by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 26, 2024
Brits, Brits everywhere at the top of the leaderboard in both the 4-star Short and 5-star three-day events at the Kentucky Horse Park, where the dressage phase wrapped up on Friday.
In the Defender 5-star, a lovely, fluid test from Tom McEwen and JL Dublin was marked at 24.6 penalties, overtaking another British rider, World Champion Yasmin Ingham with Banzai du Loir, who led on 26 penalties after the first day of competition. That made the British contingent 1-2 in the featured division.
Tom McEwen and JL Dublin. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
There is a tie at the top of the Cosequin Lexington 4-star between the USA’s Liz Halliday on Miks Master C, who was third in the Kentucky 5-star last year, and U.S.-based British rider Lucienne Bellissimo on DYRI (yes, she’s the wife of Mark Bellissimo, a Wellington, Fla., developer who is used to making headlines of his own). Both women were marked at 26 penalties.
But the Brit one might expect to be at the head of the 5-star rankings instead stands equal eighth. That’s three-time Kentucky winner and world number one Oliver Townend with the promising Cooley Rosalent, who started out with a mistake—going from the halt into the canter instead of the trot—which didn’t endear her to the judges, one would guess. Oliver is tied with 22-year-old German soldier Calvin Bockmann on The Phantom of the Opera with 31.4 penalties.
Analyzing his test, Oliver said, “I thought the exceptional bits were very good, and the mistakes were the mistakes.
“I felt the good bits weren’t rewarded really and the mistakes were whacked obviously, which is correct. But when you sit there and watch it and see late changes being awarded 7’s and 7.5’s, I think something needs to happen.” Then he hastily added, “That isn’t any sort of description to do with my test.”
He noted the fans (15,127 came to the park today) “were very noisy when we went in and then it went very quiet and then someone dropped a tin or something in (during) the walk, It did feel like things were unfolding against us. At the same time,” he said of his nine-year-old mare, “she’ll come on from that experience and it’s definitely not going to be a dressage competition.”
Oliver Townend tips his hat to the pony clubber managing the entrance to the arena. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
As he always does, Tom gave credit for much of “Dubs’” training to the 13-year-old gelding’s former rider, Nicola Wilson, who was badly injured in a fall and passed the ride on to him. Tom inherited the horse and added his own touches to what is a formidable package.
“For sure it’s all down to Nicola; she’s done all the work for me,” he said. “I’m really lucky and fortunate to have a 5-star horse after all the hard work and training has been put in, and I get to play and tinker around with the movements to get the scores. But it takes hours of work no one ever sees so you can perform on a stage like this.”
He was second at Kentucky last year to Tamie Smith and Mai Baum, who became the first American winners since 2008. Mai Baum was going to compete in the 4-star at Kentucky in preparation for the Olympic selection process, but he was injured and remained in California. Tamie said he’s getting better and she will assess him after she heads home next week.
In the 4-star, Lucienne said she was “absolutely thrilled” with her horse, who she characterized as “one of those geldings who is a little bit introverted. Every time I go up the center line, he just loses a little bit of his confidence. And today was the first time he really started to let me in. He finished in a confident fashion, so that was fantastic.”
Lucienne, who also stands thirty-first with Tremanton, said, “I very much hope to be back here for the 5 star next year with the same two horses.”
A problem with his final lead change brought down the score for Miks Master C, known as Mickey, but Elisabeth said he “remembers the 5-star, and he is keen and ready to go, but he’s so professional now and a horse with so much power. He was a bit excitable today, so I just tried to keep him calm in the warmup.”
In the 5-star, Elisabeth and Cooley Nutcracker share the status of being the highest-placed American so far with Lauren Nicholson and the veteran Vermiculus. They each are third on 30.6 penalties.
While the Irish sporthorse Cooley Nutcracker is only 10 years old, Vermiculus, a fiery Anglo-Arab, has been there, done that at age 17. He first competed in the Kentucky 5-star as a 10-year-old.
