by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 16, 2024
The annual Kevin Babington Benefit is more than a fundraiser; it’s also a tribute to the inspirational show jumper whose spinal cord injury has not dimmed his spirit.
He was front and center in his wheelchair last week at Victoria McCullough’s Mida Farm in Wellington, Fla., to watch five hours of show jumping, followed by an evening reception at which he was the guest of honor. Dozens of friends came by to chat and share some laughs, enjoying a chance to see Kevin in a relaxed setting on a Tuesday, while they had a day off from the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Kevin represented his native Ireland in the 2004 Olympics, where he finished fourth. He was a fixture on the grand prix circuit until 2019, when a crashing fall at the Hampton Classic left him with an injury that made him a quadriplegic.
Jeff Papows, who put on the benefit with Victoria for the Kevin Babington Foundation he chairs, said “The thing that affects me the most is to see a frantically busy community in the middle of a 12-week circuit drop whatever they’re doing and come together for Kevin. And not just Kevin, but Jonathon Millar and Alexis (Halbert) and David (Beisel) and Kim Prince and all the other people the Foundation has been able to help.”
Victoria McCullough and Jeff Papows. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Jeff noted the Foundation is connected with the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and the Shepherd Center in Atlanta.
“It’s not just the financial assistance, it’s the research, the surgical interventions and the stem cells,” he explained.
“When an athlete has fallen and gotten hurt, getting them to the right place as quickly as possible makes all the difference in the world.”
Jeff added, “I just love to see the affection, particularly for Kevin. I know he looks forward to it (the benefit) all year. Even before his injury, he was probably one of the most beloved athletes on the circuit.
“I’m proud of the sport. Nobody works harder and nobody in my experience has been more giving. It’s incredibly important for Kevin’s family, because it keeps him immersed in the sport.”
Victoria also co-chairs the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament with Jeff.
“When Kevin was hurt, Jeff was like `That’s it. This is what we have to do.’ Then we realized there was no really good mechanism in show jumping to help people who could become paralyzed,” recounted Victoria.
“I am a donor at the Miami Paralysis Project and we have so much expertise. I thought, `We better share this with people, so they’re not lost when it happens.’ So the Kevin Babington Foundation to help him and anyone who’s in that position began.”
She wanted to use her beautiful grass field for jumping, and the benefit turned out to be the perfect occasion to do that for someone she respects.
Nicky Galligan competing under the palms over one of the beautiful fences at Mida Farm. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“Kevin will never quit. Kevin is getting better daily,” she maintained, adding she believes he will walk again.
A total of 36 horses turned out to jump on the grass beneath the palms over a colorful course laid out by Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios. The announcing was done by Frank Waters, who had been sidelined with several serious medical conditions himself, but bounced back to perform the job in his inimitable style.
The benefit, held for the third time, is a special occasion for Kevin.
“It means so much, it means more than you can imagine,” he said, thanking Victoria and Jeff for all they have done to put on such a lovely show and reception, where Lugano Diamonds was a sponsor.
Kevin was able to visit with many friends at the show. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I’m so grateful for such an amazing event,” he continued, noting that the interlude provides an opportunity to relax and visit with friends.
At the Winter Equestrian Festival, he pointed out, “Everyone’s so busy it’s hard to catch up with them. So it’s nice to be able to spend a little time chatting with people here.”
Fellow Irishman Shane Sweetnam turned up with a mare named Unique to let her get experience on the grass and support Kevin, who he sees occasionally at the shows while he’s on the run between classes.
Shane Sweetnam and Unique on course as Kevin watches from the tent. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“The circuit is hard for everybody, we’re going everywhere all the time,” said Shane, noting it’s tough to be able to talk for more than a minute or two under those circumstances.
“There’s time here before and after the horses, there’s no rush. It’ s a nice, relaxed environment to chat and catch up.”
Dianna, Kevin’s wife, said of the benefit, “it definitely seems to do him a world of good, getting out. I’m so appreciative of everyone’s efforts. Because I’m so overwhelmed myself, I could never spearhead any of this. I feel a lot of this unfolds for me because of the absolute generosity and goodwill of others.”
She added, “I don’t have to ask Jeff or Victoria; it’s not like, `Can you brainstorm a new fundraiser?’ It’s happening because people get it and they are ahead of me. I contribute everything I can as it’s unfolding, but I’m not really the one who’s driving the boat. I’m keeping Kevin afloat.”
Kevin looks so much better than he did even a year ago.
He enjoyed seeing daughter Marielle compete over the fences, and confided his older daughter, Gwyneth, is now riding in Europe for dealer Francois Mathy.
Kevin watches daughter Marielle compete. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
For his part, he said, “I’m still working on trying to get stronger and doing my PT (physical therapy) three days a week.
“I have an acupuncturist I go to who has really helped me a lot and I have a good massage therapist that I work with every week. There are a lot of new developments coming down the road that I’m signed up for. I’m working with a company in Switzerland called Onward. They have developed this chip in the brain and put another chip below where the injury was. They’re working in conjunction with the Miami Project, so I’m hopefully part of that.”
Kevin is determined to walk again.
“I have to believe,” he emphasized.
“I’m not going to give up hope. That’s for sure.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 16, 2024
Some crucial questions about the expanded Wellington, Fla., showgrounds finally were answered Thursday night at a meeting of the Equestrian Preserve Committee.
Although the session, which ran more than five and one-half hours, was held to insure the project met compatibility standards under the Village’s land development regulations, the items approved by a 4-1 vote in that context were less interesting than what was revealed about the showgrounds project itself during the session.
