Classic Eventing Nation

Friday News & Notes from Stable View

By on Jun 7, 2024 12:01 am -

Ladies and gentlemen, he’s back! Again! Who’s he, I hear you cry! Only Shane Rose, the very same Shane Rose who was left pretty badly smashed up after a seriously heavy fall back in March. A whopping eighteen breaks in total, including his femur, pelvis, three in his elbow and various bones in his back left him bed bound and unable to weight bear for four weeks.

For lesser minded individuals, that would have put an end to the Olympic dream but Shane, who had confirmed his Olympic Qualification before the fall, just used the short time frame as the focus and incentive for his recovery.

Now he is firmly back in the saddle and competing in an Olympic Qualifier this weekend, over in his native Australia. Consider our minds blown: that is what we call a remarkable – miraculous perhaps – recovery. Mr Rose, we salute you. See you in Paris!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Golden Spike H.T. (Ogden, UT) [Website] [Entries/ Ride Times/ Scoring]

Cobblestone Farms H.T. I (Chelsea, MI) [Website] [Entries/ Ride Times/ Scoring]

Middleburg H.T. (The Plains, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Mill Creek Pony Club Horse Trials (Kansas City, MO) [Website] [Entries/ Ride Times/ Scoring]

Apple Knoll Farm H.T. (Millis, MA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Major International Events

MARS Bromont CCI (Quebec, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Dressage Times] [Scoring] [Live Stream]

Bramham International (West Yorkshire, UK) [Website] [Entries/ Ride Times/ Scoring]

FEI Nations Cup Avenches (Aveches, SUI) [Website] [Entries/ Ride Times/ Scoring]

Friday News and Reading

It’s giveaway time! EcoVet is giving away a bottle of their amazing fly spray. The first fatty-acid fly repellent for horses, this unique fly spray is veterinarian-approved and used by 5* eventers across the USA.

Winning is easy! Simply fill out the form in our June 10th ICYMI newsletter. Sign up for our weekly newsletter here because free is every equestrian’s favorite price.

This year marks the 140th Anniversary of Horse & Hound Magazine, and to mark the occasion, they are looking back at various equine legends. So far they have covered Jeanette Brakewell’s quirky superstar, Over to You, and this week it is the turn of dual Badminton winner, High and Mighty. It’s always fun to take a trip down memory lane, and even more so when it involves revisiting stories like these. Keep it coming, H&H!

It’s always fun when top fashion houses look to the horse world for inspiration for their collections It seems barely a season goes by without riding boots and jodhpurs, in some form or another, frequenting the catwalks – all in the name of fashuuun, darling. But when – and why – did this merging of the two worlds begin? It’s a fascinating history and actually, when broken down like this, one that makes perfect sense.

The EquiRatings Eventing Podcast are spoiling us this week, with a slew of top quality content. Two particularly standout shows are this audio masterclass (is there such thing?!) with two utter legends, Andrew Hoy and Christoph Hess, and if that wasn’t inspiration enough, then wrap your ears around the latest Horse of a Lifetime show with Sarah Ennis, telling the story of Horseware Stellar Rebound, aka “Rocket.” A reminder of what makes our sport – and horses in general – so bloody special, and motivation -if it’s needed – to keep going, even when we don’t feel like it.

How has it been a month since Badminton?! Time is flyyyyiiinnnggg by, but for the delightful Lucy Latta, who finished runner up on her first ever run at 5*, I have no doubt that the memory is still as fresh as ever. Such was the fairytale of that result that she made it onto the national news in her native Ireland. Enjoy this flashback to Badminton, in Lucy’s own words. A story that I for one, never tire of hearing.

Sponsor Corner

The USEA/USEF Summer Horse Trials at Stable View is the final outing for the US Olympic Team hopefuls! Come and watch the best of the best tackle Stable View’s course before they fly off to France đŸ„–đŸ· VIP ticket holders receive access to the Pavilion with a 360-degree view, lunch catered by Blue Collard beverages, and Stable View swag! More details here!

