Classic Eventing Nation

Friday News & Notes from World Equestrian Brands

By on Aug 2, 2019 12:03 am -

Jennie Brannigan supporting Thomas the Tank Engine at the Pan Ams. Photo by Jennie.

OK so the eventing portion of the Pan Ams start today and I honestly don’t think I’m the only one who is bummed that there isn’t a live stream, but luckily for you guys, EN has it locked and loaded for the fastest reports we can manage.

National Holiday: National Ice Cream Sandwich Day

Major Weekend Events:

Pan American Games: Website, Entries, Technical Manual, Dressage Individual Live Scores, Dressage Team Live Scores, Ultimate Guide, EN’s Coverage

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Millbrook H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Entry Status] [Scoring]

Cobblestone Farms H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

River Glen Summer H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times] [Scoring]

Catalpa Corner Charity Horse Trial [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Olney Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Scoring]

News from Around the Globe: 

Oh did you want more photos of the jogs at the Pan Ams from yesterday? Ask and ye shall receive, my friend. Keep tuned to the U.S. Eventing site and their social pages for photos and updates throughout the competition, they take pretty good photos I guess. [All Horses Through First Jogs]

We’ve heard of event riders getting weird and becoming FEI level Dressage riders, but have you heard of one going the OTHER way? I’m pretty sure that Lauren Chumley is one-of-a-kind, as a USDF Gold Medal Dressage rider with a business in the dressage world, but also secretly eventing on the side. Lauren just won her first CCI2*-S in fact at the Horse Park of New Jersey, riding Rita Reynolds’ mare Atlanta B. [Lauren Chumley Dances on the Dark Side]

Everybody loves their trainer, but here are some things you need to know that they may not have told you. Number one personal pet peeve: please be on your horse and warmed up at the start of the agreed upon lesson time. Do not still be brushing your horse off! Early is on time. Riding with other people is fine, but be honest about it so you can work on a cohesive training program all together. [8 Things Your Trainer Will Never Tell You]

Best of Blogs: Who You’d Find in the Nine Equine Circles of Hell

Pan Am Jog Day Social Media Roundup

By on Aug 1, 2019 8:39 pm -

Let’s get this show on the road! The first horse inspection for eventing at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru was held this morning and everyone seems eager to get the competition underway. From the jogs, to arena familiarization, to walking around the beautifully decorated cross country course, let’s a take a first hand look at the day’s happenings.

Pan American Games: Website, Entries, Technical Manual, Order of Go for First Horse Inspection, Ultimate Guide, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage

Posted by Silva Martin on Thursday, August 1, 2019

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calentamiento Vet Check

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Todos integrantes da Equipe Brasileira de CCE 🇧🇷passaram pela inspeção Veterinaria essa manhã em Lima – Peru 🇵🇪 . Segue horários e ordem do Time Brasil para prova de adestramento nesta sexta-feira 2/8/2019. Ruy Fonseca- 9.24 am ( horário 🇵🇪) 11.24 am (🇧🇷) 15.24(🇬🇧) Rafael Losano – 11.22am (🇵🇪) 13.22(🇧🇷) 17.22 (🇬🇧) Marcelo Tosi – 13.47 (🇵🇪) 15.47 (🇧🇷) 19.47 (🇬🇧) . Carlos Parro – 15.45 ( 🇵🇪) 17.45 (🇧🇷) 21.45 ( 🇬🇧) 🍀🍀🍀🤞🤞🤞🙏🙏🙏 💪 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷 @timebrasil @cbhoficial @ruyfonseca @rafa_losano @marceloequestrian @carlos_parro_bra #timebrasil #somostodosbrasil

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Vet check de prueba completa! Listos para mañana

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entrenamiento en cancha principal

