Classic Eventing Nation

This Week in Horse Health News Presented by MediVet Equine

By on Sep 13, 2019 9:00 am -

Imogen Murray and Ivar Gooden won the Best Shod Horse award at Burghley. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

This week’s biggest headline in horse health news is so big that you may have already heard it the mainstream media. You’ll certainly want to catch up on that crazy story, but don’t miss our the other interesting tidbits from this week as well, presented by MediVet Equine; in addition to news that’s rocking the racing industry, scroll down and read on to learn a little about the best shod horse at Burghley, how your horse might be eligible for a free Cushing’s Disease test, and a word of caution to anyone planning to travel to Ohio.

This Week in Horse Health News …

The 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify tested positive for a banned substance in a qualifier race before the Kentucky Derby, the New York Times reports.

Justify tested positive for scopolamine, a drug which is used to treat motion sickness and nausea in humans and can act a bronchodilator in horses, enlarging their airways to making breathing more efficient and potentially enhancing performance. The drug test sample was collected when Justify won the Santa Anita Derby and the positive result should have disqualified him to run in the Kentucky Derby, but the California Horse Racing Board eventually dismissed the case.

Horses can test positive for scopolamine due to ingestion of jimson weed (also known as devil’s snare — yes, like in Harry Potter)  which can sometimes be found in straw bedding or hay, and there have been previously documented cases of this happening, however, horses tend to avoid it’s foul odor and bitter taste. The lab results also indicated that the amount of scopalamine detected in Justify’s sample was much higher than they likely would have if they were caused by environmental contamination/ accidental ingestion. [The New York Times]

Ivar Gooden, ridden by Imogen Murray, was awarded the prize for Best Shod Horse at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials last weekend. The annual prize honors the craftsmanship and ingenuity of the farrier who shod the winning horse. Ivar Gooden’s farrier, Paul Varnam, took a forward-thinking approach to shoeing the 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding and used hand-forged therapeutic shoes, which would traditionally only be used to help a lame horse, to help the very sound but somewhat conformationally challenged Ivar Gooden achieve optimum balance. This is the horse and farrier’s second time earning this award and you’ll need to be sure to read Fran Jurga’s full report on The Hoof Blog for all the details on Ivar Gooden’s very fascinating footwear hoofwear. [The Hoof Blog]

Attention horse owners in Canada! Your horse may be eligible to receive a free Equine Cushing’s Disease test thanks to Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Equine in partnership with Guelph Animal Health Laboratory. Cushing’s Disease, or Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), is primarily thought of as a disease of senior horses or ponies, but it actually affect horses as young as 10 years old. As one of the main causes of laminitis, the debilitating disease of the hoof which is the second leading cause of death in horses after colic, it’s important diagnose Cushing’s Disease as early as possible so that it can be well controlled. When caught early, risk of laminitis can be minimized and prognosis can be very good. [Boehringer Ingelheim Equine]

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is restricting the import of horses from counties within states with confirmed and suspected cases of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Though there have been no confirmed cases of VSV in Ohio, the state decided that, with a significant uptick in incoming equine traffic anticipated due to the All American Quarter Horse Congress scheduled to begin in the city of Columbus on Oct. 1, they would take every precaution to keep the state VSV-free. Though the main focus of this restriction is the influx of horses due to the All American Quarter Horse Congress it appear that it applies to any horses moving into or through the state, so do use caution if you plan to go eventing in Ohio! [Horses From VSV-Affected Areas Banned From American Quarter Horse Congress]

Friday News & Notes from World Equestrian Brands

By on Sep 13, 2019 12:03 am -

From humble beginnings … Kate Chadderton and her pony Bluey! Photo courtesy of Kate.

So, it’s Friday the 13th, and if you put stock in that kind of thing be careful today! Also it’s a full moon tonight so I guess werewolves and stuff too? I’m only superstitious about things like a lucky necklace for competitions, but I know horse people are a superstitious lot in general. Lucky socks, anyone??

