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Zara Tindall, Yasmin Ingham and Tom McEwen head up British entries for Kentucky five-star

Pippa Roome — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 08:46:11 +0000

Eight British names and three world champions appear among the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event entries for the CCI5* event which runs 26–30 April.

World champions Yasmin Ingham and Banzai Du Loir, who were second at the event last year, will return to the US venue next month. Banzai is now registered in the ownership of The Sue Davies Fund following the death of Sue, who owned him alongside her daughter Janette Chinn, in January.

Tom McEwen will make his first trip to the Kentucky Horse Park with the Lamberts’ and Deirdre Johnston’s JL Dublin, the horse who won the European Championships with Nicola Wilson in 2021. The Lamberts were long-standing owners with Nicola and have previously made the trip with horses they owned with her. Tom and JL Dublin were second at Boekelo CCI4*-L last autumn and this will be their first five-star as a combination.

Zara Tindall returns to Kentucky, the venue where she finished third in 2017 on High Kingdom, with Gleadhill House Stud’s Class Affair. This is not, though, Class Affair’s first US venture as he competed at Maryland 5-Star in 2021.

William Fox-Pitt, a three-time winner of Kentucky, holds an entry with Amanda Gould’s Grafennacht, a five-star first-timer who is also entered at Badminton the week after Kentucky.

Oliver Townend will bid for a fourth Kentucky win this year as he is on the list with Tregilder, owned by the Hazeldines and the Mitchell Fox Group.

David Doel is entered on Gillian Jonas’ Galileo Nieuwmoed, with whom he was sixth at Badminton Horse Trials last year. Gillian is 90 this year and she owned Apache Sauce, who was ninth at Kentucky in 2007 with Mary King. David told H&H she wants to go back to Kentucky while she is still in good health.

Kirsty Chabert is another potential British Kentucky debutante as she has last year’s Luhmühlen Horse Trials runner-up Classic VI, owned by Carole Somers, Kate Ward and Kirsty’s father John Johnston, on the list.

US-based British rider Leslie Law, the 2004 Olympic eventing champion, is slated to make his fourth Kentucky start on Tre’ Book’s Voltaire De Tre’, their best result being 10th in 2019.

Australia’s Olympic team silver medallists Kevin McNab and Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam, who belongs to Scuderia 1918 Capital SRL and Kevin’s wife Emma, are also set to make the trip across the Atlantic. They finished sixth at Kentucky last year.

Two German riders are also travelling from Europe. Alina Dibowski, daughter of Olympic team gold medallist Andreas, made her championship debut at the worlds last year on her Kentucky ride, Barbados 26, owned by her mother Susanna. The 2004 world champion, Sandra Auffarth, is set to pilot her world team gold medallist, Nikolaus Prinz von Croy’s Viamant Du Matz.

France also has one entry, in the form of Maxime Livio with S.C. Soixante Seize Et Compagnie, Gilles Saiagh and Celine Fronteau’s Carouzo Bois Marotin.

The other Kentucky Three-Day Event entries are all from US riders, with the exception of two Canadians, including the 19-year-old Jollybo, ridden by Hawley Bennett-Awad.

The home side challenge includes three rides apiece for Tamie Smith (including Alexandra and Ellen Ahearn and Eric Markell’s world team silver medallist Mai Baum and last year’s Maryland 5-Star runner-up Danito, owned by Ruth Bley), Liz Halliday-Sharp, Buck Davidson, Jennie Saville (née Brannigan) and Will Coleman.

Phillip Dutton, the most recent American winner of Kentucky, has just one ride in the mix, the syndicate-owned Z.

Boyd Martin, the most recent US winner of a five-star after his victory at Maryland in 2021, brings forward the Turners’ Tsetserleg TSF, a former Kentucky runner-up, and Club Contessa’s Contessa.

Lauren Nicholson has Jacqueline Mars’ Landmark’s Monte Carlo and Vermiculus in the line-up, although Vermiculus is also entered at Badminton the week after Kentucky, so may well not appear at the US spring five-star if he makes the trip to Britain.

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Top contender eliminated at Maryland 5 Star first trot-up plus a British withdrawal

Pippa Roome — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 18:08:14 +0000

Liz Halliday-Sharp’s ride Deniro Z was eliminated at the Mars Maryland 5 Star first trot-up this afternoon (Wednesday, 12 October).

The drama came early, with Deniro Z, who is owned by Ocala Horse Properties, the sixth horse to be presented to the ground jury – president Christian Landolt (Switzerland) and members Judy Hancock (Great Britain) and Gretchen Butts (USA). He was sent to the holding box and re-presented later in the order, but not accepted to continue in the competition.

Home side rider Liz will still compete on Cooley Quicksilver, who data analytics experts EquiRatings have put up as the favourite in the class, with a 15% win chance. Deniro Z was sitting equal second in the EquiRatings’ prediction centre for the event, with a 12% win chance.

Twenty-five horses were brought forward for the Maryland 5 Star first trot-up and all the others were accepted the first time they were presented.

The four horses who have flown in from Europe – Babylon De Gamma (France’s Astier Nicolas), Superstition (Britain’s Harry Meade), As Is (Britain’s Oliver Townend) and Coup De Coeur Dudevin (New Zealand’s Tim Price) – came forward first as they are kept separate to the US-based horses, for biosecurity reasons.

US-based Brit Leslie Law has withdrawn his entered ride, Voltaire De Tre’, leaving Harry and Oliver as the only two competitors riding under the Union flag in the five-star this week.

The loss of Deniro Z from the competition leaves just two riders with two horses in the mix – Jennie Brannigan rides Twilightslastgleam and FE Lifestyle while Buck Davidson will start on Sorocaima and Carlevo.

Competitors from five nationalities start at Maryland – the USA, Britain, Canada and New Zealand.

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Brits and world medallists among the entries for Maryland 5 Star

Pippa Roome — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 15:36:07 +0000

Three British riders are among the Mars Maryland 5 Star entries for this year’s event (13-16 October).

Harry Meade returns to the US autumn five-star with Mandy Gray’s and his own Superstition, on whom he finished seventh at Maryland last year.

US-based Brit Leslie Law and Tre’ Book’s Voltaire De Tre’ also have their second crack at the event, having come 22nd last year.

Oliver Townend, who was second at Maryland last year on Cooley Master Class, will be back this time riding John Peace’s five-star first-timer As Is, who was recently second in the CCI4*-S at Blair Castle Horse Trials.

Disappointingly, there are only 25 Maryland 5 Star entries at present, although this is likely to continue to rise over the next week, with 30 September the final closing date.

Three members of the US’s silver medal-winning team at last week’s eventing World Championships in Pratoni have a ride in the five-star class, with Will Coleman bringing forward Don Dante, Tamie Smith riding Danito and Lauren Nicholson piloting Landmark’s Monte Carlo. In addition, World Championships reserve combination Phillip Dutton and Z will be in action.

Boyd Martin won Maryland last year, but he is the only US rider from Pratoni not starting in the five-star class according to the current entries list, although he will compete in the accompanying CCI3*-L and young horse classes.

Liz Halliday-Sharp will start among the favourites with a strong hand in her two entries – Deniro Z, who was selected for last year’s Olympics though he had to be withdrawn owing to injury, and Cooley Quicksilver, whose three wins at CCI4*-S include victory in the hot supporting class at the Kentucky Three-Day Event in April.

Buck Davidson and Jennie Brannigan are the only other riders with two horses in the class, with Buck slated to start on Carlevo and Sorocaima and Jennie riding FE Lifestyle and Twilightslastgleam.

Doug Payne and Quantum Leap were the best US combination in the five-star at Kentucky in the spring and they will be at Maryland, too.

Young US talent Woods Baughman will try to make amends for a disappointing cross-country performance at Burghley Horse Trials when he brings forward C’est La Vie 135.

Fans of Hannah Sue Burnett’s veteran ride Harbour Pilot will also have a chance to see him in action as the 19-year-old is on the start list.

See the Kentucky cross-country times for the British competitors and other favourites

Pippa Roome — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 19:33:08 +0000

The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event cross-country times have been released ahead of the action on Saturday (30 April).

The CCI5* cross-country starts at 12.50pm local time (5.50pm British time) and the final rider is scheduled to start at 3.46pm local time (8.46pm British time).

