by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 11, 2022
Hunter Holloway and Pepita con Spita. (Photo © 2022 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
What does the name Pepita con Spita mean?
I’ve wondered since I started writing about the feisty show jumper a few years ago, and the question crossed my mind again today when she won the $405,300 FEI 5-star Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties with the only double-clear performance.
Hunter Holloway, who rides the gray mare, has searched the internet for an answer, with little luck.
I did some searching of my own and got one definition; a pepita is an edible pumpkin seed.
Okay, and “con” means “with” in Spanish.
As for spita? It appears to be Romanian for fifth wheel. That’s all I could find, but it probably isn’t right. A hint might be that the 11-year-old German-bred Westphalian is by Con Spirit. Maybe they meant to call her Pepita Con Spirit, but someone wrote it wrong? It’s happened before; think of all the weird misspelled horse names that are out there.
So I’ve made up my own definition of spita in the way it applies to “Princess P,” as they call her around the barn. I take it to mean grit, and Hunter expanded on that.
“She’s a really catty, brave mare. She’s full of heart. She gives it her all every time she steps out in the ring and she is very fast as well.’’
And the best things about her?
“I think it’s her heart and how much she tries for her rider,” said Hunter. “Keeping her happy is our main goal.”
Hunter Holloway enjoys her victory gallop. (Photo © 2022 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
There were 25 starters in the grand prix, the finale of championship week at HITS.
Will Simpson, whose unforgettable round in the 2008 Olympics assured a gold medal for the U.S. team, was the first rider to try Scottish course designer Mark McGowan’s route in the wide open space of the Grand Prix Stadium.
Will Simpson and Chacco P. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
But after he and Chacco P secured a clear, the designer had to wait nervously for the twelfth to ride, Great Britain’s Amanda Derbyshire on Cornwall BH, before he could be assured of a jump-off. (In 2017, with a different designer when the class was worth $1 million, victory belonged to a rider with just one time fault and nobody clear, which meant no jump-off).
“I was told this morning that two (clear) was unacceptable and if I could get more than two, the boss would be quite happy. Thankfully, I got four and now he’s happy. I was pleased with that,” Mark related.
Pepita, seventeenth in the order of go, eased the tension further with a third clear, and then Jessica Leto, going four before the end with Cinbura, turned in a fault-free trip.
Discussing his course, Mark said, “the lines were the lines,” contending, “I didn’t overcomplicate it. I was getting them to the fences,” which were “between 1.55-1.60 (meters) in places” but he handled things in such a fashion that exhibitors could “cope with the height.”
Will saw things differently.
“It was too complicated for me,” he said with a smile.
“At my age I can’t get my car out of the driveway without a GPS.”
Before the class, he told me that Chacco, a Mechlenberg by Chacco Blue, can be difficult.
“He’s best in the show ring,” said Will.
“He’s miserable to hack. I’ve started to take it personal. He’s calm and cool about everything, except when I get on him. He’s getting better. Maybe he’s a late bloomer, a lot like me.”
In the jump-off, a rail down at the ice cream soda fence, the second in the tiebreaker, left Will on four faults with a time of 55.56, which would be good enough for third and a $60,795 paycheck. Amanda had a pole at a vertical, the third-to-last, after getting a little flat while pursuing a much faster time of 51.78. It would be good enough for second, and $81,860 in prize money.
Amanda Derbyshire and Cornwall BH.( Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
After seeing her rivals have faults, Hunter didn’t rush with Pepita, but she made the most of her mare’s trip, “relying on her natural quick foot speed” while leaving all the poles in place. That gave her the lead, as the only rider to that point with a clear, even though her time of 54.42 wasn’t all that speedy. Her strategy paid off in a victory worth $133,749. Jessica, the least experienced in the group, started with a lot of pace, eyeing Hunter’s time. But she had two rails in a clocking of 59.95 to be fourth.
Show manager Rian Beals announced that there will be another 5-star at Saugerties next year. He also mentioned a big money class at the end of HITS Ocala in the winter, but did not reveal an amount.
In other action at HITS, Jimmy Torano repeated his 2021 victory in the $200,000 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final with Laskano. They were on top with scores in the 90s in every round.
