The organizers of the MARS Bromont Rising Program have just announced the riders who have been selected to participate in a two-day training camp at Mardanza Farms and compete at the nearby Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event this fall.
Ema Klugman
Charlotte Babbitt
Isabelle Bosley
Kaelen Speck
Arielle Aharoni
Barrett Phillips
Samantha Tinney
Elizabeth Henry
Ryan Keefe
Nicole Aden
Alternates:
Maxine Preston
Nicholas Staples
All of the riders will participate in the training camp, which will be taught by Peter Gray, Sara Kozumplik Murphy, Brian Murphy and Max Corcoran. “We are absolutely thrilled with the level of interest in the program,” said Peter Gray, the international dressage judge who runs the program. “The quality of the applicants and their commitment to the sport is inspiring.”
The 10 participants will each receive $3,000 to cover their travel and competition expenses, while the alternates will receive $1,000 each. The opportunity to participate in the training sessions – priceless. “You simply can’t replicate the opportunity that these riders are getting through the MARS Bromont Rising Program,” said Peter.
The MARS Bromont Rising Program, which offers financial aid and training to eventers under the age of 25, debuted at the MARS Equestrian Bromont Three-Day Event in June. It was a huge success, with most of the participants posting personal best dressage scores at Bromont and one of the participants, Brooke Massie, winning the Bromont CCI4*-S in her first time at the level.
A huge shout out to Peter, Sara, Brian and Max. And special thanks to Sara and Brian for hosting the training camp at beautiful Mardanza Farms.
The Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event will take place November 14-17, 2019 in Reddick, Florida.
The 2019 Event Rider Masters series finale takes us to the heart of French eventing at Lignieres en Berry, where the door is wide open in the hunt for podium placings. And with over €100,000 on the line, nobody’s coming to play.
Nestled in the Berry province in the Center-Val de Loire region, in France’s most verdant countryside, Lignieres en Berry offers everything you’ve come to expect from the Event Riders Masters: a beautiful setting, a tough and influential cross-country course, and a host of familiar faces to battle it all out.
We’re on the final countdown to the biggest stage of them all. But the first phase of the competition? Making it through #ERMtheCut, in which our field of entrants is whittled down to the final selection. The result? Twenty-five of the biggest stars in the sport of eventing. Twenty-five riders, and 25 horses, who are ready to give everything they’ve got for a chance to get on the most coveted podium of the series. Here’s what to expect.
All three of our previous series champions come forward for the 2019 finale, as do 10 previous leg winners — but there are six riders in particular who stand to take the top honours in this year’s series.
Photo courtesy of ERM.
Current series leader Chris Burton will be hoping to romp to a win on Quality Purdey, the fast and feisty mare with whom he made a podium appearance at Arville. But the Fastest Man in the World can’t afford to leave any marks on the table – the home nation’s surprise hero, Gireg Le Coz, is just five points behind him in the series rankings, and with his top horse, Jardy winner Aisprit de la Loge, he’ll be a formidable force to be reckoned with.
Photo courtesy of ERM.
It’s never a two-horse race at the ERM finale, and this year is no different – just a solitary point behind Gireg sits Badminton and Luhmühlen winner Jonelle Price. After two top-ten finishes in ERM legs this season and a close second at Camphire’s CCI4*-L, Grovine de Reve comes forward ready to produce the goods. Can the relatively new partnership overtake the established combinations ahead of them? We recommend never underestimating the Kiwi phenom – though she be but little, she is fierce, indeed.
Photo courtesy of ERM.
Sarah Cohen and Treason are mainstays of the Event Rider Masters series , and they nabbed themselves second place on the 2017 podium – but with 63 points to their names this year, they’ll need to put everything on the line to go one better. They’re not the only long-time partnership hoping to make one final leap up the board, either – Alex Bragg and the evergreen Zagreb will be aiming to capitalise on the 50 points they’ve earned so far. A win here could turn the leaderboard as we know it on its head.
