. She too will ride, and she too will be a top-level rider like her mom so keep horses in both of your lives. You will both be glad you did.

Kaylawna Smith-Cook and Passepartout. Photo by Kim Miller.

Love, Tamie

 

Equestrian Marketing Firm Athletux has recently restructured its business model to focus on three main areas: equestrian brandsathletes 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.

Wednesday News & Notes

Bruce Davidson hunting with Orange County. Photo by Liz Callar.

Look who was out hunting this week! The legendary Bruce Davidson took a spin with the Orange County Hounds from South Hollow. Please join me in this surge of jealousy that I’m not out hunting today!

National Holiday: National Hospitalist Day

U.S. Weekend Preview: 

Red Hills International H.T. (FL) [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Full Gallop Farm March H.T. (SC) [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Southern Pines H.T. (NC) [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Wednesday News: 

Relentless Pursuit is being celebrated as the USEA’s Horse of the Month for March. At 24, he’s been eventing for 19 years. You might recognize him from his two appearances at the Kentucky Three Day Event with Dana Widstrand, but most recently he finished second at the Ocala Winter I H.T. in the Preliminary Rider division with Amanda Gardiner [USEA Horse of the Month: Relentless Pursuit]

US Equestrian is looking for their next President. Nominations are now open for the 2021-2025 term. Nominees must meet certain criteria, including serving on the US Equestrian Board of Directors within the last six years. [US Equestrian Now Seeking Presidential Nominations for 2021-2025 Presidential Term]

At least $75,000 have been fundraised for the implementation of frangible technology since Monday. A GoFundMe effort launched on Monday, Frangible Fences for Eventing in US, has already raised over $60,000; another $15,000 has been raised by the USEA’s Frangible Fence Research initiative. The goal is $500,000, so let’s keep the donations coming! [GoFundMe] [USEA Frangible Fund] [Update from Jon Holling]

Enjoy the Carolina International CCI and H.T. (March 19-22, 2020) as a Carolina Club member! Different levels of membership offer different levels of access including reserved tables, parking passes, program recognition, prime viewing and more. Cross country tailgate packages are also available. [Carolina Club Tickets] [Tailgate Passes]

Wednesday Social Media:

It's time to send in those entries!Plantation Field Horse TrialsSporting Days FarmRiver Glen Equestrian ParkHolly…

Posted by United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) on Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Tuesday Video from Flexible Fit Equestrian USA: GPE at Bruce’s Field on Demand

If you missed any of the action from the $50,000 LiftMaster Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up every second of the coverage from EQTV Network, so you can watch it right here on demand.

We’d like to give a huge thank you to the team at EQTV for their brilliant wall-to-wall coverage! Click here to catch up on all the EN coverage from Aiken.

Go eventing.

Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field: WebsiteResultsLive StreamEN’s Coverage, EN’s TwitterEN’s Instagram

An Interview with Liz Halliday-Sharp: 

Congratulations to @lizhallidaysharp on her win at the @grandprix_eventing showcase today!

Posted by EQTV Network on Saturday, February 29, 2020

Cross Country: 

Cross Country from the 2020 LiftMaster Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce's Field. Watch the Aiken Eventing Showcase live and on demand at EQTVNetwork.com.

Posted by EQTV Network on Saturday, February 29, 2020

Show Jumping: 

Show Jumping at the 2020 LiftMaster Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce's Field! Watch the Aiken Eventing Showcase live and on demand at EQTVNetwork.com.

Posted by EQTV Network on Friday, February 28, 2020

Dressage:

We’re back after the lunch break for the 2020 LiftMaster Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce's Field, with Dressage Part 2. Watch the Aiken Eventing Showcase live and on demand at EQTVNetwork.com.

Posted by EQTV Network on Friday, February 28, 2020

2020 LiftMaster Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce's Field Dressage Part 1. Watch the Aiken Eventing Showcase live and on demand at EQTVNetwork.com.

Posted by EQTV Network on Friday, February 28, 2020

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

Three Productive Safety Discussions Happening on Facebook NOW

Social media’s ability to facilitate communication cuts both ways. We’ve all seen comment threads driven off the deep end of rational discourse by rising tensions and personal attacks. But we’ve also seen threads where the comments work like building blocks, a constructive place for collaborative thought and a pathway to action.

In the wake of the latest horse and rider fatality as a result of a cross country accident, Facebook’s eventing community has been aflutter not only condolences and support, but with also with important discussions about how to make our sport safer. By and large — and I believe this is a reflection of the eventing spirit — they are positive and productive. Even though we may have differing opinions, we are all invested in working together to maintain the health of our sport. The comments on EN’s own Facebook page are an example of this.

