by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 30, 2019
Don’t you love all the opportunities that are appearing for off-the-track thoroughbreds? For too long, they have been ignored in the show ring they once dominated, and elsewhere in the equestrian firmament too.
But the Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred Incentive Program is making a difference, and now the Monmouth County hunt is offering the only pace series in the country to feature TIP-sponsored awards for thoroughbreds. The series, which started April 7, resumes May 5 starting at 50 East Branch Road in Allentown, and runs from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The final segment is June 9.
The paces are open to both English and Western riders. The only dress requirements are ASTM helmets, collared shirts and shoes with heels. There are go-arounds at all the fences, and in addition to the open division, there are also junior and hilltop (slower) sections.
To be eligible for the TIP awards, your horse must be registered. Go to tjctip.com to get the TIP number card that is needed for eligibility. For questions about the paces, email monmouthcountyhunt@gmail.com.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 22, 2019
The Eastern States Dressage and Combined Training Association is offering a dressage training symposium April 6-7 with Lilo Fore at the Horse Park of New Jersey.
A retired 5-star international dressage judge, Lilo is a U.S. Equestrian Federation S judge with an R rating as a dressage sport horse judge. A U.S. Dressage Federation certification instructor and examiner, she has trained many Grand Prix horses and had been a short-listed rider for the U.S. Equestrian Team.
The symposium is an approved USDF “L” continuing education program and well as a USDF University program and a National Education Incentive program.
Those who want to audit should fill out the form at this link and mail to Kem Barbosa, 282 Carter Road, Princeton, NJ 08540 Those who register by March 24 will pay less than those registering after that date or at the door.
Pre-Registration (before March 24)
ESDCTA, Horse Park of NJ & Pony Club Members – $50 per day ($100 for 2 days)
Non-Members – $75 per day ($150 for 2 days)
Regular Registrations (after March 24) and at the door
ESDCTA, Horse Park of NJ & Pony Club Members – $60 per day ($120 for 2 days)
Non-Members – $85 per day ($170 for 2 days)
ESDCTA Volunteer Bucks: $20/day. If you are using volunteer bucks you must mail in a registration form with your check and volunteer bucks to Kem Barbosa.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 22, 2019
A tribute to Dorothy Knocke Maxfield was held March 14 in the trophy room at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation stable in Gladstone.
A much-admired instructor who was also a dressage and eventing official, Dorothy died Feb. 17 in Mobile, Ala., of natural causes. She was 76.
Dorothy Knocke Maxfield. (Photo by Marie Cobb)
The daughter of U.S. Dressage Federation president and Eastern States Dressage and Combined Training Association founder Lazelle Knocke, Dorothy grew up on the family farm, Hobby Horse Hill, in Readington. A graduate “A” Pony Clubber, Dorothy was a professional horsewoman for more than half a century. She started out as an eventer, spending a year with the U.S. Three-Day team from 1963 to 1964 before focusing on dressage.
A U.S. Dressage Federation gold medalist, Dorothy earned her “R” U.S. Equestrian Federation Dressage judge’s license and “r” Eventing license, as well as a USEF Technical Delegate’s license for both dressage and eventing. She also held an FEI Dressage steward’s license.
A lifetime member of the U.S. Pony Club, Dorothy was dedicated to teaching young riders, accompanying generations of them to Pony Club Nationals over the years. She was awarded USPC Jubilee Legend recognition in 2005.
She was also the organizer of recognized shows at Hobby Horse Hill and involved with the Amwell Valley Event.
Dorothy committed her life to training horses and students at all levels, her most important legacy. She was able to take complex and complicated concepts, breaking them down into smaller, understandable pieces and then teaching the rider to communicate those concepts to their horse.
Former student Amy Nemeth recalled that Dorothy, her first dressage instructor, “was tough as nails, but instilled in me what it took to be successful. She taught me more lessons then just riding. She may not even have known that. I thought I was special because she let me shine her boots and clean her tack! She was an integral part of my dressage riding and training; the first instructor to get me to stop hanging on my left rein, which she so eloquently did with yarn on that side.”
