by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 28, 2024
It takes more than a little rain to put a damper on a custom that goes back decades.
A field of 20-plus riders braved the showers to ride their beautifully turned-out horses at the Essex Fox Hounds Thanksgiving Meet in Peapack, N.J.
“Rain, snow; we’re out,” said Lynn Jones, one of the four masters of foxhounds who serve Essex.
“This is a tradition that goes back 134 years, and we wouldn’t break tradition for a little rain. It doesn’t bother the hounds or the horses one bit.”
Essex Fox Hounds Joint Master Lynn Jones introduces her horse to a young visitor at the Thanksgiving meet. (Photo © 2024 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
She wore a “hand-me-down” black Melton wool coat, difficult to find these days, but generally impervious to inclement weather unless it’s of the natural disaster variety. There was only one raincoat among the riders. Dee Osborne decided to go that route, but she wore a Barbour, with a British sporting pedigree that made it perfectly acceptable.
A hardy group of spectators also was undeterred by ominous weather predictions for an occasion that many have celebrated over the years at the picturesque Ellistan estate.
Essex huntsman Bart Poole lead the way at the Thanksgiving hunt. (Photo © 2024 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
“We love it. We love gathering. We love seeing our friends every year. We like to see the horses,” said Susan McDowell-Harvey of nearby Bernardsville.
Scott, Scott, Susan and Jack McDowell-Harvey ward off the rain with mimosas. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“And it’s always nice to get out of the house,” added her son, Jack.
Susan and her husband, Scott, began coming for the meet in the days when daughter Sarah McDowell (who now lives in London) rode with Essex. As usual, the family was enjoying mimosas and oysters Rockefeller.
The menu for Linda and John Quinn of New Hope, Pa., who were parked down the row, included freshly made Irish coffee, topped with whipped cream.
John is a native of Ireland, so to him the conditions probably were like what his compatriots call a “soft” day, a cross between a mist and a drizzle, though this version was a little more assertive.
“We’ve come every year since our children were three and five years old, and now they’re in their mid-30s. It was always our tradition to come, and we see people we don’t normally see all the time,” Linda said.
Linda and John Quinn with an artful Irish coffee. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Some folks did look at the weather and decide to duck out. Suzann Johnson and her husband, Art Gertel, of Readington N.J., invited 10 people to the tailgate brunch they have staged for 30 years, but just one showed up. The conditions certainly didn’t deter an accomplished carriage driver, however.
“I compete in this kind of stuff,” explained Suzann, who was the Leading Lady Whip at the Orleton Farm Driving Competition in Massachusetts during August, when a hurricane was bearing down on that area.
Matt Tierney of Ramsey, N.J., was visiting his father, John, in Peapack and decided to bring his three children, ages 5, 3 and 1 to the meet. “I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “It was very special, very fun.” His kids really got into it.
“By the time the horses and hounds started going out of the gate and up the road, they expected to be able to follow them,” he reported. “So in the car we had some tears” when the vehicle went in the opposite direction from the animals..
Sally Ike, who chairs the Essex hunt committee, noted the rain was a bit inconvenient, but emphasized it is a badly needed blessing during the drought. She mentioned how important the hunt is for land conservation and thanked the landowners who allow the hunt to cross their property.
The chilly edge was taken off for riders and spectators alike by hot toddies courtesy of Ellistan’s owners, Hank and Sarah Slack (she is another of the Essex joint masters).
Ellistan estate manager Michael Webb.( Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
These stirrup cups are as traditional as everything else.
Ellistan estate manager Michael Webb doesn’t change the recipe from year to year. It consists of brandy, rum, sherry, “our apple cider that we make here and some of the honey we produce as well,” in addition to orange and lemon juice.“That’s it. Bring it to the boil and put it in a cup.”
Rain? What rain?
Essex honorary secretary Ruth Beesch and Dee Osborne in her Barbour rain jacket. ( Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
The Johnson family, which enjoys strong connections with the hunt (Jazz Johnson is also a joint master of Essex) had seven cousins riding. Christy Johnson Moynihan said her two sons, Rowan and Joe, took riding lessons for a month to up their game (they had only ridden as kids) so they could participate on Thanksgiving.