Social media harnesses the collective consciousness, which can be so powerful when channeled in a positive direction. Jon Holling’s call to action for frangible technology fundraising was re-shared nearly 800 times. A Frangible Fences for Eventing in the U.S. GoFundMe subsequently established raised over $45,000 in the span of 24 hours, with donations still pouring in ($55,000 as of 5 p.m. Tuesday) and more being directed to the USEA’s Frangible Fence Research initiative. The generosity of our eventing community is incredible, but we wouldn’t be able to leverage it without social media connecting us together.

As we have said many times before, the issue of safety has many moving parts. The large-scale implementation of frangible technology is vitally important, but the conversation is so much larger and more complicated than just this piece of it. Here are three Facebook posts we found particularly compelling this week, and which sparked some thought-provoking comments.

I love this sport, but we have to do something. Yesterday on Eventing Nation, Maggie Deatrick put it all on the table:…

Posted by Abby Foltz on Tuesday, March 3, 2020

I’m for revolution. But I’m one voice screaming in the wilderness. “We need the attitude that all aspects of safety…

Posted by Re Holly on Monday, March 2, 2020

Hi everyone.
Safety is important and I along with many others will support the incredible Jonathan Holling in his…

Posted by Sara Kozumplik Murphy on Sunday, March 1, 2020

Now it’s up to us to move those ideas from the digital arena into the real world. This, too, I believe we can and will accomplish, if we continue to work together as a united front.

What can you do to keep the discussion going?  Email the USEA. Attend the 2020 Convention. Join a committee. Make a donation. Talk to barn mates, event organizers, your local combined training association, and the people in your barn aisle at your next event. Making eventing safer is going to take a collective effort, and we can all play a part.

$20K Ocala Horse Properties Eventing Prix Live Updates: A Hat Trick for Will Coleman!

It is once again time for the $20K Ocala Horse Properties Eventing Prix Invitational held at Max Corcoran and Scott Keach’s beautiful Southern Cross Equestrian in Ocala, Florida. Today we look forward to watching 34 talented pairs take on Chris Barnard’s 1.30m track.

Consider this your base camp for all the action today. We’ve got the live stream included abocve and we’ll be running by the minute updates, so keep refreshing this page for the latest. You can find the entries/order of go at this link.

Of course you can also watch the action live thanks to EQTV. The action starts at 2 p.m.

4:12 Well done Will Coleman! Here’s the tentative standings:

1st: Will Coleman & TKS Cooley

2nd: Karl Slezak & Fernhill Wishes

3rd: Mia Farley & BGS Firecracker

4th: Collen Loach & FE Golden Eye

5th: Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver

6th: Lauren Nicholson & Paramount Importance

4:11 Colleen has just the one rail and a time of 41.420.

4:11 Colleen takes down the second fence. Will has officially won this thing for the third time!

4:10 Final rider in the ring. Here goes Colleen Loach.

4:10 They also drop the front rail on the final fence. Their time is 42.818.

4:09 The angle catches them out at fence two and the rail falls.

4:09 Rebecca Brown starts out at breakneck speed. Here we go!

4:08 Monster takes down the back rail of the in and out. They finish with the four jump faults in a time of 44.438.

4:07 Liz Halliday-Sharp is next up. Can she beat Will?

4:06 Mia takes a risky inside turn to the fourth element, but they take down the back rail with a back leg. Her time is 41.400.

4:06 BGS Firecracker has a lot of opinions today! The two are flying.

4:05 Let’s go Mia Farley!

4:04 Dang, Allie pushes for it but misses at the brown oxer and takes it down. They only have that one rail and a time of 45.547.

4:04 Here goes Allie Knowles and Ms. Poppins. She slices to the second fence and gets very lucky.

4:03 A clear for Will!! The time to beat is officially 42.258. He’s put the pressure on.

4:02 He’s clear throught he EquiJets fence

4:02 Will Coleman and TKS Cooley won here last year. Can they do it again?

4:01 Ultimately three come down for Hallie Coon. She has those 12 jump penalties in addition to a time of 42.793.

4:01 The brown owner (7) also falls for Hallie

4:00 Hallie Coon started off all rockets, but she paid the price by taking the rail over fence 1.

3:59 Karl Slezak also falls victim to the EquiJets vertical. He finishes with just the one rail and a time of 41.073.

3:58 One comes down for Lauren — the EquiJets vertical. Her time is 45.615.

