by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 22, 2018
By Nancy Jaffer
April 22, 2018
Beezie Madden winning her second Longines FEI World Cup Show Jumping Finals in Paris last weekend? Not surprising.
But Devin Ryan as the runner-up? Now there’s an unexpected result from a field that included the likes of 2017 winner McLain Ward, three-time winner Marcus Ehning of Germany and two-time Swiss winner Steve Guerdat.
Devin Ryan riding Eddie Blue in Paris (Photo FEI/Christophe Tanière)
Devin, a 36-year-old Long Valley, N.J., resident, was hardly an equestrian household name when he arrived in the City of Lights earlier this month–even if he had competed in last year’s Longines Paris Masters and been victorious in the 2017 Longines American Gold Cup.
While many of the riders knew Devin, “the general public, the news people at that end, they didn’t have a clue,” said the 2018 runner-up, who was ranked 68th in the world at the end of March. He will, of course, see his standing rise dramatically on the list that comes out at the end of April.
“That is an unbelievable story,” declared George Morris, about Devin’s incredible finish on Eddie Blue at the world indoor show jumping championship.
It was a 1-2 U.S. finish at the Longines FEI World Cup Show Jumping Finals, where Beezie Madden held aloft her winner’s trophy, on the podium with Devin Ryan (L) , who won second place, and Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden, who took third place. (Photo FEI/Jim Hollander)
When Devin started as a working student for George, the teenager was as green as the grass at Hunterdon Inc. in Pittstown.
“He was just a local kid,” recalled George.
“It’s impossible what happened to him. It’s great for the sport and for people to see that,” George declared, noting that Devin always worked hard (to the point of polishing George’s boots as part of his responsibilities, Devin revealed.)
As George pointed out, it demonstrates that hard work can still pay off in the sport for those without an unlimited budget.
“I’d do anything to just be given the opportunity,” said Devin, who mucked a lot of stalls and groomed a lot of horses in the process.
Devin went on to a paying job at Hunterdon for two years, picking up pointers from Chris Kappler and other trainers there, before going off to work with horse dealer Alan Waldman in the Netherlands. Then he came home to start his own operation at River Run Farm.
At the World Cup, Alan told him frankly, “Fifteen years ago, when you were working for me, I never thought you’d be here. You’re like the American dream.”
During his first World Cup finals, Devin tried to keep things in perspective.
“To me, it was another horse show,” said Devin, explaining how he approached it. Of course, initially all eyes were on the likes of Beezie and McLain; certainly not on Devin.
“I didn’t feel the pressure; I put pressure on myself,” he commented, while adding he didn’t head to France just for the experience. Preparing for the competition, he wasn’t excited or nervous, but he had goals.
This is what he told himself: “I know what Eddie is capable of doing. I have a great horse; I trust him and he trusts me. I’m going to ride every round like it’s another horse show.”
At the same time, he noted, “I want to win every class I go into.”
He came close with the 9-year-old by VDL Zirocco Blue, the youngest horse in this year’s finals. Eddie has been trained by Devin for five years, since the gray Dutchbred was just started under saddle. What makes Eddie successful?
Devin Ryan and Eddie Blue on their way to winning the American Gold Cup Longines FEI World Cup qualifier in 2017. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
“When he goes in the ring, he’s careful; his scope and his brain, putting those three things together, that’s what makes an amazing horse,” explained Devin.
“Sometimes they have the scope and the carefulness, but they’re spooky or they can’t stay focused.” Not Eddie.
On the other hand, “outside the ring, he’s a nudge, he’s pushy, he’s cheeky, he’s in your space,” chuckled Devin, who admires his mount’s “heart and bravery.”
After being third place in the opening speed leg, where he was less than a second behind Beezie and Germany’s Daniel Deusser, Devin went on to miss the jump-off in the second round by a single time fault, missing the time allowed of 75 seconds by 0.09 seconds. Even so, he remained in third place overall.
But on the third day, in a difficult two-round test that ended without a jump-off, Devin and Eddie were clear in both rounds, tying for first place in the segment with Steve Guerdat, while Beezie toppled a rail with Breitling in the second of her two trips to wind up tied for fourth in that segment.
Overall, though, when the ribbons were awarded on the basis of three days of competition, Devin was only two penalties behind Beezie and stood just below her on the podium, with Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann, who was third last year, in the same position once more with Toveks Mary Lou. McLain, who has been very encouraging to Devin, wound up fourth with HH Azur on 16 penalties, 12 behind Beezie.
