Classic Eventing Nation

America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred is Cowboy Swagger with Fallon Taylor, Napravnik Nails Eventing Champion Title with Sanimo

By on Oct 6, 2019 2:22 pm -

Cowboy Swagger is 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover Champion With Fallon Taylor. Photo by CanterClix.

Champion barrel racer Fallon Taylor can add one more line to her deep resume: trainer of the 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover Champion, Cowboy Swagger.

Fallon is no stranger to being a champion — as a barrel racer, she was the 2014 Women’s Professional Rodeo Association World Champion and 2018 AQHA World Champion — but in an effort to continue to grow both athletically and personally, Fallon takes on a new challenge every year: in 2018, she took up show jumping. This year, she took on the Thoroughbred Makeover.

After clinching the title of champion in the Barrel Racing discipline and once voting opened to the public for the title of America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred, Fallon’s fan base rallied behind her and the 2014 Oregon-bred gelding to boost them into the big win.

Taylor acquired Cowboy Swagger sight unseen based on the advice of a friend who knew the horse on the track and loved his personality. He made 16 career starts, the last of which was in January 2019. The gelding, who had previously sprinted flat-out during the barrel competition only a few hours ago, stood completely calm, cool, and collected while bridleless for the awards ceremony.

“I think the coolest thing about these Thoroughbreds is their demeanor,” Taylor commented. “This is a special, unique horse. I’m just sitting here with no bridle on, people all around, all these cameras pointed at him, and he’s completely unaffected. The Thoroughbreds want to please. And these guys are made to run — they’re made for this job. It’s our job to be kind, be patient and help these horses learn the pattern and learn their new job. We need to go out and get these horses and scoop them up!”

Rosie Napravnik rides winner Sanimo and ponies eighth place Bethel Wildcat for the victory gallop. Photo by CanterClix

Rosie Napravnik‘s four-year-old Sanimo raced four times without any notable finishes, but finally broke his maiden as the pair held on to their first place preliminary result to clinch the title of 2019 Eventing champions in yesterday’s finale.

Though Sanimo fell short of winning the overall title of America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred, Rosie could not be more pleased with the Kentucky-bred who has found his niche in his second career. Though there were big dreams in mind for the royally-bred gelding (Smart Strike x Sanima, by Galileoa), his racing connections at Dell Ridge Farm recognized that his athletic potential lay in another in another sport and gave Rosie the chance to help him realize his talent.

Rosie, a former racehorse jockey herself, is no stranger to second careers since she’s now living her’s as a trainer of off-track Thoroughbreds. Rosie had the chance to gallop Sanimo while he was still at the track and says that since then all she could think about was galloping him on cross country. She acquired Sanimo in early in 2018 once Dell Ridge Farm confirmed that he was done racing, and allowed him to relax and mature for nearly a year before beginning his retraining.

This was Rosie’s fourth trip to the Makeover, second finale appearance, and first discipline win. She also placed eighth with Bethel Wildcat, and ponied him into the ring for the victory gallop after the finale.

Reigning 2018 America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred trainer Elisa Wallace finished second with Crafty Charger.

Alison O’Dwyer and Fifth Ace. Photo by CanterClix.

Two other eventers took home champion titles in other disciplines, showing that they’re just as versatile as the horses they trained. Alison O’Dwyer and Fifth Ace clinched the finale win for the dressage discipline. Alison also won the Dressage in 2017 and Chapter Two also finished as reserve champion in Eventing in both 2017 and 2018.

Amy Bowers competed in the Freestyle and Show Hunter competitions with Grande Warrior. A truly lovely and connected routine earned them the title of Freestyle champions. Their routine included lateral work and jumping at liberty, along with bridleless riding.

Barely a dry eye in the house as #163 Amy Bowers and Grande Warrior perform a beautiful, connected freestyle with no bridle! They were sitting in first place going into the Finale.

Posted by Retired Racehorse Project on Saturday, October 5, 2019

Congratulations to each and every horse and rider pair who competed in this year’s Makeover!

2019 Thoroughbred Makeover Discipline Champions:


Competitive Trail: Belfast Cowboy, trained by Toni Harmon
Dressage: Fifth Ace, trained by Alison O’Dwyer
Eventing: Sanimo, trained by Rosie Napravnik
Field Hunter: Diplomat, trained by Sara Katz
Freestyle: Grande Warrior, trained by Amy Bowers
Polo: Great Reward, trained by Buck Schott
Ranch Work: Silence Is Awesome, trained by Amber Jacobson
Show Hunter: Furaha, trained by Susan Deal
Show Jumper: Tenpin Sugar, trained by Katherine Deichmann

[Cowboy Swagger is 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover Champion With Fallon Taylor]

[Rosie Napravnik & Sanimo Finish 1st in Thoroughbred Makeover Eventing Preliminary Competition]

Thoroughbred Makeover links: Website, Schedule, Entries, Stall Assignments, Ride Times, Marketplace, Seminars, Finale Live Stream, Live Scores

Sport Horse Nation Spotlight: What’s In A Name?