3:57 Lauren looks like she’s opting to take more direct lines, but not increase the speed too much. Let’s see if it pays off.

3:57 Let’s go Lauren! She and Paramount Importance head for the first one.

3:56 Dang. Sharon has another fall. That’s 8 jump penalties in a time of 44.832.

3:55 The rail for fence 7 (5th fence of the jump off) falls.

3:54 Here we go! The jump off is underway. Sharon White and Claus 63 are first up. Time allowed is 50 seconds, but really this is fastest wins.

3:37 Here’s who you can expect in the jump off: Colleen Loach, Rebecca Brown, Karl Slezak, Allie Knowles, Liz Halliday-Sharp, Mia Farley, Will Coleman, Lauren Nicholson, Hallie Coon, and Sharon White. We’re on a break now then we will be underway again!

3:36 Collen makes it happen to jump clear! She’s the final rider added to the jump off.

3:35 Colleen is working for it! FE Golden Eye has a spook in him today.

3:34 Here’s our final pair: Colleen Loach and Fe Golden Eye

3:34 We’ve got another coming to the jump off! Great round for Rebecca Brown and Dasset Choice.

3:32 Leslie Law sees two rails fall during his round with Voltare de Tre

3:29 Liz goes clear in a blazing 72.228. That’s good enough for second place at the moment.

3:29 Liz and Monster are flying! This lady does not go to school, she goes to win.

3:28 Fresh off her win at Bruce’s Field, Liz Halliday-Sharp is on course with Cooley Quicksilver.

3:27 Charlotte finishes with two down and four time penalties.

3:25 Charlotte Collier and Clifford M look pretty in pink! They’re clear so far, but they rubbed fence 3.

3:25 Holly has only the one down with a time of 73.2 for 13th place at the moment.

3:23 Holly Jacks Smither and More Inspiration drop a rail at fence four, a vertical.

3:22 Bummer about the one fence down. She has a time of  77.981.

3:22 The oxer at seven falls. They just got a little too much momentum coming toward it.

3:21 Alyssa picks back up and goes clear over fence three. It’s a big oxer to take after a break.

3:20 Whoops, fence three falls as Alyssa jumps over two. The bell rings as they reset it.

3:19 Caroline finishes clear with two time penalties, so she won’t be in the jump off. Now let’s welcome Alysa Phillips and Oskar.

3:17 Next up is Caroline Martin. They’ve rubbed a few from the start, but so far clear.

3:17 Mia is now the seventh person to join the jump off group after a beautiful round.

3:15 We are back on track. Mia Farley and BGS Firecracker get the final group started. They’re clear through six.

3:07 We’re on another drag break and then we will have 10 more pairs to jump.

3:05 Beautiful, beautiful effort from Allie! She moves on to the jump off. Their time of 70.761 seconds is also the fastest clear so far — keep your eye on her for the jump off!

3:04 Allie Knowles and Ms. Poppins have just a little rub on the first fence, but she’s certainly got her foot on the pedal today.

3:02 Jennie Brannigan and Ibella jump clear, but a time of 78.1 keeps them out of the jump off. Those two time penalties were expensive.

3:01 Two came down for Melissa. They had a time of 71.052.

3:01 Weeeee! Jalando takes a long one to the oxer at 7.

2:59 Melissa Boutin EWSZ Jalando are off and clear through three.

2:58 The plank fence comes down for Elisa. What a bummer. They had a time of 74.222.

2:57 I hear some big cheers for Elisa Wallace and Simply Priceless.

2:56 That’s a shame — they take the rail at the oxer at 7. That was their only fault. Their time of 71.377 is the fastest four-faulter, so they could be in the money. They’re sixth at the moment.

2:55 From Canada, now we welcome Shelby Brost and Crimson. They’re clear over the first two, which have proved a little tricky so far today. Fence two is a vertical that heads straight toward the VIP tent.

2:54 Abigail carries on.  She takes a few more rails down with her, but I have to say she certainly kept riding better and better as she went. As Jon Holling said, “she will definitely learn something from this today.”

2:53 Abigail has three rails fall before having a stop at the middle element at the triple. They got a bit close to the first element, and couldn’t quite make up the distance.

2:51 Abigail Niles is now starting with Carrick Finest Lad.

2:51 Dang — Clayton taps fence 13 the EquiJets vertical.

2:50 Clayton opts to add an extra stride ahead of the liverpool at 6, which has been a popular choice among these riders.

