by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 29, 2017
Olympic show jumping individual gold medalist Nick Skelton always said he’d retire when Big Star did, but his farewell is coming earlier than planned.
Although he had hoped to show this summer, plans to compete at Geneva and Olympia last December were scuttled when the horse came up with a slight injury. Although word was Big Star would be jumping again this past January, it was decided he didn’t owe anyone anything and it was time to bow out.
The retirement ceremony for both Nick, 59, and the stallion will be held at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May. Their last competition was the Royal Winter Fair, where I was lucky enough to see them jump.
Nick Skelton and Big Star at Toronto’s Royal Winter Fair last year, their final show together. (Photo copyright by Nancy Jaffer)
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 29, 2017
New Jersey’s biggest three-day event is set for May 11-14 at the Horse Park of New Jersey in Allentown.There are plenty of opportunities for tailgating on cross-country day, May 13, with a new water obstacle likely the venue of choice.
The New Beginnings Thoroughbreds tent is one of those spots where brunch and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Get tickets at http://nbt-jerseyfresh17.eventbrite.com. It’s $30 for adults, $15 for kids and those under 21.
There’s an array of top riders schedule to compete, including Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin, Jennie Brannigan and local favorite Holly Payne Caravella.
Whatever you do, don’t miss Jersey Fresh. For more info on the event, go to www.jfi3d.com.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 28, 2017
A new 4-star championship trophy is being given at Rolex Kentucky in memory of Roger Haller, whose celebration of life during last year’s Rolex weekend drew scores of the biggest names in eventing to pay tribute.
The designer of the cross-country courses for the 1978 World Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park and the 1996 Olympics, he served as a judge, technical delegate, organizer and perpetual proponent of the sport, serving all its various associations. Roger was a walking rulebook and always willing to help where needed for the betterment of the sport before dying of cancer at age 70 in 2016.
Artist Kerry Millikin–who won the Olympic individual eventing bronze medal in 1996 over a course designed by Roger–is creating the trophy. Since it takes a while to produce a work of art like the Haller trophy, a surrogate silver plate was presented this year to the winner, Phillip Dutton, the top-placed American at Rolex. He was fourth with Mr. Medicott.
Ann, who was involved in the presentation at Rolex, just became the competition manager for the Fair Hill International in Maryland.
Anne Haller presents a surrogate for the new Roger Haller trophy to Phillip Dutton on Mr. Medicott. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
“We hit the trifecta with Ann. She has organized events, stewarded FEI eventing competitions, and has been the press officer at events across the nation. She has a true 360-degree view of competitions. We couldn’t have asked for a better partner to join us,” said Fair Hill International’s executive director, Carla Geiersbach, stated.
Ann will coordinating technical aspects of all of the events that Fair Hill International runs throughout the year.
Fair Hill just received a $100,000 allocation from the Maryland legislature that could help boost its chances to host a new fall 4-star. Fair Hill is one of two finalists for the designation; the other is Great Meadow in Virginia.
Discussing the legislative support and vote of confidence that will be reflected in massive upgrades to the Fair Hill facility, Carla said, “We think that speaks volumes about the support for the project. The improvements to the turf track and the grandstands will benefit all the different disciplines that use the special events zone.”
Roger Haller. (Photo by Nancy JaffeR)
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 25, 2017
Two big names have dropped out of next week’s FEI World Cup finals in Omaha due to horse health issues.
Defending champion Hans Peter Minderhoud of the Netherlands bowed out when Glock’s Flirt came up lame. Then Jessica van Bredow-Werndl of Germany–who already was in Omaha–had to send her regrets after Unee BB colicked before getting on the plane to the U.S.
While it would have been fun to see them in action at the Cup, the odds are that the winner will be Isabell Werth of Germany, the most decorated Olympic equestrian ever, on Weihegold OLD.
U.S. entries in what is now a 16-horse field are Laura Graves (Verdades), Kasey Perry-Glass (Goerklintgaard’s Dublet) and Steffen Peters (Rosamunde).
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 15, 2017
A joint project of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, the new multi-use Hutchinson 3.5-mile trail at Sterling Forest State Park in Tuxedo, N.Y., has its official opening March 25 at 11 a.m.
