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Our European trip 2018 is a wrap. Jess, Hudson and I returned home to Aiken yesterday. Courtney is heading to pick up Quantum from quarantine tomorrow and return south with both he and Flynn.
I've been lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to train and ride some incredible creatures in the past. The current batch is no exception. This was my third trip overseas and with each time, a tremendous amount is learned, which directly benefited not only the horses that came along with us but all at home.
Flynn and Quantum's flights were scheduled for the Thursday prior to Boekelo. We actually headed north a few days earlier with the jumpers to compete at the Princeton Young Jumper Championships. We figured we might as well kill two birds with one stone!
While Courtney, Quantum and Flynn headed across the pond, Quincy (Quintessence owned by Jane Dudinsky) pictured below, finished an incredible week winning the $35,000 7-Year-Old Young Jumper title, being the only horse to finish all three days on zero faults. Quincy was originally bought as a 4 year old to event and was very successful, finishing his last event in 3rd at the Fork Horse Trials in the preliminary before focusing on jumpers exclusively. Even more incredible is that he finished up 2017 with the win in the YJC 6 year old Jumper Finals title in Kentucky. I can't wait to see what is in store for his future.
Quincy looking thrilled with his winnings!
Quincy making the 1.40m last fence look like a 3' oxer.
Following Quincy's class we stuck around to help Mary Guynn and Konner in the $5,000 Jr/Am Classic. They obviously didn't want to be left out of the festivities and went on to win their class as well!
Soon after, Jess, Hudson and I hopped on a plane and headed across the pond. Upon our arrival in Europe, I didn't know exactly what to expect in terms of potential results as we brought two extremely talented horses, both on track to make it to the top of the sport. The Boekelo CCIO*** Nations Cup was our first stop for Flynn (aka Getaway owned by Lisa and Bob Wall). Baby Quantum (aka Quantum Leap owned in partnership with Susan and Dave Drillock) traveled with Flynn to Boekelo. It was convenient timing that the 7-Year-Old FEI World Breeding Championships held at Mondial Du Lion were the following week. This gave Quantum time to get accustomed to the manic atmosphere that surrounds European fall championships.
To give both of these competitions context, I’ve ridden at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, Central Park NYC, Wellington and Devon, PA, all for eventing derbies as well as every east coast CCI, Blenheim in the UK, and Saumur, France. None would come close to the stage set for these horses. To say it’s electric is an understatement.
I've always found that the biggest limiting factor to performance is tension introduced by a charged environment. If the horses are relaxed you have a great chance to show off what they are capable of doing at home. Flynn makes a place like this a particular challenge - he would survive in the wild without a problem! He might have the most elevated flight response out of any horse we’ve had to date. He has continued to make great steps forward in being able to remain grounded in charged venues. Luckily our experience in dressage was a continuation for sure. There were a few times that he would start to worry, but did manage to settle back again quickly. This experience will help him in the coming years without a doubt. We finished on a respectable 32, with the potential to knock a significant number off in the future.
Getaway - Dressage - Libby Law Photography
The cross country at Boekelo is a combination of a college football tailgate, steeplechase and event wrapped up in one. The crowd estimates topped 60,000 for Saturday with beer tents strategically positioned at every combination of jumps. This was the first time Flynn would have ever seen anything like it. He responded like a pro, aside from the very first complex which had a bar on the fence, he could have cared less. I've been working very hard over the past couple of years to become more efficient on cross country in order to be consistently closer to the time and save my horses to have gas left in the tank. Flynn couldn't have been much better. He made easy work of a difficult course. We were up on the clock until the last minute where he over-jumped a brush into a turning combination. I had to make a quick S-turn and lost a few seconds. He finished up just a few seconds over in great form.
To put it mildly, show jumping was challenging. I can count on one hand to date the rounds that he's been anything but double clear including his first CCI*** at Bromont. He warmed up well, but I was unable to replicate that in the arena. He jumped in great form but finished up with 5 down. Obviously this was disappointing but we did come away with a number of things learned that will be implemented in the future.
Getaway - Show Jumping Boekelo CCIO*** by Libby Law
After finishing up at Boekelo Courtney and Quantum started their journey on to France while Flynn hitched a ride with Horseflight back to the States. Meanwhile, Lisa, Bob, Catherine, Jess, Hudson and I spent the evening in Amsterdam. We are very lucky to have such a great support system, and it was great that Lisa and Bob could join and enjoy/partake in the experience.
