For six years, Kevin Babington’s friends, along with many people who never met the former grand prix rider, have helped raise funds for his care with a benefit horse show at Duncraven in Titusville, N.J.
Kevin, who tied for fourth in the 2004 Olympic show jumping competition, suffered a spinal injury in 2019 when a horse he was riding fell in a grand prix. The Irish Olympian, based for years in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, is paralyzed from mid-chest down.
Kevin with his wife and daughters Marielle and Gwyneth after winning the Grand Prix of Devon. (Photo © 2016 by Nancy Jaffer)
The Sept. 7 show at Duncraven has three dedicated co-managers: Nancy Wallis, Jennifer Cassidy and Julie Koveloski, who give their services without charge. It offers a variety of classes, including a hunter derby this year for the first time, as well as jumper competition. Claudine Libertore is loaning her jumper fences, while Katie Benson is bringing hunter fences.
Another innovation is a gymkhana-style trainer’s medal, a fun class that may include tests like taking a coffee cup off a standard and then jumping a little jump.
“It’s things you have to do if you’re on a horse teaching a lesson and walking around with a coffee cup in your hand,” Nancy explained.
The show is earlier on the calendar than usual in the hope that will mean good weather. It benefits the Babington Family Trust, which handles a variety of expenses that aren’t covered by insurance or the Kevin Babington Foundation, which also helps other riders who have suffered spinal injuries and can handle large purchases, such as a special bed Kevin needed.
The Babington Benefit Show has become not only an important source of financial help, but it also demonstrates that people have not forgotten Kevin as the years went by.
“It means everything,” said Kevin’s wife, Dianna.
Kevin and Dianna Babington. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“It’s amazing to me that people keep showing up for a local person who isn’t local,” she said, referring to the fact that she and her husband now live in Loxahatchee, Fla., near Wellington.
“It’s incredible and he’s always honored and is pleasantly surprised that people care as much as they do. It’s a tribute to him,” Dianna commented.
Kevin at the 2004 Olympics. (Photo © 2004 by Nancy Jaffer)
Kevin was looking forward to being at the show this year, but his plans were cancelled as he fights a stage four pressure wound. Missing the show has been a blow.
“I think he’s very sad,” said Dianna, who hopes to attend.
Caring for the wound involves many extra expenses — as much as $2,000 out of pocket in one week for medical supplies, for instance — as well as personnel to treat it. The wound has made it difficult for Kevin to teach from his wheelchair, which is how he supports himself and keeps his connection to the horse world. He can’t sit up, and must lie on his side as he battles the pain.
The show is important to Kevin and Dianna in many ways.
Kevin during a course walk in his competition days. Photo © by Nancy Jaffer
“I am so grateful, because the money is flying out,” she explained.
The organizers are looking for volunteers, including those who can work two days before the show for set-up and the day after for take-down, as well as for jump crew on the day of the show. Anyone who wants to volunteer can call Nancy at (908) 256-3386. Jennifer’s number is (215) 954-9062.
The show also needs raffle items, which in the past have included gift baskets, tack and gift certificates for everything from horse transportation, clipping a horse, a lesson and vacations to dinners. Julie can be reached by those offering such items at (609) 439-8983.
Entries are through https://horseshowing.com. Here is a direct link for this show. While there is normally a fee for entering via that site, a donor has made it free for anyone who wants to enter the Babington show.
Even those who don’t want to compete can make a donation by entering the show, with the money for their “entries” going to aid Kevin. But if people do want to show, Nancy would like them to enter on line prior to Sept. 7, rather than the day of, so they can get an idea of how many competitors are coming.