And let’s not forget the 2017 series champion: Gemma Tattersall might not be at the top of this year’s rankings, but with a very respectable 44 points under her belt, she and Jalapeno — a new partnership, but second in Bramham’s tough CCI4*-L this summer – could just surprise us.
Photo courtesy of ERM.
It’s not just a battle between the series podium candidates, though, and the series finale will be just as ferociously campaigned by its outliers. Michael Jung and Star Connection FRH took Wiesbaden – but can they take Lignieres, too? Or can 2016 champion Oliver Townend make the most of his brand new partnership with the ultra-talented Alcatraz? Or will World Number One Tim Price take the top prize, riding his Luhmühlen winner Ascona M?
Photo courtesy of ERM.
The Draw
Horse and rider combinations are seeded into three groups based on prior performance and dressage averages. Once they’re through the initial seeding process, our competitors’ numbers are randomly drawn by ERM presenter Nicole Brown who is joined by Emmanuel Legarde of the Lignieres organising team. The draw determines the order in which they’ll enter the ring — will they have the tough task of trying to impress the judges early on? Will they follow an Event Rider Masters champion? Or will they close out the day’s competition, leaving an impression on the scoreboard and the spectators, for better or for worse?
Saturday’s competition gets off to an exciting start with 2016 series champion Oliver Townend heading down the centreline as our pathfinder with new ride Alcatraz at 10.15 a.m. local time/9.15 a.m. BST. At 10.30 a.m., we’ll see our first home-nation rider of the day — and Jardy winners Gireg le Coz and Aisprit de la Loge have plenty to fight for. Gireg sits third on the series leaderboard, just five penalties from the top in his first year contesting the Event Rider Masters. Young rider Phoebe Locke wraps up the first session at 10.53 a.m. with Pica d’Or, at what has been a happy hunting ground for them — they scored a 24.9 at Lignieres CCI2*-S in their first international together last year.
Photo courtesy of ERM.
The competition gets ever hotter as we head into the second session of the day, commencing at 11.15 a.m. local/10.15 a.m. BST. The home side brings forward some of its fiercest competitors, with Maxime Livio leading the way aboard Api du Libaire.
Photo courtesy of ERM.
Tom Carlile, the two-time winner of the ERM’s Barbury leg, follows at 11.23 a.m. riding Atos Barbotiere, while Arnaud Boiteau concludes the session at 11.53 a.m. with Quoriano ENE HN. And between them all? Indomitable Kiwi Jonelle Price (11.30 a.m.), who sits in fourth place on the series rankings and will look to climb onto the podium with Grovine de Reve this week. Japan’s Kazuma Tomoto (11.38 a.m.) has swiftly become one of the most formidable competitors in the world – and with the former Astier Nicolas ride Vinci de la Vigne JRA, he hasn’t been out of the top six in an international this year. Watch them closely.
Photo courtesy of ERM.
The final session of the day, commencing at 12.15 p.m. local/11.15 a.m. BST, is where things really start to get interesting. Michael Jung and Star Connection FRH whet the palate as the first to go – and the previous winners of Wiesbaden and Jardy are expected to throw down the gauntlet with a mid-to-high 20s score. Though they’ll be hot in pursuit of a win in this leg, they can’t quite catch up with the series leaders – but Sarah Cohen and Treason, who follow them into the arena at 12.23 p.m., certainly can. In fifth place on the current rankings, Sarah sits just 10 points behind the leader.
And what a leader he is. You won’t want to miss the Australian sensation Chris Burton (12.45 p.m.), our 2018 Event Rider Masters champion, who leads the way for 2019. Riding Quality Purdey – his fast and ferociously clever dragon of a mare – he’ll be one of the hottest topics at this weekend’s competition. But if there’s one rider who can threaten his grasp on the Lignieres title, it’s fellow Antipodean Tim Price. Coming in strong at 12.53 p.m., the World Number One rides his Luhmühlen CCI5* winner Ascona M – and according to EquiRatings, this is the pair with the best chance of winning here.
