Classic Eventing Nation

Wednesday News & Notes

By on Feb 26, 2020 12:00 am -

That feeling when you find out you have the honor and the opportunity to do the test ride Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event Never been more pumped to do dressage in my life!#roguewonsyndicate

Posted by Meg Kep on Thursday, February 20, 2020

Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event entries opened yesterday, Meg Kep is officially doing the 5* test ride, and brand new this year, EEI is hosting an Advanced CT alongside of the 5* to give our U.S. based horses another opportunity to get in the electric atmosphere of the Rolex Stadium. Are we pumped or are we pumped?

National Holiday: Ash Wednesday

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Twin River Winter H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Rocking Horse III H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Sporting Days Farm March H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Your Wednesday News & Notes

Despite being a notoriously difficult horse to stay on, Jimmie Schramm fell in love with the quirky Bellamy. After traveling all over the country and competing at the top of the sport, Jimmie was lucky enough to be able to transition Bellamy down to the lower levels. He spent a year competing under our very own Eventing Nation alumni Jenni Autry before fully retiring. [Horse Heroes]

Bids have opened for the 2021/22 NAJYC eventing venues. Rebecca Farm has been a legendary host for the last three years and will host again in 2020, but bids have officially opened to see where it moves to next. [NAYC Venues Bids Open]

Cooley On Show has been part of Sharon White’s barn for a good while now. Despite having a laid-back, ‘quarterback’ type personality, Cooley On Show has an emotionless killer side that pops out when his space is invaded. [Behind the Stall Door]

Wednesday Social Media:

It's time to send in your entries!Fair Hill InternationalThe Maryland Horse Trials @ Loch Moy FarmTwin Rivers Ranch,…

Posted by United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) on Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Tuesday Video: ‘Mud Walking’ with William Fox-Pitt

By on Feb 25, 2020 5:00 pm -

If you’ve felt especially bogged down this winter with all the rain, then you’re in good company. According to William Fox-Pitt, that’s the perfect ground to bring your horse back into work on. In his most recent video, William shows us how he likes to start his horses after a holiday: Mud Walking. Yes, it’s just as it sounds. All you need is a muddy field and a barefoot horse. He credits this exercise to strengthening the horses legs in the early season, also arguing that the first time they see mud shouldn’t be at an event. If it’s good enough for WFP, then it’s certainly good enough for me!

 

EEI Advanced Combined Test Added to Land Rover Kentucky Schedule

By on Feb 25, 2020 3:27 pm -

Oliver Townend and Cooley Master Class led Kentucky dressage on a score of 24.1 in 2019 and held onto their lead throughout the weekend. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

There’s going to be more sport to watch at the 2020 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. The event just announced that an Advanced level combined test has been added to the schedule. Advanced dressage is tentatively scheduled for Friday morning, with the show jumping portion of the combined test happening before the five-star jumping on Sunday.

Spectators: No extra tickets are required to watch the combined test– your same Friday or Sunday stadium ticket lets you experience both competitions. Advance ticket pricing ends March 5, so get your tickets today. (As a side note, we hear that tickets for the Grand Prix on Saturday, April 25, are going fast — here’s the link to purchase. And while you’re at it, be sure to enter to win the Land Rover VIP Insiders Package Sweepstakes; entries close on April 1.)

Competitors: Want to compete in the EEI Advanced Combined Test? Competition details and entry information here. The fine print:

  • Only entries from horses/riders that are qualified to run an Advanced Horse Trials will be accepted.
  • The dressage test will be Advanced Test B.
  • Max number of horses per rider = two. More than two ONLY with special permission from the OC.
  • The combined test will be scheduled in such a way that the horse and rider combinations will have the opportunity to compete in the atmosphere of Rolex Stadium with spectators whenever possible. The rides will be scheduled around the existing, provisional CCI5* schedule.
  • There will be a maximum number of competitors that will be determined once the CCI5* competitor list is finalized. The entries will be accepted based on the FEI Eventing World Athlete Ranking List at the time of closing date – March 24, 2020 and then by postmarked date.
  • Horses entered in the CCI5* may NOT compete in both the CCI5* and the Combined Test. They may NOT change divisions at any time either from CCI5* to the CT unless permission is granted by the OC.
  • Admission information to LRK3DE will be provided upon receipt of entry for the Advanced CT and is different than the CCI5* entry.
  • Horse entered in the CT, even if ridden by a 5* competitor, will NOT be stabled in the FEI stabling enclosure.

