by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 29, 2017
The U.S. Equestrian Federation has fined Jazz Johnson Merton $5,000 and issued a two-month suspension for “unsportsmanlike behavior toward her horse, Joe Cool.”
On a widely circulated video that made headlines here and abroad, the Tewksbury resident is seen directing a kick toward the horse’s belly after she fell off during her round in the 3-foot, 3-inch division for older amateur-owners at the 2017 Hampton Classic.
The suspension runs Aug. 1-Sept. 30, which includes the 2018 Hampton Classic.
Contacted for comment, she cited the apology she issued after the incident.
It stated, “One of the greatest pleasures in my life has been riding and showing horses, and I have enjoyed this hobby since I was a little girl. In the recent incident at the Hampton Classic, I had a very inappropriate emotional response to my horse’s behavior, one that I have never had before. I was scared and angry, and reacted very badly. For that I am deeply sorry.
“My reaction was short lived, and immediately after I realized my mistake, I got back on to jump a schooling fence in order to finish the day on a trusting note with this horse.”
She promised, “I will never again exhibit this unprofessional display of aggression and poor sportsmanship.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 23, 2017
By Nancy Jaffer
December 23, 2017
She’s done it all, from winning Olympic team show jumping medals and writing a book, to victories in the world’s major grands prix, as well as earning spot in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. Her mounts have included such famous names as Starman, Livius and Eros.
But now Anne Kursinski has something else on her resume, the title of U.S. assistant show jumping coach and development technical advisor, which she assumed this fall. Anne, who operates the Market Street training stable in Frenchtown, is working with U.S. team coach Robert Ridland.
Robert Ridland and Anne Kursinski. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
It’s a perfect relationship, since the two go way back together.
They’re both Olympians, native Californians who trained at the Flintridge Riding Club with Jimmy Williams and later with U.S. Equestrian Team coach Bert de Nemethy.
Anne, who at 58 is younger than Robert, 67, recalled she looked up to him when she was a kid. Anne remembers Robert returning to Flintridge after he rode on the 1976 Olympic team, which made an impression on her. Anne’s ambition was also to ride in the Olympics, which she did three times, earning two silver medals in the process, and was an alternate twice.
“It’s a fun camaraderie with him,” she said of Robert, noting he has had quite a career, running the World Cup finals, having his own training barn, being a course designer and a technical delegate. Meanwhile, she has been a selector for the team, so their paths have crossed often.
“We have a rapport and get along very well,” said Anne.
“We’re very, very comfortable with each other. I have a passion for the team, I always have, and if I can’t do it myself, then I want to help other people do it.”
For his part, Robert said, “I feel Anne is essential to the program.” After spending a year shadowing former coach George Morris before taking on the job himself after the 2012 Olympics, Robert said, “It was hard for me to imagine that he was able to do all he could do as a one-man show.
“Our country is too large,” he observed, noting Anne “is an invaluable asset to the team and myself as the development coach and my assistant.” For 2018, he noted, show jumping involves “two parallel programs, one focusing on the WEG (World Equestrian Games in Tryon, N.C.) and then all the rest, including qualifying for the Nations’ Cup final.” And don’t forget the Longines FEI World Cup finals in Paris.
Robert also is a believer in putting younger, less-experienced riders on squads to bring them along. He and Anne are part of a larger team that includes DiAnn Langer, the Young Rider coach, and Lizzy Chesson, the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s director of show jumping.
Before taking the job, Anne said, “My concern was, I still have a business and I’m still actively competing.”
Anne is known for her classic form over fences, no matter how high they are. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
But she was reassured by Robert and Lizzy that she could still be involved with her other pursuits, which cleared the way for her to move into the position.
“I love the team,” she noted. “The Nations’ Cup and the tours were my favorite part of competing, I was passionate about that. I do love to teach and share my experience. To have done it from a little kid all the way up through the Olympics is helpful.” And she mentioned that when she is working with less-experienced team riders and “helping them up the pathway,” she’s giving a boost to many more people than she could by working on her own.