Photo courtesy of ERM.
Our last combination of the day is a real crowd favourite – but will Alex Bragg and Zagreb deliver a mark in their usual upper 20s, or will they show off the precision and panache they had when posting their PB of 23.6 to win Jardy last year? In seventh place on the season rankings so far, Alex has a chance to step onto the biggest podium of them all – but he’ll need to risk it all to have it all. Don’t miss their test, at 13.00 p.m. local time/12.00 p.m. BST.
With the best riders in the world heading up a truly global 11-nation field, the competition is guaranteed to sizzle until its final seconds. Join us as we crown the 2019 Event Rider Masters series champion. Once more unto the breach, eventing fans. Are you ready?
Eventing preliminary competition leader Rosie Napravnik and Sanimo. Photo by CanterClix.
Preliminary competition is now complete for all 10 disciplines at the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, taking place Oct. 2-5 at the Kentucky Horse Park. Each competitor received a preliminary round score with the top five in each discipline advancing to the Finale on Saturday. It will be broadcast via live stream, so be sure to watch!
Let’s see how things shook out in our favorite discipline, Eventing, which saw a field of 67 horse/rider combinations. Eventing Makeover horses performed USEF 2018 Novice Test B in a small arena, followed by a show jumping course set at the trainer’s choice of USEA Beginner Novice, Novice or Training dimensions and a short cross country course with a choice of fence height options.
The following combinations will advance to the Finale (Rider & Horse – Dressage/Show Jumping/Cross Country Scores – Total Score):
Makeover veteran, former jockey and OTTB advocate Rosie Napravnik raced to the Eventing lead with Sanimo. 2019 marks Rosie’s fourth Makeover since she transitioned careers from professional jockey to professional trainer of off-track Thoroughbreds. She and Sanimo completed three Beginner Novice horse trials this summer before making the move to Novice at Flying Cross Farm H.T. last month.
“This horse peaked today,” Rosie said. “He had by far his best dressage, his show jumping was very good, and by the time we got to cross country I was just so excited to ride! Cross country is his best phase.”
Sanimo is a 2015 gelding (Smart Strike x Sanima, by Galileoa). He was bred in Kentucky by Dell Ridge Farm and consigned to the September sale at Keeneland as a yearling, but did not sell. Dell Ridge Farm raced the horse, trained by Geoff Mulcahy, for four starts and earnings of $1,861. Sanimo is currently offered for sale via the ASPCA Makeover Marketplace.
Reigning America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred trainer Elisa Wallace finished second with Crafty Charger, a 2013 gelding (By Bye Bye Crafty x Lisa’s Crusade, by Crusader Sword) owned by Donna Biggs. Bred in Indiana by Rita Hughes, he earned $1,355 in 11 starts at the track but seems to be quite excelling at his new career! He’s completed one Beginner Novice and two Novice USEA events, most recently turning in double-clear jumping rounds at Stable View Oktoberfest H.T. last weekend.
Junior riders claimed third and fourth place. Josie Irish rounds out the top three with Right Ben, a 2014 gelding (Here Comes Ben x Time Saver, by Mazel Trick) bred in New York by McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds. “Bennie” earned $40,215 in 26 starts at the track before advancing to his new career with Josie. This year the pair sailed around eight USEA events at the Beginner Novice and Novice level, including placing 7th in the Area III Championships and turning in a double-clear performance at the American Eventing Championships. The pair also finished in 7th place out of 117 competitors in the Makeover Dressage competition. He is offered for sale through the Makeover Marketplace.
Josie Irish and Right Ben. Photo courtesy of Jackie Irish.
In 4th is Caroline Holmes and Kitten’s Beauty, a 2014 gelding (Kitten’s Joy x Atlantic Beauty, by Stormy Atlantic) bred in Kentucky by Dr. Tom Castoldi — he earned $14,675 in 10 starts on the track. The pair also finished 5th in the Show Hunter competition, so will make a double appearance at the Makeover on Saturday.
