Competitions

Eventing preview and first horse inspection

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July 26, 2024

By Staff Writers

The world’s best Eventing horses and riders will be first discipline when the equestrian action gets underway at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Versailles tomorrow morning with the opening dressage test.

A total of 81 horses, including alternates, came before Ground Jury President Christina Klingspor (SWE) and Ground Jury Members Xavier Le Sauce (FRA) and Robert Stevenson (USA) at this morning’s first Horse Inspection which began with some gentle rain in the air.

A total of four horses were held over for re-inspection before being passed fit to compete.

They were Cash in Hand (Noor Slaoui – MAR), Toubleu de Rueire (Melody Johner- SUI), Golden Midnight (Malin Asai – SWE) and Banzai du Loir (Yasmin Ingham – GBR).

One additional horse, DSP Fighting Line (Lea Siegl - AUT), was reinspected and did not pass.

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Will Coleman off Eventing team, replaced by Liz Halliday on Nutcracker

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July 26, 2024

By Staff Writers

VERSAILLES, France--US Equestrian announced a change to the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team prior to the start of competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Liz Halliday on Cooley Nutcracker at Eventing Grand Prix Aiken (Photo by Elisabeth Harpham)Traveling reserve combination Liz Halliday on Nutcracker will move into the three-member team, replacing Will Coleman on Diabolo.

“The last 48 hours have truly been tough for our team, but particularly for Will Coleman, said Chef d’Equipe Bobby Costello. "Off The Record looked well in training camp, but Will's direct reserve, Diabolo, continued to impress and was physically in such great condition, so we made the decision to place him into the team roster before moving to the venue. Diabolo trotted up great prior to shipping from training camp and arrived at the venue happy and sound. Unfortunately, shortly after settling into stabling he showed some significant signs of discomfort, and the team immediately got to work to address a potential abscess in the right front foot. Team Farrier Beck Ratte, Dr. Susan Johns, Diabolo's groom Hailey Burlock, and Will's wife, Katie, were so diligent and excellent in treating Diabolo and he did in fact trot up sound last night.”

(Photo by

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Great Britain is the favorite to win Eventing team gold in the Paris Olympics

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July 25, 2024

By Staff Writers

PARIS, France--The defending champions from Great Britain are trying to become the first ever five time Eventing team gold medalist when the equestrian events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games begin July 27.

Boyd Martin on Fedarman B at Kentucky 4* (Photo by Beth Harham)The British victory in Tokyo three years ago was followed by their complete domination at the European Championship 2021 in Avenches, Switzerland a few months later where they won team gold and the entire set of individual medals.

At the World Championship in Praton, Italy in 2022, the team had to settle for fourth place, but 25-year-old Yasmin Ingham on Banzai du Loir claimed the individual title.

They then won team gold and individual gold and silver at last summer’s European Championship in France.

The team in Paris includes world number one Rosalind Canter riding Lordships Graffalo, Laura Collett on London 52, Tom McEwen on JL Dublin and Ingham and Banzai du Loir as reserves.

Canter’s 12-year-old gelding Lordshhips Graffalo won the coveted Badminton trophy in May 2023 before taking the individual European gold three months later, Collett and her 15-year-old gelding were on the gold medal winning team in Tokyo in 2021, posted a record winning score at Badminton in 2022 and won Luhmühlen 5* last June before becoming European team gold medallists in August.

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Charlotte Dujardin, Olympic dressagge gold medalist, to miss Paris Games due to FEI suspension

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July 25, 2024

By Staff Writers

Charlotte Dujardin of Great Britain, the dresssage gold medal winner at the London Games in 2023 and Rio Games in 2016 has been suspended by the FEI pending an investigation over a video that shows her “engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare”.

Charlotte Dujardin (Photo by DPAPa)Knowing the suspension was coming, Dujardin withdrew from the dressage team for the Paris Olympics owing to an “error of judgement”, in a coaching session four years ago, captured in a video that has just emerged.

Dujardin was a favorite to win the gold medal again.

“On 22 July 2024, the FEI received a video depicting Ms Dujardin engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare,” an FEI spokesperson said. “This video was submitted to the FEI by a lawyer representing an undisclosed complainant.

“According to the information received, the footage was allegedly taken several years ago during a training session conducted by Ms Dujardin at a private stable.

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The team and individual Jumping competitions at the Paris Olympics

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July 23, 2024

By SARA CAVANAGH

When equestrian sport first became part of the Olympic Games, Sweden was unstoppable, taking Jumping gold in Stockholm in McLain Ward on Ilex in the Aachen Grand Prix (Photo by Shannon Brinkman)1912, in Antwerp in 1920 and in Paris in 1924.

