by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 2, 2025
They came from as far away as the West Coast to recapture their memories in New Jersey and once again connect with riding friends they had cherished for decades.
The hundredth anniversary of Union County’s Watchung Stables merited a special celebration, not only of a venerable lesson barn, but also of the people it charmed and transformed.
“Watchung meant everything to me, Watchung changed my whole life,” said Kim Hewitt Bonstein, who started riding by taking lessons at the stable and married Bill Bonstein, a Junior Essex Trooper she met there.
Kim and Bill Bonstein at Watchung’s 100th. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
“All my friends are somehow related to horses,” noted the Chester resident, who laughed about getting up at 4:30 a.m. in her teens when it was time to sign up for a new Watchung Troop season, in order to make sure she could get in. Kim went on to become a professional horse trainer. Bill spent some time at the U.S. Equestrian Team, working for the legendary coach Bertalan de Nemethy and handling projects around the stable in Gladstone.
During the Boots & Bling Gala organized Sept. 28 by the Watchung Stables Auxiliary at the Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth to commemorate the stable’s century, many of those attending offered similar comments about how much the facility has meant to them.
Ellen Newell Rogers, who grew up in New Providence on the border of Summit, rode at Watchung from 1967 to 1973. Now a resident of Arizona who made the pilgrimage back to New Jersey for the celebration, she described herself as “a barn rat” who still keeps up with friends from Watchung days on Facebook.
Her pal, Susan Valla, came from California to attend.
Susan Valla and Ellen Newell Rogers. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I would sit in school on Friday afternoons hoping it didn’t rain so we could ride,” later that afternoon, Susan said. The love of horses kindled by her troop days led Susan to attend Centenary College (now University) for its equestrian program, and she worked at the racetrack for top trainer Richard Mandella.
Barns that give prospective riders a start are fewer and fewer these days, making Watchung’s longevity even more important and unusual. It has turned out many thousands of riders over the generations.
While the top levels of horse sport currently are thriving and gilded with mounts that cost six or seven figures, how do those who are interested begin their contact with horses in an economical way? Watchung still has the answer.
“It’s a place where can kids can go to get their first exposure to a horse and take lessons. It’s a blessing that Union County still does that,” said Jimmy Lee, president of the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame and one of the country’s most respected horse show judges. He officiated at a Watchung Troop show about five years back and liked what he saw.
When he lived in Westfield, N.J., many decades ago, Jimmy rode in “Troop 7 on Wednesday afternoons,” he recalled. One vivid memory involved mucking stalls during the winter in exchange for being able to exercise Watchung’s horses for free.
“We rode them bareback with a halter and lead ropes and galloped around in the snow. We had a great time. Those trails were wonderful,” he said.
Jimmy is just one person well-known in the horse industry who was part of the Watchung scene. Another was Frank Chapot, captain of the U.S. show jumping team who went on to be its coach. Skipper Schroeder won both the hunt seat and saddle seat championships at the National Horse Show. Vince Murphy, the former president of the U.S. Equestrian Team, used to ride in the adult troop. Roger Haller, who became a key figure in the development of U.S. eventing, rode at Watchung with Junior Essex Troop B of Cavalry (Troops A and C were located in West Orange.)
With our ribbons after a jumping class in 1963: Me, Roger Haller and BJ Fleming Coghan.
Union County officials came up with the stable concept in 1925, building the facility in Summit with access to the 2,000-acre Watchung Reservation.
It opened in 1926, operated by the Watchung Riding & Driving Club until shortly before the Great Depression, when it became half-empty as those involved opened their own stables in the area.
According to a history of the stable by Doug Bailey, a longtime Watchung instructor and advisor to the Watchung Junior Hunt Club, F.S. Mathewson of the Union County Park Commission decided to broaden the stable’s appeal by offering lessons.
In 1933, the commission took over the stable, which soon was run by Major Tom Tully, a member of the Essex Troop Horse Cavalry at Westfield.
The Watchung lessons were offered in troops run with a cavalry flair. Troopers still wear the uniform of powder blue shirts and yellow ties, with patches over the pocket signifying which troop they belong to, and on the sleeve with the stable insignia.
A view of the original stable. (Photo courtesy Union County)
Larry Goodwin kept his troop shirt and wore it to the celebration. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
They would assemble before their lessons in straight lines in front of the stable and get the information they needed for that day before mounting up. Such discipline was put to good use on a mid-April afternoon in 1957, when a fire broke out in the stable.
Troopers proceeded calmly to unsnap the horses from the ties on their stalls, as they would before a lesson, and lead them out ahead of the flames. Other troopers helped grooms carry out saddles and equipment. All the horses survived and spent the summer living in tent stalls, but were back in a rebuilt barn by the fall.
Major Tully was succeeded as manager of the stable by Bob Luihn, who also was a rodeo rider.
Eileen Scarinci, 80, who won the oldest trooper award at the gala, began riding at Watchung in 1955.
“Watchung was the most important thing in my life, it was the thing I looked forward to,” she said.
Eileen Scarinci was the oldest former trooper at the celebration. (Photo © 2025 by Paula Jensen)
She brought her daughter, Regina, to Watchung, as did many troopers, with several generations tracing their riding roots to the stable.
Regina recounted, “The first time I rode there, the horse reared and I fell off. I said, `I’m never getting back on.’ ”
Eileen smiled, remembering how “Bob Luihn came over to me and asked, `Is that your kid?’ ”
When she said yes, he told Eileen, ” `Put her back on the horse’ and that was it.”
Mother and daughter went on to keep horses at their home in Scotch Plains and Regina still rides in Hunterdon County.
