by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 13, 2022
Hope Hand’s devotion to U.S. Para Dressage efforts over the decades paid off in three ground-breaking medals at last summer’s Tokyo Paralympics, part of the long process in which she played a key role as America’s status in the discipline was elevated to global distinction.
Three months after the Paralympics, the president of the U.S. Para Equestrian Association was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and on Sunday, June 12, she passed away.
Yet as was typical for Hope, she remained active in her devotion to the discipline until three weeks before her death, according to Laureen Johnson director of Para Equestrian for the U.S. Equestrian Federation.
“The Para Dressage community world-wide has lost a legend and a true friend,” said Laureen.
“Hope not only knew every U.S. Para Dressage athlete, from emerging to elite, but also recruited many of them into the program.”
From a wheelchair on the ground, Hope rose to independence in the saddle. Starting as an active competitor, Hope was the first alternate for the U.S. squad at the 1996 Paralympics, when equestrian competition made its debut in those games.
She competed at the British Invitational in 1997, earning gold, silver, and bronze medals. In 1998, she was one of four disabled riders riding on teams with their able-bodied peers at the USEF Festival of Champions. Her freestyle score broke a tie, earning her team the Bradshaw Challenge Cup.
The following year, as a member of Team USA at the 1999 World Dressage Championships, she won a bronze medal. Hope also competed at the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney, Australia, finishing fifth in the overall standings.
Rebecca Hart, a member of the bronze medal team in Tokyo, called Hope “the consummate horsewoman and advocate for Para Equestrian. I did this my entire career the past quarter of a century with Hope, either as a competitor or as advocate or as liaison among USEF, USPA and the FEI. She helped nurture the grassroots program in the U.S.”
The USA’s first paralympics medal team; Roxie Trunnell, Kate Shoemaker and Becca Hart earned bronze, realizing a dream of Hope Hand’s.
She recalled that when the U.S. wasn’t qualified for the 2012 Paralympics and needed one more score as the deadline loomed, Hope got four riders on a plane to Australia, scene of the last qualifier, put them on borrowed horses and watched as they were able to make the cut for London.
“We got it done; it was with Hope’s push and drive and dedication, we were able to do that.”
“I think almost every para rider competing on the circuit had some interaction with Hope Hand,” observed Becca.
“To lose someone with that much driving force is very difficult. The best thing we can do is keep the momentum that we have in our sport from all the success that we’ve gotten to experience in the last several years and carry that forward, and keep her drive and her passion moving.”
Laureen noted, “Hope was available 24/7 to everyone to advise, encourage and educate them on their journey to be the very best version of themselves, professionally and personally.
“I have lost a great mentor and friend. She is truly irreplaceable, with her extraordinary energy and warm, caring heart. Her beautiful smile, witty personality and laugh will always remain in my heart and mind.”
Hope Hand (seated) with Jessica Ransehousen and Krysti Wysocki. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Hope was the recipient of numerous honors for her leadership in promoting sport for athletes with disabilities. She was chosen by her community to receive the “Home Town Hero” award for her work in developing programs and opportunities for young equestrians in her home state of Pennsylvania. She was president of the Reins of Life therapeutic riding program in southern Chester County, Pa., and president of the recognized national affiliate of the USEF, the U.S. Para-Equestrian Association. She served on the USEF board and had chaired the USEF High Performance Committee.
Hope is survived by her husband, Stanley and their daughter, Amy (Eric Capozzoli. A memorial service will be held later in the year, probably in the autumn.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 9, 2022
The United States Polo Association has purchased the core assets of the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Fla., including 161 acres comprised of Fields 1 through 5, the grandstand, the pavilion, the Mallet Grille, the Seventh Chukker, the USPA Clubhouse shop, the Outback Field, the Outback facility, and the IPC social club and its facilities, including a swimming pool, gym, and tennis courts.
The IPC property will be called The USPA National Polo Center-Wellington, realizing the vision of a USPA-owned “Sunday Field” that will serve as the permanent center of polo in America and set the standard for excellence in polo. That vision was first articulated by USPA Chairman Stewart Armstrong in an essay called The Sunday Field that appeared in the Spring 2020 issue of Hurlingham Polo Magazine.
