by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 19, 2024
When the irrepressible Australian eventer (there’s a redundant description) Shane Rose appeared practically undressed for a “fancy dress” class at a horse show, the national federation, Equestrian Australia, took immediate action.
Its leaders responded to public reaction over Shane wearing nothing but what amounted to a thong, called a “mankini.”
He was suspended while the organization looked into the situation. It finally concluded that he did not breach the code of conduct by barely wearing the item. That cleared the way for him to point toward his fourth Olympics.
“The panel took into account the community event that Mr Rose was competing at, and that Mr Rose had already made a public apology,” said a statement from the federation. Going forward however, Equestrian Australia will work with clubs and stakeholders to assess minimum dress standards for future events.
A female rider might decide to wear the equivalent of Shane’s outfit–it would have been interesting to see if anyone objected to that.
Equestrian Australian CEO Darren Gocher explained his organization “has an obligation to look into any concerns of this nature that comes from the community. Having now thoroughly reviewed the incident and spoken to relevant parties, Equestrian Australia has confirmed that there was no breach of the code of conduct by Shane Rose.
“Shane has reflected on the incident, has apologized and understands the high standards expected of everyone involved in our High Performance program.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 19, 2024
A panel of voters from the horse industry has selected Francisco “Pancho” Lopez and the Holsteiner gelding Cedric, a regular on the U.S. Nations Cup teams, for induction into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame March 3 in Wellington, Fla.
The once-in-a-lifetime partner of rider Laura Kraut, Cedric made his FEI debut in 2006 and, despite being quirky and only 15.2-hands, the gray gelding bred in Belgium quickly became a powerhouse on the international show jumping circuit. His partnership with Laura spanned 11 years, producing 81 clear and 45 double-clear rounds in competitions offering $100,000 or more. The pair helped the U.S. win a team gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong.
It was 1998 when Cedric became a pillar of the U.S. team. He was originally owned in the U.S. by Peter Wetherill and Happy Hill Farm. After Peter passed away in 2010, his brother, Cortie, assumed ownership with Laura before Margaret Duprey of Cherry Knoll Farm became Cedric’s final owner in 2012, keeping him in Laura’s barn.
Laura Kraut and Cedric in Hong Kong at the Beijing Olympics, 2008. (Photo © 2008 by Nancy Jaffer)
Cedric’s successful career also included being on the U.S. team at the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games and numerous Nations Cup appearances, including Aachen, Barcelona, Dublin, La Baule, Rome, Rotterdam, St. Gallen and Wellington. He and Laura also won the Grand Prix at four Longines Global Champions Tour (GCT) events, and they were the first horse-and-rider combination to win back-to-back events, claiming top honors in 2010 at Chantilly and then Valkenswaard just two weeks later. Cedric and Laura also won GCT events in Lausanne (2012) and Wiesbaden (2013).
A naturally careful and competitive horse, Cedric was one of the nation’s leading money winners, amassing well over $2 million in prize money. He was formally retired at age 19 during a moving ceremony in Wellington in 2017.
“Cedric became something we never expected he could be,” Laura said in an interview, explaining why he was so special.
“He was so small and so difficult. He had always the most tremendous amount of jump; but he was afraid, and it never really entered my mind that he would become what he did. He was this unbelievable horse that when it was important, he had to know, because he never let me down.
“The few times I failed was never when it was a life-or-death moment,” she pointed out.
“I always used to figure that he thought I was getting too cocky; then he would throw me off. He was quite something. He was such a personable horse. He could have lived in the house.”
Laura and her partner, Nick Skelton, are based on a farm in Pielbergen, Netherlands from mid-April to December, and Cedric is nearby with his buddy, Quick Study (Lauren Hough’s former rider), on another farm.
“If I put him in Pennsylvania at Margaret’s farm, I’d never see him again,” said Laura, who wants to be near him. “He’s like family, Now I’m going to see him a lot because he’s five minutes down the road.”
The other Hall inductee, Pancho, was born in Mexico and joined his father in Los Angeles as a teenager. On one of his first days in the U.S., he walked several racehorses at the Del Mar racetrack where his family worked, and immediately fell in love with horses. He took his first grooming job at age 15 at Blakiston Ranch, not far from Los Angeles. He moved on five years later to work for Grand Prix rider Jimmy Kohn, and then joined George Morris at Hunterdon Inc. in New Jersey, where he worked for six years.
It was at Hunterdon that Pancho met Katie Monahan Prudent, the international champion with whom he is most identified. He became her barn manager and coordinated everything to keep the horses and the business in top shape.
He cared for such horses as The Jones Boy (second-place finisher in the inaugural FEI World Cup™ Final in 1979), Noren (1982 American Grandprix Association Horse of the Year), The Governor (1986 AGA Horse of the Year), Amadia (team Gold medalist in the 1986 FEI World Championships) and Special Envoy (1986 AGA Horse of the Year). Pancho is unable to attend the Hall ceremony at the Wanderer’s Club, so Katie will accept for him.
Starting in 1996, Pancho worked at Willowcreek Ranch in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. He spent many years with Elise Haas, whose family established in his honor the “Francisco ‘Pancho’ Lopez Scholarship” at the University of California’s Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. It was fitting, as he had had started veterinary school when he was young but was not able to complete his education due to family obligations
Pancho had a remarkable “feel” for each horse and somehow knew when something wasn’t right. He was always ready to share his experience with others and passed on his knowledge to a host of grooms and barn managers. He has also shared his more than 50 years’ worth of knowledge with riders and horses as a clinician, joining Katie and other top professionals in educational settings.
