Classic Eventing Nation

Wednesday News & Notes

By on Mar 11, 2020 12:01 am -

Funny thing happened to me last month, Greta and I drove 960 miles one way to South Carolina for the weekend to event…

Posted by Tedd Goth on Tuesday, March 3, 2020

It can be difficult, even heartbreaking, to drive a long distance to compete and have to withdraw before the really good stuff. That said, it should be carefully considered as a responsibility not only to our horse but to ourselves. If it’s not right, it’s not right.

National Holiday: Ash Wednesday

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Ocala Winter II H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Copper Meadows H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Pine Top Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

MeadowCreek Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Your Wednesday News & Notes

It’s incredible to think that one of the earliest YEH classes has now hit the age of 20. The ’05 edition of YEH five year olds featured Ballylaffin Bracken, who would go on to compete at many 5* events, along with several future Intermediate horses. [Horse Heroes]

Our sport of eventing will be on the silver screen soon as Hope’s Legacy comes to theaters. Partially filmed at Full Moon Farm in Maryland, Hope’s Legacy is a sequel to A Christmas Ranch, and follows the main character on her forays into eventing. [Eventing to the Silver Screen]

Several five-star horses were spotted knocking the winter dust off in the Open Intermediate sections at Great Britain’s Oasby Horse Trials last Friday, March 6. Among them: Last year’s Badminton winners Piggy French and Vanir Kamira, as well as Oliver Townend and Cooley Master Class, who has won Kentucky twice and was a team silver medallist at last year’s European Championships. [A Badminton winner, a world champion and two more medallists: 11 top horses enjoying a run at Oasby]

Wednesday Social Media:

There's nothing your secretary appreciates more than an entry sent in early!Loudoun Hunt Pony ClubMorven Park…

Posted by United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) on Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Featured Video: It’s fun to follow “EN’s Got Talent” alumni as they make their way in the world! Bossinova, a Hanoverian gelding (Bonifatius X Dawina, by Der Lord) bred in Scotland and imported by Andrew McConnon, is one that caught our eye back in 2018. Andrew competed “Hugo” very successfully through the two-star and Intermediate levels, winning at Carolina International in 2019 and placing second at Hagyard Midsouth in 2018. Now the horse is continuing his winning ways with 15-year-old Bruce Hill, who acquired the horse last year. Most recently, they won the JR/YR Preliminary division at Twin Rivers Winter H.T. last weekend on their dressage score of 28.5.

Tuesday Video from Flexible Fit Equestrian USA: Team Price Takes the Sunshine Tour

By on Mar 10, 2020 5:20 pm -

One month postpartum, Jonelle Price is once again taking over the world. She, husband Tim, son Otis and the newest addition, Abel, have headed down to sunny Spain to once again hone their show jumping skills through the Sunshine Tour. They’ve got a herd in tow that includes Classic Moet, Wesko, Xavier Faer, and McClaren.

Enjoy these clips from their first rounds in Spain 🇪🇸.

Sunshine Tour – Dehesa Montemedio VejerGrovine de Reve

Posted by Team Price on Monday, March 9, 2020

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

 

Athletux #TakeHomeTuesday: Win a Custom E.A. Mattes Square Pad from World Equestrian Brands

By on Mar 10, 2020 4:17 pm -

Photo courtesy of World Equestrian Brands.

What’s the saddle pad of your wildest matchy-matchy eventer dreams? Equestrian Marketing Firm Athletux has partnered with EN’s awesome sponsor World Equestrian Brands to give away a custom E.A. Mattes Square Pad (a $315+ value).

Why We Love It

Comfort: Mattes Square Pads offer the same benefits of E.A. Mattes famous half pad, but in a full-pad style. The sheepskin panels offer protection while the unlined flaps minimize bulk under the rider’s leg. The flaps are quilted with a layer of POLY-FLEX®, a material that absorbs energy and eliminates bounce.