Anne, who has been a chef d’equipe in the past with Young Rider teams, now relies on information from DiAnn about those who have been in the Young Rider program and are moving up.
The group she deals with primarily “is different than the Young Riders, in that they need more structure in a way.” While they may have been on one or two Nations’ Cup teams, she mentioned, “These guys have already been over there, but they still need guidance.”
She went to Samorin, Slovakia, with a team during the autumn.
“When they had to ride in the Nations’ Cup, they were nervous. To be able to help them with that, I enjoy it. I’ve been in that situation myself.”
In fact, said Anne, “I was in high school when I went to my first Nations’ Cup at Spruce Meadows,” which helps her empathize with members of her squads. There’s no doubt that the mission is clear: “The bottom line is to get the next generation on the podium, doing what Beezie and McLain are doing,” she pointed out.
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 22, 2017
Samples collected from three riders at last month’s Ocala-Reddick Florida event—including CIC 3-star winner Hannah Sue Burnett, who was aboard Harbour Pilot–revealed the presence of stimulants, according to the FEI(international equestrian federation). The findings related to anti-doping rules for human athletes.
The positives involve prohibited substances on the list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). However, the U.S. Equestrian Federation noted that contrary to published speculation, “cocaine was not detected in any samples taken at the event.”
Hannah Sue, Jennie Brannigan and Alyssa Phillips are provisionally suspended from participating in FEI and USEF sanctioned activities in accordance with WADA’s Mandatory Provisional Suspension requirements.
Jennie, 21st in the CIC 3-star on Cambalda, explained, “My recent positive test, while devastating news to me, was the result of a medication that had been recently prescribed to me by my doctor. My use of this prescribed medication had absolutely nothing to do with trying to enhance my sport performance, and I hope that once my explanation is provided to the FEI, I will be able to return to the sport I love.”
Alyssa, seventh in the 1-star on Cooley Caviar, stated this afternoon “Earlier today, the FEI publicly disclosed that I tested positive for Amfetamine and Canrenone at an event in Florida last month.
“I wanted it known that my doctor prescribed both banned substances to me for legitimate medical conditions and that I openly declared both substances to the doping control officer as part of the testing process. I was not trying to enhance my performance through the use of either substance and my case is certainly not one involving the intentional use of a banned substance.I will apply to the FEI for a retroactive therapeutic use exemption for these two prescribed medicines. If granted, I will no longer be charged with a positive test.”
Hannah Sue did not put out a statement today.
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 22, 2017
New Jersey residents who didn’t come to the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation in Gladstone last spring to watch the national Grand Prix, Prix St. Georges and Brentina Cup championships missed their chance to see the country’s best dressage riders close to home.
The 2018 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions will host 14 dressage title competitions, which also include the Young Horse matches, at Lamplight Farm in Wayne, Ill. Previously, the championships were split in two at different locations.
The U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation’s historic stable was the backdrop for the USEF Dressage National Championships in 2017, when Kasey Perry-Glass won the national Grand Prix title on Goerklintgard’s Dublet. (Photo by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Hallye Griffin, USEF’s managing director of dressage, noted, “Holding the full spectrum of the championships in one location, over a weeklong period, will give us the opportunity to showcase the talented athlete/horse combinations across the full spectrum of the divisions.
“We hope that this will also prove to be an exciting event for spectators, sponsors, vendors, and supporters as we look to grow the event into something very special, while continuing to highlight our dressage competition pathways and programs in an effort to deliver continued sustainable success in our sport.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 22, 2017
With the reclassification of eventing competitions to offer a 5-star level for the first time, Fair Hill, Md., the nominee for what would have been the USA’s second 4-star event, is doing a half-halt until the requirements are revealed for the highest level event approved by the FEI (international equestrian Federation)
Last July, the U.S. Equestrian Federation approved the recommendation to award a fall 4-star to Fair Hill in 2019. The USA’s only 4-star to this point is the Land Rover Kentucky event, formerly Rolex Kentucky.
