by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 27, 2020
Covid19 is causing the Standardbred Retirement Foundation to cancel three of its important fundraisers, at the same time that it is being slammed by the need for Americans to quarantine, keeping adopters away during the busiest time of the year for finding homes. More than 400 trotters and pacers are under the SRF’s expense and care. What this means is that there will be no funds to feed every one of its horses, making it an emergency situation.
SRF desperately needs to reduce its expenses and the number of horses now. It has already reduced staffing by 80 percent, The 31 year old organization does not receive any regular funds from any source. Support comes primarily from people who care about the animals.
The following is needed as the first effort to be able to keep all 403 horses fed and to avoid drastic action:
1. SRF is asking for Standardbred farms and breeders with pastures to take in a one or more horse on a permanent or temporary basis.
2. It seeks pleasure farm owners who have room to help by either providing a home, foster home or pasture where one can be squeezed in for any time period.
3. Use of farms with grassy pasture for horses to graze help with the cost of feeding.
4. Foster homes are such a huge help. SRF has everything set up on the website for those who can help with foster homes. This is the perfect time to be a foster, the weather is good, and you can quarantine at your your own farm.
5. Horse sponsorship will keep a horse that is with SRF fed during this crisis; it can be in any amount for any period of time. Sponsor a horse
6. Tax-deductible donations will make it possible to get through this crisis, and cover emergency care, if needed.
7. More than 200 Standardbreds are living out their lives with SRF, many had sizable earnings in the past, have lost their adopted homes, and are now considered too old for a life under saddle in a new home. SRF is requesting all racing owners and breeders whose horses the non-profit is helping, to help SRF now by sponsoring their horse, even if it was years ago that their horse came into the program.
Some horses just need a patch of grass, feed and general care, others require a little extra TLC, some are on the rebound from emaciated conditions and need more attention, some are already riding, others need a little training. Their ages range from 3 to aged, are mares and geldings, and are located in about 12 different states. They all have good brains, and great manners. Here is a link to a list of the horses in need, horses are being added until the list is complete.
These are desperate times that could never have been predicted. Every one of these horses is in imminent danger of SRF having to take other measures to get this manageable and must count on good people to reach out to help. On average, the cost per day just to feed the herd is approximately $4,000.
The link below provides information on adoption, fostering, sponsoring, and how to make a tax-deductible donation to help these horses. Please email to offer help, calls are being taken at 609-738-3255, but responses may be slow so please be patient.
To adopt, foster, sponsor, or make a tax-deductible donation please go to AdoptaHorse.org for questions please email SRFhorsesandkids@gmail.com, or call 609 738 3255.
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Donate to SRF Today
About Standardbred Retirement Foundation
Standardbred Retirement Foundation provides humane care and services for horses in need of lifetime homes, and in crisis, through rehabilitation, training, adoption, life-long follow-up
or life-time sanctuary, and offers therapeutic equine opportunities for children and adults.
SRF is a 31 year old registered non-profit organization, donations are tax-deductible.
Media Contact:
Tammy Cailliau
Phone: 609-738-3255
Email address: SRFHorsesandkids@gmail.com
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 26, 2020
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said the Tokyo Games could be rescheduled to be held before next summer, according to the newsletter, “Inside the Games.”
Bach was quoted as saying the Games would “not be restricted to the summer months.” That could solve the problem of the 100-degree heat that was likely during a Tokyo summer, when the Games originally were slated for July 24-Aug. 9. The prospect of such heat prompted moving the marathon 500 miles north, which annoyed Tokyo folks who were hoping to see the race pass by them on the street.
The newsletter also mentioned that there was a thought at one point of cancelling the Olympics rather than postponing, but now the IOC is going ahead and conferring today with the governing bodies of all 33 Olympic sports about the way forward. However, Bach mentioned that those involved would have to make “sacrifices and compromises.”
What that means for equestrian sports remains to be seen. There has always been a concern that equestrian could be on the chopping block as the Olympics modernizes with sports that are urban and young (see break-dancing and skateboarding as part of the Paris 2024 agenda) Is it possible that some sports may have to be dropped for the next iteration of Tokyo 2020?
