by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 28, 2023
HITS’ announcement last month that John Ammerman would return in a mangement capacity to the company’s Vermont Summer Festival shows was “premature,” Ammerman has said.
“After asking for my help as a co-manager (with Joe Dotoli) at the Vermont Summer Festival, the HITS management team has unfortunately failed to produce a realistic contract that includes the terms originally discussed.I have since been informed by HITS that they cannot afford my services and `do not need my assistance anyway,’ ” Ammerman commented in a statement.
He added, “Given that the news of my return was released prior to finalizing an agreement between myself and HITS, it is only fair to let the exhibitors know that I will not be working at the 2023 Vermont Summer Festival.”
Joey Norick, HITS’ chief customer officer, attributed the situation to “a touch of miscommunication. Interpretation may have been taken differently. As much as I’d love to have John there, I’m sorry it didn’t go the way he wanted. We would only wish him all the best.”
In its official statement reacting to Ammerman’s comments, HITS said the company “has nothing but admiration and respect for John Ammerman and everything he has done for the Vermont Summer Festival. We are truly sorry he is not joining us, but we have nothing but well wishes for him and Dotty.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 25, 2023
Weeks of qualification at Wellington International culminated Friday in the Winter Equestrian Festival Equitation Championship presented by NetJets.
Topping the field of 43 was Carlee McCutcheon, from the famous reining family, who has also made a name for herself over fences as well as in a western saddle. The 17-year-old Texan, who rode Chacco Star, is coached by T.J. O’Mara and Max Amaya of Stonehenge in Colts Neck, N.J., and her grandmother, Colleen McQuay.
Carlee McCutcheon and Chacco Star. (Photo © Sportfot)
Second place went to another Texan, Elanor Rudnicki on Brentwood, with Jordan Gibbs of Colorado third on the famous Cent 15.
“I would like to thank T.J. who puts in so much work to make these horses perfect for us and everything he does for us, and Max Amaya, and the whole team at Stonehenge,” said Carlee.
“And to thank my grandparents and parents for pushing me and believing in me enough to make this all come true.”
The course designed by Andy Christiansen offered a first round that included an S-line question and varying obstacle challenges, such as a split-rail option. The top 12 were called back in reverse order for a second round and then the top four came back for testing without stirrups. The class was judged by Archie Cox, Abby Blankenship, Tammy Provost and Lillie Keenan.
Riders competing in this championship are on their own. They must walk the course, make their plan and warm up without the assistance their trainers. They have to hand over their cell phones and can only have one groom in the schooling area, where Diane Landreville and Dan Reed observed the warm-up for the first two rounds and awarded riders a score for their time management, horsemanship and effectiveness in the schooling area. Those points were either added or subtracted from their overall score.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 22, 2023
Graeme Thom, the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s director of FEI/High Performance Sport, has stepped down after six months in the post to attend to “personal obligations” with the countdown to the Paris Olympics less than 17 months away, and the Pan American Games set for this autumn.
But don’t worry. Filling the role he held will be Hallye Griffin, who has served as USEF’s managing director for dressage since 2015. She has a long history with the federation. Hallye was the competition department’s assistant for the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games, which were staged at the Kentucky Horse Park, home of the USEF. The following year, she became USEF’s director of national dressage programs.
Hallye, who now also will serve as chef de mission at the Olympic, Paralympic, and Pan American Games as well as the FEI World Championships, cited how fortunate she has been “to work with a great team at US Equestrian over the last 10-plus years, and I am grateful for the knowledge and experience that has been shared with me.
“We have busy months ahead readying for the many events on the calendar for the FEI disciplines. We have a strong staff at the US Equestrian office, and we will be working closely on not only the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games but also focusing on the home Olympics and Paralympics –- Los Angeles 2028 –- which are on the quickly approaching horizon.”
Hallye Griffin.
