You know that feeling when you’ve just nailed your dressage test and it’s like BOOM!!!!
(I don’t know that feeling, personally, but hopefully you do.)
Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Segway to adorable pic of the Coleman fam.
Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
A hard act to follow, but these pups are pretty stinking cute, too:
Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Good vibes are in the air here at Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event, taking place through the week here in Reddick, Florida.
Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
CCI4*-S dressage completed today, and CCI2*-L and CCI3*-L are back for more tomorrow along with the CCI4*-L. We’ve got a full report on the day forthcoming shortly, but thought we’d share a little teaser photo gallery by the great Shannon Brinkman as an appetizer.
Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Samantha Tinney and Glenbrook Cooley. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Cathal Daniels and Alcatraz. Photo via Stuttgart German Masters.
For those poor, unfortunate souls who don’t have access to an Ocala to escape to – that’ll be all of us on this side of the pond, then – there’s got to be something to fill the drudgery of the grey and soggy winter months.
Cue indoor eventing, the fast-paced, Europop-fuelled, boozy and enthusiastic little brother to the sport proper, which takes a plethora of familiar faces into the heart of some of Europe’s most prestigious indoor horse shows. Though it’s a decidedly Eurocentric undertaking, the indoor eventing season got off to a rip-roaring start in Canada, with the Horseware Indoor Eventing Challenge at the Royal Winter Fair going to Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes.
Yesterday, though, it was back to Bratwurstier climes, as indoor eventing took to the floor at the Stuttgart German Masters. 19 horse-and-rider combinations from seven countries came forward to tackle the course, made up of two parts: the first, a twisting, turning accuracy challenge over 17 solid fences, and the second, a quickfire timed figure-of-eight over showjumps. For every fence knocked, three seconds would be added to a competitor’s time – but competitors would have to finish the first section of the course within the optimum time of 98 seconds to be allowed to put the pedal to the metal and ride for the chance to take top honours.
And thus commenced an hour of frenetic fun, with a packed house of enthusiastic spectators clapping and cheering each competitor around the whirlwind track, designed by Rüdiger Rau. It quickly became apparent that one fence in particular would be the bogey of the evening: the final showjump at 23, a substantially-filled upright at the end of a long gallop, fell and fell and fell some more.
Photo via Stuttgart German Masters.
This allowed Spain’s Esteban Benitez Valle and his diminutive firecracker Milana 23 to hold the lead for much of the class after their ferociously quick one-pole round set the tone as the second in the order of go. Though he would ultimately have to settle for fifth place after a hot batch of late riders, his little mare certainly earned the unofficial EN award for the horse we’d most like to smuggle home in our carry-on.
The winner would only end up 0.19 seconds faster than the Spaniard, but that three-second penalty proved costly – and Ireland’s Cathal Daniels, well-known for his inimitable ability to pair speed with precision, edged the victory with fourteen-year-old Alcatraz, a catch-ride borrowed from Oliver Townend and owner Sarah Hughes for the competition. Previously piloted by Great Britain’s Alex Bragg (and a handful of Americans as well, including Ryan Wood, Phillip Dutton, and Allison Springer), the KWPN gelding (Cartier van de Heffinck x Imperatrice, by VDL Corland) won last year’s Paris class, and is proving something of a specialist in these buzzy, close competitions.
Despite opting for a slightly wider turn onto the final gallop down to that fickle final fence, the 23-year-old European bronze medalist stopped the clock on 36.65 seconds, perhaps spurred on by the nostalgic overtones of…Crazy Frog? We don’t know what they’re feeding these German arena DJs, but we’d quite like some, actually.
Photo via Stuttgart German Masters.