National Holiday: National Peanut Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Otter Creek Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Flying Cross Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

The Event at Skyline [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

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

Blue Ridge Mountain H.T. at TIEC [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Poplar Place Farm September H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Flora Lea Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Stone Gate Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

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

News From Around the Globe:

There is another opportunity to qualify your YEH entry for the Championship at Fair Hill International! Flora Lea H.T. in Medford, New Jersey, was asked by several competitors to hold another qualifier this Friday, Sept. 13th. For those interested in participating, entries may still be made to Debbie Adams at Flora Lea. Email [email protected]. [Flora Lea Farm]

More Burghley you say? We’re not sick of it yet! This time it’s a little throwback to the last time Pippa Funnell won the competition, a mere 16 years ago aboard Primmore’s Pride, cementing her place in eventing history by being the first rider ever to win the Eventing Grand Slam. [Flash Back Friday: Pippa Funnell Wins Grand Slam]

Is your horse a picky eater? We’ve all had that horse at one point or another, the one that you desperately need to keep weight on, but they just pick at their food. You’ve tried everything, and you’re at your wits end. How about flavoring with fenugreek? A new study shows that fenugreek rates the highest with horses in terms of making feed more palatable, over all other possible additions. [Flavoring with Fenugreek]

Best of Blogs: Building Character Through Farm Sitting

Hot on Horse Nation: 8 Questions with Para Dressage Star and Draper Therapies Ambassador Rebecca Hart

Video:

 

 

Thursday Video from Ecovet: Watch Dom Schramm & Bolytair B’s Brilliant Burghley Round

By on Sep 12, 2019 8:07 pm -

Dom Schramm and Bolytair B notch up a near-clear at Burghley. Photo by William Carey.

We couldn’t be more proud of Aussie/honorary American Dom Schramm after his absolute class performance at Burghley last week. He and Bolytair B, a 13-year-old Dutch gelding (Polytair x Nobelle, by Glennridge) owned by the Naked Horse Eventing Syndicate, pieced their way through Captain Mark Phillips’ epic gauntlet with bravery and tact in equal measure, delivering one of the most positive, rhythmical rounds we saw all day despite it only being their second five-star outing.

The pair found the finish line with 11 jumping and 37.2 time penalties, no thanks to one unlucky (if not downright annoying) pin at the Trout Hatchery — and only the one side down, to add insult to injury. Boly barely tapped it but such is life, and such was life for several competitors as the rail fell like a show jump all day.

The Burghley live stream didn’t show near enough of Dom and Boly, who finished 28th overall and won the admiration of an international audience in the process. But, lucky for us, our friends at Australian eventing news outlet An Eventful Life have shared a video showing his entire round. Enjoy, and take notes!

 

My entire round from Burghley! The best I’ve ever ridden! So lucky to be sitting on a horse like Bolytair B!

Posted by Dominic Schramm on Thursday, September 12, 2019

 

“I’m happy to be home in one piece,” he told EN after his round. “I was surprised how backed off he was by the crowds at the beginning, and I couldn’t really get his head down. But what a horse! I came here for redemption – I rode like an idiot at Kentucky. It’s amazing what an outstanding horse can make an average rider look like!”

Editor’s note: NOT average.

“It’s unbelievable, and it kind of feels like I’ve paid my bit back to all the people who support me,” said Dom, who was astonished by the scale and difficulty of the challenge set. “I kept looking at my watch and thinking, ‘how the hell does anyone make the time here?!’ Mark Phillips is a genius course designer, and it’s a privilege to ride around here.”

Cheers, Dom.

Relive all of EN’s 2019 Land Rover Burghley coverage here. Go Eventing.

 

Ecovet fly spray creates a vapor barrier around your horse that confuses and overwhelms an insect’s normal directional ability. Thanks to this Ecovet barrier, the insect is unable to locate your horse as its next victim. Watch Ecovet in action: http://bit.ly/ecovetvideo

Volunteer Nation: 7 Events That Need Your Help This Weekend

By on Sep 12, 2019 4:00 pm -

It’s often said that volunteers are the backbone of our sport — because it’s true! Thanks to the USEA’s creation of eventingvolunteers.com, it’s easier than ever before to connect volunteers with organizers. A smartphone app, available for both iOS and Android devices, is available as well.

Prospective volunteers can use eventingvolunteers.com to sign up for open shifts and duties, check in with organizers and track their hours for the Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP). After a simple sign-up process, volunteers can select a specific event and easily see which assignments and shifts are the most needed and which are already filled.

Organizers can use the website to track the status of filled or open volunteer positions with at-a-glance visualization of which assignments still need to be filled. They will be able to tell very quickly if they are short a dressage scribe for the day, or perhaps three more fence judges are needed. They can also more easily get in touch with a specific group of volunteers, rather than sorting through individual emails.

