Classic Eventing Nation

Piggy French Tops the Bill in Blenheim Cross-Country

By on Sep 21, 2019 3:33 pm -

Piggy French and Brookfield Inocent. Photo by William Carey.

David Evans performed a cross-country coup today, upping the ante of his CCI4*-L course without sacrificing any of his trademarks: bold, forgiving fences, open and positive distances, and universally fair questions. We saw 64 completions from 82 starters, and nine double-clears throughout the day, while 51 came home without jumping penalties. But dispersed throughout the success stories were plenty of problems on course, which struck indiscriminately – and after two green errors in the thick of it, dressage leaders Izzy Taylor and Monkeying Around elected to retire. This opened the door for second-placed Piggy French and Brookfield Inocent to move into the top spot – and they duly did, with a double-clear round that belied the gelding’s inexperience.

“He’s such a good galloper – he’s really fast and he’s quick at his jumps, so I don’t really have many excuses unless we get it wrong,” says Piggy, who produced one of the earliest double-clears of the day to storm home nine seconds inside the time. But the ten-year-old, who started – though didn’t complete – his debut CCI4*-L at Tattersalls last season with former rider Kevin McNab, doesn’t necessarily make it easy to be economical.

“I was trying to ride tight lines at the string, and he was always shooting off away from things – from kids, from dogs,” laughs Piggy, who has spent her fifteen months with the gelding working to put his spooky nature to good use. Though he’s evidently stepped up to the plate now, she confesses that she wasn’t always sure it would be a surpassable hurdle. Now, in her first long-format competition with the Irish Sport Horse, she’s found plenty to be excited about.

“He’s a class act. [John and Chloe Perry] are new owners to me, and it’s always a bit of a gamble, but we’re just having so much fun,” she beams. “He still had a good little dance at the end of the course – that’s the quality and the sharpness of him. So he’ll still have lots of energy for tomorrow, hopefully – god help me!”

But, she acknowledges, it’s still a fact-finding mission with the horse, who she’s never jumped on the final day before.

“They’ve run their hearts out today,” she says, pointing out the work balance differentiation between a one-day event and a three-day. “Tomorrow is a different ball game.”

Piggy French and Castletown Clover. Photo by William Carey.

Piggy’s excellent day didn’t end there. As one of the last riders out of the start box, she recorded her second double-clear of the class with Castletown Clover, the fourteen-year-old CCI4*-L debutante who she describes as “our pet, really – you just want to smile every time you ride him.” Yesterday, he broke the 30 barrier for the first time at the Advanced level, putting a score of 28.6 on the board, and his fast round today allowed him to climb from 19th place to 5th overnight.

“He’s just such fun – I’ve always said it all along, but today especially,” says Piggy. “He was so chilled in the warm-up, and he usually has a wee – a bit of a nervous thing, I think – before he goes. But I think he just thought that today was all about him, which is just too cute, and happy days if that’s what he’s thinking!”

Fourteen might seem rather old for a debutante, but Castletown Clover was never intended to be a top event horse – instead, he was bought to event at the lower levels and hunt with owner Susannah Paybody. When she realised he might have what it takes to reach the top, she enlisted the help of Badminton winner Piggy to help him achieve his quick climb up the levels without sacrificing sympathetic production. This means that for both the Paybody family and Piggy, every step along the way is something to be celebrated – but it also means that the rider needs to pay close attention to the conditions she runs the gelding in.

“I would have liked more rain for him – he’s an old boy, he started this level late, and he doesn’t love the hard ground,” she says. “I was slightly concerned he wouldn’t travel as well around here as he can do, and start over-jumping or something, but he pricked his ears and cantered around like everyone was having a day out just to come and see him. So I just sat there, really, thinking ‘this is all jolly nice!’ But I had to remind myself to keep checking on the time, because you can quite easily float along. I keep having to tell myself to take it seriously and don’t do anything stupid, because you smile on your way around – he’s such a dear little chap. But bloody good, too – he’s a super jumper and he’s easy. It makes such a difference when you can set them up and you don’t spend too long fighting to get the balance.”

Kazuma Tomoto and Brookpark Vikenti. Photo by William Carey.

Japan’s Kazuma Tomoto made great strides on his mission to qualify his fourth and final horse for next year’s Olympics, and after missing out on a win in 2017’s CCI4*-S here by a tenth of a penalty with Brookpark Vikenti, he wasn’t going to leave anything to chance. Instead, he made the gelding’s strength across the country work for, rather than against, him to blitz home ten seconds inside the time and move into second place overnight – just two tenths of a penalty behind the leaders.

“It wasn’t an easy course, and it’s obviously one of the biggest events in the world – there are lots of skinnies, very tricky distances. But he stayed concentrated and on his lines,” says the former showjumper with a smile. “He was strong today, but William [Fox-Pitt] told me – that’s what we expect from him. I feel very positive for tomorrow.”

Kevin McNab and Scuderia 1918 A Best Friend. Photo by William Carey.

Australia’s Kevin McNab crossed the finish line four seconds over the 10:20 optimum time with Scuderia 1918 A Best Friend, but this didn’t stop them from climbing two places to sit third after cross-country.

“I wasn’t disappointed at all – [the horse] is still fairly new to me, so it’s a developing partnership,” says Kevin of the nine-year-old Oldenburg, who is owned by top-end sneaker company Scuderia 1918 and was formerly piloted by Germany’s Jörg Kurbel. “I can live with the five seconds – I’ve got a real one here. He’s a good horse and I think he dealt with most of the fences well, especially when we weren’t quite where we wanted to be. When the going gets tough, he keeps going – I think he should have a fairly exciting future.”

Pippa Funnell and Billy Walk On. Photo by William Carey.

The fastest round of the day went to Burghley winner Pippa Funnell and the rerouted Billy Walk On, whose owners opted to send him to Blenheim instead after completing the first phase at the Lincolnshire fixture. They crossed the line a remarkable 21 seconds under the optimum time after the rangy gelding easily made up the open distances in the course’s myriad combinations, despite a hold, and sit fourth overnight.