When Henrik, who was standing second, knocked a rail down in his final round, Devin snapped to attention.
“Holy cow,” he said to himself, “I’m in second. This is crazy.”
One of Devin’s goals in going to the World Cup Finals was to be considered for the U.S. team that will contest the FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon, N.C., this September.
Without a string of 5-star horses, said Devin, “The only way I’m going to get recognition and have a chance of maybe getting on a team is through the World Cup finals. That’s an individual championship. I have two horses (Cooper is his other one), but not as many as a lot of people do. World Cup finals, the nice thing about it, is that it gives riders like me a chance to really prove they’re capable of representing the United States at some level.”
Post-World Cup, Devin is eighth on the U.S. ranking list. As the highest-placing American in the World Cup finals who wasn’t already named to the short list for September’s FEI World Equestrian Games (Beezie had secured her spot previously), he’ll make that roster of 10 athletes too.
While the World Cup is an individual championship, the WEG is a team competition, and doubly important because it’s a qualifier for the 2020 Olympics. The next step is going to Europe with the U.S. team to ride in two of four observation events, which include Dublin, Aachen, Rotterdam and Sopot, Poland. Obviously, Devin has come a long way and persevered.
He has made it through the down times, including the fatal injury of his first good horse in a pasture accident. Another was a ruling by a U.S Equestrian Federation hearing committee that he had presented five horses at the 2015 Hampton Classic “in a condition that was not in the best interest of the welfare of the horses.” He was fined $6,000 and suspended for six months during 2016.
Devin doesn’t give details, noting “I’m not allowed to talk about it.” But he did his time and came back. He had been taught from the beginning to persist.
“I came from a middle-class family, it’s not a horse family at all,” said Devin, whose first horse cost $50.
“I knew I didn’t have the big money, the big backing. I said years ago the only way I’m going to get a good horse is buying a young one and developing it. And the young horses are what has developed me as a rider.”
His parents were strict about his equestrian involvement, and made sure he worked at it on the family farm.
“If you don’t take care of your horse and ride it every day and get up early and sacrifice going out with friends, if you’re not going to do it, then the horse is gone and you don’t do horses, you do something else,” they told him.
Eddie is owned by Lori Larrabee, who “loves the sport,” said Devin, noting she came to France to support him with her husband, Steve, and three of their children.
Despite his success, Devin knows better than to get overconfident.
“I still have to prove myself,” he explained.
“This was definitely a big step in my career, to be able to do something like this,” he said, but realistic as always, added, “It’s round one.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 17, 2018
Our crazy weather has forced postponement of another competition. The Lord Stirling Stable hunter pace set for April 22 has been put off until June.
With more than three inches of rain Sunday and Monday, and the Passaic River overflowing its banks, several of the trails at the facility in Basking Ridge are under water.
“The majority of the remaining trails have standing water on them or very deep footing,” said Margie Margentino, the stable manager.
“We don’t want to see anyone’s horse pull a tendon, not to mention what it would cost the (Somerset County) Park Commission to restore the trails after the event. We also have standing water where all of the trucks and trailers park. So Mother Nature unfortunately forced us to make the decision to cancel.”
Mark the calendar for June 3, when it should be a lovely time for a pace with everything in bloom.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 12, 2018
By Nancy Jaffer
April 12, 2018
She did it again.
Laura Chapot took the Equiline Overall Jumper Rider title for the 2018 Winter Equestrian Festival. The Neshanic Station resident has won that championship so many times she can’t put a number on it. But rest assured it was earned with a consistent record, dozens of starts and a good number of victories.
“We show not just in the grands prix or one division,” said Laura, explaining how she keeps claiming the honor.
“I have a couple of horses in a range of divisions and they all have performed really well in their own spot. I think that comes through in that award.”
Laura Chapot and Chandon Blue at WEF. (Photo© 2018 by Nancy Jaffer)
For Chapot, 46, the WEF in Wellington, Fla., is the greatest opportunity she has all year to make her mark at the highest level of the sport. She shows on a budget, and the WEF lends itself to enabling her participation in FEI (international) classes.
She and her mother, Olympic veteran Mary Chapot, have a house in Wellington. While they don’t own a farm there, stabling at WEF is convenient and less costly than renting or buying a facility, as so many other jumper riders do.