We’re exited to team up with eventingvolunteers.com each week to spotlight volunteer opportunities still available (at time of publication) for the upcoming weekend. For more details, click on the event name to be taken to that event’s eventingvolunteers.com portal.

Here are seven USEA events that need your help this weekend!

Capture
Event: Poplar Place Farm September H.T.
Date(s) volunteers needed: Saturday, Sept. 14
Address: 8191 US Hwy 27E, Hamilton, GA, 31811
Positions available: XC Finish Timer, XC Jump Judge, XC Starter, SJ Warm Up


Event: CDCTA Fall Horse Trials
Date(s) volunteers needed: Saturday, Sept. 14 – Sunday, Sept. 15
Address: 927 Kimble Road, Berryville, VA, 22611
Positions available: Event Prep – Dressage, Event Prep – General, Stabling Check-In & Trailer Parking, XC Jump Judge, SJ Jump Crew, SJ Scribe, SJ Timer

Event: GMHA September Horse Trials
Date(s) volunteers needed: Thursday, Sept. 12 – Sunday, Sept. 15
Address: P.O. Box 8, S. Woodstock, VT 05071
Positions available: Event Prep – General, Dressage Steward, Hospitality Helper, SJ Jump Crew

Event: The Event at Skyline
Date(s) volunteers needed: Friday, Sept. 13 – Sunday, Sept. 15
Address: 995 W 1000 S, Mount Pleasant , UT, 84647
Positions available: Dressage Announcer, Dressage Bit Check, Dressage In Gate Steward, Dressage Score Runner, Dressage Scribe, Dressage Warm Up, Office Help, XC Score Runner, XC Starter, Competitor / Volunteer Dinner Set Up, Event Takedown – SJ, SJ Jump Crew, SJ Score Runner, SJ Scribe, SJ Timer


Event: Flying Cross Farm Horse Trials
Date(s) volunteers needed: Friday, Sept. 13 – Sunday, Sept. 15
Address: E5847 1170th Ave, Wheeler, WI, 54772
Positions available: Dressage Score Runner, Dressage Bit Check, Office Help, SJ In Gate, SJ Jump Crew, SJ Scribe, SJ Warm Up, Competitor / Volunteer Dinner Set Up, Volunteer Lead, SJ Jump Crew, XC Jump Judge, XC Score Runner, General Help, Secretary – Awards


Event: Stone Gate Farm Horse Trials
Date(s) volunteers needed: Thursday, Sept. 12 – Sunday, Sept. 15
Address:  31407 Schneider Rd, Hanoverton, OH, 44423
Positions available: Event Prep – General, XC Decorator, Greeter, General Help, SJ Jump Crew, XC Jump Judge, XC Score Runner

Event: Equestrians Institute Horse Trials
Date(s) volunteers needed: Saturday, Sept. 14
Address: 1202 Douglas Munro Blvd, Cle Elum, WA, 98922
Positions available: Work Party – Event Prep

Visit eventingvolunteers.com for information on upcoming USEA recognized as well as unrecognized events that could use a hand.

Go Volunteer. Go Eventing!

Virginia Horse Trials International to Host U.S. Debut of CCI1*-L Level

By on Sep 12, 2019 2:30 pm -

Isabel Finemore and Rutherglen, winners of 2018 USEF JR/YR CCI2* Eventing National Championship. Photo by Brant Gamma Photography.

Virginia Horse Trials International (VHT) is pleased to announce that it will host the first CCI1*-L in the United States at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington Oct. 31-Nov. 3, 2019. The CCI1*-L is the Modified (3’5”) level run under the international long format rules, with show jumping being the final phase run in reverse order of standing. VHT is currently the only event in the country to offer the CCI1*-L.

“We are excited to be adding the CCI1*-L to our international offerings at Virginia,” VHT Organizer Andy Bowles said. “It’s a great introduction to FEI competition at the Modified height, and it fits perfectly with our mission at Virginia to provide competitors with positive growth opportunities. We ran two large national Modified divisions at both the November 2018 and May 2019 competitions, so we’re hopeful that the interest in the CCI1*-L will be positive.”

VHT will also host the USEF CCI2* Eventing National Championship for the second consecutive year. Both adult and junior/young rider (21 and under) titles will be awarded. The Championship will run concurrently with the CCI2*-L division, and the Championship titles will be given to the highest placed American rider in each age group.