“It was a really thrilling round,” says a delighted Pippa, who had scrawled a tiny ‘+1’ onto her number – 76 – for extra luck. “He was absolutely class. I got a little bit flustered when I got held – not because I was held at the big ditch, but because I knew that Burghley came down to one second, and because I wasn’t at a stopping point, I didn’t know exactly when to re-start my watch. So I went the rest of the way without my watch. I normally wouldn’t have judged it that far inside the time, but because I didn’t have a clock, I just had to keep him running in the rhythm.”

Because Billy Walk On had followed the same fitness regime as Majas Hope, who helped Team GBR to a silver medal at last month’s European Championships and Burghley-winning stablemate MGH Grafton Street, Pippa knew the length and intensity of the track wouldn’t faze him – a great help as she tried to maintain a competitive pace without the benefit of the minute markers. But despite the afterglow of delivering one of the best rounds of the day, Pippa still has half a mind on what could have been.

“The way he went round there, I still would have loved to have seen how he’d gone at Burghley,” she confesses. “But it’s never the wrong decision not to run a horse – it’s the wrong decision to go and lose their confidence. You’re better off erring on the side of caution. What was so thrilling was how he went today; now I can go into next season really excited. He’s grown up a lot – this is the best he’s been with the crowds, and that’s been one of his main issues. He can just get that little bit distracted and not look at what he’s meant to jump until it’s too late, but today I felt that he was really on it.”

With a championship and a five-star victory in the bag over the last month, plus two exciting clear rounds today, it’s fair to say that Pippa Funnell has built up an impressive string of top-level rides. But the key to this, she says, has actually been in downsizing.

“It’s always a little bit difficult making the decision, but I knew I had to cut back on the numbers,” she says. “If I’m honest, a lot of us probably make the mistake in the sport of having too large a team horses, and then you can’t really concentrate on the ones that are really talented. The lovely thing is that yes, I’ve got less, but the ones I’ve got I really love riding every day. They fill me with confidence – people say I’m riding well, and I probably am riding better, because they’re giving me the confidence.”

Very Marie Kondo of you, Pip.

Katherine Coleman and Monte Classico. Photo by William Carey.

Katherine Coleman brought Monte Classico to Blenheim with one goal in mind – test out the full range of gears she’s installed on the talented ten-year-old, who she ran conservatively in the CCI4*-S last year to help him gain experience. It paid off: he set out from the start box on a mission, and came home just a second over the optimum time to move up from 23rd place to sixth overnight. But for Katherine, crossing the finish line with that goal accomplished wasn’t just special because of her love for the horse – it was also a poignant farewell to her great friend Keith Flint, who tragically died earlier this year.

“This time last year I was here with a very dear friend of mine, who then committed suicide in March, so it’s been a really tough spring,” says an emotional Katherine. “So to come out and have that is awesome.”

Riding with head, heart, and an indomitable joie de vivre in the way that Katherine did is certainly a fitting tribute to Keith – and in doing so the rider, who splits her time between the UK and the US, further confirmed her belief that the gelding is a true star for the future.

“I’m absolutely delighted, and I know exactly where I lost the time – coming out of the arena I held and slightly missed, so we lost a bit of time coming around the turn after that,” she explains. “That might have rattled me a little bit, so I waited again to the oxer at 10, and he jumped quite high – but then I gave myself a kick up the butt, and on we went. I think so much of this horse – if he was with someone seasoned like Tim or Pippa, he’d be winning everything. Today, I really wanted to challenge him and attack it, and say ‘hey, you’re ten, it’s time to grow up’ – and he really rose to the occasion. He’s really special.”

Daisy Berkeley and Ballinteskin Cooper S. Photo by William Carey.

It’s been thirteen years since British team veteran Daisy Berkeley last won here – and, she admits, a long time since she’s had a truly quality horse. But Ballinteskin Cooper S has earned himself that descriptor after climbing eight places to sit seventh overnight, adding just 2.4 time penalties to his dressage score of 30.2.

“I’m lucky to have a horse like him – I’ve had him since he was a five-year-old, and he’s done nothing but please me,” says Daisy of the ten-year-old Irish Sport Horse. “It’s nice to have a good one – it’s been a bloody long time!”

Alex Bragg and King of the Mill. Photo by William Carey.

“If I’d been on Zagreb, I think I’d have a glass of wine in my hand already,” laughs a breathless Alex Bragg, just moments after the double-clear cross-country round that rocketed him and King of the Mill from 27th to 8th place. “But I’m going to need ten minutes of recovery time – my heart rate is through the roof!”

The nine-year-old gelding might look remarkably similar to his experienced stablemate – like Zagreb, he’s tall, bay, and, well, rather hunky – but as a CCI4*-L debutante, he offers a much different experience out on course.

“It took true cross-country riding – I had lots of plans, but I had to ride what I felt, and in the beginning, I had to ride for my life,” laughs Alex. “He’s quite a sharp horse, and he’s always darting and spooking, but he’s so quick, so you have to be quicker.”

But the gelding, who has recorded top-ten finishes in CCI4*-S classes at Barbury and Hartpury, grew in confidence and professionalism as the course went on, establishing himself as something rather more than a second string.

“He’s only going to learn by doing it,” says Alex. “We’ll be working hard now to make sure he recovers well and performs tomorrow, but today we’ll be celebrating.”

Sammi Birch and Direct Tullyoran Cruise. Photo by William Carey.

Australia’s Sammi Birch and Direct Tullyoran Cruise, formerly ridden by Izzy Taylor, added 2.8 time penalties to move up to ninth overnight. We’re used to seeing William Fox-Pitt in his domain at the upper end of the leaderboard, but Atlantic Vital Spark? You’d be excused for not having heard of him. This is the nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse’s first CCI4*-L – and just his second four-star start – and for William, he represents a new venture. 

William Fox-Pitt and Atlantic Vital Spark. Photo by William Carey.

“I bought him as a sales horse, but people aren’t used to me selling horses – they assume if I am, it’s because there’s something wrong with them,” says William ruefully. The gelding was bought as a seven-year-old from young rider Harris Ritchie, who produced ‘Ted’ – her only international ride – to CC2*-L. But university beckoned, and the Scottish rider put the horse on the market, where he was promptly snapped up by the eagle-eyed Olympian. 

Though he’s been a mid-to-high 30s horse throughout his international career, with the exception of a 28.1 in Rockingham’s CCI3*-S earlier this season, he shone in the atmosphere of Blenheim’s main arena to deliver a personal best of 28 yesterday – and today, he added just 2.8 time penalties to round out the top ten. 

