by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 18, 2023
Peggy Thomas, the owner of U.S. dressage star Brentina, died this month at her farm in Idaho. She was 97.
Debbie McDonald, who guided Brentina to an FEI World Cup Finals victory, as well as medals in the Pan American Games, the World Equestrian Games and the Olympics, said, “I was so fortunate to have had the opportunity to ride for the Thomas family for over 45 years
“Peggy was not just a wonderful owner, but an amazing horsewoman and human being. She will be missed by everyone who knew her.”
At Brentina’s 2009 retirement in the Thomas & Mack Center: Debbie and Bob McDonald, Peggy Thomas, Jane Sturdivant and Parry Thomas. (Photo © 2009 by Nancy Jaffer)
Mrs. Thomas was the widow of E. Parry Thomas, her husband of 69 years. A banker who helped finance development of the casino industry in Las Vegas, he died in 2016.
The couple, who owned River Grove Farm, was known for their charitable efforts. With Parry’s partner, Jerry Mack, they donated land to the University of Nevada at Las Vegas for construction of the Thomas & Mack Center. That facility hosted six FEI World Cup finals.
They also sponsored the Brentina Cup for riders 16-25 to bridge the gap between juniors and Young Riders to senior competition. Winners have included Adrienne Lyle, Debbie’s protege, who rode the Thomases’ Wizard in the 2012 Olympics..
Mrs. Thomas is survived by sons Peter, Roger, Steven and Tom, as well as a daughter, Jane Sturdivant; 13 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Services were private.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 16, 2023
“The nicest guy” is the way friends characterized Mike Polaski, who was well-known on the horse show circuit and in thoroughbred circles as well.
A self-made man “who lived life to the fullest,” Mike died Sept. 10 at age 76 after being hospitalized for a stroke. Starting as a blue-collar worker, he went on to be an insurance salesman and then began his own highly successful insurance company, Specialty Underwriters. He also owned numerous restaurants over the years, as well as being involved with breeding horses and cattle.
Mike Polaski.
The 30-year sponsorship of his Hidden Creek Farm furthered the career of show jumper Margie Goldstein Engle, who rode horses he bred and owned everywhere from numerous grands prix to international championships.
Among the best known of his jumpers were Hidden Creek’s Laurel and Hidden Creek’s Alvaretto, who made him the only owner to take the American Grand Prix Association and American Horse Shows Association Horse of the Year titles in the same year. Hidden Creek’s Cuervo Gold was part of the 2006 silver medal team at the FEI World Equestrian Games at Aachen in 2006. Hidden Creek’s Perin won a team gold and individual bronze at the Pan American Games and finished in top 10 at the 2000 Olympics.
“I was fortunate to have quite a few nice owners, but he was one of the best,” said Margie.
“His big thing was he wanted everyoneto have a nice time. He was a fun person to be around, very gregarious. He lived life to the fullest, there wasn’t any grass growing under his feet. He always liked to do things for charities and other people.”
Trainer Tom Wright observed, “He would give the shirt off his back if you were lucky enough to be his friend.”
Mike started riding to follow his pointer dogs while hunting, then went on to buy a horse, a farm and began showing. He also had racehorses with trainer Michael Matz, a former show jumper.
Being involved in church-based charity efforts in Africa and Eastern Europe was important in Mike’s life, and he financed construction of a children’s hospital in Kenya.
Viewing will be held Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. followed by a 5 p.m. memorial service at 414 Church, 1672 77th St. West Allis, Wisc.
He is survived by his wife, Catherine Jerene Polaski; children Michael John (Dreama) Polaski, Jennifer Anne (Jose) McFarland, and Sarah Marie (Joseph) McLean; grandchildren Madison (Victor) Magalhaes, Seth Polaski, Eddie McFarland, Lola McFarland, Ava McLean, Bret McLean and Graham McLean, as well as a great-grandchild, “Baby” Magalhaes.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Reach 7, P.O. Box 658, 200 E. Centennial Drive, Oak Creek, WI 53154, or through Venmo.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 15, 2023
We were lucky, those of us who experienced the excitement of Thursday night at the National Horse Show in its heyday at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
The hot ticket was the Puissance (even more than the closing day’s grand prix), and the arena was filled from the box seats to the rafters with fans who would cheer each horse’s attempt to clear the giant wall in the center of the ring. Every time the wall grew higher, spectators held their breath, letting out a sympathetic moan when the top-most blocks fell, or conversely, roaring in support of the entries who cleared the imposing obstacle, until only one was left as the winner.
