Classic Eventing Nation

The Fork at Tryon: Another 4* Win for Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge

By on Sep 15, 2025 10:57 am -

Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Canada’s Lindsay Traisnel picked up a second consecutive CCI4*-S victory this weekend in North Carolina at The Fork at Tryon International. Teamed up with Patricia Pearce’s Bacyrouge, who is aimed at the MARS Maryland 5 Star next month, Lindsay made steady climbs up the leaderboard after beginning the week in eighth after dressage. On Sunday, Lindsay and “Dreamy” were the quickest around Clayton Fredericks’ cross country track to finish their weekend ahead of the rest on a score of 40.4.

Lindsay Traisnel move up into sixth place ahead of cross country. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

“My focus was having this be a great prep for Maryland, so I was going to see what that meant with the cross country,” Lindsay said. She and her husband, Xavier, are road warriors, frequently driving 10+ hours to get to these key prep runs from their base in Windsor, Ontario. Despite some trailer trouble on the way down that doubled their travel time, the run proved to be worth the effort. Lindsay commended the grounds team for preparing the footing well — a challenge this time of year when ground can begin to dry and become harder — which allowed her to practice getting closer to the optimum time ahead of next month’s 5* run. “He came out really listening to me. So I was trying to go fast enough…He’s always been fast, it’s just been about the control. It’s more about not wasting time setting up.”

Lindsay now has her final real prep runs done for Maryland and will now focus on fine-tuning her dressage and show jumping ahead of next month’s Maryland 5 Star.

Boyd Martin and Miks Master C were the early leaders, scoring a 27.7 in the dressage. Photo by Marie Cobb for Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Boyd Martin was riding with some heavy emotions this week after suddenly losing one of his top up-and-comers, Barney Rubble, last week. He put in a solid weekend at the office with his three 4* entries, finishing second, third and fourth with the Luke 140 Syndicate’s Luke 140 (43.3), Ocala Horse Properties’ Shanroe Cooley (44.9) and Ocala Horse Properties’ Miks Master C (45.1). Miks Master C and Shanroe Cooley are currently entered in the US Equestrian Open Final of Eventing at Morven Park in October as their fall destination, while Like 140 should be headed to a CCI5*.

Boyd Martin and Shanroe Cooley. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Boyd also earned enough points to overtake Phillip Dutton in the series leaderboard rankings, bringing his current point total to 250 to Phillip’s 215. Two key East Coast qualifiers remain in Unionville and Aiken, so it’ll be an all-out battle to the end to count their highest possible points out of six eligible qualifier runs for that $25,000 leaderboard bonus. You can view the full standings in terms of points as they stand currently here.

Boyd Martin and Luke 140. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Christina Henriksen and Cisco’s Calor Z jumped their way up from 13th into fifth in the final standings. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Will Coleman and Very Dignified earned sixth place en route to their first 4*-L together at Morven Park next month. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

The Fork at Tryon (NC): [Website] [Scores]

Clarke Johnstone and Sparky Lad win the £45,000 ARC Racehorse to Eventer Challenge Cup at Cornbury House Horse Trials

By on Sep 15, 2025 9:00 am -

Clarke Johnstone and Sparky Lad. Photo by Peter Nixon.

New Zealand rider Clarke Johnstone became the inaugural winner of the Arena Racing Company (ARC) Racehorse to Eventer Challenge at Cornbury House Horse Trials, which carries a £45,000 first prize – unprecedented in the sport of eventing at this level.

Clarke was riding Tim Boland’s Sparky Lad, an Australian-bred former Flat racehorse. The pair led from the start, adding nothing to their dressage score of 26.2 across country and then showjumping clear in front of a large crowd on Saturday to hold off second-placed Ben Lee Liles and Finch Fancy.

Sparky Lad, a son of Smart Missile out of the More Than Ready mare Lady Hepburn, ran on the Flat in Australia for leading trainer Chris Waller.

A delighted Clarke said: “This is the biggest prize I’ve won during my career – the prize is amazing and the initiative is fantastic, so thank you very much to Jayne McGivern, David Howden and Arena Racing Company. Ex-racehorses are wonderful athletes and they try their best for you. I hope that this class encourages top riders to ask their local racehorse trainer whether they have a horse that might suit eventing.