Back by popular demand is the Intercollegiate and Alumni Team Challenge. Whether currently in school, recently graduated, or graduated any number of years ago, riders are invited to don their school colors, chant fight songs, and enjoy a healthy dose of school rivalry.

“The intercollegiate team challenges have always been one of our favorite components of VHT,” Bowles said. “We realized that recent grads were wanting to stay involved and alumni wanted to get in on the fun, so we are happy to host a team challenge with a mix of current and former students.”

Teams may be made up of alumni only, current students only, or a mix of both. Teams of mixed levels will have coefficients applied to account for the level of difficulty. Scramble teams may be formed with multiple schools. Send your team roster and any questions to the team coordinator, Leslie Threlkeld, at [email protected].

In addition to the CCI1*-L and CCI2*-L, VHT’s fall edition offers CCI3*-L, CCI3*-S, and the CCI2*-S, which was offered for the first time at the May event. National competitors have a broad choice of Beginner Novice through Advanced/Intermediate, including national Modified, and a Starter level for newcomers to the sport. Bowles, Carsten Meyer, and David Taylor will design the tracks on two separate cross-country courses, and Chris Barnard returns as the show jumping course designer.

Come for the competition, stay for the extras. Prize money is once again on the table for the FEI competitors, as well as special awards for Best Conditioned horse and Best Turned Out rider, ribbons through tenth place, and additional gifts and prizes. The top three finishers of every national horse trials division receive discount coupons for future entries. Finally, everyone is invited to a complimentary supper at the Saturday night competitor party.

Entries for the VHT International open Sept. 17, 2019. Find entry information at vahorsetrials.com or the USEA Omnibus listing.

Links: Website | Omnibus | Facebook | Instagram

[CCI1*-L Debuts at Virginia Horse Trials International, USEF CCI2* Eventing National Championship Returns]

Berkley and Chillie’s AEC Adventure

By on Sep 12, 2019 11:00 am -

Berkley Gardner, age 12, and her pony Chillie were 2019 competitors in our favorite American Eventing Championships division, Jr. Beginner Novice 14 & Under. They kindly shared their AEC adventure with EN readers. Relive all of the AEC action here. 

Photo by Xpress Foto.

My journey to AECs was long but short. Let’s start with my little pony named Chillie. He came from the New Holland Auction in Pennsylvania. He then came to the farm where I started riding. He was there since he was 9. Chillie is now 15. He was everyone’s first eventing pony, and soon enough mine.

I started riding when I was 8, I am now 12. I have come a long way from a little summer camp to the AEC. I only started actually eventing one year ago. It was actually one year when I competed show jumping in the Rolex arena. The comparisons from last year to this year are insane! I went from jumping 1′ fences to getting ready to compete 3′! I moved barns, trainers, and it was the best thing for Chillie. He gives me his best every day. Even though Chillie has a little naughty streak in him, he is the best pony to teach me how to ride.

When I first arrived at Kentucky Horse park, I was amazed. It was a beautiful site, stable, and arenas. Chillie was settled in quickly and was ready to go. I rode him twice before I competed. In dressage he was amazing and was even better in competition. After dressage we were in 31st out of 38. Chillie was amazing in dressage and I was so happy about getting a 38.8.

Photo by Xpress Foto.

The cross country course was so fun and me and Chillie went double clear! We then moved up to 25th.

Photo by Xpress Foto.

Photo by Xpress Foto.

We got some new clothes for show jumping and were ready to go! Chillie was a little cheeky but was good in the warmup. We got in the Rolex arena and it was intimidating. We almost went to the wrong first jump, but we made it to the correct one in time. We made the turn to #2 and went over it, but then knocked the rail. Chillie got annoyed and swerved right instead of left on the way to three, causing us to cross our line. Me and Chillie after #3 were riding the heck out of that.

Ring, we made it in time, and I was very happy. A couple tears came, but they soon stopped from the endless support from my parents, friends, and trainer. I was very happy with Chillie and we have sure come a long way from one year ago. I am super happy with Chillie and can’t wait for our journey to move on to Novice after the Area II Championships!

Photo by Xpress Foto.

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: Don’t Change That Name

By on Sep 12, 2019 9:00 am -

Just admit it, the very first thing you notice when you’re perusing off-track Thoroughbreds is their Jockey Club name. Is it as important as their conformation or temperament? Of course not! Does it have any bearing on their ability to go on to succeed in a second career? No way. Is it still fun to have a horse with a funny or cool Jockey Club name that can be used for a USEA-registered name too? Heck yeah!