In 5th is Eleanor Godson and Boggie, a 2012 mare (War Cry x That’s Just Wrong, by Bold Executive) bred in Ontario by Margaret Spencer — she earned $43,896 in 20 starts on the track. The pair also finished 11th in the Field Hunter competition.
Being jacks-of-all-trades, many eventers cross entered other disciplines as well — and a couple are in the lead!
Dressage preliminary competition leader Alison O’Dwyer and Fifth Ace. Photo by CanterClix.
Alison O’Dwyer (ne Wilaby — congrats on your marriage, Alison!) and Fifth Ace took over the Dressage lead today. Alison describes herself as “an eventer who loves dressage” and is no stranger to the Makeover stage, having finished as reserve champion in Eventing in both 2017 and 2018.
“In the arena, I was smiling ear-to-ear with every movement,” she said. “It was a great feeling to come out of the Rolex Arena knowing that we could not possibly have done better than we had. We did our very best.”
Alison intends to develop Fifth Ace, a 2015 gelding (Bernardini x Model, by Giant’s Causeway) bred in Kentucky by Abergwaun Farm, Inc., as a personal horse. He made three career starts with $1,365 in earnings. The pair also finished 21st in the Eventing competition.
Freestyle preliminary competition leader Amy Bowers and Grande Warrior. Photo by CanterClix.
Amy Bowers is quite at home on a cross country course, but this weekend she’s contesting the Freestyle and Show Hunter competitions. Her partner: Grande Warrior, a 2013 mare (Desert Warrior x Capuchina, by Capote) bred in Alabama by Randy Haffner — she earned a whopping $70 in one start on the track.
The pair’s winning Freestyle routine started right out with liberty work, including lateral movements; Bowers then rode the mare without a bridle through all of the compulsory movements and concluded with a gallop lap while waving a blue flag. “It takes a lot of bonding to stay connected in that atmosphere,” Bowers detailed.
Bowers and Grande Warrior crossed paths nearly by accident: “A friend of mine got the mare from Amy Paulus, then realized she really didn’t have time for her; I had expressed interest in participating in the Thoroughbred Makeover so she offered her to me!” It was a fortuitous moment for Bowers, a professional from Fort Collins, Colorado.
On Friday, education takes over at the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium. The TERF Master Class takes place from 9 AM until noon, and a seminar series presented by Horse Media Group takes place all afternoon.
Best of luck to all of tomorrow’s finalists (ESPECIALLY the eventers)!
David O’Connor and Custom Made. Photo courtesy of US Equestrian.Eventing Legend Custom Made Passes Away at 34
Custom Made, a legendary U.S. event horse, was laid to rest on October 2 at the age of 34. Custom Made, the 17.1-hand Irish Sport Horse gelding (Bassompierre x Purple Heather/Ben Purple), was foaled in Ireland in 1985 and was imported to the U.S. in 1995 by owner Joseph Zada of Xandarius, LLC, to be a mount for David O’Connor. In their first year of partnership, “Tailor” and O’Connor won the 1995 Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI3*.
The pair formed a strong partnership and continued to secure top results. In 1996, Custom Made and O’Connor finished third in the Badminton Horse Trials CCI4* and were named to the U.S. Eventing Team for the Atlanta Olympic Games, placing fifth individually. The following year, they won the Badminton Horse Trials CCI4*.
The 2000 Sydney Olympic Games were a career highlight for Custom Made and O’Connor. They clinched the eventing individual gold medal, the first eventing Olympic gold medal for the U.S. in 25 years.
Custom Made continued to find success in the years to come. In 2001, he and O’Connor finished third at the Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI3*. Custom Made closed out his career with by winning the 2002 Fair Hill International Three-Day Event CCI3*.
