by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 12, 2026
(A story that ran on this website Oct. 8 about Select Event Group’s decision to withdraw as a prospective license holder for a future Maryland 5-star eventing competition lacked sufficient comment from Select to clarify its course of action. That information has been presented today, and is included throughout the revised story in bold-face type.)
Efforts to bring back the Maryland 5-star eventing competition next year have been scuttled by the withdrawal of the organizing group behind it, though it still seeks “a sustainable path forward” for the future.
Select Event Group “remains committed to the long-term vision of restoring one of the world’s premier eventing competitions and continues to work collaboratively with public, private, and community stakeholders to identify a sustainable path forward,” according to a statement issued Oct. 8.
It said, “After careful evaluation of current timelines, funding requirements, and organizational responsibilities, Select Event Group has informed the United States Equestrian Federation that it will withdraw as the prospective license holder for a future Maryland 5 Star event at this time.”
In its new statement of Oct. 12, Select addressed the USEF Licensing Process, and its decision to withdraw, this way: “USEF’s licensing timeline requires firm commitments well in advance. We have been so impressed with USEF’s team and their process. A large part of the decision to withdraw as licensee at this time was out of respect for USEF. Without full certainty that alignment would happen, it wasn’t responsible for Select to keep holding up their timelines. We see this as a structural step, not a step back.
“The licensing process and potential funding arrangements remain part of ongoing discussions among stakeholders. USEF has been a close and valued partner throughout this process, and we appreciate their continued collaboration as we work toward identifying a sustainable path forward.”
The Maryland event, which was staged for five years, last ran in 2025, when it was won by Switzerland’s Felix Vogg on Cartania.
The 2025 Maryland 5-star winner, Felix Vogg of Switzerland and Cartania.
“This decision reflects the practical realities of the current situation, not a lack of enthusiasm for the event’s return,” the original statement continued.
The 5-star received approximately $3 million annually from the state, which has had major fiscal issues. In February, the state Division of Legislative Services discussed 2027 budget proposals before the state Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, recommending that grants for the 5-star should be deleted for the fiscal year that began July 1.
“While encouraging discussions continue regarding potential funding, governance, and operating structures, the certainty necessary to responsibly relaunch an event of this scale has not yet materialized. Rather than misrepresent the status or timing of those efforts, we believe it is important to be transparent with the governing body (USEF) and the broader equestrian community regarding where things stand today,” noted the original statement.
Select addressed “Funding and Other Considerations” in its Oct. 12 update this way: “Funding is an important piece, but it isn’t the only obstacle. For an event of this scale to be sustainable, funding, governance, operating structure, and timing all have to align. Here, resolving the remaining 2025 issues while working within the 2027 licensing timeline compressed the planning window. With the State’s support, the 2025 issues are now resolved, and stakeholders can focus on securing the long-term funding and support needed for the event’s return without forcing those discussions into a year-specific licensing deadline.”
The Maryland 5-star had financial and managerial issues, as well as being unable to attract a large field at the highest level of the sport.
Autumn is the tail-end of the eventing season. Many top horses have finished their annual campaigns by that time, especially in a year such as 2026 that included a world championships for which qualification was a priority.
In Europe, the Pau, France 5-star scheduled the week after the U.S. 5-star affected the number of competitors who would come to Maryland from abroad. This month, Pau has 52 starters. Meanwhile, establishment last year of the U.S. Eventing Open, a 4-star Long, with $200,000 in prize money, also was not helpful for attracting entries to the Maryland event. And riders trying to qualify for a championship can do so without competing in a 5-star, while saving their horses’ best efforts for a title meet.
The number of horses competing in the 5-star was down to 22 entries last October. While it brought in 32,000 spectators in 2025 and gained $18 million for the state’s economy, the event was projected at one time to have an impact of $30 million and 80,000 spectators. The only 5-star in the U.S. is Defender Kentucky, which will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary in the spring. The other 5-stars around the world are Badminton and Burghley in Great Britain, Adelaide in Australia, Luhmuhlen in Germany and Pau.
