by Nancy Jaffer | May 1, 2022
A memory from the 1984 Olympics that has stuck with me was French show jumper Pierre Durand walking out of the ring in Los Angeles with a bridle in his hand after Jappeloup refused and he fell off, along with the bridle. It was a sad picture, but at the 1988 Games in Seoul, Pierre regained his stature by winning individual gold on the same horse.
My reason for this little trip down memory lane was what happened to Doug Payne this weekend at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day as he came off, along with the bridle, when Starr Witness (who had been leading the 4-Star Short division) took exception yesterday to the first element of the challenging three-part Park Question obstacle on cross-country.
But while it took Pierre four years to recoup, it only took Doug one day. This afternoon, he moved up from a fifth-place tie after cross-country to third on Quantum Leap with one of only six double-clears in a field of 30 that show jumped over a Steve Stephens-designed course in the 5-Star division at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Doug took the national 5-Star championship with 38.4 penalties as the highest-placed American in the event, which was especially impressive since he was 25th after the dressage phase. And I should remind you he was also the highest-placed U.S. rider at the Tokyo Olympics, where he was 16th on Vandiver.
Doug Payne was the top American in the Kentucky 5-star aboard Quantum Leap. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
I didn’t bother leading off this story by saying that Germany’s Michael Jung won the competition on fischerChipmunk FRH, because that was a foregone conclusion, barring a disaster of Biblical proportions. He led from start to finish in taking his 11th 5-Star victory, and his 20.1-penalty score was the lowest ever for an event at that level. In the record books, he is tied with Sir Mark Todd (now retired and training race horses) for the number of wins. The leader is Britain’s William Fox-Pitt with 14 victories.
No American has won the big prize at Kentucky since Phillip Dutton did it in 2008. Now Michi has won four times at Kentucky, just one behind Bruce Davidson’s record of 5.
Michael Jung was all smiles after a clear show jumping round on fischerChipmunk FRH. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I had a really great feeling in the warm-up, and it makes you a bit more relaxed, but the pressure is on,” said Michi, who is thinking about riding for the German team at the world championships in Italy this summer.
“I tried to stay really concentrated and focused with this horse. He’s amazing,” the rider continued, noting he enjoyed each phase on the 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding, thanking the owners for buying the horse and keeping him available for the German team.
Jung makes everything look effortless, but there’s plenty of work behind his success.
“Of course, you always try to do your best, that’s why you wake up every morning and go to stables in minus 20 degrees, and in the rain, and in the heat,” Jung said.
“It’s a very special moment for me, and I have to give thanks for my whole team in the background — helping train the horses and bring the horses to this level. And big thanks to the fischer group so that we can keep this horse in Germany and make it so that I’m allowed to ride such an amazing horse.”
Boyd Martin, the top American last year and in 2019, was second going into show jumping with his Olympic mount, Tsetserleg, but told me yesterday he had no illusions about overtaking Michi and Chip, since they had two rails and a few time penalties in hand. Sadly, Boyd wasn’t able to keep his runner-up position, dropping a rail in the triple combination and at the next-to-last fence in the Rolex Stadium, where 22,185 people were riveted as they watched the action.
Boyd wound up fourth, behind Michi, Doug and Yasmin Ingham, a 24-year-old British competitor from the Isle of Man, who was the youngest rider in the competition. She and Banzai du Loir had no jumping faults, but accumulated 2.8 time penalties while leaving the rails in place for a total of 31.7 penalties.
Yasmin Ingham of Great Britain was delighted with the efforts of Banzai du Loir in the 5-star. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
A thrilled Yasmin never lost her poise, saying of her Selle Francais, “He has exceeded all expectations.I have all the confidence in this horse. He was very professional all weekend, and it was amazing to pull it together for all three phases at such an incredible event.”
Not that getting to Kentucky in the first place was easy.
“It was tough to get to the flights and with all the traveling, but I wouldn’t take it back for the world,” she said.
“We’ve been treated so well, so a huge thanks for all the volunteers that make this happen. I’m very thankful to be here.”
Back to Doug. Today was a sorrow as well as a joy (which seems to encapsulate the ups and downs of the eventing experience ) because it was the last time he will compete on his Olympic mount, Vandiver.
The horse had a stop on cross-country and two rails today. Quinn, as he is known, will now compete at the Preliminary level with Doug’s groom, Courtney Carson, before perhaps going on to a young rider.