Over nine months of hearings, equestrians made it clear that the Wellington International showgrounds for hunters and jumpers, set up in 1978 as the home of the Winter Equestrian Festival at its current location off Pierson Road, needed massive improvement and more space. The situation was complicated when its owner, Global Equestrian Group (part of Waterland Private Equity) put the venue up for sale last year.
The entrance to the International Arena at Wellington International.
On Tuesday, according to Wellington International President Michael Stone, a “number” of entities (he declined to be more specific) started the process of bidding for that property.
Meanwhile, Wellington Lifestyle Partners was approved by the Village Council in a 4-1 vote to build a high-end golf club community at Wellington North on Equestrian Village where the Global Dressage Festival (no relation to Global Equestrian Group) has been held since 2012. The property, more than 96 acres, was part of the Equestrian Preserve that spreads across 9,000 acres in the municipality.
There was much opposition to taking it out of the Preserve, a designation created to prevent high-density development and insure continuation of the equestrian lifestyle. The EPC unanimously voted against dong that, but it is only an advisory group; the Village Council is the deciding body.
The fear has been that the Wellington North decision sets a precedent for removing land from other parts of the Preserve, a category that includes bridle trails, arenas, stables and pastures (but allows certain types of low-intensity development.)
In the fallout over the controversy, the Village Council removed the EPC’s chairman, Jane Cleveland, and another member of the panel, Carlos Arrellano, at the request of WLP. Both were critical of WLP’s plans. Replacing them were dressage rider Judith Sloan, secretary-treasurer of the U.S. Equestrian Federation and Annabelle Garrett, a former polo player and show jumper who had served previously on the committee. Elected as the new chairman was Glen Fleischer, whose wife, Karen Long Dwight of Take the High Road LLC, is a prominent horse show exhibitor.
In making its deal with the Village, WLP agreed to build what amounts to an expansion of the showgrounds on Pod F at the northeast corner of Gene Mische Way and Gracida, land it owns at Wellington South, adjacent to Wellington International. Until that work is finished, dressage will continue at Equestrian Village and WLP is not allowed to start constructing homes at Wellington North. The deadline for completing the expansion is 2028, but during the EPC meeting, it was revealed that the majority of the work now is expected to take less than two years.
While it’s “always a possibility” that whoever buys Wellington International would also want to buy Pod F,” it won’t be for sale until it’s built out,” said Stone. However, he said “they’d (the new owners of Wellington International) be pretty crazy” not to want to buy Pod F because a deed restriction means it must remain a showgrounds for 50 years, so it cannot be converted to housing or other uses in the next half-century.
{For your convenience in reading this story, here is an acronym glossary: WEP (Wellington Equestrian Partners); GEG (Global Equestrian Group); WEF (Winter Equestrian Festival); EPC (Equestrian Preserve Committee); WLP (Wellington Lifestyle Partners}
Although originally the expanded section of the showgrounds was slated to be quite elaborate, with a stadium seating 7,000 and a hospitality area accommodating 4,000, that has been scaled back.
“The cost of building the sort of stadium (originally presented), it just isn’t viable to build it that size,” said Stone, explaining “everything has to be practical and realistic.”
Attorney Leonard Feiwus, who represents the Equestrian Club Estates development bordering the showgrounds, compared the grandiose first proposed arena to “the Meadowlands in Secaucus.”
Lights and noise have been a concern of neighbors, but the issues are being worked out with berms and landscaping.
“This is going to be constructed in a way that a future buyer, if he wants to build a more fancy stadium and he wants to do more permanent structures, he’s able to do it,” said Stone.
Michael Stone
The site will now have a capacity of 6,000, with an arena seating 3,000 (the arena at Equestrian Village seats 1,500), a 1,500-seat VIP hospitality area, a 1,000-seat special events pavilion, and a 210-seat restaurant, in addition to areas for retail, offices and other facilities. The circulation and safety of horses, golf carts and service vehicles will be improved from the current status at Wellington International, which will increase safety.
The project is described by WLP as being “horse-centric.”
Showjumping was to have been the highlight on the expanded venue, with dressage sharing the current showgrounds with the hunters. Now dressage will be on the expanded portion, but the large number of arenas and a grass field there means jumpers and hunters can show at that site as well. While dressage runs only 13 weeks, the hunters and jumpers compete nearly all year in Wellington.
Unlike Equestrian Village, where the VIP area is very close to the ring and horses can hear the “clank” of silverware, as Sloan put it, there will be a greater setback for the dressage arenas, which should cut down on horse distraction.
Parking has been an issue at Wellington International. The new site will have 1,500 paved parking spaces and 1,500 for overflow. Dressage riders competing in the national division often like to haul in their horses, compete, load them back in the trailer and go home. That’s the advantage of owning a farm in Wellington, instead of having to travel approximately three hours to compete at TerraNova near Sarasota or World Equestrian Center in Ocala.
There will be 20 haul-in parking spaces, which Stone believes is sufficient because dressage riders who haul in leave after they compete. That is unlike show jumpers and hunters, who use the stabling and also take advantage of vendors and food purveyors, which he said the dressage people competing in national classes for the most part do not do, since their stay on the property is short.
The recommendations passed by the EPC include:
- Adding another 220 permanent stalls added to the 220 stalls available “Day One” among the 1,204 12 by 12 stalls planned (the difference is made up by tent stalls);
- Requiring hospitality tents to be at least commensurate in quality with the media center tent at Wellington International;
- Providing adequate fencing between barns and adjacent parking areas to contain horses;
- Insuring that the 78,000-square foot covered arena will be constructed at the showgrounds and not on “an adjacent property;”
- Requiring mats in all stalls;
- Providing schooling hours with lighting to start at 6:30 a.m.
