Aug 21, 2020

Northern Spy (1993-2020)

By Jessica Duffy - USEA Staff
Northern Spy and Heidi White at the Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2008. USEA Archives Photo.

The USEA is saddened to share the news of the passing of Northern Spy (All Fair x Lavender Fair VII), Heidi White’s English Thoroughbred gelding, at the age of 27. Together, White and “Farley” competed successfully at the highest levels of the sport for many years and represented the United States on the world stage.

"A legend! Nine five-stars, World Championships, and an endless list of such successful competitions," White reflected. "A career I could have only dreamed of if not for him. He was a fierce competitor and all that watched him knew he loved what he did. Without a doubt, he made me who I am today, in so so many ways, and for that, I’m so grateful!"

Northern Spy was imported to the United States from England as a 4-year-old in 1997 and began his eventing career in the States with Margaret Bishop. Bishop and Northern Spy collected several top finishes at the Preliminary and Intermediate level in 1998 and 1999 before the ride passed to Mara DePuy in 2000.

Northern Spy and Heidi White at Badminton. Photo courtesy of Heidi White.

White and Northern Spy’s partnership began in the winter of 2001 with three consecutive top-five finishes at the Preliminary level followed by a second-place finish in the long format one-star at the Virginia Horse Trials. Following several top-three finishes at the Intermediate level that fall, they won the long format two-star at the Camino Real Three-Day Event.

In 2002, Northern Spy ran his first Advanced level horse trials and continued to bring home top finishes at events like Fair Hill and Morven Park. In the fall of 2002, Northern Spy was third in his first long format three-star at Fair Hill International.

At the age of 10 in 2003, Northern Spy made his first trip to the Kentucky Three-Day Event, finishing in 24th place. That fall, they were third in the Advanced Championship at Over The Walls Horse Trials and traveled to England to contest the Burghley Horse Trials CCI4* (now CCI5*-L) for the first time, finishing in 44th place.

In 2004, the Kentucky Three-Day Event was modified to the short format, omitting roads and tracks and steeplechase for the first time. That year, Northern Spy placed eighth. White and Northern Spy returned to England in the fall to run at Burghley once again, and this time placed 23rd.

Northern Spy and Heidi White over the Cottesmore Leap at Burghley. Photo courtesy of Heidi White.

Northern Spy went back to England again in 2005, this time to run at Badminton, where they were 10th. From there they went to compete at the FEI Eventing World Cup Finals in Sweden where they also finished in the top 10.

After top finishes in the CIC3*s (now CCI4*-S) at Red Hills International and The Fork in the spring of 2006, White and Northern Spy made their third trip to Kentucky, finishing as the reserve champions and the top-ranked American pair. They were subsequently named to the U.S. Team for the FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, where they finished 27th individually and contributed to the U.S. Team’s fourth-place finish.

2007 marked Northern Spy’s fourth trip to Kentucky for the CCI4* - this time he finished in fourth place. The following spring, White and Northern Spy won the CIC3*-W FEI World Cup and Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series event at The Fork. They were selected to represent the U.S. at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong, but withdrew before the start of the competition due to an injury sustained during a gallop prior to the event.

Northern Spy and Heidi White took home the win in the CIC3*-W at The Fork in 2008. USEA Archives Photo.

Northern Spy returned to the three-star level one last time in 2010, placing 26th at The Fork. After his retirement from the upper levels, Northern Spy ran around at the lower levels for another six years with several different riders before his retirement from competition in 2016 at the age of 23.

Northern Spy had an impressive 18-year eventing career, completing 97 USEA recognized events including 21 FEI competitions and bringing home 11 wins and 56 top-five finishes. Of those 18 years, half were spent competing at the highest levels of the sport and included trips to Kentucky, Burghley, Badminton, and the FEI World Equestrian Games. Northern Spy is the 18th-ranked horse on the USEA Historical High Score Leaderboard with a total of 902 points.

"Northern Spy touched people around the world in so many different ways for many different reasons," White said. "His kindness and love affected everyone that had the privilege and honor to have met him, asking for nothing in return (well, maybe a cookie or two!) He was a best friend in my life and we had 22 amazing years together. For that friendship and joy, I will never forget him. WE LOVE YOU FARLEY!"

Farley with Heidi's father. Photo courtesy of Heidi White.

The USEA sends our deepest condolences to White and all of Farley’s connections and fans.

Dec 07, 2023 Convention

USEA Board of Governors Meet for the First Time During 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention

This afternoon, USEA President Louise “Lou” Leslie welcomed U.S. Eventing Association (USEA) Board of Governors members, USEA staff, and USEA Annual Meeting & Convention attendees to the first of two Board meetings which will take place during this year’s Convention in St. Louis, Missouri, with the teaser that 2024 is going to be full of initiatives for more opportunities to access the eventing experience, some of which attendees might get first wind of during this year’s gathering. The 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention takes place Dec. 7-10 at the Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel.

Dec 06, 2023 Convention

Fast Facts: 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention

Welcome to the Show Me state and to Area IV USEA members! The 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention kicks of tomorrow and features four full days of educational seminars, committee meetings, and social gatherings all with one aim—to bring the eventing community together to continue to improve upon and celebrate the sport that we all love. This year’s Convention takes place in St. Louis, Missouri, at the Marriott St. Louis Grand in downtown St. Louis from Dec. 7-10, and we have rounded up everything you need to know to make the most of your time in the heartland.

Dec 05, 2023 Education

Digital Resources to Maximize Education & Access for the Eventing Community

To accompany the 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, USEA Educational Partner STRIDER has prepared Digital Resources to Maximize Education & Access for the Eventing Community. In keeping with the USEA’s mission to expand the sport of eventing, this webinar outlines ways in which digital tools can be leveraged to increase access and education across equestrian opportunities. As part of STRIDER’s popular Professional Development Webinar Series, this presentation aims to provide a quick overview of best practices and digital tools used across the equestrian industry to boost growth.

Dec 05, 2023 Young Event Horse

Young Event Horse Arden Augustus Exceeds All Expectations for Antenucci and White

Every horse who participated this year in the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) program has a story—a background that involves a breeder who labored over bloodlines, veterinary care, initial training, and so much more. This year’s highest-placing U.S.-bred horse in the 5-year-old division at the Dutta Corp./USEA Young Event Horse Championships, Arden Augustus, is no exception. His breeder and owner, Anita Antenucci of Arden Farms in Upperville, Virginia, started her program nine years ago and said that the Warmblood gelding was a more emotionally driven breeding for her than others due to his connections with Antenucci’s long-time friend Sharon White.

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