What a great idea for acclimating event horses to Kentucky’s electric atmosphere while padding out the schedule a bit for spectators. Looking forward to seeing who ends up on the combined test entry list!

The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event takes place April 22-26, 2020 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. More information is available at the website here.

Prix Caprilli for Dummies

By on Feb 25, 2020 12:00 pm -

It’s harder than it looks. Photo by Holly Covey

Whaaaat? Yep.

Prix Caprilli. (Pronounced “pre-cah-prilly.” It’s a dressage test that uses jumps. No, I am not kidding, and it’s WAY harder than you think it is!)

A local schooling show offers Prix Caprilli dressage tests and had the link to the tests online, so being the out-of-control clicker that I am, of course I downloaded and read them. And that led to bit of research, and even more links to tests and the history of dressage, and of riding over jumps … and you get the picture, so to make a long story short, I ended up out in my arena with three poles and a diagram. Here’s the gist of it:

Prix Caprilli essentially is dressage with some jumps added as a more complete test of training. The jumps are low, and there are only two or three in the tests I’ve found. The regular transitions, gaits, circles and changes of direction are called for with the addition of either trotting or cantering (as you go up the levels) over the placed jumps. Refusals are scored as errors. There can be two or three simple verticals — cavaletti can be used — or one oxer and two verticals. In all they are quite low, 2 ft. 6 in. being about the highest height I’d set for schooling. These are simple but they are training exercises that will blow you away especially on your older horses that know it all. Hahum. Let me explain.

The three-jump pattern in the Prix Caprilli tests. Photo by Holly Covey

When I read through the tests, I thought, this is a fun set of exercises that I can set up at home in the dry spots in my ring. It looked like something far less boring than plain flat dressage, but doesn’t require a lot of jumps for gymnastics or other fancy exercises that, let’s face it, you just don’t have enough time (or light) after work to mess with. It also works well if you have to share a ring with flat riders as there are only three obstacles and they can be set so they don’t interfere with 20-meter circles, etc. So I made a copy, tucked in my barn coat pocket, and went out to the ring and set a few up.

Well, let me tell you something. If you are looking for quick and easy to set up, Prix Caprilli is the way to go. But if you are looking for quick and easy schooling exercises — Prix Caprilli is much harder than it looks! They are indeed a fairly true test of your schooling on the flat, and will very quickly — like after the first jump — give you an indication of what you need to work on.

Like straightness. Impulsion. Bending. Obedience to half-halt. And MUCH more! I was shocked at how badly I actually managed the Prix Caprilli test the first time I attempted to ride just the first half of the Training Level test. (See the crooked line below.) OK. So I’m a dummy. It got my attention, and I went back to work.

Straightness is the centering mantra of just about any dressage instructor and Prix Caprilli will bring that. All of the long lines, the center and quarter lines plus the long trot or canter on the diagonal to the single jump works on that skill. Need balance in your corners? Jumping and then immediately having to land, then turn, then transition to canter will work on that. Need to polish half halts, work on creating impulsion, bend, balance? Prix Caprilli tests work on all of that and also make you switch your balance too from jumping to flat and back again very quickly within the test. It was an eye-opener for me.

Look at this crooked track! Prix Caprilli tests are a good test of straightness. Photo by Holly Covey

As for the history of where this came from, the Prix Caprilli tests appeared evidently sometime in the ’50s or ’60s. While they may have developed in the early days of dressage, the savior of the Prix Caprilli tests was probably Pony Club. I am sure they were embraced for kids on ponies who liked the jumping but where pretty “meh” about the dressage, and disguised as yet another instance of the brilliance of a classical Pony Club education, as they give you a real feel for the essential training of dressage for jumping.

They were named in honor of Captain Federico Caprilli, the great Italian cavalry officer who studied horses free-jumping and developed the forward seat style of riding, a revolutionary theory at his time before the turn of the 20th century. (See Jim Wofford’s in-depth study of the genius of Caprilli published in Practical Horseman here.)