Sweden had to wait 97 years before taking its fourth team title in Tokyo in 2021, but nobody is betting against them making it five when the action gets underway at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games next week.

Sweden has dominated Jumping since Tokyo, taking the World Championship team title in 2022 and the European Championship team title in 2023 while team member Henrik von Eckermann has led the individual world rankings for the last two years and doesn’t look likely to yield that position anytime soon.

So much so that individual Olympic gold is clearly in his sights this time around having clinched back-to-back World Cup titles with his wonderful 14-year-old gelding King Edward who finished just off the podium, in fourth place, three years ago.

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A tutorial on how to compete in Combined Driving Events

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July 15, 2024

By Staff Writers

by Gilbert (Punky) Mudge with Wiebe Dragstra and Ann DeKeyser
Introduction

By way of introduction, I am a frustrated farmer who started to ride when my wife was pregnant for the third time and her horse needed exercise.

Punky and Emma competing in the cones phase at the Timberland CDE in 2023 (Photo by Diane McKay)I learned how to jump by following a hunt - that was easy - and we then shifted our equestrian interests to eventing.

I could handle Training and Preliminary courses until I had a horse who refused every ditch.

Although it was difficult for me to prevent the horse from jumping out of the ring, I endured dressage to get to the fun part.

My family eventually assigned me horses that were intermittently lame, so my competitive career was over, over until I volunteered at a Combined Driving Event.

What a potential blastl

I found a wonderful driving mare on 'dreamhorse.com' and a carriage.

I convinced a skeptical family that at the age of 74, I could be safe while having fun and that slmthetic tack did not need the same assiduous attention as leather.

I found instruction in the basics and then shifted gears during the pandemic to a more structured instructional program.

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Adrienne Sternlicht seventh in Falsterbo Grand Prix, capping a week of success for a mixed team of young riders and horses

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July 15, 2024

By SARA CAVANAGH

FALSTERBO. Sweden--Adrienne Sternlicht on Origa V/H Zuid-Pajottenland placed seventh in the Flasterbo Grand Prix on Sunday, July 14, capping a week in which a team of young, relatively inexperienced riders or experienced riders on inexperienced horses placed well against top international riders.

Robert Ridland (Photo by  Shannon Brinkman)This team continued chef d'equipe Robert Ridland's on-going plan to introduce new riders and/or horses to top competitions. 

The Falsterbo Grand Prix used the two round format sometimes used in Europe in which 25 percent of the starters in a class qualify for the second, or jump-off round.

Sternlicht was clean but with two time faults in the first round to qualify for the second round and then had four faults in round two to finish seventh with six faults.

The Grand Prix was won by Sandra Auffarth of Germany on Quirici H, clean in 52.51, with Cian O'Connor of Ireland on Fancy de Kergane, clean in 53.62, finishing second, and Abdel Said of Belgium on Figueras de Laume, with one fault was third.

Aaron Vale on Carissimo 25 finished 25th with six faults, and Mimi Gochman on Ireclen H was 25th with nine faults.

"It was a tough course, a really good course," said Ridland. "Adrienne was really good. That's her up-and-coming horse, and he just gets better and better every time he goes in the ring. She just had the last fence down. That horse is on an upward swing,"

"Aaron's horse jumped well," said Ridland. "He had the A element of the triple combination down, but he just touched it.

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Laura Chapot won the final grass Grand Prix at Lake Placid, while Chapot and Mia Bagnato dominated over the two weeks

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July 9, 2024

By Staff Writers

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.--Laura Chapot on Chandon Blue won the $75,000 Richard M. Feldman Grand Prix to cap a very successful two weeks at the 55th annual Lake Placid Horse Shows.

Laura Chapot on Chandon Blue (Photo by  KindMedia)This was the last time the jumper classes will be competed on the big grass field as Lake Placid’s Grand Prix Ring will be converted to an all-weather surface for next year's shows.

Chapot’s win, her eighth Grand Prix win in Lake Placid over the years, seemed fitting for the horse show’s final class on the grass.

When Chapot, last to go in the 16 fence, first round course designed by Nick Granat, entered the ring, the only clean round had been turned by 18-year-old Mia Bagnato on Ballyoskill Big Bucks.

Chapot forced the jump-off by going clean on her 19-year-old mount.

Bagnato on Ballyoskill Big Bucks went clean again in the jump-off, finishing in 36.581 seconds.

Chapot followed on Chandon Blue and blazed to a clean round in 34.286 seconds to win.

