by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 10, 2024
Equine Network LLC has acquired a controlling interest in Nilforushan Equisport Events with an eye toward further enhancing “the competitor experience in Southern California.”
“We have been looking for a partner in the Hunter/Jumper market that shares our values,” said Tom Winsor, Equine Network’s CEO.
“We feel strongly Ali Nilforushan and his team have the vision to create exceptional experiences in and out of the show ring.”
Nilforushan Equisport Events produces shows at Galway Downs in Temecula, Calif., that cater to both competitors and spectators. The company offers U.S. Equestrian Federation fixtures with prize money classes, affordable showing options and VIP experiences. The company strives to make its events fun, featuring entertainment, game nights and social events, in addition to the competition it offers.
In addition to being a show organizer, Ali Nilforushan, president of Nilforushan Equisport Events, has competed at the top level, representing Iran in the 2000 Olympic Games. He is “looking forward to joining forces with Equine Network, as we share a common vision for the future of equestrian sport in California.”
Equine Network’s majority stake in Nilforushan Equisport Events aligns with its growth plans. The company has made strategic acquisitions within the equine industry. Its offerings include competitions, roadside assistance for horse owners, subscription-based training and care products, online learning channels, and inclusive communities. The acquisition adds a new dimension to its Sports Group offerings with the creation of the Premier Equisport Group.
This collaboration also promises to attract more participants and spectators to Temecula’s Galway Downs, making the venue a destination for riders of all levels. Galway Downs is the proposed equestrian venue for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
For more information about Nilforushan Equisport Events, visit Jump-nee.com. To learn more about the Equine Network and its services, visit EquineNetwork.com.
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 9, 2024
Ask yourself this question: Do you know what medication and therapy your horse is receiving, and why? Is there a good reason for it? Most of all, is it safe?
The Chromatic Fund, formally unveiled last week, will pay for collaborative research and education enabling veterinarians to be updated as they make decisions about horse care at competitions and elsewhere.
The initiative has the earmarks of being a lifesaver.
The fund will facilitate a ground-breaking effort under the auspices of the U.S. Equestrian Federation and American Association of Equine Practitioners, designed to make a big difference in the lives and careers of sport horses.
It all started because Kc Branscomb wasn’t going to give up.
She knew something had to be done following the death of Chromatic BF, a grand prix show jumper she bred, raised and loved.
A carefree Chromatic galloping through the fields of his California home.
The 13-year-old gelding competed at April’s FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final in Saudi Arabia, where he finished third in the second leg of the competition. Upon his return to the stables after an ebullient round of honor, a USEF-appointed veterinarian injected him with a cocktail of five drugs (none of which were prohibited substances), ostensibly to aid Chromatic with recovery after his big effort. Minutes later, the horse went into shock, collapsed and died.
Branscomb took issue with the results of a necropsy performed in Saudi Arabia that pointed toward an exercise-associated fatal pulmonary hemorrhage. According to the final report, the administered medications were not identified as the cause of death.
Chromatic ccompeting in Saudi Arabia.
But Branscomb insisted on better answers, including why the substances were injected, and beyond that, how to insure no other sport horse would suffer the same fate as Chromatic.
She made sure USEF listened, and also approached AAEP about her concerns. That led to a new welfare initiative and creation of the fund. The fund’s process, which also includes Branscomb’s input and the work of the Foundation for the Horse, is taking a worldwide perspective on a multi-faceted agenda.
Branscomb made an initial gift to kick-start the fund, matching a pledge from USEF, but the goal is to go beyond six figures and raise $2 million. For more information or to donate, go to this link — https://www.foundationforthehorse.org/support/chromaticfund.
The focus is on appropriate use of medication and other therapeutic interventions in equine athletes across the disciplines. The fund will pay for “science-based, equine-specific research and information access to benefit the health, well-being, and career longevity of horses in sport.”
Branscomb wants to get scientific information on untested therapies and the right dosages; how do you get the best efficacy while keeping the horse safe?
“We are dedicated to enhancing our welfare initiatives for sport horses announced in August,” said USEF CEO Bill Moroney, citing “the perfect partnership to set this education and research program on the right path to success.”
That’s particularly important in the era of horse sports seeking social license to operate from the general public. There have, for instance, already been petitions to the U.S. Olympic Committee asking that equestrian competition be excluded from the Games. Competition horses are a favorite target of animal rights groups.
