by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 24, 2018
Stars of the New Jersey horse industry were celebrated Jan. 28 at the Equine Advisory Board Breeders’ Luncheon in Eastampton Township wherei Maggi Romano was named Horseperson of the Year.
Maggi is no stranger to well-deserved recognition; her contributions to the industry have been honored for years.
She served two years as president and one year as show manager of the Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of New Jersey and worked diligently as a board member of the New Jersey Horse Council, currently serving as its delegate to the American Horse Council. She was both vice chairman and chairman of the New Jersey Equine Advisory Board.
The Clarksburg resident is married to Anthony Romano, a longtime member of the Board of Directors of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey.
Other honors presented included Standardbred of the Year, Ariana G, owned by Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld, and Thoroughbred of the Year, Irish War Cry, owned by Isabelle de Tomaso. Fairwinds Farm was the Breeder of the Year.
Lather Rinse Repeat received the Standardbred Pleasure Award for superior achievement, and the pinto, A Classic Romance, got a superior title as well. Madeline Crisp is the Equestrian of the Year, while Chloe Baker received the Ernest Bell Scholarship Award and Brittany Smith took the Agricultural Achievement Award. Bridget Favjan received the Sara Dubnin Scholarship.Nancy Murray was recognized for the Horse Park of New Jersey Volunteer award.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 5, 2018
Working on your equestrian new year’s resolutions? Daniel Stewart can help. He provided an inspirational keynote speech at December’s U.S. Hunter Jumper Association annual meeting in Texas, and this month, he’ll be closer to home at Chelsea Nix’s Penwick Eventing in Sussex County.
He is featured in a clinic there Jan. 20 and 21. While the jumper riding slots are filled, you can always try—maybe someone will drop out. There is room in the dressage portion of the clinic and auditors are invited as well.
Daniel is both a riding coach and a motivational speaker. He talks about building a team, “trust is a must,” and mentioned how your head and heart are more important than your hands and heels when it comes to riding. One of his mantras is, “turn life’s little setbacks into life’s little comebacks.” You get the idea.
For more information about the session in Hampton Township, contact Chelsea@penwickeventing.com. For more about Daniel, go to www.pressureproofacademy.com
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 4, 2018
By Nancy Jaffer
January 4, 2018
It’s going to be a year with potential at the Horse Park of New Jersey. There’s quite an opportunity on the horizon because its premier competition, the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event, offers a selection trial for the U.S. eventing team that will compete at the FEI World Equestrian Games in September.
More precisely, the trial and qualifier is the CCI 3-star division, but Jersey Fresh May 9-13 also presents a CCI 2-star, as well as CIC 2- and 3-stars that are part of the package at the Allentown venue, where big names such as Boyd Martin, Phillip Dutton and Buck Davidson are regular competitors in the event.
Mark Phillips, the former U.S. eventing coach and a high profile name in the sport, took over as cross-country course designer last year and is making more changes for 2018. A new show jumping course designer, Chris Barnard, is coming on board to complete a fresh look with new fences for the event’s final phase.
It’s the 30th anniversary of the park, which means all eyes will be on the facility, where change has been slow but is proceeding.
Because of the anniversary and selection trial, “Publicity would be exponential this year,” believes Allyson Jeffery, president of the park’s board of trustees.
Phillip Dutton competing at Jersey Fresh on Mr. Candyman. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
The park has been working toward improving footing in the grand prix ring, which is a major issue, but so far, just $60,000 of an estimated $350,000 required for the arena development campaign has been raised.
“A big step needs to be taken that involves money. What is needed is a corporate grant or matching funds,” said Allyson, who suggested this could be an opportunity for some entity that would like corporate naming rights to a ring is hoping work on the base of the grand prix ring can be finished before the show season begins in April.
Tailgating at the Jersey Fresh water complex is a big draw. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
Even if new top dressing can’t be purchased at that point, those maintaining the ring have been prepped in how to work with the current footing more effectively. Now all that’s needed is an ATV to facilitate the grooming, and Allyson is hoping for a donation. Other needs are being examined before a formal request for more assistance is publicized.
