by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 20, 2018
It’s all about spring cleaning, so clear out your excess tack, blankets, riding clothes, horse-related jewelry, models or knick-knacks and donate them to a good cause.
Mane Stream at 83 Old Turnpike, Oldwick, will hold a sale April 7. It helps support the organization’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 and educational initiatives.
Proceeds of the sale, which runs from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., benefit Mane Stream’s horses and equine-assisted programs including “Take the Reins” for Veterans and “Horses for Healing” for those living with, recovering from and coming back after cancer.
Those with items to donate can drop them off during regular office hours. Questions? Contact Holland Kochanski at holland@manestreamnj.org, 908-439-9636 or visit Mane Stream’s website at www.ManeStreamNJ.org.
On April 8, Mane Stream will have an open house from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. offering tours of the facility, see the in-house therapy clinic, take a peek in the barn and pet the horses and ponies. Parents can speak with trained therapists (occupational, physical, and speech-language pathologist) and PATH International Registered Instructors, camp director, volunteers and participants.
Children will have the opportunity to participate in a sampling of activities and crafts planned for our 2018 Summer Day Camp, while parents can learn more about the camp schedule of eight week-long sessions. No prior experience with horses is necessary. Anyone attending who registers for camp at the open house will receive a $25 discount.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 17, 2018
Wound management, preventive health care, equine insurance and rehabilitation are among the topics that will be discussed at B.W. Furlong and Associates’ 17th Annual Healthy Horse Seminar Feb. 24.
The event will be held from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Beaver Brook Country Club, 25 Country Club Dr., Annandale. The fee is $45; for more information or to register, call the clinic at 908-439-2821.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 31, 2018
Gastrointestinal Health and Management will be the theme of the Rutgers Equines Science Center’s Horse Management Seminar, hosted with the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, from 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Feb. 11.
“I seem to be getting more and more gut health-targeted questions,” said Dr. Carey Williams, extension equine specialist and associate director of extension for the Equine Science Center.
“Our goal in presenting this workshop is to explain what some of the digestive concerns might be and how we can keep our horse’s gut, and therefore our horses, healthy. We will also go over some current and future research from Rutgers on equine gut health.”
The morning will start with topics including “How does physically effective fiber behave in the equine gut?–A visual tour” by Dr. Burt Staniar from Penn State. He will follow that presentation with news about research from his lab and others with “An overview of recent research studying physically effective fiber and equine gastrointestinal health.” Later in the morning, Dr. Mary Durando from Equine Sports Medicine Consultants, will focus on “Equine Gastric Ulcers Syndrome”.
The afternoon will start with “The Equine Microbiome” by Dr. Amy Biddle of the University of Delaware. A panel discussion from the three main speakers will follow. Carey and her doctoral student, Jennifer Weinert, also will offer presentations on research into “Gastrointestinal Health and Management of Eventing Horses: Survey Results” and “Microbiome and Metabolism of Horses on Pasture: Future Study”.
Complete program, registration information and the seminar brochure are posted on the Equine Science Center website at esc.rutgers.edu. Reach Carey Williams at (848) 932-5529 or carey.williams@rutgers.edu. Space is limited, so be sure to register.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 30, 2018
By Nancy Jaffer
January 30, 2018
Tom O’Mara’s equitation championship-winning children once enjoyed more name recognition than he did.
But the former investment banker has become high-profile through his roles in the U.S. Equestrian Federation and helping insure that equestrian competition continues to be part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, which organizes programs for 24 sports (including football, baseball and basketball) at 1,281 colleges and universities.
The Rumson resident did an artful job moderating the USEF’s inaugural Competition Summit in Lexington, Ky., earlier this month. That role fits him well.
Tom O’Mara moderating the competition summit at the USEF annual meeting. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
“I worked on Wall Street for 30 years, so there were a lot of contentious conversations with clients, customers, corporations, employees and regulators,” he explained.
While Tom is affable, with an engaging personality, at his core he is a serious negotiator and problem-solver.
“I’m pretty good at being in the middle of groups of people who don’t see eye-to-eye on things,” he observed, citing his experience in the financial world.
“I had to solve problems on a daily basis, which usually came about because people had a different opinion about something. I do think that’s one of my strengths,” continued Tom, who was managing director at Cowen and Co. and Credit Suisse First Boston. Now he works as a consultant, advising people involved in financial technology as to how it could be used.
His family has a long history with horses. Tom’s grandfather, Thomas Mason, who rode with the Essex Foxhounds, also was a hunter judge. In fact, when his children were planning to get married and each suggested they wanted to tie the knot on the last weekend in May, he turned them down because he was judging at Devon. The weddings had to be the Fourth of July weekend, he told them, “because that’s the only weekend there isn’t a horse show.”
Tom’s uncle Thomas Mason Jr., rode in the Maclay finals at the Garden, and he has cousins who are trainers and farriers. Although Tom’s time in the saddle involves just an occasional trail ride, his wife, Liz, rides, while daughters Casey, Abby and Meg were active in showing. Son T.J. won the Pessoa/USEF Medal and the Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search as well in 2016.
Tom O’Mara (right) and his wife, Liz, with trainer Max Amaya and 2016 Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search winner T.J. O’Mara. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
Meg, who topped the Medal finals in 2012, rode NCAA at the University of Georgia, where she was the National Collegiate Equestrian Rider of the year in equitation on the flat and over fences. Abby also rode for Georgia, and the girls’ participation got their father involved.
There are seven competition outlets, including rodeo, saddle-seat and eventing, as well as hunt seat, for riders who want to compete while pursuing their higher education. The best known is the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association, which offers English and western classes, permits both men and women to compete and is associated with 400 colleges.
In an effort to present more opportunities for female college athletes, the NCAA began an equestrian program in 2002. The goal was for the National Collegiate Equestrian Association to include 40 schools, but when the numbers fell far short of that, NCAA equestrian was on the verge of being dropped in 2014 at the recommendation of the Committee on Women’s Athletics.
Tom was among those who rode to the rescue of the program.
“I spent more time lately on equestrian things than not,” he said. Tom had seen the difference that riding made in his childrens’ lives.
“It helps develop character traits such as discipline. They have a commitment and they know not everyone in the world can do it and they are privileged to work with these animals and have the opportunity to have it be part of their life,” he observed.
In that vein, he realized how important it was for equestrian to remain as part of NCAA.
“That’s big time,” commented Tom, now co-chair of the NCEA’s national advisory board which is working to expand equestrian in the NCAA.
“The NCAA started something called an emerging sport to create more opportunities for women in collegiate sport,” he said. “There are only two designations, championship and emerging.”
The problem originally was that there was just one metric—participation–to measure the success of the program, which enables the schools to offer scholarships to riders. While equestrian was given 10 years to get to 40 member schools for NCAA, at the deadline, they only had 25. A two-year extension still didn’t get the number to 40, and the situation was serious.
At the same time, Tom pointed out, there are a number of championship sports that have 50 teams but only 200, 300 or 400 participants across the country. In contrast, there are 900 women riding on NCAA English and western teams.
Common sense prevailed over the metric.
“We’re not dropping a women’s sport. We’re in a Title IX world,” he said, referring to the federal civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination in education, and is best known for breaking down barriers in sports for female athletes.
The recommendation to scuttle equestrian was tabled and it was decided to keep it as an emerging sport. Tom noted that four years ago, when colleges were approached about adding NCAA equestrian, the response was, “I thought they were dropping it.”
Now, however, that “black cloud” is off the sport, and “there are more conversations with universities about potentially adding the sport than ever before,” according to Tom. He said there are 23 schools signed up, with 20 actively competing, three new ones set to take part at nationals in April, and four more coming on next year.
Universities love the equestrians, said Tom, “and here’s why. They’re the highest quality student athletes that most of those schools have. Most are the number one GPA (grade point average) of all their athletic teams and the number one community service hours of all their athletic teams.”
Tom is one of two independent directors on the 19-member USEF board; in other words, he is not connected to any one group, breed or discipline. And he’s not in the horse business.
One of Tom O’Mara’s duties during the USEF annual meeting was presenting awards to Horse of the Year winners such as fellow USEF board member Elisabeth Goth. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
“Tom is the perfect independent director,” noted USEF President Murray Kessler.
“Not only did he have a family that competed and multiple equitation finals winners…he also has been very, very involved in NCAA and has been a leader in that.
“When we look to balance out our board, we look at…how do we match the board against where we’re trying to go strategically? A huge leak in the bucket is when kids go off to college. We are trying to bring the entire intercollegiate and high school community into USEF,” Murray continued.
“Who’s leading that? Tom. Besides all of his value as a board member on moderating meetings…he’s been getting more and more involved on the world stage,” Murray pointed out, referring to Tom’s trip to Lausanne, Switzerland, last year to moderate an FEI (international equestrian federation) meeting on a new invitation system for riders to participate in shows.
Tom has more work cut out for him as the chair of a task force that will do a strategic review of USEF’s drug testing laboratory. It has been the target of criticism after a major mistake in handling a sample resulted in the nullifying of heavy fines and suspensions for a well-known trainer and rider, a year after an announcement that a horse they showed had tested positive for a prohibited substance.
The appointment is a mark of the regard with which Tom is held in the organization and the fact that he can play several key roles.
“What I just love about him is how connected he is to one of our major strategic priorities with building this sport and bringing the joy of horse sports to as many people as possible,” concluded Murray, citing the USEF’s “joy” mantra.
That’s what Tom is all about as a board member.
“The intent is for an outreach of our sport to people who are not in our sport,” he said.
“It’s a great sport, whether you ride or not. Our sport is interesting. Everyone in our sport knows it’s interesting. We have to tell the story to people outside of our sport.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 24, 2018
Stars of the New Jersey horse industry were celebrated Jan. 28 at the Equine Advisory Board Breeders’ Luncheon in Eastampton Township wherei Maggi Romano was named Horseperson of the Year.
Maggi is no stranger to well-deserved recognition; her contributions to the industry have been honored for years.
She served two years as president and one year as show manager of the Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of New Jersey and worked diligently as a board member of the New Jersey Horse Council, currently serving as its delegate to the American Horse Council. She was both vice chairman and chairman of the New Jersey Equine Advisory Board.
The Clarksburg resident is married to Anthony Romano, a longtime member of the Board of Directors of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey.
Other honors presented included Standardbred of the Year, Ariana G, owned by Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld, and Thoroughbred of the Year, Irish War Cry, owned by Isabelle de Tomaso. Fairwinds Farm was the Breeder of the Year.
Lather Rinse Repeat received the Standardbred Pleasure Award for superior achievement, and the pinto, A Classic Romance, got a superior title as well. Madeline Crisp is the Equestrian of the Year, while Chloe Baker received the Ernest Bell Scholarship Award and Brittany Smith took the Agricultural Achievement Award. Bridget Favjan received the Sara Dubnin Scholarship.Nancy Murray was recognized for the Horse Park of New Jersey Volunteer award.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 5, 2018
Working on your equestrian new year’s resolutions? Daniel Stewart can help. He provided an inspirational keynote speech at December’s U.S. Hunter Jumper Association annual meeting in Texas, and this month, he’ll be closer to home at Chelsea Nix’s Penwick Eventing in Sussex County.
He is featured in a clinic there Jan. 20 and 21. While the jumper riding slots are filled, you can always try—maybe someone will drop out. There is room in the dressage portion of the clinic and auditors are invited as well.
Daniel is both a riding coach and a motivational speaker. He talks about building a team, “trust is a must,” and mentioned how your head and heart are more important than your hands and heels when it comes to riding. One of his mantras is, “turn life’s little setbacks into life’s little comebacks.” You get the idea.
For more information about the session in Hampton Township, contact Chelsea@penwickeventing.com. For more about Daniel, go to www.pressureproofacademy.com
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 4, 2018
By Nancy Jaffer
January 4, 2018
It’s going to be a year with potential at the Horse Park of New Jersey. There’s quite an opportunity on the horizon because its premier competition, the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event, offers a selection trial for the U.S. eventing team that will compete at the FEI World Equestrian Games in September.
More precisely, the trial and qualifier is the CCI 3-star division, but Jersey Fresh May 9-13 also presents a CCI 2-star, as well as CIC 2- and 3-stars that are part of the package at the Allentown venue, where big names such as Boyd Martin, Phillip Dutton and Buck Davidson are regular competitors in the event.
Mark Phillips, the former U.S. eventing coach and a high profile name in the sport, took over as cross-country course designer last year and is making more changes for 2018. A new show jumping course designer, Chris Barnard, is coming on board to complete a fresh look with new fences for the event’s final phase.
It’s the 30th anniversary of the park, which means all eyes will be on the facility, where change has been slow but is proceeding.
Because of the anniversary and selection trial, “Publicity would be exponential this year,” believes Allyson Jeffery, president of the park’s board of trustees.
Phillip Dutton competing at Jersey Fresh on Mr. Candyman. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
The park has been working toward improving footing in the grand prix ring, which is a major issue, but so far, just $60,000 of an estimated $350,000 required for the arena development campaign has been raised.
“A big step needs to be taken that involves money. What is needed is a corporate grant or matching funds,” said Allyson, who suggested this could be an opportunity for some entity that would like corporate naming rights to a ring is hoping work on the base of the grand prix ring can be finished before the show season begins in April.
Tailgating at the Jersey Fresh water complex is a big draw. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
Even if new top dressing can’t be purchased at that point, those maintaining the ring have been prepped in how to work with the current footing more effectively. Now all that’s needed is an ATV to facilitate the grooming, and Allyson is hoping for a donation. Other needs are being examined before a formal request for more assistance is publicized.
Former Jersey Fresh winner Ryan Wood on Powell jumping in the grand prix ring. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
“What we’re looking for is for people to come back to the park,” said Allyson. “We’ve worked on the footing we do have. We’ve had issues with the rings, so people are hesitant to come back until they hear we have all new rings.
“That doesn’t help. You’ve got to continue to support the park, as you know we’re working toward that goal. This is the New Jersey horse park.”
Yet despite its name, it receives no funding from the state and must pay for maintenance and other needs while conducting the capital campaign for refurbishing the footing.
Allyson became president at the end of June and Adam Furlong came in during October as the vice president. The trustees now have a united vision.
“Everyone on board is (using) all their skill sets. Everything is working together now,” Allyson said of the trustees.
Changes that have been implemented include the new winner’s circle in memory of Gwen Stableford, a longtime exhibitor at the park who left a bequest for that purpose.
The Horse Park winner’s circle
Mason Garrity, manager of the Four Seasons Show, is donating new fencing in the areas between the East and West rings. In the stabling area, maintenance has been done on the stall floors and stall panels will be replaced.
The park hosts a variety of disciplines and activities, including November’s popular Turkey Trot pleasure ride/drive, barrel racing, schooling for members and clinics. Eventer Sally Cousins, who competes at Jersey Fresh, is presenting clinics Jan. 21, Feb. 11 and March 18. Get more information via the park’s homepage, www.horseparkofnewjersey.
Auditors are admitted to the Cousins clinics free of charge.
Those who wish to participate can sign up by emailing jane@pleasanthollow.com. Include your name, address, the level of your horse, a cell number and any information that will help in assigning you to the appropriate group. Send a check and negative Coggins to Horse Park of New Jersey, 626 CR 524, Allentown, NJ 08501, att: Sally Cousins Clinic.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 3, 2018
Yes, it’s cold outside in New Jersey. Which is why the Jan. 5-7 CJL show at Duncraven in Titusville and the Hunter Farms Jan. 6-7 and Palermo shows on those dates have been cancelled, along with the Jan. 6 barrel racing at the Horse Park of New Jersey.
If you’re on the East Coast and planned on showing this weekend, be sure to check to make sure your show hasn’t been cancelled because of the weather.
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 22, 2017
Samples collected from three riders at last month’s Ocala-Reddick Florida event—including CIC 3-star winner Hannah Sue Burnett, who was aboard Harbour Pilot–revealed the presence of stimulants, according to the FEI(international equestrian federation). The findings related to anti-doping rules for human athletes.
The positives involve prohibited substances on the list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). However, the U.S. Equestrian Federation noted that contrary to published speculation, “cocaine was not detected in any samples taken at the event.”
Hannah Sue, Jennie Brannigan and Alyssa Phillips are provisionally suspended from participating in FEI and USEF sanctioned activities in accordance with WADA’s Mandatory Provisional Suspension requirements.
Jennie, 21st in the CIC 3-star on Cambalda, explained, “My recent positive test, while devastating news to me, was the result of a medication that had been recently prescribed to me by my doctor. My use of this prescribed medication had absolutely nothing to do with trying to enhance my sport performance, and I hope that once my explanation is provided to the FEI, I will be able to return to the sport I love.”
Alyssa, seventh in the 1-star on Cooley Caviar, stated this afternoon “Earlier today, the FEI publicly disclosed that I tested positive for Amfetamine and Canrenone at an event in Florida last month.
“I wanted it known that my doctor prescribed both banned substances to me for legitimate medical conditions and that I openly declared both substances to the doping control officer as part of the testing process. I was not trying to enhance my performance through the use of either substance and my case is certainly not one involving the intentional use of a banned substance.I will apply to the FEI for a retroactive therapeutic use exemption for these two prescribed medicines. If granted, I will no longer be charged with a positive test.”
Hannah Sue did not put out a statement today.
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 22, 2017
With the reclassification of eventing competitions to offer a 5-star level for the first time, Fair Hill, Md., the nominee for what would have been the USA’s second 4-star event, is doing a half-halt until the requirements are revealed for the highest level event approved by the FEI (international equestrian Federation)
Last July, the U.S. Equestrian Federation approved the recommendation to award a fall 4-star to Fair Hill in 2019. The USA’s only 4-star to this point is the Land Rover Kentucky event, formerly Rolex Kentucky.
While the FEI approved the 5-star concept last month at its annual meeting, it has yet to state the requirements for that and its other levels. Fair Hill of course wants to run the highest level in the sport, but before the public/private partnership continues working on its project at the Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area, it needs to know what the requirements are.
The signature Fair Hill fence on the cross-country course. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
The organization is “taking a breath,” as competition manager Ann Haller put it.
“We understand the FEI’s decision to reorganize the star system and the requirements for each level,” said Carla Geiersbach, Fair Hill International’s executive director.
“However, until we know these new requirements, it makes no sense to move forward blindly. We don’t want to build a state-of-the-art facility to the wrong specifications. We are committed to presenting an event at the pinnacle of the sport and will march ahead as soon as the FEI releases its new parameters,”
Fair Hill International will mark its 30th anniversary in 2018 with its usual CCI3* and CCI2* event Oct. 18-21, 2018. While the 4-star originally was slated for 2019, with the delay on the FEI releasing specifications, it now appears likely to be held for the first time in 2020.
Sam Slater, president of the Fair Hill Foundation, the coalition’s fundraising partner said, “We remain committed to bringing world class equestrian sporting opportunities to this corner of Maryland. Fair Hill has so much to offer the community, and proposed upgrades will really enhance the facility. As always, thank you to all of our donors, partners, and friends for their committed support.”