Kentucky Three-Day Event cross-country times for British riders

Leslie Law and Voltaire De Tre’: 12.58pm local time (5.58pm British time)
Pippa Funnell and Majas Hope: 1.50pm local time (6.50pm British time)
Yasmin Ingham and Banzai Du Loir: 3.18pm local time (8.18pm British time)
Sarah Bullimore and Corouet: 3.34pm local time (8.34pm British time)
Pippa Funnell and Maybach: 3.46pm local time (8.46pm British time)

Other riders to watch

Will Coleman and Dondante (USA): 12.50pm local time (5.50pm British time)
Doug Payne and Vandiver (USA): 12.54pm local time (5.54pm British time)
Phillip Dutton and Sea Of Clouds (USA): 1.22pm local time (6.22pm British time)
Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg TSF (USA): 2.26pm local time (7.26pm British time)
Michael Jung and FischerChipmunk FRH (GER): 2.34pm local time (7.34pm British time)
Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot (USA): 2.38pm local time (7.38pm British time)
Jonelle Price and McClaren (NZL): 2.42pm local time (7.42pm British time)
Lauren Nicholson and Landmark’s Monte Carlo (USA): 2.46pm local time (7.46pm British time)
Will Coleman and Off The Record (USA): 2.50pm local time (7.50pm British time)

Full Kentucky Three-Day Event cross-country times

See all the times (cross-country times are listed to the right of the rider name)

When do the British riders do their dressage at Kentucky? Find out here

Pippa Roome — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 19:14:03 +0000

The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event dressage times have been released for this week’s competition (28 April-1 May).

The flagship CCI5* dressage takes place in the afternoons on Thursday and Friday, starting at 1pm local time (6pm British time) on Thursday and 12.30pm (5.30pm British time) on Friday.

Kentucky Three-Day Event dressage times for British riders

Leslie Law and Voltaire De Tre’: 1.24pm local time on Thursday (6.24pm British time)
Pippa Funnell and Majas Hope: 3.56pm local time on Thursday (8.56pm British time)
Yasmin Ingham and Banzai Du Loir: 3.18pm local time on Friday (8.18pm British time)
Sarah Bullimore and Corouet: 3.50pm local time on Friday (8.50pm British time)
Pippa Funnell and Maybach: 4.14pm local time on Friday (9.14pm British time)

Other riders to watch

Will Coleman and Dondante (USA): 1pm local time on Thursday (6pm British time)
Doug Payne and Vandiver (USA): 1.16pm local time on Thursday (6.16pm British time)
Phillip Dutton and Sea Of Clouds (USA): 2.28pm local time on Thursday (7.28pm British time)
Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg TSF (USA): 12.54pm local time on Friday (5.54pm British time)
Michael Jung and FischerChipmunk FRH (GER): 1.10pm local time on Friday (6.10pm British time)
Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot (USA): 1.18pm local time on Friday (6.18pm British time)
Jonelle Price and McClaren (NZL): 1.26pm local time on Friday (6.26pm British time)
Lauren Nicholson and Landmark’s Monte Carlo (USA): 1.50pm local time on Friday (6.50pm British time)
Will Coleman and Off The Record (USA): 1.58pm local time on Friday (6.58pm British time)

Full Kentucky Three-Day Event dressage times

See all the times

A former winner, a 2021 European medallist and a rising star among British entries for Kentucky five-star

Pippa Roome — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 09:23:27 +0000

Four British riders are among the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event entries set to line up in this year’s competition (28 April-1 May).

The British riders span the range of experience. Pippa Funnell, who won Kentucky in 2003 on Primmore’s Pride, is entered with Marek Sebestak’s and her own Majas Hope and S.H.E. Eventing’s Maybach.

US-based British rider Leslie Law, the 2004 Olympic individual champion, comes forward with Tre’ Book’s Voltaire De Tre.

Yasmin Ingham is set to make her Kentucky debut on one of the most exciting young horses in eventing, Sue Davies and Janette Chinn’s Banzai Du Loir. The Blenheim Horse Trials CCI4*-L winner will be starting at five-star for the first time, although Yasmin has gained five-star experience in two starts at at Pau Horse Trials on other horses.

Finally, Sarah Bullimore is entered on her European individual bronze medallist Corouet, owned by Sarah and her husband Brett, plus the Kew Jumping Syndicate.

German superstar Michael Jung, a three-time Kentucky winner on FischerRocana FST, brings forward FischerChipmunk FRH – owned by Sabine and Klaus Fischer, Hilmer Meyer Kulenkampff and the German Olympic committee for equestrian sport.

This will be a hotly awaited five-star debut for a horse who has been a European individual silver medallist and who topped the list of the best event horses in the world at the end of last year according to data analytics company EquiRatings.

Ireland’s Joseph Murphy will also make the journey from Europe for his Kentucky debut, riding Claire and Charlie Mayne, Annette O’Callaghan’s and his own Calmaro, who was 14th at Pau last year.

Among the home-side stars on the list are all three riders from the US Olympic team from Tokyo – Phillip Dutton (Sea Of Clouds), Doug Payne (Quantum Leap and Vandiver) and Boyd Martin, who will certainly be among the favourites when he starts on last year’s Maryland 5 Star winner On Cue, as well as Tsetserleg TSF.

A number of horses appear on the Kentucky Three-Day Event entries as well as on the Badminton Horse Trials entries, but they will only start at one of the events.

Pippa has Majas Hope on both lists, but she has three horses entered for Badminton and can only ride two, so it is likely Billy Walk On and MGH Grafton Street will go to Badminton and Majas Hope to Kentucky. Three US riders also each have a horse on both lists – Lauren Nicholson (Vermiculus), Tamie Smith (Mai Baum) and Will Faudree (Mama’s Magic Way) – as does Canada’s Karl Slezak (Fernhill Wishes).

Zara Tindall and Leslie Law tackle final showjumping phase to complete inaugural Maryland 5 Star

Pippa Roome — Sun, 17 Oct 2021 17:46:35 +0000

Zara Tindall and Leslie Law have both completed the Maryland 5 Star, adding four faults each in their showjumping today (Sunday, 17 October).

Former world champion Zara had the red, white and blue upright at fence four down on Gleadhill House Stud’s Class Affair to finish on a score of 66. Zara Tindall will finish Maryland 5 Star in 30th place or better.

The USA’s Ken Krome is the course-designer for today’s final showjumping phase. Riders must tackle 13 numbered obstacles, including a double at fence eight and a treble at fence 12. The optimum time is 82 seconds, with 0.4 of a penalty incurred for every second over that.

Three pairs from the first block of nine put in clear rounds – Will Faudree (Pfun), Zoe Crawford (KEC Zara) and Ashlynn Meuchel (Emporium).

Emma Lomangino’s ride Master Frisky passed the trot-up earlier today, but she has since chosen to withdraw him, leaving 33 pairs to tackle this final showjumping phase.

Riders jump in reverse order of merit so the overnight leader, Britain’s Oliver Townend on Angela Hislop’s Cooley Master Class, will jump last at 2.47pm local time (7.47pm British time) as he tries to win this first Maryland 5 Star.

Mixed day for Britain on Maryland 5 Star cross-country: how Oliver Townend, Harry Meade, Zara Tindall and Leslie Law fared

Pippa Roome — Sat, 16 Oct 2021 20:10:43 +0000

Britain’s four riders had a mixed Maryland 5 Star cross-country day.

Oliver Townend gave Angela Hislop’s Cooley Master Class a fantastic ride to come home inside the optimum time and hold the lead he established in the first phase.

“You see some galloping machines going round making it look easy, but he’s not the most thoroughbred – that’s why he’s always stayed clear of Burghley,” said Oliver.

“We didn’t anticipate it being this tough here and it shows you what an unbelievable horse he is. He gives me his brain in start box and even if he doesn’t like the look of something, he lets me make him go between the fences. I’m so honoured to ride him, he’s a special one.”

Harry Meade cruised to a penalty-free round with Mandy Gray’s and his own Superstition, who has moved up from 10th after dressage to fifth in the Maryland 5 Star cross-country standings.

Leslie Law and Zara Tindall fared less well.

Leslie’s ride, Tre’ Book’s Voltaire De Tre’, came down hard on the back rail of the corner over a ditch at fence 17, incurring 11 penalties for breaking the frangible devices. They also had 11.2 time-faults and have slipped from 21st to 26th place.

Zara incurred 20 penalties at the corner at fence 11 with Gleadhill House Stud’s Class Affair, as well as 10.4 time-penalties, and has moved from 15th to 29th place ahead of the final showjumping tomorrow.

All but one of the current top 10 – Jennie Brannigan and Stella Artois (sixth with 1.6 time-faults) – put in clears inside the 11-minute optimum time over Ian Stark’s track today.

Tim Price retains second place for New Zealand with Xavier Faer, with his wife Jonelle in seventh on the veteran Classic Moet.

Boyd Martin is best of the home side with On Cue in third and said after his ride on the 15-year-old: “She’s an older horse, but she keeps getting better and better. She gave me a great round and cruised around nicely.”

The USA’s Lauren Nicholson also rode two clears inside the time today and lies fourth with the grey Landmark’s Monte Carlo and eighth on Vermiculus. Her compatriot Will Coleman holds 10th on Tight Lines, just ahead of fellow US rider Phillip Dutton on Sea of Clouds.