Weekend Watching

Some good news to start your weekend off right. Remember the horrific incident that saw several Household Cavalry Horses running through the streets of London, covered in blood?! Well, they have all made a full recovery, and making the most of their time in respite care. Who doesn’t love a happy ending?

We are pleased to announce that the soldiers and horses injured in London, are continuing to make remarkable progress in their recovery.

For the horses, this is thanks in no small part to the excellent in-house care they’ve received from our own dedicated veterinary surgeons and the amazing specialist support provided by The Horse Trust.

Three of the horses injured in the incident are now back on duty and are looking likely to take part in the King’s Birthday Parade. Vida and Quaker are resting in the country but look set to return to work in due course.

Three of the injured soldiers are back on duty and two are continuing to recover but are also expected to make a full return to service.

We are so thankful for everyone’s concern and expressions of support, and for all those involved in their care.

Read more âŹ‡ïž
https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/news/2024/06/cavalry-horses-injured-in-london-given-respite-care-by-the-horse-trust?utm_source=BritishArmy_Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_subject=HorsesLondon&utm_campaign=People

Posted by British Army on Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Shannon Lilley Takes Day One Lead in MARS Bromont CCI4*-L

By on Jun 6, 2024 6:11 pm -

Shannon Lilly and Eindhoven Garette. Photo by Cealy Tetley Photography.

With half of the headlining CCI4*-L division completing their dressage tests on Thursday at MARS Bromont CCI, the early leader has emerged in Shannon Lilley and her own Eindhoven Garrette (Iowa 960 – Rose Rouge Garette, by Manillon Rouge), who earned a mark of 33.8 from judges Peter Gray (CAN), Bea di Grazia (USA), Christian Steiner (AUT).

The 10-year-old Selle Francais gelding earned his most competitive score at the CCI4* level today, topping a previous best score at the Lexington CCI4*-S in April (34.9) and validating the effort Shannon, who is well-respected for her prowess at producing horses, has put in throughout her partnership as the horse matured and “bought in” to the partnership with his trust.

“He took a little while to develop in the beginning, the first couple of years,” Shannon remarked. She originally sourced Eindhoven Garette from JP Sheffield and Dirk Schrade in Europe and purchased him on the recommendation of longtime coach Buck Davidson. “Since then he’s sort of clicked in and he’s been amazing. He’s come a very long way in the last six, seven months, since Morven Park. He went around Morven Four-long really well, and he’s now come so far in the dressage, it’s really incredible.”

Shannon prepped for MARS Bromont, which has always been her goal for this spring season with this horse, with a trip to the Lexington CCI4*-S, which is run alongside the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*. Her plan was to just practice dressage in Kentucky, taking advantage of the atmospheric Rolex Stadium.

“He was super in that atmosphere and that was sort of the plan: to go and to get him in that ring and feel good about it, and he was great. Today I thought he was even better; the parts that were good were better and then there were a couple parts that need improvement, but we always need that.”

Olivia Dutton and Sea of Clouds. Photo by Cealy Tetley Photography.

Shannon looks ahead to Derek di Grazia’s cross country track, which she’ll be tackling on Saturday, feeling positively. “He looks like an overgrown pony and he’s not; he’s so athletic, he’s like riding a little sports car,” she said of her horse. “He’s quite sharp. And he’s settled a lot in his brain and in his body over the last six months, but he is sharp and very quick. He’s got a huge amount of jump and gallop, and so to be able to get him to relax and move through his back in [the dressage] has been challenging. But he’s really brave, and he’s fast and he’s quite accurate. I’m excited to do the cross country on him.”

Olivia Dutton is making her CCI4*-L debut this weekend aboard The Sea of Clouds Partnership’s Sea of Clouds, a former racehorse previously campaigned to the CCI5* level by her father and seven-time Olympian Phillip Dutton, who is here coaching her. As the first to go in the division Thursday afternoon, Dutton impressed the ground jury for a score of 34.5 to hold the lead for the majority of the day before being overtaken by Shannon.

Alexa Thompson and Just To Be Clear. Photo by Cealy Tetley Photography.

Alexa Thompson is also making her first CCI4*-L start at MARS Bromont, piloting her own Dutch Warmblood gelding, Just To Be Clear, to third place overnight on a score of 36.0 with a test that featured some lovely, relaxed movements and strong harmony.

