Joanie's Blog

Fourth to the Future

JOANIE — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 19:05:00 GMT

Ok, this is the beginning of the marathon day – 2 pm Selection Trial followed 7 pm Nations Cup.

Fast and furious and my hand are already freezing. For the record: it was warmer at my parent’s house in Maine at some point yesterday than it was in South Florida. FYI… for those that think I am making up. The tomato crops are in grave danger and the price for tomatoes is through the roof. So cherish your caprese salads. Those things are going to be valuable.

Just walked this afternoon’s course, technical and spooky – a change from the question of scope Guilherme asked on Wednesday.

He does such great job – and his assistant Mauricio is so nice – Guilherme is currently sporting the Road to Kentucky jackets that our USEF Marketing coordinators are hawking at the USEF booth. They are selling out quick – if you're here, get one, if you're not, don’t forget to watch the live final USEF Selection Trial as part of the $150,000 CN US Open on the webcast on www.universalsports.com (shameless plug).

Ok, so 24 hours later, I am still working on this. Yesterday was a crazy day – I was at the venue from 8.00 am to almost midnight. The Nations Cup was great – tons of atmosphere and plenty of rowdy fans.. Unfortunately for the US, the wheels fell off a little bit in the second round. Casadora spooked badly at some raucous Mexican fans behind a white gate and stopped – very uncharacteristically. She had the rail at the second attempt. The US camp was disappointed – Lauren Hough more than anyone. Canada looked good, and will continue to be a Tour de Force heading to the World Games.The Mexicans and US-based Irish team looked great and really stepped up in the second round.

We didn’t field our strongest team because of the selection trials running simultaneously but the up and coming horses look great. Apache and United both look very promising for the future.
I am tired of typing, I have a bowed tendon in my left hand which has now resonated up my arm into my shoulder – so I am stopping typing, going to a meeting. No promises of more until tomorrow.

Currently watching Canadian veteran Ian Millar jump in the $25,000 ESP Jumper Stake. He really is a legend.

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In the Meantime, $2.6 Million

JOANIE — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:11:00 GMT

Its still cold in Florida. And when there is no where to go inside – it’s not entirely pleasant.

CSIO week is underway, the Welcome class is going on now in the International Arena and currently SRF Dragonfly is in the ring. The chestnut gelding jumped like a stag in 2008 in the Selection Trials for the 2008 Olympic Games for Nicole Shahinian Simpson and he is now representing Brazil.

With 11 teams in the Nations Cup, Friday’s class promises to be a good one, there are some of the best in the world here to jump for honors. I went to the Fasig-Tipton 2-year-old sale yesterday st Calder to try to round up more fans for the US team – the problem is, most of my racing friends aren’t American. I think I shamed them in to coming anyway though and waving the American flag.

I spent more time in the car than I did at the sale, the Florida Turnpike or Florida’s Turnpike as it says on the sign, as well as a certain police officer who kindly reminded me that I was driving a little quicker than he would like, and I are all friends after that adventure.

I also saw a Distorted Humor colt sell for more than $2 million. The story, trust me this is the abridged, third hand version goes something like this: two friends spent $200k on a yearling, first try they took at pinhooking a Thoroughbred, and parlayed it into $2.3m less than a year later.

Nicely done.

Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stable, LLC (of Curlin and Rachel Alexandra fame) signed the ticket – and perhaps he has a third legend in the making. Fasig-Tipton’s website has the results for anyone interested: http://www.fasigtipton.com/.

It poured with rain Florida style yesterday, pouring one minute, sunny the next – rain the next… etc. I helped Lizzy Chesson deliver stuff, thankful for the golf cart as the puddles and sand made it some dirty work. Then made sure the rest of the USEF crew get organized and gave them the 10 cent tour of the venue, they are selling great USEF Selection Trials merchandise for the rest of the week right across from the Tiki Bar – if anyone here is looking for some retail therapy, you can find Road to Kentucky gear at the USEF booth.

They whole selection Trials contingent moves across Southshore today for the third trial on the grass in the Stadium. Should be great to see the horses in a new venue, Hillary Dobbs leads the 33 remaining in the Trials with one fault on Quincy B. That class goes at 3 PM. More later.

See: http://www.clubequestrian.com/photos/gallerylistbyuser/Sailorthedog/2275.aspx for photos, can't get them in the blog for some reason.

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Just Two

JOANIE — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 01:33:00 GMT

The level of jumping continues to be extraordinary in Florida. Cedric and Quick Study are certainly in a class of their own last night but there are many, many others just one stride behind.

The amazing thing about coming to the Winter Equestrian Festival is the total immersion in some of the best horses in the country. Even if you are just sitting at the deNemethy ring watching the Junior classic or hanging out by the warm-up of ring seven. Even those horses are some of the very best of their kind at what they do. I like watching the best horses do what they do. Whatever that may be.

