by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 4, 2023
Irish course designer Alan Wade has laid out show jumping fences across Europe and North America, with the FEI World Cup Finals and the FEI World Equestrian Games among the many competitions that have benefited from his style.
But until this week, he had never designed at the National Horse Show, so he was new to the Alltech Arena in Lexington, Ky., and the characteristics of that ring.
“It is quite a funny shape, but the horses seem to be jumping well. I try to build a course that’s friendly, but still gets a nice result,” said Alan, who was assisted at the show by Olympic designer Steve Stephens.
“This is quite a big ring, so it jumps a bit more like an outdoor than the indoors we have in Europe,” Alan observed.
As always seems to be the case, Alan’s efforts created classes that were both fair to the riders and exciting for the spectators.
The show’s highlight, the $226,000 4-star Longines FEI World Cup Qualifier Saturday night, drew an international field of 28, with 11 coming through to the tiebreaker.
U.S.-based Irish rider Shane Sweetnam made the most economical of turns in the jump-off with James Kann Cruz, his wife’s Irish sport horse by Kannan. He was rewarded with a clear round in the time of 33.41 seconds. His approach to the double combination showed a bit of bravery that paid off.
World Cup qualifier winner Shane Sweetnam with judge Maria de Lourdes Arrambide, National Horse Show Chairman Bill Weeks and NHS President Jennifer Burger.
“I just tried to keep it as smooth as I could, he’s a great horse, he’s always going to try to jump it,” said Shane, noting, “actually, we slipped a little bit, but it gave us room and then we just tried to keep it coming. You know, he’s giving his best all the time. He really is a show-off, he really wants to perform.
“I know with all the horses after me that I would have to be fast,” remarked Shane, who was fourth to go in the tiebreaker. His time of 33.41 seconds did the trick.
Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz. (Shawn McMillen Photography)
While he’s had a good year, finishing high up in a number of grands prix, he hadn’t earned first place in one during 2023 until he succeeded with the National’s feature.
He added, “I’m delighted to have won this, especially in Kentucky,” where he has been a regular in the winner’s circle at the Kentucky Horse Park.
His whole family is with him at the show, including his wife, Ali, and daughter Olivia, who was riding in the ASPCA Maclay finals the day after her father’s victory.
Last year’s National grand prix winner, Daniel Bluman of Israel, couldn’t repeat his 2022 feat, but came close in 34.14 seconds with Gemma W.
After the class he had a comment about the turbulence in the Middle East.
“I want to send my thoughts and prayers to everyone that is currently affected, by the war,” he said, referring to the situation in Israel and Gaza.
“It’s a real tragedy and we’re praying for our resolution for the hostages to come back, and for peace in a better future.”
U.S. competitor Devin Ryan, third last weekend in the 5-star World Cup qualifier at the Washington International show, earned that placing again with his long-time partner, Eddie Blue, clear in 34.22 seconds.
“He really is quite a fighter,” Devin said of Eddie.
“You know, at home in the stables and everything he has a big personality. He’s a bit cheeky and when he goes in the ring, he just loves his job. He puts his ears forward every time he goes in the ring. He likes being on the stage.”
Interestingly, the top three in the class all rode grey horses.
Devin leads the North American League standings for next year’s World Cup finals in Saudi Arabia. He has 30 points to 28 for Shane—who had never won a Cup qualifier before—and 25 for Alise Oken.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 11, 2023
The keynote address at the Rutgers Equine Science Center’s Evening of Science & Celebration will be “Welfare over Triumphs: Protecting the Juvenile Performance Horse.”
The speaker at the Nov. 9 gathering in New Brunswick is Dr. Jessica Leatherwood from Tarleton State University in Texas. Her presentation will focus on her years of research into the health and safety of the young performance horse, but won’t be centered on any particular breed or discipline. The talk will cover some of the most up-to-date guidelines and recommendations for the upkeep and management of young growing performance horses.
The Evening of Science and Celebration, which runs from 6-9 p.m. is an opportunity to unite equine professionals, horse owners, farm owners and barn managers, educators and students, 4-H members and all equine enthusiasts for the purpose of learning about current projects and ongoing research initiatives being conducted at the Equine Science Center. The Center addresses horse industry issues and challenges through sound science and research.
