Classic Eventing Nation

Wednesday News & Notes from Ecovet

By on Feb 12, 2020 12:05 am -

A little love goes a long way! Photo by JJ Sillman.

I was today years old when I learned that Galentine’s Day actually has its own date. I also was today years old when I found out that the term originated on the TV show Parks and Recreation. So, I’m sure many of you are much more with the times than I am, but I thought I’d share that fun fact.

So in honor of this hallowed day, I would like to just say a word of thanks for all of the gal (and guy) pals I’ve made at the barn throughout my life. I’m sure most of you can relate to this; the barn is truly a place where I feel continually safe, accepted, included. Today, make sure you take a moment to celebrate this little pre-Valentine’s Day holiday (and let’s be honest, most of us will spend Valentine’s Day at the barn, anyway) to let your pals know you love them. After all, we’re all in this crazy thing called horses together. #HorseGirlEnergy forever, y’all.

National Holiday: Galentine’s Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Rocking Horse Winter II: [Website][Entry Status][Ride Times]
Paradise Farm H.T.: [Website][Entry Status][Ride Times]
Fresno County Horse Park H.T.: [Website][Entry Status][Ride Times]

Wednesday News:

Learn more about the official charity for this year’s Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event. The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is devoted to the progression of equine research. Data continues to play an integral role in understanding equine health and performance. Find out more about the Foundation in the latest USEA Event College video.

Australia has named its National High Performance Eventing Squads for 2020. Divided into three categories — Gold, Green, and Next — the squads are named based on a variety of criteria. Factors such as fitness, ability to develop a consistent program, and ability to represent Australia on the biggest stages were considered. [Equestrian Australia Names High Performance Squads]

Did you know that Mary King spends her time out of the saddle … sailing? And she doesn’t just go out for a lazy jaunt about the harbor, either. No, this multiple Olympian and general badass just competed in a small race called the Clipper Round the World Ocean Race. Listen to the fascinating story in the newest Horse Show episode from Women In Sports. [Mary King Sails the Southern Ocean]

Wednesday Watch:

I know, I know … this is an eventing site. But let’s be honest, we could all take a page out of Steffen Peters’ book. You’ll want to watch this ride from the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington past weekend. The performance stamped Steffan and Suppenkasper’s ticket to the World Cup Finals in Vegas this April. Watch them dance to the tune of a personal best 83.495%:

You don’t want to miss this #FNSWinningRound presented by Premier Equestrian! 🌟 Steffen Peters’ breathtaking performance aboard Suppenkasper earned an incredible score of 83.495% to claim last night’s Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W presented by Helgstrand Dressage. 👏🏻

Posted by Adequan Global Dressage Festival on Saturday, February 8, 2020

Ecovet is the only fly repellent that improves insect-related skin sensitivity. Learn more at eco-vet.com.

Tuesday Video: Charlotte Dujardin’s Dreamy Horse Holiday

By on Feb 11, 2020 6:00 pm -

After ensuring we kept back to a distance that he was comfortable with, the giraffe was later happy to show us his lands, but at his pace. How incredible they are! 😍#siraistud #siraihouse #kenya

Posted by Charlotte Dujardin on Thursday, February 6, 2020

Charlotte Dujardin recently took the trip of a lifetime to Kenya where she saw some of the world’s most beautiful creatures. Her view was especially unique as she toured the landscape from the top of her borrowed horse, Kyoto, a Boerperd/Friesian.

Our favorite part? Charlotte took the opportunity to school some cross country:

Photo via Charlotte Dujardin.

Go Charlotte. Go eventing.

Life is….

Posted by Charlotte Dujardin on Saturday, February 8, 2020

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: Have You Seen the Thoroughbred Sport Tracker?

By on Feb 11, 2020 11:00 am -

Formerly known as the Bloodline Brag, the Retired Racehorse Project’s (RRP’s) Thoroughbred Sport Tracker is the only user-driven database on the internet for tracking the second careers and accomplishments of off-the-track Thoroughbreds. This is the go-to database to gain insight into the pedigree of Thoroughbreds in their second careers and it’s really easy to use, too!

You can explore the database by searching sire, dam, damsire, sire’s sire, or by discipline. You can also search by keyword which is handy if you’re interested in, say, finding horses who have competed through Prelim eventing, for example — just check ‘eventing’ and type “Prelim” in as a keyword and voila!

As a user-driven database, however, the more submissions it gets the more robust and useful the database will be; that’s why RRP is encouraging anyone who owns an OTTB to add their horse. All you need is a free RRP web account, some pictures of your horse, and their pedigree. Need more enticement? Plus, if you input your horse between now and midnight February 14th you could be one of three winners of a RRP 10-year anniversary water bottle!

