by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 17, 2019
Bill Rube, the former funds development director for the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association Foundation, is the new executive director of the Gleneayre Equestrian Program that utilized horses to help, teach and heal people in difficult situations, from at-risk youth to those taking advantage of equine-facilitated mental health care.
The Merchantville resident, who most recently was executive director of the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund, noted about GEP, “This is a very special non-profit because their mission means so much to me.”
“Simply said, if this were available to me as a teen, it could have helped change my path,” noted Bill, who successfully battled drug and alcohol addiction after suffering through it in the 1970s and ’80s.
Of GEP, he noted, “Their mission statement , ‘Bringing Children and Horses Together for the Betterment of Each Other’s Lives’ really resonates with me. I look forward to helping expand the awareness of this amazing program.”
Established in 1998, the GEP’s offerings include Equine Facilitated Learning, Equine Facilitated Mental Health and a unique Working Student Program that matches horses with youth seeking to learn about horses and caring for them. It’s “horses helping children helping horses.”
At-risk youth learn so many things from horses during the time they spend at Gleneayre. (Photo by Stephanie Enoch)
The mission statement for the GEP, which is located in Lumberton, reads in part: “We exist to provide a hands-on, experience-based learning environment for people in difficult situations, including children, families, and military personnel. We believe that the powerful connection between people and horses is transformational. Through horsemanship, we develop character, learn ethics and responsibility, grow physically and emotionally, and discover ourselves. Our own lives improve as we improve those of our horses.”
The GEP also provides a safe haven for their donated program horses to live with dignity, peace and veterinary care for the remainder of their lives. When the horses are unable to continue being ridden in the Gleneayre programs, they are transitioned to become equine ambassadors in the GEP’s non-riding activities.
“Bill is a wonderful partner to have, and we’re so excited to have him join us,” said GEP Founder Ellen Healey.
“We started some in-depth conversations about what horses mean and do and how they change people’s lives. I saw in Bill a very kindred spirit to the mission we have for this program. It’s a leap for us to jump from our local and regional community to be nationally known, but we’re ready for that and so confident in Bill’s guidance.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 17, 2019
For a half-century, the Somerset County Park Commission’s Lord Stirling Stable has meant a variety of things to many people. From lessons and trail rides to hunter paces, horse care workshops, educational offerings, pony parties, camp and therapeutic riding, the stable functions in ways that go well beyond an hour in the saddle. But perhaps the most important aspect of the facility in Basking Ridge is the sense of fellowship it provides.
Nancy Brown of the Friends of Lord Stirling Stable and stable manager Margie Margentino toast the facility’s 50th. Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer
As it marks its 50th anniversary this year, Lord Stirling celebrates the bonds that have grown not only between horses and riders, but also among the thousands who have enjoyed the stable for several generations.
“It’s my home away from home,” declared Libby Lux of Warren Township. “It’s a family atmosphere where you can volunteer and give back to the community and come out and have fun. There’s always something going on here. For the riders and the whole community, it’s just phenomenal.”
There are 76 horses at the stable, with 58 used for lessons, eight lead-line ponies and 10 boarders. Last year, 430 juniors and 570 adults rode in group lessons, while 1,140 private lessons were given.
Setting out on a trail ride with the stable horses. Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer
The number of places in the country where aspiring riders can be introduced to horses and riding has diminished under the pressures of development and the ever-increasing costs of horsekeeping. That makes a stable like Lord Stirling important in terms of an inexpensive opportunity to get involved with horses, while also growing equestrian sport.
If people aren’t able to locate a barn where they can start riding affordably, they will give up and find something else to do. Weakness in the base of the spot means there will be little chance to expand the equine business or develop potential equestrian stars among any but the very wealthy, affecting the vitality of the horse industry.
Abby Luther of Basking Ridge takes her third pony ride of the day at the Lord Stirling 50th anniversary celebration, with volunteer Tim Ryan leading Max. Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer
“Riding horses is an experience like no other, and not everyone has the wherewithal to have that experience,” observed Somerset County Freeholder Brian Gallagher.
“So what the park commission, in concert with Somerset County does, is provide for everybody to have that experience. Having the equestrian component adds an element to our park commission that not a lot of counties can provide.”
Those who have found their way to Lord Stirling treasure the time they spend there.