Leatherwood joined Tarleton State University earlier this year as a faculty member in the Department of Animal Sciences, serving as an associate professor and graduate coordinator. She received her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in Animal Sciences; with her graduate programming focusing on equine nutrition and physiology.
During her time at Texas A&M, Leatherwood co-developed an international horsemanship program providing opportunities for high-impact learning experiences and obtained funding for students to participate in international experiences by conducting four-day horsemanship clinics in Europe, Oceania, and South America. She hopes to develop a similar program for students at Tarleton State University.
Dr. Karyn Malinowski, founding director of the Equine Science Center, will give her yearly update on the state of the center, along with an overview of the last year’s accomplishments.
The evening will include research updates and presentations. Taylor Palmer Jr., owner and operator of Boxwood Farms in Englishtown, N.J., will be awarded the 2024 “Spirit of the Horse” award. It recognizes individuals whose lives have been profoundly changed because of their involvement with horses and who have given back to the horse industry.
Palmer focused on the fine details of harness racehorse breeding that embraced quality over quantity; increasing awareness of the horse industry in New Jersey, including the importance of preserved farmland and open space; and served as the founding chair of the Rutgers Equine Advisory Committee (now known as the Rutgers University Board for Equine Advancement (RUBEA).
“Taylor Palmer Jr. lives and breathes New Jersey Agriculture, devoting his and his family’s entire life to breeding the best Standardbred racehorses possible”, said Malinowski.
She noted that he has served New Jersey agriculture for decades with his involvement in the state Board of Agriculture, his commitment to supporting the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey as treasurer, and as a proponent for the preservation of farmland in the Garden State.
“I am personally grateful for Taylor’s commitment to the Rutgers University Equine Science Center and its programs,” she said.
The event requires registration that can be made online at: https://go.rutgers.edu/Evening2023.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 5, 2023
I don’t usually write about horse racing these days, but I was so thrilled to watch White Abarrio win the $6 million Longines Breeders Cup Classic Saturday that I had to share my excitement.
I have followed this horse from the beginning of his career (there was just something about him that I liked) and I never lost faith in him. I always knew he would be a big winner.
Watching White Abarrio before the 2022 Haskell, Monmouth Park, when I got to see him in person.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 1, 2023
Even before the Pan Am Games team show jumping medals were decided this afternoon in Chile, after three perfect trips in the second round of today’s team competition, the U.S. was set to finish high enough to qualify for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Whew!
But when the competition finished, the news was even better. The U.S. had an amazing score of four clears from McLain Ward (Contagious), Karl Cook (Caracole de la Roque), Kent Farrington (Landon) and Laura Kraut (Dorado 212) in the second round. The squad took team gold, followed by Canada’s silver medal effort; as the former leader, Brazil, dropped to bronze on a tense and exciting afternoon.
Laura Kraut, McLain Ward, Karl Cook and Kent Farrington. (Photo courtesy U.S. Equestrian)
It was quite a comeback for the U.S. under the direction of coach Robert Ridland from Tuesday’s initial speed round, where only anchor rider Laura Kraut went clean for the team, and the U.S. stood fifth.
To get a berth for Paris next year, which was Mission One in Chile, the U.S. needed to be in the top three (aside from Brazil, which already had qualified for Paris last month at the Nations Cup Final.) There would be no other chance to qualify for the U.S show jumping team, which is a regular participant at the Olympics. It was get it done at the Pan Ams or stay home next year.
The Canadian, U.S. and Brazilian teams get together on the podium at the end of the medal ceremony.
Coach Robert got it right Tuesday night when he said of today’s two-rounder, “it’s a new day for each of the teams here.”
Today, the U.S. riders were playing their A-game, as they took advantage of their last chance to make the cut for Paris.
Canada, earning team silver, has taken one of the other two places available for the Paris Games, and Mexico got the third. Mexico was fourth in the standings, but as Brazil finished third and was qualified, Mexico was able to clinch its slot.
“You know, we really needed clear rounds today or we weren’t going to be qualified for the Olympics. That’s as simple as that,” Kent said after his ride on Landon.
Kent and Landon.
Speaking about his horse, Kent mentioned, “He’s an inexperienced horse for this level of competition. I thought he showed his greenness the first day and he really rallied back today, actually over a more difficult and a real course. So thrilled with the performance, great progress for my horse and happy we got Team USA in the Olympics.”