The polo field at IPC. (Photo ©White Fence Photography Company)
Mark Bellissimo, managing partner of Wellington Equestrian Partners, the former owner of the facility, and Wellington’s largest private landowner, said, “The sale of IPC to the USPA is part of our ‘Wellington 3.0’ strategy which is focused on strengthening both the equestrian venues and the core lifestyle elements that are critical for Wellington’s long-term success.
“We chose the USPA over competing offers and real estate development strategies to ensure that this fundamental pillar of the Wellington equestrian domain will be here for the next 100 years. I was inspired by Stewart Armstrong’s vision and believe the USPA has the commitment and resources to take this venue and the sport of polo to the next level which is a win for all involved.”
Originally, there was talk that WEP intended that IPC would host a new dressage facility, but that never came to fruition. Previously, WEP sold the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center to a group headed by dressage competitor and horse dealer Andreas Helgstrand of Denmark. This spring, the home of the Winter Equestrian Festival was renamed Wellington International. Andreas is also looking to buy the Global Equestrian Center, a dressage venue and show jumping site down the street from the facility where WEF is held.
The USPA will continue to host the Gauntlet of Polo® at its property, but it will also use the facility to support polo played at the medium- and low-goal levels. The USPA intends to keep substantially all the current IPC staff in place. Tim Gannon, co-founder of Outback Steakhouse and three-time winner of the U.S. Open Polo Championship®, will serve as Chairman of the Board of a newly-formed USPA subsidiary created to revitalize the social club and hospitality facilities.
With its ownership of the National Polo Center, the USPA has secured a perpetual home for polo in America. The facility will enable the USPA to showcase its tournaments, develop American players, and sustain an environment that will retain and attract new players and sponsors at every level. It will also secure the future of winter and spring polo in South Florida, which many of the sport’s key participants from throughout the country rely on as a major source of the annual income that allows them to participate in polo at their summer and fall club locations.
The USPA plans to open the annual Wellington polo season beginning with the Federation of International Polo World Championship, from October 26 through November 6.
“The investment in a high-profile Sunday Field will enable the sport and brand to control our destiny for future generations,” said J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPA Global Licensing, which manages the global, multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Association brand.
“With a global footprint across 190 countries, we view the Sunday Field as a unique opportunity to highlight U.S. Polo Assn.’s authentic connection to the sport and build additional global brand awareness. Additionally, this opportunity will create an epicenter of polo to promote not only high-goal events such as the Gauntlet of Polo®, but also other best-in-class opportunities at all levels supporting key polo competitions and demographics, such as international, low-goal, medium-goal, women’s, intercollegiate, interscholastic, youth and many others.”
Wellington Village Manager Jim Barnes said the village welcomes the USPA’s purchase of the former IPC facility and the establishment of the National Polo Center, which will ensure polo’s permanent and important presence in the village for the mutual benefit of the polo community and village residents.”
Tim Gannon, co-founder of Outback Steakhouse and three-time winner of the U.S. Open Polo Championship, will serve as chairman of the board of a newly formed USPA subsidiary created to revitalize the social club and hospitality facilities.
Until recentlhy, Wellington Equestrian Partners owned more than 1,000 acres in Wellington and has been the key driver of Wellington’s emergence as the premiere equestrian lifestyle destination in the world. WEP owned both the venues and the operating companies of the three primary pillars of the Wellington Equestrian scene: show jumping, dressage, and polo, which represented over 90 percent of the Wellington equestrian economy.
Wellington’s equestrian festivals host more than 10,000 participants and 250,000 spectators from 50 states and 43 countries. Its events contribute close to $200 million of annual economic impact for Palm Beach County.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 8, 2022
The Brandywine Horse Shows scheduled for June 29 through July 10 at the Devon, Pa., showgrounds have been cancelled due to low entries.
“While the Executive Committee considered many options, our best course forward is to take a year off, regroup, and return even bigger and better in 2023,” the show stated in a posting.
Refunds will be issued as quickly as possible. Deposit checks sent were not cashed and will instead be destroyed. Those who want their checks mailed back to them should contact Cindy Bozan at brandywinehorseshows@gmail.com.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 17, 2022
Pat Boyle and Phil De Vita Jr., two respected horse show managers who have experience with competitions across the country, will be at the helm for the 2023 Devon Horse Show, following the resignations earlier this month of the men who ran the Pennsylvania multi-breed fixture for decades.