Style: Are you ready to up your cross country style game? From choosing the colors of the quilting and sheepskin to the binding and piping, this pad is totally customizable.

How To Win It

1) Follow both @athletux and @worldeqbrands on Instagram.
2) Like this post.
3) Tag a friend who might like to enter (one person per comment to maximize your chances).
For an extra entry, enter your email here.

This giveaway closes on Thursday, March 12th at 7 a.m. EST. Winner to be contacted that afternoon!

Bonus of following Athletux on Instagram: #TakeHomeTuesday giveaways for items from top industry brands — we are talking big items like horse blankets, riding boots, helmets, clothing and more. You don’t want to miss it!

Go Eventing.


Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: Horses with a Head Start

By on Mar 10, 2020 1:00 pm -

Interested in an off-the-track Thoroughbred without actually taking them off the track yourself? This week’s OTTB Wishlist is for you! Our three featured horses this week all have a jump on their training for their second career. They’ve gotten an excellent start to their retraining thanks to the aftercare programs or current homes that they are with and are ready to show you what they’ve got! Bring one of them home and leave the start box with them sooner rather than later:

Diamond Junior. Photo via MidAtlantic Horse Rescue.

Diamond Junior (OVERANALYZE – MS GOOD CAT, BY TALE OF THE CAT): 2015 16.0-hand Kentucky-bred gelding

The folks at MAHR honestly can’t figure out how this great gelding is still available! Diamond Junior, known around the barn as “Jack,” came to MAHR straight from his racing connections last year and is a 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover graduate, where he competed in the show hunters division. Jack has a great brain and is just as rideable out in a field as he is in an arena. He handled the atmosphere of the Makeover wonderfully, but is a little bit too keen to the fences make for a hunter — he’d definitely prefer to be an eventer or show jumper! Just from one picture you can see the he’s allergic to wood and hates to touch a rail. Be sure to check out the most recent video of him in a jump school.

Located in Warwick, Maryland.

View Diamond Jack on MidAtlantic Horse Rescue.

Heading to Boca. Photo via Friends of Ferdinand.

Heading to Boca (MAJESTIC WARRIOR – CROSSTOWN TRAFFIC, BY GOOD AND TOUGH): 2011 16.3-hand Indiana-bred gelding

This handsome tall hunk of a gelding needs someone to give him a job! Boca is an athletically gifted guy who enjoys working, but he can be hard on himself if she doesn’t answer the question right the first time. He’ll therefore flourish best with a rider who can be a confident, tactful and encouraging. On the ground, he’ll try to get away with some naughty behavior if you let him, but if you present yourself as the leader and gain his trust then he’ll be a perfect gentleman. The Friends of Ferdinand staff say this horse is real trier and will excel in whatever he’s asked if you can show him patience and dedication. Check out his most recent jumping video!

Located near McCordsville/ Fortville, Indiana.

View Heading to Boca on Friends of Ferdinand.

Olympic Thunder. Photo via New Vocations Racehorse Adoption.

Olympic Thunder (DURBAN THUNDER (BRZ) – CUTE LITTLE BEAR (BRZ), BY ROY): 2008 16.1-hand Brazilian-bred gelding

Olympic Thunder was originally adopted from New Vocations in 2015, but unfortunately is seeking re-homing due to allergies he is experiencing in the coastal South Carolina region. “Thunder” developed an allergy to biting gnats (“no-see ums”) about three years ago, which is now affecting him year round and his veterinarian recommended that he live in an area where these insects are not as prevalent. His adopter is very regrettably searching for a new home for her beloved horse, but knows it’s the right thing to do for him. In their time together, they have done hunter/jumpers, evented, and even ridden trails through the mountains in Dupont Forest. Thunder has no vices, is sound and has no other health issue aside from the insect allergies. He still has loads of potential as an athletic partner, but also the temperament to enjoy a slower lifestyle. He is currently being used in an equine-assisted psychotherapy program working with at-risk youth.

Located in South Carolina.