It would be an Irish one-two, after final rider Padraig McCarthy would cross the finish line less than a third of a second slower than Cathal, riding his 2018 Geneva indoor eventing victor Rosemaber Lancuest. Ingrid Klimke would lead the way for the home side, finishing third on her 2016 Seven-Year-Old World Champion Weisse Düne, who gained some experience in this type of novelty class when joining in with Aachen’s infamous Ride and Drive this summer. They clocked in at 38.47 seconds, while fourth-placed Laura Collett and Cooley Again – rather charmingly referred to as ‘Nostrils’ – would finish up on 39.80 seconds, and €2,000 the richer.
One might suspect, though, that drinks were on Cathal, whose catch-ride was sweetened by the prospect of being able to keep all his prize money – a not insubstantial €10,000. Ever the competitor, he could be found rigorously tackling a pull-up challenge in the stables before making his merry way to the bar. Shots for nailing all the shots? We certainly hope so.
The next leg of the hotly-contested European indoor eventing circuit takes place at the Sweden International Horse Show in Stockholm on Thursday, the 28th November. After that, we’ll be heading to Paris for the Salon du Cheval on Saturday, the 7th of December, and swiftly onwards to Switzerland’s CHI Geneva, where the indoor eventing will take place on Friday, the 13th of December.
It's blanketing season! Do you know how to fold a perfect blanket so it sits neatly on the stall door? Watch the full Learning Center video to check out Emma Ford's top 🐴 blanketing tips 👉 https://www.usef.org/learning-center/videos/blanketing-101
Posted by US Equestrian on Thursday, November 14, 2019
US Equestrian’s Learning Center is a great place to find useful information that horse owners from all areas can benefit from. In the latest educational video released in the Learning Center, longtime Dutton Eventing barn manager Emma Ford breaks down her best practices for everyone’s favorite time of year, blanketing season.
In this video, Emma explains her recommendations for folding blankets of all weights so that they’re easy to hang on stall fronts without any pesky and unsightly dangling straps. Tidy barns for everyone!
Jump judge briefing at O’Dark:30, at Plantation several years ago, photo by Holly Covey
There are still plenty of opportunities available to get out and do some volunteering in the waning 2019 eventing season! The USEA Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP) is designed to encourage people to help grow eventing and help events run smoothly, and there are plenty of perks and awards up for grabs at the end of each season. You can check out the Volunteer leaderboard here and find more volunteering opportunities on EventingVolunteers.com.
At the most recent update, nearly 5,000 volunteers have logged over 93,000 volunteer hours through the VIP program. Many thanks to all of our hardworking volunteers! Here are the events this weekend that are in need of helping hands:
Event: Fresno County Horse Park Horse Trials
Date(s) volunteers needed: Friday November 15 – Sunday November 17
Address: 7430 North Weber Avenue, Fresno, CA, 93726
Positions available: SJ Scribe, XC Jump Judge, SJ Jump Crew, SJ Timer
Sinead Halpin and Stakkato Bronx in the CCI2*-L. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
As if watching gorgeous horses performing feats of strength for four days straight wasn’t enough to keep us entertained, the Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event has a full lineup of extracurricular activities lined up both for competitors and the community.
4:30 p.m. – Competitor Wine & Cheese Welcome sponsored by Purina. Located at Purina Tent in Stabling Area. No Spectator Entry. Competitor Credentials Required for Entry.
Friday
12 – 1:15 p.m. – Ladies Luncheon with Liz Halliday-Sharp presented by Ocala Breeders Feed & Supply. Located at VIP Club in OJC Clubhouse. Admission is free to riders, officials and VIP Club credentials holders. $45 to Spectators, includes lunch and presentation.
4-5:30 p.m. – Cross-Country Course Walk with Lucinda Green. Starts at XC Start Box.
4:30 p.m. – High Performance Athlete Open Forum, located at Stabling Area Office.
6 p.m. – Happy Hour at Fredericks International Equestrian Tent.
6:30 p.m. – Friendsgiving Dinner, hosted by the Ruppel Family. Credentials required (riders, grooms, owners invited). No spectator entry. Located at Fredericks International Equestrian Tent.