I caught the beginning of the 1.50m class today and was hugely impressed by Alaska, Todd Minikus sure does ride well – and he really can show off a nice horse. I mean, he used to ride bulls, so a nice jumping horse really makes him look good. I then watched the USA v. Canada hockey game. Holy (enter expletive here)! That was amazing too, I had the incredible misfortune of watching it with Canadians… but it was good sport nonetheless.

What else is going on here?

Crossgate Gallery is set up at WEF with all of their unbelievable sporting art. They are donating 10% of everything they sell to the USET Foundation… go be amazed if nothing else.

I hope you have all played the WEG Pick 8, it took some doing but it was a great team effort on behalf of the USEF staff to get it live and they deserve all the credit… fantasy horse sports? Yes please.

I found out today by way of facebook that a marvelous horse I sold to an Adult/Amateur from Kentucky last year just arrived in Wellington, I will have to go give him a scratch on the head – what a wonderful racehorse turned show horse. I mean you wouldn’t find a more fun horse to gallop down to a jump on even if he didn’t want to jump into the water on the cross country – he has found a job where he truly is a movie star.

I have to move out of my wonderful digs in the Polo Club (thanks to a great friend) and go to Del Ray for two days… the commute will be worth a glimpse of the beach.

I AM SO SAD THE WINTER OLYMPICS ARE OVER!

I'm sure Bode will find a way without me.

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Lucky 13

JOANIE — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:17:00 GMT

I know half the country is again paralyzed by a blizzard, but it was cold in Florida yesterday.

Seriously.

Winter hats, gloves, scarves, jackets – for some reason (even though I didn’t check the weather) I managed, in the most unorganized packing effort ever, to pack warm clothes. And my gloves were in my purse – sheer luck.

The jumping in the first round of the USEF Selection Trials was awesome. 13 clear rounds was a surprise to everyone. If it is any indication of the level of jumping in the US then we are in great shape. This means in the trials standings all 13 are tied at the top.

Georgina Bloomberg had two clear rounds and was the only one to manage that feat, but there are some really nice horses in the mix. Nicole Shahinian-Simpson and Tristan looked great in their clear round and little Cedric jumped his heart for Laura Kraut.

Ashlee Bond and Chivas Z , Hillary Dobbs and Quincy B, Brianne Goutal and Ralvesther and Kent Farrington and Uceko represented the under-30 crowd (along with Georgina) in the clear round department.

But the most ‘experienced’ set of the US riders was represented too: Todd Minikus, Margie Engle and Rich Fellers were the fastest three and joked that they might be the oldest three in the class.

Not going to confirm or deny that one.

Lauren Hough was ever the professional on Quick Study and Beezie Madden didn’t let on that she and Coarl Reef Via Volo were brand, brand new together.

17-year-old Kelsey Thatcher had one time fault to stay right in the mix but as Todd said: “It’s easy to have a rail.”

And 11 horses did just that.

Trying to catch up on email, watching the 1.40m class and not feeling at all creative. It’s been crazy here… and cold BUT I did see cute little Ace who is leading this class at the halfway point, I haven’t seen him in person since Vegas!

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People in Florida are on to Something

JOANIE — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:48:00 GMT

The price I paid for three glorious days in the Florida sunshine was a snow covered car and 22 degree temperatures in Lexington when I returned this morning.

It was worth it.

GLORIOUS

Seeing Ravel and Steffen Peters win the grand Prix at the Exquis World Dressage Masters was well worth the harsh reality of home. Ravel has grown up, improved and changed since I last saw him in 2009. He looks fantastic and just romped through the Grand Prix with ease for Steffen leaving two of the very best (Salinero and Satchmo) in his wake.

Friday was a day of meetings and wandering around at the horse show before the USET Foundation Party where I saw Bruce Springsteen and almost died of happiness. It was also fun to catch up with all kinds of friends I haven’t seen in ages. Georgina Bloomberg, Phillip and Evie Dutton, Kevin Keane were all in attendance, the Foundation threw a great party – they raised plenty of money and everyone had a lovely time at the International Polo Club’s elaborate tent. Jenny van Wieren and I debated buying WEG Dressage Discipline Manager Lloyd Landkamer the WEG Dressage Package in the silent auction (FREE ON SITE PARKING) in his absence, when we informed him over text messaging he didn’t see the humor… we thought we were hilarious. People with far deeper pockets than us bought the packages and our teams look to be on the right track with the beginning season and their fundraising effort.

