While the the International Modern Pentathlon Union announced earlier this month that show jumping will no longer be part of the modern pentathlon lineup following the Paris Olympics in 2024, protests of the move have come from representatives of numerous nations. A group called Pentathlon United has been formed to lobby for keeping riding in the Olympic pentathlon at Los Angeles 2028 and beyond.
The sport received an unwelcome spotlight in Tokyo after a horse refused with a German rider who had been leading the competition to that point. She whipped the horse and burst into tears, a moment memorialized in a photo that made headlines around the world. Her mount was punched by her coach, who was disciplined by being sent home.
In a letter to athletes, the pentathlon union–which feared that the sport would be dropped from the Games by the International Olympic Committee– explained the decision, stating, “We would be making a mistake if we were to take our place in the Olympic programme for granted past Paris 2024. It is not granted for us, it is not granted for anybody.
“We really need to make sure that in that new environment, with all of these new sports (such as skateboarding) that have demonstrated strength and a lot of traction with people and media, we have to make sure that our sport if (sic) flawless.”
The organization’s executive board held a secret meeting in which it was decided to remove horseback riding from the program. Riding’s replacement sport for the 2028 Games had yet to be decided.
But comments from pentathlon supporters from Poland to Denmark and the Czech Republic to Finland have protested the move.
After word of the decision came, more than 700 pentathletes wrote a letter expressing no confidence in the pentathlon organization’s president and board, asking for their resignations, while at the same time they pressed to keep riding in the pentathlon to save the integrity of the sport.
In a letter to the Polish pentathlon association, athletes and coaches said they understood there needed to be changes and standardization of the rules of holding a riding competition as part of the sport, adapting rules not only to competitors’ skills, but also to the horses’ abilities.
At the same time, “There are many solutions, the introduction of which will make horse riding in a modern pentathlon safer for both parties,” those protesting contended in their letter.
A riding working group had been set up by the international governing body to explore whether the equestrian element should be continued in the format that also includes shooting, running, swimming and fencing, which debuted at the 1912 Olympics. There have been innovations since, including running all the sports in a 90-minute broadcast-friendly format, rather than over a period of days.
Modern pentathlon participants are assigned a horse and have just 20 minutes before competing in the jumping. It’s a big ask for athletes who are not accomplished riders. The five-discipline event began as a military competition, with women taking part for the first time in 2000. It has not been among the more popular events to watch for viewers of the Games, which endangers its continuing inclusion
.Meanwhile, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) called for all equestrian disciplines to be dropped from the Olympics, not just the riding phase of modern pentathlon. The FEI (International Equestrian Federation), which is the governing body for the Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing and grand prix-level show jumping, does not regulate pentathlon.
“Just as the Olympics evolved to include sports that are of current interest, like skateboarding, surfing, and sport climbing, in a world that increasingly refuses to accept abuse in any form, it’s time to remove sports that are no longer supported by the public,” PETA’s senior vice-president of the equine matters department, Kathy Guillermo, wrote to International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.
There is no comparison between riding in the pentathlon and the Olympic equestrian sports, which are run at the highest standard of athleticism and care for the horse, most of which have been with their riders for many years.
Mark Laskin has resigned as Equestrian Canada’s Technical Advisor-Jumping, which includes acting as chef d’équipe for the Canadian show jumping team at major games and Nations’ Cup team competitions.
He has been in the role for nine years after succeeding Terrance “Torchy” Millar. Mark has been working without a current contract, despite continuing to fulfill his duties at numerous events including the Tokyo Olympic Games and the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final in Barcelona.
Mark Laskin. (Starting Gate Communications photo)
“I was told during the first week of April that a contract would be forthcoming,” he said.
“Seven months later, the contract promised to me still hasn’t been delivered.”
Equestrian Canada is conducting a review of the Technical Advisor Jumping position led by James Hood, Equestrian Canada’s director of high performance and FEI Relations.
“When I was hired, the Jump Canada Board ran the discipline and EC handled the administration,” said Mark, 64.
“At that time, “Torchy” Millar was the chef d’équipe and I understudied with him for two years as assistant chef d’équipe. We worked so well together that Torchy stayed on for an additional two years before I moved into his role full-time. That was a successful succession plan, developed and managed by Jump Canada.
