The EQUUS Foundation has estabblished the Judith Richter Memorial Horse Whisperer Award as a tribute to the trainer and author, who died last month.
A mentor to aspiring young riders, many of whom are professionals today, Judy was also a mentor to the EQUUS Foundation 20 years ago.
“The EQUUS Foundation was just a concept when I approached Judy for her advice about forming an organization to assist local equine charities based in Connecticut and nearby in New York ,” said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS foundation president.
“Without hesitation, Judy joined the inaugural board of directors to help raise awareness of our mission. Throughout the next 20 years, Judy continued to offer guidance–and kind words on our progress.”
“My mother added so much value to so many lives. This is a wonderful way to honor her,” said Philip Richter, Judy’s son.
The EQUUS Foundation Board of Directors designates individuals posthumously as Horse Whisperers in recognition of their life-long dedication to and impact on protecting America’s horses from peril and strengthening the horse-human bond.
The board also designates individuals and organizations as Horse Whisperers in recognition of their commitment to provide substantial and much needed resources to ensure that America’s horses are safe and live with dignity throughout their lives.
EQUUS Foundation Horse Whisperers are honored by the EQUUS Foundation with the establishment of an award in their names to be presented to equines charities selected by the Equus board from among grant recipients that best align with the interests of the Horse Whisperers.
The Judith Richter Memorial Horse Whisperer Award will be presented in September 2023 in recognition of her life-long dedication to horses as a horsewoman of the highest standards and mentor to aspiring riders.
“Tally ho, ho, ho” a Christmas-spirited rider joyfully called out as a merry group on horseback set off to sing carols at three farms in Bedminster, N.J., today.
The event was organized by the Somerset Hills Pony Club, which invited others, including members of the Essex Fox Hounds, to join them. The group met at the farm of Jean and Peter Clark, where they were braced against the chill with hot cider.
The caroling concept had lots of appeal, both for the singers and those for whom they sang.
“It’s a nice thing to do, so I think everyone’s really excited to be out in the neighborhood,” said Peter, serving gingerbread and other goodies from a table on his front lawn.
“It’s really in keeping with the spirit of the season, and just another great expression of community around here, the neighbors going out and doing things with one another,” he added.
The horses were decked out for the occasion in (fake) holly, felt reindeer horns and glittering garlands. Riders favored red and white capes and Santa caps.
The procession of 20 or so riders included everyone from children to a grandmother. They rode along at the walk for four miles, stopping to serenade delighted members of the community who came out to watch and listen.
The tunes they sang sounded pretty good, considering each rider was an amateur and there were no rehearsals.
Doug Tansey, husband of Pony Club District Commissioner Brita Tansey, enthusiastically played Santa Claus, leading from the back of a pickup truck as the group wound its way around the unpaved roads.
The lineup of songs they offered included “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” “Jingle Bells,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and their favorite, a heartfelt, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
Hester De Voogd, who rode with her friend, Joy Custer, is from the Netherlands and noted that a similar caroling ride wouldn’t take place there. Christmas celebrations involving equines are confined to the stable. But as she pointed out, until she came to this country she had never experienced hunter paces or tailgating afterward.
“Completely new for us,’ she said, and called the experience, “amazing. It’s so much fun.”
Rebecca Casey, who was the main organizer, “really did an awesome job,” said Brita.
A friend of Rebecca’s “had planted the seed a few years ago. We have a lot of fun pony clubbers and a lot of people who enjoy getting out and spreading good cheer,” Rebecca said, explaining the genesis of the concept.
Frank Crisola, who greeted the singers at his house, was obviously enjoying himself.
“Loved it. It’s a great tradition. I hope everybody keeps it up.”
Lizzy Chesson and her mother, Sharon Chesson, gathered with their family at Bailiwick Farm to welcome the singers with cider and candy.
“It’s such a great tradition to have everybody out and celebrating Christmas and part of the countryside. Having the kids here singing, it’s just wonderful.”
Here’s a short video of the caroling:
World Dressage Champion Lottie Fry of Great Britain picked the right place to be close to perfect with the magnificent Glamourdale, winnning the FEI Dressage World Cup Freestyle at the London International Horse Show tonight.
Her overall score was 90.995 percent, but one of the five judges gave the 26-year-old rider an artistic marking of 98 percent, totally amazing. Lottie’s total bettered her world championships freestyle mark of 90.654 on the 11-year-old black stallion.