The IOC is faced with the enormous task of seeing how the Games can be juggled with the schedules of so many sports, as qualification and minimum eligibility requirements come into play.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 25, 2020
U.S. Equestrian Federation mileage rules will be waived so the organization can allow for “major events” that had to be cancelled to be rescheduled later in the year, USEF CEO Bill Moroney stated today, while announcing an extension of the organization’s original 30-day suspension of its events from April 16 to May 3.
The suspension includes all USEF-owned events, selection trials, training camps, clinics and activities. The federation can only recommend that all its licensed competitions be suspended and that equestrians do not participate. If those competitions are held, however, points, money won and rankings toward USEF awards will not count.
USEF President Murray Kessler is planning to use his Presidential Modification authority to enable the shows to have a new time slot and develop a fair method for altering qualifications for these events. With that direction, “USEF has already implemented mechanisms to provide for flexibility and the ability to make necessary modifications to responsibly manage the competition calendar in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
In that vein, Moroney stated, “We are engaging with organizers daily and continue to review situations on a case-by-case basis.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 22, 2020
The International Olympic Committee is changing its tune and setting a four-week deadline to decide whether the Tokyo Games set for this summer should be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Although the IOC had been insisting the Games would go ahead as planned, pushback from athletes and national Olympic committees seeking a delay put pressure on the board to reconsider. The panel met today and said the “worldwide deteriorating situation” involving the disease has prompted another step in developing scenarios for the existing operation plan for the Games–or a change to its start date.
While the IOC is not considering cancellation, it will also look at the possibility of a “scaled-down” Games.
British Olympic Association Chairman Sir Hugh Robertson urged “rapid decision-making for the sake of athletes who still face significant uncertainty.”
He pointed out, “Restrictions now in place have removed the ability of athletes to compete on a level playing field and it simply does not seem appropriate to continue on the present course towards the Olympic Games in the current environment.”
USA Swimming and USA Track and Field were among the groups urging a one-year postponement of the Games. Athletes say that closed gyms, stadiums and pools have made it impossible to train properly for the Olympics. For horse sports, cancellation of competitions that were to be used for training and to select teams is also a problem. It particularly affects eventing, which has seen two 5-stars, Kentucky and Badminton, fall by the wayside along with other competitions that mean it is impossible for participants in that discipline to prepare properly.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said postponement would be necessary if the Games cannot be held in a complete way because of the pandemic.
“If the Olympics cannot be staged “in a complete way, a decision of postponement would be unavoidable,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee, backed by their Athletes’ Commissions, National Sports Organizations and the Government of Canada, have decided Canadian teams will not be sent to the Olympic and Paralympic Games this July.
They “urgently call on the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee and the World Health Organization to postpone the Games for one year and we offer them our full support in helping navigate all the complexities that rescheduling the Games will bring. While we recognize the inherent complexities around a postponement, nothing is more important than the health and safety of our athletes and the world community. ”
The Canadian organizations noted, “This is not solely about athlete health – it is about public health. With COVID-19 and the associated risks, it is not safe for our athletes, and the health and safety of their families and the broader Canadian community for athletes to continue training towards these Games. In fact, it runs counter to the public health advice which we urge all Canadians to follow.”
Australia also will not be sending a team to Tokyo if the Games get under way on their scheduled dates this year.
AOC Chief Executive Matt Carroll explained, “We have athletes based overseas, training at central locations around Australia as teams and managing their own programs. With travel and other restrictions this becomes an untenable situation.”
In a letter to athletes published today, IOC president Thomas Bach said that “we are in a dilemma” and “a final decision about the date of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 now would still be premature”.
He added that to postpone the Games “is an extremely complex challenge” and a cancellation would “destroy the Olympic dream of 11,000 athletes”.
In terms of a postponement, Bach warned: “A number of critical venues needed for the Games could potentially not be available anymore.
“The situations with millions of nights already booked in hotels is extremely difficult to handle, and the international sports calendar for at least 33 Olympic sports would have to be adapted. These are just a few of many, many more challenges.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 20, 2020
Former U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation Chairman Brownlee O. Currey Jr., an admired figure in the horse world, died March 18 at 91.
