by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 29, 2018
Tears came to the eyes of Lucian Rodriguez as he got ready to return the trophy he had won last year in the Beginner Independent Division at the finals of the Long Island Riders with Disabilities competition during the Hampton Classic this week.
Lucian Rodriguez celebrates. (Photo by Patty Kovacic)
Despite the name of the event, it’s open to riders from beyond Long Island, and it’s the biggest moment of the year for Lucian. The resident of Boonton suffered a near-fatal mugging in New York City 16 years ago. Doctors believed he would never walk or talk again. He proved them wrong and has worked hard to cope with aphasia, which can be caused by trauma or a stroke and involves problems with understanding and expression.
Riding has been at the center of his life for the last 12 years, and his therapy on horseback has improved his existence, opening doors as he proved his determination and resilience. It took him a year to learn to post, but he kept at it and was able to navigate a horse on his own, instead of being led.
Competition is a way for him to prove himself. The ribbons and trophies he has earned are more than symbolic for him. They are a way for him to measure success as he tries to rise above his challenges.
“I love winning awards,” he once told me.
The 2017 trophy was symbolic of all he had accomplished. But when he came to this year’s competition, he had to bring the trophy he treasured back with him, because it was designated to go to the person who won the class this year. Happily, that was Lucian.
Aboard Sebastian, a horse he has ridden only a few times, Lucian, 42, excelled in the figure eight portion of his test, which may have clinched the honors for him and enabled him to take the trophy home once more
“He is thrilled to have it back,” said Patricia Kovacic, his partner and caregiver.
Never one to stand on his laurels, Lucian already is planning for next year’s competition, where he hopes to move up to the advanced competition. The man who has beaten the odds before is a good bet to take a new trophy in 2019.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 20, 2018
By Nancy Jaffer
August 20, 2018
While a number of shows in its region have been scratching for participants this summer, Monmouth at the Team is so well-attended that part of the mandate for next year is figuring out a way to limit entries for certain competitions.
The show, with an eight-day run through Monday Aug. 20 at the historic U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation facility in Gladstone, has an appeal that is more than just location, location, location. It’s also a well-run show, owned by insurance executive Tucker Ericson and his cousin, professional horseman Michael Dowling, who has a stable nearby and is a coach of the Centenary University equestrian team.
Michael Dowling and Tucker Ericson. (Photo©2018 by Nancy Jaffer)
“Our objective is to develop this and not grow it into something that’s about numbers,” said Michael. He and Tucker bought New Jersey’s oldest horse show three years ago and moved it from Monmouth County to Somerset County, giving it a new and more exciting identity.
“It’s interesting, because I know some of the (other) shows’ entries have been down,” Michael observed. Meanwhile, he said, “we are struggling with getting everybody in the ring and out, and not letting it get too big. We’re always looking at how can we do this a little bit better each year?”
There are no ring lights at the facility, which means some days, there’s a race to conclude everything before sunset. The $10,000 Bobcat Derby, which drew 59 entries in its 2-foot, 2-6 section and 35 in the separately pinned 3-foot section, for instance, wrapped up just as twilight was falling.
“The biggest thing we have to take into consideration the limitations we have of the ring,” noted Michael. This is basically a one-ring show, though occasionally something is held in the indoor arena.
The atmosphere is reminiscent of an A-rated competition because of the venue and the hospitality, but the show’s highest-rated days are B, and some days are unrecognized by the U.S. Equestrian Federation. It presents an opportunity for those at the lower levels of the sport to be able to participate in a prestige fixture.
The last time Sima Morgello rode at the foundation grounds was in her equitation days at the Platinum Performance/U.S. Equestrian Federation Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East. This was the 22-year-old New York University graduate’s first visit to Monmouth at the Team and she loved it—an emotion heightened by her victory on Orientales in the $10,000 Mini-Prix sponsored by Horseflight.
Mini-prix winner Sima Morgella and Orientales. (Photo©2018 by Nancy Jaffer)
“It was fantastic. It’s a very special horse show. It’s very inspiring for people to see the history of the sport. They’re at a top, top facility which is always a pleasure,” she said.
“The divisions are very welcoming to riders at all the levels. The horse show really did think about making sure everybody had an opportunity to show themselves to the best of their abilities.”
“Most of the people who come back are people who are relatively local,” pointed out Michael. “We are thrilled because it’s an awesome atmosphere.
