The inaugural New Jersey Veterinary Foundation Veterinary Educator of the Year award was presented to Dr. Sarah Ralston. The Rutgers University professor, who is retiring, has mentored 113 students who have gone on to veterinary medicine careers since 2000 alone.
Her Young Horse Teaching and Research program provided hundreds of students from 1999 to 2013 the opportunity not only to learn some principles of doing scientific research, but also the hands-on experience of teaching young horses ground manners, but also being involved with marketing, promotion and team work in connection with the annual auction of the horses.
She has mentored more than 30 George H Cook Honors Scholars, about half of whom went on to vet school, with others going into human medicine or on to graduate school, veterinary technician or USDA positions.
Sarah’s research on glucose and insulin metabolism, young horse nutrition, senior horse nutrition and more recently metabonomic studies of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in horses has made an impact in how horses are fed.
Desite her retirement plans, Sarah will continue to be available for consults, advising students and doing research, collaborating with colleagues in Princeton.
The enterprising artist juggles a lot of ventures, including wildly ambitious sculpting for charity, making carousels out of hobby horses, blogging and bringing together other artists at #equinearthour on Twitter.
There’s a lot more that Shya Beth is planning in terms of long-range projects, but she has time. Did I mention that she is only 15?
Shya Beth with a horse made out of greens. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
The Sussex County teen’s interest in horses and art began when she would ride her Shetland pony in a basket saddle before she could walk, then picked up a paintbrush afterwards to express herself.
Her inclination toward horses and art was inspired by her mother, Mary Beth, a stained glass artist and horsewoman who home-schools her daughter.
“She’s always done something creative. She can see something and turn it into her own and it comes out fresh,” Mary said. Whether it’s charities or promoting other artists, Shya “just wants to help. She takes everything to heart,” her mother observed.
“I’m thrilled she’s doing what she wants to do. I let her have free rein,” added Mary, who helps out when needed, such as driving Shya where she needs to go for her work.
Shya has been involved in a lot of projects, but she hit the headlines two years ago with Fleur, her creation of a jumping horse composed of wood, bamboo, Styrofoam and chicken wire, all covered with hundreds of handmade paper flowers over a frame that is 6 feet, 10 inches tall and eight feet, 10 inches wide.
A year ago, she came up with the idea of making 18 life-size horse sculptures, assembled on wooden frames, covered in denim from donated used blue jeans. She is putting together creations depicting a variety of breeds and disciplines; race horses, jumpers and polo ponies among them. The plan is to have them autographed by top riders and officials, then auction them after an exhibition. The money will go to equine charities—mustangs are a particular interest of Shya’s, as well as the working donkeys in Third World countries
Citing the abuse of horses around the world, she said, “I want to do as much as I can to help our equines.”
Shya notes, “I think using denim to create these sculptures is not only a unique medium, but also a way that everyone–equestrians or not– can feel connected to this project. Nearly everyone wears jeans, whether they are a pair of NYC designer jeans or a farmer’s old Levi’s. Everyone can feel a connection to this project, which will ultimately help more horses.”
A blue jean jumper. (Photo courtesy Shya Beth)
Blue jeans to be used in the project may be dropped off at Beval’s Saddlery in Gladstone, Horsemen’s Outlet in Lebanon and Tractor Supply in Blairstown. They can have rips and tears, but shouldn’t be too ratty, she cautioned.
Shya is creating several films about the sculptures that include the history of the sport and/or breed they represent interviews with the people who sign them.
Her current efforts involve horsehead wreaths made out of cedar and other evergreens she collects with her Halflinger on her Lafayette farm. Sale of the horse wreaths will benefit her Blue Jean project; she also makes Doberman wreaths, with proceeds going to a Doberman rescue. For information about the wreaths, go to mistybrookmeadows@gmail.com. Misty Brook Meadows is also on facebook. They aren’t just for Christmas—they’re nice decorations throughout the winter.
