by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 3, 2023
Dressage at Devon is a one-of-a-kind horse show, a unique celebration which this year elevated its offerings with additional exhibitions and learning opportunities to reach a bigger, more varied audience. The organizers put in an incredible amount of work to make it a creative multi-dimensional happening, and they succeeded.
There was a time when Devon was the goal of many top riders in the autumn. But now it’s competing with regional shows, the Florida circuit, a different calendar and a new migration pattern that has evolved over the years since it was a “must” destination. So it needs some added attractions to insure it remains relevant.
But its core attraction has never changed. Everyone who has ridden in the Dixon Oval under the lights rhapsodizes about how special it is. Some compare it to what they encounter in Europe, with the crowds and a heightened since of excitement. It’s a special opportunity conveniently located in a suburb of Philadelphia.
Marcus Orlob, who won both the 1-star FEI Prix St. Georges (72.010 percent) and the 1-star FEI Intermediate I (73.725) with Alice Tarjan’s stallion, J.J. Glory Day, said his biggest goal for 2023 was to show at Devon “because of the electric atmosphere.”
Marcus Orlob and J.J. Glory Day. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
He’s preparing to do the Intermediate II next year, and after that “this horse I think, has the talent to go all the way.”
To the Olympics?
“Probably,” he smiled.
Alice also was a double winner with Jane, taking the 2-star FEI Intermediate A (71.814 percent) and the 2-star FEI Intermediate II (71.088).
Jane was bouncing around waiting for the awards ceremony, which Alice attributed to an abundance of tension for a horse who hasn’t been shown much recently.
Alice Tarjan and Jane (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Asked for a comment on her mare’s performance, Alice said with a laugh, “it’s a work in progress. She’s here for the experience.” And in the ring, anyway, “She’s always a good girl.”
Horses showing in the same venue week after week, as they do in Florida at the Global Dressage Festival in Wellington or at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala get used to those surroundings, which can take the edge off. If they move on to foreign shows or championships, however, they will have to adjust to a new experience in a short amount of time. Dressage at Devon offers good practice for that, with not only the competition, but also the bells and whistles of the trophy presentation ceremony and victory lap.
Kim Herslow had a good ride at Devon on Elvis HI in 2021, but it took her until this year’s edition of the show to take that victory lap after collecting her ribbon. She and the horse’s co-owner, Ailene Cascio, finally got their moment in the winner’s circle after a frustrating journey.
Elvis was second in both the 2021 Intermediate I and I-1 freestyle to Cesar Parra on Belle Ami. But as part of an agreement with the FEI (international equestrian federation) connected to an “Equine Controlled Medication Rule Violation” involving Benzocaine, Belle Ami was disqualified late in 2021.
Kim missed being able to ride victory passes on Elvis in front of the crowd two years ago (Parra got that honor). Disqualification didn’t happen until months after the show. Even then, there was a long delay in receiving the redistributed prize money. While that finally came this summer, the big moment in the arena and the ribbon were not part of it.
But Devon made good on the ceremony in this year’s edition, with Kim, Ailene and Elvis in the ring at last to get their photo op.
Elvis HI’s owner Ailene Cascio with presenter Paul Eason and Kim Herslow on Elvis HI at their long-delayed victory ceremony. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
The trophies that accompanied the victories already had been engraved with the names of Parra and his mount, but they went back to the engraver after the show was notified of the FEI decision. The word “disqualified” now stands next to their names.
“It was nice to see; to get some credit for what Elvis did back two years ago. It was nice for Ailene too, she’s been on this journey with this horse longer than I have. To see her get that credit is a wonderful thing,” said Kim.
As Ailene noted, “It makes me happy that our sport is clean; that the recognition is going where it should go and people aren’t getting away with things. And Dressage at Devon stepped up and made it right.”
(Cover photo is Adrienne Morella on the 26-year-old Arabian King’s Ransom)
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 2, 2023
The Babington Benefit Horse Show Sunday at Duncraven in Titusville, NJ, was a huge success, raising $20,000 for the injured grand prix show jumper. Kevin, who is paralyzed from the middle of his chest down after a 2019 fall in competition, has enormous expenses, but friends and others who know his reputation have pitched in to help.
