by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 16, 2020
Unbelievable. The spring (and likely summer) show and eventing season has been swept away by the virus pandemic, and who knows what will happen to the Tokyo Olympics July 24-Aug. 9?
(Note: In a March 17 communique, the International Olympic Committee issued a statement saying it “remains fully committed to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and with more than four months to go before the Games there is no need for any drastic decisions at this stage; and any speculation at this moment would be counter-productive.”)
Failing to consider postponement or cancellation of the Olympics in the face of the virus pandemic has been characterized as “insensitive and irresponsible” by Canadian gold medal hockey Olympian Hayley Wickenheiser, a member of the International Olympic Committee who leveled criticism at the IOC.
Noting the crisis is bigger than the Olympics, he pointed out some athletes don’t know where they can train but still have been urged to continue preparing for the Games in Tokyo this summer.
Without consideration of postponement or cancellation, Olympic pole vaulter Katerina Stefanidi told Reuters, the IOC is putting athletes at risk. They want to know what Plan B is.
“The stadiums have been closed for a week,” she noted, adding that athletes may get a special permit to go inside and train.
“But how can you train there, touching the same equipment and surfaces?” she asked, referring to the danger of contamination from the virus.
Meanwhile, the dominoes continue to fall in the equestrian world.On March 20, Britain’s 5-star Badminton Horse Trials finally gave in to the inevitable and called off the May event, Closer to home, the Upperville Colt and Horse Show in Virginia, slated for June, now will be held in September.
The first major evening competitiont to hit the dust was the April 23-26 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, cancelled on March 16 for the first time in its 42-year history. Needless to say, the 3-star show jumping grand prix that was to run with it at the Kentucky Horse Park is also a goner.
Oliver Townend, the world’s number one eventer, was a big star at Land Rover Kentucky. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Britain’s spring 5-star, the Badminton Horse Trials May 6-10 hasn’t been cancelled yet, but it seems only a matter of time. The Grand National, the world’s most famous steeplechase, won’t be going, and word is that the Kentucky Derby, famously run on the first Saturday in May, will now be held Sept. 5.
Then disaster struck closer to home, as word came that the May 6-10 Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event at the Horse Park of New Jersey was suspended, though organizers are looking for a date on which the 2020 edition of the competition can be staged, as soon as authorities deem it is safe to do so.
Tailgating is always popular at Jersey Fresh. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Morgan Rowsell, co-chair of both Jersey Fresh and the MARS Essex Horse Trials set for Far Hills July 17-18, said “This is all such a mess and we don’t know whether it ends in time for Jersey to run early in June.” Both were to be observation events for Olympic candidates.
As Morgan pointed out, “The NBA is gone, but the NBA has a lot of money behind it, it’s not like they won’t come back. These events that rely on each show to survive and now they can’t run—here we are.”
Essex is a “wait-and-see,” noted Morgan.
The Mars Essex Horse Trials drew some top riders, including Will Coleman. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
“We’re pushing forward and figuring and hoping in four months things will have calmed down.”
Rescheduling Jersey Fresh will depend on the calendar of the Horse Park, and I wondered if perhaps just for this year it would be possible to combine Jersey Fresh and Essex.
“Everything’s on the table,” said Morgan. “It crossed our minds.
“In extreme circumstances like this, what do we have in Jersey and how can we pull this all together? We need a 4-star moving forward. We need to get our international competitors ready for Burghley or the new (October) 5-star at Fair Hill. We need to get these people ready.
“We’re very much in the interim stage. We all could be shut down through the summer,” commented Morgan, but added, “hopefully we’ve got it licked in two months and both Jersey Fresh and Essex are ready to move forward in the best way we can, even if it’s a skeleton event with just the horses and the jump judges, and let the hoopla take a back seat, if the sponsors will follow our lead. Next year, we can make a better year of it.
“With the loss of Carolina, Kentucky, and Stable View, and Jersey Fresh postponed, there’s a need for qualifications going forward. We’re open to all suggestions at Essex and cooperation with Jersey.