As far as the medal, he noted, “Gold was the icing for us here.”
The gold, by the way, was the thirty-second medal U.S. equestrians have earned at the Pan Ams.
Robert pointed out, “One thing nobody has mentioned is the level of competition at the Pan American Games. The last two or three, we keep seeing a higher and higher level of competition. I think everybody saw that today.”
We’re all used to watching the Brits, the French, the Germans, the Swiss and the Irish, among others from Europe. So we have to readjust as we watch riders from countries such as Chile (which won gold in the first Pan Ams in 1951), Paraguay and Uruguay, with which we are less familiar in equestrian terms. But being a part of this competition meant so much to them; it was obvious by looking at their faces or watching their supporters cheer fervently.
“These are really strong teams out there fighting to the end,” observed Robert.
“It’s a tribute to what the Pan American Games have become. The sport has become so worldwide there isn’t this chasm between the Americas and Europe.”
Karl had a really difficult time Tuesday and was lucky to stay on after his mare ran out at a fence and started running. He had two rails in the first round today, but did well to leave all the poles in place this afternoon.
Karl Cook and Caracole de la Roque. (Photo courtesy U.S. Equestrian)
“It’s been less than a year that I’ve had the mare,” he mentioned.
“We hit a few variables this week that were unaccounted for in our prep, and that’s obviously our fault. I was so thankful for the support of my team, so we would keep chipping away at the issues and just progressively get better.” The final trip felt good, he said.
Anchor rider Laura said she was “so relieved when the three riders before me went clear,” in the second round.
“I almost enjoyed the last round,” she confided.
Reserve rider Lillie Keenan said of her teammates, “I had no part in what they achieved today,”
But Robert and the other team members agreed to differ.
“We had a team of five riders here, all interchangeable parts, and that was the whole point,” said Robert.
“It wasn’t a four-plus-one team.”
The course, which Robert called “fantastic,” was set at a maximum of 1.60 meters, compared with 1.50 meters in Tuesday’s one-round speed class. The extra height made it more of a test for some of the horses, who lacked experience at the highest levels of the sport.
Designer Marina Azevedo of Brazil–the only woman ever to have designed show jumping courses for the Pan Ams, and the only Level 4 female designer in the world–came up with a brilliant layout that did just enough to test horses, rather than discourage them, in most instances.
The fences were intriguing and even educational about Chile, from the bright yellow model of the country’s famous railway bridge (yellow isn’t the easiest color for horses to see, so that’s a test) to the wall painted with a Patagonian scene. My favorite was the open water jump flanked by models of Emperor penguins and large blocks of (styrofoam) ice. Chile, the longest country in the world, governs part of Antarctica, so that’s how it relates.
Laura Kraut and Dorado 212 at the railroad bridge. (Photo courtesy U.S. Equestrian)
Individual honors will be sorted out in two rounds on Friday, with 30 starters qualifying for the first round, and 20 for the medal round. McLain leads the Individual standings, followed by Laura and Brazil’s Stephan De Freitas Barcha on Chevaux Primavera Imperio Egipcio in third at the moment.
An order of go for Friday’s competition likely will be posted on Thursday, after the horse inspection. No country can field more than three riders in the individual, so Karl isn’t slated to be riding in that competition. He will, however, trot up his mare in the inspection, in case one of the other team members can’t ride for some reason, Robert said.
Ater the medal ceremony, McLain said, “As everyone knows, our `A’ goal was to qualify for the Games and to win a medal for the team and represent our country well. I thought the team rallied well and pulled it off in pretty good style today.”
McLain Ward and Contagious. (Photo courtesy U.S. Equestrian)
He cautioned, however, “The fact that it took us so long to qualify needs to bring it to our attention that we can’t rest on a good week here, that we have some work to be done to be prepared for Paris. We need to find motivation.”
Click here for team results
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 3, 2023
Members of the U.S. gold medal team came close to sweeping the individual show jumping honors at the Pan American Games in Chile Friday, but they wound up settling for silver and bronze.
On the podium: Brazil’s Stephan de Freitas Barcha, center; Kent Farrington, USA, left, and McLain Ward, USA, right. (Photo courtesy U.S. Equestrian)
Instead, it was Stephan de Freitas Barcha, ranked number 152 in the world, who took gold by the narrowest of margins, as his fans and supporters from Brazil went nuts.
