by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 14, 2025
Town Halls throughout the summer and autumn have been scheduled at a number of shows across the country by the U.S. Equestrian Federation, with the idea of discussing equine well-being among those who compete in a variety of breeds and disciplines.
In July, forums on equine well-being were held at HITS in New York and the Oaks in California. Here are some of the suggestions offered at those sessions:
- Evaluate judging criteria for hunters and encourage judges not to penalize horses for expressiveness that’s appropriate for the level
- Increase the number of shows and horses that are drug tested
- Drug test the top placed horses in all classes
- Require horses on the grounds for 24 hours prior to competing in any class $10,000 or more
- Task USEF with assigning stewards to competitions to reduce concerns about conflicts of interest
- Guidelines for blood (a rule change will be considered by the USEF board Aug. 26)
- Minimum requirements for horses and/or riders to demonstrate aptitude at a level before they can move up to a new level
- Installation of surveillance cameras at stalls, in wash racks, in lunging and schooling areas
- Offer educational programs for grooms on ethical treatment, and also educational programs helping trainers know how to teach new grooms about proper handling.
One town hall has already led to an initiative. After the audience brought up concerns about the treatment of horses in the wash racks at shows, the Oaks show organizer Nilforushan Equisport Events posted signs at the wash racks in both English and Spanish the next day, letting grooms and competitors know that spraying horses in the face is prohibited.
More town halls are scheduled this year. In August, the sessions are set for the USEF Pony Finals Aug. 5 in Lexington, Ky., and on Aug. 22, for the Dressage Festival of Champions in Wayne, Ill.
During September, they will be at the Arabian Sport Horse Nationals Sept. 8-13 in Wilmington, Ohio; the All-American Classic Sept. 10 or 11 in Indianapolis and the Oktoberfest at Stable View, Aiken, S..C. Sept. 27,
Oct. 4-11, the session will be during the Morgan Grand Nationals in Oklahoma City and Oct. 30 at the U.S. Dressage Finals in Wilmington, Ohio. Dates are yet to be decided for December through February.
For those who can’t make one of the sessions at a show, an on-line forum will be held before the end of the year. Send any thoughts about the state of welfare for show horses, or how to improve it, to feedback@usef.org.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 27, 2025
Aaron Vale, who had two major grand prix wins already this year at Devon and Upperville, was in the spotlight across the Atlantic on Sunday in Dinard France, taking the 500,000 Euro Rolex fixture on his stalwart Carissimo 25.
Dinard winner Aaron Vale and Carissimo 25. (Photo by McKenzie Clark for US Equestrian)
Many of the riders from this month’s European Championships tried their luck over the course designed by Jean-François Morand, albeit some with different horses. Top U25 rider Nina Mallevaey of France rode her championships mount Dynastie de Beaufour, but lost her stirrup partway through the tiebreaker and had to settle for third in 40.64. Harrie Smolders of the Netherlands and Mr. Tac made a good effort with 40.51 seconds
Aaron and the horse known as Ducky blew them away in 38.77, and then the rider was ready for his champagne.
“I just had to stay clear and go full throttle,” he said of his round, adding how impressed he was by the atmosphere at the showgrounds.
Click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 15, 2025
After 14 years of litigation, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has encountered a judicial setback to its plans for eliminating wild horses from more than 2 million acres of public land in Wyoming, home to the Adobe Town, Salt Wells Creek and Great Divide Basin herds.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit found serious legal failings in the BLM’s concept. contending it acted arbitrarily and capriciously in adopting its plan, violating federal law by failing to consider a core requirement of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. That is, managing wild horses and burros as part of a thriving natural ecological balance on public lands.
“This is a significant win for America’s wild horses and a meaningful check on BLM overreach. The court has made clear that the BLM cannot sidestep the law to appease special interests and eliminate wild horses from their rightful habitat,” said Suzanne Roy, executive director of American Wild Horse Conservation.