Rutgers student Dana Carron of Green Brook shares a special moment with Lord Stirling school horse Toby. Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer
“It’s my life,” said Bonnie Deo of Warren Township, who started riding with Lord Stirling’s original manager, Harry Case, in 1981. Bonnie, her husband and their daughter all rode there. She’s gone out on the trails practically every day for nearly four decades, noting “it relaxes you.”
“I’ve been coming here for so many years, I don’t think my car would know anywhere else to go,” laughed Bonnie, noting how much more is being offered now than when she first came to Lord Stirling. “Things change, but everybody’s attitude is always the same.”
The stable is located on a former cattle farm started in the 1890s by Dr. Charles Frederick Baker, a Newark physician. The property was purchased in the 1940s by John Jacob Astor VI, a survivor of the Titanic disaster (his mother was pregnant with him when she escaped the sinking ship.) The land east of Maple Avenue included a barn complex where he raised prize cattle; stables, paddocks, riding trails and extensive wetlands along the Passaic River.
After the Great Swamp was named New Jersey’s first National Natural Landmark, Helen Fenske, who led the fight to save it from becoming an airport, approached Somerset County Park Commission Secretary-Director Jack Moody in 1967 with $75,000 (worth about $573,000 today) from Sarah Mellon Scaife to help the county preserve the Astor farm. Moody obtained a matching grant from the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.
With the popularity of horses in Somerset County, Moody suggested to the park commission that it convert the Astor barns and stables to a county riding facility. He recalled, “We wanted to promote a broad appreciation of horses and the sport of riding among the general public.” The commission approved, opening the stable in 1969 with 30 horses and riding programs for adults and children.
The old dairy barn harks back to the days before Somerset County purchased the Lord Stirling propery and cows were housed in the building. Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer
Nancy Williams, who succeeded Harry Case as stable manager, has been associated with Lord Stirling for 46 years. She got involved when she worked at a hardware store in Bernardsville, where the stable’s maintenance men would come to buy supplies.
“One day they said, `Wow, they hired a girl to work in the barn.’ I’m like, ` Great, let me know when the next opening is.’ Two weeks later they came and told me, so I applied and got the job,” said Nancy. From stable worker, she became a senior stable worker, then assistant manager and finally manager in 1991. Now retired from her position, she still is a familiar face at the barn. People who come to Lord Stirling never seem to leave.
One of the most important developments in the last 20 years was the formation of the Friends of Lord Stirling Stable, a support network for the facility.
Terry Heide, the Friends’ president, notes how heartwarming it is to see “the impact horses have on people of any age; the gifts the horses give to the rider, especially lesson horses, they are incredible.” The Gilette resident noted the Friends group is able to fund things that the stable can’t afford as part of a budget-conscious public entity.
Margie Margentino, the stable’s manager since 2007, calls the Friends a key asset.
“They provide volunteers for various events, are instrumental in organizing and implementing events for the stable, such as the hunter paces, the holiday festival, fall festival, and Family Fun Day. The proceeds from the events come back to the stable in the form of capital improvements (i.e. lighting and footing for the arenas, run-in sheds, etc.) and other purchases such as specialized medical supplies, equipment, saddles, and horse purchases.
“Specific funds are designated for the School Horse Retirement Program. When a school horse retires, the Friends take care of the horse physically and financially until they can find the horse a suitable ‘forever’ home.”
Through the Friends, “over 50 horses have found new homes,” Terry reported.
School horses head back to their stalls after time in the pasture. Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer
With so much going on at the stable, Margie has her hands full, but it would seem she has been training for the task since the days when she participated in the Somerset County 4-H Horse Program in the 1960s and 70s. There were 500 kids enrolled at that time, and her father led the local 4-H horse club. An avid driver, she has competed on the local, national, and international level, predominantly with Morgans and Quarter Horses, and has been a driving judge, technical delegate and course designer.
A former board member of the Horse Park of New Jersey, she also served on the New Jersey Equine Advisory Board and the board of U,S. Driving for the Disabled, among other organizations.
The stable has been recognized as the Best of Somerset County Parks by the PATCH, and was named the Rutgers Equine Science Center’s Gold Medal Horse Farm for Environmental Stewardship.
But the best endorsements for Lord Stirling comes from those who ride there.
