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.