Another trophy at the gala will go to Rodrigo Pessoa, the Brazilian who is an Olympic and world championships gold medalist, as well as a three-time winner of the FEI World Cup Finals.. He will receive the Hall’s international award, being presented for the second time. The honor was inaugurated last year when it went to Ian Millar, Captain Canada.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 16, 2024
Some crucial questions about the expanded Wellington, Fla., showgrounds finally were answered Thursday night at a meeting of the Equestrian Preserve Committee.
Although the session, which ran more than five and one-half hours, was held to insure the project met compatibility standards under the Village’s land development regulations, the items approved by a 4-1 vote in that context were less interesting than what was revealed about the showgrounds project itself during the session.
Over nine months of hearings, equestrians made it clear that the Wellington International showgrounds for hunters and jumpers, set up in 1978 as the home of the Winter Equestrian Festival at its current location off Pierson Road, needed massive improvement and more space. The situation was complicated when its owner, Global Equestrian Group (part of Waterland Private Equity) put the venue up for sale last year.
The entrance to the International Arena at Wellington International.
On Tuesday, according to Wellington International President Michael Stone, a “number” of entities (he declined to be more specific) started the process of bidding for that property.
Meanwhile, Wellington Lifestyle Partners was approved by the Village Council in a 4-1 vote to build a high-end golf club community at Wellington North on Equestrian Village where the Global Dressage Festival (no relation to Global Equestrian Group) has been held since 2012. The property, more than 96 acres, was part of the Equestrian Preserve that spreads across 9,000 acres in the municipality.
There was much opposition to taking it out of the Preserve, a designation created to prevent high-density development and insure continuation of the equestrian lifestyle. The EPC unanimously voted against dong that, but it is only an advisory group; the Village Council is the deciding body.
The fear has been that the Wellington North decision sets a precedent for removing land from other parts of the Preserve, a category that includes bridle trails, arenas, stables and pastures (but allows certain types of low-intensity development.)
In the fallout over the controversy, the Village Council removed the EPC’s chairman, Jane Cleveland, and another member of the panel, Carlos Arrellano, at the request of WLP. Both were critical of WLP’s plans. Replacing them were dressage rider Judith Sloan, secretary-treasurer of the U.S. Equestrian Federation and Annabelle Garrett, a former polo player and show jumper who had served previously on the committee. Elected as the new chairman was Glen Fleischer, whose wife, Karen Long Dwight of Take the High Road LLC, is a prominent horse show exhibitor.
In making its deal with the Village, WLP agreed to build what amounts to an expansion of the showgrounds on Pod F at the northeast corner of Gene Mische Way and Gracida, land it owns at Wellington South, adjacent to Wellington International. Until that work is finished, dressage will continue at Equestrian Village and WLP is not allowed to start constructing homes at Wellington North. The deadline for completing the expansion is 2028, but during the EPC meeting, it was revealed that the majority of the work now is expected to take less than two years.
While it’s “always a possibility” that whoever buys Wellington International would also want to buy Pod F,” it won’t be for sale until it’s built out,” said Stone. However, he said “they’d (the new owners of Wellington International) be pretty crazy” not to want to buy Pod F because a deed restriction means it must remain a showgrounds for 50 years, so it cannot be converted to housing or other uses in the next half-century.
{For your convenience in reading this story, here is an acronym glossary: WEP (Wellington Equestrian Partners); GEG (Global Equestrian Group); WEF (Winter Equestrian Festival); EPC (Equestrian Preserve Committee); WLP (Wellington Lifestyle Partners}
Although originally the expanded section of the showgrounds was slated to be quite elaborate, with a stadium seating 7,000 and a hospitality area accommodating 4,000, that has been scaled back.
“The cost of building the sort of stadium (originally presented), it just isn’t viable to build it that size,” said Stone, explaining “everything has to be practical and realistic.”
Attorney Leonard Feiwus, who represents the Equestrian Club Estates development bordering the showgrounds, compared the grandiose first proposed arena to “the Meadowlands in Secaucus.”
Lights and noise have been a concern of neighbors, but the issues are being worked out with berms and landscaping.
“This is going to be constructed in a way that a future buyer, if he wants to build a more fancy stadium and he wants to do more permanent structures, he’s able to do it,” said Stone.
Michael Stone
The site will now have a capacity of 6,000, with an arena seating 3,000 (the arena at Equestrian Village seats 1,500), a 1,500-seat VIP hospitality area, a 1,000-seat special events pavilion, and a 210-seat restaurant, in addition to areas for retail, offices and other facilities. The circulation and safety of horses, golf carts and service vehicles will be improved from the current status at Wellington International, which will increase safety.
The project is described by WLP as being “horse-centric.”
Showjumping was to have been the highlight on the expanded venue, with dressage sharing the current showgrounds with the hunters. Now dressage will be on the expanded portion, but the large number of arenas and a grass field there means jumpers and hunters can show at that site as well. While dressage runs only 13 weeks, the hunters and jumpers compete nearly all year in Wellington.