“Wild horses are meant to roam free, not be rounded up and erased from the landscape. We remain committed to fighting for the future of Wyoming’s iconic wild horse herds.”
Joanna Grossman, Ph.D., equine program director for the Animal Welfare Institute stated: “This ruling sends a clear message: the Bureau of Land Management cannot simply erase wild horses from the landscape because they pose an inconvenience to the agency. These animals are federally protected and must be managed humanely, not eliminated. The court’s decision upholds a key tenet of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, setting a strong precedent for the protection of wild herds across the west.”
American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC), the Animal Welfare Institute, Western Watersheds Project and their allies have secured a legal victory that delivers a major setback to the largest attempted eradication of wild horses in U.S. history.
“Public lands are suffering not from wild horses, but from the industrial livestock lobby’s corrosive influence. The BLM removes protected mustangs only to make room for cattle and sheep—subsidized at rock bottom fees—while ignoring the real ecological damage wrought by these domestic herds,” said Erik Molvar, executive director of the Western Watersheds Project.
“This ruling demands accountability and exposes who’s truly driving degradation on the range.”
The case challenged a BLM Resource Management Plan (RMP) amendment that would have eradicated wild horses from two Herd Management Areas (HMAs) by changing their status to Herd Areas (HAs) with population targets of zero, and slashed the population in a third HMA by over half.
In planning documents, the BLM repeatedly acknowledged that areas under consideration for its management plan contained adequate forage, water, space, and other resources to sustain wild horse herds and maintain a thriving natural ecological balance. The court found the agency acted arbitrarily and capriciously by failing to assess whether its decision was consistent with ecological balance—a central mandate of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.
The ruling states that the BLM cannot “use the RMP process to skirt its Wild Horse Act obligations.”
However, it also leaves room for BLM to attempt to revise and potentially reinstate its plan, underscoring the need for continued oversight and advocacy.
The lawsuit was brought by American Wild Horse Conservation, the Animal Welfare Institute, Western Watersheds Project, wildlife photographers Carol Walker and Kimerlee Curyl and sociologist and author Chad Hanson. They are represented by the public interest law firm Eubanks & Associates, PLLC. Two other wild horse protection organizations each filed separate lawsuits in the case.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 21, 2025
At the age of 19, Mai Baum was still showing his class over the weekend at the Event at Rebecca Farm, winning the 4-star Short before taking a bow and retiring from competition in the same place where he won his first 3-star.
Mai Baum and Tamie Smith in the ring for the last time. (Shannon Brinkman photo)
With Tamie Smith aboard, the aptly nicknamed Lexus broke the Montana event’s dressage score record with 22 penalties, did a solo turn on cross-country so everyone could watch and turned in a show jumping double-clear to earn his final trophy.
He was ridden in the victory gallop by his owner, Alex Ahearn, who also did the honors in the retirement ceremony, where he received a wreath of flowers. Mai Baum was the first U.S. horse since 2007 to win the Kentucky 5-star when he triumphed there in 2023, making him an instant hero who will be missed.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 20, 2025
It wasn’t quite a wire-to-wire win, but Germany’s Richard Vogel led brilliantly most of the way to take richly deserved individual honors during the Longines FEI European Jumping Championship at Casas Novas in A Coruña, Spain on Sunday.
Never taking a misstep throughout four days of competition with the sensational United Touch S, Richie showed polished style over the demanding and brilliant technical courses produced by 2024 Paris Olympics co-designer Santiago Varela of Spain.
The new European Champion, Richard Vogel on United Touch S. (FEI Photo/Benjamin Clark)
The first day’s speed and handiness round was won by Daniel Coyle of Ireland on Legacy, but wishing to save the mare for future ventures, he dropped out. Richie’s time was 0.03 seconds slower than Daniel’s to put him second by a hair, but he moved up to first place and never left it following the Irishman’s departure.
Round after round, he and the Westfalen stallion by Untouched delivered fault-free trips over courses that demanded the utmost attention to detail, which is Richie’s specialty with United.
