by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 6, 2025
An investigation of allegations that dressage trainer/rider Cesar Parra “repeatedly and deliberately subjected the majority, if not all, of the horses he owned and trained to recurring and serious abuse over a number of years,” has resulted in a record suspension of 15 years from the FEI (international equestrian federation).
Parra, a native of Colombia who became an American citizen and competed internationally for both countries, had been the subject of disciplinary proceedings since May 22, 2024 on charges of abuse of horse, conduct that brings the FEI and/or equestrian sport and the FEI into disrepute and breach of the FEI Code of Conduct on the Welfare of the Horse.
“This case is deeply unsettling, not only because of the recurring nature of the abuse, but also because of the number of horses affect-ed,” FEI Legal Director Mikael Rentsch said.
“That such behavior came from a top-level athlete makes it all the more troubling. Our athletes are expected to represent and uphold the highest standards of horsemanship. Horse welfare is the foundation, not an add-on, of equestrian sport”
He noted, ““The investigation demanded significant time and resources due to the volume and complexity of the evidence, which had to be meticulously verified. The 15-year suspension sends a clear message that regardless of profile or position, those who violate the principles of horse welfare will face serious consequences.”
Cesar Parra on a victory lap. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Parra’s suspension, which lasts until 2039, when he would be 75 years old, is five years longer than the previous record of 10 years for the use of electric spurs by U.S. show jumper Andrew Kocher.
However, Parra said he will appeal his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, contending, “We need a better system that relies on facts. I accept some guilt, even though the reasons are questionable.”
He added, “But other stuff, it is …fabricated.” Parra suggested there also were some “false accusations.”
Parra noted, “I can see a suspension, I can see okay, excessive whip, whatever. I agree, things have to change bit.”
But in terms of the offenses with which he is charged, he maintained, “that’s something you see three months, six months, a year, a year and a half. Fifteen years, I think, is exaggerated.
“I feel very sad and remorseful. Okay, there is stuff I should have not done I did, passion to help a client with a horse. Now one of the horses in question is winning everything in Mexico. He was tough.”
Parra said he invited representatives of the USEF and FEI to inspect the horses in his barn, but they didn’t come. So he asked the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department to take a look.
“They were aware of the issue and they came. They didn’t find anything.”
The investigation into Parra’s conduct, launched in coordination with the U.S. Equestrian Federation, involved a review of video and photographic material, as well as multiple witness statements. In addition to the suspension, he was fined $18,589 and ordered to pay more than $12,000 in legal costs.
Parra had been based in New Jersey and Florida. His New Jersey farm was sold and the operation in Jupiter, Fla.,is for sale. He rode for Colombia at the Pan American Games in 1999, the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004, the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in 2002 and 2006, and the FEI World Cup™ Final in 2005.
After his 2008 switch in nationality, he rode for the U.S. at the 2011 Pan American Games and FEI World Cup™ Final in 2014.
Cesar Parara in 2021. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
According to the FEI General Regulations (Article 164.6) during a suspension, the person cannot take part in any competition or event and/or in any activities related to any competition or event, as an athlete, support personnel and/or official or in the organization of any competition or event under the jurisdiction of the FEI or any competition or event under the jurisdiction of a national federation in ac-cordance with the statutes or in any FEI and/or national federation-related activity. Persons are entitled to train their own horses at their own facilities or at private facilities.
When USEF received horse welfare complaints against Parra in early 2024 and he was provisionally suspended in February of that year, the Federation did not have a rule allowing it to take action on welfare issues outside of sanctioned competitions. So USEF referred the matter to the FEI, which did have a rule allowing it to undertake an investigation. Since then, the USEF board passed GR838, which expands the Federation’s jurisdiction to unethical treatment that occurs on or off the grounds of a Federation competition.
“As a federation, we have strengthened our rules to ensure we are within our jurisdiction to pursue disciplinary action for behavior and actions endangering horse safety and welfare, both on and off competition grounds. Parra’s documented and repeated behavior has no place in our sport, and we will ensure the enforcement of the FEI Tribunal’s decision. We appreciate the FEI’s diligence and expertise in pursuing this matter,” said USEF CEO Bill Moroney.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 5, 2025
Mary Anne McPhail, a visionary who did so much to boost dressage in the U.S., has died at the age of 92.