Roy Butterworth took over from Bob Luihn before management duties went to Hilton Williams, who ran the stable for approximately 22 years. He attended the celebration.
“Watchung has produced a lot of friends,” said Hilton, whose horsemanship skills created a legacy that influenced many young riders.
“I think I reached a lot of kids,” he commented in a masterpiece of understatement.
BJ Fleming Coghan and Hilton Williams. (Photo © 2025 by Paula Jensen)
Hilton was succeeded by Rachel Bechtold, who runs the stable today.
County Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded said Rachel told her she has attended hundreds of weddings over the years, and most of them involved people from the stable.
“We always say our parks are the crown jewels of the county but I think the stable is the leader of that,” observed the commissioner.
“It’s such a magnificent facility and the work that is done there with our community, our youth, residents of all ages, is something so special and something we truly cherish at the county.
“It’s remarkable to hear the stories of the friendships that were made, the camaraderie and the love that people continue to have for one specific place. It’s very heartwarming.”
Making way for Route 78’s “missing link,” in 1985, the stables moved from Summit to a former Nike missile base in neighboring Mountainside. The facility, now run by the County Department of Parks and Recreation, has been expanded and upgraded over the years. In the planning stages is a 9,900-square-foot therapeutic riding building at the northeastern end of the site. The ADA-accessible structure will feature an 80’ x 95’ indoor ring, tack room, restroom and viewing platform.
The stables today. (Photo courtesy Union County, N.J.)
Auxiliary President Brigid Robertshaw of Westfield started riding as an adult trooper and her daughter, Casey, now majoring in equestrian studies at Delaware Valley University, also rode at Watchung.
“To be able to drive 10 minutes and be at this place and we can actually afford it, it’s a tremendous gift,” said Brigid.
“I really appreciate the fact that the stable exists and that’s why I felt compelled to get involved.”
She helped revive the auxiliary after Covid with the idea that. “Whatever the barn needs, we’re going to try to make it happen.”
It’s a broad mandate, which has included buying blankets for the horses, replacing saddles and having appreciation lunches for the stable staff, as well as organizing the gala during the last year. Those who wish to join the auxiliary can get information at this link.
Zunilda Sanchez of the Auxiliary put together this display using items collected by BJ Fleming Coghan of Summit, who saw it as a tribute to Atlas, the horse on which she won Watchung’s Senior Championship in 1962. (Photo © 2025 by Paula Jensen)
Paula Jensen of Blairstown, who has several retired thoroughbreds, said professionals have complimented her on her position and effectiveness in the saddle.
“Where did you learn to ride?” they would ask her, and she replied with one word, “Watchung.”
She improved by riding horses of every ability and temperament during her days at the stable. Paula, who grew up in Westfield, is grateful for that experience.
Watchung is very reasonably priced, but even in days gone by, it could be a bit of a stretch for some families on tight budgets. Parents would make an effort, however, being aware that riding was a priority for their children.
“Somehow, my mother found the money for troop every season,” Paula recalled. .
Erin Gilmartin was involved with Watchung from 1962 to 1979. In addition to taking lessons, she rode for Bill Keegan, who kept his own horse at the stable.
“Looking back, it meant so much and made me what I am today,” said Erin of her experience at the stables.
“I have a terrific work ethic and camaraderie with people. The love of horses never goes away and affects everything you do. It was all those formative years, it was rigid military,” said the former captain of Troop 3 on Fridays, who also was president of the Watchung Junior Hunt Club.
“It was a remarkable upbringing and friends you’d never forget.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 10, 2025
The new U.S. Open of Eventing Final is ongoing at the Morven Park International Equestrian Center in Virginia, the week before the Maryland 5-star and two weeks before the Pau, France, 5-star. Next month, there’s the 4-star Long at TerraNova near Sarasota, Fla. Seems like overload, though the U.S. Open’s $200,000 in prize money was able to draw a field of 30.
Leading the way after two days of dressage is Will Coleman ‘s veteran Off the Record, on top of the 4-star Long Open with 25.1 penalties. However, that’s a mere 0.1 penalties ahead of Sharon White and Claus 63. Meanwhile, that combo is just 0.8 in front of Boyd Martin and Liz Halliday’s former ride, Miks Master C.
Sharon White and Claus 63. (Erin Gilmore Photo)
Discussing his longtime partner, Will said, “He’s a star…professional as they come. He knows the job and he really was just excellent for me today. I’m so appreciative of him.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s cross-country designed by Derek di Grazia, he said “It’s a stiff enough course.”
While noting that Timmy, as his mount is known, “is not the most gifted galloper, he has a good engine and I’m hoping if I’m hyper-efficient, I can get around clean and then maybe get close to the (optimum) time.”
Boyd Martin and Miks Master C. (Erin Gilmore Photo)
Click here for Open results and to find out what’s happening in the other divisions at the Morven Park International and Fall Horse Trials.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 29, 2025
Dr. Donald Rosato, a familiar figure on the box seat of his Rokeby coach, died earlier this month. A lifelong resident of Devon and Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, the four-in-hand driver was 90.
He was a regular winner in the coaching classes at the Devon Horse Show.
Dr. Donald Rosato in his favorite spot behind his team of horses.
Dr. Rosato earned a medical degree from Temple University, and a Ph.D. in Public Health from Harvard. An Army major and flight surgeon, he went on to take over his father’s medical practice in Devon, where his family lived for four generations after emigrating from Abruzzo, Italy.
In 2023, he was inducted as a Legend of the Devon Horse Show. An avid fox hunter, his passion for the sport was evident early as he followed Syl Quigley’s local pack on foot and later on his pony through southern Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties.