“We’re a resilient community of eventers. We’ll bounce back and organizers will step up to the plate when it’s safe to compete. We don’t want to spread the virus, we’re going to do our part like the rest of the country. When the government says go, we’ll go as hard as we can to get back on track. Both events are important to New Jersey and the mid-Atlantic region in general, so if we could have both, that would be the best.”
Essex moved its date to July after encountering soggy footing the last few years.
Although eventually Morgan would like to have an all-weather surface for the dressage and show jumping phases, he said, “We will run on grass in hopes we’ll have drier weather. It’s okay if it rains; it’s whether or not we have an entire month of rain, which is what we had in June three years running.
“In July, typically the water table goes down and if it rains, it’s not that big a deal. We realize last year was not the best outcome, so we moved the date. We’re aerating, spreading sand and fertilizing to make sure the turf is better this year we’ll water if it needs watering,” said Morgan, who said perhaps they would incorporate some synthetics in the surface.
The lack of events this spring may work in favor of Essex, where the footing last year had some riders questioning whether they would come back. Now they will need an outing, so Essex may get the nod and hopefully it will suit them this time around.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 13, 2020
Pan American Games eventing medalist Patrick “Packy” McGaughan, 56, died in his sleep yesterday.
He began his career as a young rider in the late 1970s and went on to compete at the North American Young Rider Championships. He was rider in residence at the U.S. Equestrian Team from 1981 to 1982 under the guidance of coach Jack LeGoff.
In 1987, he rode on the U.S.gold medal team at the Pan American Games in Indianapolis, where he also earned the bronze medal individually. He graduated from Duke University in North Carolina and in 1991 from the University of Maryland School of Law.
A popular instructor in Area II, Packy operated Banbury Cross Farm in Clarksburg, Maryland. The farm was developed into a top training, breeding and boarding facility, specializing in eventing, dressage, hunters, and equitation. Packy produced numerous horses and riders to the highest level of the sport. He was a well-regarded instructor in Area II for juniors, amateurs, and professionals.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 9, 2020
Verdades, the USA’s top dressage horse of the last six years, will be taking his last bows before his public at the 2020 FEI World Cup™ Finals in Las Vegas next month.
Diddy, whose retirement was announced in January, will appear in the Devoucoux Dressage Showcase on Friday afternoon Apri 17 before his formal retirement ceremony the next evening during intermission of the Grand Prix Freestyle.
Owner Laura Graves, who got the personable show ring star as a weanling and trained him up to international stardom, has ridden him to second place in the last three World Cup finals, to a team bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics and to team and individual silver at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games
Explaining her choice of Las Vegas for his retirement, Laura noted that “Diddy.has so many fans and I wanted to give as many of them as possible a chance to see him before his retiremen.
“He has performed on the world’s biggest stages and there really is no bigger stage than the World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, so this is really the perfect place for his formal retirement.”
In 2009, Brentina, the top U.S. dressage horse of the early part of the century, was retired in an emotional ceremony in Las Vegas. Brentina was ridden by Debbie McDonald, now the U.S. dressage technical advisor and Laura’s personal coach.
Laura Graves and her Verdades have a special relationship that enabled them to become worldwide stars. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
To order tickets, or for further information on the 2020 FEI World Cup™ Finals in Las Vegas, go to the event’s official website at www.WorldCupLasVegas.com.
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by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 8, 2020
The Live Oak International, named after its signature trees draped with Spanish moss, is a boutique horse show extraordinaire. Started 30 years ago as a combined driving competition, it is the only fixture in the U.S. that offers both grand prix show jumping and top-level driving (five advanced national championships were awarded this weekend).
Unlike the crowded grounds of the major show series, Live Oak offers thousands of peaceful acres where horses can relax, grazing and walking peacefully through wide open spaces in a setting that feels like what we call “old Florida,” before the days of high rises and retirement villages.
Horses feel peaceful standing under the live oaks. (Photo ©2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
The show is put on by the Weber family. Chester Weber is among the best four-hand drivers in the world, while his sister, Juliet Reid, formerly was president of the Washington International Horse Show. Her daughter, Chloe, is a professional show jumper who upheld the family pride by winning a class at this year’s show.
Since 2015, Live Oak has been the final qualifier for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final ™. That’s particularly exciting during the years riders aim for the final in Las Vegas (2015 and 2020), because everyone is so eager to ride in that glittering city.
