Classic Eventing Nation

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

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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

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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 🇦🇺

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.

Nupafeed Weekend Winners: Red Hills, Full Gallop, Southern Pines

Another busy weekend of eventing is done and dusted, so let’s take a look around at the winning scores from three events around the country. This weekend we saw some heavy competition for the low score award, but our eventual winners were Gabby Dickerson and Cheeky Girl, who won their Open Training division at Southern Pines on a final score of 18.0. Way to be, ladies!

Red Hills International H.T. (FL) [Website] [Final Scores] [EN’s Coverage]
CCI2*-S: Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Be Cool (27.7)
CCI3*-S: Christina Henriksen and JTH Zest (33.9)
CCI4*-S: Sharon White and Cooley On Show (44.2)
Advanced: Alyssa Phillips and Oskar (38.9)
Open Intermediate: Will Coleman and Chin Tonic HS (39.9)
Open Preliminary: Caroline Martin and Redfield Fellow (30.2)
Preliminary Rider: Emma Keahon and Faramund (35.7)

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JTH Zest WON the CCI3S at Red Hills Horse Trails!!! She was absolutely incredible to finish on her dressage score of a 33, and I couldn’t be happier with her. This was my first International win ❤️I’m pretty excited for the future with this outstanding mare 🤩 There have been so many people along the way who have made this possible and I owe them all a huge “Thank You” for being a part of our journey, and for believing in us. It takes a village for results like this, and after struggling to find my feet last year, it’s a blessing to be where I am now. @Jeff Henriksen @peterson8475 @lastfrontierfarm @jamesburtwell @nicarenee @pdf_eventing @ElliotJennings @jillcopenhagen @harrisonvicci @jaytigerhalim @katewalls01 @blythtait1 @grantwilsonnz @worldeqbrands @oakmont_rehab_wellness #firstFEIwin #redhillshorsetrials #CCI3S #winner #bestmare #jthhorses #useventing #usea #eventing #eventersofinstagram #equestrian #usequestrian #hardworkpaysoff #patience #perseverance #persistence #goals #nevergiveup #teamworkmakesthedreamwork

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Full Gallop Farm March H.T. (SC) [Website] [Final Scores]

Preliminary: Ashley MacVaugh and Reuben Rialto (28.0)
Preliminary/Training: Isabel Finemore and Heartbeat (47.6)
Training A: Kelly Ransom and Heart of Hollywood (26.9)
Training B: Jessica Schultz and Rocky Top City (34.8)
Novice A: Piper Uhl and Finnegan (28.3)
Novice B: Marty Riney and George Alexander (25.0)
Novice C: Alison Eastman Lawler and Lexington II (31.0)
Training/Noivce: Amy Bunt and Recurrent (37.7)
Beginner Novice A: Lily Syah and Toy Gun (30.3)
Beginner Novice B: Alana Moro and Southern Star (27.8)
Beginner Novice C: Ainsley Hagen and Risque S (21.1)
Starter: Coti Hausman and Ullapond (34.7)

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First event of the season, two clear rounds, and three years with this perfect gal sums up a great weekend at Full Gallop. I am feeling incredibly fortunate to have Aly as a forgiving, brave, and talented partner. None of this would be possible without the help of @le_bonheur_equestrian who has worked hard to guide us in the right direction and give us the confidence we need. I am looking forward to working on our weaknesses and filling in the gaps to come out even better next time. #tapperwing Congratulations to our entire team @newt._mckim @lpye08 @redmon.eventing for a successful outing all around, I love you all and am so proud to be a part of a wonderful group of horses and riders 🥰 And an extra thank you to the MVP @albosworth for staying on the farm to care for the horses while we were away 🤗

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So so so proud of senda!! Ended up 5th😮

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Southern Pines H.T. (NC) [Website] [Final Scores]
Advanced CT: Daniel Clasing and MW Gangster’s Game (43.7)
Intermediate CT: Andrew McConnon and Ferrie’s Cello (40.5)
Open Preliminary: Ariel Grald and BGS Aurora (27.7)
Preliminary Rider: Jackson Dillard and Layla Q (27.3)
Open Training A: Dana Cooke and FE Quattro (24.6)
Open Training B: Gabby Dickerson and Cheeky Girl (18.0)
Training CT: Stephan Szymanski and FE Stiff Upper Lip (51.3)
Training Rider A: Leah Meisterling and Ardeo Hill Hero (28.6)
Training Rider B: Holly Riportella and Invisible Touch (29.6)
Training Rider Junior: Jillian Dean and Launch (30.2)
Novice CT: Alex Martini and De Firenzi (29.3)
Novice Rider A: Julie Augustine and Texas Riddle (28.3)
Novice Rider B: Wendy Owens and Landrada (32.9)
Novice Rider Junior: Savannah Goddard and High Definition (37.9)
Open Novice A: Susan Beebee and Outlander (21.4)
Open Novice B: Anita Quinn Perry and Ana D (26.2)
Beginner Novice CT: Donald Kamenz and Jones Player (29.0)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Madeline Wood and Stormin’ Hot (37.3)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Leigh Wood and Dollar Mountain (27.0)
Beginner Novice Rider Junior: Mallory Brazzell and Sheza Patchwork Kid (33.8)
Open Beginner Novice: Susan Beebee and Overcontrol (24.5)

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Super weekend at Southern Pines HT! Cheeky Girl was a star once again to finish on her fabulous score of 18 for the win in the training. Gemma is really proving to be as special as I think she is! I will be working this year to secure ownership of her, please reach out if interested in taking part of what is looking like an exciting future for us both! Journeyman and Cherished Friend both had another solid weekend in the preliminary with super xc runs. Kwibus finished 7th in the novice as well. Good ponies! Big thanks to Lulu Malinoski for all of her help this weekend! Now time to rest and bit and settle into our new digs! @worldeqbrands @charlesowenhelmets @nutrenafeed @neue_schule_bits @nobleequestrianusa