On to Mondial du Lion the FEI World Breeding Championships for Eventing
We caught up with Courtney and Quantum in France on Tuesday. Our resident groupie, Catherine, continued her European trip with us and we were also joined by my parents as well as Ali and Alan, our French family, and Didi and Robert Callahan, who bred Quantum.
Quantum has been with us since we bought him as a weanling. We picked him up following the Fair Hill International 6 years ago. For a bit of background I've included a couple of videos below. We started him the end of his 3 year old year and he has continued on with the tremendous support of Susan and Dave Drillock.
He finished the USEA Young Event Horse finals in 6th place 2 years ago. This made him eligible for the Turner-Holekamp travel grant as a 7 year old. Before getting the nod, Quantum finished 2nd at his first CCI** this spring in Ocala and finished 2nd at both Millbrook and Stableview horse trials leading up to this trip. He was the highest placed 5 year old and as a 7 year old qualified and was ready to go!
Quantum could best be described as a 12-year-old boy that just finished a growth spurt. For the first time in his recent career he managed to break 30 at Millbrook. He is a very powerful and extravagant mover, that is when he can manage to remain balanced. He was able to do so at points through our test, but unfortunately not for its entirety. He finished the first phase on a 36 and I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't disappointed. That said this is certainly not a dressage show! Didi also pointed out that roughly 40 percent of the horses at WEG this past year had run at this exact show. Their future success was not correlated to their here results at all.
Quantum could best be described as a 12 year old boy that just finished a growth spirt. For the first time in his recent career he managed to break 30 at Millbrook. He is a very powerful and extravagant mover, that is when he can manage to remain balanced. He was able to do so at point through our test, but unfortunately not for it's entirety. He finished the first phase on a 36, I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't disappointed. That said this is certainly not a dressage show! Didi also had ready that roughly 40 percent of the horses at WEG this past year had ran at this exact show. Their future success was not correlated to their results at all.
Quantum Leap - Dressage Mondial Du Lion PC Richard Payne
Cross country was just as it should be, a true test of horse and rider. In true French form, it is a work of art. Click over to our Facebook page for more pictures, but each jump was more beautiful than the next.
Quantum far exceeded my expectations, he finished up with plenty left in the tank clear and under the time. He made easy work of the most challenging complexes. He is a true 4* horse in the making, and after finishing I'm confident it's not going to take too long to get there! Again we were presented with massive crowds, more of the wine and cheese family types when compared to Boekelo's college tailgate. A competition like this will make help create a strong foundation of experiences that will no double benefit him in the future. I only wish I could press fast forward!
The hack down to the start, the photo doesn't do the hill justice!
'
Over the second element of the complex above. PC Richard Payne
People, people and more people PC Richard Payne
Show jumping, very much like Boekelo was standing room only. Quantum handled the atmosphere very well, and without my mistake he should have finished on his dressage score. I rode into the triple a bit too aggressive and finished up with 8 faults. Impressively Quantum still managed to move up 30+ places from his dressage.
Of course I wish both competitions could have finished better on paper, but we learned a tremendous amount that will no doubt set us up better for the future. We will be back, without a doubt. Unfortunately I think this means bootcamp for the horses at home. We still have one more CCI*/** before our year finishes up and I fully intend to apply what I learned in Europe there and beyond.
I also have to thank the USET Foundation, Jacqueline Mars, the US Eventing Association and of course the crew that came along to support us. This great photo by Libby Law was from Le Lion from left to right we have Catherine, Ali & Alan, my Dad & Mom, Did, Courtney, Hudson, Jess and Robert. Missing of course is Lisa and Bob from our crew in Holland Holland.
From here we have one more week with the jumpers, and Cascor in the CCI* and Starr Witness in the CCI** at the Ocala Jockey Club at the end of November.
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Blenheim Palace International CCI*** is a wrap, and as I sit on the plane returning to the US I figured it’s time to look back and review what was learned from the experience. I was lucky enough to receive a travel grant from the USET Foundation and Jacqueline Mars for Vandiver (aka Quinn) to compete at Blenheim. I can’t thank them enough, during every international trip a lot is learned and hopefully I can apply what was gained here to earn a US team medal in the near future!
