Tag Archives: competition nerves

Eventing

Badmintons’ Battle of the Brothers. Nereo and Armada in the top three of leaderboard at the Badminton Mitsubishi Horse Trials.

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Two fabulous rides on two full brothers by Eventings top riders Andrew Nicholson and Oliver Townend Armada and Nereo are by the Thoroughbred stallion Fines on to Berganza, a daughter of the Hanoverian stallion Golfi. Oliver Townends ride Armada, owned by Paul and Diana Ridgeon, was ridden superbly round what has proved a course with many questions despite the perfect going. An immaculate, measured and controlled ride from Horse Scout supporter Oliver Townend. With the top six horses at this years Badminton Mitsubishi Horse Trials all within one fence of each other tomorrow is set to be an exciting….and nail biting, show jumping day.

Eventing

The Sky’s the Limit. Emily Lewellyn and Greenlawn Sky High set for a great ride through Badminton tomorrow

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Emily Llewellyn has featured on the Horse Scout Blog and our face book page a bit recently and here she is again as we watch her holding her own on her lovely horse Greenlawn Sky High who is owned by her mother Mrs Cindy Lewelly and Mrs Nicolette Gidley Wright.  He is a 12year old Irish Sports Horse by International Show Jumper Aldatus Z.  Previously a show jumper Emily has had the ride on Greenlawn Sky High for the last six years and it didn’t take long to realize that he was the horse for her. She loved him so much that she decided to buy him! Before selling a half share to Mrs Gidley Wright. (Kingsland Equestrain)!  Emily and Green Lawn Sky High have a penalty score of  just 49.6 to take with them to the starting gate tomorrow. We all wish her the very best at the Horse Scout Blog and I hope that the sun does indeed come out for you (as you asked on your tweet the other day!).

You can find Emily’s professional profile here: Emily Lewellyn on Horse Scout 

Eventing

Good Luck Giovanni : Horse Scout sponsors Giovanni Ugolotti at Badminton Mitsubishi Horse Trials

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Horse Scouts sponsored rider at Badminton Mitsubishi Horse Trials is Italian Rider Giovanni Ugolotti who make his debut at Badminton riding the lovely Stilo Kontika.  And the pair of them have ridden a good test today with a score of 65.11%, giving them a fighting chance tomorrow.  Giovanni represented Italy at the World Equestrian Games finishing in 22nd place having only made his senior debut the year before at the European Championships in Malmo where he and Silo Kontika had a double clear.

If you want to follow Stilo Kontikas profile on horse Scout here is his link Stilo Kontika

Good luck Giovanni.

Eventing

Flora Harris: Amazing – set to wow us after a great dressage test today

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Flora Harris riding Amazing VIII was sitting at third earlier in the running and is now a very credible 13th with only 4 penalties between her and Townend before tomorrows cross country. Floras Year is off to a great start with her debut, as a member of the British Nations Cup. A member of the World Class Potential programme she came 15th at Fontainebleau.  Her last outing at Badminton was on Law Choice.  They jumped a clear cross country but unfortunately law choice has to be withdrawn before the showjumping.  So Horse Scout Blogger along with all my readers lets wish her all the best for tomorrows awesome task on the cross country course tomorrow.

You can follow Flora Harris’ professional profile on Horse Scout here: Flora Harris on Horse Scout

British Dressage

Oliver Townend: a great start to this years Badminton Mitsubishi Horse Trials

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Huge Congratulations to Oliver Townend who is in 3rd place at this point after the dressage with a great dressage score of 73.61% (39.6) only 1.8 penalties off the leader Andrew Nicholson.

Former Badminton and Burghley winner Oliver Townend is last year’s BE number one rider and currently number 4 in the World rankings. He partnered Armada to second place at Badminton last year, and things are definitely looking positive for this years competition.

One of Horse Scouts busiest listed professional riders his Badminton Horse Trials write up for 2015 says he gained three first and second placings at a recent outing with some 14 rides over three days to bring home nine top four placings. This man is everything that says impressive.