Kevin at home in Loxahatchee, Fla., with his wife, Dianna. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Today he posted this thank you on social media:
“When I woke up this morning I had to pinch myself when I looked at the post from the Babington benefit horse show yesterday. How does one go about thanking all the special people who put this together?
New Jersey and Pennsylvania have been a huge part of my life and career, and five years on, to see the support from local barns and trainers that come and support is incredible. I was based out of Duncraven almost 25 years ago. Tim Fedor and his family offered the facility for the first few benefit shows, and now to see the Stout Family willing to continue this tradition is wonderful. What they’ve done with the facility is incredible. Congratulations to them and continued success.
This is not your typical horse show. It is run totally by volunteers with the support of many sponsors from the area. The last four years have been a big adjustment for me and my family, but when I see something like this it makes my journey so much easier. I am going to add Jenn Cassidy’s post with a list of most of the volunteers, but like Jenn said, there are too many to list so i apologize if I miss anyone.
Kevin Babington on Carling King at the 2004 Olympics. (Photo © 2004 by Nancy Jaffer)
Nancy Wallis,
Julie Koveloski, and
Jennifer Cassidy work on this year round and from what I saw from the show yesterday, there wasn’t a stone left unturned. It was special for me to see a bareback flat class with so many entries. Riding bareback was something I loved to do when I rode, so it’s extra special to see this being part of the benefit show. A very heartfelt thank you to everyone and I hope all the riders had a great day. Love to all from myself, Dianna, Gwyneth, and Marielle.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 6, 2023
The National Horse Show in Lexington, Ky., will hold a reception in memory of trainer Larry Glefke Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. in the Riders’ Lounge. The horseman, who had suffered a stroke, died Sept. 15 at the age of 76.
The native of Michigan was a top hunter/jumper rider in the 1960s and ’70s before going on to become a trainer. He rode for Kenny Wheeler at Cismont Manor Farm, where his mounts included Bridegroom and Showdown. Moving on to Virginia, he rode for Bucky Reynolds and others, earning Horse of the Year titles in the process. He also became a racehorse trainer in the 1980s, logging a 41 percent win/place/show percentage.
He went on to run Lane Change Farm with his partner, Kelley Farmer. When the hunter derbies started, they had great success with such horses as Mindful and Point Being.
In addition to Kelley, he is survived by his son, Mike Glefke, daughter-in-law Anna Lisa Glefke, and grandchild Paul Lawrence “Law” Glefke, as well as his brother, Michael C Glefke, and his wife Bonnie K Glefke; two nephews and two grand-nephews.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 1, 2023
The race to Riyadh is on.
Benjamen Ebeling took the 2023-24 season’s first U.S. FEI World Cup Finals qualifier with a decisive victory during Dressage at Devon on Indeed.
The Danish warmblood added an exclamation point to her name on Saturday night with a beautifully calibrated performance that underlined her star quality.
The energy of the crowd that filled the boxes and seats around the Dixon Oval for the six-day show’s feature could be intimidating or encouraging, depending on a horse’s mood under the lights, but Indeed definitely was up for it.
“We can really rely on her experience to come through in big environments like this,” said Ben.
The crowd is one of the things that makes the Dressage at Devon freestyle so special, as Ben Ebeling learned first-hand on Indeed. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
“This is the first step in qualifying for the World Cup. She really pulled through for me tonight. We’re one step closer.”
Ben came to the show from Europe, where he has been training with Germany’s Christoph Koschel. It was a stop on his way to Florida, where he will compete in more freestyles during his quest for a place next spring in the first Cup final to be held in the Middle East.
His score of 77.325 percent was a freestyle personal best for him with the 15-year-old mare by Hofrat, a sleek beauty he has been riding for two years.
Earning four marks over 9 for his carefully crafted test’s degree of difficulty made a big contribution to his definitive victory. Runner-up Tanya Strosser-Shostak of Canada executed a smooth presentation on Fidelis Tyme to earn a personal best of 74.280 percent,
Hope Cooper, who also trains with Christoph, was close behind on 74.115 percent with the 17-year-old stallion Flynn PCH. They put up consistent 7’s across the board that drew in the crowd, which really got into her lively music.