View Olympic Thunder on New Vocations Racehorse Adoption.

FEI, National Federations Issue Advisories on Coronavirus

By on Mar 10, 2020 11:50 am -

With over 115,000 cases of COVID-19 now being reported across 103 countries, the FEI has been carefully monitoring the development of the outbreak and advised countermeasures. It has urged National Federations, event organizers and other stakeholders to keep themselves informed on the coronavirus and follow advice issued by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Today the FEI provided an updated advisory, including key planning recommendations for mass gatherings in the context of the coronavirus outbreak:

“As the situation around the current Coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak is constantly evolving and is impacting many communities, we all need to be aware that it is everyone’s responsibility to help minimise the spread of the virus through containment.

“In order to achieve that goal, we must all keep ourselves updated on the latest advice, both from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and our own national or local authorities.

“You will have seen the FEI Sports Forum news last week that we have cancelled the in-person event and will be hosting the time-sensitive sessions online. (The 2020 FEI Sports Forum on April 6-7 will be held online rather than Lausanne, Switzerland as originally planned.)

“For anyone else in our community that is planning on organising a major event, it is crucial that you conduct a full risk assessment, together with the local authorities in your country.

“We recommend that organisers check the WHO’s latest guidelines offering key planning recommendations for mass gatherings in the context of the current Covid-19 outbreak(see attached document), which outlines risk assessment, key planning, operational and post-event considerations for organisers during the current outbreak.

“This document should be read in conjunction with the WHO’s Public Health for Mass Gatherings: Key Considerations, which provides general advice on the public health aspects of mass gathering events.

“The FEI continues to follow the situation regarding Covid-19 very closely and, specifically for Tokyo, we are maintaining regular contact with the IOC, the IPC and the Tokyo Organising Committee.

“The IOC and IPC are collaborating directly with the WHO and IOC Medical and Scientific Commission Games Group public health experts, as well as the relevant sport and government authorities and, to this end, a joint task force was created in mid-February, involving the IOC, Tokyo 2020, the host city of Tokyo, the government of Japan and the WHO.

“The IOC has advised us that countermeasures against infectious diseases constitute an important part of Tokyo 2020’s plans to host a safe and secure Games.

“Tokyo 2020 is continuing to collaborate with all relevant organisations which carefully monitor any incidence of infectious diseases and, together with them, will review any countermeasures that may be necessary.

“The IOC Executive Board met in Lausanne (SUI) on 3 and 4 March and confirmed its full commitment to the success of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, encouraging all athletes to continue with their preparations for the Games.

“The IOC has published an athlete-focused Q&A on Covid-19 on its Athlete 365 hub, plus additional information: Coronavirus Outbreak Advice for Athletes.

“The WHO has also published a comprehensive Q&A document as well as guidelines for the workplace on simple ways to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and what to do if someone in your workplace contracts the virus.

“Finally, please find below the links to four important documents for your information:

Several National Federations have issued statements and advisories, which we have collated below and will keep updated as the situation develops. Please note that US Equestrian has created a Coronavirus Disease Resources portal with helpful links and more information.

 

 

“The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is closely monitoring the information regarding the Coronavirus outbreak. Our number one priority is the safety and welfare of our members, staff and their families. While the current number of cases in the United States is low, we recognize the growing concerns of our community with respect to the potential for an increase in cases in coming weeks.

“The USEF Executive Team meets regularly to review the communications on this illness issued from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and other health organizations. We have created a resource hub on our website (click here), with links to resources so that you can stay up to date on the most current information available….

March 5: USEF Letter to the Members Regarding the Coronavirus Outbreak

“The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) is in constant contact with key partners such as UK Sport, the British Olympic Association, the Sport and Recreation Alliance, and the FEI to monitor the situation both in Britain and globally around the current Coronavirus outbreak.

“We urge all stakeholders to follow Government advice and information, which is regularly updated on the GOV.uk website. For those with travel concerns, there is specific advice available here. The Government published their action plan on 3 March, which outlines the measures in force to contain the spread of the virus.