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U.S. Jumping team tied third, finished fourth in the Nations Cup of Sweden

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July 13, 2024

By SARA CAVANAGH

FALSTERBO, Sweden--The  U.S. Jumping Team tied for third but placed fourth on time in the FEI Nations Cup – Sweden CSIO5* on Friday, July 11 at the Falsterbo Horse Show.

Falsterbo team, upper left, Stephen Smith, right, Adrienne Sternlicht, lower left, Aaron Vale, right, Mimi Gochman
After a series of shows from Rome to La Baule, Rotterdam and Aachen, where courses that were not especially difficult produced numerous teams with no faults in the first round, Flasterbo's course resulted in exciting finishes.

"This was a good course,"said chef d'equipe Robert Ridland. "This was the way a Nations Cup course should be."

The team of Spencer Smith on Keenland, Adrienne Sternlicht on Origa V/H Zuid-Pajottenland, Mimi Gochman on Cosmos BH and Aaron Vale on Carissimo finished on12 faults over two rounds and narrowly missed third place, as they were slightly slower than Ireland in overall time.

Sweden and Germany tied for first on eight faults after the two rounds, resulting in jump-off of one rider for each team to decide the winner.

 Emma Emanuelss on of Sweden on Canbella Blue PS went first in the jump-off, and had one rail down.

At the last moment Germany decided to send Andre Thieme on Paule S, who was also the acting chef d'equiple, to defend for Germany, but he had 12 faults, resulting in Sweden's sixth Nations Cup win at Falsterbo Horse Show, and the first one since 2019.

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McLain Ward topped off a winning week at Aachen with second in the 1.5 million Euro Grand Prix

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July 7, 2024

By SARA CAVANAGH

AACHEN, Germany--McLain Ward had a fabulous week at Aachen, winning top placements on Ilex, Callas and First Lady and topping it off with a second place on Ilex in the 1.5 million Euro Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday, July 7.

McLain Ward on Ilex in the Aachen Grand Prix (Photo by Shannon Brinkman)With all his winnings, Ward was named Aachen's Best Rider.

"That was impressive, but the most impressive win at Aachen is in the Grand Prix," said chef d'equipe Robert Ridland. "But even more impressive is McLain and Ilex peaking at just the right time, a few weeks before the Olympics."

McLain is still learning everything about this horse," said Ridland. "Everything is getting together now."

Ward only began riding Ilex in January and has few opportunities to compete over big courses,

"I was delighted with Laura's horse, too," said Ridland of Baloutinue. "Now we'll just keep them in cotton until the Olympics."

Kent Farrington on Greya, along with Ward and Kraut, make up the Olympic team,and Farrington had a couple of big wins on Greya earlier in the selection process.

"On paper, the team looks pretty good," said Ridland. "I'm pretty happy with these three riders and horses. This was a nice confidence builder on the way to the Olympics."

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U.S. Eventing team second in Aachen Nations Cup, Steffen Peters third in the Dressage Freestyle

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July 7, 2024

By Staff Writers

AACHEN, Germany--The  U.S. Eventing Team moved up nearly five places on the leaderboard in the SAP-Cup throughout the three phases to ultimately place second.

Eventing team, second in Aachen (Photo by Shannon Brinkman)The team completed on a final combined score of 123.7, behind Great Britain, who scored 112.8 to win,with Ireland third with a score on 138.

This is the second year in a row the team has placed second at CHIO Aachen in the CCIO4*-S.

Overall, I’m really impressed with this team and how they handled the atmosphere, stepping up to the challenge of this event,” said Chef d’Equipe Bobby Costello. “There’s a lot to take away from the results here, particularly that we have several riders who have been a part of our development program and to me, that was the cool thing. Leslie Law’s vision and commitment to this program is working and we have riders all the way to the top is producing results.”

Of the cross country course, Costello said that it rode much more challenging than it walked, but was still safe and influential, which is the sign of a masterful design from Rüdiger Schwarz, in his last design assignment at CHIO Aachen before retirement.

“It seemed significantly less intense than the previous two years I’ve been here, but we knew with it being Aachen, and the speed factor and everything coming up so quickly, it wasn’t going to be a cakewalk, but it was interesting that it caused as much trouble as it did," said Costello. "We knew not to take it for granted but we had a simple plan we tend to like to stick with, as clean and as fast as we can go, get all the jumps done first.”

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McLain Ward and Natlie Dean placed well in jumping competitions and the Eventing team is third going into the cross country

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July 6, 2024

By Staff Writers

AACHEN, Germany-- McLain Ward on Callas placed third in the Allianz Prize, Natalie Dean was fifth in the RWE Prize and the Eventiing team was third going into the cross country.