Ben Ebeling knew he had nailed it with Indeed after his ride in the Dixon Oval. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
If the 24-year-old winner’s last name sounds familiar, it’s because he is the son of California trainer Jan Ebeling.
Although it was Ben’s first time competing at Devon, it’s not his first visit to the venue.
“I came here years ago with my dad and watched him show his Olympic mount, Rafalca, here,” said Ben.
“I remember it now, 15 years later. This was just so special to come back. It was a trip down memory lane. I got to be in the shoes of my hero, my dad.”
Although his father couldn’t be on hand for the class, he was present via Facetime to offer encouragement.
Ben’s preparation for Indeed included a hands-on half-hour of currying and massaging.
“I hoped it was enough,” chuckled Ben. And Indeed was indeed ready for her music, which included Beyonce and Gwen Stefani.
“It’s all female diva roles, which would suit her perfectly,” he said of the tunes for the mare, owned by Vantage Equestrian Group.
“I feel spending time with them in the stable before the ride continues to develop a partnership,” said Ben.
“I want to not just shake hands with her and get on, I want to be in the know about her and have a deep conversation.”
That approach can also mean he sings and dances in the stall.
“I spent a lot of time with this horse, trying and failing. You know, failing is part of the journey to get to success.”
And there will be more success with this horse in the future. Her next stop is the World Cup qualifier at TerraNova in Sarasota, Fla. When I asked if he’s also looking ahead to an Olympic start, following his father’s lead, Ben replied, “Everything’s on the table, knock on wood.”
Yvonne Losos de Muñiz of the Dominican Republic, who won the qualifier for the freestyle with Aquamarijn, lost her chance to claim the big prize when her horse trotted into the arena, then broke into the canter almost immediately, earning her marks of 3 and 4. She finished sixth on 72.195 percent.
Tanya understandably couldn’t stop smiling as she considered how well she had done with her 13-year-old Oldenburg in only their second freestyle competition in their first season at Grand Prix.
“I’m over the moon. It was quite daunting when I saw everybody. I said, `Ooh, I think I put a tall order on for him,’ but he really rose to the occasion.”
Canadian Tanya Strasser-Shostak put in a personal best with Fidelis Tyme to finish second at Devon. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
He got 8’s for his pirouette and 8.3’s across the board for the degree of difficulty and calculated risks.
The music, which had been recorded with a live orchestra, was by legendary Dutch composer Cees Sling. Tanya’s mother, Evi Strasser, had used it in the 2007 World Cup Finals with her Quantum Tyme. When that horse retired, the music got put on the shelf.
“It’s always been a piece that we love. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with him.” She rode him to it once and it fit.
“It really feels like a full-circle moment to have the opportunity to have that music and ride it with this horse,” mused Tanya.
She won her last freestyle in the final Pan American Games qualifier at Bromont, but Tanya noted this time, “I’m about four percent higher.”
Watching the ribbon presentation from the ingate, Evi Strasser called the music used by her daughter, “a very, very high-end freestyle. But I never could use it because none of the horses were going like this.”
Evi, who finished seventh herelf in the freestyle with 71.675 percent on Disney Tyme, won the Grand Prix Special earlier in the day with Déjà Vu Tyme.
Grand Prix Special winner Evi Strasser and Déjà Vu Tyme. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
For Hope, Devon was her first venture into the freestyle with the Hanoverian by Falsterbo 11.
The music, from Beyonce’s Coachella album, was raucous and got the crowd going. Flynn’s four white legs made it easy to follow his metronome piaffe, and he really got into his soundtrack.
The 26-year-old rider has only been working with the stallion for 18 months.
“He’s going really well,” she said, then added, “we’ve had some ups and downs.” You never know, I was just hoping he’d feel good. The scores and the placing were the cherry on top.”
Hope had been part of the NorCordia Master Class on Thursday night with Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, so her trip to Devon, presented by Kingsview Partners, has been quite an experience.
