Well, that was certainly an exciting weekend! Between all the fun (despite the sloppy weather) in Aiken, and the UK season really kicking things off with Poplar Park, Eventers were out! Catch up on the weekend here as we celebrate our Weekend Winners, and keep an eye out for an update from across the pond near the end of this post, as many big names were out to open the pipes.
Congrats to all on successful rides, with a special shout out to the winner of our Unofficial Low Score Award, Elisa Karnavy and Foxens Little Treat, who scored a wonderful 14.0 in the Open Starter at Twin Rivers (Paso Robles, CA).
2024 $100,000 Conceal Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field (Aiken, SC) [Website][Scores][EN’s Coverage]
Advanced Level Grand Prix (ADVGR): William Coleman and Chin Tonic HS (30.5)
Full Gallop Farm March Wednesday H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website][Scoring]
Pre-Starter: Katherine Thornton and Carlingford Finegan (33.0)
Starter: Taylor Oxley and Shanbally Remember Me (23.3)
Beginner Novice A: Kimmy Cecere and Brooklyn (23.8)
Beginner Novice B: Kyra Caffrey and Never Gone South (24.4)
Novice: Amanda Farmer and Boyd Marden (28.9)
Training/Novice: Susan Faulkner and HelloHello (23.3)
Training: Corinna Garcia and Schillers Nav (26.9)
Preliminary/Training: Lilyana Wood and Phillip Buttons (47.1)
Preliminary: Kristi Foresman and RevitaVet Fenomenon (32.1)
Rocking Horse Winter III H.T. (Altoona, FL) [Website][Scoring]
Intermediate Rider: Michelle Mercier and Shirsheen Fun For All (29.8)
Open Intermediate: Jennie Brannigan and Pascal (30.1)
Open Intermediate – Thursday: Lauren Nicholson and I’ll Have Another (32.4)
Intermediate/Preliminary: Joe Meyer and Simple Hearted (29.3)
Open Preliminary: Jessica Phoenix and Tugce (25.2)
Open Preliminary One Day – Thursday A: Megan Edwards and Global BGK (29.5)
Open Preliminary One Day – Thursday B: Anna Loschiavo and Fernhill Maverick (30.7)
Preliminary Horse: Leslie Law and Really All Gold (26.2)
Preliminary Rider: Paige Montague and I Candy SCF (32.7)
Modified Rider: Nancy Lee and PHF Wine Me Up (27.8)
Open Modified One Day – Thursday: Stephanie Jackson and Ballycapple Fernhill (32.7)
Open Modified A: Meghan O’Donoghue and Kingcarra Cooley Diamond (26.0)
Open Modified B: Hannah Hawkins and DHI Kickodieza (27.9)
Junior Training Rider: Hannah Fatehdin and Things To Ponder (27.4)
Open Training One Day – Thursday A: Jebb Simpson and Matisse (31.2)
Open Training One Day – Thursday B: Declan Bast and Midnight Oil (23.6)
Open Training A: Meghan O’Donoghue and Carlingford Rockabilly (26.0)
Open Training B: Miranda Losey and Unkas Boy (30.2)
Senior Training Rider: Savannah Welch and Langcaster (31.2)
Training Horse: Michael Nolan and Carrick Emerald Diamond (29.1)
Junior Novice Rider: Iselin Byars and Bloomfield Pocket Money (26.7)
Novice Horse: Ashley Widmer and DS Money Heist (30.8)
Open Novice One Day – Thursday A: Joe Bowersox and Guggenheim (25.0)
Open Novice One Day – Thursday B: Caroline Teich and Fürsten Dansil (19.7)
Open Novice A: Andrew Palmer and Kronberg (23.9)
Open Novice B: Sinead Maynard and Fernhill Nico (20.6)
Senior Novice Rider A: Elizabeth Turner and US Warrior (31.9)
Senior Novice Rider B: Gina Teresi and Match Right (20.6)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Sarah Alexander and Lambrusco W (18.4)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Alyssa Cairo and EWSZ Jalando (19.1)
Open Beginner Novice A: Alexandra Du Celliee Muller and Dario RC (26.6)
Open Beginner Novice B: Margaret Stocker and Smilla’s Sense of Snow (27.5)
Starter: Morgan Dowling and C’est Si Beau (34.3)
Sporting Days Farm March H.T. II (Aiken, SC) [Website][Scoring]
Intermediate CT: Kelly Beaver and Excel Star Pluto (40.6)
Open Preliminary: Claire Robinson and Fernhill Swatch Out (39.4)
Preliminary Rider: Marty Riney and George Alexander (33.1)
Preliminary/Training: Heidi Jones and You’re Electric (45.7)
Open Training: Ryan Wood and Eiffel (28.3)
Training Rider: Ciara Barr and Billy Avon (29.9)
Training/Novice: Meaghan Marinovich-Burdick and Autograph (37.1)
Novice Rider A: Lenora Evans and Christian Grey (29.2)
Novice Rider B: Molly Casey and MoonLight Crush (27.2)
Open Novice: Ronan Moloney and Flinck (26.7)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Rianna Jefferson and Topaz (32.2)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Kelly O’Brien and B.E. Never Say Never (31.9)
Open Beginner Novice: Meaghan Marinovich-Burdick and Old Number 7 (25.3)
Greenie Beginnings: Danielle Northup and Wild Mission (26.1)
Twin Rivers Winter H.T. (Paso Robles, CA) [Website][Scoring]
Advanced: Molly Duda and Disco Traveler (49.4)
Open Intermediate: James Alliston and Cora (34.2)
Open Preliminary: Tamra Smith and Sumas Tina Turner (23.2)
Preliminary Rider: Audrey Sanborn and Lex D (22.4)
Modified Rider: Grace Brownrigg and Dhaulagiri (22.1)
Open Modified: Rebecca Braitling and Freedom Hill (24.0)
Jr. Training Rider: Megan Bebb and Clara Bö (28.9)
Open Training: Auburn Excell Brady and Happy Prospect (25.3)
Sr. Training Rider: Seika Streets and Counterpoint (19.2)
Novice Rider: Sophie Stocks and Rosco (25.4)
Open Novice: Amber Birtcil and Oriental Star (31.7)
Beg. Novice Rider: Emily Hejret and Gandolph The Great (32.1)
Open Beginner Novice: Mia Roeser and Miss Magnolia (18.8)
Open Starter: Elisa Karnavy and Foxens Little Treat (14.0)
The West coast season is also swinging into full gear as we begin to see some top names and Advanced horses out preparing for their various spring destinations. You can view the full recap of Twin Rivers’ Advanced event here.