While the FEI approved the 5-star concept last month at its annual meeting, it has yet to state the requirements for that and its other levels. Fair Hill of course wants to run the highest level in the sport, but before the public/private partnership continues working on its project at the Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area, it needs to know what the requirements are.
The signature Fair Hill fence on the cross-country course. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
The organization is “taking a breath,” as competition manager Ann Haller put it.
“We understand the FEI’s decision to reorganize the star system and the requirements for each level,” said Carla Geiersbach, Fair Hill International’s executive director.
“However, until we know these new requirements, it makes no sense to move forward blindly. We don’t want to build a state-of-the-art facility to the wrong specifications. We are committed to presenting an event at the pinnacle of the sport and will march ahead as soon as the FEI releases its new parameters,”
Fair Hill International will mark its 30th anniversary in 2018 with its usual CCI3* and CCI2* event Oct. 18-21, 2018. While the 4-star originally was slated for 2019, with the delay on the FEI releasing specifications, it now appears likely to be held for the first time in 2020.
Sam Slater, president of the Fair Hill Foundation, the coalition’s fundraising partner said, “We remain committed to bringing world class equestrian sporting opportunities to this corner of Maryland. Fair Hill has so much to offer the community, and proposed upgrades will really enhance the facility. As always, thank you to all of our donors, partners, and friends for their committed support.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 17, 2017
Those wishing to honor the memory of Hunter Harrison, a major figure in show jumping who died earlier last month, are invited to a celebration of life Jan. 7 from 4-8 p.m. at his Double H Farm, 15050 Golden Point Road, Wellington, Fla. RSVP to doublehfarm@gmail.com. Include the number of people in your party.
Known for his long partnership with show jumper McLain Ward in such horses as HH Carlos Z and HH Azur, the CEO of the CSX railway company had health issues for several years.
He took a medical leave of absence only days before he died of complications at age 73 in Wellington, Fla. The company’s stock dropped nearly 10 percent on Dec. 15, the day after his leave was announced.
Known as a turnaround artist in the railroad industry, where he started at age 19 as a $1.50-an-hour rail car oiler for the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway while attending Memphis State University, Hunter served as CEO of four major railroads including CP, a key show jumping sponsor and a backer of the National Horse Show. CP’s name is also on the world’s richest grand prix, the CP International at Spruce Meadows in Canada, with a purse of $3 million (Canadian).
Hunter Harrison.
Sharp and incisive, Hunter once said, “I’ve just always thought that if you can be frank, honest, candid, and also develop a reputation for that, people listen to you,”
Hunter’s involvement in the equestrian world went far beyond the horses with whom he was involved, many of which carried the HH prefix to their names. He was a member of Wellington Equestrian Partners, the group behind the Winter Equestrian Festival and the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
While he loved show jumping, he also remained keenly aware of its problems and was never reluctant to speak his mind about it.
“Wherever you go with show jumping, people don’t get along. There’s wars and fights.” When that happens, he pointed out, “I don’t know who wins there; the horse damn sure doesn’t.”
McLain Ward had a close relationship with Hunter for decades.
“My family and I are very sad that we have lost a huge presence in our lives,” he said.
“Hunter was not only a wonderful supporter of my career, but also a guiding force in everything we did. I will miss him dearly, and my thoughts are with his family in this difficult time.”
He is survived by his wife, Jeannie and daughters Elizabeth Julo and Cayce Judge, who is married to show jumper Quentin Judge.
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 6, 2017
By Nancy Jaffer
December 6, 2017
Donna Strait Martin personifies staying power, a virtue as important in people as it is in horses.
Her lifelong dedication to equestrian sport remains productive. While there are 700 U.S. Equestrian Federation-recognized hunter judges (many of whom, like Donna, also judge jumpers and equitation), she is among only 20 who have held their licenses for 50 years.
Always impeccably organized and turned out, the Pottersville resident is one who not only respects the history of her sport, but also emphasizes its best traditions.