“That’s what happened with Sparky Lad – his owner, Tim Boland, runs Limitless Lodge, which is a leading breaking and pre-training yard just north of Sydney. He pre-trained Sparky and identified him as a horse that could go on to succeed in eventing. Sparky went into training with Chris Waller and this horse is what Tim described as a ‘handy horse’ in that he ran more than 30 times and clocked up over $250,000 [Australian dollars], winning four times and was placed six times.

“Sparky has such a beautiful mind – he is the same every day and tries very hard.”

Clarke and Sparky Lad are presented with prizes by Jayne McGivern, Caroline Cruddace – wife of ARC CEO Martin Cruddace – and David Howden. Photo by Peter Nixon.

As well as the £45,000 cheque, Clarke was also awarded the Racehorse to Eventer Challenge Cup – a George III silver perpetual trophy. Every year, the winning owner in this class will receive the silver-plated horse shoe of a Derby winner – the first of which, for 2025, was that of Golden Horn, who took the world’s premier Classic race in 2015 and who is owned by Jayne McGivern of Dash Grange Stud, who conceived and created the ARC Racehorse to Eventer Challenge Cup alongside David Howden, president and founder of Cornbury House Horse Trials. Sparky Lad also won his weight in KeyFlow horse feed.

Ben Lee Liles and Finch Fancy, a diminutive mare by Arvico he owns alongside Charlie Ainsworth, were second, finishing on their 28.1 dressage mark and taking home £2,000 in the process.

Finch Fancy ran in a point-to-point and three National Hunt bumpers.

“She’s very competitive at CCI3* level, but she’s not the easiest to ride as she’s quite feisty,” said Ben. “She loves cross-country and is a great jumper. I’ve had some extra help with my dressage recently from Douglas Hibbett to polish things up. We got a personal best in the dressage, so that was amazing.”

He explained: “Some friends of mine had her in training and ran her in bumpers and wanted to get her jumping, but she was lacking in confidence, so they sent her to me for a couple of weeks to see if I could help. When I jumped her, I thought, ‘Wow, here’s a thoroughbred who wants to go airborne over fences’. I did an 80cm clear round with her at the end of the week and she was brilliant, so I said to the owners after that that if they ever wanted her to have another career, I would have her, and now here we are.”

Alexander Tordoff and the lovely grey Jack Randall, who is owned by Louise Heard, were third. They added 1.2 cross-country time-faults to a 27.7 dressage.

“He’s heading to the eight- and nine-year-old CCI4*-S class at Blenheim next week, so I brought him here for a confidence boost and to get him in a big atmosphere, and Cornbury has really delivered on that front,” said Alex. “His owner bought him for herself three or four years ago out of a field and having never been over a pole. He was very cheap and he’s turned out to be the most lovely, wonderful horse in every way, with a lot of ability and heart.”

Photo by Peter Nixon.

Jack Randall, by Cityscape out of a Sakhee’s Secret mare, ran 14 times on the Flat when trained by Tim Easterby and then Iain Jardine.

The ARC Racehorse to Eventer Challenge attracted 44 starters in its first year, and many figures from the racing world gathered at Cornbury House Horse Trials on Saturday to watch its conclusion, including Nicky Henderson, Kim Bailey, Ben Pauling and Nico de Boinville. The class was one of the highlights of this immensely popular horse trials, which features FEI eventing classes at CCI3*-S and CCI2*-S level, the British Eventing Young Horse National Championships and classes for under-21 riders supported by The Howden Way.

Monday News & Notes from Morven Park Fall International CCI & H.T.

By on Sep 15, 2025 12:01 am -

We have a winner! Congratulations to Simone Cardosa and her horse Toast, who are recipients of a scholarship from the Jimmy Wofford Legacy Fund and the Waredaca Eventing Education Foundation! The funding support from this scholarship will help Simone and Toast compete in a USEA Classic Three-Day event at Hagyard Midsouth in Kentucky this fall. If you’ve not heard of this great opportunity and a Classic Three-Day is on your bucket list, check out the Jimmy Wofford Legacy Fund here.