When Lauren heard her score, she said, “I was shocked at where we were,” but noted some of the brilliant horses left the door open when they had a few not-so-brilliant moments.
The fact that Vermiculus did so well after a layoff last year made me wonder if Lauren, an Olympic veteran, is considering trying for the Paris Games this summer.
Lauren Nicholson and Vermiculus. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I’ve thought about the Olympics every day of my life since I was six years old,” she revealed, adding she’d be lying if she said it didn’t cross her mind daily.
“There’s a point in your career when you are obsessed to get there, and then there’s a point in your career where you only want to go there if you’re going to be competitive. Making sure all the boxes are ticked and…I’m being as competitive as possible in preparing myself and my horse. I’m not interested in going just to get the accolade. I want to go to win medals for the U.S.”
But at the moment, we’re thinking more about Saturday’s cross-country than Paris
Toward that end, the clever folks at Equiratings are offering insight about the 5-star and who might win. Here’s what they point out:
This is one of the strongest Kentucky 5* fields since 2015, since it includes the current World Champion and a European Champion, as well as the world number one..
- Oliver Townend is making his hundredth five-star start. His first was in 2004 at Burghley. (30 x Burghley, 23 x Badminton, 17 x Luhmühlen, 10 x Kentucky 3 Day, 10 x Pau, 3 x Maryland, 3 x World Championships, 2 x Bicton, 1 x Olympics). A seven-time 5-star winner is partnered with last year’s Blenheim young horse winner, Cooley Rosalent.
- Since 2010, there have been seven British winners at Kentucky
- 25 Kentucky titles have been claimed (1998 to 2023) by riders from five different nations. The score from the two most prolific nations is currently Great Britain 8 – USA 7
- The reigning World Champions Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir won CHIO Aachen in 2023. They have placed top 5 in 13 of their last 18 CCI4* runs. Prediction center gives Yasmin and Banzai a 25 percent win chance and 49 percent chance of a podium finish
- Tom McEwen entered this competition off the back of winning Kronenburg 4-star Short in March. Prediction center rates him with a 31 percnt chance of a win and 52 percent chance of podium finish at Kentucky
- Boyd Martin and On Cue – A two time 5* winning rider partnered with his Maryland 5* winning horse
- Every winner since 2010 has come from the top 5 after Dressage
- Seven out of the winners since 2010 have finished on their Dressage score
- Every Kentucky 5-star winner since 2010 has been in the top five after the first phase
- 11 of the last 13 cross-country leaders have gone on to win
- Quantum Leap (Doug Payne) – going for 4 from 4 perfect jumping clears
- Looking at statistics – only nine of the 43 starters will jump clear
- 11 of the last 13 cross country winners have gone on to win on Sunday
For the 4-star results click here
For the 5-star results, click here
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 25, 2024
Eventing World Champion Yasmin Ingham is leading the 5-star at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event with Banzai du Loir after the first day of dressage, seeking to improve on her 2022 second-place finish.
But despite a professional performance that merited a 26-penalty score, Yasmin didn’t have center stage to herself at the Kentucky Horse Park on Thursday.
Yasmin Ingham waves to her fans after her ride. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
It’s a very unusual edition of the event, with the Cosequin® Lexington 4-star Short getting nearly equal billing with the 5-star, the traditional feature that is one of only seven competitions in the world with that top rating.
Normally, you’d expect Will Coleman to be competing in the 5-star with Off the Record, his Aachen winner from 2021. But that horse is in the 4-star with Will’s newer mount, Diabolo. Halfway through the competition, which resumes on Friday, Off the Record is third with 30.1 penalties and Diabolo is second on 29.9, 0.1 behind the leader, Boyd Martin on Commando 3.
The reason for extra attention on the 4-star? The Paris Olympics are on the horizon.
“I think everybody has a little bit of a different approach,” Will mused, “both in terms of how they want to put themselves forward for selection, whether they feel like they’re going to make a stronger case for themselves doing the 5-star versus the 4-star.
