by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 23, 2021
It’s tack sale time again. Two organizations that offer therapeutic riding are having fundraisers this fall, so why not donate your used gear for the horse, rider or the barn?
Riding with HEART (Hunterdon Equine-Assisted Recreation and Therapy) in Pittstown has its sale at 639 Route 513 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 30 and from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 31, when most items will be half-price.
You can donate from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and from noon-3 p.m. Saturdays. Before you make the trip to donate, call 908-735-5912 to let them know you’re coming. Pick-ups are available for big donations within a one-hour drive of the facility. To arrange that, email tacksale@ridingwithheart.org. All donations are tax deductible.
On Sunday, Nov. 7, Mane Stream at 83 Old Turnpike Road in Oldwick will hold its sale from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. In addition to new or used bridles, saddles, blankets and tack boxes, as well as outgrown boots, breeches, jackets, horse-related models and knick-knacks will be accepted. All donations may be dropped off or donors may call to schedule a pick-up. For more information, contact Jen at 908-439-9636 or jen@manestreamnj.org.
Mane Stream’s 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 services, and educational initiatives.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 23, 2021
MARS EQUESTRIAN™ has stepped up to serve as presenting sponsor of the 2022 Badminton Horse Trials, the British event that is making a comeback May 4-8 after two pandemic-related cancellations in 2020 and 2021.
“I am delighted that MARS EQUESTRIAN will be a presenting sponsor at Badminton 2022 and we are really looking forward to welcoming everyone back next year.” commented the Duke of Beaufort, at whose estate the event is staged.
“Through this partnership, we hope to honor the equestrian legacy of MARS and engage spectators with our iconic brands as we work to achieve our vision of a better world for horses, pets, and their owners,” said William Clements, vice president of global sponsorships and sports marketing for Mars Inc. Mars Wrigley U.S. has its headquarters in Hackettstown and Newark, N.J.
He described it as “a family-owned business that has been creating products and services that people, and their four-legged family members, love for over 100 years. Horses are deeply rooted in Mars’ history, dating back to the 1930s.”
Jacqueline Mars, a member of the family, is well-known as a successful owner of event horses and supporter of eventing on a personal basis. The Virginia resident is an honorary life trustee of the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation.
Discussing the Badminton initiative, Clements said, “Through this partnership, we hope to honor the equestrian legacy of MARS and engage spectators with our iconic brands as we work to achieve our vision of a better world for horses, pets, and their owners. ”
Badminton Event Director Jane Tuckwell added, “MARS EQUESTRIAN Sponsorship increased commitment to Badminton is fantastic news for everyone involved. It’s very much all systems go and we are busy preparing to invite the exhibitors next month and will be opening the box office in January. We are all looking forward to a bumper Badminton 2022.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 22, 2021
The Alexandria Township barn tour will be held Oct. 3 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.This fundraiser benefits the Alexandria Equestrian Association, and includes old and new barns, both dairy and equine. For tickets, click on this link
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 20, 2021
Services were held last weekend for Frank Gibbs of Allamuchy, a retired farmer and pillar of his community, who had served as joint master of the Spring Valley Hounds.
Mr. Gibbs, 82, is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joan (Henry), whom he met when they were members of their 4-H horse club.
After studying animal husbandry at Cornell University, Mr. Gibbs co-owned and operated Gibbs Farms with his brother, the late James Gibbs, and subsequently with his sons in operating Gibbs Quest. As the third generation to run the family farm, Mr. Gibbs was a lifelong member of his community, located in the heart of Allamuchy’s valley.