Hope Cooper and Flynn PCH impressed with their dynamism. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
“This is my first time here and every second of it was really a blast. I will be back next year,” she vowed.
It was exciting to see two talented members of the USA’s next generation performing at such a high level. The future for America on the international scene looks bright.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 4, 2023
Former Oldwick, N.J., resident David Wheeler Troast, 89, passed away Sept. 23.
He graduated from Ridgewood, N.J., High School in Ridgewood, N.J., and earned a degree in economics and political science from Middlebury College. He served as a lieutenant in the Naval Reserve.
He held a variety of sales, sales management and leadership roles at Airco Industrial Gases, ultimately rising to president. Upon Airco’s acquisition by BOC Group, he became group vice president of what was then the largest industrial gas company in the world. After retirement, he remained active in the gas industry and family real estate.
He and his wife, Jeanne, restored a working farm in Oldwick, and they eventually moved to Virginia and Tryon, N.C.
Throughout his life, David had an enduring commitment to community service. His roles included serving as trustee for the March of Dimes Birth Defect Foundation and chairman of the Bath Community Hospital in Hot Springs, VaDespite being a resident of the Tryon area for only two years, he rapidly forged strong relationships within the community as evidenced by the outpouring of love and sympathy from all who knew him upon his passing.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Jeanne Hamilton Troast, and their children: Peter R Troast (Lisa Fahay) of Freeport, Maine; W. David Troast (Criss Troast) of Nantucket; Barbara L Troast (Jay Batley) of San Francisco, Hazel Raby (Michael Anderson) of Round Pond, Maine, Jenna Raby (Bobby Kandaswamy) of Corbett, Ore., and J.C. Raby of San Carlos, CA. He also had five grandchildren—Tucker, Conrad, Margaret, and McKenna Troast and Liam Raby.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be directed to the Foothills Humane Society https://foothillshumanesociety.org/donate/.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 1, 2023
Olympic dressage team silver medalist Adrienne Lyle gave birth last week to her first child, a daughter named Bailey. The little girl, whose father is veterinarian David da Silva, is the second baby born to an Olympian this week.
Eventer Boyd Martin and his wife, Silva, just delivered their third son, Koa.
Adrienne Lyle and Bailey.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 30, 2023
It was a night like no other in the long history of Dressage at Devon.
The usual Friday feature of the Grand Prix for Freestyle qualifier was upstaged by an exciting newcomer: the Dance-Off.
It did more than fill the gap between the afternoon and evening programs at the Heritage show outside of Philadelphia. It transformed the staid image of dressage beyond what the usual musical freestyle could do in terms of energizing the crowd.
What a great idea: having pairs of riders compete against each other to the music of—get this—a live string quartet.
The Elegance Quartet provided the soundtrack for the Dance-Off. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
A lot of the work involved for the competitors was done before the competition started, decking horses out in glitter and glitzy quarter marks, and coming up with sparkling outfits for the riders.
The judging was done on a breakdancing template of Trivium: “Body, mind and soul,” that took into account technical proficiency, choreography and harmony.
The judges were breakdancer/choreographer Nemesis, professional breakdancing event host Ivan and rider Christoph Koschel of Germany, the only one with a dressage background.
Christoph knows a good thing when he sees it, and he was excited about the Dance-Off: “I think we need more of this in future,” he declared after the first round.
The initial pairing, James Koford and Lauren Chumley, did their routine to trot music. The second pair, Catherine Haddad-Staller and Lauren Sammis, performed theirs to canter music. The final dance-off involved James and Lauren Sammis, whose no-hands one-tempis probably clinched her victory,
James Koford and Lauren Chumley all decked out for the Dance-Off. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Riding her own Daisy van Wittenstein and dressed as a breakdancer, Lauren was loving her moment of glory.
“It was so fun,” said Lauren, adding that next year, she wants to see two horses dancing in the arena at the same time.
Asked how she reacted when she first heard of the Dance-Off concept, Lauren said, “I certainly was hesitant to do it. Glitter’s not normally my thing.”
But she knew just how she wanted to present herself.
“All I did was pirouettes and one-tempis.”