“In my situation, Off the Record is an older horse. If he was going to be asked to go to Paris, I think doing the 5-star here and doing a championship in July would be a lot for him.”
While Diabolo is “working toward his first 5-star at Lumuhlen (Germany), Will’s third entry, Chin Tonic, has been withdrawn due to a carpal sheath issue.
“As always, you listen to your horse and try to make the best decision based on your horse and what’s going to make him be at his best,” commented Will.
“The selection stuff, that’s out of our hands and it’s not even worth putting too much thought in.”
(Just so you know, when I talked to U.S. chef d’equipe Bobby Costello the other day, he was really optimistic about the team and seems to feel ready.)
“I wish the Olympics would be in two weeks,” he told me.
Boyd, meanwhile, wasn’t interested in speaking about his Olympic prospects.
“I’ve tried to not even think about the Olympics,” said Boyd, who has been to three Olympics already.
“You don’t get to the Olympics unless you have a great performance here. It’s all about doing a great job this week, making sure the horses perform well and they’re happy and healthy. Hopefully, one of these horses can go with the team. But at the moment, we’ve got a mission ahead of us here at Kentucky. I’ve got three good horses and they’re in good shape and we really rock.”
He will ride Fedarman B in the 4-star Friday morning and On Cue in the 5-star that afternoon.
Since Yasmin obviously is a candidate for the British Olympic team, I mentioned to her how some of the U.S. riders chose to do the 4-star and asked why she was so set on the 5-star.
Banzai du Loir takes to the air with Yasmin Ingham. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I feel like between myself and my team, my owners, that we chose this route, we thought it was better for the horse and the preparation for the second half of the season of what we had planned.”
Of course, the Olympics is on their radar.
“It’s been a dream of mine since I was very young. But equally there are lots of other exciting events that are in the second half of the season I would also look forward to if that didn’t happen.”
Her friend, Kirsty Chabert, stands second with Classic VI on 31 penalties, 0.1 ahead of Germany’s Malin Hansen-Hotopp on Carlitos Quidditch K (what a name!)
Kirsty said of her 15-year-old Anglo European mare “hopefully she’s a really nice bottle of red wine and just keeps maturing with age.”
Malin recalled that before she decided to buy her gray Holsteiner from a friend, he was “really grumpy, bucking all the time…was not so easy but he just did a great job when he was jumping.” That’s always a selling point for a horse purchase.
Calvin Bockmann, who rides in the uniform of the German army, led the 5-star after the first group of riders had gone, and wound up at the end of the day as a very close fourth with The Phantom of the Opera, marked at 31.4 penalties. The 22-year-old had watched Kentucky on television for years and is thrilled to be in the competition.
Calvin Bockmann and The Phantom of the Opera. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Dressage isn’t Phantom’s favorite phase, and he often “got a little nervous at some point.”
But not this time.
“That’s why I’m even more proud of him for performing so well here. The arena is not easy with the cars and the big TV camera,” said the very personable Calvin.
He considers Kentucky the type of competition “you need to go to once in your life.” Calvin was a bit starstruck when he arrived, saing it took him three days “to realize where I am.”
He added, “Being here now is quite unreal. And to be in the lead after the first few riders is like amazing.”
The highest-placed U.S. rider in the 5-star is Hannah Sue Hollberg with Capital H.I.M., sixth on 33 penalties.
“I’m excited. I love this horse very much and I love his owner (Christa Schmidt) and Ms. (Jacqueline) Mars, her mother. It’s just a really special thing for me to be here,” she said.
As she left the arena, she gave a high-five to the Pony Clubber who was manning the ring entrance.
Hannah Sue and the Pony Clubber. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
When I asked if she, like some of the other riders had considered the 4-star instead of the 5, she retorted, “No way. I don’t follow trends.”
For those who are interested, Hannah Sue is planning to return to the Essex Horse Trials in New Jersey June 1-2, where she was the big winner last year with this horse.
Cross-country course designer Derek di Grazia gave a tour of his beautifully built route on Thursday. He’s been working on it since June, and most of the riders think the difficulty quotient is quite high.