- Having 30 feet in between the show rings.
Writing on social media the day after the meeting, EPC member Dr. Kristy Lund explained, “ If we did not pass the motion, some of our important recommendations, like making sure the covered is built on the showgrounds and not an adjacent property and safety fences and distance between rings for safety .. would not be heard by council.
“So yes, we could have voted a symbolic no for the project but that would not have changed anything.. the deal still moves forward. By voting ye, we ensure council gets to see our recommendations and hopefully, they will act on some of them and make the horse show better.”
The compatibility issues go to the Planning Zoning and Adjustment board Feb. 28. On March 5, the Village Council is slated to look at them before work can get under way on the expansion.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 14, 2024
Christine Traurig, the U.S. dressage chef d’equipe who also is the national young horse and developing horse coach, made a statement of her values in the context of the scandal involving trainer Cesar Parra and allegations of horse abuse.
She says she stands “unwaveringly behind the classical values and principals of training and competing in our sport with the welfare of our horses at the top of our priorities unconditionally.
“Over the past decades, our country has earned the reputation of world class fine riding and horsemanship. We, our federation and its members, all of us, have to do everything in our power to uphold that standard which made us one of the leading nations in the sport of dressage. We must continue leading by example.”
Citing the “wave of emotions” triggered by the abuse allegations, she said that “set into motion actions taken by our federation and the FEI to immediately temporarily suspend the trainer from competition and allow an investigation to take place, but just as importantly pushed forward the need to change and amend rules…to protect our equine partners from abuse in the home environment and outside of competition arenas and venues. I am hopeful that this is a step forward to having SafeSport for horses.”
She added, “Abuse of horses in pursuit of results in competition arenas and for marketing purposes cannot be tolerated. Those who engage in abusive training methods do not deserve to be a member of our community and our sport, period.”
She also cited her “commitment to take part in preserving the beauty dressage stands for in the harmony and partnership between a horse and a rider.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 14, 2024
Olympic and world championships dressage medalist Adrienne Lyle is off to the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Fla., with two new horses this week. The trio is still in a period of adjustment with each other, since the horses arrived from Europe at her base in Wellington, Fla., last month. That means they won’t be competing at WEC this time. It’s more of a get-acquainted trip.
“I’ve never had horses who were trained to grand prix, so it’s different,” said Adrienne, who usually brings her mounts to that level herself.
“There’s more language to learn from each other. There’s more intricate things I have to figure out. First of all, what it means to them before you try to change it to the way you want it. They’re both trying really hard, so it’s been fun.”
The horses, purchased by Zen Elite Equestrian Center owner Heidi Humphries, are 12-year-old Helix (Apache X Broere Jazz), a Dutchbred, and Lars van de Hoenderheide (Negro X Layout), a 13-year-old Belgian warmblood previously ridden by world champion Lottie Fry.
Adrienne needs qualifying scores with an eye toward making the U.S. team for the Paris Olympics this summer. The pressure never ends, and it’s particularly intense because she has not yet shown the horses, and doesn’t have the luxury of lots of time to achieve her goal.
“I will be less prepared than I would like to be going in the ring,” she acknowledged.
“You can’t work them harder or expect more of them because you’re on a timeline. I would love to have a year to play around with them, but we don’t have that. We’ll do the best we can with our normal training program.”
When a rider has a history with a horse, Adrienne pointed out, “You know how to prepare the balance. You know what they need help in, what you need to ride a little bit lighter, softer, stronger. It’s getting to know them. All the little subtle nuances to make it look seamless.
“Like a horse you’ve been riding for a long time—even though you haven’t.”
Although she lacks mileage with the horses, their character is evident. Before she got in the saddle for a limbering walk around prior to shipping Helix to Ocala, she characterized him as “a super trying horse.
Adrienne takes Helix out for a stroll. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“He always wants to do the right thing. He’s very sensitive to ride and very supple, but has a lot of power. He’s very talented. He always wants to figure out what you want to do. His piaffe/passage tour is going to be really phenomenal,” said Adrienne.
That reminds her of Salvino, her Olympic and championships medal ride, who is back in work now.
Lars, meanwhile, “has a fair amount of experience, he’s been there and done that. So I think he’s got a lot of confidence in himself. It’s just kind of changing a little bit the shape to the way that I ride. Every rider has a slightly different way they want them to go. He does his job well so we’re just trying to mold him to make him a bit more my ride.”
His former rider, Lottie, is short, while Adrienne is tall.
“I think the leg aids are a little bit different, because my legs hit him much lower than hers. Helix’s rider was rather tall, about my height. So I think in those terms, the aids click a little bit quicker on him.”
Both horses had been in work and are fit.
As a result, their rider pointed out, “We’re not trying to build up their strength, it’s more about building up our communication.”
Adrienne soon will return to Ocala for competition, as well as showing in Wellington and at TerraNova Equestrian Center outside Sarasota. All the venues are approximately three hours from each other.
Unlike the situation that existed for years, when Wellington was the only place in Florida where the top dressage horses performed, variety helps with the training. Horses previously would get so used to Wellington that switching to other venues after the winter season could be difficult.
Adrienne with Lars and Helix. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
In Ocala this time, Adrienne will be schooling the horses and caring for them herself, even taking them out to graze, as well as riding, to get to know them better. She’s treating the situation as if she’s competing, so the horses can learn her routine.
Meanwhile, she’ll be having a reunion in Ocala with her 2018 World Equestrian Games silver medal teammates Laura Graves and Kasey Perry Glass, both young mothers like herself. Debbie McDonald, Adrienne’s mentor and the former U.S. technical advisor, also will be on hand to help. How does the saying go? They’re getting the band back together!