The Ocala Jockey Club is presenting complimentary tours of various aspects of the farm at set times of the day. To schedule your tour time, sign up online.Enjoy your choice of:
Farm and Townhome Tour
Stallion Tour
OJC Clubhouse Tour, or
Morning Nature Photography Tour.
Vendor Village – Shopping and food, located next to OJC Main Arena.
Ocala Jockey Club is hosting a CCI4*-L division for the second year in a row and their faith in the division has grown with entries nearly triple of last year. In fact, the division is the second largest 4*-L field in North America for 2019, behind only the final run of the Fair Hill 4*-L. With the weather sunny and warmer than the rest of the country this time of year, this is an absolutely stunning crown jewel in America’s repertoire of qualifiers for the 5* level.
The stunning Ocala Jockey Club in Reddick, Florida. Photo by Jenni Autry.
The Venue
This marks only the second running of the long format at this venue but the field this year is more than 2.5 times the size of last year’s, with 32 pairs slated to come down the jog strip, up from 12 last year.
Good flatwork is historically rewarded in the 4* divisions, both short and long. Of 79 starters in three years, 22.8% of pairs have scored sub-thirty.
Not only did no one make the time in this division last year, no one even came home inside of 10 seconds of optimum. The fastest pair was Lauren Kieffer on Paramount Importance, who finished ten seconds over; she’s back this year with Landmark’s Monte Carlo, who owns a deserved reputation as one of the fastest long format horses in the U.S.
No one has yet won a 4* division at OJC without also jumping a clear round on stadium day.
Dressage Divas
Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
It’s not often that a pair is profiled without having any starts together at the level, but Phillip Dutton has now had more than a month to get to know Boyd Martin’s mount Long Island T. In three starts at A/4* this year, the gelding hasn’t scored lower than 74% with Boyd Martin; pairing with Phillip for the first time at the level should still result in a score at least breaking into the twenties.
If it feels like we’ve been talking about Pavarotti’s chops on the flat forever it’s because we have: the gelding has 28 prior A/4* starts with Jessica Phoenix, dating back to 2013. He hasn’t clocked in a score less than 70% at this level in more than two years.
Lynn Symansky brings forth RF Cool Play, who took a break from the A/4* level this year to focus on the Pan American Games. He returns to the 4* level this weekend, and his average of 30.4 in four starts during 2018 is good enough to be one of the three best 2018/2019 dressage averages in the field.
Copper Beach has had a bit of a large range over the past two years; his best score in that timeframe of 26.7 rivals some of the best scores of the field but he and Buck Davidson have also scored in the thirties at every FEI they’ve done in that time range.
Mara dePuy has always been known for her mad skills on the flat, but hasn’t quite gotten Congo Brazzaville C to a consistent twenties score. Despite leading the pack at Fair Hill after the first phase, these two have yet to score in the twenties at two consecutive events despite breaking that mark in 30% of their starts over the last two years.
Cross Country Machines
Amber Levine and Carry On. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Amber Levine is here from the West Coast with her ride Carry On, a horse whose turn of foot has helped net him top two finishes in both of his starts this year. This pair clocked in times that were either the fastest run of the day or inside the optimum time in their last four consecutive clear outings, and finished inside the time at their only 4*-L start together, a completion on their dressage score at Galway Downs in 2016.
Landmark’s Monte Carlo has completed five clear rounds at the 4*-L level; he’s been inside the time twice and has never finished more than four seconds over optimum time with Lauren Kieffer.
Erin Sylvester has never been a stranger to speed with any of her 5* horses and Campground, a Thoroughbred with two previous 4*-L completions under his belt, is quick as well. In his last four runs, he’s averaged only 6.5 seconds off the pace.
Cooley On Show returns to the level with Sharon White after a break following Kentucky this year. This pair has finished inside the time in two of their four completions at 4/5*-L.