Lottie Fry and Glamourdale enjoy their victory lap in London. (Photo courtesy FEI)
“The support from the crowd tonight was incredible, and to end this amazing year here is wonderful! It is almost impossible to sum up 2022–it has been incredible and coming to London and performing in front of my home crowd is the best feeling and the best way to end the year,” Lottie said.
Talking about Glamourdale’s performance tonight, she added, “I had such an easy, fun ride. He is better than he was in Herning (world championships) and we keep improving, so I can’t wait for the years to come. Paris (Olympic Games 2024) is for sure the goal, and we will see how it goes until then”.
Glamourdale and Lottie Fry at the World Championships, where they were stars.
Her countryman, Gareth Hughes and Classic Briolinca, also a Dutchbred, were second but far behind, even on a very respectable score of 84.590 percent.
Third went to Germany’s Ingrid Klimke, better known as an eventer, who finished on 82.170 percent with Franzikus FRH. Ingrid leads the Western European League as she seeks to qualify for the Cup finals this spring in Omaha.
The new Channel System that went into effect this month for the 2023 season has nothing to do with TV. It’s an initiative for restructuring horse show competition licensing that takes some explaining, which is just what happened today during a forum at the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s annual meeting in Washington State
Britt McCormick, a member of the USHJA board, sees the system “as a way to broaden our sport, to grow the grassroots, a way to put something out there that is innovative; something different, something new.”
USHJA President Mary Knowlton, presiding at the State of the Association meeting, said the concept, implemented through the U.S. Equestrian Federation, started with the USHJA as an answer to the eternal question about showing, “Can we make a more affordable experience for exhibitors?”
The idea is “to open the competition calendar to more horse shows and to provide a robust program of awards for the regional level–an awards program equal to the program that exists now for the top of sport,” said Sissy Wickes, who served with Britt on the USEF Competition Task Force that created the Channel System proposal. It eases the mileage rule, which for decades had been an impediment to the growth of new shows.
Britt McCormick and Sissy Wickes. (USHJA photo)
Some find the Channel System a concept that they just can’t get their heads around, however.
“I would definitely say that there are moments when people are struggling with feeling overwhelmed and pushed down by the Channel System,” noted Mary.
It likely won’t be everyone’s choice, mused Britt, chair of the USEF’s National Breeds and Disciplines Committee.
“We’re going to have a lot of people that jump on board and go, `Yeah, we love it.’ We’re going to have people that just say, `This isn’t for me and I’m going to go somewhere else.’ ”
He added, “We’re not trying to be all things to all people. We’re trying to encourage people to collaborate in their area… the idea is that organizers…figure out how to do circuits….and how to share the limited pool of exhibitors that is in their area, if that’s the case.”
USEF President Tom O’Mara assured those at the meeting that they “can’t find a smoke-filled room where people sit making rules to make other people’s lives miserable.”
He noted the Channel System generated “huge feedback. thousands of surveys came back.” He called the effort to devise the rule “supercollaborative. If there are things that need to be adjusted, they will be adjusted.”
Shelley Campf, chair of the USEF’s Member Services Council, is concerned that the system could “really affect the viability of shows.” She noted that in her home zone in the Pacific Northwest, “there are not that many people to go around.”
“When the weather is such that you can show locally,” Shelley said, she would like “USHJA help foster local programs, even if it’s at the Channel 1 level.”
A rotating team of presenters commented on other matters at the meeting. Joe Dotoli, who shepherded the Helmet Ratings initiative, noted that with sponsorship from Jacqueline Mars, USEF and U.S. Eventing Association, the project wound up costing USHJA only 75 center per member.
“That’s a pretty good return,” said Joe.
“It is a huge jump forward in the safety of our sport,” he continued, noting USEF has come a long way since the first helmet safety rule in 2001.
To read about the helmet study, click on this link. For the helmet manufacturers’ reaction, click here.
So what safety project is on the horizon now? That would be a study of the air vests riders are wearing in increasing numbers.
“Many of us think the next logical step is airbags, which is what air vests are,” said Joe, who had compared the helmets to automobile seatbelts in the way they progressed. He noted, however, there is less information available on the effectiveness of the vests than there was on the helmets, so he expects that study “will take longer and probably be more expensive. But that’s the route I”m sure our safety committee is going to be promoting next.”
