by Nancy Jaffer | May 11, 2023
The last week of the 2024 Winter Equestrian Festival will be designated as Rolex Finale Week, it was announced today, with the news that Wellington International and Rolex will renew their partnership that started in 2012.
The Rolex CSI5* Grand Prix, offering free spectator seating, will be the highlight of that final week, featuring “unique classes, events, hospitality and awards,”in the International Arena in Wellington, Fla.
Rolex will remain the official and exclusive timepiece of Wellington International, WEF and the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival. The primary goal of the collaboration will be to elevate the equestrian and spectator experience in North America through the Wellington International venue.
Rolex also sponsors the Rolex Grand Slam at three European shows. It concludes this summer in Aachen, Germany, where U.S. rider McLain Ward will attempt to claim the final leg after winning the first two segments.
Another high-end watch company, Longines, is the title sponsor of the FEI World Cup Finals and many other competitions as the FEI’s first Top Partner since 2013. It is also the title sponsor of the Global Champions Tour.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 8, 2023
Interested in helping out this month at a Horse Driving Trials at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation’s Pine Meadow showgrounds in Gladstone? There’s a great tradition of driving at that location, where a highlight was the 1993 World Pairs Championship.
Opportunities are available to assist with the May 20 trials, where you can learn about driving first-hand. To volunteer, contact Karen Patrick at patrickpack@comcast.net.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 12, 2023
McLain Ward topped a field of 21 with Kasper van het Hellehof to win the $200,000 5-star Longines Grand Prix at San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
Only McLain and Mexico’s Jose Antonio Chedraui Eguia on H-Lucky Retto qualified for the jump-off. McLain’s time of 38.31 seconds topped his rival’s 38.31 seconds.
McLain Ward and Kasper van het Hellehof on their way to victory at San Juan Capistrano (Photo courtesy USEF)
It was Kasper’s first 5-star victory, and the fact he did it over a difficult course designed by Leopoldo Palacios made it all the more impressive.
“Leopoldo is one of the most seasoned and one of the great course builders in the world over the past two decades. He has a super feeling,” explained Ward.
“He didn’t have a huge class today and we do have the Nations Cup coming on Sunday, but there were some strong combinations and he had to build at a 5-star level.”
McLain is tuning up for the all-important Nations Cup of the USA, which will count toward the U.S. team qualifying for theNations Cup finals in Barcelona, Spain, this fall. The U.S., which has yet to for make the cut for next year’s Paris Olympics, could earn a place for the French Games in Barcelona, where one Olympic spot is on offer. But first, the team has to qualify for Barcelona.
“The most important part of this week for us is the Nations Cup,” McLain emphasized.
“We have to qualify out of our league, so these three Nations Cup – the first in Mexico, which we were successful at and won; here in San Juan Capistrano and then on to Langley (British Columbia). Our backs are against the wall. This is a must-do. I think all of the best riders and supporters of horses in our country are trying to come together and get this job done.”
Riding on the U.S. team this weekend with McLain is Laura Kraut, his teammate for the 2018 gold medal World Equestrian Games squad; Lillie Keenan and Karl Cook.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 11, 2023
On the heels of her Grand Prix victory Wednesday at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, Charlotte Dujardin made it a double with a freestyle triumph on Imhotep, three weeks after taking up riding again following the birth of her baby, Isabella Rose.
She was marked at 83.2 percent for her performance. Gareth Hughes, who was second in the Grand Prix, obtained the same placing in the freestyle with an 80.510 on Classic Briolinca.
Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep in the shadow of Windsor Castle. (Photo courtesy of Royal Windsor Horse Show/Peter Nixon)
An exuberant Charlotte said, “I was so excited to come here, it was really not in my schedule to rush back after having my daughter, but I got on and felt really good. I absolutely love this show, so here I am.
“I was so excited to be here, back out here riding and competing, for me it’s just such a buzz and I’ve loved every minute of it.”
Of Imhotep, she continued: “He hasn’t competed since the World Equestrian Games last year, so it was a huge ask for him to come here as it’s such a huge atmosphere.
“I’m a bit ring rusty, he’s a bit ring-rusty, we’re still making mistakes, but he’s such an incredible horse to come to this kind of show and perform the way he has the past two days, I can’t ask for more. To get this under our belt is absolutely fantastic.”
by Nancy Jaffer | May 15, 2023
Mai Baum. Miks Master C. Z. Off the Record. They are four of the top seven-placing horses from last month’s Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day event.
Now they’ve been named to the U.S. squad for the Aachen, Germany, 4-Star Short this summer, along with Ariel Grald’s ride,Leamore Master Plan, who did not compete in Kentucky.
Mai Baum and Tamie Smith on their way to clinching the Land Rover Kentucky 5-star victory with a clean round in show jumpping. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Why mess with success? It will be fun to see Kentucky winner Mai Baum go for another big win with rider Tamie Smith. Miks Master C was third with Liz Halliday-Sharp, Z finished fifth under the guidance of Phillip Dutton and Off the Record (the top placing U.S. horse at the 2022 world championships), will be ridden by Will Coleman. Will also has a direct back-up in Chin Tonic, 11th at Kentucky.
It will be interesting to see how these horses fare meeting a whole group of European competitors who didn’t come to Kentucky. We’d expect Germany’s Michael Jung to be among them.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 7, 2023
If you weren’t able to get to Kentucky for the 5-star Land Rover Three-Day Event in April, there are more chances to see highlights of the event in a one-hour show.
They will air on NBC Saturday May 13 at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time and on CNBC Saturday May 27 at noon Eastern.
Olympic team gold medalist Melanie Smith Taylor will be offering the commentary, presenting insight on the competition. So even if you’ve already seen it, you can get another perspective by tuning in.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 8, 2023
Great Britain’s Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo led wire-to-wire to win the Badminton Horse Trials by a mile, with a mere 1.6 time penalties added as they proceeded around a show jumping course that cost rails for all but four of the 30 competitors on the final day of the 5-star event.
The 2018 world champion, Ros could not be denied aboard last year’s runner-up, despite the sticky ground that foiled many on cross-country.
“He’s an out-and-out event horse and it’s a privilege to have him in your life,” said Ros, the fifth person in history to have won both Badminton and the individual world championship.
“He has character in every pore and makes us laugh every day,” she said of the horse they call Walter around the barn.
Ros Canter on her way to victory with Lordships Graffalo before a crowd that came out despite very British weather.
“I think I was at my calmest when I entered the arena, but it’s been a long day. He jumped a bit with his head in the air, but he wanted to clear the fences.”
She also wound up ninth with her winning mount’s half-sister, Pencos Crown Jewel, who had two rails and 0.4 time penalties in the final segment.
“It’s a long old journey to get something like this; two in the top 10 is a dream,” said Ros.
Austin O’Connor, who had dreamed of becoming the first Irishman to win Badminton since 1965, toppled two rails and accumulated 1.6 time penalties with Colorado Blue (51.9). That dropped him from second to third, behind 2021 Land Rover Kentucky winner Ballaghmor Class and Oliver Townend, who made the runner-up slot even with a rail and 0.4 time penalties. His total of 50.3 penalties was 15 behind the winner’s final score of 35.3.
“He’s unreal,” said Oliver of his horse.
“He’s had too many second places – blame the jockey – but it’s a huge relief that he’s had yet another good result.”
Making the best of things, Austin said, “Naturally I’m a bit disappointed, but to be on the podium with two heroes – two of the best riders in the world – is pretty amazing. The result is personally great for me, but I hope it will give Irish eventing a lift.”
It should. This was the first time in 40 years that an Irish rider has been on the podium at Badminton.
The first double clear on the challenging course came from Britain’s Tom Jackson and Capels Hollow Drift, quickly followed by British Olympic individual silver medalist and team gold medalist Tom McEwen with Toldeo de Kerser, his mount of a decade. The Toms were the only two entries to achieve that double-clear distinction, ending up fifth and fourth respectively.
U.S. riders finished very respectably. Lillian Heard Wood had a show jumping rail with LCC Barnaby to finish on 91.5 penalties in twentieth place, a big step up from being sixtieth after dressage. Katherine and Monbeg Senna wound up with just 0.4 time penalties in the show jumping to end twenty third, after coming in twenty seventh in dressage and moving up a place after cross-country. She was among those four riders to achieve leaving all the rails in place in show jumping, quite a distinction.
In case you’re wondering why show jumping was on the Monday, the schedule had to be rearranged due to the coronation of King Charles III on the Saturday, which is usually cross-country day. To read about cross-country, look at the second story on the front of the website, or click on this link
On a sad note, WSF Carthago owned by Frank Breach and ridden by Fiona Kashel, had to be euthanized. Tied for 36th after dressage, he was eliminated on cross-country. The horse was treated in the veterinary clinic at Badminton and subsequently hospitalized. The extent of the injury found in surgery meant successful repair was not possible.
For complete results, click this link.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 7, 2023
This weekend’s Badminton Horse Trials in England is the world’s second 5-star-rated event in a row, but it has no shortage of entries–or spectators. In fact, Sunday’s cross-country was sold out. Even the Duke of Beaufort’s estate has room for only so many people.
Historic Badminton House.
Cross country on Sunday? Yes, since the coronation of King Charles III was thoughtlessly scheduled for Badminton’s usual cross-country Saturday, the event adjusted its timetable to move that segment. The event ends on Monday, May 8.
The leader after dressage, British rider Ros Canter,has an even wider edge after cross-country with Lordships Graffalo, who was second at Badminton last year. Kitty King, second in dressage on Vendredi Biats (22.3 penalties), was eliminated on cross-country.
No one made the optimum time cross-country, where the track was muddy after rain that had disturbed many preparations for Badminton. But Ros’ excellent clocking of 11.8 time penalties was outshone only by Irish rider Austin O’Connor’s 10.8 with Colorado Blue. However, he came up from a 34th-place tie in dressage to stand second overall with a total of 42.7 penalties.
The total for Ros, the 2018 individual world champion, is 33.7 penalties. That means she could topple two fences for a total of an extra eight penalties and still win.
“We all love Walter, and he had to dig deeper today than ever before, but I think he had a nice day out,” said Ros.
She cited the benefit of going out on the course prior to her effort with Walter. The only rider to get two horses around, she learned from that trip with Pencos Crown Jewel, who stands seventh.
Ros Canter triumphant in dressage on Lordships Graffalo (and that’s this pairing on cross-country in the featured image above) (Photo courtesy of Badminton Horse Trials)
If Austin manages a victory, he would be the first Irish rider to take the trophy since Eddie Boylan did it in 1965.
Third place with 2021 Land Rover Kentucky winner Ballaghmor Class is Oliver Townend of Great Britain, moving up from sixth in dressage, now with a total of 45.9 penalties.
The 2022 Maryland 5-star winner, Tim Price of New Zealand, stands fourth with Vitali (51.1). In fifth place is Britain’s Tom McEwen, who impressed us at Land Rover Kentucky last weekend with his runner-up performance on JL Dublin. At Badminton, he has the ride on Toledo de Kerser (54.4).
“After watching the morning action, I just wanted a nice round,” Tom. said after his ride.
“I’ve messed up here too many times before with the best horse in the world. He tried really hard and was foot- perfect jumping, but the ground is now horrific, seriously tacky and holding.”
U.S. rider Lillian Heard Wood is 24th on LCC Barnaby with 87.5 penalties, moving up from 60th in dressage.
“He was awesome,” Lillian said of her mount.
“So smooth. I went pretty slow, but I so wanted to finish, I just said, OK, do it how you want.”
Her compatriot, Katherine Coleman (Monbeg Senna), moved up one place from dressage to 26th with a total of 93.8 in her second Badminton..
There are 30 left to contest the final phase Monday if all pass the horse inspection. Eleven horses were retired on cross-country, and 17 were eliminated, while six where withdrawn after dressage.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 20, 2023
A celebration of life is set for 2 p.m. May 15 for respected horsewoman and author Judy Richter. The gathering will be held at her Coker Farm, 69 Stone Hill Road, Bedford, N.Y.
Judy, who died on Nov. 30, 2022 at the age of 83, was recognized by the horse industry many times. She was named American Horse Shows Association Horseperson of the Year in 1974. In 2020, she received the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Pegasus Medal of Honor from the AHSA’s successor organization. A strong-willed cancer survivor, she continued riding until the end of her life.
Judge Richter when she was honored by the U.S. Equestrian Federation in 2020. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
A multi-faceted trainer, a USEF judge and someone who always thought of the horse first, she trained numerous successful riders and horses. They included Johnny’s Pocket and Glasgow. There were many in the horse world on whom she was a huge influence, including Olympic medalist Norman Dello Joio, trainers Andre Dignelli, Peter Lutz, Kara Hanley, Alex Dunaif and Ellen Raidt.
Her late sister, Carol Hofmann Thompson, rode for the U.S. Equestrian Team, and Judy also was a supporter of the Team. Her husband, Max, died in 2007. She is survived by her sons, Philip and Hans (Jennifer), granddaughters, Maxine and Margot, as well as Richard Ten Dyke, her loving partner of the last few years.
Contributions in Judy’s memory may be made to the U.S. Equestrian Team and the American Cancer Society
by Nancy Jaffer | May 10, 2023
It has been eight months since Olympic dressage multi-multi gold medalist Charlotte Dujardin competed, but she didn’t lose a step after having her baby, Isabella Rose, in March.
Although she’s only been back riding for three weeks, on Wednesday she won the Defender CDI4* FEI Dressage Grand Prix at the Royal Windsor show in England.
Charlotte Dujardin reaches out to her daughter, Isabella Rose, held by her fiance, Dean Golding, at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. (Photo courtesy of Royal Windsor/Peter Nixon)
The competition is held on the grounds of Windsor Castle, where she earned 77.261 percent on Imhotep. Second place went to her countryman, Gareth Hughes, with Classic Briolinca (75.435).
“Pete (Imhotep) hasn’t done a competition since the (2022) FEI World Championships,” said Charlotte, noting, “I was worried I would be a bit ring rusty, but he was incredible and was so positive with his energy. There are still areas that we can improve on which is exciting – we are now aiming for the FEI European Championships this summer.”
She added, “I have such amazing memories of Royal Windsor Horse Show having competed here in the show ring as a child,” said Charlotte.
“It has such a wonderful atmosphere and to be back here is just so special. It is now Isabella’s time to support Mummy and I hope I have done her proud.”