By on Oct 6, 2019 1:00 pm -

In the market for a new four-legged partner? You may find your unicorn on our sister site, Sport Horse Nation. To help with the search, we’re going to feature a selection of current listings here on EN each week. We include the ad copy provided; click the links for videos, pricing and contact information.

When you’re horse shopping, of course the name should be the least of your concerns, but a horse that fits your wishlist and has a really cool name is the full package. We’ve got quite a few and then some on Sport Horse Nation:

Ginny Weasley. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Ginny Weasley

Ginny is a 2013, 15.2hh TBx mare. She is well suited for a small junior or amateur who is looking to bring on an exciting event prospect. She is currently showing BN and finished third at her last event. She has scope to move up the levels and is brave and bold cross country. Hacks out alone or in company. Currently asking $8k but will increase with more training and competing. Located in South Carolina.

Knox My Socks Off. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Knox My Socks Off~Scopey and Brave BN Gelding!

Knox My Socks Off, a 2011 16.1h Bay TB Gelding.

Knox is a super jumper with potential for at least training level eventing- likely more!. He has gone BN with a Jr and is super honest and fun to jump. Could make a super jumper with his quick knees and lead change. He has quite a lot of punch off the ground but such a good personality that he can happily stay at the lower levels. Hacks out on the buckle and is very pleasant in the barn! Very suitable Jr/AA. Located in South Carolina.

Mr Bojangles. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Mr. Bojangles- JR/YR Dream horse

Mr Bojangles (Bo) is a 2008 16.1 TB gelding brought up by Bruce Davidson. He has successfully competed through the intermediate level with wins at Prelim and a 4th place finish in the Intermediate. Bo has scored as low as 25 on the flat, and is very safe, kind, and patient on the ground. He took his current rider from her first beginner novice to her first 2* at the age of 14. He is very willing on the flat and a scopey jump make him an ambitious young riders dream horse. He is sound and healthy. Bo has placed top three at numerous events. He is a huge confidence builder on course and took his rider to Young Riders in 2018. Bo just recently finished 6th at AECS. Located in Florida.

Radio Silence. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Radio Silence (War Front – Maryfield, Elusive Quality)

Radio Silence (War Front – Maryfield, Elusive Quality) 2014 – 16h OTTB gelding.

Ralphie is a safe, flashy, and very athletic Thoroughbred by 2019 leading sire War Front and out of multiple graded stakes winning mare, Maryfield.

Ralphie would be suitable for an amateur working with a trainer and has the elasticity and gaits desirable for a professional. This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to bring an already restarted young horse through the levels. Clips, loads, ties, good for farrier/vet, hacks out on the buckle alone or with a group. Same horse off property than he is at home.

Showing great talent for dressage, eventing, jumpers. Smart, safe, and careful over fences with quick front end and strong hind end. Currently piloted by an amateur working with a professional. Low five figures and will increase with further training and showing. Contact for more info and videos. Open to offers.

Competing in dressage and eventing (beginner novice) at 2019 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover. Located in Kentucky.

Listings included in this article are randomly selected and confirmed to be current and active before inclusion. Sport Horse Nation features user-generated content and therefore cannot verify or make any warranty as to the validity or reliability of information.

Big Wins for Bouscaren, Smith-Cook, and Braitling at Woodside International

By on Oct 6, 2019 10:00 am -

Helen Bouscaren and Ebay. Photo by Kim Miller.

Helen Bouscaren and Ebay seal the deal ion CCI4*-S win

Ebay had a nice pre-wedding gift for his owner Helen Bouscaren. It took the form of what the bride-to-be described as a “very brave” run over Ian Stark’s CCI4*-S course at the Woodside International Horse Trials, where the international divisions concluded in Woodside, California yesterday.

They led the small but strong four-star field by a slim margin after Saturday’s dressage and show jumping, then stayed atop the leaderboard after 8.40 time penalties on cross-country. A partner with her fiancée James Alliston in Alliston Eventing, Helen did her part to clinch the win, too:

“I was very determined to ride him aggressively, and to ride him to the base of the jumps, which is how he feels confident.”

Helen and James have their wedding set for Nov. 3rd, at Galway Downs in Temecula — right after they finish their show jumping rounds in the Galway Downs International Horse Trials.

Helen and the big-looking, but only 15.3-hand white Oldenburg gelding were second after dressage with a 31.70. Even with a heartbreaker final fence rail and a few time faults in stadium, they stayed there going into cross-country.

“My main goal was to jump clean and have him confident,” she said, so she wasn’t pressing the gas pedal too hard.

Helen and James base their business about 45 minutes from Woodside, and they felt a bit of a home field advantage with a crew of students and Woodside Pony Club members assisting through the weekend. The Alliston posse hauls over to school at the South San Francisco Bay Horse Park at Woodside regularly, which Helen says can be a mixed blessing come show time.

Helen Bouscaren and James Alliston celebrate with the Alliston Eventing crew.