There are still eight pairs remaining to see in this division, and those combinations will ride their dressage tests on Friday afternoon following the CCI4*-S dressage.

Several riders who received grants from the MARS Bromont Rising program, administered by the USEA Foundation, have been taking advantage of coaching from Bettina Hoy as well as educational seminars hosted by Peter Gray and Derek di Grazia. This program is a wonderful, well-rounded effort that aims to provide young riders with tools they need to succeed not just in the ring, but within the industry as a whole.

Don’t forget to tune in to the free live stream from MARS Bromont all weekend, both on the Bromont YouTube channel as well as Horse & Country.

We’ll be back tomorrow evening with much more from the conclusion of dressage, as well as a preview of what Derek has in store for the competitors on cross country, so stay tuned!

And before I go, a little humor for you in celebration of Lauren Nicholson’s birthday:

Division Leaders after Thursday

Sara Schulman and Cooley Chromatic. Photo by Cealy Tetley Photography.

CCI3*-L: Sara Schulman and Cooley Chromatic (26.4)
U25 CCI3*-L: Katie Lichten and HTS Jensen R (29.1)
CCI2*-L: Boyd Martin and Kolbeinn (21.7)
U25 CCI2*-L: Claire Strehlow and Seabanks Theygo (30.5)

MARS Bromont CCI (Quebec, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Dressage Times] [Scoring] [Live Stream]

Thursday at Bramham: Ros Canter Delivers Only CCI4*-L Sub-30, Ryuzo Kitajima Heads CCI4*-S

By on Jun 6, 2024 4:54 pm -

The first day of dressage is done and dusted at the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials, tucked in the rolling hills of England’s West Yorkshire countryside – and that means we’ve got our initial line-up of clubhouse leaders, who tomorrow’s competitors will have to try to usurp.

Chief among those is the overnight leader of the feature class, the 31-strong CCI4*-L. Though there’s a diminished field of entries in this class this year, the competition itself doesn’t look to be any less fierce than usual; over the course of today’s seventeen tests, just one combination were awarded enough good marks to break the 30 barrier. That was Ros Canter and the up-and-coming MHS Seventeen, who take the lead on their score of 29.9, putting them 2.3 marks clear of second-placed Selina Milnes and her 2023 CCI4*-S champion Cooley Snapchat on 32.2.

“I’m delighted with MHS Seventeen today,” says Ros of the eleven-year-old gelding, who was produced by Sara Bowe and Nicola Wilson, and whom Ros took the reins of after Nicola’s fall in 2022. He stepped up to CCI4*-S just last season and had his first run at the level at Bramham, and though his was an educational, rather than a competitive, outing, with 40 cross-country jumping penalties and a fair helping of time penalties, too, he came on leaps and bounds from the experience and has logged five top ten finishes out of his six four-star runs since. (The other run? A steady clear for 13th place in a huge field at Thoresby this spring, so hardly a bad mark on his form.)

“He did a personal best at Bicton [where he scored a 25.4 in the CCI4*-S] and has come out and performed to that quality again. He’s a lovely horse who’s growing in confidence all of the time,” says Ros.

Ros will return to the ring in this class tomorrow with her Paris hopeful, European Champion Lordships Graffalo – though whether she’ll run him on Saturday or save him for a run at LuhmĂŒhlen, where he’s also entered in the CCI4*-S, remains to be seen.

Rounding out the top three in this class is Tom Jackson and Plot Twist B, who scored a 33.5 to sneak ahead of provisionally fourth-placed Oliver Townend and Crazy du Loir on 33.8 and fifth-placed Allie Knowles and Morswood for the USA on 34. That’s the first of two appearances in the top ten for the Stars and Stripes: Tiana Coudray currently sits seventh with the smart grey D’Artagnan on a score of 35.1.