2:48 Now we have Australian rider Clayton Fredericks in the ring with a pretty perfect shot into fence 1.

2:48 A clear round for Will Coleman puts them in the lineup for the jump off.

2:47 That was a close call at fence two. TKS Cooley is definitely giving some air time!

2:45 Here’s a big round: defending champions Will Coleman and TKS Cooley. He’s just taking a little walk around the arena because wind has blown over fence 11. He will start after it’s reset.

2:44 Kimmy Cecere and Lankmark’s Monaco knock the rail on fence 2, but have an otherwise lovely round.

2:43 It’s been a while since we saw a clear round, but remember: after those in the jump off are placed, the standings will go to the four-faulters who are the fastest. So far Sara Murphy is the fastest of those with one rail.

2:42 Bummer! The rail on 13 — a vertical — is knocked for Meg and Anakin.

2:41 Meg Kepferle has a lovely start with the Thoroughbred Anakin. They’re clear so far through fence 4.

2:39 Oof the planks ahead of the triple at fence 5 come down. We will not see our past winner in the jump off. Sara did come in at 72.8 seconds, so it looks like the time is being pretty easily achieved by this bunch today.

2:38 Sara Kozumplik Murphy trots around the ring now with the gorgeous Rubens D’Ysieux.

2:38 Shannon looks thrilled with her horse. It was a lovely effort with just the one unlucky rail.

2:37 Fence number three, the Buckeye oxer falls when they drift ever so slightly to the right.

2:35 We’re just finished with the drag break, and now we welcome Shannon Baker and Balligowen Zeal.

2:28 We’re on a drag break now. So far we have four going to the jump off: Sharon White, Lauren Nicholson, Karl Slezak and Hallie Coon.

2:26 Hallie Coon comes in just under the time. She jumped clear in 76.067 seconds.

2:25 Hallie Coon got a little lucky at the second one. This pair might be a littler close to the time.

2:23 Kylie Lyman took down the last vertical in the triple to add four faults with Da Vinci Code.

2:21 That will be a time of 75.996 for Michael, but one falling keeps him out of the jump off.

2:20 Irish pair Michael Nolan SRS Picasso are now starting.

2:19 Two down drops Sinead from the jump off, but her time of 73.5 is good.

2:18 Now we welcome Sinead Maynard and Cutty Sark

2:17 Jessie makes the time, coming in at 74.433, but does take one down.

2:17 Next up, Jessica Phoenix and Watson GS for Canada.

2:16 Ariel Aharoni and Dutch Times put in a beautiful effort, but just knock the middle down in the triple.

2:13 They drop on pesky rail, so they’ll be out of the jump off, but their time of 73.082 is good.

2:12 New mother Ellie O’Neal is in great form with Zick Zack.

2:10 Riding for Canada, Karl Slezak also has a clear round.

2:08 Lauren will advance to the jump off after a clear round.

2:07 Lauren Nicholson is in now Paramount Importance.

2:05 p.m. Second rider Anna Loschiavo has come out of the tack after a miscommunication with Fernhill That Guy Jack. She gets caught in the stirrup but thankfully both separate without issue.

2:04 p.m. Sharon had a foot perfect round. She finished with a time of 74.69, well inside the time of 77 seconds.

2:03 p.m. Beautifully done through the triple for Sharon. This one is set on a one stride to a one stride making it a bit more difficult.

2:00 p.m. First up we have Sharon White and Claus 63. It’s looking very windy in Ocala!

1:30 p.m. Here’s the entries:

This Is How We Save Lives, and Our Sport

A table at former event venue Richland Park fitted with frangible technology in memorial to Philippa Humphreys, who died from injuries sustained in a rotational fall at Jersey Fresh in 2016. Collapsible and deformable fence construction has come a long way even in the past four years — and now it’s time for us to put it to large-scale use. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

We’ve come a long way in making our sport safer, but we’re not done. Not even close.

The subject of safety is nuanced and multifaceted. At the end of the day, it’s about personal responsibility. We must ride well. We must be well-educated by coaches who are honest about our abilities. We must make good decisions. Our courses must be well designed.

But not one rider on the planet is immune to making a mistake. Bad decisions will happen, no matter what stopgaps — qualifications, risk indexes, rules, watch lists — are in place to prevent them. Riders will press their luck. Horses will miss. Accidents will happen, but when they do it shouldn’t cost us our lives, or the lives of our horses.

Data from national and international competitions. Graphic by EN.

There must be a safeguard in place, a buffer between a serious wake-up call and a funeral. That safeguard is frangible technology.

