Charlotte Dujardin has introduced her baby, Isabella, to another love of her life, her multi-gold medal dressage mount, Valegro. How long before we see Isabella coming down centerline?
Charlotte with Isabella and Valegro. (Photo by Jess Photography)
As Charlotte observed, “All I can say Isabella, is that this horse changed my life, as you now have, and I have so much love for you both and these precious times.”
Are you happy with the conditions for horse-keeping in your state? Or are you thinking of relocating to a more horse-friendly environment?
It’s a tough decision, but a company called Lawn Love has made it a bit easier by ranking the Best States for Horse Lovers. They compared all 50 states based on 27 metrics, such as equestrian programs, riding trails, horse shows and museums.(Not sure why museums would be a vital factor, but maybe some of the horse lovers referenced in the title of the study take the cultural aspect of their equestrian fixation seriously.)
Also considered were the availability of horses for sale, boarding facilities, veterinarians, trainers and affordability.
In case you’re wondering why Lawn Love cares about the Best States for Horse Lovers, it’s because grass is an essential component of equine diets, and pastures need horse-friendly grass types for safe foraging. Makes sense, right?
The rankings were put together to mark National Horse Protection Day earlier this month. Number one is California, ranked first for equestrian activities and equine care. Its overall score is 77.46, which puts it 13.71 points ahead of Texas, number two but with a number one ranking for equestrian education. Number three Florida has a score of 53.51, followed by Kentucky (39.92–number one in equine access) and New York (38.66),
New Jersey is 18th with a score of 23.56. Oddly, it was third-best in terms of affordability, which experience told me didn’t seem right, so I contacted the Lawn Love people about that. John Schmidt explained that New Jersey has the third-highest cost in the country, tied with California, but the metric was adjusted by income.
“We took the average salary of each state, as well as the average care cost, and figured what the average percentage of one’s salary would be used for equine care,” John said.
In relation to the average income, it has the third-lowest percentage, so it’s ranked third for that metric. I’m sure from most horse owners’ point of view in New Jersey, it may not feel like that.
It is 24th in equine housing and care, 15th in equine access and 12th in equestrian education.
The worst states? Delaware is at the bottom of the list, with Mississippi second worst, then West Virginia, Alaska and Hawaii. Why were they the worst? An overall lack of equestrian attractions and equine resources.
To look at the rankings of every state, click on this link.
The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping dream is still alive for McLain Ward, after winning the second leg at the Dutch Masters with HH Azur today.
McLain Ward and HH Azur on their victory lap at the Dutch Masters. (Photo Rolex Grand Slam/Thomas Lovelock)
There were 16 riders in the jump-off from a starting field of 35 over Louis Konickx’s course in the Brabanthallen, including world champion Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden on King Edward. But none could cover the ground faster than McLain, winner of the first leg in Geneva last September, on the mare who carried him to the FEI World Cup title six years ago in Omaha.
Henrik set quite a pace in 38.52 seconds, but was overtaken by Frenchman Julien Epaillard on Donatello d’Aug, who was 0.46 seconds faster. McLain was better in 37.86 seconds to remain “alive” in the race for the Grand Slam title.
Discussing his victory in the 1 million Euro class, McLain conceded “it was lot of stress, having to watch the remaining 12 riders in the jump-off. The level here so high, and I think later tonight I will realize what we have achieved. The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has truly raised the bar of the sport and winning a Major is one of the greatest moments in a rider’s career. I am so proud of my team and my horse –- and a little proud of myself.”
He added about the 17-year-old mare, “She is smarter than everybody else and is truly a queen. I think she understands what is happening and really rises to the moment. She loves her job and the partnership that we have created is truly so special. We will now aim her for CHIO Aachen to try and win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.”
McLain emphasized, “It’s a great goal to aspire to.The challenge of the game is what gets you out of bed every day and it drives you, and at this point in my career, i realize that’s the most important part of it.”
Beloved veterinarian Dr. Meg Mullin, “dedicated her life to what she did and had fun doing it.”
That comment, from Will Connell, former U.S. Equestrian Federation director of sport, sums up the essence of Dr. Mullin, who died Thursday after weeks in a coma following a riding accident.
A sports medicine clinician at the B.W. Furlong and Associates veterinary practice, Dr. Mullin was the U.S. team veterinarian in several disciplines. Much admired for both her professional expertise and upbeat personality, she had an abundance of friends who mourn her loss.
Dr. Meg Mullin was an enthusiastic polo player. (Photo courtesy B.W. Furlong Associates)
“She meant everything to us,” said Dr. Brendan Furlong, who had worked with her since 1997.
“Meg was a force to be reckoned with. Her love of life and her dedication to the practice and to her colleagues and to the horses was phenomenal. She leaves a huge hole, certainly in our lives and practice, and also in the horse industry.”
