by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 9, 2025
A stable fire at the Roberts Quarterhorse Farms in the Marion County town of Reddick, Fla., Tuesday morning left 21 horses dead after the roof collapsed.
State officials are trying to determine the cause of the fire at the farm belonging to the Roberts family, the owners of the World Equestrian Center in Ocala.
WEC issued a statement saying, “We are aware of a tragic incident that occurred on private property personally owned by the individuals who also own World Equestrian Center. While the private property is entirely separate from and not affiliated with World Equestrian Center business or operations, we extend our deepest sympathies to those affected.
“As this is a personal matter, we will not be providing further comment”
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 9, 2025
The traditional equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage and eventing, part of the Olympics since 1912, have been approved by the International Olympic Committee for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
As usual, there will be individual and team medal competitions in each discipline, with 75 entries for jumping, 60 for dressage and 65 for eventing.
FEI President Ingmar De Vos noted that “The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games were a historic success for equestrian sport, which proved very popular with the live crowds and TV and online viewers worldwide. It’s great news that our numbers remain unchanged and we are looking forward to delivering exciting sport at the same level of excellence.”
The qualification systems for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be put forward for approval by the FEI General Assembly 2025 this fall and be provided to the IOC for final review and sign off.
Equestrian will be one of the 31 sports on the program of the LA28 Olympic Games. The six medal equestrian events will be part of the 25 mixed events across all sports and the 351 events overall in LA28. The core athlete quota for LA is 10,500, with an extra 698 allocated for the five sports proposed by the LA28 Organizing Committee (Baseball/Softball, Cricket, Flag Football, Lacrosse and Squash).
A record breaking 50 nations participated in equestrian at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The number of nations in Paris 2024 was 49. Only 30 countries competed in equestrian at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 6, 2025
Sabine Schut-Kery, who clinched a silver medal for the U.S. dressage team at the Tokyo Olympics, will be offering a clinic May 9-11 to benefit Dressage at Devon as it prepares to mark its fiftieth anniversary.
Riders who wish to participate must submit an application by April 15 for the session at Dunmovin Farm in Westchester, Pa. Auditors are also welcome.
Sabine, who gave a Masterclass at Dressage at Devon in 2022, is known for her understanding of classical dressage principles combined with modern training techniques. From developing young horses to competing on the world stage, her expertise spans all levels of the sport. Her horsemanship, keen eye for detail and inspirational teaching style make her a sought-after clinician worldwide.
Sabine Schut-Kery and her Olympic mount Sanceo. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
“Dressage at Devon holds a special place in my heart,” she said. “I look forward to sharing my foundational principles with riders and spectators in May while working with a diverse range of horse-and-rider combinations.”
Aspiring amateurs, seasoned professionals and fans are all welcome at the clinic. Sabine’s commentary and ability to break down complex concepts will provide a deeper understanding of biomechanics, harmony and precision in training, whether those who come to Dunmovin are riding or watching.
Ann Moss, president of Dressage at Devon, emphasized the significance of this event.
“Sabine has long been a beloved favorite at Dressage at Devon, captivating audiences with her performances even before her Olympic success. After hosting our inaugural Masterclass in 2022, we are thrilled to welcome her back this spring. This clinic not only upholds our commitment to education but also supports our iconic fall show.”
Riders and horse owners will have a chance to interact directly with Sabine at a private dinner hosted by Christina Morin-Graham at Oak Springs Farm in Malvern, Pa. Proceeds from this clinic will directly support Dressage at Devon’s continued success and impact within the equestrian community.
For more details, visit dunmovin.net/clinic. For clinic information, contact Doreen Garland at (610) 416-3839 or Dunmovinenterprisesllc@gmail.com.
About Dressage at Devon
Celebrating its 50th anniversary September 23-28, 2025, at the legendary Devon Horse Show Grounds in Devon, Pennsylvania, Dressage at Devon (DaD) has been a prestigious tradition since 1975. It attracts top competitors, trainers and judges from across North America and beyond, making it one of the most respected international dressage competitions.
Dressage at Devon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission centered on education and excellence in the sport of dressage.
For corporate sponsorship opportunities, contact Lisa Engel at 908-310-6248.
For media inquiries, contact Katie Price at pricelessequineproductions@gmail.com.
Keep up with Dressage at Devon through Facebook and Instagram
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 27, 2025
As he drove his golf cart around the Wellington International showgrounds this week, Equestrian Sport Productions CEO Murray Kessler spotted a piece of rubbish in the stabling area. He stopped the cart, retrieved the stray plastic bottle and some crumpled pieces of paper, carrying them away for later deposit in a trash can.
“Lead by example,” Murray explained, heading for said can and dusting it off with a rag before throwing away the litter he had picked up.