“The horse never put a foot wrong. He won every single round, which I believe he also did last year. He is just a horse that doesn’t want to let you down,” Jimmy observed.
In the $50,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Finals, Kaitlin Porath took the victory on Democracy, taking home the victory by more than 20 points.
The $15,000 HITS Green Hunter Prix went to Hannah Isop and Let It B with scores in the high 80s to take the top placing.
The Blackbarn $25,000 Junior/Amateur Jumper Prix was won by Laura Sloey with Beijing LS La Silla.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 10, 2022
The Region 2 Maclay championship today went to Jordan Gibbs, a Coloradan who trains with Stacia Madden of Colts Neck, N.J.
Jordan led the top 33 from a field of 49 at Old Salem Farm who are eligibile to ride in the ASPCA Maclay Championship at the National Horse Show in Lexington, Ky., in November.
Reserve champion was Kate Egan of Glen Gardner, N.J., trained by Luke Olsen of Redfielf Farm in Califon, N.J.
Discussing her strategy, Jordan said, “I came into today just wanting to put down a smooth round and make it into the top 33 and make it to the Finals. I trust my horse and I trust myself and I am so happy with how it turned out.”
Stacia explained, “Our goal was to have what we call a `lock-it-in’ round, where we just avoid making any blatant, big mistakes. Sometimes that takes the pressure off and we get better results. Jordan has a tendency to be an overachiever, so we weren’t working on having the brilliant round, but she wound up having the brilliant round.”
Holly Orlando and Lyman T. Whitehead, who judged the class, saw it as “a nice stepping stone to the Finals at the National Horse Show.”
“The course was very well done,” said Holly,speaking of the route designed by Paul Jewell and Nancy Wallis that mimicked the look of the Alltech Arena at the National.
“In a lot of ways, the class judged itself, with the top 12 separating themselves from the others. Jordan was clearly the leader after the first round and there was no doubt that she earned the win.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 10, 2022
My favorite photo of the Queen is this one, where she is galloping like the wind, her scarf slipped back on her head, looking into the distance with an awareness of the moment while leaving her cares behind. She is perfectly in control of her horse, while at the same time letting him gallop on.
Away from the palace, her duties and the weight of being constantly observed, she found respite and joy in her horses. She loved them all, from those who raced in her colors to the four-in-hand pulling the carriage for her husband, Prince Philip. Her Majesty was a true horsewoman, both in and out of the saddle, with a thorough knowledge of bloodlines.
Through her family, she was connected to a variety of disciplines. Her father, King George VI, was quite a rider who enjoyed fox hunting. Prince Philip wrote the rules for combined driving and competed in that discipline.
Her son, Charles (now the King) dabbled in racing and played polo. His sister, Princess Anne, evented, becoming European Champion and went on to follow her father as president of the FEI.
The Queen’s granddaughter and Princess Anne’s daughter, Zara Tindall, also became European Champion and then World Champion as well, at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany.
The Queen rode all her life, whether side-saddle in uniform, at the Trooping of the Colour aboard Burmese, the favorite black mare given to her by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or astride on casual trail rides, like those she shared with President Ronald Reagan.
The Queen and the President had a love of horses in common.
She continued hacking out until quite recently, enjoying the stout native ponies that were a bit closer to the ground than the more statuesque mounts that had been her choice in her younger days.
I hope she is with her horses again now, mounting up after patting her corgis and greeting Prince Phillip, before going for a blissful gallop into eternity.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 8, 2022
After more than 40 years heading HITS LLC, its founder, Tom Struzzieri will be leaving his post as chief executive officer at the end of the 2022 season, it was announced this morning.
The organization, known for its hunter/jumper shows around the country, will be led by its management team during the search for a new CEO. Traub Capital Partners became a majority partner in HITS in March.
Tom will remain a part-owner and director of the company while providing strategic consulting as well as significant involvement in the launch of the Del Mar, Calif., Showpark in 2023.
“I have been extremely fortunate over the four decades of running HITS to have a terrific group of employees who have been by my side through some very hard climbs as we together have grown the company,” Tom said.
“I remain committed to those people and will be in constant touch as a consultant as we face the next challenges together. On a parallel course, I have also been blessed to have very loyal clients and because of that loyalty, they too can continue to count on me as a liaison to all things HITS-related. The future of HITS is bright and I plan on doing what I can behind the scenes to help it shine.”
