by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 25, 2022
With Donatella M, the warm-up is the hardest part of competing.
“She’s completely terrified of the other horses,” said her owner/rider, Alice Tarjan, who is competing at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival.
“It’s been a problem her whole life. She’s really honest about it. but you’ll go down and try to do a line of changes and if there’s another horse even coming across, she just shuts down. There’s nothing you can do, except stop and try to get out of the way. it makes the warm-up a little worrisome.”
Alice Tarjan is an expert at keeping her cool in the warmup, no matter what happens. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
But there’s a plus side to the equation, as we saw today when Donatella was marked at an impressive 74.347 percent for the FEI grand prix performance on the national side of this week’s show in Wellington, Fla. The score was by far the highest in the class, but because Alice rode as an amateur, she was marked only against one other amateur rider for her blue ribbon.
With Donatella, “The good thing is, if she’s so terrified in the warm-up, by the time you get in the ring, she’s really happy,” since she’s alone at that point, explained Alice, who is based in Oldwick, N.J., but spends four months in Loxahatchee, Fla., every year.
“If you put her in the stadium, she’s relaxed in there compared to the warm-up. I’ve learned if I can’t get my changes in the warm-up not to panic, because she’ll do it in the ring. They all have their own thing. When she goes in the ring, she does her job.”
Alice bought the 11-year-old Oldenburg as a 4-year-old. The mare, who is by Furstenball out of a Jazz Time mare, had a foal a few years ago, but now has settled into a performance career. Trainer Marcus Orlob of Annandale, N.J., was on hand to offer comments during the warm-up, where I was impressed at the way Alice handled Donatella’s little quirks, not looking the least bit flustered.
That’s Alice, who doesn’t let a horse’s mood faze her.
Donatella behaves once competition is under way. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“Whatever it is, you’ve got to ride it. Emotion plays no part in this sport. It’s just wasted energy,” Alice believes.
“It doesn’t change the situation. Whatever the situation is ,you’ve got to deal with it so you might as well think rationally and keep your head on your shoulders.”
Lars Petersen, a Danish Olympian (now an American citizen) who also has had a hand in training Alice, admires the way she handles her horses, no matter how challenging.
“She’s on them if they’re wild or not wild, she’s not a wimp,” he said.
“She’s amazing. She makes her own horses; she rides them from young horses and trains them up to Grand Prix.”
Alice calls Donatella, “A work in progress.” She wanted to compete her in international classes this week, but the mare developed hives (“it’s a Florida thing, they all get hives at some point”) and couldn’t give her the requisite medication for the skin problem if she went in the 3-star CDI. So she will wait until next week and enter her in World Cup classes.
Donatella is a star when it’s time to perform. ( Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
She’s not planning on trying for the World Cup finals this year; it’s too late in the season to think of it. But she’s interested in the prospect next year, when the finals will be in Omaha.
Alice isn’t one to plan too far ahead, though. She just enjoys being in the moment and having the opportunity to spend time in Florida during the winter.l
“It’s beautiful weather and you get to ride horses and that’s what I love to do,” she said.
“So life is good.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 24, 2022
Dressage returned to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in a big way last night, with a sold-out VIP section that was treated to a brilliant performance by U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Adrienne Lyle and the stunning stallion Salvino.
Adrienne Lyle and Salvino. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Their mark of 76.500 percent in the qualifier for Friday night’s Grand Prix Special at the 5-star-rated show was the highest score of the evening, which also featured a qualifier for the Grand Prix Freestyle.
Adrienne had ridden previously in the International Arena (which usually hosts the Winter Equestrian Festival’s jumpers) when the Olympic selection observation trial was held there last spring. But there were few fans on hand for that competition because Covid restrictions were in place then.
“It’s so wonderful to be in this venue. It’s really fun to be back, with more spectators this time. We’re really thankful for this opportunity,” said Adrienne.
Her enthusiasm was matched by that of Germany’s Frederic Wandres, who topped a field of 13 in the qualifier for the freestyle with Bluetooth Old on a score of 74.631 percent.
“The stadium is fantastic. It was almost a full crowd and the Americans are always creating a super atmosphere. We love to be here,” he said.
The dressage ring was set on the VIP side of the arena, behind an incongruous backdrop of jumps. What was this, some newfangled combined training test?