Just four of the nine partnerships in the under-24 CCI4*-L class took to the ring today, and at this early stage, it’s 25-year-old Izzy White and Icarus who lead the way on a 36.3. This is a CCI4*-L debut for the eleven-year-old Dutch-bred gelding, who’s only ever had one blip on his international cross-country record, and a return to the level for the first time in nearly five years for his rider, who was a top-ten finisher at Ballindenisk in 2019 on her sole previous attempt. She’s followed by five-star partnership Emma Thomas and The Buzz Factor in overnight second on 37.2, while the USA’s Cassie Sanger sits third on a 42.4 with the first of her two riders, Redfield Fyre. Tom Bird rounds out the leaderboard so far in fourth on a 43.5 with the experienced Cowling Hot Gossip.

There’s a much bigger line-up in the CCI4*-S, which is also serving as a key stepping stone on the pathway to Paris for riders from a variety of nations – not least the strong Dutch contingent, who rerouted here after the abandonment of their mandatory outing at Bicton CCI4*-S nearly two weeks ago. But it’s Japan who we see in the top spot heading into day two, thanks to an excellent effort from Ryuzo Kitajima and his new ride, thirteen-year-old Be My Daisy, who he bought from Australian Shane Rose and imported from Down Under over the winter, and with whom he’s already enjoyed two placings at four-star. They posted a career best at any level for the mare today, putting a 24.7 on the board to take a compelling lead at the halfway point of the first phase.

“I’m so pleased, so happy,” says Ryuzo. “I’ve just started riding her this year and I still have to know more about her. I was relaxed and she was relaxed, so it was good. To build our partnership, I started early this year and took her to Portugal so we could get qualified for Paris. She’s a mare, which can be good or bad, but today she was a princess!”

Behind Ryuzo, it’s an Irish double-hander: Joseph Murphy, who delivered Calmaro‘s four-star personal best of 27.3 to sit second, and Maryland five-star winner Austin O’Connor and his up-and-comer Isazsa, who begins her campaign on a 27.8.

Tomorrow will see another day of dressage play out across all three classes. Keep up with the live scoring here, and keep scrolling for some of our favourite posts from across social media at today’s competition – including highlights of today’s BE80 National Championship.

Defender Bramham: Website | Entries and Live Scores | Cross-Country Preview | Live Stream | EN’s Coverage

 

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Get to Know Buckeye Best Turned Out Award-Winning #Supergroom: Sophie Tullar

By on Jun 6, 2024 9:30 am -

We’re back to highlight another #Supergroom! Congratulations to Sophie Tullar, head groom for Mia Farley, for winning the Buckeye Best Turned-Out Award at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian. Catch up on the other interviews from this series here and nominate a #Supergroom of your own by emailing [email protected].

This series is supported by Achieve Equine.

“It was surreal to be with Mia and Phelps at the event! I feel so lucky that I was there to support them,” Sophie Tullar says.

Mia Farley’s head groom, Sophie Tullar, is truly Phelps’s biggest fan. She truly enjoys making sure he’s in tip top shape, but winning the Buckeye Best Turned-Out Award at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian was just the cherry on top.

“I was so shocked, but it’s incredible. Phelps makes my job so easy and I love him so much. It makes me so happy to make him look good.”

After working for Mia on and off for around two and a half years, Sophie graduated high school last year and has been working for her full time since then. Sophie’s mom is a trainer, so she’s been riding horses before she was born – literally.

Sophie’s always loved being involved with horses, and her love for Phelps is noticeable.

“He’s very humble and unassuming. He loves to work and to have people around. He’s just a happy guy,” she says.

Smooches for Phelps. Sophie Tullar and Phelps at Defender Kentucky. Photo by JJ Silliman.

Sophie likes to allow Phelps to be just a horse as often as possible. “He loves to be outside, so we try to have him out as much as we can.”

Since Phelps was Mia’s only horse at Kentucky, Sophie was able to take him on walks and get him out of his stall as much as possible.

When it comes to favorite products, Sophie says that Shires is their best bet for making Phelps look and feel his best. You can never go wrong with a good curry and some baby oil for shine as well. “Less is more with him, so I try not to get carried away with anything.”

She makes it a priority for Phelps to get time to himself without being bothered. The night before cross country, she sets everything out and makes sure that the day can go as smoothly as possible.