Equestrians, hikers and mountain bikers are welcome at the ceremony for the trail, which winds its way through hemlock forests and historic mining sites. It is also a project of the Sterling Forest State Park and the New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Geo-location: N41.20686 W 74.239673. Caretaker Parking Lot, Long Meadow Road (Route 84), 1 mile north of Sterling Forest Visitor center. Parking Entrance will be flagged.
For more information, call Soňa Mason, West Hudson program coordinator,New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, 600 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ. Call her at 201-512-9348 or 845-664-0417 (cell).
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 13, 2017
Laura Chapot dominated the $35,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic Sunday at the Winter Equestrian Festival, winning on her reliable Quointreau un Prince and finishing second on Thornhill Kate, a mare she started riding last year.
Kent Farrington, one of the fastest riders anywhere and ranked number two in the world, had to settle for third with Dublin, timed in 36.69, behind Prince’s 34.79 mark and Kate in 35.88.
Laura, who is adept at going for it against the clock, noted, “The jump-off was really fast, so I just took a big shot at it, and they came through for me.”
The rider from Neshanic Station observed, “I think I have turned Kate more into a ride similar to Prince.
“When I first got her, she was used to going more up and down and not quite as forward and long-strided. Now she really loves to gallop and leave out strides. She actually has a very big stride, so she is becoming more similar to Prince, who is just a pleasure to ride. You just gallop with him, and if he sees a long distance, he gets there in a heartbeat.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 8, 2017
A comedy night benefiting Spring Reins of Life will be held March 18 at the Flemington Elks Lodge. A buffet and cash bar is available at 5:30 p.m., with comedians performing from 7-10 p.m.
Spring Reins of Life is an EAGALA model certified program, the first and only program with “Military Services Provider” certification in New Jersey (working with Lyons veterans’ hospital and three PTSD units). The organization also works with at-risk/high-risk teens from New York and New Jersey, and partners with Good Grief Princeton providing services to children from six to nine years old.
Tickets are $35 each or $350 for a table of 10. Send check or money order to: Spring Reins of LIFE, P.O. Box 5311, Clinton, NJ 08809. Specify how many tickets you are purchasing List your name, phone and email so receipt can be confirmed. Orders for tickets by mail must be posted by March 11.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 8, 2017
The Helping Horseshoe Therapeutic Riding Club, in partnership with the Equine Tranquility Wellness Center, is hosting an open house. March 19 from 1-4 p.m. at 134 Airport Road, Andover.
It’s a chance to meet the horses and see the farm, while speaking with the trainers, volunteers and staff. Guests also are invited to take a walk on the sensory trail. For more information, call Colleen at 201-970- 3400.
Learn about the facility’s offering, open to all ages and abilities, that include riding lessons, diversion programs, summer day programs, work-study programs and community service hours. Spring recreational therapeutic riding lessons for individuals with special needs begin March 18.
Also available is a volunteer training session for anyone interested in volunteering with equine assisted activities.Volunteers are needed to lead and side-walk, help with the stable, grounds, fundraising, and office work. Private training can be scheduled for those who are unable to attend but want to volunteer. For more information, go to http://www.helpinghorseshoe.org.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 8, 2017
By Nancy Jaffer
February 28, 2017
He’s got a list of international contacts that ranges from royalty to captains of industry and star athletes. Jim Wolf, a go-getter who has experience in both administration of equestrian sport and finding sponsorship for it, is going to be turning his fundraising talent to the needs of the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation.
Jim Wolf, new deputy executive director of the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
The organization announced this week that the Lebanon Township resident has been named its deputy executive director. In one sense, it’s a homecoming for Jim, who began working for the USET more than two decades ago, when it was in charge of training, fielding and funding competitors in the international equestrian disciplines.
On the other hand, he never really left the USET’s Gladstone headquarters. After the fledgling U.S. Equestrian Federation took over the team training and fielding responsibilities early in this century, Jim was made its director of sport programs, while the USET became a foundation focused on the fundraising needed to get American athletes on the medal podiums. He has continued to work in an office at the century-old stable that serves as the foundation’s base, where a number of USEF employees also are located.