The tests I’ve found are set at Introductory Level, Training Level and First Level. They look as though they’ve been passed down secretively from one group to another, copied in the dark of night and posted under cover. If you go to the USDF, the USEF, or US Pony Club website, I’ll save you the bother of searching — they don’t have them. BUT I have found them online in various underground spots all over the world. Australia. Canada. Great Britain. Texas. California. Pennsylvania.

Rumor has it Lendon Gray’s Youth Dressage Festival can be credited with single-handedly saving Prix Caprilli for us in America, by writing and updating the tests and offering them in her highly regarded competition annually held in New York. Here’s the page. And she includes some judging directions, too.

I’ve linked a few tests here for your own special torture, and after a bit of experimenting, a more detailed jump set up. Bear in mind these are set for a 20m x 60m dressage arena.

I found thatj #3 was the one you can make into your oxer (should be square to be approached in both directions) and it should be set so that it is about 1 meter off the rail, to allow you to pass B comfortably without squeezing — this will not really make it centered on the quarter line but in the general area of it. It should not block the cross-center line from B to E, either, so should be set at least a meter up or down from the cross-center line. It has to be over fairly snugly so you can set the diagonal jumps and not block your line and give you the room to get to X for a 20m stretchy circle.

Jumps #1 and #2 are set on the diagonal, as the diagram indicates. You really want these in the second half (after X) of the long diagonal, but set so that they are in the no-man’s land between the quarter line and center line, so they don’t interfere with the line to jump #3. (See the video below). Walk your diagonal line carrying the pole, then drop it so it is square with your path from H to F/F to H, or K to M/M to K. Also, I used single schooling standards rather than wing standards which take up a bit more room.

Have you ever seen a Prix Caprilli test ridden?

Here’s a very well ridden test by Lisa Evans:

Here are three Prix Caprilli test links courtesy of Blue Goose Stable. Here are two 2019 Youth Dressage Festival tests written by Lendon Gray which are a bit different, with only two jumps.

Ride a test and let us know what you think! Prix Caprilli fans may have been driven underground, but as a recent convert, I can tell you that we’re still alive and kicking. Join the revolution! Ha! I’m only 75 years late!

Haygain Hay Steamer Is Up for Grabs at ‘Kick on for Koalas’

By on Feb 25, 2020 11:00 am -

Photo via Haygain.

Kick on for Koalas, a fundraiser for relief efforts benefitting those affected and displaced by the devastating Australian bushfires, is underway today in Ocala at Barnstaple South. In addition to clinic opportunities from top riders who are donating their time, our friends at Haygain have donated a HG600 hay steamer to the cause.

The steamer up for grabs holds approximately a half-bale of hay, is easily portable, and retails for $1,749. Entries will be collected by event photographer Deborah Windsor on site, and the winner will be announced during closing ceremonies. The steamer will be shipped or can be delivered if the winner lives in the Ocala area.

Kick On for Koalas was instigated by Canadian Olympian and longtime hay steaming believer, Selena O’Hanlon. She is one of the top riders donating their time giving lessons; the roster of volunteer coaches also includes fellow steamers Lauren Kieffer and Buck Davidson, plus Lesley Grant-Law, Scott Keach and Dom Schramm.

Selena took a tip from the top in adding high temperature steamed hay to her horses’ routine. It came from Sir Mark Todd, the six-time New Zealand Olympian designated by the International Equestrian Federation as its “Rider of the 20th Century.”

Selena and her longtime top international partner Foxwood High were stabled at Todd’s base in England while prepping for the Badminton Horse Trials in 2014. Todd was one of the first to embrace Haygain steamed hay as a means to protect and improve equine respiratory health. It also adds water to the diet for improved digestive function and its good taste entices even picky eaters.

Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

In the case of Foxwood High, aka “Woody,” he was initially fed haylage at Todd’s farm, but Selena noticed the big horse was not eating very much of it. His appetite improved significantly once he began steamed hay, and he stayed on it for the next three weeks before Badminton. That alone sold Selena and her mother, Morag, an extremely experienced horsewoman, on steaming’s benefits.

At their base, the Datta family’s 100-acre farm in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, the O’Hanlons have seen steamed hay help all their horses. “Over time, we’ve had a few horses with allergies and Haygain steamed hay has made a big difference,” Selena reports. “We’ve seen a lot less coughing.”    