The move will enable Tom to pursue his life-long goal of cycling across the U.S. as he supports the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) with Team Alpha.
“It has been a pleasure to witness the industry through Tom’s eyes. He has been, and will continue to be, a guide and advisor to us all.” said Mortimer Singer, managing partner of Traub Capital Partners.
“Tom has built a great business and we look forward to continuing our work together as partners.”
With venues in New York, Florida, Vermont, Illinois, Virginia and California, “HITS will continue its mission of providing top quality competitions for riders at every level, while improving its facilities, technology and overall customer experience,” according to a statement from the company, which also offers dressage shows.
New developments are promised at the beginning of 2023 as the HITS Ocala Winter Show Series kicks off at Post Time Farm, as well as at Del Mar Showpark, where teams are already in place to begin renovations.
Those who want to donate to the organization Tom will be supporting with his bicycle trek may do so at https://www.alphabikeride.com/team.
Traub Capital Partners is a New York-based strategic private equity firm specializing in building value in consumer companies using its unique combination of investment, strategic and operational expertise. The fund targets investments in companies with revenue between $50 and $250 million. To learn more about Traub Capital Partners, visit www.traubcapitalpartners.com
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 7, 2022
It was quite a different Michael Barisone who came back to the Morristown, N.J., courtroom where he was tried for attempted murder last spring.
Michael Barisone in court Wednesday with attorney Chris Deininger. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
The dressage trainer appeared today for a hearing that would determine whether he could be freed after serving nearly four months in a psychiatric hospital. He was neatly dressed, a contrast to his disheveled look during the trial.
He has been in a psychiatric facility since shortly after a jury returned a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity in connection with the shooting of his student, Lauren Kanarek.
It was up to the same judge who presided at his trial to decide the next step for the 2008 U.S. Olympic dressage team alternate. Want to know how he ruled?
To read the story, click here.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 4, 2022
There were so many remarkable stories out of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in England, which ended today. It has certainly lived up to its reputation as the toughest of all the 5-stars (including Kentucky and Maryland in the U.S.) under its new cross-country course designer, Derek di Grazia, who also laid out the route for the Olympics last year. (He designs Kentucky as well).
Of the 51 entries who started cross-country, 31 completed that phase. Three of those, however, did not go on to show jumping.
Britain’s Piggy March, rated number four in the world, was the winner on Vanir Kamira with 27 penalties, which included four for a show jumping knockdown (but her margin was such that she even had another rail in hand). Meanwhile, another Brit, world number one Oliver Townend, was eliminated on cross-country after falls with two separate horses.
The USA’s Cornelia Dorr and Daytona Beach 8 made the biggest leap that wasn’t on the cross-country course by finishing 10th after standing 50th of 52 starters in the dressage phase. She was clean in cross-country except for 8.4 time penalties, and fault-free in show jumping. A star is born!
The other U.S. riders who finished were Emily Hamel (Corvett) 20th and Meghan O’Donoghue (Palm Crescent), 24th. Wood Baughman was eliminated for three refusals on cross-country with C’est la Vie 135.
To me, the most amazing result was a fourth-place finish for Jonelle Price of New Zealand on the 19-year-old Classic Moet, the only horse to complete cross-country without time penalties. Don’t know how she did it; the battery on Jonelle’s watch died while she was riding, which means she has a very accurate clock inside her head.
Her achievement earned the new Avebury Trophy for the best cross-country round of the day, judged by former Burghley course designer Mark Philliips.
It was donated by Rosemary and Mark Barlow, owners of three-time Burghley winner Avebury, bred by New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson. Their first Burghley win came in 2012. The horse retired in 2016 and was put down that year due to a malignant tumor. He is buried at the Nicholsons’ home at Westwood Stud in England.
Jonelle Price and Classic Moet. (Photo courtesy Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials)
What spoils Jonelle’s story a little bit is the fact that she dropped two rails in show jumping, without which she would have been second. But fourth place on 40.2 penalties is still pretty terrific under the circumstances.