She pointed out how nice it was to have the freedom of focusing on the movements her mare does best. She even did “no-hands” one-tempis for the first time in her life.
Lauren Sammis impressed with her showmanship. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
And it was good for the spectators.
“I think we’ve got to do things to pull in the crowd, because if you pull in the crowd, we have more money for our sport,” Lauren said.
Anne Moss, president of Dressage at Devon, agreed.
“What a concept! And how beautifully they implemented it for the first year,” she said of the Dance-Off.
“The riders were such showmen and the horses were so beautiful. I think it was actually more beautiful than the normal musical freestyle, because there was so much more freedom so they could show the highlights of the horse without being constrained by the number of strides or details. To see Lauren do that line of ones with no hands was fantastic.”
She gave credit for the idea and its execution to D at D board member Christina Morin-Graham, who got the team together. Christina also brought in Nicole DelGiorno, who ran through the timing to insure it went off as well as it did.
The Dance-Off was followed by the 3-star Grand Prix qualifier for Saturday night’s World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle. Back to business as usual.
While winner Yvonne Losos de Muñiz of the Dominican Republic and her fiery Dutchbred mare, Aquamarijn, put in a lovely performance to earn 71.283 percent, seeing riders in their regulation dark tailcoats after the high of all the sequins and glitter in the Dance-Off took a bit of readjustment.
The Grand Prix was important to Yvonne because she is preparing for next month’s Pan American Games and a run for the 2024 Olympics.
Yvonne Losos de Muñiz and Aquamarijn won the Grand Prix for the Freestyle on a misty night. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I’m really excited,” said Yvonne, who was enjoying the show even beyond taking a blue ribbon. Her mare had been out for a year with an injury, and demonstrated that she had come back better than ever. She’s still spooky, however. Yvonne needed a lead back into the ring for the awards from Ben Ebeling, who was second on Indeed.
“I was here many years ago and I have to say, it will definitely be back on my agenda from now on,” said Yvonne.
“The atmosphere is like what we want to see in a show. I’ve got butterflies. Real show atmosphere and the audience is just amazing, the shopping, it’s great. I absolutely love it.”
Added Yvonne about her mare, “With a horse like her who is so high-spirited, she needs the atmosphere.”
It works in her favor, she explained.
“She’s 18 and feels like she’s five.”
Click here to see Grand Prix results.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 2, 2023
After the U.S. narrowly lost its attempt to beat Brazil at the FEI Nations Cup Final and secure a berth for the Paris Olympics in the process, the question became: Now what?
Defeat by a single penalty in Barcelona last weekend was frustrating, but U.S. coach Robert Ridland is focusing on this month’s Pan American Games in Chile. That’s the last chance for the U.S. to get a ticket to the 2024 Olympics. Three nations otherwise unqualified can make the cut there.
With Brazil out of the fray for the berth after securing its spot, that leaves the U.S., Canada and Mexico the most likely to qualify for a trip to Paris, though it’s possible Argentina also could be in contention. So qualifying is not a sure thing, despite the fact that only a small number of countries are in contention.
“We’ll give it our all in the Pan Ams. We’re sending a good team and we’ll go from there,” said Robert.
U.S. show jumping coach Robert Ridland. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
“We’re going to be fighting for the gold, I hope. Regardless of the Olympic spot, we’re not going down there to get a bronze and slip into the Olympics.”
No matter how good the team that competes, however, “what you’re mostly worried about is the unforeseen happening,” Robert pointed out.
“All you need is one horse colicking, if the hay is bad or something, or another steps on a stone or a rider gets Covid. All of a sudden, you’ve got two riders or whatever. Stranger things have happened.”
So what else could be a problem?
“You can have a spur mark. A microscopic particle of blood. You’re eliminated,” he noted.
“Aside from that, I think we’re sending some pretty good horse/rider combinations down there. If they all stay sound and no one trips over a crowbar and breaks their collarbone, we should on paper be one of those three teams” that qualify for the Games.
In Sunday’s final round of the competition in Barcelona, the U.S. had a total of 9 penalties, one more than Brazil. If they each had collected 8 penalties, the U.S. total time of 253.47 would have beaten Brazil’s 253.82.