Major International Events

Cornbury House Horse Trials: [Website] [Scores] [Live Stream Replays]

U.S. Weekend Results

The Fork at Tryon (NC): [Website] [Scores]

GMHA September H.T. (VT): [Website] [Scores]

Bouckaert Farm Schooling Show: [Website] [Scores]

Glen Oro Autumn Horse Trials: [Website] [Scores]

Flying Cross Farm Horse Trials: [Website] [Scores]

Alhambra Fall Event: [Website [Scores]

Cedar Ridge September Derby: [Website] [Scores]

The Event at Skyline: [Website] [Scores]

Aspen Farm Horse Trials: [Website] [Scores]

News & Reading

Starts today! We’re teaming up with Sentinel Horse Nutrition to give away a year’s worth of Sentinel Horse Feeds! This sweepstakes will open for entries today (September 15) and will close at 11:59 p.m. ET on October 6. You can full the full terms and conditions + enter for your chance to win a big break for your bank account here.

Would you try bridleless riding with your horse? Many an eventer has dabbled in this, and for Olympic eventer Sharon Hunt, switching the bit for the au natural look has worked wonders with one particular horse. Sharon tried out the swap on a horse that was having difficult stretching out and down and into the bridle. Once she tossed out the traditional approach, she began to notice a real change. Read more about the transformation here.

Popular Horse & Country series, Riding with the Reddens, is currently in the works for a third season. This show follows the Redden family and their eventing aspirations as they navigate the highs and lows of the sport. Read more about the faces in front of the camera here.

Ros Canter’s Defender Burghley win was out of this world for a multitude of reasons. Dive into some EquiRatings details about her and Lordships Graffalo’s repeat victory here.

Sponsor Corner: Morven Park Fall International CCI & H.T.

There’s loads of excitement building toward the US Equestrian Open of Eventing Final at Morven Park, October 9-12 in Leesburg, VA. With $200,000 + other cash bonuses and bragging rights on the line at this first-of-its-kind event, there’s not a moment to be missed. Entries are continuing to pile in, with prominent figures such as Boyd Martin and Tamie Smith set to make a run for the win. Don’t wait to grab your VIP tickets or reserve your free general admission tickets here!

Video Break

The love of the Thoroughbred ran deep this weekend at Cornbury House in the UK, which hosted the inaugural ARC Cornbury Racehorse to Eventer Challenge Cup.

Eventing Returns to the International Stage at Wesley Clover Parks

By on Sep 14, 2025 9:00 am -

An aerial view of Wesley Clover Parks. Photo by Randy Harquail.

Ottawa’s Wesley Clover Parks is stepping firmly onto the global map this fall as it welcomes international eventing back to Ottawa. From September 26–28, the facility will host its first FEI-sanctioned eventing competition (fresh off the heels of hosting the RBC Ottawa International CSI5* and CSI2*), the Eventing at the Park CCI1* CCI2* presented by Omega Alpha, running alongside the Eastern Canadian Eventing Championships.

This moment marks far more than another date on the calendar – it’s the realization of a bold vision for the 500-acre venue, one that positions Wesley Clover Parks as one of just three places in North America, and the only in Canada, to host international competition across all three Olympic equestrian disciplines: eventing, show jumping, and dressage.

The road to this point has been paved with significant investment and future-thinking ambition. Driven by a passion among organizing committee members and strengthened by generous local support, including the Laframboise Family Legacy Donation, Wesley Clover Parks has been steadily transforming its cross country footprint, with upgrades to turf footing, an expanded inventory of jumps, and a complete redesign of the water complex. These enhancements not only modernize the course but ensure that Canada continues to have a world-class destination for developing both horses and riders.

That commitment to the future is at the core of The Parks’ philosophy. At a time when eventing venues across North America are dwindling, this facility stands as a rare and vital resource: unique in its location in the heart of a major metropolitan area, yet expansive enough to offer galloping ground and challenging, championship-quality tracks. For riders and fans alike, it offers a blend of accessibility and top-level sport that is nearly unmatched.

“This is about more than just adding an FEI date,” explains Executive Director Karen Sparks. “It’s about building a sustainable future for equestrian sport in Canada and creating opportunities for the next generation of riders. Our long-term vision is to position Wesley Clover Parks as a hub for major international championships, while also keeping the community at the heart of what we do.”

Photo by Delaney Graham Photography.