Mary Alice Edwards remembers taking her first lesson with Dorothy 25 years ago in Lafayette, Louisiana.
“I had been a `rider’ since I was 12 years old, but soon found out I knew nothing about dressage. The first thing she asked me was “What is the distance between each letter in the dressage arena?” Well, of course I did not know; I thought, `Who knows those things?’
“So began my journey of learning dressage. She was so dedicated to her students and their horses, making sure we were going on the right path of knowledge. She became a good friend and a wonderful mentor. Every time I ride, I hear her words of wisdom in my head.”
Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Deborah Kuschel (Gunnar), her identical twin sister, Diane Kohout, and her younger sister, Martha Hoffarth (Anton).
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the United States Pony Club Inc., 4041 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511 ATTN: in memory of Dorothy Maxfield. A donation also can be made online at https://www.ponyclub.org/secure/Forms/MakeAGift.aspx. In the note section, please include “in memory of Dorothy Maxfield.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 21, 2019
There were two winners of the $100,000 USHJA/WCHR $100,000 Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Fla.
One was Brad Wolf’s Private Practice, ridden by Tori Colvin, who took home the $30,000 first prize last weekend.
Tori Colvin and Private Practice. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
The other winner was the EQUUS Foundation, which received the $22,000 second-place check that went to Cheryl Olsten’s Lafitte De Muze, ridden by Amanda Steege. But that money didn’t go home with the horse.
Amanda Steege and Lafitte de Muze with USHJA President Mary Babick and USHJA CEO Kevin Price. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Cheryl donates all of Lafitte’s winnings to EQUUS. Explaining why, Cheryl said, “He really is a special horse, a humble fellow who gives his all and loves people. I was taken with him and his eager spirit, and feel very lucky to be his owner.
“The thought came to me that I wanted to celebrate that spirit, and what better way than to donate his prize money to a cause? A horse helping other horses seemed appropriate. After much research, I came upon the EQUUS foundation.”
Lafitte did the 2018 Spectacular as a first-year horse, when it was only his third show in America.
“It was amazing to feel how much more mature he is a year later,” said Amanda, who divides her time between Ocala, Fla., and Califon, N.J., where she has stalls at Pinnacle Farm.
The top 12 in the first round of the Spectacular came back for a handy round, where speed and maneuverability counted. Lafitte was in the lead going into the handy, but he wound up second to Private Practice by just half a percentage point when Amanda played it a bit conservative.
Amanda Steege and Lafitte de Muze in the $100,000 Hunter Spectacular. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Even so, Amanda said, “I was really happy with my handy round. I thought he jumped amazing. I made the conscious choice to go around the red vertical on the way to jump (number) one.
Tori’s horse has won derby finals and is a bit more experienced than my horse. My horse is working his way up to being able to do those types of things and I wanted to just make the very best decision that I could for him for this to be the most positive experience possible. Other than that, I thought he was quite handy, very adjustable, very smooth. His jumping style felt amazing.”
The class was held in WEF’s International arena, usually the venue of the jumper grands prix, and it can be quite intimidating under the lights with a big crowd on the sidelines.
Amanda’s horses shipped in to WEF just six days before the Spectacular, “which I think actually is difficult to do, for my horses to come here and get used to the chaos and surroundings of Wellington in addition to having to go in the International Ring,” she said. “I was extra proud of Lafitte for being able to handle that.”
Lafitte has done some impressive winning, including the $500,000 HITS Hunter Prix and the $50,000 WCHR Pro Challenge at the Capital Challenge Horse Show last year.
All that prize money meant Lafitte could be a real asset to whatever charity Cheryl chose for donation of his winnings.