Then I learned the dressage ring couldn’t be located in the middle of the arena because it would have meant moving the gazebo that is a permanent fixture. And the jumps remained because a jumper class was starting at 8 this morning, and the jump crew would have had to get up really early to set the course if the arena had been cleared entirely.
Dressage shows used to be held at PBIEC before the Equestrian Village, home of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, opened down the street. But Thomas Baur, AGDF director, said his requests to stage dressage again at PBIEC were turned down when Mark Bellissimo was running the property. It was sold last year to a group led by Andreas Helgstrand, a dressage horse dealer, and the new owner understandably was eager to host some dressage.
There obviously is an appetite for dressage at PBIEC, judging by the enthusiasm of the audience, who eagerly took part in a spectator scoring opportunity through an app or their phones.They enjoyed a lot of emotion. It was heartwarming to see the joy expressed by 24-year-old Juan Matute Guimon after his fifth-place finish on Quantico. Juan hovered between life and death in 2020 after suffering a stroke, but came back stronger than ever and delighted in his participation.
Juan Matute Guimon and Quantico. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
The crowd gave Adrienne a lot of love, well-deserved by the rider and her horse, a son of Sandro Hit out of a Donnerhall mare.
“I thought it was one of the best tests she’s ever had,” said Debbie McDonald, Adrienne’s trainer and mentor.
Adrienne withdrew Salvino from the freestyle after the team won its medal in Tokyo, feeling the horse was tired and not wanting to press him.
“That was Adrienne looking out for her horse. It was exciting to see the horse come out fresh and excited to be back in the ring,” Debbie said.
“I think the same as Adrienne–When you’ve got a happy horse who loves his job, I think you’re doing something right,” she observed.
Salvino really stepped out and up for Adrienne Lyle. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Debbie noted Adrienne, like most riders who went to the Olympics, gave her horse a lot of time off afterward. He spent much of it enjoying the pasture in Colorado.
“He loves it. They did a ton of trail riding,” Debbie reported.
“She’s been back riding him not even that long. But I have so much faith in her and the fact she has so much faith in the horse, she can go in and she feels she can ride a test right out of the pasture.”
As Adrienne remarked, “He’s certainly fit. He’s ready to do it all again.”
There were five in the GPS qualifier. Ashley Holzer was a distant second with a good effort on Valentine, marked at 70.696 percent.
Adrienne decided to aim toward the Special, rather than the freestyle, since “We focused so much on the Special last year because that was what counted for the team event (at the Olympics). I just feel like I’m more fresh on that one. We haven’t done the freestyle since World Cup, I believe. We’ll get that one in, but it was easier to step into the Special the first time.”
Speaking of the World Cup, the finals are in Omaha next year, and Adrienne has that as a goal after this summer’s world championships in Denmark, but she won’t predict whether Salvino will be her candidate for the 2024 Paris Olympics. She does have an ever-increasing string of horses, a testament to her talent and affinity for the animals.
Last night’s class was sponsored by Havensafe LLC and Betsy Juliano, who just happens to be Salvino’s owner.
Frederic was delighted with his test, a mistake-free personal best on his son of Bordeaux, and at a 5-star, yet.
The jumps in the arena didn’t faze Bluetooth Old. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“He gave me a super feeling. that is really what I’m looking for. We have been building him up at the season here. Now delivering that score is what I’m looking for daily. That makes our whole team completely happy.”
Second to Frederic was 22-year-old Ben Ebeling, on Illuster van de Kampert with a score of 72.478 percent.
Ben was overjoyed with his ride, alternating between jubilation and not being able to believe how well he and his horse had done.
Ben Ebeling had to hold onto his hat after hearing his score of 72.478 percent in the Grand Prix Special qualifier. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
I wondered how it felt to be riding dressage with the jumps all around, and asked Frederic about it.
He replied, “The jumps didn’t really bother me. When we are at home in Germany, we are on a big farm and there is also jumping going on. I think Bluetooth is used to these things. Maybe for some horses it can be difficult, but maybe I was lucky and Bluetooth was not getting irritated of these things.”