Former Jersey Fresh winner Ryan Wood on Powell jumping in the grand prix ring. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
“What we’re looking for is for people to come back to the park,” said Allyson. “We’ve worked on the footing we do have. We’ve had issues with the rings, so people are hesitant to come back until they hear we have all new rings.
“That doesn’t help. You’ve got to continue to support the park, as you know we’re working toward that goal. This is the New Jersey horse park.”
Yet despite its name, it receives no funding from the state and must pay for maintenance and other needs while conducting the capital campaign for refurbishing the footing.
Allyson became president at the end of June and Adam Furlong came in during October as the vice president. The trustees now have a united vision.
“Everyone on board is (using) all their skill sets. Everything is working together now,” Allyson said of the trustees.
Changes that have been implemented include the new winner’s circle in memory of Gwen Stableford, a longtime exhibitor at the park who left a bequest for that purpose.
The Horse Park winner’s circle
Mason Garrity, manager of the Four Seasons Show, is donating new fencing in the areas between the East and West rings. In the stabling area, maintenance has been done on the stall floors and stall panels will be replaced.
The park hosts a variety of disciplines and activities, including November’s popular Turkey Trot pleasure ride/drive, barrel racing, schooling for members and clinics. Eventer Sally Cousins, who competes at Jersey Fresh, is presenting clinics Jan. 21, Feb. 11 and March 18. Get more information via the park’s homepage, www.horseparkofnewjersey.
Auditors are admitted to the Cousins clinics free of charge.
Those who wish to participate can sign up by emailing jane@pleasanthollow.com. Include your name, address, the level of your horse, a cell number and any information that will help in assigning you to the appropriate group. Send a check and negative Coggins to Horse Park of New Jersey, 626 CR 524, Allentown, NJ 08501, att: Sally Cousins Clinic.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 3, 2018
Yes, it’s cold outside in New Jersey. Which is why the Jan. 5-7 CJL show at Duncraven in Titusville and the Hunter Farms Jan. 6-7 and Palermo shows on those dates have been cancelled, along with the Jan. 6 barrel racing at the Horse Park of New Jersey.
If you’re on the East Coast and planned on showing this weekend, be sure to check to make sure your show hasn’t been cancelled because of the weather.
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 22, 2017
Samples collected from three riders at last month’s Ocala-Reddick Florida event—including CIC 3-star winner Hannah Sue Burnett, who was aboard Harbour Pilot–revealed the presence of stimulants, according to the FEI(international equestrian federation). The findings related to anti-doping rules for human athletes.
The positives involve prohibited substances on the list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). However, the U.S. Equestrian Federation noted that contrary to published speculation, “cocaine was not detected in any samples taken at the event.”
Hannah Sue, Jennie Brannigan and Alyssa Phillips are provisionally suspended from participating in FEI and USEF sanctioned activities in accordance with WADA’s Mandatory Provisional Suspension requirements.
Jennie, 21st in the CIC 3-star on Cambalda, explained, “My recent positive test, while devastating news to me, was the result of a medication that had been recently prescribed to me by my doctor. My use of this prescribed medication had absolutely nothing to do with trying to enhance my sport performance, and I hope that once my explanation is provided to the FEI, I will be able to return to the sport I love.”
Alyssa, seventh in the 1-star on Cooley Caviar, stated this afternoon “Earlier today, the FEI publicly disclosed that I tested positive for Amfetamine and Canrenone at an event in Florida last month.
“I wanted it known that my doctor prescribed both banned substances to me for legitimate medical conditions and that I openly declared both substances to the doping control officer as part of the testing process. I was not trying to enhance my performance through the use of either substance and my case is certainly not one involving the intentional use of a banned substance.I will apply to the FEI for a retroactive therapeutic use exemption for these two prescribed medicines. If granted, I will no longer be charged with a positive test.”
Hannah Sue did not put out a statement today.