Decades later, Dr. Rosato was appointed Joint Master of the Hunt at Pickering in Kimberton, Pa. Dr. Rosato was a member and served on several boards of charitable, historic, and social organizations, as well as having donated many coach rides to benefit various charities.
He appreciated the classics in literature and music, especially opera. Donald is survived by his wife, Judith Miller Rosato, and three sons from his first marriage to the late Lillian Anna Hirschbeck Wister: Thomas (and his wife, Judy), Donald, and Robert.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 27, 2025
The witch lost out to a rock star in the energetic Dance-Off during Dressage at Devon — at least that’s how the judges saw it.
But the spectators gave their enthusiastic voice vote to Silva Martin’s clever green-faced portrayal of the spooky central figure from “Wicked,” complete with flying monkeys and a broom.
Even with the qualifiers for the Grand Prix Special and the Freestyle on Friday’s schedule, the Dance-Off was a big attraction. In its third renewal at the USEF Heritage show, the fact that the class has become an anticipated part of the schedule proves D at D is not afraid of innovation, while marking its fiftieth anniversary in the Philadelphia suburb.
Judges George Williams and Janet Foy got an unusual greeting from the third judge, break dancer Box One, who joined them after performing his routine practically in their laps.
Box One greets Dance-Off judges George Williams and Janet Foy with his best break-dancing style.
Silva, the winner last year when she and her mare, Rosa Cha W were dressed as hippies, produced a fun mini-freestyle complete with a series of two-tempis, appropriately set to the tune “Dancing Through Life” that was a hit in both the Broadway show and movie of Wicked.
The witch and her flying monkeys was a real crowd-pleasing act.
Shannon Stevens was the winner this time, however, outfitted in black (including a leather jacket) as a Rod Stewart-esque rock star with a blond wig.
The Dance-Off involves two riders performing their routines in a face-off, with the winner going on to the next round. Silva bested Adriane Alvord as Barbie, while Shannon topped Jim Kofford in an outfit celebrating 50 years of Dressage at Devon before the winners rode against each other.
In that round, both George and Janet cited the dynamism of Shannon’s performance, and Box One voted with them to make her the winner.
Shannon Stevens the rock star.
“Shannon was amazing. She deserved it,” said Silva, while adding the obvious, “My costume was better, anyway.”
No contest there.
Cheryl Griffith, a friend of Silva’s who designed her outfit in 2024, did it again with gusto this year.
“It was so fun. And it’s fun to ride my old friend Rosa,” noted Silva, who said the Dance-Off is the only occasion when she gets aboard the 21-year-old mare.
Shannon said she was inspired to compete because she has ridden in another costume-centric class, the Challenge of the Americas in Florida.
“I had such a blast. To do it here for the fiftieth anniversary of Devon. What better?”
Her routine wasn’t planned, “I just went with the music (`Barracuda’ by Shark),” said Shannon, whose effort was highlighted by impressive piaffe and passage.
“The fact that I’ve only had about 10 rides on this horse (Leader) makes it even more incredible. It’s a testament to his character,” she said.
The two have a “fast-forming relationship.” The 14-year-old grand prix horse came from Shannon’s best friend, Karola Mazurek, who had trained him since he was a yearling. But when the Polish rider broke her back, she turned to Shannon and her sales business, Elite Expression Dressage, for help.
Shannon noted Leader had never been off her property in Hunterdon County, N.J., since she got him, but he weathered a monsoon during Thursday night’s Masterclass “like a champ. It’s incredible,” she enthused.
Back to the classes without witches or rock stars, Tina Konyot won the qualifier for the Grand Prix Special with Grover.
“It’s fabulous to be at Devon,” she said, noting she first rode in the show 33 years ago.
When I asked why she didn’t compete in the Freestyle Qualifier, she explained she was still in the process of paying for her music, and it’s only halfway finished. Tina is on her own without a sponsor, so she earns her keep through lessons and training.
Tina Konyot and Grover.
Grover was bought for her by Earle Mack, the former ambassador to Finland who also owned Joe Fargis’ 1984 Olympic double gold medal mount, Touch of Class. The deal was that Tina would have to pay all of Grover’s expenses.
Tina, based in Pittstown, N.J., still has her special mount, Calecto, now 27, who won the Dressage at Devon Freestyle in 2009. With Grover, her ambition is “to bring him to the top.”
But the 64-year-old rider confided that at first, he was “a very naughty boy. When I got him four and a half years ago, he had thrown five people. He got me off, also.
The first time she brought Grover to Devon three years ago, the technical delegate kept following her. She asked him why, and he replied, ” Because we’re worried about you.”
But with “knowledge, patience and courage” she got her 11-year-old gelding by Everdale in hand.
“I said, `No, Grover, we’re going to do this.’ It’s a wonderful journey. It’s tough doing it alone, when you don’t have support from a sponsor or money behind you. Unfortunately today, it’s a financial sport. God willing I can find some support to help us along the way,” she said.
In the Grand Prix for Freestyle, Ben Ebeling emerged victorious with Bellena, marked at 71.239 percent.
He has been together with the mare for a year, and benefited from a trip to Aachen this summer on the 5-star U.S. team. Although Devon is the initial qualifier for the FEI Dressage World Cup Finals in Ft. Worth next April, that isn’t in the forefront of Ben’s mind at this show.
“To continue consistency, a fault-free test, that’s really what I’m looking for. If that leads me down the road of going to Ft. Worth, I’m really excited about that.This is a delivery year.”