“He’s not a horse who will be very happy out in the field. He wants to keep doing it. He loves it,” said Doug, who had been hoping for a “strong top 10 finish” with him and thought Quantum would be lower in the rankings.
Doug Payne and Quantum Leap in action during the show jumping phase. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
He was happy Quantum’s co-owner, Susan Drillock was at the horse park.
“She hasn’t been really seen him compete very often. For her to be here to see this is beyond special.”
At the same time he was feeling sadness about Quinn, he didn’t let it dominate his performance.
“You have a job to do. There’s always ups and downs. I’ve always found a way to compartmentalize if something goes wrong, put that past and move to the next. Quantum deserved my full attention and focus.”
In the 4-Star Short, leader Dan Kreitel couldn’t bring his first place standing home, after his horse Carmango, showed resistance at the beginning of his round, then dropped two fences and accumulated time faults to drop him to fourth.
The touching story of how his wife had cancer, his infant daughter barely survived and he tried to juggle that with his work in real estate and training his horse had made an impact on everyone who heard it.
Phillip Dutton, second on Quasi Cool, noted that the other riders’ sympathy was with Dan.
“One part of the sport that’s not fun, is that we all wanted Dan up here,” said Phillip, referring to the table at the press conference where the top three riders in each division are seated.
“He’s such a great guy and I hope we see a lot of him and his horse in the future.”
Liz Halliday-Sharp moved up to first place from second with a perfect trip aboard Cooley Quicksilver to end on 29.7 penalties.
This photo illustrates the challenge 4-star combinations such as Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver faced over Steve Stephens’ demanding course. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I couldn’t ask for more from him, he rose to the atmosphere and I didn’t expect that many spectators for the 4-Star,” said Liz, who turned in a double-clear.
“It was wonderful to have crowds back. The course was great, well-designed and it made you think about the lines. The time was tight, there’s a lot to see in that arena and you never know what the younger horses might do, but all in all, it was a really great day and I’m thrilled for the owners, team and horses.”
Phillip was further back on 38.6 penalties with his ex-racehorse, saying, “A lot of this sport is all about the dream, and there are a lot of disappointments, but he looks to have the makings of a great horse.”
James Alliston, a native of Great Britain who recently became an American citizen like his wife, Helen (who is the owner of his horse, Paper Jam) finished third with 43.4 penalties and just 0.4 time penalties.
The horse had done only two Advanced competitions prior to heading East from California.
“But he’s very brave naturally, so I was hoping I wasn’t being stupid. I’m very happy, he’s a good show jumper normally but this is a whole thing with the crowds and the long course, so I’m really happy with him.”
“It’s a dream to come and do this,” added James, who at one time worked for Bruce Davidson.
NBC is airing its program of the event at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 14.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 19, 2022
The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association announced that an email “phishing” scam has targeted some members with messaging that appears to originate from USHJA. The organization is providing guidance on what can be done to protect against this.
The email to which USHJA was alerted was sent with the subject line “charity campaign” from an @ushja.com address, which is not a legitimate USHJA email account. These emails are fraudulent and should be considered malicious. If you have received this email or something similar, take these steps:
• Do not click on any links in the email
• Report an email like this to ftc.gov or by forwarding to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at reportphishing@apwg.org
• Mark the email as SPAM with your inbox provider
Also, USHJA wants you to know the following about emails it sends out:
• We will always include our physical address in emails we send. This is located at the bottom of the emails.
• We will always provide a way for you to opt out of receiving communications from us, though we hope you won’t opt out. You can manage what emails you receive from us at the bottom of every email we send, under “Manage Preferences.”
• We will always disclose a sponsor relationship if we are sending an email on behalf of a sponsor, and it will still come from us.
• We will never solicit you for funds related to another individual member. As a 501(c)3, we are not permitted to raise funds for an individual.
• We will never ask you to provide credit card or social security numbers via email.
• We will never solicit donations or payment through a third party payment service such as PayPal, Venmo or Zelle.
While phishing scams are common in today’s environment, there are steps you can take to help avoid them:
• Beware of emails with major typos or formatting issues
• Don’t trust unsolicited email
• Be cautious of email attachments
• Be sure your antivirus software is up to date
• Install a personal firewall and keep it up to date
• Configure your email client for security
by Nancy Jaffer | May 12, 2022
Did you miss watching the Land Rover Kentucky 5-star three-day event? Or did you enjoy watching it so much you’d like to see highlights again?
