EVENT REPORTS Western Young Riders Gain Experience jump rails down in Barcelona. Fourth was Stephen's mentor BURGHLEY CCI *** and trainer Bruce Davidson, riding Mr. and Mrs. Roy Five US riders finish in top ten; Stephen Bradley and Chapman's Eagle Lion, who won Fair Hill last year. Bruce was Sassy Reason are the grand winners also ninth on Brendon Furlong's Happy Talk, his 1993 Rolex and Hew Friends at Pedigree® Training Camp Kentucky winner By Kitty Wieschhoff . Bruce is the only American to have won at Burghley (on Thirty-one-year-old Stephen Bradley, riding Ann Mills' Sassy ~nsh Cap) at the.l974 World Championships. Dorothy Trapp Reason, was the convincing winner of the Burghley Horse Improved from eighth place at Burghley last year to finish fifth Trials CCI*** '" at Stamford, Lincolnshire, over what the course with her ?lympic mount Molokai. Sixth was the popular designer Captain Mark Phillips called "the biggest four-star S~~dish . nde~ Anna Herman riding Elektra Spiritus. The only track in the world this year". Second was New Zealand's Mark Bnt1sh nder m the top ten was Frances Hay Smith riding Jabba Todd with Just an Ace. Third was Australia's Andrew the Hutt w?o finishe~ seventh. Vicky Latta and her Olympic Nicholson on his Olympic mount Spinning Rhombus. He was partner Chief were eighth. Riding in his first four-star event the only rider to go inside the time and who jumped his first Michael Godfrey (who previously competed Shannon now rid­ clear round ever, at a three-day event, having had nine show den by Karen Lende) finished lOth with his new mount Genesis Partnership's Glendevlin . . . Stephen Bradley started his campaign for Burghley's pres­ tl~wus ~emy Martin Centaur Trophy and a $15,000 first prize, :v•th ~ hght forward and flowing dressage test which put him mto Sixth place. B urghley 's cross-country track seemed made Training and novice riders assemble at Area VI Young Riders training camp at Twain Harte, California. for the pair, and they attacked it with gusto and panache. Their second fastest time with only .08 time penalties to their score in by Malcolm McFall a display of accuracy, power and skill conjured admiration from all who were privileged to watch. "I just had to remember that rea VI is vast, encompassing the states of California, young eventers, and our membership grew from 70 to 103, with Mark Phillip's courses walk big but ride well," he said. "Sassy much of the increase coming from novice and training riders. was wonderful! He just pulled me around, and I didn 't have an ~eva~a and Hawaii: With great distances often separat­ mg nders from tramers and other riders, it's easy for They could now see that we were serious about supporting their anxious moment. With show jumping in the usual reverse A young eventers to feel alone out in Buellton or Elk Grove training efforts. Camp applications were attached to our spring order, b?th horse and rider kept their cool and show no signs of Calif. The Area VI young rider program is working to YR newsletter. We mailed letters to 55 Area VI trainers, invit­ the previOus day's exertions. One of only eight combinations to encour~ age participants with good training, team experiences and sup­ ing them to come for one, two or more days and asking how go clear within the time, they were assured of a final win. portive friendships. much they would need to be paid. Calls started coming from Bruce Davidson attacked the course on both of his horses Four years ago we started with eight intermediate level trainers all over California excited about the idea and offering with a masterful display of cross-country riding, which left no members in hopes of fielding a team for the North American to donate their teaching. Several, who weren't able to come, doubt in the minds of spectators as to why he is in a class of his Young Rider Championships. The following year we added asked to be included in 1994. We also contacted our intermedi­ own. Deceptively swift, he managed good times on both. while preliminary level riders and the year after, training and novice ate level members and asked them to come and teac h. Eleven not risking his chances at "The Willows". On his Team horse level members. We told each new member that they and their professional trainers and five upper level members came for Happy Talk, he made sure of a good start for the Team with 18 .2 parents