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 22, 2017
With the reclassification of eventing competitions to offer a 5-star level for the first time, Fair Hill, Md., the nominee for what would have been the USA’s second 4-star event, is doing a half-halt until the requirements are revealed for the highest level event approved by the FEI (international equestrian Federation)
Last July, the U.S. Equestrian Federation approved the recommendation to award a fall 4-star to Fair Hill in 2019. The USA’s only 4-star to this point is the Land Rover Kentucky event, formerly Rolex Kentucky.
While the FEI approved the 5-star concept last month at its annual meeting, it has yet to state the requirements for that and its other levels. Fair Hill of course wants to run the highest level in the sport, but before the public/private partnership continues working on its project at the Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area, it needs to know what the requirements are.
The signature Fair Hill fence on the cross-country course. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
The organization is “taking a breath,” as competition manager Ann Haller put it.
“We understand the FEI’s decision to reorganize the star system and the requirements for each level,” said Carla Geiersbach, Fair Hill International’s executive director.
“However, until we know these new requirements, it makes no sense to move forward blindly. We don’t want to build a state-of-the-art facility to the wrong specifications. We are committed to presenting an event at the pinnacle of the sport and will march ahead as soon as the FEI releases its new parameters,”
Fair Hill International will mark its 30th anniversary in 2018 with its usual CCI3* and CCI2* event Oct. 18-21, 2018. While the 4-star originally was slated for 2019, with the delay on the FEI releasing specifications, it now appears likely to be held for the first time in 2020.
Sam Slater, president of the Fair Hill Foundation, the coalition’s fundraising partner said, “We remain committed to bringing world class equestrian sporting opportunities to this corner of Maryland. Fair Hill has so much to offer the community, and proposed upgrades will really enhance the facility. As always, thank you to all of our donors, partners, and friends for their committed support.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 6, 2017
By Nancy Jaffer
December 6, 2017
Donna Strait Martin personifies staying power, a virtue as important in people as it is in horses.
Her lifelong dedication to equestrian sport remains productive. While there are 700 U.S. Equestrian Federation-recognized hunter judges (many of whom, like Donna, also judge jumpers and equitation), she is among only 20 who have held their licenses for 50 years.
Always impeccably organized and turned out, the Pottersville resident is one who not only respects the history of her sport, but also emphasizes its best traditions.
Donna Martin’s expertise has contributed to the success of her granddaughter, Morgan Munz, in the show ring. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
Ever since she began teaching young people to ride, Donna stressed the importance of a firm foundation, while insisting on a broad grounding in horse care as well. Her record has earned her the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s Jane Marshall Dillon Award East, to be presented Dec. 12 at the organization’s annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas.
The honor goes to trainers who pass on the values exemplified by Mrs. Dillon, while eventually sending well-schooled students to other instructors who can hone their skills when they become more advanced are ready for the next level. (Misty Morgan, president of the Arkansas Hunter/Jumper Association, won the Dillon Award West.)
Interestingly, Donna actually rode at the Junior Equitation School in Vienna, Va., with its founder, Mrs. Dillon, famous for her book, “School for Young Riders.”
Although Donna called Basking Ridge home much of the time while she was growing up, her father, World War II fighter ace Air Force Brigadier Gen. Donald Strait, was regularly transferred to bases around the country. When her dad was at the Pentagon in Washington D.C., Donna took lessons from Mrs. Dillon at the same time as Kathy Kusner, who became a U.S. team member and medaled in the Olympics. (Joe Fargis, the 1984 U.S. Olympic show jumping double gold medalist, also was taught by Jane Marshall Dillon.)
“I loved riding with her,” Donna said of Mrs. Dillon.
“She emphasized really great equitation, natural feel—nobody counted strides in those days. She ran a tight ship. We took care of our own horses,” Donna said.
“It was a beautiful farm, with rolling hills and lots of natural jumps. It was such a great time. We’d go foxhunting, go riding with a group of kids; you’d go into the brooks, ride bareback with a halter and shank, things that kids don’t do nowadays.”
Donna got started on the road to her life’s work by something that could have ended as a tragedy. Most people today don’t remember the fear polio (also known as infantile paralysis) struck into the hearts of parents before the mid-1950s, when Dr. Jonas Salk came up with the vaccine that stopped the disease short. It affected so many young children and some adults as well. (President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was among its victims.)