NBC television will be presenting the event Saturday May 14 at 1 p.m. Eastern time. Tune in to watch the masterful riding of superstar Michael Jung and the technique of his amazing mount, fischerChipmunk FRH. Cheer on Doug Payne, the highest-placed American rider and enjoy the opportunity to see competitors from around the world.
Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk master cross-country. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Commentary by Olympic gold medalist Melanie Smith Taylor will offer insight into the action as one of the world’s toughest competitions unfolds. Enjoy seeing the beauty of the Kentucky Horse Park in the spring as a bonus.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 28, 2022
There was a big announcement at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event’s welcome party, held at the Fasig-Tipton sales facility in Lexington last night. After the Kentucky hot browns, shrimp salad and fried artichokes were passed around, came word that Janie Atkinson will be installed in the U.S. Eventing Hall of Fame at the organization’s annual meeting this autumn.
Janie is the former longtime director of the event (back when 4 stars was the highest rating and the long format with its steeplechase and roads and tracks phases was still in use.) These days, she’s an active volunteer, putting flags and obstacle signs on the fences and doing whatever else needs to be done in the way of chores.
Would she ever think of skipping the event?
“Not while I’m still cooking,” she insisted.
Mike Cooper of EEI, U.S. Eventing President Max Corcoran, Kentucky Horse Park Commission Chairman Alston Kerr, an emotional Janie Atkinson and Jane Beshear. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Jane Beshear, Kentucky’s former first lady and mother of current governor Andy Beshear, has known Janie for decades and is well-versed in her contributions to the event and the development of the horse park.
“Janie took this event from just an infant to where it is today,” said Jane Beshear.
“She was the voice of eventing all over the country; people know Janie Atkinson and what she’s done for the event world everywhere. She loves the sport,she knows it inside-out and she’s not afraid to voice her opinion.
“That’s what made her such a great leader in this sport, not only for Equestrian Events (EEI, which puts on the event), but really worldwide. She without a doubt deserves to be in this Hall of Fame of eventing,” continued Jane, who has served on the horse park commission.
After the 1978 eventing world championships put the new horse park on the map, Jane recalled, the event was struggling for few years–until the arrival of Janie.
As Jane put it, “She came in and put her foot to the grindstone and really just continued to build and build and build. Her influence is where we are today.”
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by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 18, 2022
There’s another championship on the equitation scene. The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association will be offering a Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for amateurs in 2023.
It will be run along the same format as the version open to juniors. It’s a three-round class combining the precision of equitation and handiness of hunters over a course set at 3 feet.
It will be open to any active USHJA amateur member who has placed first, second or third in adult equitation classes in the age group equitation at 2’9” or higher, 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal, Taylor Harris Insurance Adult Medal class and the Ariat National Adult Medal class. Qualifying classes begin June 1, with the inaugural Classic being held in 2023 at a date and location to be announced.
For more information and program specifications for the USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for amateurs and the USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry College, visit ushja.org/Gladstone.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 4, 2022
The Langer Equestrian Group is asking equestrians to contact the Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and Parks before Thursday morning May 5 to express their concern about having equestrian competition and boarding continue at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.
The recreation and parks staff is recommending to the commissioners that the current management and operation of LAEC be terminated in the next 90 days and a new operator, ASM Global, be brought in as an interim operator.
LAEC has reached out to remedy LEG’s previous frustration with LAEC, and Dale Harvey of West Palms has joined LEG in bringing hunter/jumper shows back to LAEC last year. The combined effort included approximately $500,000 in horse show facility improvements in 2021 alone.
Marnye Langer of LEG has researched the proposed operator, and found that although it has stadium and amphitheater experience, she has not been able to determine whether that involve any substantive horse experience.
“While several facilities are listed on their website, including Del Mar Fairgrounds, I cannot determine the direct equestrian connection. I have reached out to ASM by phone, email, and through their website and never received a response,” she said.
She has asked that comments be shared with the commissioners before Thursday morning “if you want to see horse shows and horses continue at LAEC. They need to hear all voices, not just the loud dissenters. The management of LAEC may have things to work on, but they want to operate a quality boarding and event management place for horses and the people who love them.”