This decision involving the 5-star does not affect the 3-Star event or Young Horse competition that will be held at Fair Hill, Maryland, this week. Select addressed course designer Pierre Le Goupil’s work on the cross-country route this way: “This year’s focus at Fair Hill has been delivering a great CCI3*. Pierre has been wonderful, and while his focus was on preparing for the 3*-L course, he has great ideas ready for the 5* course as well.”
(Select’s decision) relates only to the timing and structure of a future Maryland 5-Star, which ran in the Fair Hill Special Events Zone. Select is still ready to “participate in, or potentially lead, a future organizing effort as a viable long-term funding model emerges,” according to the Oct. 8 statement.
“Fair Hill remains a world-class venue, and many dedicated stakeholders continue working toward a solution that can ensure the Maryland 5 Star’s successful return. We remain hopeful that opportunity will present itself in the future and stand ready to assist when it does.”
Select expanded on the extent of its involvement in its update, stating it has “deep roots at Fair Hill and believes in what a 5 Star means for Maryland and the sport. We stepped forward to help keep momentum going while the longer-term structure came together.
‘We still believe that the 5-Star is great for Maryland and will be incredible for Maryland. As a Maryland-based event services company, we want to ensure events like this are given the best chance for success so they can continue to help provide for all of the participating Maryland businesses and the surrounding communities.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 14, 2026
Pennsylvania State University is offering a webinar Oct. 20 at noon on finances of horse ownership. For new owners especially, the no-fee presentation can give insight into hidden costs and annual spending for a variety of situations.
Click here to register or for more information.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 5, 2026
Tributes are pouring in for respected horseman Earl Brown, who died Oct. 4 at the age of 73.
He was far more than a groom — his knowledge made life better for so many lucky horses, and his mentorship trained others to follow in his footsteps (or at least to try).
Dressage rider Katherine Bateson Chandler put it this way: “Anyone who knew Earl loved him, and if you didn’t, it was on you. He was the kindest, friendliest man that walked this earth. Would help anyone, stranger or friend. My heart breaks for all of us who knew and loved him which is so, so many.
“Please keep his family in your thoughts. Our special community lost the best.”
Earl Brown
David Distler, a judge and horse show manager, is another one of the legion of Mr. Brown’s friends who feel the loss.
“This is beyond tragic,” he commented.
Mr. Brown graduated from Virginia Tech and worked as a teacher for a year before joining the Marines, the going on to follow his heat’s desire and work with horses.
“One of the nicest, most gracious people I have ever had the privilege to call a friend. This is so upsetting. My heart goes out to all of his family and friends who know what a giant of a man he was.”
Former World Show Jumping Champion Gail Greenough reacted this way: “So very sad. Such a lovely human, with so much knowledge and grace. Rest in peace, Earl. You will forever be remembered for your horsemanship and kindness.”
Trainer Helena Stormanns offered a tribute from Europe, calling Mr. Brown, “a fabulous gentleman, a brilliant horseman and a truly kind person. When I met Earl, I‘d never seen anyone groom as well as he did, he was totally devoted to his horses and couldn’t do enough for them.”
Alison McIvor pointed out, “Sad day in the old timers’ grooms lounge. When these kings of the ring die, so does a lot of their know-how, and that’s also a sad loss.”
Respected horse owner Caroline Moran said, “Earl Brown, a true gentleman, a kind soul and a remarkable horseman. He was wise, gentle, funny, and to know him was a privilege.”
Earl Brown with Alison Firestone.
Aimee Aron, for whom he had worked, observed, “The loss of Earl Brown is a tremendous one. He was simply one of the best horsemen I’ve ever known—but what made Earl so special went far beyond horses.
“He had an incredible way with people, too. Earl taught me lessons about horses, horsemanship and life that will stay with me forever. A true horseman, a true people person, and truly one of a kind. He will always hold a very special place in my heart.”
Others for whom he worked included Alison Firestone and Jane Clark.
He is survived by his son, Earl Eugene Brown Jr., daughter-in-law, Stephanie Tucker Brown; and grandson, Earl E. Brown III of Olive Branch, Miss., as well as his son Thomas A. Brown and grandson Thomas A. Brown II, of Byhalia, Miss. Also surviving is a half-brother, Gerald Reid..