Dr. Mullin, known to her friends as “Muggy,” had experience with all types of horses, but her favorite equestrian pastime became playing polo. She enjoyed it at the Cypress Polo Club in Lake Worth, Fla., during the winter, and during the summer at Tinicum Polo Club in Pennsylvania, near her home in Clinton, N.J.
Carolyn McKay, the Cypress club manager, was watching as Dr. Mullin mounted Antojito last month and began walking the horse at the beginning of a casual ride. Suddenly, the mare reared up, then fell to the ground dead, hitting her rider in the face with her head.
McKay rushed to the unconscious Dr. Mullin’s side after calling 911, holding her hand and talking to her until the ambulance arrived.
“I had the feeling Meg never knew any pain or discomfort; she was just riding until she wasn’t,” McKay said.
Shortly before her accident, Dr. Mullin was interested in buying another horse to add to her string, which also included Leona and Contessa. But ironically–considering what would happen a few weeks later–when the animal was vetted and determined to have a heart murmur, she decided not to buy it, McKay related.
Recalling the delight with which Dr. Mullin would enjoy getting out on her horses and letting her rough-coated Jack Russell, Scooby, run around at the club, McKay said, “She had it all here when she came out to ride. She just enjoyed every minute of being with the animals and being outside. She was smiling from ear to ear until she was done.”
Dr. Meg Mullin. (Photo courtesy B.W. Furlong and Associates)
Her charisma was felt by the club members as well, said McKay, noting she “gave encouragement and smiles to everyone, both on and off the field. She just made it fun.”
Dr. Mullin was known for her work with the USA’s youth show jumping teams, driving horses, occasionally event horses and most particularly, the para-dressage team horses.
“She was very much part of the team behind the para-dressage team that helped it go from out in the wilderness in Rio (Paralympics 2016) to the podium in Tokyo (2021). That’s without doubt part of her legacy,” said Connell.
“She was completely dedicated to her job,” he continued.
“She got on with people and was the right person for the para-dressage environment.”
Lizzy Chesson, the USEF’s manager of show jumping, called Dr. Mullin’s passing, “a huge, huge loss for us, the team and the industry.”
Dr. Mullin’s private clients also were tremendously fond of the veterinarian.
“All of us at Ashmeadow Farm are devastated about the loss of our dear friend, Meg,” said top hunter rider Amanda Steege.
“She was kind, smart, hard-working, upbeat and always put the needs of the horses first. She made me strive to be a better horsewoman. I will miss her dearly.”
A native of Philadelphia, Dr. Mullin fulfilled a long-held ambition when she was able to attend the Super Bowl and root for the Philadelphia Eagles this winter.
She attended Chestnut Hill College and the University of Virginia for her undergraduate studies, then received her veterinary medicine degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
“She was always a horseman,” said her sister, Jennifer Kovacich, who wrote,”The night sky has one more star as Meg makes her way to heaven. Please carry forward a bit of her sparkle with you to share in abundance.”
In addition to Jennifer, Dr. Mullin also is survived by her brother, Raymond (Miriam Pugh); her sister, Kumari (Kumara Frank), and her nephews, Mitch and Nicholas Kovacich.
Arrangements will be made in the future for a celebration of Dr. Mullin’s life. Those who want to donate in her memory may go to a GoFundMe page put up by Pam Wildman for Dr. Mullin, which will expand into funding for equestrian sport safety.
What’s the future of the horse industry in New Jersey?
Whether you’re a breeder, involved in racing or showing, or have pleasure horses, we all have our concerns, as development continues making inroads into the state’s remaining open land, while costs of feed, hay and everything else connected with our horses continue to rise.
The Rutgers Equine Science Center will address the situation at the New Jersey Equine Industry Summit on March 16, with the University of Kentucky’s Jill Stowe, offering the keynote presentation on the “Economic Analysis Of Equine Operations: Reducing Costs For Horse and Horse Farm Owners.”
The Summit is open to equine leaders, professionals, veterinarians, educators, owners, and enthusiasts throughout the tri-state area. Hosted by Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, the event will be held at the Cook Student Center, New Brunswick. There is no charge, but you must register here.
Breakout sessions will focus on horse health, the future of racing, land use policy, environmental stewardship, the integrity of equestrian sport and industry sustainability by engaging youth in equine activities and leadership roles. A just-completed needs assessment survey of industry participants will be a special feature of the program.
“This is only the second time in 20 years that the Equine Science Center has organized such a high-level conference focusing on the horse industry’s future,” said Rutgers Professor Karyn Malinowski, founding director of the Equine Science Center.
“Our first Summit, held in March 2003, examined the challenges and opportunities facing the horse industry, resulting in many innovations and new programs for the field.