“I think everyone that saw it live or in front of the television sees how amazing he is,” the new European champion emphasized.
“How he performed over all days here gave such an incredible feeling. I’m very glad I could give him this medal, because he really, really deserves it.”
Sunday’s first course at the championships.
Richie didn’t hesitate to explain what contributes to his success.
“I’m just very lucky to be surrounded by special people. To name all of them would take another 20 minutes, probably half an hour. They are trying to make the best out of me there is,” he said modestly. His partner, Sophie Hinners, also was successful, finishing sixth on Iron Dames My Prins.
The competition was whittled down from 69 starters on Wednesday through to 25 starters Sunday morning, followed by a final contest for the top 12.
Sunday’s final course for the top 12.
The individual podium wound up with representatives of the three medal-winning teams.
The Longines FEI European Championships individual medalists: Scott Brash, Great Britain, silver; Richard Vogel, Germany, gold and Gilles Thomas, Belgium, bronze. (FEI Photo)
Richie contributed to Germany’s team bronze medal effort; individua silver medalist Scott Brash (Hello Folie) also was part of Great Britain’s medal of the same color, and young Gilles Thomas (Ermitage Kalone) took bronze after serving on Belgium’s gold medal team.
Scott’s ride was amazing all week, jumping out of spots where it looked as if his mare didn’t have a chance of keeping the rails in place — but Folie always did.
“She’s an incredible mare,” said Scott, mentioning that in the warm-up she felt a little tired. No matter.
“She still gives her absolute all. That shows her fighting spirit,” he noted proudly.
“She’s incredible, she’s fantastic, she knows she’s good. She’s like a small pony – she loves her food and is very greedy. She’s also quite lazy – you’d be surprised, because she’s so excitable when she goes in the ring, but she’s quite lazy in and about the place and tries to cheat out of doing work. So we have to talk to each other now and again and come to a compromise. ”
Gilles noted he had wanted a team medal in Spain, but after achieving that, “My horse felt very good, so I started to believe in another medal. Coming home with two medals is a dream. I always dreamed of having a medal in a big championship.. And now I have two,” said the man whose career took off after he was a gold medalist at both Children’s and Junior level. He has brought his 11-year-old Selle Francais stallion along for eight years.
The horses of the top three are incredible creatures, showing such an amazingly high standard that takes the sport to another level. The European Championships offered an impressive view of how the sport’s quality has evolved. With so many younger riders, such as 27-year-old Gilles and 22-year-old Seamus Hughes Kennedy of Ireland in fifth place, it demonstrated a secure standard of athletes — human and equine– for years to come.
Click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 18, 2025
Belgium made a great podium leap from third place to take gold Friday at the Longines FEI European Jumping Championships for the first time since 2019.
The scores were so close it could have been anybody’s gold among the top three.
Britain, which had been leading since the competition began on Wednesday, slipped back to silver with two Olympic gold medalists and two championships newcomers on its side. Germany stayed steady to keep ahead of Ireland for bronze in the contest that attracted teams from 18 countries to Spain. Only the top 10 nations took part in the finals.
The Belgian team of Pieter Devos, Gilles Thomas, Nicola Philippaerts, Thibeau Spits and chef d’equipe Peter Weinberg. (FEI Photo/Benjamin Clark)
After Gilles Thomas put in a perfect trip to secure the Belgian win aboard Ermitage Kalone, the anchor rider said the victory “means a lot. From a young kid, you always watch championships, the championships are so important. To have a horse like Ermitage Kalone, I have to give him a medal. The way he was jumping today, he felt amazing.”
Gilles knew, “I could just do my thing and he will leave the fences up.”
Belgium’s chef d’equipe, Peter Weinberg, noted about his squad, “It was a quite young team this time, but they are unbelievable riders and with very good nerves, as you could see in the second round. We came from behind and the horses were jumping brilliantly.”