He was formally retired at the 2004 Kentucky Three-Day Event and was inducted into the United States Eventing Hall of Fame in 2009. He lived out this retirement at David and Karen O’Connor’s Stonehall Farm in The Plains, Va., and was the last member of the “Fab Four,” which also included the O’Connors’ top mounts Biko, Giltedge, and Prince Panache.
“Obviously he was the horse of a lifetime, but probably one of the greats of our time that I have ever been around, especially thinking about it in the classic format, which is where he did most of his career,” O’Connor said. “From an athlete’s point of view, he was the most powerful athlete that I have ever ridden. Then after that, it was 10 years of great retirement at Stonehall, originally with all four of those Olympic horses. He was the last one to go. He is gone now but will be with me forever.”
I’ll fully admit to being completely biased, but in my humble opinion there’s nothing like eventing in the fall in New England. This photo gives you a taste of what you’re missing out on if you’re anywhere else. Not pictured: foggy mornings, dew covered boots and piping hot coffee while course walking, and the feeling of cutting through the crisp October air as you gallop across the country.
When he’s not photographing equestrian events, friend of EN Brian Wilcox of Connecticutphoto may be found piloting a drone and capturing stunning aerial photos of sleepy New England villages and picturesque farms. Brian recently captured the autumn beauty of the Kent School grounds all set and ready to go for their horse trials this Saturday. Check out his full drone photo gallery of the Kent School grounds here and follow his Facebook page for more stunning images.
Rosie Napravnik and Sanimo are your first-placed finishers in the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover eventing division. Hot on her heels is last year’s champion Elisa Wallace with Crafty Charger. The top five finishers will compete in the finale on Saturday to vie for a chance to be crowned America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred.
Thoroughbred Makeover Seminars are free to attend today, Oct. 4th! Check out the three educational seminars and panel discussions dedicated to the care, training and marketing of off-track Thoroughbreds [Seminars]
Applications for USEA Foundation Grants are due Oct. 15th. Applications for the Essex Horse Trials Grant, the Seema Sonnad Junior Rider’s Grant, and the Haller Scholarship for Eventing Officials are now being accepted. Check out what grants you qualify for and get cracking! [Applications Now Being Accepted for USEA Foundation Grants]
Tune up your show jumping and support a good cause at the same time. Mardanza Farms in Micanopy, Florida, is open for the season and their hosting a show jumping day to benefit the Liz Cochran Memorial Groom’s Award. With divisions from 18″ to 1.30 meters, there’s something for everyone! [Mardanza Farms]
Save the date for the 2020 Equestrian Businesswomen Summit! The summit aims to provide thought-provoking and inspiring speakers talking about timely, relevant topics to help engage, support, and inform equestrian businesswomen. Stay tuned for the schedule and lineup of speakers! [EQBW Summit]
Featured Video: Three of the Thoroughbred Makeover horses in 2019 ran in the Kentucky Derby during their racing careers.
From the Run for the Roses to the Run for the Ribbons.. Three Thoroughbred Makeover horses in 2019 ran in the Kentucky Derby during their racing careers. Thank you to Churchill Downs for supporting Retired Racehorse Project and the Thoroughbred Makeover!
Elisa Wallace and Reloaded, 2018 Thoroughbred Makeover Eventing Champions and “America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred.” Photo courtesy of the RPP Thoroughbred Makeover.
Massive props are in order to the myriads of people who have worked tirelessly to pull off one of the biggest events promoting off-track Thoroughbreds in the world. The 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover is in full swing at the Kentucky Horse Park this week, and OTTBs are showing off their newly acquired training in various disciplines ranging from western disciplines, polo and field hunter to the traditional Olympic trifecta of dressage, show jumping and — our favorite around these parts — eventing.
If you’re looking for inspiration in working with your own Thoroughbred or if you’re hoping to compete at the Makeover one year, you’ll want to follow along with the Retired Racehorse Project on Facebook. Their social media team is hard at work bring us coverage from the event — take a look at a few of the OTTBs competing this week. If you’re unable to attend, be sure to catch the Finale live stream on the USEF Network this Saturday as the top scoring horses will battle it out for the crown of Thoroughbred Makeover Champion.