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Um sonho adiado. Eu que depois de todas as seletivas e observatorias fui convocado como cavaleiro titular para os Jogos Panamericanos, ontem fui desconvocado e colocado na reserva. Meu cavalo chegou com febre da longa viagem até aqui e essa foi a brecha para me tirarem do time, já que nas pistas éramos sem dúvida o conjunto mais experiente, mais regular e um dos que tinha melhores resultados. Fico muito triste com tudo isso, pois tenho certeza que poderia ajudar muito o time a trazer a medalha e a vaga para as Olimpíadas de Tokyo. O sonho de carregar no peito uma medalha Panamericana foi adiado em pelo menos 4 anos. O que me conforta é saber que fiz tudo o que podia dentro das pistas. Não foi facil disputar as seletivas com minha égua no Brasil e com o Iberon na Europa. Foram periodos longe da família e do trabalho, mas toda minha equipe sabe que em momento algum faltou empenho máximo rumo a esse objetivo. Obrigado Iberon por me trazer ao topo do esporte mundial. Poucos cavalos chegaram em Olimpíada, Campeonato Mundial e Panamericano. Você é um guerreiro e que me surpreende a cada dia. Mesmo depois de chegar aqui com febre e todos te condenarem antecipadamente, em pouco dias já estava 100%, apto a competir e corcoveando a cada salto. Deus sabe o que faz e tudo deve ter um motivo maior, que hoje ainda não consigo entender. Admiro e respeito meus companheiros de equipe e tenho certeza que todos os conjuntos estão muito bem preparados para brigar pelo nosso objetivo maior que é a vaga Olímpica. Desejo toda sorte e estarei ao lado deles para torcer e ajudar no que for possível. Obrigado à minha família, minha equipe, a todos da Bom Sabor que me apoiaram e seguraram a onda nesse periodo. Agradeço aos amigos pelo apoio, pela torcida e pelo carinho! #panlima2019 #iberonjmen #gratidão @abcch_oficial @cbhoficial @chsa_oficial @samtonello

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Dream team 🇨🇦❤️

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At Lima Pan Am Games , amazing cross country course

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Local Sites & Colorful Delights: Pan American Games Cross Country Course Preview

By on Aug 1, 2019 6:03 pm -

Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Hello dear readers from the start box of the Pan American Games cross country course. Jose Ortelli (ARG), with input from advisor Pierre Michelet (FRA), has crafted a beautifully ornate track. Set to the CCI3*-L level, the course is abundantly charming, with designs and details that pay homage to the host nation including fences that imitate the Cathedral of Lima, Machu Picchu and more.

The track twists and turns as it reveals its many difficulties. With so many fences filling a winding track, Erik Duvander believes time will play a crucial role come Saturday.

“This course is the minimum length but has the maximum number of jumps, which makes it very twisty and technical. Time will be a huge factor,” he said, but the footing gives riders every opportunity to chase the clock.

“The cross country is the same grass that they had in Rio (for the 2016 Olympic Games), and it has a little bit of the same feel. I actually think that the root system is stronger, so it has more spring to it. It’s quite fast going,” Erik continued.

Riders have taken a tour of the colorful course, and Boyd Martin says it reminds him of Pau’s CCI5*-L track in France.

“It’s the maximum degree of difficulty for the three-star level and on top of that it’s quite a twisty course. It’s a bit more than what I expected to see. I think it’s harder than the course in Toronto (at the 2015 Pan American Games),” Boyd said. “It’s going to be a thrilling day on Saturday because there’s so many places you could have a mistake or slip over the time. We’re all on seasoned horses, but we’ve still got a tough mission ahead of us.”

Take a walk around this technicolor track with photos courtesy of Shannon Brinkman:

Pan American Games: Website, Entries, Technical Manual, Order of Go for First Horse Inspection, Ultimate Guide, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage

 

Let the Hunt for Shiny Objects Begin! U.S. & Canada All Clear at Pan Am Games First Horse Inspection

By on Aug 1, 2019 3:34 pm -

    This Chilean horse is all of us on the eve of the 2019 Pan American Games. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Did you know that humans are the only animals who have an obsession with shiny objects? There’s a popular misconception that magpies do as well, but science says that’s garbage, and barracuda are only attracted to sparkly things because they mistake them for delicious fish dinner. Humans, on the other hand, are drawn to all that glitters — from disco balls to diamond rings — like moths to a flame (to reference a bit of nature mythology that IS legit, as you know if you’ve ever seen those suicidal ding-dongs nosedive straight into a campfire.)

This week, no one is feeling the magnetic pull toward shiny objects stronger than the 10 eventing teams contesting the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. A gold or silver medal means 2020 Tokyo Olympic qualification, and since no countries from FEI Olympic Group D (North America) and E (Central and South America) qualified at the 2018 WEG Tryon, those medals are going to be a at a premium in Peru.