I, too, am a veteran of many years at the Thanksgiving meet, having written about it since Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis put it on the map in the days when she hunted with Essex and often brought her son, John.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis from the days when she rode with Essex. That’s her son, John, to her right in front of the house. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
While that’s how what otherwise would have been a routine holiday gathering of a local group became big news, once people came to see her, they kept coming, even after she rode off into history.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 26, 2024
Olympic eventing multi-medalist Phllip Dutton put his concerns about the dangers of his sport on social media, and they are worth sharing.
He stated: “With the 2024 eventing season coming to a close, I feel it has been a great year for our sport in many respects with some incredible performances at the CCI5*s throughout the world and with the showcasing of the sport at the Paris Olympics.
“The downside and tragic events of the year were two high-profile riders having cross-country falls. Namely, the death of Georgie Campbell and the life-changing accident of Liz Halliday at the AEC (American Eventing Championships) competition in Lexington, Ky.” (Liz suffered a traumatic brain injury when her horse fell with with her on cross-country. She is being treated at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago.)
“Our sport has come a long way in regard to safety and horse welfare. Frangible pins have definitely prevented falls, and in doing so, have prevented major injuries to both horse and rider — and probably, in some cases, death. Course design and construction have also played an important part as well. It is in everyone’s best interest to embrace this new technology to further improve the safety of the sport.
“Both Georgie and Liz’s falls were at jumps without frangible pins. It is probably not practical yet to have every fence frangible, but as riders, we should be encouraging organizers and designers to aim for this. Other sports more dangerous than ours have made huge leaps in the safety area – Formula One and the NFL come to mind. Having the old adage that horses won’t learn if the fences come down is rubbish! If a horse needs to run into a solid fence to back off, you probably shouldn’t be riding him.
“On the other side of safety, riders have to make sure they have the right skills and their horses the right education before setting out on course. Aggressive riding definitely plays a part in keeping a horse confident on cross country. More importantly though, is being able to approach each cross-country jump with the required speed, line and take off distance on a forward-thinking horse. After watching some of the long-format events lately, it’s clear to me that many riders lack those skills and instead are relying just on speed and aggression and having a brave, genuine horse.
“As riders, we have to make split-second decisions, and it is not always going to be the right decision. That is sport and life. However, embracing improvements to jump design, frangible devices in future courses and riders who have a good grasp, understanding and the skills needed to ride safely at each jump will hopefully keep a bright future for our sport.”
Meanwhile,the U.S. Eventing Association Foundation is working to add more frangible devices to cross-country fences. It’s an ongoing process; the foundation pointed out it was less than 10 years ago that the first MIM-clipped fence was used at a British event. And now they are proliferating.
The Foundation has been instrumental in getting frangible fence kits into the hands of course builders across the U.S. And the technology continues to evolve with new approval of MIMS clips for Trakehners recently announced.The frangible technology programs have increased due to large donations from key eventing supporters, but they have also been made possible by the many smaller donations received from riders, trainers, and other horse lovers in the sport. The Foundation needs help to continue sharing of the technology and to support safety efforts in eventing. The organization is asking for donations toward that goal.
Click here to connect with the Foundation and find out more.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 25, 2024
The former majority owners of Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, Mark Bellissimo, Marsha Dammerman, Lisa Lourie and Roger Smith issued a statement saying their new entity, WI FL Acquisition, LLC completed the purchase of Wellington International from Global Equestrian Group. They confirmed former USEF President Murray Kessler will be chief executive officer of the new Wellington International facility. The venue was known as PBIEC prior to GEG’s purchase and renaming of the showgrounds.
“We are grateful to have Wellington International back into a local and long-term ownership group, committed to ensuring the showgrounds thrive for years to come. All disciplines will continue to have a home here in Wellington including show jumping, hunters and dressage,” stated Bellissimo.
“These sports, along with polo, define this community and firmly establish Wellington as the premier equestrian destination in the world. We look forward to investing in the showgrounds and working with (Wellington International President) Michael Stone and the leadership team going forward. Special thanks to City National Bank CEO Jorge Gonzalez and Market Executive David Albright for stepping up in support of the transaction in such a short time frame and continuing our great partnership.”