Friends’ Vice President Nancy Brown, who did not start riding until she was in her early 50s, was involved in organizing the September celebration of the stable’s 50th (complete with band and barbeque) that drew 300 people. She now is leasing a horse and is busy volunteering for the therapeutic riding program. The Hillsborough resident called the stable her focal point. “It means life to me,” she explained.
“It represents everything beautiful in my world.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 14, 2019
The Kevin Babington benefit show at Duncraven Sunday raised approximately $50,000 to help the show jumper, who suffered a critical spinal injury in a fall at the end of August.
Just as significant as the money itself was the fact that it came as a result of equestrians acting as a community for a special person who has become a special cause.
The competition in Titusville, Mercer County, brought horse people together in a way that is seldom seen in this era. Katie Benson, one of the show’s organizers, noted “everyone was there to lend a hand. It was a selfless day,” saying it reminded her of “the old days.” Everything was donated–the only things that had to be paid for were the portable toilets.
Jen Cassidy had the concept and put the volunteer staff together. Tim Fedor contributed his facility. Nancy Wallis did the course designing and building. Patty Miller offered her show date so the competition could be recognized, Karen Glover-Raach did the auction, Julie Koveloski handled the sponsorship and the raffle, and many more helped in other ways to make the show a rousing success. Decorations and flowers came from the Shannondale show and the Talent Search at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation the previous weekend.
“We had a thousand ways to contribute, and everyone did so,” said Katie. Her Briarwood team designed and built an Irish flag jump–appropriate since Kevin is a native of Ireland and has ridden on that country’s team. It went for $1,000 while a jump put together by Paul Jewell sold for $2,000.
The Irish flag jump was one of many creative ways money was raised to help Kevin Babington and his family at the Duncraven benefit show.
What made the show work was that “everybody knew Kevin, loved him and respected him. If it happened to the best of us, it can happen to the rest of us,” Katie pointed out.
“There’s a lot of sympathy there. Kevin is such a fine character through and through and everyone wants to support him in any way they can. As a rider, Kevin would share how to ride a course; it wasn’t about him, it was about your horse going well. He would do anything to make your day go right.
“We hope that financially they (Kevin’s family) can afford to keep him on the best care possible,” said Katie. Kevin is at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange and will have the need for more help once he goes home to Allentown. The healing process is lengthy.
“One thing we know from horses is that you can’t rush an injury to get back to the ring. We’d love to have Kevin right back in the game, but it’s going to take some stall rest,” said Katie.
Two days later, there was good news on that front. Dianna, Kevin’s wife and his rock, reported he was off the ventilator completely overnight, a total of 24 hours of unassisted breathing.
“This means freedom to travel when rehab is behind him.This means his diaphragm has gotten stronger. This means teaching will be well within his wheelhouse once he gets stronger! He slept well, maintained his oxygen status perfectly and is bright this morning.”
On Monday, Dianna posted on Facebook, “I don’t actually know how to express how much this means to us and how grateful we are. The expressions of love and support, offers of anything and everything to help, just the simple texts of “hang in there” has made a horrific situation livable. When we are our most distressed we think about the army of support we are so fortunate to have and know that we are not alone.”
Competitors came out in a big way, and as she noted, “many jumpers were wearing green, white and orange (the Irish colors.) Horses were braided with colored yarn or sprayed with shamrocks of green paint. It was unreal. There were jumps donated for auction that were stunning. Vendors were selling specially made items in honor of Kevin and people and horses alike were jumping jumps for Kevin Babington in the back field.
“What I noticed the most was the absolute kindness being demonstrated. There was a good will and sense of community that was palpable. It was the horse community at its best. I am so proud to be part of this special breed of people. I was hugged at least 50 times and everyone had a message for Kevin, which he will surely receive.
I want to specifically thank Tim Fedor for hosting this at Duncraven which remains a special place in our hearts. (Kevin had been based there at one point.)
“Today I came `home”’ and my head was flooded with memories everywhere I looked. I saw Kevin and I in our youth around every corner. We literally grew up at Duncraven and when I pulled up and saw no room for any more trailers, it took me a minute to get out of the car, I was so overcome with emotion. I could not have picked a more special place for this event.”