It always puts a little extra excitement into the $100,000 qualifier, and today’s class was no exception. The course was artfully designed by Olaf Petersen Jr., who is also laying out the routes next month for the final at the Thomas & Mack Center. His trademark is putting together designs that challenge the best riders while not overfacing those who aren’t at that level. And his favorite number for a jump-off is eight, which is what he got today.
Even better, the rounds got faster and faster in the tie-breaker, where the top three were all clocked in 37 seconds and change.
Adrienne Sternlicht is still bringing back her fantastic mare Crystalline, who was injured when she was on the gold medal team at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games
Finishing the $100,000 class was a must-do requirement in order for Adrienne to be able to ride the 12-year-old in Vegas. But she did far better than that, with WEG teammate McLain Ward helping from the sidelines. Adrienne was clocked in 37.96 seconds, beating the previous mark set by Devin Ryan of Long Valley, N.J., 38.66 aboard Caspar’s Lasino, owned by Olympic multi-medalist Anne Kursinski’s Market Street in Frenchtown, N.J.
Devin Ryan and Caspar’s Lasino. (Photo ©2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
But when Margie Engle set off on Dicas, the crowd was leaning forward, riding with the famous speedster as she turned in a time of 37.37 seconds to move in front of Adrienne.
Daniel Coyle, the red-headed Irishman who rides for Canadian Ariel Grange, was last to go and managed despite a slip by Farrel to edge Margie in 37.05 seconds.
When Farrel slipped, Daniel thought he had lost and wondered if he would still be able to catch the leaders.
Winner Daniel Coyle of Ireland and Farrel. (Photo ©2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
“Both Margie and Adrienne have fantastic horses and are fantastic riders,” said Daniel. “Our plan was to go to come to Live Oak International with the hopes of qualifying for the Final and this win has done that for us.”
Farrel obviously was excited about his victory. He reared several times, as Margie distracted Dicas from the antics of Daniel’s horse with a few well-placed pats on the neck.
Farrel made sure everyone knew who won the big class. (Photo ©2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
Adrienne, had a close call in terms of being able to compete in the $100,000 class after falling off in the Friday qualifier for the grand prix when the other horse she brought to Live Oak, Benny’s Legacy, took off long at a fence. Normally, she wouldn’t have been able to compete today, but since there were less than 40 vying for a spot in the big class, she got in.
Her performance this afternoon made her first in the Eastern sub-league of the Longines-sponsored North American League of riders qualified for the finals, with Beezie Madden second and 19-year-old whiz kid Brian Moggre standing third. Devin also won his ticket to Vegas, though he will ask the horse’s owner before making a final decision on whether to go West. But Margie is headed for Vegas with or without her horse; she loves to gamble.
The runaway winner of the Western sub-league is Karl Cook, while a seventh place finish today put Jenni McAllister into a Vegas slot, along with Alex Granato, who did not compete in Ocala.
The driving marathon Saturday drew a great crowd around the obstacles, where Chester (who had the best score in all of the hazards) drew the loudest cheers. He won his 17th national four-in-hand championship wire-to-wire, taking first in dressage and cones as well, while looking toward this summer’s world championships in the Netherlands.
Jacob Arnold drove a stunning duo of grays to claim the advanced pair horse trophy. Taylor Bradish took the advanced single horse title, as she aims for that division’s world championships for the first time. Katie Whaley (who designs the most intriguing hats) was the advanced pony pairs champ for the fifth time (while mulling moving up to a pony four-in-hand.) Three-time single pony titleist Jennifer Keeler is awaiting the first foal from her beloved Amazing Grace, whose offspring is arriving courtesy of a surrogate.
Chester Weber in the cones on the way to his 17th national championship. (Photo ©2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
So you can see that Live Oak is special, but it’s concerning that the show has lost its date on the calendar. Live Oak had kept the spot because it offered a World Cup qualifier, but as the list of qualifiers was cut from 14 to eight, starting in 2021, Live Oak did not get a renewal of qualifier status. So it will be the decision of the U.S. Equestrian Federation as to the show’s future.