Brazil’s Stephan de Freitas Barcha had an emotional moment after clinching individual gold in the Pan Ams.
Stephan’s 8.06 penalties was the right number to edge the USA’s Kent Farrington and Landon, who had four faults and a clear today, ending with 9.64 penalties to capture silver.
The medalists had to wait before receiving their awards, however, while Canada protested a 4-fault penalty involving Amy Millar’s knockdown at the double combination on the second of two courses the horses jumped today.
The Canadian side contended the rail fell from Fence 4B only after Amy crossed the finish line, but the ground jury looked at video to determine whether that was the case. In the end, they decided the rail dropped before she finished her round, so she had to keep her 4 faults, which put her sixth with Truman.
McLain Ward of the U.S. got the bronze medal with 15.34 penalties. The U.S. now has a total of 34 medals since the Pan Am Games began in 1951.
But the delay of more than an hour before the awards ceremony meant most of the spectators (except the Brazilians!) had gone home. It was a bit of anti-climax for a wonderful event, of which Chileans should be proud.
This was the second Pan Am Games in a row where Brazil took individual gold. But defending champion Marlon Modolo Zanotelli retired in the second team jumping round on Wednesday after a knockdown and a refusal.
When he looked ahead to the individual competition, Stephan had said, “The first target was the team competition and the bronze medal was not the best feeling because we were fighting for the gold but I am in a good position for the individual.”
Pan Am Games individual show jumping gold medalist Stephan De Freitas Barcha and his magical mare. (Photo courtesy FEI)
And he turned out to be right.
“It is a dream come true,” he said after winning.
“I work every day for a day like this. It has been an unbelievable journey to get here, but now let’s celebrate and for tomorrow, let’s start to focus on Paris.”
Stephan, the two-time Brazilian national champion, was aboard Chevaux Primavera Imperio Egipcio. He had the troublesome red plank down at the last of 10 obstacles in the second individual round on the final day of competition for equestrians at the Games.
He had been clear throughout the event to that point on the 12-year-old Brazilian Sport Horse mare he has ridden for six years. He just finished within the time allowed of 61 seconds, crossing the timers in 60.51 seconds.
Stephan dedicated his win to two people close to him who have passed on.
“It is for a teacher I had since I was 15, and also my friend who I lost at the beginning of the year. I know he was with me in every round supporting me this week and this victory is for Vava, my good friend who was like a brother to me”, he stated..
McLain, who was standing first going into today’s jumping, had eight penalties with Contagious in the first of two rounds today. He got his bronze despite a rail at the next-to-last fence in the second round, as he pushed his Zweibrucker gelding to make that 61-second time allowed. They were even closer than Stephan, finishing in 60.97 seconds, just avoiding time penalties that would have taken McLain off the podium.
McLain Ward and Contagious. (Photo courtesy U.S. Equestrian)
Laura Kraut, the third U.S. rider to take part in the individual medal fray, had two rails in the second round with Dorado 212 to finish just off the podium, in fourth place with 15.39 penalties.
The individual medals were a bonus, as the team’s mission at the showgrounds in Quillota was to clinch one of three berths available for nations seeking to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. That they did, finishing at the top of the leaderboard in the process.
“We came here for Wednesday,” said U.S. Coach Robert Ridland, speaking of the day his squad won team gold.
“They were brilliant on Wednesday and today. As the individual medals always are, it’s the icing on the cake.”
He was pleased with the “building partnerships” of Laura with Dorado and Kent with Landon.
Robert noted how much both Dorado and Landon have improved in the last four or five months, through he added Kent has a longer partnership with his mount than Laura does with hers.
Of Kent, Robert said, “He jumped as well as he ever has in his life all week. Some fancy riding on his part and the horse really came through.”
With the Pan Ams behind the U.S. show jumpers, “Now we know what’s next; we get ready for Paris,” emphasized Robert.
“That’s obviously our big priority. We’ll start working on that tomorrow.”
Kent said he was thrilled with the outcome of the competition and his horse, who had the only perfect trip in today’s second round, and had just a toe in the water in the first round.
“When we get into trouble, he battles his way out,” noted Kent, who started riding the 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding three years ago.