would have to help us build the program to include part or all of the camp: Noel Parker Ortiz, Jenny Chang, time faults, while with Eagle Lion he had only 76.2 penalties. them. To provide value to our lower level riders, we offered Christine Scarlett, Earl McFall, Judy Klus, Julie Flettner, Dorothy Trapp must be one of the most fortunate riders in mini clinics at events, donated training vouchers for free Clarice O'Brien, Sharon Flagg, Connie Arthur, Tiffany Locke, the sport to own theThoroughbred Molokai, "the point and shoot lessons, gifts and prizes from our sponsors, support for prelimi­ Robin Hodge, Elizabeth Coviello, Kim Schied, Holly Fox, Burghley winne~ Stephen ~r';ldley on Sassy Reason at Fence #7, The pony. He is so incredibly honest, fast and brave, and when I get Brompton Willows, fm1shed with 50.2 penalty points nary level teams and some pizza get-togethers. Chris Bearden and Andrea Pfeiffer. it wrong (as all riders do at some point) he just moves over under Dr. & Mrs. K.H. Wieschhoff This year we had a breakthrough. In the young rider ses­ Twenty-six excited campers and horses aiTived on a beau­ me and keeps going". Molokai had one of the fastest rounds with sion at the Area VI annual meeting in January, we set a goal to tiful July morning at Noel and her husband Art's ranch in the only eight seconds over the time for 3.2 faults. organize a camp with some great trainers and plenty of free Sierra foothills. One of the parents with years of Pony Club Michael Godfrey and Glendevlin had an excellent ride time for participants to make friends between riding sessions. camp experience took care of the menus and buying the food. around the course. He had a couple of hairy moments at the Later, Noel Parker Ortiz met with Kathie Robertson, our YR Each camper brought enough treats for two dozen others. We coordinator, to offer her eventing facility and a week of instruc­ hired an old cowboy cook, named "Mut," to prepare the din­ TEAM COMPETITION tion as a donation to our program. Our Pedigree® YR training ners, and we set up breakfasts and lunches we could do our­ Team/Horse/Rider Total Team Total camp at Twain Harte was born. selves. Three or four parents were there to help, and the Noel personifies the spirit of eventing in the West. She's a campers pitched in to make things work. Noel's ranch turned 1. NEW ZEALAND 189.15 out to be ideal. She and her husband, Art, have done wonders SPINNING RHOMBUS/ ndrew Nicholson .57.1 tough competitor, brash, independent and generous. In May, JOSHUA VI/Paul O'Brien Elim. after a fall at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, she went to with their 20 acres. It feels more like 60, with a wide variety of CHIEF/Victoria Latta 75.2 Essex with her "homemade" horses in a brown stock trailer and jumps, a large grass field , and two dressage rings. The trainers JUST AN ACE/Mark Todd 56.8 well-used equipment. She finished third behind Phyllis Dawson had plenty to work with , and the riders had a range of chal­ and Bruce Davidson. Phyllis and Bruce are household names in lenges. 2. USA 215.4 our sport, of course. Noel would be well known, too, if she After lunches and dinners on the deck behind the HAPPY TALK/Bruce Davidson 79.0 lived in Middleburg or Upperville -instead of Twain Harte, far bunkhouse, several trainers gave casual talks. Christine DOWNTOWN UPROAR/Louise Meryman With. Scarlett spoke on competing in England, Judy Klus focused on T~e t~ree remaining 2nd placed Team members (with U.S. Chef SASSY REASON/Stephen Bradley 50.2 from the media that covers our sport. d Karen Stives), Stephen Bradley (Sassy Reason), Bruce Ec;~Uipe GLENDE LIN/Michael Godfrey 86.2 Even with program volunteers stretched to the limit Davidson (Happy Talk) and Michael Godfrey (Giendevlin) Dr. & Mrs. (Continued on page 52 ---)>-) K.H. Wieschhoff already, we started planning the camp. The idea appealed to