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All three horses had good runs this weekend at Southern Pines HT. FE Quattro, the star of the weekend, placing 1st in his very first training finishing on a very impressive 24.6. @hugh.wrigley’s FE Santos just picking up some time xc adding to his dressage score of 28.5 to finish in 4th on a 33.7 in the Open Prelim. Harlequin had a great weekend with one moment of confusion cross country, but is looking forward to taking the 2* on in a few weeks! Can’t forget a fantastic go in the training for student @vk.eventing on her horse Val, a solid team. Looking forward to the next few moths of showing! #teamkfp @sagmae @hitairequestrian @brlequine @equinetherapyinternational @zandona_equestrian_official @equestfile @seminolefeed @albertofasciani_usa @redingote_equestrian @championequestrian @toklatoriginals @james_embroidery_co @auburn_laboratories

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Monday News & Notes from Fleeceworks

Double trouble! Photo via Annelies van den Broek on Facebook.

Looks like it’s going to be double trouble on the dressage circuit in the next decade. Late last week, Dutch dressage trainer and breeder Annelies van den Broek welcomed KWPN twins by the dressage legend Totilas out of her mare D. Obertje. Both foals, one colt and one filly, and their mother are doing well so far. Fingers crossed for these little ones!

National Holiday: National Get Over It Day

U.S. Weekend Results: 

Red Hills International H.T. (FL) [Website] [Final Scores]

Full Gallop Farm March H.T. (SC) [Website] [Final Scores]

Southern Pines H.T. (NC) [Website] [Final Scores]

Monday News & Notes:

The eventing community continues to mourn the death of Kat Morel and her horse Kerry On, and her home community in particular is still is state of shock and grief. Those close to her remember her as a goal-driven woman who was “the life of the party and was always helping people.” Kerry On’s stall at Sherwood Park Sandridge Stables has been filling with flowers in memorial for the pair. [‘Still in shock’ over death of rider Kat Morel]

15-year-old eventer Finley Hughes from New South Wales, Australia share her story about mental health. After the death of her beloved first horse, Finley found her anxiety spiraling out of control. Throughout her recovery, she drew support from the equestrian community and found that it was OK to enjoy time with her current horse without the pressure of taking lessons or competing. [Junior Rider Speaks Out About Mental Health]

Another opportunity to contest a CCI1*-L is coming to the Ocala International 3-Day Festival. Their jam-packed FEI lineup at the Festival of Eventing, which takes place April 8 – 12, also already includes CCI2*-L and CCI3*-L. And not to leave the national levels out of the fun, there’s prize money offered in the jackpot classes! Jackpot classes are offered at every national level, which for the Festival is Novice through Advanced/Intermediate. [Ocala International 3-Day Festival of Eventing]

Monday Featured Video: So close to the first benchmark goal of 100k!

Sunday Video from EcoVet: Haley Carspecken’s Comeback

Haley Carspecken & Center Stage, CCIJ1* individual silver. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

At just 20 years old, Haley Carspecken is a bright young star for eventing in the U.S. With her horse Center Stage, a 14-year-old Holsteiner, she earned individual silver at the 2018 North American Youth Championships for Eventing at Rebecca Farm and has had several top finishes at the level.

Last year, she suffered a serious knee injury — of all things, she blew her knee out in her own backyard — and subsequently underwent surgery. Taking time off to recover and rehabilitate took a toll on Haley, physically and emotionally, but it looks like she’s come back stronger and more confident in herself and her path.

Her comeback event was Pine Top in February, and her mount Get Out gave her an incredible event back by winning the Preliminary-Training division. “That winning weekend was pretty surreal to me after coming back from a major knee surgery and only to have been riding for a month before the event,” Haley says.

Haley has had a lot of support throughout it all, both from her family and her boyfriend Ushindi Namegabe. Ushindi was at Pine Top to capture her comeback through his lens and created a video about her journey back to the sport.

“I believe that everything happens for a reason,” Haley says in the video. “There is something good to be taken out of every bad life situation or setback. No matter how hard a life challenge can get, decide not to look at them as negatives, instead look at them as opportunities to grow and to become the best version of yourself. Most of all never let giving up be the answer to it all. There is always hope. Refuse to be defeated.

“I am Haley Carspecken, and I am ready for the 2020 season.”

Best of luck this season, Haley! And, IMO, Ushindi sounds like a keeper;) Go eventing.

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Christina Henriksen & JTH Zest Come Out on Top of Red Hills CCI3*-S

Christina Henriksen and JTH Zest. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Christina Henriksen has put in the work with the talented mare JTH Zest, producing her up to three-star level over the last four years, and today lofty goals came to fruition in the form of a blue ribbon earned by winning the Red Hills CCI3*-S.

JTH Zest, a 9-year-old British Sport Horse (Zamboucca x Maybee Baybee, by Mayhill), produced two fault-free jumping rounds this weekend to finish on her dressage score of 33.9.

“She’s a wonderful mare. She’s not always easy and things have to be her idea and her way, but as she’s gone up the grades she’s developed her own unique way about all three phases. Now as long as I’m clear about what I’m asking and stay out of her way on cross country and show jumping, she gives me her whole heart,” Christina said.

Christina looked sure and determined today, but she says that confidence hasn’t always come easily, and competition butterflies have often been more of a hinderance than a help until she really started focusing on her mental game last year.