McLain Ward on Callas (Photo by Devyn Tretheway)In the Allainz Prize, the 10 best from the first round went through to the Winning Round of the Allianz-Prize.

The riders start in reverse order according to their individual results from the first round, with Richard Vogel going last.

Ward was leading in a time of 37.01, when Ben Maher went on Exit Remo.

“The horses have actually jumped well so far, but I had picked up faults in the big classes."said Maher. "My owners are here, so I wanted to do my best to clinch the victory.”

Maher was clean in 36.54 seconds to take the lead.

Vogel on Cydello went last and was clean in 36.90 seconds to place second, while Ward finished third, and Maher was the winner.

Natalie Dean of Palo Alto, Calif., on Acota M had an excellent fifth place finish in the highlight class of the day in the Main Stadium at CHIO Aachen, the RWE Prize of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Dean was the only U.S. rider to qualify for the jump-off, which featured 10 of the world's top riders.

Dean stopped the timers in 43.97 seconds as the fastest four-fault round of the jump-off.

Laura Kraut on Bisquetta finished 16th with a quick four fault score from the first round.

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Mia Bagnato won yet again in Lake Placid

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July 7, 2024

By Staff Writers

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.--Mia Bagnato on Cordiamo won the $10,000 1.40m Open Stake on Saturday, July 6 at the I Love New York Horse Show, the second week of the 55th annual Lake Placid Horse Shows.

Mia Bagnatio on Cordiamo (Photo by KindMedia)Bagnato was one of only two entries to reach the jump-off by going clean over the 14 fence, first round course designed by Nick Granat.

She then turned in the only clean round over the eight fence jump-off course, finishing in 38.643 seconds.

Laura Chapot actually beat her time, finishing in 38.260 seconds on Ginola, but a rail down gave her four faults and a second-place finish.

Bagnato also placed third on Florida N with four faults in the first round.

Stacy Cascio on Charles Daly won the 1.25m Amateur Jumper Classic.

One of six to reach the jump-off, Cascio turned in the faster of the two clean jump-off rides, finishing in 43.963 seconds to win.

Finishing second with a clean jump-off ride in 44.013 seconds was Taylor Harris on Ohio Dream.

Ella Witt on Pro Diamant won the 1.25m Junior Jumper Classic with the only clean round.

Finishing second with just one time fault was Mia Frigon on Infuria P&P.

U.S. Dressage team fourth in Aachen Nations Cup

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July 5, 2024

By Staff Writers

AACHEN, Germany--The U.S. Dressage Team finished fourth in the FEI Dressage Nations Cup Aachen CDIO5* on a score of 214.283, in the final competition for several riders before the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Marcus Orlob on Jane (Photo by Shannon Brinkman)Germany finished first on a score of 228.173, while the Netherlands placed second on 215.674, and Denmark was third on 214.544.

"Overall, I'm pleased with our performances today," said Chef d'Equipe Christine Traurig. "Anna Marek delivered exactly what I expected - gave us a solid test produced by such good riding and setting the tone for our team. Second in the order, we had Anna Buffini and Fiontini. Anna showed us her talent as she guided her powerful mare through the test with such feel and focus,"

"Endel Ots did a super job with Bohemian," she said. "I continue to be impressed. They are riding clean tests and Endel has formed a remarkable relationship with Bo in such a short time. Marcus Orlob and Jane continue to draw the attention of riders, trainers and judges! They are also a combination which has been together for less than six months and only continue to improve with every test together. What makes us all especially proud is that Jane was 'made in the USA' and we love that. I am so proud of our riders today and looking forward to the rest of the competition together."

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U.S. jumping team ninth in the Aachen Nations Cup

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July 5, 2024

By Staff Writers

AACHEN, Germany --The  U.S. Jumping Team was ninth in the Nations Cup CSIO5*, finishing on eight faults in the first round.

Laura Kraut on Baloutinue in the Aachen Nations Cup The team did not qualify for the second round, along with Switzerland, who also finished on eight faults, as only the top eight teams returned for the second round.

Laura Kraut on Baloutinue was the only U.S. rider to finish clean, while Katie Dinan on Out of the Blue SCF, Natalie Dean on Acota M, and McLain Ward on Ilex, each had a rail.

Ireland won on a total of zero faults after two rounds, while Mexico was second on a fast four faults, and Great Britain third after two rounds on a final total of four.

The course was designed by Frank Rothenberger of Germany, and the standings fluctuated considerably in the second round.