When she visited Kevin with their daughter, Marielle, and showed him all the photos and videos she took at Princeton Showjumping (which also ran benefits) and Duncraven, Dianna noted, “He was extremely moved and said, `When I get out of here, I have a lot of giving back to do.’”
She responded, “You earned this, Kevin, you are getting back right now for so much you already have given to so many.” He said “I still have lots to do.” But what he already has done is bring everyone together for something important, beyond ribbons and trophies.
Those who wish to donate to the Kevin Babington Trust via GoFundMe can click on this link: https://www.gofundme.com/for-kevin-babington-and-family
Other fundraising opportunities continue. The 1984 Olympic show jumping double gold medalist, Joe Fargis, will be offering a clinic Saturday, November 2 at Kevin’s home base, Ketcham Farm, 52 Hill Rd Allentown, NJ. The cost per session is $200 and all proceeds will go to support the Babington Family Trust. If there is enough interest, the clinic may be extended through Sunday, November 3. Please email Elizabeth at Elizabeth@KevinBabington.com
Those who can are asked to buy their feed from Babington Mills (http://07d.7d2.myftpupload.com/) , which is Kevin’s company.
Ruespari has designed a limited edition belt bearing Kevin’s signature. All proceeds will go to help him and his family. https://www.ruespari.com/rideforkbabs
To learn more about Kevin, here is a link to the story I did about him in July: https://nancyjaffer.com/2019-07-09/
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 9, 2019
The 99th Far Hills Race Meeting, the annual day of steeplechasing at Moorland Farm in Far Hills, is set for Oct. 19–complete with pari-mutuel betting and the usual lavish tailgating scene overlooking the racetrack.
Although the race meeting is, annoyingly, called “the hunt,” by some who don’t know better, it has nothing to do with hunting anymore. Originally, the races were a thank you from the Essex Fox Hounds to farmers and landowners who let the hunt ride over their property.
Over the decades, the hunt races evolved into big-time sanctioned races drawing horses from across the country and around the world, with the largest purse structure of any steeplechase meeting. It offers $850,000, $450,000 of which is awarded for the Grand National, and all the action is live-streamed.
The race meeting, which annually draws 30,000 people, benefits Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville. According to National Steeplechase Association President Guy Torsilieri, who chairs the event with Ron Kennedy, it has donated nearly $20 million to the hospital. The facility’s Steeplechase Cancer Center was named to honor the race meeting.
The event also partners with RWJBarnabas to support five other charitable organizations, including Cancer Support Community Central New Jersey, Bonnie Brae, ARC of Somerset County, Life Camp in Pottersville, and Liberty Corner-based Community in Crisis.
Open Road Auto Group and Peapack Gladstone Bank are the races’ major sponsors, but there is plenty of other corporate backing.
Tickets can be purchased online, printed out at home and scanned at 10 different locations at Moorland. Through Oct. 18, general admission tickets can be purchased in advance for $100 and parking tickets for $30 through area vendors and online. On event day, general admission and parking tickets can only be purchased at the gate. General admission costs $200 and parking remains at $30.
Gates open at 8 a.m. and the first of seven races begins at 1 p.m. For information, call (908) 234-9115 or go to www.farhillsrace.org.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 8, 2019
This is the latest from Diana Babington, the wife of show jumper Kevin Babington, who suffered a critical spinal cord injury in August. Kevin, who is at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, was off the ventilator for 12 hours today.
” They are keeping night support for safety. That jump was from 4 hours off and then a break then another 4 hours off. That is a huge improvement and (the) respiratory therapist said it’s shocking. Pneumonia is pretty much resolved. I have to believe the positivity from so many friends and family are largely responsible for this progress. Thank you for all the kindness, visiting, social media support and messages.”
A medical fundraising page on Facebook, posted by Sissy Wickes, raised nearly $550,000 to help the family with medical expenses and rehabilitation costs. The facebook link has been taken down, but those who wish to donate to the Kevin Babington Trust via GoFundMe can click on this link: https://www.gofundme.com/for-kevin-babington-and-family
Many other fundraising opportunities continue. 1984 Olympic show jumping double gold medalist, Joe Fargis, will be offering a clinic Saturday, November 2 at Ketcham Farm, 52 Hill Rd Allentown, NJ. The cost per session is $200 and all proceeds will go to support the Babington Family Trust. If there is enough interest, the clinic may be extended through Sunday, November 3. Please email Elizabeth at Elizabeth@KevinBabington.com
Meanwhile, there will be a Jump for Kevin benefit 1-meter class every Saturday of the Princeton Fall Equestrian Festival in Skillman (princetonshowjumping.com), with all entry fees being donated The entry fee is a minimum $50, but riders can donate more if they want. Every competitor also can donate a portion or all of their prize money if they let the show secretary know. Each rider who participates will be given an Irish green arm sash to wear in the competition ring.