Frank Gibbs with the Spring Valley Hounds. (Spring Valley photo by Charles Frase)
He was an active participant in community and civic life, serving as vice president of the Allamuchy Township Board of Education, chairman of the Allamuchy Township Planning Board, founding member of the Allamuchy-Green Rescue Squad, a member of the Allamuchy Historical Society, a founding member of the Friends of Rutherfurd Hall and member of its Key Communicators Committee and Wednesday volunteer group. He was also a Sunday School teacher and Trustee of Tranquility United Methodist Church, a member of Panther Valley Ecumenical Church and its finance committee, chairman of the Warren County Holstein Association, president of the New Jersey Holstein Association, president of NEDCO (Northeast Dairy Cooperative), a member of the New Jersey Farm Bureau, a member of the Warren County Agriculture Development Board (New Jersey Farmland Preservation), a member of the Ridge & Valley Conservancy, and a volunteer with Global Volunteer.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Gibbs is survived by his sons, Brant, and his wife, Cristiana Cooke-Gibbs and Keith and his wife Maryann Gibbs; his daughter, Jama, and her husband David Toung, eight grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. In addition, he is survived by a brother, Clifford W. Gibbs and his wife, Ruth Gibbs, as well as sisters-in-law Barbara Trought, Jane Gibbs, and Mavis Gibbs.He was pre-deceased by brothers James C. and Robert G. Gibbs; brother-in-law George Trought, and nephew Jack Gibbs.
Mr. Gibbs enjoyed adventure travel, preferably on horseback with family and friends. He rode western and English and was equally at home on a pack trip in the Cascade Mountains of Washington, rounding up cattle and horses, leading a trail ride up Allamuchy Mountain and hunting the hounds in the hills and valleys of Morris, Warren, and Sussex Counties.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made in his memory to Rutherfurd Hall, 1686 Route 517, PO Box 453, Allamuchy, NJ 07820
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 20, 2021
“Awesome!” “Excellent!” “Beautiful!” So much fun!” “A blast!”
Those comments and similar remarks were expressed by happy riders crossing the finish line at the Tewksbury Trail Association’s Trail Pace on a sparkling, almost-autumn Sunday at Christie Hoffman Farm Park.
Mike Knowles leads his group across the finish line. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
It was a treat to see riders out simply enjoying their horses, the scenery and like-minded equestrians. Too often, we tend to think of equestrian activities in terms of serious competitions at shows or events, where there is no time to take a deep breath, relax and take in another side of riding that focuses on the horse and the surroundings, rather than the ribbons.
“Wonderful, great people, beautiful scenery,” said Karen Taylor-Broughton, a former Tewksbury resident who now lives in Pittstown.
“I miss Tewksbury, it’s a treasure. I’ll never move too far,” she added after wrapping up her ride.
It’s true that the township’s landscape is among the most scenic in New Jersey, and the terrain was at its best as the competition drew a field of 151 trying to match the optimum time of 1:21.42 in the trail division, set by experienced endurance rider Melissa Lenter of Boonton.
In the pleasure section, the mark was a more leisurely speed of 2:05.29 set by TTA board member Margaret Korgul and her husband, John Esposito.
Bethany Selage and Jenna Kremp schooled their horses in the water during the pace. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
Janelle Parker of Atlantic Highlands and her 15-year-old daughter, Emma (making her pace debut), won a section of the trail pace on Furman and K-Man, horses borrowed from her best friend from college, Elissa Allen of Evenstride Farm in Califon.
Janelle Parker and her daughter, Emma, who was making her pace debut. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
“We had a blast. It was a beautiful day, it was fabulous, and all the staff was so nice and so helpful,” said Janelle, referring to the fleet of enthusiastic volunteers who made the experience possible for those participating..
The association’s mission statement explains it is “dedicated to preserving green space, open land, and the natural beauty of Tewksbury Township and the surrounding areas of Hunterdon County, New Jersey. The TTA is committed to cultivating and maintaining agriculturally-sensitive bridle paths for horseback riding and community enjoyment.”
What could be a better goal?
Stephen Hagan and Louisa Sargent kept track of the starters. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
TTA President Louisa Sargent said the pace, the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year, attracted generous sponsors. In 2020, the Covid situation meant the ride was limited to association members only; the organizers didn’t feel comfortable dealing with a big crowd at that time.
But for 2021, with isolation and lockdowns in the rearview mirror, riders were thrilled about the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors among fellow equestrian enthusiasts.
“People were really excited,” Louisa recalled about the reaction when it was announced this summer that the pace would be back.
And they also had a chance of winning a generous array of prizes, everything from saddlepads to hats, a vest, backpacks and a horse toy.