One young lady who won’t be there is Adrienne’s daughter, Bailey, who was born last autumn. The baby is staying at home in Wellington so her mother can focus as much as possible on the horses.
But Adrienne has other responsibilities as well. Having aged out of the under-25 ranks, her protégé, Quinn Iverson, will be making her senior Grand Prix debut in the National ring with Beckham. And Adrienne also will be working with a teammate from the 2022 world championships, Katie Duerrhammer, who rides Paxton.
Adrienne is grateful to those who have helped her.
“I want to thank everyone involved; thank Heidi for this chance and Debbie for always being there for me. It’s an amazing opportunity.”
But she cautions, with the horses, “The most important thing is you take it on their time frame and you never push them. However far we get this year, there’s a lot more in the future. Either way, it’s going to be the start of a really fun journey.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 12, 2024
Videos on social media showing dressage trainer Cesar Parra whipping horses and engaging in training practices that have caused an outcry prompted the U.S. Equestrian Federation Board of Directors Monday to introduce an extraordinary rule change, which would expand its jurisdiction over horse abuse outside of competition.
Cesar Parra after competition.
The rule, which could go into effect Dec. 1 if passed at the USEF’s mid-year meeting, defines horse abuse as any action or omission that is likely to cause pain or unnecessary discomfort to a horse. It will not, however, be retroactive.
On Tuesday, the USEF followed up with a letter to members, stating “the images and videos are disturbing and show a complete disregard for horse welfare and are in no way aligned with our values and beliefs as the stewards of horse sport in the United States.”
To ensure the integrity of the investigation, USEF cannot disclose details of the situation. But the federation emphasized, “We are documenting these violations and will pursue disciplinary action to the highest degree in partnership with the FEI (international equestrian federation).”
The USEF maintained, “It is imperative that as a community, we continue to hold each other accountable and speak up when we see something that endangers the integrity of our sport, the health and welfare of our horses, and/or the well-being of our athletes and members.
“If you have witnessed horse-related abuse, please contact USEF by texting what you saw to 2USEF (28733) or by emailing generalcounsel@usef.org. As a reminder, if you witnessed or have knowledge of sexual abuse, it must be reported to law enforcement and the U.S. Center for SafeSport.”
The USEF does not have the ability to secure search warrants, so it will rely on reports from members in enforcing the rule. The abuse must be reported to licensed officials at a show, and to USEF if it takes place outside of competition. There will be 21 definitions of what constitutes abuse in the proposed rule. Some already are in the rulebook, but more are being added.
The proposal clarifies that licensed officials or competition management can “take swift action” to issue a written warning or disqualification if the abuse occurs at a showgrounds.
The rule change notes that “USEF takes its social license to operate very seriously, and learning from the mistakes of others, recognizes that time is of the essence.”
It notes that the horse industry has come under increased scrutiny, particularly in regard to the integrity and safety of horse racing. USEF cited as another example the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey circus, which shut down in 2017 and reinvented itself without animals in 2023. USEF also mentioned modern pentathlon, which no longer will include show jumping after this year, following an incident in which a coach punched a horse at the Tokyo Olympics.
“Social license is a vitally important issue for our industry, and further oversight of training practices outside of competition has been an important topic under consideration. The Cesar Parra concerns are an example of why this is an important issue to address. The rule change is being released today to provide as much time as possible for member and stakeholder feedback,” USEF Chief Marketing and Content Officer Vicki Lowell stated on Monday.
“USEF takes horse abuse very seriously. Horses are our trusted partners in sport and in life. The goal of the extraordinary rule change put forward today is to ensure that USEF has broader oversight of horse welfare outside of competition. This rule will have the opportunity for member and stakeholder feedback before a decision is taken at the Mid-Year Meeting.”
Parra, who rode for his native Colombia in the Olympics, represented the U.S. in the Pan American Games after becoming a citizen.
He has been provisionally suspended by the FEI, which can act in abuse cases outside of competition. The USEF has honored that suspension, as the two organizations investigate the Parra situation and decide how this matter should be resolved.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association will hold its second Town Hall in a row about social license to operate on Monday Feb. 19 at 7 p.m.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 11, 2024
Partnered with three exceptional horses, Irish riders took complete possession of the podium at the Winter Equestrian Festival’s weekend feature, the $385,000 Fidelity Investments 5-star Grand Prix.
Winner Darragh Kenny was aboard the 14-year-old Holsteiner Amsterdam 27, “an absolutely incredible horse, the most talented animal I’ve ever sat on.”
Citing the fact that the horse is endowed with quality, as well as being scopey and smart, Darragh said, “I think he has the ability to win anything, I’ve just got to stay out of his way and let him do his thing.”
The gelding (CatokiXAccord II), ridden earlier in his career by Canada’s Mario Deslauriers, was out of action for months with an injury, but made an amazing comeback that wasn’t predicted. Darragh thanked the owner, Teddy Vlock, also a former rider of Amsterdam, for keeping the horse for him.
Darragh celebrated nailing a fast time in the jump-off. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Runner-up Cian O’Connor rode Pat Crean’s Maurice (Thunder VD ZuuthoeveXEros Platiere), a 12-year-old Belgian warmblood the horseman first spotted with a Turkish rider at the European Show Jumping Championships last year.
Cian O’Connor and Maurice at the Hermes fence. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Jordan Coyle took third place with Falkirk Farm’s For Gold (For FashionXHeraldik), a 13-year-old Holsteiner he adores.
“I’ve never had a horse ever like this,” he explained.