Many knew him as one of the owners of Touch of Class, the thoroughbred mare on whom Joe Fargis won team and individual Olympic gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. But he influenced the entire sport.
In 2016, the USET Foundation awarded Currey the R. Bruce Duchossois Distinguished Trustee Award, which is presented annually to one of its trustees, who exemplifies exceptional leadership, philanthropy and character. In addition to his stewardship of the Foundation, he led several charitable efforts, including chairing a benefit for the American Horse Shows Association during the National Horse Show, co-chairing the Nashville Charity Horse Show in 1985 and hosting the Music City Grand Prix to benefit Easter Seals and the Saddle Up! therapeutic riding program. He and his wife, Agneta, were also long-time supporters of The Hampton Classic.
Brownlee Currey
A fighter pilot during the Korean War, he became a businessman after earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Vanderbilt University. He was a director, a senior vice president and a member of the executive committee of Equitable Securities Morton & Company, Inc., a subsidiary of American Express.In 1970, he became vice chairman in New York of the Commerce Union Corp., which subsequently became Bank of America.
After resigning from that position, he purchased the Nashville Banner newspaper, which he served as chairman, chief executive officer and publisher between 1980 and 1998. In 1989, he co-founded Osborn Communications, a public radio company, and served as chairman until it was sold in 1997.
He served on numerous boards throughout his lifetime, including the United States Equestrian Team, the Show Jumping Hall of Fame and Museum and the Volunteer State Horseman’s Association.
Mr. Currey is survived by his wife Agneta; children Christian Brownlee Currey, well-known jumper rider; Stephanie Currey Ingram, and Frances Currey Briggs, as well as 12 grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Nashville and New York on dates to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Vanderbilt University, Gift Processing Office, PMB 407127, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN 37240 or Montgomery Bell Academy, 4001 Harding Road, Nashville, TN 37205.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 17, 2020
In a letter to members, U.S. Hunter Jumper Association President Mary Babick offered some guidance and information.
She revealed that U.S. Equestrian Federation President Murray Kessler has granted a Presidential Modification allowing Bill Moroney, USEF CEO, flexibility in shifting rules as necessary for the 2020 competition year.
“We will have to adjust many of our programs and qualifying structures,” Mary stated. “This is currently a moving target and we will update you as soon as we know an answer.”
She also noted, “let us not forget that for those whose incomes depend on showing, this may be a very tough time. As a community, it would be a great thing for the strong to assist those who are in need.”
Obviously, major changes have to be made across the board. Racing is an example; I point out the Kentucky Derby and Preakness are being held in September instead of May.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 16, 2020
Unbelievable. The spring (and likely summer) show and eventing season has been swept away by the virus pandemic, and who knows what will happen to the Tokyo Olympics July 24-Aug. 9?
(Note: In a March 17 communique, the International Olympic Committee issued a statement saying it “remains fully committed to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and with more than four months to go before the Games there is no need for any drastic decisions at this stage; and any speculation at this moment would be counter-productive.”)
Failing to consider postponement or cancellation of the Olympics in the face of the virus pandemic has been characterized as “insensitive and irresponsible” by Canadian gold medal hockey Olympian Hayley Wickenheiser, a member of the International Olympic Committee who leveled criticism at the IOC.
Noting the crisis is bigger than the Olympics, he pointed out some athletes don’t know where they can train but still have been urged to continue preparing for the Games in Tokyo this summer.
Without consideration of postponement or cancellation, Olympic pole vaulter Katerina Stefanidi told Reuters, the IOC is putting athletes at risk. They want to know what Plan B is.
“The stadiums have been closed for a week,” she noted, adding that athletes may get a special permit to go inside and train.
“But how can you train there, touching the same equipment and surfaces?” she asked, referring to the danger of contamination from the virus.
Meanwhile, the dominoes continue to fall in the equestrian world.On March 20, Britain’s 5-star Badminton Horse Trials finally gave in to the inevitable and called off the May event, Closer to home, the Upperville Colt and Horse Show in Virginia, slated for June, now will be held in September.