Haygain high-temperature hay steaming was developed 11 years ago in conjunction with the Royal Agricultural University in the U.K. The process drastically reduces dust, mold, fungi and dust found in even top quality, most expensive hay. These breathable irritants are the main cause of Inflammatory Airway Disease. IAD and other conditions on the Equine Asthma Spectrum affect a surprising high percentage of active sporthorses, often without obvious symptoms. A recent study of 700-plus active sporthorses found that 88% of them had IAD, and that feeding Haygain Steamed Hay reduced the risk of IAD by 65%.

Visit “Kick On For Koalas eventing fundraising clinic” on Facebook for more information. See schedule below. For more information on Haygain, visit www.haygain.com. The host location is Barnstable South, in the Ocala area’s Moriston (10800 NW 145th Ave, Moriston, FL, 32668).   

 

Road to the Thoroughbred Makeover: Meet Kristal Gessler & Fraternal (‘Romeo’)

By on Feb 25, 2020 9:00 am -

For 616 accepted trainers, the journey to the Retired Racehorse Project’s 2020 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, has begun! The 2020 event will take place at Oct. 7-10 at the Kentucky Horse Park. Between now and then, five eventing trainers will be blogging their journeys, including their triumphs and their heartbreaks, successes and failures, for Eventing Nation readers. Today, we meet trainer Kristal Gessler.

Kristal is from Rexford, NY, and operates her business, Kristal Clear Equestrian, a new sport horse training facility specializing in restarting OTTBs, out of Burnt Hills, NY. This will be her second year competing in the Makeover — last year she finished 6th in eventing with her 4-year-old Prolific. This year she returns with Fraternal (barn name “Romeo”), a Godolphin-bred 2017 17-hand Thoroughbred gelding (Into Mischief  x Sister State, by A.P. Indy). Take it away, Kristal!

Kristal’s 2020 Thoroughbred Makeover hopeful, Fraternal. Photo courtesy of Kristal Gessler.

From a young age I had a big interest in OTTBs, and while I had many different types of horses there was usually always one in barn. Growing up on my family farm horses were not the main focus and were only a hobby for us kids. That hobby quickly turned into a passion that I knew I wanted to turn into a lifetime career. I guess you could consider me one of those, almost now extinct, “barn rats”; even though we kept our horses at home I spent most of my time in the barn caring for and riding/driving as much as possible.

I worked with several local trainers — everything from hunter/jumpers to natural horsemanship, learning and soaking up every bit of information I could possibly find. It wasn’t until later into my adult years that I discovered my true passion for eventing and dressage. After finishing college, doing the whole stay-at-home-mom thing and going through a divorce, I decided I wanted more for myself and my son. I didn’t want to have to give up my stay-at-home-mom status and send my son to daycare so I looked for a job that would allow me to have him with me everyday.

I was then introduced to five-star eventer Marcia Kulak. I spent many years training and working alongside her, and learning everything I possibly could regarding the training and management of high-profile equine athletes. The days were long but an experience unlike any other, the best learning environment and window into the eventing world that I could receive. After many summers working closely with the Kulak team, and winters spent in a few different local barns, I decided it was time to step out of my comfort zone, take the leap and start my own business. I spent my first year traveling locally, coaching, and training young horses and riders of all ages and levels. The goal was to develop my reputation and a solid customer base, which was accomplished, and November of 2018 I was able to rent my first barn and establish a base for my training business.

That first winter was amazing and exhausting all at the same time. As with most new businesses the first year was full of ups and downs and lots of learning experiences. It was during this time that I discovered the Retired Racehorse Project and the Thoroughbred Makeover. As I did my research into the RRP/Thoroughbred Makeover and coaching a client through their first year competing at the Makeover, I decided I wanted to jump in and give it a try. I spent countless hours researching and combing through all of the Thoroughbred aftercare and rehoming programs and decided to contact the Godolpin rehoming program.

After many emails back and forth with the director of the U.S. program based in Kentucky, I was matched up with Prolific, a 4-year-old gelding. He was tall, dark and handsome so I said yes and he was shipped to me in February of 2019. From the moment he stepped off the trailer it was love at first sight; I couldn’t believe this beautiful creature was mine!