Phillip had a heavy fall on his second horse, Fernhill Singapore (ninth after dressage). He was the last competitor of the day and looked set for a good completion, but came down at the white Groundhog Garden Gate at fence 24. Phillip could be seen up on his feet after the fall and it is believed Fernhill Singapore is not seriously injured.

Fernhill Singapore was one of three top-10 horses after dressage to fault on the Maryland 5 Star cross-country course. The pathfinder, Carlevo (eight after dressage), had a fall at the angled brush shoulder at fence 10a with Buck Davidson and Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot, who had been equal fourth after the first phase, incurred 20 penalties at fence 11.

The cross-country times for today were moved forward on account of the weather forecast, which proved a wise decision as heavy rain was starting as the final couple of competitors were on course.

Oliver Townend holds his lead after Maryland 5 Star cross-country: ‘I’m so honoured to ride him, he’s a top-class trier’

Pippa Roome — Sat, 16 Oct 2021 18:13:21 +0000

Oliver Townend will lead after the Maryland 5 Star cross-country, having put in a penalty-free round on Cooley Master Class.

The British world number one finished comfortably within the 11-minute optimum time over Ian Stark’s cross-country course on Angela Hislop’s 16-year-old, crossing the finishing line in 10min 55sec easing down.

Oliver had to work hard a couple of times when the double Kentucky Three-Day Event winner Cooley Master Class looked hesitant – including jumping over the crab at fence 15ab, the Md Crab Water presented by Mars Sustainability Bay, and at the corner in the ditch at fence 17 – but the horse responded and kept answering the questions.

“You see some galloping machines going round making it look easy, but he’s not the most thoroughbred – that’s why he’s always stayed clear of Burghley,” said Oliver.

“We didn’t anticipate it being this tough here and it shows you what an unbelievable horse he is. He gives me his brain in start box and even if he doesn’t like the look of something, he lets me make him go between the fences. I’m so honoured to ride him, he’s a special one.

Commenting on Ian Stark’s Maryland 5 Star cross-country course, Oliver said: “It’s more than a five-star track with the undulations. It would be a five-star track on the flat, you add the undulations and it sorts the wheat from the chaff.

“You see horses that can go to a Burghley and be competitive and then the ones that are not quite five-star horses. He’s somewhere in between, he’s a top-class trier and unbelievable athlete.”

Oliver was the dressage leader, so none of the competitors still to come can overtake him in the overnight rankings. He stays on his first-phase score of 21.1.

However, New Zealand’s Tim Price will be breathing down his neck as he too has come home inside the time, riding Trisha Rickards, Nigella Hall’s and his own Xavier Faer. This pair were second after dressage and stay on that mark of 24.3, less than one showjump behind Oliver.

“He’s experienced and travels, he knows to land and go, up the hills he knows the feeling so I can encourage him more than a less experienced horse so the overall effect was I found the time fairly easy,” said Tim.

“He’s a fast horse and the way he takes on the fences, he has an abundance of scope that’s there at my disposal, so he’s the perfect horse for the job.”

Oliver Townend holds commanding lead in Maryland 5 Star dressage on 16-year-old Cooley Master Class: ‘He’s never felt better’

Pippa Roome — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:58:59 +0000

Oliver Townend has cruised into an early lead after the first half of the Maryland 5 Star dressage today (Thursday, 14 October).

The British rider and the experienced Cooley Master Class, owned by Angela Hislop, scored 21.1 to sit 6.9 penalties ahead of the pair of US riders who share second place. This is a personal best mark at any FEI competition for the horse.

Oliver Townend and Cooley Master Class at Maryland 5 Star 2021. (Image credit: Shannon Brinkman)

The test that Oliver and the 16-year-old double Kentucky Three-Day Event winner Cooley Master Class produced was leagues ahead of any other performance today, showing bounce and cadence in the trot and flawless flying changes. The pair only had one mark below a seven and reaped a 10 from Mark Weissbecker at M for harmony.

“He’s unbelievable, isn’t he?” said Olympic team gold medallist Oliver, who punched the air in triumph as he finished the test. “He likes it over here, he’s won two Kentuckys. It’s difficult to say 16-year-olds can improve, but he’s getting better and better.”

Oliver explained that Cooley Master Class is an “old pro” who is not run competitively at one-day events.

“We’ve got him ready for this — I know he’s older, but he’s never felt as good, never felt as happy,” he said. “He’s been fairly mad all week for him – he’s a lazy horse by nature, but he’s been squealing and messing about. He’s been a pain in the backside all week, and I said, I don’t mind as long as when you go in the dressage you behave yourself, which he’s done better than ever before, so we couldn’t be happier with him.

“He’s a very special horse for the whole team at home. We’ve got him as fit as we can, as well as we can and he seems on very good form.”

The other British rider in action today in the Maryland 5 Star dressage was the US-based Brit Leslie Law, who slotted into 10th place on 31.6 with Tre’ Book’s Voltaire De Tre. This was also a personal best five-star mark for the leggy chestnut, who does not usually excel in the dressage, but is a good performer in the jumping phases.

British entry among two horses held at Maryland 5 Star first trot-up; one horse eliminated from competition

Pippa Roome — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 18:10:53 +0000

Voltaire De Tre’, the ride of US-based British rider Leslie Law, was sent to the holding box at the Maryland 5 Star first trot-up today (13 October) as the world’s newest five-star event got underway.

After a spell in the holding box, Leslie re-presented the chestnut, owned by Tre’ Book, who was then passed.

Sharon White’s grey Cooley On Show, ridden by his owner and representing the USA, was also sent to the holding box. Sharon brought him back for re-inspection, but he was eliminated by the ground jury.

Forty-six horses were presented to the ground jury, consisting of Britain’s Angela Tucker (president), Germany’s Martin Plewa and the USA’s Mark Weissbecker, and veterinary delegate Debbie Williamson of the USA. Forty-five will now go through to the dressage, which starts tomorrow afternoon (1pm local time; 6pm British time).

The ground jury – Angela Tucker (president, second from right), Martin Plewa (right) and Mark Weissbecker (left) – and veterinary delegate Debbie Williamson (second from left). (Image credit: John Kyle)

For biosecurity reasons, the six horses who have travelled to the US from Europe for this inaugural event – Babylon De Gamma (France‘s Astier Nicolas), Cooley Master Class (Britain’s Oliver Townend), Xavier Faer (New Zealand’s Tim Price), Classic Moet (New Zealand’s Jonelle Price), Class Affair (Britain’s Zara Tindall) and Superstition (Britain’s Harry Meade) – trotted up first at the Maryland 5 Star first trot-up.

Zara Tindall and Class Affair at the Maryland 5 Star first trot-up 2021. (Image credit: Shannon Brinkman)

They were followed by the horses who are based in North America, who represent the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and, of course, Britain in the case of Leslie Law.

British Olympic gold medallists head line-up for world’s newest five-star event

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 20:01:10 +0000

British Olympic gold medal-winner Oliver Townend tops a list of stellar names due to compete at the world’s newest CCI5* event.

Oliver and Cooley Master Class with whom he won the Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2018 and 2019, will be joined at the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill by top British and British-based riders, as well as some of the other top names in the sport from across the world.

This first running of the CCI5* event, the seventh at this level globally and the second in the US, should have been last year but it was lost to the coronavirus pandemic. It takes place from 14-17 October at the newly constructed Fair Hill Special Event Zone in Elkton, Maryland.

Also entered are Britain’s Harry Meade, on the 12-year-old British-bred gelding Superstition, with whom Harry finished fifth at Kentucky CCI5* this year, and US-based British rider Leslie Law, who took individual gold and team silver at the 2004 Olympics, on 12-year-old gelding Voltaire De Tre, with whom Leslie finished 26th at Kentucky.

Also in the mix are British-based Jonelle and Tim Price, Jonelle riding her 2018 Badminton winner Classic Moet and Tim on Xavier Faer, on whom he finished second at Kentucky this year.

Other top names include all the Tokyo US eventing team riders: Phillip Dutton, on Fernhill Singapore and Sea Of Clouds, Boyd Martin, on Long Island T and On Cue, and Doug Payne, on Quantum Leap.

More combinations due to contest the CCI5* will be confirmed before the close of definite entries on 30 September.

The event is also hosting a CCI3*-L, which is acting as the US national championship, and a young horse class.

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Shear L’Eau: the ‘mischievous’ Olympic champion who dug deep when it mattered

Sarah Jenkins — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 15:04:42 +0000

The consistent grey with a sense of occasion – and a sense of humour – gave Leslie Law Britain’s first individual eventing gold medal in 32 years at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games

WHEN Jeremy Lawton, founder of Shearwater Insurance, came back from Goresbridge sales with six horses, his wife Susan asked: “What are you doing?”

“It seemed like a good idea at the time,” he recalls replying.

He acquired a horse by Blue Laser, who showjumper Roddy Dean thought would make a better eventer. Jeremy made a list of potential riders, and his pen landed on Leslie Law.