“Needless to say, the landscape has changed in the past 20 years and there are new opportunities – and challenges – for the industry,” she added. “The Center is here to help the industry create a roadmap for years to come.”
The formal program begins at 10 a.m. preceded by coffee service at the student center. Lunch will be served before the breakout sessions in the afternoon, with a wrap-up session prior to the conference’s conclusion at 3 p.m. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required at this link.
There are more horses per square mile in New Jersey than in any other state. An economic impact study of the industry showed that there were 7,100 facilities housing 42,500 horses and employing 13,000 people.
“It’s no wonder that over 40 years ago, the New Jersey legislature designated the horse as the state animal,” Malinowski said. “The equine business is an important economic engine for the state.”
Rutgers established the Equine Science Center in 2001, appointing Malinowski as the director, a position she continues to hold. The Center, a unit of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is dedicated to better horse care through research and education to advance the well-being and performance of horses and the equine industry.
Why not participate? It’s free. For questions, please contact Kyle Hartmann at kylehart@njaes.rutgers.edu.
An effort by Michael Barisone’s attorneys to have Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor removed from hearing their client’s case did not succeed today, as the judge denied their motion for recusal.
Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor in Morristown. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Barisone has been held in New Jersey state psychiatric facilities since last spring, when the dressage trainer was found not guilty of attempted murder by reason of insanity in the August 2019 shooting of Lauren Kanarek. She is an amateur rider who was a tenant on his Long Valley, N.J., farm. The trial drew international attention and the incident involved was featured on CBS’ 48 Hours television show.
Barisone had been trying to move Kanarek and her boyfriend, Rob Goodwin, off his property as his relationship with the couple deteriorated. He became increasingly distraught over the situation. It culminated in a confrontation between Barisone and his tenants that ended in gunfire, with Kanarek suffering chest wounds. She was rushed to Morristown Medical Center, where she underwent emergency lung surgery and was treated in the Intensive Care Unit.
Lauren Kanarek on the stand during Michael Barisone’s trial last year. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Barisone said he did not remember anything about the shooting incident and appeared in court for his March 2022 trial looking disheveled; unshaven, with hair uncut and wearing a wrinkled shirt. He periodically would wipe tears from his eyes and put his head on the table in front of him.
He looked completely different — alert, clean-shaven with trimmed hair and neatly dressed — when he appeared before Taylor in September 2022 for his Krol hearing. That is a proceeding which makes a special finding as to whether a defendant’s “insanity continues” and if so, rules on continuing confinement. The court must grapple with a determination of “dangerousness” as a prediction of future conduct.
At issue this morning were remarks by Taylor about the change in Barisone’s appearance from his trial to his last Krol hearing. Attorney Chris Deininger, who appeared for Barisone with attorney Edward Bilinkas, contended those comments reflected what Kanarek had written in a letter to the court. Deininger maintained that document “contained inflammatory falsehoods.”
Michael Barisone during his 2022 trial. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
He believes it “puts a taint on the proceedings,” explaining, “a letter like that cannot be unread.”
Deininger told Taylor, “Even a conscientious jurist like yourself, your honor, can’t eliminate from the consciousness what that letter presented.”
Taylor responded, “I have no idea what was said in that letter…the court did not reference that letter at all in my decision on the Krol hearing.”
The defense is appealing the outcome of that September hearing.
The judge suggested the attorney had “jumped to the conclusion” that “because there is one line in there (the letter) that is somewhat similar to the court decision, the court must have been influenced.”
The judge asked how it tainted the proceedings.
Deininger said “the taint in my view is the public’s perception and it arises from the Krol hearing,” pointing out the judge had noted at that time Barisone “could have had his hair cut, he could have shaved for trial.”
Michael Barisone and attorney Chris Deininger at the 2022 Krol hearing. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Taylor noted there had been testimony in court that Barisone looked different than he had at the jail prior to the trial, and also when he appeared in court for his Krol hearing.
The judge mentioned psychiatrist Dr. Steven Simring, who testified during the trial, said Barisone was dealing with delusional disorder and persistent depressive disorder.
At the September Krol hearing, the judge ordered Barisone held at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in Parsippany. Barisone was scheduled to appear today for another Krol hearing on his status, but it did not happen, as the court addressed the recusal issue and a defense request to bar press and the public from the next Krol hearing.
It is scheduled for April 25, when testimony on Barisone’s condition will be given by Greystone medical staff and there will be discussion about whether Barisone should be moved up a level on his Greystone status, so he could take short trips outside the hospital.
The judge mentioned the purpose of the Krol hearing is “everything about the demeanor, his mental state, statements made, when they were made; at trial, at the Krol hearing, in the hospital–all that’s relevant to his mental state.”