“It’s his first long four, so it’s a big day for him – but he made it feel rather nice,” says William. “It’s quite a consistent course, so he got it – he jumped fence five and said, ‘okay!’, which bodes well. I walked the course for a green horse, and thought, ‘well, I must add strides to give him time’ – but once I got out there, he was really going – he did all the A-level strides and impressed me a lot.”

With just ten internationals on his record, Ted is inexperienced by anyone’s reckoning – but William has great faith in the horse’s ability under pressure. 

“All being well, as long as jumps tomorrow he’ll be qualified for the Olympics – and that’s quite reassuring, isn’t it?” he says. His fondness for the horse is evident and, he tells us, he’d actually rather like to keep the ride for himself – provided an owner steps in to buy him, so that he can tick the ‘sales project’ box. 

Buck Davidson and Carlevo. Photo by William Carey.

It was a day of ups and downs for Buck Davidson, who pulled up the experienced Park Trader after he felt something slightly amiss in his stride. After further examination, some minor damage to his check ligament was discovered – though fortunately, nothing amiss with his tendon.

“He jumped one of the oxers beautifully, and then I landed and took a stride and thought, ‘hmm – that feels funny.’ And then another one, and that felt funny too,” he explains. “I know my horses – I’ve had them forever – and so I was like, ‘forget it.’ Luckily he didn’t hurt his tendon, so I’m thankful – I’ve done horses my whole life, so I was able to feel that. It’s so key to have the horses for a long time, and my aim is always to have them happy and sound. I have to admit I cried – and I haven’t cried in a long time. Thankfully, once we had the scan we knew he’d be fine.”

But the experience meant that Buck had to work hard to get himself back into the zone for his second ride, Carlevo.

“It was very sad – I love my horses, so I needed to take a moment to regroup, to be honest,” says Buck, who came home clear with 11.2 time penalties to sit 31st going into the final phase. “But this horse was spectacular – I should have gone faster, but what can you do? He was fantastic, though, and he did everything I asked him to do.”

To bring Carlevo home in fine style means that Buck can tick a box that went unticked last year, when the horse had to miss his journey here after a last-minute knock.

“My owners are my friends, and I feel awful when it doesn’t go right. They’re so good to me, as are all my owners,” says Buck. “I’m just mad at myself – I should have pushed the gas a bit more with Carlevo. He just got a bit tired – but never mind, it’s better to come home flying than crawling! I love him, and he’s gone well.”

Cornelia Dorr and Sir Patico MH. Photo by William Carey.

A classy round across the country was punctuated by a surprise run-out at the final element of the tricky coffin combination, but for Cornelia Dorr and Sir Patico MH, whose long partnership has seen them grow up together, it’s a chance to learn and develop further as they tackle the upper echelons of the sport. They now sit 47th, adding just 4.8 time penalties with their 20.

“I think he started out super – I set the pace and made sure we were going well, going forward and going quick, and he listened really well,” says Cornelia. “Every time I asked him to move on or slow down he was so responsive, and he was super at all the questions. At the coffin he just jumped in big and slightly to the left, and I wasn’t quick enough to catch it. I’m super pleased with him – he’s my horse to get experience on, and that’s what we’re doing.”

Lexi Scovil and Chico’s Man VDF Z. Photo by William Carey.

Lexi Scovil and Chico’s Man VDF Z, too, picked up a twenty at the final element of the coffin, and added 26 time penalties to move down to 61st place.

“Generally, it was great – I wouldn’t say it was the prettiest, but he’s an amazing horse,” says Lexi of the ten-year-old gelding, who makes his CCI4*-L debut with his rider. “I started quite quietly because he’s never seen crowds like this, and he really peeked at fence two, which is just a table – so that wasn’t a great start! But then he really clicked in and went. I made a mistake at the coffin; I thought the right run-out’s the one to watch for so I really got to the left, and he ran out left. But to be honest, he’s so green, and I’m so green, that I can’t be at all upset with him. He came home – I told everyone that my dream plan was to go double-clear here, but my base plan was just to complete. So I’m absolutely thrilled with him. He got tired at the end but he just kept giving me everything – a year ago I’d have had to fight for every fence, but now he gives me everything.”

With a plethora of new tools in their box, and a significant new understanding of how to attack top-level long format competitions, Lexi is looking ahead to a bright future with ‘Sprout’. But first? Apply for a visa for another year in the UK – and as she runs away to feed back her intel to William Fox-Pitt on the questions the course poses, it’s easy to see that she’ll be welcomed with open arms.

The top ten at the conclusion of Blenheim’s CCI4*-L cross-country.

CCI4*-S

Just sixteen of the 66 competitors in the prestigious eight- and nine-year-old class jumped clear, prompting a paradigm shift across the leaderboard. Dressage leaders Piggy French and Calling Card pulled three rails to slip down to 38th place, while second-placed Sam Griffiths and Freestyler had two and 1.6 time penalties, which sees them move into 35th overnight. When third-placed Mary King and King Robert II also had two rails, the door was opened for two riders who had previously won. William Fox-Pitt and Australia’s Chris Burton had found themselves tied for fourth after the first phase, and when both jumped foot-perfect clear rounds, they found themselves neck and neck in the top spot at the conclusion of the showjumping.

For William, the surprise lead is the culmination of a slow-burning production process, which has seen him take the eight-year-old Georgisaurous through the entirety of his short international career.

“I got him when he was four, and he started very easy at five,” says William, who has taken the Tattersalls CCI3*-L winner and four-star debutante’s career slowly to accommodate his overlarge size. “He’s quite cool, though – he’s not normal. He’s a step ahead. He got a 29 yesterday and it’s the first time he’s ever done that test, but he’s a very good dressage horse – he’ll easily get a 20 one day.”

In fact, he already has – that Tattersalls win came after he finished on his dressage score of 20.5. But four-star is a big step up from three-star, and the coveted title here is another story altogether. With that in mind, William is taking a measured approach to planning his final-phase strategy with the horse.

“We’re still finding our brakes, and I’m not sure I really want to gallop him round there,” he explains. “To me, I always think this class is a bit more for a nine-year-old, so he’s a bit off the pace. To go around his first four-star and to go flat out for the first time is probably not what we want for him – we’re thinking about the bigger picture. If he goes nicely I’ll be happy – it’s about his future and what’s right for him. If he goes off and wings round quickly, then lovely – but that isn’t my goal.”