In September, the advisory board of industry stakeholders that oversees the Chromatic Fund spent a day at AAEP headquarters in Lexington Ky., asking about the opportunities to sustainably improve the safety, welfare and longevity of the horses, and “do that in a way that wouldn’t adversely impact the sport itself? Most of us believe well-cared-for, healthy horses enjoy competing,” said Branscomb.
The result was a document listing the decisions and agreements the advisory board arrived at when they “explored rules, regulatory issues and questions of whether the problem was that the research is available, but just not getting out there to riders, trainers and the vets who are treating horses,” she continued.
Another facet involves determining whether the proper amount of research has been done on widely used emerging therapies and homeopathics.
“There is a huge amount of benefit and improvement that can be made just by properly curating the already available research and getting it out in practical, usable ways to veterinarians and clients; trainers, riders and owners hiring those vets,” said Branscomb.
She noted that if the vet who treated her horse at the World Cup had access to, and been informed on, peer review and academic papers about use of a product containing selenium (one of the components in the mixture given to Chromatic) he would have known there was no scientific evidence it does anything for muscle recovery and should only be given only over a course of treatment to horses who are deficient in that selenium.
Chromatic finished third in the second round of the World Cup.
As Branscomb explained the fund’s goals, she noted, “This is about available information not getting into right hands and not being paid attention to. So what we’re hoping to do with this…is bring the very best academic veterinarians who are doing the academic research and the top 30 treating vets in world, and get them together with top research veterinarians over a day or two to talk (this) through.”
The goal is a handbook for use by treating veterinarians in equestrian sport, covering items such as inflammation, cardiovascular fitness recovery rate and immune system response, “so many aspects of what makes a horse be able to perform at its very best and be healthy.”
The handbook would lay out protocols such as “do this, don’t do this and if you do this, here are the risks.”
That’s one part of the program. Another, according to Branscomb, is insuring that owners, the “ultimate custodians” of the animal, can educate themselves and have pertinent information to make therapeutic decisions for their horse, rather than simply relying on trainers who may feel pressured to win. It could “change the culture,” or “at the very least, determine which practices are potentially harmful or helpful.
“I think we need to find out what the impact is of injecting hocks every six weeks in horses that are six to eight years of age. I think there’s plenty of research that shows that can have an impact on potentially shortening a horse’s career. An owner should have an opportunity to ask intelligent questions,” said Branscomb.
She mentioned that there are “too many examples of `Well, let’s try this’… without really a scientific basis or any evidence that what they are trying is going to work.
The research will take time and the advisory board is looking at various ways to handle it. In addition to Branscomb and Moroney, the board includes Sonja Keating, the USEF’s chief operating officer and general counsel; Dr. Tracy Turner, president-elect of the AAEP and the Foundation for The Horse; Olympic show jumping medalist and trainer Norman Dello Joio; Dr. Jack Snyder, an FEI-certified treating veterinarian and Dr. John Madigan, distinguished professor emeritus of the University California Davis school of veterinary medicine and board certified animal welfare specialist with a focus on equine.
Kc Branscomb and amateur-owner hunter PakNSave. (Photo by Donna DeMari)
Branscomb noted sport governance organizations put out a list of prohibited substances, but there is “no discussion about tens of thousands of different therapies and medications; not even any discussion of `should they be limited and who should apply them?’
“It’s unbelievable how many drugs are in peoples’ (tack) trunks, being administered by people who are not veterinarians, things that are widely used. Those are permitted substances, depending on how and when they are administered, alongside other drugs, and who administers them. There’s a lot of information about what is safe and not safe, but that is not out there in the hands of people using those drugs.”
There needs to be a level of accountability and some kind of consequences when someone makes a mistake, she believes, noting the International Sport Horse Veterinary Association has made a set of recommendations to the FEI (international equestrian federation) for rules on how to supervise and insure best-in-class knowledge is being utilized.
“I don’t know if USEF or FEI will lead, but I believe in the next 12 months, both organizations will make a major change in management of how medications are reviewed and applied within the context of permitted substances,” said Branscomb,
She lobbied successfully for revisions to the USEF’s Horse Participation Consent Agreement in terms of treatments that can be given without permission to horses representing the USA. A change was made to say that except in an emergency, no medications will be administered to horses by team veterinarians at international competitions without prior consent of the athlete (a rider or driver), who is the person responsible under FEI regulations for substances present in a horse.
This week at the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s convention, Branscomb will receive the Mrs. A.C. Randolph Owners Legacy Award, which recognizes past or current owners who have been loyal patrons of the industry.
USHJA called her a significant figure in the hunter/jumper industry for many years, making her mark as a breeder dedicated to producing top sport horses at Branscomb Farm in California. She has cultivated a breeding program prioritizing both talent and temperament, USHJA noted in announcing the award, while citing her work with USEF “to advocate for changes in the role of owners in international competitions.”
Branscomb’s persistence, which has achieved much, was fueled by devotion.
“I loved my horse and what happened should never have happened,” she stated.
“I set out to make sure it would never happen again and in that process, I learned there were some holes in the safety net that was supposed to protect our horses, and there was some lack of understanding and knowledge that was readily available that would have kept my horse safe and alive. I wanted to make sure that got fixed.
“We have an opportunity to lead from the front and do it right, and have the sport be celebrated and leave the parts that we love intact and just have better-informed therapeutic care of the animal.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 8, 2024
There was a time when $1 million show jumping grands prix practically abounded—we had the granddaddy of them all at Spruce Meadows, which was worth $3 million (Canadian) in September, while $1 million classes earlier in this century were offered in Ocala, Fla., and Saugerties, N.Y., as well as Thermal,. Calif.
The latter is now the richest grand prix in the U.S., the only one in the country still offering a seven-figure purse. So it’s especially exciting not only because of the prize money, but also because Saturday night’s Coachella Cup Grand Prix at the Desert International Horse Park drew a field of 41 that included some of the sport’s biggest names.
One of those is Ashlee Bond, whose victory was special because she is a hometown girl, a native of California who has competed at the show for years.
Ashlee, who rides on the Israeli team, said she has been sick for a month and was still coughing and sneezing during the awards ceremony, but the illness didn’t affect her performance on Donatello. The longtime partners, who have been together seven years, made short work of the jump-off course, clocking a clear round to finish in 39.33 seconds ahead of the USA’s ever-improving combination of Aaron Vale and Carissimo 25, finishing in 40.48 seconds. Third was Colombia’s Marc Bluman with Ubiluc in 40.91 seconds.
Ashlee Bond with the Coachella Cup and runner-up Aaron Vale (left) and third-place Marc Bluman (right)
Ashlee rode the curves of Olaf Petersen Jr.’s course in slalom style.
“His strengths are his turns,” said Ashlee of her mount, also noting, “since I pulled his shoes off, he’s able to go so much faster.”
Following the Paris Olympics, she wasn’t sure if Donny wanted to jump at the 5-star level anymore.
But leaving him barefoot after the Games was the key to continuing his career in a positive way.
“It’s just made him so much happier. He’s so fresh and sound and his stride’s gotten bigger. I feel like he is reinvigorated and has this happiness to go around and do his job. I’m really grateful, you don’t get these horses much in your lifetime,” said Ashlee.
Donatello and Ashlee on the way to their $1 million victory. (High Desert Sport Photo)
She would have been happy simply being in the Coachella Cup’s top three.
“This is amazing. I’m speechless. I can’t believe this happened,” she said, as she got a bit teary eyed about her “super surreal” achievement.
“It’s such a nice end to our year and a reward for our team and my horse. My little Donny is such a fighter and gives me so much every time. I’m super grateful,” commented Ashlee, who also won the class a decade ago. At that time she noted, however, It wasn’t FEI (international), so with Saturday’s class being a 5-star and attracting a stellar lineup of horses and riders, it means more than her previous victory.
Ashlee Bond and Donatello in the Coachella Cup. (Photo by High Desert Sport Photo)
“I’m just so honored to be here…this is really special it’s been an up-and-down year,” she continued.
“I feel really blessed and give it all to God more than me.”
Aaron Vale praised Carissimo, noting the 11-year-old Holsteiner is, “a wonderful horse. “I’m so close to getting exactly where I want to be, but there’s still a little hunger left. I’ve had a lot of close ones with one down, second place, third place, but what a fun night of jumping. I’m thrilled to be in California. I’ve never shown here, so what an exciting night. Hats off to Ashlee.
Commenting about the showgrounds, Aaron said, “It’s just really impressive.
“You just get a feel that the management and upper staff, they want it to be good; they want you to be happy. The amenities are great. I’ve got to say this is the best VIP I’ve seen. It’s just wonderful. You really feel welcomed. It makes you want to come back.”
Aaron Vale and Carissimo, second in the Cup. (High Desert Sport Photo)
Desert International Horse Park President and CEO Steve Hankin concluded, “When we started five years ago, if you had said this is where we would be right now, I think people would have said you were crazy. We built a nice horse park, and what Aaron said about the feeling here – that we want people here and we want to take care of them and have great time – it means the world to me, because that’s so, so important to us.
“The ultimate goal,” explained Steve, “was to bring great sport to California. It’s desperately needed it. I think we took a pretty big step forward this year in bringing great sport here. It just doesn’t get any better than to have this group of riders here with this class and to have Ashlee win it.”
The class presented by Brown Advisory also marked the individual championship for the 2024 Major League Show Jumping series, with Ireland’s Conor Swail taking the overall title for the season. He finished eighth in the 12-horse tie-breaker with 4 faults on Casturano.
Some riders who seemed to be likely key contenders for the Cup’s big payoff were far from the title. The USA’s Kent Farrington, who rode his young horse, Myla, didn’t make the jump-off after dislodging a rail in the triple combination. Another U.S. star, McLain Ward, downed the first element of the double combination in the tie-breaker with Callas, and knocked the last rail as well to finish eleventh.
In the first round, the time allowed of 83 seconds proved to be tight for five riders who otherwise would have been clean. Seven other competitors retired when they ran into trouble in the first round. But for $1 million, it has to be hard.
click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 6, 2024
A born horseman whose natural ability made him a legend, Rodney Jenkins was the ultimate winner in the days when he reigned as a dominant force on the grand prix circuit with his most famous mount, the equally talented Idle Dice.
The Red Rider, who had been in deteriorating health, passed away in his sleep at age 80 on Thursday. The loss has been keenly felt around the equestrian community, where he was an idol. Many people remembered sitting ringside watching Rodney school horses as a way to improve their own technique, though who could match him?
The red-head grew up learning to ride by the seat of his pants in Orange, Va., where his father, Enis Jenkins, was a professional horseman. He became a huntsman, then went on to work for Gene Mische, who went on to be the country’s best known horse show organizer.
Rodney’s talent took him to the top of the sport, with victories everywhere from Madison Square Garden to Devon and all the other great shows. His honors included being American Grand Prix Association champion and American Horse Shows Association Horseman of the Year. After hanging up his saddle in 1989, Rodney turned to training racehorses. He was successful at that too, until he retired for good earlier this year. His best season at the track came in 2006, when his horses won $1.8 million.
But he will be most remembered for his ability in the show ring, a standout with the hunters as well as the jumpers. He had a great eye for a fence, and understood what a horse was thinking almost before the horse knew what it was thinking. If you had to sum it up in one word, Rodney was a horseman.
He also was a low-key and kind person.
Retired show jumper Melanie Smith Taylor has an especially warm place in her heart for Rodney, and her mind flashed back to their special connection when she learned of his death.
After the owners of Melanie’s 1984 Olympic gold medal mount, Calypso, went into bankruptcy, they sent the horse to Rodney to be sold. But Rodney dragged his feet and never showed Calypso.
It wasn’t just that the Dutchbred gelding didn’t happen to be Rodney’s type of ride; he knew Calypso had always been Melanie’s horse, and he didn’t want to see such a great athlete demoted to being a junior jumper or some other job unworthy of his record.
Melanie’s fiancée, polo player Lee Taylor, realized the only thing missing from her life was Calypso. So he went to Rodney and said he wanted to buy the great horse and retire him to his Tennessee farm—though he didn’t mention his connection to Melanie.
But she believes “Rodney read between the lines and knew he was coming home to me. Rodney made it happen.”
The horseman felt the brilliant show jumper should quit at the top of his game (the way Rodney himself would eventually end his showing career).
The deal went through, and Melanie was ecstatic when Calypso arrived at Lee’s farm for a long and happy retirement.
Another top show jumper, Bernie Traurig, reminisced about looking up to Rodney as his own career got under way.