Standing proudly by the prizes offered at the pace were Gia-Raquello Esposito, Margaret Esposito, Roxanne Soroko and Joy Custer. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
A variety of breeds were competing, and a few western saddles were spotted in the mix. Although many riders wore breeches and boots, the dress code was casual, although of course, proper helmets were required.
“It was great,” said Mike Knowles of Neshanic Station, who was riding his quarter horse mare western. He comes to the pace every year.
This was the first trail pace for Annette Montgomery and her friend Sandra Foster of Pittstown. Annette summed up the experience as “a lovely time” riding Helga Wirth’s Icelandic horses, Blakkur and Muggur.
Sandra Foster and Annette Montgomery on the Icelandic Horses. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
While there were a number of first-timers, many familiar faces were seen among the entries.
Alexis Madiara and her husband, Derek Chimel, of Pittstown are regulars at paces.
“This is what we do,” she explained.
“We look forward to hunter pace season every year. Tewksbury does such a nice job with the prizes.”
After the couple won fourth place in the trail category, they were off to camp out with their horses for the night. So cool!
Trail Pace winners: Ideal Time: 1 hour, 21 minutes, 42 seconds.
Juniors
1,Jordan Jonach, Jen Stevenson
2, Bronwyn Carr, Caitlin Carr
3, Camryn Downey, Saffron Bessler
4, Haley Ronaghan, Sofia DeCastro, Kennedy Davidson
5, Leeci Rowsell, Olivia Hicok, Elise Tansey
6, Lorna Phillips, Autumn Phillips
Sixth-place Lorna Phillips, a Dubliner living in Chester, came prepared with a little backpack stocked with water and carrots. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
Alexis Madiara and her husband, Derek Chimel, were fourth in the adult trail pace division with Sonoma and Calypso. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
Adults:
1, Maryann Gruda, Al Gillen
2, Larry Riley
3, Karen Taylor, Amy Snyder
4, Alexis Madiara, Derek Chimel
5, Olivia Lauezzari, Diane Schneider, Jackie Gattoni
6, Allison Malenfant, Michelle Morges
Pleasure Pace Winners: Ideal Time 2 hours, 5 minutes 29 seconds
Juniors:
1, Janelle Parker, Emma Spagnolo
2, Rashi Desai, Sarah Esterly
3, Brian Thompson, Emma Schien, Brooke Wakefrose
4, Brooke Toth, Savannah Toth, Annie Homtz
5, Alexandra Allen, Olivia Allen
6, Chrystal Rielly, Aislinn Howell, Gianna Balut
Adults:
1, Julie Tanis, Adrienne Peck
2, Hannah Kerr, Brianna Bryne
3, Jessica Manna, Helen Mengher
4, Maris Rosenberg, Lori Rocker, Mary O’Mealia
5, Heather Coyne, Lisa Bowman
6, Carol Cenussi, Jodi Kreizer
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 19, 2021
It’s been a banner week for Americans in Aachen, Germany, at a show many consider the most prestigious in the world.
As the action ended today, Brian Moggre of the USA came within a fraction of a second of winning the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen with the fabulous Balou du Reventon during his first trip to the famous showgrounds. The class was taken by Germany’s vastly experienced Daniel Deusser on Killer Queen VDM, fault-free through three rounds and clocked in the jump-off at 41.85 seconds. Brian was second on Ann Thompson’s stallion in 42.16.
It’s hard to believe that just three years ago, Brian was a teenage winner in the junior equitation ranks, victorious in the Dover Saddlery/USEF Medal finals and finishing second in the ASPCA Maclay finals. A year later, he won his first FEI show jumping competition, and now, after turning 20 last month, he has been brilliant on the world stage.
Behind him in third place at Aachen was Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet on Nevados S, the only other triple clear, while the number one horse/rider combo in the world, Olympic individual gold medalist Ben Maher of Great Britain and Explosion W, finished fourth on four faults. A slightly slower four-faulter, American Laura Kraut, was fifth with Baloutinue.
Laura and Brian were part of the winning NetJets team in the Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup team on Friday,along with Jessica Springsteen and Lucy Deslauriers. Brian was the only team member to go double-clear in that competition.
“Aachen is something I have dreamed of since I was a little kid, so to be here with a great horse and great teammates could just not be any better,” said Brian, who dotes on the stallion.