The route put together by 2024 Olympic co-course designer Santiago Varela and his team was imposing but delicate, with an 81-second time-allowed that proved a bit more challenging than on the other days of the competition. German veteran Marcus Ehning called it “a really, really tough course.”
The Belgian, British and German teams on the podium.
The British drop score on Thursday and Friday belonged to senior championships newcomer Matthew Sampson. He had two refusals in the triple combination on Thursday with Medoc de Toxandria and was eliminated.
A different triple on Friday also was a problem. Matthew’s horse hit the A element oxer and then refused the B segment, which was a vertical topped by a plank. It was an “oh, no!” moment, but instead of retiring, Matthew tried again and made it through. He finished on 14 penalties; 8 for the knockdown and refusal and 6 for time, but completing showed the mettle of horse and rider.
“Medoc jumped amazing again,” said Matt.
“Obviously, we had a little hiccup the first time in the triple combination and I think that was really, honestly, coming to (due to) yesterday. I had the feeling that he really wanted to jump it, honestly, and that’s why I came back the second time, and I think he proved what an amazing horse is,” Matt continued.
“There aren’t many horses that can lose confidence like that, you know, in a certain fence, and the rider a little bit, and come back from it. But I put my leg on and said, ‘Come on boy, we can do it’ and he said, ‘Okay’. And he just jumped it.
“I think he jumped it better than you could ever want a horse to jump it the second time, so I’m disappointed with the score, but very proud of the horse. It’s a difficult situation to be in, especially in a championship like this,” he noted.
Although Olympic gold medalists Ben Maher (Dallas Vegas Batilly) and Scott Brash (Hello Folie) were fault-free, taking out both top rails on B of the double combination that was the next-to-last obstacle meant 4 faults for Donald Whitaker and Millfield Colette.
Without that error, Britain would have stayed in the lead, but it wound up with 7.96 penalties to 5.61 for Belgium.
After a clean slate Thursday, 4 faults each in the final round from 2024 Olympic individual gold medalist Christian Kukuk on Just Be Gentle and Marcus Ehning (Coolio 42) left Germany with bronze and 8.19 faults. If either of them had gone clear, Germany would have won.
Germany’s Richard Vogel on the fabulous Westfalen stallion United Touch S is in the lead for the individual title, which will be contested Sunday by the top 25 riders, some of whom, like Richie, were on teams, and some who were not. He has 0.01 penalties, while Scott has 1.08 with his Selle Francais mare, only 10 years old and doing herself proud in her first championships.
Reigning European Champion Steve Guerdat of Switzerland had a beautifully planned trip Friday, giving a real riding lesson, with Albfuehren’s Iashin Sitte, descended on his dam’s side from the famous Tinka’s Boy. Steve’s total is 1.19 penalties. The top 12 after Sunday’s first round will come back for a final crack at the title.
There are 13 riders within one fence of each other, and two fences between the top 25.
Click here for team results and here for individual standings
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 22, 2025
The name of Debbie Haimowitz isn’t engraved on sterling silver trophies, inscribed on Hall of Fame plaques or mentioned in books about equestrian sport.
Her contributions to the horse world aren’t the kind that bring fame, but they were fundamental, with an emphasis on teaching the essentials of horse care and riding.
Whether she was giving lessons, working with a horse or setting jumps for other trainers, the fine points always mattered.
“Debbie was all about horsemanship and teaching and learning and really participating.” said Gina Plantz, who knew Debbie from 2011 until the trainer died of cancer in February 2024.
An amateur show jumper who rides with Olympic medalist Chris Kappler at Chartwell in Pittstown, N.J., Gina wanted to do something meaningful in Debbie’s memory and came up with an idea in the spring of 2024.
She talked it over with Sarah Segal, Chartwell’s owner, and the result is what has just become the Debbie Haimowitz Horsemanship Foundation. It honors Debbie’s “enduring legacy by meticulously upholding her core principles of horsemanship, continuous learning and compassionate equine care.”