The first major evening competitiont to hit the dust was the April 23-26 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, cancelled on March 16 for the first time in its 42-year history. Needless to say, the 3-star show jumping grand prix that was to run with it at the Kentucky Horse Park is also a goner.
Oliver Townend, the world’s number one eventer, was a big star at Land Rover Kentucky. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Britain’s spring 5-star, the Badminton Horse Trials May 6-10 hasn’t been cancelled yet, but it seems only a matter of time. The Grand National, the world’s most famous steeplechase, won’t be going, and word is that the Kentucky Derby, famously run on the first Saturday in May, will now be held Sept. 5.
Then disaster struck closer to home, as word came that the May 6-10 Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event at the Horse Park of New Jersey was suspended, though organizers are looking for a date on which the 2020 edition of the competition can be staged, as soon as authorities deem it is safe to do so.
Tailgating is always popular at Jersey Fresh. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Morgan Rowsell, co-chair of both Jersey Fresh and the MARS Essex Horse Trials set for Far Hills July 17-18, said “This is all such a mess and we don’t know whether it ends in time for Jersey to run early in June.” Both were to be observation events for Olympic candidates.
As Morgan pointed out, “The NBA is gone, but the NBA has a lot of money behind it, it’s not like they won’t come back. These events that rely on each show to survive and now they can’t run—here we are.”
Essex is a “wait-and-see,” noted Morgan.
The Mars Essex Horse Trials drew some top riders, including Will Coleman. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
“We’re pushing forward and figuring and hoping in four months things will have calmed down.”
Rescheduling Jersey Fresh will depend on the calendar of the Horse Park, and I wondered if perhaps just for this year it would be possible to combine Jersey Fresh and Essex.
“Everything’s on the table,” said Morgan. “It crossed our minds.
“In extreme circumstances like this, what do we have in Jersey and how can we pull this all together? We need a 4-star moving forward. We need to get our international competitors ready for Burghley or the new (October) 5-star at Fair Hill. We need to get these people ready.
“We’re very much in the interim stage. We all could be shut down through the summer,” commented Morgan, but added, “hopefully we’ve got it licked in two months and both Jersey Fresh and Essex are ready to move forward in the best way we can, even if it’s a skeleton event with just the horses and the jump judges, and let the hoopla take a back seat, if the sponsors will follow our lead. Next year, we can make a better year of it.
“With the loss of Carolina, Kentucky, and Stable View, and Jersey Fresh postponed, there’s a need for qualifications going forward. We’re open to all suggestions at Essex and cooperation with Jersey.
“We’re a resilient community of eventers. We’ll bounce back and organizers will step up to the plate when it’s safe to compete. We don’t want to spread the virus, we’re going to do our part like the rest of the country. When the government says go, we’ll go as hard as we can to get back on track. Both events are important to New Jersey and the mid-Atlantic region in general, so if we could have both, that would be the best.”
Essex moved its date to July after encountering soggy footing the last few years.
Although eventually Morgan would like to have an all-weather surface for the dressage and show jumping phases, he said, “We will run on grass in hopes we’ll have drier weather. It’s okay if it rains; it’s whether or not we have an entire month of rain, which is what we had in June three years running.
“In July, typically the water table goes down and if it rains, it’s not that big a deal. We realize last year was not the best outcome, so we moved the date. We’re aerating, spreading sand and fertilizing to make sure the turf is better this year we’ll water if it needs watering,” said Morgan, who said perhaps they would incorporate some synthetics in the surface.
The lack of events this spring may work in favor of Essex, where the footing last year had some riders questioning whether they would come back. Now they will need an outing, so Essex may get the nod and hopefully it will suit them this time around.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 13, 2020
Pan American Games eventing medalist Patrick “Packy” McGaughan, 56, died in his sleep yesterday.
He began his career as a young rider in the late 1970s and went on to compete at the North American Young Rider Championships. He was rider in residence at the U.S. Equestrian Team from 1981 to 1982 under the guidance of coach Jack LeGoff.