What he was doing could be compared to the foreman walking the shop floor. At any company, the foreman is engaged in coordinating the efforts of multiple workers, ensuring productivity and maintaining quality standards. That’s just what Murray aims to do.
He recalled when the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival got under way 12 weeks ago, people were still throwing trash out of the car windows as they drove off. Since then, there’s been a culture change at the landmark Florida facility 40 minutes from Palm Beach.
Wellington Lifestyle Partners, the new owner of the showgrounds, is committed to its long-term viability. The partnership took over just five weeks before the start of the circuit, with maintenance revving up as much as possible in a short time frame.
“We made a lot of substantive change, but there will be a lot more next year,” Murray promised.
“We’re keeping it clean and people are noticing it. Now you go there at the end of the day, and there’s nothing,” he observed about the absence of debris, aside from the few strays he found. But there are plenty of other issues at the showgrounds, as the original venue is being melded into new territory, “Pod F,” to expand the facility to 100 acres.
The new showgrounds at Pod F, with the grass ring in green to the right at the bottom of the photo, and the new main stadium to the lelft.
Four rings built on Pod F are used for schooling at the moment, which gives horses and riders room to spread out. The merger of the properties, which is going to take several years to complete, will not only alleviate crowded conditions, but means a big refresh for a venue that hosts 28 weeks of shows in addition to WEF, and frankly, was rundown.
“The bones of this place are old, it’s time for a makeover,” said trainer Lauren Hough.
“I want there to be a world class faciilty here. I think they have a limited space to do it, so they’re going to have to be quite clever about it,” the Olympic rider continued.
“I want the best for this, of course, because this is our home. My family is here. I do have the utmost faith in Murray. He’s taken on much bigger things than this. So we’ll hold our breath and hope for the best.”
Great Britain’s Ben Maher, the 2021 individual Olympic show jumping gold medalist, noted when he won the season’s final WEF Challenge Cup on Thursday, that “bigger prize money and updating the facilities here are making a difference.”
The International Arena is the focal point of the current showgrounds. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
Murray understands the difficulties inherent in the showgrounds equation.
“I knew the problems because of years of showing here, and I knew exactly what I was getting into,” he said, explaining he was realistic when he took the job. His presence was what gave immediate credibility to the project.
Challenges don’t daunt the former president of the U.S. Equestrian Federation, who also had CEO credentials at three major corporations before retiring.
However, he noted about the showgrounds situation, “I didn’t know the reasons behind a lot of the problems.”
Expectations for shows are higher today in every way than they were in the era decades ago when WEF emerged on the scene as a new concept. In recent years, improvements didn’t proceed as they should have. Murray pointed out the previous owner of the facility, Global Equestrian Group, was a private equity firm, and he maintained the entity based in Denmark only cared about making money.
“They had to think of every dollar of return they could get out of it,” he said.
To get the full picture of what was needed, Murray talked to 100 trainers, riders and other influences in the community, along with ESP’s leadership team, headed by president Michael Stone and competitions manager and chief operating officer David Burton Jr.
“They knew everything that needed to be done but they weren’t allowed to do it,” under the previous regime.
“I said, `Well, go do it,” Murray recalled.
With such sparkling facilities as the World Equestrian Center in Ocala and TerraNova near Sarasota emerging in the last few years, Wellington is not the only game in the state. Though the number of horses showing in Florida can easily support several show complexes, since exhibitors have real choices now, Wellington International needs to meet their expectations. That underlines the importance of a massive showgrounds re-do.
Stands are filled at Wellington International for such major competitions as the Nations Cup. (Sportfot photo)
WLP will build The Wellington golf community at Equestrian Village, the home of dressage half a mile from the main showgrounds. Serious work on that project cannot begin until the newly configured showgrounds is up and running, with dressage moved down the street, presenting a big incentive to get things done.
Dressage, which at the moment is offered only during WEF, will be rehomed at what is now the main showgrounds. It is going to have its own rings, while sharing that area with the hunters. Jumpers will be located on Pod F.
Dressage, which is in its own enclave at Equestrian Village, will be held in what is now the Grand Hunter Ring when it moves to Wellington International in a few years. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
After WEF wraps up on Sunday, more extensive efforts can begin. It’s tough to get everything done during circuit because, “you have to deal with the reality you have 2,800 horses,” said Murray, citing statistics from week 11 of the show. With lighter entries during the spring, summer and fall shows, the entire property does not need to be used, offering flexibility that enables work to continue on other areas of the facility.
A grass field at Wellington International to replace the one at Equestrian Village is ready for planting. Although the new grass ring will be a little smaller by the numbers, Murray thinks it may well have more usable space because it lacks the berm and water jump complex of its predecessor. It will serve as a stadium with a VIP section.