“Obviously the result today was disappointing for the entire team. We are always aiming for the second round and for the podium and that's a collective mindset, but I thought all of our horses jumped really well and the cards just didn't fall in our favor,” said Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland. “There were a lot of clears in the first round, which left very little room for error in terms of the first round scores. Laura and Baloutinue jumped a great clear for us and there is still plenty of jumping left this week.”

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Laura Chapot won both featured jumper classes at Lake Placid on July 5

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July 5, 2024

By Staff Writers

LAKE PLACID, N,Y,--Laura Chapot won both of the featured classes at the I Love New York Horse Show on Friday, July 5, the second time this week that she won the top two classes,

Laura Chapot on Gideon (Photo by KindMedia)The main event of the day was the $30,000 Jumper Classic, and Chapot was one of four entries from the field of 15 to qualify for the jump-off by going clean over the 15 fence first round course designed by Nick Granat.

She was the first to return for the eight fence jump-off course and went clean on Chandon Blue in 34.474 seconds, setting the time to beat.

None of the remaining entries could catch Chapot’s score, with the closest being Brian Moggre on MTM Vivre Le Reve, winners of last Sunday’s $75,000 Grand Prix of Lake Placid.

Moggre finished clean in 35.979 seconds to place second, and David Raposa on Lingote de Oro RFB, clean in 37.438 seconds, was third, with Mia Bagnato on Ballyoskill Big Bucks, who had the fastest four fault round, fourth in 35.567 seconds

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Mia Bagnato and Laura Chapot place first and second again at Lake Placid

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July 4, 2024

By Staff Writers

LAKE PLACID--Mia Bagnato of Fishkill, N.Y., on Florida N won the 1.40m Speed Challenge on Thursday, July 4, the featured class of the day at the I Love New York Horse Show, the second week of the 55th annual Lake Placid Horse Shows.

Mia Bagnato on Florida N (Photo by  KindMedia)In the Hampton Inn 1.40m Speed Challenge, Bagnato was one of two entries to go clean over the one-round course designed by Nick Granat.

Bagnato, who is just 18, finished in 66.088 seconds to win over Wednesday’s winning combination, Laura Chapot and Ginola, who finished clean in 66.336 seconds.

This is the second time that Bagnato and Chapot finished first and second in a speed class.

Bagnato also placed fifth with four faults on Cordiamo.

In the 1.30m Open Speed Class, Schuyler Riley on Garance de Vains, placed first with the fastest of the three clean rides.

Riley finished in 71.758 seconds to beat Hayley Alcock, who finished clean in 74.301 seconds on Joule, and Caitlin Venezia White, who was clean in 74.400 seconds on Quico VD Brouwershoeve.

Riley also placed fourth with the fastest four fault ride on Booster 13.

McLain Ward second on Callas and fifth on First Lady in two classes at Aachen

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July 3, 2024

By Staff Writers

AACHEN, Germany--McLain Ward on Callas finished second to Germany's Richard Vogel on Cepano Baloubet in the Prize of Europe, the second biggest individual class at Aachen, on Wednesday, July 3.

McLain Ward on Callas (Photo by Devyn Tretheway)Ward, who won this class last year,  went before Vogel, who went ninth in the 12 horse jump-off so kknew what he had to beat.

Earlier in the day, Ward on First Lady had finished fifth in a big Two-Phase class, where a rider jumps the first course of eight or nine fences and the goes straight into the speed phase over the following fence.

The Nations Cup, the most important classof the week, is at 1:10 tomorrow, July 4.

“You’re always trying to win but when the top horses perform the way we saw tonight, it’s going to be difficult, but for my mare, she jumped spectacularly and has been having a great summer," said Ward. "I’m not disappointed, but when you’re second you always want to do one place better, but Richie is a super-fast rider and a very fast horse and I think I made it not so easy for him tonight,” said Ward with a smile.

“I’ve learned a lot by watching Ritchie and we’ve worked together a bit and developed not only a great professional relationship but a really great friendship and that’s what sport is all about. It makes us all better as competitors and I’m just proud to have had some influence on his career,” said Ward.

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Laura Chapot won both featured jumper classes at Lake Placid

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July 3, 2024

By Staff Writers

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.--Laura Chapot won both of Wednesday’s feature classes as the Week 2 jumper classes began at the 55th annual Lake Placid Horse Shows on Wednesday,, July 3.

Laura Chapot on Ginola (Photo by KindMedia)In Wednesday’s 1.40m Jump-off class, Chapot on Ginola was one of two entries to qualify for the jump-off, and she won by going clean in tin 30.585 seconds.

Corinne Sweeney placed second on Calgary 5, clean in 35.163 seconds.

