by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 20, 2021
“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
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 19, 2021
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.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 14, 2021
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.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 8, 2021
Clooney, the magnificent grey ridden by Martin Fuchs of Switzerland. has taken more than one step forward in his recovery and is being hand-walked. Martin’s gold medal mount for the 2019 European Championships slipped in his pasture last month and fractured his humerus on the right side.
He was put in a sling for treatment after the August 16 accident, but two weeks later, he was taking his first steps without the support.
“This horse never stops surprising me with his strength,” said Martin. “Blessed to have him in my life.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 5, 2021
The $300,000 Longines Hampton Classic Grand Prix went to Israel’s Daniel Bluman on Gemma W, who outraced speed expert McLain Ward this afternoon to take the Long Island show’s top prize for the second time since 2017.
Grand Prix winner Daniel Bluman and Gemma W.
Daniel last month missed being on the first Israeli show jumping team to make it to the Olympics because of a technicality in the way Gemma’s ownership was registered. So he may have had a score to settle over Alan Wade’s course in the seven-horse tie-breaker for the class presented by Land Rover.
McLain, the anchor rider for the silver medal U.S. team in Tokyo and a seven-time Hampton Classic grand prix winner, was fault-free in 36.79 seconds on his Games horse, Contagious, but a wide turn left the door open. Daniel went through it in overdrive with his gray mare to finish in 34.75 seconds.
Daniel was so thrilled as he crossed the finish line, patting his heart several times to show his joy and excitement..
“I was watching everything McLain did carefully,” Daniel said.
“He’s a fast rider, and he loves to win this class. Then the crowd went crazy when he finished, and I had so many emotions at that point. I just said to myself that I was going to give everything – absolutely everything – I had. I was going to take all the risks, and I was going to beat him. I wasn’t going to be slower than him today. And it worked out.”
An overjoyed Daniel Bluman patted his heart several times as his adrenaline surged following his gallop through the finish line.
“It was a really incredible feeling,” added Daniel, who is good friends with McLain.
“It’s really special not only because it’s the Hampton Classic, but because it’s McLain Ward on his home turf. (McLain is a New York resident.) To beat him today is definitely going to be one that I’ll remember.”
Of his Dutch warmblood mount, Daniel said, “Gemma has been with us since she was five years old.From the beginning, I knew she was very special and athletic. She wants to do the job, and she wants to leave the jumps up all the time. She’s scopey and careful, and I believe she has a great mind and a great heart.”
Third among the 23 starters in the class was Schuyler Riley on Robin de Ponthual in 37.42 seconds.McLain, who had several victories during the week, won the $30,000 Longines Rider Challenge with 538 points. Daniel placed second with 350 points
The Hampton Classic grand prix arena surface held well after a re-do at the beginning of the week, when it was obvious the grass had not rooted properly in the wake of rain and high temperatures.
Show organizers acted quickly to cover the ground with new footing, redoing the schedule to utilize other rings until Thursday. The field had not been use since 2019; the show was cancelled last year due to Covid.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 1, 2021
Catherine Haddad-Staller wanted to salute the outstanding success of New Jersey dressage riders and trainers during the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Festival of Champions, so she borrowed a tradition from Europe for a celebration at her Califon home last night.
All the prizes won by competitors from the Garden State at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Illinois last week were displayed in the international competitor’s barn, with the colorful ribbons arrayed on twine above tables covered with trophies and championship coolers. It was quite an impressive sight.
Outside, there was a big bonfire and Catherine’s husband, Dr. Greg Staller, presided at the barbeque grills cooking sausage, pork tips and peppers for guests waiting at a row of picnic tables. It was a time to relax after a week of very hard work.
Catherine Haddad-Staller and her husband, Dr. Greg Staller, by the bonfire during the party at their farm. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
Catherine felt it was important to have a party for those who had done so well.