Plans for 2010 NAJYRC are well underway and everyone in Florida seems pretty pumped. Allyn Mann – our most enthusiastic supporter from our title sponsor Adequan – was there because they are sponsoring this week of the horse show and it is hard not to catch Allyn’s enthusiasm.

Saturday morning started with a phone call from Evie who was stranded because the Philadelphia airport was closed due to the blizzard. We got her fetched from the airport and then all met at the horse show where we watched Leslie Morse win in the Grand Prix Special, in a much improved effort from Thursday and then next door watched Cedric – the hugely popular diminutive Gold medalist from 2008, jump to second in the 1.50m class. Laura Kraut gave him a great ride and he looked brilliant in his prep for the USEF Selection Trials for the US Show Jumping Team for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games which get going at the end of the month.

Standing in the sunshine never felt so good.

Leslie and Tip Top Strutting Their Stuff

Work, work, work around the horse show (I think I spent 12 hours there yesterday) and then a quick snack before the Grand Prix Freestyle started.

Ravel returned to the ring in all his glory, very fresh and the crowd went wild. Some little mistakes didn’t take away from a brilliant ride but Anky and Salinero were pretty perfect and even Steffen’s one-handed changes weren’t enough to sneak by the reigning Olympic Gold medalist. Steffen, as always handled the entire thing with class and dignity. Isabell Werth was third – the three of them were the classiest of acts.

Hopefully everyone got back to their respective places... but there are way worse places to be stuck than in Wellington.

Back to the grind tomorrow – the grind just isn’t as fun when its freezing.

Sue Stickle and I Having Some Fun

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You're Welcome

JOANIE — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:52:00 GMT

It’s getting to the time of year when everyone is reflective. How could you not be? It’s a non-championship year (Olympic Games, World Equestrian Games, and Pan Ams all took the year off) but it seems like we have had a remarkable year of achievement anyway. There were plenty of great moments: personal and professional for many of us, but it’s my blog so you get to hear about mine first…

First there were the things that gave me goosebumps.

The Rolex/FEI World Cup Final:

Ravel rewrote history and never, ever blinked his 11-year-old eyes in the face of incredible competition and pressure. Steffen Peters was rewarded for uncanny sportsmanship in the face of disappointment in 2008 – with the year of his life in 2009. Ravel went on to be the first US horse to win the CDIO Aachen (something deemed nearly impossible) and just continued, somehow, to improve. His win, in front of his home crowd at the World Cup Final changed history.

Ravel

Sapphire continued to jump through the pages of the history books, a couple of 1/10ths of seconds kept her from being the champion behind the fleet-footed Shutterfly at the World Cup Final, but she didn’t make one jumping mistake throughout. She is a legend – one that we are getting to witness first hand. She is part of McLain’s family and Lee and Erika McKeevers family. The McKeevers have looked after her since her very first day in the US. She is a pet, the sweetest chestnut mare I have ever met – until she gets into the ring, then the gloves are off and she jumps better than anyone. Her wins at Devon, the Hampton Classic and the Spruce Meadows – which George Morris still touts as one of the best jump-offs he has ever seen – are the things people dream about. She literally out ran Hickstead, the reigning individual Olympic champ to win the $1m class.

Sapphire Flies in Vegas

Rodrigo Pessoa even got to shave McLain’s head as the result of a longstanding bet after the Spruce Meadows win.

The week after the World Cup Final we were back in Kentucky where My Boy Bobby was best for the US with Buck Davidson. He jumped around Mike Etherington-Smith’s course like an open hunter. But it was Headley Britannia and Lucinda Fredericks who took one for the girls (and Australia) at the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** - the tiny chestnut mare paved the way for another first for the girls: Rachel Alexandra bringing down the house in Maryland winning the Preakness Stakes. Mine That Bird proved that his longest-shot-on-the-board in the Kentucky Derby was no fluke, he was gamer than game, but found the fastest three-year-old in the country a bit too hard to catch.

Not to be outdone by the four-footed ladies, Ashlee Bond jumped clear rounds for sport over the biggest European courses with Cadett. Ashlee is so lively and enthusiastic, she makes friends everywhere she goes and has certainly lived up to the hype.

Ashlee Bond became a houshold name with Cadett 7

Jersey Fresh provided a highlight, when Titanium jumped up into the top 10 in the CCI*** - again for Buck. Personal for me because I sold him to Buck off the racetrack. I’m demanding owner credentials if he comes to WEG!

