by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 12, 2022
El Conde told his rider, Nayel Nassar, he was up to the challenge of the $75,000 Centennial Cup speed class at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto last night, even before the partnership entered the arena surrounded by a crowd that packed the stands and appreciated every effort by the competitors.
“Standing at the ingate, he was pawing and kind of ready to go,” Nayel said of his 11-year-old Belgian sporthorse gelding.
“He was definitely pumped-up tonight.”
That was reflected in a very forward round, one of only four in a field of 19 that also was fault-free over Michel Vaillancourt’s course that dealt in adamant contrasts. It blended rollbacks requiring a bold approach with the need for discretion over strategically placed delicate, tall verticals.
Course designer Michel Vaillancourt discusses the route with McLain Ward. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Nayel was clocked in 53.54 seconds; impressive but not secure. Such stars as Ireland’s Conor Swail (Theo) and Olympic individual gold medalist Ben Maher of Great Britain (TicTac) weren’t able to leave the rails in place.
But with perennial Royal winner McLain Ward in the advantageous position of being last to go with Lezaro, it seemed the odds were not on Nayel’s side; he just had to wait and watch.
McLain demonstrated his usual determination to beat the clock, but came up just a bit short, finishing in 54.05 seconds. Beat Mändli of Switzerland was much further back in third place on Chartraine Pre Noir (56.70), while 2004 Olympic individual gold medalist Rodrigo Pessoa on Quality FZ finished fourth (57.38).
McLain Ward and Lezaro. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
El Conde was bred by 2010 world champion Philippe LeJeune of Belgium. His sire goes by the regal-sounding name, Lorde Piana Filou de Muze, but they called the mare just plain Birdy. She descended from Connemara pony stock, and perhaps it was the bloodlines of those famous jumping ponies that gave El Conde the nimble aptitude that won him the class.
Nayel, who has ridden for Egypt in the Olympics, cited the challenge of competing in the confines of a relatively narrow space at the Royal.
“We’re all coming from outdoors; this is the first indoor show I’ve done with Conde.”
But as he pointed out, “The experienced horses and the smart ones, they kind of know their job regardless of the ring. He comes out trying every single time.”
Nayel has developed a special partnership in less than a year with El Conde, perhaps because the horse reminds him of a previous favorite mount, Lucifer, now 17 and retired.
“He’s really my type of horse,” said Nayel of El Conde.
“He is just such a fighter in every sense of the word. He’s a great guy.”
He calls El Conde, “kind of a jack of all trades.” In a speed class, he can “have a good shot at it and also jump a big grand prix. He’ll usually always try his best.”
Centennial Cup winner Nayel Nassar and El Conde. (Photo © 2022 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
It is Nayel’s first visit to the Royal, which is celebrating its hundredth anniversary (hence the Centennial Cup.)
He called the show “unbelievable,” citing “this kind of atmosphere, these kinds of crowds. These are the events that really motivate you.”
He is seeking a berth in next year’s FEI World Cup Finals in Omaha, and hopes to add to his qualifications tonight in the Longines Grand Prix.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 11, 2022
The $138,000 Big Ben Challenge had an improbable winner last night, as international show jumping got under way in earnest at Toronto’s Royal Winter Fair.
The field of 24 was star-studded, including 2021 Olympic individual gold medalist Ben Maher of Great Britain; Ireland’s Conor Swail, who is leading World Cup standings for the 2023 finals and McLain Ward, the man makes a habit of winning at the Royal.
The course designed by Canadian Michel Vaillancourt was extremely tough. It was not until the tenth rider in the field, Kent Farrington on Landon, showed how it could be done that the clear rounds started coming.
Kent Farrington and Landon. (Photo © 2022 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Six qualified for the jump-off, including, appropriately, Amy Millar. She is the daughter of Ian Millar, who was the rider of the class’s namesake, the iconic Big Ben—considered a Canadian equine national treasure.