She finished just behind her husband, Tim on Vitali (38.5), who was back of runner-up Tom Jackson, another British rider. He collected 32.5 penalties on Capel’s Hollow Drift.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 2, 2022
Are you looking for tack, horse blankets, boots, breeches, knick-knacks or other equestrian and farm items? Or do you want to get rid of same?
Tack sales are gearing up in Hunterdon County to benefit therapeutic riding organizations. Now is the time to drop off items at Riding With Heart and Mane Stream.
For Riding with Heart, bring donations to the RWH farm, 639 County Road 513, Pittstown from Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and noon-3 p.m. on Saturdays. Call (908) 735-5912 before you come so staff knows when to expect you.
Email tacksale@ridingwithheart.org to schedule a different drop-off time or a pick-up for a big donation within an hour drive. All donations are tax deductible.
The tack sale will be held Oct. 8 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Oct. 9 (Noon-3 pm.) when most items will be half-price.
Mane Stream’s sale at 83 Old Turnpike, Oldwick, will be held from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 6. Before then, drop off your items or call for a pick-up. Contact Jen at (908) 439-9636 or email to jen@manestreamnj.org.
Proceeds go toward Mane Stream’s mission to improve the quality of life for individuals with physical, developmental, emotional and medical challenges through a diverse program of equine assisted activities, therapy services and educational initiatives.
A tack sale also will be held at the Kevin Babington benefit show Oct. 2 at Duncraven in Titusville, Mercer County. Tack may be dropped off the week before the show at the stable, 1300 Trenton-Harbourton Road. Those who need to drop off tack before that should contact show manager Nancy Wallis at (908) 256-3386.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 1, 2022
Have you ever wondered what it would be like riding behind the hounds, crossing the beautiful countryside and taking jumps along the way?
You’ve seen it in films and on video, now you can have a chance to try it yourself. The Monmouth County Hunt is offering an introduction to fox hunting Sept. 17 and 18 from its base at 50 East Branch Road, Allentown. The first day of the program includes instruction on hunt etiquette and turnout for horse and rider, as well as learning about safety.
Participants will then ride on the flat in a group and over fences (jumping is not required). They will meet the hounds and get a tour of the hunt country.
On the second day, participants will ride in a hunt with instruction from the field masters. Riders will be grouped by desired pace and comfort level, as they get a chance to see the hounds work. A hunt breakfast will follow, with an opportunity for those taking part to talk with the joint masters.
To register, go to monmouthcountyhunt@gmail.com. The fee is $150.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 1, 2022
The Nations Cup of show jumping, a contest that epitomizes a country’s equestrian pride in its achievement, will continue as a two-round competition next year.
The International Jumping Riders Club noted the FEI (international equestrian federation) has confirmed the format for 2023, even though some organizing committees have expressed interest in making it just one round. Economically, a two-round approach is expensive for a number of reasons, including the cost of consecutive hours of media coverage.
A Nations Cup win is always a cause for celebration. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
Remember how removing roads and tracks and steeplechase from three-day eventing changed that game? Making the Nations Cup one round instead of two would have a similar effect on a different discipline.
As IJRC points out, the Nations Cup is the oldest and most prestigious class in equestrian sport. Riders wearing team colors are a symbol of the competion’s sporting importance.
In terms of its value, dropping a second round would not be in keeping with the Cup’s philosophy concerning consistency in horse and rider performance. They must prove their teamwork and freshness over longer courses involving two rounds. A second round enables a team to improve its standing in the class, or create an opportunity for redemption. A team can correct its mistakes or change its strategy in the second round.
IJRC maintains, “It is the most coveted and important competition in an athlete’s sporting career. This is underlined by the fact that riders agreed to the formation of three-combination teams at the Olympics, being assured that the Nations Cup formula would not be affected.”
Outside of the Olympics, as in last month’s world championships, four-member teams have always been the rule. IJRC contends joint solutions to the economic issues should be found in order to support the organizing committees and address their concerns.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 28, 2022
New Jersey riders continued to do the state proud as the Dressage Festival of Champions came to a close at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Illinois today.
It was quite the show, with 168 horses and riders across 15 divisions for seven days. The Festival began as a multi-discipline competition in the 1990s at the U.S. Equestrian Team in Gladstone, N.J., eventually winding down there to include only the dressage championships, but with less divisions than were held in Illinois, where more rings were available at a larger facility.