Another important development is the growth of the Outreach program, which introduces riders to USHJA and the USEF.
In 2014, there were 93 Outreach competitions with 318 riders. In 2022, with “Outreach 2.0,” that had swelled to 654 competitions and 7,500 riders. Some Outreach classes are part of a show; others are stand-alones.
“Outreach for us is a give-back to our the sport,” Mary said. “It’s not a money-making endeavor. It’s our way of reaching out to the unrecognized (show) world,” she explained.
“It’s a way to make connections.”
The USHJA is reaching out in many ways. As Mary put it, “We’re offering a lot of success to people across many, many platforms.”
With tears running down his face, McLain Ward talked about his stunning victory today in the Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva, Switzerland, aboard the 16-year-old HH Azur.
A double exposure of a victorious McLain Ward on HH Azur juxtaposed against an overall shot of the Palexpo arena.
“It’s something I always dreamed of,” he said, after putting in an amazing time of 38.43 seconds to defeat hometown hero and defending champion Martin Fuchs of Switzerland on Leone Jei, clear in 39.77 seconds.
Coming down to the final obstacle in the race against the clock, Azur put in an extra stutter stride that seemed certain to result in toppling one of the green and yellow rails.
Yet miraculously, everything stayed in place to assure McLain’s win in the prestigious class at the Palexpo Arena, which looked like Aachen moved indoors with its lake and trees.
“I don’t know how she cleared the last fence. Really amazing,” declared McLain, only the third American to win the featured class in the history of Geneva’s December show..
“But that’s what you have to do to beat Martin Fuchs.”
Rolex runner-up Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei.
His face a study in joy and amazement, McLain started celebrating as soon as he realized he had done it, waving and fist-pumping as joy washed over him.
McLain added about his 2017 World Cup champion, “Azur is an incredible partner and friend. ”
He offered thanks to her team and owners, mentioning the late Hunter Harrison and his father, Barney Ward, who he is sure was looking down on his effort today.
McLain had the fastest time with Contagious on Friday in the Rolex International Jumper Riders Club Top Ten Finals, but finished fourth with a rail down. He kept up the speed quotient of that performance today, going fastest in the first round of 40 starters, which gave him the advantage of running last in the 13-horse jump-off, where he aimed at Martin’s time.
Martin Fuchs and McLain Ward.
World Champion Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden, winner of the Top Ten on King Edward, did not make the jump-off today when a rail near the end of the course scuttled his chances.
Germany’s Daniel Deusser, who was looking to clinch his second segment of the four-part Rolex Grand Slam after winning the competition at Spruce Meadows in September, wound up sixth on Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z in 42.58 seconds.
The Grand Slam cycle starts again next year in s’-Hertogenbosch, Holland, and you can bet McLain will be there at the Dutch Masters, looking toward a sweep to take the bonus.
Scott Brash of Great Britain became the first rider to take the Grand Slam in 2015.
Despite not winning the featured class in Geneva, Martin had a special day, having said on Friday that his main focus this afternoon would be on the retirement ceremony for his great star, Clooney.
Martin Fuchs shows his fondness for Clooney during the star show jumper’s retirement at Geneva.
The horse he rode to the European Championship and individual silver at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games is headed for the pasture after recovering from a broken shoulder he suffered last year in the pasture.
The answer to the question above became even more obvious this evening, as world show jumping champion Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden won the Rolex International Jumping Riders Club Top Ten Final on the amazing King Edward.
The excitement level was over the top for the competition, held in Geneva, Switzerland’s Palexpo, the world’s largest indoor arena.
It was packed to the brim with enthusiastic spectators, who were offered a view of a spectacular jumping test set in a landscape highlighted by a lake and trees. That brought a countryside ambience into the city, courtesy of designers Gérard Lachat of Switzerland and Louis Konickx of the Netherlands.
Henrik was clear in both rounds, and his time of 48.42 seconds in the final leg just edged France’s Simon Delestre on Cayman Jolly Jumper in 49.35 seconds. That horse, who looked marvelous jumping his two fault-free rounds, is a son of Hickstead, Eric Lamaze’s 2008 Olympic individual gold medal ride.
Recalling his thoughts upon watching the class in the past, Henrik had said, “I just wish one day I could do this,” then added in awe “and I’m standing here today.”