Who’ll be setting off the Lima airport metal detectors with their new gold jewelry come next Monday? We’ll find out soon enough, as eventing is officially underway.

I’m rooting for this one, honestly. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Forty-six horses, including five U.S. and four Canadian combinations, presented at the first horse inspection this morning at Equestrian Club Militar La Molina. Three horses were sent to the holding box: Jhonatan Fabian Rodriguez’s Caipirina from Colombia, Carlos Villarroel’s Quilano from Chile and Ricardo Jequier’s Barbecho from Chile. Caipirina and Quilano passed upon re-inspection and Barbecho was withdrawn; however, Chile presented five horses in total so will still have four horses competing. Mexican reserve rider Fernando Parroquin Delfin did not present Romana. All other horses passed.

Same team, different grey horse losing its damn mind. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Team USA jogged fifth of the 12 nations participating in the competition, with traveling reserves Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver leading off followed by Tamie Smith and Mai Baum, Lynn Symansky and RF Cool Play, Doug Payne and Starr Witness, and Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg.

Team USA:

“He’s just feeling the same as he does at home, which is pretty cool. He’s definitely been enjoying himself and feeling quite sassy. He had a jump today and felt brilliant.” — Liz Halliday-Sharp with Cooley Quicksilver. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

“When we arrived here and it’s winter, they’ve all been pretty fresh, and he’s extra very high-headed and feeling really great. But he’s really taking in all the sights and loving that they’ve thrown quite the party for him.” — Tamie Smith with Mai Baum. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

“He’s a very brave cross-country horse. He’s a huge galloper, which I think sometimes is hard on a track like this because you’re turning so much.” — Lynn Symansky with RF Cool Play. Shoulda brought Donner, Lynn! He’d fit right in at this jog. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

“I think she’s in a great place to put in a very competitive performance. The first minute or so cross-country she’s going to have an eyeful, but I think she’s absolutely confident.” — Doug Payne with Starr Witness. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

“He has a German pedigree but an American spirit.” — Boyd Martin with Tsetserleg. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Canada and Brazil already had their Rio Olympic qualifications in hand ahead of the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, but not so this go-round. They’ll be battling it for a slice of sparkle pie as well, and both are represented by strong squads.

Team Canada:

Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Dana Cook and Mississippi. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

What a unique coat! Dana Cook and Mississippi. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Colleen Loach and FE Golden Eye. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Forty-two horses will compete on dressage day tomorrow, which begins at 10 a.m. We’ll be along later today with a cross country course preview so do check back. Until then, Go Eventing!

A few more photos from the indomitable Shannon Brinkman for you to Peru-se (har har — you miss Jenni already, don’t you):

If you have a thing for horses AND men in uniform, the Pan Am Games is the event for you. Team Mexico’s M. Guillermo De Camp and Quelite. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

“Can you not just act normal for one moment?” Team Chile’s Ricardo Aliro Jequier Durán and Barbecho. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

But the Best Dressed Award goes to … Equador individual competitor Carlos Alfred Narvaez and Que Loco. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

South American sweater game strong. Team Guatemala’s Stefanie Brand Leu and Ginifer Palo Blanco. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

By my count, every horse on Team Chile had a complete come-apart at some point during the jog. Team Chile’s Guillermo Garín Heyermann and Bipolar. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Smooch! These equine athletes with their part-time modeling careers owe it all to their hardworking grooms. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

These braids. Team Guatemala’s Carlos Gonzolo Sueiras Lemus and Valentina RN. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

One more, just for kicks! Team Argentina’s Ignacio Jose Zone and Remonta San Jorge. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Pan American Games: Website, Entries, Technical Manual, Dressage Individual Live Scores, Dressage Team Live Scores, Ultimate Guide, EN’s Coverage

 

Thursday Video from Ecovet: Pan Am Table Talk with Team USA

By on Aug 1, 2019 1:00 pm -

Hear from the #USAEventing Team 🇺🇸 ahead of the competition to get their thoughts on the venue, what they think about the cross-country course, and more ⬇️ #Lima2019 #TeamUSA

Posted by USA Eventing on Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Our U.S. team sits down to talk about all things Pan Ams including the venue in Lima, the cross country course and more in a press conference held yesterday. We listen in on what they’re thinking ahead of this week’s challenge.

Team USA and Team Canada were all clear through the first horse inspection this morning. We’ll be along soon with a full report and photo gallery!

