by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 22, 2025
Noted breeder Dr. Timothy Holekamp, a former president of the American Trakehner Association, died on Sunday.
He was a founder of the Young Event Horse Program and co-chaired the Young Event Horse Committee.
The physician and his wife, Cheryl, were the owners of Windfall II, who started his career with Germany’s Ingrid Klimke and went on to earn teem bronze at the 2004 Athens Olympics with the USA’s Darren Chiacchia aboard. Windfall became a popular sire. His son, Tsetserleg TSF, was ridden to many successes by U.S. team member Boyd Martin.
Remembering Dr. Holekamp, Boyd said on social media, “He was always my go to man whenever I was trying to get an understanding of a pedigree and was a wealth of knowledge that really inspired a lot of American enthusiasts to breed Trakehner horses.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 23, 2025
Although the weather forecast for the next few days in Lexington, Ky., isn’t the best, the sun shone bright (as the song goes) on the Kentucky Horse Park for the Defender 5-star eventing horse inspection Wednesday.
Boyd Martin had three horses he showed to the judges, but perhaps his best shot at victory is with his Olympic mount, Federman B. (His others are Luke 140 and Commando 3).
You have to figure, though, that the combo to beat will be Germany’s Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH. As past winners, they are hard to bet against, and Michi’s record in the sport is unsurpassed.
Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH.
Sadly, Jennie Brannigan’s ride, Twilight’s Last Gleam, was not accepted after being re-presented following a stint in the holding box. That was the only entry to be rejected.
Jennie was gracious about her 15-year-old mount’s fate, noting owners “Tim and Nina Gardner and myself love this horse and he owes us absolutely nothing.”
No worries, though; we’ll still see Jennie in competition. She will be able to compete on FE Lifestyle in the field that has been narrowed to 34 starters.
Jennie Brannigan and the beautifully turned-out Twilight’s Last Gleam sadly got a “no” from the judges.
The most eye-catching horse is Fluorescent Adolescent with a coat of splashy spots. He’s ridden by the only Canadian competitor, Jessica Phoenix.
Jessica Phoenix and the Flourescent Adolescent.
The 5-star trot-up is always a fashion show, and my choice as the best-dressed is New Zealand’s Monica Spencer, who will be riding Artist. She wore black leather pants and a cape-like checked top in a shade of oatmeal, both stylish and classy.
Monica Spencer and Artist.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 19, 2025
Olympic eventer Liz Halliday, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a cross-country fall last August, has reached out to her many friends and fans who have been following her recovery. Here is what she said on social media Saturday:
My voice is getting stronger all the time, and until I can talk to you all in a video, I’m writing to you with help from my family and friends. In a normal week, I would be busy making final preparations with my horses to compete in the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. But as you know, my new normal is now focused on my recovery from a traumatic brain injury.
No two recoveries from a TBI look the same, and I feel grateful for the progress I’ve made so far and know I will continue to make. After spending six months at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, I have now moved to Dallas to continue my therapy at the Centre for Neuro Skills (CNS). Every day is filled with speech, occupational, and physical therapy with a focus to getting me back to doing what I love.
I’m so grateful for all of the messages of love and support I continue to receive. Above all, I am grateful to my family and friends for their continued support, and that my dogs, Archie and Ella, were able to move to Dallas with me and are staying with friends nearby. I am living in my own apartment now at CNS with the support of a dedicated care team, and every day my life feels a bit more back to normal.
To my fellow competitors who are gearing up to compete at Kentucky, I wish you all the best for a safe and successful competition. My heart will be with you all this week! Hug your horses and your people tight, and I look forward to seeing you all soon.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 18, 2025
I’ve attended 25 World Cup Finals since the first one held in the U.S. in 1980. Aside from a few special touches, most were like your average fancy European horse show, such as those staged when Volvo was the Cup sponsor in its home city of Gothenburg, Sweden. On the fun side, those finals were known for their fantastic flower arrangements that made it difficult to see some of the jumps. And then there was the indoor lake on the course at Dortmund, Germany, in 1990.