Entries for Eventing at the Parks close September 19, with ribbons awarded to eighth place and prizes on offer. Competitor accommodations are available at the on-site campground or through partner hotels, and full details can be found at ottawaequestriantournaments.com.

For a sport that thrives on history, legacy, and vision, Wesley Clover Parks represents a future where Canada’s riders can once again take center stage at home. And this September, the journey begins.

Sunday Links

By on Sep 14, 2025 12:01 am -

Tearjerker alert! At this year’s American Eventing Championships, the USEA proudly presented the Adult Pony Rider Award in Memory of Avery Dudasch to none other than Vicki Dudasch, Avery’s mom. Vicki piloted Avery’s beloved Connemara pony, Gracefully Dun (now 19!), to a top-10 finish in the USEA Starter Amateur Championship, while also earning the honor of highest-placed pony in the division.

Avery valiantly battled a rare form of brain cancer before passing away in 2012 at just 11 years old. Two years later, this special award was created in her memory to celebrate adult riders and their pint-sized partners. Congratulations to Vicki, Grace, and the entire Dudasch family on this meaningful recognition.

Major International Events

Cornbury House Horse Trials: [Website] [Tickets] [Timetable] [Entries] [Timing & Scoring] [Live Stream]

U.S. Weekend Preview

The Fork at Tryon (NC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Maps] [Volunteer]

GMHA September H.T. (VT): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Maps] [Volunteer]

Bouckaert Farm Schooling Show: [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Glen Oro Autumn Horse Trials: [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [CrossCountryApp XC Maps]

Flying Cross Farm Horse Trials: [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [CrossCountryApp XC Maps]

Alhambra Fall Event: [Website [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [CrossCountryApp XC Maps]

Cedar Ridge September Derby: [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

The Event at Skyline: [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Scoring]

Aspen Farm Horse Trials: [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [CrossCountryApp XC Maps]

Links & Reading

‘Riders need to know their horses well’: watch Kitty King walk key fences on the Blenheim European Championships cross-country course

Mental Health and Burnout in the Equestrian World: USEA Grooms Program Roundtable

Horse Vs. Calendar: How Do I Keep It Together When The Plan Falls Apart?

Behind Every Brave Horse Kid Is A Brave Horse Parent

Video Break

A don’t-miss episode of the Dear Horse World podcast with 5* rider Matt Brown:

Seneca Valley Pony Club Hosts Successful Fall Event in its 36th Annual Year

By on Sep 13, 2025 9:00 am -

Photo by Amy Flemming-Waters.

Last weekend at Defender Burghley Horse Trials, I watched horses and riders tackle what’s considered the most demanding cross-country course in the world (I was watching online; sometime, I’d love to go in person!). It’s easy to forget, when you are watching the finished product at the top level, that these horses and their riders started somewhere. Lordships Graffalo was once a four-year-old contesting his first event. Ros Canter was once a child doing her first competition. It takes years—sometimes decades for the riders—to climb the levels and make it to a competition like Burghley.

But they all began somewhere.

That’s why I think it’s important to highlight our local events, where horses and riders are made, and where people are introduced to this wonderful sport. My first taste of eventing came as a pony clubber at my local pony club field, Bittersweet Field, which hosts a recognized Horse Trials each spring and fall.

Like owning an event horse, running an event is not exactly a money-making endeavor. The effort required to purchase and maintain the jumps, mow the facility, hire officials and course designers, aerate the ground, organize volunteers, and coordinate ride times and scheduling is no small feat (to be honest, I’m not sure how show secretaries stay sane creating and then shifting around everyone’s ride times!). The costs are astronomical, and I don’t think competitors always realize or appreciate what goes into these events when they just drive in and show up to compete for the day. There is a huge team working behind the scenes before, during, and after the event to allow everyone to compete successfully and safely.

Photo by Amy Flemming-Waters.

The Seneca Valley Pony Club Horse Trials is a great example of a local event with high standards and an army of dedicated volunteers. Located in the heart of Area II, within an hour of Washington, DC, the event hosts every level from Starter to Intermediate. Seneca has several Pony Club volunteers who have been giving their time and effort to the event for well over 20 years—as organizers, stewards, and volunteers in other various positions. Most of these volunteers started as members of the pony club, or parents of members, and many of them continue to volunteer their time years and years later.