“I never have had a horse before that has gone and jumped great things. I only had young horses and my junior jumpers moving up, so it was a lot of pressure to put on myself to step up to the plate, but he’s so reliable and so kind, I couldn’t ask for anything more. I just love him so much,” explained Brian who, like Jessie, has been training with Laura and her partner, British Olympic double gold medalist Nick Skelton.
Brian Moggre and Balou du Reventon at Aachen. (Photo courtesy USEF)
The team total was 4 penalties (a drop score is allowed in each round, unlike the Olympics) to 8 for runner-up Sweden and 12 for third-place France.
Robert Ridland, the USA’s outstanding coach, likes to pair younger riders with more experienced competitors. So he put half of the Tokyo Olympic silver medal team, Jessie Springsteen and Laura Kraut as pathfinder and anchor, with Lucy Deslauriers and Brian. Laura had the drop score of 4 in the first round with Baloutinue, but came back to produce a fault-free trip. Lucy, riding her favorite, Hester, was clear in the first round and collected 4 faults in the second. Jessie, on Don Juan van de Donkhoeve, also was clear in the first round but had the drop score of eight in the second.
Sweden, which won gold in Tokyo, did not use any of its riders from those Games, which speaks to that country’s depth in the sport. The U.S. team was able to avoid a jump-off with Sweden, something that happened in both the 2018 World Equestrian Games, where America triumphed, and the Tokyo Olympics..
Then yesterday, the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team was second, the best finish for a U.S. squad in the history of the event. Will Coleman and Off The Record, Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire, Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan, and Tamie Smith with Mai Baum were led by Chef d’Equipe Erik Duvander and finished on a final team score of 116.5, edged by only 0.3 penalties as Great Britain took the win with 116.2 penalties. Ireland finished third on 127.2 penalties.
At the same time, Will and his 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding became the first American combination to win the prestigious 4-Star Short at the World Equestrian Festival, finishing on a score of 30.50.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 14, 2021
The 2024 Olympics in Paris will be the last Games for German dressage superstar Isabell Werth, who told the German press agency that it will be a “turning point” for her career and she will retire at some point after that.
Isabell Werth and Bella Rose. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
The 55-year-old multi gold medalist said she could never see herself competing at the age of 60, and hopes to focus on training once she stops showing. Her Tokyo team gold and individual silver mount Bella Rose retired after the Games in Japan, but subsequently under went colic surgery and will miss a planned farewell ceremony in Aachen this week.
No worries, though. Isabell has plenty of horses in the pipeline that will take her through the moment she steps down from the podium for the last time.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 8, 2021
Clooney, the magnificent grey ridden by Martin Fuchs of Switzerland. has taken more than one step forward in his recovery and is being hand-walked. Martin’s gold medal mount for the 2019 European Championships slipped in his pasture last month and fractured his humerus on the right side.
He was put in a sling for treatment after the August 16 accident, but two weeks later, he was taking his first steps without the support.
“This horse never stops surprising me with his strength,” said Martin. “Blessed to have him in my life.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 5, 2021
The $300,000 Longines Hampton Classic Grand Prix went to Israel’s Daniel Bluman on Gemma W, who outraced speed expert McLain Ward this afternoon to take the Long Island show’s top prize for the second time since 2017.
Grand Prix winner Daniel Bluman and Gemma W.
Daniel last month missed being on the first Israeli show jumping team to make it to the Olympics because of a technicality in the way Gemma’s ownership was registered. So he may have had a score to settle over Alan Wade’s course in the seven-horse tie-breaker for the class presented by Land Rover.
McLain, the anchor rider for the silver medal U.S. team in Tokyo and a seven-time Hampton Classic grand prix winner, was fault-free in 36.79 seconds on his Games horse, Contagious, but a wide turn left the door open. Daniel went through it in overdrive with his gray mare to finish in 34.75 seconds.
Daniel was so thrilled as he crossed the finish line, patting his heart several times to show his joy and excitement..
“I was watching everything McLain did carefully,” Daniel said.
“He’s a fast rider, and he loves to win this class. Then the crowd went crazy when he finished, and I had so many emotions at that point. I just said to myself that I was going to give everything – absolutely everything – I had. I was going to take all the risks, and I was going to beat him. I wasn’t going to be slower than him today. And it worked out.”