“She was incredible; worked tirelessly to promote and support a sport that was not well-known,” former U.S.. Dressage Federation President Ellin Dixon Miller said on social media.
“The growth of dressage that occurred during her lifetime can, to a huge extent, be attributed to her. Mary Anne was instrumental in creating the Florida circuit. It created multiple shows at the international level, encouraged Europeans to come to us, and the best of the U.S. to unite and compete in one location.”
Mary Anne McPhail, doing what she enjoyed.
Devoted to the Dressage Foundation, where she was a volunteer committee member for more than 20 years, Mary Anne and her husband established the Mary Anne and Walter McPhail Judge Education Fund to provide support for the U.S. Dressage Federation’s judge education initiative.
“Mary Anne was one-of-a kind when it came to wisdom, kindness and generosity. Her impact on U.S. dressage has been profound throughout many years because she was never afraid to think big,” said a statement from the Dressage Foundation.
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The U.S. Dressage Federation noted, “Mary Anne’s legacy will live on through all who knew and loved her, and through her generosity of spirit that will continue to positively impact and benefit the dressage community for years to
come.”
She also backed top riders Robert Dover and Olivia Lagoy-Weltz when they were involved in international competition.
A longtime host and executive director of the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, she lived in Loxahatchee, Fla., and Michigan, where she founded the Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine at Michigan State University.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 5, 2025
London. Vienna. Rome.
Liberty State Park?
How does a New Jersey park wind up on the same page of the Longines Global Champions Tour website with some of the world’s greatest cities that have hosted its show jumping competitions?
It’s all about the vista — because the park has a great view of the Statue of Liberty and New York skyline. A presence in the Manhattan area is important to the international jumping competition, which is why the GCT is scheduled to host a show at the park Sept. 19-21.
Among the many accomplished riders who are regulars at GCT competitions are Olympic multi-gold medalist Ben Maher of Great Britain; current individual gold medalist Christian Kukuk of Germany, world champion Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden and the USA’s Jessica Springsteen, who grew up in New Jersey,
The last time GCT was staged in the New York metro area, its show was a half-mile south of Manhattan at Governor’s Island, reachable only by ferry, a situation that made it inconvenient at best.
Liberty State Park and its vista.
Liberty State Park is easier to access, which means there is great demand for tickets to the competition. The Sunday, which features the grand prix, is a sellout except for some VIP opportunities, but tickets in both the covered and uncovered stands, as well as the lounge, are still available for the Friday and Saturday shows that also include 5-star jumping.
Six-person and eight-person tables in VIP for all three days are on sale at $16,633.50 and $22,178 respectively.
For tickets, click here.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 1, 2025
So what’s next for California’s Desert International Horse Park and its former CEO Steve Hankin, who parted ways this week?
Three partners in the venture bought out Hankin and his wife, Lisa. The couple was the fourth partner in the group that six years ago purchased a long-term lease on 240 acres where the HITS Thermal show had been held previously.
The Desert International Horse Park show will continue, and there are plans for a major expansion and development in years to come at another property just down the road.
Palms and mountains provide the backdrop at Desert International Horse Park. (Photo DIHP)
The break-up raised questions, however, because the show had developed into an incredibly successful fixture, attracting a following not only in the West, but also drawing prominent riders from the East Coast and Europe.
Hankin would say only that, “Whether the partners got along or not is not relevant to the people in the industry. It’s obvious we didn’t and the partnership failed. I think it’s disappointing for the industry that it did. I think what was accomplished in the last five or six years was really remarkable.”
But the details of the break-up aren’t important to those who come to the shows, he pointed out.
“What they care about is that we built something that wasn’t there before, we raised the level of the sport and that we cared about horses,” said Hankin, mentioning he got more than 100 messages after word was out about his departure.
Riders such as Kent Farrington came from the East to compete at DIHP. (Photo DIHP)
Hankin also will be missed by Michael Stone, president of Wellington International, which hosts Florida’s Winter Equestrian Festival.
“I was very disappointed to see he was going,” said Stone.
“He was really a leader to make change and elevate the level in California, which ultimately helps everybody. The higher the level, everybody gets better. You don’t sit on your laurels.
“Having him there was definitely beneficial for the sport in general,” Stone pointed out, noting he and Hankin worked closely when Covid hit.