But Seneca puts more than time into its event; it puts a huge number of resources into being a top-class facility. Recent improvements at the event include complete renovation of the water complex last winter, which required removing and replacing the old footing and liner; purchasing 23 new cross-country jumps; updating and re-painting 78 additional cross-country jumps; building a new “grob” mound complex with novel terrain, in honor of the late Packy McGaughan; and entirely refurbishing the show jumps.

Photo by Amy Flemming-Waters.

Of course, when a local event puts incredible time, effort, and money into a show, they hope to be supported with entries. The entry fees help to offset the costs of running the show, and for this club specifically, to help support pony club activities for members. At the recent event, the show received over 280 entries, which was a wonderful reward for all of the work put into the event.

So please support your local events—ride, compete, volunteer, sponsor—in any way that you can. At Seneca, all three phases are held on beautiful grass footing. You never know—there could be some future Burghley horses and riders doing their first events on that grass, the stars of the future for the years and decades to come.

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

By on Sep 13, 2025 12:01 am -

If you’re wanting to take a real peek into the mind of an important piece of one of the biggest events in the world, here’s a chance that doesn’t come around too often! The MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, presented by Brown Advisory, invites you to join cross country controller Richard Connelly for a seminar. The session will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 19 in the upstairs room of the Tea Barn. The cost to attend is $150 (includes lunch), and you can sign up to participate here.

Major International Events

Cornbury House Horse Trials: [Website] [Tickets] [Timetable] [Entries] [Timing & Scoring] [Live Stream]

U.S. Weekend Preview

The Fork at Tryon (NC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Maps] [Volunteer]

GMHA September H.T. (VT): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Maps] [Volunteer]

Bouckaert Farm Schooling Show: [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Glen Oro Autumn Horse Trials: [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [CrossCountryApp XC Maps]

Flying Cross Farm Horse Trials: [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [CrossCountryApp XC Maps]

Alhambra Fall Event: [Website [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [CrossCountryApp XC Maps]

Cedar Ridge September Derby: [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

The Event at Skyline: [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Scoring]

Aspen Farm Horse Trials: [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [CrossCountryApp XC Maps]

Links & Reading

A Look Back at the 2025 Mustang Classic

Eric Dierks Hosts Leslie Law Virtually on September 23

William Fox-Pitt asks ‘can we maintain Burghley entries?’

Picture Perfect: The Galloping Goddesses Win the 2025 Adams Horse Supply ATC Scavenger Hunt

Sponsor Corner: World Equestrian Brands

Give your horse the edge in recovery with Equilibrium Magnetic Therapy Boots, available on World Equestrian Brands. Featuring four movable VITAflex® magnets, these innovative boots allow you to target key areas of the leg—helping to support mobility, circulation, and tendon health.

Comfortable enough to wear overnight, they can be used as part of your horse’s daily routine, after a tough workout, or during periods of rest and limited turnout. Winner of the BETA Innovation Award 2019, they’re trusted for keeping horses feeling and performing their best.

[Learn more about Equilibrium Magnetic Therapy Boots here]

Video Break

Ride around Luhmühlen’s CCI4*-S track with Andrew Hoy and Vassily de Lassos:

India Scores a Ground-Breaking International Success at Cornbury House Horse Trials

By on Sep 12, 2025 2:49 pm -

Manvendra Singh and Grand Marnier. Photo by Peter Nixon.

Manvendra Singh became the first Indian event rider to win an FEI international class on British soil for many years when he took section J of the Uvex-sponsored CCI2*-S at Cornbury House Horse Trials in Oxfordshire on Declan and Kitty Cullen’s Grand Marnier. The pair completed on their dressage score of 31.7.

“It was great to have a horse like this and I really enjoyed the cross-country. I really owe everything to my coach [Declan],” said Manvendra, 22, who is based with the Cullens in Co Armagh. “I’ve been riding this horse for four months and it has been a great journey.”

Declan explained: “Manvendra’s horse got injured and my daughter, Kitty, said, ‘You can ride my horse. This is only Manvendra’s third event with Grand Marnier; he’s done a brilliant job and we’re buzzing.”