NAJYRC never ceases to amaze me, those kids are just awesome. For as maniacal as the weeks surrounding that were, the end result was something to make everyone proud. Vaulting and endurance were well represented – a hint of things to come I hope, their non-championship divisions were well subscribed and competitive. There are too many people to thank, but i will start with these three:

Hugh Kincannon and Robby Murphy Recieve the High Five award from Howard Simpson

Saratoga provided the respite I needed after my first go round as a competition director, I saw some great friends and great horses – it is heaven on earth that place. I saw Rachel in her stall, but it was two weeks later that you could hear them all the way in Ballston Spa cheering her home to beat older horses (colts and geldings) in the Woodward. She was belly to the ground, you’ve never seen a filly try quite like that, she set a ferocious pace and then somehow held on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrTMpHvew0U

RUN LIKE A GIRL was the order of the year.

The Hunter Derby Final was quite the experience for me, I haven’t spent that much time watching hunters in my life but it proves my theory: watching good horses do anything is awesome. These certainly were the best, and the course, at the main arena at the Kentucky Horse Park was to die for. These were real hunters, jumping four foot easily over solid fences.

The fall brought some of the highlights.

First I damn near died at the KY Cup Driving Test Event with an infected root canal. Rescued by the kindness of strangers who have become friends, I missed Chester Weber’s record breaking 7^th National title on Sunday. But I can say that the hazard driving on Saturday was phenomenal. Larry Poulin retired from the sport with a classic performance, the gap he left will be very difficult to fill:

Larry Poulin

Personally, my little racetrack project materialized into a real event horse at the Virginia Horse Trials. Polo Grounds (Henry) still has a for sale sticker on his neck, but he proved how hard a horse can try. In work since April – he did little off-the-track horses proud showing up in the ribbons at jumper shows and events with an ever-increasing improving ability to steer.

Henry

Rachel didn’t turn up for the Breeders Cup (through no fault of her own) and Zenyatta (who has always been my personal favorite) ran her unbeaten streak into the record books becoming the first mare to win the Breeders Cup Classic. That stretch run still gives me chills. Her ears pricked the entire way, Santa Anita will never be the same.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt-88DTxeYs

Last to first with a thundering rush to greatness.

Her trainer, John Sheriffs won the Ladies Classic the day before with Life is Sweet.

No doubt it is.

We took a six of our best athletes to the AQHA World Show where Bobby Murphy, Kathy Meyer and I did our best impressions of cowboys. Phillip Dutton, Will Simpson, Holly Bergay, Valerie Kanavy, Mike McLennan and Pete Kyle brought down the coliseum at the State Fair.

Holly Bergay and Grand Ballerina

Holly Bergay showed the poise of a seasoned veteran in an electric atmosphere, the 17-year-old represented Dressage and ParaEquestrian – putting on a show that brought the crowd to your feet. Everyone delivered – but when Pete and Will switched hats and Will climbed aboard Gimme More Bucks to the tune of Should’ve Been a Cowboy, the crowd at the AQHA was won over.

100%.

Will Simpson Reining Star

The Carolina Horse Park's Celebrity Bareback Puissance provided a fitting end to a Thanksgiving weekend. Six very game riders, from Grand Prix show jumper Jeanne Hobbs to Olympic eventer Bobby Costello, went to task at 3’3” in very good humor. The mood changed to fear/focus when the wall approached five feet and Costello jumped 5’3” before bowing out. Hobbs then cleared 5’6” for the win. 19-year-old Antigua (who represented the US at the 2006 World Equestrian Games) came out for some fun.

Jeanne Hobbs and Night and Day 8

I’m not ready for next year. But for all the hassle, headaches and paperwork, comes moments like those. Thank you to everyone that made it happen.

Bring on 2010, but first: a nap.

Photos courtesy: Shannon Brinkman (3), Flashpoint, Picsofyou, Joanie Morris, the AQHA, USEF Archive, Meri Hyoky

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Horses in the Headlines: They Just Keep Jumping

JOANIE — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:54:00 GMT

Eventing horses have a tough job, they are the triathletes of the horse world and have to excel in three very different phases. They have to remain calm and focused in the dressage, brave and fast on the cross country and careful and strong in the show jumping. Amazingly they tend to have very long and illustrious careers.

The careers of three of the best in Europe are coming to a close at the age of 17. All three have resumes that would overflow a page and they are examples of just how different types of horses can excel at this job.

Tamarillo is a bouncy little Anglo/Arab that has won both Badminton and Burghley with William Fox-Pitt. The quality of his performances spanned years, his first CCI**** win (Badminton) was in 2004, the spring before he represented Great Britain at the Athens Olympics. The Brits won Team Silver. Four years later he won Burghley – putting him in elite company of horses who have won both.

He was also second at Badminton in 2005 and went on to Team and Individual Silver at the European Championships that same year. He has picked up medals at Olympic Games, World Games and the European Championships – he was on the list for Pau CCI**** in 2009, but a minor injury led his connections to call his dazzling career to an end.