Pan American Games: Website, Entries, Technical Manual, Order of Go for First Horse Inspection, Ultimate Guide, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage

Ecovet is the first fatty-acid fly repellent for horses. Tested and endorsed by veterinarians, Ecovet provides a real alternative to toxic pesticides. Learn more at eco-vet.com.  

By the Numbers: Millbrook Advanced

By on Aug 1, 2019 9:13 am -

New York’s Millbrook Horse Trials has been the kick-off to the U.S. fall season for many years now, with riders using it as a key run for horses headed to long-format events in the coming months. As the only Advanced event on the East Coast in this timeframe, Millbrook consistently draws a large field with plenty of big names.

Two days of Advanced dressage kick off at 10 a.m. Thursday, followed by cross country on Saturday and show jumping on Sunday. EN’s own Abby Powell will be bringing us all the latest from Millbrook 2019, so keep it locked here!

#Millbrook: Website, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram

Millbrook as seen from above. Photo by Dan Cohen.

The Event

  • Only 2.1% of starters (five pairs) have finished on their dressage score in the last five runnings of this event, out of 229.
  • Only 10 pairs have made the time on cross country out of 209 cross-country starters over five years.
  • The winner of the Advanced hasn’t been worse than fifth after dressage since before 2014.

Buck Davidson and Carlevo. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Dressage Divas

  • Carlevo is the horse to beat in the first phase, ridden by Buck Davidson. This pair has scored in the 20s in every Advanced and 4*-S/L start since the fall of 2017. They own the best two-year dressage average in the field at this level of 28.0 penalties.
  • Buck Davidson also brings a heavy hitter forward in Copper Beach, who is less consistent than his stablemate but can get closer to the 75% mark. Although he’s had some scores in the low 30s this spring, he clocked in a 26.7 at Rocking Horse Advanced earlier this year.
  • Buck really performs well at Millbrook typically, and his Burghley-aimed ride Jak My Style should step up to the plate as well. In three starts at A/4*-S/L in 2019, the Thoroughbred has dropped his score with each progressive outing and sits on an average of 31.2 penalties for the level under Buck.
  • Business Ben and Allison Springer are another pair that prove Thoroughbreds can get top scores on the flat; in eight starts at the level since 2018, Business Ben has averaged only 31.9 penalties and cracked the 70% mark at Fair Hill earlier this year.
  • Whitney Mahloch and her (Thoroughbred!) Military Mind have been no stranger to the top of the leaderboard after the first phase as well; he’s cracked 70% in three of his five starts at the level over the past two years and rarely scores worse than a 33.

Whitney Mahloch and Military Mind. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Cross Country Machines

  • Military Mind is the one to watch for the fastest round of the day; he and Whitney Mahloch have clocked in the fastest time of the day in six of their eight career clear cross-country rounds. In the two finishes that they weren’t the fastest of the day, they still finished inside the time.
  • Fylicia Barr and Galloway Sunrise have garnered three top three finishes at this level in part thanks to their quick turn of foot; they have clocked in the fastest round of the day or made the time in four of their seven clear rounds at the level.
  • Buck Davidson has used Jak My Style‘s speed to good effect; for their three Advanced starts in the past two years they have finished within five seconds of the fastest time in two of them.
  • Will Coleman with DonDante and Phillip Dutton with Sea of Clouds have both shown quick paces in the horses’ first starts at the top level.

Will Coleman and Tight Lines. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Show Jumping Powerhouses

  • Tight Lines is a very good show jumping horse at A/4*-S level; under Will Coleman he has never had more than one rail at these levels and they have jumped clear in their last five consecutive A/4*-S rounds.
  • Phillip Dutton has another crack jumper in his stable in Fernhill Singapore, who has now jumped clear in all five of his starts at the A/4*-S level.
  • DonDante under Will Coleman has added nothing in the show jumping phase in his first two starts at the level.
  • Ms. Poppins has added only one rail in four rounds at this level with Allie Knowles.

Buck Davidson and Jak My Style. Photo by Jenni Autry.

PREDICTED WINNER: Buck Davidson and Jak My Style

Keep Your Eye On:

  • Will Faudree and Pfun/Michel 233
  • Buck Davidson and Carlevo/Copper Beach/Park Trader
  • Will Coleman and Tight Lines/DonDante
  • Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan

Footing First: MARS Great Meadow International Rolls Out Major Irrigation Upgrades

By on Aug 1, 2019 8:00 am -

Photo courtesy of Great Meadow.