Hallye managed U.S. dressage team efforts at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and the 2021 Games in Tokyo. which yielded team bronze and team silver medals respectively. She also served as team leader through two world championships, several Nations Cups and national championships, providing leadership, oversight and support for medal-winning teams. Beyond dressage, she was team leader for para dressage and vaulting teams at the 2014 WEG.
Laura Roberts, who worked with Hallye for five years as dressage performance and event support director, has been promoted to managing director of dressage.
It is great to see USEF promoting from within for important jobs. There are a number of people in key positions at the federation who have not only talent, but also great familiarity with the organization as well as the various disciplines, and can easily move up.
Lizzy Chesson, the USEF’s respected managing director of show jumping, said of Hallye’s promotion, “I’m super supportive and excited for her. I think we’ll be a great team. We’ve worked together as team leaders since 2016. We have a great relationship and we both are very focused on performance and growing the sport.”
Dressage technical advisor Debbie McDonald noted that over the years, she and Hallye “have shared many memories together” and in terms of their day-to-day dressage working relationship, “I am really going to miss her.”
At the same time, Debbie noted, “But she is still a part of the team. Laura is great, so I am sure we will be fine.”
Olympic medalist Adrienne Lyle posted about Hallye: “While all of us dressage folks would selfishly love to keep you to ourselves forever, I can’t think of a better person in the world to step up to this role than you. You have been the reason behind countless achievements for USA dressage and I feel fortunate to have had the privilege to work with you.”
Graeme, who competed in eventing, served as chair of the Canadian High-Performance Committee and as a chef d’equipe for Canada and New Zealand at major championships over the last 15 years.
He was appointed when Will Connell, USEF’s director of sport for eight years, resigned in 2022 to pursue other opportunities. At the same time, David O’Connor, a former USEF president and eventing individual Olympic gold medalist, was named the federation’s chief of sport
In explaining the decision to leave his position, Graeme said, “Over recent months, I have encountered some evolving personal obligations that are limiting my ability to commit the necessary time in my role as director of FEI and high-performance sport. It is out of great respect to the United States Equestrian Federation, the sport department, and most importantly, to the athletes, that I am stepping aside.”
He will, however, remain in a consulting role to ensure a smooth transition and continue as a resource for the federation.
“I welcome and look forward to staying on over the next few months to assist in special projects with a particular focus on Major Games preparedness,” said Graeme, adding, “I am confident that Hallye will do an excellent job and represent the federation and its athletes admirably.”
Hallye will report to David, who noted, “I am very enthusiastic about Hallye coming on as the Federation’s Director of FEI Sport. Hallye’s experience with the Olympic successes that dressage has achieved in these past eight years is a testament to her leadership qualities.
“Coming up the ladder from within the USEF family places Hallye in a position that will allow for a seamless transition and keep USEF athletes focused on the path toward the 2023 Pan American Games in October and the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games next summer. We are fortunate to have someone with these qualities step into this important role.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 15, 2023
After months of competition, the entries for next month’s FEI World Cup Dressage Finals in Omaha are finally set, and we will be there to bring you all the news in that discipline and the show jumping.
The roster is led by Cup defending champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl of Germany, the 2021 Olympic gold medalist who scored 91.732 percent in the freestyle to earn that honor in Tokyo on TSF Dalera. Who will be able to approach that kind of score to take the title away from her?
Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera.
Her compatriot, Isabell Werth, won the Cup three times in a row after earning the honor in Omaha in 2017, and will be aboard DSP Quantaz. Another German, Ingrid Klimke, who is better known as an Olympic eventer, has qualified with Franziskus FRH.
Jessica’s brother, Benjamin Werndl (part of the German team at the 2022 world championships when his sister was pregnant and out of action) had a good qualifying score but can’t compete. Only three riders from one country are allowed to participate.
There is, however, no rule that everyone on the podium can’t be from the same country. Yet it is likely that a place will be taken by another western European.
Perhaps it will be Dinja Van Liere of the Netherlands with Hermes. She is ranked fourth in the world, and her stallion is the number two horse in the world.
The number one rider in the rankings, World Champion Lottie Fry of Great Britain, qualified for the finals but is not coming because her mount, the stallion Glamourdale, will be breeding at that time.
The others from the Western European League who made the cut include Dinja’s countrywomen, Thamar Zweistra on Hexagon’s Ich Weiss and Marieke Van der Putten with Torveslettens Titanium RS2.
The Danes will be represented by Nana Skodborg Merrald on Blue Hors Zepter,. Morgan Barbancon, who in the past has ridden for Spain, will be aboard Sir Donnerhall II OLD competing for France.
The three U.S. riders are Steffen Peters, who won the Cup in 2009 on Ravel. He will be riding his Olympic and world championships veteran Suppenkasper. Anna Buffini (FRH Davinia La Douce) and Cup first-timer Alice Tarjan (Serenade MF) will be gaining good experience as they point for places on future international teams.
Anna Buffini and FRH Davinia La Douce. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Representing the Central European League are Justina Vanagaite of Lithuania on Nabab and Alisa Glinka of Moldova on Aachen.
The non-league representative is Caroline Chew of Singapore on Tribiani.
Australia’s Simone Pearce on Fiderdance got one of the extra starting places. The other extra places went to Western Europeans, Sweden’s Johanna Due Boje on Mazy Klovenhoj and Belgium’s Jorinde Verwimp with Charmer.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 20, 2023
The North American League of the Longines FEI World Cup will field a bunch of heavy hitters against the best Europe has to offer when they go to Omaha for the finals next month. The League wrapped up Sunday in Ocala, where the final points for the standings were distributed.
The European contenders are headed by world number one and world champion Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden with King Edward, while defending titleist Martin Fuchs of Switzerland on Leone Jei is another key challenger. Marcus Ehning, a former Cup winner from Germany, qualified with Stargold but after that horse was scratched, will be competing on Priam du Roset.
This continent will be seeking the title with the likes of headliners McLain Ward–who took it in 2017, the last time the final was in Omaha. Can he do it again? McLain is on a roll, having won two of the three legs of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping over the last four months, but this time, he won’t be aboard HH Azur. Callas is his ride.
And then there’s Aaron Vale (Prescott), who’s been on a winning streak of his own recently..
Others from the East Coast competing are Hunter Holloway (Pepita con Spita and Eastern Jam), Ailishe Cuniffe (Vivaldi du Theil), Devin Ryan (Eddie Blue) of Long Valley, N.J., and Nicholas Dello Joio (Cornet’s Cambridge). Nick is the son of 1983 Cup winner Norman Dello Joio.
Hunter Holloway earned more points than any other North American rider to qualify for the World Cup finals. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
From the West Coast, the contingent is Natalie Dean (Acota M), Elisa Broz (Kardenta Van ‘T Meerhof) and Simonne Berg (Cooper). The Canadians are represented by Erynn Ballard (Gakhir and Hero).
The “extra athletes,” who competed in North America to qualify but hail from other parts of the world are Daniel Coyle of Ireland and Israel’s Daniel Bluman. Conor Swail, another Irish rider who looked as if he had a good chance at making his mark in the final, qualified but is not competing as Count Me In was scratched.
Even so, there should be some pretty fancy jumping in Nebraska, where 19 nations will be represented. Click here for the complete list of entries.
Omaha also is hosting the Cup finals in vaulting and dressage (click here to read this story).
Don’t forget, there won’t be another Cup finals in the U.S. until 2026 in Fort Worth. Want to watch in person? Click here to buy tickets.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 21, 2023
Ralph L. “Larry” Roberts, Sr., 77, patriarch of the family that owns the World Equestrian Centers, died March 19 in Ocala.
Mr. Roberts, known as “Senior”, was the founder of R+L Carriers. He started in the trucking business in 1965 with a single Ford truck, moving household furnishings in his spare time while working at Irwin Auger Bit. His warehouse was behind his home. After he linked up with Mayflower, the business grew exponentially.
Family, service, safety, and quality guided Mr. Roberts, who knew those values were shared by drivers, dock workers and office staff. More than 18,000 people are employed by his company.
Mr. Roberts is survived by his wife, Mary, whom he married in 1963; his children, Michelle Carpenter, Ralph L. Roberts, Jr.(Terri) and Roby (Jennifer); seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Mr. Roberts wished people to remember him for his legacy and did not want a memorial or funeral service.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 26, 2023
Riding with HEART in Pittstown, N.J., is running its spring tack sale next month. Want to donate? (Contributions are tax deductible.)
They will accept new and “gently used” equestrian equipment (for horse, rider, or barn) from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, and noon-3 p.m. Saturdays. To schedule a different drop-off time or the pick-up of a big donation within an hour’s drive of Pittstown, email tacksale@ridingwithheart.org.
Looking to buy? The sale is March 25 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and March 26 from noon-3 p.m., witha half-price sale on most items that day.
Riding with HEART (which stands for Hunterdon Equine-Assisted Recreation and Therapy) is located at 639 Route 513, two miles west of the Pittstown traffic light.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 20, 2023
There are some heavy hitters who were named today to the team for the May 14 U.S. Nations Cup, the country’s next step toward earning a berth at the Paris Olympics next year. Unlike the Nations Cup in Wellington earlier this month, the May Cup in California is a qualifier for the Barcelona Nations Cup finals this fall. One place from that competition will guarantee a country a team spot in Paris if it comes in ahead of countries that are already qualified for the 2024 Games.
McLain Ward and Laura Kraut, longtime pillars of U.S. success, are part of the team. Also selected were Lillie Keenan, Nick Dello Joio (son of Olympic medalist Norman Dello Joio) and Karl Cook, who has been on a winning streak this year.
McLain Ward’s mileage will be crucial for the team competing i California’s Nations Cup. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
If the Barcelona strategy doesn’t work in terms of a ticket for Paris, the U.S. will have one more shot later in the year at the Pan American Games. That competition in Chile should be a dilly for countries that haven’t qualified, a list that could include Brazil and Canada. Three countries from the Americas can make the cut at the Pan Ams.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 14, 2023
Instead of marking its 50th anniversary next month at the Horse Park of New Jersey, the Four Seasons show will be in limbo.
“We’re taking a year to regroup,” said show manager Mason Garrity as he announced cancellation of the fixture. However, he’s not making predictions about the future for what normally is the first big outdoor show of the year in New Jersey.
“We’ll see what next year brings,” he commented.
“Last year, the weather was gorgeous, in the 70s, but no one was there,” Mason recalled. Asked why that was the case, he noted that people are staying in Florida longer into the spring, with many not coming home until the week of Four Seasons. In addition, he pointed out, the Horse Park is showing its age, and leasing a facility is another expense for the show.
Stand-alone shows don’t have the resources of the big circuits.
“The landscape is changing,” observed Mason, who also owns a jumps company, announces and manages other shows.
Four Seasons was started in Readington in 1973 by the late Gary Kunsman, the father of Mason’s wife, AJ.
“Because of Gary, we ran it as long as we could,” said Mason. The show was also cancelled in 2020 along with most other competitions because of Covid.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 15, 2023
How do you decide when it’s time to end your horse’s life?
Dr. Lindsay Goodale, a lecturer in Animal Science at the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Lynn Bliven, Agriculture and Natural Resources Issue Leader at the Cornell Cooperative Extension, will discuss equine euthanasia and making a plan for your horse in a Zoom presentation on March 21 from 6-7 p.m.
Goodall teaches courses in Equine Biology and Management, Domestic Mammalian Behavior and Animal Welfare Science. As Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Equine Specialist, she also serves as a resource for the state’s extension educators, horse owners, and industry professionals.
Bliven specializes in agriculture economic development, beginning farmer outreach and livestock production.
This seminar is part of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Equine Seminar Series. Please register in advance at https://bit.ly/ESS-Mar2023