Saying he welcomes the opportunity to work with the Wellington International team, Kessler noted his objective is to “capitalize on this remarkable growth opportunity for Wellington. While our investment plan is a multi-year journey, I’m pleased to share that we are already making some meaningful enhancements to improve the experience and infrastructure for the horses, athletes, partners and spectators for this coming season.”
WEF is the largest and longest-running equestrian competition series in the world,”hosting 42 weeks of competition annually across the equestrian disciplines of show jumping, hunters, dressage and para-dressage and welcoming over 350,000 spectators, 15,000 horses and 7,500 competitors. In 2024, WEF contributed more than $400 million in economic impact to Palm Beach County.”
Stone commented, “With the sale process complete, we can now turn to what we do best – focusing on the shows, the horses, the riders and the equestrian season here in Wellington with a renewed purpose and committed ownership group.
“Wellington International Horse Show is the anchor of the Wellington community. When it is strong, our community is strong,” commented Kessler.
“We are ready to turn our attention and resources to ensure that Wellington International remains the premier horse sports destination in the world.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 21, 2024
The U.S. Dressage Federation Finals for 2025 and 2026 are moving to the World Equestrian Center in Wilmington, Ohio, ending its run at the Kentucky Horse Park, where the competition has been held since its inception.
The weather at the end of October in Kentucky usually means cold and rainy conditions that were uncomfortable for exhibitors, since not all the championship competition could be held indoors in Lexington.
The move offers “competitors and attendees alike an equivalency of experience in all aspects of this highly revered event. The selection of WEC was based, in large part, on the facility’s over 200,000 square feet of climate-controlled riding space, in which all championship classes will be held, more than 750 permanent climate-controlled stalls, delicious onsite dining, and numerous luxurious lodging options,” according to a statement from USDF.
“With over ten years of Finals experience under our belts, feedback from competitors, and extensive evaluation of options available that can accommodate the number of horses and arenas involved with the Finals, WEC seemed like an obvious choice to enhance an already exceptional event,” said USDF President George Williams.
“We value the long-standing relationship we have had with the Kentucky Horse Park. It is an amazing venue, and we appreciate the support they have provided over the years. Likewise, we are certain the WEC team will work in tandem with our Organizing Committee to ensure the honor, prestige, and experience matches that to which our competitors have become accustomed, as they take their turn down ‘the centerline of champions’.
“The Organizing Committee, USDF, and all involved in the Finals remain dedicated to providing a high-quality competition and experience.”
WEC General Manager TJ Campbell added, “We couldn’t be more thrilled for the opportunity to host the U.S. Dressage Finals and provide a national championship-level experience to the top dressage competitors across the country. Our facility is renowned as an equestrian sport destination and we have proudly hosted multiple championship events across several disciplines over the years, which makes us a perfect venue to serve as host for such a prestigious event.”
The dates will be Oct. 30-Nov. 2 in 2025 and Oct. 29-Nov. 1 in 2026..
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 12, 2024
The International Olympic Committee got a wave of petitions with 194,555 signatures during and after the Paris Games seeking to discontinue equestrian competition in the Olympics.
According to the FEI’s (international equestrian federation) update of the October dressage stakeholders’ meeting, the most signatures (83,510) came from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), with 30,000 in one week alone. Other petitions were submitted by such groups as the Animal Rescue Site and Change.org. During the Paris Games, there were 24 allegations of horse abuse, 19 of which involved dressage.
The FEI, which held its General Assembly this week in Abu Dhabi, is reviewing 20,000 photos from Paris in connection with abuse allegations.
But most importantly, the organization has established the Dressage Strategic Action Plan Working Group, with a framework of an Equine Welfare/Action Plan. That will involve rules revision, beginning the process of assigning an FEI registration number to all dressage trainers attending FEI competitions, developing a code of conduct for all dressage stakeholders and other initiatives.
FEI Sectretary-General Sabrina Ibáñez said during the Abu Dhabi meeting that the organization is emphasizing the role of humans as the protectors of horses, “a significant evolution in how we view human/equine relationships.”