Noting, “the judges are impressed by the quality of horses coming through the ring,” he commented, “it’s really fulfilling our objectives and what we want this to develop into. We have to fine-tune some things and make sure we’re giving back to the people who sponsor, and involving more of the local community, not just the horse people, but the local merchants and restaurants and trying to increase the entertainment aspect and atmosphere.”
Tucker said having a single ring enables the community to join together and bond, instead of being scattered among arenas. “I think that adds a lot of strength for the community.”
Sima, who rides out of River Run Farm in Long Valley with her partner, Devin Ryan, led off the tie-breaker of 12 riders from the field of 28 competing over Skip Bailey’s course in the mini-prix. After overhearing one of the riders talk about making a difficult, time-saving turn following the first fence, she decided to try the maneuver, with Devin advising “go for it…make everyone chase you.”
She pulled it off with her “phenomenal” Selle Francais mare and became the only person in the tie-breaker to finish fault-free.
Discussing her success, Sima cited the support of her mother, Susan Morgello, and groom Eliane Feltz. A native of France, Eliane can reassure Orientales (also known as Chantilly) by speaking French to her, since that is the mare’s “first language,” the one she heard before being imported to this country.
Those who finished behind Sima in the class included Devin, fourth on the eye-catching chestnut, Florida. Devin, who was named this month to the U.S. show jumping team for the FEI World Equestrian Games, enjoys Monmouth at the Team not only as a good place to put mileage on jumpers (he’s always looking to develop his next big horse) but also as a chance to compete a convenient 20 minutes or so from home after spending time in Europe, most recently in Aachen and Dublin.
B.J. Ehrhardt, who took hunter and jumper style awards, won the 3-foot portion of the Bobcat Derby on Leigh Creamer’s Dutchbred, Micah 7:7. She grew up in northern New Jersey’s Bergen County and showed all over the state. Now based in Goshen, N.Y., she still has a lot of friends in the Garden State, including Leah, who is from Saddle River and names her horses after Biblical verses.
B.J. Ehrhardt wore her bobcat ears as she won the 3-foot section of the Bobcat Derby with Micah 7:7. (Photo©2018 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I love this horse show. I love the barn,” said B.J. Part of the charm involves housing horses staying overnight in stalls named after famous U.S. Equestrian Team mounts. Micah occupied the stall named for Udon, Steffen Peters’ 1996 Olympic dressage team bronze medal ride.
The show is more than business for B.J.
“I love the whole ambience of it. They’re so pleasant here. It’s a great experience for my students and myself,” she said, noting that with the one ring, everyone can come and watch the classes because they don’t have to be running around to other rings.
“It’s all win-win to be here and be able to win,” she commented.
The 2-foot/2-6 section went to Heartbreaker and Libby Shea Dayton from Red Oak Farm in Stirling.
The Selle Francais belongs to the Storms family, but he hadn’t shown awhile since his owner went to school.
“This is his first attempt back. I think he did a pretty good job,” said Libby, who is trained by her mother, Bethie Dayton.
This was the first year the derby was broken into two sections, since management felt that the 3-foot competitors had dominated previously and wanted to give those jumping lower heights a chance for victory.
The derby is sponsored by the Nature Conservancy. It’s a fundraiser for Bobcat Alley, a 32,000-acre area on the border of Sussex and Warren counties where the organization wants to buy more land (the wish list is for 3,500 additional acres) so the endangered cats can move safely between the New Jersey Highlands, the Kittatinny Ridge and part of the Appalachian mountains.
Although some bobcats were imported from Maine to grow the bobcat population, there are only an estimated 300 to 400 in New Jersey.
“They’re still struggling,” said Barbara Brummer, the Nature Conservancy’s New Jersey state director.
Mary Conti and Barbara Brummer of the Nature Conservancy with Bobcat Derby 3-foot winner B.J. Ehrhardt and Micah 7:7. (Photo©2018 by Nancy Jaffer)
Bobcat ear headbands with little tufts on top were much in evidence at the show, and those who taped them to their helmets got an extra point in the derby.
The USET Foundation will have another big hunter/jumper show in May, with the Junior Essex Troop’s Garden State fixture moving from Sussex County to Gladstone. Tucker will be managing it, and already is planning for the nine-day competition that likely will have a familiar feeling for those who have been to Monmouth at the Team.
“I think the shows will complement each other well, because now people know what kind of hospitality they can expect, they understand the footing can hold up to any kind of weather conditions,” said Tucker.