Memorial services will be announced in the future.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 11, 2026
“Decades of hard work” paid off for Sharon White as she won the US Equestrian Eventing Open on Sunday, moving up from third after cross-country. Aboard Claus 63, she took the title in the $200,000 test with a clean show jumping round in the relentless rain.
“It means so much,” said Sharon, 51, for whom the victory at Morven Park was more important than just the $60,000 first prize.
“It’s a labor of love in this sport.”
She always had faith in her horse, explaining their connection with a smile.
“Claus is really glad I finally got out of his way,” she suggested.
“I have always believed in him. Mentally, he’s a little tough. Mentally, I’m a little tough. When I got better mentally, he got bette rmentally.r,” Sharon noted about the 14-year-old Holsteiner she owns.
For the second year, Will Coleman had to settle for second with Off the Record. As the overnight leader, he had only the narrowest of margins going into the final phase, with just 0.3 penalties difference between his score of 28.6 after cross-country and the 28.9 that belonged to Isabelle Bosley and Conner.
But Will didn’t really get breathing room when Isabelle had 12 jumping penalties and 1.6 time penalties. Her issues moved Sharon up to second on a mere 30.8 penalties.
As it had happened in 2025, show jumping was Will’s downfall. The victory was lost with a knockdown at 5B, the second element of the double combination. Four more penalties were added to his total with a dropped rail at the liverpool two obstacles later. He hung on for second with a total of 36.6.
Third went to Mia Farley on the top U.S.-bred horse in the competition, Invictus by Diorado. The 10-year-old is owned by eventing legend Karen O’Connor, the wife of Mia’s mentor, David O’Connor. Mia was double clear to move up from sixth to the third spot on the podium with 39.8 penalties.
The competition was doubly special to Sharon (known for her distinctive orange and white stable colors) because of its location at the Virginia venue.
“I grew up at Morven,” she explained.
“This place is so special to me.”
She noted it has “grounds that are meant for horses; the trees and the grass and the terrain is amazing. It’s old turf, it’s established. The horses love galloping across it. This is where you want to be. It’s a place that welcomes horses, and that’s what we all love.”
In Saturday’s cross-country test, the leader after dressage, Californian Tamie Smith on Danito, had a runout at the challengingly angled fourth element of fence 9, the leaf pit, and retired at fence 22 rather than taking four more fences to finish up on the Derek DiGrazia-designed course.
Sharon, second after dressage on Claus, collected 4.8 time penalties to sit third on a score of 30.8. Last year’s winner, Boyd Martin, who rode Miks Master C in 2025, stood nineteenth this time around with Luke 140 (71.1) after a runout at the same obstacle on the course as Tamie.
click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 10, 2026
U.S. Olympic show jumping team silver medalist Jessica Springsteen is pregnant, according to news accounts from around the world.
She and her partner, Belgian Olympian Nicola Philippaerts, have been a couple for more than two years. Nicola, 33, a member of his country’s silver medal team at last summer’s world championships, is a twin (his brother Olivier is also a top rider). So maybe that will run in the family?
Jessica Springsteen and Don Juan van de Donkhoeve.
The baby will be the second grandchild for Jessie’s parents, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa. Jessie, 34, is a regular on the Global Champions Tour, but has not competed since July to await the baby’s arrival.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 6, 2026
Sonja Keating, who serves as the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s chief operating officer and legal counsel, will be the organization’s new CEO after Bill Moroney retires Dec. 31.
“Our purpose is to serve members, protect horse welfare, and uphold fairness, safety, and enjoyment,” said Keating.
“Those responsibilities will guide every decision I make. There is important work ahead, and I am excited to get started.”
After Moroney announced his retirement in June, following more than 10 years at the organization’s helm, USEF hired a search firm to help with locating his replacement.
They didn’t have to look far to find Keating, who long has been working closely with Moroney in both her roles as COO and counsel.