Donna Martin’s expertise has contributed to the success of her granddaughter, Morgan Munz, in the show ring. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
Ever since she began teaching young people to ride, Donna stressed the importance of a firm foundation, while insisting on a broad grounding in horse care as well. Her record has earned her the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s Jane Marshall Dillon Award East, to be presented Dec. 12 at the organization’s annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas.
The honor goes to trainers who pass on the values exemplified by Mrs. Dillon, while eventually sending well-schooled students to other instructors who can hone their skills when they become more advanced are ready for the next level. (Misty Morgan, president of the Arkansas Hunter/Jumper Association, won the Dillon Award West.)
Interestingly, Donna actually rode at the Junior Equitation School in Vienna, Va., with its founder, Mrs. Dillon, famous for her book, “School for Young Riders.”
Although Donna called Basking Ridge home much of the time while she was growing up, her father, World War II fighter ace Air Force Brigadier Gen. Donald Strait, was regularly transferred to bases around the country. When her dad was at the Pentagon in Washington D.C., Donna took lessons from Mrs. Dillon at the same time as Kathy Kusner, who became a U.S. team member and medaled in the Olympics. (Joe Fargis, the 1984 U.S. Olympic show jumping double gold medalist, also was taught by Jane Marshall Dillon.)
“I loved riding with her,” Donna said of Mrs. Dillon.
“She emphasized really great equitation, natural feel—nobody counted strides in those days. She ran a tight ship. We took care of our own horses,” Donna said.
“It was a beautiful farm, with rolling hills and lots of natural jumps. It was such a great time. We’d go foxhunting, go riding with a group of kids; you’d go into the brooks, ride bareback with a halter and shank, things that kids don’t do nowadays.”
Donna got started on the road to her life’s work by something that could have ended as a tragedy. Most people today don’t remember the fear polio (also known as infantile paralysis) struck into the hearts of parents before the mid-1950s, when Dr. Jonas Salk came up with the vaccine that stopped the disease short. It affected so many young children and some adults as well. (President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was among its victims.)
Donna contracted polio at the age of four.
“I hardly walked for a year,” she recalled.
“My mother carried me or I was in the stroller (while) my young brother walked.
“By the time I turned five, I was ready to be more active,” said Donna, for whom riding lessons with the legendary Clarence Nagro became therapy.
The master of Hilltop Farm in New Vernon, Clarence trained many top young riders, and Donna was among them. She competed in the ASPCA Maclay and AHSA (now USEF) Medal finals, and won many championships with her classic style and ability to get the most out of a horse.
Donna on Royal Audience at Hunt Cap Farm in 1973.
Sally Ike, now the USEF managing director of licensed officials, competed against Donna during their teenage showing days. Remembering Blue Mermaid, Donna’s rather hot thoroughbred, Sally said, “She had to be very tactful” to get the best out of the mare, which she did.
Donna and Blue Mermaid in their glory days.
Married at 19 to Jim “Red” Martin, a year later, Donna walked across the street from her home to the new Purnell School in Pottersville and was hired as the riding instructor, with a gig handling field hockey as well.
Donna took care of the horses in addition to teaching. She remains as the liaison for Purnell’s riding program, which eventually was moved off-campus, and still works in the school’s fundraising department.
“I never left,” she noted, observing she has no thoughts of retiring. “Being around young people is what keeps you young and knowledgeable about today, the day that you’re living in.”
Donna, who teaches two days a week at Centenary University, guided the riding of her daughter, Kelly Martin Munz, a USEF steward and chairman of the equine studies department at Centenary. She also worked with Kelly’s daughters, Maggie, a student at the College of Charleston, and Morgan, 16. Donna believes the teenager, who attends Purnell, “is traveling a path that horses are in her future.”
Donna Martin, right, with her daughter, Kelly Martin Munz and granddaughter Morgan Munz. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
Morgan, who won a class at the College Preparatory Invitational show in Florida last year, said her grandmother “always taught me to be proper, doing it the right way, the George Morris way. She was there at every show. We were always early, no matter what.