“It’s great for cross-country, but it can be tough for dressage because when the horses unload here, they think they’re going out on cross-country so it can be a little hard to settle them here.”

“Ebay loves to perform,” Helen continued of the 10-year-old she’s had for three years. “He has so much energy, he could go around twenty times and be fine. He loves the atmosphere here and always jumps really well.”

The time penalties that resulted from Helen prioritizing a clean, confident round put the win on pins and needles as Amber Levine on her second ride, Cinzano, a Holsteiner, headed out last after two others retired on course. The 8-year-old’s run-out at the coffin fence laid waste to their victory hopes, but Amber and her veteran Carry On, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood, wound up a close second on a 45.20. Canada’s Leah Breakey and Master Class were third.

The Alliston Eventing students and Woodside Pony Club helpers came in handy on Saturday night as Helen was loaded with trophies. She received the Founder’s Cup, given in honor of Robert E. Smith, whose ideas were instrumental in the Combined Training Equestrian Team Alliance from which The Horse Park at Woodside was born. Helen also took home the Fric Frac Berence Heart Trophy, donated by five-star rider Frankie Thieriot-Stutes in honor of her retired eventer.

Kaylawna Smith-Cook and Passepartout. Photo by Kim Miller.

Kaylawna Smith-Cook an Passepartout win the CCI3*-S in first attempt at the level

Pan Am Team gold medalist Tamie Smith was full of advice as her daughter Kaylawna Smith-Cook warmed up for the 3*-S cross-country, in which she and her mount of seven months sat second.

“My mom asked me, ‘What do you need from me?’,” Kaylawna relayed. “I said, ‘I need you to go to the airport and not miss your plane for Boekelo!’”

So, off went Tamie to represent the United States Equestrian Team in the Nations Cup there, leaving her daughter to fend for herself. Kaylawna, a young professional, did so rather nicely.

Passepartout came Kaylawna’s way in March, as a sale prospect, but mother and daughter fell in love with the 10-year-old German Sporthorse and he never made it out of the Temecula, California stable where both base their training businesses.

“I didn’t come to this event thinking we would win,” Kaylawna noted. “He gave me his all in every phase.”

They earned a 32.0 in dressage from international judges Richard Baldwin and Gretchen Butts to sit fourth, were one of very few to jump double clear in stadium, and only added four penalties on cross-country.

Amateur Asia Vedder and Isi had a big lead going into cross-country, but a pilot error: jumping the four-star hanging log instead of the three-star duck coming out of the North Water Complex led to technical elimination.

“He was so good out there and really deserved the win,” Asia said of her German Thoroughbred. She’d lost a little time earlier on course, along with focus on the right water complex exit, while trying to make it up. They were able to complete the course and Asia was otherwise thrilled with the 9-year-old’s performance. Their next outing is the Galway Downs International 3*-L.

Most finishers in the three-star had cross-country time faults, but Erin Kellerhouse and her Irish Sporthorse Woodford Reserve nabbed a 2nd place finish by having the fewest at 3.20. Woodside veteran James Alliston and the handsome Paint Trakehner stallion, Cassio’s Picasso KD, finished third on a 39.80.

Bec Braitling and Dassett Ricochet. Photo by Kim Miller.

Bec Braitling and Dassett Ricochet stick their two-star standing

Riding for Arnell Sporthorses, Bec Braitling had a busy weekend highlighted by a fault-free trip over the two-star cross-country designed by Ian Stark and Bert Wood. Her partner is the fast-rising star, 7-year-old Dassett Ricochet. Since splashing on the scene a year ago as winner of the Galway Downs Training Three Day, the Swedish Warmblood has steadily ascended with confidence and scope to spare.

“When I first tried him, I thought he would be a good amateur horse because he’s very relaxed: very chill,” Bec recalled. “There’s actually more in there than we thought. He’s chill but he uses the excitement to be really good.”

The careful youngster is a reliable stadium jumper equally at ease out of the ring: “He looks carefully at everything, whether it’s scary or not. Then he lands and wants to run on. He can be pretty quick.”

Arnell partner, amateur rider Lauren Burnell, was fourth in the two-star with Freedom Hill, and Bec rode Arnell’s Penhill Celtic to a solid middle-of-the-pack finish in the same division. The native Australian rode the sporthorse sourcing company’s Caravaggio II to fifth in the the three-star as well.

Caravaggio II is just 8 years old and is another quickly moving up the levels. Being based at Central California eventing venue, Twin Rivers Ranch, Bec is able to “do the right homework” to enable all horses “to really come out and compete.”

Fifteen-year-old rider Meg Pellegrini continued a remarkable two years with her reserve finish aboard the Thoroughbred RF Eloquence, and 5th place aboard her Connemara/TB pony Ganymede. Lauren Billys and her rising youngster Can Be Sweet, a 7-year-old German sporthorse, held their third place position after stadium with a fault-free cross-country.