He won his first CCI in 2000 at Blarney and was second that fall at Blenheim CCI***, but it was his second place finish in 2002 that scored him a spot on the 2002 World Championship team when he was just 10. Two of only a handful of his mistakes came at the World Championships in 2002 and 2004, where 20 penalties kept him out of the individual medals both times.

Incredibly cheeky, ‘Tam’, could sometimes not contain his enthusiasm about life which wasn’t always appreciated. But his personality was never going to be deterred and he was always a crowd favorite. Jumping mistakes were exceedingly rare for the little horse and he was very dependable throughout his career. He finished his career with 1636 British Eventing Points.

Ringwood Cockatoo holds records for the lowest dressage scores in history at various competitions. He set them and promptly broke them on a regular basis. The big moving grey horse thrived under Bettina Hoy’s guidance and leaderboards around the globe had his name in lights.

Perhaps he is best known for the controversy at the 2004 Olympic Games where Bettina passed through the starting flags twice, before jumping an immaculate clear round. Sorted out in the Court of Arbitration for Sport after Bettina stood on the podium, sadly for Ringwood Cockatoo he lost his gold medal and remains an asterix in Olympic history.

Ringwood Cockatoo at his Final CCI**** Photo Courtesy Josh Walker/USEA

He did have some far happier times in a career that spanned a decade, he was in the top three at 12 CIC***s throughout his career and the following CCIs:

2000 CCI** Achelschwang; 2001 CCI*** Boekelo, 2005 Luhmuhlen CCI****; 2006 Team Gold Aachen WEG (6^th Individually); 2008 Pau CCI****.

His career was speckled with seemingly minor but eventually costly errors, he really could have two European titles to his name but glance offs on otherwise perfect cross country rounds meant that he was denied. But his individual results were impeccable and he showed his class right up until the end of his career – he scored 28.8 in the dressage (a record low score) at the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** in 2009, then picked up a few cross country time penalties to finish second.

The beloved Irish-bred gelding is 17 and will enjoy a life of retirement with Bettina and her husband Andrew.

Frequently giving Cockatoo and Tam a run for their money was the fabulous French stalwart: Espoir de la Mare (which means Hope of the Ocean). Jean Teulere produced a phenomenal athlete and competitor from scratch and the classy bay gelding arrived on the scene in 2002 (like Tamarillo) when he was the World Champion at the age of 10. He was fourth individually and part of the Gold medal winning team from France that benefitted from Hoy’s mistake at the 2004 Olympic Games. His consistent performance belies his seemingly sparse record as the classy Selle Francais was injury plagued. His resume is very much the opposite of Cockatoo, Espoir ran infrequently but always delivered at major championships.

Runner-up at the 2007 European Championships in Pratoni and part of the Silver medal winning team there meant he is unique in that Espoir won medals at Olympics, Worlds and Europeans throughout his illustrious career.

We won a CCI*** at Pau in 2006 – his last major victory.

Espoir’s season ended with an injury at the 2009 European championships after a fantastic cross country round on his home turf in Fontainebleau.

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Still Freezing, Wet but Safe at Fair Hill International

JOANIE — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 22:01:00 GMT

It is as muddy here as I have ever seen and I think i have been to Fair Hill every year since 1999. The place is trashed, they were towing cars in, not just out, but people kept smiling, everyone made the best of the condidtions and the good horses and smart riding prevailed.

It was an exhausting day for everyone.

I'm currently sitting in a camper with five Jack Russells, all related, drying out and trying to catch up on some work.

But there was some cool stuff out there today.

Boyd Martin's horse literally skipped around the course. Boyd rides in such a good balance and he can see the jumps from miles away - making him awesome to watch. Neville is a funny littel horse, but he has lived up to Boyd's faith in him and he really delivered today. I also loved Holly Hepp's round on Last Monarch, another little horse who made light owrk of testing conditions. It was great to see Mrs. O'Connor abck after her suspect driving of her motorbie meant that she was seriously sidelined with an injury for a month. She had some good catch riders and made the best of it, her horse was brave and confident today and she too, was rewarded for her faith in him.

The two-star was a great showcase for some up and coming talent, both human and equine. Hannah Sue Burnett rode for her life today and St Barths delivered. "Nike" used to be a racehorse and he lived up to his racing name of Red Track Shoes with a fleet footed performance. Doug Payne delivered with a nice horse, living up to the expectation.

There was also some bad decisions made today and some very tired horses. Luckily all worked out for the best and I hope some people learned a lot.

I'm tired and cold, wet and probably a little smelly so I am signing off. More tomorrow.

See here: http://www.clubequestrian.com/photos/gallerylistbyuser/Sailorthedog/2275.aspx for photos.