“I try to make sure that I have no excuses to be bothering him before I need to, so he has as much time as he can to just be a horse,” Sophie says.

Cross country is a strong suit for Phelps, and even though Mia and Sophie tell him it’s just a normal day, of course he gets amped up when he watches the 4* cross country going by while Sophie grazes him. It’s his time to shine!

Sophie Tullar and Phelps at Defender Kentucky. Photo by JJ Silliman.

After his double clear cross country round, Phelps recovered fast. “He’s like, ‘Ok guys I’m ready to go again!’” After a bit of time to himself, Phelps gets iced and Sophie makes sure that he feels good and is ready for show jumping the next day.

“He recovers so well, so he makes my job really easy,” Sophie says. They’re based right in Lexington, so Phelps was able to make it home to his coveted turnout by Sunday night after placing 13th at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Mars Equestrian.

“He’s been on vacation since then and has had a lot of fun rolling in the mud. He’s happy as can be.”

Phelps is only 11 and he and Mia will definitely be a pair to keep your eye on in the years to come. They are lucky to have Sophie in their corner, always making sure Phelps is happy and at his best.

“I can’t wait to see all the places he goes. Just watching him on cross country is so incredible. There aren’t many like him out there.”

Go Sophie and Go Eventing.

Welcome to Bramham: Social Media Highlights from Day One at the World’s Toughest Four-Star

By on Jun 6, 2024 9:25 am -

It’s a busy week for eventing: on Canadian soil, we’ve got the MARS Bromont International unfolding in all its glory, and plenty of coverage coming out of it from Sally and Veronica, who are EN’s boots on the ground this week. But on UK turf, too, there’s a big one – it’s Defender Bramham Horse Trials week, and a return to the course that’s often heralded as being the biggest, boldest, toughest track at the CCI4*-L level.

We’ll see three classes play out this week: the surprisingly compact CCI4*-L feature class, which has 31 horses and riders in it this year; the under-25 CCI4*-L, which has nine in it, and the CCI4*-S, which has over 80 competitors in it, including no shortage of Olympic hopefuls from several nations. We’ll see the likes of Lordships Graffalo and Ros Canter go up against the Dutch contingent, who have rerouted from Bicton.

Bicton, of course, won’t be far from anyone’s minds this week. We’ll be heading up to Bramham for the weekend to bring you wall-to-wall coverage of the jumping phases, and we’ll do so with purple and white ribbons in situ in memory of Georgie Campbell – a bit of accessorising that we suspect many competitors, grooms, and attendees will share in this week.

For now, though, we’ll be sharing in the fun from afar. Today sees all three classes begin their trajectory with day one of dressage, while the BE80 National Championships are also well underway with cross-country taking place throughout the day. You can keep an eye on all the scores from the FEI classes here, and the BE80 here, and while there’s no live-stream until the weekend, you’ll be able to watch all the cross-country action play out on Horse&Country TV on Saturday, June 8.

In the meantime, though? Check out some of these social media recaps of yesterday’s first horse inspection, which saw one withdrawal – that of Izzy Taylor and Ringwood Madras, who were sent to the CCI4*-L holding box and the opted to bow out of the competition from there – and plenty of best-dressed and best-turned-out prizes, won, respectively, by Jack Mantel and Emma Thomas, and Saffron Cresswell’s Vivendi Hero, groomed by Ellie Henry.

Defender Bramham: Website | Entries and Live Scores | Cross-Country Preview | Live Stream | EN’s Coverage

 

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Thursday News & Notes from Ecogold

By on Jun 6, 2024 12:01 am -

Our sponsor Ecogold gets prime signage on the last fence at Bromont! Photo by Michelle Dunn.

Gah, I wish I were at Bromont right now! I’ve been lucky enough to attend and report for Eventing Nation for the past two years and truly it’s one of the most scenic and relaxing venues I’ve ever been to. Between the great ground and terrain coupled with the inviting atmosphere, it’s not hard to understand why rides rave about it.