An overjoyed Daniel Bluman patted his heart several times as his adrenaline surged following his gallop through the finish line.
“It was a really incredible feeling,” added Daniel, who is good friends with McLain.
“It’s really special not only because it’s the Hampton Classic, but because it’s McLain Ward on his home turf. (McLain is a New York resident.) To beat him today is definitely going to be one that I’ll remember.”
Of his Dutch warmblood mount, Daniel said, “Gemma has been with us since she was five years old.From the beginning, I knew she was very special and athletic. She wants to do the job, and she wants to leave the jumps up all the time. She’s scopey and careful, and I believe she has a great mind and a great heart.”
Third among the 23 starters in the class was Schuyler Riley on Robin de Ponthual in 37.42 seconds.McLain, who had several victories during the week, won the $30,000 Longines Rider Challenge with 538 points. Daniel placed second with 350 points
The Hampton Classic grand prix arena surface held well after a re-do at the beginning of the week, when it was obvious the grass had not rooted properly in the wake of rain and high temperatures.
Show organizers acted quickly to cover the ground with new footing, redoing the schedule to utilize other rings until Thursday. The field had not been use since 2019; the show was cancelled last year due to Covid.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 1, 2021
Catherine Haddad-Staller wanted to salute the outstanding success of New Jersey dressage riders and trainers during the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Festival of Champions, so she borrowed a tradition from Europe for a celebration at her Califon home last night.
All the prizes won by competitors from the Garden State at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Illinois last week were displayed in the international competitor’s barn, with the colorful ribbons arrayed on twine above tables covered with trophies and championship coolers. It was quite an impressive sight.
Outside, there was a big bonfire and Catherine’s husband, Dr. Greg Staller, presided at the barbeque grills cooking sausage, pork tips and peppers for guests waiting at a row of picnic tables. It was a time to relax after a week of very hard work.
Catherine Haddad-Staller and her husband, Dr. Greg Staller, by the bonfire during the party at their farm. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
Catherine felt it was important to have a party for those who had done so well.
“It reminds me of when I lived in Germany, because any time we went to a horse show, there would be 10 or 12 riders right from the town I lived in who would be successful.”
Prizes were displayed and food and drink was abundant for the achievers.
“But this time, we went to the national championships, there were seven or eight riders from this county that brought home all of that swag. It’s incredible.
“I think Hunterdon County is a really strong county for equestrian sports, and in particular, dressage. We had so many people there. This area close to Gladstone (the home of the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation in neighboring Somerset County) is rider-rich. So it’s kind of exciting.”
The lion’s share of the booty belonged to Alice Tarjan of Oldwick, like Califon, a part of Tewksbury Township. Alice took nine horses to Illinois and had five helpers to take care of them.
Would she want to transport three-quarters of her barn like that again?
“I don’t know if we ever try to top that and just say we did it and we’re done,” Alice revealed with a smile.
She won two championships and two reserve championships herself, along with several high ribbons in other divisions while her trainer, Marcus Orlob of Annandale, won the five-year-old title on her stallion, Glory Day, earning several scores of 10.
Marcus, who rode another of Alice’s horse’s, Maximus, to sixth place in the four-year-old competition at the show as well, was concerned about the atmosphere affecting the two stallions.
“I was just hoping they’d behave, because there were obviously much more horses than at our local shows in New Jersey,” he noted.
Marcus Orlob, Jaime Dancer, Kim Herslow, Bridget Hay, Hope Beerling, Alice Tarjan, Krystian Evans and Cesar Parra all rode at the championships. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
But it worked well, because the horses “get a little more pumped and you have a little more power in the ring,” which was helpful during an extremely hot and humid week.
Even while her achievements accumulated during the show, Alice wasn’t focusing on them.
“I was just so busy all week, you don’t really have time to process it, you just ride, ride, ride and concentrate on riding the next test and try to give every horse the ride they deserve.”
Her conclusion about the show? It was a typically modest Alice observation: “I have a lot to go home and work on.”