“She gave me the fundamentals of riding, then sent me off to someone else to better myself,” commented Morgan. While she now rides with Ashley DiBongrazio, Donna is still at the shows with her. She was involved with helping produce Morgan’s horse, Louis, who came from Germany as a three-year-old and has matured into a lovely five-year-old. Grandma usually is the first person Morgan calls when she has a question about something to do with the horse.
Elizabeth Bugliari rode with Donna since she was in pigtails during their days at Hilltop.
Donna on Escapade at Hilltop Stable in New Vernon in 1963.
“She reads people extremely well,” said Elizabeth. “She’s a very good teacher.”
Elizabeth recalled how Donna adjusted to her students’ needs, but didn’t brook any nonsense.
“She has a wonderful no-nonsense way of dealing with kids. They soon learned, `We do it Donna’s way. Someone who knew Donna called her Donna Direct, because you get it right straight from the shoulder with her.”
Elizabeth, who worked at Purnell and now is director of development and alumnae relations at Kent Place School in Summit, explained that “If you were going to earn your stripes with Donna, you had to do it right. She’s the kind of person you want judging a show. She wasn’t going to be impressed by a name.”
Another of Donna’s virtues is modesty. When she was notified about the award, her response was, “Really? Me? Are you sure you have the right person? I was flabbergasted.”
Looking back at her long career, however, it’s easy to see why the award is so well-deserved.
“She was always the same, the stable, calm person that I see now,” said Sally.
“Isn’t it great that she’s still doing what she’s doing, doing a great job and contributing to the sport.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 6, 2017
William Steinkraus, the chairman emeritus of the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation and the first American to win an Olympic individual gold medal in any equestrian sport, died Nov. 29 at the age of 92.
Although he was a pillar of the U.S. show jumping squad for decades, Bill’s accomplishments weren’t limited to riding. He was a serious violinist, his insight made him a perceptive television commentator, he wrote several books and was an exemplary editor, as well as heading the USET for years.
“He was a renaissance man. He knew something about everything,” his 1960 Olympic teammate George Morris said today after learning about the death of the friend that he called his mentor.
“I learned so many things from Billy. He was a great riding teacher on a high level,” George commented.
Bill Steinkraus with his 1960 Olympic silver medal teammates Frank Chapot (seated) and George Morris (right). (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
Beyond that, Bill was “impeccably mannered, impeccably dressed,” George continued, noting he was meticulous not only in his horsemanship, but in everything he did.
Bonnie Jenkins, executive director of the USET Foundation, noted, “He was one of the original founders and leaders of the USET and also the foundation; somebody who I think every generation still looks up to. He was a true icon and someone we were so proud to have representing this country.”
During the years when the U.S. rose to prominence internationally in show jumping, his honors included the King George V Cup in 1955, followed by the German Championship in 1959.
A series of Nations’ Cup triumphs preceded and followed his glorious 1968 individual gold with Snowbound in Mexico City.
He won more than 100 grands prix in his career and three Olympic team medals. Among them was a bronze at Helsinki in 1952 as the fledgling civilian squad took over international competition responsibilities from the Army. For the next 20 years, he was captain of the U.S. team until he retired in 1972.
The graduate of Yale University, who served in Burma during World War II, spent several years after the war in concert management before working on Wall Street as a security analyst. He went on to the publishing industry, where his employment included being the editor in chief at Winchester Press.
Bill played key roles in governance of equestrian sport. He became the president of the USET, then its chairman and finally, chairman emeritus. He also served for eight years as a member of the FEI (international equestrian federation) Bureau and president of the FEI World Cup. He was an Olympic TV commentator at Montreal, Los Angeles and Seoul and several World Championships as well as serving as an Olympic judge at Barcelona.
He was one of the first inductees of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, and a member of the New York Sports, Madison Square Garden, National Horse Show, Washington Horse Show and Fairfield County Sports Halls of Fame.
Bill is survived by three sons, Eric, Philip and his wife Stefanie, and Edward and his wife Beth and four grandchildren, Grace, Abigail , Griffin and Clark.