Our journey to the 2019 Makeover was not an easy one as he had many health complications to overcome, but with our amazing team, veterinarian, farrier and coaches, we were able to get him on the right track. We spent the spring/summer schooling, schooling, and more schooling. Everything was a training opportunity. We took him along to every competition and exposed him to everything he could possibly see when we arrived in Kentucky.

He had three competitions under his belt before we prepared for his final competition before the Makeover. It was at this final competition at GMHA in Vermont when he finally peaked and all the pieces came together. The cross country course was the biggest most intimidating course he had seen yet and I wasn’t sure how he was going to react to it, but I felt it was going to help to prepare him for what he was going to see and give me the best insight into how he would perform over the fences in Kentucky. From the moment he stepped into the start box he was game on. With only a few looks at the running water crossings, he tackled every question without any hesitation and loved every minute of it! I knew from that moment I had an extremely brave and bold cross country horse.

The next week we were off to Kentucky and extremely excited to compete and be a part of this amazing adventure. The week was filled with every possible experience and emotion, from excitement, to nervousness, to doubt, to pure exhaustion. The competitors and staff were absolutely amazing — never before have I felt such a sense of community, and helpfulness. Yes we are all there competing against each other with one goal in mind, to win the Finale, but everyone was so helpful and positive, and just truly wanted to see you succeed. They set a new standard that I wish more competitions would strive for.

Prolific after cross country. Photo courtesy of Kristal Gessler.

Prolific stepped upped his game at the Makeover performing his best dressage test yet that season, earning him second place after dressage. He put in his best effort in show jumping, which is his toughest phase, producing a beautiful round with one unfortunate rail. When it came time for cross country it was time to go out and have some fun. When it was our time to go we galloped off, taking the first jump quietly, and then he kicked into cross country gear and away we went. He tackled every question with a boldness like never before — I was beyond excited. As we approached the final jump I knew the gallop was next. Never letting him truly go before I wasn’t sure what to expect from him. We landed from the final jump, made the turn and I told him to go, he questioned me for a second then took off like a rocket, shooting up the hill, through the finish flags and earning him the highest score on his card for his gallop.

I came off course on cloud 9 and in tears. Prolific overcame an uphill health battle, he made it, conquered it, and had a blast doing it! We wound up placing 6th overall, making it in the top 10 and into the awards ceremonies. This journey was like none other and I was so proud to be a part of it! Prolific and I are now looking forward to the upcoming show season and continuing to move up the levels in eventing.

After competing for the first time at the Makeover, I am completely hooked. What an amazing experience and way to promote the Thoroughbred breed and there afterracing careers. Being at the Makeover opened myself and my business up to new opportunities and solidified my career goals in retraining OTTBs for there second careers.

After all the competing was over I decided I had to do this journey again. While still at the Makeover, on our down day before the Finale, we were able to tour the Godolphin facilities, where I was able to look at and choose my 2020 Makeover hopeful, Fraternal (“Romeo”). This handsome young gelding shows all the potential of an upper level competitor and I am very excited to bring him along.

Fraternal was able to make the journey home with us after the Makeover where he enjoyed some down time with a few buddies as we awaited the December 1st deadline. After the deadline he began a very light training schedule. I start all of my youngsters on the ground, putting in many hours of learning the fundamentals of ground work or “rope work” as I call it before ever starting them under saddle. Fraternal soaked up everything like a sponge and is proving to be extremely smart, willing and athletic.

He now has a full 30 days under saddle and just recently participated in his first dressage clinic with Jeff Lindburg, where he has shown that he has a ton of potential and a great brain. Our goal for the 2020 Makeover is to compete in eventing, but we will see what he will be best suited for mentally and physically as we get closer.  I am very excited to share our journey to the 2020 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover with everyone and hope you enjoy and follow along with us.

Tuesday News & Notes from Legends Horse Feeds

By on Feb 25, 2020 12:01 am -

Buck Davidson and Jak My Style. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The Retired Racehorse Project is coming to the 2020 LiftMaster Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field with a masterclass hosted by Buck Davidson and Phillip Dutton. It will be held in jumper ring 1 immediately following the conclusion of dressage on Friday, Feb. 28. Buck will be coaching from the ground while Phillip rides his prospect. Learn what to consider in an OTTB, how to help them transition to a new career and more! Click here for more information.