Calgary 5 is the horse she rode to win Sunday’s 1.45m Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic.

Chapot followed her 1.40m win with a win in the 1.30m Speed Class on Gideon.

Chapot won over a field of 24 horses with the fastest ride over the one-round course designed by Nick Granat.

Brian Moggre and Laura Chapot finish first and second in the $75,000 Lake Placid Grand Prix

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July 1, 2024

By Staff Writers

LAKE PLACID--Brian Moggre on MTM Vivre Le Reve won the $75,000 Grand Prix of Lake Placid in his first time competing in Lake Placid.

Brian Moggre on MTM Vivre Le Reve (Photo by KindMedia)Moggre was one of seven to advance to the jump-off by going clean over the 15- fence first round course designed by Michel Vaillancourt.

Laura Chapot, a three-time winner of the class and a seven-time Grand Prix winner in Lake Placid, went second in the jump-off, and she set the early mark to beat with a clean round in 36.614 seconds on the 19-year-old Chandon Blue.

Moggre followed her on MTM Vivre Le Reve, and he took over the lead with a clean round in 35.576 seconds.

Mia Bagnato, who is just 18,  capped off a big day by finishing clean in 37.336 seconds on Ballyoskill Big Bucks.

Chapot’ finished second with Bagnato, the only other clean round, third.

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Aaron Vale on Gray's Inn won the $182,000 Grand Prix at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala

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June 30, 2024

By Staff Writers

OCALA, Fla.--Aaron Vale on Gray's Inn won the $182,000 Grand Prix CSI4* over a field of 22 from 12 nations on Saturday evening, June 29 at the World Equestrian Center.

Aaron Vale on Grays Inn (Photo by Andrew Ryback)That was Gray’s Inn first-ever international win.

Five went clean over the course set by Alan Wade of Ireland, but those five came from Ireland, Spain, the United States, Austria, and Brazil.

Darragh Kerins of Ireland on Lissino was the first in the jump-off, going clean in 38.23 seconds, ultimately enough to place second.

Gonzalo Busca (of Spain on Pinot Gris Di Fer went next and had four faults in 38.86 seconds.

Aaron Vale was third to go on Thinkslikeahorse’s Gray’s Inn.

“He’s my wife’s horse, so I don’t get on him very often," said Vale. "I know the horse and see him every day, but she does 95 percent of the riding. He had a great night on Thursday, so I felt pretty good heading into the class tonight. I watched Darragh, and he was quite good. He did nine back to fence three, and I thought it would be the nine. But I got down the first eight so easily, I started my turn early because I had the balance right on top of the fence. So, I got over in eight and another eight to the combination. I had to push to get to the liverpool in nine, and I was thinking there was a possible seven coming home, but my horse wasn’t in perfect balance at the second-to-last jump, so I gave him a break and a moment to figure out how to clear it.”

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Mia Bagnato won again at Lake Placid

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June 29, 2024

By Staff Writers

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.--Mia Bagnato of Fishkill, N.Y., on Florida N won the $10,000, 1.40m Open Stake on Saturday, June 29, the featured class of the day at the 55th annual Lake Placid Horse Shows.

Mia Bagnato on Florida N (Photo by KiindMedia)Saturday’s competition in the Richard M. Feldman Grand Prix Field included the 1.40m Open Stake, the 1.20m Amateur Jumper Classic and the 1.20m Junior Jumper Classic.

In the 1.40m Open Stake, six went clean over the 15 fence first round course designed by Michel Vaillancour, and two went clean over the seven fence jump-off course.

In the jump-off, Bagnato on Florida N won with the faster of the two clean rides, finishing in 26.808 seconds to win over Matthew, who finished clean in 28.938 seconds on Fantastic de San Isidro.

Laura Chapot on Ginola was the fastest of those with four faults, finishing in 25.725 to place third.

In the 1.20m Amateur Jumper Classic, Ashley Shaw on Adico won over a field of 23 entries, going clean in the jump-of  in a time of 30.219 seconds.

Hudson Warren on Pembrey Condors Diamond placed second, clean in 31.339 seconds, and Mackenzie Cianciolo on Firestone CZ Z, the only other clean in the jump-off, placed third in a time of 33.434 seconds.

 Jenna Bach on Cajulio won the 1.20m Junior Jumper Classic.

Christian Coyle and Laura Chapot finished first and second in the $30,000 Jumper Classic at Lake Placid

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June 28, 2024

By Staff Writers

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.--Christian Coyle of Ireland rode Ma Pomme de Tamerville to win the $30,000 Adirondack Jumper Classic on Friday, June 28, the featured class of the day at the 55th annual Lake Placid Horse Shows.