“First of all, we changed the direction of it and many of the features come up at a different time in the course and obviously all the feature have been changed, the combinations,” he explained.
Derek di Grazia on the cross-country course he designed. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“So it certainly is much different than it was last year, or in previous years,” Derek noted.
“The technicality is there, that are different exercises for them to do. I think the time will not be easy to get. The thing that’s good for them is that the ground is quite good, so I think the ground will ride quite quick and fast. That will be a benefit. The other thing that could come into play, I think, it will be a little warmer on Saturday.”
Click here for the 5-star results
Click here for the 4-star results
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 24, 2024
It’s not everyone’s idea of a spectator event, but if you’re an eventing fan, the initial horse inspection at the Defender Kentucky competition is a “must” part of the entire experience.
Spectators line up along the rail at the Kentucky Horse Park to watch their favorites jog, and the bonus is seeing what the riders are wearing. This time, Boyd Martin—who once flaunted an outrageous red, white and blue Uncle Sam suit for the trot-up—was uncharacteristically boring in a gray sweater.
There were the usual choices of blah sportcoats among some of the other men, but no one could even dream of coming close to Will Faudree. He jogged Mama’s Magic Way while wearing a cowboy hat and pink suit worthy of Barbie’s Ken. That woke everybody up.
My favorite, however, was Germany’s Calvin Bockmann, who looked very sharp in his army uniform while presenting The Phantom of the Opera (who was a chestnut, rather than black, as I expected with that name.)
Calvin Bockmann and The Phantom of the Opera. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
The women generally try to make a statement with their clothing. The outfit I liked best was worn by Monica Spencer of New Zealand, a drapey belted light brown jacket that looked as good from the back as it did head-on, coupled with white pants and knee-high tasseled boots. The bay color scheme of her elegant horse, Artist, completed the picture.
Monica Spencer and Artist, the back view. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Jennie Brannigan also looked sharp with Twilight’s Last Gleam and FE Lifestyle. She wore a trenchcoat of sorts over a white top and a short, snappy skirt with rows of brass buttons.
Jennie Brannigan looked sharp for the horse inspection. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
All eyes were on Mia Farley and Phelps. Her outfit was low-key, but she didn’t need to be fancy to get everyone’s attention. She and David O’Connor’s clever thoroughbred were a sensation at last fall’s Maryland 5-star, especially after it was learned that he had bought the horse for $1. (Though I’ve been told he never actually anted up the dollar bill he promised to owner Joanie Morris.)
Mia Farley and Phelps. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Phelps should be a big-time contender along with world number one Oliver Townend of Britain and Cooley Rosalent. Oliver has been the champion at the Kentucky 5-star three times.
While the inspection was relatively uneventful, there was a general sharp intake of breath when Banzai du Loir, the mount of World Champion Yasmin Ingham, was sent to the holding box. He was passed by the ground jury upon his reappearance, so we’re looking forward to seeing the representative of Britain competing.
The other hold involved Doug Payne’s Quantum Leap, who also was accepted upon re-presentation.
Okay, so you’ve seen my choices for the best-dressed. Which do you think won the prize offered by Dubarry? Answer: None of the above. It went to Joe Meyer, one of the guys wearing a nice sportcoat; a muted plaid with a stylish pocket square..
Best-dressed winner high-stepping Joe Meyer with Harbin. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
As I do every year, I went over and talked to Danny Hulse from Dubarry, giving him my thoughts about the contest. He’s very good-natured about it. I objected when they made the award unisex (it used to be best-dressed man and best-dressed woman, but you can guess why that concept went south in this era.)
This time, I asked Danny why, with all these people in great outfits, someone wearing a very nice, but ordinary look won .I was told that the choice is made by a committee, members of whicch remains anonymous, I’m sure they wouldn’t want me dogging them asking why they picked as they did.
I was also told that there’s a long checklist of criteria they have to check off in making their decision. But then the real reason for the choice came out: the rider has to promise to be at the reception at Fasig Tipton where the prize is presented. And Joe was there to receive it.