Gina, Sarah, Chris and his barn manager, Katie Hartmann, as well as Debbie’s longtime friend, Jonna Gaston, the foundation’s president, are board members for the new entity, which focuses on riders between the ages of 18 and 25. They learn not only riding, but also care, maintenance of the horse and the mechanics involved in running a barn.
The foundation is envisioned as “a pivotal force in nurturing the next generation of equestrians with a core mission to identify and empower aspiring young talents who demonstrate not only exceptional skill, but also a profound commitment to the sport’s highest ideals.”
“We can try to have a resource of American riders who have time and energy put into them where they will be useful to somebody,” said Chris, thinking of other professionals who ask him for recommendations when they’re seeking to hire riders.
Chris noted candidates for the foundation program may be people who are “a little bit hidden that we can try to help identify and bring to the forefront. Just trying to connect people where they can help each other out.”
He observed that in this era, “the horsemanship part of it is becoming more and more lost.” So the foundation’s goals include “fostering future instructors, professional riders and devoted equestrians who embody Debbie’s work ethic and genuine connection to horses.”
The foundation is formally under way this summer with Clare Friedlander coming from suburban Rochester, N.Y., for two weeks of lessons and barn work at Chartwell, including mucking out, bathing horses, bandaging and learning the right way to take care of the horses.That will be topped off by two weeks of showing, all under her foundation grant.
Chris trains Clare through a gymnastic. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
Clare’s mother, the former Stacy Brown, was a riding assistant for Chris in the early1990s. She and her husband run a therapeutic riding program at their barn, where Clare works.
Getting the grant has been a revelation for Clare.
“I never had a chance to focus on myself,” explained the 18-year-old, who enters Nazareth University near her home this fall.
At Chartwell, “Just walking into the barn, you get a wealth of knowledge that you didn’t even know was possible. Every person you go to, if you ask a question, they will answer it in depth and not make you feel silly for asking. They want you to learn, and learn the right way.”
Izzy Malick, a 19-year-old from Colorado who attends South Dakota State University, gave the foundation’s concept a test run last summer after Chris saw her progress during several clinics and invited her to Pittstown as he mulled implementing the organization’s goals.
“Going through it once gives you a lot of ideas about how you want to do it the next time,” said Chris. Although the program originally was supposed to last two weeks, Chris decided it was important to add two weeks of showing to the session for grant recipients.
“They can see in a month how hard everyone works here and what level of commitment it takes to do something you really want to do, and do it well. I feel like you can have an imprint on people with your ideology of what you’re trying to do,” he explained.
Izzy and Clare get some words of wisdom from Chris. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I think they’re at the stage, `Is this something I want to make a life venture or not?’ This is a particularly trying industry because of the hard work, the hours and it’s not easy to make a living in this sport.”
But the young women are eager to explore where the horse business will fit into their lives. Izzy came back on her own dime this summer because she found the experience extremely valuable.
“Chris is so knowledgeable, I learn something every time he speaks,” said Izzy, who borrowed a horse so she could participate.
“The staff takes such good care of the horses. If you ask Chris a question, he gives a good in-depth answer. He’s a very good connection to have in the horse world.”
The girls with Gina Plantz and Jonna Gaston (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
Gina was a working student in New Hampshire in the 1980s and ’90s, working hard around the barn while learning the essentials of horse care, as well as riding. Such experience was common at one time, but the kids fondly known as “barn rats” who used to work for a lesson or an hour in the saddle are not around much today.
What Debbie’s friends are doing in her memory is “an opportunity for us to refocus on horsemanship and making sure people remember this is not just about riding and showing,” said Gina, who didn’t have her own horse until she was 31.
She works in corporate management at the environmental engineering firm Haley & Aldrich, but balances that commitment with showing and continuing to learn.
“Understanding everything you possibly can is only going to help your riding,” Gina observed.