Friday night Special will be the last class in Florida for Bluetooth, as Frederic prepares to head home and get ready for selection of the team that will compete in the world championships.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 26, 2022
An outbreak of EHV-1 has led to cancellation of four hunter/jumper shows and one dressage show at the Desert International Horse Park in California.
Steve Hankin, the venue’s CEO, said it is disappointing to cancel the rest of the season but “for now, our focus has to be on the care and safety of the horses here under isolation and quarantine and for those horses needing a home during this infection.
“The horse park will remain open for all of these horses, especially those unable to find an appropriate place for further quarantine or where transport creates additional risk, until we are through this infection. We will take every precaution to continue to protect the horses here until we close for the season. We’ll be back in the fall for the 2022/2023 season and look forward to welcoming everyone back.”
Last week, another horse has been euthanized in the wave of EHV-1 cases that led to requirements for handling horses to avoid contagion. He was the third to be put down in connection with the outbreak.
The horse was a 20-year-old warmblood gelding in Los Angeles County, where he had attended a show last week He displayed neurological signs Feb. 22 was confirmed positive for Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) secondary to equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1 non-neuropathogenic strain) Feb. 24. The horse was euthanized due to severity of clinical signs, according to the Equine Disease Communicatoin Center.
Three horses that had attended an event in Riverside County, Calif., and then returned home ran a fever with no neurologic signs but were confirmed positive for EHV-1. The horses in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Mateo counties have been isolated and will be quarantined at home, along with any exposed companions. Three additional horses on the index event premise, outside of the index quarantine barn, displaying fever only with no neurologic signs were confirmed positive for EHV-1
Meanwhile on the east coast, Equestrian Sport Productions that runs the Adequan Global Dressage Festival and Winter Equestrian Festival on Feb. 23 instituted strict new protocols for anyone shipping horses into the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and any new back numbers processed will be required to sign a declaration stating that the horses entering the facility are healthy and have not been in a California competition after Jan. 28.
An outbreak of EHV-1 in Europe last year led to a massive cancellation of shows.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 18, 2022
“She is back with us,” trainer Emil Spadone said today about show jumper Cassandra Kahle, who was in a coma after suffering a traumatic brain injury in a fall from her horse at a show last month.
Cassie, a 29-year-old professional rider, moved a week ago from a Florida hospital to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, where one of the specialties is treating brain injuries.
“She is feeling much better,” noted Emil, who owns Redfield Farm in Ocala, Fla., and Califon, N.J., where Cassie rides and trains.
Cassandra Kahle.
“Now that she is over the hump of the pneumonia and other infections, she is making remarkable progress. I see in her eyes she is back with us.
“She is awake and whispering to communicate. She has moments where she is still a bit confused, but the doctors say this is to be expected.”
She fell on her left side when her horse took a tumble during a jump-off in a 1.40-meter class at HITS in Ocala on Jan. 29.
Emil commented previously she had a large bruise on her side as evidence of the fall’s severity. Now, however, her left side is getting stronger, he noted, and she can move her left leg.
“Left arm we hope is next. Still working hard in physical therapy. We are all thrilled with this week’s progress.”
When the Redfields crew returns to New Jersey after the Florida shows end, she can go to the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange on either an inpatient or outpatient basis, Emil has speculated.
Kessler is where 2008 dressage Olympian Courtney King Dye did her rehab in 2010 to recover from a serious head injury after her fall from a young horse.
Cassie Kahle in action. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Thousands of people have been following the progress of Cassie, a Canadian citizen who is very popular on the circuit.
A GoFundMe page to cover medical and rehab expenses for Cassie has been started by Liz Schindler McFadden. Click here to donate.
The fund is less than $2,000 short of its $150,000 goal.
“As a testament to Cassandra’s generous and loving spirit, her family will eventually donate any unused funds from this Go Fund Me to a charity of Cassie’s choosing,” Liz stated.
“We know the day will come when Cassie wakes up and learns of the generosity of this wonderful community and her first inclination will be to pay that forward.”
Emil hopes his insurance and workman’s compensation can pay for much of Cassie’s costs, though these situations are always tremendously expensive and not everything needed can be anticipated.