The world’s top-ranked rider collected $171,000 (160,000 Swiss francs) for his victory.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Henrik, who admitted he was nervous as he watched Simon, the last to go. The Swede thought perhaps he had made a mistake by not taking one less stride to the final fence, but was able to breathe again when Simon fell just short, finishing in 49.35 seconds.
“The luck was on my side today and the whole year,” mused Henrik.
“An incredible horse, King Edward, just a fantastic feeling,” he said of the Belgian warmblood superstar by Edward 28.
His countryman and Olympic and world championships gold medal teammate, Peder Fredricson on Catch Me Not finished third after taking a gamble and going slowly, but carefully.
His plan worked, and the fault-free trip he took in a leisurely 57.30 seconds within the 60-second time-allowed got him on the lower level of the podium with just his 1-penalty time fault from the first round.
The winner, Henrik von Eckermann, and the man who is his regular teammate, Peder Fredricson, shake hands on the podium.
McLain Ward was the only U.S. representative in the field that included riders from seven countries. Making his third appearance in the competition, he came in as number 10.
One of only four riders who were fault-free in the first round, McLain moved up to fourth with Contagious for the second round, but there a turn that didn’t pan out to the third-to-last fence flanked by clock towers gave him a 4-fault total and an amazing time of 46.89 seconds —which would have enabled him to win the whole thing, had he jumped clean. As it was, he finished in fourth as the fastest of the 4-faulters.
McLain Ward and Contagious.
Discussing the mishap, McLain said, “It’s the one place I tried to slow down and got a little too rough. Rider error. I should have just trusted my horse.”
Several riders had a difficult time. Chief among them was Olympic individual gold medalist Ben Maher of Great Britain riding a new horse, Exit Remo, but his lack of familiarity with his mount meant he wound up with 31 faults in the first round.
He came back in a big way, however, jumping clean in the second round. The penalty burden from the first round, however, put Ben 10th and last. He said he’ll once again be aboard his Olympic ride, Explosion, in February.
Spain’s Santiago Varela, who designed the memorable show jumping courses for the Tokyo Olympics, will work alongside Gregory Bodo of France to lay out the routes for the show jumping competition and eventing stadium jumping phase at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Olympic team silver medalist Jessica Springsteen of the USA over one of the imaginative jumps on Santiago Varela’s Tokyo course.
FEI President Ingmar De Vos noted that “As is always the case for the Olympic Games, we went through a thorough evaluation process and selected two individuals, both of whom hold a wealth of experience and are renowned for their dedication and impeccable work ethic.
“The designs created by Santiago Varela and Gregory Bodo are stunning and combine huge expertise with unique local flavor. Most importantly, they always put the horse at the core of their thought process and produce courses mindful of the welfare of both our equine and human athletes. ”
As he pointed out, the two have worked together on numerous occasions, including the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, where Santiago handled the courses and Gregory was the assistant designer.
“I am convinced that with their knowledge, creative spirit, and professional attitude, the equestrian community, the spectators and the fans around the world can expect jumping courses of the highest quality,” the FEI president continued.
“With the equestrian events scheduled to be held in Versailles with the historical château as the uniquely beautiful backdrop, these are set to be truly exceptional Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
In the wake of Virginia Institute of Technology’s new helmet ratings (to read about them, click on this link) helmet manufacturers are replying.
Here is the comment from Tipperay Equestrian:
Now that the much-anticipated results from the Virginia Tech equestrian helmet study are available, Tipperary Equestrian can review and apply these learnings to our manufacturing process and continue to provide you with the best equestrian protective gear.
Product advancements in protective equipment often come from independent innovators, Mips® for example. A person or company has an idea that they study, research, and develop, then work with manufacturers to apply new technology or a concept to their products. The Virginia Tech study is a great example of this.
Much like we did with Mips®, it is our job to stay on top of innovations and update our processes accordingly. Regarding the VT results, we must explore how to incorporate the new learnings while ensuring that we continue to meet the ASTM F1163-15 equestrian standard; a requirement for us as a North American brand. Most importantly, the VT evaluation is weighted towards low velocity impacts, while the current ASTM standard focuses on high velocity impacts known to cause catastrophic injuries like a skull fracture, or worse. Both impact types are entirely possible and now that the importance of low velocity impacts has been brought to light by VT, addressing both vastly different fall scenarios is necessary.
