by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 8, 2022
There are several choices for those who would like to make a donation in memory of Audrey Bostwick, well-known throughout the driving community, who died last month at the age of 91.
Growing up in Mount Airy, Pennsylvania, she graduated from the Stevens School and later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colby College in Waterville, Maine, and Master’s of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania. Her early careers included nursery school teacher, social worker and positions within educational program research and development.
Audrey Bostwick
An avid horsewoman and humanitarian, she started her involvement with horses at the age of five and spent her early life riding and driving in Wissahickon Park in Philadelphia. Her lifelong passion for all things equestrian led her to be a competitor, instructor, and clinician in many disciplines, including hunter/jumpers and equitation, side- saddle,and carriage driving.
She was a licensed judge, steward, and technical delegate specializing in pleasure driving (The American Driving Society Inc., U.S. Equestrian Federation, and American Horse Shows Association), Hunter/Jumper and Equitation (AHSA), as well as Side-Saddle (International Side-Saddle Organization). Audrey was a founding member of the American Driving Society. and served in various roles within the organization.
Her specialty in pleasure driving gained her participation and coaching opportunities at notable competitions throughout the U.S., Canada and England. As one of the most recognizable and beloved figures in the pleasure driving community, she leaves behind a network of those brought together by her endearing personality.
Her commitment to education was evident in her efforts with the American Driving Society and Delaware Valley University. She taught at Delaware Valley University as an adjunct instructor in the Equine Science & Management program for nearly 20 years. She was a mentor and friend to many students, sharing her passion for carriage driving, side-saddle, and intercollegiate riding.
She especially enjoyed her time spent at her home farm in Perkasie, Pa.,with her beloved ponies and dogs. An avid reader and book club member, she studied tree species, historical barns, and bird watching. Ms. Bostwick was passionate about the art of carriage driving and actively participated in the governance and direction of the sport for 47 years.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ms. Bostwick’s memory to the Delaware Valley University Equine Department,Delaware Valley University Office of Development,700 E Butler Ave., Doylestown, PA,18901.Donations also may be made to www.americandrivingsocciety.org or by mail to ADS, P.O. Box 278, Cross Plains, WI, 53528.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 20, 2022
California’s Desert International Horse Park is being even more cautious after an outbreak of EHV-1 (equine herpes virus) on the premises, cancelling its show scheduled for this week and closing access to new arrivals for at least the next week.
Instead of running the show under a reduced format as planned, there is now a schedule for each barn/trainer group to school horses in dedicated rings to avoid any exposure to horses outside of their barn/trainer group.The park also has developed rules for the next few days and an updated set of protocols.
Meanwhile, a new show planned for this month at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center also has been cancelled because of the EHV-1 situation. West Palms Events will not be holding LAXtra (Feb. 24-27) at LAEC , Due to the EHV-1 situation at Desert Horse Park and West Palms’ commitment to equine health, it was decided to conclude the LA February show and not add an extra show to the calendar.
Three horses attending the LAEC show had been at DIHP, returned to their home barn, and then came to LAEC after five days of isolation instead of seven.
As soon as West Palms Events management became aware of that, they notified the trainers, and those horses left the property that same day. Furthermore, both trainers assured West Palms that they were monitoring temperatures and all horses in their care had normal temperatures.
West Palms contacted Dr. Katie Hatch, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) veterinarian. Dr. Hatch agreed the risk was extremely low. However, out of respect to the home boarders at LAEC and out of an abundance of caution West Palms made the decision not offer an”other show in the coming week.
“We believe that by rigorously following the CDFA recommendations we can help eliminate the spread of EHV-1 and the risks to horses. We have a long and robust competition season ahead of us,” a West Palms statement said.
This afternoon, West Palms management said it was informed of a horse with an elevated temperature. This horse was stabled in Barn 1.
“At this time, the horse is isolated, and we are awaiting test results,” West Palms Management stated..
Desert Horse Park said yesterday that Individuals with horses that are currently in transit will be turned away if possible, but daily haul-in horses and riders cannot come to the horse park until further notice.