He recalled in a social media post that, “As a young professional, Rodney was my mentor. I was a sponge for his education, learning anything I could soak in from his wisdom and ability. As much as possible, I would watch him school, teach at clinics, watch him show, learn how he managed his stable and what he fed his horses,” Bernie recalled.
“I was lucky to even sell him some very nice horses. I begged him to try Idle Dice as a 5-year-old when I was showing him as a hunter, and, well, the rest is history. He was arguably the best horseman and rider of hunters and jumpers in his heyday, and set the bar for us all.”
Show jumper Jimmy Torano compared Rodney to basketball superstar Michael Jordan in terms of the domination of his sport, and noted sadly, “We already missed seeing him at the shows. Now we will really miss him. He is a Legend. The Greatest of all Time.”
In addition to Harry Gill’s thoroughbred, Idle Dice, who won everything, from multiple victories in the American Gold Cup to the President’s Cup (four times), Rodney’s many show jumping partners included Number One Spy, also owned by Gill; The Natural, the first jumper to sell for $1 million, American Invitational winner Third Man and Czar, on whom he earned double silver at the 1987 Pan American Games.
Rodney missed the Olympics at the height of his career because only amateurs could compete in the Games and Pan Ams during that period. As a professional, he was ineligible until the rules were loosened and he was able to compete at the Pan Ams.
Rodney Jenkins, right, with 1987 Pan Am Games silver medal team members Greg Best, Katherine Burdsall and Lisa Jacquin (Karl Leck Photo)
A member of the Show Jumping and National Show Hunter Halls of Fame, he was also inducted into the Washington International Horse Show Hall of Fame when I caught up with him a few years ago. He reminisced about the days when he was riding, adding he hadn’t been on a horse since 2008. He still judged some shows–who could argue with his eye for a horse?
“I really miss the competition,” he admitted in his soft southern drawl
“I enjoyed showing, and when I didn’t, I quit. The horse show glitter is wonderful, but I see it’s going on great without me. They have some wonderful riders out there.”
Rodney Jenkins and Idle Dice.
He told me he would look at show jumping on TV (no doubt while smoking his pipe), saying, “I love to watch a good horse jump, and there seems to be a lot of them.”
He was devoted to his wife of 26 years, Un Jin Jenkins, who rode in the 1988 Olympics representing South Korea and is now a prolific painter. The couple lived in Maryland with their two sons, Matthew and Ty. Rodney described them as “all-American boys” who participated in sports, but not riding.
Rodney, who also had three children from a previous marriage, Blythe, Robert and race horse trainer Patrick Jenkins, enjoyed staying in one place instead of constantly being on the move as in his horse show days.
“It’s the best time of my life,” he said with a smile. “God is good to me.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 5, 2024
Charlotte Dujardin, the former dressage heroine, was penalized Thursday by the FEI with a year’s suspension for a horse-whipping incident captured on video and publicized just before the Paris Olympics, when it gained worldwide attention and notoriety.
Britain’s multi-medalist from three other Olympics had voluntarily suspended herself in July after revelation of the video, ending her nation’s possibility of a team gold medal at the Games. She and Imhotep were replaced on the squad by newcomer Becky Moody with Jagerbomb. The team wound up with the bronze, keeping Britain from a sweep of all three equestrian team gold medals, as it won both the eventing and show jumping titles. Dujardin’s mount, Imhotep, had been regularly scoring over 80 percent in the Grand Prix and the Special used for awarding team medals at the Games.
Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep.
After an investigation into Dujardin’s case, the FEI initiated formal disciplinary proceedings, citing three charges: abuse of horse, conduct that brings the FEI and/or equestrian sport and the FEI into disrepute, and breach of the FEI Code of Conduct on the Welfare of the Horse.
The gravity of the offense was balanced by the FEI with “relevant mitigating circumstances,” which included Dujardin’s prior clean disciplinary record and her voluntary withdrawal from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The FEI imposed a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs (U.S. $11,341) and is giving her credit for time served. That means her suspension will end July 23, but it is uncertain what the future holds for her in the sport. Until the end of the suspension, she is prohibited from participating in all activities related to competitions or events under the jurisdiction of the FEI or her national federation.
Meanwhile, she announced on Thursday she is pregnant with her second child, who is expected in February.
The video that came out on social media showed Dujardin aggressively hitting her student’s cantering horse with a longe whip, prompting the animal to kick out several times. The video was taken during a lesson at a private stable and made public for an anonymous client by a Dutch attorney.
Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep at the 2023 European Championships, where they won individual bronze.
“What happened was completely out of character and does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils, however there is no excuse,” Dujardin stated on social media in the wake of the video.
“I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example in that moment,” she said.
“I am sincerely sorry for my actions and devastated that I have let everyone down, including Team GB, fans and sponsors.”
Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro at the 2012 London Games, where they were double gold and led Britain to its first ever Olympic dressage medal.
On Thursday, she posted a message on Facebook saying, “I fully respect the verdict issued by the Federation for
Equestrian Sports (FEI), released today. As the federation has recognized, my actions in the video do not reflect who I am and I can only apologize again. I understand the responsibility that comes with my position in the sport, and I will forever aim to do better.
“This has undoubtedly been one of the darkest and most difficult periods of my life, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me during this time. To those of you who have sent messages, emails and tried to reach me to check in on how l am – thank you. Every kind word truly has made a difference, more than you’ll ever know.
“What I was unable to share at the time is that I am currently pregnant, with my baby due in February. This was planned well before the Olympics and something my partner, Dean, and I have been excited about for a long time.
At the moment, the energy I have is focused on Dean and our daughter Isabella, and we are all very much looking forward to the arrival of our new family member.”
Dujardin’s scandal came as horse sport has been focusing on “social license to operate” and seeking the acceptance of the public with an image that emphasizes equine welfare.
FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said. “It is regrettable that this case has put our sport in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, especially during a critical time leading up to the Olympic Games.”
She added, “These significant sanctions send a clear message that anyone, regardless of their profile, who engages in conduct that compromises the welfare of the horse will face serious consequences. We believe this outcome reaffirms the FEI’s commitment to equine welfare and to its role as guardian of our equine partners.”
Meanwhile, the FEI has other cases pending that involve allegations of abuse. They include dressage rider Cesar Parra and eventer Andrw McConnon.
Jim Eyre, chief executive of British Equestrian commented about Dujardin’s matter; “We are confident that this has been a thorough disciplinary process and thank those involved for their professional approach.
“The welfare and ethical treatment of horses has always been a priority and no one involved in our sport should be in any doubt that we expect the highest standards at all times. We will continue to work with our member bodies tirelessly to uphold the integrity of our sports through enforcement, education, and advancement in our knowledge.”
Jason Brautigam, chief executive of British Dressage, stated: “We stand united with the FEI in taking a zero-tolerance approach to any breaches of our equine welfare policies – and this case has proved that these disciplinary processes work, regardless of the status of the individual concerned.
“We launched the Charter for the Horse last year and remain totally committed to upholding these standards. Working closely with our colleagues across the Federation, we will continue to collectively put the health, care and wellbeing of the horse at the heart of everything we do, and proactively demonstrate that equestrian sport is conducted in an ethical and responsible way.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 4, 2024
Of course you have thoughts about the hunter division, what it should offer and how championships should run. The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association will be listening to your suggestions and feedback next year at venues in Florida and California.
Round table topics include the USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider Program, the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive, the USHJA International Hunter Derby and standalone championships.
The first forum will be from 9:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. at the Wellington Club on the Wellington International showgrounds in Wellington, Fla., Jan. 13. The second on March 10 is set for 9:30 a.m. – 4. p.m. Pacific Time at the Palm Club at the Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, Calif.
To reserve for the Florida session, use this link. For the California session, this is the link.
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 2, 2024
Darry Lou Z had quite a career with quite a cast of riders. The stallion, the U.S. Equestrian Federation Horse of the Year in 2019, was best known for his exploits with Beezie Madden as a member of the U.S. team. His crowning achievement was as the winner of the $3 million CN International Rolex Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows.
Beezie Madden and Darry Lou in their heyday. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
When he was bought by Evergate Farm, Darry Lou went on to win with Jennifer Gates’ husband, Nayel Nassar. Finally, the Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders also was successful with the plucky chestnut. Now Studfarm Zangersheide has announced that he will be on their stallion roster for 2025, standing for a fee of €1,400.
Bred in the Netherlands by Roelof Bril, who rode Freelady, Darry Lou’s granddam, Darry Lou is by Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve, out of the Grand Prix mare Venus. He has a full sister, Beat Me, who jumped at the 1.55 meter level with Chad Fellows. Dig a little deeper and you’ll find that Beat Me is the dam of F One USA, whose riders included Emily Moffitt, Ben Maher and Lorenzo de Luca.