To be very clear, frangible technology is not a solution in and of itself or a substitute for good riding. It does not take away a rider’s responsibility to jump cleanly and maintain a healthy respect for the fence. But it IS a safety net. And now that the technology exists, there’s no excuse for it not to be put in place wherever applicable on every single cross country course.

Sure, money is an obstacle to making that happen, and the USEA does allocate funds that provide grants to competitions (about $26,000 a year) so that they can adapt the technology, but it’s not nearly enough to make the needed changes at a quick enough rate. So how do we expedite the process?

We save lives, and our sport, ourselves. And we do that by putting our money where our mouth is.

In the wake of the latest horse and rider fatality as a result of a cross country accident, Jon Holling, Chair of the USEA’s Cross Country Safety Committee, emphasizes that we can’t just wait around for somebody else to make eventing safer.

Our sport’s national and international governing bodies are doing all they can, as quickly as they can, but as Jon says, “It’s not just up to them. It’s up to all of us. I’m tired of watching of watching us die because we make a mistake when there’s technology that can help. We don’t need to do it anymore. There’s no excuse when we know there is technology out there that we know can make us safer.”

Now he is calling on us all to help.

The timeline: three years.

The goal: Starting with tables, any fence that can be frangible in some way would be made so at the Preliminary level and above.

The cost: $500,000+. View a breakdown of that cost estimate here. “It’s going to take more than $500,000, but that’s a good start,” Jon says.

“To have the technology out there that can make it that a table collapses when a rider makes a mistake and not use it is just inexcusable, and we can’t do it anymore,” Jon says. “So let’s get the money together, and let’s make it to where we don’t have to be jumping around over fences that we know can be made safer.”

Do you want this to be the last cross country fatality we ever see? Two ways you can help make that a reality:

  • Donate to USEA’s Frangible Fence Research initiative. Click here to make your secure, tax-deductible donation, earmarked for Frangible Fence Research, today.
  • A fundraising effort organized by Emily Holmes and Andy Bowles as co-chairs, Robert Kellerhouse, Jon Holling, Leslie Law, Kyle Carter and Doug Payne has, in its first 24 hours online, already raised more than the USEA is able to allocate in frangible grants each year. All funds received from this campaign will be given directly to organizers throughout the country who run events at the Preliminary level and above. Visit the GoFundMe here or via the widget below.

In the wake of a tragedy, our generous community tends to be quick to open our hearts and our wallets — there is a significant bump in donations following the death of a horse or rider, no doubt. But how do we keep the funds coming in?

Jaclyn Burke, a Maryland-based eventer who has competed through the three-star level, has an idea.

After witnessing an accident last fall, Jaclyn took it upon herself to do her part to make a difference. “I run a business, I have event horses, I’m trying to get back to the upper levels. But we need to make it safe and we need to do whatever we can. It will never be 100% safe, but the technology is there so we need to rally and raise the money in whatever creative ways we can.”

Jaclyn attended all the safety meetings at the 2019 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention in December, and saw firsthand the innovation that was being brought to the table. For example: the new frangible device that Dan Michael, an amateur eventer and retired aerospace engineer, has been distributing to course designers, which would be broadly applicable to many types of fences and alleviate many of the limitations of the current mechanisms on the market.

Dan Michael’s device is essentially a spring inside a cylinder — the spring’s compression can be adjusted to account for the weight of the log or rail that it holds and to change the amount of force required for the device to release. A rounded protrusion at the end of the device next to the rail or log sits in a cup on the log. Force that hits the log/rail pushes the protrusion into the spring and releases the device. The “ball and socket” connection of the device to the log means that it will trigger with force at any angle. Says Dan, “We have to build all of our jumps with the idea of conservation of momentum. When a rider hits a jump, the force is distributed and the weakest link needs to be the frangible break point.” Photo by Abby Powell.

“One thing I saw at the convention was that what is hard about this is that it is expensive, and that is what has held it back,” Jaclyn says, referring to Jon’s video as a call to action. “We as a group need to come together to raise the funds, because there is no reason that these tables shouldn’t have the technology that we have.”

Jaclyn started doing the fundraising math, and a possible solution presented itself: a nominal amount that riders would pay as part of their entry fee that would go toward funding the installation of frangible devices. Those small contributions would add up, even far surpassing Jon’s goal of $500,000.

She ran the numbers from 2019. “At a nominal fee between $5-20 dollars, you are looking at roughly $130,000 a year. You increase that slightly to $10-25 and get close to $200,000 depending on starters. Over a three to five year period we could make a serious dent in adding frangible technology to our courses,” she says.