CDFA confirmed three cases of non-neurologic EHV-1 at the Desert park as this situation unfolded. Of the three original horses in isolation, two have now tested negative. There are three additional positive cases, but all were horses that earlier in the week tested negative. All are stable and currently asymptomatic. Two horses with fevers developed neurological symptoms. One of these was euthanized Feb. 18.
Although it would be best if non-quarantined horses stayed on the property to allow for the additional time needed to monitor and limit the potential spread of EHV-1, Horse Park President and CEO Steve Hankin said he understands if customers decide to leave.
“We would strongly encourage anyone who decides to leave to follow the recommended bio-security guidelines of USEF (U.S. Equestrian Federation) and CDFA and segregate their horses for seven days and continue to do temperature checks twice a day during this period.”
He added, “We are as disappointed and concerned as everyone with the emergence of EHV-1 on the property. Each time we send out a test and wait for results or pick up the phone and learn of another sick horse, as happened last night, my heart sinks.”
Noting there are “things each of us can do to help reduce the risk of outbreaks,” Steve added, “We are committed to do our part now and in the future to share and inform everyone of the important best practices we can each adopt for the safety of our horses.”
An EHV-1 outbreak last winter led to mass cancellations of shows in 10 European countries.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 7, 2022
Canada’s most decorated equestrian, Olympic show jumping individual gold medalist Eric Lamaze, is his country’s new technical advisor for the discipline.
Eric also will serve as chef d’equipe for the squad. He replaces Mark Laskin, who had held the job since 2012 and resigned in November as last year as the role of chef d’equipe was being reviewed. The decision to appoint Eric was made by a hiring panel that included former World Champion Gail Greenough and 10-time Olympian Ian Millar.
Eric Lamaze took gold at the 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong. (Photo © 2008 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I am excited to help lead the Canadian Show Jumping Team to future success in a new capacity,” said Lamaze, 53, who has battled a brain tumor and is cutting back on his own competitive agenda to give the Canadian team his full attention.
“It’s an honor to be named to this position and not one that I take lightly. I look forward to building on the foundation that Mark Laskin laid and am committed to the success of our athletes, both nationally and internationally. I have a strong vision for the sport in Canada and will not stop until we reach perfection.”
In addition to his Olympic gold, Eric earned silver and bronze Olympic medals; an individual bronze medal from the 2010 World Equestrian Games and four Pan American Games medals, including team gold.
He has won every major grand prix event in the world including Calgary, Canada (2007 and 2011); Geneva, Switzerland (2008); Aachen, Germany (2010); La Baule, France (2011); and Rome, Italy (2011) and reached number one in the world rankings several times over the course of his career.
In 2021, Lamaze was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and awarded the Order of Sport, the highest accolade an athlete can receive from the country.
“I would like to thank Equestrian Canada and the hiring panel for putting their trust in me,” said Lamaze, who is based in Wellington, Fla., and Brussels.
“Fifteen years ago, I made the decision to base myself in Europe where I had the opportunity to compete against the best in the world, week-in and week-out, and learned through experience what it takes to win at the highest level. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to share my knowledge and expertise with my fellow Canadian athletes and guide us back to where we belong, which is at the top of the podium.”
Lamaze’s first opportunity to act as chef d’equipe will be during the CSIO4* Winter Equestrian Festival from March 2 to 6, 2022, in Wellington, Fla., highlighted by the $150,000 Nations’ Cup on Saturday, March 5, as his nation looks toward this year’s world championships in Denmark and the Paris 2024 Olympics.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 4, 2022
Update note: This weekend, things were status quo for show jumper Cassandra Kahle, who is hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury. We will update you as things change. Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page to cover medical and rehab expenses for Cassie has been started by Liz Schindler McFadden. Click here to donate.
Cassie’s mother, Natasha Brash, has offered a message to those who are praying for her daughter:
“For anyone who knows Cassandra Kahle they know she takes her time but she always gets everything done and done well. So I know this is no different. She needs time to repair herself so we are all waiting patiently.