Ben Ebeling and Bellena.
Of Bellena, a 15-year-old Hanoverian by Belissimo NRW, he said, “She’s an amazing horse. What I love about her is she can come into an environment like tonight pretty much anywhere in the world.
“I think she is the same horse, in the arena, in the training. She’s fluid, she’s so naturally loose in her body. Piaffe/passage was good, I know there’s an extra gear in there. There’s always a next step we can keep working toward.”
The only other rider to break 70 percent was Camille Carier Bergeron of Canada on Finlanderin for a personal best of 70.130. Kevin Kohmann, the winner last year with Dunensee, had a few issues to wind up third with 68.913 percent.
Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu had a nice test with Jaccardo but was eliminated by unanimous decision of the ground jury after her ride “due to a significant amount of blood from a lesion under the saddle pad,” according to a statement from the show. Elizabeth Bortuzzo also was eliminated for failing to appear at the awards ceremony.
Click here for results of the Grand Prix Special qualifier
Click here for results of the Grand Prix Freestyle qualifier
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 28, 2025
The half-century celebration of Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon came to an end on Sunday, renewing many friendships as well as a determination to keep the show going and create more treasured memories for the sport.
Scores of those who have been part of the scene since the Delaware Valley Combined Training Association moved the show to Devon in 1975 (and even a few who were involved before that), turned out for a parade of legends. Some were on foot, others in golf carts, but all remained enthusiastic about the U.S. Equestrian Federation Heritage Competition and its future.
The Dressage at Devon legends on parade.
The chance to learn from an expert in the Masterclass given by Ingrid Klimke and the fun of the costumed Dance-Off were show highlights this year, but as always, Saturday night’s Grand Prix Freestyle remained the crown jewel.
It didn’t disappoint the spectators who packed the grandstands as usual, while riders ignored a bit of rain and put on high-caliber performances. The finish was about as close as these contests can get.
Ben Ebeling, who also won Friday evening’s Grand Prix with Bellena, enjoyed another victory lap on the 15-year-old Hanoverian mare, earning 77.655 percent. Kevin Kohmann, last year’s Freestyle winner, was close behind, a mere 0.65 percent back on Dünensee with 77.005 percent. The leaders had some distance over third place Meagan Davis on Toronto Lightfoot (73.315) and Anna Marek on Fire Fly (72.790) in the class that drew 13 starters.
Ben Ebeling on his way to victory with Bellena.
The Freestyle was the first qualifier for next April’s FEI Dressage World Cup Finals in Ft. Worth, only the fourth time in 12 years that the competition will be held in the U.S. Just three riders from North America will get a ticket to the Finals.
That made the Devon leg of the run-up even more important, but to Ben, the biggest takeaway of the evening was the performance of his plucky mare.
“She’s just incredible. She loves to dance,” said her rider, who admitted he was crying “a little” in the emotion of the moment.
Asked how he reacted as he exited the ring on a wave of applause, Ben replied that he felt “so much gratitude for my horse. She’s the best horse I’ve ever ridden.”
He also expressed thanks for everyone who works with him, including his longtime coach Christoph Koschel; his grooms, the braiders, his mother and the Vantage Equestrian Group that owns the mare.
“This was a team effort,” he emphasized.
And about Bellena, he added “she deserves all the credit.”
Kevin was still wishing he had half-halted rather than pressed the gas pedal in the Grand Prix the previous evening.
“I am more than pleased that we recovered from our ride yesterday,” he said, just after Dünensee received his red freestyle ribbon.
“He was 100 percent with me today, even with the rain and the atmosphere. It’s a great feeling you always see at Devon,” Kevin said.
Kevin Kohmann and Dünensee.
Kevin praised his striking black Hanoverian, noting, “To recover from a 68 (68.913 for third place in the Grand Prix) to this, I cannot thank him (Dünensee) enough. From here on now, we’re just going to go up.”
He congratulated Ben, but mused that had he himself been higher on Friday, “we would have gotten more today as well (in the Freestyle). You kind of have to convince the judges a little bit, and we did not do that yesterday. Today, I’m really happy. We feel like we won. I feel like I’m back where I should be.”
In the Grand Prix Special during the afternoon, Anna Marek’s other mount, Fayvel, took top honors with a score of 68.851 percent. The winner of Friday’s qualifier, Tina Konyot on Grover, had a mishap when the horse’s hooves struck one of the board, distracting him for a moment. He finished second on 67.021 percent.
Grand Prix Special winner Anna Marek with Fayvel.
Explaining the difference between her rides in the qualifier and the Special, Anna said, “I wanted to kind of push a little bit more, take a little bit more risk and see if I could get that extra flair in the ring.”
She achieved that level of energy by not overdoing her warm-up, noting the Special is a very taxing test, with all the passage and extended trot it requires.
click here for results of the Grand Prix Freestyle; click here for results of the Grand Prix SpecialDV
Saturday night offered an elaborate version of the DVCTA Quadrille Team (the Quad Squad), with the eight riders dressed in tiaras and (fake) ermine collars as the Dressage Queens to do their complex drill.
The Dressage Queens of the DVCTA.
Their horses were decked out in lights, from head to tail and on their legs, which made an impressive picture in the dark arena as they proceeded through their complex formations.
During the afternoon, JJ Tate was a big winner, taking the CDI 2-star FEI Intermediate A with Romeo (65.853) and the FEI or Equivalent Test of Choice with Denali (70.588), the same horse she rode in the pouring rain Thursday during the Ingrid Klimke clinic.