When asked if he loves the horse more than his wife, Kim—as she suggested—Jordan grinned and replied, “it is possible.”
He’s got a sense of humor, that Jordan. Responding to Cian’s comment during the prizegiving that it was fantastic to have three Irishmen on the podium, Jordan turned in his inimitable way and said, “Yeah. Pity about the order…”.
Jordan Coyle really went for it on For the Gold. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
There were several things that made the Irish domination of the class particularly noteworthy in the triumph before a standing-room-only crowd of more than 7,000 at Wellington International in Palm Beach County, Fla.
Foremost was the fact that course designer Gregory Bodo also will be doing the routes at the Paris Olympics, and of course, all three Irishmen hope to be on their country’s team there this summer.
The all-Irish podium. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Second was the fact that such great riders as 2021 Olympic champion Ben Maher of Great Britain, ranked world number two, didn’t make the jump-off on Dallas Vegas Batilly. Ditto the USA’s McLain Ward, world number eight, on Contagious. They lost their bid for what became a six-horse jump-off when they each had a knockdown at the tenth fence, a troublesome oxer flanked by outlandish pink fans, which also ruined other potentially clear rounds.
“It’s a great result for all the Irish riders,” said Darragh.
“We work very hard when we’re here; we try very hard to win always. Tonight really showed we can do it when we need to. Everybody’s very motivated. The Olympics in Paris is going to be an amazing thing, we all want to go. I think you see the competition here is pretty hard. It’s at the highest level it’s been for the last couple of years.”
Although the Irish have filled the podium several times at Dublin, it’s still rare to find them completely dominant.
“To see the Irish doing so well, it’s good, it’s a big Irish community (in the Wellington area) obviously,” Cian mentioned.
The Irish contingent had the only fault-free rounds in a six-horse jump off, where the clockings got faster and faster. Darragh was next-to-last in the order and looked at what Cian had done in the previous round on his trip around the shortened course.
He didn’t match him stride-for-stride, but Amsterdam’s scope enabled him to produce a ground-saving tight turn at the orange and white Hermes oxer at the end of the ring. That helped make Darragh’s time of 38.66 seconds the best so far, edging Cian’s 39.36 seconds and Jordan’s 39.69.
Darragh Kenny and Amsterdam 27. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
But formidable speedster Kent Farrington had the advantage of being last to go on the fleet Greya, and he tore into the course. That got him a time of 38.53, which would have done the trick—except that a rail down put the World Number four in fourth place.
After hearing the Irish national anthem played for him and his compatriots, Darragh thought back on his round and mused, “I think really I could have done one less to the last (fence), but luckily enough, Kent had one down today.”
Sometimes things just work out.
I asked the course designer if the riders should think their experience in the grand prix would help prepare them for Paris if they make their Olympic teams.
Speaking in French, because he’s more comfortable in that language than English, he replied through a translator, “I did not come to prepare the riders, I just came to do what I do usually, enjoy the sun and make some top-level courses.” That answer got a laugh, of course.
The course designer had a chat with Canada’s Ian Millar during the course walk. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
So next I tried a question for the riders, wondering if they felt they had gotten a handle on what the designer does, with an eye toward Paris.
Darragh explained he and Cian have jumped Gregory’s courses before, so they have an idea of his style.
“He builds very technical, very delicate, very much about the rider and how they ride. He built an excellent course tonight, six clears out of 40. He did a fantastic job. The last line was delicate, difficult; but if you rode it really well, you jumped it clear.”
Cian offered a spot-on description of the designer’s technique, “He has an amazing way to use the ring differently than any other course builder. Where he places the jumps, he always puts 1-2 in an unusual place, it’s not just a regular number, like seven strides. It’s unusual angles…(it) has a different flow to it, his bends and turns are sharper. Whether he’s meaning to show us what might be coming up (at the Olympics) or not, I think it’s his style that’s wonderful to practice over.”
Cian O’Connor, Darragh Kenny, Jordan Coyle and course designer Gregory Bodo toast the Irish sweep. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
As a photographer, I encountered something new with Gregory’s course. It was hard to get my usual angles for shots and have a direct line to capture more than two fences. It was exactly as Cian described the layout, with fences using every part of the ring.
The quality of the designer, the riders and the horses certainly made for a wonderful class, the type that is done so well at WEF. The excitement of the crowd, the presentation of the ring, the vibe around the showgrounds all contributed to yet another memorable competition. It’s a tradition that goes back decades, to the time when WEF was a pioneer of what would become the country’s biggest show circuit.
Click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 10, 2024
Amid all the controversy and lobbying about expanding the main showgrounds in Wellington, Florida, remember that even as equestrians cite the need for big improvements there, what the public sees is pretty darn good when they come to the home of the Winter Equestrian Festival.
I thought about it after Friday night’s new hunter teams competition at Wellington International, as I walked out past the colorful merry-go-round and the ornate fountain with its carved horses sending up bubbling streams of water. Luxe shops (and some with more moderate prices) line the path from the hospitality area around the International Arena, where the footing is fine and the lighting is good for featured night classes.
It was easy to forget the quality of the show after covering 60 hours of debate (or was it 65; I lost count) about taking land out of the Equestrian Preserve. It was all in the attempt to get a deal for the expanded showgrounds and move dressage to the WEF grounds from Equestrian Village down the street. So I was reminded by a trip to what used to be called the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center that Equestrian Sport Productions still runs a good show with precision, under the guidance of manager Dave Burton and Wellington International President Michael Stone.
The team event was the $100,000 Kristen Baran exhibition class, for the benefit of the Neil S. Hirsch Boys & Girls Clubs that helps youth get a leg up on life with education, activities and other benefits.