It’s important to keep it going for show jumping, so horses can get a break from the all-weather footing at the big shows and enjoy jumping on grass. But it’s even more important for driving.
“This is the only (driving) event in the U.S. where we have more than one event (sport) happening at the same time,” pointed out Jacob, who is a member of the USEF board as an elected athlete. He noted, “It’s a great thing for our sport..We get more public, more attention, which helps obviously build driving’s name throughout the country. It’s a wonderful event, it’s very well put-on.”
Jon Garner, who took over as the show’s director of sport this year,said, “I think for the sport, this is a critical event to the calendar for sure. It changes the focus for the horses and riders, especially on the jumping side, because you’re on grass.
“For driving, it’s critical to have a high level event in your country. It’s going to raise up the skill level of the athletes. We have to find a way for 2021 where it fits and what the plan will be.”
The general opinion seems to be that a 3-star rating for Live Oak’s show jumping would fit in well on the schedule, particularly when the Winter Equestrian Festival across the state in Wellington offers a 2-star and a 5-star. A 3-star likely would draw more people, because it offers classes that are less difficult than a World Cup qualifier, I’ve been told.
Chester urged riders, drivers and anyone else who enjoys Live Oak to contact the USEF and tell the federation it’s important to get a date for next year.
“Without a date, we can’t have sport,” he emphasized.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 2, 2020
In the wake of the deaths of Canadian Katherine Morel and her thoroughbred, Kerry On, the U.S. Eventing Association’s chairman of cross-country safety says it’s time for action.
The mare and her rider were killed in a rotational fall at a table jump in the Intermediate section of the Rocking Horse event in Florida over the weekend.
While Jon Holling noted that the USEA and U.S. Equestrian Federation donate about $26,000 toward frangible technology grants directly to competitions, “it’s a really good start, but it’s not nearly enough.”
Here’s his appeal: “We need to raise some real money. We need to raise $500,000, so in three years’ time at Preliminary level and above, there are no longer tables on our courses that are not collapsible or frangible.”
As he notes, “it will take more than $500,000 in the end, but that’s a really good start and we need to get it done.” You can donate directly to the USEA, or via a group of eventers who are organizing a private fund. That money will be going directly to frangible technology.
“Let’s get this done. There’s no more excuses,” he insists.
While the federation and association manage a lot involved with this, he noted, “It’s not just up to them, it’s up to all of us. I’m tired of watching us die because we make a mistake, when there’s technology that will help. Let’s do it, so we don’t have to be jumping around over fences we know can be made safer.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 10, 2020
The Monmouth County Hunt welcomed Standardbreds from three states for a special day of foxhunting this month.
Standardbreds primarily are used for harness racing and driving, but like thoroughbreds, they can go on to different careers when their days at the track are over.
Many of the participants were first-time foxhunters eager to try their Standardbreds in the hunt field.
Standardbred riders line up with Huntsman Meg Valnoski, MFH and the Monmouth County Hunt Hounds. (Photo by C.M. Cancelli)
All of the horses participating proved to be well suited for foxhunting, displaying both patience and manners in the hunt field.
One such horse was the 19-year-old “HugMe Christi,” owned by Dr. Karyn Malinowski of the Rutgers Equine Science Center and hunted by trainer Wendy Hale.
Hugme Christi, a war horse with 258 races on her record before she retired at age 12, won more than $120,000. She was a two-time Amateur Driver’s horse winner in the Amateur Final at the Meadowlands Racetrack with Karyn in the sulky.
Karyn Malinowski, who drove Hugme Christi to records, with rider Wendy Hale. (Photo by C.M. Cancelli)
Hugme Christi broke the American Harness Driving Club’s record when she produced a record time on June 2, 2005 in the amateur final. The record stood for more than a decade. She has fox hunted and hunter paced with the Monmouth County Hunt many times, and may enter a show or two soon.
Sam Landy of Congress Hill Farm in Monroe hunts his retired Standardbreds. He is a breeder and owner of Standardbreds, and is now a retired trainer and driver.
“As a breeder of New Jersey Standardbreds, I want to thank the masters of the Monmouth County Hunt for managing and maintaining a great club that provides an opportunity to ride Standardbreds. Standardbreds’ temperament and athleticism make them ideally suited for the hunt field when their racing careers are over. The Monmouth County Hunt provides a great venue to ride these horses for 10 or more years after their race career is over.