Emails should be sent to RAP.Commissioners@LACity.Org. Reference Board Report 22-114 LAEC in the subject line of the email..
by Nancy Jaffer | May 5, 2022
As the International Omaha annual horse show got underway this week at the CHI Health Center, the Omaha Equestrian Foundation looked toward next year to announce that the FEI World Cup™ finals 2023 will offer a tribute to the horse’s regional tradition and cultural impact, with the Native American heritage as part of the event’s theme and program.
The foundation is seeking to broaden community understanding of Native American history with its initiative at the show April 4-8, 2023. The finals feature not only show jumping and dressage, as was the case in 2017, but also vaulting, which is gymnastics on horseback.
Beginning in 1723, horses transformed the Great Plains region tribes’ hunting tactics, inspired artistry, strengthened transportation routes and expanded their health and wealth. Plains tribes with roots in Nebraska include the Omaha, Northern Ponca and Santee.
“Where we’re standing here in Omaha was the site of a societal transformation 300 years ago — horses changed our way of life on the Plains,” said Steve Tamayo, a traditional Sicangu Lakota artist who founded the Bluebird Cultural Initiative.
“As we celebrate the horse’s majesty and grace at the renowned FEI World Cup Finals, we’re excited to use the international platform to share authentic stories about the horse’s lineage in this region and its cherished place within our people’s history.”
Tamayo consulted on the design of the FEI World Cup™ Finals 2023 first promotional poster, which presents a thematic template for the event by depicting two triumphant horses from two different eras and alluding to their ancestral linkage. The marketing campaign was created by Turnpost Creative Group in Omaha under the guidance of Stuart Lundgren, principal and creative director.
The horse on the left side of the poster has dressage braids, an English bridle and a purple and white competition ribbon. The horse on the right has a white circle painted around its left eye to commend its keen vision — and it has stripes painted across its nose and feathers attached to its mane, features representing valor and courage in battle.
The poster also includes symbolic cultural references within its multi-colored background stripes — horse hoof imprints and four-direction sun emblems are positioned between rhythmic waves and the legendary thunderbird.
“Just as we honor horses today for their achievements in a world-class competition event such as the Final of the FEI World Cup, our indigenous relatives of the Plains decorated and adorned their horses and told a dozen different stories with regalia and symbols,” Tamayo said.
“The markings explained all of the deeds and achievements carried out by the horse, a valued and respected member of the tribe.”
In addition to the competitions, the FEI World Cup™ Finals 2023 will include shows, exhibits and demonstrations, VIP amenities and on-site shopping. Links to Native American culture, designated and designed under the counsel of Bluebird Cultural Initiative, will be incorporated within each auxiliary entertainment element.
“We are thrilled to again serve as the host site for this prestigious event, and we are honored to collaborate with Bluebird Cultural Initiative as we progress through the planning stages,” said Omaha Equestrian Foundation CEO Julie Boilesen.
“The world will be watching in 2023, and we recognize the opportunity to enrich the event experience by showcasing horses’ regional history and impact on Native American culture.”
Next year marks the second time that Omaha will serve as the host for the FEI World Cup™ Finals. More than 52,000 spectators, representing 38 countries and all 50 U.S. states, were in attendance in 2017.
The FEI World Cup™ Finals 2023 stands to build off the 2017 success as the Vaulting Final makes its North America debut. Vaulting, a visually exciting equestrian discipline that intertwines the acrobatics of gymnastics with showmanship, joins Jumping and Dressage as the three events at FEI World Cup™ Final.
“The FEI is eagerly anticipating the FEI World Cup Finals’ return to Omaha in 2023. Horses are part of the cultural heritage of regions around the world, and we’re honored to recognize their legacy and influence on the Great Plains Native American tribes,” said FEI President Ingmar De Vos.
“The Finals in 2017 were a resounding success, and we’re certain Omaha will yet again provide a memorable experience for competitors and spectators at the Finals next year.”
New features are in development for the 2023 event and will be announced as they become available at www.OmahaEquestrian.org.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 15, 2022
The U.S.. has depth in show jumping; don’t doubt it. The just-announced short list for this summer’s world championships in Denmark shows that two consequential teams could be named to ride with the Stars and Stripes on their saddlepads.
Five riders will be selected after observation events in Europe, including Aachen, with four to compete (unlike the Olympics, where there were three on a team.