Cheryl liked the concept of the EQUUS mission, so she called its president, Lynn Coakley, for details. Lynn told her EQUUS is an “umbrella” foundation, supporting scores of organizations that need funding to maintain their own missions of helping to rescue, re-home and retrain horses bound for slaughter. The list runs from mini horses to race horses, quarter horses, wild mustangs that have been rounded up, carriage horses and show horses.
“They are all perfectly fine animals that, for whatever reason, have been cast aside,” Cheryl noted.
“EQUUS `vets’ these organizations to make sure they all legit and comply with the necessary standards.” For more about the foundation and its mission, click on this link .
It gives Cheryl comfort to know “that in a small way, the prize money that Lafitte wins is going to help rescue horses from the horror that awaits them and the painful trip across the border” to slaughter. She appreciates that this will give them a second chance. Cheryl wants Lafitte to stand for “being an ambassador and star for the EQUUS foundation, spreading the word. What better gift can one give if not to help another?” she asked.
“We hope his message inspires others to do the same.”
Private Practice was victorious in the USHJA International Hunter Derby in Kentucky last summer, and Amanda will be pointing Lafitte toward that class this summer. Tori has won the Spectacular five times, so she’s used to the challenge.
But junior rider Jordan Allan aboard Dana Schwarz’s Kind of Blue found herself in an unfamiliar position next to two stars of the sport in the victory ceremonies.
Jordan Allen and Kind of Blue (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
“It’s beyond exciting,” she said.
“It’s my last (junior) year and everything is sort of shaping out. I’m just so lucky to have incredible horses to show, Kind of Blue especially. I’ve been showing him for about two months now. I know him like the back of my hand.
“I’m so excited. I thought he was amazing in both rounds, obviously, but in the second round, I think he really stepped it up with the brilliance. I thought he was just amazing. I knew I didn’t have to go crazy, but he just always steps to the plate.”
Jordan, who is a working student for Florida professionals Ken and Emily Smith, says they are like a second family to her. She doesn’t own any horses, but each week, they get mounts for her to show and she is grateful. Others she thanked included Brady Mitchell, Adam Graham and Alvin Menendez.
Jordan Allen, Amanda Steege and Tori Colvin. (Photo©2018 by Nancy Jaffer)
This fall, Jordan will be going to the University of South Carolina, where she will ride on the equestrian team. When she mentioned she would be studying on a pre-med track, I suggested that if she is going to be a doctor, she should have Private Practice, because of his name.
“I’ll take him!,” she replied.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 16, 2019
Call it the daily double. Only in Wellington, Fla., could you have a 5-star-rated $210,000 grand prix with 44 entries in the afternoon and a 3-star $134,000 grand prix with the same number (but different horses, or course) a couple of miles away in the evening.
That’s what happened yesterday in the municipality that bills itself as “the winter horse capital of the world,” though the classes ran with two different scenarios.
The afternoon competition, the Longines Grand Prix of the Palm Beach Masters at Deeridge Farm, drew the biggest names, among them U.S. stars Beezie Madden, McLain Ward and Margie Engle. The foreign riders included FEI World Equestrian Games silver medalist Martin Fuchs (who sadly fell off Silver Shine when the horse refused the second jump), Lorenzo de Luca in his snappy Italian Air Force uniform and Great Britain’s 2012 Olympic team bold medalist Ben Maher.
The jump-off was a cavalry charge of 15 horses, bringing to mind last Saturday’s 18-horse jump-off at the Winter Equestrian Festival’s 5-star $391,000 Fidelity Grand Prix, won by Martin on his WEG horse, Clooney 51.
Despite losing a rein before one fence and adding an unplanned stride, Paul O’Shea emerged the winner on Imerald van’t Voorhof while managing to get a time of 36.03 seconds, 0.75 faster than Margie on her intrepid stallion, Royce. The difference is the way Royce clears the fences, leaping high in a fashion that keeps the rails up, but which means some lost time.
Palm Beach Masters grand prix winner Paul O’Shea of Ireland on Imerald van’t Voorhof. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
“My horse is not the quickest in the air,” said Margie, who had the advantage of going last over the course designed by Alan Wade, who did the routes for the WEG.