Landon gives a pair of suspicious Easter Island statues the eye as he and Kent look around the course. (Photo courtesy U.S. Equestrian)
“Big rounds today, real jumping,” he commented.
“I think that shows what the Pan Am Games has become in our sport.”
The top 27 riders started Friday morning, with 20 coming back in the afternoon over a shortened course by designer Marina Azevedo of Brazil, who has done a marvelous job.
Stephan noted, “At every championship I won in Brazil, Marina was building: In Children’s, Juniors, Young Riders and Seniors.”
The theme of the beautifully executed jumps reflected Chile’s character, heritage and history, offering a tour of the country without having to leave the arena.
The flamingos that had decorated the course since jumping began on Tuesday appropriately were gathered at the water jump, unused in the second round. That route included the one-stride double and a triple combination in a grapes and wine theme, with an oxer that was two rather tight strides from another oxer, and then one stride to a vertical.
The next-to-last fence, an oxer over a water tray, caught more than just McLain, as riders pushed to make the time, with some of them also having a mishap at the red plank that followed.
Explaining the faults there, McLain said, “The horses have jumped six rounds now (including the warm-up) and they’re tired. They were massive fences, very delicate. It takes a lot of heart for the horses to dig in deep and pull that out.”
Noting that “championships get your blood up,” he praised his horse, saying “Contagious has been brilliant,” but added, “There’s always a couple of things I can look to do better.”
Click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 29, 2023
Lars Sederholm. the master of Watertock training center in Englan13d, died Oct. 13. The native of Sweden trained many top riders and trainers, including Yogi Breisner, Richard Meade and David O’Connor.
He is survived by his daughter, Annika.
She said, “He was truly one of a kind, in so many different ways, and had a profound effect on thousands of riders and horses all over the world. May the legacy of his teaching live on, to appreciate that wonderful animal, the horse, and to work with them in the most natural and authentic way we can.”
Those who would like to make a donation in his memory for Alzheimer’s research may do so at https://www.justgiving.com/aruk
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 27, 2023
Most successful equestrian competitions develop their reputation and standards over many years. After all, it takes time to refine an offering and make it attractive to both competitors and spectators.
That’s why the transformation of the MARS Maryland 5-star event at Fair Hill, from its second year to its third, was an eye-opener when it ran last weekend. And it may get even better in 2024, with a push to allow betting.
“We want to continue to create more off-competition amenities, things non-equestrians want to come to,” said Jeff Newman, the event’s CEO. And that, naturally, includes gambling.
Jeff sees it as a real possibility and hopes it will happen as soon as next year.
“I think eventing is perfect for it,” commented Jeff.
“It’s something the sport needs. I think socially, it’s something that will help raise the bar and get more people out here.”
Terry Hasseltine, executive director of the Maryland Sports Commission, reported, “We actually are exploring that concept right now with our lottery agency in the state to figure out how we can introduce wagering or some type of betting into eventing, now that USEF and the FEI have put criteria (on sports betting) in for the athletes. Next year, you’ll probably see us moving toward some sort of opportunity. I just don’t know what it is yet.
“The racetrack (on site) will become operable this spring as well. With that happening, with pari-mutuel, prop (proposition) betting and all the things we have now with the lottery system in the state of Maryland, there are a lot more things we can do. It’s a revenue stream that will also bring out the novice spectator vs a seasoned equestrian spectator. It gives a little bit for everybody to be part of the opportunity.”
In its first two years, the event’s ambience outside of the competition seemed almost a bit sleepy after its debut as the USA’s second 5-star, following Land Rover Kentucky in the spring.
A 4-star event had run since 1989 at Fair Hill, on the former DuPont estate. But when it became a 5-star run by the Sports Commission and moved over to the Fair Hill Special Events Zone and the infield of the re-done racetrack, it emerged as a whole new ballgame.
The Fair Hill water tower rises above the showgrounds. (Photo © 2023 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
This year, they didn’t just boost it up a notch; the event itself seemed to be in a different category. It had a gloss and enthusiasm that wasn’t evident in its inaugural run, or even last year.
The goal “has always been 5-star across the board, not just the competition” said Jeff.
“The first year, 2021, coming off the pandemic, was just `make the event happen.’ Last year, we had a bigger focus on spectator experience. This year was learning from both those years and being able to create a better flow; more shuttles, more bathrooms. Just basic amenities. Then raising the bar in terms of the cosmetics, based on customer feedback as well.”