Connect with Olivers’ profile on Horse Scout here Olivers profile

Showjumping

A Warm Reception for Freezing Rain: the only British Stallion to have approved status by the KWPN Studbook

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Freezing Rain is a young stallion on the way up.  Born in 2010 this 16.2hh handsome bay AES Stallion was bred at Paddock Woods Stud with Select Stallions, where international event rider Emily Llewellyn and Polo player and show jumper Max Routledge are based. This stud with second to none facilities is a family run stud near Godalming in Surrey where the Grand Prix show jumper Typhoon’s son Freezing Rain was bred in 2010.

Freezing Rains listing on Horse Scout’s Stallion pages has some fabulous pictures of Freezing Rain and his sire Typhoon S. Freezing rain was assessed in the UK by the KWPN inspectors and was allowed to attend the two KWPN stallion grading shows in Holland in 2012 and early 2013. From the 500 3 year old stallions assessed by the KWPN  only a few, whose confirmation and jumping ability and veterinary assessment were of sufficient quality were invited to attend the  50 day performance testing in the autumn of 2013 where Freezing Rain he was made ‘Approved’ by the Studbook!

This has made Freezing the first British bred stallion ever to reach this level. We are justifiably proud of this achievement. Ricky is only a 5 year old Stallion but he is already making a name for himself. His first foal born on the stud has been named Mr Rainmaker he and paddocks Woods say “ He is a beautiful stamp of foal and is really bright and bold in his temperament”.

Freezing Rain is out of Tiandra (a Heartbreaker mare) and by Typhoon S Paddock Woods top breeding and competition stallion.

You can find out more about him on his Horse Scout listing page by clicking this link

Showjumping

Horse Scout Bloggers Stallion Listing Review: The Stallion Company & Kannan World Number #1 Ranking Stallion

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Kannan Offspring Molly Malone & Bertram Allen win Longines GP Lummen

Horse Scout has some fantastic stallions listed on its Stallion Profile pages and is proud to review the outstanding stallion Kannan and his world ranked offspring. Top international Grand Prix power jumper, and a mainstay of the French Super League winning teams of his time. He now produces huge numbers of international level jumpers. He also produces some good eventers. With progeny taking top honours he’s hugely popular with breeders.

The 2015 World Cup Finals in Las Vegas gave Kanan offspring a clean sweep of victories. Molly Malone ridden by 19 year old Bertram Allen (ranked #10) won the opening days speed leg followed on by Albfuehrens Paille and Steve Guerdat winning on day 2 and taking the overall lead. It was down to the final day to see if Kannans offspring could continue their dominance – They did not disappoint!

Albfuehrens Paille took top spot on the podium while Molly Malone finished third overall. These horses are at the top of their sport but they showed that fighting spirit that Kannan passes to so many of his offspring. They have the heart and a willingness to work with you. In modern day sport your horse must be the full package – Kannan proves yet again why he is World Number 1! Kannan is the 2011 WBFSH number 1 jumping stallion. WBFSH number 8 eventing stallion stands at stud for The Stallion Company in Rodez, France

This amazing dark bay KWPN / Dutch Warmblood Stallion is 16.3hh.Bred by G Kramer van de Meer, Kannan is a tall rangey Stallion. Kannan has power, movement and scope;a horse who stands out from the crowd with presence style and a confirmation that brings with it an easy and elastic balance. WBFSH Stallion Rankings  #1 with 70 offspring with International ranking points with 2 in the top 100  and top ranked offspring on basis of international points won is Nino des Buissonnets (31st)

On Global Stallions his GF Germany Breeding Index for Jumping is SF +28 (.94) , KWPN 151 (.75) “His progeny are on course for the Olympics – a sure bet” Paul Schockemöhle in 2010 well he has certainly been proved right!

