by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 2, 2022
After making some progress, Cassandra Kahle developed aspiration pneumonia from her breathing tube today. Although the professional show jumper has been unconscious since a fall last weekend, on Wednesday she was able to respond to commands, such as thumbs up.
UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fla., quickly addressed the change in her situation with antibiotics, according to Emil Spadone, the owner of Redfield Farm in Ocala, Fla., and Califon, N.J., where Cassie is based.
“But it appears that an infection such as this will slow down her responses and ability to wake up,” he reported.
It’s a tough development for her family and friends, but Emil said he was told it will take “24 to 48 hours to allow the antibiotics to do their job and we expect to be back on track.”
Being young (29) and strong are factors in Cassie’s favor. It’s tough to take the situation in stride, especially after how well she reacted on Wednesday, but doctors advise patience.
For those who don’t know what happened, Cassie and her mount, Heviola, fell in the 1.40-meter Classic at the HITS show in Ocala.The 10-year-old Dutchbred mare was unhurt, but Cassie suffered a traumatic brain injury. Her family flew down from Canada to support her and are waiting for her to wake up.
The doctors are “very optimistic,” said Emil.
“They see this all the time. We don’t, so it’s very up and down and roller-coastery for us. The doctor said, `You just have to take that, that’s the way it is, it goes up and it goes down. You’ll have some good days and some-not-as good days.’ ”
Emil said scans show mild bleeding and mild bruising.
“They’re all recoverable injuries,” he noted, adding, “it’s a little bit of a slow process. Every hour, they do a neuro test; it changes from one hour to the next.”
“They’re still very positive and so, of course, we’re very positive,” Emil emphasized.
Cassie is an accomplished rider who won the $100,000 Grand Prix de Penn National last year and the World Champion Hunter Rider Pro Challenge at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in 2019.
Cassie on her way to winning the Grand Prix de Penn National last fall. (Andrew Ryback photo)
She was going fast in the jump-off at HITS when two distances to the next jump appeared. One was an inside turn, the other was a longer distance.
“I was watching and saw both distances,” said Emil.
“I saw the flyer; she was trying to fit in the shorter one, the horse was trying to pick up on the longer one and left early.”
The horse fell and her rider “got catapulted off the side.”
She hit her head just above her temple and left eye and back to the side; that’s where the contusions are on the scan, according to Emil, adding her only other injury is a big bruise on her side.
Emil noted that like every other rider, Cassie has fallen more than once.
“She always gets up and dusts off her pants and says `Let’s try again.’ She’s tough.”
But this time, it didn’t happen that way.
“It was really a miscommunication. It wasn’t Heviola’s fault and it wasn’t Cassie’s fault,” said Emil.
As often happens when there is a crisis, the horse show community has rallied around Cassie. Danielle Torano organized an effort to send food to Cassie’s nurses as a thank you for her care. Those who want to contribute can click on this link
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 1, 2022
The application deadline is just around the corner, April 1, to apply for the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s Emerging Athlete Program at Centenary University’s Equestrian Center in Long Valley June 20-24.
The riding clinician will be grand prix rider Candice King, a trainer with a warm personality who has represented the U.S. in Nations Cups and won the Queen Elizabeth Cup in England.
The USHJA Emerging Athletes Program, created in 2009 for riders to gain riding and horsemanship knowledge, has nine regional training sessions around the country in addition to the one in New Jersey. For more information and to apply, go to ushja.org/EAP.
New this year is the Stable Management Trainee Program, which offers a non-riding component to participants interested in learning more about the behind-the-scenes management of top-level equine athletes and competition barns. At Centenary, hunter/jumper/equitation trainer Tracy Forman will handle the stable management part of the program.
Participants shadowing the stable management clinician will receive more intensive instruction on horse care and management, providing an immersive learning experience on managing a barn and competition horses.
The Emerging Athletes Program is open to Junior, Amateur and Professional members 12 years of age or older as of December 1 of the current competition year and is offered at 0.90m and 1.0m fence heights.
Those interested in participating must complete and return the application, associated fee and three letters of recommendation to USHJA by the deadline.
Riders accepted into the Emerging Athletes Program begin by participating in the Regional Training Session,bringing their own horses and providing all care themselves.
Once the Regional Training Sessions conclude, 16 riders and a select number of stable managers will be invited to attend the National Training Session based on their riding and stable-management skills and potential shown during their Regional Training Session.
Only members between 12 and 25 years of age as of December 1 of the current competition year are eligible for the National Training Session. The dates and location for the 2022 Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session will be announced at a later date.
Each USHJA Zone offers a minimum of two grants to EAP participants to help offset the cost of attending a Regional Training Session or the National Training Session. For more information, visit ushja.org/zones, select your home zone, then click on “Grants and Scholarships.” EAP Grant applications also must be completed by April 1.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 1, 2022
Get out of the winter doldrums at the Horse World Expo, which will be presented March 3-6 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pa., where the Pennsylvania National Horse Show is held each autumn.
It offers seminars, mounted clinics, vendors and lots of equestrian entertainment. In the latter category, you’ll see the Rescued to Stardom competition, Trail Champions Challenge, Parade of Breeds and Stallion Avenue, Equi-Tainment, Mounted Archery, Mounted Games and Driving Demonstrations, all included with daily admission.
Horse Expo offers an even more special opportunity because Equitana USA will not be taking place at the Kentucky Horse Park.
As the organizer of that event stated, “Our vision for the event was to be a place that offered endless equestrian shopping, education, and entertainment from both domestic and international markets. However, as the pandemic continues to cause global challenges, we will take the necessary time to pause and reevaluate plans for the future.”
At Horse Expo, clinicians include a Texan, Craig Cameron, founder of the Extreme Cowboy Association and the Ride Smart Club of Ride Smart Horsemanship; Sadie Fisher, a certified John & Josh Lyons Trainer who works with horses of all breeds, and coming from Wisconsin, Dan Grunewald, who is certified to judge by nine organizations. The five time top-ten finalist with the Extreme Mustang Challenge will including western riding and ranch riding in his presentation.
Also appearing will be Kendra Clarke, a Level 2 Centered Riding instructor and a licensed Franklin Method Equestrian Pelvic trainer, specializing in horse and rider biomechanics, as well as Andrew Nav. a multiple National Cutting title earner and a Quarter Horse Congress Cutting Champion. Among others being showcased are Australian natural horseman Guy McLean, Shawna Karrasch teaching Positive Reinforcement methods; Jason Charles, who will be designing the Trail Champions Challenge course; Ivy Starnes, who specializes in the naturally gaited breeds, Dom Schramm representing eventing, Jeff Wilson for Western Dressage, Lindsey Partridge, best known for her work with retired racehorses, and classical dressage and bridleless jumping expert, Brendan Wise with Unbridled Wings.
Last year, eight horses began their quest to win the Rescued to Stardom contest. The contest is for horses three years old and up,who haven’t been broken to saddle and are owned by a 501 c.3 rescue. Their under-saddle training began on December 1 and continues through the start of the Expo. Each competitor will compete by presenting an in-hand freestyle on Friday March 4. The final competition, an under-saddle freestyle, will be held March 5. After the Expo, horses will be available for adoption.
The participating horse rescues introduced their horses on social media and will earn points based on the number of likes on a final social media vote before the event. Voting earns points toward the win; individuals can follow the journey of these very special horses on https://www.facebook.com/RescuedtoStardom/.
Theatre Equus, held March 4 and 5 at 8:30 p.m, will feature Guy McLean and professional equine entertainers from across the country and beyond. Theatre Equus is a reserved seating separate ticketed performance event. Tickets are available at horseworldexpo.com and on-site, if still available, at the event.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 29, 2022
Callie Schott, who was the assistant rider for Beezie Madden at John Madden Sales, has gotten the ride on Garant, with whom Beezie had been shortlisted for the Tokyo Olympics.
The horse was sold by Abigail Wexner to Southern Arches Farm, where Callie is the trainer. Previously ridden by William Greve, a Dutch horseman, the horse went to Beezie in 2017.
Beezie Madden and Garant. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
“We are so happy to see him go to such a wonderful home at Southern Arches with their rider Callie Schott. We have had a long relationship with Callie and are thrilled to be able to stay a part of his journey with her in the irons,” Beezie said on Instagram.
The horse is known as “Junior” because his character is similar to that of Authentic, Beezie’s 2008 Olympic team gold medal mount.
An 11-year-old by Warrant, Garant won the 2019 Longines American Gold Cup. Although he was under consideration for the Olympics last year, Beezie withdrew him from consideration after he bowed out of the Nations Cup at Rotterdam following the first round, where the horse faulted at the water obstacle. She explained the move in relation to the Games, saying “it’s not the right time for him yet.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 24, 2022
Lee Carter, who was chosen as the Kentucky Horse Park’s executive director in October–then unchosen when he and the park couldn’t come to terms–will get the job after all.
The park put out a new Request for Proposal last year to re-start the search process. Last week, Lee was again picked during a vote in executive session, with his selection revealed today by the park. He starts his new job Feb. 1.
Explaining what happened the first time around, Lee said, “The first process, there were some challenges along the way, some procedural parts that needed to looked at. With the new process, those procedural things were figured out and I was fortunate enough to be selected again.”
The graduate of Georgetown, Ky., College has spent nine years as executive director of Equestrian Events, Inc., the organizer of the 5-star Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. He knows the park well, and is familiar with key points in its strategic plan.
The Kentucky Horse Park is particularly lovely in the spring during the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event.
“They talk abut diversifying the park. To me, that’s how do we get different events into the park, how do we bring some breeds and disciplines in that maybe haven’t been in or haven’t been here for awhile,” he said.
The second point is intensifying the user experience.
“Forget what happens on the back side of the park. On the front side of the park, it’s a tourist attraction. How can we intensify that experience, the hands-on feel/touch experience,” Lee explained.
“The connection between people and horses we know is something special, so how can we translate to folks who want to learn more?”
The third point involves expansion, “having a larger target audience; bring more visitors, bring more events. How do we collaborate with more organizations, both in the equine industry and in and around Central Kentucky? Those were the three things that jumped off the page. i think they’re on point, I just think they need a focus that can get those things accomplished.”
Lee pointed out that from middle of March through November, the park’s equestrian calendar is full. It’s a 1,200-acre park, but areas of the park are not being utilized for activities or only being used once or twice a year.” As an example, he mentioned a state cross-country meet on 40 or 50 acres that are only used once or twice a year.
Lee Carter in his role as executive director of EEI presented awards during the Kentucky Horse Park’s premier event. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
The question, he said, is “What can we be doing in that space to drive more traffic and visitors to the park?”
Lee mentioned that in in 2010, when the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games were at the park, “the landscape for equine facilities was completely different than it is now.”
Raising the Horse Park’s game requires engaging and educating “legislators and surrounding communities as to what’s really going on the in equine space,” Lee said.
“We’ve got to be a little more nimble. we’ve got to follow state regulations for sure, but we’ve got to be able to be more flexible on certain things. We’re competing with private enterprise… we’ve got to realize who our competitors are and go from there.”
While Lee no longer be involved with EEI when he takes his new job Feb. 1, he will still be very much aware of what’s happening with the park’s marquee event.
“The ticket sales are extremely good,” he said, attributing that to “pent-up demand after two years without spectators” being able to attend their favorite competition.
Moving into EEI’s executive director post temporarily is Mike Cooper, who resigned as president of the EEI board to take the position. There will be a search for someone who will hold the job on a permanent basis.
H has been on the EEI board since 1991 and has been its president since 2019. He served as Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism from 2007-2012 and was involved in the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) held at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Mike will be replaced as president by Laura Holoubek, who was already in line to succeed him at the end of his term. A business and equine attorney and partner in the law firm Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, Laura has been on EEI’s board since 2017.Succeeding Cooper as President of the Board is Laura Holoubek who was already in line to succeed Cooper at the end of his term.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 24, 2022
For generations, New Jerseyans who aspired to be veterinarians had to study out of state, most often at the University of Pennsylvania or Cornell. But beginning in 2025, they can get started on their degree in the state where they live.
Rowan University has announced is establishing the first school of veterinary medicine in New Jersey in response to what it termed the national demand for vets, specialists and technicians. It will be the country’s 34th veterinary school, and one of only six on the East Coast.
The state Legislature approved $75 million in funding to construct the school’s primary academic and clinical facility in Sewell, South Jersey. Pending approval from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education, the inaugural class of 60 students start going to class in the fall of 2025.
“Launching New Jersey’s first school of veterinary medicine at Rowan University is just the latest in a series of strides we have made in expanding and improving the quality of medical education and research over the past decade,” former state Senate President Steve Sweeney said before leaving office after losing his re-election bid.
“With this investment, we will be able to keep our best and brightest veterinary students in New Jersey, and we will attract aspiring veterinarians from other states to study here as well.”
Rowan will establish undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and internship/residency programs at the veterinary school. Additionally, an A.S. in veterinary technology to B.S. in veterinary technology pathway program will be offered in collaboration with Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester. Graduate programs, including an M.S./Ph.D. in veterinary biomedical science in collaboration with Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine, Cooper Medical School of Rowan Universities and the College of Science & Mathematics;
An accelerated DVM/MBA in collaboration with Rowan University’s Rohrer College of Business, designed to improve training of students in veterinary practice management, business and economics beyond what will be offered as core content within the DVM curriculum.
Undergraduate programs will include bachelor’s degrees in veterinary studies and veterinary technology, as well as certificates and training pathways for veterinary technicians and assistants;
Internship and residency programs will provide postgraduate educational opportunities for those who already have completed their DVM degree. The programs could lead to specialization, including specialist board certifications.
The School of Veterinary Medicine’s primary academic and clinical facility will be located on the campus of Rowan College of South Jersey in Sewell, near the new Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine facility
Designs for a 100,000-square-foot veterinary medical complex are under way and will include academic classrooms, diagnostic and teaching laboratories, a teaching hospital, and administrative and faculty offices. The teaching hospital will provide core experiential learning to students. It also will offer animal health care services to the public, as well as specialty referral and diagnostic services to veterinary practices in the region.
The founding dean, Dr. Matthew Edson, is a 2007 graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in animal science and biology.
Rutgers’ “Department of Animal Science reached out to him and offered anything they needed relating to horses,” according to Karyn Malinowski, founder of the Rutgers Equine Science Center.
She did note that 10 years ago, a meeting at Rutgers came up with the decision that a New Jersey veterinary school was not needed in New Brunswick. But now that the Rowan project is getting started, “We certainly can complement each other,” said Karyn, citing the treadmill lab among other Rutgers facilities the South Jersey school can access.
“We’ve got tons of resources that they can share. They can count us on any capacity,” Karyn continued.
The Rowan dean has been in practice for more than a decade as founder and owner of Rancocas Veterinary Associates, a multi-doctor, mixed-animal practice in South Jersey. He has special professional interests in miniature pig and small ruminant medicine and surgery and has lectured nationally on those subjects.
A native of Eastampton Township, he is an executive board member and the immediate past president of the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association, a site visitor for the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education, former chair of the AVMA Committee on Disaster and Emergency Issues, and former vice chair of the AVMA Practice Advisory Pilot Panel. He also has served as a manuscript reviewer for the Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine.
Licensed in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, he earned his veterinary medical degree from Kansas State University.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 23, 2022
There’s a question about whether the FEI World Cup finals will be able to run this spring in Leipzig, Germany, because of the Covid situation and resulting government restrictions. A number of indoor shows in Europe already have been cancelled or are being held without spectators. The latest cancellation, announced today, is Gothenburg, Sweden.
Will there be enough qualifiers in Western Europe to enable a finals, or will it be cancelled for the third year in a row? Central Europe had a full complement of qualifiers, and North America is also on the way to completing its lineup.
But if you’re looking for a sure thing, bet on Omaha’s Cup finals.
McLain Ward won the Longines FEI Jumping Final in 2017, the last time it was in Omaha. (Photo © 20217by Nancy Jaffer)
The Nebraska city that held a universally praised finals in dressage and jumping in 2017 is doing more than an encore next year. Not only will it be offering the dressage and show jumping Cup finals, it is adding vaulting. If you haven’t seen the gymnastics on horseback, you’re in for a treat–especially when it comes to the costumed freestyles.
Costumes and artistic grace are highlights of vaulting that make it intriguing for spectators. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
But if you want the best seats and perks in Omaha April 4-8 next year at the CHI Health Center Arena and Convention Center, you need to make plans. There’s an April 1, 2022 deadline to purchase or upgrade your membership in the World Cup Club. Extras include a private reception and discounts on merchandise.
To join, click on this link and fill out the form.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 23, 2022
It was Laura Chapot’s turn to shine under the Saturday Night Lights yesterday as she and Chandon Blue won the $50,000 Marshall & Sterling/Great American Insurance Group grand prix in the impressive atmosphere of the International Arena at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
The rider from Neshanic Station, N.J., topped an 11-horse jump-off with a time 1.24 seconds better than runner-up Shane Sweetnam on James Kann Cruz.
The international show jumping for the wee was held a half-mile away at the Equestrian Village, so that gave the national riders in the field of 45 a rare opportunity to contest the Saturday feature at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
Laura Chapot and Chandon Blue winning at WEF. (Sportfot photo)
The victory was a great statement from Laura, who was out of action last year after she broke her arm and underwent intensive rehabilitation. She thought the class would be a great opportunity for the son of Chacco Blue, a gelding she owns with her mother, Mary.
“He loves the excitement and the crowds,” said Laura of her mount.
“He was so focused tonight. I was pleased because he was probably as rideable as he’s been the whole time he’s been down here.”
Laura has gotten help from Irish rider Cian O’Connor with the horse, noting Chandon Blue “does feel like he really senses that he’s done well.”
She said the 17-year-old Oldenburg is “little bit over-exuberant right now. He’s so glad to be back in action. He’s always been a real trier, and he’s got a huge, huge heart. I think that always helps keep the horses’ interest and keep them going strong.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 21, 2022
As the International Modern Pentathlon Union debates what should replace show jumping in its sport line-up for the 2024 Paris Olympics (apparently some sort of cross-country obstacle race is being considered), German prosecutors dropped their investigation into two controversial figures whose behavior sparked outrage during the competition in Tokyo.
Pentathlete Annika Schleu and her coach, Kim Raisner, got worldwide headlines after Schleu threw a fit when her horse refused to jump and Raisner punched the animal. Prosecutors let the matter rest after the rider and coach were told to make a charitable donation.
The German Animal Welfare Federation filed a criminal complaint against the pair after their actions at the Games, but they were not charged. Schleu had been leading the women’s modern pentathlon competition before her mount, Saint Boy, would not jump. The rider was criticized for overuse of whip and spurs.
The public prosecutor, quoted by the publication Pferderevue, said the pentathlete and the coach “only had a short-term effect on the riding horse and were in an exceptional physical and psychological situation of the Olympic competition. In addition, no injuries were inflicted on the competition horse.
“In view of the minor impact of the crime and against the background of the continued media reporting, it can be assumed that the investigative proceedings have had a sufficient impact on the suspects who have not yet appeared criminally.”
The German Animal Welfare Association said it had aimed to initiate “a social discussion about how to deal with horses in competitive sport”.
“We have undoubtedly succeeded in doing this, as the announced changes in the mode of modern pentathlon show,” it stated, quoted by Deutsche Welle.
Although the scandal pointed out the problems of requiring people to ride horses under pressure when many are inexperienced at equestrian sport, more than 650 pentathletes signed a letter seeking the resignation of the pentathlon union’s president after riding was removed from the format.
The sport, which has been part of the Games since 1912, is not on the program for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. In order to be considered for inclusion, it must replace riding and present its overall competition formula, which at this point includes only swimming, fencing and the laser run, which combines running and shooting..
Raisner was found guilty by a disciplinary panel of violating a rule under which a “pentathlete or team is disqualified for rapping or beating a horse and all other cases of cruelty and/or ill treatment of a horse”.
She was ordered to attend a “coach education seminar” which offers a “humane treatment of animals” module before returning to a UIPM competition.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 21, 2022
It all started just a week ago tonight.
Lars Petersen competing at Grand Prix with his special mount Succes. (Photo © 2007 by Nancy Jaffer)
Lars Petersen was at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Fla., for the Friday Night Lights freestyle and walked over to speak with his old compatriot, Andreas Helgstrand. Lars, a Danish Olympian who is now a U.S. citizen, had recommended that Andreas replace him as a rider when he left Denmark’s Blue Hors dressage breeding, training and competition facility in 2002.
Andreas, now CEO of the Global Equestrian Group that last year bought the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, opened Helgstrand Dressage in Wellington after buying a farm in the village in 2020.
Last Friday, during their casual conversation, Andreas asked Lars whether he’d be interested in helping train a few of his riders, and Lars said he would.
The next question was, would you be interested in working there full time? That’s according to Lars’ wife, Melissa. Lars said yes, and as of April 1, Lars will be Helgstrand Dressage USA’s general manager, and he’ll be overseeing the riding and training of all the riders there. Melissa will be stable manager of the facility.
“It is crazy exciting. Life has taken almost a full circle for Lars. It’s almost like fate,” said Melissa.
Lars and Melissa Petersen. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
She explained it had been coming to the point for the Petersens where they were going to have to make a decision on whether to buy the farm they were leasing or find another property.
“And then this happened. It all kind of happened for the right reasons, everything is falling into place,” she observed.
It was fast. They sat down and talked last Saturday and signed the contract Wednesday.
“It’s a dream come true for us,” said Lars.
“We are very overwhelmed by this opportunity. ”
As he noted, who does not want “to be a part of something so big–we will at least do our part to make Helgstrand even more successful here in Wellington and contribute to many more riders getting their dream come true.”
The Petersens will be bringing their horses, grooms and riders with them to Helgstrand, but they will stay in their own home.
“A lot of the Europeans who had horses through Helgstrand will want to come, so it will be opening the door to bring more competitors over,” Melissa said when asked about the prospects for what Helgstrand Dressage can do for the area.
Lars is busy riding himself and has horses in his string that are developing, but nothing at Grand Prix at this moment.
“It’s just kind of that in-between phase,” Melissa said.
“We are not the type that go and buy a Grand Prix horse, we make them up from young horses.”
The new arrangement is quite a whirlwind.
“It happened so fast and of course, there are a lot of little details that need to get worked through. We just decided we’re doing this and then we take the step, take a little bit of time to work things out,” Melissa said.
Earlier this month, Andreas indicated his company might buy the Equestrian Village where the Adequan Festival is held. At the time, he said, “At the moment, we only own the jumping part, so of course, we put all our efforts into the jumping,” he said, referring to the massive improvements made to PBIEC after GEG took over last summer.
And then today we were told that the Grands Prix of the 5-star dressage show at the end of next month will be held at PBIEC rather than Equestrian Village.
The qualifiers for the Grand Prix Special and Freestyle will be held on Wednesday night Feb. 23, with the Freestyle and Special under the lights two nights later.
Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper in the June 2021 observation event for Olympic dressage candidates at PBIEC.
“We look forward to welcoming international dressage back to Palm Beach International Equestrian Center show grounds,” said Equestrian Sport Productions President Michael Stone.
“With the success of hosting dressage in the International Arena…(for the final Olympic dressage team observation competition last June), we aim to promote dressage and want to provide another spectacular venue for riders and spectators to enjoy.”
The last time a 5-star was held at PBIEC was in 2010.