We last saw Chris Burton take top honours here in 2017, when he won this class with Kate Walls’ Cooley Lands – but his joint-leading ride today is a horse that he’s never actually ridden in an event before. Instead, Clever Louis has been produced to CCI4*-L by Germany’s Ben Leuwer – but Burto and owners Kate and Geoffrey Guy had long admired the horse from afar.

“He was really beautifully trained by Ben under the guidance of Dirk Schrade, and he’s a horse I’ve always known about because he’s got amazing breeding. He’s a lovely horse, a lot of Thoroughbred, and I’m lucky to have the ride on him thanks to the Guys,” he says of the maternal grandson of Cor de la Bryere. “Of course we’re very excited about the horse, but I don’t know him very well – this is my first international on him, and in fact my first competition, so I’ve got a lot to learn about him tomorrow. He’s not the most fancy one out there but he’s the most lovely horse, so I think he’ll do a very good test [one day], and I’ve learned that he’s a very good jumper, too.”|

The top ten after showjumping in the eight- and nine-year-old CCI4*-S.

Tomorrow sees us head into the final showjumping phase of the CCI4*-L, as well as the cross-country phase of the CCI4*-S – but first, we’ll be heading to the final horse inspection for the long-format class, beginning at 8.15 a.m. BST/3.15 a.m. EST. We’ll be bringing you a full report and gallery in the morning – until then, Go Eventing!

Blenheim: Website, Ride Times, Live Scoring, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Best of HN: Meet Bob Long, Mongol Derby Winner

By on Sep 21, 2019 2:52 pm -

Long (center) with other competitors after the ride. Photo by Sarah Farnsworth.

Described as “tougher than a box of concrete,” Bob Long, 70, of Boise, Idaho, won the 2019 Mongol Derby. Long, the oldest winner, said in the race summary, “Age is just a number – preparation trumps youth.”

He went into the race and did his best, saying, “It turned out that was good enough to win, that’s all.”

Joking he “didn’t even know how to spell ‘endurance’ until January,” Long’s spent his riding career working cattle and riding western performance horses. He grew up in Wyoming, competing in junior rodeos and paid his way through college training rodeo broncs.

Photo by Sarah Farnsworth.

He was inspired to pursue the 650-mile trek across the steppes, which touts itself as “the world’s toughest horse race,” by watching Derby documentary All The Wild Horses, saying he entered because “I’d hate to think I can’t.”

In his heart, he wanted to win. “Mentally, I knew I had to compete,” he said, “but there were a few in my circle who I told I was going to win. Somebody had to win, it might as well be me, was my approach.”

Long went in as prepared as possible. How prepared? “I spent January, February and most of March in Arizona riding endurance horses and competing in endurance races,” he said.

He conditioned endurance horses, competing in two races during that time, riding 100+ miles weekly on four to five horses. He returned to Idaho in late March, staying at a cattle ranch through July. There, he rode four to five horses daily – barrel racers, ropers, cutters, “anything needing wet saddle blankets.”

Photo by Sarah Farnsworth.

The biggest challenges were language barriers and “getting on a green broke horse and expecting them to break [into a run].” Usually, he continued, “it was a dead run.”

On language barriers, Long, who only spent one night in an Urtuu (horse station), would knock on a door and ask families if he could stay, saying “they were hospitable and warm, but the communication barrier was significant. When veterinarians came to check the horses, they had translators who Long used to tell families how grateful he was for their hospitality.

Why camp with families rather than stay at Urtuus? Two reasons. “Number one,” he said, “I was interested in camping because they said you shouldn’t. At the beginning of orientation, they made a big deal of camping out – it was discouraged, they didn’t want anyone doing it. So, I figured that was something I should try.”

Second, stopping at Urtuus meant risking the lead. Riders staying at Urtuus left all at once in the morning. Long elaborated, “If I had two minutes of riding time left in a curfew, they wouldn’t let you leave after 7:30 PM. One time, I left at 7:28 PM, riding four or five miles to get to a family Ger where I stayed. So, I didn’t collapse my lead and nobody caught up with me at that last Urtuu, but somebody could’ve and they would’ve been locked in for 30 minutes, where I was able to cover ground.”

Photo by Sarah Farnsworth.

Two horses were particularly memorable. “One was a little horse,” not very tall, he said. “It took two herdsmen to hold him while I mounted.” Once the horse was loose, the herdsmen “pointed in the right direction” and the duo took off, running hard. That was the morning of day three, muddy, sloppy and wet.

Long continued, “I tried crossing a road and the horse slipped and fell.” They slid 15 feet in the mud. “I got off, he was on the right track of the two-track road, I was on the left. I jumped up and jumped back on as he was getting up because I knew I wouldn’t be able to get on without help. He took off again, running. The riders trying to catch up with me rode up far behind and were yelling to make sure I was alright and ‘how did I feel?’ I turned and said I was ‘scared sh-tless and loved it.”

The other memorable horse was a “really good” four-time Naadam (national festival) winner. Long said, “His family met me on the steppe and followed along in their little black car. It turns out he [horse owner] was an elected official.”

Long and the family took pictures, and Long gave them a ribbon to thank them for the “honor of riding their horse.” “That was a fun exchange,” he said, as the family was excited about him riding their horse.

Long tied blue ribbons in his mounts’ tails when leading, “Anointing that horse as a champion,” he said, and presenting the ribbon to herdsmen at the Urtuus. The ribbons were the idea of Long’s friend, Stephanie Nelson, who he said was supportive of the race from the beginning.

“We’ve always kept our blue ribbons,” Long said, “it was one of those things, we’d throw them in a box” after competing. Nelson discovered that blue is a color of honor for horsemen, herdsmen and horses in Mongolia and suggested Long take a handful of blue ribbons.

“I didn’t think much about it,” said Long, who put the ribbons in a baggie. “Then about the third day, when I started leading, it occurred to me that I should recognize these horses.” Long pulled out the ribbons and tied one in his horse’s tail – on the first horse, he had to tie a knot in the tail to attach the ribbon, afterwards, herdsmen started wrapping tails so Long could attach the ribbon, and would even compete for Long to ride their horses.

Photo by Sarah Farnsworth.