34 USCT A NEWS October 1993 23 complicated second water-crossing, but the horse just kept pow­ ering forward while Michael reorganized. David O'Connor and On a Mission "attacked" the dressage test in a way preferred by the European judges, to lie fourth. The horse has come a long way in the 18 month since he changed EILEEN THOMAS from a show jumper to an eventer. David incurred 20 penalties Consultant when he changed his game plan just before the tricky corner at JACK to the Humane the Timber Yard. "He just never saw what I wanted him to do". FRITZ DENIS Society of the He flew around the rest of the course with no problems, giving GLACCUM Secretary, U.S., and former the impression of a horse with a big future in the sport. One rail Competitor USET; Involved Executive and Organizer, in the sport for Director, down in show jumping left them in 19th place. Fair Hill Event over 40 years. USCTA Jim Graham and his consistent performer Easter Parade competed clear by slow in cross country, but played it a bit too Fair Hill CCI*** pays for itself with rev­ "One of our original aims was to have a The three-day event is the ultimate test of cautiously in show jumping with three rails down to finish 22nd. enue stemming from six horse trials per three-day event in each area, with per­ the horse and rider and was originally Karen Reuter and Master McCoy were going well cross­ year, a trail ride, stabling, a mailing and haps two areas combined in parts of the designed for European conditions which country, when he caught his left toe on the big table taking the the event program. One printed event West which have few competitors. We are significantly different from those in short route at The Maltings, dropped his left shoulder and lost program is used for all spring events, with have gone backwards, this never hap­ the U.S . The rules were drawn up for his rider. Karen was winded by uninjured, and decided to call it an individual supplement for each one. pened. The concept to make it easier temperate climates and softer footing, a day. Marcia Carabell's super performer Alden's Image was "Three -day eventing financially is in with the two-day didn't take hold. What and where traveling great distances was not himself, and Marcia wisely decided to retire. trouble. The qualifying requirements we need is more intermediate geographically unnecessary. Adverse Burghley was not a good experience for Jill Walton and her have changed dramatically. Previously divisions.The AHSA Events Committee weather conditions in this country - heat, Olympic mount Patrona. The mare who was the best of the US more people volunteered. Costs are now must address these problems." humidity and hard footing, has placed horses in Barcelona, suffered a recurrence of her dressage prob­ Michael Godfrey and Glendevlin at Fence #4 "The Open Ditch", fin­ geometric. Official expenses run high. In Jack feels we are not bringing riders increased stress on horses already com­ lems. She later tied up on phase C and was returned to the sta­ ished 10th. Dr. & Mrs. K.H. Wieschhoff England international officials only along for the future and we are limiting peting in a stressful sport. Our rules ble by ambulance. receive expenses, no fee. The British the number of riders at the three-day should be modified to compensate for the Karen Lende O'Connor and Shannon withdrew before the Horse Society has a sponsorship commit­ event level. In the 70s the USET got severity of these climatic conditions. endurance phase. Shannon had injured herself when grabbing a tee functioning 12 months of the year involved and gave money to events. The I feel that the fact there are fewer shoe at the sunken road at her last event at Thirlestane Castle in which offers seed money to many events." consideration is whether the USET three-day events is a healthy sign. Some Scotland. It was felt that the mare should wait a bit longer for a "We haven't educated the public should finance riders going abroad, or of those we have lost were held at the big challenge. Karen hopes to take her to Boekelo in Holland in about our sport - Kentucky is the excep­ develop and fund our own events here. wrong time of the year. What we should October. tion. We need to do a better job of pro­ The USET no longer has a Young Rider concentrate on is more upper level horse Five of the top ten finishers and six of the top 20 were moting the use of public lands community program, and entries for the North trials where horses can run under less Americans. Stephen Bradley gave much credit for their success or corporate. Three-day eventing needs American Young Rider Championships stressful conditions, with less chance of to the new chef d'equipe, Captain Mark Phillips. "As a Team, sponsorship on a regional basis, seed is down. He feels the USET has an breaking down, in order to get a good we owe him a lot". In fact, Karen