Along with beautiful ribbons and prize money, top finishers received generous prizes from Professional’s Choice, Marcus Greene Outdoor Photography, Auburn Labs and Ride On Video.

International division course designer Ian Stark, of Great Britain, enjoyed his latest visit to California. “Over the many years I’ve been coming to America, I’ve really seen the quality of horses and riding improve,” he said.

Noting the relatively small four-star field, he stressed that lower entry numbers don’t equal lower course demands: “We’ve got standards to adhere to and, if we soften them, those horses and riders qualify for the next level and have troubles. Instead, they have to come up and meet the level.”

Organizers including Woodside’s Robert Kellerhouse, Rebecca Farm’s Broussard family and others on the West Coast have been instrumental in improving the level of the sport, he added.

Stark looks forward to his next California visit, serving as the star attraction for the Galway Downs fundraising clinic in January of 2020, a long-standing West Coast eventing tradition.

Cross country for Novice, Beginner Novice, and Intro divisions continues today and are being live streamed by RideOnVideo.

Woodside CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Sunday Links from One K Helmets

By on Oct 6, 2019 12:01 am -

It’s not eventing … but it’s fun. And awesome. Amy Bowers and Grande Warrior won the Freestyle competiion. Photo by CanterClix.

I essentially watched the entirety of the Thoroughbred Makeover live stream while manning the site yesterday and in doing so witnessed the incredible versatility, trainability and talent of the Thoroughbred – the mission of Makeover – but it also reminded me of just how much fun horses are in general. In every single discipline, I saw riders who were simply having a blast with a horse they’ve created a special bond with. It was a wonderful reminder of the diversity of equestrian sport and how the love of these animals can turn a competition into a celebration.

National Holiday: National Mad Hatter Day

U.S. Weekend Action:

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

Morven Park CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

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

Middle Tennessee Pony Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Heritage Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Willow Draw Charity H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Woodside CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Spokane Sport Horse H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Thoroughbred Makeover links: Website, Schedule, Entries, Stall Assignments, Ride Times, Marketplace, Seminars, Finale Live Stream, Live Scores

Sunday Links:

Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights Make it a Morven Park Hat Trick

Young females seek specialist concussion help later than males, study finds

Everyone Wants to Be Us: Identifying a Fashion Fauxquestrian From the Real Thing

Hay for Horse Health

Study: Horse Owners More Confident In Colic Recognition Than They Should Be

Sunday Video: Looks like someone could benefit from some SmartPaks!

Two for Two CCI Wins for Rutledge and Dutton at Morven Park

By on Oct 5, 2019 5:00 pm -

Colleen Rutledge and her own Covert Right‘s 2019 comeback tour is turning into a veritable tour de force, as the pair notched another top placing today by winning the CCI4*-S at Morven Park Fall Horse Trials & CCI. Colleen and “CR”, a 13-year-old Thoroughbred/Clydesdale cross (BFF Incognito x Let’s Get it Right) were also EN data analyst Maggie Deatrick’s predicted winner.

“I’m really super pleased with how he ran today,” Colleen told EN. “The course rode really well and he is just a delight to run on cross country. Morven Park did an extraordinary job on the footing for as dry as it has been here.”

Colleen and CR led the dressage with the only sub-30 score of the division, but slipped down to 7th after pulling two rails over a tricky Chris Barnard-designed show jumping course which saw 50% of the division’s competitors pull at least one rail. Similar to their run at Plantation, Colleen says she didn’t go out on course today looking to make time — but CR did anyway — and they turned in the only double-clear cross country round of the division to clinch top honors.

It’s been an exciting lead up to their targeted fall season finale at Fair Hill for Colleen and her homebred. Today’s win marks the pair’s second CCI4*-S in a row, after the pair also topped the leaderboard at Plantation Field International last month, and CR’s fourth win at the level in his career. Three of those wins came at this event in previous years, including the inaugural running of the CCI4*-S in 2014 and again in 2017. Today’s win also marks their fourth top-three finish in a row.

Allie Sacksen and her own Sparrow’s Nio, a 16-year-old Connemara/Thoroughbred (Grange Finn Sparrow x JB), flew into second place with the second fastest round of the day, moving up from 14th after show jumping.

“Nio felt super in all three phases. I’ve been working all season to get quicker on cross country and attack our dressage and show jumping phases which he really exemplified this weekend,” Allie said.

“I’m heading to Ocala in November and Morven was a great prep for that. I haven’t been to Morven in a few years, but there have been huge improvements and it was an absolutely stunning venue and weekend for the Area II championships.”

At the conclusion of show jumping, Phillip Dutton held the first and second positions with Z and Fernhill Singapore, respectively, but withdrew both before cross country like a number of competitors in the CCI4*-S and Advanced division who elect to use Morven Park as a combined test in the lead up to Fair Hill. Phillip’s third ride in the division, the Sea of Clouds Partnership’s 8-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Sea of Clouds (Malibu Moon x Winner’s Ticket) took third place at the conclusion of the event, adding only cross country time to his dressage score.