Christian Coyle on Ma Pomme de Tamerville (Photo by KindMedia)Coyle was one of five entries to advance to the jump-off by going clean over the 15 fence first round course designed by Michel Vaillancourt.

Brian Moggre was the first to return for the eight fence jump-off, and he set the mark to beat, going clean in 35.073 seconds on MTM Vivre Le Reve.

Laura Chapot followed Moggre and moved him out of the lead by going clean in 34.528 seconds on Chandon Blue.

Coyle, who won the Jumper Classic in 2022 on Coco Mercedes, followed Chapot and rode his 12-year-old mare to what proved to be the winning ride, finishing clean in 33.780 seconds.

Chapot’s time held up for second place, with Moggre finishing third.

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Mia Bagnato and Laura Chapot first and second in Speed class at Lake Placid

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June 27, 2024

By Staff Writers

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.--Mia Bagnato rode Florida N to win in the 1.40m Speed Challenge on Thursday.June 27, the featured class at the 55th annual Lake Placid Horse Shows.

Mia Bagnato on Florida N (Photo by KindMedia)Bagnato, of Fishkill,N.Y., was one of three entries to go clean over the one round speed course designed by Michel Vaillancour.

She rode Florida N to the fastest time, finishing in 57.585 seconds to win.

For the second day in a row, Laura Chapot placed second with a time of 60.425 seconds , this time riding Ginola, with third going to Gracie Allen on Enya EMS Van De Padenborre Z, clean in 61.030.

In the 1.30m Speed Class, Schuyler Riley won on Garance De Vains.

Second went to Sarah Johnstone on Laszla, with third going to Ariel Yazid on I’m Kane Z.

Gracie Allen and Linda Sheridan win at the first of two Lake Placid Horse Shows

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June 26, 2024

By Staff Writers

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.--Gracie Allen of Moorestown,N.J., and Linda Sheridan of Stockton, N.J. won jumper classes on Wednesday, June 26 at the first of the two Lake Placid Horse Shows.

Linda Sheridan on Vantina HPF (Photo by KindMedia)Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station, N.J., was second in both classes.

Allen rode Enya EMS Van De Padenborre Z to the win in the Lake Placid 1.40m Jump-off, Wednesday’s featured class at the 55th annual Lake Placid Horse Shows.

Allen was one of four entries to go clean over the 13-jump first-round course designed by Michel Vaillancourt.

She then rode Enya EMS Van De Padenborre Z to the faster of the two clean rides over the seven fence jump-off course, finishing clean in 28.011 seconds to win over Chapot, who finished clean in 29.263 seconds on Chandon Blue.

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Erynn Ballard on Coconet won the $125,000 Grand Prix at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala

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June 26, 2024

By Staff Writers

OCALA, Fla.--Even in summer, shows at the air conditioned World Equestrian Center in Ocala continue, and Canada's Erynn Ballard, fresh from a successful European tour and a recent CSI5* win in Spruce Meadows, rode Coconet to win the $125,000 Grand Prix CSI3* on June 22.

Erynn Ballard on Coconet (Photo by Andrew Ryback)The second Saturday night Grand Prix of the Summer Series drew crowds to the WEC Grand Arena, where 32 competed in the Grand Prix CSI3*.

Over a course designed by Guilherme Jorge of Brazil, seven went clean in the  first round.

Alberto Michan of Israel was the first in the jump-off on Joint De Canabis Van De Doornhoeve, going clean in 42.10 seconds to eventually place second.

Ballard on Coconet was next to go.

“Her foot speed is very fast," she said. "There were a lot of different numbers in the jump-off. You could do six strides from one to two, then it was a left turn. From two to three, I went in a wide seven so I could keep the pace. The left turn is my slower turn, and I felt like if I was going to be beaten anywhere, it would have been that turn back to number five. But I left it up and after I jumped number three, I really gave a big run, which is so fun in a big ring like this. In the jump-off, she was quite handy back to the double. I did nine strides moving forward to the big red oxer. Then I took a big risk to the last jump to keep running, but if you take big risks, you get big rewards.”

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Laura Kraut finished fourth and McLain Ward 10th in Rotterdam Grand Prix

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June 24, 2024

By SARA CAVANAGH

ROTTERDAM,The Netherlands--Laura Kraut on Baloutinue, despite having to go relatively early in a 15 horse jump-off, finished fourth in the Grand Prix of Rotterdam on Sunday, June 23.