Olympic veterans named include Tokyo Games silver medalists, McLain Ward (Contagious, Kasper van het Hellehof); Laura Kraut (Baloutinue and Confu) and Jessica Springsteen (Don Juan van de Donkhoeve and RMF Zecilie,), as well as Kent Farrington, (Gazelle, Orafina, and Landon) who rode in Japan as an individual.
Kent Farrington and Gazelle. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Then there’s Brian Moggre (Balou du Reventon and Vivre le Reve), a star of the under-25 set; Spencer Smith (Quibelle), another young standout; Lillie Keenan (Agana Van Het Gerendal Z and Argan de Beliard), 2018 World Equestrian Games gold medal team member Adrienne Sternlicht (Benny’s Legacy and Cristalline); Bliss Heers (Antidote de Mars), who made the podium at the February $500,000 grand prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival) and Chloe Reid (Souper Shuttle.)
The U.S. squad was eliminated at the Nations’ Cup qualifier in Mexico earlier this year, which means the U.S. won’t qualify for the finals in that competition this autumn in Barcelona. That means the world championships will take on even more importance than usual.
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by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 30, 2022
Imagine being one of only three riders in a field of 43 at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 5-star to make the optimum time over today’s multi-faceted cross-country course put together by designing genius Derek di Grazia.
Together with no jumping faults, that has boosted you from sixth place after dressage to second place going into the final phase tomorrow. Your horse is in the best shape ever, you’re riding great and all things being equal, you could be the first American to win the 5-star event since 2008.
Except all things are not equal.
What stands in your way is three-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Jung of Germany. And that’s why Boyd Martin isn’t counting on leading the victory gallop tomorrow at the Kentucky Horse Park with the valiant Trakehner, Tsetserleg.
Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg make a splash in the water at the Head of the Lake. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Michael will go into the show jumping with his marvelous dressage mark of 20.1 penalties. Like Michael, Boyd added no penalties today, but his dressage score was 29.3. With four penalties for a knockdown in show jumping, that gives Michael an edge of two rails, and he has a little leeway for time, though he likely won’t need it.
So Boyd accepts that the odds favor Michael and the celebrated Hanoverian, fischerChipmunk FRH.
“He’s by far the best horse in the field and probably the world’s greatest event rider,” Boyd acknowledged of his equine and human rivals.
“It’s a privilege standing next to him but he’s just in a different league.”
With that in mind, here’s how Boyd looks at it.
“To me, you’re against yourself in this contest; the best dressage you can do, clear cross-country and clear show jumping.”
After that, it’s up to fate.
Derek’s course was one major question after another, requiring not only technical skill and accuracy, but also endurance. There was plenty to see for the They needed all the help they could get.
The route took its toll. There were 32 finishers, and we likely won’t see all of them return for tomorrow’s competition finale. Seven horses were eliminated and four retired. Some of the horses looked understandably tired near the end of the route.
Chip, of course, was not one of them. He had the fastest round of the day, completing in 10 minutes, 53 seconds, while the optimum time was 11:04.
Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH put on a show for the fans who flocked to see them. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
It was his first 5-star, but that’s deceptive if you’re evaluating his experience, since he competed in the Olympics last year, though you may not know they aren’t held at the 5-star level.
So this could have been considered a challenge for Chip, if he hadn’t simply aced it.
“It was tricky everywhere, tough questions everywhere,” said Michael.
“I’m just very proud of my horse. A great horse, a lot of talent, super quality. He’s so powerful, he’s so fast running on the flat. Great jumping everywhere, with his brain always with me. It was a great feeling just to enjoy the 11 minutes.”
In third place is the event’s youngest rider, 24-year-old Yasmin Ingham, with the French-bred Banzai du Loir. Yasmin is right behind Boyd with 30.9 penalties, adding 2.8 time penalties to her dressage score of 28.1. It is Yasmin’s first appearance at the Kentucky Horse Park, and she really wasn’t expecting to be where she was at the end of today.
British visitor Yamin Ingham and Banzai du Loir stand third after cross-country. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“It’s his first time at this level and he was just brilliant at the combinations.”
After the coffin, which was challenging by being early on the course, “he just powered on and he’s just an incredible horse to ride. He really does have all of what it takes to be a top event horse. It’s a dream come true to come here.”
The other rider who made the time was, not surprisingly, Phillip Dutton, the American who last won Kentucky 14 years ago.