“I’m thrilled with both horses,” she said, noting Romeo was making a comeback after “a lot of setbacks over the last couple of years. It’s probably one of the most talented horses I’ve ever trained. It was really exciting to get into the Dixon Oval with Romeo. Denali really showed his stuff; he’s been a trouper the whole weekend.”
JJ has attracted a following because of her Team Tate Academy which offers instructional videos, educational PDFs, lectures and interviews, monthly Zoom meetings and video coaching.
A group from King’s View Acres in Carlisle, Pa., was on hand to cheer for Jessica and take advantage of a photo op. Like JJ, Ellen Heckert, who runs King’s View, bases her program on the teaching methods of the late Charles de Kunffy, who was JJ’s mentor.
JJ Tate with the King’s View Acres group.
“It was fun to be supported by the future,” said JJ, referring to her young fans at Devon.
A South Carolina resident, she started her academy during Covid, when quarantine restrictions made it impossible for many people to get in-person lessons. A friend advised her to go on line then, and now she teaches 850 members from all over the world via the Internet.
“It’s been an amazing experience, just connecting people and having everyone be in it for the good of the horse has been really special,” she said.
Ellen Heckert said JJ “is the world to us.”
She was inspired by de Kunffy’s philosophy of “raising children on horseback and how that would help our society. I took it and ran with it,” said Ellen.
“The dressage plan ties great with their social and emotional development. I take all of JJ’s lessons and make them children-friendly.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 9, 2025
Zen Elite is best known as the owner of such special dressage horses as Indian Rock, Fleau de Bain and My Vitality, and for sponsoring top riders including Adrienne Lyle and Christian Simonson. But now Zen owner Heidi Humphries has stepped up again to sponsor the FEI World Cup Dressage Finals™ that will be held next April in Texas.
The Split Rock Jumping Tour, in partnership with the City of Fort Worth and the Fort Worth Sports Commission, will host the finals in both Jumping and Dressage at Dickies Arena.
“Zen Elite has become one of the most significant supporters of dressage in the U.S., and we are thrilled to welcome them as Title Sponsor of next year’s Dressage Final,” said Derek Braun, founder and president of the Split Rock Jumping Tour.
“Their commitment to the sport makes them a natural partner for the World Cup, and we look forward to working with them in making this the best World Cup Final ever held.”
“We are beyond honored to step forward as title sponsor of the 2026 FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Fort Worth, Texas,” said Heidi Humphries of Zen Elite.
“This is more than a moment for Zen Elite. It is part of a much bigger journey, one rooted in a lifelong love for horses and the unshakable belief in what can be achieved when a horse and rider come together in harmony and trust. Dressage isn’t just a sport. It is a special story of the partnership between horse and rider and an inspiration to all who witness it.
“To welcome the world’s best to American soil is both humbling and exhilarating, and we hope this incredible event will ignite a beautiful flame of passion and unity as we look ahead to the 2028 Olympic Games.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 26, 2025
With a mix of cavaletti exercises and sound instruction while working through a rainstorm, German Olympic medalist Ingrid Klimke offered a multi-dimensional Masterclass as a highlight during the fiftieth anniversary of Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon.
The Thursday evening session, presented by Capital Square, was punctuated by a fierce downpour. Despite being drenched, Ingrid ignored it and continued teaching, as thousands of spectators stayed dry watching from the covered grandstands at the showgrounds in Pennsylvania.
In addition to being a dressage star, Ingrid is a world-class eventer, and as we all know, eventers ignore the weather while pursuing their goals.
She was totally soaked when she arrived at the after-class reception, where she was brought a warm shawl and went right to work greeting people.
When I asked Ingrid what she had hoped to convey during the class, she said, “That we as a rider are responsible for giving the right questions so the horse can give the right answers. We must be very patient and really step-by-step build them up, trying to have the poll the highest point, the nose in front of the vertical and make it very simple for the horse.”
Ingrid, who is also a show jumper, emphasized that “the riders (both eventers and dressage competitors) were so good from their position (to) the way they gave the aids. It was superb and the horses so lovely.”
The trainer had a good, encouraging connection with each of the riders, who came to the ring in pairs, enabling one to take a little break while she worked with the other.
Her connection extended to the spectators as well; she took note that “the audience was clapping all the time, so they realized we were really on a good way. I think even with the rain they kept listening and enjoying it.”
Silva Martin, who earlier in the day won the four-year-old dressage test with Valballa and the seven-year-old final with Farouche, was aboard Zaphir for her masterclass ride, where she was paired with JJ Tate.
Always the horsewoman, Ingrid noted the left hind wrap on JJ’s horse had come loose, so she bent down and removed it. When the same thing happened with the right one, she did it again.
“I don’t want any accidents here,” she explained to the audience.
Chatting afterwards, Silva noted that like Ingrid, she was raised in Germany, “where all the people I worked with (emphasized)` basics, basics, basics’ and that was exactly what she was trying to get across.”
Ingrid Klimke keeps an eye on Silva Martin during the Masterclass.
She picked up a good tip from Ingrid for the pirouettes, where Zaphir “always wants to lean to the left a little bit with his haunches. Silva said Ingrid told her, “`just keep turning the shoulders’ and that really made a big difference.”
Ingrid, the daughter of dressage legend Reiner Klimke (who was also an Olympic eventer), was named by the FEI as “Best Athlete of the Decade.”
She really demonstrated the link between dressage and good riding over cavaletti. Eventers Hannah Sue Hollberg and Isabelle Bosley took their horses over several different configurations, including a bending line of four cavaletti in an exercise that encouraged the horses to bend and flex.
Hannah Sue Hollberg over the cavaletti as Ingrid Klimke instructs.