The hunter teams’ debut was pretty successful, but needs a few tweaks going forward. It involved three members on a team—a professional, an amateur and a junior—each riding over 3-foot, 3-inch fences in consecutive rounds that offered a few options. Only two team members’ scores counted; the drop score factor saved squads where one member had a mishap.
The class was basically three hunter rounds, what we see every week in the hunter arena at WEF.
To do something that could set the team concept apart, one person suggested a relay format, the way they do with the pony hunt teams at the Devon Horse Show. So the first rider would take three or four fences, the second would jump the next group and the third would finish the course. I think if would be cool if they jumped three abreast at the last fence, the way we used to do in the hunter trials (I still have photos of myself jumping a fence side-by-side like that with my friends from years ago.)
Brianne Goutal-Marteau’s winning team of Grace Debney and Clara Propp earned 181 points to 176 for Patricia Griffith’s squad of Callie Seaman and Vivian Goldman. Third of the 14 teams was Keri Kampsen with Stphanie Danhakl and Wyatt Rofey (175).
Brianne Goutal-Marteau on Grand Remo. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Brianne, who knew Neil Hirsch, really enjoyed the class—and not just because she was on the winning side.
“I think it’s wonderful,” said Brianne, whose highest score on Grand Remo from the three judging panels was an eye-popping 93.
Brianne Goutal-Marteau’s score for her round on Grand Remo. s
“It’s been a long time since we have done something new in the hunter ring. And obviously to do it for a charitable cause is even better. I think the format is fine…it ended up flowing. It’s fun to do it at 3-3. There’s less pressure. You see a lot of horses having a good time doing everything easily.
Grace said she had been away from the hunters and focusing on the jumpers, so “It was a nice introduction back into it.” She borrowed her mount from Clara.
For her part, Clara said, “I had a lot of fun.. It’s a horse I know really well. It was kind of low pressure and good experience going into next week,” she observed, referring to the Hunter Spectacular where hunters again will compete in the International Arena, which is not their usual venue at WEF.
Brianne Goutal-Marteau, Grace Debney and Clara Propp, the winning hunter team. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Florida trainer Andrew Lustig came up with the idea for the team endeavor.
As he explained it, there was a time in the hunters “when the lines (to the jumps) were really long and it was exciting. Other sports, gymnastics and swimming, they’re moving forward. So we’ve got to move forward, because if we don’t move forward, we die. It’s hard to ride under lights, when you never do.”
Andrew dreams big; he’d like to see the team idea develop like the show jumping Global Champions Tour and compete in Europe, which doesn’t usually feature hunters in shows held there. Although it’s very early days, he already can visualize show hunters in Cannes.
Discussing why the show held the class, manager Dave Burton explained, “It’s an ongoing goal for us at Wellington International to provide opportunities for hunters to be showcased. This season, they experience the International Arena, night classes and the derby field, all with substantial prize money for professionals, amateurs, young hunters and ponies.
“The hunt team class is a perfect way to showcase hunter horses and riders in a fun environment that also gives back to an organization that has a huge influence in the Wellington community and greater Palm Beach County.”
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by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 8, 2024
After eight months, more than 60 hours of public deliberations and much community angst, the Wellington Village Council voted just before midnight Wednesday to take 96-plus acres out of its Equestrian Preserve for a golf community, in order to insure its cramped and tired major showgrounds can expand.
The deal means that Wellington Lifestyle Partners will be able to construct its development on the Equestrian Village land used by the Global Dressage Festival at Wellington North. But there’s a quid pro quo, as was often discussed during the hearings. First, WLP and developer NEXUS need to build the expanded showgrounds on their property at Wellington South, a short distance away, where the Winter Equestrian Festival is held.
The deadline for making the showgrounds operational is 2028; until then, dressage can stay at its current home in the Preserve. Discussion about arrangements for the 2025 dressage show there already has started.
The quid pro quo, however, did not sit well with many in the equestrian community. They mounted opposition to taking 96-plus acres from the Preserve for the development, with more than 10,000 people signing a petition against that action. The fear is that the Wellington North project would set a precedent for future incursions into the Preserve, which includes 9,000 acres across the municipality.
Frustrated residents reacted Thursday morning on social media to the council’s action.
“Why isn’t the Village Council protecting our lands and ensuring us that our votes matter?” wrote Mark Offerman.
“Everything in this proposal smells dodgy.”
Other residents, however, many of whom have big investments in their local farms, urged the council to make the deal so the showgrounds can be improved and Wellington could remain “The Winter Equestrian Capital of the World.”
“I feel like it’s the first step in the right direction,” said Wellington farm owner Romain Marteau, who spoke at council meetings several times to emphasize the need for a better showgrounds.
While he acknowledged there was disappointment in some quarters over the vote, Marteau advised, “People should get together now and be part of the solution and try to advise NEXUS and WLP on how to build a horse show, because they are seeking input from the equestrian people. The only thing that matters going forward is to make sure that the horse show is successful. Without a successful horse show, Wellington isn’t going to be successful.”
The Wellington South showgrounds, formerly Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and now Wellington International, was bought two years ago by Global Equestrian Group, which is part of Waterland Private Equity.
But GEG had financial issues and the showgrounds are up for sale. William Blair, who manages major sales and acquisitions, is requiring anyone who is interested in purchasing the property to sign on Feb. 13 that they are serious, so further discussions can proceed toward getting a new owner for the internationally known venue.
A number of prominent equestrians have indicated there will be great financial support for purchase of the showgrounds, which they want to see run as a non-profit, with its revenue plowed back into the facility for improvements. They have been concerned that the lavish World Equestrian Center in Ocala is a strong rival to the Wellington shows, once unquestionably the USA’s creme de la creme circuit.
Marteau pointed out that “the next big challenge is making sure the (Wellington) show lands in the right hands.”
Multiple entities are trying to put offers together for the showgrounds and it is unclear who will go on to a second round in the bidding. The word is that among the groups seeking to buy the facility is HITS, whose other venues include shows in Ocala and New York.
Rendering of what Equestrian Village and White Birch (now polo fields) will look like as part of the golf development.
The council vote was 4-1 (it is required that for land to be removed from the Preserve, four of the five council members must vote in favor of it.)
Vice-mayor Michael Napoleone, who is running for mayor, voted against it. He noted he grew up in east Boca Raton (south of Wellington) and saw how development transformed that area, not necessarily for the better.
As he explained his decision, “For me,” the golf community “is too much density for Wellington.” He does, however, believe improving the showgrounds is important and voted for a zoning change on Wellington South so it can be built. There also will be housing on another parcel adjacent to the showgrounds.
“It’s a complicated issue. There’s a lot of passion on both sides, and I’ve tried to look at the bigger picture,” he said.
On Monday, in a last-minute bid to save Equestrian Village, a number of prominent equestrians said they would pony up $25 million to buy the property and insure it would be used for the dressage shows and other equestrian-related activities.
But Councilman Michael Drahos pointed out the property is worth more than $25 million “and you don’t have a willing seller.” In addition, he pointed out, they had not approached the landowner and did not have a plan for their vision if they bought the property.
Marteau, who is married to trainer Brianne Goutal-Marteau, emphasized people behind that eleventh hour bid for Equestrian Village need to have a seat at the table and make sure dressage has a voice in developing the new showgrounds.
Tuny Page, a dressage rider and farm owner who led the effort for funding to buy Equestrian Village, said the reason that was such a late starter involved “a tremendous amount of trust” that the development would not go through. She cited votes against the project by the Equestrian Preserve Committee and the Planning, Zoning and Adjustment board, but they are only advisory groups and it’s the council’s vote that counts.
The council’s decision means “Wellington is going to change significantly,” she said, pointing out that the people who buy houses in the golf development likely won’t be equestrians.
Speaking about WLP and its plans, Drahos said before the vote Wednesday, “I do believe this model is guaranteed to succeed.”
“This is a no-look-back moment for Wellington,” he commented, saying the decision was “logic-based.”
He added, “What I really hope for us as a community is that this is the moment we become unified. We will never be the equestrian capital of the world unless the entire community buys into that.”
All the property involved was collected by Mark Bellisimo, who bought WEF in 2007 when it was failing and revitalized it. He also built Equestrian Village—with the help of several of the people who contributed to the $25 million buyout deal. But he is a controversial figure in town. Many are wary of him and there were frequent comments about his unfulfilled promises on several projects.
Doug McMahon, the CEO of WLP, said Bellissimo is not involved in running the organization (his daughter, Paige Bellissimo Nunez, is its executive vice president) and has no interest in taking a larger role, a comment obviously meant to reassure those who still had misgivings about anything with which Bellissimo is involved.
Lauren Brody, an equestrian realtor who is the administrator of the Keep Wellington Green Facebook page, said, “This was a very long game. Mark Bellissimo played. Call him anything you want, but the man was shrewd and he sat back and put all his chess pieces into play. This passed because he did that.”
She suggested that Equestrian Village, with its new zoning, “is now worth $1 billion. There’s no buying it. The council handed Mark Bellissimo hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars in value. All they got in return was a ring here and a ring there and a green space that’s already green” (vacant land that WLP is giving to the Village for a park.)
“If we had to lose Equestrian Village, we should have gotten a lot more in return,” she contended.
Brody is encouraging people to be more proactive in the wake of the Council decision. She suggested residents attend a Monday candidates’ night to hear what prospective Council members have to say. Brody added she has not ruled out running for the council in 2026 (she can’t do it sooner because the next election is in March).
“I’m planning to get more involved as the days go on,” she promised.
The showgrounds project next week is set to go before the Equestrian Preserve Committee for the compatibility determination process that may add some requirements to its construction. The EPC last summer unanimously voted against taking land out of the Equestrian Preserve.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 5, 2024
In a last-minute attempt to save Equestrian Village as a dressage venue in Wellington, Fla., a fund-raising effort has brought in commitments of $25 million.
The Village Council could vote Wednesday on removing the property from the Equestrian Preserve, which would clear the way for construction of housing and recreational amenities for a golf community that developer Wellington Lifestyle Partners is seeking to build. A petition opposing the move drew more than 8,000 signatures and a group called “Keep Wellington Green” is fighting to keep the 96-plus acres in the Preserve.
Dressage rider Arlene “Tuny” Page, who owns a farm in Wellington, said Monday that she started contacting people to see if enough money was available to make an offer for the property, home of the Global Dressage Festival since 2012.
Tuny and Dave Page were first founding sponsors of the Global Dressage Festival. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
The response was immediately positive.
The land to be purchased would include the area where Global’s arenas and a derby jumping field are located, but not the adjacent White Birch polo fields which are also in the Preserve and slated for a golf clubhouse and other golf-related facilities for a nearby course purchased by WLP.
“Go talk about it and see what you can do,” Jane Cleveland, chair of the Equestrian Preserve Committee, had urged Page when they discussed the possibility of a purchase.
Cleveland’s committee in June voted unanimously against taking the land out of the Preserve. The Planning, Zoning and Adjustment Board also recommended against it. Both those committees are only advisory panels, however. It is the five-member Council that has the final word, which comes with a second reading of the ordinance. That process began at a meeting last month and continues this week.
