Classic Eventing Nation

Saturday Links from Nupafeed USA

By on Feb 22, 2020 12:01 am -

Photo via Millbrook Horse Trials on Facebook.

Here’s a fabulous example of eventing doing good things in world! Louise Meryman of the Millbrook Horse Trials organizing committee recently presented the Pine Plains Community Food Locker with a check for $2,500 from proceeds of their 2019 horse trials. The Pine Plains Community Food Locker is an initiative that provides Millbrook area families in need with groceries. Well done Millbrook HT organizers, and everyone that came and competed at Millbrook last year!

National Holiday: National Margarita Day

U.S. Weekend Action:

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

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

Full Gallop February II [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Saturday Links:

How to Keep Volunteers Happy from Stable View Owner Barry Olliff

Racing Loses a Legend: A.P. Indy Dies at 31

Amateur Showcase: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Doesn’t Deter Pearce-Dean

Will Rawlin’s Badminton first-timer blog: praying a rumour is wrong

Open Up and Say Zzz: Why Horse Dental Exams Require Sedation

Hot on Horse Nation: The ‘Correct’ Names of Bits (and Other Tack)

Saturday Links: Color me impressed!

Having fun building confidence and trust with #MunsonSlew. He really responds to working bareback, because you have to really trust your horse in order for them to trust you. #IbelieveinMunson #buildingtrust #BarebackCrossCountry #barebackandahalter #MunsonBurner #keepsmesharp #buildingtrust #SlewPower #hangontight #bravemunson

Posted by Elisa Wallace Eventing on Wednesday, February 19, 2020

#FlashbackFriday Video from SmartPak: Learning from the Past

By on Feb 21, 2020 7:01 pm -

When I was a working student – over a decade ago now, which is horrifying but also makes me feel like the Gandalf of eventing – we knew a bit about the gospel truths of life. That is: a mid-morning trip to IHOP can cheer up even the snowiest of days; a saddle made decades prior but well-loved throughout its career will teach you to ride better than any newfangled bit of kit; and finally, there’s not much you can’t learn by watching. And, of course, like any group of working students cooped up in a small and inarguably unappealing house, with no WiFi but an insatiable desire to learn, we had our favourites.

Even now, I remember so vividly watching the 1978 World Championships. What a different world that was to watch – old-fashioned timber courses, the sparsest of safety measures, and a truly gung-ho attitude to riding across the country. There’s a lot to enjoy, and certainly a few things to learn – but equally, there’s so much that I was taught not to do from these videos. After watching Might Tango, Bruce Davidson’s game young horse, suffer the effects of the punishing heat, I vowed to learn everything I could about fitness and conditioning – and felt inordinately lucky to live in a world with considerably advanced cooling measures for our equine athletes. Misting fans! What a time to be alive, folks.

I’m spending my Friday night deep in nostalgia – and I’m excited to see what’s left to be learned from these great old videos. Now that I’m older and wiser the one thing I know for sure, after all, is how much there is that I don’t know.

An Update on Kailey Giancola & New Opportunities to Support Her Recovery

By on Feb 21, 2020 1:00 pm -

Photo courtesy of Kailey’s support team.

The eventing community continues to support Kailey Giancola, the 25-year-old eventer who suffered a severe brain stem injury on Dec. 16, with our whole hearts. Kailey has been in rehabilitation since mid-January, and we are very thankful for the daily updates via her CaringBridge online journal here.

Yesterday her family issued this summary of her progress to EN:

“Kailey has been demonstrating her excellent work ethic in the Disorders of Consciousness Program at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia, an incredible rehabilitation hospital specialized in brain and spinal cord injuries. While Kailey remains in a minimally conscious state, she does now demonstrate a definite sleep-wake cycle and opens her eyes throughout the day. Kailey has repeatedly been able to turn her head left and right on command and has been able to localize towards sound. She participates in three hours of therapy a day including physical, speech, and occupational therapies under the supervision of a highly specialized team of therapists, doctors, and a neuropsychologist. Please continue to keep Kailey in your thoughts and prayers that she may emerge to higher and higher levels of consciousness on her journey towards recovery. We appreciate the equestrian community’s continued support of Kailey, and are humbled by every dollar that has been donated to help offset the massive expense the Giancola family has been faced with to provide Kailey medical care and the opportunity to recover.”