Shya Beth’s horsehead wreaths. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
Artist Sue Ziegler (www.suezieglerart.com), who has painted champion race horse California Chrome and whose work is displayed at galleries in Versailles, Ky., and Saratoga Springs, N.Y., started following “The Flying Shetlands” more than a year ago. She’s a fan of Shya.
“I was very impressed with the famous guests she interviewed on Equine Art Hour, and enjoyed learning more about the artists that were new to me. What she has accomplished is especially impressive knowing how young she is. After reading her Equine Art Hour interview about the Equus Film Festival, I entered their art contest and one of my works was chosen as a tour stop image for the festival.”
Shya said she was inspired by Sue, since she came to art late and has made quite a mark with her horse portraits.
Sue, in turn, commented on Shya’s energy and ingenuity, noting that participation in an art group to which she belonged had been low until Shya became the administrator.
“She changed the name to “Art of the Horse,” which was brilliant, and gave each day a theme, allowing artists to share their work, works in progress, successes, things they are grateful for. She has single-handedly turned the group into a community that supports each other in a very short period of time.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. She takes time to comment on everyone’s posts. She started a monthly banner contest that had over 100 works of art posted in the first week.
“When she asked me to be on the Equine Art Hour, I had to admit that I wasn’t on Twitter yet. She helped me with that, bringing me out of the dinosaur age, and when there was a free marketing seminar on line, she sent me the links to help me even more,” Sue added.
She called Shya, “A wonderful and creative artist in her own right. She’s an absolute angel and has done so much to enrich other artists’ lives. I am definitely one of them.”
He is, without a doubt, the best dressage horse in history—owning every world record and a slew of gold medals from the European Championships to the World Championships, the World Cup and the Olympics.
No matter where he competed, Valegro always was spectacular, as he was in winning the World Cup in Las Vegas last year. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
So it is fitting that Valegro entered his retirement from competition tonight in a moving performance at London’s Olympia Christmas show, watched by more than 7,500 fans with tears in their eyes as they stood to applaud and salute him.
“He is in every way a perfect horse…a joy to do everything with,” said his partner and rider, Charlotte Dujardin, after Valegro reprised his moving 2012 Olympic freestyle that incorporates the chimes of Big Ben. What a stage he had, surrounded by those who adored him, clapped in rhythm to his music and gave him a standing ovation.
“He’s the most incredible horse. He always gives me his very best,” commented Charlotte, who observed that this evening’s freestyle effort may have been his most impressive, possibly breaking his own record had it been judged.
But it wasn’t for the judges. It was for his team; Charlotte, trainer Carl Hester, groom Alan Davies, his proud owners, Roly Luard and Anne Barrott, but most of all, for his fans.
You’re doubtless one of them, whether you watched Valegro at the 2012 or 2016 Olympics, the World Cups he won in Lyon, France and Las Vegas or the World Equestrian Games in Normandy. Or were you lucky enough to touch him in Central Park during September, when Charlotte invited everyone to come into the ring and meet him? Did you ever wash that hand? Maybe you just saw him on TV or on the livestream, but there is no doubt that whether you were near or far, you felt a connection to this great equine personality.
Valegro welcomed his fans in Central Park. (Photo by Lawrence J. Nagy)
When I interviewed Carl at the 2015 Cup finals in Las Vegas, he told me Rio likely would be the final competitive performance for Blueberry, as the Dutchbred is known, and that the retirement would take place at Olympia. He predicted it would be a real “crybaby” moment, and of course it was, not only for the thousands in the arena, but those across the world who watched the livestream.
Happily, this won’t be the last we see of Valegro. He’s going to have another farewell as he is saluted in the Netherlands and after that he’ll be performing exhibitions here and there.
Former British chef d’equpe Richard Waygood observed about Valegro, “Not only does he have all the technical skills, but he also has the character to go with it.” Without one or the other, the horse—also called “The Professor” for his command of the discipline and the belief that he “read the book” on dressage, wouldn’t have become the sensation he is.
Even in pre-show ring familiarization, Valegro looked fabulous. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
“He taught us,” said Carl. In so many ways, Valegro is practically a person, with a wise eye and a sure knowledge of what he is and what he can do.