“I always feel pressure and I’ve really struggled with nerves in the past. This time last year I started training with Brian Murphy, and he’s really helped me with that,” she said. “He’s helped me with this mare to get her jumping well and for me to ride her in the best way possible. I think because of all the work I’ve done with Brain over the last year, I was able to go in and not think about anything except that I wanted to give this mare the best ride I could.”

Lauren Nicholson and Landmark’s Monte Carlo. Photo by Shelby Allen.

The experienced duo of Lauren Nicholson and Landmark’s Monte Carlo finished second after also delivering a clear round. Jacqueline Mars’ 14-year-old Irish/Thoroughbred Cross (Formula One x Glamour) finished on a score of 34.

Lauren also landed Vermiculus inside the top five. Jacqueline Mars’ 13-year-old Anglo Arabian added nothing in the final phase to close the weekend on a score of 36.6.

Kyle Carter and Gaillard Lancer. Photo by Shelby Allen.

The crowd collectively gasped when a rail fell late in the course for overnight leaders Kyle Carter and Gaillard Lancer. The four penalties dropped Savannah Blackstock’s 9-year-old KWPN (Diardo x Urlanto) into third place with a result of 36.6.

Full brother to second-placed “Patty,” Landmark’s Monaco finished fifth with Kimmy Cecere in the irons. The 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse/Thoroughbred, who is also owned and bred by Jacqueline Mras, finished on his dressage score of 38.6.

Alyssa Phillips and Oskar. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Alyssa Phillips secured the win in the Red Hills Advanced division today with her and Julie Phillips’ Oskar.

The the 11-year-old Holsteiner made easy work of the course, adding nothing to their overnight score of 38.9.

“I didn’t know how we’d come out after jumping yesterday. I know we didn’t go very quick, but it’s still a bit track and he hasn’t jumped show jumping after cross country at the Advanced level yet, so this was a big test,” Alyssa said.

Today was significant for Alyssa in more ways than one, making this win even more impactful.

“This is actually the day my father passed away eight years ago, so this win is for him,” she said. “The last time he saw me ride was at Young Riders back in 2011. He made me the competitor I am today.”

Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Marilyn Little piloted RF Scandalous, a 14-year-old Oldenburg (Carry Gold x Richardia, by Lario), owned by Ms. Jacqueline Mars and Phoebe and Michael Manders, to second place on a score of 41.2. The pair had a double clear round today.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Flash Cooley.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Pru Dawes’ Flash Cooley were third. This was the 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse’s debut at the level. He finishes on a score of 46.1 after a fault free round.

Fourth place went to Jennie Brannigan and Twilightslastgleam. The pair produced a clear effort to finish on 50.2 points. Will Coleman and Don Dante were fifth after having one rail and 0.8 time penalties for a three-day result of 55.9.

Go eventing.

Red Hills International: WebsiteRide TimesLive ScoresEN’s Coverage, EN’s TwitterEN’s Instagram

#IWD2020: Eight Fearless Women Who Changed the Face of Eventing

Celebrating International Women’s Day may seem incongruous in a rare sport that allows women to compete as equals against men, but we’re all about girlpower here at EN. So to celebrate, we’re taking a look back at some of the remarkable women, both past and present, who have helped to shape the sport of eventing into what it is, and through their own incredible efforts, have given all of us the chance to fly vicariously with them.

Lana duPont Wright

Though equestrian sports are celebrated for their gender equality these days, eventing’s military roots meant that women weren’t always welcome on the competitive battlefield. From 1912 — when eventing first appeared at the Olympics — until 1924, only military officers could contest this topmost echelon of the sport. From 1924, the door was widened to allow male civilians to compete — but it would be another four decades before Olympic eventing would become a level playing field.

All this was to change at the 1964 Tokyo Games, where the sport of eventing would see its first female Olympian.

The daughter of Olympic trapshooter and prolific racehorse owner Allaire duPont, a young Lana duPont was raised in a household that was — possibly unwittingly — fiercely feminist for the era. But it wasn’t just an innate toughness and competitive spirit that Lana would inherit from her mother — a love of horses and the countryside, too, passed from one generation to the next. Lana would spend her formative years in thrall to fox hunting, learning how to cover the Maryland terrain on a collection of Thoroughbreds.

In 1964, she was named to the US equestrian team and travelled to the Tokyo Olympics with her Maryland-bred Mr Wister. Though their competition wasn’t to be without its dramas, they would finish the Games on the podium, having helped the USA to a team silver medal.

Recalling her cross-country round, Lana said: “We fell hard, Wister breaking several bones in his jaw. We were badly disheveled and shaken, but Wister was nonetheless eager to continue. We fell a second time near the end of the course, tripping over another spread. When we finished, we were a collection of bruises, broken bones and mud. Anyway, we proved that a woman could get around an Olympic cross-country course, and nobody could have said that we looked feminine at the finish.”

Lana would go on to help found the US Combined Training Association (now US Eventing), and would compete at World Championship level in combined driving, as well as fostering an interest in competitive endurance riding.

Anneli Drummond-Hay

Anneli Drummond-Hay and Merely-a-Monarch. Photo courtesy of Badminton Horse Trials.

Nearly twenty years after the birth of Badminton Horse Trials – and, really, the birth of the sport in the United Kingdom – a second top-level international event would appear on the scene. The year was 1961, and the extraordinary Burghley estate in Lincolnshire was opening its gates to the best horses and riders in the country, and the people who loved to watch them, too. The pressure to compete — and to compete well — was on.