Keep kicking, Kailey! You are eventer-strong and an incredible fighter, and we are so very proud of you.

We are happy to share some new opportunities to support Kailey.

Photo courtesy of Kailey’s support team.

  • #RideForKailey Saddle Pad (dressage or all purpose): $25 each + $10 shipping. Pick up is available at Kailey’s alma mater at the Otterbein Equine Center in Westerville, OH. Click here to order.

Allie Rubenstein (pictured) and Sarah Choate rode with Kailey on her college team at Otterbein and have done all the organization of t-shirts, belts and saddle pads. Photos courtesy of Kailey’s support team.

  • #RideForKailey T-Shirts: $20+$4 for shipping. Click here to order.

    Photo courtesy of Kailey’s support team.
  • #RideForKaily C4 Belt: $35+ $10 shipping. Click here to order.

A GoFundMe set up to assist the Giancola family with medical bills has reached over $50,000 — you can make a donation today here. You can also make a donation directly: Kailey’s Family at MN Bank and MN Band and Trust / C/O Ben Monnens /9800 Bren Road E. #200 / Minnetonka, MN  55343. If you would like to use an alternate form of payment, contact Ben Monnens at 612-237-8786.

There will be a fundraising event on April 23rd in Kailey’s hometown in Minnesota — more info on that to come.

Go Kailey! Go Eventing.

 

Dressage Superstars Set to Perform at Badminton

By on Feb 21, 2020 11:00 am -

Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) and Valegro. Photo: Hippo Foto/Dirk Caremans/FEI.

You might think that you’ve sailed under the radar, but we know you’re out there. Who are you? A rare breed, perhaps — but you eventing folk who secretly love dressage aren’t as inconspicuous as you might think. We spot you by the flash of patent leather — just a touch — that sneaks its way onto the Spanish tops of your boots. We spot you by the hint of sparkle on your horse’s browband, a coquettish diamanté that flirts with us across the warm-up and makes us feel so, well, navy. And we spot you by the fact that your horse actually does the leg-crossing thing when you leg-yield, while our own recalcitrant nags are simply offering to perform the movement standing up, instead.

Yes, you’re out there, and we’re onto you. And so is the crack team at Badminton Horse Trials, who have made some exciting changes to this year’s schedule that will draw you all out of hiding.

British dressage star Anna Ross has been announced as a new addition to the Thursday and Friday commentary team, taking over from the much-loved queen of snark Pammy Hutton on Badminton Radio’s exceptional coverage. While Pammy’s departure from the Badminton line-up is a sad one indeed, those still reeling from the news will take great comfort in knowing that Anna is a very worthy replacement. Sharp as a tack, super knowledgeable, heavily connected with eventing, and witty to boot, she’ll offer up a huge amount of insight and a fair few laughs throughout her stint behind the microphone with Peter Storr.

But that’s certainly not all that’s being dished out to the dressage fans among us. Visitors to the event will be in for a treat with an all-star lineup on Thursday and Friday, including a rare chance to see one of the sport’s best-loved stars.

Charlotte Dujardin celebrates at the Rio Olympics. Photo by Arnd Bronkhorst/FEI.

Thursday’s lunch break, from 12.30 p.m., will feature the ‘Parade of Champions,’ in aid of Badminton’s chosen charity for 2020, the British Equestrian Federation Fund (BEFF). The BEFF has been set up to help Britain’s human and equine athletes get to Tokyo this summer for the Olympic Games, and what better way to drum up support for successes to come than by celebrating those superstars who’ve brought us so many successes in the past? The Parade of Champions will feature a surprise line-up of previous Olympic heroes across the disciplines, who will be led in-hand around the main arena. The Pied Piper of this parade? None other than Valegro, perhaps the best-loved dressage horse of all time, who arguably set the standard for modern dressage with Charlotte Dujardin.