She takes a volume approach to the cornucopia of classes in the Winter Equestrian Capital of the World, knowing that she has limited chances during the year to take part in FEI shows.
At the end of the WEF, which finished its 12-week run April 1, Chapot’s horses headed home to New Jersey for a long rest. Her next big outing is Devon, about two hours from her Chado Farm, but there is little opportunity around the region where she can get an FEI tune-up before that special show in Pennsylvania at the end of May.
Laura at Devon last year with ISHD Dual Star. (Photo© 2017 by Nancy Jaffer)
As a result of the lack of points from FEI classes, despite her record, she is number 297 in the world rankings. She noted prize money also has dropped in the area around New Jersey.
“It’s a little bit disappointing and it makes you want to look at other places to go that are maybe not quite as convenient as having something right in our area, which is such a well-populated place to have horse shows.”
Going to Canada’s Spruce Meadows series in Alberta, as so many from the U.S. do each summer is not an option.
“It’s so far and so expensive. For our customers, that’s not really even in their thoughts, it’s not possible for them,” said Laura, who doesn’t want to leave her clients for weeks after going to Florida, which means Europe, also pricey, isn’t an option.
“It would be really nice if we could keep continuing to build up our sport in this country, so we have some other places to go without having to spend a fortune in order to get there,” she observed, noting how important it is from the standpoint of self-improvement to compete against the best.
At any rate, she’s rarely rusty at Devon, where she also makes a habit of being leading rider, at least half a dozen times by last count.
It will be interesting to see how she does at that show with her newest star, Chandon Blue, a 13-year-old son of popular sire Chacco Blue.
She got the horse in December through Irish Olympic medalist Cian O’Connor. During WEF, she trains with him and his assistant, Michael Kelly. Wellington is really the only place all year where she has eyes on the ground in addition to help from her mother, and she appreciates getting a variety of viewpoints and new ideas.
Chapot likes buying horses via Cian because if they don’t work out, she has the option of returning them. Laura hasn’t gone abroad recently to look for horses, finding it easier and more effective to work with Cian.
“That way, we really get to know the real horse, and whether it’s going to suit or not. It’s hard to go over there and be a small fish in a big pond and see a horse on one or two days and think you know what you’re getting,” said Laura.
“You need a good connection over there, someone scouting and watching and being sure that the horse you see on your short trip is the same horse that appears every week, in and out. The people over there may ride differently than you ride, and the horse is used to that ride. So then all of a sudden, you ride it for two weeks, and it’s a different horse, for the good or the bad.”
Of Chandon Blue, whose previous riders included Cian and Israeli competitor Daniel Bluman, she said, “Originally, I wasn’t sure he was going to be my style. But he’s really a game horse and quite quick and careful. He’s had a little bit of experience, so he was ready to go when he came over. We just have to figure out the ride a little bit.”
His achievements at WEF included a win in the $35,000 Hollow Creek 1.50m Classic CSI 3-star.
As far as his future goes, though, Chapot isn’t making predictions–despite some “pretty fantastic rounds in Florida.”
She noted “he was not billed to us as being the next Olympic star, but I don’t think you can always predict those kinds of things. He’s a really useful horse—we just have to see where it goes.”
Among the names of her more familiar mounts, such as Thornhill Kate and ISHD Dual Star, is another new one, Cybel II, a 10-year-old Irishbred sporthorse by Varo.
“I kept her a little bit lower, at 1.40 and 1.45 meters. She’s quite careful and has a lot off ability, but she’s a much more difficult ride and a lot less experienced,” she said of the mare, formerly ridden by Cian and another Irishman, Ross Mulholland.
“I’ve got a nice string right now,” said Laura, who noted it’s good “to have a few back-ups, so there’s not so much pressure on each horse. That way, it’s a little bit easier to pick and choose the right places for the right horses.”
Since that hasn’t always been the case for Laura, it’s a big plus this season.
She also has a number of mounts waiting in the wings, including offspring of Gemini, the clone of the great Gem Twist who won double silver at the 1988 Olympics with Greg Best up.
Gemini as a youngster, before he went to stud. (Photo© by Nancy Jaffer)
Gem was the son of Good Twist, ridden to many victories by Laura’s late father, former U.S. show jumping team captain and coach Frank Chapot.