The iffy August weather might have wreaked havoc at another showgrounds, but not with the super drainage of the foundation’s ring.
“We had two days of steady rain,” observed Michael.
“The kids rode through it; the footing held up beautifully. It was a tribute to the facility and the reason we want to see it utilized and see our neighborhood enjoy it.”
Tucker noted that, “Sponsors already are lining up for Garden State. The shows will be a little bit different and distinct. The May show will be AA-rated, while in August, we have more grassroots focus.” He noted, however, that the first weekend of Garden State will be unrated with a $10,000 hunter derby before seven days of the double-A competition.
Barbara Brummer mentioned another initiative of the Nature Conservancy involves restoring habitat in the Paulinskill watershed for American shad, so I can see fish fins and tails taped to helmets if the organization decides to sponsor that derby at Garden State.
Asked how he analyzes the success of Monmouth at the Team, Tucker said, “Whether it’s food, décor, the courses or the awards, we don’t cut corners. If you don’t cut corners, you end up with a better return, because people know they can count on you.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 20, 2018
It’s been a good month for riders from Long Valley. First, Devin Ryan was named to the U.S. World Equestrian Games show jumping team. Then last weekend, Cole Horn made a real impression at the Bromont, Quebec, CIC 1-star for riders 25 and under.
Cole finished cross-country 10 seconds under the optimum time with Cooley Sligo, a horse he has brought along with the help of Ryan Wood, for whom he is a working student.
Cole Horn competing Cooley Sligo at the Mars Essex Horse Trials earlier this summer. (Photo©2018 by Nancy Jaffer)
Cole has been working for two years with his six-year-old Irish sporthorse, who was making his debut FEI level debut at the Canadian competition. Third after dressage with a score of 29.50, he moved up to second following stadium jumping with one rail down, but his impressive cross-country trip over Derek diGrazia’s course enabled him to win on 33.50 penalties. Second went to Olivia Hayes on Astrana de la Galerna on 36 penalties.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 16, 2018
After the final observation event for selection of the U.S. FEI World Equestrian Games show jumping team wrapped up Sunday afternoon Aug. 12 in Dublin, I made an educated guess about the country’s only WEG contingent in the Olympic disciplines that hadn’t been named. And I was right, pretty much. (see the post below in On the Rail)
Long Valley’s Devin Ryan, who was ninth on Eddie Blue in the Longines Dublin grand prix with one time penalty in the first round, will be joining McLain Ward (Clinta and HH Azur), Laura Kraut after a redeeming double-clear in the Dublin Nations’ Cup on Zeremonie and Adrienne Sternlicht, fourth in the Dublin G.P. with a rail and the fastest time on Cristalline.
Devin Ryan and Eddie Blue. (Photo©2018 by Nancy Jaffer)
Coach Robert Ridland always likes to pick an up-and-coming less-experienced rider to his squads (a la Lucy Davis in the 2014 WEG and 2016 Olympics) so they can gain mileage. That’s Adrienne this time around. But that makes World Cup winner Beezie Madden the alternate on Darry Lou; I had Beezie on the squad and Adrienne as traveling alternate.
You know how it is with horses–if something can go wrong, it just might, so no one should think they’re a sure thing until the final deadline for team substitutions an hour before the first competition.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 12, 2018
Monmouth at the Team–New Jersey’s oldest horse show–starts its third year in Somerset County on Monday, Aug. 13 at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation in Gladstone, where it runs through Aug. 20.
There is no admission charge, so it’s a good opportunity to view the historic facility while watching competitors–many of whom are local–take part in hunters, jumpers and equitation.
The hospitality tent offers a good view of the action during the Monmouth at the Team show. (Photo©by Nancy Jaffer)
Highlights include hunter breeding and young hunters under saddle close to noon on Aug. 13, the Eastern Hay and Grain $5,000 National Hunter Derby Aug. 14, young hunters Aug. 15 and the $10,000 Nature Conservancy Bobcat Derby on Aug. 16. The jumpers get under way on Aug. 17, with more of them on Aug. 18 and the $10,000 Horseflight Mini-Prix on Aug. 19. The show ends with a variety of children’s classes and young hunters Aug. 20.