But the game changers that redefined the Cup competition were the glitzy finals complete with fireworks in Las Vegas. That wildly popular series debuted in 2000 and ran in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2015. Covid sadly cancelled the 2020 edition. It seems unlikely that Vegas, which put the dressage and show jumping Cups together for the first time, will be held again in the near future.
But now we can look forward to another innovative Longines FEI World Cup Finals, scheduled for April 8-12, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Derek Braun, whose Split Rock Jumping Tour is putting on the finals, promises iconic longhorn cattle will be part of the scene. Indeed, longhorns are driven through the stockyard in an exhibition twice daily. You can’t miss it. So polish up those cowboy boots and grab yourself a 10-gallon hat to fit right in.
A twice-daily cattle drive is a feature in Fort Worth. (Photo courtesy Dickies Arena)
“We’re going heavy with the Texas vibe, very western, very cowboy, very cow country-oriented. Which is what Fort Worth has to offer. I think it’s going to be a fun, cool, new exciting fresh take on it,” advised Derek, who noted accessibility of the massive Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport means the Cup destination is only one flight away from almost anywhere in the world.
With the 2024 Cup in Basel, Switzerland now behind us this month, it’s time to start making plans for next year’s dressage and show jumping finals. Fans already are buying tickets for the Fort Worth competition, to be held in the state-of-the-art Dickies Arena, adjacent to the Will Rogers Memorial Center.
Dickies Arena will host the 2026 Longines FEI World Cup Finals (Photo courtesy Dickies Arena)
Derek was in Basel to accept the hand-off of the Cup finals flag and look at the “inner workings” of the Swiss version of the Cup. There are quite a few differences between the 2025 and 2026 host sites and their offerings.
“Our schedule is a lot lighter than theirs was, they had another 3 star (show jumping) and vaulting. Their days were extremely long,” Derek observed.
Derek Braun accepts the Longines FEI World Cup flag in a hand-off at the end of the Basel show. .(FEI Photo)
“Our days are focused toward just the World Cup sessions. Footing is a major priority for me, we’ve already mixed our footing six months ago. Riders want to make sure the details are absolutely perfect for them.”
While Basel used tents for stabling and warm-up, everything at Fort Worth is permanent.
The interior of Dickies Arena. (Photo courtesy of Dickies Arena)
As Derek pointed out, “there are not many comparable arenas worldwide to Dickies, there’s not a bad seat in the house.” There will be 9,500 of them for the Cup finals. VIP space is limited, so early purchase of tickets is urged. They are available separately for the dressage sessions, jumping sessions and all sessions. Tickets are available at https://www.fortworth2026.com/tickets. VIP reservations can be made at VIP Reservations.
Although Derek’s management resume does not include a dressage show, he’s educated on the details required. But he emphasized that discipline will be guided by Thomas Baur, the German who runs the Adequan Global Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Fla.
Speaking about Dickies, Thomas said, “I think it’s probably the best venue for a World Cup I’ve seen in this country. There is enough space; for the horses, it will be easily accessible. The plan is to have a vendor and action area between the main ring and the last warm-up ring, so I think that will be great for the spectators. I was there in December and there are a lot of nice restaurants and hotels close by.”
In Fort Worth, he notes, there are “a lot of things to do for people who want to come to the World Cup. It’s absolutely fun.”
Derek is hoping qualifying participation will go “through the roof.” He called the new venue, “A little bit of an ode to the old Las Vegas World Cup finals days, when people got really excited to go to Las Vegas for everything they have to offer. Fort Worth is just as exciting of a town as Vegas, in different ways.
“There’s going to be a lot of activities, the whole town is really going to embrace it and people are going to be able to make a four- or five-day vacation out of this championship.”
Derek explained “the city is a major partner of ours for the final. The entire city is going to be laying out the red carpet. Everyone will be connected city-wide for this final, the restaurants and businesses.”
Two clinics, one each on jumping and dressage, will be presented by professionals from the top 10 lists in their disciplines, who are yet to be selected.
It’s not all clear sailing, however.
“In the state of Texas, we are battling a little bit against the FIFA World Cup (soccer) finals and differentiating between the two,” Derek mentioned.