We were meant to depart from Miami direct to the UK on the Wednesday prior to the start of competition. At the time, I was frustrated to hear there was not enough cargo to warrant a flight which would have delayed Quinn’s departure to Friday. This would have been too close for comfort with dressage starting on Wednesday, so we opted to reroute via NYC. Horseflight, our shipping company, was a lifesaver in replanning the logistics needed on such short notice.
Courtney Carson our extraordinary groom left our farm in Aiken, SC with Quinn on Tuesday and headed head north. In hindsight, this was such a blessing being that had our flight actually left on time our rig would have been stuck in Miami just in time to be flooded by hurricane Irma!
Courtney and Quinn took off on Wednesday without trouble. I too hopped on a plane to meet them at Jesse Cambell’s yard on Friday. Quinn handled the trip with unexpected ease. He’s the most genuine creature you’ll meet. Along with genuine nature and willingness to please, he’s an internalizer and worrier. Usually he’s attached to whichever horses is shipping next to him. I think this time around, Courtney was his traveling security blanket. Jesse’s place was a great resting spot before our move to the show grounds on Monday. Day one I just took him for a light hack, followed by flat work on Sunday and a final gallop Monday before heading out. Check out my instagram for a blow by blow here: www.instagram.com/dpequestrian
Moving into the show grounds was uneventful. He’s generally much better day 2 or 3 in a new place so I was very happy to hear of our Thursday dressage time. We had 85 starters in the CCI*** at one of the most beautiful venues you could imagine, pretty much walking through a Disney movie set.
photo by Richard Payne
Quinn was as relaxed and confident in the first phase as he’s been yet. He continues to improve and with a 46.6 this was his best CCI*** or **** score to date. I would expect this improving trend to continue as he gains more strength and confidence. The first few minutes of warm up were about as good as he’s ever been. Two weeks earlier I had planned for 25 minutes in warm up at the American Eventing Championships. In the end I think it was just a bit too long, we cut that down to 20 this time around. I think this too was a hair too long, he was in perfect shape to head in as the horse before us cantered down the center line. Next time around we’re going for 15 mins. Regardless, in a venue with lots of atmosphere I couldn’t have been much happier with him.
Now to the best part, cross country of course! The track is beautiful and the ground was about as good as you could expect with the amount of rain we’d received. The time on the course was set at 10:12 so just about a minute shorter than Rolex, but with the rolling terrain it was expected to take a fair bit out of them. The course itself was quite good, with a lot of flowing lines. There were certainly a number of very good questions, but nothing that kept me up at night. Thankfully for me, Quinn is essentially a seeing eye dog. As long as you get him roughly in the vicinity of a jump he'll try is best to make it happen. I went out with the goal of coming home double clear or as close to the time as I could manage. I was on the clock or up slightly early in the course, and based on my experience with him at Kentucky the previous couple of years I expected him to get a little tired at the end so I didn't press him in the first half. I kept expecting the other shoe to drop and the gas light to come on. Apparently he was far fitter than I knew! To my shock, I asked him to move on after the last water, maybe 2 mins from the end, and he absolutely took off! By that point was nearly 20 seconds down, he closed on the time, but just not enough course left to make it all up. I finished up clear with 5.2 time penalties. I was annoyed not to have made it, but frankly it was comforting to know he came in with more in the tank. He's an incredible horse, by far the best cross country horse I've ever ridden. I did wear my Cambox Sport helmet cam, check it out below:
photo by Richard Payne
photo by Richard Payne
Quinn recovered quickly and looked to be in great shape for Sunday. Jess, my wife, of course putting the the final touches prior to the jogs. He passed the final horse inspection with ease, on to Show Jumping.