“I now find myself in a position where James Hood has told me that EC is doing a review of the role and will be compiling a job description and putting it out to tender. Almost as an afterthought, he added that I would be welcome to apply,” continued Mark.
Equestrian Canada stated that after two Olympic cycles, internal stakeholders and funders of the high-performance equestrian system in 2020 recommended during planning for the Tokyo Olympics a review of technical advisor roles.
“Mark Laskin’s contract was in extension, and he agreed to remain in the role during the process and his input and expertise were sought,” according to Equestrian Canada.
“Mr. Laskin resigned from his position prior to the publication of the leadership review postTokyo, the completion of the job description, and the move into the hiring process.”
The job description and skills competency are in final review with a hiring target by Jan. 1.
Mark cited interference from Equestrian Canada’s leadership group as another reason for his resignation, including recently being pressured as to which athletes are selected for Nations’ Cup team competitions.
“The leaders at our national federation need to have understanding and experience with our sport,” Mark stated.
“Unfortunately, Equestrian Canada has had many people in leadership positions that have no background in the equestrian field. That depth of understanding is integral to any future success of the organization. Equestrian Canada’s leadership group are making decisions that aren’t congruent with my philosophy. It is my opinion that the high performance program has been adversely affected and will continue to be in the future with the current leadership group at the helm. Consequently, I felt that I had no choice but to step down.
“I feel very sad to be resigning,” he continued. “The management of an international team is a complex task that requires the full support and understanding of the National Sport Organization, and that has not always been the case recently.”
Mark’s decision was fully supported by the EC High Performance Committee–Jumping, which includes former world champion Gail Greenough, Mike Lawrence, Beth Underhill, and Marni von Schalburg.
“We share Mark’s frustration at the lack of communication and consultation with our committee,” said Mike Lawrence.
“As the people who are ultimately responsible for guiding show jumping at the highest levels, we need to have a say in the high performance program and the process that is followed.”
Mark produced double clear rounds riding Damuraz to lead Canada to the team gold medal at the 1980 Alternate Olympics in Rotterdam. He is a member of the Jump Canada Hall of Fame.
“I am Canadian through and through and have taken great pride in Canada’s success on the world stage,” said Mark.
“I want to thank everyone who has shown their support over the years, especially the riders with whom I’ve developed strong friendships and shared so many incredible memories and successes. I’ll miss them the most.”
In her equitation championship debut, Ella Witt of Califon won the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association 3’3’ Hunter Seat Medal Final East last Saturday aboard Stakkair, owned by Redfield Farm.
But only a few days later on the horse show roller coaster, with its steep highs and deep lows, the gelding was being vetted for sale–just as Ella had to get ready for the National Horse Show in Kentucky.
“Life as a catch rider,” sympathized Redfield’s owner, Emil Spadone.
“If it was my own horse, I’d make them (the buyers) wait a week. But it’s not my own horse and she understands I can’t do that to a client, I can’t risk another week. What if something goes wrong?”
Ella in action at the championship. (Photo by Ann Gittins Photography)
As Emil looked for a mount that could go to Lexington with Ella, she was more grateful than sad about Stakkair, saying she was “so lucky to have had the opportunity to ride him, he’s a special horse.”
She cherishes a magical victory that was part of an incredible week for Redfield, as Cassandra Kahle won the $100,000 Forrester Farm Equipment Grand Prix at the Pennsylvania National Horse show with the farm’s own Selle Francais, the 18-year-old Pyrenes de Louzes..
It was, as Emil said, “icing on the cake” because she also was aboard the Dutchbred stallion Corragio for victory in the 3-3 Green HunterStake and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show’s 3-3 Perpetual Trophy. Corragio is standing at stud for Redfield, so he collected a nice addition to his list of achievements. Pyrenes’ groom, Oscar Trevizo, also was a winner, getting recognition from the Grooms Award Ltd.
“Right now we’re flying high,” said Emil of the wins that were hundreds of miles apart, from Harrisburg, Pa., to West Springfield, Mass.