According to Jonna, Debbie “believed in the connection between horse and rider, and that connection starts with the horsemanship. The part we feel is missing is day-to-day barn work. People are quick to take a lesson and go to a show, but kids don’t want to spend hours in the barn.”
Clare gets a lesson in stall cleaning from Katie Hartmann. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
Jonna said Debbie was never one to take credit for how well her students did; she was simply happy for them..
“It was her joy to watch them grow and do well,” said Jonna, noting that could even be “10 minutes in a lesson that somebody felt something they hadn’t felt before.”
Jonna, who didn’t own her horse until she was 57, runs the Green Valley Tack Shop in Pine Island, N.Y. Like so many of their generation, she and Debbie got the basics of equestrian involvement from 4-H; she was in Bergen County, N.J.; Debbie was in Rockland County, N.Y. But the two didn’t meet until 1990, when Jonna answered newspaper ad to ride at a local barn. That was Debbie’s base, and the light came on for Jonna.
“Oh, that’s what a lesson is supposed to be like,” she realized, after Debbie taught her the first time. But learning came from more than riding.
With Debbie, she would visit George Morris when he ran Hunterdon Inc. in Pittstown, and benefit from watching the lessons he taught, and eventually those given there by Jeff Cook and Chris.
Val Huckstep offers an expert tutorial on bandaging. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
Gina envisions the foundation’s work being carried on with other trainers as it grows, and various fundraisers, large and small, will contribute toward keeping the project going.
This month, it had its first such clinic, with presentations by veterinarian Brendan Furlong and a talk on shipping safety by Kevin Hennessey, who runs a horse transportation business. Chris filled people in on setting courses and also taught a lesson.
Giving a proper bath was part of the agenda after a schooling session. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
The focus of the foundation is the current group of younger riders, but there’s another generation coming along.
Anastasia Deren is one of them, just 10 years old. The first word she said was “horsie” and she hopes to take lessons with Chris someday.
The youngest person at the clinic, Anastasia felt the best thing about it was watching her idol teach.
“I just love the way he addresses everything to the riders and how he incorporates dressage into his jumping,” said the fifth-grader from Bridgewater, N.J. who found Chris after searching on line,
Anastasia, who rides with Cara Wheeler at Duncraven in Titusville, N.J., shows in the 0.70 meter jumpers with her Argentine warmblood, Rose, but she is looking to go higher; much higher, someday.
Anastasia and Rose. (Joseph Deren photo)
“I definitely want to make it to the Olympics,” she said.
But there’s more to her dedication than that.
“I always felt horses need to be treated the right way. They need to be taken care of. you can’t just hand them to someone else or you’re never going to learn. You need to have proper horsemanship.”
Debbie would agree.
To donate to the program, click on this link. To view photos on Instagram, click here
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 17, 2025
Calling on all his experience and the courage of his mare, Great Britain’s Scott Brash powered through a nightmare moment when he lost his left rein before the troublesome triple combination at the Longines European Show Jumping Championships Thursday.
As he was just a few strides from the obstacle, his rein went astray, and it appeared he would have to circle and re-approach.
But the Olympic team gold medalist didn’t hesitate, and neither did the plucky Hello Folie. They kept going and cleared the vertical/oxer/oxer line-up in a breathtaking moment on their way to a clear round at the competition in Spain./”
“I just managed to gather up the rein at right time,” Scott said, “but I was very deep coming in and asked her to jump and she responded so well. What was nice was that line didn’t feel great, but she settled down and jumped home very well. I think that shows how confident she is with me and what a great partnership we have, so hopefully we’ll be in a great place tomorrow,” he said.
Explaining what happened, Scott said, “My mare jumped unbelievable…She jumps high behind and sometimes snatches a little bit, so I lost my rein and we were lucky just to get to the triple.
“What a spirit and fight she showed to jump through what was a very testing triple anyway,” he said of the 10-year-old Selle Francais (Luidam X Diamant de Semilly).