Services were private. Donation’s in Bill’s memory may be made to the USET Foundation, which can be reached at www.uset.org. A memorial service is being planned for the spring.
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 6, 2017
U.S. Dressage Team Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover and trainer Tom Wright are among many who are mourning the deaths of two young people in a single-car crash in Wellington, Fla., last month, when the vehicle went across a median at a high rate of speed. Christian Kennedy, 21, and the driver, 19-year-old Dana McWilliams were killed; the back seat passenger, Elaine O’Halloran, 24, was critically injured.
The incident raised unwelcome memories of the 2016 accident that killed show jumper Andres Rodriguez, whose blood alcohol count was over the limit, and Sophie Walker. While both were in their 30s, that accident and others brought to the fore the issue of drinking and driving among young people in the self-proclaimed winter equestrian capital of the world.
Robert and Tom have mobilized in an effort to stop further tragedies. Last weekend was the kick-off of having celebrity “bouncers” at bars to help guide drivers who have had too much to drink to waiting limos. The “bouncers” the first night were TV star Carson Kressley and Wellington Mayor Anne Gerwig, who were available to drive home the cars of those who opted for limo service. The second day, Canadian show jumper Tiffany Foster and hunter trainer Bob Crandall were the bouncers.
Tom had started the limo project in 2016, but following Robert pitched in to help expand it following the death of Christian, whom Robert had named as one of the Future Stars in a program that he is renaming in the promising dressage riders’s memory.
The original program was “quiet,” said Robert, who wanted to expand it and make it more visible. Now it’s called the Get Home Safe Project, and it’s highly visible.
“Kids are going to do what they’re going to do, even if you tell them to abstain,” said Robert. “What we can do is give them better choices in that moment and hope they avail themselves of that better choice.”
The cars will be at the Players Club and the Grille, both popular drinking spots.
Robert Dover and Robert Ross sponsored the car service on Saturday, while Juan Gando, the owner of the Grille, sponsored the cars on Sunday. The vehicles cost $650 per evening, so more sponsorship is needed. Those willing to make a contribution should contact Robert at rdover2@aol.com or Tom at tjwuphill@aol.com. Bouncers are also needed. Those who are not celebrities are welcome to become bouncers because, “if you come out and want to be a bouncer, you become a celebrity in my mind,” Robert said.
“I am just glad that there is something, even if it’s not really enough, that could come from this tragedy that is even the slightest bit positive,” Robert said.
A funeral and celebration for Christian’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Dec. 9 at Nan’s Cottage (the home of Maria Baber, 540 Ampthill Road, Cartersville, Va.) All are welcome. The best airports are either Richmond or Charlottesville. Those attending are advised to dress warmly and riding clothes are encouraged.
In lieu of flowers, donations are being sought that will be used for equestrian training scholarships and for action to change unsafe driving and behaviors, first in Palm Beach County, and then the nation. Donations may be made to the Christian Kennedy Foundation on GoFundMe.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page has been set up for Elaine O’Halloran, who worked as a groom for show jumper David Blake. Elaine has undergone surgery, but has substantial rehab ahead of her. She did not have medical insurance. The goal of the page is to raise $500,000. Here is the link to donate: https://www.gofundme.com/elaine-ohalloran-medical-fund
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 21, 2017
The Samorin Equestrian Center in Slovakia, which was on line to stage the 2022 FEI World Equestrian Games, has declined to sign the host agreement and the search is on for a new venue for the compilation of eight disciplines.
This is reminiscent of the problem with the 2018 WEG, which was given to Bromont in Quebec. Federal funding for the project was not available, and the Tryon, N.C., equestrian center replaced Bromont for next year’s competition. Since the WEG began in 1990, several cities that agreed to host the WEG withdrew, and their replacements had varying results.
Bidding will be reopened and a decision on the 2022 site is expected in November 2019. As FEI President Ingmar De Vos noted, that is more time than Tryon had to get ready.