The grass field is ready for planting. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
Next door will be another stadium, with artificial footing, more VIP and skyboxes. The open area in the middle will be reserved for vendors and food concessions. Parking for 3,000 or 4,000 cars will be around the perimeter of the property. If necessary, overflow parking can go in the rings that are not being used on grand prix night. Also in the plans are a covered arena and new FEI stabling for the jumpers.
There’s a different spirit in the air on the eve of this weekend’s featured $750,000 Rolex grand prix, the WEF finale that has attracted six of the top 10-ranked jumpers in the world. Production values for the grand prix have been raised for maximum drama, with 40 lasers around the ring and video rider intros produced by the team that does the Indy 500.
Murray gave 500 employees a pep talk before the circuit began, using a slide show on the jumbotron in the international arena.
He told them that “we had changed the place, that this is the prominent horse show in America. We have a unique position, different than any horse show in the world. A lot of people rely on us, people have their homes here and there are blacksmiths and vets and they all depend on us. This place is going to get cleaned up and we’re going to have the best service.”
Since then, he found, “I’ve never worked with a group of people who worked harder than this. They’re incredible.”
Former Fortune 500 CEO Murray Kessler doesn’t have a fancy office at the showgrounds, but he’s always on the move anyway and never far from a trash can. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
Expanding on his guiding philosophy, Murray observed, “We are the premier horse sport destination in the world. We are not the best horse show in the world. I am not going to say we are Aachen, but there’s nowhere else in the world that has what Wellington has. You go to Aachen, it’s six days long, with the best pros (professionals). You come here and it’s three months long and it’s from short stirrup to the Olympic Games riders.”
Noting that while Devon is where champions meet, as the sign over the Pennsylvania show’s main ring states, “Wellington is where champions are made and grow up,” Murray emphasized. He cited the example of his daughter, Reed, who started in short stirrup at the showgrounds and went on to the 2012 Olympic team. Lillie Keenan, he mentioned, began on ponies in Wellington and last week was part of the winning U.S. Longines League of Nations squad in Ocala.
Murray added “75 percent of the Olympic team either lives here full-time or has a home here. What makes us special and what makes Wellington, Wellington, is that we service all levels and they all matter.”
He cited the “virtuous circle” theory that he often used when he headed USEF.
“The best experience attracts the best riders in world,” he stated, and it follows that if a facility has “the best infrastructure and the best customer service, everything else will take care of itself.”
He added, “WLP’s business interests are aligned with the sport being fantastic because this is the anchor of the community. It needs to be the best it can be to inspire kids to ride and (families to) buy houses in the area. That’s how the business model works.”
World number seven-ranked show jumper McLain Ward, never shy about bringing issues to Murray’s attention, said he’s a big fan of the CEO.
“I think he’s made a commitment not only to the facility and the ownership group, but also to a lot of long-term relationships that he has within the sport and within business. There were some improvements that were made quickly that were noticed,” said McLain. Those included LED lighting in the International Arena and attention to footing.
“Obviously, the place was in a pretty big hole, so like anything, it’s scratching the surface. I’m optimistic it’s going in a positive direction,” McLain added.
Footing samples are taken every day and sent to the FEI, “which sends back a report with where we are on density. On grand prix day, I do it three times,” said Murray, who noted samples, which also track moisture content, are taken from 35 locations in the main ring,
Murray Kessler at the international arena. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
Murray’s wife, Sarah Davis Kessler, is part of the showgrounds team. Her affinity for hospitality and design is reflected in the VIP area, where the settings have been upgraded. Crystal glasses, bottles of wine and a charcuterie board are on the tables.
“I’m getting rid of all the plastic,” Murray promised.
He also has plans for dealing with the dust that has been omnipresent in the stable area by putting down rubber on some paths, asphalt millings elsewhere and footing on the pathway that ends at Pony Island, so horses don’t get muddy as they make their way up from the stables.
The CEO is keeping tabs on everyone and everything, pointing out, “I crack the whip.”
He warned a restaurant owner, whose eatery in a vendor area had a messy appearance, “if I ever walk in here again and it looks like this, you’re out the next day. He’s like, `It will never look like that again,’ and it never has.”
Before WLP took over, street sweepers came in once a week. Now they come five days a week at night. Lack of bathroom cleanliness was “always a pet peeve of everybody,”
The remedy for that is in high gear, with cleaning going on at night Wednesdays through Sundays. “Cleaning during the day couldn’t keep up,” Murray pointed out.
Hunter judges Robin Rost Brown and her husband, Otis “Brownie” Brown, took note that the judges’ booths were clean and the air conditioning worked.
“The whole place is pumped up,” said Brownie, while his wife observed, “Everyone seems still happy on Week 12.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 6, 2025
From start to finish, over three days of competition in Basel, Switzerland, Jullien Epaillard took the lead in the Longines FEI Show Jumping World Cup and never let it go.