Unlike Equestrian Village, where the VIP area is very close to the ring and horses can hear the “clank” of silverware, as Sloan put it, there will be a greater setback for the dressage arenas, which should cut down on horse distraction.
Parking has been an issue at Wellington International. The new site will have 1,500 paved parking spaces and 1,500 for overflow. Dressage riders competing in the national division often like to haul in their horses, compete, load them back in the trailer and go home. That’s the advantage of owning a farm in Wellington, instead of having to travel approximately three hours to compete at TerraNova near Sarasota or World Equestrian Center in Ocala.
There will be 20 haul-in parking spaces, which Stone believes is sufficient because dressage riders who haul in leave after they compete. That is unlike show jumpers and hunters, who use the stabling and also take advantage of vendors and food purveyors, which he said the dressage people competing in national classes for the most part do not do, since their stay on the property is short.
The recommendations passed by the EPC include:
- Adding another 220 permanent stalls added to the 220 stalls available “Day One” among the 1,204 12 by 12 stalls planned (the difference is made up by tent stalls);
- Requiring hospitality tents to be at least commensurate in quality with the media center tent at Wellington International;
- Providing adequate fencing between barns and adjacent parking areas to contain horses;
- Insuring that the 78,000-square foot covered arena will be constructed at the showgrounds and not on “an adjacent property;”
- Requiring mats in all stalls;
- Providing schooling hours with lighting to start at 6:30 a.m.
- Having 30 feet in between the show rings.
Writing on social media the day after the meeting, EPC member Dr. Kristy Lund explained, “ If we did not pass the motion, some of our important recommendations, like making sure the covered is built on the showgrounds and not an adjacent property and safety fences and distance between rings for safety .. would not be heard by council.
“So yes, we could have voted a symbolic no for the project but that would not have changed anything.. the deal still moves forward. By voting ye, we ensure council gets to see our recommendations and hopefully, they will act on some of them and make the horse show better.”
The compatibility issues go to the Planning Zoning and Adjustment board Feb. 28. On March 5, the Village Council is slated to look at them before work can get under way on the expansion.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 14, 2024
Olympic and world championships dressage medalist Adrienne Lyle is off to the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Fla., with two new horses this week. The trio is still in a period of adjustment with each other, since the horses arrived from Europe at her base in Wellington, Fla., last month. That means they won’t be competing at WEC this time. It’s more of a get-acquainted trip.
“I’ve never had horses who were trained to grand prix, so it’s different,” said Adrienne, who usually brings her mounts to that level herself.
“There’s more language to learn from each other. There’s more intricate things I have to figure out. First of all, what it means to them before you try to change it to the way you want it. They’re both trying really hard, so it’s been fun.”
The horses, purchased by Zen Elite Equestrian Center owner Heidi Humphries, are 12-year-old Helix (Apache X Broere Jazz), a Dutchbred, and Lars van de Hoenderheide (Negro X Layout), a 13-year-old Belgian warmblood previously ridden by world champion Lottie Fry.
Adrienne needs qualifying scores with an eye toward making the U.S. team for the Paris Olympics this summer. The pressure never ends, and it’s particularly intense because she has not yet shown the horses, and doesn’t have the luxury of lots of time to achieve her goal.
“I will be less prepared than I would like to be going in the ring,” she acknowledged.
“You can’t work them harder or expect more of them because you’re on a timeline. I would love to have a year to play around with them, but we don’t have that. We’ll do the best we can with our normal training program.”
When a rider has a history with a horse, Adrienne pointed out, “You know how to prepare the balance. You know what they need help in, what you need to ride a little bit lighter, softer, stronger. It’s getting to know them. All the little subtle nuances to make it look seamless.
“Like a horse you’ve been riding for a long time—even though you haven’t.”
Although she lacks mileage with the horses, their character is evident. Before she got in the saddle for a limbering walk around prior to shipping Helix to Ocala, she characterized him as “a super trying horse.
Adrienne takes Helix out for a stroll. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“He always wants to do the right thing. He’s very sensitive to ride and very supple, but has a lot of power. He’s very talented. He always wants to figure out what you want to do. His piaffe/passage tour is going to be really phenomenal,” said Adrienne.
That reminds her of Salvino, her Olympic and championships medal ride, who is back in work now.
Lars, meanwhile, “has a fair amount of experience, he’s been there and done that. So I think he’s got a lot of confidence in himself. It’s just kind of changing a little bit the shape to the way that I ride. Every rider has a slightly different way they want them to go. He does his job well so we’re just trying to mold him to make him a bit more my ride.”
His former rider, Lottie, is short, while Adrienne is tall.
“I think the leg aids are a little bit different, because my legs hit him much lower than hers. Helix’s rider was rather tall, about my height. So I think in those terms, the aids click a little bit quicker on him.”
Both horses had been in work and are fit.
As a result, their rider pointed out, “We’re not trying to build up their strength, it’s more about building up our communication.”
Adrienne soon will return to Ocala for competition, as well as showing in Wellington and at TerraNova Equestrian Center outside Sarasota. All the venues are approximately three hours from each other.
Unlike the situation that existed for years, when Wellington was the only place in Florida where the top dressage horses performed, variety helps with the training. Horses previously would get so used to Wellington that switching to other venues after the winter season could be difficult.
