Australia’s Paul Tapner announced a few days ago that his longtime 5* winning partner, Inonothing, has passed away at the age of 29. Paul described “Mannie” to most but “Spinhead” to those who knew him the best (Paul often described the English Thoroughbred gelding as quite quirky, having taken a particular liking to spinning in circles when he was over-excited). Mannie was purchased for £500 from Jenny and Claus Waaler and went on to complete 8 CCI5* events (then CCI4*). He and Paul were crowned Badminton champions in 2010.
“He was small and quirky, but trusted his rider and would do anything to please,” Paul wrote on social media. “Mannie epitomised the whole reason I wanted to be an Event Rider and not a Show Jump Rider or a Dressage Rider. I’ve always held the belief that to be successful at the highest level of Dressage and Show Jumping you needed to be a great horseman AND ALSO be lucky enough to have a super naturally talented horse. But I believed that Eventing sport was a far truer test of horsemanship and the bond that was developed between the horse and it’s rider. Mannie had very little natural talent in the Dressage arena, he had very little natural talent in the Show Jumping phase, he wasn’t even a naturally talented Cross Country Horse. But he learnt to trust me without limit and me the same of him. Mannie had a heart of gold, was as tough as nails and would try his utmost to do whatever I asked of him. He was the ultimate Event Horse who I was honoured to be partnered with.”
Mannie would ultimately retire in a ceremony at Badminton in 2012 to cap off his career.
Fun fact: Mannie was named after after Manuel in the British sitcom Fawlty Towers and his catch-phrase, “I know nothing!”
A truly special horse and partnership is unforgettable, and we’re sending all of our love to Paul and all of Inonothing’s connections.
Watch Paul and Inonothing on cross country en route to winning Badminton in 2010:
U.S. Weekend Preview
Waredaca Farm H.T. (MC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Caber Farm H.T. (WA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]
The Event at Archer (WY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club H.T. (NY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Ocala Summer H.T. (FL): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Full Gallop Farm August H.T. (SC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Major International Events
Bromont CCI-S H.T. (Canada): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
FEI Eventing Nations Cup – Arville CCIO4*-S: [Website] [Schedule] [Entries/Timing/Scoring] [Live Stream] [About the FEI Eventing Nations Cup]
News & Reading
It’s no secret that the economic climate these days is hurting all of us. From retailers to service providers to media, everyone is feeling the squeeze of the ongoing tariff increases. How do these tariffs affect horse sales in particular? It’s probably not a far venture to say that most “regular” horse owners are increasingly getting priced out of the market, and even if you are in a position to be making these purchases, the tariff rates and changes are enough to make anyone’s head swim. Here’s a quick look at how things stand as of now, thanks to the team at Entrigue Marketing.
As the USEA American Eventing Championships approach, let’s take a moment to meet the cross country course designer, Clayton Fredericks. A decorated rider for Australia, and still an active competitor at the upper levels, Clayton has also turned his hand to designing. It’s a new path in the sport that appeals to him on many levels, and riders will have a chance to tackle his designs at all levels later this month at Galway Downs. Read more about Clayton and his background here.
Further to our above mention of tariffs and the economy, another rather alarming trend in our industry is the departure of talented riders who lack the financial resources to continue on in their sport of choice. Chronicle of the Horse blogger Jamie Sindell writes about this in a heartfelt new piece. After the family had to make the difficult decision to pull back from riding due to financial limitations, Jamie’s daughter lost a bit of her spark. It wasn’t until a kind-hearted trainer offered to help the family make the situation work that her daughter’s spark returned. “”I can’t overstate what these kinds of opportunities mean to her,” Jamie wrote. “To a kid who sometimes feels invisible. To a kid who’s not sure where she fits or if she’s good enough. Who’s been told by the world that she needs trendy clothes, clearer skin, more followers, more money.” You can read her full piece here.
Sponsor Corner: Loch Moy Farm and the Maryland Horse Trials
Raelyn Snyder and American Thunder. Erin Gilmore Photography photo
Entries are now open for the Maryland Horse Trials and Area II Championships, happening October 3-5 at Loch Moy Farm (Adamstown, MD)! Levels from Starter through Intermediate will have both a Championship and a Recognized division option, and riders prepping for a 5* can also partake in a CCI5* Combined Test. There will also be prize money on offer for the Championship divisions, and Land Rover West Columbia has generously joined the event as Title Sponsor. Exciting news all around. Be sure to get those entries in well ahead of the closing date of September 16 and make your organizer happy! To learn more about this event, click here. To learn more about the Maryland Horse Trials and Loch Moy Farm, click here.
Video Break
Here’s a great educational session for you! Tune in to a new “Fix A Test” Ride iQ stream with FEI eventing judge Valerie Pride:
