The Alexandria Township barn tour will be held Oct. 3 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.This fundraiser benefits the Alexandria Equestrian Association, and includes old and new barns, both dairy and equine. For tickets, click on this link
Services were held last weekend for Frank Gibbs of Allamuchy, a retired farmer and pillar of his community, who had served as joint master of the Spring Valley Hounds.
Mr. Gibbs, 82, is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joan (Henry), whom he met when they were members of their 4-H horse club.
After studying animal husbandry at Cornell University, Mr. Gibbs co-owned and operated Gibbs Farms with his brother, the late James Gibbs, and subsequently with his sons in operating Gibbs Quest. As the third generation to run the family farm, Mr. Gibbs was a lifelong member of his community, located in the heart of Allamuchy’s valley.
Frank Gibbs with the Spring Valley Hounds. (Spring Valley photo by Charles Frase)
He was an active participant in community and civic life, serving as vice president of the Allamuchy Township Board of Education, chairman of the Allamuchy Township Planning Board, founding member of the Allamuchy-Green Rescue Squad, a member of the Allamuchy Historical Society, a founding member of the Friends of Rutherfurd Hall and member of its Key Communicators Committee and Wednesday volunteer group. He was also a Sunday School teacher and Trustee of Tranquility United Methodist Church, a member of Panther Valley Ecumenical Church and its finance committee, chairman of the Warren County Holstein Association, president of the New Jersey Holstein Association, president of NEDCO (Northeast Dairy Cooperative), a member of the New Jersey Farm Bureau, a member of the Warren County Agriculture Development Board (New Jersey Farmland Preservation), a member of the Ridge & Valley Conservancy, and a volunteer with Global Volunteer.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Gibbs is survived by his sons, Brant, and his wife, Cristiana Cooke-Gibbs and Keith and his wife Maryann Gibbs; his daughter, Jama, and her husband David Toung, eight grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. In addition, he is survived by a brother, Clifford W. Gibbs and his wife, Ruth Gibbs, as well as sisters-in-law Barbara Trought, Jane Gibbs, and Mavis Gibbs.He was pre-deceased by brothers James C. and Robert G. Gibbs; brother-in-law George Trought, and nephew Jack Gibbs.
Mr. Gibbs enjoyed adventure travel, preferably on horseback with family and friends. He rode western and English and was equally at home on a pack trip in the Cascade Mountains of Washington, rounding up cattle and horses, leading a trail ride up Allamuchy Mountain and hunting the hounds in the hills and valleys of Morris, Warren, and Sussex Counties.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made in his memory to Rutherfurd Hall, 1686 Route 517, PO Box 453, Allamuchy, NJ 07820
“Awesome!” “Excellent!” “Beautiful!” So much fun!” “A blast!”
Those comments and similar remarks were expressed by happy riders crossing the finish line at the Tewksbury Trail Association’s Trail Pace on a sparkling, almost-autumn Sunday at Christie Hoffman Farm Park.
Mike Knowles leads his group across the finish line. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
It was a treat to see riders out simply enjoying their horses, the scenery and like-minded equestrians. Too often, we tend to think of equestrian activities in terms of serious competitions at shows or events, where there is no time to take a deep breath, relax and take in another side of riding that focuses on the horse and the surroundings, rather than the ribbons.
“Wonderful, great people, beautiful scenery,” said Karen Taylor-Broughton, a former Tewksbury resident who now lives in Pittstown.
“I miss Tewksbury, it’s a treasure. I’ll never move too far,” she added after wrapping up her ride.
It’s true that the township’s landscape is among the most scenic in New Jersey, and the terrain was at its best as the competition drew a field of 151 trying to match the optimum time of 1:21.42 in the trail division, set by experienced endurance rider Melissa Lenter of Boonton.
In the pleasure section, the mark was a more leisurely speed of 2:05.29 set by TTA board member Margaret Korgul and her husband, John Esposito.
Bethany Selage and Jenna Kremp schooled their horses in the water during the pace. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
Janelle Parker of Atlantic Highlands and her 15-year-old daughter, Emma (making her pace debut), won a section of the trail pace on Furman and K-Man, horses borrowed from her best friend from college, Elissa Allen of Evenstride Farm in Califon.
Janelle Parker and her daughter, Emma, who was making her pace debut. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
“We had a blast. It was a beautiful day, it was fabulous, and all the staff was so nice and so helpful,” said Janelle, referring to the fleet of enthusiastic volunteers who made the experience possible for those participating..
The association’s mission statement explains it is “dedicated to preserving green space, open land, and the natural beauty of Tewksbury Township and the surrounding areas of Hunterdon County, New Jersey. The TTA is committed to cultivating and maintaining agriculturally-sensitive bridle paths for horseback riding and community enjoyment.”
What could be a better goal?
Stephen Hagan and Louisa Sargent kept track of the starters. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
TTA President Louisa Sargent said the pace, the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year, attracted generous sponsors. In 2020, the Covid situation meant the ride was limited to association members only; the organizers didn’t feel comfortable dealing with a big crowd at that time.
But for 2021, with isolation and lockdowns in the rearview mirror, riders were thrilled about the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors among fellow equestrian enthusiasts.
“People were really excited,” Louisa recalled about the reaction when it was announced this summer that the pace would be back.
And they also had a chance of winning a generous array of prizes, everything from saddlepads to hats, a vest, backpacks and a horse toy.
Standing proudly by the prizes offered at the pace were Gia-Raquello Esposito, Margaret Esposito, Roxanne Soroko and Joy Custer. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
A variety of breeds were competing, and a few western saddles were spotted in the mix. Although many riders wore breeches and boots, the dress code was casual, although of course, proper helmets were required.
“It was great,” said Mike Knowles of Neshanic Station, who was riding his quarter horse mare western. He comes to the pace every year.
This was the first trail pace for Annette Montgomery and her friend Sandra Foster of Pittstown. Annette summed up the experience as “a lovely time” riding Helga Wirth’s Icelandic horses, Blakkur and Muggur.
Sandra Foster and Annette Montgomery on the Icelandic Horses. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
While there were a number of first-timers, many familiar faces were seen among the entries.
Alexis Madiara and her husband, Derek Chimel, of Pittstown are regulars at paces.
“This is what we do,” she explained.
“We look forward to hunter pace season every year. Tewksbury does such a nice job with the prizes.”
After the couple won fourth place in the trail category, they were off to camp out with their horses for the night. So cool!
Trail Pace winners: Ideal Time: 1 hour, 21 minutes, 42 seconds.
Juniors
1,Jordan Jonach, Jen Stevenson
2, Bronwyn Carr, Caitlin Carr
3, Camryn Downey, Saffron Bessler
4, Haley Ronaghan, Sofia DeCastro, Kennedy Davidson
5, Leeci Rowsell, Olivia Hicok, Elise Tansey
6, Lorna Phillips, Autumn Phillips
Sixth-place Lorna Phillips, a Dubliner living in Chester, came prepared with a little backpack stocked with water and carrots. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
Alexis Madiara and her husband, Derek Chimel, were fourth in the adult trail pace division with Sonoma and Calypso. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
Adults:
1, Maryann Gruda, Al Gillen
2, Larry Riley
3, Karen Taylor, Amy Snyder
4, Alexis Madiara, Derek Chimel
5, Olivia Lauezzari, Diane Schneider, Jackie Gattoni
6, Allison Malenfant, Michelle Morges
Pleasure Pace Winners: Ideal Time 2 hours, 5 minutes 29 seconds
Juniors:
1, Janelle Parker, Emma Spagnolo
2, Rashi Desai, Sarah Esterly
3, Brian Thompson, Emma Schien, Brooke Wakefrose
4, Brooke Toth, Savannah Toth, Annie Homtz
5, Alexandra Allen, Olivia Allen
6, Chrystal Rielly, Aislinn Howell, Gianna Balut
Adults:
1, Julie Tanis, Adrienne Peck
2, Hannah Kerr, Brianna Bryne
3, Jessica Manna, Helen Mengher
4, Maris Rosenberg, Lori Rocker, Mary O’Mealia
5, Heather Coyne, Lisa Bowman
6, Carol Cenussi, Jodi Kreizer
It’s been a banner week for Americans in Aachen, Germany, at a show many consider the most prestigious in the world.
As the action ended today, Brian Moggre of the USA came within a fraction of a second of winning the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen with the fabulous Balou du Reventon during his first trip to the famous showgrounds. The class was taken by Germany’s vastly experienced Daniel Deusser on Killer Queen VDM, fault-free through three rounds and clocked in the jump-off at 41.85 seconds. Brian was second on Ann Thompson’s stallion in 42.16.
It’s hard to believe that just three years ago, Brian was a teenage winner in the junior equitation ranks, victorious in the Dover Saddlery/USEF Medal finals and finishing second in the ASPCA Maclay finals. A year later, he won his first FEI show jumping competition, and now, after turning 20 last month, he has been brilliant on the world stage.
Behind him in third place at Aachen was Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet on Nevados S, the only other triple clear, while the number one horse/rider combo in the world, Olympic individual gold medalist Ben Maher of Great Britain and Explosion W, finished fourth on four faults. A slightly slower four-faulter, American Laura Kraut, was fifth with Baloutinue.
Laura and Brian were part of the winning NetJets team in the Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup team on Friday,along with Jessica Springsteen and Lucy Deslauriers. Brian was the only team member to go double-clear in that competition.
“Aachen is something I have dreamed of since I was a little kid, so to be here with a great horse and great teammates could just not be any better,” said Brian, who dotes on the stallion.
“I never have had a horse before that has gone and jumped great things. I only had young horses and my junior jumpers moving up, so it was a lot of pressure to put on myself to step up to the plate, but he’s so reliable and so kind, I couldn’t ask for anything more. I just love him so much,” explained Brian who, like Jessie, has been training with Laura and her partner, British Olympic double gold medalist Nick Skelton.
Brian Moggre and Balou du Reventon at Aachen. (Photo courtesy USEF)
The team total was 4 penalties (a drop score is allowed in each round, unlike the Olympics) to 8 for runner-up Sweden and 12 for third-place France.
Robert Ridland, the USA’s outstanding coach, likes to pair younger riders with more experienced competitors. So he put half of the Tokyo Olympic silver medal team, Jessie Springsteen and Laura Kraut as pathfinder and anchor, with Lucy Deslauriers and Brian. Laura had the drop score of 4 in the first round with Baloutinue, but came back to produce a fault-free trip. Lucy, riding her favorite, Hester, was clear in the first round and collected 4 faults in the second. Jessie, on Don Juan van de Donkhoeve, also was clear in the first round but had the drop score of eight in the second.
Sweden, which won gold in Tokyo, did not use any of its riders from those Games, which speaks to that country’s depth in the sport. The U.S. team was able to avoid a jump-off with Sweden, something that happened in both the 2018 World Equestrian Games, where America triumphed, and the Tokyo Olympics..
Then yesterday, the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team was second, the best finish for a U.S. squad in the history of the event. Will Coleman and Off The Record, Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire, Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan, and Tamie Smith with Mai Baum were led by Chef d’Equipe Erik Duvander and finished on a final team score of 116.5, edged by only 0.3 penalties as Great Britain took the win with 116.2 penalties. Ireland finished third on 127.2 penalties.
At the same time, Will and his 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding became the first American combination to win the prestigious 4-Star Short at the World Equestrian Festival, finishing on a score of 30.50.
It’s been a banner week for Americans in Aachen, Germany at a show many consider the most prestigious in the world.
The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team today finished in second place at World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen, the best team finish for a U.S. squad in the history at the event. Will Coleman and Off The Record, Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire, Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan, and Tamie Smith with Mai Baum were led by Chef d’Equipe Erik Duvander and finished on a final team score of 116.5, edged by only 0.3 penalties as Great Britain took the win with 116.2 penalties. Ireland finished third on 127.2 penalties.
At the same time, Will and his 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding became the first American combination to win the prestigious 4-Star Short, finishing on a score of 30.50.
Two days ago, the USA’s NetJets Show Jumping Team won the Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup at Germany’s Aachen, considered by many the world’s most prestigious horse show, with each rider putting in at least one clean round and Brian Moggre putting in two on Balou du Reventon.
“Aachen is something I have dreamed of since I was a little kid, so to be here with a great horse and great teammates could just not be any better,” said Brian, who dotes on Ann Thompson’s stallion.
“I never have had a horse before that has gone and jumped great things. I only had young horses and my junior jumpers moving up, so it was a lot of pressure to put on myself to step up to the plate, but he’s so reliable and so kind, I couldn’t ask for anything more. I just love him so much,” explained Brian who, like Jessie, has been training with Laura and her partner, British Olympic double gold medalist Nick Skelton.
Brian Moggre and Balou du Reventon at Aachen. (Photo courtesy USEF)
The team total was 4 penalties (a drop score is allowed in each round, unlike the Olympics) to 8 for runner-up Sweden and 12 for third-place France.
Robert Ridland, the USA’s outstanding coach, likes to pair younger riders with more experienced competitors. So he put half of the Tokyo Olympic silver medal team, Jessie Springsteen and Laura Kraut as pathfinder and anchor, with Lucy Deslauriers and Brian. Laura had the drop score of 4 in the first round with Baloutinue, but came back to produce a fault-free trip. Lucy, riding her favorite, Hester, was clear in the first round and collected 4 faults in the second. Jessie, on Don Juan van de Donkhoeve, also was clear in the first round but had the drop score of eight in the second.
Sweden, which won gold in Tokyo, did not use any of its riders from those Games, which speaks to that country’s depth in the sport. The U.S. team was able to avoid a jump-off with Sweden, something that happened in both the 2018 World Equestrian Games, where America triumphed, and the Tokyo Olympics..
The USA’s NetJets Show Jumping Team won the Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup at Germany’s Aachen, considered by many the world’s most prestigious horse show, with each rider putting in at least one clean round and Brian Moggre putting in two on Balou du Reventon.
“Aachen is something I have dreamed of since I was a little kid, so to be here with a great horse and great teammates could just not be any better,” said Brian, who dotes on Ann Thompson’s stallion.
“I never have had a horse before that has gone and jumped great things. I only had young horses and my junior jumpers moving up, so it was a lot of pressure to put on myself to step up to the plate, but he’s so reliable and so kind, I couldn’t ask for anything more. I just love him so much,” explained Brian who, like Jessie, has been training with Laura and her partner, British Olympic double gold medalist Nick Skelton.
Brian Moggre and Balou du Reventon at Aachen. (Photo courtesy USEF)
The team total was 4 penalties (a drop score is allowed in each round, unlike the Olympics) to 8 for runner-up Sweden and 12 for third-place France.
Robert Ridland, the USA’s outstanding coach, likes to pair younger riders with more experienced competitors. So he put half of the Tokyo Olympic silver medal team, Jessie Springsteen and Laura Kraut as pathfinder and anchor, with Lucy Deslauriers and Brian. Laura had the drop score of 4 in the first round with Baloutinue, but came back to produce a fault-free trip. Lucy, riding her favorite, Hester, was clear in the first round and collected 4 faults in the second. Jessie, on Don Juan van de Donkhoeve, also was clear in the first round but had the drop score of eight in the second.
Sweden, which won gold in Tokyo, did not use any of its riders from those Games, which speaks to that country’s depth in the sport. The U.S. team was able to avoid a jump-off with Sweden, something that happened in both the 2018 World Equestrian Games, where America triumphed, and the Tokyo Olympics..
The U.S. Equestrian Federation is going to revise the rules related to amateur competitors. The scenario has gotten a lot more complicated in the age of social influencers, and others who dabble in teaching beginners but aren’t really professionals.Where do you think the lines should be drawn? This is the last day you can weigh in.
The changes being considered would permit amateurs to provide beginner instruction to non-competing riders outside of the competition environment in the American Saddlebred, Arabian, Hackney, Morgan, Friesian and Paso Fino, National Showhorse and Andalusian breeds and the Saddle Seat Equitation and Roadster disciplines. Instruction would be limited to 20 hours per calendar week and must be performed under the supervision of a USEF Competing member designated as Professional. USEF registration as a part-time instructor is required. A follow-up asks if this rule should include the dressage, eventing, hunter/jumper and western dressage disciplines.
Another change would allow amateurs to accept remuneration as social media influencers or brand ambassadors for posting on social media accounts? Wearing manufacturer marks, barn or stable branding, or class sponsor branded equipment would be allowed in competition. However, remuneration for commercial brand exposure in competition or on competition grounds would not be permitted.
There also is a question about whether the age limit for juniors should be raised from 18 to 21.
Take the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CL265JJ
Stars, stars, stars! Great Britain’s Zara Tindall, the former European and world eventing champion, just entered next month’s new Maryland 5-star at Fair Hill. Queen Elizabeth’s granddaughter joins her country’s team gold medal Olympian Oliver Townend, the world’s number one-ranked eventer and now a contingent from France, Maxime Livio and Astier Nicolas.
Zara Tindall of Great Britain in competition. (Photo © by Shannon Brinkman)
Spectators weren’t permitted at the Land Rover Kentucky 5-star three-day event in April, but fans at last will have a chance to watch the highest level of eventing in person at Fair Hill, where the cross-country course has been designed by Ian Stark. The Scotsman is a four-time Olympic silver medalist and three-time Badminton 5-star winner who still competes at the lower levels.
The Oct. 14-17 event offering $325,000 in prize money, has attracted an an impressive list of entries. In the 5-star, which has a $100,000 first prize, eyes will be on Zara, who is the daughter of Princess Anne and former U.S. eventing coach Mark Phillips, who is also an Olympic medalist and noted course designer. Zara is riding Class Affair, a 12-year-old Irishbred on whom she finished 18th at Aachen last month.
Oliver Townend will present a challenge for all participants as he rides his two-time Kentucky 5-star winner, Cooley Master Class. He won the 2021 Kentucky event on Ballaghmor Class.
Oliver Townend and his two-time Kentucky 5-star winner Cooley Master Class. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
There are plenty of international competitors, but U.S. riders account for the bulk of the entries. Quantum Leap will be ridden by Doug Payne, who was the highest-placed U.S. eventer at the Tokyo Olympics on Vandiver. Also competing is his teammate, Boyd Martin aboard his Tokyo reserve horse, On Cue, as well as Long Island T, who won a prep over the weekend at the Horse Park of New Jersey..
Boyd is the top-ranked U.S. rider on the international list in eighth place.The third member of the U.S. Olympic team, Phillip Dutton, will be riding Fernhill Singapore and Sea of Clouds.
Other rider names you’ll recognize include Will Coleman, Will Faudree, Jennie Brannigan, Hannah Sue Burnett and many more. Interestingly, the 5-star includes an entry of Nick Larkin–a New Zealander who won the first Kentucky 4-star in 1998, at a time when that was the sport’s highest designation. He now lives in Kentucky.
The Maryland event will be the second 5-star for On Cue, ridden to fourth place last spring in her 5-star debut at Land Rover Kentucky. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
Among the riders coming from England, courtesy of arrangements by the Dutta Corp., are the number seven rider in the world, British-based Jonelle Price of New Zealand. She is bringing her Badminton winner, Classic Moet, and her husband, Tim, the world number two, will ride his Kentucky runner-up, Xavier Faer. Also along for the ride across the Atlantic is Britain’s Harry Meade with Superstition and Australian Sammi Birch with Hunter Valley II.
Kentucky drew a number of British-based riders in the run-up to the Olympics, but some this month optioned to compete in the one-off Bicton 5-star at home, replacing the Covid-cancelled Burghley fixture for this year only.
The Maryland event, one of only seven 5-stars in the world, is also hosting a 3-star–which will be held on the morning of the dressage and cross-country competition–as well as the U.S. Eventing Association Young Event Horse East Coast Championships, presented by Dubarry of Ireland.
Tim Price, second at Kentucky on Xavier Faer, will be going for the win this time in Maryland. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
The competition will be held at a new location down the road from where the old Fair Hill International was staged for decades.
The Fair Hill Organizing Committee, an affiliate of the Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland, is selling reserved tailgate spots next to the cross-country course on Oct. 16.
“We are so excited to offer this fantastic tailgating experience at the inaugural Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill,” said Marissa Melzer, ticketing & hospitality director.
“The chance for families, friends and/or co-workers to be together outdoors for a day at beautiful Fair Hill this fall, while enjoying their favorite tailgating menu so close to these elite athletes and horses is sure to be an experience they’ll never forget.”
Prices range from $500 for a space along the 5-Star course, $300 for a space along the 3-Star course and $250 for a General Admission space. General admission tickets are available as well.
There will also be a variety of attractions, including a food festival and vendors. For ticket information, click here.
The 2024 Olympics in Paris will be the last Games for German dressage superstar Isabell Werth, who told the German press agency that it will be a “turning point” for her career and she will retire at some point after that.
Isabell Werth and Bella Rose. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
The 55-year-old multi gold medalist said she could never see herself competing at the age of 60, and hopes to focus on training once she stops showing. Her Tokyo team gold and individual silver mount Bella Rose retired after the Games in Japan, but subsequently under went colic surgery and will miss a planned farewell ceremony in Aachen this week.
No worries, though. Isabell has plenty of horses in the pipeline that will take her through the moment she steps down from the podium for the last time.
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.
Friends Megan McDermott and Maria Costa finished first and second in the Hits $400,500 Grand Prix. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
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.
Megan McDermott put in a winning trip with Entano. (Photo © 2021 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
“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.
David Blake and Keoki. (Photo © 2021 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
“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.”
Maria Costa and Presence. (Photo © 2021 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
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.
Jimmy Torano and $200,000 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix winner Laskano. (Photo © 2021 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
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.
Jimmy Torano gives Laskano a pat. Note the air vest he is wearing over his jacket. Photo © 2021 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
“In the old days, we didn’t wear seat belts, we didn’t wear helmets,” Jimmy pointed out. Now, of course, we can’t imagine life without those items
“Change is hard,” he acknowledged.
“This is my choice. Everyone’s got to make their own decision, and this is mine.”