The 2026 FIFA matches will be held in Dallas Stadium during June and July; thus there is potential for public confusion, even though the Longines FEI World Cup is two months earlier.
“We don’t have major (show jumping and dressage) events in Texas, we were the first ever FEI event in the state four years ago,” Derek said.
So Cup organizers are launching “a year-long strategy on promotion and education of what this is. When people see an ad or image,” he observed, “they understand what it is and the magnitude behind it. FEI and USEF are helping make a big push to advertise the World Cup League.”
The crowded equestrian calendar has another major competition in 2026, when world championships in dressage and jumping (as well as several other disciplines) are being held during August in Aachen, Germany.
“I’m hoping it doesn’t affect us negatively; it’s something I’ve thought about,” Derek said.
“Texas is such a new and incredible draw that I think we’ll stand on our own. It’s far enough away from the world championships that it will be a good stepping stone for them (championship contenders) and their horses.”
In terms of both participants and spectators, Derek believes going west is a draw, especially for people from other parts of the world.
“I think people are really intrigued by the culture. They really want to experience it; they know it’s going to be new, cool and different. Any time there’s a scenario like that, it always intrigues riders from everywhere. We’re going to make sure we let every rider experience the true Texas culture.”
At the same time, he added, “I think participation for people competing from North America will be through the roof.”
For more information about the finals, go to https://www.fortworth2026.com/.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 16, 2025
The heart of Beval Saddlery was Lois Walter, a much-admired woman who died Tuesday from cancer at the age of 91.
She had been married to Bev Walter, who founded the business in 1955 in Bernardsville, N.J. After Lois and Bev divorced, he died in 1993. Lois went on to run Beval’s, which was synonymous with quality in English tack, working with her son, Mark, and her husband, Tom Spinks.
Lois Walter. (Photo courtesy Lori Jonas Seppi)
In addition to the stores in Gladstone, N.J., New York State and Connecticut, at its peak, Beval’s also had a mobile unit and shops on the HITS showgrounds in Saugerties, N.Y., as well as at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Fla. The company was sold and now operates out of Cross River, N.Y.
Lois retired at the age of 80 and moved to Arizona with Tom. A master gardener, she also kept busy doing artwork and enjoying nature on her walks. The couple relocated to Utah two years ago.
Writing on social media, former Beval employee Jennifer Gomez Hoffman said Lois had been “an incredible mentor,” noticing she had hired her at Bevals when she was just 16.
“I worked for her for 14 years until I started my family. Her knowledge of the saddlery business was incredible…. I was a sponge and she saw that and shared all of her wealth of information with me. She was kind, strong and humble…always preferring to be behind the scenes. She was pure class and grace.”
In addition to her husband and son, Lois is survived by her daughter, Lori Jonas Seppi, who worked as a sales rep for Beval; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Arrangements are pending for a celebration of life, but her daughter said Lois wanted her ashes spread at the Jersey Shore, one of her favorite spots.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 15, 2025
In case you’re wondering what swung the choice of Santa Anita Park racetrack over Galway Downs to host the 2028 Olympic equestrian competitions, comments from LA 28 Project Director Reynold Hoover may make the decision easier to understand.
As reported by Inside the Games, the retired Army lieutenant general explained the thought pattern behind where all competitions for 2028 sports will be held.
“Some zones are compact, others quite spread out,” Hoover noted.
“We’ve deliberately avoided a single-venue mindset.”
“This departure from Olympic gigantism is rooted not only in International Olympic Committee policy, which favors sustainability, but also in the practical need to deliver the Games within a private funding model,” Inside the Games pointed out.
Hoover observed that the Paris 2024 Games “served as a live testing ground for the concept of temporary, high-impact venues. Paris leaned into the spectacular, staging competitions in iconic settings like the Eiffel Tower and the Alexandre III Bridge.”
Visually stunning, yes, but, as Hoover observed in Inside the Games, logistically complex. Many of these pop-up sites required not just seating, but entire support ecosystems: catering facilities, broadcast zones, warm-up areas and secure perimeters.
“There’s a heavy price to pay for that kind of visual romance,” Hoover admitted, acknowledging that “replicating such magnificence in Los Angeles would come with significant cost. In keeping with its renewed sustainability doctrine, the IOC encourages host cities to prioritize existing venues. The real challenge involved selecting the right spaces and striking deals with their owners.”
In that context, it’s easier to understand why the proposed equestrian site of Galway Downs in Temecula, which is nearly 85 miles from LA, was dropped and replaced with Santa Anita, about 18 more convenient miles from Los Angeles.
So Santa Anita will be the venue, just as it was for the 1984 Games. Well, almost just as it was; eventing’s cross-country phase was held off-site on a golf course 41 years ago, but the current Olympic regulations call for every part of a sport to be held at the same venue.
The choice was announced April 15, days after Galway Downs was dropped from consideration. Click here to read our story that stated Santa Anita was the likely choice.
Other issues also prompted the switch. Galway Downs would have needed millions of dollars in improvements to host the Games. Also, there were concerns that inland Temecula in July would be extremely hot, a worry with horse welfare at the forefront.
“Santa Anita Park will be a spectacular venue for the LA28 Olympic equestrian events,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.
Joe Fargis, the 1984 Olympic double gold medalist, with Touch of Class center stage at Santa Anita 41 years ago. (Tish Quirk photo)
“The FEI has very fond memories of Santa Anita, which had hosted the equestrian events at the 1984 Olympic Games. The venue is set to offer a breathtaking stage for all the Olympic equestrian competitions and the proximity to LA City will undoubtedly attract many spectators to Santa Anita. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with LA28 to deliver spectacular equestrian events at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.”
Derek Braun, who runs the Split Rock Jumping Tour, put on a very successful 5-star grand prix and national competition at Santa Anita in November 2024.
“Obviously, having the 5-star there last year, I would think contributed to greatly to everybody’s confidence in that Santa Anita was absolutely more than capable of producing the Olympics again there,” Derek said.
He called the 1/ST Racing team at Santa Anita, “One of the most professional, largest, accomplished event companies in existence already. I think they’re the right team for the job. Hopefully, I can be a part of it in some way.”
This November, Split Rock is ramping up what it does at Santa Anita, Derek said. His tour will be putting on 3-star and then 5-star show jumping two weeks in a row, which will give him even more familiarity with the facility
U.S. Equestrian Federation CEO Bill Moroney said, “We have the utmost confidence in the LA28 Organizing Committee, and we anticipate exceptional equestrian sport will take place at this special legacy venue from the 1984 Olympic Games. We are also extremely pleased that the IOC has confirmed the athlete quotas across the disciplines for 2028 and they remain unchanged from 2024.”
The crowd that packed the stands at Santa Anita in 1984 watched such legendary athletes as eventing Olympic gold medalist Mark Todd of New Zealand on Charisma.
Santa Anita, which has hosted racing’s Breeders Cup, is the track where the great racehorse Seabiscuit won his last race in 1940. The facility also hosts a CSI3* as well as a FEI Jumping World Cup™ Qualifier CSI5*-W, which this year will take place in November.
Santa Anita covers 320 acres and has a grandstand seating 26,000. The track infield area, which resembles a park with picnic tables and large trees, can accommodate a crowd of 50,000. The Park has 61 barns that can house more than 2,000 horses.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 9, 2025
The traditional equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage and eventing, part of the Olympics since 1912, have been approved by the International Olympic Committee for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
As usual, there will be individual and team medal competitions in each discipline, with 75 entries for jumping, 60 for dressage and 65 for eventing.
FEI President Ingmar De Vos noted that “The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games were a historic success for equestrian sport, which proved very popular with the live crowds and TV and online viewers worldwide. It’s great news that our numbers remain unchanged and we are looking forward to delivering exciting sport at the same level of excellence.”
The qualification systems for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be put forward for approval by the FEI General Assembly 2025 this fall and be provided to the IOC for final review and sign off. The rumbling, meanwhile, is that Galway Downs might not be hosting the equestrian competition, although it has the tentative nod at the moment.
Equestrian will be one of the 31 sports on the program of the LA28 Olympic Games. The six medal equestrian events will be part of the 25 mixed events across all sports and the 351 events overall in LA28. The core athlete quota for LA is 10,500, with an extra 698 allocated for the five sports proposed by the LA28 Organizing Committee (Baseball/Softball, Cricket, Flag Football, Lacrosse and Squash).
A record breaking 50 nations participated in equestrian at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The number of nations in Paris 2024 was 49. Only 30 countries competed in equestrian at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 11, 2025
The rumbling and the grumbling have been going on for some time.
While Galway Downs in Temecula, Calif., seemed likely to be selected as the host venue for the 2028 Olympic equestrian events, there always was conversation when it was proposed about whether that location was suitable, even after the Los Angeles City Council approved it March 28.
Now Galway Downs announced it learned late Wednesday from the LA28 organizers that it will not serve as the venue, as another site has been chosen. It’s a good bet that Santa Anita Park racetrack, which hosted the 1984 Olympic equestrian events, will be the choice. The Arcadia facility was the scene of a very successful grand prix last year that had people talking about how it would be an ideal showcase for the Games. It’s also closer to Los Angeles than Temecula.
The International Olympic Committee’s requirement that all the equestrian events, including cross-country, be held at the same site played in Galway Downs’ favor. When Santa Anita hosted Olympic equestrian 41 years ago, cross-country was held at a golf course, while every other competition was at the track. Does Santa Anita have enough room to include cross-country with the other equestrian segments in 2028? Those familiar with the property speculate that cross-country could go in the track’s infield and parking areas.
Santa Anita Park racetrack.
The buzz had been that Galway wasn’t ideal in terms of weather, because Temecula is very hot in July, when the equestrian competition will be held. The word also was that a lot of money would have to be spent on the property to upgrade it to Olympic standards.
“We are extremely surprised that we were suddenly removed from consideration. We don’t understand how, based on the March 28 City Council’s vote of approval, that this could happen,” Galway stated on social media.
“We are grateful for the outpouring of support from our community and the many organizations that rallied behind this effort. This moment is one chapter in a much larger vision. Our work to elevate equestrian sport and bring world-class events to Galway Downs continues.
“I’m deeply disappointed to learn that Galway Downs is reportedly no longer LA28’s proposed host site for equestrian events at the 2028 Olympic Games,” said U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Temecula).
“At this time, a satisfactory reason has yet to be offered.”
Galway Downs owner Ken Smith said, “When we started this process more than four years ago, we understood the equestrian venue selection for LA28 would be a highly competitive, evolving process. Being selected as the proposed equestrian venue put Galway Downs and Temecula Valley on the world stage. We’re very proud of that, and we’re just getting started. Galway Downs will continue to host elite national and international competitions as well as additional sporting events.”
Rob Burk, CEO of the U.S. Eventing Association, stated he is “incredibly disappointed by this news. While we will support our sport at the Olympics wherever it is run, the U.S. and equestrian sport seem to have lost an incredible opportunity to build on the amazing infrastructure already at Galway Downs and bolster its legacy into the future.
“Generations of equestrians would benefit from the support that would have been provided to the venue. The economic impact for California and our nation would have been extended long past 2028. It is unclear to me that any other site will benefit our sport, the nation, and the entire equestrian community as much.”
Eventing at Galway Downs. (Tina Fitch Photography)
Riverside County Third District Supervisor Chuck Washington said, “This process has led to international recognition of something we’ve known for a long time – that the beautiful Temecula Valley Wine Country offers world-class venues and hospitality. We look forward to the many top-tier events coming to our region in the future.”
According to Temecula Mayor Brenden Kalfus, “Galway Downs has showcased its equestrian center in Temecula Valley as the superior venue capable of hosting all Olympic equestrian games. While the city is disheartened to learn of this abrupt change, particularly in light of LA28’s venue approval granted by the Los Angeles City Council just two weeks ago, we remain confident that Galway Downs will continue its legacy and mission uninterrupted as a vibrant, world-class Olympic-caliber equestrian presence in Temecula Valley.”