We’ve had a few complications but we are all confident that as each one comes up the doctors and specialists are right there with what needs to be done.
We need your prayers now more than ever.
I have read many of your messages to her and played some videos and songs to her that you’ve all been sending.
Thank you to all of you who take the time to send your messages. It is truly unreal that there are literally thousands of messages.
Everyone describes Cass almost the same. Kind, considerate, caring and so fun. She’s always kept her child like playfulness about her. Her optimism, concern, empathy and humility are so genuine.
I have laughed and cried at many of your stories while reading them to her. The ways that you’ve described Cass makes me the proudest mom.
I am very proud of what’s she accomplished for herself, the success and incredible work ethic she has and her humility to always learn more and always give more.
But most of all it is when I meet people and they say to me, “I just need to shake the hand of the mother that raised this girl” and they go on to tell me all about how she has inspired them, or helped, or done a kind act for their child. I love you Cass, I am so proud to be your mother!”
What follows is the story from February 4.
On Thursday night, Cassie “cracked her eyes open and stared right at me,” said Emil Spadone, who owns Redfield Farm in Ocala, Fla., and Califon, N.J., where Cassie is a professional rider and trainer..
“Then she followed the command of the thumbs up and two fingers.” That was something she was able to do earlier this week, even though she hadn’t opened her eyes at that point.
“It was an emotional moment,” Emil noted.
“That was the up. The down is she hasn’t done it again since.”
He had mentioned earlier on Thursday that because she had aspiration pneumonia from her breathing tube, her infection was likely to slow down her response time. Now, however, he reported, her cough is almost completely gone.
He thinks her weekend may stay status quo, but is looking forward to “a more marked improvement” next week.
Meanwhile, thousands of people are following the progress of the popular 29-year-old competitor, praying and rooting for her as she battles traumatic brain injury.
So in case you missed it, here’s the back story:
UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fla., quickly addressed the change in Cassie’s situation with antibiotics when she was diagnosed with pneumonia.
Emil was told it would take “24 to 48 hours to allow the antibiotics to do their job and we expect to be back on track.”
Being young and strong are factors in Cassie’s favor. It’s tough to take the situation in stride, especially after how well she reacted on Wednesday, but doctors advise patience.
For those who don’t know what happened, Cassie and her mount, Heviola, fell in the 1.40-meter Classic at the HITS show in Ocala.The 10-year-old Dutchbred mare was unhurt, but Cassie suffered a traumatic brain injury. Her family flew down from Canada to support her and are waiting for her to wake up.
The doctors are “very optimistic,” said Emil.
“They see this all the time. We don’t, so it’s very up and down and roller-coastery for us. The doctor said, `You just have to take that, that’s the way it is, it goes up and it goes down. You’ll have some good days and some-not-as good days.’ ”
Emil said scans show mild bleeding and mild bruising.
“They’re all recoverable injuries,” he noted, adding, “it’s a little bit of a slow process. Every hour, they do a neuro test; it changes from one hour to the next.”
“They’re still very positive and so, of course, we’re very positive,” Emil emphasized.
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.
Cassie on her way to winning the Grand Prix de Penn National last fall. (Andrew Ryback photo)
She was going fast in the jump-off at HITS when two distances to the next jump appeared. One was an inside turn, the other was a longer distance.
“I was watching and saw both distances,” said Emil.
“I saw the flyer; she was trying to fit in the shorter one, the horse was trying to pick up on the longer one and left early.”
The horse fell and her rider “got catapulted off the side.”
She hit her head just above her temple and left eye and back to the side; that’s where the contusions are on the scan, according to Emil, adding her only other injury is a big bruise on her side.
Cassie in action. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Emil noted that like every other rider, Cassie has fallen more than once.
“She always gets up and dusts off her pants and says `Let’s try again.’ She’s tough.”
But this time, it didn’t happen that way.
