The Eastern States Dressage and Combined Training Association Championships and Open Schooling Show is a long way from the high-end competitions that dominate the calendar these days. It’s laid back, relaxed and friendly, a delightful unrecognized fixture that’s just plain fun and a high point of the season.
It may not be glitzy, but as Flemington, N.J., trainer Wendy Garfinkel said, “Don’t bash this: it’s someone’s Olympics.”
Former ESDCTA President Lisa Toaldo, who managed the show on the weekend, elaborated on what it means to the participants: “Most of the riders in the show won’t be going to Regionals and Nationals, that’s why it’s so exciting for them. This is their championship.”
Show manager Lisa Toaldo and Ann Dandurand with her champoinship ribbon. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
What adds to its appeal is location, location, location – the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation headquarters, steeped in history. The Gladstone, N.J., facility carries extra meaning as a venue for those privileged to ride there, whether they’re at training level or FEI.
When else, Wendy asked, do you get to ride at the USET?
“It’s affordable. We stable here too. You get to stay in Brentina’s stall. We work really hard to get here. They do a great job everyone is nice to you. If you fill out your entries incorrectly, they don’t yell at you.”
Something else which appeals to her is the fact that, “You see every type of horse. You don’t just see warmbloods; the odd breeds can do it too, I always promote that.”
A case in point is the Irish/Welsh cross ridden by her student, Lori Fortunato. Challenger’s Fourth Angel is a 14-hand pony that Lori adores.
Trainer Wendy Garfinkel and her student, Lori Fortunato, with Challenger’s Fourth Angel. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“She’s like a puppy,” declared Lori, who used to do hunters and eventing. But now, she says,, “I love dressage, the connection, the partnership that I feel.” She is a psychotherapist, so she knows about connections. The Watchung, N.J., resident remembers what the USET meant to her as a kid, citing the famous people like Frank Chapot who trained there.
Another different breed from Wendy’s Poniez on the Rockz is an ex-thoroughbred racehorse owned by her right-hand worker, Shelby Dunlap.
“When she’s away, I’m in charge,” said Shelby, discussing her job description.
A former groom at the racetrack, she fell in love with Riopelle, who won $100,000 racing at Penn National, Woodbine in Canada and elsewhere.
“I thought he was adorable,” she recalled.
Shelby Dunlap and Riopelle. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Shelby got to pony him onto the track the day he won a race, only to learn he was claimed for $7,500.
“I cried all the way home,” she said.
Rio, by Grade I Super Derby winner Arch out of Constant Touch (Belong to Me) raced some more, but then a trainer friend of Shelby’s was able to claim him for her. She jumped him a little before switching to dressage. He can be quirky, but he also knows when to behave. Her best score at the show was an impressive 68.8 percent in Training Level 3.
She’s having fun with the 16-year-old gelding but promised, “a couple more years and he can retire.”
Another different breed at the show was Luchadora ESF, an Andalusian who won the FEI championship with a total of 65.647 percent for Ann Dandurand.
She made a mistake in her Intermediate I test, doing the pirouette too early.
“I don’t own the I-1 test yet. She’s Grand Prix; I’m not,” said Ann, explaining her mare knew the early pirouette was the wrong move.
“I am so fortunate to have this horse.”
Ann Dandurand and Luchadora ESF. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
When Ann asked for the pirouette in the wrong place, “She was like, `No mom.’ She didn’t want to do it.” And Ann knew there was a problem because, “She never says no. She’s amazing, a saint.”
Ann, who works as a physician, is based in Cranbury, N.J., and trains with Nikki Serge in Stockton as well as Andrea Velas in Pennsylvania. She joined ESDCTA 40 years ago. Her memory of the USET dates back to the mid-1980s, when she rode in an Arabian festival there and stayed in the groom’s quarters.
More on breed diversity: Lauren Anderson rode a catchy-looking pinto named Lakota Moon at Training Level. The 17-year-old, who trains with Jill Kuc at Hidden Creek in Pennsylvania, said no one is sure about her horse’s breeding.
It was fun for her mother, Colette Anderson, to come to the show, because she grew up in Bedminster, N.J., and her husband is from neighboring Gladstone. Colette was well aware of the USET when she lived in the area, but she didn’t ride.
Lauren Anderson and Lakota Moon. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
So now, “My daughter is living my dream,” she said. Riding at the USET has a bit of an intimidation factor, but more important, it’s “a big deal.”
Another unusual combo was embodied in Linda Butz’ Dannys Secret, a Friesian/Arab cross, who competed at Grand Prix. Linda, a Pennsylvanian who trains with Sarah Schmitt in Annandale, N.J., is hoping that next year she can do her Century Ride at the USET. For that U.S. Dressage Federation opportunity, the combined age of horse and rider must be 100.
Linda has had her 22-year-old horse for 17 years.
Linda Butz and Dannys Secret. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I bought her to trail ride and pop over some little jumps. She told us very quickly that wasn’t for her. She ended up with a dressage trainer. I’m really fortunate that I have this horse. I learn something every time.”
Linda has her USDF bronze and silver medals, and is working towards her gold. She rode at the USET once in before in the Summer Days show, and was happy to be back.
“This beautiful, iconic facility is a big draw,” said Holly Cornell, who has been ESDCTA’s president for six years.
ESDCTA President Holly Cornell. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“It’s really great to see a lot of people coming up from the lower levels and getting better horses and improving.”
And as far as the Championship show goes, she pointed out, it’s obvious that “this beautiful, iconic facility is a big draw.”
Click here for results of the show