National Holiday: Happy Fat Tuesday!

Events Opening This Week: Fair Hill International April H.T. and CCI-S, USEA MDHT FEH/YEH/NEH Qualifier, Ocala International 3-Day Festival of Eventing, FENCE H.T., Twin Rivers CCI & H.T.

Events Closing This Week: Ocala Winter II H.T., Pine Top Spring H.T., MeadowCreek Park – The Spring Social Event, Copper Meadows H.T.,

Tuesday News:

It’s not just the U.S. that has felt the impact of heavy rains this season, our British friends are too. They’ve felt the first cancellation of the season with Aston-le-Walls abandoning this weekend’s competition due to weather. [Early spring competition takes a battering as stormy weather continues]

In case you needed another reason to keep that helmet on in the prize giving, take a lesson from Geir Gulliksen. At age 60, “Jimmy” won the FEI World Cup Qualifier at Gothenburg over the weekend, and then was promptly dumped when his horse spooked during the prize giving ceremony.  [WATCH: Geir Gulliksen takes first World Cup win aged 60, then gets thrown at prize-giving]

Fantasy Farm Friday: $30 Million Warrenton Estate 

Tuesday Video: Blackfoot Mystery is back!

Monday Video from CLM DWN: Getting Glam Squad with Amanda Ross

By on Feb 24, 2020 5:00 pm -

Who’s ready for a spa day? Many of us may still be pulling our horses out of fields after a nice long off-season vacation and after this well-earned downtime they can sometimes look just a bit, erm, feral.

That’s where many of these quick grooming tips from Amanda Ross, an Australian eventer whose season is currently in full swing, come in. Starting with touch ups on the bridle path, whiskers, tail, saddle patch (I didn’t realize there was a name for this!) and dealing with an unruly mane with various thicknesses, she shows us her number one tips for going glam squad on a horse who’s just coming back into work. Plus, she shares tricks of the trade on creating everyone’s favorite fancy fanny art: quarter marks, of course!

Paying It Forward: How This RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Scholarship is Making a Difference

By on Feb 24, 2020 3:00 pm -

2019 Give Back to Go Scholarship recipient Megan Waleti. Photo used with permission from Canter Clix.

Eventing at its core is an individual sport — one rider, one horse. However, when you zoom out a little it becomes apparent that our sport is one in which a communal effort to make a difference is often what matters the most.

In reality, eventing (and, really, any other equestrian discipline) is very much a team sport. Think of the absolute village it takes to get a horse ready for an event at any level. The training, coaching, veterinary care, nutritional support, farrier work, and a laundry list full of other highly important cogs in the wheel that is a successful competition season certainly comprises a team.

It’s beneficial to take a look outside of our own individual bubbles from time to time. And in the name of a communal effort, a team environment, and spreading awareness for the great American Thoroughbred, Emily Daignault-Salvaggio created a special opportunity for those hoping to compete at the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover.

The Give Back to Go Scholarship wants to send a deserving rider and their OTTB to this year’s Thoroughbred Makeover in Lexington, Kentucky. The caveat? In order to apply, prospective recipients must show some altruism rather than focusing solely on their own personal goals.

“We’re really looking for people who have an inkling about giving back to the world around them,” Emily explained. “People who have a worldview of wanting to help others. It’s important to look at the world and find ways to make it better.”

The pay it forward concept of the Give Back to Go Scholarship is simple: to apply, riders must demonstrate a donation as small as $1 to a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Applicants are asked to write a brief essay or submit a short video explaining the motivation behind their contribution.

Not only does this award provide deserving riders with a priceless opportunity, but it also spreads awareness and generates donation revenue for charities around the country. “Last year we were able to give three trainers a refund and our 34 applicants raised over $1000 for various charities in the USA and Canada,” Emily said. One of last year’s Give Back to Go winners, Megan Waleti, made a pledge to volunteer with her local area more — a promise, she made good on. This year, she will be serving as Area IV’s Adult Rider Coordinator. Another winner in 2019, Ali Daucher, started the California chapter of CANTER and is still involved with the organization to this day.