In 2013, the former eventer started Wolf Sports Group LLC, a sports and entertainment agency dealing with business development and event management, while continuing to be involved in consulting work with the USEF. He also served as a consultant for Equestrian Sport Productions and the Tryon International Equestrian Center, home of the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, as well as the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the National Steeplechase Association.
Wolf Sports Group’s sponsorship links have included Rolex, Land Rover, Coca-Cola and many other firms, along with a variety of equestrian-oriented companies.
Noting the importance of the USET foundation’s work in assuring success for America’s international equestrian efforts, Jim explained, “We’re one of the only countries in the world that doesn’t receive sport funding from the government. For years, I led the teams and saw first-hand the need to be able to extend our efforts to be competitive on the international stage.”
It takes a lot of funding to enable U.S. riders to have a gold medal performance, like this one at the 2015 Pan American Games. (Photo by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Although he has spent the last several years involved with organizing events, Jim noted, “This opportunity was one I thought would enable me to continue to make contributions to the sport in a different way. It’s a donor base I’m very familiar with. I have very good connections and I obviously know the sports extremely well and know where the real need is for the funding. I think I’m uniquely positioned to do well in this role.”
Wolf Sports Group will be honoring its contract and working with the USEF until the end of the year, but as Jim noted, “it won’t be taking on any new clients in the at this time, as I need to put all my energy and attention behind the fundraising effort for the USET Foundation.”
Jim knows what it takes to succeed in the arena from the inside-out, as he served as U.S. chef de mission at five Olympic Games, five world championships and four Pan American Games. Before getting the sports program position, Jim was the USEF’s assistant executive director/director of games preparation and athlete programs and prior to that, director of eventing activities.
He is married to Dr. Molly Bliss, a former U.S. eventing team member who competed in the first WEG in 1990. They have a daughter, Josselyn.
“We are very excited to have a person of Jim’s caliber joining the USET Foundation as deputy executive director,” said Bonnie Jenkins, the foundation’s executive director.
The U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation headquarters in Gladstone. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
“His expertise and depth of knowledge of high performance equestrian sport, his broad range of relationships throughout the country and among the equestrian disciplines, as well as his experience in event management, will directly impact our fundraising efforts and help the foundation continue to grow and expand throughout the country. Jim’s professional experience, combined with his love of our United States equestrian teams, makes him the ideal person to fill this new position.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 24, 2017
There’s still time to register for the Rutgers Equine Science Center Horses 2017 program. It’s an opportunity to hear from the “Best of the Best” during an extravaganza of equine information March 18-19 in Piscataway.
Tickets at the door are are $80 per day or $125 for both days for adults, and $45 a day or $80 for the weekend for students. Go to http://esc.rutgers.edu/horses-2017 to take a look at the line-up of speakers and topics, as well as to get information about registration.
Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. In this e-mail a link to the “Session Preference Form” will take you to a form where you can select the sessions that you wish to attend.
Set for a new location in the Livingston Student Center, this can’t-miss seminar will cover everything from equine dentistry and manure and pasture management to saddle fitting and that most interesting question “Do you want to own a horse?” Find out what it will cost you.
The keynote speaker on the Saturday will be Wendy Williams, author of “The Horse: The Epic History of our Noble Companion,” who will be discussing, “Can horses read?”
The next day, the keynote speaker is Jeff Thomason (known for his ability to bring equine anatomy to life) of the University of Guelph in Canada. An expert on the form and function of the equine hoof, he’ll be talking about the effect of footing on horses.
And there’s more, including dealing with ulcers, learning about nutrition, the basics of farriery, pain management. Like to shop? A trade show will be on hand, as will representatives of equine-oriented non-profits.
An “Ask The Experts” panel will wrap up the proceedings each day. It will include some of the speakers from previous sessions, as well as Rutgers professors, to answer questions.
There also will be special programs for young people, many of whom will be interested in a panel of veterinary students talking about what life is like in vet school.
For more details, go to https://goo.gl/W9l9aA