Amy was getting vocal encouragement from her father in the stands, as she tried to best the fault-free trip in 34.15 seconds set by Kent, the former world number one-ranked rider who was first to go in the jump-off on his very accurate chestnut Zangersheide. Amy had a rail down with Truman however, and ditto the others in the tie-breaker with one exception—Nick Dello Joio.
He was last to go and some people already were leaving their seats, when he turned in a searing trip on Cornet’s Cambridge, a 10-year-old by Balou du Reventon. Could he beat Kent’s time? It seemed unlikely. Kent is an Olympic medalist who has won everywhere, while Nick got into the Royal only because another jumper competitor dropped out.
But a look at the clock revealed not only that Nick had taken the red ribbon (in Canada, first place is red, not blue) he did it by slicing well over a second off Kent’s clocking, finishing in 32.53.
Calling Cornet’s Cambridge “the most intelligent horse that I’ve ever been around,” Nick noted, “He knows just when to kick it into gear.”
“This is probably my favorite show that I’ve done so far and I’ve only been here for two days,” said Nick, moments after the trophy presentation.
“It’s just next level, it’s a real show. I love the size of the classes and it’s great because it’s not that it’s easier, because all 24 people that are here can win on any given night. It’s not that you feel that maybe there’s 40 and only 20 can win–everybody here earned their right to get here.”
Nick is the son of Norman Dello Joio, who was leading rider at the Royal during his spectacular career. Prior to this week, Nick had just come to the Royal once, with his father, and the only thing he remembers were the cinnamon rolls, the highlight of that trip. Now he has something else to remember from the Royal, which is marking its hundredth anniversary with the appropriate pomp and circumstance.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 4, 2022
Riders and their horses are front and center at competitions, so we all know their names. But what about the people behind the scenes? Mike Belisle is very effective at the type of organizing that has helped bring shows such as Split Rock and TerraNova to prominence. Click this link to read his story.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 9, 2022
How much do you know about equine nutrition? If you’d like to learn more, Cornell Univeresity is offering an online opportunity to improve your familiarity with forage, which could pay off in a bonus of a healthier, happier horse.
Nathalie Trottier, professor of animal science at the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, will explain the role of dietary forage on horses’ gastrointestinal functions and nutritional needs Nov. 15 from 6-7 p.m. Eastern Time.
Equids have uniquely and successfully evolved with dentition and hindgut fermentation that have allowed them to use a diet higher in fiber and lower in protein compared with other grazing herbivores.
In the lecture, emphasis will be placed on explaining the classification of carbohydrates across common feed ingredients given to horses and the horse’s evolutionary feeding strategy in relation to its physiology. Roles of the oral cavity, the stomach and the large intestine in favoring forage over grain utilization will be described.
The event is free and open to the public via Zoom, but registration is required. Click on this link.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 6, 2022
Augusta Iwasaki came from behind in spectacular fashion today to cap her junior career with a hard-won victory in the ASPCA Maclay at the National Horse Show.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything else,” said the Californian, who rose from seventeenth place among the top 24, to fourth when the top five were asked to test, going on to ace it and finish on top aboard Izar in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Augusta Iwasaki took the Maclay title at the National Horse Show.
Gussie, who won both the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals and the Washington International equitation championship last month, made her mark at the National earlier in the week by taking the $50,000 Hunter Classic on Small Love. She is trained by Ken and Emily Smith and her parents, Liz Reilly and Chris Iwasaki.
Luke Jensen, the winner of the Dover/USEF Medal after taking second in the Talent Search, was second on Jamaica. A student of Missy Clark and John Brennan at North Run, he also earned the trophy donated by the late Wilson Dennehy as the rider who scored the most points in the Medal, Maclay and Talent Search. (Wilson is the only rider to date to have won all three in the same year; that was 1955).
A field of 220 started out in the Maclay at 7 a.m.; the ribbon presentation did not begin until 7:30 p.m. Too much. Are that many entries and such a long day for everyone really necessary?