But for all this, a 24-year-old Anneli Drummond-Hay hadn’t actually had much match practice with her remarkable six-year-old, Merely-a-Monarch, before she put in her entry to the new and prestigious event. Though she had plenty of experience herself, having previously won the Pony European Championships and topping the annual leaderboard of British riders three times, this would be an altogether different challenge. Undeterred, she and the horse — with whom she’d largely contested showjumping, and who hadn’t experienced any water more taxing than a puddle in the lane — set out with one goal in mind: simply come home safely. After all, she hadn’t even intended to enter Monarch, but her intended mount was out of action, and so he would have to do.

They would lead the dressage by 30 marks and, drawn last to go on cross-country, they were greeted by the news that everyone else in the field had had at least one fall, many of them at the Trout Hatchery, where a hole had formed in the footing on the landing side of the jump into the water. With this in mind, Anneli nursed her young horse around the course, choosing the less popular log option into the water and coming home with the only clear round of the day. An unsurprising clear round over the poles the next day meant that victory was theirs by an astonishing margin of nearly 34 points. The next year, they would also take top honours at Badminton — this time, by 42 points.

Afterwards, conscious that her beloved horse was now worth an enormous sum of money, and buoyed on by the fact that women were now allowed onto the Olympic showjumping team, Anneli turned her attention back to jumping coloured poles with considerable success.

Sheila Willcox

Despite her incredible legacy, the late Sheila Willcox wasn’t born into a remotely horsey family. Instead, she once described her household as being “entirely suburban, based on business and academic careers and given to rugger, tennis, and bridge-playing.” Nonetheless, she was inexplicably bitten by the horsey bug, and spent her formative years saving up her pocket money so she could afford pony rides along the beach on holidays. Her parents eventually defected, and she was allowed to join the Pony Club. This, of course, swiftly became the primary focus of her life – so much so that her unwitting father bought her an unbroken pony in order to persuade her to head back to school without a fuss. Sheila was only ten years old at the time but nevertheless, she set about the great new challenge of training the two-year-old ‘Folly’.

Not long after, Sheila discovered the joys of competing – and moreover, the joys of victory. After being awarded her first rosette at a local fair, she vowed to be the very best at riding, saying: “to wear a number, to be called by name into the ring and walk, trot, and canter around with the other ponies – this was halcyon bliss…at the same time I determined that no matter which branch of equestrianism I should eventually take up, I should strive to emulate the leaders.”

A successful junior career riding show hacks followed, after Sheila’s parents deemed showjumping rather too unladylike to be proper. But Sheila wanted more of a challenge and, at the age of seventeen, she came across the sport of eventing. Like many profoundly bonkers teenage girls thereafter, she was instantly committed, and set about on the hunt for a horse that she might be able to turn into an eventing star.

Eventually she found that horse in the form of High and Mighty, or ‘Chips’, a seven-year-old dun by a Thoroughbred stallion and out of a Highland pony/Arab-cross mare. Though neither horse nor girl had any real formal training, Sheila undertook the job with aplomb, consulting a well-worn copy of Dressage by Henry Wynmalen for guidance. They won on their first attempt at eventing, in a Novice (Prelim) class at the now-defunct Hovingham Hall Horse Trials, and the British Horse Society got in touch to suggest that, down the line, Sheila might consider lending the horse to the British team for use at the Olympics.

And here we get to the crux of what really makes Sheila’s legacy so remarkable: she paved the way for women when the sport, though still refreshingly genderless in most spheres, only catered to men for Olympic berths. Impossibly glamorous and relentlessly fierce, Sheila refused to bow down to the whims of the BHS, and she rode as though she had a point to prove – perhaps because she did. As one of eventing’s suffragettes, she made it clear that the ‘lady riders’ could play with the big boys – and she did so by setting a remarkable Badminton record that no one has yet beaten.

 In 1955, she began training with Colonel Edy Goldmann, who was one of the first British trainers to promote a German-style focus on dressage. Paired with Sheila’s single-minded competitiveness, the result was formidable, and after a good showing at Harewood Horse Trials, Sheila and Chips were offered a place on the British team at that year’s Turin International. Sheila was the only female rider in the competition…and she won it.

In 1956, after just a year and a half of eventing, she and Chips headed to Badminton. They were placed second after the dressage, and accumulated the maximum number of bonus points in the speed and endurance phases, but even their clear showjumping on the final day couldn’t push them ahead of the legendary Frank Weldon and Kilbarry. They retained that second place all the way through until the bitter end – and overnight, British selector Ted Marsh had bought the horse on behalf of the team. As consolation, Marsh promised that if Chips returned from that year’s Stockholm Olympics in one piece, Sheila would be allowed to take him to Badminton the next year.

As it turned out, Chips didn’t even make it to Stockholm – instead, he went lame whilst in training at Windsor. But Sheila attended the Games herself – not as a competitor, which wasn’t allowed, but as a member of the media, commenting on the action for l’Année Hippique. The British team took gold, but Sheila felt she’d been hard done by: “Harking back to the controversy over allowing women competitors in the three-day event, and without wanting to appear a militant feminist, I still think the element of danger is in ratio to intelligent riding, and that should an unlucky accident happen to a woman instead of a man, she will show equal fortitude and endurance, as well as possibly less sustained shock due to the relief of feminine tears. No one would be surprised to see me passing the finishing post crying bitterly and feeling much better for it, but it would cause something of a furore if [Laurence] Rook or [Frank] Weldon came home dripping tears over Sissi or Kilbarry!”

After the Games, Sheila was able to buy her ‘lame’ horse back from the team. He promptly came sound again, and they won their ’57 Badminton prep run. Then it was time to head to the main event, made doubly special by the fact that Sheila’s 21st birthday fell on cross-country day. Fortunately for her festive spirit, she and Chips found themselves in the lead after dressage and, with a fast clear under their belts, still at the top of the pack by the time her party began at a nearby hotel. The crowning glory of the party was her colossal birthday cake – it was made to look like an elaborate cross-country course, with 21 fences artfully constructed along the top. Around them was a castle, some streams, and some carefully constructed terrain – and, of course, a tiny replica of Sheila and Chips popping over the final fence.