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Freezing at Fair Hill

JOANIE — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:24:00 GMT

Rain, wind, cold and puddles are the story of the dressage here at Fair Hill International. Winter temperatures gripped the Northeast as two back-to-back Nor’easters tore up the coast. Morale was good, although soggy amongst the competitors but down jackets, rain pants and Wellies were the only fashion statements being made in Elkton, MD.

It’s always fun to come back up North and catch up will all kinds of old friends. I have gotten to ride some fabulous horses on my tour of Middleburg, VA. I went to Lizzie Williams wedding (she has worked for Jan Byyny for ages and we went on the 2004 Olympic trip together. I then went to a memorial service for Karen O’Connor’s dad, Phil Lende. Both the wedding and the celebration of Phil’s life were perfect and very fitting.

No one has really stood out in the dressage ring yet, lots of consistent performances, but halfway through the morning session of day two, nothing has been super special. With the elements, I am not terribly surprised. The horses look cold. Everyone is out of clothes and we spent yesterday afternoon holed up in the camper with a gaggle of Jack Russells, all of which are related – and cold.

I am about to go around the course, I have heard majorly mixed reports, some say big but not too technical and some say very technical. I will see for myself and report back. I am sure it is beautiful as Derek DiGrazia always does a good job. Hopefully the footing will hold up, its old, established turf here, and that always helps.

The field is huge, lots of range of experience, horses who have been here time and time again and lots of first timers. It is a great mix and there are some really top pairs this afternoon. Mara Dean always is dependable with Nicki Henley and he is back on form after a serious injury at the Pan American Games in 2007. Karen O’Connor also rides Mandiba, her Olympic Horse after the lunch break.

More later, need to put the gloves back on…

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Horses in the Headlines: Multi-Tasking

JOANIE — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:22:00 GMT

USEF's Helen Murray did a little 'Market Research' on the European Eventing Championships and this is what she found out:

Over the past weekend the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships were held at Fontainbleau in France. For the eighth consecutive time the Brits took home team gold with a margin of victory of more than 90 points. Tina Cook and the impressive Miner’s Frolic added team and individual European gold medals to their dual bronze medals from last summer’s Olympic Games. The individual silver and bronze medals went to Britain’s Piggy French with Some Day Soon and Germany’s lone finisher Michael Jung on La Biosthetique- Sam FB. Both French and Jung were representing their countries for the first time at the senior-level, each having enjoyed success in the Young Rider ranks.

Another fresh face at Fontainbleau was the Netherlands’ Tim Lips. The 23-year-old first caught attention last summer in Hong Kong flying the Dutch flag on Concrex Oncarlos. The pair came to Lexington, KY in April for the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event and stole the show on Thursday afternoon with a beautiful dressage test. Lips gained an even larger fan club on Saturday by blazing around the cross country effortlessly clean and inside the time. Two unfortunate rails on Sunday dropped Concrex Oncarlos from fourth to ninth. However, Lips returned to Europe having gained many fans of both his riding ability and his handsome looks.

Tim Lips and Concrex Onclaros at Rolex 2009. Mike McNally photo.

With Concrex Oncarlos sidelined, Mr. Lips brought Van Schundel’s Comprex Owaola to the European Championships. This Dutch-bred mare, by renowned jumping stallion Indoctro, has vast experience on the international stage. However, much of this mileage came in the Jumper ring and not across the country. The Europeans was the mare’s 53^rd international competition but 40 of these events were Show Jumping tests. Lips and Owaola stood in fourth place after the first phase. On Saturday the pair were eliminated for picking up three refusals on course. They were not alone in disappointment with the likes of defending European Champion Nicolas Touzaint as well as German team staples Frank Ostholt, Ingrid Klimke and Andreas Dibowski all making early exits from the course.

In looking towards next year’s 2010 World Equestrian Games, the 2009 European Championships showed that the Brits are still setting the standard but there is plenty of young talent knocking at the door.

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Horses in the Headlines: Another Pair of Senior Citizens

JOANIE — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:07:00 GMT

After the story about the senior citizens (equine) at the Hampton Classic, Helen Murray was doing some research on older horses still going strong and this is what she found out:

After the dressage and show jumping in the Young Rider Open Preliminary Division at this weekend’s Plantation Field International Horse Trials it is two horses that have been around the block a time or two that head the field. Orange and Emily Van Gemeren lead the field just six points ahead of Resolute and Ryann Quigley. The combined ages of these horses is 40 (they are both 20 years old) while their riders ages only totally 37. Both horses successfully competed at the Intermediate and Advanced levels with their previous riders Josh Walther and Jane Murray with Orange, Suzanne Kloud and Jennifer Libby with Resolute.