Be sure to keep the Thoroughbred Sport Tracker in mind if you take home one of this week’s feature horses:

Emotional Wreck. Photo via CANTER CA.

Emotional Wreck (CONCORD POINT – STAR PRESENCE, BY FOREST WILDCAT): 2016 16.2-hand Kentucky-bred gelding

Alright, I know his Jockey Club name might be a little off-putting (we’ve all met that horse, haven’t we?) but this sweet-looking gelding has given us no indication of actually being an emotional wreck from what we can tell. He has stood nicely for his photoshoot, was very polite jogging and looks to have a kind eye. With just four career starts he didn’t show any promise at the track and has been generally sitting around since November when, sadly, his owner’s health began to decline.

Located in Southern California.

View Emotional Wreck on CANTER CA.

Flying Arrow. Photo via New Vocations Racehorse Adoption.

Flying Arrow (TAPIT – INDIAN WAY, BY INDIAN CHARLIE): 2014 16.2-hand Kentucky-bred gelding

Flying Arrow, known as “Robin” in the barn, greatly seems to be enjoying life so far off the track after racing just a single time. He’s learned be turned out with a group of gelding and really enjoys play time outside. Robin is still racing fit right now, but under saddle the New Vocations staff can sense burst of great potential in his balanced gaits and uphill feel.

Located in Lexington, Kentucky.

View Flying Arrow on New Vocations Racehorse Adoption.

Fracique. Photo via CANTER MD.

Fracique (KARA’S ORIENTATION – STORMY FUSE, BY LITE THE FUSE): 2017 16.1-hand Alberta-bred gelding

This three-year-old still has some growing to do, but looks well put together and has the potential to be a real stunner when he grows into himself and fills out. Fracique is lightly race with four career starts and it’s displaying enough talent on the track to be kept in training. His connections describe him as having a pleasant, willing disposition.

Located in Maryland.

View Fracique on CANTER MD.

Karim Florent Laghouag Takes Devoucoux Indoor Derby at Bordeaux

By on Feb 11, 2020 9:00 am -

The more I watch indoor eventing, the more I think about how it takes a very special, unflappable yet very in tune horse to do well in this sub-discipline of the sport. The feeling you get watching indoor eventing is more akin to watching a reiner run a pattern or a show jumper doing a Gambler’s Choice round. The crowd is energetic, even boisterous, the announcer is beside himself, the noise is deafening. And yet somehow, you’ve got to put on the blinders and navigate a twisty, turning course of no less than 30 jumping efforts.

It’s truly a spectacle, which is why the winter season signals high tide for those who dare to dream of indoor eventing glory. Much of the winter in Europe is spent at massive indoor shows, many of which play host to multiple disciplines in a given weekend. This weekend was no different, at the Jumping International of Bordeaux in the famous wine country of southwestern France.

17 competitors would come forward to compete against one another and the clock on a technical track that spanned two arenas and 22 fences/30 jumping efforts. Playing a heavy factor into the competition was a handful of bank questions, along with the sheer technicality of simply remembering which direction to go. At the end, it was hometown hero Karim Florent Laghouag who would take home the win aboard Punch de l’Esques, a slalwart campaigner who at 17 years young has become somewhat of an indoor veteran with eight FEI recognized starts since 2017.

This pair has been turning up the heat all winter, collecting a win in the indoor eventing in Paris last December as well as a second place at Geneva the following week. It’s a partnership of a lifetime for Karim and the lithe chestnut Anglo-Arab gelding; they’ve been campaigning together at international levels since 2009.

“Punch is a horse that I have had for a long time,” Karim said after his big night. “He arrived at mine aged four, today he is 17. Once again, he gave me a nice victory. He is in top form; we saw the vets who told me he was stainless. He is very good, he loves the atmosphere, he is more and more calm and he has gained more serenity and experience in this type of class.”

Calm and cool, indeed — see for yourself in their round. Somehow, Karim came in nearly seven seconds ahead of his closest competitor, finishing in 108.56 seconds to Luc Chateau’s 115.03 seconds.

It was an all-French podium as fellow countrymen Luc Chateau and Rodolphe Scherer would take home second and third place, respectively. Some guy named Michael Jung, who himself has become a bit of a figure indoors, picked up fourth place after he and Highlighter had one fence down. “Michael Jung almost got me though,” Karim said. “He was fast, but was forced out of his comfort zone, which was my goal. I did not want to take all the risks so as not to drop a fence therefore Michael was forced to take risks, which cost him a fault.” Ireland’s Cathal Daniels, whose had a great season with back-to-back wins indoors, finished up in fifth place with Alcatraz.

If you missed out on the indoor derby at Bordeaux, you’re in luck because the entire event is available now for replay. Catch it below:

Jumping International of Bordeaux: [Website][Devoucoux Indoor Derby Results]

Tuesday News & Notes from Legends Horse Feeds

By on Feb 11, 2020 12:01 am -

Charlotte Collier and Clifford M. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

We can’t stop dreaming of Wellington, especially after looking through Tilly Berendt’s photos from the weekend. For even more fab photos, be sure to read through our final report and check out the gallery at the end of the story at this link. Go eventing.

National Holiday: National Make A Friend Day

Events Opening This Week: Morven Park Spring H.T., Full Gallop Farm February II H.T., Rocking Horse III H.T., Chattahoochee Hills H.T.

Events Closing This Week: Twin Rivers Winter H.T., Full Gallop Farm February II H.T., Rocking Horse III H.T., Chattahoochee Hills H.T., Sporting Days Farm March H.T. II

Tuesday Links:

Breeders this one’s for you! The USEA has released the 2020 Future Event Horse Calendar: [The 2020 Future Event Horse Calendar is Now Available]

Thoroughbreds really can do it all. Galley Light, bred to race, found a second career in eventing, where he succeeded through the five-star level. Now 17, he’s decided to tack on another career in the hunt field.  Retrained racehorse who found his forte at Badminton retires to the hunting field

If you haven’t had enough of the MARS Wellington Eventing Showcase, then catch up on The Chronicle’s coverage: [Little Earns A Big Win At $50,000 MARS Eventing Showcase] [Three Disciplines, One Weekend: Favorite Photos From Wellington]

Tuesday Video: Doug Payne piloting around the MARS Wellington Eventing Showcase

Monday Video from CLM DWN: A Day in the Life with William Fox-Pitt

By on Feb 10, 2020 4:30 pm -

Wouldn’t it be cool to get to spend the day with the one and only William Fox-Pitt at his yard? Popular equestrian YouTube Vlogger, This Esme, got to do just and that made us all very jealous in the process! Not that it was all fun and games, however; William’s grooms put Esme to work first thing in the morning getting the stables mucked. After that though, not only did she get to meet Little Fire, William’s current top horse for whom he has aspirations of Tokyo, but she got to ride him!

The video is on the lengthy side, but if you have 30 minutes to spare it’s a fun peek around the facility, complete with meeting members of the family and staff as well as learning a bit of William’s and his horse’s history.

Did You Miss the $50,000 MARS Eventing Showcase? Watch the Replays Now

By on Feb 10, 2020 3:00 pm -

Jacob Fletcher and Van Gough. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

If you opted out of watching the $50,000 MARS Eventing Showcase yesterday, then you should definitely set aside some time to sit down and have a look. Thanks to Equestrian Sport Productions, the full replay of the show jumping and cross country phases is now available for free viewing.

Ryan Wood and Powell. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Some may have thought that a three minute cross country course mostly intended to ride as an exhibition for those new to the sport would not cause much in the way of dramatics or excitement — but this was far from the truth when the first horse entered the grass derby field yesterday.

Problems were scattered throughout both Andy Christiansen’s show jumping course as well as Capt. Mark Phillips’ cross country track. Combine the trickiness of both courses with the atmosphere, the derby grass, the fact that show jumping was held prior to cross country, and a little dusting of early season rust and you’ve got yourself some entertainment!

Charlotte Collier and Clifford M. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

You can tune in and relive the show jumping action here (and keep up with our live updates here) and then get in on the cross country finale (live updates) here.

$50k MARS Eventing Showcase: Website, Entries, Live Scores, Show Jumping Live Stream, XC Live Stream,  EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Irish Eventing Goes On Tour with Take On Tokyo Event

By on Feb 10, 2020 1:00 pm -

The fact that 2020 is an Olympic year means that teams across the world are already hard at work drumming up support and exposure as August draws ever closer. A creative effort by the Irish eventing team drew spectators and participants to the Take On Tokyo Tour, a three-stop demonstration show put on to raise funds for the program and its efforts to field a strong team for the Summer Games.

The Take On Tokyo Tour made its three stops over this past weekend, giving eager participants a chance to interact with and learn from prominent figures on the Irish team. Demonstrations from riders such as Cathal Daniels and Sam Watson gave riders a glimpse at the new 5* Olympic test as well as jumping exercises that can be applied to horses at various stages of training and development. Team show jumping coach Grant Wilson was on hand for these sessions, and other lectures were given to provide attendees with a full spectrum experience.

The 2020 ‘Take On Tokyo’ Eventing Tour kicked off at Maryville in Co. Cork. The tour which is supported by Horse Sport…

Posted by Irish Eventing Times on Friday, February 7, 2020

The 2020 ‘Take On Tokyo’ Eventing Tour moved to Ravensdale for day 2. The tour which is supported by Horse Sport…

Posted by Irish Eventing Times on Saturday, February 8, 2020

A special moment was given to Cathal Daniels, who enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top in 2019 with an individual bronze medal at the European Eventing Championships, and Margaret Kinsella’s Rioghan Rua, who was awarded an Irish Eventing lifetime membership in recognition of her career achievements to date.

Take a look at some scenes from the tour this weekend:

Some clips from the final day of the eventing Take on Tokyo tour which took place at Spruce Lodge in Co.Wicklow.#horsesports #horsesoninstagram #eventinglife #horsetrials #goeventing #equestriansport #irisheventing #igtv #horsesonigtv #eventing #horsesportireland #eventingireland #irisheventingtimes@eventingireland@tredstep@cathaldaniels@elizabethpower

Posted by Irish Eventing Times on Monday, February 10, 2020

Luhmühlen Announces €25,000 Increase in Prize Money for 2020 CCI5*-L

By on Feb 10, 2020 11:00 am -

Photo by Thomas Ix, courtesy of Luhmühlen.

Thanks to returning title sponsor Longines, the CCI5*L division at Luhmühlen this June will play host to an additional EUR 25,000 ($27,316) in prize money. This increases the pot from EUR 100,000  ($109,264) and brings the German five-star up to the fifth position on the list of prize money pools available at the top level.

“We are excited to see the effect this significant raise in prize money will have on the Luhmühlen entries,” Luhmühlen event director Julie Otto said in a press release. The CCI4*-S, which runs concurrently with the CCI5*-L, will likely draw many Tokyo hopefuls, but the significant increase in prize money up for grabs should garner a strong field to contest Mike Etherington-Smith’s refreshed track.

Mike Etherington-Smith visits the Luhmühlen track for some updates this month. Photo by Laura Gause, courtesy of Luhmühlen.

“Both courses have a slightly different feel to them, especially in terms of where the questions are distributed,” Mike said in a press release. “I am trying to manage the speed a bit better whilst maintaining the flow and so I have come up with some new lines to hopefully make the time more influential. The flow and balance of the course is very important since they encourage horses to jump well.”

In addition to the support from Longines, the team behind Luhmühlen expressed thanks for the additional support of sponsors such as LVM insurance agency Bernd Bamberger, Lotto Niedersachsen, Meßmer, and Charles Owen.

Weekend Winners: Ocala Winter I, Pine Top Intermediate, Full Gallop Farm

By on Feb 10, 2020 9:00 am -

What with all the excitement down south in Wellington this weekend, we can’t forget about our competing compatriots at the three other recognized events this weekend. One of my favorite winter pastimes is to check out entries and scores of the winter horse shows; I always like to think of it as a “Kentucky preview,” a who’s who of horses aiming for the top level this year. It’s exciting to keep tabs on the pairs who we might be cheering on in just a couple of months on the Bluegrass. I can’t hardly wait!

This week, our low score award goes to Erin Walker and Zydeco Nights, who finished their weekend in the Senior Novice division at Ocala Winter I on a 22.6. Well done, you two!

Pine Top Intermediate H.T.  [Website] [Final Scores]

Advanced/Intermediate: Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue D’Argouges (41.4)
Intermediate Rider: Sydney Shinn and Paprika (51.9)
Open Intermediate A: Will Faudree and Caeleste (32.9)
Open Intermediate B: Jenny Caras and Trendy Fernhill (37.6)
Open Preliminary A: Daniel Clasing and Luska Candy Clover (32.8)
Open Preliminary B: Chris Talley and Fibber and Molly (29.8)
Open Preliminary C: Andrew McConnon and Ferrie’s Cello (32.0)
Preliminary Rider A: Olivia Coolidge and Bold Impression (40.7)
Preliminary Rider B: Lynnea Woody and Prince Eric (40.9)
Jr. Training Rider: Mya Poulos and Guy’s Elegant Miss (35.0)
Open Training A: Mike Pendleton and The Fonz Himself (27.5)
Open Training B: Andrew McConnon and D’Luxe Steel (29.3)
Preliminary/Training: Haley Carspecken and Get Out (30.0)
Sr. Training Rider: Norah Springgate and Jaywalker (37.9)
Jr. Novice Rider: Alexandra Kleinmann and BB Returns (29.8)
Sr. Novice Rider: Megan Harris and TBS Declan Pondi (31.4)
Training/Novice: Daryl Kinney and Monte Carlo (33.6)
Jr. Beginner Novice Rider: Sabrina Carmichael and Briars of Buchannan (38.6)
Open Beginner Novice: Lisa Hida and Cooleys Rule of Law (28.9)
Sr. Beginner Novice: Magdalene Montgomery and Casanova (36.1)