Over four rounds of jumping, he and his homebred Donatello D’Auge dropped only a single rail in the electric atmosphere of the St. Jakobshalle arena, giving France its first victory in the indoor championship since 2004. It was doubly sweet for the French because their Kevin Staut on Visconti du Telman also earned a place on the podium, finishing third behind Great Britain’s Ben Maher, the runner-up with Point Break. Ben did a great job competing despite a broken foot after a non-horse related accident last month.
Ben Maher, Julien Epaillard and Kevin Staut.
“My horse was amazing this week,” said Julien, who competed Donny in a hackamore, but brought him back in a bridle for the prize-giving.
“He jumped everything super today. I feel him already the first round a little bit tired. He always wants to help me. He was maybe more fresh for the second round. The round was very difficult. I was maybe a little bit lucky,” Julien said, his accent adding to the charm of his broad smile.
Julien Epaillard and Donatello D’Auge on the way to victory. (Photo French Equestrian Federation)
The winner admitted losing his concentration as he headed for the last line of three fences. He thought, “I’m close, I’m close,” which distracted him.
“I come too deep to the double,” and down went a pole at the first element of the shamrock combination.
“I think if I helped him a little bit more, I can (could have) jump a clear but it’s okay. In any case, it’s okay like this. It’s a dream for the staff and the family. We work every day for this. A lot of people are around this performance and thanks to everybody.”
Sunday’s course B.
Julien took a chance by declining to compete in the jump-off on in the second segment on Friday. He hoped the math of the complicated World Cup standings formula would keep him in first place without having to tire his horse in another round, and he was right.
Gerard Lechat, the course designer, said he started working on his plans for the routes six weeks ago.
Then “I change every day,” he said, admitting to some nervousness in laying out his first championship. But he despite his worries, he did a fabulous job.
The jumps were interesting and eye-catching, including a triple combination featuring cherry blossoms and a “cheese” wall (naturally, it was Switzerland).
A jubiliant Julien wins the Longines FEI World Cup Show Jumping Finals.
The best American, in eighth place overall, was Katie Dinan, appropriately riding a horse bred in the U.S, Out of the Blue SCF.
“You don’t see that so often. It makes it a really special way to be representing the country, and showing U.S. breeding,” observed Katie, the star of the final day, as the only rider to go fault-free over both rounds. That made her the winner of phase three and moved her up from fifteenth place after Friday’s second segment of the competition.
Katie Dinan and Out of the Blue SCF. (Shannon Brinkman photo/courtesy U.S. Equestrian)
Her Belgian warmblood by Verdi TN was bred by Lisa Lourie of Spy Coast Farm in Kentucky and developed until she was nine by Irish rider Shane Sweetnam, who works with Spy Coast. Katie bought the beautiful grey at the end of her 9-year-old year.
“I can’t believe it, I’m so happy,” said the rider, who is trained by 2007 Cup winner, Beat Mändli of Switzerland.
“Bridie is just amazing,” Katie said, using the mare’s nickname.
“I’m totally obsessed with her. I hope she knows that. She has a lot of personality. She’s actually a warm and fuzzy sweet horse. She definitely sets her own schedule and does whatever she wants.”
Katie noted the mare, “loves going out in the field. I take her on a lot of trail rides. That’s probably her favorite thing. She’s super brave and has so much range.”
Bridie can jump in a grass field or a small indoor arena like Basel, Katie noted.
“She’s so smart. She just gets it and adapts.You realize the more you do this, sport horses and partnerships like this don’t come around every day.”
The USA’s Lillie Keenan, tied for third going into the last day, wound up eleventh overall. She was fault-free aboard Kick On in Sunday’s first round, but dropped three rails in the second round.
The other U.S. riders on the last day also had problems. Kristen Vanderveen was clear in the first round with Bull Run’s Jireh, but toppled three fences in the second to end the show in nineteenth place. Caitlin Campbell and Castlefield Cornelious were clean in the first round but she fell off at the third fence to wind up twentieth overall.
Alessandra Volpi was the other U.S. rider to qualify for the top 25, but she withdrew Gipsy Love after she was a bit sore Sunday morning following a heel grab earlier in the week. She was third on the second day of competition.
“I’m so proud of her amazing effort in Basel,” said Alessandra.
U.S. Coach Robert Ridland observed, “We had some really great results this week in Basel, and a few of our younger combinations really stepped up and showed off some class riding.
“I was really impressed today in the first round when all four of our combinations laid down clear rounds. For Katie to finish the way she did with Out of the Blue SCF was very impressive, considering none of the other combinations in the whole class delivered two consecutive clear rounds today.”
Click on this link for overall results from the Longines FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final
Click here for results from Sunday’s final round
click here for results from Sunday’s first round
click this link for standings after Sunday’s first round
click here for standings after Friday’s round
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 5, 2025
You can’t always count on a foregone conclusion in dressage, but victory in the Longines FEI World Cup Final for Lottie Fry and the appropriately named Glamourdale had all the earmarks of a sure thing.