David Distler and Peter Doubleday had a total of 85 years at the show between them when they stepped down on June 6. The two will continue managing shows elsewhere, but as Peter noted, he felt he and David were kept out of the loop on important discussions and decisions at Devon, a U.S. Equestrian Federation Heritage Show.
Pat runs dozens of competitions under the banner of Illinois-based Showplace Productions. They include the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, where he succeeded Peter Doubleday in 2021, and the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s marquee year-end championship in Las Vegas. He is also a judge, course designer and trainer.
Phil, who lives in Florida, is a course designer and judge as well as managing the hunter/jumper portion of the Germantown, Tenn., charity show and the Menlo Charity show in California, among many other fixtures..
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 6, 2022
New Jersey’s 2022 Governor’s Award for Horseperson of the Year was awarded to Carey Williams, who has served the industry with Rutgers University since 2003. Carey accepted the award at the 65th Annual New Jersey Breeders Awards Celebration at the Horse Park of New Jersey to kick of the Month of the Horse in the state.
“Dr. Williams is a champion for the New Jersey equine industry and her love for horses and the people involved has been evident throughout her career,” NJDA Secretary Douglas H. Fisher said. “She is truly deserving of this honor for all of her years of dedication and service.”
Carey began at Rutgers University as an Equine Extension Specialist with the broad goal to establish a strong program in the field of equine nutrition and exercise physiology, while building relationships with the equine industry. She is a leader in researching antioxidant supplementation and oxidative stress in horses, and her research has positively impacted the field of equine nutrition. The results of her antioxidant work have been recognized nationally and internationally in the nutrition and veterinary fields.
New Jersey Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Joe Atchison III, Horseperson of the Year winner Carey Williams of Rutgers University, and Rutgers University Equine Science Center Founding Director Karyn Malinowski
She expanded her research into the area of forages, pastures and helping horse farm owners create an environmentally friendly farm. The award winner was the team leader for a large project that created a state-of-the-art equine Best Management Practice (BMP) showcase at the Equine Science Center’s facility at Rutgers University.
Her extension program has focused on improving equine nutrition, pasture management and horse husbandry. These programs have drawn professionals from many areas of the equine industry including veterinarians, feed and seed dealers, farm managers, horse trainers, massage therapists, 4-H leaders, volunteers, and youth.
She maintains her involvement in the equine nutrition industry as an active member of various scientific societies, including as a member on the board for the Equine Science Society, the organization of which she has been a member for 23 years. In recognition of her work in equine nutrition, she was recently appointed to the Coordinating Committee for the National Research Support Project (NRSP-9) of the National Animal Nutrition Program.
She is involved with several riding and showing organizations, including the Eastern States Dressage and Combined Training Association, and the Horse Park of New Jersey, where she has been engaged as a key volunteer.
Other awards included Horse Park of New Jersey Volunteer of the Year to Amy Butewicz, who started in the 4-H horse program on the local, state, and national levels. She has given hundreds of hours to events and park activities. In her spare time, Amy rides and is a licensed harness horse owner.
Jacqueline Tanzi, a senior at Howell High School, was named the New Jersey Youth Horseperson of the Year, Agriculture Achievement Award Winner. She competes on the 4-H circuit and at open dressage shows. Jacqueline, sponsored in the Youth Horseperson of the Year competition by the New Jersey Horse Council, is involved in training and exercising horses and has volunteered at Riding High Farm’s therapeutic riding program.
Katie Eick collected the $1,000 Ernest C. Bell scholarship presented by the state Equine Advisory Board and named for one of the panel’s founders, Ernest C. Bell, a horse breeder. Katie, who is from Farmingdale, , is a recent graduate of Rutgers University with an Animal Science degree with a concentration on Equine Science.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 6, 2022
The management team that kept the Devon Horse Show running and relevant for decades resigned today.
No one is more closely associated with the U.S. Equestrian Federation Heritage fixture than David Distler, who began working there in 1974, and Peter Doubleday, who came on board in 1976.
Though David started out by handling the ingate and doing some announcing, while Peter originally was solely an announcer, they both gravitated toward management, with David taking that role in 1985 and Peter becoming co-manager in 1987.