“There is presently no rationale to close or cancel equestrian events, but this may change as the situation evolves. We would strongly recommend everyone in the equestrian community to follow the NHS guidance on how to avoid catching or spreading the virus to help in the containment process.”

March 5: Statement on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Jan. 31: Coronavirus – Seven recommendations for sports travelers and their teams

March 10: Paralympics Australia – IPC & PA Coronavirus Update & AIS Disability Support Pension Compensation Program

March 9: AOC Advice for Summer Games Planning

March 6: Coronavirus: questions, answers and information]

March 4: Cancellation of Eventing Horse of the Year Show 2020 on 14 March

Coronavirus Covid-19 update

March 10: Coronavirus emergency: DPCM 9 March 2020. First indications from FISE

March 9: Covid-19 emergency: FAQ. The Federation answers further questions

March 8: Covid-19 emergency: FISE measures

March 5: Covid-19: FISE clarifications on DPCM of 4 March 2020

 Feb. 28: About correspondence with new coronavirus infectious disease

Feb. 26: About cancellation of training course and certification test sponsored by Nimaren (new coronavirus measures)

March 3: Coronavirus and Equestrian Sport

Who Jumped It Best? Red Hills Advanced Edition

By on Mar 10, 2020 9:00 am -

The Upper Water was well utilized at this year’s Red Hills with Advanced competitors coming through it twice. In the photos below, you see the landing of 16A. Riders are locked onto the upcoming angled brush at B followed a skinny brush at C.

It’s your turn to give out style points. Take a look at these photos and vote in the poll below for who you think presents the best overall picture.

Red Hills International: Website, Results, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Will Coleman and Don Dante. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Lauren Lambert and Fantastique. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Meg Kepferle and Anakin. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Steph Cauffman and Chatsworth Third Revolution.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Flash Cooley. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Alyssa Phillips and Oskar. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Tuesday News & Notes from Legends Horse Feeds

By on Mar 10, 2020 12:01 am -

Jessica Phoenix and Wabbit. Photo by Shelby Allen.

This weekend was my first trip to Red Hills, and I can assure you it won’t be my last. The scenery is gorgeous, and I got super lucky with perfect weather all three days. My favorite part was the community involvement. I ran into so many non-horsey people out enjoying cross country day. Cheers to the Red Hills team and the City of Tallahassee for putting on a class competition.

Events Opening This Week:University of New Hampshire Spring H.T., Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Spring H.T.

Events Closing This Week: Rocking Horse Spring H.T., Designer Builders Stable View Spring CCI-S, Full Gallop Farm March II H.T., Texas Rose Horse Park H.T., Galway Downs International H.T.,

Tuesday News:

Ian Stark is designing his first ever CCI5*-L track a the Maryland Five-Star. He and course builder Eric Bull are in the thick of the planning. [Footing, Tracks, and Rider-Frighteners: The Maryland Five-Star at Fair Hill]

Tom McEwen is one resourceful guy. When his martingale came unsnapped at Oasby over the weekend, he did what any sane person would do. He untied his reins and slid the martingale off while riding on the Open Intermediate cross country. [Tom McEwen is more than a match for a martingale malfunction…]

Hot on Horse Nation: Your Trainer, Translated

Sunday Video: Jonelle Price and Grovine de Reve working on their show jumping at the Sunshine Tour.

Sunshine Tour – Dehesa Montemedio VejerGrovine de Reve

Posted by Team Price on Monday, March 9, 2020

Monday Video from CLM DWN: Ride Red Hills (and Hear the Post-Ride Analysis) with Elisa Wallace

By on Mar 9, 2020 4:30 pm -

Elisa Wallace and Susan Day’s Sharp Decision made easy work of the CCI2*-S cross country at Red Hills over the weekend, finishing 16th overall in a competitive division. As always, Elisa had her GoPro on for the ride, and let’s just take a moment to marvel at how far the helmet cam technology has come in recent years. This has to be some of the smoothest helmet cam footage we’ve ever seen!