Alas, things are a little different for me this year as I am currently in my third trimester of pregnancy! So as much as I’m crawling out of my skin itching to be there, I know it’s not really in my body’s best interest to chase riders across a hilly cross country course on Saturday while forgetting to eat lunch. Sally and Veronica will be your boots on the ground at Bromont this year, but to my and everyone else’s benefit who isn’t there in person, they have a live stream this year! I know that this has been a long time coming for this event and the organizers are very excited to finally be able to offer it so make you you tune in. Here’s how!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Golden Spike H.T. (Ogden, UT) [Website] [Entries/ Ride Times/ Scoring]

Cobblestone Farms H.T. I (Chelsea, MI) [Website] [Entries/ Ride Times/ Scoring]

Middleburg H.T. (The Plains, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times]

Mill Creek Pony Club Horse Trials (Kansas City, MO) [Website] [Entries/ Ride Times/ Scoring]

Apple Knoll Farm H.T. (Millis, MA) [Website] [Entries] [Scoring]

Major International Events

MARS Bromont CCI (Quebec, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Dressage Times] [Scoring] [Live Stream]

Bramham International (West Yorkshire, UK) [Website] [Entries/ Ride Times/ Scoring]

FEI Nations Cup Avenches (Aveches, SUI) [Website] [Entries/ Ride Times/ Scoring]

Thursday News and Reading

It’s giveaway time! EcoVet is giving away a bottle of their amazing fly spray. The first fatty-acid fly repellent for horses, this unique fly spray is veterinarian-approved and used by 5* eventers across the USA.

Winning is easy! Simply fill out the form in our June 10th ICYMI newsletter. Sign up for our weekly newsletter here because free is every equestrian’s favorite price.

There’s a lot more to Will Faudree than meets the eye. Yes, he’s certainly not afraid to take himself too seriously, as evidenced by some of his jog outfits, and he’s simply one of the nicest, most easy-going guys to interview. but Will has truly experienced the gamut of highs and lows both in the sport of eventing and in life. From the loss of his sister to cancer, the loss of a close friend to drugs, and his own very serious injury, Will has learned much about dealing with grief, loss, and anxiety. This piece, written for the USEA by EN’s own Veronica Green-Gott is a great read about resilience.

Earlier this week were rocked with the announcement of the US Olympic Eventing team that will be headed to Paris next month. Just a few days later, Chef d’Equipe Bobby Costello spoke to COTH about the selected athletes and what each one will be bringing to the table. Here’s the scoop!

British Eventing is initiating a new research project to provide some insight into cross country safety and statistics. The project, which was formalized back in April, will ask riders at certain events to volunteer to wear a sensor designed by Catapult Sports Technology during their cross country rounds to investigate whether there is an association between riding speed cross-country, performance, and faults/falls. Interested riders competing at Tweseldown on the 6th and 7th July can register their interest in participating.

Sponsor Corner: If you’re competing at the Ottawa Dressage Festival, keep your fingers crossed for a blue ribbon. Ecogold put together a great selection of prizes for the festival, including boots, saddle pads, and Kevin Bacon Hoof Dressing!

Video Break: Ooooo! Check out this sneak peak of the LuhmĂŒhlen cross country course!

82 Horses and Riders Move Forward from First Horse Inspection at MARS Bromont CCI

By on Jun 5, 2024 5:23 pm -

Alexandra MacLeod and Newmarket Jack. Photo by Sally Spickard.

All 82 horses presented across divisions, including 16 pairs entered in the headlining CCI4*-L division, will move forward to dressage over the next two days here at the 2024 MARS Bromont CCI. We’ll also see another 17 horses in the CCI4*-S, which of course does not have to do a formal Horse Inspection at the start of competition.

We’ve got divisions from CCI2*-L up through CCI4*-S and CCI4*-L competing this weekend, including U25 divisions for the CCI2*-L and CCI3*-L. Some of these young riders are also participating in the wonderful Bromont Rising program, which supports a group of U25 riders with some funding assistance as well as coaching and mentorship from Peter Gray and Bettina Hoy, among others.

Heather Gillette and Vincent Chase. Photo by Sally Spickard.