Together, their experience totals 85 years at Devon.
Upon receiving gracious emails from the managers announcing their departure, one stunned board of directors member asked, “Is this a joke?”.
There had been whispers that something was up during the 11-day show, which ended yesterday on Philadelphia’s Main Line, but at the same time, it was also a shock, said hunter judge Linda Andrisani, who last officiated at the show in 2019 and knows the managers well.
“That’s a big pair of shoes to fill,” observed Linda, who has also been a vendor at the show, where she started competing on her pony in 1964.
“From an exhibitor’s point of view and a judge’s point of view, it’s very sad,” continued Linda, who noted how important it is to keep the tradition alive, noting that both managers were so well-acquainted with the roots of the show that they insured it would continue in a way beloved by exhibitors and spectators alike.
“There has always been a very special place in my heart for Devon,” noted David, who showed there as a junior, and is also an internationally respected steward and judge, as well as manger of the Washington International Horse Show.
“It’s one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made,” said David about leaving the job.
Former Devon co-managers David Distler and Peter Doubleday. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I used to joke that if I were cut, I would bleed Devon blue,” he stated in his resignation letter, referring to the unique shade that is seen on buildings throughout the showgrounds.
For his part, Peter said, “It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of such a tradition. I will never forget Thursday nights, 12 coaches in the center ring line-up, arena eventing, etc.. I could go on and on. It has been a great ride.”
At the same time, he said, he has “missed too many birthdays, anniversaries, weekly family dinners…and with that in mind, I am going to step aside and retire from Devon. My family needs me home.”
He will, however, continue managing Toronto’s Royal Winter Fair, which marks its 100th anniversary this November, and also will be announcing at a number of shows.
Both managers were involved with the Devon Fall Classic, which began in 2016 as an all-jumper show at lower level than its big brother.
“It’s a chance to ride in the big ring, under the arch, under the lights. It’s a blast,” said Peter.
David said there was a balance in keeping Devon in tune with the times while guarding its tradition. Once-respected shows of another era that didn’t do that, including Piping Rock, Bloomfield Hills and Chagrin, just “thought they could sit on their laurels to carry them through,” he mentioned, but that didn’t work.
Devon, on the other hand, has remained relevant, even though it is in effect, “an indoor show that’s outdoors” because of its small footprint. What makes Devon even more difficult to run is juggling everything because it’s a multi-breed show, with saddlebreds, hackney ponies (the show’s symbol), roadsters and the coaches, as well as hunters and jumpers that are the bulk of the entry.
The pomp of presentations–this is McLain Ward on Contagious, the 2022 grand prix winner–is a big part of the Devon tradition. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
David noted over the last few years at Devon, he and Peter were “less-involved in the decision-making, more limited to the bones of show operations.”
He added that in the past, the two had more responsibilities, which was part of what produced the horse show.
Peter said, he felt it wasn’t a team effort anymore, as he and David were kept out of the loop on important discussions and decisions, with communications an issue. He added that when he occasionally was asked for his opinion, the decision was made by others.
Devon Chairman and CEO Wayne Grafton, who took over in 2014, did not respond to requests for comment.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 3, 2022
I’ve written this story 12 times over the years since 1999, when McLain took his first grand prix at Devon with Twist du Valon and started a remarkable run as the fan favorite at the venerable show on Philadelphia’s Main Line.
Seven years ago, the $250,000 class was renamed the Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon in honor of the mare who was a two-time winner and McLain’s favorite horse.
McLain salutes his fans as he enters the ring for the awards ceremony. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
She retired at Devon in a moving ceremony that brought tears to thousands of eyes watching around the Dixon Oval. So there’s quite a history at this venue for McLain, and it plays out in cheers that are more heart-felt for him than any other rider.
Last night, McLain had the edge with Contagious as last to go in the field of 20, using that to his advantage in the seven-horse tiebreaker when he went after the 33.57-second mark set by Schuyler Riley on Robin de Ponthual.
He beat it handily aboard his Tokyo Olympics silver medal mount, looking up at the clock to see a time of 32.30 as soon as he landed from the final fence, a massive bright orange oxer over a Liverpool.