Catch up with a few of the Makeover contestants in these videos:
There is a place in this world for every person who takes a brush in one hand, and a can of paint in the other, and wanders into the sun seeking change.
There are jumps out there on every cross country course all over the world that need you. They lay there, naked and afraid, until you come with your brush and your can and save them.
It is often a lonely journey, this quest as an eventer-volunteer-jump painter. A single worker bee, seeking the light, takes the paint and changes the world (or maybe just the color of the big table this year).
Painting jumps allows you to think as you splash and spill. You think about bringing gloves next time. You think about falling off the stool as you climb down from a really big jump. You think about the meaning of the universe.
Many events all over the world need jump painters. And it’s a great time to get your volunteer hours, to commune with your cross country muse, to make a difference and satisfy your artistic, creative urges. Well, sort of.
Don’t get me wrong. It can be hard work. It is often hot — the better to let the paint dry. Your arm gets sore from holding the brush. There may be bees, gnats, mosquitoes, deer, stickerbushes, poison ivy, or irritating non-workers who stop by to criticize. Take them all on with a zen philosophy of, “I’m doing it — and you’re not.”
There is not much art in painting or staining a great big Intermediate or Advanced table a plain brown. But it looks imposingly beautiful when you are done, and stand back to check for spots you have missed. At touch here, a swipe there, and it’s done. You do get a certain satisfaction in completing a job, seeing it stand there, proud and ready to do its part as a part of a big important course for the event.
Of course, it is also done with a group, and in that case, can be great fun. What is better than being out on a cross country course for hours with happy people who enjoy doing the work too. You are all making the event happen. It’s the start of a great party! And you get to be there at the beginning of what will become a great event.
There is something mystical about big jumps out in a field without horses or galloping string or decorations yet. They stand there waiting to be a part of a Big Deal. They await their photographs and horses like grand servants in an outdoor mansion, graceful and elegant yet ready to serve.
But until you go and worship them with your paint and brush, they are not ready. You get to fix that. So be a painter of jumps, no matter how big or how small. The course waits for you. Go.
With the announcement that Morven Park would hold a CCI4*-L next year to replace the Fair Hill CCI4*-L, this year event suddenly seems like a preview for next fall. The venue has put in massive improvements in the last two years, starting with two massive arena complexes with brand new footing for dressage to be held simultaneously with show jumping.
It may seem like a monumental task to hold horse trial levels from Beginner Novice through Advanced alongside of FEI levels CCI2*/3*/4*-S, a new CCI4*-L division, and CCI2*-L for 6 year olds and CCI3*-L for 7 year olds, but Morven is aiming to do just that next year.
Let’s have a look at this week’s CCI4*-S competition:
The Field
Photo by Valerie Durbon Photography.
Morven tends to be an event that gets either too much rain or not enough. This year, with drought gripping the east coast, the ground will likely be firm. No matter the ground condition, only two pairs have made the time in the last five years.
The dressage leader has gone on to win the division in three of the last five years, with the winner coming from 4th position on the other two occasions.
Dressage Divas
Buck Davidson and Copper Beach. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Copper Beach and Buck Davidson own the lowest A/4* average in the field over the 2018/19 seasons, hovering at 30.4 penalties. They’ve broken the 70% mark four times at horse trials in that time period, most recently at the Essex Advanced horse trials, but haven’t been able to translate that mark to the 4* level since Plantation Field back in 2017.
Covert Rights and Colleen Rutledge slot in just behind with an average of 30.7 in that same time period, but the pair has clearly gotten their groove back this season, with rapidly dropping scores in their last three outings. These two lopped off 1.6 points from Millbrook to Great Meadow and then knocked off another 1.6 points at Plantation Field, flirting with the 75% mark to lead the field.