That horse wasn’t suitable and they changed him – buying Shear H20, or Solo, who went on to help Britain to Olympic silver in Sydney 2000.

“When I heard of his full brother being available in Ireland, I said to Leslie, ‘Right, we’re on the next plane, let’s go,’” says Jeremy.

Shear L’Eau, or Stan, was finer than his older brother, but many couldn’t tell the pair apart. Jeremy bought him there and then.

“He was a beautiful type, a picture of an Irish event horse,” says Leslie.

He was consistent from the off, winning the then two-star at Blarney Castle as a seven-year-old and being well placed at the young horse championships. Stepping up to do his first five-star in Kentucky in 2002, he pulled out all the stops.

“He ran so well cross-country in testing conditions – there’s a photo of him jumping a corner in what looks like a hurricane. That’s when I knew I had a great horse, something special,” says Leslie.

“He always had his ears pricked and eyes open to the world, but he was friendly and happy to have a pat. He had a sense of humour, too; even when he was a mature campaigner he could have a spin at a leaf.”

Leslie Law and Shear L’Eau at the Athens Olympics 2004. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Always competitive in the dressage, he was a good technician across country, and ran off the bridle.

“You could be quite fast with him when you needed to be,” says Leslie. “His other asset was soundness – he didn’t need injections, had no injuries, no drama. Not until I retired him. He was such a sound horse.”

Eventer Kylie Roddy was a working pupil at Leslie’s Inkberrow base in Worcestershire from 2000 to 2004. She recalls: “Stan had those thoroughbred feet, but Trina [Lightwood, Leslie’s then fiancée and yard manager] took preventative measures to ensure that was never a problem.”

Trina is credited by Leslie and others as being a big part of the horse’s success. She and Kylie would ride the two grey brothers out for their fitness work.

“They were a cute pairing, we always galloped them together,” says Kylie. “Stan was a rangier version of Solo. He was a bit sharp, always mischievous, but full of good intent. He was a workaholic and a joy to ride.”

Kylie recalls being a “wet round the ears working pupil” on one occasion setting up jumps – she threw a pole over the fence as Leslie rode past on Stan.

“He went from nought to 60 in every direction. He really was quite the athlete,” she jokes.

“Whenever we came back to the yard in the lorry, between the church and the drive, we’d have to go in the back and tell him it was all right as the leaves made a noise on the roof.

“Leslie did a lot to keep those types of horses good.”

Olympic champion Leslie Law with Shear L’Eau and his gold medal. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Winning gold at Athens 2004

He certainly “kept him good” on their big Olympic chance in Athens 2004. They pulled off a personal best in the dressage, for which Leslie credits trainer Tracie Robinson, and ran well across country with the exception of a sticky moment at the first water. Leslie added a stride between the jump in and the first boat, which meant he didn’t get to the last boat on the stride he wanted and Stan added one in.

“We gave everyone a heart attack, but he dug deep to jump that second boat when a lot of horses would have fallen down or given up, so I will forever be in his debt for pulling one out for us there,” says Leslie. “I should have reacted quicker, but he saved the day.”

Jeremy remembers it well: “I smoked in those days, but I wasn’t allowed to because of the [dry] grass – my stress levels were through the rafters. But he jumped perfectly with the exception of that boat – neither Shear L’Eau or Shear H20 were big fans of water, which was an irony.”

Stan had been in an individual medal position at the Punchestown European Championships the previous year before having a showjump down. They lost out on winning Burghley the same way.

“That had been a trend, having a fence down,” says Yogi Breisner, team chef d’equipe. “We worked on it with Leslie and Kenneth Clawson, showjumping coach at the time. The horse jumped very well, but he hadn’t jumped clear in the final day of a big competition yet. They were almost trying too hard.”

Yogi’s job was to convince Leslie to believe he could jump a clear round.

“And to get him a bit gee’d up,” says Yogi. “I got him in the frame of mind that when he went into the ring it was just a practice round. I said, ‘We’re just riding at home.’ We couldn’t get him to knock a fence down at home.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

To add to the challenge, the horses had to jump two showjumping rounds in Athens.

“It always seemed to be the planks he’d have down,” says Jeremy. “And in Athens the planks were affecting a lot of riders. They were the last fence in the first round and he caught them with his back feet – I don’t know how they stayed up. After they changed the course, the planks were angled so the horses were jumping them toward the crowd – that time he whacked them with his front feet. God was smiling on Leslie that day, but it was his time, he deserved it.”

And so Stan was no longer the horse who consistently had one fence down, but the horse who jumped one of only two double clears when it really mattered, ultimately winning gold.

“It was incredible,” says Leslie. “The others were falling apart, and he somehow again dug deep.”

When patriotism pays off

Prior to Athens, the Lawtons were offered “a lot of money” for Shear L’Eau.

“The accountants were saying ‘sell him’,” Jeremy says. “But I was enjoying the sport so much. You hear many stories of riders producing a horse and it getting sold abroad. I’m a patriotic old soul, and considering the amount of time and effort Leslie had put in I thought ‘no’. And that faith and patriotism got rewarded.”

During the build-up to the Olympics, Jeremy rang Leslie, who was driving, and asked where he was going.

“I can’t tell you,” Leslie replied.

“Eventually he admitted that he’d seen an advert in Horse & Hound for another full brother to Shear L’Eau and Shear H20,” says Jeremy. “I said to him, ‘Stop talking to me, drive faster.’”

Alas Leslie decided this horse was probably not going to make it to the Olympics, unlike his overachieving siblings.

Leslie Law riding Shear H20 at the Sydney Olympics. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Knowing when it mattered

“Both Shear H20 and Shear L’Eau had an uncanny sense of occasion. They knew when they came off the lorry when it was a biggie,” adds Leslie.

Similarly, despite having that fence down at Punchestown, Stan had given a cross-country masterclass there, whereas many of those that had gone before him failed to complete.

“He went round like he’d known the track his whole life, finishing exactly on the optimum time,” says Leslie.

“At his peak, riding him felt like nothing could stop you. He was my friend, my partner, and with him I felt invincible. You always knew you were a contender on him. He gave you such confidence. He made you believe.”

“You couldn’t have written the script of that Olympics in Athens if you’d tried,” adds Jeremy. “You don’t realise how lucky you are until you try to replicate that kind of success.”

Leslie Law celebrates after a personal-best score with Shear L’Eau in the dressage at the Athens Olympics. (Image credit: REUTERS/Caren Firouz)

The hope had been that Stan might repeat it in Hong Kong, but it wasn’t to be, with the horse getting his first injury, retiring in 2006.

“I thought God knows he deserves to go into retirement now. He owed us nothing, so when he got that first injury that was that,” says Leslie. “He retired in Florida, not a bad place for it.”

Stan went out in a huge grass field across the road from the Laws’ home for a decade, first with Leslie’s wife Lesley’s retired five-star horse Timmy, and later the couple’s son Liam’s pony Soldier.

“Liam would go over to ride the pony bareback and Stan would follow him around and try to gently push him off,” Leslie says. “His humour and personality never failed him. He was a great horse until the very end.”

When silver turned into gold

No article about Shear L’Eau would be complete without the back story of how individual silver turned into Olympic gold after German eventer Bettina Hoy rode a circle before the first fence in the first round of showjumping at Athens 2004.

Nick Skelton came straight over to chef d’equipe Yogi Breisner to have a word. Then World Class performance director Will Connell took on the appeals, leaving Leslie, Yogi and the team to focus on the second round of showjumping and earning individual silver.

“We came back into the Olympic village really late and had a message from the British Olympic Association who wanted a meeting at 5.30am,” Yogi recalls.

There were more meetings and much poring over the rule book. Others would also gain medals if the appeal was upheld.

“The US in true style had a number of solicitors with them,” recalls Yogi. “The result was changed and then reversed – and we all flew home.”

Yogi was driving his hire car from Edinburgh to Thirlestane Castle when Will rang and told him to pull over.

“I had to drive up and down another hill to get a signal to call Leslie. He was competing at Solihull and I said, ‘Congratulations you’ve just won the Olympic gold medal’.”

Jeremy Lawton was fast asleep on the sofa when he got the call.

“I shot up, I just couldn’t believe it,” he recalls.

Commentators announced it on the tannoy at Solihull, and Leslie went in to showjump. He stopped at the planks.

Also published in H&H, 25 February 2021

Oliver Townend holds his lead after Kentucky cross-country: ‘He grabbed the bit and off he went’

Pippa Roome — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 19:14:41 +0000

Oliver Townend retains his lead at the Land Rover Kentucky Horse Trials after the cross-country today (Saturday, 27 April).

The British rider incurred just 1.2 time-faults with Angela Hislop’s Cooley Master Class, having taken the long route at the Normandy Bank (fence 20abc) — as did nearly all the other riders after two falls here in the first three riders — and at the last water, the Frog Pond (fence 23ab). He also took extra care to balance the horse in the latter half of the course after he lost a front shoe.