Adrienne with Lars and Helix. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
In Ocala this time, Adrienne will be schooling the horses and caring for them herself, even taking them out to graze, as well as riding, to get to know them better. She’s treating the situation as if she’s competing, so the horses can learn her routine.
Meanwhile, she’ll be having a reunion in Ocala with her 2018 World Equestrian Games silver medal teammates Laura Graves and Kasey Perry Glass, both young mothers like herself. Debbie McDonald, Adrienne’s mentor and the former U.S. technical advisor, also will be on hand to help. How does the saying go? They’re getting the band back together!
One young lady who won’t be there is Adrienne’s daughter, Bailey, who was born last autumn. The baby is staying at home in Wellington so her mother can focus as much as possible on the horses.
But Adrienne has other responsibilities as well. Having aged out of the under-25 ranks, her protégé, Quinn Iverson, will be making her senior Grand Prix debut in the National ring with Beckham. And Adrienne also will be working with a teammate from the 2022 world championships, Katie Duerrhammer, who rides Paxton.
Adrienne is grateful to those who have helped her.
“I want to thank everyone involved; thank Heidi for this chance and Debbie for always being there for me. It’s an amazing opportunity.”
But she cautions, with the horses, “The most important thing is you take it on their time frame and you never push them. However far we get this year, there’s a lot more in the future. Either way, it’s going to be the start of a really fun journey.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 12, 2024
Videos on social media showing dressage trainer Cesar Parra whipping horses and engaging in training practices that have caused an outcry prompted the U.S. Equestrian Federation Board of Directors Monday to introduce an extraordinary rule change, which would expand its jurisdiction over horse abuse outside of competition.
Cesar Parra after competition.
The rule, which could go into effect Dec. 1 if passed at the USEF’s mid-year meeting, defines horse abuse as any action or omission that is likely to cause pain or unnecessary discomfort to a horse. It will not, however, be retroactive.
On Tuesday, the USEF followed up with a letter to members, stating “the images and videos are disturbing and show a complete disregard for horse welfare and are in no way aligned with our values and beliefs as the stewards of horse sport in the United States.”
To ensure the integrity of the investigation, USEF cannot disclose details of the situation. But the federation emphasized, “We are documenting these violations and will pursue disciplinary action to the highest degree in partnership with the FEI (international equestrian federation).”
The USEF maintained, “It is imperative that as a community, we continue to hold each other accountable and speak up when we see something that endangers the integrity of our sport, the health and welfare of our horses, and/or the well-being of our athletes and members.
“If you have witnessed horse-related abuse, please contact USEF by texting what you saw to 2USEF (28733) or by emailing generalcounsel@usef.org. As a reminder, if you witnessed or have knowledge of sexual abuse, it must be reported to law enforcement and the U.S. Center for SafeSport.”
The USEF does not have the ability to secure search warrants, so it will rely on reports from members in enforcing the rule. The abuse must be reported to licensed officials at a show, and to USEF if it takes place outside of competition. There will be 21 definitions of what constitutes abuse in the proposed rule. Some already are in the rulebook, but more are being added.
The proposal clarifies that licensed officials or competition management can “take swift action” to issue a written warning or disqualification if the abuse occurs at a showgrounds.
The rule change notes that “USEF takes its social license to operate very seriously, and learning from the mistakes of others, recognizes that time is of the essence.”
It notes that the horse industry has come under increased scrutiny, particularly in regard to the integrity and safety of horse racing. USEF cited as another example the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey circus, which shut down in 2017 and reinvented itself without animals in 2023. USEF also mentioned modern pentathlon, which no longer will include show jumping after this year, following an incident in which a coach punched a horse at the Tokyo Olympics.
“Social license is a vitally important issue for our industry, and further oversight of training practices outside of competition has been an important topic under consideration. The Cesar Parra concerns are an example of why this is an important issue to address. The rule change is being released today to provide as much time as possible for member and stakeholder feedback,” USEF Chief Marketing and Content Officer Vicki Lowell stated on Monday.
“USEF takes horse abuse very seriously. Horses are our trusted partners in sport and in life. The goal of the extraordinary rule change put forward today is to ensure that USEF has broader oversight of horse welfare outside of competition. This rule will have the opportunity for member and stakeholder feedback before a decision is taken at the Mid-Year Meeting.”
Parra, who rode for his native Colombia in the Olympics, represented the U.S. in the Pan American Games after becoming a citizen.
He has been provisionally suspended by the FEI, which can act in abuse cases outside of competition. The USEF has honored that suspension, as the two organizations investigate the Parra situation and decide how this matter should be resolved.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association will hold its second Town Hall in a row about social license to operate on Monday Feb. 19 at 7 p.m.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 18, 2024
It’s fun to see fresh faces at the top of U.S. dressage classes.
For a long time, the USA’s familiar names have been leading competition in America and elsewhere, but now there’s a changing of the guard, so to speak. A perennial team member, the much-decorated Steffen Peters, is still competing on the West Coast with his longtime partner, Suppenkasper and pointing for the 2024 Paris Olympics. But such well-known riders as Kasey Perry-Glass and Adrienne Lyle, both of whom earned Olympic and World Championships medals, are among those working with new horses this winter.
What’s really interesting is that two of this month’s big winners who are just taking their place on the stage have a real connection.