Ella came to Emil via Amanda Lyerly, who had been training her, but lessons at Amanda’s stable involved a six and one-half hour drive to Ohio. It worked when Ella was doing virtual classes from the Marymount School in New York during the pandemic, but the long trip meant she couldn’t get in enough riding after in-person classes resumed.
Emil’s farm is five minutes from Ella’s New Jersey home. Amanda suggested that might be a better fit, and it was. Ella got along well with the other teens at Redfield and began working with trainer Luke Olsen.
“I feel like she’s found a bit of a home with us,” said Emil.
Ella Witt with trainer Luke Olsen and USHJA President Mary Knowlton. (Photo by Ann Gittins Photography)
Ella had junior hunter experience, but was just starting equitation, as was Stakkair, a former jumper.
She was training for the 3’6” classes. But when Luke realized the 15-year-old (she’s 14 show age) had three more years to compete as a junior, he thought it made sense to step back and give her experience in the 3-3 championships, which have multiplied in recent years.
The only problem was that when he discussed it with the Redfield team and the decision was made at the end of July for Ella to focus on the 3-3 medals, there was just a week left to qualify for the USHJA class. But she did it.
Luke worked with her intensively for six weeks “and set me up for success,” as Ella put it.
“I’m very reserved and don’t ever go in the ring thinking I’m going to win,” said Ella.
“It’s always a shock when I do well, especially since this is my first year doing equitation and my first final,” she said of the competition at the New England Equitation Championships.
“I didn’t really have any expectations, so this was definitely a dream come true. It’s a good boost for my confidence.”
Ella added, “The whole team at Redfield, I really owe them a lot. They’re really an amazing team. It’s a lot of effort that goes into it and I’m lucky to be a part of that.”
Emil saw a natural talent in Ella and “pushed her a bit to do the equitation.”
Luke has an eclectic background, which includes handling special events for Inglenook Winery in Napa Calif., and a job with Soul Cycle. He added credentials to his equestrian resume during a stint with Susie Schoellkopf and Jen Alfano at SBS Farms in Buffalo.
Luke began working Emil in the summer of 2020, saying “he gives me a ton of opportunities. I love working with the kids, I obsess over equitation. It’s something I’m super, super passionate about and study and watch the other trainers.”
When he met Ella, he said, “Wow, this kid can ride.” He characterized her as “very, very natural and very, very calm. When it comes to finding the jumps, she’s a laser. As long as she knows the course, she’s on it.”
At the ingate, he tells her, “You’re cool as a cucumber; you gotta have the eye of the tiger.”
Cassandra characterized her victory on her first grand prix horse, who she’s been riding since 2016, as “pretty surreal.”
Cassandra Kahle and Pyranes de Louzes. (Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography)
She noted,.“I’m very dedicated to the sport. I love it. I do it every day, so it’s a lot of ups and downs, a lot of long days. To have a day like this come together makes it all worth it. This is such a special show. They brought the crowd, and I think the whole atmosphere just makes it that much more surreal.”
Despite his age Pyranes de Louzes “is sound and he seems to love his job,” said Emil.
“He’s going to Florida as a 19-year-old and we’re planning on showing. When he’s done showing, he stays with us to retire in a field and have plenty of carrots.”
Just in time for the holidays, Laura Graves and Curt Maes have a daughter. Their first child is named Mackenzie Elaine Maes.
Laura and Curt with their baby.
Laura is a dressage Olympic medalist and former world number one in the discipline, who has been keeping a lower profile since retiring her Games mount Verdades last year.
Curt has been her right-hand man with the horses. Here’s a look at the new arrival: and her parents.
The U.S. Equestrian Federation decided not to renew the contract of Erik Duvander after he put in four years devoting himself to American eventing as the fed’s performance director. No reason was given for dropping him, but USEF is doing a rethink on its eventing program. Read my story about it on the Horse Sport website. Here is the link . And as part of the big change, Peter Wylde, who coached show jumping for the eventers, also didn’t have his contract renewed. Read the details here .
One Northeastern eventing competition got what it wanted as a committee redid the sport’s calendar and cut back on the number of events in certain categories. (See this link for an explanation.)