The obstacle, which came after a double in a difficult line during the first round, was placed along the rail, often a distraction for the horses. Spectators jammed the grandstand side of the ring eight or nine deep, bursting into a joyous roar with the rest of the capacity crowd as soon as they knew their hero had won.
The crowd always goes wild for McLain’s victory gallops. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“It’s kind of an amazing journey,” marveled McLain, after making it four wins in a row.
“This ring for me has really become like home. I get great energy from the crowd,” he said.
“I feel at home here. I know the ring very well, the little idiosyncrasies of this arena, where the crowd is and things that horses might be distracted by, which is always a factor.
“No matter how many places I go in the world and great experiences I get to have…I love coming back here, I love this crowd and I’m always up for the class. It just seems to break my way.”
But that wasn’t the case Tuesday night, when McLain had a scary moment as Contagious slipped and fell in the jump-off. Both the German sport horse and his rider were fine, though McLain, 46, admitted to being “a little sore. It happens, it’s sport,” he shrugged.
In the grand prix, he thought the first-round course designed for the 4-star by Olaf Petersen Jr. of Germany was “a little bit on the friendly side.”
The “challenging” tiebreaker was “quite big,” with one awkward turn and a tall vertical “in a funny place.”
While Schuyler’s Selle Francais has a longer stride than Contagious, McLain noted, “Contagious is probably a little bit quicker with his feet, so I tried to utilize that to my advantage, not to try to leave out (a stride) to the last as Schuyler did.”
Runner-up Schuyler Riley and Robin de Ponthual. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
He joked that since he was proud he had sold Robin de Ponthual a decade or so ago in his capacity as a dealer, “it was going to be a good night either way.”
Schuyler was understandably happy with placing as she did while up against “the king of Devon.”
“I’m honored to be second. There’s so much history here and it’s always been on everybody’s radar as such a special place to be.
The energy is unreal,” Schuyler said. Robin, she noted, “loves the energy here as well. He jumped his heart out tonight,” she said.
McLain and Schuyler were the only two fault-free in the jump-off. Third place went to the fastest 4-faulter, Mimi Gochman on the Danish-bred Celina BH in 33.12 seconds.
Mimi, at age 17 the youngest competitor in the class, was the show’s Leading Junior Jumper rider last weekend, when she also picked up the division’s style of riding award.
Mimi Gochman, the youngest rider in the grand prix, is already a big time contender at age 17. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Having felt she learned as much as she could from competing in the equitation, she is focusing on the jumpers, and showed last night that she is a match for her older rivals.
“I’m very honored to be in the top three. It’s amazing. I’m really excited,” she said, with a little giggle.
“I think I won (the grand prix) four times before Mimi was born,” Mclain mused.
“It kind of makes you feel old.”
A pillar of every U.S. championship team for years, he hopes to be named to the squad for that event this August in Denmark.
Meanwhile, he plans to take Contagious to Aachen, though he may not jump him in the taxing grand prix there, thinking that wouldn’t be the best prep for the championships. But he did reveal the one competition that he wants to win is that grand prix, and he likely will try it with a different horse.
The Olympic multi-medalist noted he didn’t really think of Contagious as an Olympic ride, but the son of Contagio told another story when he got into the action.
“He’s got the heart of a lion,” McLain observed.
“He fights and fights and fights, and his rider’s a fighter too. So it’s a good combination.”
Down the road, perhaps we’ll see McLain at Devon on one of Sapphire’s offspring. She’s gone now, but there are a few of her foals and clones in the picture, though McLain won’t speculate on their future.
“Some are nice, but they’re young…and it’s too early to tell.”
McLain’s association with Devon goes back to his leadline days in a muddy ring (he has a photo), but he didn’t win then.
“I wasn’t from the Main Line; so no,” he said with a smile.
“I know how it works here.”
(LOOK FOR OTHER DEVON-RELATED STORIES IN THE ON THE RAIL SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE)
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 1, 2022
The Devon Horse Show is all about tradition—it’s entitled to that, having been around since 1896, though it didn’t run for the last two years due to Covid. But now it’s back, and the tradition also is carried on at another location, about a 20-minute drive from the showgrounds on Philadelphia’s Main Line, at the venerable Merion Cricket Club.