All weekend parking proceeds also will be donated to Kevin. Volunteers are needed to help collect parking fees from spectators and donations from exhibitors who wish to do so. Contact princetonshowjumping@gmail.com to volunteer.
Plans are in the works for a benefit horse show Oct. 13 at Duncraven in Titusville, Mercer County.
Those who can are asked to buy their feed from Babington Mills (http://07d.7d2.myftpupload.com/) , which is Kevin’s company.
Ruespari has designed a limited edition belt bearing Kevin’s signature. All proceeds will go to help him and his family. https://www.ruespari.com/rideforkbabs
To learn more about Kevin, here is a link to the story I did about him in July: https://nancyjaffer.com/2019-07-09/
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 7, 2019
The New Jersey Equine Artists’ Association has put out a call for artist participation in its ninth Biennial “NJEAA Art of the Horse” June 7-July 5, 2020 at Prallsville Mills in Stockton,,
Needed are pieces along equine themes in any medium. The entry deadline is March 31, 2020. For information or a prospectus, contact xochitlb@comcast.net
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 7, 2019
Cassandra Kahle of Redfield Farm in Califon won the $30,000 WCHR Professional Challenge on Monday Balous at the Capital Challenge show in Maryland last week,when she topped a field of 33.
At the conclusion of the first round, Kahle and Monday Balous were tied for the lead with last year’s Professional Challenge winners, Amanda Steege and Lafitte de Muze. Both scored 90.33. Cassandra’s second-round score of 91.16, resulting in a 181.49 total, put her into the top spot.
“Going into tonight, I was nervous, but my expectations weren’t super high,” said Cassandra, 27. “I just really wanted to have a good time. I’m really lucky to get to ride this horse. He’s like nothing I’ve ever ridden before; he’s amazing. He’s got a great rhythm and canter, so I went in and picked up a good gallop. He kind of shows you the distances and the jumps.”
She nd Monday Balous, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Balou du Rouet, had to qualify for the Professional Challenge with ribbons in the High Performance division.
“I think I was just relieved to make it into the class. It was something I really wanted to do,” Kahle said. “I’ve watched this class since I was a kid. I admire the riders; they’re the top riders in the country that compete in this class. I think it’s something every hunter rider would love to do,” she said.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 6, 2019
The judges for the weekend’s Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East were serious about the mandate of the competition: a step on the pathway for athletes to represent the country in international competition.
So they made it a real test, showing the mettle of those in the starting field of 57 who aspire to ride for the U.S. team one day. The competition is a hybrid of equitation and jumpers, with knockdowns and time penalties counting in riders’ final total.
The top four—winner Ellie Ferrigno, runner-up Ava Stearns, third-place Sophee Steckbeck and fourth-place Dominic Gibbs–all raised their hands when I asked if they had international ambitions.
Sophee Steckbeck, third in the Talent Search, with Ava Stearns, second; Dominic Gibbs, fourth and Ellie Ferrigno, the winner. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
“The cream of the crop rose to the top and the ones that weren’t quite ready for it had their faults,” said Sue Ashe, who officiated at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation headquarters in Gladstone with her daughter, grand prix rider Molly Ashe Cawley. Molly’s daughter, Taylor, spent Saturday winning the World Champion Hunter Rider Pony Challenge at the Capital Challenge show while mom was busy judging in New Jersey.
The Talent Search has four phases, and even the opening flat segment Saturday morning was no soft touch. It was done completely without stirrups, and posting to the trot proved a bit challenging for some. The idea, Molly said, “was to put the horses together and get the right connection.”
A bigger challenge came that afternoon with the gymnastics phase, which had riders counter-cantering a loop toward the seventh fence, an oxer, and doing a serpentine at the counter-canter to the eighth obstacle, a vertical. Both fences were set at the 1.15-meter maximum for the class, and not everyone was up to the task.