Important for all equestrians to know, the ASTM standard is updated every 5 years to capture new research. We’re eager to see the update and subsequent changes in the equestrian industry, which is unfortunately often the last to see new innovations. Other sports get this treatment first; just as Mips® was initially seen in cycling, and the VT ratings began in Football. We encourage all organizations who have the ability, time, and resources to help make our sport better. Tipperary Equestrian is always open to new information; it is the only way forward.
This is One K’s response:
As you are likely aware, Virginia Tech has published a study of 40 equestrian helmets that have been tested and assigned a rating using their STAR evaluation system. The safety of our consumers is a top priority for One K , and they know that selecting the right helmet means finding one that performs on impact and is properly sized and fitted. We applaud the efforts of Virginia Tech to explore these helmet safety issues.
Please note that the VA Tech rating system is not a pass/fail system. OneK helmets have passed the safety standards for equestrian helmets set by ASGTM F1163-15. Those results are then certified by the Safety Equipment Institute “SEI. It is important to note that the ASTM standard is based upon high impact falls that could result in catastrophic injury. Helmets built to the highest levels of this standard often do not score high on studies that include low impacts. It has been our mission to supply products that meet or exceed those standards for protection. VA Tech expressly acknowledges that helmets pass ASTM F1163-15 and thus are considered safe. Additionally, they are tested to and certified by CE to the European standards EN 1384:2014 and VG1 01.040 2014-2.
One K in the prestigious 2021 Folksam’s test in Sweden earned top ratings for safety
We view the VA Tech test as an opportunity to take these additional learnings and apply them to continue to deliver safe, durable, and high-quality helmets to the English rider.
The Mips response from Sweden:
The Virginia Tech Helmet Lab has just released their ratings of equestrian helmets, the first time to apply their STAR evaluation system to them. At Mips, we welcome the new benchmark initiative to evaluate equestrian helmets, yet aspects of the test and rating methods leave room for improvement.
Mips, which stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System, provides the Mips® safety system, which is intended to help reduce harmful rotational motion that might be otherwise transferred to the user’s head for certain impacts.
After carefully evaluating the test method and ratings process, Mips believes that the STAR ratings system should adopt additional testing methods. Mips Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer Peter Halldin further explains below:
● The Virginia Tech rating program conducts tests to the helmet that primarily include compression forces to the helmet, mimicking an accident situation where the rider falls straight towards the ground, a vertical velocity relative to the ground.
● However, even if rotational kinematics are measured, rotation is principally induced due to the head rotating around the neck, not at the first contact with the impacting surface.
● If a horse and its rider have a speed forward during their fall, there will be both vertical and horizontal velocity relative to the ground, and rotation could also be induced at the initial contact with the ground due to tangential force. To be able to replicate this phenomenon another test method is required.
● This could explain the discrepancy between Virginia Tech Helmet Lab’s ratings, and those from Swedish insurance company Folksam; for example, a helmet rated 1-star by Virginia Tech are rated 5-star by Folksam.
● The Folksam rating program includes impacts that have a tangential force acting on the helmet, which we suggest Virginia Tech implements to complement their current test method.
● Additionally, the Virginia Tech rating system weights the front impact location and the lower impact velocity of 4.0 m/s higher than the impact velocity of 6.3 m/s. Therefore, the final rating of the helmets in the Virginia Tech rating program is more dependent on the performance of the front of the helmet and low velocity impacts.
While we appreciate the new initiatives to evaluate equestrian helmets and promote helmet safety more generally, we at Mips believe that the new rating systems may be cause for confusion.
The amazing blind Appaloosa Endo, who has the ultimate trust in his rider, is always busy. Now he has set the mark high again in the Guinness World Records. Read a story we ran about him in 2020 by clicking here.
To learn about this amazing horse’s current accomplishments in jumping and dressage, go to this link
The Essex Equestrian Center in West Orange, N.J., where thousands of riders were introduced to horses over the decades, is closing this month.
The stable, built in the early Twentieth Century, has been known by several names over the years, including the Woodland Riding Club, the Montclair Riding Club and the Suburban Essex Equestrian Center.
It also has been run by many different people, among them William Dunn, Marge Francis, Ben Purifoy, Marvin Ruddy and for the last 20 years, the Hall family.