And that’s the way it turned out on Saturday night in Basel, Switzerland, where the British combination topped a field of 17 to take the title. Lottie’s freestyle earned the first marks of 10 seen in the competition, and she was in full control of her stallion all the way through. He made his entrance to the notes of “God Save the King,” with precise steps of passage, and demonstrated spectacular moments with a flamboyant extended canter
His winning percentage of 88.195 was not a personal best, but still reflected great suppleness bordering on awesome. The ride got 10s across the board for the music and its interpretation.
Lottie Fry and Glamourdale. (MD Asadul Islam photo)
“This is very special. To win here today is absolutely amazing, and it felt like Glammie loved every second of it,” said Lottie.
“Yesterday (Friday), Glammie was definitely a little intimidated by the hall, but today he knew his job. He loves to have all eyes on him, and when the crowd joined in, he seemed to love it even more,” said Lottie.
“This is all a team effort, with everyone at home at Van Olst Horses and all our supporters. Everything came together tonight, this is such a special feeling,” she said,
Germany’s Isabell Werth, riding in her twenty-sixth Cup finals, missed taking the title for the sixth time, but made the most of her horse, DSP Quantaz to come in second on 84.365 percent. Third with a percentage of 81.850 went to Norway’s Isabel Freese with Total Hope OLD, a son of the great Totilas, who won the Cup finals, out of Isabell Werth’s World Cup winner, Weiheigold. Norway has never before been on the podium for a dressage championshps;.
Two of the three Americans competing improved their standing from Friday’s Grand Prix, but that was not the case for Adrienne Lyle, the most experienced and decorated rider of the trio. The Olympic medalist had to deal with a mount who was overly impressed by the atmosphere. That led to some expensive mistakes, including a break into the canter from the extended trot early in her performance.
” He’s a hot and feisty horse,” she said after her ride.
“Yesterday in the Grand Prix, I was really happy with the relaxation we were able to show. Today, he felt super in warmup He just got so excited going down that tunnel into that big stadium. the music and the people. You could feel the energy… and incredible environment. and that just pushed him over the edge.”
A mistake in the flying changes every two strides proved expensive, with four marks of 4 and one 5.
When Adrienne tried to soften her hands, “he lost balance a little, and I had to hold him a bit more. By the end of the test, I was able to at least soften a little and try to lengthen the neck and all those things we work every day on. He is a hot, sensitive horse. That’s part of what I love about him. It’s also part of what makes him challenging.”
She wound up sixteenth, a big drop from placing ninth in the Grand Prix.
Adrienne Lyle and Helix. (©ShannonBrinkmanPhotography/Photo courtesy U.S. Equestrian)
Even so, she noted, “Any time you get to represent your country, it’s such a huge honor. And there’s such a big support team behind you. You’re riding for your owners, your federation and everyone who’s there who helped you get down centerline. I never take it for granted.”
Adrienne always shows her class, win or lose. She’s a terrific representative for her sport.
As she noted, “Such is life with horses and we will continue to learn from each experience, try to improve our riding and our relationship, and hopefully come out as better horse people on the other side of every situation that doesn’t go as planned.”
Her compatriot, Kevin Kohmann, got a big promotion, up to tenth with 75.535 percent, from fourteenth in the Grand Prix.
He heaped praise on his mount, Duenensee, a 16-year-old Hanoverian he rode in his first World Cup Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, last year.
Kevin Kohmann and Duenensee. (©ShannonBrinkmanPhotography/Photo courtesy U.S. Equestrian)
“I’m speechless,” said Kevin, who was obviously very emotional about his horse and his performance.
“The horse was once again amazing. He gave me everything in there. We had some awesome highlights. My horse walked (in)to the piaffe, he walked out of the piaffe, it seems to be a movement that really relaxes him. Three years ago, I never would have thought I could make something like this. Our relationship has grown so much. I’m so proud of this. I’ve never ridden in an atmosphere like this.
“The people are so close. I rode this one pirouette near the short side and I was looking in the eye from the people in front of me. My horse did not even flinch an ear.”
Genay Vaughn, in her first World Cup finals, was promoted from last place on Friday when her horse got his tongue over the bit, to fourteenth with a score of 73.765.
Genay Vaughn and Gino. (©ShannonBrinkmanPhotography/Photo courtesy U.S. Equestrian)
“He had so much confidence compared to yesterday,” she said of Gino.
“It’s our first real indoor stadium event and also our first World Cup. So to see him start to feel more confident in there made me ecstatic,” the Californian noted.
“We both were confident. All of it was so fun. I was just so happy with him.”
Noting family and friends flew over to support her, she said, “It’s been amazing.”
