Lisa Slade

Michael Pollard and Icarus are both recovering nicely after their fall at the Land Rover Burghley CCI**** (England) on Sept. 3. Icarus fell at fence 26, the first element of The Lake Crossing.

Three horses were disqualified from competing in the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sept. 4 for hypersensitivity. Romanov, ridden by Billy Twomey of Ireland, All Inclusive NRW ridden by Denis Lynch of Ireland, and Vancouver DML, ridden by Simon Delestre of France, were declared unfit to compete by the Fédération Equestre Internationale with the unanimous agreement of the thermography team and all veterinary and FEI officials.

On the first day of competition for the 6-Year-Old Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championship, Wakeup and Emily Wagner won the Preliminary test with an 8.88. In the Championship test today, Bon Chance and Caroline Roffman won with an 8.88. But that wasn’t the only similarity of scores between the two horses; they also managed to finish with exactly the same overall number—an 8.736.

Aug. 27, Wayne, Ill.

Even the panel of judges had to admit that an old adage held true in the 5-Year-Old Championship class at the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Championships. “It was absolutely amazing how the draw worked out,” said Janet Foy, speaking for herself, Anne Gribbons and Gary Rockwell. “They really saved the best for last.”

July 30, Lexington, Ky.

After the CCI** cross-country at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships, Devon Brown and Dynamic Image stayed in the lead with a double-clear trip. They will show jump on 50.5 penalties. Brown, Alpharetta, Ga., was riding for Area III, currently second in the team competition. “The course was pretty challenging,” said Brown, 19. “The course was hard. Each combination kept at it, and they didn’t stop. After one you were on to the next and already thinking about how you would ride it.”

Kate Gillespie isn’t exactly sure why she excels at her job as barn manager for Steffen and Shannon Peters’ Arroyo Del Mar, but she thinks it might have something to do with her upbringing.

“It comes pretty natural to me, most of it,” she said. “People are like, ‘How did you see that?’ or ‘How did you notice that?’ I don’t know if it’s from growing up in South Africa; I wanted to be a game ranger and live in the bush, and you become very aware of your surroundings out there.”

For most amateur riders, taking second place in a Prix des Nations competition at Spruce Meadows (Alta.) would probably rank high on a list of proudest achievements. For Sara Jorgensen, the satisfaction was doubled—her 14-year-old daughter Abby was another member of the team.

“When we were lined up for ribbons, I couldn’t even look at her,” Sara said. “I knew I would burst out in tears if I did, so I just kept looking down at my horse and adjusting my reins. I was so full of pride. It was a really good moment.”

Soldiers and veterans transitioning out of combat mode heal with the help of horses.

Vincent Greco hadn’t relaxed in more than 40 years.

He’s suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder for the majority of his life, since serving in the Vietnam War from 1967-1968. After his tour Greco returned to Charleston, S.C., and spent years going through different therapies.

Bromont, Que.—June 13 

Loughan Glen and Clark Montgomery finished their weekend in the Bromont CCI*** the same way they started it—in first place. Despite taking down one pole in the show jumping, the horse held his lead on the final day of competition.

Bromont, Quebec—June 12

Fernhill Cove, ridden in the CCI** by Beth Perkins, was the only horse spun in today’s second horse inspection at Bromont.

In the CCI*, Hannah Galway did not present D’Jion and Doug Payne did not present Camerlingo, who was second after cross-country. All others presented in the CCI* were accepted.