Cassie is an accomplished rider who won the $100,000 Grand Prix de Penn National last year and the World Champion Hunter Rider Pro Challenge at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in 2019.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 16, 2022
A two-year-old video of Olympic eventing double gold medalist Mark Todd striking a horse with a tree branch continues to wreak havoc with his reputation.
The latest fallout from the controversy that erupted over airing of the incident is the announcement today of an interim suspension of his race training license imposed by the British Horseracing Authority.
Todd, a 65-year-old New Zealander who won individual gold at the 1984 and 1988 Games to become an icon of the sport, was named the FEI (international equestrian federation) eventer of the 20th Century. He had retired from eventing in 2000 to train racehorses. But in 2008, he made an eventing comeback and also continued to be involved in racing. He retired from eventing competition for the second time in 2019.
Mark Todd. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
The video was made during a cross-country clinic where Todd was the instructor. A horse stopped on the edge of a water obstacle and would not proceed. Todd urged the animal to go forward, using the branch on its hindquarters, and the horse finally went into the water.
Investigations are continuing into the circumstances of this situation. Todd, who received a British knighthood in 2013, will not be able to enter horses in British races or internationally until the probe is completed.
A statement from the racing authority noted, “The trainer has admitted the individual involved in the video was him, has apologized for his actions and agreed to the imposition of an interim suspension.”
Prior to getting his British racing license in 2020, Todd had been a successful trainer in New Zealand. In eventing, he is a four-time winner of the Badminton 5-star and a five-time winner of the Burghley 5-star, both in Britain.
In a statement, Todd said, “I wholeheartedly apologize to the horse and all involved for my actions in this video clip. One of the main things I preach is about establishing a mutual respect between horse and rider, and that patience and kindness is the best way to get results.
Mark Todd on McLaren at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games in North Carolina. (Photo © 2018 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I believe this is one of the main attributes, along with a great empathy with animals, that has enabled me to have a long and successful career in eventing. I am very disappointed in myself that I did not adhere to that in this case.”
In the wake of the scandal, Todd resigned as a patron of World Horse Welfare.
That organization stated, “The treatment of the horse in this video is disturbing and unacceptable. There is no place in the horse-human partnership for such use of force. Mark agrees that his behavior was wrong and we welcome his apology.”
It added, “Mark is a consummate horseman, who cares deeply for horses and their welfare but, in this case, either through losing his patience or acting out of frustration, he has badly let himself down.”
The charity added a warning that applies to everyone working with horses–especially in an era when very little is private and everyone has the ability to produce a video of anything.
“We all need to take heed from this episode,” the charity noted.
“If equestrian sport, which we actively support, is to continue to maintain the acceptance of the public–its social license–there cannot be any tolerance for unacceptable practices, no matter how experienced the rider or trainer.”
This is reminiscent of the outcry after a German coach punched a horse in the Tokyo Olympic pentathlon when it refused and its frustrated rider–who had been standing first in the five-part competition–burst into tears. The photos went worldwide. The incident didn’t help the cause of keeping riding in the pentathlon, and the show jumping part of that sport will be dropped after the 2024 Olympics. The fate of pentathlon itself is still uncertain for the 2028 Olympics.
There was an outcry among animal rights activists over the pentathlon scandal. PETA suggested all equestrian sports should be dropped from the Olympics, even though there can be no comparison between the situation of riding horses drawn by lot, as it relates to pentathlon, and the disciplines of dressage, eventing and show jumping, where riders train and develop their horses for years.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 13, 2022
Those who have cancer or survived the disease can take advantage of a free therapeutic program, Horses for Healing, involving bonding with equines at Mane Stream in Oldwick this spring.
The mission of Mane Stream, which is marking its 50th anniversary, is to improve the quality of life for individuals with physical, developmental, emotional, and medical challenges. That is achieved through equine-assisted activities, therapy services and educational initiatives.
The cancer program aids in recovery through helping participants to relax and lessen their stress level. It involves not only riding, but also horse care and grooming, as well as interacting with others in the same situation and volunteers.
Riding helps develop balance and coordination, while improving body awareness. Through weekly lessons, stability and coordination will improve, helping participants communicate with the horse and positively impact their daily life.
Mane Stream instructors are certified by PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) and have strong backgrounds in horsemanship. They are all trained in first aid and CPR. A key element of the Horses for Healing team is the group of specially trained volunteers, many of whom have their own cancer journeys.