Click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 29, 2025
I always thought equestrian would be part of the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, Australia, because that country excels in eventing, having won many medals in the discipline over the decades. They wouldn’t want to miss out on the possibility of such medals. And if you have eventing, you also have facilities for dressage and show jumping, since they are part of that sport.
Horse & Hound has reported that the equestrian facility at Toowoomba, about 78 miles from the center of Brisbane, has been proposed as the choice for the Games equestrian site. Equestrian Queensland and the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland are joining forces to improve the venue so it could handle the Games.
That’s a good initiative, but nothing is certain at this point. The International Olympic Committee won’t decide what sports will be held at the 2032 Games until next year.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 4, 2025
Julien Epaillard took a chance.
The Frenchman, who led after Thursday’s opening round of the Longines FEI Show Jumping World Cup Final, decided not to compete in what would have been a six-horse jump-off for Friday’s second leg of the championship in Basel, Switzerland. He wanted to save the strength of his horse, Donatello d’Auget for Sunday’s two-round final.
Julien Epaillard
But he didn’t have the hard data to assure that he would stay in the lead without participating in the tie-breaker, because the math was too difficult to do by hand. So he could only guess.
“It’s complicated to calculate this. So we take the risk,” he explained.
“It was not an easy decision. We think a little bit with the staff of the (French) federation.”
As it happened, he guessed right.
Marcus Fuchs, riding “my incredible unicorn” Leone Jei for the host country, won the class with “two risky turns.” But because the Swiss campaigner was tenth the first day, he is four points behind Julien in the overall standings. Julien figured it would be something like that, but couldn’t be sure when he withdrew from the tiebreaker.
A former European champion, Marcus was clocked in 40.77 seconds over a challenging jump-off course. Austria’s Max Kuhner with Elektric Blue P was second in 42.32, while Alessandra Volpi became the second U.S. rider of the show to make the podium. She was third on the clever mare, Gipsy Love in 45.78 seconds.
Gerard LaChat’s course.
Rather than spending the evening celebrating after his win, Marcus planned on going back to his hotel room to study the tapes of his rides and “see what I can improve on Sunday.”
Marcus Fuchs and Leone Jei.
Alessandra had said beforehand that she wouldn’t go all-out in the tiebreaker, with a thought process similar to Julien’s, that her mare needed to have reserves of strength for Sunday’s stringent test.
“It’s hard to catch these guys.. But I wanted to make sure she was in good shape for Sunday,” commented Alessandra, who trains with Markus Beerbaum of Germany.
“I couldn’t have asked for more. That’s what you dream of here,” continued Allessandra, praising her Silesian mare.
“It’s taken us a bit of time to get to know each other, because she is tricky and she really likes things the way she wants them, but I feel like now that we’re coming together as a combination, we’ve put in a lot of solid rounds, and it’s helped us build a lot of confidence and that’s paying off,” the Californian added.
Alessandra Volpi and Gipsy Love. (©ShannonBrinkmanPhotography/Photo courtesy U.S. Equestrian)
“She still tried her hardest. I knew a solid clear round could get you pretty far. I didn’t expect to be in such a great position. That lack of expectation has gotten us this far. We still have a job to do on Sunday, so stay focused.”
The USA’s Lilllie Keenan, who was third on opening night, had a rail in the first round to finish ninth with Kick On and is tied for fourth overall.
The biggest U.S. show jumping names, Kent Farrington, McLain Ward and Laura Kraut, aren’t competing in Basel. But U.S. Coach Robert Ridland is proud of the riders who are.
Alessandra Volpi enjoys the victory gallop. (©ShannonBrinkmanPhotography/Photo courtesy U.S. Equestrian)
“We sent a group over here, a young group, but one that we’re excited about. And now we’ve been on the podium both nights. Pretty good.”
Click here for a link to Friday’s World Cup dressage story.
Click here for results of second World Cup competition
Click here for World Cup standings after second leg
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 3, 2025
In the first leg of the Longines FEI Wold Cup Show Jumping Finals Thursday, the U.S. was on the podium courtesy of Lillie Keenan, who last month turned in two faultless rounds as the pathfinder for the winning American.effort in the Longines League of Nations/ Ocala.
The one-round speed segment of the three-part Cup competition in Basel, Switzerland belonged to France’s Julien Epaillard, known for his ability to beat the clock. He and Donatello D’Auge, a horse who “is like family to us” handled Gerard Lechat’s course in 60.30 seconds. Ben Maher of Great Britain finished just 0.13 seconds behind on Point Break, despite the handicap of riding with a broken foot. Lillie, aboard Kick On, was timed in 60.69 seconds.
“I left out (strides) in a few places that for sure were risky, but I knew my horse could do it,” Lillie said.
When there was a question, Kick On answered.
“He knew, `This is what mom says, so this is what we’re gonna do.’ I think that’s a testimony to the partnership and how special our sport is,” observed Lillie, ranked world number 28.