Cesar Parra, who splits his year between Pittstown, N.J., and Florida, won the Markel/USEF Young Horse Six-Year-Old championship with Møllegårdens Fashion (83.480). The Danish gelding (Florenz 71 X Tailormade L’Espoir) “was very relaxed. I didn’t want to push for much more. He’s a a very powerful horse, we are a little bit new to each other. I know how he can get really, really strong,”
Cesar Parra and Møllegårdens Fashion claim their prizes. (Photo courtesy U.S. Equestrian/Susan Stickle)
Cesar added, “I’m very happy he’s getting so obedient, so supple.” He characterized him as “almost a Grand Prix horse now.
While it is “Important to come here and win,” he added what is more important is that “the education follow parameters we need for Grand Prix.”
Cesar told the story of showing Fashion at the Florida Horse Park last April, when “he ran away from the groom. two miles and almost got hit. That was his warm-up. I think that’s why he’s a beautiful gelding.”
The reserve champion was Lauren Fisher’s Lionell VE (81.800), ridden by Rebecca Rigdon. She said their test had one mistake, but it was hers and “I can fix that.”.
Alice Tarjan, the omnipresent Oldwick, N.J., resident, who took the Grand Prix title with Serenade MF earlier in the week, was third in the six-year-old section with Gjenjanger (80.840).
“I’m really pleased with my horse. She did her job. It’s been a long week,” said Alice.
Fourth place went to another of her horses, Glory Day (79.520), ridden by her trainer, Marcus Orlob of Anandale, N.J.
The Markel/USEF Young Horse Seven-Year-Old title belonged to Endel Ots on King’s Pleasure (Dark Pleasure X Glock’s Johnson TN) with a score of 78.925. Cesar was second on Fanta (76.181), a Hanoverian he owns with Gina Raful.
Endel said the horse’s final test, marked at 78.925 “couldn’t be better” after a day devoted to a hand walk, turnout and a roll.
“He had a lot of power and energy and really stayed with me.”
Endel told his horse’s owner, Heidi Humphries, that he didn’t want to show him in the six-year-old championship last year, because he wasn’t ready. But 2022 would be another story.
Endel Otts and King’s Pleasure. (Photo courtesy U.S. Equestrian/Susan Stickle)
“For her birthday about 10 months ago, I gave her a silver frame and it said `Seven-year-old 2022 national champion Kings Pleasure.’ I said there will be a photo in that frame of your horse with a championship ribbon on there. I see it, I feel it. I know it. It’s there.”
And he was right.
Cesar said he enjoyed his ride on Fanta, even though he was having a hard time keeping him on his aids. “He’s an amazing horse. I really love him. I’ve been riding him for two years.”
In the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix section, Claire Darnell earned the championship with the 10-year-old Dutchbred Harrold S (Vivaldi X Fiedermark NRW) on a score of 69.942 percent.
“My horse was super good all week,” said Claire, noting that even when “I made a couple of little rider errors, he kept doing his thing.” She said the best quality of the horse is his reliability.
Judge Janet Foy, left and U.S. dressage development coach Charlotte Bredahl (far right) with Claire Parnell and Harrold S. (Photo courtesy U.S. Equestrian/Susan Stickel)
“My goal for the year was to qualify for this. To have him win was super, super special,” she said, noting he adjusted to everything but “the fake horse in front of the VIP.” They kept putting different decorations on it, so “every time he came by, it was different.”
Reserve champion on Jane was Alice, with a total of 69.325 percent.
As she has said was the case with her other horses, being in Germany much of the summer as an alternate for the U.S. world championships team meant little training for those who stayed at home. Alice called the championships a good experience for Jane, noting now it’s back to work. She’d like the horse to have more exposure, so she’s thinking of going to Show Plus Dressage at Devon next month.
Third place went to Marcus on Jeannette Pinard’s Spirit of Joy (68.966).
He sees “a lot of things to improve,” but noted it was the hose’s first Intermediate II.
Marcus said, next up is “a few weeks of light work, then our homework will start. He’s only eight. I think I have to push to the next level,” which means starting with national Grands Prix in Florida.
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Read stories from previous days in the previous columns section, listed at the top of the website.
