The video captures a live, play‑by‑play commentary of a four‑star FEI cross‑country round at Morven Park on October 15, 2023. Speakers A and B discuss the overall rise of U.S. eventing on the world stage, noting more American riders breaking into the top‑10 rankings. They praise the Morven Park course as possibly the best four‑star venue worldwide, describing its well‑built turf, challenging water obstacles, steep climbs such as Mansion Hill, and technical elements like the chevron and big table. The focus then shifts to rider Boyd, whose relatively new partnership with his horse is highlighted; the commentators note his smooth rhythm, balance, and confident navigation of the course, including a strong start, steady gallop, and a safe finish. Boyd’s personal cross‑country schooling facility is mentioned, along with broader seasonal planning options for U.S. riders, such as Terra Nova in November and Galway in California, emphasizing the need for multiple training venues and contingency plans (A‑B‑C‑D). The dialogue intersperses observations of weather (rain), rider demeanor, and occasional humor, providing an engaging narrative of the competition.
Chapters
It's. Currently, which we're very excited about. World number three.
Yes, it's incredible.
The, the US is, is really getting better and we're starting to see, starting to see our guys on the, on the top 10 list now more consistently, which is really fantastic.
And I think coming to venues like this and you know, really riding in terrain, riding in the rain, you know, it really, it only makes us better when we are at the bigger competitions or the championships. And so absolutely,
I meant it when I said I honestly don't think you're gonna find a better four star track in the world than this one. It's pretty impressive. Well built, beautiful turf, big, inviting. Like it's serious.
I couldn't agree more.
So see Boyd cruising around here and heading into the first water, getting into, settling into a nice rhythm.
This is actually a fairly new ride for Boyd. They've only been together for about a year. We're going to catch up with Boyd coming in.
Boyd's having a good start. Looking super.
Sources. Last run was the four star short at the fork and on that cross country day they just picked up 8.4 time.
And this is our leader as well, guys. So, so people are going to be watching this quite eagerly because this is our leader. So. Super. Wow. Well, there's Boyd showing his experience. That was pretty textbook. And he's, and he's got his foot down a bit.
Shannon Lilly is at the start.
He's balancing back there and then he'll soften the rein. He obviously knew that horse was going to go off there. Yeah. Yeah. Wow. Fabulous. Fabulous.
Gives him a pat, says good Boyd.
Yeah. And yeah, Boyd's built a really incredible cross country schooling facility on his farm. And I mean, following year. Yeah, I mean, I think it depends on what your goals are for each horse. You know, I think we also have a, we do have a few good options and we have Terra Nova later in November as well. And I think it depends on what your spring plans are and what, what
your horse is and, and how your season's gone today.
Yeah, and I think it's really nice that we have those options and it's nice also that we have those options spread out around the country because we also have Galway on the west coast in California and you can, you know, we can pick and choose what makes sense. I know it's obviously it's a, it's a bit of a way for us to go out there, but, but we do do it. So I think when you're making your plans for the next season, you just have to take all those things into
consideration and then also have plans A, B, C and D, because this is horses.
There was a horse, I think you probably remember it a long, maybe about 10, 15 years ago, that was called Plan B. And I always loved that name because, you know, always going to go on.
Plan a is on a 52.4.
Oh, he's got to be happy with that. I thought he wrote great. Here comes. Here comes Boyd. I love how, how, how Boyd gallops horses. You know, they're. They're always in such a lovely rhythm and balance. So he's coming to the big table as he makes the gallop up the. Up the hill, Mansion hill to pop. This chevron's coming down. He's been cruising along, Annie.
He's not hanging about.
No, no, he's cruising along. So fingers crossed here. Cool.
You can see him smile there.
That's how you know event riders aren't right in the head because they're laughing at that.
So it's interesting. Caroline's second horse came home in 10. In 1040 now. Great ride. And the horse was very honest there as well. Said, okay, I see the flags.
Look at the rain length. I just love that with Boyd. Super. The horses always have the freedom of their. With their neck still balanced and still tall, this upper body and keeping a feel, as Lucinda Green would say, on the hook, but not being married. I'm excited to see that he's through the finishing home safely. Congratulations, Boyd. Sad to see what. That's what that time is. Well, he's gonna. He's gonna be requesting number 13 from.