“We had to come up with ways of being able to get back open as fast as we could. With the EHV (Equine Herpes) outbreak, we worked on that closely too. Good to have a like-minded person on the West Coast really driving the standards out there.”
As for Hankin’s future, he will stay in both the industry and California, his home for 11 years.
“I’m 100 percent not done,” said Hankin, who plans to move on with other projects.
Meanwhile, the remaining DIHP partners, Jeremy and Christina Smith, Rob Meadows and Catherine Harvey, are pursuing a vision of their own on 640 acres that will host the horse show and a development, part of a package called Thermal Ranch. But the show will continue to be called Desert International Horse Park.
It all starts with the leadline. (Photo DIHP)
The new land is being used to grow carrots at the moment and the project is still in the approvals process with the city and county.
“We have no interest in pushing it hard until it’s being built,” Jeremy Smith said about the project, located a short canter from the present facility. The best case scenario would be for the showgrounds to open in October 2029.
“It’s a big project, but we think it’s the future of show jumping on the West Coast,” he continued, adding that it will be 30 percent larger than the current showgrounds.
“We really want to build a permanent home for the horse park that is sustainable, to own your own facility and control your own destiny,” said Smith, who has been in the crafts business and now can add the word “developer” to his resume.
“It’s $100 million to build a show and do it right,” he said, explaining the only way to make the books balance is by constructing homes, hotel rooms and commercial opportunities in and around it as well.
That means “taking a big swing and having a big enough show to make it work.”
He pointed out that while the lease on the current showgrounds is long term, “in 20 years, if it (the land) were needed for anything else, there would be no place to go because development would have happened around it. Where development happens, horses always get pushed out.”
The current facility is aging with “old infrastructure…a hard beast to keep going,” said Smith, who cited all the benefits of a purpose-built venue. The layout for stables and rings will be convenient, and an indoor arena that can host FEI World Cup qualifiers is also part of the vision.
Harvey mentioned that on the current property “The way it’s lined up, you have tractors in the same aisle ways as horses and bicyclists and golf carts We would like to line things out in a much safer way, where those two don’t overlap; have a more efficient use of space and really create a proper center where your grand prix arena and grand hunter arena are and everything else revolves around it.”
That would be “as opposed to our (current) property, it’s (the rings) at one end and the barns are at the opposite ends of the property and the grass field is even at the farthest end of the property.”
The new acreage “would give us more space to do whatever needs to be done,” Harvey said.
As Smith noted, “Being able to build a brand new modern facility that’s perfect for horses as well as guests who can actually come and watch and is safe all around, it will be a breath of fresh air and a dream for all of us.”
Having homes around a showgrounds is a model that started in Wellington, and was done in a more modular way at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Fla., and TerraNova, east of Sarasota, Fla.
“We’ve learned a lot over the years and we’re still learning,” said Smith, who envisions people living so close they can take a golf cart over to the venue “and socialize around the horse show instead of just going home at night.”
Socializing is a big part of DIHP’s charm. (Photo DIHP)
The current facility will still be used after the new one is built, but it can have offerings beyond hunter/jumper competition.
Options are dressage, western, low-level hunters and jumpers with no braiding, “the possibility of three day shows with lesser entry fees. How do we lower the bar to have people come in and try it out?” said Smith.
“We’ve got to make it (showing) as accessible as possible, knowing that’s it still expensive,” he commented, pointing out that growing the base is key to keep the sport strong.
The partners aren’t seeking another CEO, but they haven’t made a decision yet about who will be heading up the team at the park.
“I think Steve did a lot and I think asking anyone to do his entire job isn’t necessarily what we want to do,” Smith said.
“We’ll split that up a little bit. There’s enough for a couple of people in there. I’ll take a lot of the business end of it with the team. We all like to be involved in the business. You don’t buy a horse show for an investment, you don’t build a horse park for an investment.
“You do this because you want to be involved in it and you like the business and you enjoy this. We want it to be fun. It’s really exciting for us. But we have no intention of jumping in and running everything.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 31, 2025
The man who led the Desert International Horse Park in its transformation as a California venue to be reckoned with has been bought out of the partnership that purchased the venue six years ago.
In his farewell statement Wednesday night, DIHP CEO Steve Hankin said, “it is with considerable sadness that we, Lisa (his wife) and I, are announcing the end of our involvement with the Desert International Horse Park. It took a lot of people to get to where we are today. We have an incredible team and I owe all of them an enormous thanks. That thanks extends to not only to the individuals that make the show happen in the office and at the rings that you see every day, but also the extended teams that are essential to doing what we do so well.”