The National Show Hunter Hall of Fame had missed its last two dinners but made up for it Tuesday night with a sellout crowd for its annual function, with 180 show world luminaries and their friends on hand to celebrate and swap stories.
A table in a room that looked out at the club’s green fields displayed portraits of those who had died since the dinner last was held. Mason Phelps, John Franzreb, Ray Francis, Kenny Wheeler, and sadly, too many others, were part of that group, and those who passed by stopped to take a look.
While remembrance has a big role in the hall’s dinner, it’s also about adding new names, human and equine, to the list of the inducted.
“It’s so important,” said Jimmy Lee, president of the Hall, who took over from its founder, Carol Maloney.
“Hopefully, younger generations will follow what we’re doing. We’re in a grab-and-go society,” Jimmy continued, explaining it would be a loss “if we don’t have the history, if we don’t have the tradition. For us to be able to sit down here during a really busy horse show and for people to take the time to pay their respects, I think it says volumes about where our sport is. I’m very encouraged.”
Hunt Tosh was the Hall of Fame Rider of the Year, the Wheeler family were Owners of the Year and Cannon Creek took the High Performance Hunter Championship at Devon. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Jane Womble Gaston who used to train with Jimmy and rode his favorite horse, Sign the Card, was on hand to salute inductee Henry the Hawk, a horse she took to many championships.
“He spent his life trying to please,” she told the crowd.
Afterward, she pointed out to me, “This was a thoroughbred horse who was champion at the Garden when he was three years old, and nobody thought anything about it. If you appreciate the type of horses we rode then and what showing was about, it wasn’t week after week. They were all natural, more horse-friendly areas, it’s important to look back on that.”
Jane Womble Gaston and Jimmy Lee, president of the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
The ceremony is always good for a few laughs and even occasional tears, as memories take center stage. It’s a reminiscence for some, and a time to salute the new group of deserving inductees, each introduced by a friend who had tales to tell.
Scott Evans recalled watching a young Scott Stewart as the lead in “West Side Story” at an amateur theater in Connecticut. The actor realized at that time he would have to make a decision between the theater and horses.
We all know what he chose, and today, he won his 17th Leading Hunter Rider title at Devon. He also has taken that honor 14 times at the National Horse Show and on numerous occasions at other prestigious shows.
As Scott Stewart pointed out, if he had chosen the theater, it’s likely he wouldn’t have had as long a career, and would need to be doing something else right now anyway.
Hunter rider John French offered a long but amusing monologue about his life. As Jen Bauersachs, who introduced him pointed out, if he hadn’t been a rider, he could have been a singer, a writer or perhaps a stand-up comic, as we saw.
He remembered that he had decided as a teen to take a break from riding, until a friend saw a critique of a photo of him written by George Morris in Practical Horseman magazine. After criticizing the length of his hair, George stated that the rider “had the best example of classic hunter seat equitation that I’ve ever seen.”
John French gave the crowd some laughs. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
That encouraged John to give horses another try. He did all his own work in the beginning of his career, from braiding to transporting his horse. John was inspired by his mother, who died a few weeks ago.
She had been tough on John, but at the end, she told him, “You did all of this with no help from me or your father.”
John believed otherwise.
“It was because of your help,” he said, noting she had taught him, “a horseman is a lot more than just riding. It was knowing your horse, taking care of your horse, having that special bond with your horse.”
Judy Mangin Kelley began her riding career in her native British Columbia, but went on to guide such great horses as Boyne Valley and Vital Victory in the U.S. as she became a household name in the horse world.
“It’s been a great ride,” she told those at the dinner.
Betty Oare saluted her wonderful mare Estrella, a U.S Equestrian Federation Horse of the Year, who joined her as a member of the Hall. She mentioned how everyone in her family, her husband, Ernie; her late brother, Bucky Reynolds and his wife, Linda, was involved in having the remarkable mare join their ranks.
Betty Oare with a ribbon for Estrella. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“She carried me to great places,” Betty said.
Carleton Brooks spoke for Lu Thomas, a Californian who couldn’t be present due to health issues.
“She won everything and fought for each win,” he recounted of her career as a top rider.