Anna Marek, the individual bronze medalist at the 2023 Pan American Games on Fire Fly, won the Grand Prix with a 72.826 percent personal best score and the Freestyle with another personal best of 78.457 on the 14-year-old Fayvel at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival earlier in February. She went on to take the top prize in the Grand Prix for the Special with 70.369 percent at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala over this past weekend.
Anna Marek and Fayvel. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Anna keeps approximately 30 of the horses she trains on the premises of Crown View Dressage, the Ocala farm of Jessica Howington. At WEC, the Special itself went to Jessica on her new horse, Serenade MF, with a mark of 68.915 percent in only their second show together, while Anna was right behind her on Fayvel with a 68.277.
Although WEC was just the second show and the first CDI for Jessica with Shrimp, as her mare is known around the barn, it was hardly the first time she and Anna have been in the same competitions. And there are never any hard feelings, no matter who gets the top prize.
“I love Anna. We’re super-friendly,” said Jessica, who was second in the Grand Prix for the Special with 68.152 percent.
“We have competed against each other now for a long time and I think we’ve won and lost against each other so many times, there’s nothing awkward at all.”
Jessica added, “It’s funny, because even though she trains here on the farm, we are so incredibly busy, I almost never see her.” That’s except if they are warming up for the same class, of course.
Although the bulk of the horses with which Anna is involved are at Jessica’s farm, Fayvel and Fire Fly live on Anna’s own 20-acre property in Dunnellon, outside Ocala.
Anna made headlines at the Pan Am Games, where she was a member of the U.S. gold medal team and faced a real challenge “because it was the first major stage I’d ever been on,” she said.
She and Fire Fly “made our way up very quickly,” she noted, saying there weren’t too many expectations for them coming into the Pan American Games year.
“We just kept getting better and better,” said the mother of two, who relies on family for help with her children as she balances her riding with taking care of the youngsters.
Fayvel used to be ridden primarily by his owner, Christina Davila, who imported the Dutchbred gelding as a seven-year-old sales horse, but decided to keep him after realizing he was everything she wanted. However, when she hurt her neck in a non-horse related accident, she suggested to Anna, “Why don’t you show him and see what happens?”
What happened is that she has qualified for the FEI World Cup Finals, to be held this spring in Saudi Arabia. She’s also hoping to be named to the group that will gain experience on a European tour before the Paris Olympics. Anna has never competed in Europe, and who knows what will happen in that regard?
“Olympics or not, it’s a perfect opportunity,” she said.
For Jessica, doing a CDI as her second show with Shrimp was a bit of a risk. Despite the fact that she started riding the mare only at the end of December, less than two months ago, the two have meshed.
Jessica Howington and Serenade MF (Photo © Andrew Ryback 2024)
“I feel like every single day, we click more and more, she becomes more my horse and my ride,” said Jessica, who works as a nurse practitioner in addition to training horses.
“I feel like especially over the last two weeks, our relationship has really improved. I was over the moon happy,” Jessica commented about her victory.
“She’s such a special horse, I really love her.”
At the same time, she pointed out, “It’s not easy taking on someone else’s horse who has been trained to Grand Prix. It doesn’t matter how amazing the previous rider or trainer was, it’s just styles are different.”
So not everything has been perfect in getting to know Shrimp, who was trained by Alice Tarjan.
Although the first time Jessica sat on Shrimp, when she knew immediately the mare was her kind of ride, “it took me four weeks at least, maybe five weeks, of having her before I could get the one-tempis on her. So many different things in dressage–movements are so personal. That was one of the things we really struggled with. With horses, it’s always a roller-coaster.”
Nothing comes quickly in the discipline, no matter how perfect a partnership has the potential to be. So it was exciting when things came together in the Special.
“Even though we had a couple of bobbles, Shrimp really let me ride her and I was able to learn so much about her,” Jessica pointed out.
“Now I know where there are moments I can push her. I want to get the extended trot bigger and the piaffes more on the spot. I’m really hopeful for the future and and looking forward to continuing building the relationship with her. She’s so awesome,” Jessica said of the 11-year-old Hanoverian mare, who was bred in America by Maryanna Haymon.
Shrimp “gets very fired-up and very nervous at shows, so sometimes, that turns into her being really fiery, and other times, it turns and almost makes her shut down. I have to figure out what’s going to be best for her and how I need to ride her in those moments.”
While she would be “thrilled and completely honored” to be selected for a trip to Europe, Jessica commented, “I think I definitely would have to get a few more really good and improved scores under my belt, but I would not turn down that opportunity.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 16, 2024
The annual Kevin Babington Benefit is more than a fundraiser; it’s also a tribute to the inspirational show jumper whose spinal cord injury has not dimmed his spirit.
He was front and center in his wheelchair last week at Victoria McCullough’s Mida Farm in Wellington, Fla., to watch five hours of show jumping, followed by an evening reception at which he was the guest of honor. Dozens of friends came by to chat and share some laughs, enjoying a chance to see Kevin in a relaxed setting on a Tuesday, while they had a day off from the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Kevin represented his native Ireland in the 2004 Olympics, where he finished fourth. He was a fixture on the grand prix circuit until 2019, when a crashing fall at the Hampton Classic left him with an injury that made him a quadriplegic.