“Her attitude’s amazing. She wants to do the job and that makes life easy for me.”
Scott Brash and Hello Folie with reins. (British Equestrian/Jon Stroud Media)
Their performance was vital to keep day one leader Britain in front of Germany on the second day of the show, since Scott’s teammate, Matt Sampson, had two refusals at the last element in the triple and was eliminated, becoming the drop score, since only the best three scores count–and the other team members all were fault-free.
Chef d’Equipe Di Lampard joked when asked about Scott’s feat, “I think he was saying to Matt, actually, `I can do this one-handed. What’s the matter?’ ”
The team race is a tight one. The Brits need some luck to stay ahead of Germany with perfect rounds from each of its riders, because the margin between them is only 0.23 penalties. On their heels are the Belgians, just 0.42 back. Ireland is further away, another 3.78 penalties behind.
On Friday, the top 10 teams of the 18 that started Wednesday will return for their finals. Sweden, the reigning European championship squad, just made the finals in tenth place. After its victory in its home Rolex Nations Cup in Falsterbo last weekend, its two star riders — Henrik von Eckermann and Peder Fredricson — were not part of its team at the Europeans.
Fifty riders will be competing, since individuals are also included, with their final set for Sunday at Casas Novas in A Coruña. Following the decision of overnight leader Daniel Coyle to drop out and save Legacy for next month’s Dublin Horse Show (read about it here), Germany’s Richard Vogel with United Touch S (0.1 penalties) moved into the lead, with Donald Whitaker and Millfield Colette (0.67) in second place for Britain.
“United jumped in great shape. He gave me the feeling he was very collected today and every much with me,” said Richard.
“It’s always a bit easier if you have a horse like United and you can trust his quality and his enormous stride and scope. That gives you obviously a lot of security.”
Donald Whitaker of Great Britain and Millfield Colette (British Equestrian/Jon Stroud Media)
For his part, Donald said of his 12-year-old gray mare by Cornet Obolensky, “I’m delighted. She jumped amazing again. She tries her heart out every time.
“She means the absolute world to me. When you go in the ring, she never gives up. I don’t always have to be perfect, she helps me out there. She’s unreal. She’s one in a million.”
Click here for the individual standings and here for the team standings.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 10, 2025
For the first time since 2019, horse racing will be held at the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Maryland, best known over the last four years as the home of a 5-star eventing competition.
On Labor Day weekend, the turf track inside the Fair Hill Special Event Zone will reopen to racing. The card will be held Aug. 30, following the completion of an infrastructure modernization project. The sand-based turf course of Kentucky bluegrass with a state-of-the-art irrigation system has been in development for years.
The first course of its kind in Maryland, Fair Hill helps Maryland maintain its status as an equestrian destination by hosting major horse shows and racing events, as well as other recreational opportunities.
“The historic investments we’re making to ensure the future of horse racing in Maryland are also promoting work, wages, and wealth in communities across the state,” said Gov. Wes Moore.
“At Fair Hill, we’ve completed track and venue upgrades to usher in a new era of turf track horse racing in Cecil County. Our multifaceted approach will support Maryland’s tourism and agricultural economies, promoting prosperity for years to come.”
The 2024 Maryland 5 Star generated more than $15 million in direct spending for the state economy, more than $530,000 in local tax receipts, and $23.5 million in total business sales in the state.
The “Races at Fair Hill” event will be hosted by the Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland in partnership with the Cecil County Breeders Fair, sanctioned by the National Steeplechase Association and the Maryland Racing Commission.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz said. “The reopening of the turf track is just one part of DNR’s goal to promote Maryland’s equine heritage and support rural economies. It will be great for the community and it will help bring more world-class events to Fair Hill.”
Racing at Fair Hill was last held in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. The pause enabled time for construction and time to allow the new turf to mature.
The Kentucky bluegrass is a dense grass with horizontal rhizomes that provide support for racing horses. It recovers quickly after races are held. The track is engineered with modern drainage and rootzone systems to support consistency and durability during high-performance use.
