United States Eventing Association

by Erica Larson

The next time you pick up a competitors’ list at an event, take a minute and look at all the different types of horse that are competing. Some breeds will seem right at home on a cross-country course: Thoroughbreds, Irish Sport Horses, and Connemaras for example. Others, though, may raise an eyebrow and a question in your mind: Arabians…Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses…Saddlebreds?

Although tradition may favor the more common sport horse breeds, more and more non-traditional event breeds are beginning to jump into the spotlight. These horses have come from all different backgrounds to turn in beautiful dressage tests, tackle cross-country courses without hesitation, and clear show jumps gracefully, all while making a name for themselves and their breed of horse.

PLEASURE HORSES

Arabian Nights

When Megan Campbell first met her current eventing partner, Aeqceleration, she had never thought of herself as an eventer. She hadn’t ridden in several years and her good friend, who bred and owned ‘Axel’, was having a hard time selling the high spirited bay Arabian gelding. “Axel was bred to be a fancy Saddle Seat horse,” Megan explained. “Very early on, he was sent to a Saddle Seat farm for training, but after six months he was sent home because they said that he had no talent.”

Axel was then turned out for several years, doing only light work the occasional trail ride. But about two and a half years ago, Axel’s owner bred her mare again. She did not have enough room at her farm for both the foal and her homebred gelding, so she made the difficult decision to put Axel up for sale.

(Photo Above Right & Left: Axel takes to the cross-country course at the AEC with gusto, while Megan smiles and enjoys the ride. Emily Daily photo.)

“Axel went out on trial with a lady who wanted to do dressage with him,” Megan said. “He ended up coming back, though, because he was too much horse for her. I rode equitation and hunters as a child and played polo during my undergrad studies, but stopped during vet school because I just didn’t have the time for it.

“I decided that it was time to start riding again, so I offered to ride him for my friend, just to give him a refresher before he went out on trial again,” she continued. “As things turned out, I ended up being the one to buy him.”

Once Axel was home, Megan learned all about the gelding’s feisty personality.

“He’s pretty spunky,” she grinned. “He’s a typical, high strung Arab. He’ll be all sweet and lovey and in your pocket, but then he’ll start mouthing and lipping and every now and again the teeth come out. He’s very aware of his surroundings, but definitely in a good way.

Megan and Axel took some time to form a strong partnership before hearing about eventing from their trainer.

(Right: Axel and Megan performed a flawless show jumping round, leaving them in 3rd place in the competitive Beginner Novice Rider Amateur division at the AEC. Erica Larson photo.)

“I was bored with the hunters and equitation I had done growing up,” Megan revealed. “And he was too high strung for straight dressage, so my trainer suggested eventing. I had never done eventing before and it’s been awesome.”

Currently competing at Beginner Novice, Megan says that Axel loves cross-country, but he could still use some work in the dressage arena.

“He loves cross-country!” Megan smiled. “He gets so excited and he just knows it’s coming. He really takes care of us. He’s not so bold that he’ll get into a dangerous situation, but he’s confident and not spooky on course. In fact, he’s much more likely to spook in an arena!

“Dressage is a huge challenge for us right now,” she continued. “It’s hard for him to be really supple and he needs to learn to use his back more. We get a lot of comments from judges like, ‘needs to be more relaxed, but cute horse and rider’. Because he is a smaller horse – he’s barely fifteen hands – I think he’s seen as cute more than impressive and that’s hard.

“It’s very satisfying when we do well, though, because I’ve managed to take a Saddle Seat horse and turn him into a successful eventer.”

(Photo Above & Right: Axel looked the picture of concentration at this year’s AEC, as he and Megan performed a solid test, earning them a commendable 30.5. Erica Larson photos.)

Megan explains that while Arabians are lightly spooky and high strung by nature, she feels that Axel may hold a slight advantage over some of the heavier breeds, especially across country.

“Arabians were bred for endurance. He can be challenged more and still come out feeling fresh. It’s a step up in cardiovascular strength.”

All in all, Megan is overjoyed at the success she and Axel have enjoyed in the eventing world. After finishing third at the American Eventing Championships in the Beginner Novice Amateur division, she is planning to make the move to Novice in the next few months, and hopefully continue up the levels.

“The best thing about eventing is that you’re able to form nice strong partnership with horse,” Megan said. “You have to trust them, and you both have to know that you’ll take care of each other. It’s been an awesome experience and I’m so proud of Axel!”

High Steppin’ Action

One of the most intriguing horses at this year’s American Eventing Championships was a Palomino Saddlebred named Canyonleigh Sir Echo. Ridden by Australian Kate Chadderton, this flashy gelding was a hit in the Preliminary Horse division as he wowed crowds with him elegant movements in the Dressage arena and big scopey jump in Show Jumping.

Kate met ‘Rocco’ two years ago when Margaret Warwick, the horse’s current co-owner with Kate, brought him to her attention. Although she was a bit skeptical about the eventing potential of a Saddlebred, she tried Rocco out and instantly fell in love.