The Monmouth County Hunt in Upper Freehold Township is near many Standardbred breeding farms and training centers, as well as several racetracks. Over the years, the hunt has had several members riding retired Standardbred racehorses with great success. The current membership includes standardbred owners, drivers and trainers.
The Standardbred field met hounds and huntsman Meg Valnoski, MFH at the MCH kennels. Doug Raynor MFH led the first flight and Laura Scott led the hilltoppers at a slower pace.
Following the day’s hunting, a traditional hunt breakfast was hosted by hunt members. For more information on the Monmouth County Hunt go to www.monmouthcountyhunt.com
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 31, 2020
Alice Tarjan of Oldwick, an amateur rider who brings her young horses along to Grand Prix level, has been selected to participate in the Kundrun U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Dressage Development Program.
She is among 21 riders perceived to have the ability to make or contribute to podium-quality scores, who will receive strategic guidance and resources.
U.S. Dressage Development Coach Charlotte Bredahl oversees the program with the support of the U.S. Dressage Program coaching staff, including Technical Advisor Debbie McDonald, Dressage Youth Coach, George Williams and Young Horse Coach Christine Traurig.
The program is supported by Fritz and Claudine Kundrun. Their horse Rosevelt, ridden by Allison Brock, was part of the bronze medal team at the 2016 Olympics.
Alice, the only Jerseyan on the list, was selected with Candescent, her 10-year-old Hanoverian mare, and Harvest, her eight-year-old Dutch warmblood stallion. Just three other riders were chosen with two horses.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 31, 2020
It’s the end of an era.
The Garden State Horse Show is heading this spring to the Asbury showgrounds run by Nona Garson and her partner, George D’Ambrosio, as the former Junior Essex Troopers who ran it with devotion for decades step aside from its management for good.
“It’s been an honor to be a part of this tradition” said Tim Cleary, who joined Troop in 1967 at age 10 and 1/2, then went on to manage the show for 33 years.
The show’s license has been transferred and it now will be called the Garden State Horse Show at the Ridge at Riverview, the name of Nona and George’s showgrounds in Warren County. It will be held April 29-May 3, with a pre-show the weekend before.
The Garden State Horse Show, which spent a year at the USET Foundation, is moving to a new location this spring. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
The Junior Essex Troop ran as a military-style organization for boys that had its own farm in West Orange. At one time, the organization presented the largest junior show in America. It became an open show in 1972, known for its fun and challenging outside course, which involved crossing a stream and going up and down a hill.
“It’s a horse show I’ve been going to since I was a little kid. I grew up there,” said Nona. Recalling galloping down “the mountain” and splashing through the water, she estimated she had been involved with the show for 50-plus years.
Nona Garson and George D’Ambrosio. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
She and George are “really excited about it,” appreciating the chance to host a show with such a long history that it is number 145 on the roster of the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s 2,300 recognized competitions.
The troopers proudly wore their uniforms, taking care of the horses at the farm while relishing aspects of military life, including marching and riding with the organization’s well-known drill team, building an unshakeable camaraderie. Though the Troop disbanded as an active equestrian organization in the late 1980s, the former troopers enjoyed an annual reunion putting on the show, doing everything from announcing to management and serving as jump crew.
After the West Orange farm was sold in 1983, the show moved to Chubb Park in Chester and then to the Sussex County fairgrounds in 1987, where it became New Jersey’s largest horse show.
At every location, the former troopers, worked tirelessly to stage it. But handling everything was getting harder as the men got older. After the troop stopped functioning as an active equestrian operation, there wasn’t a legacy of younger people to bring up through the ranks, who could keep the show going in band of brothers style.
Troop alumni made their show an annual reunion. (Photo© 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Garden State last year relocated to the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation in Gladstone, where it occupied just one ring, compared with the eight it utilized at its previous home in Sussex.
That followed a similar move in 2016 by the Monmouth County Horse Show when it transferred to the Somerset County location, but the concept didn’t work as well for Garden State as it did for Monmouth.