“He was unbelievable,” said Oliver. “He felt less careful than usual, in a good way. He made up his own mind a couple of times. I’m used to him being behind me and placing him and him jumping too careful, but today he just grabbed the bit and off he went.”

Oliver does not have a fence in hand over US rider Boyd Martin, who moved up to second on Christine Turner’s Tsetserleg with a clear inside the time. There were just three fault-free rounds today — from the riders who now lie second, third and fourth.

“The track was a lot harder than I thought — you never want to say it, but when I walked it I thought it was softer than last year and I was very wrong,” said Boyd. “For a half-bred horse, Thomas has a wonderful gallop, he’s got plenty of speed and is very fit. Throughout the course he kept trying and trying and never looked for a way out.”

New Zealand rider Tim Price sits in third with his own, Trisha Rickards and Nigella Hall’s Xavier Faer, who finished comfortably in the time.

Tim, who is the live contender in the Rolex Grand Slam after his win at Burghley last year, said: “I was really pleased with my horse. He threw himself over everything — he’s not always the most organised, but he tried his hardest and we stayed upright in all the important places and made it home.”

The home side’s Phillip Dutton is now fourth with Z, while Britain’s Piggy French has slipped from second after dressage to fifth with Jayne McGivern’s Quarrycrest Echo.

Piggy had to ride strongly to get round — “Red” was “not at the races” and having been a bit sticky at the first water, he slipped badly on the turn away from Pete’s Hollow at fence 13abc. Piggy hung on tight and then discovered one of her stirrups had nearly come off and was caught on her spur.

“When I gave him a kick to get going again, I felt like he’d lost a wheel, so I came back to trot to see if he was ok,” she explained.

As the horse felt fine and jumped the next fence well, she continued, but she had another awkward jump into the Land Rover Head of the Lake at fence 17d.

“I felt like I was going to fall off again,” she admitted, but she took the decision to ride to the straight route out, which the horse jumped honestly and he continued home to finish with 6.4 time-faults. .

Swiss rider Felix Vogg also had 6.4 time-penalties with Colero and he slipped from fourth to sixth.

Britain’s third rider, US-based Leslie Law on Tre’ Book’s Voltaire De Tre’, had a great ride and brought his green horse home with 11.2 time-faults to move up from 25th to 14th.

“He was awesome, amazing — he’s just 10 years old so I really can’t complain. I had a great ride and it went as I walked it,” said Leslie.

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Oliver Townend leads British one-two after Kentucky dressage: ‘He’s reliable, but makes me work’

British riders had a fantastic day at the US flagship event, with Oliver Townend taking stop spot after dressage as

Thirty-seven horses started over Derek di Grazia’s track and 26 had clear jumping rounds. Will Coleman finished inside the time on Tight Lines, but the pair were penalised with 15 penalties under the flag rule, the only combination to be hit by this rule according to the provisional results.

There were four falls and US rider Buck Davidson broke his right collarbone when he came off his first ride Park Trader at the corner on the direct route at the Normandy Bank. There were no other serious injuries to horses or riders.

Check back for more updates from Kentucky tomorrow. Full report in Horse & Hound magazine next week (issue dated 2 May 2019).

Piggy French leads dressage at Kentucky in windy weather: ‘I’m relieved’

Pippa Roome — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 16:27:09 +0000

Piggy French leads the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event at the end of the morning session of dressage today (Friday, 26 April).

The British rider and Jayne McGivern’s Quarrycrest Echo had to deal with cold, windy weather, but scored 27.1 for a test which was only marred by a spook after the first centerline.

“I’m relieved, to be honest,” said Piggy, who explained she gave “Red” plenty of work yesterday when it was sunny and only planned a short warm-up today.

“He had a loose lunge this morning and got monsooned on, so it was hard to tell what mood he was in. I got up here 20 minutes before my test and he felt cold and stiff and started spooking, which he’s not done all week.

“I wasn’t feel that confident but he’s becoming more professional with age, apart from that early spook at the flower pot. I’m relieved there were no big mistakes.”

Piggy scored one nine, for her mid-test halt from Germany’s Martin Plewa, the judge at E. She has an advantage of 0.9 of a penalty over yesterday’s leader, Switzerland’s Felix Vogg.

Britain’s second competitor today, US-based Leslie Law, lies 16th on Tre’ Book’s Voltaire De Tre’ with a score of 36.9. The chestnut looked a little green in the arena, unsurprisingly as it is his first competition at this level.

“He’s come a long way in 12 months and dressage is his hardest phase,” said Leslie. “He’s a big horse and only 10 so we’ve got to wait for him to get stronger and carry himself better. I’m pleased he coped with the atmosphere because that has been tricky.”

Talking about the mini rear which the horse put in during the rein-back, Leslie said: “He is a little tricky there, so then it’s a question of whether to practise it in the warm-up or leave it alone. I decided to leave it alone today, but maybe I should have tried it outside.”

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One horse spun as three held at Kentucky first trot-up

Pippa Roome — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 20:50:59 +0000

One horse was spun and two others sent to the holding box at the first horse inspection at the Land Rover Kentucky Horse Trials this afternoon (Wednesday, 24 April).

The home side’s Ashley Johnson was eliminated from the competition when the ground jury spun her ride Tactical Maneuver after he was re-presented from the holding box.

Two more horses from the USA, Celien (ridden by Hallie Coon) and Paddy The Caddy (ridden by Erin Sylvester), were sent to the holding box but both passed the scrutiny of the ground jury the second time round.

Canada’s Jessica Phoenix was asked to trot Bogue Sound twice, but then passed.

Forty-two horses came before the ground jury, president Christina Klingspor from Sweden, Germany’s Martin Plewa and the USA’s Mark Weissbecker. Dr Karen Nyrop of the USA is the veterinary delegate.

Three British entries were among those forward and all passed without drama. Oliver Townend rides Angela Hislop’s Cooley Master Class, with whom he won here last year. Piggy French lines up on Jayne McGivern’s Quarrycrest Echo, her partner on the gold-medal winning team at the World Equestrian Games last year. And US-based Brit Leslie Law brings forward a first-timer at the top-level, Tre’ Book’s Voltaire De Tre’.

One other horse travelled from Europe this year for Kentucky — Trisha Rickards, Tim Price and Nigella Hall’s Xavier Faer, ridden by Tim. The New Zealand rider is the live contender in the Rolex Grand Slam after winning Burghley last year on Ringwood Sky Boy.

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As always, a wide variety of fashions were on display on the trot-up strip. One of the smartest outfits was Allie Sacksen’s orange dress as she presented the grey Sparrow’s Nio, while Chris Talley caught the eye as he brought forward Unmarked Bills in a suit with extravagant patterns on the lapels, back and down the side of the trousers.

Check back for more updates from Kentucky. Full report in Horse & Hound magazine next week (issue dated 2 May 2019).

Three exciting British entries for Kentucky Three-Day Event

Pippa Roome — Fri, 29 Mar 2019 10:54:43 +0000

Oliver Townend will defend his title at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event (25-28 April), riding the horse on whom he won last year, Angela Hislop’s Cooley Master Class.

One other British rider will join the world number one in crossing the Atlantic for the US five-star (previously four-star) — Piggy French, with her World Equestrian Games team gold medallist Quarrycrest Echo, owned by Jayne McGivern.

While Oliver is a frequent visitor to Kentucky, this will be Piggy’s first trip to the horse park since she rode as an individual at the 2010 WEG on Jakata, finishing 16th. She has never competed in the regular event here.

The third British entry comes from US-based rider Leslie Law. The 2004 Olympic champion has not competed at the top level since 2010. Last year, he rode on the Nations Cup at The Plains, Virginia — his first British team appearance since the 2005 European Championships — and he will pilot the same horse at Kentucky, Tre’ Book’s Voltaire De Tre’.

The 10-year-old horse makes his debut at five-star after strong results at four-star (previously three-star), including a recent 10th at Red Hills CCI4*-S (previously CIC3*).

The European entry is rounded out by US-based Swiss rider Felix Vogg, with Colero.

New Zealand’s Tim Price will make the trip to Kentucky, an event where he has been successful in the past with second place in 2015 on Wesko. His ride this time will be Xavier Faer, who was third at Badminton 2017 and belongs to Trisha Rickards, Nigella Hall and Tim.

Tim is the live contender in the Rolex Grand Slam, the big-money bonus on offer to any rider who can win the five-stars at Badminton, Burghley and Kentucky consecutively. Tim won Burghley last autumn on Ringwood Sky Boy.

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The bulk of the entry list for Kentucky is made up of US riders. Buck Davidson has four horses in the mix, while Lauren Kieffer, Boyd Martin and Caroline Martin each have three. Riders can start on up to three horses at Kentucky.