Nayel noted, “It was a great joy and honor to campaign Darry Lou, despite our relatively short partnership. He has a remarkable personality, filled with a calm confidence and unwavering demeanor regardless of the task at hand. His unique mindset coupled with his athletic ability allowed him to truly thrive as a sport horse on some of the world’s biggest stages. I am very much looking forward to seeing him flourish in this next chapter of his career, and have no doubt he will continue to make us proud by passing on his exceptional genes to future generations.”n 2022, Darry Lou moved back to Europe to join Harrie Smolders’ stable, where he continued his impressive performances, including top ten finishes in Aachen and again in the 5* Grand Prix of Spruce Meadows.
For his part, Harrie observed, “It has been a privilege to be one of Darry Lou’s riders. To have him around and work with him every day was always a pleasure; his kindness but also his ability to listen to what the rider was trying to explain made him very unique and one of a kind. He will be missed by his fans all around the world for his empathy and particularly by our team as we felt a close bond and friendship with him.
“I will definitely remember his exuberance when we were out hacking — nothing could make him more happy, but he always behaved like a true gentleman. Now it’s time for him to fully focus on his next chapter and save all those exceptional qualities for the upcoming generations. Best of luck Darry, and thank you for all those beautiful memories.”
Judy Ann Melchior of Studfarm Zangersheide noted, “I have admired Darry Lou for a long time and I am thrilled to feature this iconic stallion in our stallion line-up! Not only is he a showjumping superstar, but also a golden opportunity for breeders, boasting exceptional valuable qualities and genetics.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 1, 2024
With the retirement of German multi-multi gold medalist TSF Dalera BB, the question has been who will take her place at the top of the podium. Last weekend at the Lövsta Top 10 Dressage competition in Sweden, Freestyle — shown by Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour of Denmark — was unquestionably top of the line for that show.
The mare, previously ridden by Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin, scored over 90 percent with every judge but one in the Grand Prix Freestyle (her namesake). Second to Cathrine in in both the Grand Prix and GP Freestyle was Isabell Werth of Germany with Wendy de Fontaine. She did not break 90 percent in the latter, and only one judge awarded her over 80 percent in the former.
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Freestyle at the Paris Olympics.
At the Paris Olympics, Dalera and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl still reigned as the gold standard, but Isabell finished on silver, while Britain’s Lottie Bry and Glamoudale took bronze. Cathrine, who led Denmark to team silver, was fifth individually behind the Netherlands’ Dinja van Liere and Hermes.
In Stockholm, Dinja was third and Lottie did not compete.
Meanwhile, the new December FEI standings for dressage athletes have Isabell number one, seven points ahead of Cathrine. Lottie is third, but 117 points behind Cathrine. The rankings are the same for their horses.
Click here for Grand Prix results and here for Grand Prix Freestyle results
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 28, 2024
Former Volvo chairman Pehr Gyllenhammar, who presided over creation and growth of the FEI Jumping World Cup series, has died at the age of 89.
Pehr Gyllenhammar
The series’ initial season was launched in 1978. The first final was held in 1979 at the Scandinavium arena in Gyllenhammar’s native Gothenburg, where Volvo has its headquarters. The Swedish city would to host 15 FEI World Cup™ Finals.
Gyllenhammar, who held the key position at the Swedish multinational manufacturing corporation from 1970 to 1994, put his support behind the Cup series. Volvo became the title sponsor of the qualifiers in all the Leagues and Finals until 1998. Believing that dressage would be a perfect complement to the jumping, in 1990 Volvo became the title sponsor of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ until 1998.
“The FEI is infinitely grateful to Pehr G. Gyllenhammar for his support with the creation of one the FEI’s most important series. Volvo’s sponsorship continued for 20 years and laid the foundation for the successful worldwide series the FEI Jumping World Cup has become today. He was also a great proponent of the FEI World Equestrian Games, the first edition of which was held to general acclaim in the Swedish capital Stockholm,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 28, 2024
It takes more than a little rain to put a damper on a custom that goes back decades.
A field of 20-plus riders braved the showers to ride their beautifully turned-out horses at the Essex Fox Hounds Thanksgiving Meet in Peapack, N.J.