Deininger brought up a remark by Taylor during the Krol hearing, when the judge said, ” I don’t know if there was malingering during the jury trial.”
The attorney told the judge, “I think that could give the public a reason to question the integrity of the verdict. I’m concerned about that. I’m talking about public perception, not what’s happening in your mind.”
“I didn’t draw any conclusions,” the judge remarked.
“I said, `who knows?'”
The judge said Simring did comment that the issue was, “did the actions of the defendant and his appearance result from the mental illness or from something else?” Taylor asked whether the change in appearance was “the result of improvement in Mr. Barisone’s mental state or is it something else?”
Taylor wondered whether Barisone’s appearance during the trial was “a mannerism simply unconnected to the underlying mental illness that resulted in the acquittal. Dr. Simring seems to suggest that it did not relate to the delusional disorder but to the other diagnosis of depression.”
Deininger asked to have the next Krol hearing closed to media and the public, saying that although much about Barisone’s mental health was revealed during the trial, the Krol hearing represents a new phase and should not violate patient privacy provisions.
The judge believed so much about Barisone already has been aired through live streaming and the media that “I feel the horse has already left the barn.” Citing the fact that it is “a very unique case” in regard to the extent of the international attention it has received, he believes the courtroom should be open for future hearings.
“To close it would lead to a great deal of suspicion,” he said, in denying the motion.
Even a year after the trial, social media is still buzzing about the Barisone matter, with people dissecting the case ad infinitum. During the trial, the people posting were endlessly critiquing the judge, the witnesses and each other, and they continue to do so.
They have fresh fodder because there is an ongoing civil suit by Kanarek and a countersuit by Barisone that likely won’t come to trial for some time, since New Jersey courts are backed up with cases.
Legends of show jumping gather once a year to reminisce and induct new members into their ranks. This year, two course designers were added to the Hall during a dinner in Wellington. What they had to say was really interesting–remember, this is our heritage and the foundation on which today’s sport is built.
Click on this link to read the story.
Captain Canada has a new role, serving as chef d’equipe of his country’s show jumping team. He’s off to a great start, winning the $150,000 4-star Nations Cup at the Winter Equestrian Festival last weekend with a team eager to take the trophy for him.
I spent some time with him getting insights about the job and how he’ll handle it. Want to know more? Click on this link.
Irish rider Daniel Coyle, who is leading the North American League for the FEI World Cup Finals, is ready for a serious shot at the global indoor jumping championship in Omaha next month.
He demonstrated his prowess on Sunday in the Winter Equestrian Festival’s $226,000 CSIO 4-star grand prix presented by JTWG Inc.
Daniel Coyle and Ivory TCS in the jump-off. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Only four riders from a field of 43 managed to make it to the jump-off over a course set by Anthony D’Ambrosio, and just two of those—Daniel on Ivory TCS and the USA’s Lacey Gilbertson with Karlin Van ‘T Vennehof—were fault-free in the tiebreaker, which had no related distances. Daniel’s time of 38.06 seconds could not be beaten by Lacey, who gave it a good try in 39.30.
The Canadian-based rider has long had his eye on the big prize, the World Cup. He qualified as the North American leader in 2020 for the final, which was supposed to be held in Las Vegas, but it was cancelled by Covid. So he’s really looking forward to this year’s renewal.
“I have great depth in the string (of horses) and I think for the World Cup Finals, we need that. We set out this year as a plan to go there and do well,” he said.
Daniel Coyle takes a victory lap (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Legacy, who won a qualifier, will be his number one horse for the Cup. Ivory, who he owns in partnership with Canadian Ariel Grange, might be number two (he’s allowed to take two mounts) but he suggested the stallion Gisbourne VDL also may be a candidate to help take the pressure off Legacy.
While the European Championships this summer will offer another chance to excel on the global stage, Daniel notes the World Cup is a unique opportunity at the highest level.
“It’s a different strategy, because all of those other major championships, you need to be on a team. Whereas at World Cup Finals, you don’t, it’s more a personal thing, you can do your own plan and it’s not part of a team.
“You never want to upset what is happening with a team but at a World Cup Finals, it’s all down to you and you alone,” explained Daniel.
He has had to work at being independent, noting “I think my best strength is being as strong as I can for me, and that usually is the best for the team. It took me a few years to figure that out. Trying not to do something wrong sometimes doesn’t help. Try and be the best person you can be for yourself, and everybody else–hopefully they can have the same idea.”
Ivory, known for her speed, was purchased by Daniel in partnership with Ariel at the VDL auction.
“I’m not wealthy enough to keep these horses, so I bought her to sell,” said Daniel, but fate intervened.
“A few people actually have tried her already and didn’t buy her, and I’m delighted they did not,” noted the mare’s rider moments after his victory gallop.