Since dressage stakeholders noted a crucial aspect of the discipline is that it is practiced “without tension or resistance, ensuring harmony between the horse and rider,”
Sabrina has noted, “The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games showcased the best our sport has to offer in competition, but also brought to light challenges that have prompted us to reflect and reassess in the post-Games period. To many, this vision of what dressage should embody may seem self-evident. But as highlighted during the meeting, over the years the discipline has moved away from its traditional purpose and this realization requires a necessary realignment to the foundational principles of dressage.”
Somesh Dutt, the FEI’s senior manager for equine welfare initiatives and implementation, outlined 37 items that are part of the new action plan. They run from corrections involving training, tack and equipment to accountability, enforcement and knowledge and many other items. Ten actions have been completed, while others — such as ethical training methods and hyperflexion/rollkur — are to be initiated, and a few, including “tradition vs. scientific knowledge”, are ongoing.
While the abundance of signatures against horse sport continuing in the Olympics may seem discouraging, it’s only part of the picture. For an example of the other side, dressage master classes and freestyle by trainer Lauren Sammis at Equine Affaire in Massachusetts last weekend drew a total of 17,000 people who were interested in learning more about dressage over the three days. Amy Howard rode Grand Prix and the demonstration movements requested by the audience as Lauren presided.
“The people who were there love horses. It was exceptionally well-received,” Lauren noted about the presentations, which included a musical celebration of the horse in the Fantasia evenings. Obviously, there are a lot of people who do want to see dressage and other horse sports continue.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 24, 2024
Forty years ago, California’s Santa Anita racetrack hosted one of the greatest show jumping competitions of all time—the Olympics. That ended in a team gold for the USA, as well as individual gold for Joe Fargis and silver for Conrad Homfeld.
On Saturday night, the first grand prix at the venue since the 1984 Los Angeles Games emerged as a worthy successor to that landmark confrontation of decades past. A top-quality field of 40 (including the entire U.S. Paris Olympics silver medal team) gave the fans an exciting evening in the $400,000 Longines FEI World Cup qualifier that wasn’t decided until the last entry wrapped up the eight-horse tiebreaker.
The class in the shadow of the track’s starting gate belonged to Karl Cook and one of the fastest horses in the world, Caracole de la Roque, whose exacting, agile turns enabled the duo to outdistance Israel’s Daniel Bluman and Corbie V.V. by 1.68 seconds. Daniel continues to lead the North American League standings for the Cup.
Cara, as the winning horse is known, seemed to simply fly around the course designed by Anderson Lima of Mexico for the class that was part of the Split Rock jumping tour.
Caracole de la Roque and Karl Cook. (Shannon Brinkman photo)
The partnership between Karl and his mount continues to develop and deepen with every competition.
“She’s amazing. So game. So committed. She understands what’s going on before I do,” said Karl, who rode on the USA’s Paris team with Laura Kraut and McLain Ward, neither of whom made the jump-off at the track.
Laura had two rails with Baloutinue and McLain tapped the third part of the triple with Callas. Kent Farrington, who was named to the Paris squad but didn’t ride when his horse was under the weather, had been clear until the final fence with Toulayna.
Of his brilliant Selle Francais mare, Karl explained, “Every moment on her is a pleasure. As long as we’re going forward with speed, then there’s no `no.’ ”
Daniel also was aboard a mare, a newer ride with a dynamic spirit.
For his part, he observed, “If I give my 70 percent, [Corbie] is probably going to jump a clear round.”
Daniel Bluman and Corbie V.V. (Shannon Brinkman photo)
The rider, who has finished among the top 10 in each of the first four legs of the North American League season, added, “That’s a great feeling, to be able to have when you have this level of competition. I think the future is bright for her.”
Karl had the advantage of going last in the tie-breaker to log his clocking of 41.19 seconds, where the first to go, Ashlee Bond of Israel on Donatello had an incredible time of 40.44, but dropped two rails in the process to finish seventh.
Ireland’s Cian O’Connor balanced speed and caution with a new horse, a grey appropriately called Iron Man, finishing in 44.68 without dropping a rail to finish third.
Unexpectedly, chilly rain fell during part of the class in normally warm Southern California, but the riders coped admirably.