Phillip Dutton can never be discounted and with Fernhill Revelation back in the mix after an extended vacation, he’s liable to be found near the top of the leaderboard as well. Although they haven’t quite hit the 70% mark in two starts this year, these two clocked in a strong 27.1 on the international stage at Tattersalls back in 2017.
Show Jumping Powerhouses
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Singapore. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Phillip‘s other mount, Fernhill Singapore, has the top stadium resume in the field, with only one rail down in nine stadium rounds … including one where he was catch ridden by Boyd Martin.
Allie Knowles has carefully cultivated the career of Ms. Poppins, who has been practically perfect in every way in stadium, dropping only one rail in five A/4*-S rounds thus far.
Fernhill Revelation has also been strong after pairing with Phillip Dutton, jumping clear in three of four rounds at A/4*-S with him as a rider.
Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Cross-Country Machines
Covert Rights has also gotten his groove back across the country after a rough patch in 2018 and early 2019. In three runs this fall season, he and Colleen Rutledge were inside the time in two of them, at Millbrook and Plantation, while they finished only five seconds behind the fastest time at Great Meadow in late August.
Both Nicole Aden with Truckee Bash and Jane Papke with Norman have put in swift rounds in one clear round at the level. Firm ground this weekend could play a part in the time; it will be easier for pairs to run faster than their average if they choose to push the pace, while others may choose to take their time to preserve their horse’s legs.
PREDICTED WINNER: Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights
Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Keep Your Eye On …
Allie Knowles and Princess B/Ms. Poppins
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Revelation/Fernhill Singapore
Jump judge briefing at O’Dark:30, at Plantation several years ago. Photo by Holly Covey.
If you’re looking for a way to spend some time at a show even if you don’t have a horse, wanting to watch an event run in real life and be a part of making that a reality, or you simply want to find a way to do some good this weekend, we’ve got just the ticket! Events all over the country are seeking volunteers just like yourself this weekend. Even if you are riding or coaching, consider offering up a couple hours to volunteer — even a small contribution of time can be invaluable for making an event run smoothly.
We gathered the needs for volunteers from EventingVolunteers.com, where you can sign up for spots or find ways to help out in your area. Get out there and volunteer, y’all!
Event: Woodside Eventing Fall International Horse Trials Date(s) volunteers needed: Friday, October 4 – Sunday, October 6 Address: The Horse Park at Woodside, 3674 Sand Hill Road, Woodside, CA, 94062 Positions available: SJ Timer, Dressage Paddock, Dressage Scribe, SJ In Gate, SJ Warm-up, XC Cart Runner, XC Jump Judge, XC Crossing Guard, General Help (Lunch pick-up)
Event: Kent School Fall Horse Trials Date(s) volunteers needed: Sunday, October 6 Address: 30 Westwoods Road, Kent, CT, 06757 Positions available: XC Crossing Guard, XC Finish Timer, XC Score Runner, XC Starter, XC Steward, XC Warm-up, Dressage Test Runner, Scorers, Parking Steward, SJ Jump Crew, SJ Score Runner, SJ Warm-up
Event: Spokane Sport Horse Farm Fall Horse Trials Date(s) volunteers needed: Today through Sunday, October 6 Address: 10710 S Sherman Rd, Spokane, WA, 99224 Positions available: FEH Conformation In-gate Steward, YEH In-gate Steward, YEH Jump Crew, YEH Score Runner, Parking Steward, Office Help, SJ Warm-up, Dressage Bit Check, Dressage Check-in, Event Takedown – Dressage, XC Crossing Guard, Phase A & Checkpoint Judges, Phase A Start Timer, Phase A Finish Timer, Phase B Judge and Phase B Finish / C Start Timer, Phase B Start Timer, Hospitality Steward, SJ In-gate, SJ Scribe, Vet Box Check In, Vet Box Scribe, Vet Box Timer
Event: Morven Park Fall International Horse Trials Date(s) volunteers needed: Friday, October 4 – Sunday, October 6 Address: 41580 Sunday Morning Lane, Leesburg, VA, 20176 Positions available: Dressage Bit Check, XC Jump Judge
Event: Majestic Oaks 3 Phase Schooling Show Date(s) volunteers needed: Saturday, October 5 Address: 17500 N US Highway 441, Reddick, FL, 32686 Positions available: XC Steward, XC Warm-up, Dressage Check In, Dressage Scribe, Hospitality Steward, Floater, SJ Jump Crew
Be sure to keep an eye on EventingVolunteers.com for more upcoming volunteer opportunities!