Jeff Papows, who put on the benefit with Victoria for the Kevin Babington Foundation he chairs, said “The thing that affects me the most is to see a frantically busy community in the middle of a 12-week circuit drop whatever they’re doing and come together for Kevin. And not just Kevin, but Jonathon Millar and Alexis (Halbert) and David (Beisel) and Kim Prince and all the other people the Foundation has been able to help.”
Victoria McCullough and Jeff Papows. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Jeff noted the Foundation is connected with the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and the Shepherd Center in Atlanta.
“It’s not just the financial assistance, it’s the research, the surgical interventions and the stem cells,” he explained.
“When an athlete has fallen and gotten hurt, getting them to the right place as quickly as possible makes all the difference in the world.”
Jeff added, “I just love to see the affection, particularly for Kevin. I know he looks forward to it (the benefit) all year. Even before his injury, he was probably one of the most beloved athletes on the circuit.
“I’m proud of the sport. Nobody works harder and nobody in my experience has been more giving. It’s incredibly important for Kevin’s family, because it keeps him immersed in the sport.”
Victoria also co-chairs the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament with Jeff.
“When Kevin was hurt, Jeff was like `That’s it. This is what we have to do.’ Then we realized there was no really good mechanism in show jumping to help people who could become paralyzed,” recounted Victoria.
“I am a donor at the Miami Paralysis Project and we have so much expertise. I thought, `We better share this with people, so they’re not lost when it happens.’ So the Kevin Babington Foundation to help him and anyone who’s in that position began.”
She wanted to use her beautiful grass field for jumping, and the benefit turned out to be the perfect occasion to do that for someone she respects.
Nicky Galligan competing under the palms over one of the beautiful fences at Mida Farm. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“Kevin will never quit. Kevin is getting better daily,” she maintained, adding she believes he will walk again.
A total of 36 horses turned out to jump on the grass beneath the palms over a colorful course laid out by Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios. The announcing was done by Frank Waters, who had been sidelined with several serious medical conditions himself, but bounced back to perform the job in his inimitable style.
The benefit, held for the third time, is a special occasion for Kevin.
“It means so much, it means more than you can imagine,” he said, thanking Victoria and Jeff for all they have done to put on such a lovely show and reception, where Lugano Diamonds was a sponsor.
Kevin was able to visit with many friends at the show. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I’m so grateful for such an amazing event,” he continued, noting that the interlude provides an opportunity to relax and visit with friends.
At the Winter Equestrian Festival, he pointed out, “Everyone’s so busy it’s hard to catch up with them. So it’s nice to be able to spend a little time chatting with people here.”
Fellow Irishman Shane Sweetnam turned up with a mare named Unique to let her get experience on the grass and support Kevin, who he sees occasionally at the shows while he’s on the run between classes.
Shane Sweetnam and Unique on course as Kevin watches from the tent. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“The circuit is hard for everybody, we’re going everywhere all the time,” said Shane, noting it’s tough to be able to talk for more than a minute or two under those circumstances.
“There’s time here before and after the horses, there’s no rush. It’ s a nice, relaxed environment to chat and catch up.”
Dianna, Kevin’s wife, said of the benefit, “it definitely seems to do him a world of good, getting out. I’m so appreciative of everyone’s efforts. Because I’m so overwhelmed myself, I could never spearhead any of this. I feel a lot of this unfolds for me because of the absolute generosity and goodwill of others.”
She added, “I don’t have to ask Jeff or Victoria; it’s not like, `Can you brainstorm a new fundraiser?’ It’s happening because people get it and they are ahead of me. I contribute everything I can as it’s unfolding, but I’m not really the one who’s driving the boat. I’m keeping Kevin afloat.”
Kevin looks so much better than he did even a year ago.
He enjoyed seeing daughter Marielle compete over the fences, and confided his older daughter, Gwyneth, is now riding in Europe for dealer Francois Mathy.
Kevin watches daughter Marielle compete. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
For his part, he said, “I’m still working on trying to get stronger and doing my PT (physical therapy) three days a week.
“I have an acupuncturist I go to who has really helped me a lot and I have a good massage therapist that I work with every week. There are a lot of new developments coming down the road that I’m signed up for. I’m working with a company in Switzerland called Onward. They have developed this chip in the brain and put another chip below where the injury was. They’re working in conjunction with the Miami Project, so I’m hopefully part of that.”
Kevin is determined to walk again.
“I have to believe,” he emphasized.
“I’m not going to give up hope. That’s for sure.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 11, 2024
Partnered with three exceptional horses, Irish riders took complete possession of the podium at the Winter Equestrian Festival’s weekend feature, the $385,000 Fidelity Investments 5-star Grand Prix.
Winner Darragh Kenny was aboard the 14-year-old Holsteiner Amsterdam 27, “an absolutely incredible horse, the most talented animal I’ve ever sat on.”
Citing the fact that the horse is endowed with quality, as well as being scopey and smart, Darragh said, “I think he has the ability to win anything, I’ve just got to stay out of his way and let him do his thing.”
The gelding (CatokiXAccord II), ridden earlier in his career by Canada’s Mario Deslauriers, was out of action for months with an injury, but made an amazing comeback that wasn’t predicted. Darragh thanked the owner, Teddy Vlock, also a former rider of Amsterdam, for keeping the horse for him.