After the Parade, stay tuned for a jam-packed masterclass with Laura Bechtolsheimer-Tomlinson MBE, who was part of the gold medal-winning British dressage team at the London Olympics. After the retirement of the great Mistral Hojris, Laura took some time out of the spotlight to produce her Olympic stars of the future. Now, you’ll get to see these exciting horses — each working at the Grand Prix level and aiming for a spot on the plane to Japan — as Laura puts them through their paces and explains her methodology with each horse. Definitely one to take notes on.

If you’re only at Badminton on Friday, don’t worry — Laura will be back in the ring from 12.30 p.m., this time demonstrating the art and science of a musical freestyle. Watch her piece together the movements as she explains how she chooses her choreography to best suit her horse and eke out the maximum marks from the complex score sheet. No word yet as to whether she’ll do her demonstration to ‘Pony’ by Ginuwine, though.

It’s none too shabby a line-up — and as the saying goes, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em, right? We can’t promise to embrace the diamantés, though.

[Dressage Day entertainment confirmed for Badminton 2020]

Badminton Horse Trials: Website, Tickets, Provisional Timetable

10 Tips For Horse Shopping Overseas from Matt Flynn

By on Feb 21, 2020 9:00 am -

Matt Flynn has sourced multiple top event horses overseas — among them, the ones highlighted below and many notable others. He generously shares some horse-shopping expertise with EN. To learn more about Matt Flynn, visit Flynn Sport Horses.

Matt Flynn and Wizzerd, Team USA’s traveling reserves for the Military Boekelo CCIO4*-L and FEI Eventing Nations Cup Final in October 2019. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

1. No matter what, never show up with a rental car that turns heads and screams I have a great budget. Take note — speed cameras do send tickets to the States contrary to popular belief and if you do not pay them, it will be incredibly hard to rent a car on your next trip overseas!

2. Be responsible and timely. If you are running late, call ahead. The less headache foreign sellers have, the more likely they are to help you in the future!

3. Be honest — about your budget, and when seeing horses if you like the horse or not. If you do not like a horse when it is pulled out, it is OK to say not for me. You do not have to feel inclined to watch and ride them all!

Sourced by Matt: Charlotte Babbitt’s 2 A.M., an 8-year-old Dutch gelding (Sheraton x Regina K, by Ahorn). Pictured here at the 2019 NAYC, where they won individual CCIJ2*-L gold. The pair is now competing at the three-star level. Photo by Shelby Allen.

4. Learn and use a few key words in the native language to demonstrate familiarity with the lingo, keeping hustling conversations about you to a minimum.

5. Walk the aisles of every barn you visit and ask questions. If a horse grabs you based on what they look like, ask about them. Often times you can get a dealer to pull out their better horses by asking additional questions when in fact they may not have intended to show them.

6. Ask the lowest guy on the totem pole in the barn if possible which horse he would take across the ocean. They often have no skin in the game and very often dealers are not keen to have their very favorite horse leave the stable. This can help in finding out which the best horses really are.

Source by Matt: Get Gaudi, a 9-year-old Dutch mare (Alicante x Second Floor, by Faram) owned by Ms. Jacqueline Mars and ridden by Lauren Kieffer. The pair finished in the top four at each of their two-star starts together in 2019: 1st at Ocala International, 3rd at Bromont, 4th at Great Meadow, and 2nd at Plantation Field. Photo by Shelby Allen.

7. Never sit on a horse without seeing someone in the yard ride it for you first. You can avoid falls off feral horses who look very nice by abiding by this rule.

8. Record every horse you ride. Verbally make a note when starting the recording with horse name, age, and what farm/where you saw it. At the time you might feel like you couldn’t possibly forget it, but after seeing 30 other horses, you will want to jog your memory to determine which were your favorites.