I can understand why some riders aren’t able to put the reception on their schedule; they’re getting ready to do what they came here for. Competition in both the 4-star Short and the 5-star starts Thursday with dressage, which continues through Friday. The cross-country is Saturday and the event wraps in Lexington with stadium jumping on Sunday.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 22, 2024
Tamie Smith never planned to try for back-to-back 5-star wins with 18-year-old Mai Baum at the Defender Kentucky 5-star event this week, but she was going to put the 2023 winner in the 4-star Short event in Lexington as a prep for the Paris Olympics.
Tamie Smith and Mai Baum after their 2023 5-star victory. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Now, however, fans of the beautiful black superstar won’t get to see him at the Kentucky Horse Park. He’s staying at home in California.
Tamie announced on social media, “Sadly, Mai Baum will be sitting out this Kentucky 4S and resting up for an exciting summer. They say timing is everything and while I was away competing some of my other horses last weekend, Lexus was a bit wild and feeling exuberant and pulled away from his handler and tweaked himself.
“He wasn’t 100 percent in time to make the trip across the country to Kentucky and we have elected to withdraw him from the Defender 3-Day Event. It can be difficult to withdraw your horse from a key competition, especially leading up to this summer. However, this decision is in his long-term best interest and the one thing we’ve never wavered from is our commitment not to compromise the well-being of any horse.”
Fans if Tamie, the first U.S. rider to with the 5-star since 2008, can still see her ride, however, as she has two horses in the 4-star. Danito will go on the first dressage day Thursday, while Kynan goes last on the second dressage day.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 9, 2024
When you think about going to camp, activities like swimming, tennis and hiking usually come to mind. But there’s a different take at Centenary University.
Based in Hackettstown, N.J., with an equestrian center in nearby Long Valley, Centenary will have two equestrian camps that offer a wide range of learning opportunities this spring and summer.
Centenary University Equestrian Center. (Photo by Jenna O’Connor)
Centenary is fielding an NCAA equestrian team for the first time next season, in addition to offering students a chance to ride on an Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association squad, which includes opportunities beginning with walk-trot.
There is an emphasis on equestrian teams at Centenary, which will have a special camp for prospective candidates. (Jenna O’Connor photo)
For NCAA, candidates have to be able to perform such sophisticated movements as turn on the haunches or counter-canter. Whatever the level, being involved with a team is a big responsibility, so how does a student prepare for that?
Prospective participants will get a chance to find out if they have the necessary skill set and the desire to take part by attending an Elite Equestrian College Prep Camp May 10-11. Riding lessons on the flat and over jumps, as well as discussions with coaches Michael Dowling and Heather Clark will be offered. Riders will participate in a mock horse show to get the flavor of what NCAA and IHSA are like.
To participate, they must be high school students (or entering their freshman year in the fall) who are able to groom and tack up a horse and walk, trot and canter, as well as negotiate a 2-foot, 3-inch jumping course.
“The intent is to expose them to what would be required for one or the other (team),” said Michael. It gives the coaches a chance to assess potential team members, while offering the participating riders an opportunity to decide which of the formats they would prefer. He noted Centenary has room on a team for virtually any student who wants to be part of one, and opportunities to show at least twice in a semester.
The camp “gives them the feel of what intercollegiate riding is like and what we have to offer here,” said Heather.
While the camp is a recruiting tool for the university, students do not have to be committed to attending Centenary when they enroll. It’s expected that there will be great demand for spots in the clinic. Parents are invited to attend and participate in the meetings.
Applications must be in by April 22, and there is room for only 16 riders, so those who are interested are advised to apply early. Click here for registration information.
And for another opportunity to pick up horse-oriented knowledge, Centenary will present the Equine Science Summer Day Camp in July and August, geared to those 13 and up who have basic horse experience.
Proud grads of the Centenary camps. (Photo courtesy Centenary University)
There are two different camps under the supervision of Dr. Lynn Taylor.