By all accounts, the party was a roaring success. At 3am, Sheila had to forcibly remove the revellers so she could get some sleep – but in true eventing fashion, she was able to get the job done the next day. The Badminton title was hers.

The next year, the remarkable pair took the crown again. This time, they would do it by the widest margin ever seen to date or since – they led the dressage by 22 points and ultimately won an astonishing 47 points clear of the next competitor. That autumn, Sheila and Chips headed to the European Championships in Copenhagen, and won both team and individual gold – this made Sheila the first woman ever to win the Europeans. Afterwards, Sheila gave High and Mighty to Ted Marsh to ‘retire’ into the Heythrop hunting field, but nevertheless, she was able to continue her quest to be the very best. The seven-year-old Airs and Graces had only been eventing for six months by the time he headed to Badminton in ’59, but he won it easily, giving Sheila the last of her unrivalled three consecutive wins. In 1964, she took a fourth title, winning ‘Little Badminton’ – a separate class run over the same course but for horses with minimal winnings – with Glenamoy.

In 1971, Sheila suffered a catastrophic fall at Tidworth Horse Trials, and was left partially paralysed. Determined not to give up riding, she swapped her focus to pure dressage and went on to compete successfully at the Grand Prix level. But she was also an enormously influential figure to the next generation of event riders: one of her rare and notable students was Mary King, who worked her way up to being Sheila’s head girl.

As it turned out, the ferocity of spirit and determination that made Sheila such a formidable competitor made her a notoriously tough employer and trainer, too.

In her 2009 autobiography, Mary King reflected: “my days would begin at 5.30am and, before I even got on a horse, I realised that the stable management was extraordinarily thorough. Mucking out was a very strict procedure; the floor had to be ‘clean enough to eat from’ and you had to move the straw back completely…no more than one pile of poo was allowed in a stable at any one time. Windows were Windolened inside and out once a week and there mustn’t be a cobweb in sight. Sheila Willcox was a perfectionist who left no stone unturned.”

In lessons, too, Sheila demanded the highest standards from her staff: “Sheila would say, ‘don’t you dare fall off!’ and the fact that I was much more scared of her than I was of a rearing and bucking horse made me stick on. It was very educational.” But, says Mary, “my two and a half years there turned out to be fantastic training and the broad base on which I have built my career.”

Lucinda Green

Killaire and Lucinda Green. Photo by Kit Houghton/Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

The Queen of Badminton? Absolutely. The Queen of Eventing? Many would argue so, and quite compellingly too. Lucinda was just nineteen when she took her first Badminton title in 1973 riding Be Fair, her Pony Club eventer who had taken her to team gold at the ’71 Junior European Championships. Be Fair was out of a mare called Happy Reunion, but he wasn’t planned progeny – in fact, he was borne out of an illicit liaison between the supposedly barren Happy and her field companion. The guilty colt in question would go on to contest Badminton himself – he was Fair and Square, ridden by Sheila Willcox.

Lucinda – then Prior-Palmer – had her first ride around Badminton with Be Fair in ’72. She later recalled in an interview with Debbie Sly, “I walked the course with Mark Phillips, who just kept saying ‘You want to kick here…I should keep kicking here…’ It didn’t seem to matter what type of fence we were looking at, the advice seemed to remain the same: just keep kicking! By the time we got to the end of our course-walk I had a streaming nosebleed from the stress of it all.”

Despite the nosebleed – and a runout at the walls as a result of her slippery leather gloves – Lucinda finished fifth. The following year she and Be Fair would return, and this time, they’d produce a nearly foot-perfect round – just one minor reroute due to an erroneous lack of martingale marred their cross-country, but they escaped penalty and took the title.

In an interview with Country Life, Lucinda said: “It was ridiculous: I was 19, it was my second attempt and the horse, Be Fair, had been my 15th-birthday present. Winning Badminton happens to other people, doesn’t it, but, as I drove home, in my little converted ice-cream van, with Be Fair’s ears just inches behind my own and my dog, Oliver Plum, beside me, I heard on the six o’clock news: ‘Today, Badminton Horse Trials was won by…’”

In 1976, Lucinda took her second Badminton title, but her victory was arguably superseded by the tragic death of her mount, Wideawake. The 16hh gelding (Hereward the Wake x Serenade) had been a tricky character, and Lucinda had poured all her energy into building a partnership with him.

She recounted to Debbie Sly, “Wakey really did not like me very much when our partnership began; he once even squashed me against the partition of the lorry with great purpose to the extent that I had to shout for help, and he seemed to take great delight in being as annoying and unhelpful as possible. He would back you into the corner of the stable and leave you there, he would wait until the mucking out bin was full and then tip it all over the clean floor, and when you tried to put his boots on he would wave his leg around until it connected with your knee or your toe. He was an extraordinary horse; sensitive without being highly strung. Once he galloped loose up the drive; a van was coming down the road and the two collided, sending Wakey flying over the bonnet and onto the other side of the road. He escaped with a few scrapes and bruises but his fear of traffic – the only fear he knew – remained with him always.”

In winning Badminton, it seemed as though all the hard work had come good – as Lucinda put it, “I had finally learnt to ride him as he needed to be ridden.” That required doing as little as possible – Wakey didn’t like to feel even the slightest nudge of his rider’s legs, but instead wanted to be left alone to work things out for himself. As the pair waited to begin their lap of honour, Lucinda leant down to hug her mount’s neck. While she did so, the rest of the top-placed horses and riders duly filed out of the arena in order to allow Lucinda to begin the victory gallop alone, as was customary. Just as the final horses were leaving the arena, Wideawake reared up without warning, staggered a few paces, and fell to the floor. He was pronounced dead shortly thereafter, and the cause was never ascertained.