Former British World Class Dressage Manager Richard Davison said of Valegro, “He is the greatest. He is Muhammed Ali, whoever your great hero is, it’s him.” Citing the links that join Charlotte, Carl and Valegro,, Richard observed, “ the alchemy between those three has given us the privilege of watching the greatest combination in the world.”
Valegro was part of an effort that took British Olympic dressage from nowhere to the top of the podium. He was the standardbearer of the country’s amazing ascent in the sport, with endless effort from Carl, Charlotte and so many others.
How wonderful that somewhere, at some time in the near future, we’ll be able to see Valegro in action again. They didn’t pull off his shoes or remove his saddle, the usual routine at a retirement, because this is only the start of another phase for the horse.
“Now we can take all the pressure off, and just go around and really enjoy ourselves,” said Charlotte. From here on in, it’s fun.
Charlotte and Valegro won team and individual gold at the London Olympics. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
It’s wonderful that this superstar was retired while he is still at his best. I mean, how many gold medals do you need? But the regard for Valegro and his reputation prompted the wise decision. I look forward to the next time I watch Valegro wow the crowds again, and I’m sure you do as well.
One of the New Jersey equestrian community’s most active and respected volunteers, Tricia Haertlein, died Monday of cancer. A spirited worker with a “can do” approach who was extremely active with the Gladstone Driving Event, the Lebanon resident served as president of the Gladstone Equestrian Association’s Gladstone Driving board.
But you would often see her at competitions involving other disciplines in the state. She and her equally civic-minded sister, Barbara, took turns as president of the Hunterdon County Horse and Pony Association.
Susan Data-Samtak, president of the Somerset County Horse & Pony Association and another dedicated volunteer, noted “Tricia was a knowledgeable horsewoman, having been a carriage driver and rider most of her life. Early on, Tricia was a 4H leader for a “horseless horse club” before such clubs were popular. Tricia assisted in Octavia Brown’s handicapped riding program, organized driving and riding events, pre-dating the formation of the Gladstone Driving Event.
“Tricia was always there to help another horse person with advice or recommendations as to who might help if she couldn’t. We will miss her strength and support,” Susan concluded.
Contributions in Tricia’s memory may be made to the Hunterdon Land Trust, 111 Mine St., Flemington, NJ 08822, an organization with which she had been working before she became ill.
Jerseyans in the spotlight at the U.S. Eventing Association annual meeting last weekend included course designer Morgan Rowsell of Long Valley, who joined the group’s board of governors, and Beth Battel of Roosevelt.
Beth is the co-owner of Stella Artois, the winner of the 2-star competition at the Fair Hill International in October. Stella’s rider is co-owner Jennie Brannigan, who accepted a $25,000 check for the Connaught Grant, administered by the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation in memory of R. Bruce Duchossois.
Bruce, a great patron of equestrian sports, owned Connaught, who won the Rolex Kentucky 4-star with Phillip Dutton. The Connaught grant is given for a CCI one- or two-star horse that, like Stella, is seen as a potential candidate to represent the U.S. Equestrian Team internationally.
He was the superstar of American three-day eventing after making history by winning the individual gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. From there, he assured the end of a disruptive governance battle by breaking out of his comfort zone as the first president of the U.S. Equestrian Federation, serving for nearly a decade to get the new organization on firm footing.
No one who was at the Olympics in Sydney, Australia, in 2000 will ever forget David O’Connor’s triumphal pass around the arena with the American flag and his gold medal. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
Then he took the job he had always wanted and became the technical advisor and chef d’equipe of the U.S. eventing team. But the golden glow that lighted David O’Connor’s way for so long dimmed when his squads failed to finish at the 2014 World Equestrian Games and the 2016 Olympics.
Even though Phillip Dutton earned individual bronze in Rio last summer and the U.S. qualified for those Olympics with a team gold at the 2015 Pan American Games, where cross-country was run at the 2-star level, there was a real question as to whether David would get a new contract to continue in the role he undertook four years ago.