Level 1, July 29-Aug. 2, will include not only the basics of safety, tack and grooming, but also delve into nutrition, health issues and therapies. This is the third year it is being held.
“All of the students, even the ones in high school who are fairly well-experienced, realize very quickly that they don’t know everything,” Lynn said.
Those who want to take Level 2, which is making its debut Aug. 5-9, must have completed Level 1 successfully in any year, or be certified in Pony Club levels H-A, C-3, B and A.
There’s no riding involved. The camp is for students interested in learning or practicing skills; some may be considering being a veterinarian or a vet tech.
The camps test participants with daily quizzes. On the Fridays, students can choose to have a hands-on evaluation. If they receive a score of 80 percent or higher, they will get a certificate of competency from Centenary’s Equine Sciences department. If they don’t want to be evaluated, they will get a certificate of completion, but Lynn said so far, everyone has chosen to be evaluated.
Although campers may know the basics of care, “they may not have an opportunity to learn how to take a temperature or monitor hydration in a reinforced way,” Lynn said. They also practice taking vitals (vital signs).
In Level 2, they delve into alternative modalities, such as shock wave, chiropractic or massage. All students have an opportunity to do a hematocrit (a simple test that measures the percentage of red blood cells in a blood sample) and utilize Centenary’s laboratory facilities. Lectures and demonstrations fill out the camp programs.
“When I ask the kids what they are interested in, most do say being a veterinarian,” said Lynn.
“It’s a good kind of wake-up call. They really do see the level of involvement you’re going to have to have, even if you want to go to go to school for pre-vet, you really have to improve your handling skills and how things translate from the classroom to the barn.”
Click here to register for Level 1. Click on this link to register for Level 2.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 4, 2024
Custom Made, ridden by David O’Connor to a history-making eventing individual Olympic gold medal in 2000, will be buried in the Kentucky Horse Park’s Memorial Walk of Champions this month.
The 17.1-hand Irish sport horse also is being honored with induction posthumously into the park’s Hall of Champions. Custom Made, better known as Tailor, was retired at the park during the event in 2004. He lived at Jacqueline Mars’ Stonehall Farm in The Plains, Va., until his death in 2019 at the age of 34, with David at his side.
“Tailor was the horse of a lifetime,” said David.
“The most powerful horse I have ever sat on and a true gentleman of every sort. He was a great combination of athlete, legend, and friend.”
The park’s president, Lee Carter, noted, “The sport of eventing is an integral part of the Kentucky Horse Park story, and this should be recognized in our Hall of Champions. Custom Made is arguably the most decorated horse to compete at the park, having won the Kentucky Three-Day Event (1995), Badminton Horse Trials (1997) and Olympic gold. While Custom Made is no longer with us, we are thankful to David O’Connor for allowing future generations the chance to learn the history of this amazing horse.”
Tailor (Bassompierre x Purple Heather) was foaled in Ireland in 1985. He was imported to the U.S. by Joseph Zada to be a mount for O’Connor. In the first year of their partnership, they won the 1995 Kentucky Three-Day Event.
The following year, Tailor and O’Connor finished third in the Badminton Horse Trials and placed fifth individually in the Atlanta Olympic Games. They returned to Badminton in 1997 to secure the win, making Tailor the second American horse ever to be victorious in the prestigious competition.
Their historic achievement of individual gold came at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. It was the first eventing gold medal for the U.S. in 25 years. They continued a successful career together including victory in the gelding’s final competition at the 2002 Fair Hill International Three-Day CCI4*-L. He was inducted into the United States Eventing Association Hall of Fame in 2009.
Tailor lived out his life at Jacqueline Mars’ Stonehall Farm in The Plains, Virginia. He died in October 2019 at the age of 34 with O’Connor by his side, ending a celebrated chapter in U.S. eventing history.
“Tailor was the horse of a lifetime,” said O’Connor.
“The most powerful horse I have ever sat on and a true gentleman of every sort. He was a great combination of athlete, legend, and friend.”