“It was really a miscommunication. It wasn’t Heviola’s fault and it wasn’t Cassie’s fault,” said Emil.
As often happens when there is a crisis, the horse show community has rallied around Cassie. Danielle Torano organized an effort to send food to Cassie’s nurses as a thank you for her care.
Those who want to contribute can click on this link
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 2, 2022
After making some progress, Cassandra Kahle developed aspiration pneumonia from her breathing tube today. Although the professional show jumper has been unconscious since a fall last weekend, on Wednesday she was able to respond to commands, such as thumbs up.
UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fla., quickly addressed the change in her situation with antibiotics, according to Emil Spadone, the owner of Redfield Farm in Ocala, Fla., and Califon, N.J., where Cassie is based.
“But it appears that an infection such as this will slow down her responses and ability to wake up,” he reported.
It’s a tough development for her family and friends, but Emil said he was told it will take “24 to 48 hours to allow the antibiotics to do their job and we expect to be back on track.”
Being young (29) and strong are factors in Cassie’s favor. It’s tough to take the situation in stride, especially after how well she reacted on Wednesday, but doctors advise patience.
For those who don’t know what happened, Cassie and her mount, Heviola, fell in the 1.40-meter Classic at the HITS show in Ocala.The 10-year-old Dutchbred mare was unhurt, but Cassie suffered a traumatic brain injury. Her family flew down from Canada to support her and are waiting for her to wake up.
The doctors are “very optimistic,” said Emil.
“They see this all the time. We don’t, so it’s very up and down and roller-coastery for us. The doctor said, `You just have to take that, that’s the way it is, it goes up and it goes down. You’ll have some good days and some-not-as good days.’ ”
Emil said scans show mild bleeding and mild bruising.
“They’re all recoverable injuries,” he noted, adding, “it’s a little bit of a slow process. Every hour, they do a neuro test; it changes from one hour to the next.”
“They’re still very positive and so, of course, we’re very positive,” Emil emphasized.
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.
Cassie on her way to winning the Grand Prix de Penn National last fall. (Andrew Ryback photo)
She was going fast in the jump-off at HITS when two distances to the next jump appeared. One was an inside turn, the other was a longer distance.
“I was watching and saw both distances,” said Emil.
“I saw the flyer; she was trying to fit in the shorter one, the horse was trying to pick up on the longer one and left early.”
The horse fell and her rider “got catapulted off the side.”
She hit her head just above her temple and left eye and back to the side; that’s where the contusions are on the scan, according to Emil, adding her only other injury is a big bruise on her side.
Emil noted that like every other rider, Cassie has fallen more than once.
“She always gets up and dusts off her pants and says `Let’s try again.’ She’s tough.”
But this time, it didn’t happen that way.
“It was really a miscommunication. It wasn’t Heviola’s fault and it wasn’t Cassie’s fault,” said Emil.
As often happens when there is a crisis, the horse show community has rallied around Cassie. Danielle Torano organized an effort to send food to Cassie’s nurses as a thank you for her care. Those who want to contribute can click on this link
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 29, 2022
Callie Schott, who was the assistant rider for Beezie Madden at John Madden Sales, has gotten the ride on Garant, with whom Beezie had been shortlisted for the Tokyo Olympics.
The horse was sold by Abigail Wexner to Southern Arches Farm, where Callie is the trainer. Previously ridden by William Greve, a Dutch horseman, the horse went to Beezie in 2017.
Beezie Madden and Garant. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
“We are so happy to see him go to such a wonderful home at Southern Arches with their rider Callie Schott. We have had a long relationship with Callie and are thrilled to be able to stay a part of his journey with her in the irons,” Beezie said on Instagram.
The horse is known as “Junior” because his character is similar to that of Authentic, Beezie’s 2008 Olympic team gold medal mount.