Held Aug. 22-25 in The Plains, Virginia, the completely revamped MARS Great Meadow International is right around the corner. With a new date and new levels, the GMI team has been hard at work to give spectators and competitors a world-class event, and excellent footing was at the top of their list.

Summer in Virginia is tough on footing — literally — but thanks to new, innovative irrigation practices, the ground at Great Meadow is unbeatable, even in Virginia, even in August. 

For starters, a huge chunk of the course is run on the steeplechase track, which is known among the racing community for its reliable footing. Beneath the 30 years of established turf is an intricate system of drainage tiles to ensure that the footing is pristine even in wet conditions. This section of the property is fully irrigated with massive water reels which act as giant sprinklers. 

From there, the track snakes into the newer section of the course, previously known as Fleming Farm. This area was completely renovated last fall, aerated and  planted with a heavy overseed blend of Bluegrass, turf fescues and perennial ryegrasses. Since planting, the land here has been managed with a very aggressive mowing program.

The newest addition to the land management line up is the SumiRain. Imported from Australia, SumiRain is an irrigation system that is designed to water a precise path without the installation of underground pipes. Each 50 meter perforated hose throws a steady, soaking spray 10 meters on either side, exactly the width of the gallop track. In addition to its accuracy, this system is eco-friendly, using only the amount of water needed with little to no waste. Great Meadow is the first venue in the country to utilize SumiRain irrigation hoses.

Interested competitors should move quickly, the closing date is next Tuesday, Aug. 6. Dressage will be held Thursday for the two- and three-star divisions, and Friday for the four-star riders. All divisions will show jump Saturday. The two-star division will run cross country Saturday afternoon, while the three- and four-star division’s cross country will be held Sunday.

EQSportsNet is the official live stream partner, and will provide wall-to-wall coverage of the CCI4*-S class, as well as the show jumping and cross country phases of the CCI3*-S.

General admission tickets are still available and can be purchased at this link. Spectators who bring donations, such as pet food and other needed shelter supplies, will receive free admission to the competition.

For those wanting access to the Patrons Marquee, hospitality packages include seating for Thursday morning dressage; a buffet lunch and hors d’oeuvre reception on Friday; breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday; and brunch on Sunday. Click here to view hospitality package options.

MARSGMI: Website, Schedule, Entries

 

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

By on Aug 1, 2019 12:03 am -

I got goats. Photo by Kate Samuels.

So, at one point I had only two horses in my barn, and I needed a companion so you could take one horse away to a show and the other one wouldn’t be lonely. So I got a miniature donkey, because he seemed to be the lowest cost companion alternative, and he worked great for a few years. Now, however, I have a group of horses who are NOT nice to the donkey, and the poor donkey has to live alone in a paddock and he is quite sad. Also, side note, this donkey does not like other donkeys, so obviously he has to now have goats for companionship. Hence how I ended up with three goats as companions for my companion animal.

National Holiday: National IPA Day

Major Weekend Events:

Pan American Games: Website, Entries, Technical Manual, Order of Go for First Horse Inspection, Live Scores, Ultimate Guide, EN’s Coverage

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Millbrook H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Entry Status] [Scoring]

Cobblestone Farms H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

River Glen Summer H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times] [Scoring]

Catalpa Corner Charity Horse Trial [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Olney Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Scoring]

News from Around the Globe: 

Heading to New York’s Millbrook Horse Trials? On Thursday evening at around 5 p.m., Emerald Valley Equine Nutrition, a Gold Medal MHT Sponsor, will host a Novice level course walk with 5* rider Ariel Grald. Open to all, and attendees will receive a free goodie bag of fantastic Emerald Valley samples. Walk your course and get advice on how to ride the course from Ariel! [Millbrook Horse Trials]

Oh, Mark Todd. How will we ever pay proper tribute to you? A storied career that spanned six Olympic medals, four World medals, five Burghley wins and four Badminton trophies, what can we really say? Nothing except treasure the times we’ve seen you in action, and maybe look at some really great photos from long ago when eventing was an entirely different sport and you still kicked ass. [Photo Tribute to Mark Todd]