A look at the difficult gymnastics phase.
“The counter-lead wound up being more of a pickle than it was meant to be,” said Molly, adding “I wish the counter-lead hadn’t been such a deal breaker,” while noting the point of the gymnastics was demonstrating “finesse to lengthen and shorten.”
Sunday morning was devoted to jumping a course, designed by the judges with the help of Olympic medalist Conrad Homfeld, a master at such tasks. The route was deemed “fabulous” by trainer Missy Clark.
The concept yielded the top four, who came back this afternoon to jump a shorter course on their mounts, with the idea of doing the same on their rivals’ horses.
With four phases, anything can happen, and it usually does. The water jump in Sunday morning’s jumping segment, for instance, often causes a bit of trouble. This time, several riders had their horses refuse out there. Included in that group was Nora Andrews, the leader after the flat phase. Then during the Final Four, Dominic was riding Sophee’s Itteville, who knocked himself on the wall obstacle. A few strides later, the horse started limping and it seemed as if he were badly injured.
“My initial reaction was shock. I didn’t know what to do,” recalled Dominic. “Then I heard everyone in the stands screaming, `Get off, get off, the horse is hurt.’”
We all feared the worst, but the chestnut eventually walked away with his groom and the show veterinarian thought perhaps he had just banged himself. He made a quick recovery, because Sophee rode him back into the ring for the awards ceremony shortly thereafter.
Sophee Steckbeck on Itteville. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Everyone wondered how the situation would be resolved, since Itteville couldn’t continue in the rotation. But show manager David Distler explained that everyone’s round on their own horses would count, along with two other rounds, for a total of three scores rather than four, while only the first round (Sophee’s) on Itteville counted and the scores on him did not count for the others who rode him.
That eventually left just one point between Ellie, on Discovery-O (she had been fourth coming into the final four) and Ava (second coming into the final four), who rode Acer K, at 269 and 268 respectively. Sophee, the leader after the first three phases, wound up with 224 and Dominic—who had a knockdown and time penalty in his initial round—finished fourth on 203. He did get a championship ribbon, however, as his attractive black Belgian-bred former jumper, Cent 15, won the Grappa Trophy for best horse in the final.
Dominic Gibbs on Cent 15, Best Horse of the final. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Molly wishes there were more young riders involved at the higher levels of the sport, and would like to see young people follow the big names in the jumping world and learn from them. Ellie, a 17-year-old high school senior from Newtown, Conn., who won the Region 4 Maclay title, immediately responded, “I watch every grand prix I can, because there’s always something to learn from that.”
Champion Ellie Ferrigno with judges Sue Ashe and Molly Ashe Cawley, trainer Val Renihan, Emily Smith of Platinum Performance and Daisy Farish, last year’s Talent Search winner. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
“We refer to her as `The Encyclopedia,’ ” said her trainer, Val Renihan, because if there’s any competitor in the world the folks at her barn want to know about, Ellie can tell them.
Ellie Ferrigno, Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East winner, on Discovery-O. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Molly isn’t a fan of the 1.15-meter maximum height for Talent Search fences that is in place this year. Previously, it was 1.20 meters, but the number of riders in the final had declined because not everyone has a horse capable of jumping 1.20 meters. The difference between the two is slightly less than two inches.
“I feel like they’ve dropped it down. It’s supposed to be (for) the kids who want to take the next step to the next level,” Molly said.
“Nobody’s going to water it down from here when you make the step to the next level. You can go from 1.15 meters to 1.50 or from 1.20 to 1.50. You have to get some grit. It’s not preparing better for the future of the sport by making it smaller and easier.”
Trainer Andre Dignelli saw it differently, saying that going down to 1.15 is bringing more people to the Talent Search. At 1.20 meters, he said, “I think if they weren’t careful, this class could near extinction. There were a lot of people here, there was atmosphere, there was good riding, there was more participation.”
Even at 1.15, the Talent Search is still a challenge, and the top four were ecstatic to have finished as well as they did.
“It’s such an unbelievable opportunity that we’re able to do a class like this,” said Ellie.
“We’re being watched on the great stage to be able to go on to do bigger things. I feel so honored to be able to take the top spot.”
