by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 28, 2017
The most testing of the national equitation championships, the four-part Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East, will be held Oct. 7 and 8 in Gladstone at the U.S Equestrian Team Foundation headquarters off Pottersville Road.
There is no admission fee, so it’s a chance to see how some of the country’s best young riders face the challenges offered by the class. It starts at 8 a.m. Oct. 7 with the flat phase, then moves on at 1 p.m. to the gymnastics section, which is an interesting test of horse and rider. At 8 a.m. Oct. 8, all the riders will jump a course that tests their technical ability. At 1 p.m. that day, the top four will jump a shorter course, then switch off to ride each other’s mounts over the same route.
The class, which has 54 riders qualified to compete will be judged by grand prix riders Jimmy Torano and the 1990 winner McLain Ward, who is representing the U.S. in the FEI Nations’ Cup final the weekend before the Talent Search.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 28, 2017
There were days of silence after plans for the world-class dressage competition at the Rolex Central Park Horse Show was cancelled last weekend, but it is being replaced by arena eventing on the Sept. 23 Saturday night of the fixture.
The world’s three top-ranked dressage riders as of August, Isabell Werth of Germany, the USA’s Laura Graves and Carl Hester of Great Britain, where slated to compete at the Wollman Rink in the heart of New York city. But on the heels of the European championships, “recent unforeseen circumstances have impacted several competitors, forcing their withdrawal from the event,” according to a statement from the organizer of the event.
Boyd Martin and Phillip Dutton are among those who have signed on for the 8 p.m. arena eventing, which combines show jumping and simulated cross-country at the intermediate/2-star level. It was a big hit in its debut at the Devon Horse Show last May, when the course was designed by Mark Phillips, who will also do the honors in New York. Other riders participating will include Jennie Brannigan, Holly Payne-Caravella and her brother, Doug Payne, as well as two exciting English imports, Burghley winner Oliver Townend and the great William Fox-Pitt. Sara Kozumplik-Murphy, who won at Devon, is also competing.
Meanwhile, the world’s highest-ranked riders in show jumping are set to compete at the show. Kent Farrington, number one in the international standings, and his friend and rival, McLain Ward, number two, will participate Sept. 21 in the evening’s $40,000 speed class, and the night of Sept. 22 in the $216,000 3-star Grand Prix.
A series of hunter classics is featured on the afternoon of Sept. 23, highlighted by the $50,000 Duchossois Cup.
The Central Park competition begins Sept. 20 with an Arabian show. It ends on Sunday, Sept. 24 with exhibitions and free admission
For tickets, go to www.centralparkhorseshow.com.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 28, 2017
(Don’t forget to check out the New Jersey Activities Schedule at the bottom of the On the Rail column)
The Tewksbury Trail Association’s Trail Pace, which draws more riders than any other such competition in the state, is moving into new territory Sept. 17.
Usually held at Christie Hoffman Farm Park in the township, it instead will start at the Hill & Dale Preserve North at Hill & Dale Road and Parsonage Lot, crossing Hill & Dale three times. The route also is going into the South Preserve and the Cold Brook Preserve, where farmer Scott Clucas has cleaned up the trails. There is a choice of a six- or nine-mile ride, with two divisions, adult and junior.
The ride benefits the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, which has been instrumental in preserving land on Hill & Dale and elsewhere. For more information, go to tewksburytrail@gmail.com.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 9, 2017
Comparing the first six months of 2016 and 2017, there has been more than a 25 percent reduction in positive doping tests performed by the U.S. Equestrian Federation for the hunter, jumper and equitation divisions.
Is that a result of greater publicity about violations this year and stronger penalty guidelines that were approved more than year ago?
“Some of it very well may be,” said a spokesperson for the organization.
“We certainly hope that US Equestrian’s firm stance on intolerance of these type of violations is being recognized,” she said.
Enhancement of penalty guidelines for abuse and welfare violations were voted on in July, so there is hope that those violations will be reduced as well.
Doing all this costs money, so USEF is increasing its membership fee for the first time in 10 years from $55 to $80. For reference, the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s active membership is $85.
The increase “will allow us to address these issues and re-invest back into growing our sport at all levels, not just elite levels,” USEF President Murray Kessler said in a letter to members.
“A primary area of investment will be to bring unrated shows into the US Equestrian family and encourage the return of B- and C-rated shows. Our sport can’t be strong without a strong foundation. We will also continue to invest in education, learning center videos, communication tools, athlete pathways, trainer certification, and the like. Finally, developmental funds will be allocated to help grow the sport across all breeds and disciplines.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 9, 2017
By Nancy Jaffer
August 9, 2017
Andrew Ramsay has gone to all the right places seeking help with his ambition to ride on U.S. show jumping teams.
Andrew Ramsay and Stranger competing at International Bromont last weekend. (Photo by Lawrence J. Nagy)
During his quest, the native of California was mentored by Alan Waldman in the Netherlands, worked with George Morris and now has combined his enterprise with Chris Kappler Inc. at the Pittstown farm that formerly was George’s Hunterdon Inc.
Andrew and Sarah Segal are the competition riders at Chris’s operation and also train others, though Andrew said he puts most of his emphasis on being in the saddle himself. They work with Katie Martin Hartmann, a veteran of Hunterdon Inc., whose management skills keep the 35-horse operation going.
Andrew is nearly in awe of being a part of the iconic facility where so many top riders honed their skills. Growing up, he had always heard tales about the challenges of the imposing grand prix field at Hunterdon.
Andrew Ramsay and Cocq A Doodle. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
“To be at the old Hunterdon and riding on the field itself is fantastic,” said Andrew, whose winning string of horses includes Molly Ashe’s former ride, the Dutchbred Cocq A Doodle, “a horse that has a presence,” and the winner of the grand prix qualifying class last weekend in Bromont, Quebec, as well as grands prix at Tryon and Old Salem. “When you have a good mare, there’s not much better,” commented Andrew.
The rest of his string includes Jadalco, Stranger and California 62, “the most mature of the group.
History is in a way repeating itself with Andrew’s arrival at the Pittstown farm. Chris came to work there with George nearly a quarter-century ago.
“I’m very much into developing the next generation of riders,” said Chris, who no longer is interested in competing himself.
“George had already been working with Andrew and we found Doodle and California together, so I felt really close to that situation. I talked to George and said, `Do you think you could break the ice and see if Andrew would be on board for joining? Like I came to you, George, in ’93, I need someone to drop in and be my professional rider.’”
Added Chris, “It just seemed to be a partnership that made sense. There was a certain comfort zone and we both are George disciples. He’s still like our godfather and is there for us every step of the way,” continued Chris, noting he speaks to George weekly.
“He gave it a blessing and so far, I couldn’t be happier with how it’s going.”
Chris Kappler and Andrew Ramsay. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
Andrew’s eyes sparkle when he talks about his horses, and that type of enthusiasm is important to Chris.
“He has real genuine values for the sport. I really like his temperament with the horses and how he works with them,” Chris observed.
“He likes producing horses. He’s inquisitive and interested about how it works, how we can keep doing it better. He’s goal-oriented, it’s not just short-term results. We have a plan. We want to make the World Cup final; we want to get to Paris next year.” Andrew finished seventh on Stranger “a small horse with a big heart” last weekend in the first North American Longines FEI World Cup qualifier of the 2017-2018 season.
While he always knew what he wanted to achieve with his show jumping, Andrew, 32, “wasn’t quite sure how to go about it.” So he took a route that has been traveled by so many before him.
“I reached out to George. He was a great influence, providing guidance and direction,” Andrew said about his experience with the former U.S. show jumping coach.
Moving on to Chris’ operation was seamless.
“It was a nice transition. It’s fantastic working closely with Chris,” said Andrew, noting he didn’t have to spend “a lot of time adjusting to a different style. The care of the horses, the structure of the stable, I was all accustomed to with George.”
California 62 competing at Devon with Andrew Ramsay. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
Andrew lives at the Riverside Victorian B&B in Clinton when he’s in New Jersey, but like all show jumpers with aspirations, he’s on the road much of the time. He has found success in his new approach, with a good run this spring and summer.
Growing up on the West Coast, he started riding with Duncan and Gry MacFarlane. Their son, Ian, is now associated with Chris Kappler Inc. as a rider. Andrew went on to train with Linda Hough and Stephanie Simmonds.
He and his mother, Nonie, rode out of their Shalanno Farms, and they still have the Shalanno operation in the Netherlands, where there is a focus on young horses. The Shalanno farm in Wellington, Fla., is the base for Chris Kappler Inc’s operation during the winter.
The Shalanno name may be familiar to you—the Shalanno Style of Riding Award handed out in the presentation ceremony goes to the show jumping rider who exhibits classical form in competition.
Andrew Ramsay at the 2016 Washington International Horse Show with ringmaster John Franzreb, George Morris, WIHS President Vicki Lowell and multiple Shalanno Style of Riding awards winner McLain Ward. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
As Andrew notes, the award, an idea visualized with his mother’s input, is “a way of giving back and a way to keep focused on the American style of riding, which in many ways is a tribute to equitation and the future of show jumping,”
After wrapping up his junior career, Andrew took a break from horses and went to Colby College in Maine, majoring in computer science. But following a five-year hiatus, Andrew decided he needed to be back with the horses, so he headed to Europe.
When he returned to the U.S., he started competing in California, then headed East and began working with George. Andrew moved into his partnership with Chris after the Florida circuit this year.
The results since then “have been reflective of the program, the culmination of a lot,” said Andrew.
“It’s really come together in a nice way.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 26, 2017
It’s never too soon to plan for Dressage at Devon, Sept. 26-Oct.1 at the Devon, Pa., showgrounds.
The open breed show Sept. 26-Oct. 1, the largest in the world, is offering a new class for Dales ponies. They are one of the United Kingdom’s native mountain and moorland breeds, known for its strength, hardiness, stamina, courage, intelligence and good disposition.
Sadly, this breed’s population is low, so it is considered “critical” by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and “threatened” by the Livestock Conservancy.
Also featured during the breed show is a thoroughbred class. Don’t forget that Keen, Hilda Gurney’s great U.S. dressage team horse, was a thoroughbred.
The Breed Show features the future stars of the dressage world, from colts and fillies born this year and young horses up to 3 years of age. Horses age 4 and older are shown in hand and under saddle as well.
“We are very proud to be able to continue to host the largest open breed show in the world,” said Melanie Sloyer, chair of the breed show.
“In addition to our age-based classes, our popular individual breed classes showcases more than 20 breeds with a wide variety some lesser known and rare breeds seldom seen in other venues. Plus this year we are happy to welcome the Dales Pony.”
Other breeds in the 2017 line up include Akhal-Teke, American Saddlebred, Andalusian, Appaloosa, Arabian (both purebed and half Arabian), Danish Warmblood, Drum Horse, Friesian, Georgian Grande, Haflinger, Hanoverian, Iberian Horse, Irish Draught Horse, ISR-Oldenburg, Knabstrupper, KWPN-NA (Dutch), Lipizzan, Lusitano,Oldenburg (GOV) and Paint.
For more information, or to enter, visit www.dressageatdevon.org.
In addition to watching the competition, there are other things to do at the show. Visit the vendors or enjoy a gourmet meal.
Want to be a part of things? Volunteers are always needed at the show. To volunteer for one or multiple shifts, sign up at www.dressageatdevon.org under Volunteers. If you have questions, email Penny@thehorsewriter.com.
Those who interested in competing at Dressage at Devon can look at the prizelist at http://dressageatdevon.org/pdf/DADPrizeList.pdf.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 25, 2017
It’s been a busy—and successful–few weeks for five-time world championships endurance rider Meg Sleeper of Kingwood Township.
First, she won the 50-mile Muckleratz Run ride near Hershey, Pa., with her attractive gray homebred Arabian, Syrocco Cadence. Next up was the Vermont 75 in Woodstock, and again, Cadie was the winner, even though Meg was more interested in getting her horse fit rather than picking up trophies.
As a bonus, her friend Hanna Weightman of Shamong won the Vermont 50-mile competition with Meg’s Syrocco Rabia, named best conditioned. There was a (human) marathon held in conjunction with the Woodstock event, which added to the excitement for the horses and riders, Meg noted.
Next up for her, Meg hopes, is the October 2017 test event for the 2018 World Equestrian Games at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in North Carolina. No word has come down about selection criteria for the test event or the WEG, but only three riders from each country will be able to take part and scout the up-and-down terrain in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains.
Meg Sleeper and Syrocco Cadence. (Photo by Genie Stewart-Spears)
Meg said word is that the Tryon course will be like “the Biltmore on steroids,” referring to previous challenging rides at the Biltmore estate in Asheville, about an hour west of Tryon.
She noted, however, “it will be exciting to have another course” in the U.S. endurance repertoire.
According to preliminary plans for the WEG, crews will not be allowed along the trail to keep putting water on horses so they can go faster and faster. That practice has led to catastrophic injuries elsewhere, particularly in the Middle East. Crews would only be able to tend to horses during the holds at the veterinary checks along the route.
The end result “will be a lot slower than usual,” Meg said, “but it will let us take it back to horsemanship, the old cavalry test—another whole step up at the challenge level.”
The sport has had an image problem because of abuses involving one geographic segment of the competitors.
“We’re struggling trying to figure out how do we get control again and make it the sport to be proud of,” she said. Meg did note, however, there are many places where it is still run as a “clean and wonderful sport” but “sadly, there are some events where that doesn’t happen.”
Meg is in the process of bringing back another horse, Syrocco Rimbaud, her 2015 world championships ride who was injured during the competition in Slovakia. The veterinary cardiologist would like to have two horses that could be candidates for the 2018 WEG. She has ridden all over the world, from the jungles of Malaysia to the fields of France, but being able to ship her horse by trailer instead of airplane and all that involves adds to the appeal of representing her country at home.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 13, 2017
The popular Monmouth at the Team show has great entries for its second year as a competitive and social landmark on the New Jersey equestrian scene.
The show moved from Monmouth County to the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation’s Gladstone headquarters on Pottersville Road last year after being purchased by cousins Tucker Ericson and Michael Dowling. It’s a friendly, fun show that demonstrates ratings alone don’t spell success.
There are only two B-rated days, Tuesday and Wednesday Aug. 15 and 16 and the highest level of jumpers is Level 3, or 1.30 meters. The biggest prize money offerings are the $10,000 purses given away for the Bobcat Derby on Thursday, Aug. 17 and the jumper mini-prix on Sunday, Aug. 20.
IBut i’s worth a visit to see what can be done at a show by utiizing some creative thinking and effort in a wonderful location. The atmosphere recalls the era when people showed more for fun than for points.
To find out more, go to www.monmouthattheteam.com.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 11, 2017
Longtime Lake Placid Horse Show exhibitor Philip Richter will be taking over the chairmanship of the show in the Adirondacks from Richard Feldman.
Richard, who was devoted to the show, shepherded it through growth and many changes. He announced his retirement last weekend as the fixture’s annual two-week run drew to a close. Philip competes with distinction in amateur-owner jumper classes and has a thorough knowledge of the show and what it involves.
Lake Placid is an exhibitor favorite for its scenic setting and relaxing atmosphere, which Philip understands and appreciates after a lifetime of competing there. A New York resident, Philip is co-chief executive officer of Hollow Brook Wealth Management.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 9, 2017
Hunter entries for the Monmouth at the Team show Aug. 14-20 closed for the most part at the August 1 deadline, but there are still openings in some areas.
Big Eq for both Monday and Wednesday will stay open, breeding classes on Monday are open, National Hunter Derby entries are open for the Tuesday (and they can take a few more A/O hunters that day) and flat classes only for the Outreach classes on the Friday.
The 2016 debut of the show at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation in Gladstone was wildly successful, with the hospitality matching the caliber of the competition. Donations for the Silent Auction to benefit the USET Building Fund are still welcome. Enter at www.horseshowing.com and check out the show at www.monmouthattheteam.com.
The VIP tent offers a great view of the action during the Monmouth at the Team show. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