An 11-year-old by Warrant, Garant won the 2019 Longines American Gold Cup. Although he was under consideration for the Olympics last year, Beezie withdrew him from consideration after he bowed out of the Nations Cup at Rotterdam following the first round, where the horse faulted at the water obstacle. She explained the move in relation to the Games, saying “it’s not the right time for him yet.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 5, 2022
The Nebraska stable owned by Canadian equestrian team veteran show jumper Karen Cudmore and her husband, Blair, burned early last Thursday in a horrific blaze believed to be accidental, leaving one barn worker dead and a firefighter in the hospital.
The barn worker was identified as Nate Dietrich, 32,who opened several stall doors before succumbing to the smoke. His body was found near the wash rack. The horses that were rescued first lived in the stalls where he had opened the doors. Donations for his family may be made here. (Note that his first name was William but he went by Nate.) With the Cudmores’ approval, the foundation will pay for Nate’s funeral.
Twelve horses died in the blaze itself and although 10 Heartland Farm horses were rescued, seven were euthanized as a result of the fire. The dead horses included Coneja, Karen’s grand prix mount, who had just won a competition at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala before heading home, and retiree Southern Pride, whom Karen rode in the 2010 World Cup Finals.
Karen Cudmore and Southern Pride (Photo by Cealey Tetley/courtesy Equestrian Canada.
The Nebraska Equine Clinic worked to save the remaining horses at a barn across the street from the structure that burned. Volunteers took shifts to help with caring for the horses being treated. The surviving horses have now been taken to the clinic for further care, while volunteers are still working with them.
Horses living in the pastures that were taken to other sites because there was no water available for them at Heartland due to the fire have been returned to the farm since the well there is now in working order.
The Omaha Equestrian Foundation has set up a fund to help the Cudmores, who will have to deal with bills for veterinary care and rebuilding their business.
According to Lisa Roskens, the organizer of the 2017 Omaha FEI World Cup finals and a member of the Omaha Equestrian Foundation board, the Foundation will work with the family to figure out how to allocate donations (some also are being made to a GoFundMe site) to include Nate Dietrich’s survivors as well.
Click on this link to make a tax-deductible donation, but be sure to specify the contribution this way “To benefit Heartland Farms/Cudmore”.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 24, 2022
Lee Carter, who was chosen as the Kentucky Horse Park’s executive director in October–then unchosen when he and the park couldn’t come to terms–will get the job after all.
The park put out a new Request for Proposal last year to re-start the search process. Last week, Lee was again picked during a vote in executive session, with his selection revealed today by the park. He starts his new job Feb. 1.
Explaining what happened the first time around, Lee said, “The first process, there were some challenges along the way, some procedural parts that needed to looked at. With the new process, those procedural things were figured out and I was fortunate enough to be selected again.”
The graduate of Georgetown, Ky., College has spent nine years as executive director of Equestrian Events, Inc., the organizer of the 5-star Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. He knows the park well, and is familiar with key points in its strategic plan.
The Kentucky Horse Park is particularly lovely in the spring during the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event.
“They talk abut diversifying the park. To me, that’s how do we get different events into the park, how do we bring some breeds and disciplines in that maybe haven’t been in or haven’t been here for awhile,” he said.
The second point is intensifying the user experience.
“Forget what happens on the back side of the park. On the front side of the park, it’s a tourist attraction. How can we intensify that experience, the hands-on feel/touch experience,” Lee explained.
“The connection between people and horses we know is something special, so how can we translate to folks who want to learn more?”
The third point involves expansion, “having a larger target audience; bring more visitors, bring more events. How do we collaborate with more organizations, both in the equine industry and in and around Central Kentucky? Those were the three things that jumped off the page. i think they’re on point, I just think they need a focus that can get those things accomplished.”
Lee pointed out that from middle of March through November, the park’s equestrian calendar is full. It’s a 1,200-acre park, but areas of the park are not being utilized for activities or only being used once or twice a year.” As an example, he mentioned a state cross-country meet on 40 or 50 acres that are only used once or twice a year.
Lee Carter in his role as executive director of EEI presented awards during the Kentucky Horse Park’s premier event. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
The question, he said, is “What can we be doing in that space to drive more traffic and visitors to the park?”