“It reminds me of when I lived in Germany, because any time we went to a horse show, there would be 10 or 12 riders right from the town I lived in who would be successful.”
Prizes were displayed and food and drink was abundant for the achievers.
“But this time, we went to the national championships, there were seven or eight riders from this county that brought home all of that swag. It’s incredible.
“I think Hunterdon County is a really strong county for equestrian sports, and in particular, dressage. We had so many people there. This area close to Gladstone (the home of the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation in neighboring Somerset County) is rider-rich. So it’s kind of exciting.”
The lion’s share of the booty belonged to Alice Tarjan of Oldwick, like Califon, a part of Tewksbury Township. Alice took nine horses to Illinois and had five helpers to take care of them.
Would she want to transport three-quarters of her barn like that again?
“I don’t know if we ever try to top that and just say we did it and we’re done,” Alice revealed with a smile.
She won two championships and two reserve championships herself, along with several high ribbons in other divisions while her trainer, Marcus Orlob of Annandale, won the five-year-old title on her stallion, Glory Day, earning several scores of 10.
Marcus, who rode another of Alice’s horse’s, Maximus, to sixth place in the four-year-old competition at the show as well, was concerned about the atmosphere affecting the two stallions.
“I was just hoping they’d behave, because there were obviously much more horses than at our local shows in New Jersey,” he noted.
Marcus Orlob, Jaime Dancer, Kim Herslow, Bridget Hay, Hope Beerling, Alice Tarjan, Krystian Evans and Cesar Parra all rode at the championships. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
But it worked well, because the horses “get a little more pumped and you have a little more power in the ring,” which was helpful during an extremely hot and humid week.
Even while her achievements accumulated during the show, Alice wasn’t focusing on them.
“I was just so busy all week, you don’t really have time to process it, you just ride, ride, ride and concentrate on riding the next test and try to give every horse the ride they deserve.”
Her conclusion about the show? It was a typically modest Alice observation: “I have a lot to go home and work on.”
She doesn’t operate on expectations, explaining, “We just train the horses and put them in the ring and see how it shakes out. The scores are going to dictate what we do or don’t do. If the horses are happy and sound, then that’s good enough for me.”
As she pointed out, “It’s a little surreal when you see the names on the trophies. All those people were on teams. I don’t think I really quite belong there.”
She is still getting used to the idea that she is going to the world’s greatest dressage show, Aachen, this month to ride her Grand Prix champion, Candescent, in the 4-star at that venue.
Here’s the same group clowning around, with Alice Tarjan as the centerpiece. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
“We definitely don’t belong there either,” Alice feels (that’s the modesty coming through again), but she took the advice of Marcus and U.S. Dressage Development Coach Charlotte Bredahl about making the trip.
“I guess we’ll just go for the experience. The horse has two CDIs on her and we’re going to Aachen, I don’t know if that’s what you’re supposed to do,” mused Alice, who has never even been to a European show to watch.
While dealing with her string at the championships was a tall order, she noted, “I had five girls working everything back at the barn and all I had to do was ride horses. They took care of almost every aspect. Without them, I don’t think it would have been possible. When people see me in the ring it’s just like the tip of the iceberg.”
Beneath the surface were Desi Altland, who works for Alice full time; Kimberly Kotch, who used to work for Alice and took a week off from her job to lend a hand; Kimmy Pullen, who was competing at the championships, and Allison Nemeth, who worked for her last summer. Alice’s husband, Dennis Sargenti, played a big role as well. He toted all the saddlepads, polo wraps and towels from everyone in their barn aisle to a laundromat he discovered in nearby Elgin Ill, where he made good use of the 50-pound washing machines.
“I bring so much laundry the guy gives me the dryers for free,” Dennis revealed.
The helpers also included Lauren Chumley of Pittstown, Alice’s best friend, who was showing her pony Nikolas, in the Developing Grand Prix and missed Catherine’s party because she’s riding in the American Eventing Championships in Kentucky this week.
Alice and Lauren are pals with Bridget Hay of East Amwell, who took ribbons with her homebreds at the Illinois show, and Kim Herslow of Stockton, who competed in the Intermediaire I championship with the Lusitano Elvis. Guess what kind of music she used for her sixth-place freestyle?
Another New Jersey champion was Katryna Evans, taking the four-year-old title with Fontenay, from the stable of Cesar Parra in Readington, while Alice was reserve with Ierland’s Eden in that division.
Katryna, who grew up in Colorado and trained in Germany, admitted to being a bit skeptical when she was invited to work in New Jersey.
“I didn’t know what Jersey was like, I’d never been here. I didn’t know what to expect,” she said.
As it happened, though, “It was the best thing I could have done. We got to compete around here and there are so many (dressage) people in this area.” She said Catherine’s farm and places like it “remind me a lot of Germany.”
Katryna also was third with Møllegårdens Fashion in the five-year-old category. Cesar, meanwhile, finished fifth in the six-year-old division with Fanta 4.
“Everybody learns when you go to that show,” Cesar said.
“The competition at Lamplight was awesome.”
Of Fontenay, he said, “We believe in him a lot and he keeps giving (to) us.”
While Catherine feted the entire group of ribbon winners, she also deserved personal acknowledgement as the breeder and trainer of Vianne, ridden by her assistant trainer, Hope Beerling, to the reserve title in the Markel/USEF Young Horse Championship for five-year-olds.
Hope Beerling and Catherine Haddad-Stallers with the “Congratulations Jersey Strong” cake. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
Catherine, a decorated breeder in Germany, sold Vianne to a client last week, but will keep her in her program, with Hope doing the riding.
“We have very high hopes for the horse. She’s only five, so we have to wait and see what time brings,” said Catherine.
The only non-Hunterdon County Jerseyan in the mix was Jaime Dancer of Dancer Dressage in Millstone, Monmouth County, who brought along her 11th place ribbon from the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Championship (Prix St. Georges) with Supremont “the love of my life,” owned by E.G. Sporthorse.
Jaime noted the championships were “really competitive. I feel like in the last five years, we have stepped up our game as a country. I learned a lot; it was great.”
To read about the championships, go to this link for the On the Rail section of this website.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 29, 2021
The U.S. moved up from fourth on the first day of team competition to reach the podium today for its first Paralympic team medal, taking the bronze in “a nailbiter to the absolute end” on a score of 224.352, behind gold medal Great Britain( 229.905) and the Netherlands (229.249).
Britain kept its unbeaten streak, having won gold at every Paralympic Games since they began running in conjunction with the Olympics in Atlanta a quarter-century ago.
After the USA’s Roxie Trunnell on Dolton earned 80.321 percent and Becca Hart with Rowan O’Reilly’s El Corona Texel got 72.206 yesterday, it was up to Kate Shoemaker today to clinch a medal with Solitaer, who recovered from a broken coffin bone earlier in his career.
And she did it, even with being in “a little bit of a tough spot” having to go first in the order at the Baji Koen Equestrian Center. Riding first, it turned out, was as difficult as waiting until everyone else finished to see how the medals came out.
“I think it might have been the best test he’s ever done,” said Kate about her mount, owned by herself with Deena and Craig Shoemaker. She acknowledged there were “little bobbles here and there,” but pointed out, “the overall way of going I was incredibly happy with.”
Kate Shoemaker thanks Solitaer for a job well done. (Photo Taylor Pence/USEF)
Her score of 71.825 percent gave the U.S. the edge it needed over Denmark to make history by the tiniest of margins, 0.028 percent.
“It was such an amazing competition, it was so close, oh gosh, it was a nailbiter to the absolute end,” said Becca.
“I’m so incredibly blessed and happy to be standing here with these two amazing riders. It was a complete and total team effort and for all of the people all of our support and grooms and everyone behind the scenes that make all of this happen, to be able to finally after so many years get to stand on the podium as a country, it’s so fulfilling. A lifelong dream has just come true.
Today, Kate changed her tactics from the way she rode in her initial test of the competition.
“We tried for a more elastic, forward-moving way the first night and the judges said,`No, please don’t do that,’ so we went for collection and balance…today. I think we showed the potential we had.”
She was loving simply being part of the Paralympics as much as standing on the podium.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to be here with my teammates, it’s just irreplaceable,” she said.
Roxie Trunnell, Kate Shoemaker, Becca Hart. (Photo Taylor Pence/USEF)
Roxie’s Grade I score was the highest of any rider in the team competition (the only one to break 80 percent), and Grade IV rider Kate had a role in the roots of that success. (What grade a rider is classified in is determined by the level of their impairment.)
Kate, who deals with motor control dysfunction, had been riding Dolton, owned by Karen Flint and Flintwoode Farm. But when coach Michel Assouline thought the horse would be better in Grade I–where his fabulous walk would carry the day–Kate gave up the ride to Roxie.
Formerly an able-bodied rider, Roxie had a stroke after catching a virus, but she was still determined to continue her equestrian involvement.
Both riders earned bronze at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, which set them up for their achievements in Tokyo, where Roxie also won gold in her first test last week.
Roxie and Kate compete in the musical freestyle tomorrow, where they will be joined by teammate Beatrice de Lavallette on Clarc.
This was the fourth Paralympics for Becca, a Grade III rider who has a rare genetic disease that causes muscle wasting and paralysis.
“It was such an amazing competition,” enthused Becca. “It was so close, oh my gosh, it was a nailbiter to the absolute end. I’m so incredibly blessed and happy to be standing here with these two amazing riders.
“It was a complete and total team effort and for all of the people all of our support and grooms and everyone behind the scenes that make all of this happen. To be able to finally after so many years get to stand on that podium as a country, it’s so fulfilling. A lifelong dream has just come true.”
Coach Michel noted, “I came with a mission to lead these wonderful athletes to the Paralympic podium. I just didn’t know it would happen in a relatively short spell but with such amazing overall support and talent the dream became true.
“We will continue to deliver our best tomorrow on the final day of competition here and will immediately start looking ahead to the World Championships next year and Paris 2024 (Olympics) so we can continue to deliver success for this program and team.”
The Brits also had their own nailbiter, besting the World and European Champion Dutch by 0.656 percent. It was a touching moment during the medal presentation when Sophie Wells put the gold medal around the neck of her teammate, Sir Lee Pearson, as he claimed his 13th Para gold.
“I don’t think any of us expected that in a million years,” said team member Natasha Baker after the medal ceremony.
“We’re just so exceptionally proud of everything that our horses have done over the last few days – the way they’ve dealt with it so well and been such professionals. We were hoping to come and challenge for a bronze medal, that’s all. It’s unbelievable when you think what we’ve been through these last few weeks – one of our horses is a reserve!”
As Lee noted, “We don’t have a horse on the team who’s done a championship before and two have never even been abroad. We didn’t think we would win gold and weren’t expected to. The team behind the scenes have been incredible, we couldn’t have done it without them. To even get us here is amazing, and to keep me under control, too. To be here, to compete and do as well as we have is a fairy tale.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 27, 2021
Laura Graves announced today that she and her husband, Curt Maes, are expecting a little girl.
The former world number one (the first and only American ever to hold that position in the dressage rankings) Laura has been keeping a low profile since retiring her equine partner, Verdades, in 2020. She has been bringing along other horses through the ranks.
She and Curt, who have been together more than nine years, got married in October.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 27, 2021
Roxanne Trunnell, ranked world number one, delivered on expectations with Karen Flint and Flintwoode Farm’s Dolton by earning gold in Tokyo with a remarkable 81.464 percent for her Grade I test.
“He felt like he was really with me and a really good boy,” said Roxie, who had no idea of how he would react to the imposing stadium at Baji Koen Equestrian Park.
“I didn’t know what he would do. It surprised me how calm he has been,” Roxie said. But she simply concentrated on doing her job and let the scenario unroll, as Dolton’s fabulous walk–the key to Grade I success–took center stage.
Gold medalist Roxie Trunnell (center) with silver medalist Snikus Rihards of Latvia and bronze medalist Sara Morganti of Italy. (Photo courtesy FEI)
“I don’t really think about pressure. That’s just all noise,” Roxie explained.
“It’s just me and Dolton doing our own thing. He is loving all the attention. He is a very goofy young horse. He is temperamental but he is also easy to get along with.”
Roxanne Trunnell leaves the arena with a big smile and congratulations from Andrea Woodard after a stellar performance. (Photo courtesy FEI)
Tenth individually at the 2016 Rio Games, she is enjoying her second Paralympics, explaining, “It’s wonderful, everyone is so nice here, and helpful.”
Roxie holds two world records, for the highest scores in a freestyle test (89.522 percent) and in the Grade I team test (84.702).
Roxie had competed in able-bodied dressage and aspired to be an Olympian. But a virus she contracted in 2009 caused swelling in her brain and led to a stroke. She now uses a wheelchair to get around for the most part, except when she’s sitting tall on Dolton.
She has a master’s degree in psychology, with a focus on equine-assisted psychotherapy.
Her gold was the third for the U.S. in the Paralympics. Para pioneer Vicki Garner-Sweigert took two golds in Atlanta in 1996, the first year the Paralympics was held in conjunction with the Olympics.
A former jumper rider, Vicki sustained a spinal cord injury when the horse she was training side-stepped when was mounting and she went off the other side. Vicki no longer was able to move her legs, but did not give up her involvement with horses.
Moving on to Para-dressage, she was selected for the 1996 team, in the days when competitors rode borrowed horses. She gave the credit for gold to her mount, Miss Jane Marple.
“I believe whoever rode her would have gotten a gold medal,” Vicki stated modestly.
In Tokyo, second to Roxie and taking the Grace I silver was Snikus Rihards of Latvia on King of the Dance (80.179), while the bronze was taken by Italian competitor Sara Morganti with Royal Delight (76.964).
The only other U.S. competitor today, Becca Hart on El Corona Texel, finished 11th in Grade III. Riders are assigned a grade based on their degree of physical impairment.
“I was happy with the warm-up and how he felt going in,” said Becca, who will ride in the team competition with Roxie and Kate Shoemaker. The team event starts tomorrow and runs through Sunday.
“I felt a little tension creeping in through the ride, but overall, I love my horse and everyone who has helped me get here, but truthfully, disappointed in the score,” continued Becca.
“We’re going to stick with the same game plan and try to carry on. We’re going to add a bit more power to keep him in front of me more in the test, but the thought process is going to stay the same and we’ll move forward.”
In his first ever ride in a Paralympic arena, Tobias Thorning Jorgensen of Denmark won gold in the Grade III competition riding Jolene Hill, getting 78.971 percent over reigning two-time champion, Natasha Baker of Britain on Keystone Dawn Chorus (76.265) percent. Bronze went to current world champion Rixt van der Horst of the Netherlands on Findsley N.O.P. with 75.76 percent.
U.S. Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline commented on the team’s performances so far and what he expects for the start of tomorrow’s team competition, which will commence the hunt for a team podium position at the end of Sunday’s competition.
“Roxie and Dolton have definitely delivered. She’s done as well here as ever before and the scores are very similar to before this competition, which is fabulous. In this context, the judging is stricter, and the judges are very focused and stricter on the marks,” he said.