Former Kentucky winner Phillip Dutton just has one horse entered, Z, having slimmed his string down since his stepdaughter Lee Lee suffered a serious brain injury in a fall at home in December 2016.

The other past victor entered is Australia’s Clayton Fredericks, who is based in Florida. He won Kentucky in 2007 on Ben Along Time and this time will line up on FE Ophelia, in his first ride at five-star since 2012.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Olympic champion back on British team after 10-year absence

Pippa Roome — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 10:37:36 +0000

Leslie Law, the 2004 Olympic eventing individual gold medallist, will ride on the British team again, more than a decade since his last squad appearance.

Leslie moved to the USA in the winter of 2005 and has not ridden on a British team since, his last cap being the 2005 Blenheim European Championships, when he was a team gold medallist with his Athens Olympic champion Shear L’Eau. Before the move he won three European team gold medals, two Olympic team silvers, an individual Olympic gold and a world team bronze, all on the full brothers Shear H2O and Shear L’Eau.

The rider has now been called up to compete on the Nations Cup team at The Plains in Virginia, USA (6-8 July), the fourth leg of the 2018 FEI Eventing Nations Cup. Leslie’s ride will be Tre’ Book’s nine-year-old Voltaire De Tre’.

“It’s exciting and it’ll be fun — I’m looking forward to it,” said Leslie. “It’s great for the horse’s owners too.”

He has been riding the chestnut Selle Français since the spring of 2016 and recently finished fourth in the CCI3* at Jersey Fresh with him. The pair were also second in the national advanced class at The Fork, held at Tryon as part of the World Equestrian Games test event in April.

“Dickie [Waygood, British eventing performance manager] sent me an email at the beginning of the year asking if there was the possibility I’d have anything for the Nations Cup and I said I’d got a horse who was going up through the grades and doing his first advanced in February, so we’d have to see how he goes,” said Leslie.

“He’s gone from strength to strength this year and is turning into an exciting horse. To handle, he’s full of himself and keeps the girls on their toes. To ride, he feels like he’s really starting to grow up and there’s a lot more to come from him. As a seven- and eight-year-old he was a big, leggy horse so I took time to allow him to mature.”

Leslie is based in Ocala, Florida, with his Canadian wife Lesley Grant-Law, who also events. The couple have a son, Liam.

Leslie’s team-mates will all travel from Britain to compete at the Plains. They are:

Ben Hobday and his own and Jane Chambers’ eight-year-old gelding Shadow Man II, with Rachael Foster’s 11-year-old gelding Ciletto H in direct reserve
Will Rawlin and Andrew and Miranda Rawlin’s 10-year-old gelding VIP Vinnie
Georgie Spence with her own and Suzanne Doggett’s 12-year-old gelding Halltown Harley

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For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Farewell Shear L’Eau: Leslie Law pays tribute to his Olympic champion

Lucy Elder — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 16:15:27 +0000

Leslie Law has thanked everyone involved involved in the glittering career of his Olympic gold medal-winning ride Shear L’Eau, who has died aged 26.

“Stan”, as the horse was known, died last week aged 26 following a long retirement at Leslie’s US base.

Leslie told H&H the Athens 2004 Olympic gold and his two European team gold medals aboard Stan are among his fondest memories of the “wonderful” horse’s eventing career.

“He was a wonderful character and he had a lot of personality,” said Leslie.

“Competition-wise, he always showed such quality from a very early age.

“The journey he took me on is one you can really only dream about, so it was amazing to live it.”

The grey gelding, by Stan The Man, collected more than 1,400 British Eventing points during his competitive career.

He won individual Olympic gold and team silver at the Athens Games following the controversy over Bettina Hoy and Ringwood Cockatoo crossing the showjumping start line twice.

Leslie and Stan were also part of the gold medal-winning teams at the European Eventing Championships at Punchestown in 2003 and Blenheim in 2005.

The horse’s other competition highlights included two top-10 finishes at Kentucky CCI4* and fifth at Burghley in 2003.

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Stan was the only horse Leslie took with him when he emigrated to the US in 2005 and he retired from competition in 2007.

“He spent his retirement out in a lovely big field, right opposite the house, with my wife Lesley’s former eventer Timber Spirit,” added Leslie.

“When Timber Spirit passed away he shared the field with our son’s pony Soldier, and those are great memories too.

“When we retired him from competition, we let him down slowly. We rode him for a while and it quietly got less and less, and he thoroughly enjoyed himself out in the field.”

Leslie also thanked everyone involved with making his achievements with the horse possible.

“I want to thank Jeremy and Susan Lawton [of Shearwater Insurance], who were hugely involved,” he said.

“Roddy Dean, who sourced him in Ireland, all the coaches, vets, farriers and others who made this journey possible for us.

“It was a huge team and none of it could have been done without any of them.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Britain’s Olympic gold medal-winning star dies

Lucy Elder — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 16:29:28 +0000

Shear L’Eau, the most recent horse to win an Olympic eventing gold medal for Great Britain, has died aged 26.

Leslie Law won individual gold and team silver with the striking grey, by Stan The Man, at the 2004 Athens Olympics following the controversy after it was ruled that Bettina Hoy and Ringwood Cockatoo crossed the showjumping start line twice.

The combination were also part of the gold medal-winning teams at the European Eventing Championships at Punchestown in 2003 and Blenheim in 2005.

The horse’s other competition highlights included two top-10 finishes at Kentucky CCI4* and fifth at Burghley in 2003.

He accumulated more than 1,400 British Eventing points during his competitive career.

Shear L’Eau, known as “Stan”, was the only horse Leslie took with him when he emigrated to the US in 2005.

Leslie shared the sad news on his Facebook page on Saturday (16 September).

“He lived out a good number of retirement years in a massive grassy paddock in Florida with two best buddies and we only wish he could have had 10 more years out there,” said the tribute.

“He was a true horse of a lifetime. He was Shear L’Eau to most, but always Stan to us.

“A personality as tall as he was, we could write a book of Stan stories but right now we will just miss him and remember how lucky we all were to have known him.”

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It is believed that equine melanoma was the cause of his death.

Leslie enjoyed considerable success with Stan’s full brother, Shear H20, who died in his sleep in 2014.

Stan retired from competition in 2007 and lived out his days at Leslie’s US bases.

The horse’s former owner Shearwater Insurance has also paid tribute to the gelding and said he will be “hugely missed”.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Happy 50th birthday Leslie Law! All you need to know about the eventer

Madeleine Silver — Tue, 05 May 2015 09:24:35 +0000

As Leslie Law celebrates his big birthday today (5 May, 2015), we take a look back at the Olympic gold-medallist’s impressive eventing career.

1. An Olympic champion

Leslie’s run of Olympic success began with a team silver at Sydney in 2000 with Shear H20 (pictured below) — a grey Irish-bred gelding who died at the age of 24 in 2014.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

In 2004 at the Athens Olympics (pictured below), Leslie and Shear L’Eau (full brother to Shear H20) performed a personal best in the dressage with a score of 43.2. The pair had an uncomfortable moment at the water but went on to complete the cross-country with only 1.2 time penalties.

Leslie and his team mate Pippa Funnell jumped a clear round in the final phase, securing team silver, before Leslie went on to jump another clear round for the individual gold medal. Leslie’s was one of only two double clears and meant he leapt from fifth position individually to become champion.

Initially Britain was awarded team bronze and Leslie took the individual silver title, but the medals were upgraded to team silver and individual gold when Germany’s Bettina Hoy’s penalties for crossing the start line twice were upheld.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

2. A multi-medallist

Alongside his Olympic medals, Leslie secured team gold with Shear H20 a the 2001 European Championships in Pau, France, and another team gold at the 2003 European Championships in Punchestown, Ireland with Shear L’Eau.

In 2002 Leslie took team bronze at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez Spain with Shear H20 (pictured below).

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

3. Leslie is based in America

In 2006 Leslie made the decision to move to America to continue his eventing career and is now based in Ocala in Florida.

4. He is a coach for the United States Equestrian Federation

It was announced at the beginning of 2015 that Leslie had been appointed as the new eventing developing rider coach for the United States Equestrian Federation, overseeing the Eventing 25 and Eventing 18 programmes. In 2011 Leslie was shortlisted for the role as US eventing chef d’equipe.

5. Leslie is married to the Canadian event rider Lesley Grant-Law

In 2007 Leslie married Canadian eventer Lesley (a spelling minefield…) Grant in Aruba, an island in the southern Caribbean, joined only by two of Leslie’s owners Ann and Troy Glaus. They later celebrated with a party on their Florida farm on New Year’s Eve with 120 guests, including Leslie’s former team mates Rodney Powell and William Fox-Pitt. The couple have a son called Liam.