The sons and daughters of Gemini, who stands in France, are just turning six now, so it will still be a few years before it can be seen whether they have a shot at grand prix stardom.
Of her own Geminis (she says she has “a bunch”) who will be coming out more this spring locally, Laura commented about the six-year-old group, “they’re all a little bit different, and a bit different type, but they all are pretty clever and look like they’ve got some talent.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 10, 2018
| Centenary University, the 2017 Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association’s reserve national championship team, won its Zone finals over the weekend and qualified for the national championships, to be held next month in Harrisburg, Pa. The Zone competition was held at Centenary’s equestrian center in Long Valley. Zone finals across the country were sponsored by the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association.
Coached by Michael Dowling and Heather Clark, the Centenary riders are consistently at the top of the IHSA results. They have many Cacchione Cup winners to their credit, including Katherine Steiner in 2017.
Michael credits the success of the Centenary team to the strength of their program, the support of nine full-time faculty members and the depth and diversity of their horses. Training the team, Heather focuses on fine tuning position, while Michael concentrates on effectiveness and the horse’s way of going. Their teaching styles complement each other and play a key role in the team’s success.
“If the rider is more comfortable riding warmbloods, we put them on a hotter type of horse so they can figure that out,” Michael said.
“When we have a rider that’s a little better on a thoroughbred-type horse, then we try to get them more comfortable riding a big warmblood. We constantly try to change it up.”
That’s important, because horses are drawn by lot at IHSA competitions.
As the team gets ready for nationals, the coaches will look at where their riders were weak at Zones and do a lot of strengthening and work without stirrups.
“I’m really excited about the group of students that we have this year,” Michael said. “Every year, we become more determined to put on a better show. Harrisburg is about as close to home as we get, so we have a lot of volunteers coming. It’s going to be a fun event.” |
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 9, 2018
The Standardbred Retirement Foundation is holding a Meet & Greet “Test Drive” a Standardbred open house May 12 from 1-4 p.m. at Walnridge Farm, 42 Arneytown-Hornerstown Rd., Cream Ridge.
It offers a chance to look over more than 65 horses available for adoption. Some of them will be available to ride in fun classes—from crossrails and Simon Says to an obstacle course at the walk. Prizes and ribbons will be offered.
Registration online at www.adoptahorse.org/meet-and-greet is required by April 23 for those who want to ride.
Another option is the Companion Horse Super Hero Makeover, an opportunity to give companion horses some love and dress them as a Super Hero for the contest and parade.
Want to adopt? Applications are available online at www.AdoptaHorse.org/applications. Should you have adoption in mind, it’s a good idea to fill out the application before coming to the farm.
For more information, contact the organization via email at SRF.HorsesandKids@AdoptaHorse.org or call the office at (732) 446-4422.
SRF is the largest Standardbred adoption program in the U.S., feeding and caring for more than 350 trotters and pacers, while providing lifetime homes for more than 180 retirees. It provides lifetime follow-up for all the adopted horses, so they will never be at risk again.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 31, 2018
By Nancy Jaffer
March 31, 2018
Four Seasons is more than just a horse show to its manager, Mason Garrity, and his wife, Alexandra “A.J.” Garrity, a freelance trainer.
Once part of a series that began in 1972, Four Seasons was the pet project of trainer Gary Kunsman, A.J.’s father, who died in 2010.
The late trainer/rider Gary Kunsman started the Four Seasons horse shows more than 40 years ago. (Boz Swope photo)
“It’s very important to keep my dad’s name and memory alive,” said A.J. of the fixture dedicated to Gary that runs April 12-15 at the Horse Park of New Jersey. She remembers how Gary “was out there from sun-up to sundown” not only managing the Four Seasons show, but also “helping those who were his clients, those who weren’t his clients, having a good time with everybody.”
Those she recalled attending from the old days with their clients were the late Emerson Burr, Heritage Farm and Ralph Caristo.
It’s the first big outdoor show of the season in the state. This year, it also will be notable as the first show to use the park’s newly refurbished grand prix arena for the jumper competitions, featuring the $5,000 Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center Mini-Prix.
The show series originated at Four Seasons Farm in Readington, but as the years passed and after Four Seasons was sold, the dates eventually were taken by other shows and locations. In the early 1990s, the featured spring show went on to be staged at Duncraven in Titusville, the stable where Mason worked for 12 years as the property manager.