“We know our riders have the ability to score higher. We know that there is the ability for improvement, and we have the chance to still up our game tomorrow with the team competition.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 26, 2021
Great Britain was the only country to medal in all three equestrian disciplines at the Olympics.Today, it added to its Tokyo medal trove with a gold, a silver and a bronze as the Paralympics began at Baji Koen Equestrian Park.
Leading the medal parade was, of course, Sir Lee Pearson, who took gold on his homebred Breezer in Grade II (Paralympians are assigned to their division based on their degree of physical impairment).
This is his 12th gold in the 21 years since making his Paralympic debut in Sydney. His score of 76.265 put him ahead of Austria’s Pepo Puch, who rode Sailor’s Blue to earn 73.44. Meanwhile, Britain’s Georgia Wilson, who had been the reserve for her team before being elevated to the squad, got the bronze on Sakura, with 72.765 percent.
Despite having decades of experience, Lee admitted to being emotional and shedding some tears today.
Gold medalist Lee Pearson with Pepo Puch and Georgia Wilson on the podium at the Paralympics today. (Photo courtesy of the FEI)
“I didn’t think having a home-bred horse would give this a little extra meaning, but it has. I saw him at hours old in a field and to complete that test, which at my last test event I did not complete, that added to the emotion,” he said.
Interestingly, his philosophy is never to think much ahead.
“I try to enjoy every day,” he explained. “With horses, it’s hard to think too far ahead, you have to think about where you are now and in your training. What will they give you that day, what changes are you going to make? I never believed my life would be how it is, up to Sydney and afterwards. It’s surreal, I use that word a lot, but it’s true. I never take anything for granted – I won’t take today for granted, or tomorrow. I literally live for today.”
Beatrice de Lavalette was fifth in Grade II for the U.S. Her score on Clarc was 70.265 percent, marking the first time a U.S. Paralympian had earned over 70 percent at the Games. She lost her legs in a terrorist bombing at the Brussels airport in 2016, something that seems particularly pertinent to recall today after what happened in Afghanistan.
“It is such a great honor to be here representing the U.S. at this competition and being able to have fun with my horse out there after five years of fighting for my life,” she said.
Beatrice de Lavalette with Shayna Simon. (Photo by Taylor Pence/USEF)
“It was really very emotional for me at the end,” she explained. “Setting the goal of being here five years ago when I was in the ICU was a dream and being here today is a dream realized and I couldn’t be happier. I’m very proud of myself and my team because without them, I wouldn’t be here.”
In Grade IV, Kate Shoemaker was seventh for the U.S. with 70.854 percent on Solitaer 40. Like Beatrice, she has qualified for Monday’s freestyle with her performance.
Kate a veterinarian, said of her mount, “We’ve been showing together for a while now and this is the end of our seventh year together. It’s a partnership that’s been a long time coming,” added Shoemaker. “He loves championships and when you add that little bit of energy, he really turns into something special and it’s a feeling like none other.”
Grade IV was won by Sanne Voets, as the Dutch rider finally took a gold to crown her collection of European, World and Paralympic titles.
She earned the highest score of the day, 76.585 percent, on Demantur N.O.P. Rodolpho Riskalla of Brazil took the silver on Don Henrico with 74.65 percent, ahead of Belgium’s Manon Claeys with 72.85 on San Dior 2.
Sanne praised her horse, saying, “I’m just over the moon with him. He still amazes me every day and he traveled here well. When you enter the stable and you see he’s happy, relaxed and at ease, you realize again that’s what is most important.
“Of course, you’re here to perform at your very best and you want to win medals, but there’s always one thing more important than the result, and that’s just your horse being happy.
In Grade V, Sophie Welles earned Britain’s silver with 74.405 percent on her reserve horse, Don Cara, behind Michele George of Belgium, in just her seventh competition with Best of 8. She scored 76.524 percent. Dutch rider Frank Hosmar took the bronze on Alphaville N.O.P., with 73.405. No American took part in the Grade V competition.