Lillie Keenan and Kick On in Basel. (©ShannonBrinkmanPhotography/Photo courtesy U.S. Equestrian)
While she had qualified for World Cup finals previously, Lillie didn’t go because she didn’t want to push it unless she felt she had a real chance.
Although she has been partnered with her son of Warrior only for 18 months, the horse has come a long way from the 2-star competitions he was jumping then.
“We only took a step forward when he told me he could. He reminded me every time he went in the ring that he was ready,” commented Lillie, who is a protege of U.S. team anchor McLain Ward. He is on hand in Switzerland to help her.
Lillie’s bay stallion was purchased from Amanda Derbyshire and David Blake. Prior to Lillie getting him, the horse had only jumped in England, where he was bred, with one side tour to Belgium.
“He was not a standout as a young horse,” commented Lillie, but noted that wound up being a plus, because he wasn’t rushed.
He reminded her of her Young Rider horse, Super Sox, and that was a selling point.
“His markings were very similar,” she mused.
“There was something about the expression in the horse’s eye. I rode him and I felt this very strong bond, I felt like he was right there with me. There was something so reminiscent of SuperSox.
“I called my dad up and said, `He’s just like Sox, and we have to have him.’ I feel like the horse’s heart is really in the sport. I think everything he does is for me.”
The rest of the American contingent is far behind the leaders, which puts pressure on Lillie, but she doesn’t mind.
“In my opinion, pressure is a privilege,” she explained.
“The person that puts the most expectation on myself is me. And I know how special my horse is. I just want to do a good job for him and hopefully come away with a great result.”
The USA’s Katie Dinan, clocked in 64.76 seconds with Out of the Blue SCF, was in the money with an eleventh place finish. Allessandra Volpi and Gipsy Love of the U.S. were right behind in twelfth, tied with Germany’s Richard Vogel on United Touch S. Both were timed in 64.81 seconds.
No other U.S. riders finished in the top 20 of the class, which drew 39 starters.
World Cup action resumes Friday with a jump-off class.
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by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 2, 2025
With so many social events in the Wellington, Fla., area during the Winter Equestrian Festival, it takes a lot for one to stand out, especially at the end of an intense 12-week circuit.
Yet Kevin’s Rockstars Lip Sync Fundraiser was a spectacular sellout last weekend, an evening to remember. Despite the zany name, it’s serious business, bringing in impressive amounts of money for the Kevin Babington Foundation.
Although the paralyzed show jumper is the foundation’s namesake, the charity also gives grants to other athletes who, like Kevin, have sustained spinal injuries while show jumping.
Kevin fell with his horse in a grand prix nearly six years ago, and since then, life has been a constant battle, as he has to rely on aides and family members for nearly everything. After being treated last month for a life-threatening case of pneumonia, Kevin got out of the hospital just a few days before the party. His aides and three Intensive Care Unit nurses stood up and rightfully were acknowledged at the festivities.
In typical Kevin fashion, as soon as he was discharged, he was back teaching, passing on his knowledge to help others with their horses.
“That’s what I love,” he explained simply. His daughters Marielle and Gwyneth are also professional equestrians; Marielle works with the family’s horse business in Florida, while her sister rides with Olivier Perreau in France.
Kevin had been worried he wouldn’t be able to attend the Foundation fundraiser, but with his typical resilience, the Irish Olympian was determined to be part of it.
“They would have had to chain me down not to come here tonight,” he told me, as he sat smiling in his wheelchair and ready for what he called “a great craic,” an Irish expression signifying great fun.
The event had started four years ago as a “bit of a lark, a drag night with the Irish guys,” Kevin recalled, and grew from there into quite a production, with familiar faces from the show world transforming themselves into their favorite recording artists or characters from the songs that they lip synched.
The stage presented professional lighting and backdrops, all beneath a large tent on the picturesque Hatfield family farm. The Hatfields also made a $100,000 donation to kick off the evening, and energetic bidding overseen by emcee Jimmy Torano brought more contributions into the till.
Emcee Jimmy Torano and Dianna Babington. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
Kevin’s energetic wife, Dianna, spoke of the “fantastic community of love” that has wrapped its many arms around the cause.
As Jimmy, also a show jumper, acknowledged what Kevin has gone through, he pointed out, “This could be any of us.”
Dianna mentioned that when she’s working in the VIP tent at WEF and “I hear the calamity of (falling) rails, I just feel this moment of `Oh My God’…and hold my breath for a minute.” Thankfully, there are few accidents as serious as Kevin’s, but she is always aware of what could happen.
The event is the most special night for Kevin, who got a standing ovation when he spoke to the 500-strong crowd.
Those attending the fundraiser stood and clapped for Kevin when he spoke. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I’m blown away every year. Because I’m always worried about, are we going to get enough people here? And it sells out. It’s not just supporting me, it’s supporting what the Foundation stands for,” Kevin said.