Darragh celebrated nailing a fast time in the jump-off. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Runner-up Cian O’Connor rode Pat Crean’s Maurice (Thunder VD ZuuthoeveXEros Platiere), a 12-year-old Belgian warmblood the horseman first spotted with a Turkish rider at the European Show Jumping Championships last year.
Cian O’Connor and Maurice at the Hermes fence. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Jordan Coyle took third place with Falkirk Farm’s For Gold (For FashionXHeraldik), a 13-year-old Holsteiner he adores.
“I’ve never had a horse ever like this,” he explained.
When asked if he loves the horse more than his wife, Kim—as she suggested—Jordan grinned and replied, “it is possible.”
He’s got a sense of humor, that Jordan. Responding to Cian’s comment during the prizegiving that it was fantastic to have three Irishmen on the podium, Jordan turned in his inimitable way and said, “Yeah. Pity about the order…”.
Jordan Coyle really went for it on For the Gold. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
There were several things that made the Irish domination of the class particularly noteworthy in the triumph before a standing-room-only crowd of more than 7,000 at Wellington International in Palm Beach County, Fla.
Foremost was the fact that course designer Gregory Bodo also will be doing the routes at the Paris Olympics, and of course, all three Irishmen hope to be on their country’s team there this summer.
The all-Irish podium. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Second was the fact that such great riders as 2021 Olympic champion Ben Maher of Great Britain, ranked world number two, didn’t make the jump-off on Dallas Vegas Batilly. Ditto the USA’s McLain Ward, world number eight, on Contagious. They lost their bid for what became a six-horse jump-off when they each had a knockdown at the tenth fence, a troublesome oxer flanked by outlandish pink fans, which also ruined other potentially clear rounds.
“It’s a great result for all the Irish riders,” said Darragh.
“We work very hard when we’re here; we try very hard to win always. Tonight really showed we can do it when we need to. Everybody’s very motivated. The Olympics in Paris is going to be an amazing thing, we all want to go. I think you see the competition here is pretty hard. It’s at the highest level it’s been for the last couple of years.”
Although the Irish have filled the podium several times at Dublin, it’s still rare to find them completely dominant.
“To see the Irish doing so well, it’s good, it’s a big Irish community (in the Wellington area) obviously,” Cian mentioned.
The Irish contingent had the only fault-free rounds in a six-horse jump off, where the clockings got faster and faster. Darragh was next-to-last in the order and looked at what Cian had done in the previous round on his trip around the shortened course.
He didn’t match him stride-for-stride, but Amsterdam’s scope enabled him to produce a ground-saving tight turn at the orange and white Hermes oxer at the end of the ring. That helped make Darragh’s time of 38.66 seconds the best so far, edging Cian’s 39.36 seconds and Jordan’s 39.69.
Darragh Kenny and Amsterdam 27. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
But formidable speedster Kent Farrington had the advantage of being last to go on the fleet Greya, and he tore into the course. That got him a time of 38.53, which would have done the trick—except that a rail down put the World Number four in fourth place.
After hearing the Irish national anthem played for him and his compatriots, Darragh thought back on his round and mused, “I think really I could have done one less to the last (fence), but luckily enough, Kent had one down today.”
Sometimes things just work out.
I asked the course designer if the riders should think their experience in the grand prix would help prepare them for Paris if they make their Olympic teams.
Speaking in French, because he’s more comfortable in that language than English, he replied through a translator, “I did not come to prepare the riders, I just came to do what I do usually, enjoy the sun and make some top-level courses.” That answer got a laugh, of course.
The course designer had a chat with Canada’s Ian Millar during the course walk. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
So next I tried a question for the riders, wondering if they felt they had gotten a handle on what the designer does, with an eye toward Paris.
Darragh explained he and Cian have jumped Gregory’s courses before, so they have an idea of his style.
“He builds very technical, very delicate, very much about the rider and how they ride. He built an excellent course tonight, six clears out of 40. He did a fantastic job. The last line was delicate, difficult; but if you rode it really well, you jumped it clear.”
Cian offered a spot-on description of the designer’s technique, “He has an amazing way to use the ring differently than any other course builder. Where he places the jumps, he always puts 1-2 in an unusual place, it’s not just a regular number, like seven strides. It’s unusual angles…(it) has a different flow to it, his bends and turns are sharper. Whether he’s meaning to show us what might be coming up (at the Olympics) or not, I think it’s his style that’s wonderful to practice over.”
Cian O’Connor, Darragh Kenny, Jordan Coyle and course designer Gregory Bodo toast the Irish sweep. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
As a photographer, I encountered something new with Gregory’s course. It was hard to get my usual angles for shots and have a direct line to capture more than two fences. It was exactly as Cian described the layout, with fences using every part of the ring.
The quality of the designer, the riders and the horses certainly made for a wonderful class, the type that is done so well at WEF. The excitement of the crowd, the presentation of the ring, the vibe around the showgrounds all contributed to yet another memorable competition. It’s a tradition that goes back decades, to the time when WEF was a pioneer of what would become the country’s biggest show circuit.
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by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 14, 2024
Christine Traurig, the U.S. dressage chef d’equipe who also is the national young horse and developing horse coach, made a statement of her values in the context of the scandal involving trainer Cesar Parra and allegations of horse abuse.