For this week’s OTTB Wishlist we found three horses with kind of silly names that we can’t help but enjoy and, oh yeah, they look like they could have future eventer potential as well!

Margarita Attack. Photo via CANTER IL.

Margarita Attack (FOREST ATTACK – SISTER FIONA, BY DEFRERE): 2015 16.1-hand Illinois-bred mare

Honestly, who wouldn’t want to be attacked by margaritas? Doesn’t really sound like a bad thing to me, and it does sound like a very good excuse to partake in everyone’s favorite limey cocktail after a good (or bad) cross country round.

This four-year-old filly has a modest race record of 20 starts and $12,785 in earnings. She has finished dead last in her last two start, the most recent of which was last week, so her future as a racehorse clearly isn’t looking so bright. However, her lovely uphill build suggests she could have some innate jumping ability and her job video shows a nice flowing walk and trot plus demonstrates her easy-going attitude.

Located at Fairmount Park Race Track in Collinsville, Illinois.

View Margarita Attack on CANTER Illinois.

Lost on the Stairs. Photo via CANTER Delaware.

Lost on the Stairs (SOARING EMPIRE – ALS DELIGHT, BY WAYNE COUNTY (IRE)): 2014 16.1-hand New York-bred mare

How would one even get lost on the stairs? There are only two directions, up and down, so it seems pretty straightforward to me. Unless we’re talking about some wonky M.C. Escher-esque stairs I suppose, then getting lost would be pretty understandable. (Ooo … “Escher”… that could be a good barn name for this one, no?)

This is another lovely mare with a good shoulder and uphill build, just waiting for a little TLC and a transition to a new career. She also has 20 career starts, but has earned slightly more than the above featured horse, at $58,062. Her last race was in June, but she’s actually entered in another race later this week so she is currently still in active race training.

View Lost on the Stairs on CANTER Delaware.

Not A Coupon. Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.

Not a Coupon (FAPPIE’S NOTEBOOK – ESTHERS BALL, BY PARTY MANNERS): 2014 17.0-hand Kentucky-bred gelding

If he’s not a coupon, then I guess he must be the real deal, right?

If you love a tall, big-boned mount then this gentle-giant with nice sport horse lines is for you. As a personable gelding who’s easy to work with, Not A Coupon is a favorite of his handlers. He is sound and even trains very well during his morning workout, but doesn’t perform as well when it comes down to actually racing so it’s time for him move on. He’s made 33 total starts in his career and earned $26,966. His trainer jokes that he’s very forward thinking … when it comes to moving towards the grass for hand-grazing time!

Located at Finger Lakes Racetrack in Farmington, New York.

View Not A Coupon on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds on Facebook.

Thursday News & Notes from Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS)

By on Sep 12, 2019 12:03 am -

An eventer’s view. Photo via Plain Dealing Eventing FB.

So, we’re about halfway through September and stupid me thought I could quit checking the weather in Virginia, because I thought I was safe into the short period of fall where it’s actually pretty predictable and pleasant. But no, just in time for Friday the 13th, we had 97 degrees of actual hell this week, and I’m sporting a super cool new sunburn. Thanks Mother Nature!

National Holiday: National Chocolate Milkshake Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Otter Creek Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Flying Cross Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

The Event at Skyline [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

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

Blue Ridge Mountain H.T. at TIEC [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Poplar Place Farm September H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Flora Lea Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Stone Gate Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

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

News From Around the Globe:

News busting the racing world yesterday arrived with evidence of a positive drug test from Triple Crown winner Justify. According to reports, Justify tested positive for scopolamine just weeks before the Kentucky Derby, and the inquiry into the drug tests did not end in any disqualifications from his lead-up races. The jury decided that it was possibly due to contaminated feed, despite being well over the quantity that is deemed reasonable for that kind of environmental contamination. [Justify’s Failed Drug Test]

No, we’re still not over Burghley, why should we be? The grueling cross country course claimed many experienced pairs, but we were super impressed by several young horses and their performances at such a young age. Shout out to two U.S. horses Leamore Master Plan and Deniro Z for making the list. [8 Young Horses Who Impressed at Burghley]

Do you know what a “sacrifice show” is? Lindsey Partridge wrote for Horse Nation this week about sacrifice shows, i.e.: a show you take a young horse to not aiming to win, but just for the experience and training. Using local competitions this way is key to building a confident horse for the future, and just forget about the ribbons today. [Horsemanship with Lindsey Partridge]