The Longines FEI World Cup qualifier course
The victory had special meaning for Karl, a native Californian.
“This is a wonderful setting, a historical setting, one that deserves, in my mind, show jumping,” he said. “I’ve wanted this investment—in time, people, and money—in California for so long.”
Disappointingly, however, Santa Anita is not a candidate to stage its second Olympics four years from now.
It was a wonderful venue in 1984, when all the equestrian competition was presented there except eventing cross-country (which was held at a nearby golf course). I will never forget seeing the racetrack’s grandstands packed to capacity with cheering fans as amazing sport took place.
The World Cup qualifier offered a compelling invitation to continue the highest level of the sport in the Golden State, and particularly at Santa Anita, but the Olympics is going to the 240 acre-Galway Downs venue in Temecula, because the 2028 Games organizers decreed each part of a sport must be held in the same location. There is no place for cross-country at Santa Anita.
Next for Karl is the Geneva, Switzerland, show in December as he continues to produce encores for his Paris performance.
Click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 23, 2024
It’s been a few weeks since a status report on Olympic eventer Liz Halliday has come out, but word today is that her rehabilitation from a traumatic brain injury continues unabated at the Shirley Ryan Abililty Clinic in Chicago.
A release from her friends and family stated, “Her grit and determination shines through each day and her body continues to show increased stamina.”
As a competitor, Liz Halliday was always known for her fighting spirit, and she continues in that vein through rehab.
They added, “We are more confident than ever that Liz is with the best team possible, and her daily progress and work ethic is evident to them as well as us.”
Liz Halliday has always been upbeat. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
They thanked Liz’s supporters, saying, “Your words of encouragement and support mean the world to us all and to Liz. Her peers, friends, sponsors and community have stepped up in a way we could not even have imagined. The equestrian community is a remarkable family and one we are so blessed to be a part of.”
Liz fell with her horse, Shanroe Cooley, on cross-country in August at the American Eventing Championships. While the horse was uninjured, Liz sustained a head injury and underwent brain surgery to relieve the pressure.The mantra of her friends and family is, #”Keep Fighting Liz,” and that’s what she’s doing. Meanwhile, her horses have been sent to other riders so they can stay fit and remain in training.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 19, 2024
The Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park is ready to host California horse shows in the new year after the Ridland Group completed a state-of-the-art plan to capture stormwater originating from its facility in San Juan Capistrano, according to a joint statement from that entity and the Orange County Coastkeeper organization.
The new infrastructure will keep contaminated storm water out of San Juan Creek, an important waterway that supports aquatic habitat and flows into Doheny State Beach. The plan resolves Orange County Coastkeeper’s concerns and cements the two groups’ alliance in support of clean water.
“We extend our sincere congratulations to the Ridland Group for completing this project ahead of schedule,” said Garry Brown, founder and president of Orange County Coastkeeper.
“We are excited to observe the new system during the upcoming rainy season and are confident in its success.”
Coastkeeper hopes the stormwater capture system can serve as a national model, proving that large-scale equestrian centers can be effective watershed stewards.
“This is a huge stride forward for the equestrian community,” said Hillary Ridland, CEO of the Ridland Group.
“With this accomplished, we can get started on all of the upgrades we have planned for the park. We thank Coastkeeper for its cooperation as we found our way to the finish line.”
In May, the U.S. Equestrian Federation reorganized major shows on the Southern California spring/summer calendar in the wake of Coastkeeper’s decision earlier in the month to bar any equestrian activities involving more than 25 horses from the Riding Park.
The indefinite closure was due to failure of the Ridland Group to comply with requirements and commitments made under a 2018 consent decree involving water quality, according to USEF. The Ridland Group also is run by Hillary’s husband, USEF show jumping chef d’equipe Robert Ridland.
According to a posting by the City of San Juan Capistrano, it entered the 2018 consent decree with Coastkeeper and the Ridland Group to resolve litigation arising from alleged water quality violations at the city’s Riding Park property. It required completion of three water quality projects by April 15, 2024, several of which were done by the city.
When the work was not completed, a competition application process for the Riding Park’s dates was begun for organizers who met USEF standards, license criteria and had a venue. There were 21 applications submitted, including by the Ridland Group, for the period from June into September.