There were many who wondered why Steve would want to get so involved in making the former HITS Thermal a destination for not only West Coast riders, but also East Coast and European stars.
His answer was simple: “Because it has always been about the sport.”
He cited the passion he and Lisa shared that has always been grounded in a love for horses and a desire to help build the sport, at all levels, for everyone.”
McLain Ward, a member of DIHP’s Major League Show Jumping team, paid tribute to the former CEO on social media, saying, “Steve you did an incredible job and brought the world of Showjumping to the desert!”
Because of DIHP’s success, Steve’s departure is a bit of a headscratcher. But on the same evening as his farewell, the venue announced a change in ownership as of that date.
“The current ownership group, consisting of the Smith, Meadows, and Harvey families, has completed the acquisition of the remaining ownership interest formerly held by Steve and Lisa Hankin.
“We are deeply grateful to Steve and Lisa for their vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment over the past six years. Under their guidance, DIHP has evolved from a venue in need of significant transformation into a world-class destination for equestrian sport.
“Their efforts, particularly during the unprecedented challenges of the human and horse crises of the last five years, were instrumental in establishing the Horse Park as a premier venue enjoyed by trainers, exhibitors, vendors, and spectators from around the globe.
“We thank Steve and Lisa for their dedication to our mission and their many contributions to elevating the sport on the West Coast. Their impact on DIHP and the equestrian community will be lasting.”
So why did it happen? A deeper explanation will have to wait for another day.
No new CEO was named in the ownership group’s statement, which continued, “Looking forward, the ownership group remains committed to building on this strong foundation. The current staff — who many of you know and work closely with — are already hard at work preparing for the upcoming season. We’re excited to share more updates soon, including new improvements to the facility and developments shaping the future of DIHP.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 29, 2025
Cecile Hetzel Dunn was an ecumenical horsewoman, whose efforts benefited a variety of breeds, from Arabians to Friesians, Andalusians to saddlebreds.
She spent decades serving the entire horse industry, working as a licensed official and volunteering with a variety of governing bodies. Cecile was a mainstay of the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s board of directors. She served as a founding member of that panel after the organization succeeded the old American Horse Shows Association.
A recipient of the federation’s Lifetime Achievement Award, she died Saturday at the age of 89.
Cecile Hetzel Dunn and the USEF’s David O’Connor.
Cecile rode a pony on her family’s Arabian farm before she could walk and became a skilled competitor who went on to devote her life to equestrian sport and education.
After graduating from Stephens College in Missouri, she worked at Northwestern State University to develop its equestrian studies program. She returned to Stephens as a professor and director of their Equestrian Department.
Moving on to Salem International University, she developed its Equine Careers and Industry Management degree program, as well as a horsemanship teaching certification program. As a professor and coach, she inspired young equestrians by helping them set realistic goals and guiding them.
She went to her first AHSA convention in the late 1950s (she wasn’t quite sure of the year) at the posh Breakers hotel in Palm Beach.
“I thought I was in fairyland,” she said, recalling how her eyes lit up when seeing the jewels and sparkling floor-length gowns worn at the social events that once were a key part of the convention in a very different era.
Those were the days when it was “100 percent” about who you knew. For instance, she told me that after a saddlebred trainer for whom she worked wanted her to judge a horse show, he simply called a friend at the AHSA office and asked that Cecile be given a judge’s card–even though she had no training in that area.
The only question asked was whether she was 21. When her age was confirmed, Cecile got her card.
Things are different today, of course, and Cecile served17 years on USEF’s Licensed Officials Committee, among other committees that furthered the mission of the federation. She officiated for 49 years, working as a steward as well as a judge. Among the judges’ cards she held were those for Andalusian/Lusitano, Connemara, Friesian, National Show Horse, Welsh and Western.
Cecile also was a founding member of the Arabian Horse Association and served as the Region 6 Director and on various AHA committees.
She was married to the late Norman Dunn, who also was active with USEF. They are survived by two daughters, Martha Rattner and Merri Murdock-Krehl.
In lieu of flowers, Cecile’s family has requested that donations be made to the Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund in her memory. For information, go to: https://www.horsemensdistressfund.com/
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 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 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.
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