He credited Jake Cone, the new director of operations, with helping to “maximize the space and use the space as efficiently as possible, so our hospitality is a lot more accessible and certainly closer to the action.”
At the 5-star presentation ceremony, Jeff thanked the 700 volunteers who pitched in everywhere. Without them, there wouldn’t be an event.
The array of trophies and ribbons at the event, with the historic Fair Hill Bronze in the center. (Photo © 2023 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
The riders were effusive in their praise for the competition.
Great Britain’s William Fox-Pitt, who has won more 5-stars (14) than anyone else in the world, was making his first visit to Maryland and wanted “to tick this box” before retiring.
“It’s a wonderful venue, great arenas and fantastic ground. It’s very exciting to be at,” he enthused.
Oliver Townend, ranked number one in the world, cited the efforts of the sponsors and organizers, noting, “It’s a huge privilege for our sport to have another 5-star of this standard.”
After cross-country course designer Ian Stark “tweaked” a route that some had felt was too soft the first two years, Oliver was able to call it “probably one of the toughest 5-stars in the world. That’s what the sport needs to attract the riders from overseas. It’s really gone in the direction we hoped. It certainly hasn’t disappointed in any way, shape or form.”
Attendance was up, reaching 29,783 for 2023. The total was 25,207 for 2022 and 21,000 for its initial run in 2021.
Terry from the Maryland Sports Commission said the evolution of the event involved figuring out the grounds “and how we can do things from an operational perspective while keeping the horses and the riders safe.”
According to Terry, “The big question organizers had to answer was, “What can we do to make the experience for the attendee better and grander?’ We tightened some things up on the retail rows and had a few more sponsors come in (including presenting sponsor Brown Advisory), which gives it the ambience.
“Our goal here is to make this a bucket list event that everyone wants to come to, whether you’re in the U.S. or whether you’re abroad, and making sure the Maryland 5-star is front of mind when people make travel plans. Our goal here is to make this an experience everyone wants to remember for a lifetime.”
To help fans follow the action, they were able to buy a $15 FM receiver on a lanyard that rested comfortably on the ear. They got expert commentary for all three phases from U.S. eventer Sinead Halpin Maynard and British eventer Spencer Sturmey, both of whom did a wonderful job of explaining in detail what was happening.
Tim Gardner, a horse owner and member of the Fair Hill Organizing Committee, attended the famed Burghley, England, 5-star last month.
He didn’t hesitate to say, “This compares extremely well with Burghley.” While Maryland is not quite on the same level with Burghley’s “sensational retail sales,” he added, “we are in terms of the sport. And the amenities for the fans are absolutely the same.”
There was an abundance of trade stands, along with many more dining options on the Maryland grounds than in the past. Another feature involved lots of activities for kids, from a petting zoo to a crafts corner, Corgi racing, pony racing and even a leadline race.
Kids loved being up close to horses at the event. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
There were other attractions that adults could enjoy, such as live music, vendors selling alcoholic drinks and the Hall of Champions where such legendary horses as Boyd Martin’s Neville Bardos and Phillip Dutton’s famous ride Mighty Nice were among those that the public could meet.
The idea of the evolving Maryland 5-star, said competition director Joanie Morris, is to “make it feel like a weekend out.”
There were 26 starters in the 5-star, but 46 in the 3-star that was held concurrently, as well as big numbers in Young Horse competition.
The question is, will the 5-star field grow appreciably and will it ever match the other divisions in terms of numbers?
“It’s a new event.” replied Joanie.
“The calendar’s crowded,” she pointed out, noting the European Championships were in August and the Pau, France, 5-star was the weekend after Maryland, while Burghley was only six weeks earlier.
“Bringing a horse to a 5-star, you don’t necessarily with most horses get that many chances to do it. I think people want to believe it’s a known entity before they do it. Now people really trust the footing; the standard of the cross-country is up from last year.”
She added “We’d like to have twice as many 5-star horses. But the reality is, if you look at numbers from some other 5- stars, there are only so many 5-star horses to go around. They can only do two a year at the most.”
But on the plus side at Maryland, in terms of the entries, “the quality is really good.”