Ava, 18, an Auburn University pre-med freshman from Chilmark, Mass., who won the Region I Maclay title and trains with Missy and John Brennan, said, “I appreciate this class because it shows off the fundamentals and has you work on flat work and the basics that make everything you build on top of better.”
Ava Stearns, the runner-up in the Talent Search, on Acer K. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Sophee, 16, of Clarksburg, who trains with Brian Feigus and Andre, said, “It puts you on the map to go further in the sport.” A 16-year-old junior at Notre Dame High School, she was first in the Maclay at the Devon Horse Show this year.
Dominic, 16, lives in Colts Neck with his trainer, Stacia Madden. He won the 2018 Hamel Equitation Finals and was making his Talent Search debut.
He said of the Talent Search, “I think it’s a really wonderful class to have the opportunity to prepare you for the larger classes and be accurate and show your riding skills.”
A very interesting fresh face on the scene, he started riding in Colorado. His trainer there, Karen Catov-Goodell, saw such potential in him that she sent him to Katie Prudent. He did the jumpers with Katie, but she felt he needed an equitation specialist, which is how he wound up with Stacia. He won the gymnastics with an impressive 98.
Dominic had to present a case to his father, Gordon, a physician, about why he should be allowed to show in Florida. His mother, Erin, was behind him in his dream.
“Because I love horses, I get it,” she said, noting it was harder for her husband to let him move away from Colorado, but he agreed.
Dominic originally wanted to be either an astronaut or a physician, but it’s obvious to him now that he’s heading toward a career as a professional horseman.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 5, 2019
Dominic Gibbs, a 16-year-old from Colorado, was in the lead half-way through the Platinum Performance/U.S. Equestrian Federation Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East today.
Dominic Gibbs leads halfway through the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
The teen, who rides with Beacon Hill Show Stable in Colts Neck, went to the top of the 57-entry roster after the gymnastics phase. He was marked at 98 for the gymnastics, giving him a total of 238 when combined with his flat phase score. Second is Ava Stearns on 231.8. Nora Andrews, first after the flat phase, earned 88.5 in gymnastics and stands ninth on 225.8.
Gibbs will go last in Sunday morning’s show jumping, set to start at 9 a.m. at the U.S.. Equestrian Team Foundation in Gladstone.
The judges are Sue Ashe and Molly Ashe-Cawley, the first mother-daughter combination to officiate in the Talent Search. hose who are really interested in equitation can see more of the riders than they would at the ASPCA Maclay or USEF Medal finals, where the exhibitors compete on only one day. Admission is free at the facility off Pottersville Road.
The Show Jumping Talent Search program dates back to the 1950s, when it was held during the National Horse Show in New York City for nine years until 1963. The Harry T. Peters Trophy class, the predecessor of the Talent Search Program, was a combined test. It consisted of dressage, held in the old Squadron A Armory, and a jumping test in Madison Square Garden. Early winners included Wilson Dennehy, Patti Heuckeroth, and Carol Hofmann Thompson.
What became the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search was started in 1965 by the USET as its equitation class, designed to fill the gap for juniors who qualified for the Medal and Maclay early in the year and had no further incentive to keeping showing in horsemanship.
The USET Medal Classes encouraged Young Rider development through the awarding of Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals for wins earned throughout the United States. At the end of the competition year, two riders who accumulated the most wins were invited to spend a week with the team in Gladstone the following year.
In 1982, the program incorporated year-end finals as a further goal. In 1994, the USET decided to change the name of the USET Medal Program to the USET Show Jumping Talent Search Program. This change better reflected the focus of the program by asking developing riders to meet a more difficult set of standards than required in other competitions, thus helping to prepare them for future international Show Jumping Teams.
In 2003, the USET became a foundation for the purpose of raising funds for equestrian high performance programs, and the newly formed United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) emerged as the National Governing Body for equestrian sports. The Show Jumping Talent Search Program became a part of USEF’s Show Jumping High Performance Department and continues to serve as the pipeline for future stars on their way to the high performance world.
Winners have included McLain Ward, who became an Olympic double gold and silver team medalist.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 30, 2019
Great Britain’s Ben Maher may have won the Grand Prix at the Longines Global Champions Tour New York over the weekend, but the real star of the show turned out to be, well, the show itself.