He’s not a rider, but he’s very much a part of the horse industry. His life changed when he met A.J. through a mutual friend who used to date his brother.
“If you told me 20 years ago I would be as involved with horses as I am, I would have told you that you were crazy,” chuckled Mason, 36.
He is now in the jump business with Paul Jewell, announces at a variety of shows and is working on his small “r” as a jumper judge. For most of the year, however, his mind is on the Four Seasons show.
“We work 10 months of the year for four days in April,” Mason observed.
“We put everything into it,” he said of the devotion he and his wife have given to Four Seasons, which last year drew nearly 450 horses.
“This is still Gary’s show,” Mason explained. “We’re just running it for him.”
The Gary H. Kunsman Memorial Trophy is presented to the winner of the USHJA Hunter Derby at the Four Seasons Show. Show manager Mason Garrity was on hand for the presentation to trainer Troy Hendricks, Christina Serio and Game Changer. (Conklin Photography)
The show moved to the Horse Park in 2016 to take advantage of more stabling and rings, as well as additional open space where exhibitors could ride and graze their horses. It is invested in pleasing those who participate, so it doesn’t become simply an exercise to get points.
“We’re trying to keep the tradition of good New Jersey horse shows. We want to have people enjoy themselves,” explained Mason. There are pizza parties and brunch—complete with a band featuring acoustic guitar (no loud horse-disturbing music) in the pavilion on the Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Kaitlyn Williams and Casan, winner of the 2017 USHJA Hunter Derby at Four Seasons. (Photo by Conklin Photography)
An upgrade this spring is the April 15 $10,000 U.S. Hunter Jumper Association Hunter Derby presented by Britta Lippert’s Sea Shore Stables, with the prize money more than doubled from the $4,500 offered last year. Other features include the $2,500 USHJA Pony Derby, and a $2,500 hunter classic.
There’s always a charity component. In Gary’s day, it was the Readington Fire Department. A.J. also remembers him running a benefit for the late Jim Geibel, a trainer who was paralyzed in a diving accident. This year, the beneficiary is the Mid-Atlantic Jack Russell Rescue.
Pennsylvania trainer Troy Hendricks is a regular at Four Seasons, bringing between 15 and 20 horses and riders from his Kimber-View Stables to the show.
He likes the “old-time horse show feeling” of Four Seasons, which he calls “a really great opportunity.”
Four Seasons moved to the Horse Park of New Jersey in 2016. (Conklin Photography)
“It’s family-run and up to very current standards, the jumps are beautiful, everything is decorated nicely,” said Troy, who is the USHJA’S Zone 2 (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania) vice-chairman.
“They’re always sort of reaching out and seeing what their exhibitors want. They always get quality judges. My customers love going there. It’s not a factory show.”
Entries for the USEF national show close Friday at www.horseshowing.com, but post entries are accepted at an additional fee.
It’s nice to see fixtures that are part of New Jersey’s equestrian history surviving and doing well into the present. The revival after 19 years of the Mars Essex Horse Trials, Monmouth’s success at the U.S Equestrian Team Foundation after it changed counties two years ago and others that continue, such as Garden State and Sussex, mean New Jersey equestrians don’t always have to leave the state if they want to go to some bigger competitions.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 31, 2018
Here’s a thought that makes sense: “Success starts before you enter the show ring.”
That’s also the title of a clinic April 21-22 featuring experts who can offer behind the scenes advice with everything from veterinary tips to sport horse maintenance, shoeing, information about feed and getting yourself in gear for a successful season.
Speakers on the first day at Kimber-View Farm in Glenmoore, Pa., include noted sports psychologist Dr. Janet Edgette. The second day is devoted to insights from hunter/equitation judge Troy Hendricks and grand prix show jumper Heather Caristo-Williams. CWD Saddles also will make a presentation.
The fee is $100 per person for the weekend. Get more information or register at www.kimberviewsales.com.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 28, 2018
He was the voice of authority, a master at conveying his observations with wit and style. Mike Tucker, whose commentary was heard over the loudspeaker for years at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and the Badminton Horse Trials, as well as on the BBC, died suddenly in England today at the age of 73.
Mike, a true all-around horseman who was a farmer, field master of his hunt and a competitor who finished second at Badminton on a homebred mount, also was well-known as a cross-country course designer. He served as chairman of the organizing committee for Olympia, London’s celebrated Christmas show, but had retired from the BBC and his Badminton duties.