This helmet cam is a bit of a treat, as we also get to hear Elisa break down her ride with Briggs Surrat, who also contested the CCI2*-S with Corture, as the GoPro keeps rolling.

Red Hills International: Website, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Safety Matters: Calculating Your Own EquiRatings ‘6 Run Average’

By on Mar 9, 2020 3:00 pm -

View this post on Instagram

This week, we'll be introducing each of our five DIY metrics that you can put to work for yourself. It's our philosophy that in order to manage improvement, you must measure progress, starting with where you are now. We've developed, honed, and challenged this set of five metrics to help YOU take ownership of your journey and confidently manage your progress, regardless of whether you’re a grassroots rider or aiming for Olympic gold. We start with the 6RA. You've heard us talk about this metric before and it's become the first tool in our set. Check out our stories to see #SleepingSam tell you all about it. #equiratings #eventing #simplemetrics #6RA @ingridklimke @sapsports @julia_krajewski @michaeljungofficialnews @olivertownendofficial @andrewsmcconnon

A post shared by EquiRatings (@equiratings) on

As riders, we have a responsibility to both ourselves and our horses to ensure that we’re ticking the necessary boxes on our way up the levels. Even if you aren’t a statistician, it’s easy to keep track of your own competition records and make observations based on the results of each show.

Safety continues to be an important topic of conversation as we work to make our sport safer for all participants. In light of this ongoing conversation, EquiRatings is rolling out five metrics that each rider can track themselves in order to create a bigger picture of their competition suitability. The first metric EquiRatings recommends tracking is called the 6 Run Average.

Andrew McConnon and Bossinova. Photo by Brant Gamma Photography.

What is a 6 Run Average?

Dressage is the founding cornerstone of quality riding, so building your skill set in this phase will always pay off in the jumping phases. EquiRatings first introduced the 6 Run Average in 2019 as a measurement for the dressage phase of competition.

The 6RA is calculated using the horse’s last six dressage scores with the same rider. For example’s sake, EquiRatings calculated the top 6RA from international competition in 2019. One U.S. pair, Andrew McConnon and Bossinova, earned a spot on the list with a 6RA of 23.5.

Julia Krajewski and Samourai du Thot. Photo by Thomas Ix.

How do I calculate my own 6 Run Average?

The 6RA is a simple calculation. All you need is your last six dressage scores, averaged together. If you’re feeling more visual, you can also use EquiRatings’ slider to calculate your own 6RA here.

Cillnabradden Evo and Oliver Townend. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

How do I use my 6 Run Average?

EquiRatings determined that six runs was a number that would give riders the most objective look at recent results. Statistics show that a horse improves its dressage scores with more experience, so averaging too many rides may give a skewed 6RA.

By calculating your horse’s 6RA, you can have a better idea of competence and areas for improvement. We all know that scores can fluctuate depending on many variables, so having this average helps us look up at the big picture rather than getting tunnel vision on one really great or one less than great score.

Sam Watson Introduces the 6RA

SIMPLE METRICS – 1 of 5 – the 6RAAs promised, Sam Watson Eventing explains the first tool in our simple metrics set – the 6RA. Watch for the other four DIY metrics each day this week and check out our post from earlier today to learn a bit more about the 6RA.

Posted by EquiRatings on Monday, March 9, 2020

We’ll be collecting the rest of the EquiRatings “Metrics That Matter” as they’re released, so stay tuned for much more and be sure to follow @equiratings for the latest numbers and statistics that are important for our sport.

International Weekend Recap: Barroca D’Alva 🇵🇹 + Tonimbuk 🇦🇺

By on Mar 9, 2020 1:00 pm -

Being an Olympic year, we’re going to be keeping an especially close eye on all major international competitions throughout 2020. Here’s a recap of this weekend’s four-star competitions around the globe.