Team USA is putting in good work already at the Pan Ams, with the dressage team landing team silver this week. The U.S. Dressage Team posted strong performances on the final day of team competition at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games, earning team silver with an overall score of 437.791 after two days of intense competition. Canada was presented with the gold medal after finishing on a 440.111, securing a coveted qualification for Tokyo 2020, alongside Brazil, who collected bronze with a score of 408.696. [US Team Garners Silver]

Ahhh … the Pre-Purchase Exam. Has there ever been anything so controversial in the world of horses? Probably not. While getting a PPE is recommended in all cases, the use of context, common sense, and perspective are all active ingredients in getting what you need out of the examination. Don’t go into the experience as a buyer without reading this article. [Putting the Perspective in the PPE]

Featured Video:

Millbrook Horse Trials 2019 from Marion Latta de Vogel on Vimeo.

WEG Silver Medallists Ireland Announce European Championships Team [Updated: 8/8]

By on Jul 31, 2019 8:51 pm -

Cathal Daniels and Rioghan Rua. Photo by Katie Neat Photography.

A second team has been announced for the forthcoming FEI European Championships, to be held at northern Germany’s Turniergëlande Luhmühlen from the 28th of August through the 1st of September. As team silver medallists at last year’s World Equestrian Games, Ireland have secured their qualification for next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, and they certainly haven’t been resting on their laurels since then. The announcement comes just days after the Irish team took silver at their home Nations Cup at Camphire, while Sam Watson won his second four-star of the year with Imperial Sky.

Five riders and six horses have been named to the Irish squad, of which five combinations will ultimately travel to Germany and four will be named to the team. Congratulations to:

  • Clare Abbott and Euro Prince, owned by Cormac McKay
  • Cathal Daniels and Rioghan Rua, owned by Frank and Margaret Kinsella
  • Sarah Ennis and Woodcourt Garrison, owned by Breda Kennedy
  • Ciaran Glynn and November Night, owned by Susanna Francke and Peter Cole
  • Sam Watson and Imperial Sky, owned by Cathy Byrne and Hannah Watson, or Tullabeg Flamenco, owned by Vahe Bogossian

[8/2 update: Tony Kennedy and Westeria Lane will replace Clare Abbott and Europrince on the squad after Europrince picked up an injury. Irish eventing team manager Sally Corscadden announced, “Stepping up to join the squad will be U25 rider Tony Kennedy and his experienced horse Wisteria Lane. We are very fortunate to have a combination that have already successfully completed Luhmühlen this year finishing a very credible 14th. Tony was a member of the bronze medal winning Young Rider (U21) team at the Strzegom Europeans in 2015 alongside teammate Cathal Daniels. This is a great opportunity for Tony to debut on a senior team.” The updated squad is Cathal Daniels riding Rioghan Rua, Sarah Ennis riding Woodcourt Garrison, Ciaran Glynn riding November Night, Tony Kennedy riding Westeria Lane and Sam Watson riding Imperial Sky. [Horse Sport Ireland]

“This year has been about building on our success from the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, where Ireland won Team and Individual Silver Medals and became the first Irish sports team to secure Olympic qualification for Tokyo 2020,” says High-Performance Eventing Director Sally Corscadden. “The bar in European eventing is set very high, so we are sending experienced combinations to represent Team Ireland at the Europeans. We can be full of confidence going to Luhmühlen with four-star international wins earlier in the year from European squad member Sam Watson, and a great team result last weekend at our home Nations Cup in Camphire.”

Just one combination on the list contested last year’s WEG – Cathal Daniels and his feisty mare Rioghan Rua finished 26th individually, and have since finished sixth in the Event Rider Masters at Chatsworth, before going on to win Bramham’s under-25 CCI4*-L. Both Sam Watson and Sarah Ennis featured on the team at Tryon, though on different horses – Sam rode Ardagh Highlight, while Sarah rode her long-time partner Horseware Stellor Rebound.

“Fellow European squad members, Ciaran Glynn and Clare Abbott produced top-class performances in Badminton, one of only six annual International five-star events, and Sarah Ennis, part of the silver medal-winning WEG team, is a proven Championship rider,” continues Sally.

The team will be accompanied by a full bevy of support staff, including Grant Wilson, who takes over as showjumping coach from Ian Fearon. The Irish team will be aiming for its first European Championships podium finish since 1995, when they took team bronze and individual gold (Lucy Thompson and Welton Romance) at Italy’s Pratoni del Vivaro.