“For me to have won,” said Long, “is a highlight of my life and personal best.” He wanted to thank the Derby management crew for hosting the event which was “flawless in execution” and admired the dedication and commitment of the “dead-serious, thorough” veterinarians.

Finally, Long said he couldn’t say enough about the hospitality of those who took him and the horses in during the journey.

Ann Haller’s 9 Guidelines for A Happy Life with Horses

By on Sep 21, 2019 11:00 am -

Ann Haller going above and beyond — or in this case, neck deep in lake water — for a new Pony Clubber. Photo courtesy of Shelby Allen.

Our sport lost an irreplaceable treasure last month with the passing of Ann Haller. Ann’s enchanting personality and contagious high spirits made her a favorite on the eventing scene, from World Championships to local pony club clinics. It’s impossible to capture just how dynamic she was, but this collection of “Ann-isms,” written by long-time student and friend Sarah Beth Hood, encompasses her spirit — because we should all try to be a little more like Ann Haller.

  1. Have fun. In everything you do, but for us, fun was especially found in horses.
  2. Have dreams. But more importantly than dreams, have goals – and a plan to achieve them
  3. Also, have a plan B for when life happens and if horses go lame and you still want to make your B rating.
  4. Confidence comes from repeated success and a positive support system.
  5. Always have a smile on your face and a good attitude.
  6. Be personable. Remember people’s names and give their pony a nickname.
  7. Ride the horse you have — make the best of every situation.
  8. Learn something from everyone. Add tools to your toolbox.
  9. Always, always keep cookies in your pocket.

And to pull from another friend, Jennifer Mata:

“Our five-foot, opinionated, red-headed force of nature is gone.

“But like the sun that remains burning behind the clouds, her light still shimmers. It is softer, but with us still.

“It is the gleam of our horses’ coats, well-fed and well-loved because of the lessons she taught, the advice she gave. We feel her warmth in our ponies’ breath as they nuzzle our hands, searching for the treats they know are in our pockets. And we will find it radiating in the laughter of friends in the coming days and weeks as we remember her together, her brilliance and vibrancy still shining through us all.”

See ya, love ya, bye, Ann. x

Many thanks to Sara Beth and her mother Jennifer for sharing their thoughtful words. 

 

 

Saturday Links from Nupafeed USA

By on Sep 21, 2019 12:01 am -

Karen and Rob Bowersox of the Major League Eventing Podcast are providing commentary for the Plantation Field live stream, so you know it’s going to be a good time! Photo by Sarah McGregor.

There’s a whole lot of live stream action happening today, so you can go eventing without even getting on your own horse! Cross country day at SsangYong Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials kicks off bright and early at 9:30 a.m. BST/4:30 a.m. EST, coverage of show jumping day at Plantation Field International Horse Trials begins sharp at 8:00 a.m. EST and, looking westward, Twin Rivers Ranch Fall International Event starts at 10:25 a.m. PDT/1:25 p.m. EST. Links for each live stream are below!

National Holiday: Responsible Dog Ownership Day

Major Weekend Events:

Plantation Field: Website, Schedule, Entries, Times, Live Scoring, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Blenheim: Website, Ride Times, Live Scoring, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Action:

Twin Rivers Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores] [Live Stream]

Equestrians’ Institute H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

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

Feather Creek Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Apple Knoll Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Cedar Ridge H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Saturday Links:

Covert Rights Continues His Comeback At Plantation Field International CCI4*-S

‘Not a track to go round on a wing and a prayer’: find out what riders think of Blenheim’s CCI4*-L cross-country course

PODCAST: Cross-Country Safety with Morgan Rowsell

On film and in bronze: Valegro makes mark again

Hot on Horse Nation: “Tougher Than A Box of Concrete” & Good Enough to Win: Meet Bob Long, Mongol Derby Winner

Saturday Video: Cath up on the most recent FEI Nations Cup action

Friday at Blenheim: Taylor Back on Top as Buck Hits the Top Ten

By on Sep 20, 2019 5:57 pm -

CCI4*-L

Izzy Taylor and Monkeying Around take a commanding lead in Blenheim’s CCI4*-L. Photo courtesy of the SsangYong Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials.

There were major changes in the feature four-star class at the SsangYong Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials today, as we bade goodbye to the overnight leader and were granted with a new one in the form of one of the field’s youngest entrants.

Will Rawlin made the tough decision to withdraw his Thursday leader VIP Vinnie, who was sitting on a score of 24.2 – good enough for second place at the conclusion of the dressage.

“After doing such a good test, sadly I have made the decision to withdraw VIP Vinnie as he’s feeling a little under par,” says Will, adding that he’s “gutted” by the circumstances. “I can’t take the risk of running him and something happening. As a team we are thinking long-term, and I’m just glad it isn’t anything serious.”

Izzy Taylor, who last won here in 2017 when scooping the Event Rider Masters CCI4*-S with Be Touchable, was quick to fill the gap at the top of the leaderboard. That she did with an eight-year-old – and a horse that makes his CCI4*-L debut here – will come as no surprise to anyone who has seen the eye-catching youngster in the ring. This is partly down to his breeding – despite showing an impressive proclivity for eventing, Monkeying Around is bred to shine between the boards. Out of a Donnerhall-sired dam and by the Grand Prix stallion Bertoli W, his innate expression and balance give him the edge. Today, that edge was a significant one – they sit on a score of 22.7 going into tomorrow’s cross-country phase.

“I’ve had him since he was a four-year-old, and it makes a massive difference when you can have them from the word go and they’re in your system,” says Izzy, who took top honours in the 2017 Six-Year-Old World Championships at Mondial du Lion with the gelding, who she co-owns with Mark Sartori. “He’s a beautiful horse, and I love him. He was very, very good today; there were some mistakes, but he’s still young so it’s all exciting.”

For the mind-bogglingly busy rider, competing at Blenheim offers up some rare treats.

“Blenheim’s ten minutes from home, so that’s lovely – it means my children can come, and it makes that side of it special,” she explains. “But it’s also the most beautiful setting; we’re very privileged with where we get to do our events, and this is a beautiful one.”

“He’s young to be here, but we’re here to be competitive, and hopefully we’ll be on the same score tomorrow.”