It is only the white streak that has developed in the top of Orange’s mane that would suggest that he is a day over 12. For the past two seasons Em and Orange have been collecting blue ribbons in Area 1 and 2. Tomorrow will be their last cross country go together. As Orange will return to his old stomping grounds in Southern Pines, NC to teach a new rider the ropes and Emily will begin being a working student for Boyd and Silva Martin.

Don't Tell Orange That Age Matters

This past July, Resolute returned one more time to compete at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. With Jennifer Libby, Resolute was a fixture on the Area II Young Rider Team. While this year’s competition did not end the way Ryann had planned, Resolute looked to be enjoying every moment of his gallop around the Kentucky Horse Park on Saturday.

Resolute (Spike to his friends) has plenty of miles left on his wheels

So if you are Plantation tomorrow make sure to give an extra cheer for these two schoolmasters and the girls that look after them so well.

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Horses in the Headlines: Sapphire

JOANIE — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:57:00 GMT

Sapphire.

How does she keep getting better?

The legendary mare continued to build on her own lore, winning the $1m CN International Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows Masters on September 13, 2009.

She and her long-time pilot, McLain Ward, jumped into the history book outrunning Individual Gold Medalists Eric Lamaze and Hickstead and defeating the Canadian pair by less than .03 seconds.

Sapphire In Las Vegas by Shannon Brinkman

She swept the big classes at Devon and the Hampton Classic, but her Spruce Meadows win, and her runner-up sport at the World Cup Final in Las Vegas would be her biggest accomplishments of 2009, so far.

But ‘Sara’ is more than one of the best jumper s in the world (owner of two Olympic Team gold medals) she is a member of McLain’s family and of the McKeever family. Lee and Erica McKeever have worked for the Ward family since McLain (now 34) was in the pony ring. They met at the Brewster, NY farm and the two families have become one over the decades.

Sara is at the middle of it all. Lee and Erica’s kids love her, Erica rides here almost every day at home, and Lee has traveled the world with her. I first met Lee and Sara and Hong Kong, their friendship is extraordinary and when I met the rest of the McKeever family in Las Vegas it became clear that is Sara could live in the house – she would, and they would be happy to have her.

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Horses in the Headlines: Baryshnikov

JOANIE — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:22:00 GMT

The breed expert here in the USEF's Marketing Department, Helen Murray, discovered that there was an intruder amdist the fancy European Warmbloods at the USEF National Developing Horse Championship sponsored by the Dutta Corporation and Performance Sales International. She caught up with Kelley O'Shea Duncan and Baryshnikov .

Kelley O’Shea Duncan has long been importing Warmbloods from Europe to compete and sell in the dressage world. However, four and half years ago she decided that her next prospect would be a Hackney Horse. She called every breeder of Hackneys in the US in pursuit of her ideal horse. It all came together when she visited renowned Saddlebred trainer Joan Lurie’s farm in Simpsonville, KY.

Baryshnikov had been bred by Elizabeth Goth, in hopes that he would one day become part of her Hackney four-in-hand driving team. His sire, Forward Commander, is a three-time Fine Harness Champion in Holland, England and the United States. As well, his mother Woodhurst Ballerina, is also a renowned Hackney. However, when Baryshnikov was born with the incorrect markings for Mrs. Goth’s team his future changed from Carriage to Dressage horse. O’Shea Duncan bought him straight out of the field untrained and unbroken.

For the past four years Baryshnikov has successfully been competing in USDF recognized shows. His biggest accomplishment was a tenth place finish at this year’s USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship, where he was the only Hackney in the field. Despite, this good placing O’Shea Duncan has been told by dressage experts that Baryshnikov’s best is yet to come and he is sure to shine at the Grand Prix level.

What drew her to the Hackney Horse are traits that Kelley sees every day in Baryshnikov. She believes that Hackneys can excel in the sport horse world because of their incredibly “hardy” nature. Which Baryshnikov demonstrated by never needing a joint injection or shot of Legend or Adequan and having his first set of shoes put on just before he shipped to the Developing Horse Championships. Not out of necessity but because O’Shea Duncan was told that to fit in with his European counterparts Baryshnikov would need shoes. She also believes that Hackneys have a future outside of their traditional roles because of their supreme work ethics and fabulous athleticism.

Kelley O’Shea Duncan believes that she found her “diamond in the rough” with Baryshnikov.

Photo of Baryshnikov courtesy of PhelpsPhotos.com

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Oli Rules; Mixed Results for the US at Burghley

JOANIE — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:29:00 GMT

Burghley always proves a demanding test and this year’s fall CCI**** proved no exception. Many of the world’s best were caught out early on at the sixth fence: Discovery Valley which required very brave and extremely accurate riding. American riders Jennifer Wooten, Becky Holder, Missy Ransenhousen, Allison Springer and Karen O’Connor had trouble there as all five of their horses ran out left at the third element a very narrow angled brush.