The following year, Lucinda was back with a bang riding George, the 16.2hh grandson of 1948 Grand National winner Sheila’s Cottage. Though he looked the perfect stamp of an event horse, his competition record was so peppered with falls that Lucinda nearly turned down the ride. But her father had reached the terminal stages of his cancer diagnosis, and life in the Prior-Palmer household was a pretty morose affair, so her parents encouraged her to take the horse on as a welcome distraction. He arrived just a matter of weeks before Badminton and promptly went lame.

Lucinda managed to get him back on the straight and narrow with just enough time to run at a one-day event as practice. To her own great surprise, they won it – and Lucinda began to wonder if she should aspire to more than just survival at their big outing.

She changed her mind swiftly upon starting the second phase. Although George had performed well in the dressage to sit fourth, he set against her hand in the steeplechase and ploughed through most of the fences. But while Lucinda was losing faith, her support team wasn’t – her father even insisted on leading the horse around in the ten-minute box.

“It was their optimism and belief that finally shook me out of my own depths of despondency,” Lucinda recalled.

George responded in kind. As they set out onto cross country proper, he came into his own, jumping around faultlessly to finish within the optimum time and go into the lead. That Sunday was St George’s Day and, as though in recognition of the fact, he jumped yet another foot-perfect clear to secure a third victory for his rider. That autumn, he contested the Open European Championships at Burghley, winning both team and individual gold, and was retired to the hunt field shortly thereafter. Lucinda’s father passed away in the months following her Badminton victory.

Lucinda’s fourth victory came aboard another horse she considered an unlikely champion. Killaire wasn’t naturally fast, and he tended to be a long and low type of horse. But he had managed to finish second at Burghley in 1976, third at Badminton and Ledyard in 1977 and, as Lucinda had been pipped at the post and ‘only’ finished second at Badminton ’78 with Village Gossip, it was felt that it was high time for another triumphant effort. In ’79, Killaire offered just that, digging exceptionally deep to make up the seconds across the country and just beating Sue Hatherley and Monocle, a defeat that Sue never quite got over.

Lucinda, for her part, went on to write a book called Four Square, which chronicled her four wins and four remarkable horses. Quite understandably, she assumed she’d put a cap on her winning by now, and described her ’79 victory as “drawing the fourth and final side, and thereby closing an unbelievable square.” Joke’s on YOU, Lucinda.

“He had an incredible jump, but did everything with his head in the air – he was so ewe-necked that when he galloped along his ears were in your mouth,” said Lucinda of her ’83 victor, Regal Realm, who I’m sure many of us know best as ‘the horse with the really good stats in Equestriad 2001’.

It was fitting, really, that Lucinda should triumph again in this of all years – after all, it was director and designer Frank Weldon’s 70th birthday, and he had created a track that would truly test the mettle of the most experienced and savvy cross country riders. Despite a proliferation of alternative routes for less experienced competitors, who wouldn’t mind adding on a fair chunk of time in exchange for surviving their round, only nineteen pairs recorded clears. Weldon was stumped, and Lucinda laughed her way to the top of the podium once again. After an illustrious career as a team stalwart and medal-winner, he was sent home to Australia to enjoy a sunny retirement, and died at the age of 21.

Lucinda’s final victory came in 1984 aboard the great grey Beagle Bay, the part-bred Welsh pony with whom she’d won Burghley in 1981. Beagle Bay’s great weakness was his intermittent unsoundness, and Lucinda had been disappointed several times at three-days when she’d found herself forced to withdraw on Sunday morning. He also had a bit of pony brain about him, which meant that he could occasionally stop or duck out of a fence purely, it seemed, for the laugh. His “fat pony tummy”, as Lucinda called it, “must have housed a huge pair of lungs as he had tremendous stamina.”

Though Lucinda harboured some hope that she might notch up one more win – “seven is my lucky number,” she laughed – she never quite managed it. Now, she remains a familiar face on the circuit as a trainer, media mainstay, mother of five-star rider Lissa, and as a competitor herself. Long may the Queen of Badminton reign on!

Ginny Leng

Ginny Leng and Priceless take the European Championships.

Ginny Leng – nee Elliott – possesses a laundry list of victories that’s among the most impressive the sport has ever seen. Twice the World Champion, the lucky owner of four Olympic medals, and the first person to win the individual European Championship three times consecutively, she walked so that a certain Mr Jung could run. She was also one of the two first female eventers to win an individual medal at the Olympics, taking home bronze at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, while Karen Stives took silver. But her journey to the top wasn’t without its hardships: she suffered severe anorexia while at boarding school, which she overcame through her determination to be strong enough to ride, and she also came back from a horrific injury that nearly ended her career.

Just six weeks after her 21st birthday in 1976, Ginny was competing at a one-day event at Ermington, which was meant to serve as one of her final prep runs for Badminton that year. Near the end of the course, her horse tiring beneath her, she approached a one-stride double. As she jumped the first element, someone ran across the track ahead of her. Her mount’s attention was diverted and he left a leg at the second element, catapulting Ginny out of the saddle. She put her arm out to break her fall, her elbow locked into place — and as her horse smashed down on top of her, her arm shattered into 23 pieces, from wrist to shoulder.