Four of the days are B-rated, but the unrated days also are special to those competing. This is an example of what can be done with a show that doesn’t offer AA ratings and big money, but is popular because it is well-run and in a very special location. Interesting vendors and great hospitality are important factors in its success as well.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 29, 2018
By Nancy Jaffer
July 29, 2018
Last weekend, Devin Ryan was jumping on the U.S. Nations’ Cup team in Aachen Germany, the most prestigious horse show in the world. This weekend, he was back home in New Jersey, coaching competitors in the Children’s/Adult Jumpers and riding at Princeton Show Jumping’s Princeton Classic.
Devin Ryan and Eddie Blue had the only double-clear performance in the Nations’ Cup at Aachen for the U.S. (Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography)
What a difference a week and an ocean can make. But Devin was happy to be doing what’s good for his business, River Run Stables in Long Valley, about an hour’s drive from the Princeton location in the Skillman section of Montgomery Township.
When I pointed out the contrast in his week, and wondered whether–as nice as the Princeton show is–Devin would rather still be in Europe, he was quick to reply.
“I’ve only grown up with one way of doing it and that’s developing my horses,” he explained.
Of Princeton he said, “great footing, great jumps. It’s great for doing what I’m doing. You can’t develop your horses at big shows. You have to take them everywhere.
“It’s nice to have the balance of it all, but the only way to the future is developing young horses,” he continued.
“Everybody will see me around these shows forever. Some of those riders who go to big shows, that’s why they don’t have enough good horses.”
To me, Devin looks like a lock to make the U.S. team for September’s FEI World Equestrian Games in North Carolina. After all, he and his top mount, Eddie Blue, have the points to be ranked as the number one horse/rider combination in the U.S. He was put firmly on the international map with a second-place finish in April’s Longines FEI World Cup Finals. At Aachen, Devin and Eddie had one of just three double-clears in the Mercedes Benz Nations’ Cup (only the second Nations’ Cup ever in which he’d competed), and theirs was the best score on the U.S. squad.
But Devin hasn’t actually been named to the team yet, so he’s keeping things in perspective.
“I take one day at a time. I have to keep my horse healthy and myself healthy and I think the rest will speak for itself,” he commented.
Devin had never been to Aachen (“what an amazing venue”) even as a spectator, but he wasn’t intimidated about riding at the famous location.
“I had the same feeling I had going into the ring for the World Cup finals. I have such confidence in Eddie and Cooper; those horses, I’ve had them for years. I feel I can go into any ring on either one of those horses and jump any class. It changes the game a bit when you’re sitting on a mount like that and you know you have a shot going in.”
While six months ago he was an unknown on the European scene, all that has changed.
“People who haven’t met me before come up and introduce themselves,” he said. “More and more people are knowing the name. It’s pretty cool, all the big people coming up and congratulating you and shaking your hand.”
At Princeton, he changed gears entirely to ride Sparcette Blue in the $25,000 hunter derby. It was a last-minute decision when he saw there were only 11 entries, and he figured it would be a way to make expenses for the show.
Devin Ryan and Sparcette Blue. (Photo©2018 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I never did a hunter derby,” Devin revealed. “My last time in the hunter ring was two years ago in Ocala.
Last year, he rode Amanda Marano’s Oldenburg mare in the 5-year-old jumpers, when she won the age group finals at Silver Oak, and in the 6-year-old young jumpers this season.
“She’s been in the hunter ring before,” he said, explaining why he picked her out as the only possibility for the class among the horses he had available.
“And then we show up and look at this,” he continued, referring to her blue ribbon and the championship sash draped around her neck.
$25,000 hunter derby winner Sparcette Blue and Devin Ryan. (Photo©2018 by Nancy Jaffer)
Sparcette, who is by Spartacus out of a Chacco Blue mare, is smart enough not to be fazed by different-looking hunter fences, and has a hunter way of going.
By the time the class was held, there were 12 entries, compared to many more in the day’s other hunter derbies at lower heights.
“I think a lot of people are scared of jumping 4-foot options…especially in our local area,” said Amanda Steege, a top hunter rider who was fourth on Maitre D’. Without doing the options, she acknowledged, it’s hard to win.
She was happy to see the advent of the derbies at Princeton, known for its jumper classes.
“It’s nice to have derbies close by. I hope it will continue to grow in the future,” she said.
Devin was second in the derby’s Classic Round, where longtime show ring star Jeffery Welles was leading on Bilbao with a score of 95. In the handy round, just made for a horse with jumper experience because of extra points given for taking its 4-foot options and making neat turns, Devin earned 100 points for a two-round total of 192. As the leader, Jeffery went last and was having a nice trip until Bilbao stopped at the trot jump and he fell off, leaving the victory to Devin.