Under USEF Director of Sport Will Connell, an exhaustive post-Rio review was launched with input from athletes and officials. But it finally worked out with the announcement this week that David would stay, though at this point only through the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, N.C. He will however, be employed with a slightly different methodology that’s stronger on the management side.
As the USEF statement put it, he will be working with eventing managing director Joanie Morris “in the development and implementation of eventing plans, pathway, program and systems that will help grow programs for developing and elite athlete.” His role, it said, “has been adjusted to focus more on management of the programs and the athletes’ personal programs and goals, rather than hands-on coaching.”
As David explained, “The personal coaches (of individual riders) are a very strong side of the program that’s going to be pushed, and the assessment of markers of what you expect within three months, six months, a year, for progression of horses and riders.
“These will be agreed upon with the rider and myself and documented, so there is a very clear path that we and they can judge whether the system that they have is actually working,” continued David, explaining the new format during an interview at the U.S. Eventing Association annual meeting in Hollywood, Fla.
David O’Connor at the U.S. Eventing Association annual meeting. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
For example, he said, “If someone is on a 53 dressage (score) and they think that’s a weakness and they say `I’ve got someone who’s going to help me,’ everyone’s on the same plan. But if six months later they’re on a 57, you’re like, ‘`Now wait a minute…’”
The idea is to have all those involved in working with horses and riders for top competition on the same page.
“The process will be more objective and the communication is clear and everyone understands what the communication is,” said David.
He wants to get more people involved, in the way a head coach gets information from various sub coaches. David plans to add observers at different fences on the cross-country day of championships who can give him information to help make decisions, noting Germany and France, for instance, have multiple people helping during major events.
In terms of why the teams failed to finish at the WEG and in Rio, a lot of factors are involved, but David didn’t want to rehash the specifics.
“I will never say it’s not my fault. I’m the captain of the ship. I’ll never throw riders under the bus,” he emphasized.
But he stated “I also think the program is halfway through its growth. When we look at four years ago, compared to what I look at now, I think we’re in a different place. I think about the younger kids coming up and showing consistency. I see good things in the future.”
At the time David started his job, he said, U.S. riders had a 48 percent completion rate cross-country. In 2015, it was an 89 percent completion rate, and this year it was 72 percent. “The game has shifted,” he contended, yet on cross-country day at the Olympics “it didn’t work.”
Overall, however, he commented, “I believe we’re on the rise. I have two years to prove it. And if I don’t prove it? Next stage.”
David competing at Rolex Kentucky in 2004. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
He reminded me of a conversation we had at the 2010 WEG, when he was coaching the Canadian team that brought home the silver medal against the odds. After I congratulated him, he reminded me that the Canadians’ success hadn’t come overnight, but had been a four years in development.
David pointed out U.S. riders generally finish in the top five everywhere they go, with the exception of the Badminton and Burghley 4-stars; in the Olympic Games, he pointed out, both Phillip and Boyd Martin were in the top 10.
Incoming USEF President Murray Kessler, who gave a presentation about his organization’s new strategic plan at the USEA meeting, said when asked, “Of course I’m happy David is coming back. I feel great about it.
“We had a committee that went through the process with it. I think the team put together a beautiful plan for the next two years with him, and if that delivers, I think you’ll see a very different performance on the team level at WEG.”
The last 18 months or so have been full of good news for equestrian fans and participants in New Jersey’s Somerset Hills, an area that is revving up to once again be a center of multi-discipline horse sports—which also is a positive for those much further afield who are eager to be part of it.
Following the announcement that the Essex Horse Trials will be revived in 2017 after an absence of 19 years, an exhibition competition was staged in June at Moorland Farm in Far Hills as a preview of the event itself. The fact that it drew such stars as Jennie Brannigan (the winner), longtime Essex competitor Buck Davidson and local favorites Sinead Halpin and Holly Payne Caravella was an indicator of great interest in the project, which also has drawn a good response as it seeks volunteers to help stage the competition.