He went from a tie for 31st place after dressage to seventh with 38.8 penalties on Sea of Clouds.
Phillip Dutton and Sea of Clouds. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Doug Payne, Boyd and Phllip’s Tokyo Olympics teammate, nearly made the time, finishing with 1.2 penalties added on his score with Quantum Leap, bringing him up from 25th to a tie for fifth.
That was the best thing that happened to Doug today. The morning didn’t start well for the man who led the 4-Star Short competition after dressage when he had a fall at the troublesome Park Question triple obstacle, and took Starr Witness’ bridle with him in the process. She just nibbled grass until he got up and took custody of her.
A good number of horses weren’t ready for the Derek’s test.
Nine were eliminated and four retired. Dan Kreitl moved up from 11th to first with the Westphalian Carmango. He was the only one of the 30 riders who finished the course that did not accumulate time penalties.
Dan, who works in real estate, lived a nightmare with his wife, Alyssa, as she battled cancer last year and their infant daughter, Magnolia, struggled to survive. As a result, he had to rely on trainer Sharon White to keep his horse conditioned, since it was difficult for him to go from his Indiana home to Ocala to train. But though the situation wasn’t ideal, he rode as much as possible and today was the rainbow. Magnolia is doing well, though his wife is still undergoing chemo.
Liz Halliday-Sharp stands second, just 0.7 penalties back of Dan with a score of 29.7 on Cooley Quicksilver. Phillip is third with Quasi Cool (37.4), noting he benefited from riding an obstacle similar to the Park Question on a Derek-designed course at Fair Hill, Md., this month, although it had two strides between its elements, as opposed to the one-stride that stumped so many riders today.
Liz Halliday-Sharp, Dan Kreitl and Phillip Dutton, the top riders in the 4-star division greet Eleanor Suttle of Arkansas, a cancer survivor who idolizes eventers. The event organizers gave her a pinney of her own. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
The rain that was predicted stayed away, but a damper was put on the day when two horses were injured.Ashlynn Meuchel’s lovely gray, Emporium, fell at a brush jump in the Head of the Lake, and briefly was thrashing around in the water until veterinary help sprang into action. He was sedated and put on a trailer to the Hagyard veterinary practice up the road from the horse park.
Also being evaluated tonight at Hagyard is Fleeceworks Royal, Tamie Smith’s ride, who led on the first day of 5-star dressage. She had an injury to her left front, and Tamie pulled her up at fence 11C, the third element of EEI’s Challenge Accepted obstacle.
For complete results, click here for the 4-star and here for the 5-star.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 29, 2022
It was what we’ve all been waiting for at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, the excelsior of dressage tests performed by Olympic multi-gold medalist Michael Jung of Germany and fischerChipmunk FRH.
Needless to say, no one in today’s crowd of 12,753 at the Kentucky Horse Park was disappointed.
Michael Jung and fisherChipmunk FRH in action. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Chip and Michi were getting numbers from the judges that would have stood them in good stead had they been competing in high-level straight dressage. We’re talking 79.87 percent
Translated into penalties, which is the way eventing is scored, they earned 20.1 for a test that demonstrated how it should be done, from the four-square initial halt to the precisely controlled gaits, hitting all the marks and a stretchy circle that was the essence of what stretchy circles are about.
The lowest score I could find for Chip while researching the 14-year-old Hanoverian’s history was a mind-boggling 18.8 at the Radolfzel 3-star Short in Germany during April 2021, but this is the first 5-star for the son of Contendro I, so we’ll salute him.
I guess I don’t have to say that Michi is standing in first place as we await tomorrow’s cross-country, and who knows what that result will be after that. But in the meantime, we all enjoyed the moment, and no one did that more than Michi.
As he left the arena, he raised both arms wide and high, as if embracing the entire Rolex Stadium, then took off his helmet and beamed at the crowd who sent the love back his way.
Assessing his mount’s performance, Michi said, “I have a real superstar. He’s very nice to ride today, it was just a joy to ride him He was really powerful but also on the other side, really relaxed, so it was a very good balance.”
Michi won Kentucky three times in a row, in 2015, 2016 and 2017 with fisherRocana, now retired and a mother. Then from 2018 on, it was Oliver Townend’s turn to dominate and win three in a row for Great Britain. Michi was second in 2018 and hadn’t been back until this week.
But now The Great One has returned, and he’s loving it.