The 4*-L division this weekend is a wide-open one, featuring some newer up-and-coming horses to the level as well as some more experienced combinations. 5* horses in the field include Buck Davidson’s entry, Erroll Gobey, Alex MacLeod’s Newmarket Jack, and Sea of Clouds, ridden this weekend by Olivia Dutton but formerly piloted by Phillip Dutton through the 5* level.

We’d recommend keeping an eye on some potential top performers in this division, including Buck and Erroll Gobey, Great Britain’s Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri, Boyd Martin and Miss Lulu Herself, Lauren Nicholson and I’ll Have Another, Canada’s Karl Slezak and Chevalier, and Canada’s Waylon Roberts and OKE Ruby R. However, it’s all to play with this field and, at this point, truly any combination’s game to make a statement this weekend.

Phillip Dutton and Kassiopea Preziosa. Photo by Sally Spickard.

The CCI4*-S division, which will get underway on Friday morning with dressage, also features some heavy hitters poised for a big performance. We’ll see Karl Slezak’s Kentucky CCI4*-S winner Hot Bobo, who’s in good stead along with several other Canadian horses here this weekend to make a big for the yet-to-be-named Canadian Olympic squad, as well as fellow Olympic contenders for Canada Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge, Hanna Bundy and Lovely Assistant, Colleen Loach and FE Golden Eye, and Jessica Phoenix with four entries (Tugce, Fluorescent Adolescent, Watson GS, and Freedom GS).

You can view entries and live scores here and ride times here.

There is also a live stream from Bromont for the first time, provided free of charge on the Bromont YouTube channel as well as Horse & Country.

MARS Bromont CCI (Quebec, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Dressage Times] [Scoring] [Live Stream]

How to Follow MARS Bromont CCI, Wherever You Are

By on Jun 5, 2024 9:34 am -

Beautiful Bromont Stadium. Photo by Abby Powell.

We’re quite excited that MARS Bromont CCI week is upon us in beautiful eastern Canada. This is an event you need to put on your bucket list, even if you’re just planning to come up and spectate, and to that end stay tuned for a special “come to Bromont with us” video wrapping up the weekend.

This year, we’re pleased to see that the organizing team has enlisted the services of a live stream, which will be available at no cost via the Bromont YouTube channel as well as on Horse & Country (no membership required!).

All phases of competition will be live streamed, starting with the First Horse Inspection today (Wednesday) at 3 p.m. ET. Once we have firm ride times, I’ll update this post with the full live stream schedule.

Stay tuned for our entry preview + jog report coming this afternoon!

MARS Bromont CCI (Quebec, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Dressage Times] [Scoring] [Live Stream]

Wednesday News & Notes

By on Jun 5, 2024 12:01 am -

Photo courtesy Paris 2024.

Last week, the Olympic torch relay made it’s way to Omaha Beach in Normandy, France for a poignant ceremony just a few days shy of the 80th anniversary of D-Day (which is tomorrow). This year, during each leg of the torch relay, the torch is being carried by teams of 24 people representing their sport and during this leg in the Calvados region, which is French horse country, it was the equestrians’ time to shine.

Torch bearer Maxime Wille, the great-grandson of Léon Gautier who died last summer as the last surviving member of the only French battalion to fight on D-Day, arrived by sea via a rescue dingy and passed the flame to the Pénélope Leprévost, 2016 team gold medalist for France in show jumping. Check out some video from this portion of the relay beow!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Golden Spike H.T. (Ogden, UT) [Website] [Entries/ Ride Times/ Scoring]

Cobblestone Farms H.T. I (Chelsea, MI) [Website] [Entries/ Ride Times/ Scoring]

Middleburg H.T. (The Plains, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times]

Mill Creek Pony Club Horse Trials (Kansas City, MO) [Website] [Entries/ Ride Times/ Scoring]

Apple Knoll Farm H.T. (Millis, MA) [Website] [Entries] [Scoring]

Major International Events

MARS Bromont CCI (Quebec, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Dressage Times] [Scoring] [Live Stream]

Bramham International (West Yorkshire, UK) [Website] [Entries/ Ride Times/ Scoring]

FEI Nations Cup Avenches (Aveches, SUI) [Website] [Entries/ Ride Times/ Scoring]

Wednesday News and Reading

It’s giveaway time! EcoVet is giving away a bottle of their amazing fly spray. The first fatty-acid fly repellent for horses, this unique fly spray is veterinarian-approved and used by 5* eventers across the USA.