Trainer Tom Wright got his interest in teaching from his parents, both college professors. He worked with many top professionals and well-known owners. Whatever it took to succeed, he pursued, recalling how Fran Bushkin advised him to lose 40 pounds if he wanted to show her horses; so he did.
Other awards were 2021 Horse Show of the Year, which was the Upperville, Va., Colt and Horse Show and the Derby Finals, Derby of the year.
Awards voted on by champions at a variety of shows and not announced until the dinner included Rider of the Year, Hunt Tosh; Owners of the Year, the Wheeler family and Horse of the Year Lafite de Muze, who was also High Performance Hunter of the year for his rider, Amanda Steege, and owner, Cheryl Olsten.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 5, 2022
Laura Chapot was the only one of 22 competitors to finish fault-free in the Devon Horse Show’s final jumper class, the $74,000 Idle Dice Stake, as a tricky interplay of light and shadow just before sunset foiled other attempts at a clear round
That meant there was no Saturday night jump-off at the show, which ends today with breeding classes.
Laura Chapot and Diarado’s Flying Dutchman. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“The shadows do play a part. The Hygain fence, the second-to-last jump, really caught a lot of people,” said Laura. “I noticed coming to it, the sun was really glaring off that jump. I think that made it really hard, because it’s difficult for the horses to judge that,” noted the winner from Neshanic Station, N.J., who was aboard Diarado’s Flying Dutchman, a horse she has ridden for 18 months.
Second place went to the fastest 4-faulter, Stephen Bluman of Israel on Biblou du Perron.
Laura said her son of Diarado is not the typical, long-strided horse she usually ride, but rather, he’s “very bouncy, so it’s really easy for him to add strides”
During two previous classes in the Dixon Oval, where enthusiastic spectators always jam the rail, “he was a little bit backed off going down the sides of the ring by the crowd, so he was staring at them a little bit.”
“I knew coming to that one line that was by the crowd, I was going to add a stride to the combination, so he had time to really think there. I don’t know if anyone else did that, but it wouldn’t have been a normal plan for any of my other horses. I know for him he’s just so easy to bounce up a stride and then he has time to process the jumps,” she said.
“I think with him, my thought is to keep him thinking about what he’s doing and not getting overly excited. He’s got all of the ability to do it, he just has to take his time when he gets there.”
She noted, “He has so much adjustability, I know I always have to think about what’s the best thing for him, rather than my normal ride that I like to do. He really has a lot of talent and it’s just a matter of making it more consistent. When I got him, he really hadn’t done all that much. He’s really starting to become a lot more rideable and more into my style of going.”
She was complimentary about the work of course designer Olaf Petersen Jr. of Germany, saying he “always builds very good courses and I really enjoy them because they are very fair. They aren’t tricky, he just builds challenging things and questions to solve but there is nothing trappy.”
It was a good show for the Chapot family. Laura’s older sister, Wendy, was adult amateur jumper champion earlier in the week.
Laura many times has been leading jumper rider at Devon, but the honor this time went to McLain Ward. The Little Big Man trophy given for the open jumper championship is named after one of Laura’s best horses, and it too, was McLain Ward’s territory, going to his ride Contagious, winner of Thursday’s featured Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon—named in memory of his greatest horse.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 2, 2022
There are not many places where you can see the best show hunters from East and West, but Devon is that spot in the spring, and both coasts were well-represented this week.
The Grand Hunter Champion, Balmoral’s Only Always, came from California with trainer Carleton Brooks and rider Nick Haness, earning 45 points in the Green Conformation Hunter section, more than any other titleist in the professional divisions.
Trainer Carleton Brooks and groom David Vega with Only Always, Devon Grand Hunter Champion. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
The High Performance Hunter Champion, Cannon Creek, meanwhile, is owned by a Virginia family, the Wheelers, who also took the $25,000 USHJA Hunter Derby with Green Hunter Champion Autograph.
Both horses are ridden by Hunt Tosh, who was named Rider of the Year at the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame dinner Tuesday.
The task of winning the Derby fell on Autograph, after Hunt made a mistake in the double during the Classic Round with Cannon Creek.
Topping a field of 33, he won the Classic round but lost the Handy round to Chappy, ridden by Greg Crolick. The final total was close; 383.500 overall for Autograph, and just 0.500 less for Chappy as the reserve.