The course included lots of unusual fences, with designer Bobby Murphy presiding over the layout. Among the more interesting obstacles was a fence from the 1993 American Invitational, a “triple bar” designed to look like steps of a historic house, wingless fences topped by pastel blocks and a panel with the word Maclay as a cut-out. It won the design prize for Madison Aguilar, a student at the Savannah School of Art & Design.
After the initial group of competitors completed their rounds, judges Michael Tokaruk and Robin Rost Brown whittled the start list down to 24 for the flat phase and the second jumping round.
The judges had quite a task.
“I thought we saw a lot of beautiful riding and incredible horses,” said Michael.
“The first round had a lot of questions. You needed to ride different canters, tracks…it came at you with plenty of things to separate the riders. I thought everybody had a little bit of something throughout the day.”
Robin noted, “I think we both wanted to see the riders be able to adjust their horses, opening and closing strides, and a nice flow and clear, concise forward riding, but the ability to shorten their horses as well.”
When the list was narrowed down, “They were very close,” Michael observed.
“Things were tight going into the test and that’s why we did test, and there was motion throughout the day. Nothing was clear-cut. Those who were ahead had things happen. Those that were behind kept fighting.”
Tessa Downey led the roster when the top five were called back for the test that involved a hand gallop to the first fence, a canter to the second, slowing to a walk and doing a turn on the haunches, then counter-cantering into the next set of four fences. Carlee McCutcheon, who had been first when the group of 24 was called back, stood second at that point, Luke third; Gussie, fourth, and Isabella David, fifth.
When it was all over, Tessa finished third, Carlee fourth and Isabella fifth.
“I can’t really believe this happened,” Gussie said.
She now heads back to school at Southern Methodist University with some fancy trophies to decorate her dorm room. Although she’s not from Texas (but does going to school there count?) Carlee’s mother, Mandy McCutcheon, pointed out that even if you don’t count Gussie, three of the top four–her daughter Luke, and Tessa–are from Texas. Got to be the first time that ever happened!
And how about a shout-out for New Jersey? Isabella is from Holmdel and trains with Stacia Madden and the team from Beacon Hill; Kate Egan of Glen Gardner finished tenth. She rides with Emil Spadone and Luke Olsen from Redfields.
Noting that she went fairly early in the morning during the first round, Gussie said, “I thought I put in a pretty solid round, but definitely not the best round we ever had.”
Yet she realized it wasn’t over; she just had to do more.
“I kept fighting all day long,” she said.
“This has been so special.”
Click here for the results of the Maclay.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 5, 2022
Dreams of thoroughbred racing glory sometimes do come true, but when that happens for a special person on an international stage, it’s an unforgettable emotional experience.
“There’s a big story behind it,” trainer Bill Mott noted today at the Breeders Cup, and that’s an understatement.
The amazing tale of Cody Dorman, a 16-year-old with a rare genetic disorder called Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, and the thoroughbred he loves highlights the power of the equine-human connection.
The two met when the horse was a foal at Godolphin’s Gainsborough farm. It happened in connection with the Keeneland racetrack’s Make-a-Wish day. Cody’s wish was to be introduced to a thoroughbred, which is how he got together with the son of the great Curlin.
Cody’s Wish and Cody Dorman share a special relationship. (Photo courtesy WKYT)
The foal, who usually was a bit stand-offish, recognized a soulmate and put his head in Cody’s lap. Boy and horse bonded instantly.It was only natural for the farm to come up with the name Cody’s Wish for the colt.
Cody Dorman wanted to be at every race in which the horse was entered, believing that is a prerequisite for the colt to enjoy victory.
Although Cody can only communicate using a tablet that works with eye-tracking, he makes his desires known. The teen has had more than 40 operations and suffers seizures, but nothing keeps him down.
“You cannot talk about him without talking about his heart. It’s not in him to quit on anything,” said Kelly Dorman, Cody’s father, who considers the Godolphin crew to be family now.
Cody has been cheering the beloved horse on ever since the eye-catching bay first went to the track. When Cody Dorman comes to the barn, Cody’s Wish immediately locks eyes on him.
In August, Cody’s Wish won the Grade 1 Forego Stakes at Saratoga. The Breeders’ Cup was in his future, and Cody Dorman focused on that championship competition. Of course, he was at the track for it today.
The relationship with Cody’s Wish has brightened the teen’s outlook.
“We can see such a difference in him. Cody was in a very dark place and this horse has changed his life,” said his mother, Leslie Dorman.
For her son, the outcome of this afternoon’s $1 million Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile at Keeneland was never in doubt.
“He will win,” predicted Cody. And that was just what happened.
Cody’s Wish at the wire. (© Dylan Buell/Getty Images North America/TNS)
Cody’s Wish, a four-year-old carrying 126 pounds who was sent off as the favorite, and Cyberknife, the three-year-old winner of last summer’s Haskell Invitational carrying three pounds less, battled it out in the stretch until Cody’s Wish had the edge by a head at the wire.
It happened the way one would envision the storybook ending if it had been written to wrap up the script.
In the spirit of the moment, Florent Geroux, Cyberknife’s jockey, gave a post-finish line fistbump to Junior Alvarado, who rode Cody’s Wish. It was a magic moment, illustrating an understanding of how much the victory meant.
As Cody’s Wish headed toward the winner’s circle, everyone was crying; not just Cody and his family, but so many in the packed stands at the Kentucky racetrack who saw not only a great race, but what some might call a miracle. Can the movie be far behind?
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 4, 2022
The Delaware Valley Horsemen’s Association, a grassroots show series that ran for more than seven decades in Hunterdon County, N.J., has called it quits.
Founded in 1949 by veterinarian, Dr. Welling Howell, the organization in its prime offered competitions for everything from hunters, jumpers and dressage to western, thoroughbreds, draft and driving. It became a popular destination for riders beginning their show careers or those who simply wanted to compete in a low-pressure atmosphere.
Over the years, top professionals such as Frank Chapot and George Morris found it a good place to start their green horses. Olympic double silver medal star Gem Twist even competed there at the beginning of his career.
Dr. Howell’s commitment to DVHA was carried on by his widow, Wanda Howell, who died last year. The organization, which traditionally ran its shows with volunteers, had 50 life members, some of whom no longer live in the area, according to DVHA chairperson Judith Stratton.
This year, according to former president Sue Haydu, there were 35 members, down from an all-time high of more than 300 at one point.
There were not enough members to put on the shows, Judith commented, saying it was difficult to get people to come out and help.
But Jessica Brittain, who was president of DVHA until September, said, “no one was picking up the slack, so I decided to try.”
Of the shutdown, Judith said, “We knew it was coming; we held on as long as we could. We just didn’t have the support.”
A statement from DVHA said its board “sadly came to the realization that DVHA was no longer sustainable and voted to dissolve.”
“It’s very sad, but times have changed,” commented Denise Quick, who competed at DVHA for years.
There are others besides Jessica, however, who felt it should have kept going.
“I think closing it may have been a little bit premature,” observed Penelope Jo Schell of Valley Crest Stables in Annandale, who believes the DVHA shows were making enough money to cover the bills.
She remembers DVHA from the early ‘70s and the days when her parents were officers in the club.
“I grew up there and have since taken my students there for years and years,” said the trainer.
“I think we should have given it one last try.”
There are many reasons for DVHA’s demise, but a big part of it is the way the horse industry has evolved in parts of New Jersey and elsewhere as development continues to take agricultural land.
“Little shows are not able to make enough money, there aren’t many backyard horses,” Denise said, noting that at the same time, “there are so many horse shows.”
The show season, meanwhile, has transformed into a year-round enterprise. There was a time when few people would go south for the winter, so they trained their horses at home and took them to DVHA for an introduction to a show atmosphere before the season would start in earnest and they would go to bigger competitions. Now many competitors head for Florida as soon as the temperatures drop, while at home, several show venues keep running through the winter, but they are indoors.
The U.S. Equestrian Federation also has promoted its Outreach program for lower-level riders, which enables trainers to take their top riders to shows and also bring along beginners who they otherwise would have had to take to smaller shows or those that weren’t licensed by the federation, noted Sue Haydu.
At DVHA, “Entries were light, but I think entries are light everywhere because the pool is so diluted” with several shows to choose from on many weekends, pointed out Jen Cassidy, assistant trainer at Summerfield Farm in Pittstown.
The DVHA facility was “a little more old-fashioned” without fancy footing, she noted, “but I think the people who went this year tried to make it work.”
There were many things that led to DVHA’s demise, only some of which were unique to the organization.
In 2015, its treasurer was charged with embezzling more than $68,000, leaving the organization with only $500 to start the new season. Although the former treasurer’s sentence required her to pay back money, Sue Haydu said just $30,000 of that amount was received as the organization struggled to remain solvent.
“We owned the grounds…we needed to bring in enough money to cover taxes and insurance as well as running all the shows,” she said.
The Covid pandemic also hurt DVHA, in the same way it affected so much across the board.
Another factor in what happened to DVHA was dissension between two groups about how the association should be run.
When Jessica became president three years ago, Sue said, the approach was changed to let both members and non-members win high score awards.
With that model, Sue asked, “Why join?”
Jessica, who is the trainer at the Phoenix Rising Farm in Milford, runs schooling shows there and had experience managing the Briarwood shows, which were a popular series in Readington for years. She said she was forced to resign from DVHA in September.
Upon hearing that plans were to dissolve DVHA, her reaction was, “You can’t do that,” contending the decision was made by “this little band of older members. They decided they just wanted to close down; (they felt) it wasn’t worth trying anymore.”
Jessica saw DVHA as a place for kids to “get their feet wet” before going to bigger shows. She said at the last show, there were more than 100 entries and enough money was being made to keep the shows alive “until we made a better profit. We would have kept it going.”
The closure “wasn’t up for a true vote,” she contended.
The showgrounds of nearly 10 acres in East Amwell are for sale, and the hope is the property will go for agricultural use, rather than construction of the three houses that would be permitted on the property under the current zoning.
Proceeds will go to four beneficiaries named in a dissolution agreement, according to Judith. They include the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation, a veterinary school within 50 miles, tuition for a local veterinary student and a therapeutic riding organization.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 1, 2022
Bobby Costello, who oversaw the U.S. silver medal team at the eventing world championships in November on an interim basis, has been named technical advisor/chef d’equipe for the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s eventing program.
“I’ve been involved in the sport beginning with my first competition at the age of 12 and have been privileged to wear many different hats within the sport ever since,” said Bobby, who was eighth individually in the 2000 Olympics.
Bobby Costello in action during his competition days. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
“Being interim chef for the last seven months has left me with a clear idea of what is necessary in supporting our athletes in producing more exciting medal-winning performances for the U.S.
“As we look toward the Paris Olympic Games 20 months from now, I look forward to getting right to work collaborating with our top athletes, owners, grooms, and USEF staff.”
Also on the horizon is the 2028 Olympics, which takes on even more important than usual for the U.S. because it will be in Los Angeles. All the Olympic disciplines and those involved with the paralympics already are making plans for a great showing in 2028.
USEF CEO Bill Moroney said, “Bobby has demonstrated his ability to lead the U.S. Eventing Elite Team by engaging athletes, coaches, owners, and support personnel; fostering a positive team environment and ensuring integrity and excellence throughout the program.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 1, 2022
The National Western Stock Show’s grand marshal for its 2023 kick-off parade is author, speaker and professor of animal science, Temple Grandin.