Discussing the selection of Sonja, who joined USEF 20 years ago, USEF President Tom O’Mara noted, “More than 100 leaders from equestrian sport, other national governing bodies, membership organizations and the commercial world were considered.
“Every candidate, from inside the Federation or outside it, went through the same interviews, assessments and references. Sonja was the strongest fit against what the role demands and what you told us you need.”
However, some members who have been unhappy with USEF felt a selection should have been made outside the organization’s hierarchy, and thought those who pay dues were entitled to weigh in on the choice. Major concerns include a feeling that the base of the sport has been neglected, while the elite end gets the attention. A member of the executive team who had been in place for years was not the change for which they were looking.
On the other hand, “An outsider would spend the first year learning what Sonja already knows,” is a viewpoint from attorney Bonnie Navin, who has spent time representing her clients on the other side of the table from Keating. And a plus, as Navin noted about Keating, is that “she listens.”
Added Navin, “Do not assume that because Sonja has been inside USEF for 20 years, she believes everything USEF has done for 20 years was correct.”
Navin’s advice to USEF members about Keating: “Give her a chance.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 11, 2026
Parker Peacock led all the way through the Valencia Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Finals at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Sunday, winning the title after more than nine hours of a competition that drew 155 entries.
Trained by Ken and Emily Smith and their team at Ashland Farms, she earned a score of 98 in the first round and never let go. Her 96 in the second round for the top 25 in Harrisburg gave her a 97 going into the final test for the top six, where she scored a 96. The North Carolinian ended with a total average of 96.5.
The runner-up in the 2025 edition of the class, Parker was fifth last weekend in the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East. A consistent performer who attends Auburn University, Parker first and foremost gave credit to her mount, Montverdi, who was named the Best Horse in the class.
“He was outstanding today and I am so glad I got to be his partner,” she said.
Parker Peacock and Montverdi. (U.S. Equestrian Photo)
“He deserves all the attention. He wants to win just as much as I do. Every time he goes out, he gives me 100 percent. There’s a reason he’s the barn favorite, and I couldn’t be more grateful for him.”
Discussing her strategy, she mentioned, “The part I was probably most proud of was the consistency. I came back on top going into the second round, and that was a lot of pressure for me. I knew I just needed to go in and have a consistent round and stay consistent through the test. That was my goal throughout the three rounds today.”
Reserve champion was Kaitlyn Linck on Don Touch de Tiji Z. She is trained by Stacia Madden and the team at Beacon Hill. It was a close competition: Kaitlyn’s final total was 96, just a half-point behind Parker.
“I am really proud of myself and my horse for staying consistent and not letting the pressure get to us,” she said. “It’s really special to ride a horse I’ve brought along and spend so much time with.”
The courses were designed by Kevin Holowack with judges Geoff Teall and Jennifer Bauersachs, who used the open numerical scoring system.
“We all worked together for a long time to develop these courses,” said Geoff.
“I think we built for the top level of this sport which is a little more than I’ve done in the past, but with the influx of 3’3” competitions, I felt I could challenge the athletes more. The course was difficult, but we saw some phenomenal rounds.”
The finalists had to do an exacting test that included a change to counter-canter after cantering the first and second fences, a halt before another canter and then a hand gallop to the last fence, among other requirements.
On Saturday at the show, a former Medal Finals winner, JJ Torano, took home the Turnham Green/USEF National Junior Jumper Championship. Aboard Vitus K, the 16-year-old was clear in all three phases. He also contributed to Zone 4’s win in the team competition, a week after he won the Talent Search.
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by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 22, 2026
Do you have tack or horse-related items you no longer want? There is an opportunity in Hunterdon County, N.J., this autumn to motivate tidying your tackroom or closet by making donations of everything from saddles to equestrian collectables and riding clothes. Proceeds benefit an organization that offers therapy opportunities with horses.
Mane Stream, a leading provider of adaptive riding and therapy services, will hold its tack sale at 83 Old Turnpike Rd., Oldwick. It runs from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 21.