I’m talking decades ago here, and the Puissance (which means power) has been an endangered species for a while. As of this year, however, it apparently will be extinct in the Western Hemisphere, since the Washington D.C. International has decided to drop it.
While several shows abroad, including Dublin and the London International, still offer the Puissance, those in the U.S. have found it more and more difficult to fill the class, even though it can run with a small number of entries because it goes for several rounds.
“It is a specialized class. You need a specific horse for. It’s hard to carry a horse for one class,” explained Todd Minikus, a regular competitor in the Puissance at Washington.
Todd Minikus over Washington’s great wall on Vougeot de Septon. (Photo © by Lawrence J. Nagy)
“It’s certainly disappointing to see some of the tradition of some of the horse shows go by the wayside,” he commented, pointing out this isn’t the first time that has happened. He mentioned the Nations Cup competitions that were a staple of the North American Fall Indoor Circuit until they vanished near the end of the 20th Century.
“I guess there’s an evolution in everything. Changing times,” he observed.
“The Puissance seems to be a dying breed,” agreed Will Simpson, who set several high jump records; with Jolly Good (7-9 outdoors in 1985) and The Roofer (7-5 outdoors in 1976).
It wasn’t a puissance wall, but setting a high jump record outdoors at 7-5 with The Roofer showed Will Simpson could tackle heights. (Photo by Dougphoto)
“For a special horse, it’s an amazing class,” he said, but warned, “you shouldn’t just take any old random horse in there.”
His current mount, Chacco P, would be good at jumping the wall, he believes.
“Maybe I could go to Dublin,” Will mused.
Anne Poulson, Washington’s board chairman, explained why the Puissance is being discontinued, saying, “We’re trying to evolve with the type of classes people want.”
Since the Puissance is such an important part of the show’s history, however, tribute will be paid to it at this year’s edition in October at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Maryland.
“We’re going to have a nice ceremony and retire the wall. We’re thinking about putting the wall somewhere where people can have their pictures taken with it,” Anne commented.
The show also will recognize the contributions of the late Donald Tober and his wife, Barbara, who owned Sweet ‘n Low. That was the horse Anthony D’Ambrosio rode to a record 7-foot, 7 and 1/2 inch Puissance victory at Washington in 1983 (a decade after he set a 7-foot, 4-inch record at the National Horse Show in Madison Square Garden on Sympatico.) .
Anthony D’Ambrosio and Sweet ‘n Low setting the record at Washington. (Photo by E.B. Howe)
“You have to be cognizant of reading the tea leaves,” said Anne, noting “social license” in terms of what the public will accept in the way horses are used is a prominent consideration these days when deciding what to offer at a show.
“The riders’ safety and horse safety is so pre-eminent in everyone’s thinking,” observed Anthony.
In regard to the Puissance, Washington “hung on as long as they could, but let’s face it, they weren’t getting support from the riders,” Anthony said.
“It is, I guess, a relatively extreme sport and there isn’t a big appetite for that. It used to be something the riders wanted to do, to prove themselves in that capacity. We had top riders in the Puissance, even with their grand prix horses. But this is modern times. Take a look at the prize money offered in the Puissance compared to the money that is offered in grands prix, for instance.”
No one was arguing that Washington needed to keep the Puissance at this point.
“I think it’s time,” said McLain Ward, a Puissance winner at Washington multiple times.
“I think it’s not a well-received competition anymore. It’s not what the challenge of the sport is today.
“We’ve evolved into a more fine-tuned, finesse and tactical sport, not just pure power and strength. I think that’s a natural evolution. It was a great class in its moment, great memories.”
He added, “if you don’t move forward and where the sport’s going, you get left behind.”
McLain Ward and ZZ Top over the Washington wall. (Photo© by Lawrence J. Nagy)
McLain noted, “anything that is perceived as being against the horse’s welfare is bad. At the same time, I think we have to find balance and expertise in horse care and horse management. The horse’s relevance in the world is only through sport now. Sport is very important for the well-being and care of the horses. We have great sport in other style competitions that are just as challenging, albeit in a slightly different way.”
Washington International President Vicki Lowell commented, “I am sad about saying good-bye to the Puissance, but we must continue to evolve and do what is best for the horses and the sport.
“We will give it a wonderful send-off and will keep making sure we bring entertaining and `Wow’ exhibitions and sport to the forefront.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 18, 2023
The U.S. Junior Jumping Team made the podium and the Young Rider Team was fourth at the 2023 FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Youth Final at Sentower Park in Belgium last weekend.
“The juniors were great,” said U.S. Chef d’Equipe Anne Kursinski.
“Overall, they were amazing in getting on the podium. I’m proud of all of them—they all rode great.”
The bronze medal junior team: Tessa Downey, Laurel Walker, Elise Stephens, Stephanie Garrett, Carlee McCutcheon and chef d’equipe Anne Kursinski.(Photo©US Equestrian/Matt Turer)
Needing a clear to secure a podium placing, Carlee McCutcheon and Coco Mercedes, a 2013 Westphalian mare owned by Purple Rein Investments, delivered the key fault-free trip in 70.24 seconds.
“Carlee was amazing,” Anne said.
“She fought for it the whole way—the mare jumped clear, and it wasn’t the easiest ride. It definitely got us on the podium, and that’s what she had done in Traverse City (at the FEI North American Youth Championships), and she repeated it here.”
Carlee and Coco Mercedes’s clear-round effort kept the U.S. on a team total of 12 penalties—three faults clear of fourth-place Germany’s 15 and trailing the eight from Ireland and the Netherlands. The Netherlands ultimately defeated Ireland in a jump-off.
In the Young Riders, “It was close with all the top teams,” Anne noted.
“The U.S. did a great job. The Europeans just have a little more experience at this level of Nations Cup jumping, but I thought (we) were great and Alex (Alston on Keoki) ended up jumping a fabulous clear.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 6, 2023
Mexican sculptor Jose Amador Lobato Juarez will be holding an exhibition of his art Sept. 30 at Meg Sleeper’s Godwink Farm in Frenchtown.
A work by Mexican sculptor Jose Amador Lobato Juarez.
Amador is a Mexican artist who uses baling wire, driftwood and horse shoes to make his creations. He will create commissioned and non-commisioned art that will be displayed during the exhibition.
The non-commissioned pieces will be available for sale at the event, set for 1-5 p.m.) and those attending also will be able to commission him to create something specific.
The occasion is also the official opening of Meg’s new farm at 258 Spring Hill Road; Frenchtown, NJ 08825 . She is a veterinarian and endurance rider who has represented the U.S. in world championships.
There is no admission charge, but she would like people to RSVP so she can plan for light snacks and beverages.Her email is margaretmsleeper@ufl.edu.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 12, 2023
Does your horse crib, weave or pace?
Dr. Katherine Houpt may have an answer for you.
She will present: “Stable Vices: Theirs or Ours? Abnormal Behavior in Horses.” The James Law Professor Emeritus of Behavior Medicine at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine will go on line this month to discuss common vices in domestic horses. The program will include potential causes, treatments and management strategies.
The veterinarian, who has a doctorate in behavioral psychology, focuses her research on domestic animal welfare, equid behavior and the physiological basis of equine ingestive and maternal behavior.
This session, part of the college’s Equine Seminar Series, will be presented Sept. 19 from 6-7 p.m. Eastern Time via Zoom. The event is free, but those interested are asked to register in advance at https://bit.ly/ESS-Sept2023
The Cornell Equine Seminar Series is presented by the Cornell University Equine Hospital, the New York State 4-H Horse Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension. Held monthly, experts present on important equine health and management topics.
For additional information about the college, see the College of Veterinary Medicine news website.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 11, 2023
Show manager, judge, course designer and governance veteran Britt McCormick was elected president of the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association by the board of directors on Monday. He will not succeed current president Mary Knowlton until December 2024 after a 15-month transition period.
The Texan is chairman of the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s National Breeds and Disciplines Council and serves on the National Hunter Committee.
He said his short-term goals “include taking a hard look at the business side of USHJA. We are a multi-million dollar non-profit organization and I’m really looking forward to taking a look at the internal business side quite a bit. Then I would like to get with all the various task force chairs and see where we are on the sports side, getting feedback and input to see where they think we should be going next.”
He believes, “If at the end of my term, we are more collaborative as an association; we have identifiable sport growth at every level, including the elite level; and we are providing the services that our members expect, I’ll be happy.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 11, 2023
Devin Ryan of Long Valley, N.J., has been named to the team for the FEI Nations Cup final in Barcelona this month, along with his 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games gold medal teammates McLain Ward and Laura Kraut. Also traveling to Spain for the competition are 2021 Olympic team silver medalist Jessie Springsteen and Karl Cook.
The final will offer one country qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics. No team in the Western Hemisphere has qualified for those Games. The spot will go to the highest-placing team not already qualified.
It’s the next-to-last shot for the U.S. to send a team to Paris. If the U.S. doesn’t qualify there, the final opportunity is the Pan American Games in Chile this autumn. The three highest-ranked teams there not already qualified can get a ticket to the Olympics at that competition.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 24, 2023
The Tewksbury Trail Association will return to Christie Hoffman Farm Park in Tewksbury for its annual Trail Pace Sept. 17. There are opportunities for riders at all levels and ages to participate.
The Tewksbury Trail Association pace at Christie Hoffman Farm Park. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
TTA President Jeannie Shuster said an eight-mile course will offer both trail and pleasure pace options.
“This year, we have an Open and a new 90-plus division. To be eligible for the latter, the combined ages of two riders must be 90 years or over.
“We have a great selection of prizes for all divisions. All TTA-members will enjoy a discount on the registration fee. And we will have a special TTA Trail Pace 2023 T-shirt for the participants,” she said. That will be on a first-come, first-served basis until they run out.
Joy Custer, who leads the TTA Trail Committee, added: “Part of the fun is designing the course of this year’s pace with the TTA team. We worked hard to clear the trails and make them accessible for the trail pace. I can’t wait to see riders from the Tewksbury area and far beyond join our event and enjoy our trails.”
The TTA Trail Pace takes place between 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Teams of two or three riders can enter one of four divisions: Open and 90-plus and Trail Pace and Pleasure Pace. An equine veterinarian will be on site.
For more information, go to the TTA website: www.tta-nj.org .
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 11, 2023
Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs on Leone Jei was the only combination to achieve three clear rounds in the world’s richest grand prix, the $3 million (Canadian) CPKC International, part of the Rolex Grand Slam series.
Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei. (Photo Spruce Meadows)
The competition at the Spruce Meadows Masters in Calgary, Canada, drew a field of 29 on Sunday, with just Martin and Canada’s Tiffany Foster on Figor going fault-free over two rounds to meet again in a jump-off.
After Tiffany’s mount dislodged a rail, all Martin had to do was put in another perfect trip over the course laid out by Leopoldo Palacios and an international team of designers. That’s just what the former World Number One did. Martin, who lost a stirrup in the first round, is the type who meets every challenge.
Calgary, Alta Sep, 10, 2023 Martin Fuchs of SUI riding Leone Jei in the CPO ‘International Grand Prix presented by Rolex at the Spruce Meadows Masters. Mike Sturk photo.
As he took the last fence, he raised his left arm in triumph, then hugged his horse after landing before taking off his helmet and greeting the fans.
The top-placing American was Hannah Selleck, 26th on Cloud 39 after having 12 faults in the first round.