photo by Richard Payne
Coming off of the AEC's where Quinn was the first of only 5 double clears under the lights 2 weeks ago and the fact that he's only had 2 rails total in the past 15 advanced events I was pretty confident heading into the final phase. In walking the course it looked to suit him well. I personally love when the time allowed is tight. Quinn is agile, quick and careful. The time was tight on Sunday and rails were flying. We chose to keep the same studs as used on XC the day before. In warm up that seemed to be a good decision. He jumped very well and we headed into the main arena. We ended up having the 5th fence down. I did take an aggressive line in the turn, I'm 100% confident it would work on an artificial surface. Quinn's achilles heel is if he loses traction behind. When it happens he becomes a lot more cautions and tends to get more up and down rather than active and forward with his hind end. He did slip slightly in the turn for the first rail. I was kicking myself for not being a little more conservative and giving him a step or two more in the approach. Into the triple I saw the exact same distance I'd seen at an option the 2 weeks prior, I went to steady and he trotted behind!! Certainly doesn't give you the warm and fuzzy feeling heading into the triple. We had the A & B down, from that point on I made sure not to rush him in the turns by choosing a conservative approach. He finished the course in great form.
Experience is what you gain just after needing it. Uuuuggghhh too frustrating to convey here, I should have recognized the difference and compensated. It's a tough and annoying as hell lesson, but one that will certainly stick. We dropped 2 places to finish in 14th. While I will continue to kick myself, it's comforting to know that we are now qualified for the WEG's next year. With the knowledge gained, we will undoubtedly be better off. Thinking back on it, we've not jumped on a natural dirt surface since my second event on him ever at Richland Park 2 years ago in the CCI**.
photo by Richard Payne
Blenheim was the best option for Quinn and I being the earliest CCI*** on the fall calendar he can now enjoy a very well deserved vacation before starting back up in preparation for next year without being rushed at all.
I want to again thank USET Foundation and Jacqueline Mars for their generous grant, Joanie. Morris for all of her help managing the team, my parents Marilyn and Dick who came to support (mom's invaluable advice and my dads photos all above), Jess my wonderful and 6 months pregnant wife, Debi and Kevin Crowley (Quinn's breeders and owners), Courtney our groom & life manager as well as our crew back at home (Little Courtney, Hunter, Adrianna, Holly and of course Joan and Carl Hampf!). Can't also forget our many sponsors and partners which allow our horses to preform at their best!
We'll back stronger in the spring and far better off for the experience gained here.
Upon our return we'll be in Aiken for a few days then off to Kentucky for Quincy's (Quintessence owned by Jane Dudinsky) shot at the 6 year old jumper finals as well as Marshal's (Marshal M Dillon owned by Wendy and Fred Luce) shot at the $35k grand prix on Saturday morning prior to hopping on another plane for Flynn (Getaway owned by Olivia, Lisa and Bob Wall) to jump in Central Park Saturday night!
We've made a number of tweaks to the site, but the most exciting is a list of discount codes which could be used with nearly all of our sponsors! Check them out below or visit the sponsor link here.
We just wrapped up the busiest week of our Aiken spring season. We had a 6 horses showing at March Madness I held at Highfields in Aiken on Thursday and Friday with Quinn (owned by Debi Crowley) spending some time jumping this week in the Welcome Stake on Friday as well as the 1.35m Mini Prix held on Sunday.
Vandiver on his way to 8th in the $5k Mini Prix on Sunday Afternoon - Photo by Laura Fazio
Our jumpers all finished up great with a full results below. In particular I was very proud of both Quinn and Leo (owned by Kristin Michaloski) , both eventers, who more than held their own in the show ring! Both are jumping more confidently and I can't wait to see them in action in a few weeks at the Carolina International.
Following both Thursday and Friday at Highfields we headed over to Sporting Days on Saturday with Missy (owned by Robbie Peterson), Marshal (owned by Wendy Luce), Cascor (owned by Stephen Blauner), Quincy(owned Jane Dudinsky) and Rio (owned by Jim Green). All were a bit wild for dressage, but jumped in great form to finish as follows:
Back again to Sporting Days on Sunday morning where both Quantum finished 4th and Jess & PJ finished 6th in Training. Following cross country we headed home for a quick power nap below.
Power Nap with Bacon
Quinn finished up the weekend with just 1 down in the Mini-Prix to finish in 8th. We're heading back to Highfields this week to jump getting and getting the eventers ready for Pine Top our next outing!
Cellar Door - Carolina International CIC - Photo by High Time Photography
With our spring season in full swing, one my my favorite events of the year, the Carolina International CIC, if fast approaching. Being on the board of the competition has given me some incite into many of the great changes to be implemented this year.