“I hope it doesn’t have to have too many other riders, but it’s there for them.”
Dianna said items paid for by the Foundation include round-the-clock aides and a special mattress for Kevin, all necessities that aren’t covered by insurance. It is used for big picture items, not the electric bill or the mortgage.
Kevin recalled the roots of the Foundation, explaining, “A group of friends got together to start a foundation for me and now look what it’s grown into,” with the subsequent involvement of Jeff Papows, its chairman.
“I never in a million years would have expected this,” said Kevin, as he looked around the crowded tent.
“I actually pinch myself all the time.”
Richard Goodall, the Indiana school janitor who won America’s Got Talent last year, kicked off the evening with his rendition of “Don’t Stop Believin’,” which could be Kevin’s anthem.
Richard Goodall sang “Don’t Stop Believin'” the theme song of the fundraiser. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
Dianna told the crowd, “ `Don’t Stop Believin’ ’ is completely relevant, as it embodies everything the Foundation is about and everything that keeps each and every one of us that is involved in paralysis able to get up each and every day to carry on with their lives. We cannot stop believing that something will break in the medical community and… restore people’s mobility.”
She and others working with the foundation keep up with the latest medical advances for helping paralysis victims to someday move on their own. Jefff said he has a Google alert on his computer network that searches for anything to do with paralysis.
“One of these days, there’s going to be a breakthrough that will improve his (Kevin’s) quality of life significantly further,” Jeff predicted.
Among those Dianna cited is Onward Medical out of Switzerland. Their Arc-Ex medical device, which received FDA approval in January, is not invasive. Instead, it sends impulses to activate dormant neural pathways. As Dianna pointed out, there have been “huge strides” since actor Christopher Reeve’s accident. An amateur eventer, he was paralyzed after a 1995 cross-country fall and remained in a wheelchair until he died in 2004. He had actively lobbied for spinal injury research.
Dianna, who Kevin called, “My first and foremost advocate through this whole thing,” is nothing if not versatile. As a child, she was “Little Miss New Jersey,” went on to model, act in films during high school and college, and worked as a professional cheerleader for the Nets professional basketball team. Then she pursued her interest in horses, taking lessons with Gary Kunsman at Four Seasons Farm.
For the Lip Sync, she put her show biz background to use with a very professional performance as J Lo while Marielle (wearing a bald wig that took two hours to put on properly), played Pitbull in their convincing rendition of “On the Floor.” They were helped along by back-up “singers,” including show jumpers Schuyler Riley and Lacy Morrone-Cramer. The whole effort took quite a few rehearsals.
Dianna Babington (J Lo) with her daughter, Marielle, (Pit Bull) do their lip synch with the Sirens. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
In addition to lip sync acts, the evening included real singers, Heather Caristo Williams and Ki-Juan Minors, the first winner of American Equestrians Got Talent. It was a great opportunity to show off the non-riding abilities of people in the horse show community.
Kevin Rose of Ken Rose catering served a meal that touched all bases with barbequed brisket, mac and cheese and dumplings, as well as crème brulee and cheesecake shooters.
Mike Cruciotti worked with the production aspects of the show. Trainer Missy Clark received an award for encouraging people to put together acts featured during the evening. Others who received acknowledgement included Carol Coleman and Victoria McCullough, but there was a host of volunteers who helped things run smoothly.
Kevin Babington Foundation Chairman Jeff Papows and Missy Clark. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
The subject of air vests came up during the evening.
“I was never one to push anything on anybody,” said the guest of honor.
“I’m not sure if a vest would have saved me, there’s a very good chance it would have,” Kevin noted.
“Even if you only wear it for jumping, just think about it. I would have been one of those macho guys that would be the last person to wear the vest, which is completely stupid.”
The research on the effectiveness of the vests is not complete, but Jeff said, “I think it’s something every equestrian has got to consider very seriously.”
Kevin has aides with him around the clock every day of the year. Jeff noted “the Foundation has developed connections with the best and the brightest doctors and hospitals and labs around the world
“That said, he still lives in a very compromised state.”
Jeff added, “The financial cost of these kinds of injuries is catastrophic. It’s not just the injured athlete; it’s the entire family and their entire inner circle that’s affected.” With the aid of the foundation, the patient’s family is “going to be able to see them with a reasonable quality of life without compromising theirs.”
The event raised a record amount,
“It was a significant success and makes up a useful part of our annual operating budget,” said Jeff.
The scene at the party. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
“The tragic part of it aside, I think it has unified the sport and created a closeness that is hard to describe, but it’s almost mystical,” he observed.
” We’ve got a database of 33,000 equestrians, and the open rate on that is 83 percent which is unheard of. I am constantly in awe of the love and generosity and tightness of the show jumping community. Talk about a sport and a community coming together.”