It’s a great feeling when everything goes to plan, hoping to be sitting in the same position at Morven Park Horse Trials…

Posted by Phillip Dutton Eventing on Friday, October 4, 2019

Wire to Wire CCI3*-S Victory for Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Pick Pocket

Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Pick Pocket also made it two wins in a row by winning the CCI3*-S at Great Meadow International in August and winning the three-star at Morven Park today. “Ollie” did perform a dressage test in the CCI3* at Plantation with Emily Hamel in the irons after Phillip picked up an injury during a charity polo match, but was withdrawn before show jumping.

Also similar to their run at Great Meadow was the fact that they won in a wire-to-wire fashion, adding only 1.20 time penalties to their dressage score. The 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Chacco Blue x Bracklin Mystique) is a special ride for Phillip, as he is owned by daughter Lee Lee Jones, her grandmother Annie Jones, and Caroline Moran.

Two double clear rounds in the jumping phases boosted Charlotte Collier and her own Fidelius 35, a 9-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Fidertanz 2 x Happy Hour) and meant that they were the only pair in the division, finishing on a score of 34.4 for second place.

Third place was clinched by Abigail Niles and her own Carrick Finest Lad, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Carrick Diamond Lad x Clover’s Finest) on a score of 36.4.

Morven Park CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Michael Jung is the Dressage Maestro of Event Rider Masters’ Finale

By on Oct 5, 2019 3:21 pm -

 

Lignières: leg six – the finale leg – of the 2019 Event Rider Masters series, got off to an incredibly exciting start as the first phase wrapped today. With fourteen of the eighteen competitors delivering a sub-30 score, the big question on everyone’s lips was this: just how low could they go? German superstar – and eventing legend – Michael Jung took it upon himself to find out.

Winning two previous Event Rider Masters legs is just one of the many highlights of the German superstar’s career. Dancing his way to a remarkable 21.7 with Wiesbaden winner Star Connection FRH, he made himself the hot favourite to take a third leg win this weekend.

“He was very nice to ride – he was very relaxed, but still with positive power,” says Michael of the eleven-year-old Hanoverian, with whom he helped the German team to the win at Aachen earlier this season.

Michael Jung and Star Connection. Photo courtesy of Event Rider Masters.

“I always have him in front of me, and so I can do as I wish,” he continues. “He’s a very easy horse; he’s a super character, and every day is nice with him – to train with him, to work with him in every discipline. He’s a beautiful horse.”

The assembled judges – Angela Tucker (GBR) at C, Nathalie Carrière (FRA) at M, and Andrew Bennie (NZL) at E – agreed, allowing him a margin of just over a second to take into tomorrow’s jumping phases.

Gemma Tattersall and Jalapeno III. Photo courtesy of Event Rider Masters.

Tight margins were the theme of the day as combination after combination delivered well below their predicted marks, pushing the dressage average of the field down into its lowest-ever territory. Second-placed Gemma Tattersall certainly contributed to the quality of the field, posting a 22.3 with fiery mare Jalapeno III, a new ride for her this year.

“I feel like we’re actually starting to get the hang of each other now,” she explains – and it certainly showed in the ring, where she was able to take calculated risks and push for extra marks in her medium and extended movements.

“We’ve been pushing for this score for a while now, but have made mistakes that have dropped us to 25 or 26. She’s been beautifully produced by [former rider, Belgian team member] Karin Donckers, so it’s just been about getting to know each other, to be honest.”

The showjumping phase, Gemma admits, is still “a work in progress –  but we’re getting the hang of it!” With a five-star debut with the horse on the horizon at Pau, Gemma confirms with a smile that she’s here to be competitive.

Sarah Cohen and Treason. Photo courtesy of Event Rider Masters.

So, too, is Sarah ‘Cutty’ Cohen who, with long-time partner Treason, is one of the ERM’s most familiar faces. Sitting in fifth on the 2019 series rankings Sarah, who finished third on 2017’s leaderboard, needed to produce her very best to gain valuable series points, and that’s exactly what she did. A precise, flowing test married calculation with exuberance, and Treason showed off all his gears to cruise to a score of 23 – the horse’s best-ever international mark.

“I thought, ‘well, it’s the last event of the year – we better give it our all!’,” laughs Sarah, who hopes to bring the seventeen-year-old gelding back for one more season of ERM legs.

“He was awesome in there – he’s Mr. Consistent,” she continues. “The little bit of atmosphere gives him a lift, so I just have to control the balance and control the power. He’s such a star and he looks so beautiful, thanks to [groom] Tammie. But there’s a lot to do tomorrow!”

Alex Bragg and Zagreb. Photo courtesy of Event Rider Masters.

The last combination of the day delivered a 24.5 and “a happy face, today” – and Alex Bragg and Zagreb will sit in fourth place overnight as we head into tomorrow’s jumping phases.

“The horse did great,” he beams. “He was a little bit sharp in the changes, which probably cost us a couple of marks, but I’m thrilled and happy going into the jumping phases. I love jumping here.”