The most significant change of which is that Ian Stark, one of my personal favorite designers, is now taken the reins and the course. It's going to be a big departure from years past, not only in size and construction but also utilizing a brand new water complex allowing the track length to increase along with its difficulty. With $75,000 in total prize money it's going to be a spectactular competition!
This year, not only with spectators on the grounds be able to enjoy the show, but EQSportsNet will be broadcasting a live feed with Karen O'Connor and Charlotte Skinner on the microphones.
The after party will remain an epic event, this year's theme is 'Spanning the Globe' which will be presented by Jaguar Land Rover of Cary, NC. It will feature the CIC awards, international dinner, open bar with music and dancing by 'Liquid Pleasure'.
If interested everyone is able to pre-order Carolina International merchandise on the Carolina Horse Park site.
Quinn on XC in the Plantation Field CIC** - Photo by Rough Coat Photography
We've been on the road not stop it seems over the past few months with some great performances for both the jumpers and eventers. At the moment we're split just about 50/50 between the two. It's a great mix that, along with the new Tryon facility along with Bruce's Field opening up in Aiken has allowed us to alternate between the two disciplines.
Bruce's Field - Aiken, SC - The Evening Following Eli's $25,000 Grand Prix
We were lucky enough to show at Bruce's Field inaugural show in Aiken just a few weeks back. The highlight of the week was Portugal's (aka Confire La Pomme) move up to the 1.30m classes. Impressively he also managed to win in his very first class!
Following Bruce's Field we head north to Unionville, Pa for the Plantation Field CIC** with both Big Leo (Lysander owned by Kristin Michaloski in partnership with Doug) and Quinn (Vandiver owned by Debi Crowley in partnership with Doug). Quinn was slated to run in the CIC*** but I found out just before heading north that we still needed at CIC** prior to our CIC*** debut despite our 5th place finish in the Five Points Advanced Horse Trials (Raeford, NC).
Both horses were excellent but Leo stepped up to the big stage with a massive statement on dressage day with a 31.7! He was well ahead of the 70 horse field and never gave up the lead finishing with his first CIC** win!
Leo on XC at the Plantation Field CIC** - Photo by Jenni Autry/Eventing Nation
Leo on SJ winning the Plantation Field CIC** - Photo by Jenni Autry/Eventing Nation
Quinn was also quite good, he wrapped up the weekend in 9th place. On to Morven Park (Leesburg, Va) and the CIC*** this coming weekend along with 8 others from DPE. The jumpers are laying low for the next couple of weeks. They will be back in action the week following Morven.
I'm excited to introduce a periodic blog in order to profile our horses which we are lucky enough to work with day to day. Each have a unique personality and talents which deserve to be better known by all.
The first of which is Quantum Leap who is known around the barn as Q or Quantum. He is 4 years old and stands 17.1hh at the moment. USEA Record
He's a true old soul. Even from day one he has always seemed to just 'get it'. I bought him from Didi Callahan at CNG sport horses, direct link here, as a yearling.
Baby Pic of Q
Just before our purchase from Didi (~1 yr old)
He grew up with us, turned out with Big Leo as his little brother. Periodically we ponied him along with some of the more experienced horses when heading out on the trails. Funny enough he was often braver than the horse were ponying him off of!
Last November we started him for real. He was probably the easiest horse I've ever started. He has been incredible, in that ultimately you show him once he ready to move forward.
End of week 1...out on our own!
Below are a number of videos of Quantum throughout the year. His progress has been remarkable.
Jan 12th, jumping at home.
Jan 24th, Q's first XC schooling at Paradise Farm in Aiken
Q's 2nd show - Feb 8th
Roughly two months ago we were joined by long time supporters Susan and Dave Drillock in partnership with the goal of developing Quantum to the best of his ability. Without their support we would not have been able to keep him long term. I'm incredibly fortunate and grateful for the opportunity given to me by Susan and Dave.
SJ at Q's 2nd Event at Novice
At the moment, Quantum just finished up his 5th Novice finishing on his dressage score of 21 in 3rd place at the Millbrook Horse Trials.
In the coming month's we're planning to try to get qualified for the USEA Young Event Horse finals to be held in at the Fair Hill International in October. Check back for updates as they come in!