Piggy French and Brookfield Inocent remain in second place after their impressive 25.4 test yesterday, giving Izzy a six second advantage across the country tomorrow. But this is the widest margin we’ll see: from here on out, there’s no room for anything less than foot-perfect focus tomorrow. A mere .2 penalties behind Piggy, Japan’s Kazuma Tomoto and Brookpark Vikenti sit third on 25.6, just missing out on some crucial marks in the halts.

Kazuma Tomoto and Brookpark Vikenti. Photo by William Carey.

“It’s a shame about both halts, but I’m very happy. He’s always good at the flying changes, so we need to get the good marks there,” says Kazu, who set himself a lofty goal at the beginning of the 2019 season – to qualify all four of his horses for next year’s Tokyo Olympics. Remarkably, he’s notched up three so far, and this week’s competition sees him aim for the fourth with the eleven-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, who led the dressage at Luhmühlen’s CCI5* in June.

“[Luhmühlen] wasn’t so good,” reflects Kazu, who opted to retire across the country after a miscommunication on course. “But hopefully this will work out. I’ve course-walked [here] with William and there are lots of tricky angles, but he can do it.”

The pair’s form would certainly indicate so: Kazu first shot to prominence here in 2017, when he and ‘Vince’ led the eight- and nine-year-old class after the first two phases and narrowly missed out on the win when their two time penalties pushed them a tenth of a penalty behind victors Chris Burton and Cooley Lands.

“Two years ago, I was just a tourist,” laughs Kazu, who had made his international eventing debut just a year prior. “But now, I expect him to get the results, so it’s very different.”

Since making the move from showjumping to eventing, Kazu has been based with William Fox-Pitt in Dorset – and William, too, has been impressed by the astonishing trajectory of his career, which now sees him sit 29th in the world rankings.

“If you look back, he’s done WEG, he’s done Badminton, he’s done Pau – he’s come on so far, so quickly. If you think that he’s only been doing the sport for four years – we’d all been doing the sport for four years and were at two-star,” says William. “He’s done as well as you possibly could have dreamt. He’s had good raw material to work with; the horses have all been lovely and quality. [Brookpark Vikenti] can be quite strong, and that’s something that Kazu’s had to learn to deal with; to ride a puller is something that’s very foreign to him out on a cross-country course. But he’s shown that it’s all there, and I know there’s a part of him that would like to win this weekend – but that qualification is the most important thing.”

Australia’s Kevin McNab and Scuderia 1918 A Best Friend move to fourth on their score of 25.7, while Willa Newton got the best out of the occasionally flamboyant Moonlight Dance S to post a 26.1 for fifth. Pippa Funnell and Billy the Biz slip one spot to sixth on their 26.3, while former British Junior National Champion Constance Copestake steps into equal seventh with El Kolibri. She shares the spot with Emily King and her 2018 Bramham under-25 CCI4*-L winner Dargun.

“I’m really pleased with Dargun,” says Emily. “He’s quite experienced at this level and was very calm, and he really concentrates and is with you in there. There were a couple of movements where I didn’t ride as well as I could have done in there, but he was lovely and I’m really pleased with him.”

Buck Davidson and Carlevo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Buck Davidson holds a place in the top ten after dressage with second ride Carlevo, who missed his planned run here last season after a minor injury in his final preparation. Their score of 27.2 sees them move into cross-country in ninth place, while Park Trader sits in equal 24th on 29.2.

“He’s good at that bit, and now we’ve got to keep him on that score – that’s the challenge,” says Buck with a smile. If Blenheim’s course offers up a significant test en route to glory, Carlevo himself shouldn’t – the experienced twelve-year-old hasn’t had a black mark on his international cross-country record since 2016, and finished twentieth in his five-star debut at Kentucky last spring.

Two promising first-phase results could herald a redemptive week for Buck, who has suffered a run of bad luck this season with falls at Kentucky and Burghley – but sad circumstances beyond his competitive endeavours have brought with them a sense of perspective.

“My dad’s wife is on life support and had a bad injury, so she’s in hospice, so it keeps things in perspective,” he says. “She can’t move at all – it’s awful. We spend our time going back and forth to hospital, and we’re lucky to be able to do this sport. So I’ve had a couple of falls and a couple of things that were unfortunate, but in the big picture it’s nothing compared to what the family is going through.”

All of us at team EN wish Buck and his family the very best as they continue to battle through this tough time.

Kylie Roddie and Carden Earl Grey move into equal tenth place, sharing the spot with Sam Ecroyd and Davinci III, who also scored a 27.4.

Katherine Coleman and the talented Monte Classico sit 23rd on 29.1 on the horse’s second visit to the venue. Last year, they finished 15th in the eight- and nine-year-old class after a conservative but classy educational run, which paid off – in their next international, the horse’s CCI4*-L debut at the Jockey Club in Ocala, they sailed to the win, confirming the horse’s status as Katherine’s next star. Now, with another year of mileage under his belt, Katherine feels that the horse is ready to take it to the next level.

“He’s ten, so he’s a young horse, but I’ve kind of gotten in the trap of babying him a bit,” she says. “When you get a nice one like this, you’re like, ‘oh, I don’t want to run them too fast!’ But we’re going to go for it – it should be good. He’s always been lovely on the flat, and he’s a super showjumper, but he’s a bit slower in his brain cross-country. Last year, in developing it and aiming towards the future, I’d give him a little more time at combinations and I wasn’t really going for the time as much. But this year, I think he’s ready. I feel like he’s in a place where we’ll go out and try to make the time tomorrow. He’s got more gears now and I look forward to using them.”

Staying on their sub-30 score would certainly put the pair in the hunt, but Katherine explains that there’s more to come in this phase from the gelding.

“He went in there and dropped me a little bit in the contact, and then he just dropped behind my leg a little bit,” she says. “So then it’s hard to keep him as up and as expressive as I’d like. But he’s super; he’s so obedient, and he’s got a lovely extended canter, so there’s a lot to like about it. It’s just about perfecting it; they’re all a little different warming up, but he goes in and just holds his breath a little bit. Unfortunately, he has to deal with me on his back – if he had someone else on his back, he’d probably be winning everything, but he’s stuck with me!”

Cornelia Dorr and Sir Patico MH make their European debut. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Cornelia Dorr is making the most of her first trip abroad, self-funded by the sale of a four-year-old half-sister to her striking mount Sir Patico MH.