9. Be brave enough to ask a horse to do something that might be a bit out of their comfort zone to see how they react in a new situation if that is possible. Walk them down the road, jump something they may not have jumped, take note of their reactions and personality in these situations. This can be very telling!

10. Never turn down coffee time — this is a chance to learn. Regardless if you are buying the horse, other than being good manners, this time lends to insight, many important lessons, and great takeaways.

Sourced by Matt: Enough Already, a 12-year-old Dutch gelding (Winningmood x Zandora, by Landor S) owned by Liz Bond and ridden by Kristen Bond. This pair posted multiple top five results at the four-star level in 2018, including Fair Hill, Rebecca Farm and Ocala Jockey Club. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Big news from Athletux! The agency has recently restructured its business model to focus on three main areas: equestrian brands, athletes and events. This is a particularly exciting development for brands, who will benefit from Athletux’s wealth of industry insight to help build their image, maximize use of social media platforms and email marketing campaigns, manage sponsored riders, assist with graphic design and more. Learn more by visiting the just-launched new Athletux website here.

Friday News & Notes from World Equestrian Brands

By on Feb 21, 2020 12:03 am -

Just some buddies together on a chilly barn day. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Even though now the calendar has many more events prior to Pine Top, I will always think of Pine Top Advanced as the first big event of the year. It’s the real, old school first Advanced of the year, anyway. Also, the two times in my life when I have been the coldest have also been at this competition, which tells you something about the wisdom of trying to go south to stay warm!

National Holiday: National Sticky Bun Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

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

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

Full Gallop February II [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Irish Olympian Padraig McCarthy recently lent his wisdom to riders in Aiken for a two-day jumping clinic. With one day of show jumping at Five Henry Stables and one day of cross country at Full Gallop Farm, riders from Novice to Advanced learned about his emphasis on holding one track between jumps, establishing a bouncy canter, and keeping confidence through all exercises. [Clinic Report: Padraig McCarthy]

College students take note! Brook Ledge Horse Transport is giving one lucky student a round-trip horse ticket to anywhere from anywhere for the next college year! Open to any incoming or current college student under the age of 24, this opportunity is perfect for the young equestrian who doesn’t have the means to get their horse to a far away college. You don’t even have to be on an equestrian team to qualify, so check it out! [Brook Ledge 2020 Road Scholar]

We’re all suckers for horse movies, let’s face it. Even though they always feature excessive whinnying (PLEASE STOP), we just can’t help ourselves. This year, we look forward to Dream Horse, which is the true story of a Welsh bartender who rallies her whole small town to chip in money towards breeding and racing an unlikely champion racehorse. [Dream Horse Comes to Theaters in May]

 

 

 

Thursday Video from FLAIR: Pine Top Prelim Helmet Cam

By on Feb 20, 2020 4:30 pm -

Earlier this year, 19 year old Olivia Coolidge packed her bags and her spicy pocket rocket of a Thoroughbred, Bold Impression, and headed east from Kansas to South Carolina, joining up with the Windurra USA team as a new working student. Olivia and “Benny” enjoyed a smashing debut at the Preliminary level over the last season and wasted no time in collecting their first east coast win at Pine Top Intermediate earlier this month.

Liz Crawley Photography.">

Peep that FLAIR strip! Olivia Coolidge and Bold Impression, photo by Liz Crawley Photography.

Adding just a bit of time on cross country, Olivia and Benny handily made quick work of the track and also show jumped clear inside the time to secure the Preliminary Rider division win on a final score of 40.7. Big congrats on the first of many, Olivia!

Disgusting, Dirty Tack? Easy Winter Tack Care, Brought to You by Banixx

By on Feb 20, 2020 3:00 pm -
Banixx,tack,horse,wound care,scratches,healthy

Disgusting tack! Photo courtesy of Banixx.

Tack stiff, grungy and basically…nasty?!

What You Need: Wash cloths (a little abrasive, not soft), hand towel, glycerin saddle soap bar, tack conditioner of your choice and water.