Opened in 1968 as the Rancho California Track and Training Center, the 242-acre Galway Downs is now home to equestrian competitions across multiple disciplines. Galway Downs has 242 acre that includes pastures and trails, with a one-mile track, 14 arenas and 400 stalls.
In the heart of Southern California wine country, the Temecula Valley is a destination known for its beauty, award-winning wineries, luxury resorts, spas, golf courses, and outdoor recreation. An all-season tourism destination, the drive to Temecula Valley is less than two hours from every major metro area in Southern California including Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, and Palm Springs.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 10, 2025
Authentic, one of the greatest U.S. team show jumpers in history, died Wednesday at the age of 30 after a 16-year retirement.
His record with Beezie Madden was stellar, including team gold medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the Hong Kong Games four years later, where his rider also earned individual bronze, and in between in 2006, team and individual silvers at the 2006 Aachen FEI World Equestrian Games. He also secured two victories in the Budweiser American Invitational and triumphed in the Aachen grand prix, among many other wins on his amazing resume.
Beezie Madden and Authentic at the 2006 Hong Kong Olympics, where they brought home team gold and individual bronze. (Photo © 2008 by Nancy Jaffer)
John Madden, Beezie’s husband, and Authentic’s owner, Abigail Wexner announced his passing on social media. Authentic was known as the King of Madden Mountain, the Maddens’ retirement farm in Cazenovia, N.Y.
John and Beezie first saw Authentic as a three-year-old in 1998 at Stal Heins, under Johan Heins and Harrie Smolders. They felt he was something special, which led to his purchase by Elizabeth Busch Burke as a six-year-old. His barn name “Bud” was in recognition of Elizabeth because she was a member of the family that owned brewer Anheuser-Busch.
At the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Authentic suffered from colic and it appeared he might not be able to compete, since medication was prohibited for horses competing at the Games. He was diagnosed with a twist in his intestine, so the veterinarian administered fluids and they encouraged him to roll.
“Sometimes, if you let them roll over, that would put it back in place,” John explained. The strategy worked and Authentic passed the horse inspection, going on to compete in his first Olympics and contributing to the team gold medal.
A syndicate got Authentic to Athens, but when those owners received a purchase offer that would have sent the horse to a European rider, Abigail Wexner bought him so he could stay with Beezie and the U.S. team.
Beezie and Authentic at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen. (Photo © 2006 by Nancy Jaffer)
“Looking back on his career and life, having Mrs. Wexner step up when she did, ultimately meant his place in the history books was guaranteed,” Beezie stated.
“She trusted our partnership and never put pressure on him or me. Whatever he needed, he got, and when it was time for the competition days to be behind him, she never wavered in his support. Every horse should have an owner like her,” Beezie observed.
Bud officially retired at the New Albany Classic in 2009.
As Mrs. Wexner once said, his home was always Cazenovia. Authentic took over caring for the weanlings and yearlings, as “Uncle Bud”, and enjoyed posing for photos with visitors, especially if they came with carrots. His longtime groom, Clark Shipley, was able to watch Bud grazing in his pasture from his window before he passed away from cancer in 2020.
“I am grateful for every minute I spent with Bud. He was born great. He had an aura about him, and every life he touched was better for it,” said John Madden.
“Bud’s intelligence and cheerful personality made him exceptional to work with and carried him through his many great accomplishments, as well as his long retirement. So many of my big “firsts” of my career were with him as a partner. I owe him so much and am grateful to everyone, especially Mrs. Wexner, who made it possible for him to be such a special part of my life for so long,” Beezie commented.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 9, 2025
A stable fire at the Roberts Quarterhorse Farms in the Marion County town of Reddick, Fla., Tuesday morning left 21 horses dead after the roof collapsed.
State officials are trying to determine the cause of the fire at the farm belonging to the Roberts family, the owners of the World Equestrian Center in Ocala.
WEC issued a statement saying, “We are aware of a tragic incident that occurred on private property personally owned by the individuals who also own World Equestrian Center. While the private property is entirely separate from and not affiliated with World Equestrian Center business or operations, we extend our deepest sympathies to those affected.
“As this is a personal matter, we will not be providing further comment”