“Rain, snow; we’re out,” said Lynn Jones, one of the four masters of foxhounds who serve Essex.
“This is a tradition that goes back 134 years, and we wouldn’t break tradition for a little rain. It doesn’t bother the hounds or the horses one bit.”
Essex Fox Hounds Joint Master Lynn Jones introduces her horse to a young visitor at the Thanksgiving meet. (Photo © 2024 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
She wore a “hand-me-down” black Melton wool coat, difficult to find these days, but generally impervious to inclement weather unless it’s of the natural disaster variety. There was only one raincoat among the riders. Dee Osborne decided to go that route, but she wore a Barbour, with a British sporting pedigree that made it perfectly acceptable.
A hardy group of spectators also was undeterred by ominous weather predictions for an occasion that many have celebrated over the years at the picturesque Ellistan estate.
Essex huntsman Bart Poole lead the way at the Thanksgiving hunt. (Photo © 2024 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
“We love it. We love gathering. We love seeing our friends every year. We like to see the horses,” said Susan McDowell-Harvey of nearby Bernardsville.
Scott, Scott, Susan and Jack McDowell-Harvey ward off the rain with mimosas. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“And it’s always nice to get out of the house,” added her son, Jack.
Susan and her husband, Scott, began coming for the meet in the days when daughter Sarah McDowell (who now lives in London) rode with Essex. As usual, the family was enjoying mimosas and oysters Rockefeller.
The menu for Linda and John Quinn of New Hope, Pa., who were parked down the row, included freshly made Irish coffee, topped with whipped cream.
John is a native of Ireland, so to him the conditions probably were like what his compatriots call a “soft” day, a cross between a mist and a drizzle, though this version was a little more assertive.
“We’ve come every year since our children were three and five years old, and now they’re in their mid-30s. It was always our tradition to come, and we see people we don’t normally see all the time,” Linda said.
Linda and John Quinn with an artful Irish coffee. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Some folks did look at the weather and decide to duck out. Suzann Johnson and her husband, Art Gertel, of Readington N.J., invited 10 people to the tailgate brunch they have staged for 30 years, but just one showed up. The conditions certainly didn’t deter an accomplished carriage driver, however.
“I compete in this kind of stuff,” explained Suzann, who was the Leading Lady Whip at the Orleton Farm Driving Competition in Massachusetts during August, when a hurricane was bearing down on that area.
Matt Tierney of Ramsey, N.J., was visiting his father, John, in Peapack and decided to bring his three children, ages 5, 3 and 1 to the meet. “I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “It was very special, very fun.” His kids really got into it.
“By the time the horses and hounds started going out of the gate and up the road, they expected to be able to follow them,” he reported. “So in the car we had some tears” when the vehicle went in the opposite direction from the animals..
Sally Ike, who chairs the Essex hunt committee, noted the rain was a bit inconvenient, but emphasized it is a badly needed blessing during the drought. She mentioned how important the hunt is for land conservation and thanked the landowners who allow the hunt to cross their property.
The chilly edge was taken off for riders and spectators alike by hot toddies courtesy of Ellistan’s owners, Hank and Sarah Slack (she is another of the Essex joint masters).
Ellistan estate manager Michael Webb.( Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
These stirrup cups are as traditional as everything else.
Ellistan estate manager Michael Webb doesn’t change the recipe from year to year. It consists of brandy, rum, sherry, “our apple cider that we make here and some of the honey we produce as well,” in addition to orange and lemon juice.“That’s it. Bring it to the boil and put it in a cup.”
Rain? What rain?
Essex honorary secretary Ruth Beesch and Dee Osborne in her Barbour rain jacket. ( Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
The Johnson family, which enjoys strong connections with the hunt (Jazz Johnson is also a joint master of Essex) had seven cousins riding. Christy Johnson Moynihan said her two sons, Rowan and Joe, took riding lessons for a month to up their game (they had only ridden as kids) so they could participate on Thanksgiving.
I, too, am a veteran of many years at the Thanksgiving meet, having written about it since Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis put it on the map in the days when she hunted with Essex and often brought her son, John.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis from the days when she rode with Essex. That’s her son, John, to her right in front of the house. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
While that’s how what otherwise would have been a routine holiday gathering of a local group became big news, once people came to see her, they kept coming, even after she rode off into history.