After some deliberation over cups of tea in the medic’s van, Ginny was taken to the Royal Naval Hospital. A preliminary examination offered little hope, and she was solemnly told that the nerves in her arm had been damaged so badly that amputation was likely and, if not removed, the arm would be paralysed. But the head surgeon, Commander Bertram, decided to give surgery a go anyway. Five operations later, Ginny had an arm that bent at the correct angle — but it didn’t unbend, it couldn’t complete simple tasks, and it didn’t have any feeling.

Still, remarked Ginny, “I learnt to count my blessing through encountering a young girl with Parkinson’s disease and a poor old lady, who had broken both her legs a year earlier and was still in hospital with both limbs encased in plaster. My problems seemed miniscule in comparison and, after taking to them, I used to think to myself: you don’t appreciate how lucky you are.”

With her release papers and no follow-ups or physiotherapy booked in, Ginny set herself a target: she would ride at Burghley just a few months later. She started small, challenging herself to lift a toothbrush, or undo a button, but while she was slowly regaining dexterity and some small, tingling feelings, her arm still wouldn’t straighten. She mentioned her struggle to the vet, Don Attenburrow, and he quite simply yanked it straight. Ginny would go on to compete at Burghley that year after all.

Tough, tenacious, and glamorous, Ginny — who once finished third at Badminton with a broken ankle after Murphy Himself hurled her from the top of the ski jump — helped bring the sport of eventing into the public eye. She continues to give back to the sport, acting as a high-profile trainer, working with the media, and always, indubitably, being rather cooler than anyone else.

Pippa Funnell

Pippa Funnell and MGH Grafton Street take top honours at Burghley. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Pippa Funnell made sporting history when she became the first-ever winner of the Rolex Grand Slam — and the only person to win it at the long-format — in 2003. But her profound influence on the sport is more human than that.

Pippa struck a chord with the British public when she launched onto the scene. She was young, and scrappy, and she’d made it to the top level on her Pony Club mount — a tick in the box for the nation that invented pony novels. Before too long, she became a poster girl for sport, and in taking the Grand Slam, she proved that she was one of the best the world had ever seen. So when she was brave enough to be candid about her internalised struggles, the world sat up and took notice.

Never afraid of a hard truth, Pippa has been candid about her ongoing struggles with her confidence, which have affected her in myriad ways throughout her career. When she won the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in 2019, fourteen years after her last top-level win, she admitted how close she’d been to giving up in the years previous. Though she’s an almost universal heroine, she also treads an enormous amount of common ground with her fan base, many of whom have dealt with the same issues in some way.

Time and time again, Pippa proved that toughness and emotional vulnerability aren’t mutually exclusive: she’s quick to point out that she ‘isn’t brave’, and when she became one of the first equestrians to use a sports psychologist, she didn’t shy away from admitting it. Now, sports psychologists are as commonplace as gym memberships in our sport.

These days, the conversation around mental health is free-flowing and constructive, and the stigma around dark days, confidence crises, and crippling insecurities has diminished enormously. In a sport where being as hard as nails is often valued above all else, this was never going to be an easy progression — but we have Pippa to thank for bringing the conversation to the table. She’s also a great proponent of female friendship — and we’re a great fan of that.

Ingrid Klimke

“This necklace the reason all of my dates been blind dates…” Ingrid Klimke channels Jay-Z with some podium bling. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

For so long, eventing has seemed like the ultimate one-note sport: although it’s made up of three disparate phases, to be truly successful, a rider must commit all their time and attention to eventing, right? Wrong. Ingrid Klimke certainly isn’t the first person to dabble in multiple disciplines, but in this highly specialised modern era, she’s one of the most successful.

The daughter of late dressage supremo Reiner Klimke, it was perhaps inevitable that Ingrid would inherit an almost preternatural feel for a horse. Though her discipline of choice is eventing — at which she’s a five-time Olympian and a back-to-back European champion — she’s also followed in her father’s footsteps, demonstrating a formidable ability in the sandpit. In 2002, she finished second in the dressage World Cup final and this year, she was named to the potential squad list for the German dressage team at this summer’s Olympics. She’s also one of only two women to be named a ‘reitmaster’ — a special honour within the German Equestrian Federation.

Though Ingrid often feels like she’s attained an untouchable level of celebrity, she remains committed to sharing her training philosophies with anyone who’s interested — and as it turns out, that’s a lot of people. She travels the world giving masterclasses and demonstrations, has written several books and has her own magazine, and she even offers monthly open days at her yard, in which 50 people enjoy a barn tour, the chance to watch two training sessions, and then a coffee break and discussion session with Ingrid. The gospel of thoughtful horsemanship is spreading fast.

Piggy French

Piggy French takes Badminton. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Has a Badminton winner ever been quite as popular as Piggy French in 2019? It would mark the start of an incredible year for the rider, who had never won a five-star before but who would finish 2019 holding the record for the most international wins in a year. But her journey to superstardom hasn’t been straightforward — a spate of terrible luck before the 2012 Olympics nearly bottomed out her business and sent her spiralling into a black hole that she didn’t believe she’d ever come out of. But the eternal grafter persevered, ditching the detritus of a bad break-up and replacing those who hadn’t believed in her with a circle of supporters and friends who always would, and after a while, everything began to put itself back together again.

The rags-to-riches story isn’t a new one, but what makes Piggy so special is the person she’s remained — or even become — through it all. She could be forgiven for having sharp edges these days, but there remains a very relatable softness to her, a sense of humour and a simple love for the horses that translates to every woman in every stable yard across the world. She’s also one of several top-level riders to succeed as a young mum, proving that it really is possible to have it all (but that trophy shelves should probably be built high, lest a sticky-fingered toddler get his paws on a certain bit of silverware!).