Cross-country pathfinder Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue went on to win the 5-star. (Photo © 2023 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
When she worked for the U.S. Equestrian Federation seven years ago, Joanie ran the bid process that awarded the competition to Fair Hill, although she wasn’t a voting member of the committee that made the decision.
Even so, she said, “it feels like it’s come a little bit full circle for me to be involved. It’s nice to see it come to reality.”
(To read all our stories from the MARS Maryland event, go to the masthead and click on “previous columns” to see five more.)
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 24, 2023
Jon Garner, known by many members of the public as a commentator at Canada’s Royal Winter Fair, has been named the horse show manager at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Fla.
A part of the show management team there since the facility opened in January 2021, he has been competition manager at Spruce Meadows in Canada and director of sport at Equestrian Canada.
Jon served in the British Army and competed internationally for Great Britain and Canada prior to his arrival at Spruce Meadows. More recently, he was the director for the FEI World Cup Finals in Omaha last spring, and held the same position in 2017.
Appointed along with Jon, Kelly McCabe has been made head show secretary at WEC Ocala. She had served as the office manager at WEC. After competing nationally as a junior and amateur, she worked in horse show offices at Blue Ribbon Horse Shows, Brownland Farm Horse Shows and Maffitt Lake Equestrian Center Horse Shows for more than 14 years.
Her horse show experience also includes serving as the feed and bedding manager for Capital Challenge Horse Show and the awards coordinator for the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show and the National Reining Breeders Classic Million Dollar Reining Horse Show.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 31, 2023
One of the scariest things that happened on Halloween is the prospect that the U.S. may not qualify for the Paris Olympics, after a difficult start at the Pan American Games in Chile.
The team needs to be among the top three in the final standings, excluding Brazil, the leader after the first round with 4.32 penalties and already qualified for Paris by earning a berth at the Nations Cup final in Spain this month.
McLain Ward and Contagious.
Following Halloween’s one-round speed class, the U.S. is fifth on 12.37 penalties. Standing in the way of a trip to Paris for a U.S squad next year are Colombia—a bit of a surprise to some, in second place on 7.29—followed by Canada (9.62) and Argentina (12.01). No team but Brazil in the Western Hemisphere has made the cut for Paris already. Mexico, with capable riders and horses, is on the USA’s heels with 14.58 penalties.
The U.S. has a chance to recoup under the two-round Nations Cup format Wednesday, but it’s by no means a sure thing that it will get a ticket to Paris or add to its total of 31 medals in the history of the Pan Am Games.
U.S. Show Jumping Coach Robert Ridland was able to keep the situation in perspective.
“The bottom line is, today is one of three rounds. We knew going in, and it’s always the same situation going to a championship format like this, and we talked about it before we even walked the course, the general rule of thumb is that you can’t win it on the first day, but you can lose it, and our focus is now on improving for the second day,” he observed.
“We didn’t lose it today and after you do the (penalty) conversions, the field is pretty bunched up in the middle. There are several very good teams here, and truthfully, that has been the pattern in many of the most recent Pan American Games, which is not like it was a few decades ago.
“It’s no surprise to us that Colombia and Argentina are as high up as they are,” he continued.
“You have six incredibly good teams and five of them are relatively close together, especially in the middle, where we are. Our takeaway today is no different than what we knew coming in, you don’t ride not to lose, but you can’t also leave everything on the table on the first day because there are twice as many jumps tomorrow and it only gets bigger from here on out. Our team needs to focus on what we can control, which is how we approach tomorrow, and it’s a new day for each of the teams here.”
Laura Kraut on Dorado 212 was the only penalty-free U.S. rider. She’s in tenth place individually with 3.39 penalties. Her time of 79.66 seconds was slower than McLain Ward’s 79.56, even with four seconds added to his total for a knockdown by Contagious at the fence flanked by replicas of coins. He has 3.34 penalties in ninth place.
“He was on springs,” said Laura of her Dorado, noting that she was under pressure because she “could imagine all four riders were riding my horse around in there today.”
“I’m getting used to it, but I think that was probably why he was a bit slower than was intended but he did his job, he was perfect. So let’s just hope we can go forward tomorrow and do the same.”
Laura Kraut and Dorado 212.
Kent Farrington is twenty-fifth after two knockdowns with Landon to accumulate 5.64 penalties. The fourth U.S. team member, Karl Cook, ran into trouble at a 1.5-meter-high oxer over a Liverpool, the fourth of 13 obstacles, which caused lots of knockdowns.