[Olympians and World Champions among Senior Eventing Squad named for the European Championships]

Team USA’s Sarah Lockman Unlocks Individual Dressage Gold at Pan Am Games

By on Jul 31, 2019 6:07 pm -

On the 2019 Pan American Games individual dressage podium: L to R – silver medallist Tina Irwin (CAN), gold medallist Sarah Lockman (USA) and bronze medallist Jennifer Baumert (USA). Photo: FEI/Daniel Apuy, Getty images.

It was Team USA on the top step of the Pan American Games podium today when Sarah Lockman steered the lovely chestnut stallion First Apple to clinch individual dressage gold. A superb score of 78.98 in the Intermediate l Freestyle clinched it for the 30-year-old who pipped Canada’s Tina Irwin and Laurencio by just over a single percentage point, while Lockman’s teammate Jennifer Baumert claimed the bronze with her gelding Handsome.

This was America’s ninth individual dressage title in the history of equestrian sport at the Pan Am Games, which dates back to Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1951. And Lockman made it a U.S. three-in-a-row as compatriot Steffen Peters posted a consecutive double at Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2011 and Toronto, Canada, in 2015.

Photo by Vidal Tarqui / Lima 2019.

Both Small Tour and Big Tour combinations compete at the Pan Ams, and the Small Tour riders were first to battle it out in the Intermediate l Freestyle today. Just four horse-and-rider partnerships contested the higher-level Big Tour class that followed, but the medals were decided by the biggest scores on the day, regardless of the category, and it was Small Tour contenders Lockman, Irwin and Baumert who posted those to claim the top three steps of the podium.

Team USA’s Jennifer Baumert claimed the bronze with Handsome. Photo by Vidal Tarqui / Lima 2019.

The USA was never eligible for one of the two Olympic team qualifying spots on offer because they sent just three Small Tour riders to Lima. They already had their Tokyo ticket in the bag after claiming silver at last year’s FEI World Equestrian Games on home soil in Tryon and were quite happy to settle for silver in the team competition won by Canada on Monday.

But today they were gunning for the gold and they got it, thanks to a stunning performance from team debutante Lockman and her sensational nine-year-old Dutch stallion which is owned by Gerry Ibanez. Judges Thomas Kessler (GER), Mary Seefried (AUS), Eduard De Wolff Van Westerrode (NED) and Janet Lee Foy (USA) all put the American first, while Canada’s Brenda Minor placed her second, and the winner achieved high marks for Degree of Difficulty from all five judges, including a nine from Kessler.

Jennifer Baumert and Handsome. Photo by Vidal Tarqui / Lima 2019.

“I’m over the moon excited about it!” Lockman said. “It’s everything I ever dreamed of and wanted, and I’m so proud of my horse and grateful to everybody who helped me get here and the whole support staff that have been here helping me at my first ever Games experience — it’s been truly unforgettable!”

Irwin and Laurencio, members of Canada’s gold-medal-winning team on Monday, put a strong 77.78 on the board to hold second spot, and when Baumert and Handsome slotted into third on 75.755 then all three medal contenders had an anxious wait while the Big Tour foursome strutted their stuff in the Grand Prix Freestyle. And Dominican Republic’s Yvonne Losos De Muñiz put in a strong challenge here with her 14-year-old mare, Aquamarijn, but when the scoreboard showed 75.43 she just missed out on the podium and the top three wouldn’t change.

Yvonne Losos De Muñiz and Aquamarijn. Photo by Vidal Tarqui / Lima 2019.

US Chef d’Equipe Debbie McDonald, who with the great mare Brentina was double-gold medallist at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada, in 1999, couldn’t hold back her tears of delight. Lockman described the motivation her team leader has been providing throughout these Games.

“Debbie has been sending us some really amazing quotes and I think I’m going to have to have one put up in my barn and on my mirror … she told us ‘you are what you believe, and preparation is everything and you can really do it, and to work to the very last moment for it.’ I’m so thankful to her for the leadership, and to my coach Scott Hassler for his encouraging words leading up to this which have helped me handle the pressure and figure my way through my first Games!” said the new Pan American individual dressage champion.

View complete results here.

[Pan American Games Lima 2019: Americans turn the tables to take Dressage Individual gold and bronze]

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