Josephine Buller and Zanzibar. Photos courtesy of Chelsea Spear and Diana Rowland.
Last month I said goodbye to my first event horse, Mishka. Longtime readers may remember him from a story I wrote a few years back, “You Become Responsible, Forever, for What You Have Tamed.” He was a 15.1-hand grey Arabian, who came into my life when I was 12 and he was 3. We evented through Training and he went on to show several more young riders the joy of the sport. At age 29 he was still living his best life, tackling crossrails at a local horse show just two weeks before he passed, and I counted him as my oldest friend.
So it was a little like seeing a ghost when I was sent an email this week about four-star rider Fylicia Barr’s first horse, Zanzibar, another plucky grey Arab who took Fylicia through Training and is now showing the ropes to her student Josie. With “Z” as her partner, she won her very first Baby Beginner Novice trial over the weekend at Olney Farm in Maryland. By all accounts it was pretty special — Z kept an eye on Fylicia during their dressage test and was clearly happy to be out again, doing what he loves.
Who was the first horse with whom you left a cross country start box? Whether they’re still in your life or have crossed over the rainbow bridge, take a moment to feel gratitude — how generous these animals are to share with us their wings.
Jenna Jack and Katano have the overnight lead in the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover eventing division. She reflected on her day’s ride: “We were very relaxed in the Rolex Arena for dressage. He was a little ‘looky’ in the show jumping in the atmosphere there, but we worked through it … and cross country is his favorite, so that was a lot of fun.” Jenna, a professional from Canton, Georgia, acquired Katano in November last year. The horse that she calls “Otis” is a 2015 gelding (Justin Phillip x Shining Prospect, by Lycius) bred in Kentucky by Castleton Lyons and Kilboy Estate. He ran in Florida and at Arlington Park, earning $20,731 in 11 starts with two wins. The preliminary Makeover eventing competition continues today with about half the division still to compete.
Congrats to Jax Maxian, winner of the Area I leg of Charles Owen Technical Merit Award. The award is presented in each of the 10 USEA areas, recognizing junior and adult amateur riders for their safe and effective cross country riding technique. Jax was awarded the honor at the Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club Horse Trials (GVRDC), August 17-18, 2019. [USEA: Maxian is Masterful in the Charles Owen Technical Merit at GVRDC]
Woodside International Horse Trials is welcoming 400-plus horses this weekend. This year’s CCI4*-S field includes some exciting match-ups: fan faves James Alliston and Pandora will go up against James’ business partner and fiancée, Helen Bouscaren with Ebay. Amber Levine will vie for the 4*-S title on two horses, Carry On and Cinzano, and Tamie Smith will bring a new star up to this division in En Vogue. Best of luck to all! [Woodside Eventing]
Amie Collins is the winner of our Fab Freebie for a Diamonds in the Dirt travel self-care collection! Shop the Diamonds In The Dirt product line here, and keep an eye on their Facebook page for all the latest! You can also shop the line via World Equestrian brands here. Keep an eye on EN for future weekly giveaways. [Fab Freebie]
Featured Video: This flashy pair went all out on the pink at Twin Rivers Ranch H.T. last weekend! Fiona VanBuhler and Confetti’s Cottontail placed 8th in the Jr. Novice A division. If your horse is pretty in pink too, check out these limited edition breast cancer awareness breeches and saddle pads from our friends at SmartPak.