How you do it:

  1. Pull the straps out of the keepers each time, and once a month remove reins and the bit to really clean and check the integrity of your equipment.
  2. Scrub the tack with a wet washcloth and glycerin saddle soap – a washcloth gets the grunge off the leather better than a sponge. Repeat if needed.
  3. Wipe down with hand towel to remove excess water and saddle soap.
  4. Using your hands, apply the tack conditioner – use your hands so the conditioner gets on the tack and not soaked into a cloth or sponge.
Banixx,tack,horse,wound care,scratches,healthy

Clean tack! Photo courtesy of Banixx.

Extra tips:

  • If warm water is not available at your barn, then bring some from home in a thermos.
  • A scrubby pad (like kitchen scrubby) may be warranted for really grungy tack.
  • A cap full of ammonia in about three quarts of water (small bucket) can be a good rinse off (first step) for horribly dirty tack.
  • A hex screwdriver is handy for cleaning out the holes.
  • Texas Pete’s Hot Sauce will get brass sparkling but be sure to rinse it off well as it will burn a horse’s sensitive skin and irritate eyes.
  • The more often glycerin saddle soap is used the more supple your tack will be.
  • The thicker tack conditioners (paste rather than liquid), such as Oakwood, are great in wet conditions! If you get caught in the rain, no worries! Wipe the tack off with a hand towel and the tack will be smooth and supple, not be crusty or stiff when it dries.

Brought to you by Banixx – the #1 trusted solution for equine and pet owners!

FEI Issues Clarification After Confusion Over Snaffle-Link Ban

By on Feb 20, 2020 1:00 pm -

Discrepancies during mandatory bit checks have prompted the FEI to reiterate their 2019 changes to bit rules for eventing dressage. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The Fédération Équestre Internationale has republished their FAQ on tack and equipment following ‘inconsistent application’ of the rules throughout the previous year of competition – but this republication has led to some confusion after the news was widely shared from a post on the Eventing Riders Association International Facebook page.

“We have received confirmation from the FEI regarding the use of the French Link for Eventing Dressage,” reads the ERA post. “It is not allowed for the Dressage test. The 2020 Eventing Rules Annex A – Permitted Bits does not include any diagram with a “plate” section in the bit under “permitted mouthpieces”, therefore any bit with a “plate” is currently not allowed. All permitted bits for eventing Dressage are included in Annex A of the Eventing rules. If a bit is not included in this Annex, it means that is not allowed for Eventing Dressage. We would advise all FEI competitors to carefully consider Annex A of the Eventing Rules, to ensure they are fully informed as to which bits are and are not permitted.”

 

 

Though the post has caused something of a stir on social media today, it’s actually not a new rule – control plates were banned in the 2019 FEI rule changes.

“Following inconsistent application of the rules in 2019, especially the Annex A of the FEI Eventing rules, the latest version of the FAQ on tack and equipment was republished on Wednesday including a reminder that only bits listed in Annex A are allowed for Dressage tests,” a representative of the FEI explains. “Posts on social media have highlighted in their update that the French link is not allowed, such as the post from ERA GB. All information included in that post is correct.”

It’s important, too, to note that these rules are for FEI eventing competitions. That means that if you’re competing in a national level event, sanctioned by USEF or British Eventing, you will be running under different rules, with different legalities. Unsure? Just double-check the rulebook before you pack your tack trunk. For example, Equestrian Canada’s rules for dressage bitting in eventing line up with the FEI’s rules. [USEF Rules for Eventing] [Equestrian Canada Rules for Eventing] [British Eventing Rules]

Hell hath no fury like a comment section scorned (or mildly confused), so allow us to tackle some of the most common questions that have cropped up today.

This rule just applies to Dr Bristol bits, right? 

Nope. This rule applies to any bit with a control plate – that is, a flat central joint. French links are out.

But wait – I don’t like the action of a single-jointed bit! Is that all I’m allowed now?!

No, you can still use a double-jointed bit (or even a straight mouthpiece!) – the central piece just needs to be rounded, like a lozenge or a roller. Here are the permitted mouthpieces for FEI eventing dressage:

Ugh, why would the FEI move the goalposts now, when the season is just about to start?