The city, the Ridland Group and Coastkeeper reached agreement in mid-May on an amendment to the consent decree that extended the Ridland Group’s project completion timeline, allowing equestrian events at the venue. Blenheim Equisports kept five of its 10 shows at the Riding Park.Two Blenheim shows also were held at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.
Some show calendar decisions for California in 2025 are pending.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 20, 2024
Sabine Schut-Kery, the highest-scoring rider on the 2021 Olympic silver medal team, has received the U.S. Dressage Foundation’s $25,000 Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize.
Sabine will use the money for training Sonnenberg’s Jersey, a 10-year-old Dutch warmblood stallion owned by Gina and Dan Ruediger and bred by M.A. Van de Goor in the Netherlands.
At the 2024 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions this year, Sabine and Jersey were Intermediate 1 champions. Sabine will use the prize for intensive training with Christine Traurig, who also was chef d’equipe of the 2024 U.S. Olympic team.. Sabine will take video lessons with her German-based trainer, Jan Nivelle, and ride in clinics with Lilo Fore, who has judged dressae at the highest level.
“I am beyond excited and grateful to receive this year’s Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize for Sonnenberg’s Jersey,” said Sabine.
“This generous prize from the Dressage Foundation will give me more concentrated training to help me develop Jersey toward Grand Prix. Without this grant, our education would be limited, and we could not receive the training needed to reach the highest levels of the sport. I am extremely excited about Jersey’s potential and our future together.”
Sabine Schut-Kery and Jersey. (Susan J. Stickle Photo)
She continued, “I can’t thank TDF enough for the commitment, support, and passion for dressage in the USA and I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Jersey’s owners, Gina and Dan Ruediger, my coach Christine Traurig, and my close team for believing in us and supporting this partnershi. I will work very hard and hope we will make you proud.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 17, 2024
It’s the West coast’s version of “indoors,” the time-honored circuit that runs from the end of September through the beginning of November in the East.
The Las Vegas National, hosting the Marshall+Sterling Insurance/U.S. Hunter Jumper Association National Championships, is a standout standalone for a region where the most important shows are outdoors.
The venue is a casino hotel, the South Point. It’s 570,000-square-foot equestrian complex under one roof has 1,147 indoor stalls and hosts 46 weeks of equestrian sport annually.
Seeing riders in boots and breeches walking past the wildly dinging slot machines is a bit incongruous, but it’s fun, and they love it. The show, which ended its seven-day run on Sunday, plays along with the Vegas spirit, offering special awards for bling turnout to juniors and amateurs. They showed up in everything from a red-sequined jacket to a shiny pink jumpsuit.
Vegas first became a prime destination for show jumpers in 2000, when it hosted a ground-breaking show biz version of the FEI World Cup Finals, complete with fireworks, an Elvis impersonator and an abundance of glitter. It held the finals four more times at University of Nevada at Las Vegas’ Thomas & Mack Center, with the 2020 edition cancelled due to Covid.
The World Cup Finals at Thomas & Mack put Vegas on the map for show jumping. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
In the early 2000s, I attended a discussion at South Point about the possibility of having the casino hotel present one leg of the East coast National Horse Show after it left Madison Square Garden, but the idea came to nothing.
Decades later, the USHJA Championships demonstrate all that concept could have been, with classes running simultaneously in three rings and offerings ranging from jumpers over 2-foot, 3-inch fences to a $49,999 1.40 meter grand prix, national hunter derbies, leadline, all flavors of equitation and many more.
Show manager Pat Boyle remarked “The whole concept of this event with the USHJA is allowing the people who have never been to a really big horse show and finals before” to participate.
“It’s kind of a two-part horse show. You have this group that has never experienced this high level, all these affiliate kids who qualified in their hometowns locally at small shows and come to a big national championship, which is amazing.
“But it also caters to the high-end people. Everyone has an opportunity. You walk around, you feel the vibe, you feel the excitement. They come with grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles. To see the excitement at all different levels; it’s what makes you get up every morning.”