Paul rides Imerald, a potential sale horse, for the Tisbo family’s Tequestrian Farms. Interestingly, one of the award presenters was Lauren Tisbo on behalf of her family’s Suncast enterprise, a sponsor of the class.
Margie Engle and Royce. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Third place went to Juan Manuel Gallego of Colombia, the rider of Coulash van de Broy Z, who called it an honor to be on the dais at the press conference with Paul and Margie. Beaming, he said, said it was “one of the happiest days of my life.”
There was quite a contrast to the afternoon class and last night’s Winter Equestrian Festival’s Cabana Coast Grand Prix, run under the lights at the Equestrian Village, down the street from WEF and best known as the home of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival.
It looked as if there might not be a jump off. After the first half of the class, the only clear round among 22 starters belonged to Nicki Shahinian-Simpson on Akuna Mattata.
Nicki Shahinian-Simpson and Akuna Mattata. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Four retirements and two eliminations in that group had course designer Catsy Cruz of Mexico asking for an Advil. But a jump-off emerged with the lone fault-free trip in the second half, Spencer Smith on Quality FZ.
Nicki and her mare, known as Nahla, ripped through the tiebreaker in 37.08 seconds. Spencer, who rides with Canadian Olympic gold medalist Eric Lamaze (but was on his own last night) clocked in at 38.71 seconds.
Spencer Smith and Quality FZ. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Third place went to the fastest 4-faulter, Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station, N.J., who had the last rail with Chandon Blue. Laura is always a speedster, and it paid off as she got the Martha Wachtel Leading Lady Rider honors for the week.
Why was the course so tough?
“The grand prix here it always much more difficult than it walks,” said Laura.
“The lights, the difficulty of the smaller ring, the new venue. It always seems like you walk it and it doesn’t seem too bad and then the rails down come from everywhere. She’s very clever in the way she sets the course that way. It wasn’t one specific problem.”
Laura Chapot and Chandon Blue. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Laura prefers a small jump-off to a larger one, explaining, “I don’t like it when there’s 15 clear before you go. As long as you’re confident in your plan and trust your horse, then it’s a matter of riding the course. If you ride it well, you can do it. When there’s a lot clear, you can get unlucky.”
Nahla is an interesting horse, because she is a triplet out of SRF Dragonfly, one of Nicki’s longtime mounts. Luckily, Dragonfly didn’t have to give birth to all three—they were carried by different surrogate mares. Each is in a different stage of development, but all are looking like they will make it in the jumper ranks.
Nicki has tried a few World Cup qualifiers with her, and believes that if she makes the cut and gets to the finals in Gothenburg, Sweden, this April, Nahla will be up to the challenge.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 10, 2019
WELLINGTON, Fla. — My first look at the order of go for the Winter Equestrian Festival’s $391,000 Fidelity Investments CSI 5-star Grand Prix revealed what seemed to be an almost sure bet: with the advantage of going last on the speedy Gazelle, it appeared Kent Farrington would be the likely winner.
It was close, but Kent lost by less than half a second to the FEI World Equestrian Games individual silver medalist, Martin Fuchs of Switzerland on Clooney, a grey son of Cornet Obolensky. This was Martin’s first visit to the WEF (he’s here for three months with his American girlfriend, Paris Sellon) and he was “having a very good time” and loving the break from the European weather it even before he picked up his paycheck Saturday night.
Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs and Clooney. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Martin thought Kelvin Bywater’s course looked “a bit too easy for a 5-star grand prix” when he walked it, and figured the time allowed would be a factor, but it wasn’t. As a result, 18 riders–nearly half the 40-entry class —came back for the jump-off, where Clooney’s “exceptional” long stride gave him the edge over Gazelle. Kent saw Martin leave out a stride before the double, but he worried it was “too much risk” and that if he tried it, the mare might stop. It was, as usual from Kent, smart thinking, but relying on Gazelle’s foot speed and hope wasn’t quite enough to overtake his rival.