That is, potentially, a million dollars by 2025. 

Calculations of last year’s starters and the nominal fee and the potential revenue for frangible devices, by Jaclyn Burke.

Basically, she explains, it’s a pay-to-play system. The higher level you compete, the higher “fee” you pay toward frangible technology. Any USEF recognized level must pay into the fund at each and every competition. Like the drug/medication fee to the USEF, you have to pay a “line item” on your entry toward frangible technology. This money doesn’t go into the organizers pocket necessarily, but gets managed through a fund to then allocate money towards events, starters, etc. It would be a way to monitor that the fee is being spent appropriately.

“There is also a psychological effect that as a ‘rider, trainer, owner’ I understand what this is going toward and why it is important,” Jaclyn says. “Frankly if we all want to participate in the sport, we all need to contribute. I know this may be an issue in the foreseeable future as the making it mandatory and getting it passed by USEF, so in the time being if you have an option to opt out, you wouldn’t have to pay.”

It shouldn’t be difficult to have a software writer write it into entry systems like Event Entries and Xentry, and Jaclyn even volunteered to pay for the cost of having it developed as a field on the entry form.

“Not only have we lost lives, we’re risking losing the sport we love too,” Jaclyn says. “I hate to think where the sport will be in five to 10 years if we don’t take action today.”

Abby Powell contributed to this report.

 

Weekly OTTB Wishlist Presented by Cosequin: Rest In Peace, A.P. Indy

The racing — and sport horse — world lost a legend last month, with the passing of A.P. Indy at the age of 31. If you’ve ever looked up a Thoroughbred’s pedigree on Equineline, chances are that you’ll have seen his name a generation or two back. The stately stallion, who won close to $3 million in 11 races, has been an influential sire for many other race horses and sport horses alike.

There are a number of his progeny running around cross country courses across the nation; for example, if we take a quick look at the Retired Racehorse Project’s user-driven database the Thoroughbred Sport Tracker, there are 60 horses who have A.P. Indy for a grandsire out of the 991 registered as eventers. Of course, we can point out a few particularly recognizable event horse names as well such as Andrea Baxter’s Indy 500 (My Gifted Indyanna), Phillip Dutton’s Sea of Clouds, Leah Lang-Gluscic’s AP Prime, and Jon Holling’s Ragtime Rebel.

In honor of A.P. Indy, this week we’re featuring three geldings who can trace their lineage to one of the most notable stallions of all time:

Shipsandgoods. Photo via New Vocations Racehorse Adoption.

Shipsandgoods (PATRIOT ACT – AIR MAIL, BY GULCH): 2013 16.0-hand New York-bred gelding

With A.P. Indy as his grandsire, Shipsandgoods made 30 career starts over the last four years though he only earned a modest $55,731 in total. Known around the barn as “Captain,” this came to New Vocations through NYTHA’s TAKE THE LEAD Program and they’ve found him to be a friendly and personable horse who enjoys attention. He’s also a forward moving and forward thinking ride who has the making of a great sport horse with consistent training.

Located in Gansevoort, New York.

View Shipsandgoods on New Vocations Racehorse Adoption.

Garey Park. Photo via Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.

Garey Park (TRAPPE SHOT – EVANGELICAL, BY SPEIGHTSTOWN): 2014 15.3-hand New York-bred gelding

Garey Park made his way to the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center directly from his owner and race trainer, who wanted to be sure their horse had only the best opportunity at a second career after his 21 races and $50,243 in winnings. Being a Tapit grandson, A.P. Indy is four generations back in his pedigree. This six-year-old is described as having a “busy mind.” He doesn’t have a lot of confidence in his new environment yet, but his caretakers can tell that eventually he’ll thrive in an environment with lots of interesting new questions and challenges as he’s naturally curious and loves learning.

Located in Lexington, Kentucky.

View Garey Park on Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.

Total Access. Photo via CANTER Maryland.

Total Access (FREEDOM CHILD – MORE EVERYTHING, BY GHOSTZAPPER): 2017 16.1-hand Texas-bred gelding

Total Access looks like the total package with his fun flashy chrome and lovely sport horse type. According to his connections he’s completely sound and has no injuries as he “doesn’t run fast enough to hurt himself.” He earned $24,640 in his 12 career starts. Total Access’ grandsire, Malibu Moon, who is a son of A.P. Indy, is said be a sought after event horse sire.

Located in Maryland.

View Total Access on CANTER Maryland.