The secret to Alex’s success in the ring, he confides, is a love for the performative aspect of the competition – and also a sincere belief in the system.

“You’ve got to believe in yourself, and believe you’re going to be on the podium,” he says. “Is it obvious I love it up there? I love all that bravado – it’s what I ride for. I won’t give up without trying.”

But although we saw some remarkable personal bests – including that of France’s Maxime Livio, who sits 5th on a mark of 25.1 with Api du Libaire in just their third month together – we also witnessed disappointment for some of the best in the field.

Tim Price and Ascona M were projected to lead this phase on a low-20s mark, but a disagreement in the rein-back caused the occasionally quirky mare’s tension levels to boil over, affecting her marks through the middle of the test. But some expert riding from the Kiwi, and the natural pizazz of the horse, salvaged enough marks to score a respectable 27.4 for sixth place.

“I’ve always said that she’s extreme, and she can be incredible,” says Tim, who comes to Lignières with designs on the leg, though not series, podium. “[Ascona M] is going to Pau in around three weeks, and so I think the fitness is there for her! She feels amazing, but keeping it all bottled up for a dressage test is difficult. I’m happy to claw that kind of score out of her – she’s very capable, and could be up there with Michi [Jung], but you’ve got so much to deal with in an event horse. They’ve got to be dynamic in so many ways.”

Chris Burton and Quality Purdey. Photo courtesy of Event Rider Masters.

Current series leader Chris Burton also faced disappointment in the ring when Quality Purdey, too, felt the effects of the atmosphere. After a costly mistake in the extended canter, she began to tighten up through her back, skipping through changes behind and disengaging throughout the canter work. Despite this, they managed to finish on a mark of 30, which sees them in 15th place overnight.

“These ERM guys must be putting the pressure on,” he quips, explaining: “she was quite good this morning, but then she got a bit tired and wouldn’t let go and just breathe. But hey – there’s still a lot more to come, and now we just have to keep doing our job. We need to keep all the fences up, stay between the flags, and try not to knock any pins.”

Gireg le Coz and Aisprit de la Loge. Photo courtesy of Event Rider Masters.

Chris’ five-mark margin in the series rankings may seem unassailable when you consider his expertise across the country, but he faces close and fierce competition from Jonelle Price and Gireg le Coz, his nearest rivals for series glory.

Though Jardy winner Gireg le Coz sits just five marks behind Chris, he and Aisprit de la Loge (29.3, 13th) weren’t quite able to stay ahead of Jonelle Price and Grovine de Reve, who posted a personal best of 28.5 for equal eighth. But that PB came despite some difficulty in the ring, which began before the bell rang and trickled into the start of the test, too.

“You mark these things yourself, really, and I didn’t have the best ride this morning – he was a cheeky brat, actually, but he put his best face on,” she explains with a laugh.

So where does today’s action put our series contenders? Well, if the competition were to finish on the leaderboard as it stands, it would be all change – Sarah Cohen would take the top spot for 2019, while Jonelle Price would finish second, and Chris Burton third. But this is the Event Rider Masters – and it’s never over ’til it’s over.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

The 2019 series finale continues tomorrow with the showjumping phase, which takes place in Lignières’ atmospheric main arena. With less than a pole separating our top five – and then just a pole covering sixth through sixteenth – the pressure will be dialled up to eleven.

After that, our competitors will head onto the tough cross-country course. With 34 efforts to cover in a 6:55 optimum time, the time is certainly gettable – but the dynamic track, which wends its way across the racecourse, doesn’t leave any margin for error. With dimensionally massive rider-frighteners intermingled with acute accuracy questions, it includes a variety of the toughest questions we’ve seen throughout the season.

Tomorrow’s competition will be broadcast live from 10.30 CET time/9.30 BST/4.30 a.m. EST, with cross-country to follow from 14.00 CET/13.00 BST/8.00 a.m. EST. For a full list of showjumping start times, click here, and to preview the cross-country course, click here.

You’ll be able to tune into the free live-stream throughout the action – just head to eventridermasters.tv or to the Event Rider Masters Facebook page to follow all the excitement.
GET INVOLVED
Want to take a deeper dive into the world of ERM? Make sure you download EquiRatings Stacks, the high-stakes prediction game that can win you an iPad. Want to get ahead of the competition? Head over to the Prediction Centre to see how your favourites stack up against the competition. Then, jump into the SAP Spectator Judging app to see how you fare against our experienced panel of judges and to gain valuable Fan League points.

Woodside Show Jumping Report: Bouscaren, Vedder and Braitling Lead CCI Divisions + Cross Country Live Stream

By on Oct 5, 2019 12:00 pm -

Steering clear of the spooky-fun graveyard in the middle of this afternoon’s Woodside International stadium jumping course, CCI4*, 3* and 2*-S contenders vied for pole position ahead of cross-country in front of a VIP dinner crowd on Friday night. The mood was festive, but the competition fierce while navigating course designer Marc Donovan’s creative multiple-choice test of skill and scope.