But in his case, the problem there was a run-out with Caracole de la Roque, which added to his time and caused penalties in that way. He also had two rails for a total of 19.28 penalties, and is forty-third of 46 starters in the rankings.
His was the team’s drop score for the day. Karl did well not to fall off when his horse ran out to the right at the Liverpool and it looked as if he might not stay on, but he managed to get back in the saddle.
Karl Cook and Caracole de la Roque. (Photo courtesy USEF)
Individually, Brazil is 1-2, with the 2019 Pan Am champion Marlon Modolo Zanotelli on Deese de Coquerie (0 penalties) leading the way, and Pedro Veniss on Nimrod de Muze Z second with 0.26.
Colombia’s Rene Lopez Lizarazo is third (0.72) on Kheros van’T Hoogeinde.
The course by Brazil’s Marina Azevedo of Brazil started out with the type of challenge she likes to use right from the beginning, with an S curve from the first fence to the second, and then to the third, a stone wall with a gap in the middle and water beneath it. Many of the riders, including McLain, made sure to give their horses a look at it before they proceeded through the starting timers.
The beautiful course designed by Marina Azevedo.
The fences were beautifully done to reflect the character of Chile, with flamingos at one combination, a fiesta theme for another and even a tribute to Chilean poetess and educator Gabriela Mistral (one standard on that jump included a book). Click here for individual standings.
Click here for team standings.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 29, 2023
In his debut at the Washington International Horse Show, Rene Dittmer of Germany took an armful of special awards.
Rene Dittmer and Corsica X. (Shawn McMillen Photography)
Not only was he leading international rider and leading foreign rider; his mount, Corsica X (Conor X Corofino II), won the international jumper championship. Rene’s groom, Carolin Kagelmann, earned the international groom’s award, presented in memory of Karen Golding.
On Friday night, Rene collected victories in both the Welcome class and memorably, the costume class, dressed as a stein of beer. He said his girlfriend, Chloe Reid (whose mother, Juliet, is a former chairman of the show) selected that costume.
But he missed out on the featured $450,000 President’s Cup 5-star Longines FEI World Cup qualifier, finishing second to Katie Dinan and Brego R’n B (Namelus R X Gerbinus) in a seven-horse jump-off.
It was Katie’s first 5-star win in a decade, and she made the most of being able to go last over the course designed by Bernardo Costa Cabral, assisted by Nick Granat.
Katie, a New Yorker who has owned Brego for five years, said, “In the jump-off, he showed all of his amazing qualities. He’s got huge scope, quality, bravery, intelligence, and he tries hard. You can’t really ask for more from a horse as a rider. I think he knew he won.
President’s Cup winner Katie Dinan with Brego R’n B. (Shawn McMillen Photography)
For his part, Rene said, “The week could not have started better and kept going. I can’t be more proud of my horse.”
He speculated when he watched Alise Oken, first to go in the jump-off on Gerval, “her seven (strides) was a little short to the last and I was thinking, ‘Should I do seven?’ I caught everything quite well before, and I took the safer option. I’m still happy with my second place today. It was an amazing jump-off.”
Rene Dittmer as a beer. (Shawn McMillen Photography)
He was clocked in 34.40; Katie’s winning time was a handy 33.50.
Third place in 34.74 seconds went to Devin Ryan of Long Valley, N.J., on his longtime partner Eddie Blue (VDL Zirocco Blue X Marlon), who took him to a second place 2018 World Cup Finals finish and to team gold on the 2018 World Equestrian Games squad.
“He was jumping great tonight,” said Devin.
“He jumped the second round and even felt looser and even better. I’m very grateful that I have such a good animal, and he’s still going strong. Hopefully, it keeps on going and he has a few more years in him at this level.”
In contrast to the gray gelding’s stellar persona in the arena, “He’s a bit of a grouch in the barn,” Devin revealed, “but he loves carrots. You become his best friend as soon as you walk in the stall with a carrot for him. He has quite an attitude.”
In other action at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Maryland, where the show has been held for two years, Maddie Tosh won the equitation final on Daktari 38. She is the daughter of top hunter rider Hunt Tosh, who trains her with the North Run crew of Missy Clark, John Brennan and Maggie Gampfer.