Mike Tucker
“I’ve been very privileged and enjoyed some great moments,” Tucker said upon stepping down from the Badminton Horse Trials last year.
Simon-Brooks Ward, the director of Olympia, commented, “This is a great shock and sadness for all of those involved at Olympia. Mike was a friend, provided wise counsel, and was professional to the last.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 20, 2018
The word “unicorn,” once restricted to describing a white horse with a horn growing out of its forehead, has taken on a new meaning. It now also can mean someone or something who is an ideal, or perhaps, too good to be true.
The LEGISequine.com insurance firm recognizes the value of the unicorns in our lives and is taking things one step further by allowing people to honor their unicorns. Starting on April 1, “April Fools Day,” you can “insure” your unicorn, or any one of a host of other mythical creatures.
LEGIS has partnered with two national-level charities, the University of California at Davis Center for Equine Research and the U.S. Hunter Jumper Foundation, to raise funds while honoring the unicorns in your life. Insure a unicorn, another mythical creature or a fantasy of your own creation via a donation to one of the two charities
Beginning April 1, visit the LEGIS website at www.legisequine.com and go to the community page to fill out your LEGIS Mythical Creature “Insurance Application.” Be prepared to describe your mythical creature, from the length of your unicorn’s horn to the wingspan of your Pegasus. Select the equine-focused charity you wish to support and pay your “insurance premium” by selecting a donation amount of your choice.
LEGIS, along with its insurance partner, Bascule, will add to the donation amounts at the end of the campaign. You can “insure” your mythical creature April 1 through April 5.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 13, 2018
By Nancy Jaffer
March 13, 2008
Spring Thaw may have started out as a troublemaker, but the Appaloosa gelding went on to be a long-serving guide and inspiration for those seeking help.
Until his death in January, shortly before his 31st birthday, he was the herd leader at Spring Reins of Life (SROL), which provides therapy through its horses to veterans with PTSD and others in need, such as bereaved children or at-risk teens.
Spring Thaw specialized in helping veterans or others in need.
On March 20, Spring will be one of 15 animals nationwide—and the only one in New Jersey–to be awarded the Planetree Service Animal Medal of Honor 2017. It is being presented by the New Jersey Veterans Administration Healthcare System and the Veterans of New Jersey.
The public is invited to attend the 10:30 a.m. ceremony at Hunt Cap Farm, 401 Main St. in the Three Bridges section of Readington, where SROL is based. Fittingly, it will be the first day of Spring.
As a rental horse for Manhattan’s old Claremont Riding Academy in 1996, Spring Thaw proved after six months on the job to be too much of a challenge. The last straw was the time he dumped his rider in Central Park, convinced another horse on the trail ride to do the same and wound up scampering through the streets of the city before he and his pal made their way back to the stable. It became the subject of a TV news report, prompting the stable’s owner to decide it was time for Spring to go.
Christiana “CC” Capra had been working at the stable as a groom and spent time exploring the city aboard Spring before his final transgression. She stepped up to take the horse and enjoyed eventing with him at novice level until he got Lyme disease.
He was treated holistically by Dr. Judith Shoemaker, a Pennsylvania veterinarian who specializes in complementary medicine and holistic therapy. She introduced CC to the concept of EAGALA, and that was a life-changer both for Spring and his owner.
Explaining the Equine-Assisted Growth and Learning Association precepts, CC noted, “All the work is done on the ground.” The basis is working on emotional and mental health.
Veterans working with Spring T.haw
“The idea is that when you’re on the horse, it’s a different skill set and you’re more in control of the horse’s body. When you’re on the ground, all bets are off and you’re on equal footing. The horses are able to act out and interact, sort of a barometer of the internal language that’s going on from the client.”
SROL works with trauma survivors in a group.
“Most of the war vets, whether it’s Iraq, Afghanistan or Vietnam, don’t want to talk about their PTSD, the war or where they’re at with that,” said CC.
“With the horses, we don’t have to talk; we just sort of `be’ and `experience.’ We set up scenarios; we ask clients to build something with props from the arena; we have some things that are combat-related, like flags and plastic guns and things like that they can reference if they want. It becomes a metaphorical exploration of where they’re at,” she continued.
The situation enables them to focus in the moment.
“It’s hard not to be present when you have four 1,000-pound creatures wandering around,” CC observed.
Spring Thaw taking a break from his job.