Stives, chairman of US money for new events and a national orga­ obligation to promote riders at the inter­ foundation. For more experience, we Selectors acted as "official" chef d'equipe for Burghley, to nization to help with the sponsorship." national level.. .it is just being done for a should focus on the two-day event for avoid any conflict of interest with Mark as course designer. few with the grants. practice and preparation. As distances This left him free to be available to look at the fences with allll are modified, and cross-country is run nations taking part. Afterwards, he was delighted with the way after show jumping, horses do not have All the American competitors at Burghley with Captain Mark Phillips. the course ride, s there was no bogey fence , and no horse or Michael Godfrey, Marcia Carabell, Dorothy Trapp, Bruce Davidson, to be stressed again after the endurance rider was seriously hurt. Louise Meryman, Stephen Bradley, Jim Graham, Jil Walton, David & test, and riders in particular can experi­ Karen O'Connor and Captain Mark Phillips. Dr. & Mrs. K.H. Wieschhoff "The Rest of the World" unofficial Team competition was ence conditions to be met in the speed ORGANIZER'S CONCERNS an innovation at this year's Burghley. It was held to offer a and endurance test. Team challenge at four star level to non-European countries (Glendevlin), and Louise Meryman (Downtown Uproar (who Losing three-day events if they are who are ineligible for the European Championships. withdrew), placed second, winning $3000, while the other two run under the wrong climatic conditions Australia, New Zealand, the US and Britain as host country, Teams were eliminated. Organizer's Committee has been formed to help is not a loss; it is better than ruining our competed for a $6000 first prize which was won by the New Out of 82 competitors, II American combinations were pre­ facilitate communication among organizers nationwide. Each month a ques­ horses. I am all for preliminary three-day Zealand Team. The US Team of Stephen Bradley (Sassy sented for the first veterinary inspection, and six of them fin­ tion will be printed in the News. Organizers, please respond with your ideas events, but I think the qualifications ished. Forty Five of the original starters completed the event. D and feel free to submit questions of your own. Your input may solve a prob­ should be more severe, such as requiring Reason), Bruce Davidson (Happy Talk), Michael Godfrey lem for someone else! a couple of clear cross-country rounds at BURGHLEY HORSE TRIALS intermediate horse trials. The average Organizer's Question preliminary horse is a very different ADVANCED · CCI**** Should a course ad1-isor be designated to ussist novice, horse in a three-day event. 1st DAY 2nd DAY 3rd DAY Dressage Steeplechase Cross-Country Jumping Final training and preliminary organizers to de\'elop their cross­ Certainly in order to put the finishing Place Horse Rider Score A&C Jump Time Jump Time Jump Time Total touches on potential Team members, it is country courses? so, should this be done on an area 1st SASSY REASON Stephen Brad ley 49.4 .8 50.2 If advantageous for them to compete in 2nd JUST AN ACE (NZL) Mark Todd 50.6 1.2 5 56.8 3rd SPINNING RHOMBUS (NZL) Andrew Nicholson 56.4 .75 57. 15 or regional/eve!? England - a known fact that has not 4th EAGLE LION Bruce Davidson 59.4 7.2 66.6 escaped the notice of other competing 5th MOLOKAI Dorothy Trapp 58.2 3.2 5 1.0 67.4 6th ELECTRA SPIRITUS (S WE) Anna Hermann 55.2 13.2 68.4 Please respond to: nations, such as Australia, New Zealand 7th JABBA THE HUTT (GBR) Frances Hay Smith 46.0 12.8 10 .25 69.05 and Spain. However, a sound basis can be 8th CHIEF (NZL) Victoria Latta 57 .0 13.2 5 75.2 Arrington Cox. Chaim1an. 516 Santee Avenue. Columbia. SC 29205 9th HAPPY TALK Bruce Davidson 55.2 18.8 5 79.0 established here at home now that Mark I Oth GLENDEVLIN Michael Godfrey 54.6 2 1.6 10 86.2 Phillips is available to influence the direc­ U.S. riders who also competed: 19th. On a Mission, David O'Connor, 107.4; 22nd. Easter Parade, Jim Graham, 114.45. .. Retired on Cross-Country: Alden's Image, Marcia Carabe/1; Master McCoy. Karen Reuter. Retired on Phase C: Downtown Uproar, Lowse Meryman. Wllhdrawn after Steeplechase: tion of the sport in this country. D Pamma, Jil Walton. Withdrawn after dressage: Shannon, Karen O'Connor

22 USCTANEWS October 1993 35