In 1987, he rode on the U.S.gold medal team at the Pan American Games in Indianapolis, where he also earned the bronze medal individually. He graduated from Duke University in North Carolina and in 1991 from the University of Maryland School of Law.
A popular instructor in Area II, Packy operated Banbury Cross Farm in Clarksburg, Maryland. The farm was developed into a top training, breeding and boarding facility, specializing in eventing, dressage, hunters, and equitation. Packy produced numerous horses and riders to the highest level of the sport. He was a well-regarded instructor in Area II for juniors, amateurs, and professionals.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 9, 2020
Verdades, the USA’s top dressage horse of the last six years, will be taking his last bows before his public at the 2020 FEI World Cup™ Finals in Las Vegas next month.
Diddy, whose retirement was announced in January, will appear in the Devoucoux Dressage Showcase on Friday afternoon Apri 17 before his formal retirement ceremony the next evening during intermission of the Grand Prix Freestyle.
Owner Laura Graves, who got the personable show ring star as a weanling and trained him up to international stardom, has ridden him to second place in the last three World Cup finals, to a team bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics and to team and individual silver at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games
Explaining her choice of Las Vegas for his retirement, Laura noted that “Diddy.has so many fans and I wanted to give as many of them as possible a chance to see him before his retiremen.
“He has performed on the world’s biggest stages and there really is no bigger stage than the World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, so this is really the perfect place for his formal retirement.”
In 2009, Brentina, the top U.S. dressage horse of the early part of the century, was retired in an emotional ceremony in Las Vegas. Brentina was ridden by Debbie McDonald, now the U.S. dressage technical advisor and Laura’s personal coach.
Laura Graves and her Verdades have a special relationship that enabled them to become worldwide stars. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
To order tickets, or for further information on the 2020 FEI World Cup™ Finals in Las Vegas, go to the event’s official website at www.WorldCupLasVegas.com.
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by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 8, 2020
The Live Oak International, named after its signature trees draped with Spanish moss, is a boutique horse show extraordinaire. Started 30 years ago as a combined driving competition, it is the only fixture in the U.S. that offers both grand prix show jumping and top-level driving (five advanced national championships were awarded this weekend).
Unlike the crowded grounds of the major show series, Live Oak offers thousands of peaceful acres where horses can relax, grazing and walking peacefully through wide open spaces in a setting that feels like what we call “old Florida,” before the days of high rises and retirement villages.
Horses feel peaceful standing under the live oaks. (Photo ©2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
The show is put on by the Weber family. Chester Weber is among the best four-hand drivers in the world, while his sister, Juliet Reid, formerly was president of the Washington International Horse Show. Her daughter, Chloe, is a professional show jumper who upheld the family pride by winning a class at this year’s show.
Since 2015, Live Oak has been the final qualifier for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final ™. That’s particularly exciting during the years riders aim for the final in Las Vegas (2015 and 2020), because everyone is so eager to ride in that glittering city.
It always puts a little extra excitement into the $100,000 qualifier, and today’s class was no exception. The course was artfully designed by Olaf Petersen Jr., who is also laying out the routes next month for the final at the Thomas & Mack Center. His trademark is putting together designs that challenge the best riders while not overfacing those who aren’t at that level. And his favorite number for a jump-off is eight, which is what he got today.
Even better, the rounds got faster and faster in the tie-breaker, where the top three were all clocked in 37 seconds and change.
Adrienne Sternlicht is still bringing back her fantastic mare Crystalline, who was injured when she was on the gold medal team at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games
Finishing the $100,000 class was a must-do requirement in order for Adrienne to be able to ride the 12-year-old in Vegas. But she did far better than that, with WEG teammate McLain Ward helping from the sidelines. Adrienne was clocked in 37.96 seconds, beating the previous mark set by Devin Ryan of Long Valley, N.J., 38.66 aboard Caspar’s Lasino, owned by Olympic multi-medalist Anne Kursinski’s Market Street in Frenchtown, N.J.
Devin Ryan and Caspar’s Lasino. (Photo ©2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
But when Margie Engle set off on Dicas, the crowd was leaning forward, riding with the famous speedster as she turned in a time of 37.37 seconds to move in front of Adrienne.