No U.S. rider had a fault-free trip on Sunday. McLain Ward and Callas, the only American pair clear on Thursday, had a rail, as did Karl Cook with Kalinka van ‘T Zorgvliet. Devin Ryan on Eddie Blue, subbing for Jessica Springsteen who rode Thursday and had a knockdown, logged eight penalties to be the drop score. Laura Kraut collected a single time fault with Dorado 212 for exceeding by a mere 0.62 seconds the 87-second time-allowed over Santiago Varela’s course.
“If any of three things could have gone our way,” mused Robert, explaining the “what ifs” of how the team could have pulled it out.
He cited, “McLain’s rub at 13C (in the triple that was the next-to-last fence on course), no one even heard it, it was so light. If it had stayed up, that would have done it. Same thing for Karl Cook (at the same fence). If either one of those had left that jump up or if Laura had been a half-second faster, any one of those three, not all those three, and we would have beaten Brazil. It was a good fight to the finish. It just didn’t work out our way.”
Referring to having Devin ride in the final round, Robert explained, “I wanted to bring in a fresh horse on Sunday.”
“It wasn’t a negative against Jessie. We weren’t good enough on Thursday. I wanted to do something different. You have to go with your instincts. My instinct coming down here was to send five ready, fresh horse rider combinations.
“Unless something really unusual happened on Thursday, I wanted to use all five (during the show). You can’t do that in the Pan Ams. There your reserve is a spectator.”
The Barcelona squad wasn’t the normal four plus one team, he said, noting in that case, he generally sends a young rider as the plus one.
“Here, the stakes were high enough that I wanted to send someone going well,” he continued, explaining he felt Devin had done that at the Hampton Classic on Labor Day weekend, and at Aachen before that.
In Barcelona, “it only was going to work if he jumped clean. If he just duplicated what Jessie did with 4, that wouldn’t have made any difference.” What was needed was a clean or for “the time fault to go away.”
The final was won by Germany, the only country to go fault-free. France was second, followed by Belgium, Brazil and the U.S. in fifth. Switzerland, without some of its best horse/rider combinations, was sixth. Britain (which had won the first round, finished seventh) and Ireland was eighth.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 29, 2023
It’s wonderful to watch dressage at its best in the competition arena, but what does it take to actually go down centerline and put in a test worth watching?
During NorCordia’s Dressage at Devon Master Class Thursday night, World Championships team gold medalist and individual silver medalist Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour of Denmark gave us an insight into the techniques that are building blocks in developing a grand prix horse.
Cathrine made the techniques easy to understand, always with an eye on the comfort of the horse. No dressage diva, the pony-tailed expert in casual clothes stood center arena to refreshingly emphasize kindness, lots of breaks and pats on the neck after a horse has done a movement (or tried to). She’s all about encouraging harmony with the horse.
The Olympian (she was on the fourth-placed team in Tokyo) doesn’t do many master classes like the one at Devon, but she noted she’s in the off-season at the moment, which offered an opportunity to share her knowledge.
Her top horses have been sold, but she’s now working with Vianne, trained by Catherine Haddad-Staller. During the summer, the mare was ridden by Hope Beerling to the top 10 in the FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championship for Young Horses.
Catherine Haddad-Staller worked on flying changes with Sola Diva during the Master Class. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
With five of the six participants in the presentation, Cathrine worked on developing such high-level movements as flying changes, pirouettes and piaffe.
The quality of the horses was quite impressive, and Cathrine appreciated the fact that “they weren’t too schooled.
“I like that they were like on the stepping stones to bigger shows,” said Cathrine.
Most of us won’t be doing those fancy movements on our own mounts, but her work with eventer Boyd Martin offered a treasure trove of suggestions that any rider can use to their benefit.
In the class, Boyd took the place of his wife, dressage professional Silva Martin, who gave birth this week to the couple’s third son, Koa. (In case you’re wondering, Boyd told me that’s an aboriginal name; the riders’ roots are in Australia. Check out the baby’s photo in the On the Rail section of this website.)