2019 Give Back to Go recipient Ali Daucher. Photo used with permission from Canter Clix.

The recipient of this year’s Scholarship will receive $300, essentially a reimbursement of the Makeover’s required entry fee. The decision-making process consists of a panel of judges who will see all applications and cull them down to the top three for a celebrity panel to make the final decision on.

In 2019, the celebrity judge panel included jockey Ramon Dominguez, Barbara Livingstone, and Boyd Martin. This year’s celebrity judges have not been announced but are sure to pack a punch with a wealth of experience and star power.

The application period for the Give Back to Go Scholarship ends TODAY at midnight. For more information on applying, visit the website here. You can also stay up to date with the latest news on the scholarship’s Facebook page. This award can be given to a rider of any discipline. In addition, California applicants are eligible to receive a $150 grant sponsored by past Give Back to Go winner Ali Daucher.

Go OTTBs!

Final Entry List Released for 2020 Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field

By on Feb 24, 2020 1:30 pm -

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night. Photo by Shelby Allen.

With only four days to go, we are excited to announce the confirmed entries for the $50,000 LiftMaster Eventing Grand-Prix at Bruce’s Field in Aiken, S.C. Top horses and riders converge in the snowbird destination this weekend, February 28 – 29, 2020 for the second annual competition.

Dressage will kick things off Friday starting at 8 a.m., followed by show jumping at 4 p.m. The show jumping course will be set at Advanced height and designed by Michel Vaillancourt.

Cross country takes center stage on Saturday over Capt. Mark Phillips’ track beginning at 2 p.m.

Here are the combinations you can look forward to following this weekend:

  • Emily Beshear & Silver Night Lady (USA)
  • Tim Bourke and Quality Time (IRE)
  • Will Coleman & TKS Cooley (USA)
  • Will Coleman & Tight Lines (USA)
  • Dana Cooke & FE Mississippi (CAN)
  • Hallie Coon & Celien (USA)
  • Nilson Da Silva & Rock Phantom (BRA)
  • Nilson Da Silva & Cash (BRA)
  • Buck Davidson & Carlevo (USA)
  • Buck Davidson & Jak My Style (USA)
  • Phillip Dutton & Fernhill Singapore (USA)
  • Phillip Dutton & Z (USA)
  • Jules Ennis & Cooley O (USA)
  • Wil Faudree & Caeleste (USA)
  • Clayton Fredericks & FE Money Made (AUS)
  • Ariel Grald & Leamore Master Plan (USA)
  • Sara Gumbiner & Polaris (USA)
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp & Deniro Z (USA)
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp & Carpe Diem IV (USA)
  • Lillian Heard & LCC Barnaby (USA)
  • Mallory Hogan & Clarissa Purisima (USA)
  • Lizzy Jahnke & Snow Leopard (USA)
  • Colleen Loach & Qorry Blue D’Argouges (CAN)
  • Anna Loschiavo & Prince Renan (USA)
  • Boyd Martin & Tsetserleg (USA)
  • Boyd Martin & Long Island T (USA)
  • Boyd Martin & On Cue (USA)
  • Missy Miller & Quinn (USA)
  • Daniela Moguel & Cecelia (MEX)
  • Lauren Nicholson & Veronica (USA)
  • Doug Payne & Vandiver (USA)
  • Doug Payne & Quantum Leap (USA)
  • Michael Pendleton & Steady Eddie (USA)
  • Colleen Rutledge & Covert Rights (USA)
  • Allie Sacksen & Sparrow’s Nio (USA)
  • Dom Schramm & Bolytair B (AUS)
  • Allison Springer & Business Ben (USA)
  • Allison Springer & Sapphire Blue B (USA)
  • Arden Wildasin & Il Vici (USA)
  • Ryan Wood & Rembrandt (AUS)
  • Ryan Wood & Powell (AUS)

A $25 General Admission ticket will give you access to the event over both days. Click here to purchase general admission tickets. For those of you not local to the area or otherwise unable to attend, a live stream is once again being provided by EQTV Network. Bookmark this link to follow the action.

VIP tickets cost $400 and include VIP parking, access to the ringside VIP tent, drinks and food, and tickets to Thursday’s welcome party. Click here to purchase VIP tickets.

Learn more about the Aiken Horse Park here.

Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field: Website, Ride Times, Entry Status, Tickets, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter