by Nancy Jaffer | May 27, 2024
The U.S. Equestrian Federation has reorganized major shows on the Southern California spring/summer calendar in the wake of Orange County Coastkeeper’s decision earlier this month to bar any equestrian activities involving more than 25 horses from the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano.
The indefinite closure was due to failure by the park’s operator, the Ridland Group, to comply with certain requirements and commitments made under a 2018 consent decree involving water quality, according to USEF. The Ridland Group is run by USEF show jumping chef d’equipe Robert Ridland and his wife, Hillary.
The federation noted that with a date for resumption of operations at the park uncertain, USEF “had no alternative but to remove all competitions from the calendar that were scheduled at the Riding Park, except for two that were relocated to another venue (the Los Angeles Equestrian Center). Simultaneously, USEF began the process of seeking alternative competitive opportunities for competitors affected by the indefinite closure.”
In an effort to ensure exhibitors would have access to USEF shows on the dates involved, a competition application process was begun for organizers who met USEF standards, license criteria and had a venue. There were 21 applications submitted, including by the Ridland Group, for the time period from June into September.
The Ridland Group announced May 20 it had reached an agreement with Coastkeeper and the city of San Juan Capistrano, which would allow horse shows to resume operations at the Riding Park. The court-approved agreement includes improvements to the Riding Park and corresponding deadlines for completion. Failure to satisfy the requirements in a timely manner will result in substantial financial penalties against the Ridland Group, USEF stated.
Sarah Spinuzzi, legal director of Coastkeeper, a California regional nonprofit protecting water quality, explained “the facility is going to be re-graded such that storm water from the equestrian stabling areas (known legally as the CAFO Production Area) will be retained on-site by June 3. This grading will prevent discharges of stormwater and wash-rack water to the creek. The facility will use the large grass field to pond retained stormwater.
“Over the rest of this year, the facility will work to improve infiltration infrastructure to be more professionally engineered so that rain events will not cause flooding and will be functional for the facility’s intended use. Future plans also require groundwater monitoring wells to ensure the protection of water quality.”
According to a posting by the City of San Juan Capistrano, in 2018, it entered into a consent decree with Coastkeeper and the Ridland Group to resolve litigation arising from alleged water quality violations at the City’s Riding Park property. It required completion of three water quality projects: removal of an Arizona Crossing (an unpermitted manmade road through San Juan Creek connecting Reata Park and the Riding Park, composed of construction debris, asphalt, broken concrete, metal and corrugated pipe); restoration of the creek bank and completion of a water quality improvement that would prevent stormwater runoff from entering San Juan Creek. The city completed removal of the Arizona Crossing and restoration of the creek bank within the timeframe required under the consent decree. Under a 2023 lease agreement with the city, the Ridland Group accepted responsibility to fund and complete the remaining water quality improvement project by April 15, 2024.
The city, the Ridland Group and Coastkeeper reached agreement last week on an amendment to the consent decree that extends the Ridland Group’s project completion timeline, allowing equestrian events at the venue.
In considering the allocation of 2024 competition, USEF considered member feedback, the court order and findings of a recent inspection of the Riding Park by the federation.
The re-ordered calendar provides the Riding Park time to complete the required improvements. It also offers competitors a choice of venues, should they seek an alternative to the Riding Park, or if the Riding Park is unable to operate. Providing sufficient competitive opportunities to members is a priority for USEF, according to the federation.
Blenheim Equisports will keep five of its 10 shows at the Mission Viejo Riding Park. They include the Blenheim June Classic June 26-30, the Blenheim Summer Festival July 18-21, the Blenheim Racing Festival July 25-28, the Blenheim Fall Tournament, Sept. 11-15 and the Blenheim International Jumping Festival Sept. 18-22.
The dates for the Blenheim June Classic 1 and 2 Shows June 12-16 and June 19-23, are now LA Classic 1 and 2. They will be at LAEC under the auspices of West Palm Event Management. On June 26-30, West Palm will run LA June Classic 3 at LAEC.
HITS will present the Adequan National Junior Hunter Championship West and pending USHJA approval, the USHJA Gladstone Cup July 22-24 at Del Mar, and from July 25-28, the Del Mar Summer Spectacular.
Nilforushan Equi Sport is staging Temecula Valley National Autumn 1 and 2 at Galway Downs Sept. 11-15 and 18-22.
The location of the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West, originally set for the Riding Park, will be announced in the coming weeks.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 23, 2024
This year, we had the debut of the FEI’s Longines League of Nations series, a team competition. Halfway through the four shows that will qualify countries for the League’s finals in Barcelona, it was announced today at CSIO Rome that rival watchmaker Rolex is inaugurating a new show jumping series for individual riders. It will include five European shows, with the finale in the U.S. at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Fla., March 29, 2025.
The international arena at the Winter Equestrian Festival, the scene of many major competitions, will host the finale of a new Rolex series next year. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer) P
In addition to the Rome show at the Piazza di Sienna this week, other shows in the new series are La Baule, France, in June; Dinard, France, in July, Dublin in August and the Stephex Masters in Brussels Aug. 28-Sept. 1, all in 2024.
Olympic gold medalist Steve Guerdat of Switzerland observed, “The six shows that are part of the Rolex Series are some of the best shows in the world and the ones that we all, as riders, mark in our schedule every year. They are some of the most prestigious and historically significant competitions on our calendar, and by bringing this amazing group of shows together as part of the Rolex Series, the prestige and desire to win is only going to increase.”
Rolex also presents a Grand Slam series that includes Geneva, ‘s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands, Aachen and Spruce Meadows, with a 1 million Euro bonus for the winner of all four competitions. Only one rider, Great Britain’s Scott Brash, has been able to take all four in succession and collect the big prize.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 26, 2024
A fall at fence 5B on cross-country at the Bicton International Horse Trials in Southwest England Sunday resulted in the death of rider Georgie Campbell. Her horse, Global Quest, was uninjured and walked back to the stable. The rest of the event was called off.
Georgie, 36, was third in the 3-star Short at Osberton in her last outing with the horse in early May.
Georgie and Jess Campbell.
The former Georgie Strang has been married to New Zealand eventer Jesse Campbell since 2020.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 5, 2024
EQ PRO, a Naples-based equestrian apparel designer, is offering a summer camp scholarship in conjunction with the Interscholastic Equestrian Association for hunt seat and dressage riders in grades 4-8..
Juliette Douros Hawk, a 14-year-old award-winning junior equestrian and founder of EQ PRO, stated, “My horseback riding journey began when I was 10 at a local summer camp, where I discovered my passion for riding and competing. I know how expensive this sport is. This is why I am honored to partner with IEA in the hopes that together we can continue to inspire the next generation of riders.”
“By supporting IEA scholarships, young equestrian athletes are empowered with opportunities like attending specialized horse training programs or pursuing degrees related to their equestrian passion,” said IEA Resource Development Director Kathy Dando.
“The EQ PRO Summer Camp Scholarship will benefit young novice riders by helping them improve their horsemanship skills during the off-season.”
A $500.00 scholarship will be awarded to two IEA rider applicants per year, one each for hunt seat and dressage (or until scholarship funds have been fully dispersed). Applicants must be in fourth through eighth grade at the time of application deadline May 17.
EQ Pro Summer Camp Equestrian Scholarship winners will be chosen and notified in early June 2024. The deadline to submit your application is May 17, 2024, via the online application form at https://www.rideiea.org/opportunities/for-riders/ .
by Nancy Jaffer | May 24, 2024
Germany won the Nations Cup at the scenic Piazza Di Sienna in Rome with zero penalties Friday, as powerhouse Ireland finished second on 4 penalties, while Belgium was third with 8.
German chef d’equipe Otto Becker with Jana Wargars, Jorna Sprehe, Kendra Claricia Brinkop and Daniel Deusser. (Photo: Sport e Salute, Ferdinando Mezzelani)
The U.S. and Mexico also had 8, but slower cumulative times than Belgium to wind up fourth and fifth respectively based on their clockings over the course designed by Uliano Vezzani.
Sports technology company EquiRatings, which is a partner with the show, used data analysis to give the best odds for victory to Ireland, a 26 percent win chance, but put Germany next-best at 13 percent, tied with Sweden pre-competition.
The Swedes, however, wound up seventh of the 10 countries that started, with a 16-penalty second round on Alcapone des Carmilles by Peder Fredricson after a disastrous 25-penalty trip in that round by Petronella Andersson claimed drop score status. Rolf-Goran Bengtsson’s Zuccero HV had a meltdown at the chariot jump with its white horses, ending his first round on the 54 penalty drop score. But he came back in triumph with a clear effort in the second round.
The USA and Belgium were both predicted to have an 11 percent chance of winning by EquiRatings.
But the U.S. was redeemed as the show came to a close with a victory by Karl Cook in the Rolex Gran Premio Roma on the speedy Caracole de la Roque, the former mount of French rider Julien Epaillard. Karl was one of six riders double-clear in the two-round class, clocked in 38.27 seconds. Max Kuhner of Austria was second on Electric Blue P in 39.58, ahead of Sweden’s Petronella Andersson on Odina van Klapscheut (39.78). The class was the first in a new Rolex multi-show series that will end in Wellington, Florida, next March.
Having an advantage as last to jump, Karl said, “I was going to win it. Not like I was actually going to win, but in my head I went in there to do it. I’d seen Max go, and how crisp and clean all his turns were, I wasn’t thinking I could shave two strides off anywhere. I just had to be quick, clean and do the strides I hoped were possible. I didn’t leave any strides out different to Max, but Caracole is just so fast along the ground and over the jumps, she looks where she’s going, she gets very square right out of the turn and she’s just so fast.”
When he mounts up, Cook said, “it’s a bit like lighting a rocket, and you can’t turn it off so you just have to point in the right direction.”
Karl Cook and Caracole de la Roque. (Photo Fotografi Sportivi)
“I started riding her in the middle of February last year so it hasn’t been very long and we’ve made some mistakes but we’ve learned a lot and it feels like we are almost there putting it all together.”
The other U.S. riders in the class, Lillie Keenan (Argan de Belliard) and Aaron Vale (Carissimo 25) were twenty-second and twenty-fourth respectively after having a single rail in the first round.
This show marked the eleventh time Germany had earned the Rome Nations Cup title on the spacious grass field in the heart of the city. Its riders — three of whom were women– finished double-clear, with the exception of anchor Daniel Deusser. But that was because he did not have to go a second time on Killer Queen VDM after his side had already clinched the honors under the guidance of Chef d’Equipe Otto Becker.
Germany’s anchor man, Daniel Deussser and Killer Queen VDM. (Photo: Fotografi Sportivi)
“This was absolutely brilliant with three double-clears from the three girls,” said Otto.
“I think we never had this before in Germany. And to win here in Rome at this special show, this special place, is something very special and I’m totally happy.” Otto wanted to celebrate the moment and declined to discuss German prospects for Paris in the wake of his country’s victory.
Germany’s Kendra Brinkop was thrilled with her young stallion Tabasco de Toxandria Z, noting, “Our day was great and we shouldn’t forget that my horse is only nine years old and jumping in his first Nations Cup. And also he showed how good the course was. He has not all the experience, but he gained experience on that course. It was a brilliant course.”
The only rider who achieved double-clear for the U.S. was Aaron Vale, who has risen in prominence as an Olympic contender since being paired last September with Carissimo, an 11-year-old Holsteiner. Two others on the U.S. short list for Paris finished with 4 penalties: Karl Cook (Caracole de la Roque) and Lillie Keenan (Argan de Baliard).
Aaron Vale and Carissimo 25. (Photo by Mackenzie Clark)
“Overall, I think there are a lot of positives to take away from the result today. To be tied for a podium position and just get bumped by a few tenths of a second is a tough pill to swallow, but we really had to fight to stay in it and everyone learned something today,” said U.S. Coach Robert Ridland.
“Aaron and Carissimo were impressive as a combination and put in our only double clear of the class, and both Lillie and Karl had an unfortunate rail in the second round after very strong, clear efforts in round one. Alise (Oken) bounced back to improve on her score in her second go, so I think all in all, it’s a good start to a very competitive few weeks for us here in Europe and sets the tone for us to be in the hunt for podium finishes at these major Nations Cup events.”
For complete Nations Cup results, click here. For complete grand prix results, click on this link
by Nancy Jaffer | May 27, 2024
Spectators are invited to attend a clinic with U.S. Olympic dressage team silver medalist Sabine Schut-Kery at Dumovin Farm in Westchester, Pa., Wednesday through Friday. The clinic is a benefit for Dressage at Devon, where Sabine gave the show’s first Masterclass two years ago.
“Dressage at Devon holds a special place in my heart,” said Sabine, who was the highest-scoring member of the U.S. squad at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
“I look forward to sharing some of my foundational principles with riders and spectators, while teaching a range of horse and rider athletes spanning the levels.”
Dressage at Devon President Anne Moss explained, “This event upholds our educational mission while also having the potential to deliver supplemental financial support that the fall show greatly needs.”
For information about attending the clinic as an auditor, click on this link.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 23, 2024
During the two decades since the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association was formed, Britt McCormick has served it in various capacities as a volunteer. But since becoming the organization’s first president from west of the Mississippi, he is working on developing a different perspective.
The Texan, who operates a training and showing business with his family outside of Dallas, was president-elect until last month, when former president Mary Knowlton resigned.
At his first Town Hall this week, Britt said he is looking for feedback on ways to improve service for members and stakeholders, “how we can do a better job at what we do to help drive participation in various USHJA programs to add a value to your membership and showing at every level.”
He explained, “One of the first things I wanted to do was kind of look under the hood of USHJA on the business side.”
Britt McCormick during the Town Hall.
USHJA is a nonprofit, and Britt pointed out, “if we don’t maintain the integrity of the business side, we’re not going to be able to function properly and serve our members.
“What is the foundation of our business model? It’s participation. Not just by people joining and recording horses, but by participating in various programs USHJA offers.”
The organization must make it easier for people to do that, in his view, removing barriers to participation.
“We need to encourage people to show in a recognized environment,” he believes. That includes having riders starting in Outreach, “but hopefully growing and for those people who have a goal of showing recognized, we need to show them the way to get there.”
Britt also wants to strengthen brand identity and “figure out a way to communicate with those in the system and those who are yet to become members. My goal is, if you ride a horse and jump a horse, that eventually you become a member of USHJA.”
Communication is vital.
“We have to make sure we’re not siloed in our own little worlds and we don’t look at things through our limited perspective,” he emphasized.
Britt wants to keep things fresh, and is ready to implement change where it’s needed.
“I feel like we’ve stagnated a little bit. We had this spark 20 years ago and we were really excited…we were creating all these things. Now we’re kind of in the maintenance phase,” he maintained.
“One of my goals is to have us take a look at all of our properties, take a look at all of our products, make sure they’re relevant, make sure they’re still exciting, that we still have a spark out there.”
That involves “a moment of self-reflection and seeing where we are, seeing what we created and making sure we’re still relevant. If we’re not, we need to address those issues and correct them.”
Citing the changes in the hunter/jumper world in the last five or six years, he noted, “we have some products that people are not that interested in. At some point, we’re going to have to cut those loose and make room for something new that nobody…has even dreamed up yet. That’s going to be my focus for sure for the foreseeable future; taking a look inward and making sure we’re doing the best job that we can.”
The process requires input from USHJA’s constituency.
“I’m relying on the membership to be vocal and let us know when we have it right and let us know when we don’t have it right,” he emphasized.
For the next six months, Town Halls will feature different topics, including the education side and its relation to the sports side. He envisions bringing in judges and other key players, including show managers, to discuss what they do and connect with members during the webinars.
A goal is to “try to inform the members and listen to the members, as well as to what we do what we offer and how we can do that better.
The Town Hall concept offers the chance to ask questions directly and get immediate answers.
For instance, Nancy Jones, a horse show judge from Arkansas who is on the USHJA amateur task force, asked what was happening with a measure that would permit amateurs to teach.
Britt explained the U.S. Equestrian Federation passed a rule across its breeds and disciplines allowing amateurs to teach for a limited number of hours weekly as a sport growth initiative, but not having amateurs involved with teaching for a living. Although USHJA’s board had no problem with the rule, the amateur task force wasn’t in favor of it, so USEF executed a carve-out for hunters and jumpers. The discussion on the subject isn’t over, with the new president calling it a “work in progress.”
The format of Britt’s Town Hall was different than the way it was done in the past. Those wishing to comment had to speak and give their names; previously members were permitted to type anonymous comments on the chat line.
Also, Britt brought in two USHJA department heads for the session. They were Lauren Klehm director of education who handles the instructor credential program, gold star clinics, the Emerging Athlete Program and also is involved with the very interesting Wheeler Museum. and sport director Katie Patrick. Her department handles competitive programs from Outreach through the higher levels and the International Hunter Derby, as well as jumpers and equitation.
There will not be a Town Hall in June because of Britt’s travel schedule. The next one is scheduled for July 15 at 7 p.m.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 21, 2024
An agreement involving a California regional nonprofit protecting water quality and the Ridland Group show organization has paved the way for competitions to resume at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, after activities involving more than 25 horses were barred last month.
Subsequent negotiations were held between the two entities and the city of San Juan Capistrano, which owns the park that is leased by the Ridland Group, the operator of Blenheim Equisports. The property on San Juan Creek hosts a group of shows in the spring and summer. The next Blenheim show was slated to be held there June 7-9.
On Monday, Sarah Spinuzzi, legal director of Orange County Coastkeeper, explained the circumstances that will enable horse shows to be offered again at the park, which also is used for community events such as dog shows and concerts.
“The facility is going to be re-graded such that storm water from the equestrian stabling areas (known legally as the CAFO Production Area) will be retained on-site by June 3,” she stated. (CAFO stands for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation).
“This grading will prevent discharges of stormwater and wash-rack water to the creek. The facility will use the large grass field to pond retained stormwater. Over the rest of this year, the facility will work to improve infiltration infrastructure to be more professionally engineered so that rain events will not cause flooding and will be functional for the facility’s intended use. Future plans also require groundwater monitoring wells to ensure the protection of water quality.”
Violations of the Clean Water Act at the site have been an issue since 2017, according to Orange County Coastkeeper, which sued the city and the Ridland Group that year. An agreement for a “collaborative effort” to protect water quality in San Juan Creek while continuing equestrian activities was reached the next year. There was a five-year timeline for the remediation, plus two extensions, but Coastkeeper maintained this year’s April 15 deadline had not been met and announced the restrictions.
Two Blenheim shows were moved north to the Los Angeles Equestrian Center this month. The U.S. Equestrian Federation permitted relocation of the May competitions “because of the short notice of the closure and desire to not disrupt competitors’ plans to show,” said USEF CEO Bill Moroney.
When it was announced at the end of April that the two shows would be moved, the Ridland Group issued a statement saying it “acknowledges and respects the issues raised by Orange County Coastkeeper regarding the compliance of the Clean Water Act and would like to affirm a wider ongoing commitment to uphold the highest standards of environmental conservation throughout the operations at the Riding Park.”
Meanwhile, the dates that had been reserved for the other Blenheim shows slated for the Riding Park through Sept. 22 became available for applications to USEF from Southern California organizers who have “proof of venue” where the competitions could be held. The Ridland Group was among those that applied.
USEF also had requested that organizers interested in hosting the Junior Hunter Finals West or the Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West, both of which were slated for the Riding Park, make contact by May 20.
“All organizers meeting USEF standards and the license criteria were welcome to apply for events through the duration of the application period, which closed last evening on May 20,” according to a Tuesday comment from USEF.
“The applications submitted through this process are being reviewed thoroughly.”
The federation added it “is working diligently to ensure that competition participants and their horses have access to reliable, safe, and quality competitions in California for the remainder of the competition year. We recognize time is of the essence and are working to resolve the calendar issues as expeditiously as possible.”
by Nancy Jaffer | May 20, 2024
Anna Buffini announced that her dressage star Davinia La Douce (Don FredericoXA Jungle Prince) is retiring after a long career and at the right moment.
“I have made the decision to retire her when she’s still feeling her best,” the Callifornia rider said on social media.
Anna Buffini and Davinia La Douce on their freestyle victory pass in Wellington. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
“From a horse who was overlooked by many to sixth place in the World Cup, none of us could have imagined how far Diva would take us. I purchased Diva off of a video during Covid, but because of the excellent training she received from Klaus and Belli Balkenhol, Guenter Seidel (her trainer) and I were able to compete with her almost immediately.
Anna and her other horse, Fiontini, are short-listed for the U.S. Olympic dressage team and will compete in Europe in the run-up to selection for the Paris Games.
A retirement announcement also has been made by German star Isabell Werth for her 18-year-old Emilio at Wiesbaden over the weekend, where he won the Freestyle with a score of 83.3 percent. The FEI World Cup Finals in Riyadh during April was supposed to be his last bow, but a small injury meant he couldn’t travel to Saudi Arabia.
Anna Buffini noted in her posting about Davinia La Douce, also known as Diva, that “In 2021, we made our First Nations cup team together. She also got to compete in Rotterdam and place fourth in the special at Aachen. In 2022, Diva girl was on fire and qualified for the World Cup. I received a lot of acknowledgment for being the youngest ever U.S. athlete and the first African-American to compete in the World Cup, but it was all because of Diva,” Anna stated.
“After the World Cup, we got to experience Horses and Dreams for the first time and she placed fourth in an incredibly special freestyle. In 2023, we found our way into the World Cup again, including scoring our first ever 80 percent together. We flew to Florida with one chance to qualify for it and she came through again. With a tenth place finish in the Grand Prix and placed sixth with our Top Gun freestyle routine, that’s the memory I’ll take with me of Diva forever.
“Later that year, she was the anchor for team USA at Aachen and the first day of the Grand Prix we set one of our personal bests. This horse is all heart. Going into 2024, I looked at this season as icing on the cake. She had a good first show but I made too many mistakes in the next few shows and we didn’t get the scores we were hoping to get to make the short list.
“However, our last show in Temecula was magical and made for a beautiful ending of our career together. It was a hard decision not to bring her to Europe, but just like we did with Sundayboy, I always want to retire our horses before they start to decline. I’ll be forever thankful to this mare who has been an underdog her whole life. She may not have had the biggest muscles or the most extravagant movements but she does have the biggest heart. She will live out the rest of her days by my side teaching young up-and-coming riders, and being the boss of the barn as usual. Who knows? We may also see some Diva babies in the future. I wish to thank my coach Guenter my parents and the incredible team of people who have worked so hard to keep this wonderful mare healthy and happy. We indeed did have the time of our life.”
by Nancy Jaffer | May 20, 2024
Did you watch the Defender Kentucky 5-star three-day event? If so, you saw a big chunk of the British Olympic eventing team hopefuls finish 1-2-3.
Britain has just named its powerhouse short list for this summer’s Paris Games, and it’s no surprise that Kentucky winner Oliver Townend, the world number one, is on it with Cooley Rosalent, as well as Ballaghmor Class, a former Kentucky winner who had to scratch from the Badminton 5-star two weeks after Kentucky.
Oliver Townend and Kentucky winner Cooley Rosalent. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Also named were Kentucky runner-up Tom McEwen and JL Dublin, one rail away from victory at Defender, and on the Tokyo Olympics gold medal team with Oliver. World champion Yasmin Ingham, third at Kentucky on Banzai du Loir, was named with him and also was selected with Rehy DJ.
Additionally on the short list are Bubby Upton, who made a miraculous recovery from breaking her back in a fall last year to finish 10th at Badminton with Cola. Emily King, fourth at Badminton with Valmy Biats, has made the cut, along with her mother, Kitty King and Vendredi Biats. Others are Tom Jackson (Capels Hollow Drift), fifth at Badminton and Ros Canter with both Lordships Graffalo, the 2023 Badminton winner, and Izilot DHI, who she retired on cross-country at Badminton.Also on the roster is Laura Collett with London 52, victorious at Badminton in 2022 and a member of the gold medal team in Tokyo.
Britain is definitely the team to beat at the Olympics. Four finalists will be named to the team in late June, though only three will actually be part of the starting order, with one rider as a reserve.