Kannan’s exemplary competition successes have included winning the Belgian Classic Circuit at the age of 6 in 1998, becoming 7 year old Belgian Champion in 1999. In 2000 Kannan made his International debut by finishing 5th in a Grand Prix. In 2003 Kannan won the Deauville Grand Prix and In 2004 Kannan won at Paris Bercy and Jardy as well as many other competition successes. He was a ragular member of the French Show Jumping Team which won the Samsung Super League in 2003 & 2004. In 2005 he became French National Champion.

The Stallion Company sell Kannan’s semen as live foal guarantee (The fee is 2050€ is + VAT @ 10%)

His progeny have proved immensely successful. One of the worlds top producers of showjumpers in recent years with a hugely impressive numbers of ranked progeny. Progeny include’ ‘Nino des Buissonnets’(Steve Guerdat) winner of the individual gold at the London Olympics 2012 and the sensation of the 2011-2012 world cup series, finishing 2nd in the qualifier at Stuttgart and 3rd in the qualifier at Lyon 2011 and going on to finish closely 2nd in the final in S. Hertogenbosch, was 2nd again the following year in Gothenburg and 5th in the final in Lyon 2014……, ‘Bridget’ (Bernardo Alves) indiv bronze medal and team silver at the 2011 Pan American Games, previously winner of the Monaco GCT GP, ‘Oh d’Eole’(Maclain Ward) winner of Palm Beach Grand Prix 2012 and with Ml Robert won the 4 star GP of Bourg en Bresse & 2nd in 4 star GP of Franconville 2013, ‘Molly Malone’ (Bertram Allen) in 2014 was 5th in 5 star GP of sHertogenbosch and in 2013 was 2nd individually in the European Junior Championships, won the 3 star GP of Leszno and 1m50 classes at 5 star Barcelona & Gijon, ‘Albfuehren’s Paille’ (Alesandra Fricker) in 5 star GPs was 4th in Rome CSIO & 6th in Basel, 4th in the 4 star GP of Braunschweig, 3rd in the 3 star GP of Hannover& won the 2 star GP of Ebreichsdorf all in 2013, ‘Quannan-R’ (Marc Bettinger) in 3 star GPs won at San Giovanni & 2nd Vilamoura,in 2014 while he won a 1m50 at 5 star Fontainebleau, ‘Kismet’ (Candice King), ‘Kavanagh IV’ (Matthew Sampson), ‘A Pikachu de Muze’(David McPherson) 6yr old world champion Lanaken 2006…. Continuously among the leading producers of good young showjumpers at the French young horse championships in Fontainebleau.   Also ranked amongst the top producers of eventing horses in the world with 9 ranked progeny. To find out more about Kannan follow this link to his Stallion Profile on www.horsescout.co.uk/kannan

Eventing

BE=Be Enlightened in British Eventing Terms. Horse Scout Blogger helping you Get To Grips With Competition Abreviation Terminoligy (CAT)

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I know we have some fantastic competition prospects on Horse Scout Horses For Sale pages; but do you see stars when you are looking to buy an experienced Event horse?

Have you ever wondered what the acronyms CCI and CIC etc actually mean when looking at British Eventing. Well here is a handy guide from Wikipedia presented to you by Horse Scout Blogger.

The Concours Complet International (CCI) and the Concours International Combiné (CIC) are ratings for the equestrian sport of eventing, given by the international governing body for the sport, the FEI.

The original difference between the two formats was that the 4 phases of cross-country (A, B, C, and D) were held in CCI competition, while CIC competition only ran the D phase. With the advent of the new format (which abolished phases A, B, and C), the FEI agreed to change the distances of the CCI to make it more difficult than the CIC competitions. Thus, CIC competitions have fewer obstacles on a shorter course than do CCI competitions.

Starring system

All FEI-recognized competitions, regardless of discipline, are rated on a “star” system. In eventing, the 4* level is the highest and the 1* level is the lowest of the FEI-recognized divisions.

Additionally, there are many competitions held at levels below the one-star. These competitions are not FEI-recognized, and are usually held under the rules of a country’s national governing body.