Karen and Becky both had their day cut short, Becky retired Courageous Comet at the Rolex coffin and Karen fell off Mandiba at the Dairy Mound. Allison Springer had three stops around the course and walked home from the cascade fence as it proved too spooky for Arthur.

Arthur heads to Blenheim this week to try to redeem himself.

Jennifer Wooten’s The Good Witch was foot-perfect after her mistake and Missy was conservative with Critical Decision amassing quite a few time faults.

Phillip Dutton was the best for the US, finishing fourth on TruLuck in the horse’s second four-star and first major competition since the 2007 Pan American Games.

They won the dressage on the first day, which even Phillip (who is renowned for his cross country prowess) admitted was an unusual position to find himself in (photo above is of Phillip and TruLuck).

The Thoroughbred gelding got a little tired toward the end of the track, but Phillip looked after him and brought him home with a handful of time faults. Four time faults in the show jumping kept them out of second place, but the horse can be tricky in the final phase and Phillip has to add everywhere on him to keep him from getting rank and then jumping flat.

Amy Tryon and Buck Davidson both did masterful jobs with their inexperienced horses to finish well within the top 20. Buck battled a hernia all week but capped his European trip off with a foot-perfect show jumping round.

The course would not have been for the faint of heart, but there were two horses that made it look fun and easy.

Barry’s Best and Lenamore couldn’t be more different – which is one of the very coolest things about eventing. Barry’s Best appears to know how to count, and the alphabet, as he looks to have studied the course map before he set out. Rosie Thomas does a fabulous job of letting the rangy gelding do his job and staying out of his way.

Lenamore is little and nippy and there was never any doubt that he wasn’t going to find the middle of every set of flags. The grey veteran had been jumping around big tracks for years and looks so confident and relaxed. Both are super fun to watch.

Lenamore and Caroline Powell

26-year-old Oliver Townend really did put on a show to wire the field on Carousel Quest:

He was in a class of his own, followed by Polly Stockton who made up for her disappointment of missing out on a shot at the Europeans when her listed horse colicked – requiring surgery. Westwood Poser would have made that a bit easier to bear with his very professional performance.

For complete results, see: www.bdwp.co.uk. Check out Burghley TV: www.burghley.tv. All Photos by Kit Houghton/FEI

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Oli Burns It Up at Burghley

JOANIE — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 21:05:00 GMT

The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials are now in full swing, with the second day of dressage in the books. Oliver Townend continues to keep up his impeccable four-star form and is sitting comfortably in the lead on a 39.8 wit the 14-year old Carousel Quest. This horse could easily be confused with Oli’s 2009 Badminton Champion, Flint Curtis, who is will be on British Squad for the upcoming European Championships in a few weeks. If Oli can also put his name on the Burghley Trophy he will 2/3rds of the way to completing the Rolex Grand Slam, meaning he inevitably would be booking a flight to Lexington for the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** in April.

British Super Star Oli Townend and Carousel Quest Lead Going into the Cross Country

Photo by Kit Houghton

The Americans put in some of their personal best tests over the last two days as well. With Philip Dutton and Truluck sitting in the pole position through the Friday lunch break on a 45.3 and go into Saturday’s cross-country in fourth place. Alison Springer and Arthur are only three places and two points behind Philip. Karen O’Connor and Amy Tryon also were able to find spots in the top twenty with Mandiba and Leyland.

For those of us that are not lucky enough to be over in the British wind and rain you can keep up with what is happening through live results, various videos, blogs and twitter updates.

Live Results: http://www.bdwp.co.uk/bur/09/

Cross Countryon Burghley TV: http://burghley.tv/index.php?p=main&eID=bh

Ecogold Videos of Phillip, Karen, Buck and Alison: http://ecogold.blogspot.com/

Horse & Hound Live at Burghley: http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/397/288284.html

Allison Springer’s Blog: http://allisonspringer.com/live/

Karen Oconnor’s groom Max Corcoran’s Blog: http://special.equisearch.com/blog/maxcorcoran/

Becky Holder’s Blog: http://www.holdereventteam.com/News/News.html

Amy Tryon’s Blog: http://www.teamtryon.com/

Burghley DIRECTOR ELIZABETH INMAN’s Blog: http://www.burghley-horse.co.uk/blog.asp

William Fox Pitt’s Blog: http://www.foxpitteventing.co.uk/

Oli Townend’s Twitter: http://twitter.com/Oliver_Townend

Georgie Spence’s Blog: http://www.georgiespence.com/news

Burghley’s Twitter: http://twitter.com/burghley_horse

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