Landmark’s Monaco with Kimmy Cecere and Victor Z with Kate Brown are both horses to keep an eye on in their first 4*-L starts; although each has had some bobbles at the A/4* levels, they’ve each been fast when running clear at the A/4*-S formats.
Show Jumping Powerhouses
Mara DePuy and Congo Brazzaville C. Photo by Shelby Allen.
In three 4*-L completions, Congo Brazzaville C and Mara dePuy have had a time penalty or two, but never a rail. In fact, they’ve never had a rail in the seven rounds they’ve jumped when cross country was before stadium.
Victor Z isn’t just a potentially quick horse in the second phase; he also is a very careful jumper. He and Kate Brown have yet to have a rail in six stadium rounds at the level.
Lisa Marie Fergusson and Honor Me have three 4*-L completions together and have yet to add any penalties on the final day to their score.
RF Cool Play jumped clear in his only 4*-L completion; in fact, he and Lynn Symansky have never had a stadium penalty in four career A/4* starts for the Pan American runner-up.
Sydney Solomon and Early Review CBF are making their first 4*-L career start but after three clear stadium rounds in three A/4* starts, they will be looking forward to stadium day.
PREDICTED WINNER: Lynn Symansky and RF Cool Play
Lynn Symansky and RF Cool Play (USA). Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Penny Worsham’s Foxdale Celtic Charm enjoying the sunshine at OJC 3 Day. Photo by Kristin Schmolze.
Apparently this week is called an “Arctic Blast” by weather experts, and expected to break more than 300 temperature records across the country. Yesterday I did trot sets wearing my carhartt overalls, because while it’s probably the least fashionable ROOTD (don’t @ me Lainey), I was cozy and didn’t regret one thing. Bring it on, Arctic Blast.
The talk of the town is the announcement that the USEF is prohibiting the use of Medroxyprogesterone acetate. Also known as Depo, this is a popular medication that is used for controlling hormones in mares, but has also been used for unapproved calming efforts in geldings. Due to a number of deaths from administration of this drug, the USEF has decided to ban it for good. [USEF Bans Depo]
Get to know Gemma Tattersall! She’s been a long time top competitor of British Eventing, but what is she like outside of her competition pants? Let’s just say she loves some Jimmy Choos. [9 Things You Didn’t Know About Gemma Tattersall]
Speaking of Gemma Tattersall, she wants to teach you about riding skinny corners and how to train them. As you go up the levels, corners are more and more prevalent on cross country, and the higher the level the more accuracy is required. Introducing them at an early point in your horse’s training will improve your ability to deal with them later. [Gemma Tattersall Explains Skinny Corner Training]
Good horsemanship transcends disciplines, as we all know well. A recent clinic with Stacia Madden at Rutledge Farm in Virginia proved just that, as she coached riders about the importance of accuracy but relaxation in the saddle, discipline with empathy, and creating exercises that help the riders learn and the horses understand. [Good Horsemanship with Stacia Madden]
Sponsor Spotlight: Nupafeed® USA’s biggest sale of the year starts this Friday, Nov. 15th and will continue through Sunday, Nov. 17. Nupafeed® Dog supplements are also included in this year’s sale!! [Nupafeed USA]
It’s just about go time for the Ocala Jockey Club Three-Day Event, the final international event of the 2019 North American calendar. Action kicked off this afternoon with horse inspections for the CCI2*-L, CCI3*-L, and CCI4*-L divisions — read the full report here. You can learn more about the Ocala Jockey Club International in this Fast Fact breakdown from the USEA.
The Ocala Jockey Club has several fantastic events scattered throughout what’s sure to be a fun-filled weekend. Attendees can check out events such as a Ladies Luncheon with Liz Halliday-Sharp, a cross country course walk with Lucinda Green, a Happy Hour put on by Fredericks Equestrian, as well as a Friendsgiving Dinner hosted by the Ruppel family. For a rundown of all of the events happening this weekend, check out the OJC schedule here.