Daniel Coyle, the red-headed Irishman who rides for Canadian Ariel Grange, was last to go and managed despite a slip by Farrel to edge Margie in 37.05 seconds.
When Farrel slipped, Daniel thought he had lost and wondered if he would still be able to catch the leaders.
Winner Daniel Coyle of Ireland and Farrel. (Photo ©2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
“Both Margie and Adrienne have fantastic horses and are fantastic riders,” said Daniel. “Our plan was to go to come to Live Oak International with the hopes of qualifying for the Final and this win has done that for us.”
Farrel obviously was excited about his victory. He reared several times, as Margie distracted Dicas from the antics of Daniel’s horse with a few well-placed pats on the neck.
Farrel made sure everyone knew who won the big class. (Photo ©2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
Adrienne, had a close call in terms of being able to compete in the $100,000 class after falling off in the Friday qualifier for the grand prix when the other horse she brought to Live Oak, Benny’s Legacy, took off long at a fence. Normally, she wouldn’t have been able to compete today, but since there were less than 40 vying for a spot in the big class, she got in.
Her performance this afternoon made her first in the Eastern sub-league of the Longines-sponsored North American League of riders qualified for the finals, with Beezie Madden second and 19-year-old whiz kid Brian Moggre standing third. Devin also won his ticket to Vegas, though he will ask the horse’s owner before making a final decision on whether to go West. But Margie is headed for Vegas with or without her horse; she loves to gamble.
The runaway winner of the Western sub-league is Karl Cook, while a seventh place finish today put Jenni McAllister into a Vegas slot, along with Alex Granato, who did not compete in Ocala.
The driving marathon Saturday drew a great crowd around the obstacles, where Chester (who had the best score in all of the hazards) drew the loudest cheers. He won his 17th national four-in-hand championship wire-to-wire, taking first in dressage and cones as well, while looking toward this summer’s world championships in the Netherlands.
Jacob Arnold drove a stunning duo of grays to claim the advanced pair horse trophy. Taylor Bradish took the advanced single horse title, as she aims for that division’s world championships for the first time. Katie Whaley (who designs the most intriguing hats) was the advanced pony pairs champ for the fifth time (while mulling moving up to a pony four-in-hand.) Three-time single pony titleist Jennifer Keeler is awaiting the first foal from her beloved Amazing Grace, whose offspring is arriving courtesy of a surrogate.
Chester Weber in the cones on the way to his 17th national championship. (Photo ©2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
So you can see that Live Oak is special, but it’s concerning that the show has lost its date on the calendar. Live Oak had kept the spot because it offered a World Cup qualifier, but as the list of qualifiers was cut from 14 to eight, starting in 2021, Live Oak did not get a renewal of qualifier status. So it will be the decision of the U.S. Equestrian Federation as to the show’s future.
It’s important to keep it going for show jumping, so horses can get a break from the all-weather footing at the big shows and enjoy jumping on grass. But it’s even more important for driving.
“This is the only (driving) event in the U.S. where we have more than one event (sport) happening at the same time,” pointed out Jacob, who is a member of the USEF board as an elected athlete. He noted, “It’s a great thing for our sport..We get more public, more attention, which helps obviously build driving’s name throughout the country. It’s a wonderful event, it’s very well put-on.”
Jon Garner, who took over as the show’s director of sport this year,said, “I think for the sport, this is a critical event to the calendar for sure. It changes the focus for the horses and riders, especially on the jumping side, because you’re on grass.
“For driving, it’s critical to have a high level event in your country. It’s going to raise up the skill level of the athletes. We have to find a way for 2021 where it fits and what the plan will be.”
The general opinion seems to be that a 3-star rating for Live Oak’s show jumping would fit in well on the schedule, particularly when the Winter Equestrian Festival across the state in Wellington offers a 2-star and a 5-star. A 3-star likely would draw more people, because it offers classes that are less difficult than a World Cup qualifier, I’ve been told.
Chester urged riders, drivers and anyone else who enjoys Live Oak to contact the USEF and tell the federation it’s important to get a date for next year.
“Without a date, we can’t have sport,” he emphasized.