“Everything is so easy for him,” Kate explained. “He’s so clever. He’s the first one to notice when anything changes. He always knows when it’s feeding time. He hates having his rugs adjusted, but he’s really a fun, safe horse, which is great because I usually get all the trouble horses!”

Kate has had Rocco since he was five and has brought him along herself. He worked through the lower levels of the sport and is currently a competitive Preliminary horse.

“He adores cross-country,” she smiled. “He’s the easiest cross-country horse I’ve ever ridden. He’s so clever about it and reads lines and things so easily. I control the speed and what not, but he can see a line and read it so quickly and clearly. There’s very little work to do with him across country.”

(Above left: Rocco and Kate competing in the CIC1* at Plantation Field Three-Day Event this year. Amber Heintzberger photo.)

Kate is planning to keep him moving up through the levels.

“We hope to move him up to Intermediate by the end of the year,” she explained. “He’s got lots of jump and he’s very clever. He’ll do Advanced with no trouble, but he’s only seven. There’s not need to push him yet.”

“He’s a very cool horse,” she continued. “He’s smart and safe. He’s the ‘uncle’ type of horse…we often use him to help take the youngsters out for the first time. He tries so hard and he’s so clever. He’s a blast to ride. You’d never think he was a Saddlebred by watching him go…he’s just awesome.”

Justin Morgan Had a Horse…

Although Morgan horses are quite common in some regions of the United States, they remain fairly un-common in other areas. One Morgan mare and her young rider from New England are tearing up the scoreboards and making a name for the Morgan horse everywhere.

When Erin Amato began looking for a new horse two years ago, she wasn’t looking for a younger horse. She was just breaking into the world of eventing, so she was hoping to find a Novice or Training level packer who could show her the ropes. Instead, she found LBF April’s Delight.

“I had been looking for a horse for a while and actually almost purchases 2 different horses, both who fail the vet check,” Erin explained. “I saw a few ads for some interesting horses, including April, in Vermont so I decided to take a Saturday and drive up to check out a few.”

At the time, April was six-years-old with just a year and a half of basic training under her belt.

(Above left and right: April and Erin enjoy their cross-country round at this year’s AEC. Erica Larson photos.)

“Although April was no packer, I thought I should still take a visit at least for the experience,” Erin said. “Well, little April was the last on my schedule of rides for that day and I was so exhausted. I wanted to just go home. I thought, ‘She’s a 6-year-old who’s never evented. It’s not worth it’.

“But my mom convinced me to go and try her out anyways. I don’t know how or why, but I instantly fell in love with her. She was so unique, her chocolate brown color and her thick wavy tail were adorable. Everyone thought I was crazy, but a few days later, the only horse I looked at to pass a vet check would become my first horse.”

Although they would have to learn together, Erin took a chance on April and the little Morgan mare stepped up. She progressed quickly under saddle, and won the hearts of just about everyone who met her…especially Erin.

(Left: April and Erin splash through the water complex at the AEC. Emily Daily photo.)

“She’s very curious and energetic,” she recalls. “She has an opinion about everything and she’s always curious about what’s going on in her barn. She always has her head out of her stall door and loves attention from small children walking by. When she’s outside, she’s always busy in her paddock and is usually up to something. And, although she loves to be curried – especially her belly – she is incapable of staying clean for half a day!”

But as most riders know, a good personality on the ground doesn’t always result in a quality partner in the arena. But for Erin, April turned out to be the great little event horse she had been looking for.

“She’s great. Once she can settle the nerves down in the dressage ring, we’ll be doing well. She just needs more confidence and experience in that phase. But once I put her in jumping tack and put on her cross-country boots, she already knows what’s coming and she gets so excited. She’s so confident and knows the job. She totally takes care of me…if I get ahead of her or left behind, she’s so forgiving.

“And it’s always good that stadium is last because it’s probably our best phase. Once she steps in that stadium ring, she turns into a show horse. She brightens up and gets that ‘look at me!’ personality. Even if we aren’t in first, she’s still so proud of herself at the end of her round.”

Of course, Erin loves April, but she also feels that many Morgan horses could be successful eventers because of how they were bred.

“They’re strong horses,” she said. “I’ve never had any issues with April’s legs or feet. She’s very sturdy and has never had an off day in her life. She’s confident and loves to perform and be watched. Most are bred for endurance. They’re fast learners and have good work ethic.

“Also, the average height of the Morgan horse is about a hand smaller that many Thoroughbreds and Warmbloods. If a parent was looking for a smaller horse to take care of their small child, this could be a perfect match.”

April is currently competing at Beginner Novice, and the pair just returned from the 2008 American Eventing Championships in Wayne, Ill., where they finished on their Dressage score. Because they are learning together, Erin does not want to rush things and hopes to have April going Novice by next summer.

So was the risk of buying an unproven Morgan worth it for Erin.

“I wouldn’t have wanted this eventing experience any other way,” she smiled. “Morgans rock!”