Donna contracted polio at the age of four.
“I hardly walked for a year,” she recalled.
“My mother carried me or I was in the stroller (while) my young brother walked.
“By the time I turned five, I was ready to be more active,” said Donna, for whom riding lessons with the legendary Clarence Nagro became therapy.
The master of Hilltop Farm in New Vernon, Clarence trained many top young riders, and Donna was among them. She competed in the ASPCA Maclay and AHSA (now USEF) Medal finals, and won many championships with her classic style and ability to get the most out of a horse.
Donna on Royal Audience at Hunt Cap Farm in 1973.
Sally Ike, now the USEF managing director of licensed officials, competed against Donna during their teenage showing days. Remembering Blue Mermaid, Donna’s rather hot thoroughbred, Sally said, “She had to be very tactful” to get the best out of the mare, which she did.
Donna and Blue Mermaid in their glory days.
Married at 19 to Jim “Red” Martin, a year later, Donna walked across the street from her home to the new Purnell School in Pottersville and was hired as the riding instructor, with a gig handling field hockey as well.
Donna took care of the horses in addition to teaching. She remains as the liaison for Purnell’s riding program, which eventually was moved off-campus, and still works in the school’s fundraising department.
“I never left,” she noted, observing she has no thoughts of retiring. “Being around young people is what keeps you young and knowledgeable about today, the day that you’re living in.”
Donna, who teaches two days a week at Centenary University, guided the riding of her daughter, Kelly Martin Munz, a USEF steward and chairman of the equine studies department at Centenary. She also worked with Kelly’s daughters, Maggie, a student at the College of Charleston, and Morgan, 16. Donna believes the teenager, who attends Purnell, “is traveling a path that horses are in her future.”
Donna Martin, right, with her daughter, Kelly Martin Munz and granddaughter Morgan Munz. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
Morgan, who won a class at the College Preparatory Invitational show in Florida last year, said her grandmother “always taught me to be proper, doing it the right way, the George Morris way. She was there at every show. We were always early, no matter what.
“She gave me the fundamentals of riding, then sent me off to someone else to better myself,” commented Morgan. While she now rides with Ashley DiBongrazio, Donna is still at the shows with her. She was involved with helping produce Morgan’s horse, Louis, who came from Germany as a three-year-old and has matured into a lovely five-year-old. Grandma usually is the first person Morgan calls when she has a question about something to do with the horse.
Elizabeth Bugliari rode with Donna since she was in pigtails during their days at Hilltop.
Donna on Escapade at Hilltop Stable in New Vernon in 1963.
“She reads people extremely well,” said Elizabeth. “She’s a very good teacher.”
Elizabeth recalled how Donna adjusted to her students’ needs, but didn’t brook any nonsense.
“She has a wonderful no-nonsense way of dealing with kids. They soon learned, `We do it Donna’s way. Someone who knew Donna called her Donna Direct, because you get it right straight from the shoulder with her.”
Elizabeth, who worked at Purnell and now is director of development and alumnae relations at Kent Place School in Summit, explained that “If you were going to earn your stripes with Donna, you had to do it right. She’s the kind of person you want judging a show. She wasn’t going to be impressed by a name.”
Another of Donna’s virtues is modesty. When she was notified about the award, her response was, “Really? Me? Are you sure you have the right person? I was flabbergasted.”
Looking back at her long career, however, it’s easy to see why the award is so well-deserved.
“She was always the same, the stable, calm person that I see now,” said Sally.
“Isn’t it great that she’s still doing what she’s doing, doing a great job and contributing to the sport.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 6, 2017
U.S. Dressage Team Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover and trainer Tom Wright are among many who are mourning the deaths of two young people in a single-car crash in Wellington, Fla., last month, when the vehicle went across a median at a high rate of speed. Christian Kennedy, 21, and the driver, 19-year-old Dana McWilliams were killed; the back seat passenger, Elaine O’Halloran, 24, was critically injured.