Helen Bouscaren and Ebay. Photo by Kim Miller.

Helen Bouscaren and Ebay Take Over the Top Spot in 4*-S

Helen Bouscaren and Ebay sit atop the 4*-S standings, even after a heartbreaker rail at the very last fence and a slight over time offense added to their dressage score for a 36.10. Helen, who is a partner in Alliston Eventing with her fiancée, James Alliston, blamed herself for the rail: “I turned around to look – which you’re not supposed to do–and it was still up. But later they said it had fallen. He jumped fantastic, though, so I’m not too upset.”

Planning for Ian Stark’s cross-country track tomorrow, Helen’s priority is making the time. Ebay, who she’s owned for three years, has two four-star shorts under his belt, but has yet to make the time in this phase. Of the course, Helen says, “It’s big and hard and there’s lots of new elements. It looks like a good four-star course, so hopefully we are up to it.”

Helen and Ebay slid into the lead over Amber Levine and Cinzano, who sit second. Amber and her more experienced partner, Carry On, were in the lead on their 30.80 dressage score until two rails and time faults dropped them into third on a 40.

Amber was thrilled with both horses’ performance. Cinzano just moved up to this level in the spring and Carry On is returning to the level after time off. The Chocolate Horse Farm trainer praised the course as having nice flow and four-star challenges.

“It was super fun to have the options at fences 8 and 9, plus the liverpool, the triple bar and all the fill in the jumps,” Amber said. “The Grand Prix Arena has an energy and presence to it, with the flags and the barns along the berm. And it was even more so with the big white VIP tent today.”

Asia Vedder and Isi. Photo by Kim Miller.

Asia Vedder and Isa Hold Lead in 3*-S

“It was fun!” said amateur rider Asia Vedder, summarizing her lovely dressage test with Isi that earned a 24.40, for a wide margin over the runner-up going into stadium jumping. Judges Gretchen Butts and Richard Baldwin rewarded what Asia described as a combination of “strength and relaxation” and “things we’ve been chipping away at for a while.”

“Today was far and away the best we’ve done,” she said. The mental game has been Asia’s personal focus: “I’ve been working on not getting into my own head too much.”

Asia kept her cool and her lead for a clean jumping round with just 0.40 time penalties, which will send her out on cross-country with a 24.80. Time will be on her mind, too as that has been a bugaboo for the 9-year-old Isi who just did his first three-star at Twin Rivers earlier this year. Gearing up for their first CCI3*-L at Galway Downs later this month, Asia will be seeking a “nice rhythm and a good round, with an eye on the time.”

Young professional Kaylawna Smith-Cook and Passepartout logged one of three double clear rounds, to move from 4th to 2nd in the standings. Helen Bouscaren and Paper Jam were third after a single rail brought their score up to a 34.80. After the big gap behind Asia and Isi, only four penalty points separate the 2nd through 5th place positions.

Bec Braitling and Dasset. Photo by Kim Miller.

Bec Braitling and Dassett Sit Lead Large 2*-S Division

Bec Braitling’s dressage ride with talented 8-year-old Dassett Ricochet had a little bit of everything: beautiful movements and moments of absolute distraction. After the test, it was determined that a rambunctious horse turned out in a nearby paddock during the test created an unfair setting. An adjusted score to reflect that left the pair second to David Koss and Stunner, by just a hair: 25.60 to 25.50, going into show jumping.

“It was funny because there were times I wondered if I should stop, then there were times it was clear he was trying to listen to me,” Bec explained. “I figured I’d keep going and deal with it afterward.”

The dressage incident didn’t get under horse or rider’s skin: they moved on to lay down a double clear round to move into the lead of the 29-horse field. Koss and Stunner had two rails, slipping to 10th, while 15-year-old Meg Pellegrini and RF Eloquence went double clear to move into the number two spot. Lauren Billys and Can Be Sweet continue on their dressage score of 27.90, in third. Less than five penalty points separate the top six in this division.

Cross Country Live Stream

Cross country action at Woodside began at 8:30am PST/ 11:30am EST with Preliminary divisions. The CCI2*-S begins at 10:20am PST/ 1:20pm EST followed by Intermediate, CCI3*-S, CCI4*-S, and then Training divisions. Thanks to RideOnVideo, you can watch all of today’s cross country action right here!

Woodside International Event Live Stream

Woodside CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

This Week in Horse Health News Presented by MediVet Equine

By on Oct 5, 2019 10:00 am -

Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Sometimes research seems so distant. While still fascinating and important, it can be difficult to take a concept from the lab and apply it to the arena. Not so with this week’s Horse Health News, presented by Medivet Equine! This week we’re lucky enough to find three real-world studies that are making progress towards discovering ways to make our sport safer and keep horses healthier through science. Plus: if you work or volunteer with a therapeutic riding program we’ve linked to a survey you may wish to participate in.