EN’s own Maggie Deatrick is contesting the CCI2*-L with Cthulhu. Best of luck, Maggie! Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
If the Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event was a race, the starting field would be loaded in the gate following the first horse inspection today here in Reddick, Florida.
In the CCI2*-L, one horse was sent to the holding box, Natasha Erschen’s mount Chai Tea Latte, but was accepted after re-presenting. Across the three- and four-star divisions, only one horse did not pass: Joe Meyer’s mount Gortglas Crazy Love, in the CCI3*-L. Emily Beshear’s mount Deal With It was sent to the hold in the CCI3*-L but passed upon re-presentation.
Black fences criss-crossing emerald fields, Spanish moss fluttering in a cool autumn breeze … it’s hard to capture the magnificence of this venue, a jewel in the crown of Thoroughbred country. Enjoy these sun-drenched snapshots of the first horse inspection by the brilliant Shannon Brinkman:
Emily Renfroe-Dailey and Point of It all in the CCI2*-L. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Rebecca von Schweinitz and Limited Edition in the CCI2*-L. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Emily Beshear and Deal With It in the CCI3*-L. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Laura Szeremi and Toxicodendron in the CCI2*-L. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Madeline O’Brien and Casarino. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Dressage starts at 8 a.m. tomorrow for half the CCI2*-L and the full CCI4*-S division — father-daughter team Rick and Elisa Wallace will be their test riders, respectively, beginning at 7:40 a.m. The first of two days of CCI3*-L dressage kicks off at 12:20 p.m. Click here for dressage start times.
There will be a live stream on EQTV Network beginning Friday; you view the schedule at the website.
Keep it locked on EN for everything you need to know from #OJC3DE. Go Eventing.
The last long format event in the U.S. is upon us this weekend in the form of the Ocala Jockey Club Three-Day Event, which kicks off in Reddick, Florida today with the first horse inspection. Whether riders have been planning for this event as a year-end goal or they’re rerouted from Fair Hill, here’s a behind the scenes look at some of the hard work that has gone into preparing for this 2019 season finale event.
The last day of the Mars Bromont Rising U25 was a complete success and I owe a huge thank you to everyone at Mardanza that helped us to pull this off while also running their own businesses and preparing for the Jockey Club International.I know I must make the people in my life a bit mental when we decide to take on things like this on top of of already hectic schedules, but I am so grateful to be in a position to host something like this due to great people in my own life. In turn I’m inspired by people like Peter, Valerie, Steve, Sue, Chris, Max, Leslie, Jim, Jackie, Brian, and so many others that give their time to developing future riders and horsemen.So many people love to be frustrated with the direction our sport is going. They especially love to point out all the things others are doing wrong. That’s only ok if you roll up your sleeves and jump in to do something about it. Steve, this program is your brainchild and you are the example of a busy successful person paying it forward. From the North American Eventing community, THANK YOU!
Kyle Carter is got in some skinny-schooling with CCI4*-S entrant Reddy or Not:
Posted by Kyle Carter on Monday, November 11, 2019
CCI4*-L competitors Valerie Vizcarrondo Pride and Favian got some lessons with Brian Murphy in:
Favian #flying over some 4* fences today in a lesson with @brianconormurphy 🤩 Wonderful week of prep at Mardanza Farms getting ready for OJC 🏆 #grateful #perfectpracticemakesperfect #justdoit
And FEI first-timer Kirsten Schuitema serenaded One Sly Fox while icing his legs after a gallop:
How do you ice your horse after galloping ….. with serenading of course!!! So proud of these two who are about to contest their first FEI competition at the Jockey Club!!! Friends say she is so lucky to have found Tango!! I say he is so lucky he found her! No one else would have put up with his Demon antics!! #velcrobutt
Posted by Shanon Baker on Sunday, November 10, 2019
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