“Sharon White, my coach, said way back in May that this course would suit us if our year went well, so we set the goal way back then,” she says. “I came over last week and we went to [UK-based Australian] Bill Levett’s. They were super welcoming, very attentive, and the nicest people, so that really helped ease the shock of travelling over here with him! We’re just taking it day by day – it’s very different here, but I’ve really fallen in love with it.”

Making that first leap across the pond is an enormous moment for any rider, but for Cornelia, it’s the culmination of a journey that started when she was just twelve and ‘Hugo’ a five-year-old. In the years since, their partnership has seen them tick plenty of boxes, including top-ten finishes in CCI4*-L classes at Fair Hill and Bromont.

“I was going off to high school and we didn’t exactly know which direction I was going to go in the horse world, so my trainer at the time and I just knew he’d be a safe horse for a young kid to just bop around on,” she explains. “We’re going on our eighth year together – he’s pretty much raised me. There’s no other horse I’d rather do this with.”

The top ten in the tightly-packed CCI4*-L field heading into cross-country.

CCI4*-S

The top of the leaderboard remains much the same in the eight- and nine-year-old class, with Piggy French and Calling Card maintaining yesterday’s lead. Sam Griffiths and Freestyler remain in second, with Mary King and King Robert II holding onto third. 2017 winner Chris Burton moves into equal-fourth place with Clever Louis, who matches Oliver Townend and Dreamliner‘s 29.7 to round out a star-studded top five. Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver sit equal 29th on a score of 34.

The top ten at the conclusion of the CCI4*-S dressage.

What’s next?

Tomorrow will be showjumping day for the eight- and nine-year-old CCI4*-S competitors, which will commence from 3.00 p.m. BST/10.00 a.m. EST, while the CCI4*-L will head to David Evans‘ cross-country track from 9.30 a.m. BST/4.30 a.m. EST. The CCI4*-S order of go can be found here, while cross-country times are available here.

Following our Americans on tour? They’ll be on course at the following times:

  • Buck Davidson and Park Trader – 9.57 a.m. BST/4.57 a.m. EST
  • Lexi Scovil and Chico’s Man VDF Z – 10.15 a.m. BST/5.15 a.m. EST
  • Katherine Coleman and Monte Classico – 11.57 a.m. BST/6.57 a.m. EST
  • Buck Davidson and Carlevo – 12.51 p.m. BST/7.51 a.m. EST
  • Cornelia Dorr and Sir Patico MH – 1.21 p.m. BST/8.21 a.m. EST

You’ll be able to follow along via Blenheim’s live-stream on their website and Facebook page, and we’ll be bringing you a full report tomorrow, as well as a preview of both cross-country courses prior to the action.

Blenheim: Website, Ride Times, Live Scoring, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Watch the Twin Rivers Fall International Event Live Stream, Courtesy of Ride On Video

By on Sep 20, 2019 3:35 pm -

Twin Rivers Ranch Live Stream

Twin Rivers Ranch Fall International Event is underway in Paso Robles, CA, and thanks to our friends at Ride On Video we can all follow the FEI level action as it unfolds! Watch via the embeds above or click here.

Live Stream Schedule:
All times PDT.

FRIDAY
Dressage
CCI2*S 8:20-10:05
CCI3*S 10:30-12:20
CCI4*S 1:15-2:20
Advanced 2:30-3:10
Show Jumping
CCI2*S 2:35-3:00
CCI3*S 3:30-3:50
CCI4*S 5:00-5:30

SATURDAY
Cross Country
CCI2*S 10:25-11:05
CCI4*S/Advanced 11:20-1:05
CCI3*S 1:25-1:55

Go Eventing!

Twin Rivers CCI & H.T. [Website] [Schedule] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

Product Review: ‘Diamonds in the Dirt’ Equestrian Beauty Line

By on Sep 20, 2019 2:27 pm -

Photo by Jimmie Schramm.

There are a countless options for face and beauty products on the market today, and being a woman, I am always looking for the perfect setup for my skin. Horsemen and women in particular have a hard time managing to keep healthy skin due to our lifestyle of being covered in dirt, sweat, manure, the list goes on. So when I was introduced to Sarah Donnell and her product line, Diamonds in the Dirt carried by World Equestrian Brands, I was quite excited about giving it a try.

I was fortunate enough to meet Sarah in Minnesota while Dom and I were teaching a clinic and helping with a Derby at Woodloch Stables. She is an absolutely adorable person who is a horse lover like the rest of us. She created these products one at a time, starting with lip balm. Unhappy with the ingredients she found in a chapstick that she had been using, she thought to herself, “I can do this,” and did. After running out of her skin cream she went to replenish and looked at the price and thought, heck I can make this, and so on and so forth with all of her products. You will not find sulfate, paraben, sodium chloride, or any other harmful chemicals in any of the products.

I met Sarah on the third day of the clinic weekend. She showered me with samples of the products. The first time I used everything that evening I was taken aback by how much better my skin felt. Then I thought to myself, “Does it just feel that much better because it was so covered in dirt and sweat to begin with and I am just that exhausted I can’t even actually feel my face?” I continued using everything throughout the next week and it didn’t take long for me to realize this stuff was legit and my skin loved it, and not just because I was covered in dirt and exhaustion the first time I used it.

Photo by Jimmie Schramm.

I have been using the Fresh enriching cucumber facial wash, Balance eye cream, Nourish powerful facial creme, Nuzzle hydrating lip balm, Velvet hydrating body oil, and Savvy muscle creme religiously since she gave them to me. I am one of those people that always has puffy eyes, mostly because I am a pretty consistent crier, but also because I am never getting enough sleep and most likely never drinking enough water. The eye cream has changed my puffy eye syndrome — I use it morning and night with spectacular results. It is one of my favorites of all the products.

I am also a pretty big fan of the Nourish powerful facial creme. This is one of the products Sara said she had a harder time formulating. She said it took her a long time to get the consistency right. One of her biggest concerns with this line is that the skin is hydrated without feeling heavy, and all of her products mimic that. I would say the skin cream is a perfect consistency and my skin never feels oily or weighed down.

The Savvy muscle creme is one of the best sellers, and for good reason. If you have ever used Icy-Hot you know the smell is overbearing and sometimes it can almost burn. This muscle cream only has a hint of a peppermint scent to it and you never get that weird tingly cold feeling. All you get is relief from sore muscles. Again, like with her face products, the muscle cream is light on the skin and soaks in quickly and never leaves a weird smell.