View this post on Instagram

It was a day for the greys at Pine Top Intermediate HT! The videos are not all of the same horse even though they are lookalikes. The dressage and SJ clip are of Barry (#corvett ) and the XC is of Trueno (Roll of Thunder). Barry had a great first event putting in a much improved dressage score thanks to @jamesburtwell 's amazing lessons. A double clear SJ round with @richpicken 's expertise guidance. And a clear jump around a very wet XC track adding a bit of time to finish 4th in a competitive division. I am very thankful every time I get to ride this amazing horse thanks to his owners Black Flag Option. It's going to be an exciting year for our special boy! 🤞 I also got to ride @trixievos and Dave's lovely horse Trueno in the Prelim. I had so much fun riding him and we finished 3rd in a big division. I literally couldn't have made today happen without the help of @juleseventer who got thrown in the deep end with 2 grey horses and quick changes between rides. You are amazing! 🙏 #eventersofinstagram #greyhorses #eventinglife #thewholeequestrian #teamworkmakesthedreamwork

A post shared by Emily Hamel (@hameleventing) on

Ocala Winter I H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]

Advanced CT: Kylie Lyman and Da Vinci Code (28.8)
Advanced Intermediate: Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes (38.9)
Intermediate Horse: Melissa Boutin and EWSZ Jalando (39.3)
Intermediate Rider: Kirsten Schuitema and One Sly Fox (49.9)
Open Intermediate: Leah Lang-Gluscic and AP Prime (33.5)
Open Intermediate Jackpot: Ellen Doughty-Hume and Sir Oberon (34.3)
Open Preliminary: Kurt Martin and D.A. Lifetime (29.8)
Open Preliminary – Friday: Natalia Neneman and Electric Lux (31.8)
Open Preliminary Jackpot: Dom Schramm and Casalto (29.6)
Preliminary Horse: Ashley Adams and Charly (40.3)
Preliminary Rider A: Karli Wright and Master Eli (41.1)
Preliminary Rider B: Ben Noonan and Keep Kitty (28.3)
Jr. Training Rider: Emeline Gilbert and Herr Winzig (27.1)
Modified A: Kendal Lehari and Iron Lorde (26.7)
Modified B: Kendyl Tracy and Bobbie Burns (29.4)
Open Modified Jackpot: Cindy Rawson and Harry Cotter (33.0)
Open Training A: Kurt Martin and Space Ranger (30.2)
Open Training B: Allie Knowles and Hooked On Cooley (31.7)
Open Training Jackpot: Jon Holling and Avoca Druid (30.5)
Sr. Training Rider: Katie Grace Bond and High Class (31.9)
Training Horse A: Kurt Martin and D.A. Shannondale Cushla (25.7)
Training Horse B: Sara Blackwell and Brig’s Swift Arrival (29.1)
Jr. Novice Rider: Brayden Edmonds and Jay of Diamonds (31.2)
Novice Horse A: Rebekah Simmons and Kingsfield Jasperretto (27.6)
Novice Horse B: Karl Slezak and Poynstown Jaguar (24.1)
Open Novice A: Ashlynn Meuchel and Infinity KH (29.5)
Open Novice B: Dom Schramm and Dawn Breaker (29.3)
Open Novice Jackpot: Kirsten Schuitema and Prinz S.W. (23.8)
Sr. Novice Rider: Erin Walker and Zydeco Nights (22.6)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Kevin Stamper and M C Dancer (27.6)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Emma Tuit and Rapid Romero KV (30.8)
Open Beginner Novice A: Tik Maynard and Privatised (28.3)

Full Gallop Farm February HT: [Website][Final Scores]

Preliminary: Meg Bowers and Keep the Change (34.4)
Preliminary/Training: Ashley Carr and Just Because (56.0)
Training: Finley Habenicht and Aleta NSF (27.1)
Novice A: Susan Thomas and FGF Fancy Footwork (30.7)
Novice B: Booli Selmayr and Governor Malibh (24.1)
Beginner Novice A: Chacea Sundman and Billy Hero (27.5)
Beginner Novice B: Jessica Schultz and FGF Giacokhan (26.7)
Starter: Brooke Webb and Bluegrass Beat (33.1)