Lee mentioned that in in 2010, when the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games were at the park, “the landscape for equine facilities was completely different than it is now.”
Raising the Horse Park’s game requires engaging and educating “legislators and surrounding communities as to what’s really going on the in equine space,” Lee said.
“We’ve got to be a little more nimble. we’ve got to follow state regulations for sure, but we’ve got to be able to be more flexible on certain things. We’re competing with private enterprise… we’ve got to realize who our competitors are and go from there.”
While Lee no longer be involved with EEI when he takes his new job Feb. 1, he will still be very much aware of what’s happening with the park’s marquee event.
“The ticket sales are extremely good,” he said, attributing that to “pent-up demand after two years without spectators” being able to attend their favorite competition.
Moving into EEI’s executive director post temporarily is Mike Cooper, who resigned as president of the EEI board to take the position. There will be a search for someone who will hold the job on a permanent basis.
H has been on the EEI board since 1991 and has been its president since 2019. He served as Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism from 2007-2012 and was involved in the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) held at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Mike will be replaced as president by Laura Holoubek, who was already in line to succeed him at the end of his term. A business and equine attorney and partner in the law firm Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, Laura has been on EEI’s board since 2017.Succeeding Cooper as President of the Board is Laura Holoubek who was already in line to succeed Cooper at the end of his term.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 18, 2022
California’s Desert International Horse Park is taking the cautious route after an outbreak of EHV-1 (equine herpes virus) on the premises and is closing access to new arrivals for at least the next week.
Individuals with horses that are currently in transit will be turned away if possible, but daily haul-in horses and riders cannot come to the horse park until further notice.
The California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) confirmed three cases of non-neurologic EHV-1 at the park as this situation unfolded. Of the three original horses in isolation, two have now tested negative. There are three additional positive cases, but all were horses that earlier in the week tested negative. All are stable and currently asymptomatic. Two horses with fevers developed neurological symptoms. One of these was euthanized Feb. 18.
The facility will run a modified horse show for the people who are on the property already. With a smaller show, Horse Park President and CEO Steve Hankin said, “We can spread out the rings to minimize congregation of horses and the potential for nose-to-nose contact. We will issue a revised schedule over the weekend, but we do know for sure that we will not run FEI next week.
“In the end, we have decided to have a smaller horse show for the horses on the property,” as opposed to cancelling the show completely.
Although it would be best if non-quarantined horses stayed on the property to allow for the additional time needed to monitor and limit the potential spread of EHV-1, Steve said he understands if customers decide to leave.
“We would strongly encourage anyone who decides to leave to follow the recommended bio-security guidelines of USEF (U.S. Equestrian Federation) and CDFA and segregate their horses for seven days and continue to do temperature checks twice a day during this period.”
He added, “We are as disappointed and concerned as everyone with the emergence of EHV-1 on the property. Each time we send out a test and wait for results or pick up the phone and learn of another sick horse, as happened last night, my heart sinks.”
Noting there are “things each of us can do to help reduce the risk of outbreaks,” Steve added, “We are committed to do our part now and in the future to share and inform everyone of the important best practices we can each adopt for the safety of our horses.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 23, 2021
A group of distinguished riders are offering lessons in an auction designed to benefit Kevin Babington, the Olympic show jumper left paralyzed by a fall in competition nearly 2 and 1/2 years ago.
Though Kevin has made some progress since the accident, which is encouraging, the pace has been slow and costly. His care and rehab are very expensive. He is able to give lessons, as does his tireless wife, Dianna, but much more is required.
Kevin Babington was always a popular winner. (Photo © 2016 by Nancy Jaffer)
That is where you come in.Why not provide a benefit for his foundation while providing a benefit for yourself by learning from such great equestrians as Captain Canada, Ian Millar; Olympic gold medalist, world champion and World Cup winner Rodrigo Pessoa and Irish star Shane Sweetnam, as well as Kevin himself.
Click on this link to see how to bid.