“I’m very happy to be back here in Kentucky. It’s a beautiful place,” he said.
“I really enjoy it and I think also my horses enjoy it. It’s a horse country. Everything is well-prepared for the horses.”
The top American in the 5-star is Buck Davidson, standing third with Carlevo (27.4) who was in fine form. Buck commented on his horse’s condition, explaining that he had been training race horses during the winter and looked to replicate their feed and conditioning with his event horse. The effort worked, as he felt the reliable Carlevo had more energy that put octane into their test.
Buck Davidson and Carlevo.( Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
During the 1960s, they talked about the “British Invasion,” meaning the rock stars, including the Beatles and Rolling Stones, who came here and made their mark. That phrase popped into my mind today when I looked at the leaderboard and saw that three of the top five placings belonged to women from England.
They included second place Sarah Bullimore with Corouet, who was as ebullient about her 25.7-penalty test as Michi was about his. She also did the arms flung wide thing as she rejoiced.
The lovely Yasmin Ingham, the youngest rider in the 5-star at age 24, was fourth on Banzai du Loir on 28.1 and Pippa Funnell stands fifth on Maybach (29).
This is Sarah’s second trip to Kentucky, and I asked her for impressions of the event and the facility.
Sarah Bullimore and Corouet. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I’m absolutely privileged to be back here,” she said, citing the hospitality and the fun of it as reasons that she’s glad she came.
“We don’t always get the opportunity to come here and I’m not getting younger so I grabbed this chance with both hands and I’m thrilled to be here. The park is fabulous, the track and everything, and everyone just bends over backwards to help you.”
Sarah’s horse is the first foal from Lilly Corinne, with whom she went to the European Championships in 2015. Corouet’s sire is Balou Du Rouet. The product of the union has “a mighty big attitude in a small package.”
Sarah Bullimore celebrates her dressage test in the same style as Michael Jung. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Yasmin and Banzai won the Blenheim 4-Star Long last year, a stepping stone to this 5-star and a great dressage test.
“I’m so proud of how he went down there and kept himself composed. It was just like me and him and the ring and it didn’t feel like anyone was there watching. There was a lot of pressure and a lot of atmosphere and he dealt with it,” Yasmin commented.
She came to Kentucky instead of next week’s British 5-star at Badminton because the track here suits Banzai more.
“It’s very open and galloping and some really big wide fences,” she said.
“I’m so lucky he’s a brilliant jumper. He really covers the ground and he’s got so much blood and he’ll run for hours. Maybe Badminton next year,” she mused.
Pippa made her mark her in 2003 when she became the first person to win the Rolex Grand Slam after taking Kentucky and following up with wins at Badminton and Burghley. (Michi is the only other person who has done it.)
She returned for the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games, but this is the first time since then that she has competed in Lexington.
When I asked what brought her back, she explained with a smile that she might not have many more chances.
“I haven’t got time on my side,” smiled the 53-year-old rider.
“It’s great to be back. I haven’t gotten so many horses now but I was just in a lucky position that I had enough to bring some here and to have some at Badminton,” she said. The cost of flying is also a factor in bringing the horses across the Atlantic, of course.
I loved seeing Irish rider Joseph Murphy on Calmaro reach over and shake hands with the Pony Club kids who moved the barrier at the arena’s entrance. Nice guy to give them recognition. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
In the 4-Star Short division, Doug Payne took the lead with Starr Witness (23.1 penalties). The Dutchbred mare has spent the past few months brushing up on her dressage.
Doug’s goal is to be competitive in all the disciplines that make up eventing. He has a U.S. Dressage Federation silver medal, but isn’t content with that.
“I want a gold and a Grand Prix horse and she will absolutely do it. Competing across disciplines is always my ultimate goal, to be able to show up in any sport and be competitive, and she can make it happen.”
But he has to keep her busy.
“She’s the type of horse that if you don’t challenge her, she will look elsewhere for something to do,” he observed.
Canadian Colleen Loach is second with the 18.2-hand Hanoverian Vermont on 24.5, while Thursday’s leader, Tamie Smith, has dropped to third with Cooley Quicksilver (25.7).
For results in the 5-star, click here . And to follow who did what in the 4-star this is the link.
Check back to this website tomorrow evening to find out how the cross-country went. The weather forecasts brought better news today than the rain predictions that we’ve heard all week, and it looks like we’ll get a break for the big day.