Tucker Ericson, who guides Monmouth at the Team, ran Garden State in 2019 but estimated about half of the exhibitors at the troop show were different from the Monmouth competitors.
While Monmouth’s highest U.S. Equestrian Federation rating is B on several days, Garden State had a double-A rating for hunters and included Level 4 jumpers as well, highlighted by a $25,000 grand prix.
With only one ring, the show had to run nine days to include everything, and as Nona mentioned, it’s a quite a commitment to stay at one show for that long.
Tucker pointed out, “A one-ring horse show is very hard to break even. If not for the sponsors and the trainers supporting hospitality, then these shows can’t exist. It’s critical for that support to pull this off.”
When Tucker, who works in insurance, took a new job, he no longer had time for Garden State. At that point, it was obvious a big change was inevitable. Nona and George, who also run the highly succesful Turf Tour in Wellington, Fla., seemed to those involved with the show like the right management team to take over.
“We thought they were the best possiblity for continuing a show that was more in line with the way the Garden State Horse Show has been conducted, which was from the lead line to the grand prix riders, the expanse of talent and capabilities, not just an elite show,” said Rodney Seelig, who has served as Garden State’s chairman.
Nona anticipates this year’s show will have four or five rings. She and George are working on trying to get sponsorship for a $50,000 grand prix.
The troop organization will continue, but what it will do–aside from a reunion at this year’s fixture–is still under discussion.
“The show has been an all-encompassing operation of the organization for so many years,” said Rodney, pointing out that now, there is finally some breathing room and time to weigh whether troop alums should focus on giving scholarships or other philanthropic pursuits.
Whatever happens, none of those involved will ever forget their experience with the troop or the show.
The Garden State group at Sussex.
“My fondest memory of the whole time was working with such a good crew of people,” said Tim.
“When you are fortunate enough to be part of a great team, it’s one of the most rewarding experiences you can have in life.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 30, 2020
The Longines Masters of Hong Kong show jumping tournament, set for Feb. 14-16, has been cancelled as a precaution following recent developments in the 2019-nCoV coronavirus outbreak.
“With more than 35,000 people expected from Hong Kong, Asia and around the world, the safety of our audience, athletes, visitors, exhibitors, service providers, internal teams, as well as that of the horses taking part in the events of the Longines Masters Series, is an absolute priority,” said Christophe Ameeuw, founder and president of EEM, which presents the show.
Riders involved will be contacted individually by EEM and ticket holders in will be reimbursed.
Meanwhile, German Olympic Sports Confederation President Alfons Hörmann has described the coronavirus as the “greatest threat” to the this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
Though the Games don’t start until July, it’s wreaking a bit of havoc at the moment, as itI has meant a number of sporting events had to be moved from China.
As Hörmann noted, “This is a serious problem because there is no other area in life that lives more from international exchange than sport.”
He mentioned, however, that there had been a similar situation before the Rio 2016 Games with the spread of zika, but that got solved.
The Japanese government this week confirmed the first case of coronavirus in that country, a bus driver who drove two groups of Chinese tourists from Wuhan last month. Now six more people in Japan have been affected.
Next month’s Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, scheduled for Hangzhou, has been moved out of China.
The International Basketball Association announced its Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Tokyo 2020 is to be moved from Foshan, China to Belgrade, Serbia, while the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Tokyo 2020 Asian Qualifiers Final Round – Group B has been moved out of China to Sydney, Australia. Chinese ice hockey clubs from the Supreme Hockey League have been told to play their home games in Russia due to the outbreak of coronavirus.
The World Athletics Indoor Championships slated for Nanjing, China in March has been postponed to 2021..
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 29, 2020
The 123-acre Lana Lobell farm in Bedminster, once a nationally known standardbred breeding facility where four Hambeltonian winners were foaled, is going up for auction Jan. 11 in the freeholders’ meeting room at the Somerset County Administration Building in Somerville.
Although housing and a golf course were proposed for the property in the past, it cannot be developed, since it was preserved for agricultural use through a joint effort of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation on behalf of Bedminster Township, the state Agriculture Development Committee and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The previous owner filed for bankruptcy in 1997 and over the years, it was used as a boarding stable. Bank of America foreclosed on the property last year, precipitating the auction.