The Horse Park of New Jersey’s Jersey Fresh International, for instance, lost its CCI 4-star Long, 4-star Short and 3-star long at the Horse Park of New Jersey, which got just an Advanced horse trials in June. But for Plantation Field Eventing, being awarded the featured CCI 4-star Short at its September international fixture from 2023-2027 had been only half the battle.
Plantation Field Eventing, which also presents 3-star and 2-star Shorts and an Advanced Horse Trials in September, last year faced the threat of losing its venue. But it is good to go forward following a decision from the owner of the property.
Cuyler Walker Jr. had cancelled the show’s lease on his Pennsylvania acreage in 2020 after a website made an issue of its “troubling associations inherent” in its name, claiming Plantation Field conjured up images of slavery and asking for a name change. Although “plantation” in this case meant a place where trees were planted (by Boy Scouts in the 1930s), the issue upset the property owner, who felt he was being accused of racism.
When the U.S. Eventing Association announced before the 2020 event started that it would not use the Plantation name in its press releases (and did not wind up covering the event that year), the issue got even hotter.
As a result, the owner was to allow the competition only to run for two more years through the end of its contract.
But the impasse changed when U.S. Eventing noted having the competition shut down wasn’t right for the sport, adding the property had no connection to slavery. At the same time, the U.S. Equestrian Federation decided decisions regarding regarding venue and competition names “are ultimately at the discretion and the responsibility of individual organizers.”
The lease is renewed and this year, at a very successful running of the international event, Cuyler helped give out the awards. Rider after rider came up and thanked him for letting the sport continue on his property, said Denis Glaccum, president of Plantation Field Equestrian Events, which run from spring through the fall with a variety of competition levels. Cuyler even provided the wording for Plantation Field’s successful bid for the international event during the 2023-27 period. It also will continue in 2022, as originally planned.
Plantation Field attracts the big names, such at Olympians Phillip Dutton and Boyd Martin, who live nearby in Pennsylvania, as well as the 2021 third Olympic team member, Doug Payne, and Olympic alternate Liz Halliday-Sharp.
There are no other star-rated international events in the New York/Philadelphia metropolitan area. The Maryland 5-star and 3-star in October is nearby, but Maryland would be considered more Mid-Atlantic than Northeast; ironically, an area that was once the hub of the sport in this country. Migration patterns change, and equestrians keep moving south, or at least spending much of the year there..
Are you familiar with the hunter/jumper rule changes that will go into effect Dec. 1 for the 2022 show year?
There is a long list of them, but here are some of the most important to know:
Find out before your hunter class how you will jog after you jump. A show can hold a jog in the traditional way, when you run in with your horse after your number is called, or it can use the 2020 Covid-inspired Presidential Modification of trotting a circle on a loose rein at the end of each over-fences performance.
The changes for hunters also include an expansion of offerings, with low adult amateur hunter and low children’s hunter horse added to the rated sections.
In the jumpers, management will be allowed to change the table under which a class offering less than $25,00 is run for a variety of reasons, including bad weather or encroaching darkness.
There is no longer an amateur-owner jumper section, only an amateur jumper division, though an amateur-owner high-score award will be offered in the Horse of the Year ranks. Oh, and if you have a mule, it is now allowed to compete in U.S. Equestrian Federation jumper classes.
One more thing–after much discussion over the years, it has been decided that earbuds and earphones cannot be worn in schooling or exercise areas.
John Franzreb, the legendary ringmaster who died in May, was inducted into the Washington International Horse Show Hall of Fame October 30. Here is the video tribute:
Washington International President Vicki Lowell noted that since John joined WIHS in 2007, he had been “an integral part of the Washington family. He was a genial presence who always brought his wonderful style, smile and pomp and circumstance to the opening of each class and the presentation of awards. Start to finish, he was all class, warmth and kindness.”
Vicki cited his long and varied career with horses. John rode as a junior, and then served as ringmaster, steward, and manager at major horse shows throughout the country.
For more than 40 years, his family farm, Clove Lake Stables on Staten Island, was home to more than 100 horses and served aspiring riders of all ages. His family’s horses and carriages were regular participants in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Beyond horses, he gave back to his Staten Island community, working with the Boy Scouts and the Red Cross. He sounded the bugle at the annual Groundhog Day Ceremony at the Staten Island Zoo.
Created in 1997, the WIHS Hall of Fame comprises some of the great names in equestrian sport who excelled at Washington including William C. Steinkraus, Rodney Jenkins, Joe Fargis and Kathy Kusner.
The induction ceremony: Washington International President Vicki Lowell, Steve Serafin, Judith Franzreb and Steve Rector. (Photo by Kaleigh Collett)
This honor comes with a video tribute, a featured article in the WIHS Official Souvenir Program, inclusion in the WIHS Hall of Fame on wihs.org, and an inscription on the Hall of Fame Trophy. John’s wife, Judith, was on hand for the induction ceremony. For more about the Hall of Fame, click here .
Gio, the plucky chestnut Great Britain’s dressage superstar Charlotte Dujardin rode to team and individual dressage bronze medals at the Tokyo Olympics, will now have a teenager in the saddle.
According to Horse & Hound, Pumpkin, as he is known, has been sold to Annabella Pidgley, 16, whose late father, Tony, was a big supporter of equestrian sport in Britain before his death last year. Pumpkin, a 10-year-old son of Apache, was spotted five years ago by Charlotte in a California clinic.
Charlotte and Pumpkin competing in the Tokyo Games.
“It is always such a hard thing to let go of animals that we see as our family,” Charlotte is quoted as saying, but she noted it is a fact of life that sales must sometimes be made in order to keep going. She owned the Dutchbred gelding with her mentor, Carl Hester, and Renai Hart. After the Olympics, she rode Pumpkin to team silver and individual bronze at the European Dressage Championships.
Annabella, who trains with Charlotte and Danish star Cathrine Dufour, won double individual silver at the junior European Championships this year on Sultan Des Paluds.
“Annabella is one of the most promising riders in our country, and works so hard to develop herself and her horses, whilst giving them nothing but five star care,”said Charlotte, who is glad that her training gig with Annabella will keep Pumpkin in her life
Annabella commented: “To say this is a huge privilege for me is an understatement, and I know this is such an honor for me to take the reins of such an iconic little horse. I can only say that under the training of both Cathrine Dufour and Charlotte, I will work every day to do my best by him, bond with him and keep him in the manner he is used to.”
The winner and runner-up in the HITS $400,500 grand prix were new faces, which German course designer Werner Deeg considers a good thing.
The finale of the Saugerties, N.Y., spring/summer series was won yesterday by 25-year-old Megan McDermott on Entano, logging her first 5-star victory, while her close friend, amateur rider Maria Costa, 29, was close behind aboard Presence.
There were many big names among the 26 starters; Hampton Classic grand prix winner Daniel Bluman, former World Champion and Olympic gold medalist Rodrigo Pessoa, the eternal Margie Engle (fourth on Dicas as the fastest 4-faulter in the first round), Amanda Derbyshire and Hunter Holloway (second and third in the competition last year). Werner, however, found it refreshing that virtual unknowns were at the top of the class.
“There is a change of generation at the moment,” he maintained.
‘”You can see it in Europe as well.”
He told the young women, “What you did today it was absolutely fantastic. We need names like McLain and Beezie, but we need these names in the future. This is what we have to work with.”
HITS impresario Tom Struzzieri told Mean and Maria during the post-grand prix press conference, “You young ladies should be pretty excited. I’ve sat here many times with people who’ve gone on to some pretty great things.” He cited, among others, Andre Thieme of Germany, who has been a winner of the big classes at HITS and just took individual gold at the European Championships.
Megan, a Westchester County N.Y., resident who is based for the moment at Blythe Masters’ farm in Bedminster, N.J., was the only rider to produce a double-clear in the competition after topping the three-horse tie-breaker. She set the pace with a well-judged round in 48.69 seconds.
“He’s naturally quick and has a big stride,” said Megan, noting that if she let Entano go in the jump-off, she was rolling the dice.
“My strategy was to go a little bit medium so I would not lose control at the end and have one of the last couple of jumps down. I definitely felt there was risk for me nearing the end,” said Megan, who had skill and luck on her side.
Ireland’s David Blake went for it following Megan’s trip, but had 12 penalties on Keoki.
“Megan had a good tactic, she put a lot of pressure, I really had no choice but to chase,” David said.
“There were only three in the jump-off, there’s no real advantage to playing it safe. I was going to be second or third or win and had to give it a go. All we could do was try to beat her. It didn’t work out for us today,” David concluded.
Maria, who is a good friend of Megan’s, had the advantage of riding last.
Megan “put the pressure on,” said Maria, who coped as best she could aboard Presence.
“Unfortunately, coming to the second-to-last jump, I wasn’t able to get him back as much as I knew I needed to, I just wasn’t able to get it done. But I couldn’t be happier with the horse.”
Werner’s first round route had plenty of challenging loops as it wound around the enormous grand prix arena.
“The horses have to maintain the rhythm and free-forward movement. Let them go and make them happy, give them a chance,” said the designer, citing the importance of balance.
“For me, it is important not only having a nice rhythm from (fence) one to five, they have to keep the rhythm through 13 and 14.”
Werner’s techniques were effective, and he was proud that no horses had real difficulty along the path he laid out.
Analyzing how Werner did his job, David said, “I think he used the length of the course, with 14 jumps and 93 seconds (time allowed).
“Turning back to the triple bar (fence 11) was quite an uphill battle for a lot of horses, they fatigued a little bit. I think the length of the course was clever, and for a $400,000 grand prix it should be hard.”
The grand prix course.
The victory turned things around for Megan, who does most of her own work with her horse. She hired a freelance groom who didn’t come on time yesterday morning to feed her horse; when the groom finally rolled in, she already had done everything, and friends pitched in to free her up for the course walk. It wasn’t a propitious start to the day, but she turned it around..
It is only a little more than a year that she has been riding Entano, a 12-year-old son of Namelus R out of a Numero Uno mare.
“The first time I jumped him, I thought, `I’m going to win a 5-star grand prix on this horse,’” Megan confided.
“He’s difficult, he’s very quirky, it takes a lot to manage him properly. For it to come together on my first 5 star, he just couldn’t have been any better,” she said.
“I’ve had a really awful year, starting the last week of August 2020. I’ve had terrible luck inside the sport and outside the sport. The way to keep getting through it, every time I show, I say `I’m going to win the class.’
However, she added, “I have not won any classes or even come close in a long time. but I always do psych myself up and think i am going to win. That’s what i have to do to give it my all.”
While Megan and Maria are new faces, they work with people who are big names. Maria rides with Laura Kraut, a member of the U.S. silver medal team at the Olympics. She wasn’t on hand in Saugerties, but Maria credits her influence as an important part of her success.
Megan’s mentor is Daniel Bluman. He had her ride Entano when he was thinking of selling the Dutch-bred gelding as an amateur’s mount, because he wanted to see how the gelding would go with a female rider. Megan hit it off with the horse, and changed his destiny.
“He’s been a super complex and interesting horse to work with. I love the challenge of him,” the young professional said.
Asked what she will do with her $132,165 share of the purse, she responded, “Try to keep my business afloat.”
Among the day’s featured classes was the $200,000 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix, which went to Jimmy Torano on Laskano. His final score was 357.50 for today’s two rounds, edging Hannah Isop and Believe, who had a total of 356.
The horse belongs to Daryl Portela, who is practically a member of the Torano family.
Teary-eyed for a few moments after his victory, Jimmy explained, “A year ago exactly, the owner of this horse had a catastrophic fall and can never ride again, so this is an emotional win today
“He won the first round, he won the second round, he was circuit champion in Florida, he just tries to win every class he goes in,” he said of the horse he bought from Emil Spadone at Redfield Farm.
Jimmy was wearing an air vest during his time in the arena, something he, his wife, Danielle, and their 11-year-old son, JJ, feel strongly about.
“We had talked about her (Daryl) wearing a vest and it never materialized and she had that bad fall and I said, `We’re ordering them.’ From that day forward we wear them in every class.”
Although more riders are wearing the vests, not everyone wants to.