Jennifer Baumert, winner of the Boy O Boy Style of Riding Award on Pioneer. (Photo©2018 by Nancy Jaffer)
Second place went to Jennifer Bauersachs on Pioneer with a score of 184.
“It was fun to compete against a Longines rider who pretty near won the World Cup,” Jennifer said.
“His horse jumped high and slow and pretty. He’s so smooth and did a really beautiful job,” added Jennifer, whose own ability was rewarded with the Boy O Boy Style of Riding Award.
With her friends Jennifer Hannon and Brooke Baldwin, the Frenchtown resident had seen the need to do something more for hunters in New Jersey. “There’s really nothing close to us,” she said, citing Kentucky and Tryon, N.C., as major hunter destinations.
“We really feel New Jersey needs to step it up.”
They required good footing at a show destination that also would provide something non-horsey for horse show husbands and kids to do. They approached Andrew Philbrick, the man behind Princeton Show Jumping, because he had what they required.
Despite his jumper focus, he was amenable to the idea of having AA-rated hunters in his July show. Andrew noted that for 25 years, he has been trying to get hunter licenses from the U.S. Equestrian Federation and its predecessors, and hasn’t had much luck.
He offers hunter classes in April, but he notes that’s “not a great date for them” because so many people are still coming back from Florida.
“You need hunters when everyone is out of school,” said Andrew, explaining a barn doesn’t want to come to an all-jumper show and leave the hunters at home, even if there were only one or two.
Andrew Philbrick of Princeton Show Jumping. Photo©2018 by Nancy Jaffer
He feels “the need is out there for a horse show at this level in this region.” Due to the complexities of the USEF mileage rule, the Classic ran on what is known as a waiver. The USEF is examining its licensing procedures and the mileage rule. Andrew is working on a proposal for that committee “because I want to give them my ideas about how they might fix it.” He also has thoughts about how they can open up the market.
“It’s clear, based on the response to this horse show and the data shows it, that people are looking for something different in our region and Princeton Show Jumping is supplying that,” said Andrew, who stages 12 national level grands prix a year.
Like the Jennifers and Brooke, he would like to see the Classic as a two-week show next year. Jennifer Baumert is hoping the $25,000 class can be a USHJA National Hunter Derby competition, which would attract more entries.
In organizing the hunters, the Jennifers and Brooke received help from Louise Serio and Geoff Teall, who founded the World Championship Hunter Rider group. Phil DeVita came in as the assistant manager and hunter course designer.
The show’s four hunter derbies had a total of $41,500 in purses. More than $100,000 in cash was raised, along with $35,000 in prizes.
The foray into the hunter ring was a one-off for Devin. He was back to the jumpers again in the $30,000 Grand Prix of Princeton a few hours after the derby, but had to settle for second aboard Florida, behind the winner, Jazz Johnson Merton and Corona SB. Linda Sheridan was third with Vantina HPF.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 29, 2018
Have you been putting off buying that new helmet? You shouldn’t, especially if you’ve had a fall in your current helmet, or had it for more than five years.
The ninth annual Riders4Helmets International Helmet Awareness Day (actually days) to be held Aug. 18 and 19 offers opportunities for a minimum of 10 percent discounts on helmets at 340 retailers in 12 countries. Organizers expect as the final total will be more than the 680 retailers in 19 countries that participated in 2017 will take part this year.
“It is a testament to the continued need for educating equestrians on all aspects of helmet wearing that sees this year’s event on track to be our biggest event to date,” said Lyndsey White, the woman behind Riders4Helmets.
“I am absolutely overwhelmed at the continued support shown to the Riders4Helmets campaign by helmet manufacturers, retailers, and equestrians around the globe.”
“Back in 2010, when Riders4Helmets was founded and we hosted the first International Helmet Awareness Day, I never imagined that the campaign would inspire tens of thousands of equestrians to wear a helmet for the first time, and serve as a continued reminder to those who were already wearing a helmet, to ensure it is fitted correctly and that they replace it when appropriate.”