“Not being here for two years, to come back this year being able to win the Derby was so special,” said Hunt, referring to the fact that the show wasn’t held during the Covid pandemic.
“Devon is my favorite horse show,” Hunt said. “To come here and peak at the right time kind of shows we’re doing the right thing.”
Autograph, a son of Balou who was the Hall of Fame’s Green Hunter of the Year, hasn’t done many derbies, and in the Handy section, everything was on the line.
Hunt Tosh and Autograph. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I got a little nervous, I touched the second jump and thought `I’ve got to try to do everything I can,’” Hunt reported.
“I tried to go a little quicker to the next-to-last jump and gallop the last jump. It was a great class. The horses jumped beautifully, Greg’s horse was amazing.”
This was Greg’s best Derby finish at Devon.
“To me, it’s like winning. It’s so exciting to be here. There’s great energy in the air,” Greg said about being second.
Ken Wheeler came up to Devon early to watch Hunt’s daughter, Maddie, compete in junior classes.
Authentic and Hunt Tosh on the way to hunter derby victory.(Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I don’t want to leave my dad’s box empty,” he told Hunt. This was his first Devon without his late father, Kenneth Wheeler, after whom the Wheeler Ring at the showgrounds is named.
Carleton had a definite goal with Only Always: “We’re going to shoot for Devon.”
It was a long way to travel from California, but he explained, “Devon is tradition. I still believe it’s the ultimate. You have to be consistent through the whole division. I think it’s a performance facility, you have to perform.
“It has all the outside distraction. It’s the ultimate. It’s a one-ring horse show. We don’t have those anymore. You are front and center. Devon doesn’t make or break you, but it sure tells you that you are on the right track if you are successful.”
Carleton, who has a colorful way of putting things, noted, “I think a lot of East Coasters still feel we’re cowboys and the sage brush still blows across the road. We do not have as many options to show, so we have to show against each other week-in and week-out, which I think keeps our level up.
“There’s no coasting out there. You can’t just find a casual horse show where you’re the best one for sure.”
Only Always was in Germany when Carleton saw him on a video.
“I watched him jump two jumps and said `Buy him,’” Carlton recalled. He liked his presence and balance, how he cantered away from the first jump. The woman who had the horse called him Carlton (without the “e”) but that may have been part of the sales pitch, the trainer admitted.
“The lady who sent the video is pretty smart. I don’t know if his name is really Carlton or not,” he admitted.
The horse had done a couple of jumper classes with an amateur in Europe, but Devon was a new experience.
“He’d never been in this type of environment before. We gave him time to take a deep breath and just let him hang out.”
Scott Stewart is a Devon perennial; the round silver platter that is the trophy for Leading Hunter Rider is engraved with his name more times (17) than that of any other person.
He did it again of course, collecting additional souvenirs for the Devon corner (complete with dozens of show programs) in the trophy room at his New Jersey home, where he also has two pet steers. (No, he doesn’t eat meat.)
Scott Stewart with his trophy. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Amanda Steege, who rides the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame Horse of the Year and High Performance Horse of the Year, Lafite de Muze, had a disappointment in the Classic Round of the Hunter Derby when a rail fell from the high side of a hay bales and brush jump.
Aside from that, she had quite a week, also collecting the show’s High Performance Working Hunter Leading Lady Rider Award and the reserve championship in the High Performance Hunter.
The Horse of the Year title was a standout among everything Lafite won because ballots go to champions at the 10 most competitive horse shows, and they decide who should win.
“I think it’s very special to win awards like that, that are chosen by professionals you compete against as opposed to point-based awards. It was a huge surprise and an honor,” said Amanda.
“Lafite is the most consistent horse I’ve ever had,” commented the rider, who has a special bond with the horse, as does her boyfriend, Tim Delovich, and the gelding’s owner, Cheryl Olsten.
Amanda Steege and Lafite de Muze. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“He’s a trier; he has an unbelievably large heart and he’s very intelligent and understands what we’re doing out there, that when he walks into the ring he’s supposed to be performing,” said Amanda.
“What he’s able to do goes beyond his talent level, it goes deeper down inside the horse than that. He’s a perfectionist, and he wants to win as much as we want to win, which is an amazing feeling to have as the rider.