The Concours Complet International

CCI Competitions are held under FEI rules for Three Day Events, including the General Rules and Veterinary Regulations. They are international three-day events, as opposed to a national competition or a one- or two-day horse trial.

CCI****

The highest level of competition, advanced level for horses with a good deal of experience and success in international competition. It includes the Olympics (although the Olympics are usually made easier, at more of a three-star level, to allow a greater number of nations to compete successfully), the FEI World Equestrian Games, and six annual horse trials each year:

  • Badminton Horse Trials(Britain),
  • Burghley HorseTrials (Britain),
  • Rolex Kentucky Three Day (USA),
  • Australian International Three Day Event (Australia),
  • Luhmühlen Horse Trials (Germany), and the
  • Stars of Pau (France).

Rules:

  • Riders must be at least 18 years old, and horses 7 (although most are much older).
  • Cross-country has maximum of 45 jumping efforts on a 6270-7410m course, ridden at 570 mpm (total course time of 11–13 minutes)
  • Stadium has maximum of 16 efforts and 11-13 obstacles (Note: a combination is one obstacle), ridden at 375 mpm, with a course length of 500–600 meters.

CCI***

Advanced level, for horses with some experience in international competition.

Rules:

  • Riders must be at least 18 years old, and horses 7 (although most are much older).
  • Cross-country has maximum of 40 jumping efforts on a 5700-6840m course, ridden at 570 mpm (total course time of 10–12 minutes)
  • Stadium has maximum of 15 efforts and 11-12 obstacles, ridden at 375 mpm, with a course length of 450–550 meters.

CCI**

Intermediate level, for horses and riders with some experience riding in a three-day event, who are just starting to begin international competition.

Rules:

  • Riders must be at least 16 years of age, and horses at least 6 years old.
  • Cross-country has maximum of 37 jumping efforts on a 4950-5500m course, ridden at 550 mpm (total course time of 9–10 minutes)
  • Stadium has maximum of 14 efforts and 10-11 obstacles, ridden at 350 mpm, with a course length of 400–500 meters.

CCI*

Preliminary (USA) or Novice (Britain) level, used as an introductory level to the three-day event.

Rules:

  • Riders must be at least 14 years old, and horses at least 6 years of age.
  • Cross-country has maximum of 32 jumping efforts on a 4160–4680m course, ridden at 520 mpm (total course time of 8–9 minutes)
  • Stadium has maximum of 13 efforts and 10-11 obstacles, ridden at 350 mpm, with a course length of 350–450 meters.

The Concours International Combiné

The CIC may be held over one day, and is thus considered an international one-day event. However, it must follow FEI rules. Additionally, the CIC is held only at the one to three-star levels. There are no 4* CIC competitions.

  • CIC***: Cross-country is held over a 3200–4000 m course with 32-40 efforts, and ran at a speed of 570 mpm. Stadium has maximum of 15 efforts and 11-12 obstacles, ridden at 375 mpm, with a course length of 450–550 meters.
  • CIC**: Cross-country is held over a 2800–3600 m course with 28-36 efforts, and ran at a speed of 550 mpm. Stadium has maximum of 14 efforts and 10-11 obstacles, ridden at 350 mpm, with a course length of 400–500 meters.
  • CIC*: Cross-country is held over a 2400–3200 m course with 24-32 efforts, and ran at a speed of 520 mpm. Stadium has maximum of 13 efforts and 10-11 obstacles, ridden at 350 mpm, with a course length of 350–450 meters.

Other Terms

  • CCN: National Three Day Event. They must be held under FEI rules for Three Day Events (but not FEI General Rules or Veterinary Regulations).
  • CCIO: Official International Three Day Event, for team competitions internationally, such as the Olympic Games, the World Equestrian Games, the Pan-American Games, and the European Championships.
  • CH: International Championship Three Day Event
  • CCIP: International Three Day for Ponies. Only provided at the * and ** level.
  • J/YR: divisions for young riders (21 or younger) and juniors (18 or younger).