She says she stands “unwaveringly behind the classical values and principals of training and competing in our sport with the welfare of our horses at the top of our priorities unconditionally.
“Over the past decades, our country has earned the reputation of world class fine riding and horsemanship. We, our federation and its members, all of us, have to do everything in our power to uphold that standard which made us one of the leading nations in the sport of dressage. We must continue leading by example.”
Citing the “wave of emotions” triggered by the abuse allegations, she said that “set into motion actions taken by our federation and the FEI to immediately temporarily suspend the trainer from competition and allow an investigation to take place, but just as importantly pushed forward the need to change and amend rules…to protect our equine partners from abuse in the home environment and outside of competition arenas and venues. I am hopeful that this is a step forward to having SafeSport for horses.”
She added, “Abuse of horses in pursuit of results in competition arenas and for marketing purposes cannot be tolerated. Those who engage in abusive training methods do not deserve to be a member of our community and our sport, period.”
She also cited her “commitment to take part in preserving the beauty dressage stands for in the harmony and partnership between a horse and a rider.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 10, 2024
Amid all the controversy and lobbying about expanding the main showgrounds in Wellington, Florida, remember that even as equestrians cite the need for big improvements there, what the public sees is pretty darn good when they come to the home of the Winter Equestrian Festival.
I thought about it after Friday night’s new hunter teams competition at Wellington International, as I walked out past the colorful merry-go-round and the ornate fountain with its carved horses sending up bubbling streams of water. Luxe shops (and some with more moderate prices) line the path from the hospitality area around the International Arena, where the footing is fine and the lighting is good for featured night classes.
It was easy to forget the quality of the show after covering 60 hours of debate (or was it 65; I lost count) about taking land out of the Equestrian Preserve. It was all in the attempt to get a deal for the expanded showgrounds and move dressage to the WEF grounds from Equestrian Village down the street. So I was reminded by a trip to what used to be called the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center that Equestrian Sport Productions still runs a good show with precision, under the guidance of manager Dave Burton and Wellington International President Michael Stone.
The team event was the $100,000 Kristen Baran exhibition class, for the benefit of the Neil S. Hirsch Boys & Girls Clubs that helps youth get a leg up on life with education, activities and other benefits.
The hunter teams’ debut was pretty successful, but needs a few tweaks going forward. It involved three members on a team—a professional, an amateur and a junior—each riding over 3-foot, 3-inch fences in consecutive rounds that offered a few options. Only two team members’ scores counted; the drop score factor saved squads where one member had a mishap.
The class was basically three hunter rounds, what we see every week in the hunter arena at WEF.
To do something that could set the team concept apart, one person suggested a relay format, the way they do with the pony hunt teams at the Devon Horse Show. So the first rider would take three or four fences, the second would jump the next group and the third would finish the course. I think if would be cool if they jumped three abreast at the last fence, the way we used to do in the hunter trials (I still have photos of myself jumping a fence side-by-side like that with my friends from years ago.)
Brianne Goutal-Marteau’s winning team of Grace Debney and Clara Propp earned 181 points to 176 for Patricia Griffith’s squad of Callie Seaman and Vivian Goldman. Third of the 14 teams was Keri Kampsen with Stphanie Danhakl and Wyatt Rofey (175).
Brianne Goutal-Marteau on Grand Remo. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Brianne, who knew Neil Hirsch, really enjoyed the class—and not just because she was on the winning side.
“I think it’s wonderful,” said Brianne, whose highest score on Grand Remo from the three judging panels was an eye-popping 93.
Brianne Goutal-Marteau’s score for her round on Grand Remo. s
“It’s been a long time since we have done something new in the hunter ring. And obviously to do it for a charitable cause is even better. I think the format is fine…it ended up flowing. It’s fun to do it at 3-3. There’s less pressure. You see a lot of horses having a good time doing everything easily.
Grace said she had been away from the hunters and focusing on the jumpers, so “It was a nice introduction back into it.” She borrowed her mount from Clara.
For her part, Clara said, “I had a lot of fun.. It’s a horse I know really well. It was kind of low pressure and good experience going into next week,” she observed, referring to the Hunter Spectacular where hunters again will compete in the International Arena, which is not their usual venue at WEF.
Brianne Goutal-Marteau, Grace Debney and Clara Propp, the winning hunter team. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Florida trainer Andrew Lustig came up with the idea for the team endeavor.
As he explained it, there was a time in the hunters “when the lines (to the jumps) were really long and it was exciting. Other sports, gymnastics and swimming, they’re moving forward. So we’ve got to move forward, because if we don’t move forward, we die. It’s hard to ride under lights, when you never do.”
Andrew dreams big; he’d like to see the team idea develop like the show jumping Global Champions Tour and compete in Europe, which doesn’t usually feature hunters in shows held there. Although it’s very early days, he already can visualize show hunters in Cannes.
Discussing why the show held the class, manager Dave Burton explained, “It’s an ongoing goal for us at Wellington International to provide opportunities for hunters to be showcased. This season, they experience the International Arena, night classes and the derby field, all with substantial prize money for professionals, amateurs, young hunters and ponies.
“The hunt team class is a perfect way to showcase hunter horses and riders in a fun environment that also gives back to an organization that has a huge influence in the Wellington community and greater Palm Beach County.”
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