“We also work on establishing trust and confidence, the ability to be able to explore things and not worry about whether you’re doing it right or wrong. We’re not teaching horsemanship. We’re teaching how to handle life.”
She pointed out that the horses display what’s going on, either for a member in the group or the whole group themselves.
“We’re able to ask the clients, `What do you think is happening with the horses right now?’ Through their interpretation of what they see in the horses, it usually comes out pretty honest about their understanding of what the horses are doing and how they’re acting. Then later, they’re able to reflect and see how that may be how they are themselves.
“Trying something different with their horse, in their approach to gather the horse or get close to the horse, becomes metaphors for them in their own lives of what they can do with their marriage or home life or depression, or whatever may be going on. We don’t need to know what their story is, as long as they know and can relate to what the horses are showing them.”
CC said Spring was a mastermind, realizing just what he was doing with clients and his herd, exhibiting a sixth sense that linked him to the people participating.
She recalled an instance with an at-risk youth group that was part of a gang prevention program.
“One kid looked back at me and said, `Is this horse some kind of Jedi horse?’ noting how Spring anticipated what he was doing.
“After a while, he started to reference that kid, and I thought, `Maybe he is a Jedi horse,’ ” CC chuckled.
“He was an emotional surgeon. He just went right to it. It is our honor to keep this legacy alive. Spring Thaw gave all he had into our arena and he dedicated the last 10 years of his life to this mission.
“One of the last things I said to him before his great heart stopped was `I promise my boy, Jedi horse, we will make you proud of us.’ He was my confidant, my rock, my guide, my lifetime horse for the last 21 years.”
CC and Spring Thaw communing.
The Open Group under Operation Horse, linked with the Lyons campus of the Veterans Administration New Jersey Health Care System in Basking Ridge, is available to any combat veteran with PTSD.
“We have seen some incredible success with the fact that repeated and longer-term exposure and reflection is creating solutions for these veterans,” said CC.
It was the veterans who nominated Spring for the Planetree award, which speaks volumes about the horse’s impact.
After coming into the program in November 2016, a retired 1SG (first sergeant) named Angel (last name withheld) who served in Iraq, was particularly fond of Spring and nicknamed him “Grandpa.”
He noted that Spring could build confidence in people, most of whom had no experience with horses, citing the case of a petite female client in her late 50s.
“She was terrified of horses,” Angel recalled, but when she went up to Spring and started petting him as he stood quietly, she relaxed immediately.
“He makes you feel comfortable,” Angel said about Spring.
Angel, who called Operation Horse “a great program,” noted the connection that develops between the equines and the participants.
As a veteran, he said, “it’s hard to take the wall down, the barriers; these horses kind of do it for us. You can’t lie to the horse. The horse can sense if you’re tense and will go away from you.”
He had the chance through a contact to ride a horse at another farm and understood because of his background with the program, “It’s a privilege for that horse to let me get on his back.”
Angel recalled that when he came back from his second tour in Iraq, there was a chaplain standing by in the airport who said, “ `I’m going to shake every soldier’s hand who comes off the airplane.’ That’s kind of like Grandpa—how many veterans have touched him, and how many has he touched. It’s amazing, the things that he’s done without even realizing.”
Jennifer Snell, a recreation therapist out of the Lyons facility, noted that Spring had arthritis and had to wear special shoes.
“It was kind of interesting, because a lot of the veterans have physical limitations too, so they could relate to him when he was getting out of his stall, taking his time starting to move. The veterans also could definitely relate to him as the old man, the head of the herd.”
She cited “amazing results” with the program, “how the horses end up mirroring a lot of the things that happen. We have veterans do different things with the horses, like obstacle courses. Building trust is one of the things we work on. They develop a form of trust with the horses and the horses trust the veterans.”
Like Angel, she emphasized the importance of “being able to connect with something.” Breathing exercises, “a relaxation, calming thing” the veterans do with their arms over the horses’ backs and being belly to belly, breathing together, “is a cool thing to see. Grooming also is calming for the veterans, who like making the horses feel better because they’re getting groomed.”
Spring Thaw working on healing. (Photo by CMC Photography)
Finding the money to keep SROL going is always a challenge, but CC has vowed in memory of Spring Thaw to “keep this program funded and saving lives.”
Those wishing to learn more about donating to this 501c3 charitable organization can go to www.springreinsoflife.org .