 

Eventing

Dani Evans (Event Rider) is shut down because of Strangles: Top Tips to help prevent strangles

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Horse Scout Blogger has just seen the H&H article about Event rider Dani Evans who has told H&H she has had to shut down her yard after an outbreak of strangles was confirmed last month (27 February). What a disaster for her and her owners.  My sympathies go out to them all.  I hope that they are on the way to being clear of the disease now. Read more at here

There can be nothing more worrying for the horse owner nor frustrating for the professional competition rider than having a yard shut down through something like this. Most especially when every precaution has been taken through good biosecurity and hygiene and yet something like strangles or equine hereps or even ringworm sweeps through a yard.

Strangles is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi (Strep. equi), it is one of the most common equine respiratory infections in the world. It can affect horses of all ages and types.

Strangles is a common threat

The disease causes major economic losses to the equine industry worldwide due to its prolonged course, extended recovery period and associated serious complications. According to International Collating Centre reports, strangles is responsible for 30% of infectious disease episodes. Reliable UK statistics are not available, but in Sweden, where strangles and equine flu are notifiable diseases, there are approximately four cases of strangles for every case of flu (see table).

Reported cases in Sweden          2000   2001   2002   2003

Strangles/flu ratio                              4:1      4:1      6:1      4:1

A dangerous and contagious disease

Strangles itself can kill (in simple cases there is a one percent mortality rate), but the major reason for its concern is the speed with which strangles spreads among horses, especially in a stable setting. In large horse populations, established outbreaks may last for months, essentially shutting down stabling premises.

Moreover, some “recovered” horses (carriers) can harbour Strep. equi with no outward clinical signs. Consequently, new or recurrent outbreaks are likely unless costly diagnostic procedures and aggressive quarantine measures are used.

S. equi infection can be transmitted both directly via close contact with an infected horse or indirectly through shared housing, water and feed buckets, shared tack and equipment; and contact with shared personnel such as groom, instructor, farrier, veterinary surgeon or more unexpected sources such as a pet dog.

Signs include:

• fever

• loss of appetite

• depression

• marked ‘snotty’ nasal discharge (this is the most common sign)

• lymph node swelling and abscesses predominantly of the head and neck

• Remember that not all horses will show all (or any) of these signs

If you suspect Strangles:

Isolate the horse and any other horses that have had direct, particularly nose-to-nose contact with it. Also isolate those which have/may have had indirect contact with the suspect case (such as through sharing of water and/or feed buckets, tack, handlers, and so on). Isolation should be away from other horses in the yard with which they have not had such contact. Do not allow other animals to enter the stable where the infected horse was kept or have access to its feed or water container.

Call your veterinary surgeon and discuss with the appropriate management, sampling and laboratory strategies to investigate whether infection with S. equi is the likely cause of the clinical signs. It may be beneficial to take more than one sample from more than one horse or on more than one occasion from the same horse to confirm or exclude the suspicion of strangles. Depending on the type and timing of sampling of cases, S. equi can sometimes be difficult to confirm and your vet will be able to advise you further.

Further information can be found here through the British Horse Societies very useful pdf on the Voluntary code in the event of a strangles outbreak. “Strategy to eradicate and prevent Strangles (STEPS)”

Vaccination can be used as part of a strangles management program. It can form a critical element in preventing strangles outbreaks on yards but it is not a substitute for good stable management and disease awareness.

A vaccine is now available to reduce clinical signs and the incidence of lymph node abscesses. Developed by MSD Animal Health, Europe’s leading manufacturer   of equine vaccines. The vaccine is now available to help owners and veterinarians manage this disease.

The vaccine can be used in horses from just four months of age and is administered by injecting a very small volume of vaccine into the upper lip of the horse. In trials undertaken by MSD Animal Health, horses tolerated this innovative application method well.

Where vaccination is required and to minimise the risk of strangles taking hold, all horses in a yard should be vaccinated.