UK Highlight: Poplar Park [Website][Scoring]
We saw the UK season kick off strong with a packed field at Poplar Park this past weekend, with a field studded with some of the UK’s top riders, including all of the team members from the Tokyo Olympic British Team seen out competing.
Oliver Townend finished first in the Intermediate Section G with his 3rd place Maryland 5* mount, Paul W. Ridgeon’s Cooley Rosalent (Valent – Bellaney Jewel xx, by Roselier xx), and first in the Intermediate Section F with Olympic mount, Angela Hislop, Karyn Shuter, and Val Ryan’s Ballaghmor Class (Courage II – Kilderry Place), followed closely by Tom McEwen and Mr and Mrs J Lambert and Mrs D Johnston’s JL Dublin (Diarado – Zarinna, by Canto) in second place. Piggy March rode to a second place finish in the Novice Section D with Alison Swinburn and John and Chloe Perry’s Brookfield Kept in the Darco (Shannodale sarco St Ghyvan – Shannodale Greta) and a second in the Novice Section C with Alison Swinburn and John and Chloe Perry’s Brookfield William (Mermus R – Femme Fatale M2S). Laura Collett won the Intermediate Section H with Olympic partner, Keith Scott, Karen Bartlett and her own London 52 (Landos – Vernante, by Quinar), with a top three finish in the Novice and the Intermediate Section G.
2022 World Champion Yasmin Ingham saw her two rides in the top five in the Intermediate, with The Sue Davies Fund’s Banzai Du Loir (Nouma d’Auzay – Gerboise du Cochet by Livarot) finishing in second place, and The Sue Davies Fund’s Rehy DJ (Tinarana’s Inspector – Regy Misty, by Big Sink Hope xx) close behind in 4th.
It was also exciting to see Bubby Upton out again, as she began her 2024 season after extensive rehab following a fall and spine surgery during the 2023 season. She was in the Intermediate with Rachel Upton and the Zebedee Syndicate’s Magic Roundabout IV (Samraan – My Lady) and Rachel Upton’s Cola III (Catoki – Vanessa XII).
What a first day at Poplar Park Horse Trials, kickstarting the 2024 British Eventing Official season🐎 The weather conditions certainly put everyone to the test and on-site vets Katie and Alice went through lots of coats! Tomorrow is Ben, Alex and Annabelle’s turn, hopefully they get some drier weather🌦️
Posted by Ryder-Davies and Partners Veterinary Surgeons Equine Page on Saturday, March 2, 2024
In addition to the strong showing by the British Eventers, we saw American Alexa Gartenberg with her own Cooley Kildaire (Heritage Fortunus – HHS Clo Jo) in the Intermediate Section I. Alexa based with McNab Eventing for the 2023 season, where she completed her first 4*, and is back for an exciting 2024.
BE100 – Section J: Issy Sykes and Current Trend (27.30)
BE100 – Section K: Max Warburton and MBF Up North (28.80)
BE100Open – Section L: Rosie Ringer and Quarry Man (24.40)
BE100Open – Section M: Caroline Day and Jaldo (20.50)
BE100Ou18 – Section N: Freya Weekes and Great Guy (25.30)
BE80 – Section O: Simone Money and Crannard Pringles (28.00)
BE80Ou18 – Section P: Edith Dornan and Little Black Shadow (31.10)
BE90 – Section Q: Katie Lavin and Edgedale Blue Lady (30.00)
BE90 – Section R: Julie Horton and Topwood Merlin (30.50)
BE90Open – Section S: Tabitha Case and Seapatrick Dark Cruise (35.50)
BE90Ou18 – Section T: Olivia White and Fos Ginny (28.50)
I – Section I: Jack Pinkney and Rehy Revelation (39.00)
N – Section A: Tom Jackson and My Star Turn (31.30)
N – Section B: Tom D Crisp and Kermit (36.90)
OI – Section F: Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class (24.80)
OI – Section G: Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent (27.80)
OI – Section H: Laura Collett and London 52 (32.10)
ON – Section C: Indie Vaughan-Jones and Cuffesgrange Diamond Echo (21.80)
ON – Section D: Imogen Gloag and Trinity Thanks Awfully (32.00)
ONu18 – Section E: Holly Maudlin and Pure Britannia (35.40)