“I was a bit nervous coming in, thinking, `What have I got myself into here?’” Boyd, who normally trains with his wife and Bettina Hoy, admitted in his usual candid style.
Cathrine Dufour working with Boyd Martin and Commando 3. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I’m from a different sport and probably way less of a rider on the flat than these guys,” he continued, referring to the five others who took advantage of riding with Cathrine during the evening presented by Running S Equine Veterinary Services.
They were Beerling, Hope Cooper, Lauren Sammis, Haddad-Staller and Lindsay Kellock Duckworth. Lauren, Catherine and Lindsay each have competed at championship level, but on different horses.
They do, however, have something in common with anyone trying to acclimate their horses to a new venue.
“We’re all in this sort of place where we get to a show and the horses are nervous and they’re tight and fresh. It was just amazing to me how calm and patient she was,” observed Boyd.
He told Cathrine that was what he wanted to focus on while riding his new horse, Commando 3.
“To me, the biggest lesson I got is, usually I try to push them through and pressure them through the nerves.”
Working with Cathrine, “I did the exact opposite through transition and softness and relaxation. Usually, when you have these master classes, it’s a bit of a dog-and-pony show just to impress the crowd. I was expecting that and couldn’t have been more wrong. The half-hour I had with Cathrine was exactly the process I felt was made for me and my horse.”
Boyd Martin was grateful for Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour’s help with Commando 3. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Cathrine could relate to Boyd’s situation of dealing with a cross-country fit horse in dressage, explaining, “I’ve had quite a few dragons myself,” referring to horses that get charged up when they arrive at the showgrounds.
While often dressage riders “want to show off” for the judges when they are going around the outside of the arena before entering, Cathrine said she would use that time to simply walk around the edge of the arena, trying to get her horse calm and lower his adrenaline level.
“Breathe,” she advised.
Relaxation can bring a bit of softness, even into an event horse, she said, as Boyd allowed Commando to lower his head, using the inside rein, while they walked and made small transitions from walk to halt and walk again.
She noted that on arrival at a new showgrounds, using that type of simple technique and avoiding all the “fancy things” can give a horse the opportunity to survey his surroundings calmly.
She suggested a rider not go on autopilot, but rather take advantage of “simple tasks” in getting a horse acclimated.
“He needs to listen to you,” Cathrine cautioned Boyd, rather than having the rider follow the Holsteiner’s quick rhythm.
With the others in the clinic as well, she advised counting the rhythm: “One, two three four.”
Cathrine works with Lauren Sammis and Heilen’s Oh Land. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Cathrine told Boyd that would enable him to feel when the horse is getting too quick. “Stay lazy,” she counseled.
“You have to be a bit creative sometimes finding that relaxation, knowing that tomorrow you want them with fire, like full power.”
Another technique to slow the horse is to stand up for two steps and sit down for one, then repeat, as the rider works to get the horse’s focus.
A big surprise came when Cathrine took out a leather device she called “a magic strap,” as she searched for the right description in English. It’s a grab strap (also known as a panic strap).
I was surprised, and I’m sure the spectators felt the same, as I heard them murmuring when she put it on the front of Boyd’s saddle. Of all people, Boyd is the last one I would think is in need of something to hold onto in order to stay aboard his horse on the flat.
Of course, I was wrong about what it was for. Cathrine explained that it can be used to help push the rider’s seat deeper into the saddle, and I could see the difference when Boyd used it.
Summing up the way riders should relate to their horses, she said, “You want to build up their confidence. Because if they don’t trust you, you can forget about it.”
Cathrine advised, “if you want to ride on that positive energy, no matter what, then you are going to perform so much better.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 27, 2023
Silva and Boyd Martin welcomed their third son, Koa Brooks Martin, on Wednesday morning. He was seven pounds, 5.1 ounces.
Boyd, Silva and Koa Martin. (Photo courtesy Boyd Martin)
On Thursday, eventer Boyd will be riding in the Master Class being presented by Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour during Dressage at Devon. Silva, a professional dressage trainer, was supposed to ride but, oh well, you can see what happened.
We’re looking forward to hearing what Cathrine has to say about Boyd’s performance.