Ben Maher on Explosion W, who jumps like his name. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
It was a jaw-dropper to see how the arena, grandstands, stabling, warm-up area and vendor village were laid out against the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty.
An overview of the LGCT operation on Governors Island. (Photo©2019 by Lawrence J.. Nagy)
The setting was Governor’s Island, an 800-yard ferry ride from lower Manhattan. The island had been an outpost for the British military before the Revolutionary War and for the U.S. military after that. It eventually became a Coast Guard installation until 1996. It finally opened to the public in 2005 and is a popular respite from city life for those who come over. The only way to get there is by ferry, which complicated it as a site for a show, but the LGCT crew was up to the challenge.
Everything, including heavy equipment, tons of footing and the horses, arrived by ferry (or barges). The horses were, of course, in vans. We wouldn’t have wanted to see them walking around on deck…
LGCT is run by Jan Tops, a Dutch entrepreneur who has presented shows all over the world, from Shanghai to Paris. LGCT New York is his second show in the U.S., and its layout is reminiscent of his spring Miami Beach operation, which is located on the sand next to the ocean.
“It is important for us to be in New York,” said Jan.
“America is an important horse nation and we have a strong footprint in the States. We found a good place for the horses and riders,” he said of Governors Island, indicating the competition is likely to return to the site next year.
In addition to Ben, the big names and their horses were flown over from Europe, including Germany’s Marcus Ehning, second to Ben in the featured grand prix,, where he rode Cornado NRW.
Marcus Ehning of Germany and Cornado NRW were second in the featured grand prix, where no Americans made the seven-horse jump-off. (Photo©2019 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
European Show Jumping Champion Martin Fuchs of Switzerland was Ben’s teammate on the London Knights. They won the final for the LGCT League. Ben rates his mount, Explosion W, and Marcus’ horse, Clooney as the two best jumpers in the world.
London Knights teammates Martin Fuchs and Ben Maher with LGCT President Jan Tops. (Photo©2019 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
The Leagues involve a hodgepodge of mixed nationalities that seemed to have little to do with their names. The Cannes Stars, for instance, were represented in the team final by Margie Goldstein Engle of the U.S. and Abdel Said of Egypt. Team members wore collarless riding jackets in their team colors with appropriate logos. The Berlin Eagles, for instance, had—what else?—an eagle as their insignia.
Georgina Bloomberg has been very involved with LGCT. Her team in the LGCT League is the New York Empire and since her father, Michael Bloomberg, is the former mayor of New York City, there was speculation that she had an instrumental role in bringing the show to Gotham.
Georgina Bloomberg and Quibelle. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
When I asked her about that, she replied, “I wish I could take credit, but unfortunately, no. Obviously, we were excited when they decided they wanted to have a horse show in New York. I think people were a little bit concerned with the ferry ride and how that would work, but it’s definitely worth the trip. You can’t beat the location, you can’t beat the view.“
As she observed, “The ferry has been running very smoothly and it really hasn’t been any different than jumping in a taxi or having to drive. We have horse shows where you have to travel further distances to get to the horse show from the hotel and you don’t have views that compare to this when you get there.”
Even though her father is no longer mayor, I thought perhaps she might have been able to exert influence as necessary. Apparently not.
“There’s very little, obviously, we can do in the city, we don’t have the pull that we used to,” she offered with a smile.
“Jan is so talented at forming those connections with the different cities, he hasn’t really needed my help. Little touches I can add, but as far as the logistics and the actual organizing, that was all the Global Champions team.”
The Statue of Liberty had a good view of the action and all the riders, including Kent Farrington on Creedance, winner of the show’s final 150,000 Euro competition. (Photo©2019 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
For the team final and the 300,000 Euro Grand Prix on Saturday, the stands were filled with fascinated spectators, many of whom had just been visiting Governors Island when they learned about the competition. Others had made the show their destination, and the fact that there was no admission charge undoubtedly helped boost attendance.
Reagan Nunnally, a resident of Manhattan’s Upper East Side, said she had heard about the show from friends who had been going to LGCT shows elsewhere in the world.
“They let us know it was going to be in New York, so we came on out,” said Reagan, who has been a fan of Governors Island.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” she asked. “Such a special enclave that few people know about.”
After the success of LGCT New York, that may no longer be the case.