They haven’t, actually – this rule has been in place for a while, but there were so many issues with inconsistencies that they’ve reissued a clarification now. What this will hopefully mitigate is the issue wherein a rider is allowed to use a certain bit at one competition and then eliminated for the same bit at the next one.

Does this mean I’m not allowed to use my French Link for my Beginner Novice next weekend?

No. These are FEI rules, so they’re applicable to 1*, 2*, 3*, and 4* competitions. National level competitions will be governed by USEA/USEF if you’re in the States, Equestrian Canada for Canadians competing in their home country, British Eventing if you’re in the UK, and so on. If it’s a Pony Club competition, you’ll need to follow Pony Club rules. Likewise, these rules are for eventing – if you’re competing in pure FEI dressage, you’ve got your own set of rules to follow.

Okay, I think I might need a refresher on the rules. Any idea where I can find them?

Sure thing – it’s always a great idea to have a pre-season skim read. Here’s the latest version, with all the changes and mark-ups in red for ease of use. Happy reading!

Volunteer Nation: How You Can Help These 3 Events This Weekend

By on Feb 20, 2020 11:00 am -

Chris Quinn has been named this month’s USEA Volunteer of the Month presented by Athletux Equine! Click to read her story:

Posted by United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) on Friday, February 7, 2020

Meet Chris Quinn, this month’s USEA Volunteer of the Month. If you are local to the Aiken area, you’ve likely seen Chris out and about volunteering or taking photographs. Chris enjoys volunteering — and has tackled just about every volunteer job there is — because it gives her a chance to help her friends and fellow competitors enjoy the sport they share together.

“I have to think my favorite part of the sport is the helpfulness of all the competitors with each other, the support that they give each other, with no agenda other than goodwill,” Chris said in an interview with the USEA. You can read the full profile on Chris here — and don’t forget to nominate your favorite local volunteer for future recognition!

It’s time to gear up for another weekend of eventing, and we have three recognized events in need of volunteer help. We’re also going to start listing out upcoming events in the near future, as signing up early can help volunteer coordinators get organized more quickly. Don’t wait — sign up as soon as you can so that you can have first dibs on the job you want, and you’ll make your volunteer coordinator very happy! In addition, if you find yourself at an event with a couple hours to spare, stop by the show office and inquire about any help they may need. Chances are, they’ll take you up on the offer.

Here are the events this coming weekend that are seeking volunteer help:

Event: Pine Top Advanced HT
Date(s) volunteers needed: Friday, February 21 through Sunday, February 23
Address: 1432 Augusta Hwy, Thomson, GA, 30824
Positions Available: XC Jump Judge, SJ Jump Crew

Event: Full Gallop Farm February II HT
Date(s) volunteers needed: Wednesday, February 26
Address: 3828 Wagener Rd, Aiken, SC, 29805
Positions Available: XC Finish Timer, XC Jump Judge, XC Warm-up, Dressage Bit Check, Dressage Scribe, Dressage Steward, Hospitality Helper, Floater, SJ In-gate, SJ Jump Crew, SJ Scribe, SJ Steward

Event: Three Lakes Winter II at Caudle Ranch
Date(s) volunteers needed: Saturday, February 22 through Sunday, February 23
Address: 18543 State Road 19, Groveland, FL 34736
Please email [email protected] for more information on volunteer needs.

Event: February Western Dressage at Florida Horse Park
Date(s) volunteers needed: Saturday, February 22 through Sunday, February 23
Address: 11008 S Highway 475, Ocala, FL, 34480
Positions Available: Dressage Bit Check, Dressage Scribe

Events Coming Soon – Sign Up Early!

Twin Rivers Ranch – Paso Robles, CA – February 28-March 1
Rocking Horse Winter III HT – Altoona, FL – February 28-March 1
Sporting Days Farm II HT – Aiken, SC – February 28 – March 1
Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field – Aiken, SC – February 28-29