Families come out to support competitors at the Las Vegas National. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Yet this year’s show easily could.have been no show. The FEI component, which included a World Cup qualifier, was cancelled at nearly the last minute. But California’s Desert International Horse Park CEO, Steve Hankin, became involved to make sure the competition that is a goal for so many would go on, even without FEI classes. That was important.
“Kudos to Steve Hankin and all the partners at Desert Horse Park for jumping in when this thing maybe wasn’t going to happen at all,” said Pat.
“We said, `No, we can’t let that happen.’”
After a one-hour meeting with Steve, Bill Moroney of the U.S. Equestrian Federation and USHJA President Britt McCormick, “We pulled together and said, `We’re going to make it happen,’” Pat recalled, acknowledging organizers were conscious that exhibitors already had made their plans and reservations, while “kids have been dreaming about this for 10 months.”
Exhibitor Paige Walkenbach agreed about the youth perspective, explaining, “It’s a fun thing to look forward to at the end of the year. It’s cool being in Las Vegas for a horse show. It’s so random, but so fun.””
Paige Walkenbach and Princeton, winner of the national junior amateur hunter derby. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
The Arizona rider won the junior/adult hunter derby on Princeton and also claimed the California Professional Horsesman’s Association West Coast Equestrian Junior/Amateur medal final, a jumper-style equitation class. She comes back every year for it, having finished third, second and now, finally, landed on the top tier with Bigtalu GZ, a horse she began showing only the previous weekend.
Paige was also a star on the Eastern indoor circuit this year, taking the National Horse Show’s Grand Hunter Championship in Kentucky, and many other prizes along the way.
Being a winner East and West — which is more important for the rider who is heading to Florida for the beginning of her final year as a junior?
“Coming back here is kind of like a home to me,” Paige observed while wearing the colorful WCE medal around her neck after the three-round class.
“I live on the West coast, so it’s always nice seeing familiar faces, people I’ve grown up with. East is like a whole other world, new people. It’s just so special going to both coasts.”
Kasey Ament, a California professional, was victorious in the grand prix with her long-time mount, Gaia, “the fastest, the bravest, the most game.” She follows course designer Anderson Lima when he’s on the West coast because she thinks her horses jump better after tackling the routes he sets.
“I really enjoy this show,” the winner added, saying it felt more relaxed without the FEI classes.
“I come to Las Vegas every year,” said Kasey, who has ridden in the FEI grands prix at the show previously. She was the 2004 winner of the BET/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West, as it was called at the time.
Grand Prix winner Kasey Ament and Gaia. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
The success of the DIHP-produced fixture is even more impressive because organizers had a very short time to put it together without the FEI element.
“It is a very important horse show for a very important segment of customers,” said Steve Hankin.
“Even though we’ve only been at it for 60 days, we were hoping to make it special and I think the reaction has been great. There are not a lot of opportunities on the West coast to ride indoors. It’s a different horse show than it’s been. I feel really good about it.”
The big question is what will happen next year, and will there be an FEI component again? Without FEI, more riders had a chance to compete and ride in the main ring, the South Point Arena.
“I think everybody is trying to figure out a good path forward that maintains this special horse show,” Steve said.
Even leadliners, like Jamison Mahoney, have a chance to shine at the Las Vegas National. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“We’re pretty invested to continue to make it successful. It’s not, in the end, our decision,” he continued, saying that USEF and USHJA are also part of the equation, but he is “hopeful about it. We have a voice at the table.”
At a post-show meeting of the principals, he expects the conversation to answer these questions, “What did we learn and where do we go? I have more of a bias to try and figure out how to make it work than I did going into it. It’s a very important show to try to figure out and make it sustainable. We’re pretty happy with it.”
“I think there’s a lot of passion for it and a lot of desire to make it work,” he emphasized, adding that the South Point crew was “super to work with. What great partners they are. Everything we’ve needed, they’re been there for us.”
The USHJA’s Britt McCormick, making his first trip to the show, admitted, “I went into it a long-term skeptic. I’d never been, so I had nothing to base that on.”
However, he soon changed his mind.
“After being there and seeing the production Desert and Pat put on and watching the affiliate side, our side, I’m blown away by it.
“I’m a huge fan. I think it has the potential to be one of the top championships in the country. It was above and beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I see even more growth potential.”