This shot of Holly Payne Caravella at the Essex Horse Trials Derby Cross in June shows off the beauty of Moorland Farm. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
In August, the debut of Monmouth at the Team–relocating New Jersey’s oldest show from Monmouth County to the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation’s Gladstone headquarters in Somerset County–drew a great entry for a triumphant debut.
Word last month that the Grand Prix, Intermediaire I and Brentina Cup U.S. Equestrian Federation dressage championships are returning to the foundation facility in May 2017 is another boost.
And now here’s one more: Moorland Farm could host a prestigious show jumping competition in 2018 if it is chosen as the site of a Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League qualifier. When the USEF asked who would be interested in bidding to hold such a competition, Guy Torsilieri raised his hand. Guy heads up the Far Hills Race Meeting at Moorland that draws more than 30,000 people to the venue in October.
“Moorland Farm threw our hat in the ring,” said Guy, who filed an expression of interest by the Nov. 16 deadline and is waiting for details in the formal Request for Proposal that is due to come out early next year. At that point, he noted, the requirements can be analyzed “and we can decide if we want to proceed, but I think we probably will.”
If Moorland gets the qualifier, Guy envisions a set-up something like the one for the highly successful show put on by Equestrian Sport Productions in Central Park, which is not involved with the World Cup series. Footing is trucked into Central Park for the competition, which includes show jumping, hunters and dressage, and then trucked out again. Guy pointed out that footing has a limited lifespan, so it’s better to lease a state-of-the-art surface when it’s needed, rather than letting it sit and deteriorate when it is used only once or twice a year. An infrastructure involving a base and drainage at Moorland could be used for Essex as well, along with any other competitions staged subsequently, Guy said.
The Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping qualifiers, like the one where Kent Farrington was victorious in February at the Wellington Masters, have impressive signage as part of their program. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
The Longines NAL cut a large number of qualifiers to focus on 14 in North America, with seven in the East and seven in the West. Shows involved in that program were selected for a three-year run, beginning with the 2015-2016 season. The 2016-2017 season ends with the final in Omaha March 29-April 2, and the third season begins in June 2017. The USEF is looking for candidates to present NAL classes starting with the 2018-2019 season.
The qualifiers are always part of a show, such as the Wellington Masters and the Live Oak International, both in Florida, and the American Gold Cup in Westchester County, N.Y. Guy noted that more than the one class would be offered if Moorland won the bid. While most shows bidding likely will have held jumping competitions previously—something Moorland hasn’t done—it’s worth noting that the Wellington Masters is at a site which did not have a history of offering a major show, though jumping classes had been presented there before it staged its first qualifier last February.
Asked about how many entities came forward before last month’s deadline, Jennifer Haydon, the USEF’s director of jumping for national programs, replied, “We had a fair amount. We had a lot of interest in that. The FEI is going to work with us on getting more information so these guys know what it’s all about before they actually submit a bid.” She noted that all the U.S. venues that already are hosting qualifiers (which is all the USEF deals with, since others are in Canada and Mexico) want to continue. A decision on the 2018-19 qualifiers is not expected until April.
Even if Moorland does not get a Longines qualifier, it still is likely show jumping competition will be held there eventually.
“It’s something that interests us,” Guy said of the qualifier, while at the same time noting, “We may not do it, but it’s showing everybody we’re not just going to stop at the Far Hills Races, Essex Horse Trials, Monmouth at the Team. There are going to be other opportunities. There’s going to continue to be substantial equestrian growth in this area. We don’t have any specific plans yet, but show jumping at Moorland Farm is definitely on the radar.”
The VIP tent was full of spectators during Monmouth at the Team. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
Guy added, “It’s a continuation of this plan that Jimmy (Brady) and I and a bunch of us have been working on.”
The two men understand that there has to be something besides the equestrian portion of a competition to bring folks in the door, which is why there are plans for the Essex Horse Trials to have a car show and a vendor village, along with plenty of hospitality (also a hallmark of the Monmouth show).