Aaaand back to Burghley. Fun facts about MGH Grafton Street? Yes please. His name in the barn is Squirrel, which is amazing, and he was originally produced by Padraig McCarthy, as well as ridden by Andrew Nicholson for a year. Burghley was his first international win, at only eleven years of age! [Fun Facts about Burghley Winner Squirrel]

Video: The 2019 Event Rider Masters Finale (Oct. 5-6) is hosted by the Lignieres en Berry Eventing Show in France. [ERM]

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Beast Around Burghley with Sarah Bullimore

By on Sep 11, 2019 5:00 pm -

Thank you Blou, what a machine! Don’t need to say anything else.Lying 5th now after XC at Burghley Horse Trials. #hugs #horsesofinstagram

Posted by Bullimore Eventing on Saturday, September 7, 2019

Great Britain’s Sarah Bullimore had a ride to remember across Captain Mark Phillips’ Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials cross country course aboard Rev Du Rouet and she has shared the helmet cam view of her ride on her Facebook page, so click here to go and watch!

Buckle up and enjoy a clear round behind the pricked ears of “Blou,” a 15-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Chris and Sue Gillespie. Adding just 10 time penalties to their dressage score meant the pair moved up from 11th after dressage to 5th after cross country. A double clear show jumping round the following day then meant finishing the competition in 4th place on a score of 39.6.

This past weekend’s finish at Burghley marks the pair’s twelfth five-star completion together, with other notable finishes being a 5th place finish at Luhmühlen earlier this year, a matching 4th place at last year’s Burghley and a 2nd place finish at Pau in 2017. After a long partnership, the pair’s hard work seems to be paying off in spades and we’re excited to see what they can conquer next!

#LRBHT19: Website, Entries, Final Scores, Live Stream Replays, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

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Schooling Horse Trials Spotlight: Champlain Valley H.T.

By on Sep 11, 2019 3:00 pm -

Here at EN, we know that a big part of the heart and soul of this sport lies with local amateur eventers. That’s why we’re featuring awesome local eventing organizations and events that are recognizing and celebrating low-level eventers in our Schooling Horse Trials Spotlight series. Know of a great local organization or schooling horse trials that deserves some love? Email us at [email protected].

Photo by Ingrid Malmgren.

While much of the eventing world was focused on Burghley last weekend, another competition was taking place which, for the participants and their families watching, was equally thrilling — the Charlotte Pony Club held their annual, decidedly un-sanctioned, Champlain Valley Horse Trials on Sunday, Sept. 8 at High Wind Farm in Monkton, Vermont. For close to 70 years, in various locations and iterations, CPC has put on a summer competition for local riders as their primary fundraiser.

Photo by Ingrid Malmgren.

One of the oldest continuously-operating Pony Clubs in the country, CPC is small by most standards (this year there are 12 members), but counts among their graduates Olympian Kelli McMullen-Temple as well as, over the years, an impressive number of other A graduates. They retain as one of their instructors John Bourgoin, who just finished his 45th summer instilling in kids a love of eventing. Co-instructors Andrea Waldo and Catie (Hill) Waterman came on board a few years ago and round out CPC’s small but mighty program.

Photo by Ingrid Malmgren.

The horse trials are a labor of love, as all horse trials are. Beforehand, parents, instructors, members and friends pitch in to build jumps, paint, mow, set courses, rope off areas, secure sponsorship, order porto-potties and secure judges and volunteers. It always seems improbable that everything will get done in time, but generally it does. The day of, parents of kids who moved on from Pony Club 10 and 20 years ago come back to fence judge, manage stadium jumping, monitor warm-ups and handle scoring, joining those with ties to current members in this big undertaking.

Photo by Ingrid Malmgren.

Sunday’s horse trials saw 35 competitors tackle four levels of competition — Grasshopper, Elementary, Beginner Novice and Novice. Nothing was timed, USEA rules were (leniently) applied, and although not everyone came away smiling, most horses and riders finished successfully. Temperatures were ideal and the sun shone enough as ponies and horses, young and not-so-young riders, family members and friends spent a day together. You’ve got to start somewhere in sports, and grass-roots events are, sometimes, where big ambitions begin. Or not. Sometimes it’s just fun to get out and enjoy a sport you love, no matter what level you aspire to.