For more information or to register, click here.here
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 1, 2022
Get out of the winter doldrums at the Horse World Expo, which will be presented March 3-6 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pa., where the Pennsylvania National Horse Show is held each autumn.
It offers seminars, mounted clinics, vendors and lots of equestrian entertainment. In the latter category, you’ll see the Rescued to Stardom competition, Trail Champions Challenge, Parade of Breeds and Stallion Avenue, Equi-Tainment, Mounted Archery, Mounted Games and Driving Demonstrations, all included with daily admission.
Horse Expo offers an even more special opportunity because Equitana USA will not be taking place at the Kentucky Horse Park.
As the organizer of that event stated, “Our vision for the event was to be a place that offered endless equestrian shopping, education, and entertainment from both domestic and international markets. However, as the pandemic continues to cause global challenges, we will take the necessary time to pause and reevaluate plans for the future.”
At Horse Expo, clinicians include a Texan, Craig Cameron, founder of the Extreme Cowboy Association and the Ride Smart Club of Ride Smart Horsemanship; Sadie Fisher, a certified John & Josh Lyons Trainer who works with horses of all breeds, and coming from Wisconsin, Dan Grunewald, who is certified to judge by nine organizations. The five time top-ten finalist with the Extreme Mustang Challenge will including western riding and ranch riding in his presentation.
Also appearing will be Kendra Clarke, a Level 2 Centered Riding instructor and a licensed Franklin Method Equestrian Pelvic trainer, specializing in horse and rider biomechanics, as well as Andrew Nav. a multiple National Cutting title earner and a Quarter Horse Congress Cutting Champion. Among others being showcased are Australian natural horseman Guy McLean, Shawna Karrasch teaching Positive Reinforcement methods; Jason Charles, who will be designing the Trail Champions Challenge course; Ivy Starnes, who specializes in the naturally gaited breeds, Dom Schramm representing eventing, Jeff Wilson for Western Dressage, Lindsey Partridge, best known for her work with retired racehorses, and classical dressage and bridleless jumping expert, Brendan Wise with Unbridled Wings.
Last year, eight horses began their quest to win the Rescued to Stardom contest. The contest is for horses three years old and up,who haven’t been broken to saddle and are owned by a 501 c.3 rescue. Their under-saddle training began on December 1 and continues through the start of the Expo. Each competitor will compete by presenting an in-hand freestyle on Friday March 4. The final competition, an under-saddle freestyle, will be held March 5. After the Expo, horses will be available for adoption.
The participating horse rescues introduced their horses on social media and will earn points based on the number of likes on a final social media vote before the event. Voting earns points toward the win; individuals can follow the journey of these very special horses on https://www.facebook.com/RescuedtoStardom/.
Theatre Equus, held March 4 and 5 at 8:30 p.m, will feature Guy McLean and professional equine entertainers from across the country and beyond. Theatre Equus is a reserved seating separate ticketed performance event. Tickets are available at horseworldexpo.com and on-site, if still available, at the event.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 4, 2022
To reduce the spread of EHV-1, the California State Veterinarian recommends that all hunter/jumper events (the most affected group) be postponed for the next 28 days, all equine events (including clinics) be postponed for the next 14 days, and all non-essential horse movements be postponed for at least 14 days.
In an effort to mitigate the risk of further spread of EHV-1, all U.S. Equestrian Federation-licensed competitions in California are suspended for the next 14 days. USEF does not have any hunter/jumper competitions taking place for the next 28 days; the Desert International Horse Park last month canceled the rest of its winter season in the wake of EHV-1.
Meanwhile, two more horses have been put down in the midst of the EHV-1 wave. A 22-year-old Thoroughbred gelding in Orange County displaying neurological signs starting Feb. 28 was confirmed positive for Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) secondary to equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1 non-neuropathogenic strain) on March 3. Another horse on the premises, a 22-year-old warmblood gelding displaying neurological signs starting March 1 was confirmed positive for EHM secondary to EHV-1 on March 3.
Both geldings were euthanized due to severity of clinical signs. Additionally, six other horses on the same premises displaying fever only or mild clinical signs have positive tests for EHV-1. The 350 exposed horses on the home premises have been isolated and quarantined. California Department of Food and Agriculture will continue to closely monitor the situation.