Other products in the line include the Abundant facial serum, Naked body scrub, Quench intensive facial serum, and Wise facial toner. All in all Diamonds in the Dirt is a win. I am so fortunate to have been able to test all the products and I hope that everyone checks it out and will give it a try. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.

Stay tuned next week when you can have the chance to win a sample pack of Diamonds in the Dirt products to try for yourself! If you can’t wait until then, check out the products here at World Equestrian Brands.

Go Eventing.

This Week in Horse Health News Presented by MediVet Equine

By on Sep 20, 2019 11:00 am -

As horse owners and competitors, we want to give our equine athletes every opportunity to feel and perform their best. Keeping up to date with the latest news in horse health and medicine is an important part of that, and it’s why Medivet Equine is bringing you the latest in horse health news each week.

Following the medical model of “do no harm”, MediVet Equine develops scientifically based therapeutics enabling the horse to call on its own healing ability, thus achieving its full performance potential. MediVet Equine provides effective, all natural, drug free products and lab services designed to optimize the overall health of performance horses. They specialize in regenerative treatments that help the body heal itself to get stronger naturally. Boyd Martin has several of his top competitive mounts on MediVet ACS, and has had terrific results!

This Week in Horse Health News …

Everybody poops … and we horse owners really like to obsess over our horse’s manure, so you my have noticed some seasonal changes. Why do some horses get runny manure in the fall? A reader of The Horse recently posed this question to one of their veterinarians, who gave us the scoop on this nasty issue. Frankly, the potential causes are numerous; from parasites to your horse needing dental work to a virus or bacteria inhabiting the gut. [The Horse]

The British Equine Veterinary Association has issued a guidance on how a no-deal Brexit will affect the movement of horses. The United Kingdom (UK) is scheduled to leave the European Union (EU) on October 31st an may not reach a withdrawal agreement before then (a “no-deal Brexit”). Should this happen, owners and competitors will need to deal with additional requirements for horses traveling from the UK to the EU including blood tests, a health certificate and vet consult which all must be obtained within a certain time frame before traveling. [BEVA]

The use of Lasix in racehorses may be most effective for some if given 24 hours before a race. In 2015 The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation put out a special call for research on exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EPIH), commonly known as “bleeding” in racehorses. Two studies from this call have now been published. One study found that treating horses who had never bled in a race before with furosemide (Lasix or Salix) four hours prior to exercise was more effective in decreasing the number of red blood cells found in the lungs than furosemide treatment 24 hours prior to exercise with controlled water access. However, the second study found that in known bleeders, a low-dose treatment of furosemide 24-hours prior to exercise with controlled water access was the most effective in controlling bleeding. [BloodHorse]

US Equestrian Announces 2019 Land Rover Eventing Grant Recipients

By on Sep 20, 2019 9:00 am -

US Equestrian has announced the recipients of the 2019 Land Rover/USEF Competition Grants for the remainder of the 2019 season.

The following athletes will receive funding for the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ The Netherlands hosted at the Military Boekelo CCIO4*-L in Enschede, the Netherlands from October 10-13:

  • Jennie Brannigan (West Grove, Pa.) and Stella Artois, the Stella Artois Syndicate’s 11-year-old Holsteiner/Thoroughbred mare

Jennie Brannigan and Stella Artois. Photo by Jenni Autry.

  • Matt Flynn (Reddick, Fla.) and Wizzerd, A. Patrick Flynn, Kathleen Flynn, and Merry Go Round Farm’s 10-year-old KWPN gelding

Matt Flynn and Wizzerd. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

  • Tamie Smith (Murrieta, Calif.) and Mai Baum, Alexandra Ahearn, Ellen Ahearn, and Eric Markell’s 13-year-old German Sport Horse gelding

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Jennie and Tamie will represent Team USA along with Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver, the Monster Partnership’s eight-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, in the FEI Eventing Nations Cup. Matt and Wizzerd are named as the traveling team reserves. Caroline Martin and Danger Mouse, her and Sherrie Martin’s 11-year-old Warmblood gelding, are named as first alternates.

The competition also serves as a test event for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The competition rules are based on the Tokyo 2020 competition format with teams of three plus one reserve. Full FEI Regulations for Equestrian Events at the Olympic Games are available here.

View more information about the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ the Netherlands.

[US Equestrian Announces 2019 Land Rover Eventing Grant Recipients]

Friday News & Notes from World Equestrian Brands

By on Sep 20, 2019 12:03 am -

Our favorite Pan American Gold Medallist. Photo by Lisa Thomas.

Plantation weekend! And Blenheim weekend! It’s so exciting on so many levels! I wish everybody lots of fancy prancy, just enough bravery and speed on cross country, and careful tippy toes in show jumping. Bring the best competition you can, friends!

National Holiday: National String Cheese Day

Major Weekend Events:

Plantation Field: Website, Schedule, Entries, Times, Live Scoring, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Blenheim: Website, Ride Times, Live Scoring, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Twin Rivers Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Equestrians’ Institute H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

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

Feather Creek Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Apple Knoll Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Cedar Ridge H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Surefire Horse Trials is still accepting entries through today! Entries this year were low due to a misprint in the omnibus stating that it was cancelled, so they’re hoping a fair few want to attend one of the best events of Area II next weekend. Don’t miss this opportunity to add it to your calendar. [Enter Surefire Horse Trials]

Where are previous winners of the Blenheim 8-9 year-old CCI4*-S these days? Celebrating it’s tenth anniversary this year, this class for young horses is lauded as an excellent predictor of success later in life. The previous ten winners are definitely rocking out at the highest levels, including horses like NZB Land Vision, Oslo, Fernhill Pimms, Faerie Dianimo and London 52. That’s a pretty good list to say the least. [Previous Winners at Blenheim]

Every single event rider has been eliminated by missing a fence. That’s why they say that you do it once, and you never do it again. Another popular one is leaving your horse’s boots on from warmup and going into dressage. Uh, maybe just read this list and make a mental note not to copy the rest of us. [13 Mistakes We’ve All Made At a Competition]

Best of Blogs: Are You Willing To Be Your Own Coach?

Featured video: