by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 4, 2024
A spook in the canter near the end of Kate Shoemaker’s Grade IV test with Vianne Wednesday ended the USA’s medal run at the Paralympics in Paris, but her fifth-place finish guaranteed the new combination a start in the freestyle competition.
Shoemaker, ranked number one in the world in her grade, began working with the U.S.-bred Vianne this year. They made their international debut as a combination in Doha last February.
“The first day I knew that it was something so incredibly special and she just kept proving that show after show. It was a clear decision to bring her here,” said Kate.
Their test was trending around 75 percent until the spook. She ended on 72.222 percent.
“That was the first spook she’s ever had with me, but horses are horses, and if we wanted to ride something predictable, we would ride motorcycles, but regardless of anything – I love her more than anything in the world,” Kate said about the 8-year-old Hanoverian mare.
‘”She went into that stadium like she’s done it a million times and it was incredible. She’s allowed to be a horse and she’s certainly forgiven because there’s going to be a lot more beautiful days in the future.”
Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline emphasized, “Kate rode beautifully today. The two of them were incredibly accurate and in sync with one another – the picture was just beautiful.
“We have to remember horses are not machines, and sometimes things outside of our control happen in the arena. Kate handled the rest of the ride after Vianne’s spook perfectly and they still finished with a competitive score.”
It was a Dutch double for the top placings in the class, as Demi Haerkens took gold in her Paralympic Games debut. The 2023 European Championships gold medalist won with Daula on 78.722 percent.
“It was such a lovely ride,” said Demi.
“She was so focused, with such lovely quality and softness. We didn’t make any mistakes. She was with me and dancing with a lot of quality. She was amazing. Now I want to go to the stable and give her big cuddles.”
Her compatriot, defending champion Sanne Voets, who won double individual gold and team silver on Demantur in Tokyo 2021, rode the same horse to silver on 76.528 percent.
The bronze went to Germany’s Anna-Lena Niehues on Quimbaya 6 with 75.222 percent.
The U.S. team for Friday’s competition will be named Thursday.
There were no American competitors in the Grade V competition, won by Belgium’s Michèle George. It was her sixth Paralympic Games gold and seventh medal overall as she defended her Individual title on Best of 8. The double individual gold medalist at Tokyo 2021, was marked at 76.692 percent.
“I’m incredibly happy. She (Best of 8) was amazing. For me, it felt like a gold medal because I had nearly no mistakes and she was really dancing with me. I enjoyed every second of it. It means a lot,” the winner enthused.
Regine Mispelkamp of Germany on Highlander Delight’s, added a silver medal to her individual freestyle bronze from Tokyo, scoring 73.231 percent.
Sophie Wells of Great Britain rode LJT Egebjerggards Samoa to her ninth Paralympic medal by taking bronze with 72.257 percent adding to her four golds and four silvers from previous Games.
click here for Grade IV results
click here for Grade V results
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 22, 2024
Six years ago, the life of the Babington family changed forever.
Top international show jumper Kevin Babington suffered a disastrous fall with his horse in a grand prix, a crash that left him with a contusion of the spinal cord as a result of hyperextending his neck in the accident. The vertebrae hit the spinal cord, causing damage; it was a stretch and concussion injury from vertebra C3 to C5, which involves the diaphragm and mobility.
The man who had been the pillar of his family, wife Dianna and daughters Gwyneth and Marielle, suddenly found himself dependent on them and others. Not only was he unable to ride and earn a living the way he always had, he couldn’t walk, use his hands or do almost anything for himself. He’s also in chronic pain.
Kevin and Dianna Babington. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
With the primary breadwinner sidelined and in need of costly care, the family faced a future burdened with constant worry. Finances were a huge concern, but Kevin’s friends offered whatever aid they could.
One of the constants in the circle of help has been the Babington Benefit Horse Show, organized every year since a few weeks after his 2019 accident. It is held at Duncraven in Titusville, a scenic section of Hopewell Township, New Jersey.
This year’s show is Sept. 7, about a month earlier than usual due to various changes in the competition calendar, but that likely will be a blessing with better weather than the usual October date often brings.
All the labor for the show is done by volunteers. The Stout family who owns Duncraven enables use of the property free of charge, a tradition started by the previous owner, Tim Fedor. Kevin once had his business at that venue.
Kevin in the 2004 Olympics. (Photo © 2004 by Nancy Jaffer)
The judges, Creigh Duncan, Abbe Wolfe, Bri Quinn and Michelle Morasky donate their time, as does secretary Mary Norris. The show is approved by the N.J. Professional Horseman’s Association, so riders can earn points toward that group’s awards.
Special classes offered include the Handy Hunter Derby with fences ranging from 2 feet to 3 feet, so everyone can choose their preferred height. There’s also a bareback ride-a-buck, a nod to Kevin’s appreciation of riding bareback. Young competitors tuck a $5 bill under their knees ($10 or $20 in the case of adults) and the winner is the last one whose “buck” hasn’t fallen. The victor gets half the money that has hit the ground, but they can donate that amount if they choose.
Entry fees and proceeds from a raffle go to the Babington Family Trust. It helps pay for the many things Kevin and his family need to live that aren’t covered by the Kevin Babington Foundation, which also aids other equestrians with spinal injuries.
Kevin on his victory lap after winning the Devon Horse Show Grand Prix in 2016 on Mark Q. (Photo © 2016 by Nancy Jaffer)
The show has three co-managers: Nancy Wallis, Jennifer Cassidy and Julie Koveloski. Entries are through horseshowing.com at https://horseshowing.com
“As soon as we start putting out notices,” said Jennifer, “everyone gets excited about this every year. It’s a lot of support from the community.”
Kevin taking a view of the course at Devon during his riding days. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
The organizers are looking for volunteers, including those who can work two days before the show for set-up and the day after for take-down, as well as for jump crew on the day of the show. Nancy is happy to hear from anyone who wants to volunteer at (908) 256-3386. Jennifer’s number is (215) 954-9062.
The show also needs raffle items, which in the past have included gift baskets, tack and gift certificates for everything from horse transportation to dinners. Julie can be reached by those offering such items at (609) 439-8983.
Kevin, who rode for Ireland and tied for fourth in the 2004 Olympics, teaches from his wheelchair on the porch of his Loxahatchee, Fla., farm, where the family also has stalls for rent. Dianna also teaches to help support the family.
Nancy said every time she calls Kevin, he tells her he’s fine and doesn’t talk about himself. He works at his physical therapy and has been involved in a number of clinical trials. Kevin has not given up hope that he will walk again on his own, and perhaps be able to ride someday.
“We keep waiting for something to break,” Dianna said about innovative therapies that could make a big difference for her husband.
“We’re hopeful something in his lifetime will be available, but there’s still nothing. I think someday something will be able to fix this, but it’s just not far enough along now.”
She and Kevin are grateful for those who help, and note the benefit show has a special place in the couple’s hearts. A former resident of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Dianna said, “I love and miss the Northeast. It’s a community I wish I’d never had to leave. The people who are there are extremely special. I never feel like they have forgotten us.”
Other fundraisers have expanded from the Foundation to include special classes dedicated to Kevin at various shows, and even sponsorship of Kevin-related jumps.
Friends haven’t forgotten Kevin Babington. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
People who can’t make it to the show but want to donate may give to the Kevin Babington Trust, which goes directly to him for a variety of expenses that are related to his condition. Checks may be sent to Kevin at 13254 Casey Road, Loxahatchee, Fla. 33470.
Those looking for a tax deduction with their contribution can donate to the Kevin Babington Foundation. The 501(c)3 provides support not only to Kevin, but also to other show jumpers who have suffered spinal injuries. It helps pay for aides, which enables Dianna and Kevin’s girls to keep working.
Its mission for those seeking help includes outfitting vehicles for transportation and remodeling to make homes suitable for the disabled, but does not contribute toward daily expenses.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 30, 2024
Eventer Liz Halliday was taken off the respirator Tuesday, a great step in her recovery from a head injury she sustained in a fall on the cross-country course at the American Eventing Championships .
Being able to breathe on her own means she can get more sleep, an important key toward getting better. She gripped a pair of reins in her hospital bed on Sunday, which was also an important sign about the improvement of the Paris Olympic team rider after surgery to ease pressure on her brain.
“She is continuing to make steady improvements and wowing her medical team with her grit and determination,” a message from her supporters said on Sunday.
The top three in the Advanced division of the AECs had Liz on their minds while they were on the podium Friday at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Winner Will Coleman, runner-up Boyd Martin and third-place Phillip Dutton held up a hastily improvised sign that said “Get Well Liz.”
They were thinking of the Paris Olympic squad member who underwent surgery at the University of Kentucky medical center to relieve pressure from swelling in her brain following her Thursday fall with Shanroe Cooley on cross-country.
Boyd Martin, Will Coleman and Phillip Dutton with a wish on the podium. (Annan Hepner/U.S. Eventing Association)
The horse was uninjured and now is happily grazing in his paddock.
Liz’s team said Saturday that when doctors asked Liz to wiggle her fingers and toes, in typical Liz fashion “she is going above and beyond by lifting her arms and legs, too. We are seeing improvements every day. She is constantly showing us that she is going to recover faster than expected.”
Will said he was thinking of Liz all day during the competition; hence the note written on the back of his winner’s check.
“Just really wishing her the best possible recovery and sending her family and all her connections as much support as we can give them,” said Will.
“Just hoping she’s going to be back, and just really pulling for her.”
Will finished on 36 penalties with Diabolo, originally his Olympic reserve horse until injury dropped him out of contention for the Paris Games. Boyd had the same score on his Paris reserve mount, Conner, but Will being closer to the optimum time on cross-country broke the tie in Will’s favor. Phillip rode Possante to third on 40.6 penalties, with 1.2 time penalties in the show jumping.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 2, 2024
Rene Dittmer, who made quite a mark at the Winter Equestrian Festival, translated his success to another season with a victory in the $400,000 Longines Hampton Classic 5-star grand prix over the weekend.
The German and Corsica X, a Holsteiner mare by Connor he owns with Glen Haven Farm, topped a 40-horse field over a 17-effort course laid out by Nick Granat. How nice to have an American, instead of the usual foreign designers, doing courses at the Classic. That was where Nick worked 17 years ago with Conrad Homfeld when he was handling the duties on what was once a big grass field (now all-weather footing) at the classic Long Island show.
Dittmer’s clear round in 37.55 seconds during an eight-horse jump-off was a step up from his win last year in the show’s $39,000 5-star speed stake.
Rene Dittmer and Corsica X (Kind Photo)
“It really means a lot to me to win in front of this amazing crowd,” Rene said.
“My horse was unbelievable this week; she jumped five clear rounds and didn’t have a rail down all week. I’m super happy and still can’t quite believe that this win happened in such a prestigious event.”
Knowing that speedsters Jordan Coyle and McLain Ward, a perennial winner of the prix, were coming after he rode in the tie-breaker, he explained, “I had to do what I could to make them chase the time.”
It worked out because if McLain had gone clear, he would have been faster in 36.87-seconds, but two rails kept him in sixth place.
Young Americans Mimi Gochman (Inclen BH/38.58 seconds) and Alex Matz (Ikigai) were second and third, with Alex posting the fastest 4-fault round in 39.09 seconds aboard the Dutch stallion.
“I was really working on being consistent, clear and not too reckless in the jump-off,” Mimi said after her double-clear performance.
“I was super happy with my horse today. He’s an incredibly scopey, careful horse. I tried very hard to present everything to go smoothly for him, and I couldn’t be happier with him.”
For his part, Alex commented, “I have an unbelievable horse. Since I first got him, I’ve thought he is the best horse I’ve ever ridden. I’m so happy to have him with me at this level.”
For his overall record during the week, McLain won the Longines Rider Championship, a title he previously took in 2021. This time, he was on a new mount, High Star Hero.
“A very special thanks to Michael and Wendy Smith for the opportunity to ride this horse and for Thaisa (Erwin) for producing him to this level,” McLain said, referring to the Australian who was Hero’s previous rider.
“Getting to know him at the Hampton Classic is a bit of a sharp learning curve,” observed McLain who had started riding the horse only five days before the grand prix.
“I would have liked to have pulled up a little bit from home; maybe we came in a bit too fast there,” he said.
“I’m glad Nick Granat had the opportunity to be here and design the course. I thought it rode well, and the rollback to the final line created something of a bogey fence. It’s a shame the horse didn’t go clear, but there is a bit of luck involved in our sport. He is a great horse, and I think we’re going to have a great future.”
Click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 28, 2024
The name Kristi Mitchem may not be familiar to you, even though she has just been announced as the president and CEO of the Gladstone, N.J.-based U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation.
But you may well know of her daughter, Caroline Mawhinney, number 37 on the FEI jumping Under 25 rankings. Her mother’s interest in high performance equestrian sport stems from Caroline’s riding career. The family lives in California, but Kristi spends the winters at Triple M Farm in Wellington, Fla., home of the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Caroline has participated in several U.S. Equestrian Federation High Performance Pathway Programs, including the North American Youth Championships, where she earned several podium finishes. She has twice represented the U.S. at the FEI Jumping Nations Cup Youth Final in the Netherlands, winning gold medals.
“As an avid supporter of U.S. equestrian teams and athletes, I’m thrilled to take on the role of president and CEO of the USET Foundation and excited to leverage my work experience in a way that will contribute to the sport,” stated Kristi.
“I’m extremely grateful for everything that the USET Foundation has provided to my daughter, Caroline, and I’m delighted that I can give back.”
Kristi Mitchem
Kristi is replacing W. James McNerney at the USET Foundation in the roles he served for seven years. He remains as chairman of the Board of Trustees, a position he has held since 2019.
As USEF’s philanthropic partner, the foundation provides the resources to maintain U.S. equestrian competitive excellence on the world stage. The new president/CEO will be responsible for furthering support of that mission.
“Kristi brings a remarkable blend of passion for high-performance sport and a proven track record in business and financial leadership,” said her predecessor.
“Her appointment marks an exciting generational shift that will engage a new wave of donors and enthusiasts who share our dedication to the development of talented, hard-working athletes through the pathway programs. As we look ahead to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, I have every confidence that Kristi’s vision and expertise will propel the USET Foundation and our United States Equestrian Teams to new heights, ensuring our athletes are supported at every level in this country’s quest for sustained competitive excellence on the world stage.”
Kristi was elected to the USET Foundation Board of Trustees in June 2022 and the executive committee in January 2024. She also has been an active member of its finance and investment committees since 2022.
One of three managing partners at &Partners, she was previously the CEO and head of the Bank of Montreal (BMO) Global Asset Management division. Prior to that, she served as CEO of Wells Fargo Asset Management and has more than 20 years experience in related roles at State Street Corporation, BlackRock and Goldman Sachs.
“Kristi’s knowledge of the sport coupled with her business acumen have demonstrated that she is prepared to propel the organization forward, particularly as we look toward a home Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028,” said USET Foundation Executive Director Bonnie B. Jenkins.
During Kristi’s time on the board, Bonnie continued, “she has gained a keen understanding of the USET Foundation’s important role in the sport and the expenses associated with competing at the highest levels. Through her daughter, she has also experienced the thrill of riding for the team. She understands firsthand that our athletes and U.S. equestrian teams require significant resources to maintain competitive excellence now and in the future. I’m very much looking forward to working with her to bolster and extend our mission.”
Kristi is especially keen to increase awareness of, and access to, USEF Pathway Programs and grow the endowment to ensure long-term support for U.S. equestrian athletes and teams.
“The Pathway is what initially piqued my interest in supporting the USET Foundation,” she explained.
“I thought it was fantastic that there were groups of individuals that would help young riders like Caroline progress from the junior levels to the senior teams. Ultimately, thanks to the guidance of the Pathway, some of the most talented riders go on to represent the U.S. on the world stage, whether that is in Nations Cup competitions or at Olympic and Paralympic events.”
Kristi earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Davidson College and a master’s degree in business administration from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where she was an Arjay Miller Scholar. She is also a Fulbright Scholar and an Aspen Financial Fellow. She and her husband, Tom Mawhinney, have three daughters.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 28, 2024
It was an obvious decision — after winning her second Olympic individual gold medal this month and earning a host of other global titles over the years, German dressage queen TSF Dalera BB will be retired from competition, rider Jessica von Bredow-Werndl announced Wednesday on Instagram.
The 17-year-old mare will, however, be making some “joyful appearances” for exhibitions in Neumunster, Germany, this year and Basel, Switzerland, next year.
Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Dalera have a special bond.
The Trakehner, the number one-ranked dressage horse in the world, “loves her stage so much,” explained Jessica, “and that is why it is important to me that she gets to do this a few more times. This journey has been so special for me and fortunately it is not over yet.”
Jessica added, “Apart from that, Dalera gets the best life that she deserves.” As the rider put it, “she deserves only one thing, and that is the very best.”
“I am slowly starting to realize what has happened over the last few weeks,” said Jessica about earning her second double gold in Paris. She previously said she would do a few more shows before Dalera’s retirement, but Jessica has now realized there was nothing more the mare could do or prove in competition.
Dalera and her rider would move lightly as one through their performances, perfectly balanced, scaling the heights of their sport seemingly without effort.
Her record includes not only two Olympic team gold medals, in addition to her individual golds, but also six European championships, seven German national championships and two FEI Dressage World Cup Finals, the last of which was in Omaha in 2023. Needless to say, Dalera also has won at Aachen.
Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Dalera on their way to winning the 2023 FEI World Cup title. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Dalera, Jessica explained, “has been so much more to me than just my sport partner over the last few years. I’ve never experienced anything before like connecting with a horse on such a soul level that we didn’t need words, we understood each other and I always knew what she needed.”
Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and her individual gold medal with Isabell Werth (silver) and Lottie Fry (bronze) at the Paris Olympics.
Over the years, Jessica’s social media has been full of photos of her interacting with Dalera outside of competition, whether taking a trail ride or cuddling with the mare in her stall. The two have been together since the elegant daughter of Easy Game was eight years old.
Dalera will, of course, have a home and love for the rest of her life.
Jessica said it all when she observed, “It has been an incredibly beautiful journey with her.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 26, 2024
Representatives from national federations and stakeholder groups (including athletes, officials, organizers, trainers, and veterinary experts) will meet Oct. 1 under the banner of the FEI to embark on a comprehensive long-term strategy for dressage to ensure its sustainability and growth.
The focus will address the challenges impacting dressage, while providing an opportunity to update the community on current and upcoming research and development initiatives, including a study of the oral cavity (otherwise known as the mouth.)
“While the FEI fully recognizes the challenges currently facing the discipline of dressage and has worked to address issues as they have arisen, the primary focus in recent months has been on delivering key events, as well as a successful Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, which has required considerable attention and resources,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos explained.
“Our goal now is to collaborate closely with all our stakeholders to address the challenges facing dressage. While many in our community recognzse the urgency of the situation, others may not yet fully grasp the critical juncture at which equestrian sport currently stands.
“While the FEI is committed to seeking collective solutions and fostering consensus wherever possible, the safety and well-being of our horses remain our top priority. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that dressage is a discipline where the sport is conducted in a manner that focuses on the horse’s comfort.”
He added, “As the governing body, the FEI is prepared to take the necessary decisions to ensure that we are living up to our promise to ‘Be a Guardian’ for our equine partners, and to improve the standards of safety and care in our sport. We have shown in recent months that the FEI is ready to step in and take decisive action when the need arises.
“As the sport evolves, we must adapt and find effective solutions to current challenges. Our success depends on the community’s willingness to approach these issues with an open mind and work together toward common ground.”
The FEI introduced the Be a Guardian initiative in July, which calls upon members of the community to fully commit to their duties as ‘guardians’ of FEI horses.
Be a Guardian is the central message united the community around the FEI Action Plan developed from the recommendations outlined in the final report of the independent Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission.
The term ‘guardian’ marks an evolution in the FEI’s narrative of the horse-human partnership, chosen to better represent the human role in caring for horses and to underscore each individual’s responsibility for ensuring horse welfare.
Key links
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 13, 2024
The tragic death of Chromatic BF at April’s FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final in Saudi Arabia has sparked a three-part U.S. Equestrian Federation welfare initiative, designed to improve the safety and well-being of sport horses.
In the bigger picture, the horse’s passing also may generate a different perspective on veterinary treatment for equines in competition, an opportunity “to make horses in sport be safer and help them be healthier.”
Those are the words of Kc Branscomb, who owned and bred Chromatic, a 13-year-old gelding who was third in the second leg of the Cup in Riyadh. After returning to the stables in good order following his energetic victory lap, the USEF veterinarian injected him with a cocktail of several substances. Minutes later, the horse collapsed and died, leaving his team shocked, distraught and looking for answers.
Branscomb was determined to ensure nothing like that happens to another horse representing the U.S., taking issue with the shot Chromatic received and expressing concern that was the cause of death, even though a necropsy performed at King Faisal University was inconclusive. She did not rest until she got what she was looking for from USEF in terms of addressing what had happened to her horse, what might be the fate of other horses in a similar situation, and making sure it could never happen again.
After the necropsy, USEF originally stated, “The cause of the death was severe diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage and edema, which could be attributed to multiple causes, including disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), cardiopulmonary failure, shock, and exercise-associated fatal pulmonary hemorrhage.”
According to the final report, the administered medications were not identified as the cause of death.
But Branscomb was skeptical after learning Chromatic had received 4 milliliters of Legend, 5 of Adequan, 20 of Traumeel, 20 of arnica and 20 of Selevit, a selenium/vitamin combination.
When she called her own vet, Dr. Jack Snyder, while she was in Riyadh and told him what Chromatic had been given, he said, “Oh, my God. I would never have given that. It doesn’t even work.”
To Branscomb, that showed a big gap in the knowledge of the treating vet who was working for the USEF, so she got busy.
“I love this sport and want to be proud of it,” Branscomb said.
Seeking to avoid any other horse having an end like Chromatic’s, she collaborated with Dr. J.E. Madigan, professor emeritus of the Department of Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of California Davis school of veterinary medicine, who is board certified in the specialty of animal welfare. They engaged with USEF about the matter and on Tuesday, it was announced that Branscomb got what she sought.
In the announcement of the new initiative, the federation acknowledged, “USEF believes the most probable contributor (to Chromatic’s death) is related to medications administered to the horse by a USEF-appointed veterinarian shortly before the horse collapsed. The USEF-appointed veterinarian made the decision to administer FEI-permitted medications that he believed would help sustain the horse’s performance in the days that followed.”
Branscomb acknowledged, “I recognize Chromatic’s tragic death was the unintended consequence of a single veterinarian acting alone without prior consultation of anyone on Chromatic BF’s own team out of a well-intentioned, but mistaken, effort to help the horse prepare for the jumping final to be held two days later.”
She appreciates that “the USEF is taking substantive steps now towards improving sport horse welfare and better protecting all our competition horses.”
Branscomb had lobbied for revisions to the USEF’s Horse Participation Consent Agreement in terms of treatments that can be given without permission to horses representing the U.S. Now, except in an emergency, no medications will be administered to horses by team veterinarians at international competitions without prior consent of the athlete (a rider or driver), who is the person responsible under FEI regulations for substances present in a horse.
The second part of the initiative calls for the federation, in collaboration with American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) veterinarians, to develop a continuing education program for USEF team veterinarians “to ensure they are on the cutting edge of performance sports medicine and horse welfare in areas such as emerging therapies, equine exercise physiology, and pharmacology.”
As well, an education/research program in Chromatic BF’s name will promote a better understanding of sport horse welfare and encourage scientific research to improve the lives and well-being of high-performance equine athletes. USEF has pledged to make a financial contribution to establish a philanthropic fund through the AAEP Foundation in Chromatic BF’s name, which will be used to support research related to caring for sport horses. That will be administered by a committee consisting of USEF CEO Bill Moroney, USEF COO Sonja Keating; Dr. Tracy Turner, president-elect of the AAEP; Dr. Snyder; Dr. Madigan, USEF Chief Veterinary Officer Stephen Schumacher and Olympic show jumping medalist Norman Dello Joio.
Chromatic and Jill Humphrey at the FEI World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Branscomb said she is especially excited about the hand-in-hand collaboration between the senior leadership of the USEF and the incoming leadership of the AAEP.
The new committee has yet to meet, but Turner sees its mission as a great opportunity to make important changes.
“Let’s question everything we do,” he said.
‘Let’s make it a new world.”
In his view, the key question to ask when treating competition horses is, “What do they really need?”
Too often, he pointed out, horses are medicated just to medicate them, without really knowing which medications are needed.
“Let’s reassess all this,” Turner commented
He said this work “is long overdue,” adding he told Branscomb, “I’ve waited 40 years for you to show up.”
As Madigan noted, “After extensive discussions and negotiations with key stakeholders in U.S. sport horse events, we now stand on the brink of a new era. These changes are not just necessary; they are vital to protecting our horses and allowing them to compete safely.”
He called the initiative, “a major leap forward in horse welfare. It’s a new day for equestrian sports—one that prioritizes the health and safety of our equine partners above all else.”
Dello Joio recalled that years ago, one of his horses was medicated at a competition without permission.
He felt the agreement between USEF and horse owners “needed to be updated.”
The initiative, he added, “is the best possible scenario that could come from the death of a horse. It has some meaning and it’s going to go forward in a good way.”
Dello Joio, who won the individual bronze in 1992 at the Barcelona Olympics, recalled that he did have a horse once who got treated by a team vet without his permission.
“I made it clear at that time that if it ever happened again, I would no longer have any association with the team. It happened once and never happened again to me in all my years of showing with the team,” said Dello Joio.
“That was in a different era, and needed to be rethought.”
Keating noted that “Kc’s decision to work collaboratively with USEF and to move forward demonstrates her passion and commitment to the betterment of the lives of performance horses. We are grateful to her for that and look forward to implementing these new initiatives. As the guardian of the sport, horse health and well-being are top priorities for USEF, and these new initiatives align with our mission as a federation.”
Branscomb showed persistence in pursuing what can only be described as justice. Now the committee will help lead the way.
“I wanted people who had boots on the grounds at these shows. I wanted everybody to have a seat at the table to get their out-of-the box solutions on how do we focus the research and get the best information in the hands of the practicing vets, so that the horses that compete under our flag, and all horses, can live healthy, happy lives and be active in sport.”
Branscomb had a mission she was set on accomplishing. And so she did.
“I’m pretty relentless,” she admitted.
“I’m excited about these three initiatives. I feel pretty good about the legacy of my fabulous horse being something we all can be proud of.
“This horse was important to me. The horse deserved this. I had been waiting to get this agreement together before I was willing to put him in the ground,” she noted.
“I have his ashes. I’m satisfied We can lay him to rest in peace. I’m looking forward to burying him here on the farm where he was born.”
Those who wish to contribute to the philanthropic fund can go this link, https://membership.aaep.org/FFTH/Shared_Content/Donation-Pages/Public-In-Memory.aspx, and indicate: Directed Giving Chromatic BF Sporthorse Welfare Fund.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 24, 2024
For three-time Olympian Adrienne Lyle, the Adequan®/USEF Brentina Cup Dressage National Championship has taken on the status of a tradition.
The Cup for riders under 25, is named for the stellar dressage mare ridden by Adrienne’s coach and mentor, Debbie McDonald, who guided Brentina to glory in the FEI World Cup, the Olympics and the World Championships. The competition is meant to be a bridge for young equestrians as they move on to higher levels.
Adrienne won the Cup in 2008, and it’s something toward which she has pointed her students. You might even characterize it as an heirloom for Adrienne’s training operation. Quinn Iverson, who Adrienne took on as a working student, won it twice. Then this weekend, Christian Simonson, whose career Adrienne is guiding, took the honors after a sweep of all three classes leading to the title at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions in Illinois.
“It’s kind of fun to be watched it passed down in the family,” Adrienne commented.
Citing the Cup’s family tree, so to speak, Christian said after taking the title, “I feel truly honored to be among those riders. That’s the biggest feeling I have right now.”
He appreciates the team that Adrienne has put together, thanking groom Nicole Baergen and the others who contribute to the success of the stable..
“It’s truly a team effort and I’m just kind of one part of a really big machine to help something happen,” he said.
Adrienne made her own mark at the show on Sunday, winning the six-year-old championship on Zaunkonig (Blue Horse Zack X DeNiro), who received a mark of 9.2 for his canter. The Westfalian stallion belongs to Heidi Humphries of the Zen Elite Equestrian Center, who also owns Adrienne’s Paris Olympic mount, Helix. Zaunkonig’s winning score in the Six-Year-Old Final Test was 87.600 percent, to 84.800 for MW Mercury, ridden by Charell Garcia.
Christian, 21, was aboard Son of a Lady (Soreldo X Welt Hit II), his team gold medal mount from the Pan American Games last year. At that time, Sonny was a Small Tour horse (and number one in that division’s rankings during 2023). But this year, he has stepped up to Big Tour. He and Christian took the Grand Prix last week with a mark of 68.103 percent, followed up with a win in the Intermediate II (68.030) and capped it with the top mark in Saturday’s Freestyle, 73.675. Second in the division was Josh Albrecht and Goldenboy Vickenburgh.
Christian, who hopes to finish up his on-line college studies this year, is a business major, which should be a big help as he pursues a future with horses. Earlier this month, Christian won the Freestyle at the North American Youth Championships. But he noted, “It’s such a new level for me to compete at and it’s new also for Sonny.”
Christian Simonson and Son of a Lady. (Photo by Avery Wallace for USEF)
“This is really a whole different ballgame, trying to get piaffe/passage and everything on a horse who’s been a career Small Tour horse. It’s a new challenge,” said Adrienne
“I was really happy with him. I think he improved his performance every day,” she mentioned, but noted, “The horse is still green at this level, and the rider as well. They not that long ago were doing the Pan Ams and really focusing just on the Small Tour. When you’re on a senior team like that, you don’t want your horse playing around with one-tempis and accidentally have one in the middle of your Prix St. Georges.”
So Grand Prix training was put on hold in 2023. The focus this year involved staying in the U.S. to improve the skills for that level. Adrienne notes that Christian still has a few more years in the U-25 ranks. She feels “it’s important for him to take advantage of that. If he has a horse going that he can do some of the senior Grand Prix as well, we would take that option. Getting miles in the ring is the goal for him, as well as getting him on young horses,” whether they’re his or belong to others.
He is working with new horses from Zen Elite. Those two, Fleau de Baian and Guinness, are important projects, but he’s still in the “getting to know you” period and thanked Heidi for her vote of confidence and support.
What’s next for Christian in an off-year for championships?
A European trip could happen in 2025, but “we’ve got to see where the chips fall and take it step by step,” said Adrienne.
She added, “it’s really important to keep building the foundation and never jumping ahead too soon. There’s always a temptation when you have a talented horse and a talented rider to maybe push for something before their time. I’ve seen that too many times where either the horse or rider gets in over their head and you have a bad experience.”
She is not tempted, however.
“Making sure you have this foundation of all these experiences and all this knowledge so secure and moving up incrementally, is so important for the horse as well as the rider. Both of them need confidence.”
An illustration of that philosophy is the fact that Christian had 8’s on all the artistic marks in his freestyle set to electric dance music, but degree of difficulty ranged from 7.6 down to 7.1.
“I think we made the freestyle very creative and interesting to watch,” commented Adrienne, who worked on developing the freestyle with Karen Robinson and Christian.
“The horse is still green in his piaffe/passage work so we kept that part of the freestyle very basic and minimal and highlighted more of his strengths. We wanted something that showcases the horse well, but no need to make it so difficult that the horse or rider can’t accomplish it in this moment.”
Christian appreciates the guidance, since he is so committed to dressage.
“It’s the best sport ever. It’s so awesome,” he said, then explained his enthusiasm.
“These big powerful horses that are so beautifully trained. It’s such an amazing technical sport. Every horse can do dressage. You can have a fancy dressage horse or you can have your Shetland pony in the backyard and they both can do dressage to an extent. It’s a very inclusive sport that way.”
Click here for results of the Dressage Festival of Champions
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 18, 2024
It’s been a long road for Aaron Vale and Carissimo 25 this year, winding through Abu Dhabi, Rome, elsewhere in Europe and now Dublin. But he and the brilliant chestnut reached the personal pinnacle of their partnership (so far) with a third-place finish in the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland on Sunday.
Aaron missed the title in the 500,000 Euro class by mere fractions of a second—but was impressive in his performance.
At age 56, Aaron is hitting his stride internationally after long being a winner in competitions around the U.S.
“Aaron’s career has been just outstanding for decades, but to be able to do it on one of the world’s greatest stages, which he did today, and he has this year, is just fantastic and he deserves it,” said U.S. coach Robert Ridland. He mentioned that as Aaron has been getting to know the horse better, the Floridian and his mount have been “going in an upward trajectory.”
Aaron was on the American team Friday that took the Aga Khan trophy for the Nations Cup, then focused on the grand prix with the chestnut Holsteiner owned by the Carissimo Group.
Aaron Vale and Carissimo 25.
Only seven of 40 starters made the tie-breaker. Watching Aaron go from the penultimate fence, a vertical, to the Rolex oxer at the end of the course, it appeared as if he might be able to make the last obstacle in seven strides. But it worked out to eight strides in 38.76 seconds instead, leaving the runner-up spot to Ireland’s Mark McAuley with GRS Lady Amaro (38.74), and victory to the last to go, Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs on Conner Jei (38.69). He is the third Swiss rider since 2017 to win the class.
Martin Fuchs and Conner Jei. (Sportfot)
Asked whether he could have done the last line in seven strides, Aaron said, “I was hoping to, but I think my horse just jumped up in the air a little high at the vertical, and I just didn’t see it (a distance).
“It felt fast; it just wasn’t fast enough today.”
Discussing why he didn’t get the seven, Aaron said, “I’ve been jumping Nations Cups and been a little unlucky. One down in some grands prix, so I’m a little out of practice on the jump-offs. I just needed a jump-off more recent before today to get it done.”
He noted, “I saw Mark go in the jump-off and he laid down quite a track. I pretty much did everything I planned to do in the jump-off. It was our first run on the clock for some time, but I felt like we nailed the course.
“I knew it was close. I thought maybe I’d done enough to catch Mark, but just missed. My horse jumped amazing. Mark and Martin were amazing. What a great day of jumping and what a crowd. I’ve never been to a show like this.”
When the commentator from RTE broadcasting asked about something he saw on Aaron’s shirt, the rider said, “I love my horse,” echoing what was embroidered on his collar.
Only seven of 40 starters made it into the tie-breaker over Alan Wade’s artful course. The last line in the first round – the Rolex triple with two strides between verticals and one stride to an oxer, set four strides before an airy vertical, took the greatest toll, with a turn to the final fence, the chalice oxer, also adding to the total for more than a handful of riders.
The course map for the Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland.
McLain Ward was the second-highest-placed U.S. rider in the class with a rail in the first round to finish thirteenth on Callas. He was a winner the day before, however, taking the 1.5 meter grand prix with Contagious. Virginie Casterman, who works for McLain, won the $5,000 Grooms Award for the Dublin show, courtesy of Karlswood.
The full house of spectators for the Rolex feature cheered for every rider, but was even more enthusiastic about Mark, understandably. He was riding an Amaretto D’Arco mare bred by his uncle, Denis Hickey, and produced by his cousin, Patrick.
“Martin was always going to be the danger,” said Mark, noting that when the Swiss rider was clear in the initial round, “I knew he was going to be last in the jump-off. He was always going to be the one to worry about. I don’t feel Iike I could have done much more.”
Martin Fuchs and Conner Jei, owned by Adolfo Juri and Gerhard Stamer.
He commented about Amaro, “The mare was fantastic. She gave it her all. I’m delighted to finish second in this grand prix. It’s the second time she’s been second. Hopefully, next time she’ll win one.”
Martin, who flew over the last jump, said he knew he could take a risk there because his horse has such a big stride, and that was the place where he could win it.
“It was very tight, because Mark had an incredible round, and also Aaron really put the pressure on me.”
The 0.5-second margin of victory was the narrowest ever in the class. According to EquiRatings, the next-closest was the 0.11 seconds edge for another Swiss, Werner Muff, when he won with Daimler in 2017. Robert Ridland went a bit further and said “Can you imagine the top three in a 5-star grand prix as important as Dublin being separated by 0.07 of a second? That was an amazing jump-off.”
Mark McAuley, Martin Fuchs and Aaron Vale.
Martin said in a sense the victory helped make up for his disappointment at the Olympics with another horse, Leone Jei, where he rode much of the individual final without his left stirrup, and then had the last fence down to miss the jump-off.
“It’s nice to come back to an incredible show like this and be winning a 5-star Rolex grand prix,” said Martin. He was planning to stay an extra day so he could celebrate at the legendary Temple Bar, with “Irish music 24/7.”
(click here for results)