Donations of new or gently used tack, riding gear, and equestrian-themed items are welcome. That includes not only bridles, saddles, blankets, tack boxes and outgrown boots and breeches, but also unique items such as equestrian jewelry, horse models or knick-knacks.
Proceeds benefit Mane Stream’s programs, including adaptive riding, therapy services that include counseling, summer camp, and also specialized initiatives, such as “Horses for Healing: Cancer and Parkinson’s Disease.”
Support for Mane Stream helps provide transformative experiences for children and adults with physical, developmental, emotional, and medical challenges.
Drop donated items at Mane Stream during office hours Mondays through Fridays. Pick-up of large donations is available upon request.
For questions or to coordinate a donation, contact Rachel Doyle at rachel@manstreamnj.org or call 908-439-9636. Visit www.ManeStreamNJ.org to learn more.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 10, 2026
Will Coleman, who had to settle for second in the 2025 debut of the U.S. Equestrian Federation Open Eventing Final, moved up on Saturday from seventh after the dressage phase to first on Off the Record, as he seeks to gain the title that eluded him last year.
He finished the 26-fence cross-country course fault-free and will defend his lead Sunday in the show jumping finale, the segment where a rail down cost him the victory 12 months ago at Morven Park.
Will Coleman heads the leaderboard with Off the Record at the USEF Open of Eventing. (USEF Photo)
Will has only a 0.3-penalty lead over second-place Isabelle Bosley and Conner. Both riders finished the 4-star Long cross-country on their dressage scores, 28.6 and 28.9 respectively.
The leader after dressage at the Virginia venue, Californian Tamie Smith on Danito, had a runout at the challengingly angled fourth element of fence 9, the leaf pit, and retired at fence 22. Sharon White on Claus 63, second after dressage, collected 4.8 time penalties to sit third on a score of 30.8. Last year’s winner, Boyd Martin, who rode Miks Master C in 2025, stands nineteenth this time around with Luke 140 (71.1) after a runout at the same obstacle on the course as Tamie.
Will called Timmy, as his 17-year-old Irish Sport Horse is known around the barn, “A really awesome horse, he’s like a member of our family at this point. You can’t sometimes measure a horse by how well they move or how well they jump. Sometimes, it’s something deeper, and he has a lot of that.”
Will Coleman and Off the Record
The rider felt his mount “knew the track.”
When the combination started out on the course designed by Derek DiGazia, Will said, “I felt pretty comfortable once I got out there. We know each other so well. It’s pretty similar to last year, he was reading the questions well.”
His longtime equine partner is “not the best galloper,” but Timmy is fit thanks in great part to his veterinarian, Tim Ober, and the team at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center.
“We’re in a good spot with him conditioning-wise,” Will said.
He gave major credit ot his wife, Katie, saying she “is kind of the foundation of everything we do. My wife is an amazing horsewoman.” He also offered kudos to Erin Jarboe, his head groom, and others on his team.
“My success, as much as anything, is about their expertise,” he emphasized.
Will was fourth individually at last summer’s world championships, where he rode Diabolo on the fourth-place U.S. team. Off the Record was the reserve horse for that competition.
Click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 4, 2026
A new era in the 43-year history of the Platinum Performance/U.S. Equestrian Federation Show Jumping Talent Search Finals began this weekend.
The “Final Four,” in which the top quartet of competitors would jump a course on their own mounts and then with each of the other riders’ horses, has been scrapped. That development followed the lead of the World Show Jumping Championships, which originated the concept, then considered it outmoded after the 2014 World Equestrian Games.
Instead, the top 10 riders from the Talent Search East field of 33 — winnowed out over two days by flat work, gymnastics and a show jumping round –came back on their own horses for a final test over a new route. That segment was ridden and judged similarly to a jump-off, with a time allowed and points for rollbacks, leaving out strides and similar strategies.
It enabled the judges/course designers, Olympic medalist Chris Kappler and rider/trainer Michael Tokaruk, to place the riders with the goal of the class in mind, as a step toward preparing team prospects who can someday represent the U.S. in international competition.
If there had been betting on the class at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation headquarters in Gladstone, N.J., the odds-on favorite would have been JJ Torano. And the 16-year-old superstar didn’t disappoint.