Irish rider Richie Moloney was less than a second behind Kent on the Irishbed Rocksy Music, who he thinks is “going to be my best horse.”
The jump-off didn’t work out for McLain Ward, another favorite who had a refusal with Contagious, and Beezie Madden on Coach, 10th after dropping a rail.
It was the first 5-star grand prix of the season, so the riders understood that the designer needed to think about that rather than laying out a route that was too difficult for this time of the year, even with so many international stars in the field.
Clooney made a comeback after colic surgery last year, and his team was devoted to his recovery. Martin, his mother (Martin’s a member of a famous show jumping family), Clooney’s owner and the groom took turns getting up every two hours at night to check the horse, even though he had a camera in his stall.
During Clooney’s recovery he couldn’t wear a saddle, so he would get four hours of hand-walking a day and work out on a rented treadmill. That kept him in shape so he could place in three 5-star grands prix before the WEG.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 4, 2019
A Cape May County horse found positive for rabies last month has been euthanized. The 20-month-old colt, which was on a farm in a rural part of the county, was tested for rabies because it showed neurologic symptoms when it was being treated at a referral facility. The exposed surviving horses, all previously vaccinated against rabies, have received a booster vaccination and are under observation until Feb. 22.
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health encourages everyone to speak with their veterinarians about vaccinating their animals against rabies, if they are not already doing so. Vaccination of livestock and other domestic animals is the most effective strategy to protect animals against this disease and minimize the impact it may have on you and your animals. If unvaccinated livestock are suspected of having direct contact with a rabid animal or are suspected of contracting rabies, it may be necessary for the entire premises to be placed under quarantine.
Rabies is endemic in New Jersey but is often detected in bats, raccoons, foxes, skunks, cats and, to a lesser extent, domestic livestock. Transmission is almost always from the bite of a rabid animal. The virus is shed in the saliva several days before the onset of clinical signs. The disease is fatal once clinical signs appear. Suspect cases should be handled with care and isolated from other animals.
Rabid animals of all species usually exhibit typical signs of central nervous system disturbance with owners first noticing their animal “doesn’t seem right.” As the illness progresses, nervous system impairment becomes more obvious. Affected animals may or may not show signs of aggression. Livestock often develops the “dumb” form of the disease which consists of slight depression, walking in circles, eating non-edible items, “star gazing,” or not acting normally.
Potential cases of rabies in livestock, like other diseases affecting the neurological system, must be reported to the State Veterinarian at (609) 671-6400 within 48 hours of diagnosis. The Animal Health Diagnostic Lab is available to assist with all your testing needs including pathology services.
For inquiries, contact the NJ Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory. Phone: (609) 406-6999; Fax: (609) 671-6414; web: http://jerseyvetlab.nj.gov. To report suspicion of rabies in species other than livestock, contact your local Health Department or the New Jersey Department of Health at (609)-826-4872.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 30, 2019
The four-time Ocean County Equestrian of the Year got a promotion when she was named the 2019 New Jersey Equestrian of the Year by the New Jersey Equine Advisory Board.
Riley Chenoweth-Hafner of Manahawkin, a 17-year-old junior at Southern Regional High School,
represented the N.J. Pony Breeders and Owners at the 62nd Annual New Jersey Breeders’ Luncheon in Hamilton Jan. 27.
A rider since the age of eight, Riley joined the 4-H Horse Program the following year. She has been on the National 4-H Roundup Communications and Horse Judging teams,judged at the American Quarter Horse Congress and is president of the Equine Science 4-H Club in Ocean County. She also has volunteered as a ring steward for Olympic eventing qualifiers at the Horse Park of New Jersey and worked on the ring crew for Central Jersey Horse Shows.
“I think probably what made me fall in love with horses is that whenever I was around them, it felt like they understood everything I was saying,” she said. “It’s like they can relate to me and understand my emotions. It kind of grew my love for them. They seem to love me just as much as I love them.”