After the jumping, Ingrid asked the riders to trot their horses on a loose rein so they could stretch and lengthen their necks.
Another dressage pair, Lauren Chumley and Shannon Stevens, focused on pirouettes and flying changes. Noting that Shannon’s horse needed encouragement in the second part of his pirouette, Ingrid advised that she should refresh with her seat and aids at that point. When he added some passage in his collected canter on the way to a lead change and Shannon patted him, Ingrid said, “don’t pet him, please, because he gave the wrong answer.”
Shannon Stevens picked up pointers during her ride in the Masterclass.
Anne Moss, president of Dressage at Devon, noted that Ingrid had worked individually with the riders the day before the class and presented “really helpful intuitive, suggestions of how to improve those horses.”
As she recounted her impression of the class, Anne (a dressage competitor herself) said, “I loved how she was encouraging the riders to ride more forward with softer hands and to put more forward-thinking of flying changes and to continue to rebalance and support the horse through the pirouette work. It was really quite beautiful.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 19, 2025
Fifty-one years ago, a poster for the Suburban Essex Riding Club’s Holiday Show in New Jersey proudly proclaimed it was an American Horse Shows Association local member, with a “polo-sized indoor riding hall.”
Those were the days when indoor rings were rare, and even a local show could be considered a special occasion — especially since very few riders took their horses south for the winter.
In the years since, it seems as if everything has changed; even the AHSA has morphed into the U.S. Equestrian Federation. The stable in West Orange, where thousands of people had taken riding lessons and rode in horse shows over the decades, was well past its glory days when it closed in 2022 and was put up for sale. The framed Holiday Show poster lingered forlorn among other bric-a-brac and memories in a dusty room; the horses were long gone.
The 1974 horse show poster and a poster from an earlier time in storage before the renovation. (Photo © 2025 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Located in a residential area and zoned for housing, the stable’s future seemed dim, even though so many had loved it during a history that stretched back for a century or so.
A plan for the township to buy the stable with open space funds and lease it to the Bergen Equestrian Center failed to get support.
Then Manhattan residents Romain Marteau, a real estate developer, and his wife, show jumper/trainer Brianne Goutal Marteau, decided to purchase the property.
“I was very excited about the prospect of being this close to New York City,” said Brianne. Without traffic, it’s a 20-minute drive from the Lincoln Tunnel, and access also is available by train to the Orange station, a five-minute Uber trip.
Brianne knew of the stable while growing up in the city, explaining that in those days, urban youngsters who were interested in riding generally started at either Suburban Essex or Riverdale (in the Bronx).
Brianne was a Riverdale rider before becoming a national equitation champion, so she was excited to finally visit West Orange. But when she arrived, her reaction was far from positive as she examined the aged facility.
“Had it not been for the proximity to New York, I would have looked at him (Romain) and told him he was crazy,” she recounted, then added with a smile, “I think I did, actually.”
Her feeling soon changed.
“When we got to work, once we started kind of envisioning how the whole place could look with a lot of imagination, we were very excited right away.”
The exterior of the stable as it looked nine months ago. (Photo © 2024 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
As Romain explained their thought process, the question that had to be answered was, “Can we bring it to the level that we think it should be, and also be a practical enterprise, because otherwise, it is not sustainable.
“We need to make money. When you can combine those, restoring a historic facility and bringing a business sense to it, I think it’s a win/win for everybody.”
Brianne and Romain Marteau in their renovated stable. (Photo © 2025 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
The stable is what is known as a bank barn, on two levels, like a famous one of the same era built in Gladstone, N.J., by James Cox Brady that now houses the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation.
During its most recent previous iteration, the stable was owned for more than 20 years by Larry Hall, who saw it as “an institution that just needed to continue because it can never be replaced.”
The resident of nearby Verona took over the stable with his daughters in mind.
“The goal I had when I bought it was to give my girls a place to grow up that I knew would be a solid foundation for their future,” he recalled.
Once they were grown and long gone, however, it was time to sell. Remembering the people who used to come in wheelchairs for a last look at the stable where they rode years ago, Larry felt a responsibility.
“How special is this, that this is a place that has those kind of memories?” he asked.
So Larry wanted it to remain a stable.The odds were against finding the right buyer, however. Although Larry never advertised the place, he had two solid offers that would have paid him significantly more than what he got, but revealed, “My heart wasn’t there.”
Then “a white knight” came along, something Larry didn’t think could happen even “in my wildest dreams.”
Romain made him an offer and Larry said, “I’ll take it if you continue to make it a barn and raise your family here, like I did.”
Of Romain, Larry said, “he exceeded, even my greatest of dreams, in what he’s accomplished. It’s amazing.”
The multi-million dollar project, nestled into suburbia, has been crafted thoughtfully with enormous effort into a beautiful state-of-the-art venue, complete with paddocks and an outdoor ring. It goes without saying that the footing is top-flight.
An employee in a neighboring office building has a view of a paddock. (Photo © 2025 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Contractor John Rose called it “a very challenging project because of the location of the property, but we really appreciated the folks in the building department at West Orange helping us navigate through some challenges with zoning and modern issues in a 100-year-old barn.
Romain standing in the midst of the renovation in December. (Photo © 2024 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
John said he appreciated being able to do the work.
“It was an absolute honor to be involved in such an iconic New Jersey horse property. Everyone I know in North Jersey has a story about riding at that barn.
“We had to renovate and update the barn within the existing physical structure. To adhere to the rules in New Jersey, we could not alter the footprint of the building in any way. That made renovating the interior a challenge, because the building is made of block and steel.”