We could fill many thousands of words with women who’ve helped to shape this sport — the riders, grooms, coaches, owners, journalists, event organisers, and even the mares who steal our hearts have innumerable stories of their own to tell. We hope that, in time, we can unearth as many of them as possible for you, archiving their achievements in our digital annals. But for now, we raise a glass to these eight women and thank them for what they’ve given us.

Go women, and Go Eventing.

Sharon White & Cooley On Show Crowned Red Hills CCI4*-S Winners

Sharon White and Cooley On Show. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Sharon White was the big winner this weekend at the 2020 Red Hills International Horse Trials, topping the feature CCI4*-S class with her striking grey Cooley On Show.

“Louie,” a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Ricardo x Jogantina, by Grand D’Espange), went clear over Chris Barnard’s show jumping course to finish on a result of 44.2.

“I’m thrilled for him. He deserves this,” Sharon said. “It’s so easy for him. he was a little quiet in the warm up — he’s so funny. He can be dead lazy and then like someone just pushes a button, but I know how the push the button now, so I can make it happen when I want. He’s just such a good horse, so the fact that we put it all together is super.”

Leslie Law and Voltaire De Tre. Photo by Shelby Allen.British gold medalist Leslie Law finished in second place with Voltaire De Tre, a 11-year-old Selle Francias (Gentleman IV x Jasmina du Fresne, by Socrate de Chivre) owned by Tre Brooks. The pair knocked one rail for a three-day score of 49.8.

Hallie Coon and Celien. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Third place went to Hallie Coon and Celien. Hallie and her mom, Helen, own the a 13-year-old KWPN mare (Tenerife VDL x R Quicksilver, by Hamlet) who saw two poles fall today. They finish on 50.6 points.

Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Karl Slezak was the top-placed Canadian rider coming in fourth with Fernhill Wishes, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Chacoa x KEC Galway Bay, by Gildawn Diamond) who Karl owns in partnership with Kirk Hoppner. They jumped clear to finish on a score of 50.7.

Chris Talley and Unmarked Bills, an 11-year-old off-track Thoroughbred are fifth. Riding for the Unmarked Bills partnership, the two dropped one rail to finish with 51.5 points.

Jessica Phoenix was sixth with Pavarotti. Her 18-year-old Westfalian (Pavarotti van de Helle x Fidelia) added four jumping penalties for a final score of 51.7. Jessica was also 8th with Watson GS, 21st with Wabbit and 22nd with Humble GS.

Emily Hamel and Corvett. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Seventh place with to Emily Hamel and Corvett, a 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Corrido x Tina XII, by Clearway) owned by Black Flag Option LLC. They leveled one fence for a score of 52. Maya Black took 8th place with Laurie Cameron’s Miks Master C, an 8-year-old Swedish Warmblood (Mighty Magic x Qui Luma CBF, by Flyinge Quite Easy958).

Overnight leader Brandon McMechan rounds out the top ten with Oscar’s Wild. The pair saw two rails come down before an unfortunate stop at the final fence, a liverpool oxer, to finish with a score of 54.4.

Of the 25 finishers, seven went double clear for a clear jumping rate of 28%.

Liz Halliday-Shrarp and Cooley Be Cool. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Be Cool were awarded the blue ribbon for the CCI2*-S division. This was the 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse’s (Heritage Fortunus x HHS Carlota) International debut. Owned by Ocala Horse Properties and The Monster Partnership, the newly-minted superstar finished on his dressage score of 27.7.

Liz was also third with Ocala Horse Properties’ Cooley Seeking Fortune, a 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Heritage Fortunus x Jade Des Cotes), after dropping one rail for a final result of 31.8

Alex O’Neal took second with Pauldary’s Arctic Tiger, an 8-year-old British Sport Horse (Pauldary’s Funky Tiger x Pauldary’s Tigers Touch of Fro, by Pauldary’s Top Tiger) owned by Gayle Davis. The pair jumped clear today to finish on a score of 31.3.

Red Hills International: WebsiteRide TimesLive ScoresEN’s Coverage, EN’s TwitterEN’s Instagram

Two Held, One Spun in Red Hills CCI4*-S Horse Inspection

Zoe Crawford and K.E.C. Zara. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Twenty five CCI4*-S pairs advance to the final phase at the 2020 Red Hills International Horse Trials after this morning’s horse inspection.

Two horses, Unmarked Bills and Clifford M were held by the Ground Jury of Judy Hancock (GBR) and Robert Stevenson (USA). Fifth-placed Unmarked Bills, who is ridden by Chris Talley, was accepted on representation. Charlotte Collier’s Clifford M, who was 10th after cross country, was unfortunately not accepted.

The CCI3*-S and CCI2*-S fields are also smaller by one. Savannah Blackstock’s GarryNdruig Albie was held and ultimately not accepted by the Ground Jury of Vanda Stewart (IRL) and Debbie Rodriguez (USA).

Connor Rollin’s On Target withdrew from the hold box in the two-star division.

The CCI2*-S show jumping is underway now. They will be followed by the four- and three-star divisions.

Red Hills International: WebsiteRide TimesLive ScoresEN’s Coverage, EN’s TwitterEN’s Instagram

Sunday Links from One K Helmets

Who says Brits can’t yee haw? When Tom McEwen’s martingale was causing problems this spring, he obviously undid his reins mid-ride, took it off and rode a few fences with it in his mouth?? Sure, right. What else would you do.

National Holiday: International Women’s Day

U.S. Weekend Action: 

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

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

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

Sunday Links:

Brandon McMechan and Oscar’s Wild Take the Cake

US eventing community acts to improve safety after rider’s death

Beautiful Bargain: Red Hills competitor shares the story of her $750 horse

Red Hills Trials competition underway in Tallahassee

Hot on Horse Nation: 6 Things You Can Say About Your Horse (but Not Your Girlfriend)