Laura Kraut on Baloutinue (In a file photo by Allen MacMillan)
To the delight of the crowded stands, riders for the home country of The Netherlands placed first and third, with Marc Houtzager on Sterrehof's Dante winning with a clean round in 36.07and Harrie Smolders on Uicas v/d Kattevennen placing third, clean in 37.42.

Germany's Christian Kukuk on Just Be Gentle was second, clean in 36.55.

Kraut on her Tokyo silver medal mount, went sixth, before those that eventually beat her, and was clean in 38.10 to place fourth.

McLain Ward on Callas, second fastest of those with four faults, finished 10th in 37.45.

With 15 clean, the course in the Grand Prix was also a little too easy, following a ridiculously easy Nations Cup course on Friday.

"The course was alright, but the time allowed was too slow," said chef d'equipe Robert Ridland. "If the time allowed had been two seconds less, you'd have seen more rails down."

"Baloutinue has been jumping great all year," said Ridland, "and Callas jumped great again. I was really happy with them."

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U.S. jumping team tied seventh, finished 10th in Rotterdam Nations Cup, qualified for Barcelona

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June 22, 2024

By SARA CAVANAGH

ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands--The U.S. Jumping team, despite having only four faults, tied for seventh and finished 10th on aggregate time on Friday, June 21 in the final League of Nations Nations Cup in Rotterdam.

Jessie Springsteen on Don Juan van de Donkhoeve (Photo by Shannon Brinkman) The important result, however, was that the U.S. is one of the eight teams that qualified for the Final in Barcelona this fall.

Over a course set by Quintin Maertens of The Natherlands that turned out to be far too easy, as four teams were clean, two teams had one time fault and four teams had four faults in the first round.

With ties separated by aggregate time, Germany and the U.S. team of Laura Kraut, Callie Schott,Jessie Springsteen and McLain Ward were the two slowest and finished ninth and 10, so neither of these two powerhouse teams qualified for the second round.

The second round of competition only returned the top eight teams.

"It was not a very testing course," said chef d'equipe Robert Ridland in an understatement. "You shouldn't have a Nations Cup of such importance over such an easy course."

Usually a four fault total after the first round leaves a team either leading or close to the lead.

"To finish on four faults and finish 10th shows the course was too easy," said Ridland. "Maertens raised the fences in the second round, but it was too little too late."

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The U.S. finished eighth in the Dressage Nations Cup in Rotterdam

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June 20, 2024

By SARA CAVANAGH

ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands--The U.S. finished eighth of eight teams on Thursday, June 20 in the FEI Dressage Nations Cup of Rotterdam which was won the the home team of The Netherlands.

The Netherlands Dressage teamThe Dutch won on a total of 222.392, with Denmark second on 220.349 and Germany third with 219.435.

Belgium was fourth, 216.869, Sweden was fifth, 216.674, followed by France,215.348, Great Britain, 205.305 and the U.S., 194.848.

Kevin Kohmann on Denensee scored 67.956, Katherine Bateson Chandler on Haute Couture scored 67.848, and Ashley Holzer on Hansel scored 59.044.

Few nations have been as dominant in their home Nations Cup as The Netherlands.

After finishing off the podium last year, the Dutch reasserted their dominance at home with a notable victory Thursday

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USEA Announces 2024 Young Event Horse Championships at Fair Hill 5*

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June 18, 2024

By Staff Writers

FAIR HILL, Md.--The United States Eventing Association (USEA) announced the return of The Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse Championships to the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, in partnership with the Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland.

Caroline Pamukco on Afterglow, 2023 winner of the 4 y.o, YEH (Photo by Shannon Brinkman)
The partners have renewed their contract for a two-year term in 2024 and 2025, with an option for a third automatic renewal as mutually agreed upon in 2026.

The USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) program was established to identify young horses that possess the talent and disposition to excel at the uppermost levels of eventing.

Each year, the YEH program meets its goal of establishing four- and five-star horses, and the program has seen many of its graduates succeed in the pipeline to go on to represent the United States in team competitions at the World Championships, the Olympic Games, Pan American Games, and at various Nations Cups.

The Dutta Corp. USEA YEH East Coast Championships will again take place in correlation with the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill in Elkton, Md., on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 17-18.

"On behalf of the Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland, our Event Committee, competition partner Fair Hill International and local supporter Dubarry of Ireland, we are honored to be selected as the host organizer and location of the USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships at Fair Hill", said Jeff Newman, President & CEO of the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory. "The YEH East Coast Championships is not only an integral part and fan favorite of our event, but also an incredibly important program for the future growth and continued success of the sport of eventing in the U.S. and worldwide".

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