John, who had remodeled the stalls at the USET Foundation barn, said the workers who assembled to do the West Orange job comprise “a team I would take anywhere to renovate a barn.”
The facility is now called Montclair Stables, going back to its original name which references an adjacent township.
The building’s historic touches are carefully preserved. Care has been taken with its dramatic frescoes, including one atop the front of the building that depicts a galloping herd. Another by the wash stalls is an artful rendition of a horse jumping a faux brick wall.
The dramatic fresco above the front door is a highlight of the stable. (Photo © 2025 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
“What I love the most is the marriage between the whole traditional historic part of it and the new modern, amazing footing, high level technology. Everything is brand new,” Brianne observed.
“At the same time, we tried to keep as much of the history and tradition alive in the barn. The aesthetic part is all new but the bones are totally original.”
They include the original pavers for the aisle floors, which offer an antique touch below the walls of pale treated pine wood that keep the interior bright.
The barn aisle floor is composed of the original pavers. (Photo © 2025 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
The original barn had 100 small stalls; now there 60 stalls, 14 feet wide, nearly as roomy as foaling stalls.
“The horses can put out their heads in both the aisle and the outside; we like to give them as much exposure to outside as possible,” said Romain.
The roomy stalls give horses window access, but they can also look out in the aisle. (Photo © 2025 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Wash stalls are spacious, tack rooms offer a practical setting to store saddles and bridles, and rest rooms abound. The indoor arena is heated in winter and cool in summer because small windows were replaced with garage doors, allowing for more ventilation.
The indoor arena is cool in summer, warm in winter. (Photo © 2025 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
“This facility was a lesson barn. We’ve made it into a private training facility for us and our clients,” said Romain, noting he and his wife have had interest from people from New York City and elsewhere who would like to board there.
Brianne is the main trainer, but the stable operates with multiple assistant trainers that she supervises. She travels a good deal, so assistant Jamie Stryker, who lives in Bedminster, N .J., is in residence year-round.
Like Brianne, “When we first walked through the property, I was a little bit skeptical,” Jamie reported.
“Then Romain said, `Don’t worry.’ We watched it go through demo (demolition) and then we watched construction start and I kind of stopped worrying, because I realized it’s going to be a really good product. The quality that went into this stable is exceptional.”
Yet another fresco decorates the wall above the wash stalls. (Photo © 2025 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Discussing the stable’s offerings, Romain said, “We have a secondary program for riders who are serious about their training but prefer to stay local and regional, rather than traveling to Florida and the big national shows.”
A third program offers ponies “to open doors for children interested in exploring the sport,” Romain continued.
“We think the facility is the perfect place to accommodate all levels of both skill and interest. We’ve partnered with Lauren Gredley/Grey Horse Farm. They have ponies for lease.”
Clara Propp, a student of Brianne’s, saw the stable in its original state and then came out when it was finished and rode her horse, Ingmar, in the outdoor ring.
“I didn’t see any of the work in between,” said Clara,18, who’s focusing on her riding during her gap year before going to Brown University.
“I was so impressed. I just love how it feels so historic while being new, and a really great environment for the horses and the people.”
Clara noted she and Brianne’s other students usually weren’t able to ride much during the late summer and autumn as “horses moved from indoor to indoor” during the fall circuit.
Having access to the stable “will be a huge improvement for us,” said Clara.
“It’s going to allow the horses to relax during the mid- to finals season and allow us to practice, which is really nice.”
Clara Propp rides Ingmar in the outdoor ring. (Photo © 2025 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
“We’re really excited to be here,” Brianne commented.
“It was a little bit of a process over the last two years. But when you end up in a place that looks like this and functions like this, you forget about the time. We’re just very excited to be here and experience the community and the proximity to everything, the shows and the city. It will make our lives a lot easier, that’s for sure.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 21, 2025
How do you build an equestrian city just across the harbor from Manhattan?
It was no small task for the Longines Global Champions Tour of New York, which (despite its name) actually was held at New Jersey’s Liberty State Park this weekend, at a site that was chosen for more than the view.
Jessica Springsteen, Don Juan van de Donkhoeve and the Statue of Liberty.
What is known as “the Green Ring,” normally a blank slate of grass, became a real ring. It was transformed into an arena surrounded by grandstands and VIP areas at the front of the house, which was supported by stabling under the trees, a warm-up area and offices.
The sensational backdrop involved skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty, although that lady missed out on the action because as always, her back was turned to New Jersey
The standing-room-only crowd cheered riders such as Nayel Nassar on Little Magic d’Asschaut competing in the dramatic setting of the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix.
Planning began in November for the show — the fanciest international jumping competition in New Jersey since the National Horse Show was held at the Meadowlands from 1989-1995.
There were 17 or 18 different drafts of the design for the venue. The project was a massive effort under the guidance of GCT’s technical director, Colm McKay. With no water or electrical service, hydrants supplied the former and generators the latter. Having a show at a state facility also meant lots of paperwork and permits.
It took 12 days to create the venue, and Colm’s crew is required to have it taken down in five days.
“Until you do the event one time, you can’t really explain what it’s going to be like,” he said.
Colm McKay, GCT technical director. Note the Statue of Liberty in the background.
“We know there’s room for improvement, but the future looks bright,” noted Colm, who is talking about a long-term commitment to the site.
GCT has shows in many other landmark cities, including Paris (by the Eiffel Tower), London and Prague.
Focusing on New Jersey, Colm already is thinking about improvements for next year, including more seating (everything but standing room was sold out for the grand prix).