Rolex Kentucky blog: riding the course on a spotty pony with Leslie Law

Pippa Roome — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 13:38:48 +0000

Last night, I rode round Rolex Kentucky. Honestly, I did. It wasn’t even a dream — I genuinely hopped on a horse and rode it around the famous Kentucky Horse Park.

Ok, so I didn’t jump any of the fences, but it was still pretty cool. Here at Kentucky sponsors Rolex organise for a group of journalists to go on the “Rolex Ride the Course” on the Thursday evening, something they have been doing for several years now. I’ve wanted to do it ever since I first heard about it, but never been in Kentucky to take up the opportunity until now.

My trusty four-star steed, Pocahontas. Picture by Kit Houghton (Image credit: creditUnknown)

The horses are ones normally used for trail rides around the park and mine was a spotty mare called Pocahontas. Jenni Autry from Eventing Nation had one called Pete — I wonder if they all begin with P? We were accompanied by none other than British 2004 Olympic champion Leslie Law, who now lives in America, and who gave us the benefit of his thoughts at a few fences.

We had to sign two disclaimers before we were allowed to mount — this is the US, after all — but once we got going it was a lot of fun. What could be better than a group hack in the sunshine round a beautiful park, with a few four-star fences to look at? Spectators and journalists who were on the driven course tour looked on enviously.

Pocahontas was quite feisty — she liked to be at the front of the pack. At one point she managed to end up with her nose up Leslie’s roan pony’s tail while we were stopped at a fence. “Any more questions?” asked Leslie. “Yes, is your horse going to kick mine?” I replied.

Luckily, no one got kicked, no one fell off, no one had to prove the claims we had made on our disclaimers about our hats fitting (thanks to fellow journalist Samantha Clark for lending me one and a pair of boots) and having our own insurance.

Listening to Leslie, my main “take away” was how much all the parts of a four-star course relate to each other, how the track is a journey and you cannot look at each fence in isolation. The way an obstacle will ride is intrinsically related to what has come before.

Leslie Law explains the course — why does his horse go on the bit and mine didn’t? (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Leslie explained that at Kentucky horses tend to tire as they come up the hill to the Land Rover Hollow, this year fence 18abc (fence pictures).

“I tell first-timers not to panic here, that their horse will get his second wind as he heads away from the fence back down the hill,” he said. “But here I say they need to be the motivator, get busy, be aggressive, make it happen.”

Near the end of the course, horses will become strung out and less easy to manoevre, Leslie went on. This could be influential at fences such as the FEI Classics Series Normany Bank (fence 23abc), which “tests everything”, requiring the power to leap up the bank, the agility to bounce over the rail and then the accuracy to get the skinny at part c, which has a really decent spread.

The following fence, the United States Eventing Association Foxes’ Den (fence 24ab) will also challenge riders’ ability to move their horses around later in the course, as they need to take on the wide oxer with impulsion, but then be able to make a swift left turn through the gap in the trees to the corner.

Walking the course on Wednesday, I was particularly struck by fence 16ab, the Dubarry of Ireland Mounds. This involves going through an owl hole, then choosing between the right-hand and left-hand arms of a V, jumping at an angle which looks really tricky. Leslie said he expects to see everyone make a slight curve here, taking four strides to the V, rather than attempting a straight line on three strides.

Yesterday it was a gloriously sunny — if cold — day here in Kentucky and today looks set to be the same. But rain is forecast for Sunday and Leslie said the currently excellent going could get wet quickly — there has been a lot of rain in the build-up, so the water table is high. If the forecast is right, the conditions could come into play in the way the course rides and how cross-country day pans out.

As we finished our ride, I dismounted and patted Pocahontas — I can now proudly say I rode round Kentucky on a spotty 15hh mare. It’s definitely the nearest I’m ever going to get to tackling a four-star.

Cross-country course photos

Report on first day of dressage including video interviews

More updates from Kentucky online this week. Full report in next week’s H&H magazine, out Thursday, 30 April.

Pocahontas — definitely up to a four-star (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Leslie Law to coach for United States Equestrian Federation

Sophia Heath — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 08:55:56 +0000

British Olympic gold medal-winning eventer Leslie Law has taken up a coaching position for the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).

Leslie, who has been in based in America since 2006, is the new eventing developing rider coach and will oversee the Eventing 25 and Eventing 18 programmes.

“This is an exciting next step for the programme,” said US eventing team coach David O’Connor.

“Leslie brings a wealth of experience and will provide great leadership for the next generations.”

As well as winning individual gold at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Leslie also won two Olympic team silvers, two European team golds and team bronze at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in 2002.

Leslie, who is based in Ocala in Florida, was one of seven applicants for the position. A committee then selected Mike Huber and Leslie as the two finalists for the job. Both men were then evaluated on their teaching skills and interviewed.

In 2011 Leslie was shortlisted for the role as US eventing chef d’equipe but David was appointed.

America finished 11th at last year’s Alltech FEI WEG, meaning the country has not yet qualified for the 2016 Olympics.

David O’Connor said in a meeting with high performance riders in December that hiring a developing coach would give him more time to work with the listed riders.

Leslie spoke at the United States Eventing Association’s annual meeting last month, stating that America had the resources to return to winning medals.

“You have a wealth of top horsemen, riders, owners, top vets, top technology — every single resource one needs to be a top rider,” he said.

“Let’s create a stage and competitions that will attract the world’s top class competitors here, and I think it will bridge the gap you want to close between you and Europe and put you back on the podium where you belong.”

Leslie Law’s Shear H2O dies aged 24

Caroline Bankes — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 10:50:58 +0000

Leslie Law’s Olympic medal-winning partner Shear H2O (Solo) has died aged 24.

Claire Llewellyn, who rode Solo in later years, told H&H the horse died in his sleep last Thursday (28 August).

The grey Irish-bred gelding helped bring home team silver for Britain at the Olympic Games in Sydney 2000.

In 2002 Solo was part of the bronze medal-winning British team at the World Equestrian Games. The following year he helped secure gold at the European Eventing Championships.

During his 11-year career Solo earnt over £80,000 and amassed 1817 British Eventing points, putting him second in British Eventing’s “grand elite” table.

In 2005 he was inducted into the British Horse Society’s Hall of Fame.

“Solo has realised dreams for me I did not even imagine I had,” said owner Jeremy Lawton of Shearwater Insurance.

“If Solo had not been as good as he was we might never have bought Shear L’eau and Leslie might not be Olympic Champion.”

USEF will reconsider its chef d’equipe list

Horse & Hound — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:42:34 +0000

Following the controversy surrounding the appointment of a new US eventing chef d’equipe to replace Mark Phillips, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has performed a U-turn in its selection procedure.

There was uproar when it was initially announced that just two candidates — David O’Connor and Leslie Law — had been short-listed for the job.

Many people thought more experienced candidates had been overlooked.

It has now been announced following a committee meeting on 29 March, that the USEF Eligible Eventing Athletes committee will carry out second interviews with Law and O’Connor, and will re-consider some candidates who were not on the original short-list.

Acting chairman of the committee Philip Dutton said: “We would like to ask Leslie and David some more questions in an easier [closed session] environment.

“We are also reviewing other applicants that were not originally short-listed.”

Law and O’Connor will be interviewed again during this weekend’s Fork Horse Trials (6-10 April).

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (7 April, 2011)

Two-man shortlist for US chef d’equipe causes uproar

Horse & Hound — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 17:40:07 +0000

The quest for Mark Phillips’ replacement as US eventing chef d’equipe gained pace last week, when the two shortlisted candidates — British eventer Leslie Law and US Equestrian Federation (USEF) president David O’Connor — were questioned by riders in an open forum.

But the process has proved controversial after the search committee picked just two final candidates, dismissing several popular names from the initial nine applicants.

One of these, international coach Jimmy Wofford, had topped unofficial opinion polls by a wide margin.

However, USEF managing director Sara Ike said the executive committee has the final say on who gets the job and does not have to accept the search committee’s shortlist or recommendations.

The open forum, at Red Hills Horse Trials on 10 March, gave Leslie and David the platform to speak for an hour on their vision for the role, followed by questions from riders.

Rider Boyd Martin asked search committee chairman Eric Straus why the other shortlisted applicants were not given the chance to speak.

“This is a huge piece of US history,” Boyd said at the meeting. “As leading riders, it will affect us dramatically for years. The two candidates we heard today were fantastic, but I think we should be able to hear others in this open forum format.”

Rumours have been circulating that USEF president David O’Connor is a dead cert to get the job.

Insiders say it would be extraordinary to pick a British rider, who has no international coaching experience, over an American, who has already coached the Canadian team to win silver at last year’s WEG.

But USEF chief executive John Long hinted that rejected applicants may be reconsidered, saying that the two candidates are “not a final decision”.

However, this would require a majority vote from the search committee, which has already had one meeting and confirmed unanimously to stick with the original two.

Riders have until 25 March to persuade the search committee to reconsider other applicants for the job.