Winning is easy! Simply fill out the form in our June 10th ICYMI newsletter. Sign up for our weekly newsletter here because free is every equestrian’s favorite price.

One hundred years ago, the Olympics were also held in Paris. Yep: Paris 1924! That year was also a notable one for equestrian sport in the Olympics, as it was the first hep since the formation of the FEI 1921. Of course, the Olympics looked quite a bit different then. Sports differed of course, but mainly the event is now just so much bigger than it was a century ago. Here’s a glimpse at what Paris 1924 looked like.

“Oh you ride horses? That must be a fun hobby!” If you’ve ever tried to explain to someone how being an amateur equestrian is a little bit more than just a cute hobby, then this piece from The Plaid Horse is for you. #Relatable.

I remember Jamie Sindell’s hysterical COTH blog from last year about the mayhem involved in preparing her 3-year-old daughter and their backyard pony for the Devon lead line class. Jamie swore she’d never do it again, but … here we are one year and another hysterical recounting later.

Some unfortunate news out of Vermont’s GMHA Horse Trials this past weekend: one horse was euthanized after sustaining an injury when it tripped and stumbled during the cross country. The rider was uninjured. Our thoughts are with this rider and all who knew and loved this horse during this sad time. You can read the press release here.

Video Break

As promised, here’s a glimpse of the Olympic torch relay on Omaha Beach. Even if you don’t speak French, I bet you’ll still get chills.

US Equestrian Announces Defender U.S. Eventing Team for CHIO Aachen CCIO4*-S

By on Jun 4, 2024 10:22 am -

US Equestrian is pleased to announce the following athlete-and-horse combinations selected to represent the Defender U.S. Eventing Team at the CHIO Aachen CCIO4*-S in Aachen, Germany, held from July 1-7, 2024. The team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Bobby Costello and Team Leader Gemma Stobbs.

The following combinations have been selected to represent the Defender U.S. Eventing Team and are listed in alphabetical order.

​​James Alliston (San Ramon, Calif.) and Karma, a 2014 Oldenburg mare (Escudo II x Lavita) owned by Alliston Equestrian and Ric Plummer and cared for by Sophie Hulme

Jennie Brannigan (West Grove, Pa.) and FE Lifestyle, 2010 Deutches Sportferd gelding (Leo von Faelz x Bradenburger) owned by Nina & Timothy Gardner and cared for by Alexa Lapp and Isabel Turner

Elisabeth Halliday (Lexington, Ky.) and Miks Master C, 2012 Swedish Warmblood gelding (Mighty Magic x Flyinge Quite Easy 958) owned by Ocala Horse Properties and Deborah Palmer and cared for by Jordan Crabo

Alyssa Phillips (Ft. Worth, Texas) and Oskar, a 2009 Holsteiner gelding (Coriando x Marlo) owned by Julie & Alyssa Phillips and cared for by Addi Mommsen

The following combination has been selected to compete as individuals.  

Elisabeth Halliday (Lexington, Ky.) and Shanroe Cooley, a 2015 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Dallas x Condios) owned by Ocala Horse Properties and cared for by Jordan Crabo

The following combinations have been selected as team alternates and are listed in ranked order.  

Hallie Coon (Ocala, Fla.) and Cute Girl, a 2014 Holsteiner mare (Coventry x Clearway) owned by Hallie Coon & Helen Coon

Emily Hamel (Aiken, S.C.) and Corvett, a 2007 Holsteiner gelding (Corrido x Clearway) owned by Black Flag Option, LLC

Competition Information 

CHIO Aachen is one of the most prestigious multi-discipline events in the world, hosted annually in Aachen, Germany. The CCIO4*-S will begin with dressage on the morning of July 5 at 8:30 a.m. GMT+2, followed by stadium later in the afternoon in the main grass arena at 5:50 p.m. GMT+2. Cross-country will start at 10:00 a.m. GMT+2 on Saturday, July 6, to determine the final team standings.​