Guests in the GC Lounge had a great view of riders jumping a panel showing the George Washington Bridge, as Belgium’s Thibeau Spits did here on Impress-K.
Those connected with the park in Jersey City weren’t familiar with horse sports, so part of Colm’s mission involved telling them what the production involved. Aside from the competition, which also included 2-star classes, there were a number of attractions geared to pleasing the public.
Among them were a variety of other activities and attractions including dog agility, a Harlem gospel choir and classes for kids. (One little pony rider told me she was thrilled to have her photo taken with show jumper Jessica Springsteen, who by the way is a native of New Jersey.)
The competition, which began Thursday, concluded in idyllic weather on the last full day of summer with a 5-star grand prix worth 300,609 Euros ($352,000) that drew riders from Europe, South America and of course, the U.S.
The Belgians had the biggest contingent, with one-quarter of the 40 grand prix starters from the nation that won the European Show Jumping Championships in July.
Longines GCT Grand Prix winner Gilles Thomas and Qalista DN. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
So it was no surprise that five of the 11 riders who made the jump-off were Belgian, with that nation’s Gilles Thomas winning on Qalista DN in 31.03 seconds. His countryman, Thibeau Philippaerts — whose brothers Olivier and Nicola also were in the class — came in second aboard Pittman V/H Lilleveld in 31.72 seconds. The patriarch of the family is Ludo Philippaerts, a legendary rider in his heyday.
Thibault Philippaerts and Pittman v/h Lilleveld. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
The first round had a tight time allowed of 70 seconds, and designer Bernardo Costa Cabral made that factor count, with five riders having their clean trips over the fences marred by penalties on the clock
Gilles, next-to-last in the tiebreaker, nailed victory with an inspired round in 31.03 seconds aboard a 9-year-old mare, by Emerald van ‘t Ruytershof, that he has had for only a year.
“She does it so easy and is also very quick in the jump-off,” he observed.
I asked Gilles why the Belgian riders are becoming dominant, and he gave me the answer right away.
“I think at the moment we have very good horses in Belgium and now we can keep them a bit longer. Before, we always had to sell them. We have a few very good owners who want to do the sport; also the prize money is getting more and more.”
He noted, “Every good result gives a bit of confidence; if the rider is confident, the horse also gets the confidence.”
It was Gilles’ first trip to New York and, of course, New Jersey (where riders stayed in a Jersey City hotel to be closer to their horses.)
There were fun trips to Manhattan, which impressed Gilles.
“For sure it’s an amazing city. I saw it on television but when you see it in the real, it’s a fantastic city.”
Thibault smiled wearing the second place sash but noted wistfully, “I was very close to a dream. Gilles was there again.”
He was quick to add, “The horse is amazing. I’m so happy for him,” Thibault emphasized about the 10-year-old son of Diamant de Semilly.
“He deserves everything.”
Belgians Gilles Thomas and Thibault Philippaerts take their lap of honor. (Photo © 2025 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Swiss rider Nadja Peter Steiner was overjoyed to be third in 32.69 with Nice van’t Zorgvliet, a 12-year-old Belgian mare by Emerald who wasn’t being used as part of the Belgian tidal wave.
“To come here was an honor,” said the rider, adding, “it’s a real special show with an atmosphere that was amazing. We never see something like this in Europe.”
Nadja gave a big hug to Nice when she finished her round. The mare was ridden by Olympic individual gold medalist Christian Kukuk until the end of June, 2024.
Nadja Peter Steiner of Switzerland had a big hug for Nice van’t Zorgvliet after her jump-off round.(Photo © 2025 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
While she noted, “all my horses are really special,” she added, “Nice is such a fighter. She gives all of her heart each time you go in the ring.”
The U.S. contingent was thin on big names, what with the Gold Cup being contested in Michigan and the Longines League of Nations in St. Tropez, France. Natalie Dean was the only American to qualify for the tiebreaker; she finished eighth with 4 faults on Crescendo MB Z.
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by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 16, 2025
The Olympic eventer who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a fall on cross-country the month after the 2024 Paris Games has made great progress in her recovery. She’s even riding again. Liz Halliday updated her many fans and supporters on social media Tuesday. Here is what she had to say:
“I’m still grinding every day in my therapy at the Centre for Neuro Skills in Dallas. Thanks to the dedicated therapists here, I have made significant progress, but it is clear that there is still a long way to go on my road to recovery. This is a slow process,” she reported.
“My injury was on the left side of my brain, which means the right side of my body is impacted. My right leg and right arm have very limited function at this stage, especially my arm. Important benchmarks: I can now walk on my own for longer and longer distances with a cane, and my balance is much improved. I am healthy and getting stronger all the time.
“I’ve now learned to write with my left hand, but my speech and writing are connected, and both are still a work in progress and something I struggle with daily. A major bright spot has been getting back in the saddle, which I’ve been able to do at a wonderful local facility. I am able to school walk and trot, and riding every week has definitely lifted my spirits.
Liz Halliday is riding again. (Photo courtesy Liz Halliday)
“I don’t know exactly what the future will look like for me, but I can promise you one thing: I will never stop working my ass off. Every day is a constant effort to walk, talk, read, write, and do all of the things we take for granted every day, but I will never give up.
“Thank you to my mom, Mark, family, and friends for their constant support. Thank you to Boyd Martin for the fantastic job he is doing with my horses. Thank you to Tamy Pollard, who keeps my dogs at her farm nearby and brings them over for regular visits. And thank you all for your continued positive thoughts, prayers, and good vibes. I’m still here, and I’ll never stop fighting. Up, up, up!”