The incident raised unwelcome memories of the 2016 accident that killed show jumper Andres Rodriguez, whose blood alcohol count was over the limit, and Sophie Walker. While both were in their 30s, that accident and others brought to the fore the issue of drinking and driving among young people in the self-proclaimed winter equestrian capital of the world.
Robert and Tom have mobilized in an effort to stop further tragedies. Last weekend was the kick-off of having celebrity “bouncers” at bars to help guide drivers who have had too much to drink to waiting limos. The “bouncers” the first night were TV star Carson Kressley and Wellington Mayor Anne Gerwig, who were available to drive home the cars of those who opted for limo service. The second day, Canadian show jumper Tiffany Foster and hunter trainer Bob Crandall were the bouncers.
Tom had started the limo project in 2016, but following Robert pitched in to help expand it following the death of Christian, whom Robert had named as one of the Future Stars in a program that he is renaming in the promising dressage riders’s memory.
The original program was “quiet,” said Robert, who wanted to expand it and make it more visible. Now it’s called the Get Home Safe Project, and it’s highly visible.
“Kids are going to do what they’re going to do, even if you tell them to abstain,” said Robert. “What we can do is give them better choices in that moment and hope they avail themselves of that better choice.”
The cars will be at the Players Club and the Grille, both popular drinking spots.
Robert Dover and Robert Ross sponsored the car service on Saturday, while Juan Gando, the owner of the Grille, sponsored the cars on Sunday. The vehicles cost $650 per evening, so more sponsorship is needed. Those willing to make a contribution should contact Robert at rdover2@aol.com or Tom at tjwuphill@aol.com. Bouncers are also needed. Those who are not celebrities are welcome to become bouncers because, “if you come out and want to be a bouncer, you become a celebrity in my mind,” Robert said.
“I am just glad that there is something, even if it’s not really enough, that could come from this tragedy that is even the slightest bit positive,” Robert said.
A funeral and celebration for Christian’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Dec. 9 at Nan’s Cottage (the home of Maria Baber, 540 Ampthill Road, Cartersville, Va.) All are welcome. The best airports are either Richmond or Charlottesville. Those attending are advised to dress warmly and riding clothes are encouraged.
In lieu of flowers, donations are being sought that will be used for equestrian training scholarships and for action to change unsafe driving and behaviors, first in Palm Beach County, and then the nation. Donations may be made to the Christian Kennedy Foundation on GoFundMe.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page has been set up for Elaine O’Halloran, who worked as a groom for show jumper David Blake. Elaine has undergone surgery, but has substantial rehab ahead of her. She did not have medical insurance. The goal of the page is to raise $500,000. Here is the link to donate: https://www.gofundme.com/elaine-ohalloran-medical-fund
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 21, 2017
The Samorin Equestrian Center in Slovakia, which was on line to stage the 2022 FEI World Equestrian Games, has declined to sign the host agreement and the search is on for a new venue for the compilation of eight disciplines.
This is reminiscent of the problem with the 2018 WEG, which was given to Bromont in Quebec. Federal funding for the project was not available, and the Tryon, N.C., equestrian center replaced Bromont for next year’s competition. Since the WEG began in 1990, several cities that agreed to host the WEG withdrew, and their replacements had varying results.
Bidding will be reopened and a decision on the 2022 site is expected in November 2019. As FEI President Ingmar De Vos noted, that is more time than Tryon had to get ready.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 21, 2017
Former U.S. Equestrian Federation President David O’Connor today was elected chairman of the FEI (international equestrian federation) eventing committee. The decision came at the FEI’s annual meeting in Uruguay, where he got twice as many votes as the other contender, Alec Lochore of Great Britain, the 2012 Olympic eventing manager.
The 2000 Olympic eventing individual gold medalist and formerly the U.S. eventing technical director, David replaces Guiseppe Della Chiesa of Italy, whose term was up.
David is also head of the FEI eventing safety sub-committee. Although he was in line to be second vice president of the FEI, the FEI President Ingmar DeVos noted David has a full plate of responsibilities. For that reason, the other candidate, Mark Samuel of Canada, got the post. Mark, a former show jumper, is president of the FEI Group IV, which includes the U.S. as well as Canada and several other countries.