This Week in Horse Health News …

A catalog of behaviors (ethogram) for ridden horse is being developed and was tested out at a four-star event. Researchers observed horses competing on the second day of dressage while they warmed up and scored them based on behaviors including gait abnormalities, mouth open for over 10 seconds, and head behind the vertical for over 10 seconds. They then compared their observations with the results of the cross country phase. Researchers found that horses who scored higher in the ethogram (displayed more noted behaviors) were statistically more likely to be eliminated or retired during cross country. The study also showed that non-lame horses can still display gait abnormalities when ridden, even though they can pass the trot-up, though it couldn’t establish a relationship between gait abnormalities and likelihood of completing cross country. [Equine Veterinary Journal]

5‐point breastplates might cause restriction during the take-off phase of jumping. Researchers from the Animal Health Trust compared the kinematics of four elite event horses in active training as they jumped a 1.2-meter oxer while wearing either a 5-point breastplate, a breastplate attached only to girth straps on either side, or no breastplate. They also measured pressure distribution of the breastplates and found that maximum peak pressure occurred consistently with the 5-point breastplate over the middle of the chest at hind limb lift-off. Horses wearing 5‐point breastplates flexed their knees and stifles more and tended to land more steeply, suggesting that the breastplate could be restricting at takeoff. Further investigation is needed to see if this jumping style could influence fatigue of the horse, falls, and how they handle combinations. [Equine Veterinary Journal]

A 3D scanner mounted to a tablet can be used to detect swelling in the lower leg. Now that’s some sweet Star Trek-style tech! Researchers from the University of Portland determined that the commercially available 3D scanner, which retails for $399 and was attached to an iPad, was useful in detecting swelling in a horse’s lower leg after jumping.  The technology could potentially be used by rehabilitation programs or to guide training programs. [HorseTalk]

Researchers are seeking equine-assisted therapy staff and volunteers to complete a survey about environmental exposures. Poor air quality in horse barns and equestrian facilities can affect the respiratory health of horses and humans alike. One of the largest populations of people that could be affected by environmental contaminants in equestrian facilities are the staff and volunteers essential to operate equine-assisted therapy programs. Participant responses to this survey will help researchers from the University of Kentucky College of Public Health develop best practice recommendations for creating healthy environments. [The Horse]

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!

Saturday Links from Nupafeed USA

By on Oct 5, 2019 12:01 am -

We have a lot to be excited about this weekend with eight events happening across the US plus the Thoroughbred Makeover at the Kentucky Horse Park as well as the Event Rider Master season finale in France. But we’re also excited to see that the journey has begun for our Team USA that will be competing at the FEI Eventing Nations Cup at Military Boekelo in the Netherlands next weekend. Tami Smith’s mount, Mai Baum, has arrived safely in Amsterdam along with groom Bridget London and they await their teammates ahead of training camp and competition next weekend.

National Holiday: National Do Something Nice Day

U.S. Weekend Action:

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

Morven Park CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

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

Middle Tennessee Pony Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Heritage Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Willow Draw Charity H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Woodside CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Spokane Sport Horse H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Thoroughbred Makeover links: Website, Schedule, Entries, Stall Assignments, Ride Times, Marketplace, Seminars, Finale Live Stream, Live Scores

Saturday Links:

Britain’s Oliver Townend Takes Over Eventing World Number One Slot – Two U.S. Riders in Top 10

Request for Expressions of Interest: USEA American Eventing Championships Host Site

Trainers Demonstrate Three Ways To Restart A Thoroughbred

Inquest into deaths of Olivia Inglis and Caitlyn Fischer calls for equestrian safety overhaul

Identifying Thoroughbreds

Horses Can Learn to Open Doors, Gates

Saturday Video: Elisa Wallace and Crafty Charger finished 2nd in the Thoroughbred Makeover preliminary competition for eventing. Today, they’ll be vying for a spot in this evening’s finale!

Friday Video from SmartPak: Eventing Down Under with Amanda Ross

By on Oct 4, 2019 6:00 pm -

The European eventing season is in its final month – though what a month it is, with the Event Rider Masters finale at Lignieres, the Nations Cup finale at Boekelo, the Young Horse World Championships at Le Lion, and the CCI5* at Pau – while those of you above the Mason-Dixon line will likely be thinking about hanging up your skull cap for the winter, too. But has that ever stopped EN from finding an event – and a heaping helping of eventers – to obsess over? No. No, it most certainly has not.

This week, the FEI are helping us to quell our end-of-season anxieties, as they wing us straight to the Land Down Under to meet Amanda Ross, who rode at the 2000 Olympics but somehow, infuriatingly, still looks younger than all of us. That’s probably because she was one of the earliest adopters of rider fitness regimes – but also, we suspect, because of her irrepressible joie de vivre. We first met her at Blenheim CCI4*-L last season, at which she and Koko Popping Candy finished tenth, and now she’s on the Tokyo trail. Get to know her – and get excited about a deeper dive into Australian eventing this winter – in her day-in-the-life vlog. Bonzer!