Those who fondly remember their years riding at the facility are wondering what will happen to the property. Larry Hall did not respond to an email request for comment.
Joe Fagan, a spokesman for the township of West Orange, said the Essex Equestrian Center is in an R-1 zone. The minimum lot size is 80,000 square feet “per lot for potential single-family homes. It does not have to be used exclusively for recreational use. There currently are no pending applications for this property.”
In a statement, the Halls said, “We have been the starting place for kids and adults alike to find a passion and form irreplaceable bonds with other riders, trainers, and horses. From the very start of meeting the riders, pairing them together with our amazing horses, and watching the breath-taking growth and success they all achieve, has made our hearts so full. It breaks our hearts to announce that Essex Equestrian Center will be closing its doors for good on Monday December 19th.”
Word of the closing prompted an outpouring of memories from those whose lives had been touched by their time at the unique stable in a densely developed area.
Its location on Woodland Avenue in the heart of urbanized Essex County, just a few miles from Newark, offered an opportunity for people who didn’t live near farms to take their first riding lessons, then go on to improve their skills.
Stephanie Siegel, whose mother, Vicki Siegel, managed the facility for a few years in the 1970s when it was Suburban Essex, recalls riding with her friends to Pal’s Cabin restaurant a few blocks away. While one person held the horses, the others went in to get a take-out order they could enjoy when they were back at the stable.
Limited space meant there was, as she recalled, just one paddock for 100 horses, and access for trail riders to nearby Eagle Rock Reservation came through a concrete tunnel.
Starting in 1981, Ann Sullivan Scher spent nine years at Suburban Essex as a trainer and manager who imported horses from Europe, working with Olympian and former U.S. show jumping team captain Frank Chapot. The stable’s location helped make it very popular.
“We had 40 to 60 boarders at any one time,” she said.
Kim Hewitt Bonstein rode in shows there as a junior in the mid-1970s and as a trainer, gave lessons at the facility during the winter in the days when indoor rings were few and far between in New Jersey, except for private stables.
There was plenty of demand for the ring on cold days, so several lessons would be going on at once and self-defense was foremost in the mind of the trainers.
“We would grab jump standards to stand behind them so you wouldn’t get run over,” she chuckled.
Kim met opera star Luciano Pavarotti, and taught his daughter there. She remembered her trepidation one day as the hefty tenor set out for a trail ride on a questionable mount.
“He’s got two or three bandannas around his neck. He said, `Nothing should be happening to my throat,’” but as she noted, on the horse he was riding, that would be the least of his worries. Happily, he came back in one piece.
As a teen, John Walker III took lessons at the stable with noted instructor Walter White, and his mother, Maryl Walker, ran the Girls Mounted Troop there. The uniformed troop members were part of the Junior Cavalry of America that included the Thomas School of Horsemanship on Long Island and the New Canaan Mounted Troop in Connecticut. The Junior Essex Troop of Cavalry had a farm in West Orange, but it was sold in the 1970s, following the demise of several other stables in the area during an earlier era.
On Facebook, Morgan Jenkins called EEC “my favorite place in the whole world growing up and still holds a special spot in my heart. I remember my first ever lesson on Lots of Dots, school shows, lessons, the sound of melting snow falling in sheets from the roof on a sunny winter day and spending every free weekend moment there with friends as one of the resident barn rats.”
Bridget Eklund Carlson termed the closure “Just devastating…this place and the people here are so special, with so much history… a huge loss to the community and suburban kids who will no longer have a place to connect with horses.”
EEC offered everything from camp to showing and an Interscholastic Equestrian Association team. Lola Fennimore, managing director of Rocking Horse Rehab, which is based at the stable, said her equine therapy organization will be moving after Jan. 1, but she could not reveal the new location at this time.
The Halls’ statement emphasized that, “All of our horses will be rehomed to only the best of homes and our older herd of ponies and horses will be going to retirement to enjoy a big grass field that they so deserve.
“Although this era is ending, we look forward to following and watching all the success of our trainers, staff, riders, horses, and lifelong friends that we have met over the years.”
The family thanked its staff and clients, while saying, “We owe the utmost of thanks and love first and foremost to our cherished horses, as we would not be able to make Essex such a special place without them. We owe them everything for all they have done for so many of us, what they have taught us in and out of the saddle, and for the love and healing they provide us every day.”