On Jan. 5, she will lead the traditional drive of Longhorn cattle, horses, and western wagons through the streets of downtown Denver to celebrate the start of the 117th National Western Stock Show. The parade begins at noon outside Union Station and marches 12 blocks down 17th Street to Glenarm Place.
“It is a great honor to have a legend, visionary and dedicated animal scientist like Dr. Grandin kicking off our Stock Show parade,” said Paul Andrews, president & CEO of the National Western Stock Show.
“The impact Temple has had on the welfare of livestock, the science of animals, and her unique approach to equine therapy for both horse and human is unprecedented in today’s world,” said Paul.
“We are beyond grateful that Temple continues to educate the youth of America as a professor at Colorado State University, author, and speaker. She embodies the values of agricultural education on which the Stock Show is founded.”
Temple Grandin is an autistic savant who is a prominent author and speaker on autism and animal behavior and a professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. Her successful career includes consulting for livestock producers and the agriculture industry on her intuitive approach to handling livestock.
Temple’s innovative equipment design that focuses on the welfare of the animals has been instrumental in implementing animal welfare auditing programs used by McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Whole Foods, and other companies. Temple has shared her insights on numerous TV shows. Her books, Animals in Translation and Visual Thinking, have been on the New York Times Bestseller List. Temple was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and in 2022, named a Colorado State University Distinguished Professor.
“I am honored to be the Stock Show parade grand marshal,” said Temple.
“I encourage everybody to visit the Stock Show and see all the animals. The National Western is an ideal place where kids can get off their electronic devices and discover that real animals are more interesting. I also want to invite everyone to visit the new Temple Grandin Equine Center at the CSU Spur Vida building while at Stock Show.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 27, 2022
After a two-year pandemic-related absence, the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair finally is coming back to Toronto, where it will celebrate its hundredth anniversary in November.
The stands are always filled for show jumping at the Royal. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
The finale of the North American Fall Indoor Circuit, the Royal has been a bastion of custom even as the circuit has changed.
While the Pennsylvania National remains the kick-off of the circuit at the same location in Harrisburg, the Washington International this year moved out of the nation’s capital to Maryland. The National left Madison Square Garden 21 years ago and has been in Kentucky for the last 11 years.
But the Royal is in the same place, the Royal Coliseum at Exposition Place, where it debuted a century ago.
During that time, it kept traditions that can’t be found elsewhere. Formal dress is still what’s worn in the bunting-draped box seats at ringside, with women in sparkling gowns and men in tuxedos or scarlet evening tailcoats. There’s always a full measure of pomp for the trophy presentations.
Pomp and formality are a big part of the Royal’s appeal. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
The show wouldn’t be out of place in another century. The classes reflect that nostalgia, too. In addition to the usual hunters and jumpers, there’s coaching competition with magnificent four-in-hands and hitches of draft horses; Percherons, Clydesdales and Belgians.
The Royal draws a great turnout of coaches for a memorable display. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
The international jumper competition, rated 5 stars this year, includes many big names from the U.S. and abroad. McLain Ward is one of the regulars, and Canadian stars include Tiffany Foster, while Great Britain’s Olympic individual gold medalist Ben Maher and world number five-ranked Conor Swail of Ireland also are set to appear,
The Royal is the largest indoor agricultural exhibition in the world. There are 6,000 animals at the fair. Although the horses are a focal point, other species on display include cattle, pigs, goats, rabbits, fowl and more. Much of the floor space is taken up by vendors of everything from saddlery to Ontario agricultural products such as fish and cheese and as you might expect, maple syrup, along with lots of related items in that category.
The show runs Nov. 4-12, with a rodeo Nov. 13. This year, the big exhibition is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police drill team, appearing daily except. Nov. 7.
From the New York metropolitan area, the easiest way to get to Toronto is via Porter Airlines, which flies out of Liberty International Airport and lands on an island in Toronto, just a short bus ride from the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, where the riders and show officials stay.
Tickets for the show are available at this link