This vaccination information is brought to you by MSD Animal Health, manufacturers of Equilis® StrepE. Equilis® StrepE which can only be prescribed by your veterinary surgeon whose advice should be sought.

A horse’s vaccination program should be based on the risk of disease for the horse, the yard and also the economic consequences of an outbreak. In general, the more a horse is in contact with other horses the greater its risk of contracting strangles.

Discuss an appropriate vaccination schedule for your horse with your veterinary surgeon

Professional Rider

Looking for Livery near London? Mandy Day and Edward Brook at Caldecote Farm Livery

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Horse Scout Blogger has been keeping an eye on the new listings.  If you are looking for training with top professionals or for livery with great hacking and facilities near London; then look no further!

Caldecote Farm is a professional equestrian centre for all aspects of horse management including livery and competition training. Owned by show jumper Edward Brook and dressage rider Mandy Day, who pride themselves on providing all the services you would expect from a pedigree equestrian centre, including the breaking, schooling and sale of top quality horses.

Easy located, Caldecote Farm is just 14 miles from Central London. Set amongst 50 acres of pasture with stunning views over the Hertfordshire countryside and North London, Caldecote Farm is perfectly positioned within a network of local bridleways. Our own bridge provides access to some fantastic hacking – including the grounds of Munden House Estate, Elstree aerodrome and along the banks of the River Colne and Otterspool Water Meadows.  Heck out their profile here.

A bit about Edward Brook:

Edward Brook started riding horses seriously at the age of 15 and gained his BHSII by the age of 19, making him one of the youngest people at the time to achieve this qualification. He soon realised that he found show jumping the most exciting of all the riding disciplines. He is a highly respected rider on the circuit – competing both internationally and nationally. He has also ridden horses for many owners. He is always on the lookout for young stock in the hope of finding a new star, and has produced horses from three years old to a Grade A standard, ready for selling.

Edward managed Patchetts Equestrian Centre for five years, and helped to make it the place it is today before buying into Caldecote Farm. Like Mandy, he has a passion for teaching and is a Level 3 credited coach for the BSJA, encouraging his pupils to get the most out of their horses in a sympathetic and motivating way. He has helped train Mandy up to Prix St. George dressage.

He is keen to help his pupils from Pony Club through to J/A, from the novice rider to the more experienced; young riders to the more mature.

…and Mandy’s Bio:

A professional competition rider and trainer based in Hertfordshire, London. Trained by Grand Prix rider Lisa Hopkins. Successfully competed at all levels up to Inter II, qualifying for regionals and nationals. Very successful with 4-5 year olds, making all the young horse finals last year. Love training and seeing great improvements in all her clients. Mandys competitive forecast for the coming season: Young international 4 year old qualifier Shearwater, 4 year old qualifier Badminton horse, 4 year old qualifier PSG & Inter 1 Keysoe.

Mandy Day has a strong personal connection with Caldecote Farm. She bought it 3½ years ago after using the livery herself for 20 years, which gives her a unique perspective and a real understanding of what a horse owner wants. Not only does she live on site with her partner Edward and daughter Georgina, she is in the yard throughout the day.

Having competed successfully in show jumping and eventing, she now focuses on dressage and can help with all riding disciplines. With her own two horses, she has competed in the first season at Prix St. Georges – in addition to qualifying for the Advanced Medium Open, PSG Freestyle, Advanced Medium Freestyle and the Wellington Advanced Medium Freestyle.

She enjoys competing at a higher level, as it gives her clients a chance to see her in action.  She also loves teaching and passing on the knowledge she has learnt over the years, encouraging riders at different levels to reach their full potential.  She is a firm believer that attaining a sense of self-confidence is a large part of riding well. To contact Mandy directly follow this link here.

Caldicote hold their own Summer Championship show with intro, prelim, novice and elementary classes once a month May through August with the championship being held on 28th September.

They also have Reggies Bar & Bistro on site.  A wonderful Bistro overlooking the lake with panoramic countryside views. Click here for more info in this fantastic little place.