Designed to enable a wide range of equine disciplines to train and compete at Fair Hill, the one-mile course will accommodate flat racing, steeplechasing and eventing.
“The collaboration between all the significant stakeholders to bring racing back to Fair Hill is a defining moment of our intentions from the onset of pursuing a bid and helping to redefine and reimagine a track and infield for the future of equestrian event competitions,” stated Terry Hasseltine, president and chairman of the Sport and Entertainment Corporation of Maryland.
“We’re excited to be part of bringing racing back to Cecil County,” said Jeff Newman, senior vice president of events for the Sport and Entertainment Corporation of Maryland.
“The event on Saturday, August 30 will be a free, family-friendly open house, and we encourage everyone to come out and celebrate the return of live racing to Fair Hill over Labor Day weekend.”
“The Fair Hill Foundation enthusiastically supports the return of racing to this storied racecourse,” said Charles C. Fenwick Jr., President of the organization, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting equine activities at Fair Hill.
“First and foremost, the Foundation wants to thank those who have given generously over the past six years. Their patience has been extraordinary and is very much appreciated. We also wish those involved as both participants and operators the very best.”
Once a Du Pont family estate, Fair Hill has a rich history in equine sports and is home to Cecil County Breeders, the National Steeplechase Association, and Fair Hill International, the nonprofit that helps to manage horse events at the site. The natural resource management area also holds a number of opportunities for youths and families, including the Cecil County Fair, 4-H programs, and Pony Club activities.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 16, 2025
The British moved ahead ahead in the team competition as the Longines European Show Jumping Championships got under way in Spain Wednesday, but it was Daniel Coyle of Ireland who was at the head of the class individually with Lothlorien Farm’s Legacy.
Daniel Coyle and Legacy at the European Championships (FEI/Benjamin Clark)
However, after his victory in the first leg, Daniel decided not to continue on Thursday.
“She’s already done all these championships and I want to try and see whatever is still in there for the next thing,” he said. Her form had not been consistent recently, so he was not part of the Irish team.
The way it worked over the 1.50-meter route laid out by 2024 Olympic co-course designer Santiago Varela Ullastres, who tested speed and handiness, four seconds were added for having a fence down. Scores are multiplied by a coefficient of 0.5 to give everyone a starting penalty. The leader in the individual contest, is on zero and the others are tagged with the difference in penalties between their score and the leader at Casas Novas in A Coruña.
” The plan was coming here with her coming into form and it looks like that happened. She’s a fantastic mare,” said Daniel, who is a co-owner of the horse.
Just behind Daniel’s tally with a mere 0.01 penalties was Germany’s Richie Vogel on United Touch S and now the leader, followed by Donald Whitaker of Great Britain with Millfield Colette, 0.67. Daniel was clocked in 73.93 seconds, a mere 0.03 ahead of Richie. Donald’s time was 75.27, leaving him with 0.67 penalties.
Donald noted of his mare, “It always feels amazing when you ride her because she goes in there like a panther, she knows what she’s doing and she wants to win – I think almost more than I do.”
He is very proud of being on the British squad, noting, “The team element to it is massive because you’ve got the likes of Scott Brash and Ben Maher, who have literally done everything in the sport, and they’re on your team. So you have to get your chest out a little bit and make sure you don’t make a mistake,” he explained.
“Obviously, you don’t want to disappoint them, but it’s also a good feeling of representing your country.”
Donald’s team is on 3.96 penalties, with only the best three scores counting. Hard to believe that three-time Olympic medalist Ben Maher had the drop score with Dallas Vegas Batilly. Second on 4.19 is the German powerhouse of current Olympic gold medalist Christian Kukuk, Sophie Hinners and veteran Marcus Ehning. Belgium is third with 4.61.
Click here for individual standings after Wednesday (and remember Daniel Coyle has dropped out.) Click here for team rankings.