While all eyes were on Red Hills International here in the U.S. (catch up on EN’s live coverage here), other big ticket four-stars took place at Barroca International H.T.in Portugal and Tonimbuk International in Australia.

Photo courtesy of Horse Sport Ireland.

🇵🇹Barroca International H.T. (March 4-8)🇵🇹

Irish riders stormed the top of the Barroca d’Alva CCI4*-L leaderboard, with Tipperary’s Padraig McCarthy taking the top spot with Leonidas II. Padraig, the individual and team silver medalist at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, and the 16-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Landos x Nairobi II, by Parco XX) owned by Diane Brunsden and Peter Cattell won on a score of 39.1.

Leonidas II is a relatively new ride for Padraig, as the horse arrived at Padraig’s yard after his former longtime rider Mark Todd’s retirement late last summer. With Sir Mark, he finished 7th at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and enjoyed top finishes at Badminton and Burghley. We reported on where the rest of Sir Mark’s upper-level string ended up after his retirement earlier this year.

Also from Ireland: Galway’s Cathal Daniels took third place in the CCI4*-L with OLS King Aragon, a 2011 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Samgemjee x Just Beauty Queen, by Seamanship) owned by Michelle Nelson and Kieran Connors; Michael Ryan was 5th with Barnahown Corn Hill; Austin O’Connor was 12th with Colorado Blue.

Japanese riders were out in force as well, with Kenki Sato finishing 2nd with Shanaclough Contagora and withdrawing Vick du Gisors JRA after dressage. We were looking forward to seeing how Toshiyuki Tanaka was getting on with Quarrycrest Echo, Piggy French’s former WEG and European Championships partner with whom she finished 4th at Kentucky last year. EN reported on that transfer to Team Japan, completed in advance of the Jan. 15 deadline for the Tokyo Olympics, here. We’ll have to wait a bit longer, though, as it looks like “Red” was spun at the first horse inspection. The pair finished 21st in the CCI3*-S at Barroca last month.

Karin Donckers of Belgium, who will be looking toward Tokyo as the top ranked unqualified NOC athlete for the South Western Europe region, finished 4th with Leipheimer Van’t Verahof. Sweden’s Philippa Magnusson and Cesar rounded out the top five.

Toshiyuka won the CCI4*-S division with Talma D’Allou on a final penalty score of 33.4, while Australia’s Kevin McNab nabbed the #2 and #3 spots with Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam and Scuderia 1918 A Best Friend respectively.

Barroca d’Alva: Website, Results, Facebook

Photo by Click Capture Photography via the Tonimbuk Horse Trials Inc. Facebook page.

🇦🇺Tonimbuk International (March 6-8)🇦🇺

Cardinia Shire Tonimbuk International in West Gippsland, Australia, made a return to the international eventing calendar this year after being cancelled due to bushfires in 2019. They’ve since rebuilt their cross country course, a significant portion of which was lost in bushfires one week prior to their scheduled 2019 event. This week’s event featuring new tracks through the bush and many new fences under the expertise of course designer John Nicholson.

This year’s event faced a polar opposite challenge — an incredible amount of rain in the week preceding the event. The cross country team had their work cut out for them, adding gravel and mulch and moving jumps to make the best of soggy footing.

Once again this year an interstate competitor took the win in the top class, the Oven’s Junction CCI4*-S. It was the four-star debut of Steph Hann from South Australia and True Celebre, her own 17-year-old off-track Thoroughbred (Peintre Celebre x Dalzing, by Blazing Sword), and they shuffled around the leaderboard throughout the weekend — 2nd after dressage on a score of 31.0, to 5th after dropping a rail in show jumping, ultimately landing in 1st after cross country when Amanda Ross and Rob Palm withdrew before cross country, and Megan Jones retired on course. The pair had 19.6 time penalties to win on a score of 58.2.

Keep an eye on An Eventful Life for interviews, videos and a full report soon.

Tonimbuk: Website, Facebook

Go Eventing.