Another up-and-coming young competitor on a new ride, Josh Levett, scored in CCI2*-S section H aboard Amelia Ludiman and Susan Ridley’s Gortin House. They added just 0.4 of a cross-country time-fault to a dressage mark of 30.0.

“I didn’t know what to expect here, because I only started riding this horse three days ago,” said Josh. “She is a lovely, straightforward horse and jumps brilliantly, so I knew I would have a good chance, but there were a lot of unknowns.”

Britain’s Caroline Harris, who is about to make her senior championship debut at the Europeans at Blenheim next week, won CCI2*-S section I with Gail Sinclair’s Isington Girl Power on their 30.1 dressage.

“I didn’t expect to win – she’s a late starter so is a bit behind all of the other seven-year-olds as she had a foal when she was four,” said Caroline. “This was a lovely way to finish her season.

“We saw her advertised on Facebook – the owners were looking for a horse to produce and sell. She had a mega jump and we thought she looked pretty cool, but she is still for sale.

“Cornbury is so good for educating young horses. This mare has never seen anything like this and it has been great for her to learn in this atmosphere. The cross-country is a big, bold track and rewards by positive riding.”

Jesse Campbell and Speedwell. Photo by Peter Nixon.

New Zealand’s Jesse Campbell took top honours in Pragnell CCI3*-S section F aboard Karen Coumbe and Deborah Strang’s smart 11-year-old, Speedwell.

Fifth after the dressage on 29.9, they capitalised on a speedy double clear, picking up just 0.4 of a time-fault to win by 2.6 penalties, ahead of Tom McEwen and Maestro in second.

“He goes to Boekelo next for the Nations Cup and I wanted a competitive but good run, and Cornbury is a great event for setting horses up for three-day events at the end of the season,” said Jesse, who took on the ride of this gelding following the death of his wife, Georgie.

“Speedwell was produced by Georgie all the way up to four-star and it’s a real honour for me to ride him. She always said he would be the best horse in the world, and it’s amazing that I get to show people that. I love him – he’s a real trier, but also extremely talented.”

New Zealand’s Clarke Johnstone leads the way after the dressage and cross-country phases of the ARC Racehorse to Eventer Challenge with Sparky Lad. The 11-year-old Australian-bred and raced son of Smart Missile, owned by Tim Boland, finished comfortably inside the optimum time to maintain his dressage lead on a score of 26.2.

Clarke said: “I had a great round today. Sparky is always keen to run and I let him go; not too fast as he’s a very speedy little guy and his next aim is Strzegom CCI4*-L, but he jumped a great round. “We‘re obviously aware of the great prize pot for this class [£50,000], and so there is pressure that comes with it, but he’s a great jumper and we’ll be doing our best to jump clear tomorrow.”

The ARC Racehorse to Eventer Challenge Cup – the brainchild of Jayne McGivern of Dash Grange Stud – concludes on Saturday morning with the final showjumping phase, which takes place in reverse order. Saturday at Cornbury will also focus on the best young horses in the UK, with the cross-country phase of The Howden Way British National Championships for five- and six-year-olds taking centre stage.

As well as superb equestrian sport, featuring many of the world’s most famous riders, Cornbury Horse Horse Trials is an innovative and exciting blend of local, sustainable food and drink from our neighbouring farms, premium hospitality, and interactive children’s activities over the weekend of September 13-14, all in the stunning setting of Cornbury Park.

All the cross-country action from Cornbury House Horse Trials will be shown live on Horse & Country TV’s streaming platform H&C+.

To buy tickets, see timetables of each class and for more information, visit cornburyhousehorsetrials.co.uk.

Cornbury House Horse Trials: [Website] [Tickets] [Timetable] [Entries] [Timing & Scoring] [Live Stream]

Manton Foundation Announces Second $250,000 Grant for Frangible Technology

By on Sep 12, 2025 9:00 am -

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The USEA Foundation is honored and excited to announce a second grant of $250,000 from the Manton Foundation to help fund frangible technology on cross-country courses at eventing competitions in the United States. This funding is being supplied to match future donations in support of this important program. Frangible technology is used to make solid obstacles collapsable when impacted. When fences deform in this way, there is a reduced risk of horse and rider rotational falls and resulting harm.