Riders4Helmets.com has teamed up with 17 helmet manufacturers this year, that will offer discounts on their helmets for two days only via their global retailer network. The brands that have committed are Champion, Charles Owen, Dublin, Eurohunter, Gatehouse, GPA, International Riding Helmets (IRH), Kask, KEP Italia, LAS helmets (Leslie Sutcliffe UK), One K, Ovation, Samshield, Tipperary, Trauma Void, Troxel, and Uvex.
Not only retailers in the U.S., but also Australia, Canada, Denmark, England, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Scotland, South Africa, Spain and Zambia have registered to participate in this year’s event.
International Helmet Awareness Day was founded in 2010 in the wake of of U.S. Olympian Courtney King Dye’s accident, which left her with a brain injury when she had a fall while not wearing a helmet. The aim was to educate equestrians on the benefits of wearing a properly fitting, secured and certified helmet.
Only retailers who register with Riders4Helmets will be eligible for restocking discounts from the participating helmet brands (please note – participating brands vary by country). You must register with Riders4Helmets and not with the helmet brands.
Equestrians are encouraged to visit www.riders4helmets.com Aug.18 and 19 to view the most current update, as participating retailers will continue to be added on a daily basis.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 23, 2018
The Delaware Valley Horsemen’s Association is hosting Horses in Hunterdon Aug. 4 with demonstrations of driving, dressage, western, hunters and jumpers, along with vendors, crafters and rescues at its showgrounds, 299 Rosemont-Ringoes Road, Stockton (Sergeantsville)..
Admission to the event, which runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., is $5 car.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 17, 2018
Meet the Ponies, a program designed for young horse lovers from seven to nine years old, is being presented July 28 at Lord Stirling Stable, 256 S. Maple Ave., Basking Ridge. The activity runs from 3:30-5 p.m., and is designed for both riders and non-riders, as well as youth groups, such as the Scouts.
Participants will be hands-on with ponies. Under the guidance of experienced Lord Stirling Stable staff, students will be able to groom a pony, learn what ponies eat and experience the work involved in taking care of a pony. Participants may also take a pony ride.
The fee is $15 per child and $10 for each additional sibling in the same age group. Pre-registration is required online at www.somersetcountyparks.org; by phone at 908-722-1200, ext. 5010; or in person at the Stable office. Payment by cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover is required at time of enrollment.
For additional information, call Lord Stirling Stable at 908-722-1200, ext. 5010.
Information on all Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 16, 2018
There had been speculation for months that the Rolex Central Park Horse Show would not be held this year, because entrepreneur Mark Bellissimo’s team was busy putting on the World Equestrian Games in the same time frame.
Word finally came that the show isn’t happening this year, with a promise that it will be held Sept. 18-22, 2019, with a 5-star jumper competition. Interestingly, however, the Longines Global Champions Tour has just announced it will be holding its first show in Canada on approximately the same dates (Sept. 19-22) in the Old Port of Montreal. The war of the watches continues… .
The Longines Global Champions Tour specializes in interesting and exotic locales, from oceanside in Miami Beach to the base of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It is also listed on the 2019 FEI calendar with a show at Randall’s Island off Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx. The park is a public/private operation that hosts many sporting events, including track meets at Icahn Stadium
The change for Central Park this year was due to competition conflicts in its time frame .The American Gold Cup, which was moved from its usual date earlier in the month to the last weekend in September, is running at the same time as Central Park would have been held. FEI rules would not allow the 5-star Gold Cup to be held during the WEG. And on top of that, the Nations’ Cup final in Barcelona is the next weekend.
The conflicts are “not conducive to our competitors’ schedules or for their horses’ welfare,” Mark explained.
The Central Park show debuted five years ago in the Wollman Rink, putting to rest doubters’ contention that such a competition could not be done. Highlights included jumpers, hunters and Grand Prix dressage, all against the backdrop of soaring skyscrapers. The 2016 show featured an exhibition by Charlotte Dujardin and her multi-gold medal mount, Valegro.
However, last year the show didn’t jibe with the high-level dressage riders’ calendars, so arena eventing was substituted. It has always been multi-discipline, with polo and Arabians among the presentations, along with a family day.
Thinking ahead to next year, Mark said, “With the new CSI 5* rating in 2019, we will attract some of the sport’s most notable athletes, as the Rolex Central Park Horse Show will join the exclusive list of CSI 5* equestrian competitions supported by Rolex.
“Our team is already orchestrating what we plan to be one of the greatest RCPHS experiences, which will bring top athletes from around the globe to compete in front of the world’s most iconic city skyline next fall.”