Remember that last year European shows were cancelled for six weeks because of an outbreak of EHV-1 in 10 countries, with 18 horses dying in the epidemic, so it’s important to consider possible consequences and make sure you obey the rules.
As the return to competition protocols are implemented, more horses will be tested which will result in more positive test results for horses. EHV-1 lives dormant in many horses. The increase in positives is expected as asymptomatic horses are tested for EHV-1. The additional testing will allow the USEF community to mitigate the spread of the virus and safeguard horses.
Dr. Nicola Pusterla, professor of medicine and epidemiology, University of California Davis Veterinary Medicine explained, “We all recognize that horses with clinical EHV-1 disease (fever, nasal discharge and even neurological signs) are high risk when it comes to risk of transmission. What most people forget is that infection does not always translate into disease, meaning that adult horses can shed EHV-1 without displaying any abnormal clinical signs.” The expected increase in confirmed positive EHV-1 cases is not necessarily alarming if the horse is asymptomatic.
As a further measure to protect horses and facilitate tracking, USEF will be providing an EHV-1 Declaration Form to competitions for competitors to complete when they arrive on competition grounds.
USEF will also make available an EHV-1 Test Result Form to be submitted to EHV@usef.org along with evidence of negative test results. These documents will be required under the return to competition protocol in order to get a horse’s ineligibility status lifted. This return to competition protocol applies to any horse that has been on the DIHP or Rancho Murieta showgrounds, or any horse that has been exposed to a horse confirmed positive for EHV-1 off competition grounds in the past 14 days. This will allow the horse to be released from the EHV-1 Ineligibility List.
FEI Return to Competition Protocols
In order for a horse to return to FEI competition, the following requirements must be met:
• FEI horses MUST have a negative EHV-1 PCR test to return to competitio
• Two negative PCR tests within 14 days, one at Day 7 and one at Day 14
OR
• One negative PCR test within 21 days, at Day 21
USEF Return to (National) Competition Protocols
In order for a horse to return to USEF (National) competition, the following requirements must be met:
• Two negative PCR tests within 14 days, one at Day 7 and one at Day 14
OR
• One negative PCR test within 21 days, at Day 21
OR
• 28 days without a test, if the horse has been isolated for a minimum of 28 days
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 3, 2022
The Somerset County 4-H tack sale, always a regular feature as we get ready for spring, will be held Friday, March 18, from 6-9:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 19, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Ted Blum 4-H center, 310 Milltown Road, Bridgewater, N.J.
There’s a different approach this year. Anyone who has items to sell can set up at the center for a $15 fee, which gives them a spot with a table and two chairs. Commercial vendors also are welcome.
It used to be a consignment approach, where people would bring their tack and other horse-related items and leave them to be sorted by 4-H members for sale, with 4-H getting a percentage of the purchase price.
But as 4-H leader Judy Hennessey noted, doing it that way is labor-intensive and 4-H numbers have been dwindling.
“We don’t have enough kids in the 4-H horse program,” she noted.
In Bridgewater, she recalled, there was a time when “every kid had a horse in their backyard. Now I don’t think there’s a horse in Bridgewater. There just aren’t any kids with horses of their own any more, and the big barns don’t want kids going to 4-H.”
The advantage of 4-H is that members learn about horse care, over a stable where the kids just go to ride and don’t interact with the horses otherwise. The horse care concept will be highlighted at the county fair this summer, when Judy plans to have a farrier, a dentist, a driving exhibition and other demonstrations to highlight the organization’s focus.
Want more information? Call Judy Hennessy at (610)730-4739.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 17, 2022
The U.S. Eventing Association is highlighting its number areas around the country. New Jersey is in Area II, along with Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and North Carolina. It has more members, 1,762, than any of the USEA’s other areas.
The Essex Horse Trials is a summer highlight of the eventing season in Area II. (Photo © 2021 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
The events that take place in the are include the country’s newest 5-star at Fair Hill, Md., and the venerable Essex Horse Trials in Far Hills, N.J.
Some of the sport’s biggest names live in Area II, including Phillip Dutton and Boyd Martin in Pennsylvania.
Click on this link to find out more about Area II.