In June 2015, the Gladstone Gathering at the USET Foundation headquarters brought together people from the community with an interest in seeing more equestrian competitions in the area. The Essex revival grew out of that party, which was spearheaded by Jimmy, whose family owned Hamilton Farm when it was a vast estate. He led the way in rejuvenating the Gladstone Equestrian Association, which in its heyday presented the landmark 1993 World Pair Driving Championships. Its new iteration, with a board drawn from several disciplines, is geared to “attract, promote and retain” equestrian activities.
So stay tuned. They say about stock funds that past performance is no guarantee of future results, but that type of warning doesn’t seem applicable to this initiative, which is in the right place at the right time and fueled by action as well as enthusiasm.
It’s time for an encore–Robert Dover will be technical advisor for the U.S. dressage team through the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, while continuing to raise funds as he did so successfully before the Olympics.
“I am thrilled and honored to remain in the position of dressage technical advisor for the USEF,” he said after coming to an agreement with the U.S. Equestrian Federation.
“I look forward to continuing to work with staff, volunteers and athletes to produce training and programs for sustained excellence for the U.S. Equestrian Dressage Team,” added Robert, who also will serve as chef d’equipe at certain competitions.
Dover amassed quite a record after taking on the chef d’ equipe/technical advisor role in 2013. In addition to winning a bronze medal at the Rio Olympics last summer, the squad under his leadership took team gold and individual gold and silver at the Pan American Games and finished fourth at the 2014 WEG.
“Robert has done so many positive things for U.S. Dressage. From returning our team to the Olympic podium to growing our development program, there is no one better to lead U.S. dressage,” said USEF President Chrystine Tauber.
“As an athlete, chef d’equipe, or technical advisor, it has been wonderful to see the amazing impact he has had on this sport and our athletes. I know Robert will work hard to build upon this success.”
The Fair Hill, Maryland, facility that hosts the 2- and 3-star fall national championship events and a variety of other equestrian competitions, is looking for an upgrade as it seeks to stage the USA’s second 4-star event.
Stakeholders have begun discussions with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources about the 2015 Maryland Horse Park System Study, which recommended Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area as an ideal equestrian field event venue.
The interest was prompted by new information about the economic value of Maryland’s horse industry as well as an invitation to submit a proposal to host the 4-star, which will be held in 2018 or, more likely, 2019, since the World Equestrian Games will take center stage in September 2018.
“New economic data shows that the state’s equine industry has grown 23 percent in the last five years and contributes $1.15 billion in annual economic activity,” said Jim Steele, chair of the Maryland Horse Industry Board.
“Improving equine facilities at Fair Hill is a vital part of this industry-wide renaissance. We have to stay current and make sure our competition venues meet the needs of the equestrian community.”
Implementation of the study includes enhancement of existing facilities and infrastructure that would support improved conditions for a broad spectrum of activities and programming, including steeplechasing, timber racing, polo, 4-H, the Cecil County Fair and more.
As the partners in the implementation of the recommendations, Fair Hill International was given the opportunity to respond to a request from the U.S. Equestrian Federation to host the new 4-star. Rolex Kentucky, at this point the country’s only 4-star, is held in the spring at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.
“Regardless of the outcome of the 4-star proposal, there remains tremendous interest and support to upgrade Fair Hill’s infrastructure for a variety of recreational uses,” said Maryland Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton.
“A community-led foundation is now being developed to begin identifying potential funding for critical enhancements and improvements at the racetrack and fairgrounds.”
Work continues with stakeholders, park users, and the community to develop and refine the proposed enhancements in the coming months. There will be opportunity for public comment and engagement. If the site is selected, Maryland would then join Kentucky as the only state to host both a Triple Crown race and a 4-star event.
Other contenders for the 4-star are Great Meadow and Morven Park, both in Virginia; the Ocala Jockey Club in Florida and the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Tryon, N.C., where the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games will be held.
Valegro, the greatest dressage horse ever, retires Dec. 14 at the Olympia show in London. You can see the ceremony and the freestyle that precedes it beginning at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on FEI TV. The show ends at 5:35 p.m. EST. Go to www.feitv.org to learn the details.
Click on the arrow to see a wonderful video paying tribute to this magnificent horse.