On first reading last year of an ordinance that would permit removing the land from the Preserve, the council voted 4-1 in favor. In order to take acreage out of the preserve, the law requires four of the five council members to vote for it. There have been more than 55 hours of hearings in the last seven months on Wellington North and WLP’s Wellington South proposed development, a short distance away, where the home of the Winter Equestrian Festival hunter/jumper show is located.
In a letter to the Council, Page stated, “I represent an investor group that would like to purchase Equestrian Village to preserve it and enhance it as a multi-use equestrian facility.”
The group includes original investors and founders of the Global Dressage Festival, as well as Robin Parsky, the owner of international show jumping horses who spoke last month before the Council about the importance of the derby field. Among the others are Antonia Ax:son Johnson, a prominent sponsor in the sport and the owner of Olympic dressage horses; Olympic dressage horse owner, Betsy Juliano, and Victoria McCullough, a landowner on property adjoining the Wellington South project.
Robin Parsky spoke before the Wellington Village Council last month about the importance of the derby field at Global.
In her letter, Page mentioned that at a recent meeting with Councilman John McGovern “he stated that the concern of the council is that there is no other group to purchase and operate the property. In less than 48 hours, we have obtained financial commitments for equity and a modest amount of debt of 25 million dollars.”
Page believes that is just “the tip of the iceberg” and that more can easily be raised if necessary. Big checks–$500,000 and $1 million–have been committed, she said. Those who want to contribute may contact her via email at tunefull12@icloud.com.
“There was an indication that the council needed assurance of financial commitments as in `show us the money’ and here we are with many more under consideration,” Page wrote. Her husband, David Page, was able to secure a commitment for loans if necessary from two major financial institutions.
She asked the council to “pause” its consideration of the developments “until you understand the option we put before you, citing is as an opportunity to respect the Preserve and its passionate supporters.”
The derby grounds at Global used by hunters and jumpers. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Of course, in order for the plan to work, the owner would have to agree to sell. WLP also wants to build a “town center” nearby that would have shopping, offices and a hotel, but that is not part of the Wellington North plan and is not in the Preserve.
Page contended that removing the land for Wellington North from the Preserve would “set a terrible precedent” that could continue with more land being taken out elsewhere along the 9,000 acres of the Preserve that stretches across Wellington.
A crowd always turns out for the Friday night freestyle at Global. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Meanwhile, there is a discussion of turning the facility into a non-profit.
“We want it to be a community-friendly plan,” Page said, suggesting it could be a place where young people could learn about horses.
There has been talk of another entity buying the WEF showgrounds on the South parcel, Wellington International, as its owner, Waterland Private Equity, has put it up for sale.
The WEF showgrounds need to be improved and enhanced with more acreage, but no one has stepped up to buy it. The land needed to expand that venue was tied to approval of Wellington North, as necessary acreage on Wellington South has the same ownership. Housing is also planned for part of Wellington South, but there has been no opposition movement to that.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 2, 2024
The U.S. Equestrian Federation Monday came out with a new and stronger statement on the suspension of dressage trainer Cesar Parra, as videos that showed him whipping horses and other problematic actions continued to spark outraged comments on social media and led to an FEI investigation.
“The training practices documented in the videos cannot be tolerated in our sport. USEF is steadfast in its commitment to horse well-being and has committed its resources to supporting the FEI in bringing this matter to resolution as expediently as possible,” the federation emphasized.
Noting the clips depicted “abhorrent abusive training techniques by FEI dressage athlete and trainer Cesar Parra (USA) at his private training facility in Florida,” the statement continued, “USEF immediately coordinated with the FEI. The following day, the FEI imposed a temporary suspension against Cesar Parra, which is being enforced by USEF at the national level, prohibiting him and his horses’ participation in competition.
Among other things, the videos show Parra whipping a horse in front of the saddle while he is riding, and whipping another that he is longeing with its head cranked down to its chest.
Cesar Parra in competition. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
The FEI offered no comment on the specifics of the situation while its investigation is ongoing, but it issued a statement saying, “Equestrian sport is built on a foundation of respect for our equine partners, with a duty of care to ensure their mental and physical well-being comes first, ahead of all competition and/or training ambitions.
“Through the FEI’s Rules and Regulations, the welfare of the horse, and any action or omission which causes or is likely to cause pain or unnecessary discomfort to a horse constitutes a violation of our rules and will be sanctioned. The FEI remains resolute in its commitment to upholding the highest standards of equine welfare and sanctioning behaviour which deviates from these principles, and will be actively investigating this case as a matter of urgency.”
A native of Colombia who rode in the Olympics for that nation, then was part of the U.S. team at the 2011 Pan American Games after getting his American citizenship, Parra did not respond to two requests for comment.
Germany’s professional riders group issued a statement in German saying, “We also saw the terrible videos and images from the USA over the weekend in which horses were mistreated and subjected to massive violence.”
“We want to clearly distance ourselves from … these methods. This has nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with our understanding of horse training. Such images bring the entire equestrian sport into disrepute. All those involved who use these methods that violate animal welfare must be held accountable.
“Where is the respect for the animal? As professional riders, we in particular have a special obligation to the horse and must act as advocates for the horses. What remains for us is to continue to stand up for horse-friendly training with all our might, to teach and practice classical riding theory and thus stand up for our horses and our sport.”
The Parra situation comes on the heels of last year’s scandal involving an undercover television documentary on mistreatment of horses at a Helgstrand Dressage training facility in Denmark. As a result, Olympian Andreas Helgstrand was suspended from the Danish team until at least January 2025.