JJ Torano with his parents, Jimmy and Danielle Torano, Missy Clark, John Brennan, Maggie Gamfer, Eleanor Rudnicki and judges Michael Tokaruk and Chris Kappler.
Although going into the final round he enjoyed a big lead, which was compared to having a fence in hand, JJ didn’t have the top score in each round on Oak Grove’s Carlyle.
Adriana Forte of New York on Commander Bond earned the winning mark of 95 in the first two phases, while JJ was one point behind in both the flat and gymnastics segments. That put Adriana 2.5 points ahead of him going into Sunday morning’s jumping. But after that segment, JJ soared with the top mark of 94, while Adriana had a rail down to earn 85.5. He went into the final segment with a total score of 423 after a multiplier was applied, while she had 408.5.
Talent Search runner-up Adriana Forte at the water.
Team members need to exercise judgment and restraint when they’re competing to represent their country. JJ demonstrated those qualities by not going all out in the final phase. There was no need to.
“I didn’t totally want to take all chances,” explained JJ, a Florida resident who competed in the Young Riders classes at Aachen during the summer. So he went easy on the speed and rollbacks with his mount, a former 5-star jumper. He wound up on a score of 87 for that phase, which was won by Parker Peacock with 94. But his total for the competition was 597, to Adriana’s 584.5. Third went to Baylee Rowan of Rhode Island, with 580.75. She also won the Hollow Brook Wealth Management Sportsmanship Award, and her mount, Watermelon, took the Grappa award as the Best Horse of the final.
Baylee Rowan and Grappa Award winner Watermelon.
It was JJ’s third time competing in the Talent Search.
“The first year, to be honest, I felt a little bit like a fish out of water here,” he recalled.
“I was a little bit overwhelmed,” noted JJ, who finished fourth that time.
Having already won a series of championships, including the USEF Medal and ASPCA Maclay, there’s little left for him to do on the equitation roster. All that’s left is the Washington International class this month. Then, he said, it will be time for him to focus entirely on the jumpers.
But the Talent Search (which is far more jumper-oriented than focused on equitation) is a major milestone.
“It’s definitely a good feeling knowing that people like McLain (Ward), who have represented the U.S. on the biggest stage, have won this final. So I hope to make it there one day,” he said.
JJ Torano in action.
JJ, the son of rider/trainers Jimmy and Danielle Torano, had lots of support. He is trained by the team from North Run, which includes Missy Clark; her husband, John Brennan and Maggie Gampfer.
“What he’s accomplished at his age is, I’d say, fairly unparalleled,” said Missy. In addition, she cited, “The fact that he’s able to play ball and beat the big boys when he goes in the jumper ring.”
Missy, who also co-trained last year’s winner, Eleanor Rudnicki, appreciates the changed Talent Search format.
“We’re in a new world, 2026. It’s a new era. Horses are very very valuable,” she said, citing one reason why a catch riding competition is no longer viable.
“I think the format was very good, especially for this event. It’s about jumper riding, it’s not hunter seat equitation. That mindset is not applicable to this. The new format will accentuate that even a little more. Some people could have rolled their dice a little more heavily, some played it a little safe because they were thinking equitation,” she noted, critiquing the final phase.
Judge Michael noted, “A nice part of this weekend was you could see some good progression, even if there’s still some mistakes. I think overall the riders and horses are better now than they were before they started.”
One fan of the new format is Peter Wylde, who coached eighth-place Eleanor Pieters (Eleanor’s grandfather, Joe Dotoli, had been Peter’s trainer).
Peter actually rode in the Final Four at the 2002 WEG, where he earned individual bronze, but doesn’t see the Final Four concept as “applicable.”
What’s important, he explained, is “The work that you do with your horse.”
He called all the riders in the top 10 “amazing. You can see these kids representing the U.S. in the future. These are good riders. We should be proud as a country that we have this talent that can ride as sophisticated as is asked for them to ride.”
And there’s more! The West Coast segment of the Talent Search will be held in California this December with the same judges.
Click on this link for results