In the last 10 years, the USEA Foundation has raised and distributed nearly $1 million to increase the use of frangible fences across the United States. This new gift from the Manton Foundation is an important part of refueling the Frangible Fund, but additional help is needed to keep this program running so that we can continue to supply new technology into the hands of our course builders. Frangible fences are expensive to build, and many of our earliest frangible tables and oxers are aging out and need replacement. The USEA Foundation is looking to the public to consider making matching donations to reach our goal of $500,000 in new funds.

To donate, please visit www.USEAFoundation.org to help keep our sport operating as safely as possible. In addition, sponsors are being sought for a frangible fundraising event at the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention in New Orleans in December. To help with that event or to suggest sponsors, please contact Katherine Cooper, USEA Foundation Development Officer, [email protected].

Friday News & Notes from Stable View

By on Sep 12, 2025 12:01 am -

With just a week to go until the European Championships at Blenheim palace, the excitement is palpable to say the least – helped along by the official Preview day, which took place earlier this week. Some very special guests (including our very own Tilly Berendt) were invited along for what looks to have been a very indulgent day and of course, the all important first look at Captain Mark Phillips’ course. Kitty King has walked the course too, and has very generously given us a sneak – albeit brief – preview of said course over on Horse & Hound.

We cannot wait to see what else Capt. Phillips he has got in store for competitors (find the confirmed entries here), and you can better your bottom dollar that EN will be the font of ALL knowledge next week, so keep it locked and loaded for all of the essential information ahead of the Opening Ceremony (which in itself sounds very fancy) next Wednesday – including our very own course preview….

Major International Events

Cornbury House Horse Trials: [Website] [Tickets] [Timetable] [Entries] [Timing & Scoring] [Live Stream]

U.S. Weekend Preview

The Fork at Tryon (NC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Maps] [Volunteer]

GMHA September H.T. (VT): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Maps] [Volunteer]

Bouckaert Farm Schooling Show: [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Glen Oro Autumn Horse Trials: [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [CrossCountryApp XC Maps]

Flying Cross Farm Horse Trials: [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [CrossCountryApp XC Maps]

Alhambra Fall Event: [Website [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [CrossCountryApp XC Maps]

Cedar Ridge September Derby: [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

The Event at Skyline: [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring]

Aspen Farm Horse Trials: [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [CrossCountryApp XC Maps]

News & Reading

The latest leg in the US Equestrian Open Eventing series kicks off today, at The Fork at Tyron. Diarmuid Byrne and Annie Bishop break down all of the notable entries in the latest edition of their partner podcast – with a specific focus on the very real threat that Boyd Martin will present to the current series leader Phillip Dutton, with a 42% combined win chance across the three horses he has entered. It’s set to be an exciting weekend!

He’s done it again. Harry Meade retains his FEI World Number One title for another month. Is it really all that much of a surprise? This is a man who can have three horses inside the Top Ten at Burghley Horse Trials, despite riding with a punctured lung and countless other injuries. We salute you, Sir.

Some people are just TOO talented. Not content with being a multi medalled Olympian, Tom McEwen is fast becoming an impressive presence in the world of pure show jumping too, bagging himself a qualifying ticket to the grade C championship at Horse of the Year Show next month. Showjumping and Eventing Gold next time out, Tom?

Sponsor Corner: Stable View

Stable View’s Sunken Road. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Get ready for a thrilling weekend at Stable View Oktoberfest (Sept. 26–28)! Course designers Mogie Bearden-Muller and Helen West have built tracks that promise both challenge and excitement. Riders at the 1*, Preliminary, and 2* levels will take on two water jumps—including a brand-new experience—and explore fresh sections of the property thanks to the Long Connector. The 4* division will bring the action right to the crowd, galloping through multiple arenas and tackling technical combinations on 500m of world-class all-weather footing, with $40,000 on the line.

Want the best seat in the house? VIP tickets are available for Saturday, Sept. 27, including a picnic lunch, complimentary beer and wine, and more. Don’t miss your chance to experience the atmosphere of Oktoberfest cross country in style! Purchase your tickets here.

Video Break

Cornbury Horse Trials is in full swing over in the UK, and with a whole crate of Hawkstone Lager on offer for the winner of the Leading Rider Prize, the competition between riders is hotting up to say the least. Or at least it is if you ask Tim Price…