Mr Long hopes to announce the final candidate, who will officially start the job in January 2013, by the end of April.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (17 March, 2011)

Controversy surrounds search for US eventing chef d’equipe

Horse & Hound — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:07:14 +0000

The search for Mark Phillips’s replacement as the US chef d’equipe is proving controversial.

Last Thursday (3 March), the search committee announced just two short-listed candidates, David O’Connor and Leslie Law, from the nine applicants.

But riders and eventing fans have expressed disapproval of the process and the shortness of the short-list.

The athletes committee will interview the pair, who will also answer questions at an open rider forum tomorrow (10 March). According to the US Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) managing director Sarah Ike, the athletes committee does not have to accept the search committee’s recommendations. So could riders at the forum dissuade the athletes committee from accepting the two currently selected?

Rumours are circulating on blogs and forums that the short-list may yet be changed, due to the popularity of unsuccessful candidates. One applicant who didn’t make the short-list, Jim Wofford, led by a wide margin in unofficial public opinion polls on equestrian websites.

Other riders, such as Boyd Martin and Jennie Brannigan, have expressed their disappointment on their blogs that Philip Dutton and Bobby Costello have not been selected for the second round, and the chance to present their vision to riders.

It has also been intimated that USEF president David O’Connor and Leslie Law were selected to ensure that the former gets the job. One blogger pointed out it would be extraordinary to choose a British rider with no international coaching experience over an American who had just coached the Canadian team to win silver at World Equestrian Games.

Philip Dutton told Chronicle of the Horse that he believed the process is flawed.

“It was constantly made clear and bragged about that the riders would get to choose their next coach.Well, they’re only getting to choose between two, and there were nine applicants. So it’s not really a true representation of everybody there,” he said.

Leslie Law on two-man shortlist to be US eventing chef d’equipe

Charlotte White — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:23:01 +0000

British Olympic gold-winning eventer Leslie Law is through to the last two in the race to be United States eventing team chef d’equipe/technical advisor, from 2013.

Leslie, who moved to the States in 2005 and US Olympic gold-medallist eventer David O’Connor, who will coach the Canadians until December 2012, are through to the final phase.

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) received nine applications from six different nations for this job and six were interviewed by the “search committee” over the past two weeks.

“The applicant group was extremely qualified with over thirty Olympic, Pan American, European Championship, and World Equestrian Games medals between them,” said a spokesman.

Leslie and David will face the athletes at an open rider meeting on Thursday, March 10, at Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, Florida.

Then the USEF Eventing Eligible Athlete Committee will conduct a second round of interviews with the pair and their recommendation will be passed to the Eventing High Performance Committee.

British event rider Leslie Law marries in the Caribbean

Pippa Roome — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 10:51:07 +0000

Britain’s Olympic Eventing Champion Leslie Law has married his Canadian fiancée Lesley Grant.

The wedding was on 17 December in Aruba, an island in the southern Caribbean. The couple — both event riders — were married on the beach at sunset (pictured right).

“We were there for a week and went just by ourselves so it was very nice — quiet and romantic with no hassle,” explained Lesley. “The only people who joined us were Ann and Troy Glaus, owners of Leslie’s, who flew in just to be witnesses.”

Leslie and Lesley returned home before Christmas, and celebrated with a dinner and party in a tent at their farm in Florida on New Year’s Eve. Among the 120 guests were Leslie’s former eventing team-mates Rodney Powell and William Fox-Pitt, plus William’s wife, Alice.

A stalwart of the British eventing team from 2000 to 2005, Leslie Law picked up the individual gold medal at the Athens Olympics in 2004 after Bettina Hoy was moved down the order for her technical error in the show jumping.

He decided to move to America in November 2005, citing more opportunities to build up his future as an eventing trainer as the main reason. The only horse he took with him was his gold medal-winner Shear L’Eau, who was retired from competition last July.

Olympic gold medallist Shear L’Eau retires

Pippa Roome — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 15:53:15 +0000

Leslie Law’s Olympic gold medal winner Shear L’Eau is retiring from eventing.

The 15-year-old was the only horse Leslie took with him when he emigrated to America at the end of 2005 and he competed there in 2006. Shear L’Eau will live out his retirement at Leslie’s yard — like many eventers in America, Leslie splits his time between Florida and Virginia.

“He is well aware of his seniority in the barn and seems to like hassling our younger horses,” said Leslie. “I will still ride him from time to time as he seems to enjoy it — he certainly loves trying to buck me off and annoy me!”

As well as winning the individual gold and team silver medals at the Athens Olympics in 2004, “Stan” was also fourth at the Punchestown Europeans in 2003, when he was on the gold medal-winning British team. He was fifth at Burghley in 2003 and twice in the top 10 at Kentucky.

“In some ways, it is very sad as I don’t think mentally he wants to retire,” said Leslie. “Up until recently he has been jumping with as much life and energy as he has ever done.

“It is the end to a big and important chapter of my life. However, every horse will eventually retire and I am happy that he can retire healthy and having accomplished so much.”

Shear L’Eau’s full-brother, Leslie’s other top campaigner Shear H2O, is now 17 years old and enjoying his retirement from eventing with commentator Justin Llewellyn’s wife Claire.

Click here to see Shear L’Eau’s British Eventing record

Leslie Law to move to America

Horse & Hound — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 08:57:12 +0000

Leslie Law, Britain’s reigning Olympic Eventing Champion, is to start a new life in the USA next month. The 40-year-old rider spoke exclusively to Horse & Hound about his decision to move.

“I’m ready for a change. I’ve been over in the States doing a lot of clinics and teaching recently, and really enjoying it,” he explained.

Law, who was awarded the MBE in the New Year Honours, has been a valuable and popular member of the British team since his silver medal-winning debut at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

“To remain on the British team is very much part of my plan,” said Law, who although looking forward to the move, admitted it was a difficult decision.

“It’s not a decision I made lightly. I have great owners who are honest and truthful and I spoke to them and my parents before I made it,” said Law. “They said: ‘only you can make that decision, and you have to decide what’s best for you’.”

Law’s departure to America is likely to cause shockwaves among the equestrian world — from fellow competitors and young fans alike.

Pippa Funnell said: “He will be greatly missed. He’s not just a team-mate — he’s been a great friend for many years. We’ll stay in touch but it won’t be the same on the home circuit without him. I’m one of many who will miss him greatly.”

Read the full exclusive story, including details of which horses Law is planning to take with him to America, in today’s Horse & Hound (17 November, ’05)

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Eventing world salutes Shear H2O

Horse & Hound — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 13:03:57 +0000

Leslie Law took time out from the European Eventing Championships at Blenheim on Sunday to retire his long-time campaigner Shear H2O in a special ceremony at the event.

The 15-year-old Irish-bred gelding, known as Solo at home, is by Stan the Man and is owned by Jeremy Lawton of Shearwater Insurance. He earnt more than £80,000 in prize money and amassed 1817 points during his 11-year career, putting him second in British Eventing’s “Grand Elite” table.

The partnership represented Britain in the Olympic Games in Sydney 2000, where they were placed seventh individually and brought home team silver. Shear H20 has been a useful British team regular during his career, helping Britain to bronze at the World Equestrian Games in 2002 and team gold at the European Eventing Championships in 2001.

“Solo has realised dreams for me I did not even imagine I had,” says Lawton. “For Leslie, he was the horse that finally gave him the success he had worked and strived so long for. If Solo had not been as good as he was we might never have bought Shear L’eau and Leslie might not be Olympic Champion.”

The horse set off on his path to glory with a win at Bramham three-star in 1999, finishing 10th at Burghley later in the year, aged just nine. The following spring, he finished a close second behind Mary King and Star Appeal at Badminton.

During 2002-2003, Shear H2O finished third and fifth at Badminton with 10th and 11th placings at Burghley, showing impressive consistency at top level, as well as numerous wins and placings elsewhere.

Shear H2O’s best Burghley purformance was fifth place in 2004. Since then, however, the gelding has not really shown his form, which Law puts down to a “lack of enthusiasm.”

“He is still a great horse, with great ability and scope. He has had an incredible career, and owes us nothing. At the moment he doesn’t seem to be as keen to go as he has been, and it seems the right time to retire him,” says Law.

Shear H20 will remain with Leslie and Trina Lightwood at their base in Naunton, Worcestershire where he will enjoy a happy and well deserved retirement. Meanwhile, Law will continue to ride Shear H2O’s full brother, and reigning Olympic gold medal winner Shear L’Eau, along with rising star of his yard Coup de Coeur.

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“You see some galloping machines going round making it look easy, but he’s not the most thoroughbred – that’s why he’s always stayed clear of Burghley,” said Oliver.

“We didn’t anticipate it being this tough here and it shows you what an unbelievable horse he is. He gives me his brain in start box and even if he doesn’t like the look of something, he lets me make him go between the fences. I’m so honoured to ride him, he’s a special one.”

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