“Riley’s distinguished work with horses in a dedicated and compassionate manner shows why she has been chosen to represent the industry as the Equestrian of the Year,” said state Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher.
“Her love for horses started at a young age and she will be a proud ambassador for the Garden State and an outstanding role model to encourage children and others who are interested in equine activities.”
Riley has a rescue pony named Dante and has done extensive work with her thoroughbred, Rocky, also a rescue she has been working with for three years.
“Rocky had a lot of issues with being scared, so my main goal has been to get him into a show ring,” Riley said. “Mostly I train him to get him used to the sights and sounds. We went to a show last fall and that was his first big show. We slowly worked him up to that and we are hoping to do more showing this summer.”
She would like to attend Stockton University and eventually become a veterinarian. Being involved with horses has helped Riley understand the importance of patience with herself and others.
“When you are training a young horse, you can do something one day and they get it, and then come back the next day and they may act like they have never seen that lesson,” Riley said. “You have to work on their terms, not yours. It’s taught me to not get uptight when something doesn’t go right. I’ve learned to take a step back, relax, and then go forward again.”
As Equestrian of the Year, Riley will attend functions hosted by the New Jersey Equine Advisory Board and represent the Board at various events.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 30, 2019
Equine ophthalmology, muscle diseases and esophogeal obstruction (otherwise known as “choke) will be among the topics explored at B.W. Furlong and Associates’ Healthy Horse Seminar in Annandale Feb. 9.
The seminar, featuring veterinarians from the practice, runs from 8 a.m. starting with registration and breakfast until 1 p.m. at the Beaver Brook Country Club, 25 Country Club Drive. Registration is $25 before Feb. 1, $45 after that. To register, call the clinic at (908) 439-2821.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 28, 2019
I’ll bet you spent the last few weeks of our miserable weather cleaning out your tack room, basement or barn and now you’re wondering what to do with the items you no longer use. You’re in luck! It’s almost tack sale time, and Mane Stream is looking for donations.
Of course, if you’re on the other end of the transaction and need some tack, clothing or barn equipment, you’re also in luck.
Mane Stream (adaptive horsemanship and equine-assisted therapies) is seeking donations of new and gently used tack or horse related items for its tack sale at 83 Old Turnpike Road in Oldwick from 8 a.m.-4 p.m April 6.
Adaptive riding at Mane Stream
In addition to tack, blankets, tack boxes, boots and clothing, horse-related jewelry, models and knick-knacks are also welcome.
It’s an opportunity to make a difference by supporting the Mane Stream mission to improve the quality of life for individuals with physical, developmental, emotional and medical challenges through a diverse program of equine-assisted activities, therapy and educational initiatives.
This event is an important part of the yearly fundraising plan with all proceeds to benefit Mane Stream’s horses, equine-assisted programs including “Take the Reins” for Veterans and “Horses for Healing” for those living with, recovering from and living life after cancer.
All donations can be dropped off at the stable during office hours. If you would like to make a donation or have any questions, contact Holland Kochanski at holland@manestreamnj.org, (908) 439-9636 or visit the website at www.ManeStreamNJ.org
On April 7, the day after the tack sale, the community is invited to Man open house from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. You can get first-hand information on adaptive riding, therapy services, and Summer Camp improve the quality of life for children with cognitive, developmental, emotional, medical, or physical challenges.
Kids will receive a Mane Stream “Farm Traveler Passport” to take from station to station while they learn about the activities available. Games and crafts will be offered to keep the kids busy while parents ask questions about Mane Stream’s programs.
The day includes tours of the facility and a demonstration of the in-house therapy clinic.Visitors also may look in the barn and pet the horses.Those interested in finding out about the summer day camp for children of all abilities will be able to talk with the camp director Holland Kochanski. Anyone who registers for camp during the open house will receive at $25 discount. For more information contact Holland at holland@manestreamnj.org or 908-439-9636. Visit the website at www.ManeStreamNJ.org.