She doesn’t operate on expectations, explaining, “We just train the horses and put them in the ring and see how it shakes out. The scores are going to dictate what we do or don’t do. If the horses are happy and sound, then that’s good enough for me.”
As she pointed out, “It’s a little surreal when you see the names on the trophies. All those people were on teams. I don’t think I really quite belong there.”
She is still getting used to the idea that she is going to the world’s greatest dressage show, Aachen, this month to ride her Grand Prix champion, Candescent, in the 4-star at that venue.
Here’s the same group clowning around, with Alice Tarjan as the centerpiece. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
“We definitely don’t belong there either,” Alice feels (that’s the modesty coming through again), but she took the advice of Marcus and U.S. Dressage Development Coach Charlotte Bredahl about making the trip.
“I guess we’ll just go for the experience. The horse has two CDIs on her and we’re going to Aachen, I don’t know if that’s what you’re supposed to do,” mused Alice, who has never even been to a European show to watch.
While dealing with her string at the championships was a tall order, she noted, “I had five girls working everything back at the barn and all I had to do was ride horses. They took care of almost every aspect. Without them, I don’t think it would have been possible. When people see me in the ring it’s just like the tip of the iceberg.”
Beneath the surface were Desi Altland, who works for Alice full time; Kimberly Kotch, who used to work for Alice and took a week off from her job to lend a hand; Kimmy Pullen, who was competing at the championships, and Allison Nemeth, who worked for her last summer. Alice’s husband, Dennis Sargenti, played a big role as well. He toted all the saddlepads, polo wraps and towels from everyone in their barn aisle to a laundromat he discovered in nearby Elgin Ill, where he made good use of the 50-pound washing machines.
“I bring so much laundry the guy gives me the dryers for free,” Dennis revealed.
The helpers also included Lauren Chumley of Pittstown, Alice’s best friend, who was showing her pony Nikolas, in the Developing Grand Prix and missed Catherine’s party because she’s riding in the American Eventing Championships in Kentucky this week.
Alice and Lauren are pals with Bridget Hay of East Amwell, who took ribbons with her homebreds at the Illinois show, and Kim Herslow of Stockton, who competed in the Intermediaire I championship with the Lusitano Elvis. Guess what kind of music she used for her sixth-place freestyle?
Another New Jersey champion was Katryna Evans, taking the four-year-old title with Fontenay, from the stable of Cesar Parra in Readington, while Alice was reserve with Ierland’s Eden in that division.
Katryna, who grew up in Colorado and trained in Germany, admitted to being a bit skeptical when she was invited to work in New Jersey.
“I didn’t know what Jersey was like, I’d never been here. I didn’t know what to expect,” she said.
As it happened, though, “It was the best thing I could have done. We got to compete around here and there are so many (dressage) people in this area.” She said Catherine’s farm and places like it “remind me a lot of Germany.”
Katryna also was third with Møllegårdens Fashion in the five-year-old category. Cesar, meanwhile, finished fifth in the six-year-old division with Fanta 4.
“Everybody learns when you go to that show,” Cesar said.
“The competition at Lamplight was awesome.”
Of Fontenay, he said, “We believe in him a lot and he keeps giving (to) us.”
While Catherine feted the entire group of ribbon winners, she also deserved personal acknowledgement as the breeder and trainer of Vianne, ridden by her assistant trainer, Hope Beerling, to the reserve title in the Markel/USEF Young Horse Championship for five-year-olds.
Hope Beerling and Catherine Haddad-Stallers with the “Congratulations Jersey Strong” cake. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
Catherine, a decorated breeder in Germany, sold Vianne to a client last week, but will keep her in her program, with Hope doing the riding.
“We have very high hopes for the horse. She’s only five, so we have to wait and see what time brings,” said Catherine.
The only non-Hunterdon County Jerseyan in the mix was Jaime Dancer of Dancer Dressage in Millstone, Monmouth County, who brought along her 11th place ribbon from the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Championship (Prix St. Georges) with Supremont “the love of my life,” owned by E.G. Sporthorse.
Jaime noted the championships were “really competitive. I feel like in the last five years, we have stepped up our game as a country. I learned a lot; it was great.”
To read about the championships, go to this link for the On the Rail section of this website.
