by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 10, 2022
In the equestrian world, the emphasis understandably tends to be on performance, performance, performance. But there are other things that should be considered in addition to collecting the trophies and the prize money.
So when officers of Hollow Brook Wealth Management LLC decided they wanted their firm to help support horse sports, they chose to sponsor the live stream at Harrisburg and Washington during the finals, along with sportsmanship awards that would be presented to deserving young people at several competitions.
Hollow Brook co-chairmen Alan Bazaar and Philip Richter both have been involved in showing much of their lives, so they are well aware of the demands of competition and the importance of rising above them. The firm also deals with equestrian planning as one of its services, including information on everything from equestrian trusts to insurance.
At last weekend’s Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East, Hollow Brook’s sportsmanship award went to Eve Westfall of Boulder, Colo. People around the showgrounds at the USET Foundation in Gladstone, N.J., had nominated contenders for the honor. Then the show stewards reviewed the stories of the five who got the most votes before choosing the winner.
Eve Westfall accepts the Hollowbrook Wealth Management Sportsmanship award from the firm’s CEO, Alan Bazaar. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Eve gave up the ride on her leased horse to Baylee McKeever, whose first-string mount was indisposed before the Talent Search. The horse Eve leased had been Baylee’s back-up. Eve and Baylee are good friends, so Eve did the generous thing and handed the reins to Baylee. That meant Eve wound up with a horse named Artillero, a jumper she had never ridden before last week.
Baylee didn’t place, but Eve’s reward was to finish 10th in the field of 53. The sportsmanship title was an extra bonus.
Hollow Brook makes a donation in the name of the sportsmanship award winner to the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Under 25 fund. The winner also gets a year of free financial education. That’s particularly important, since so many of those competing in the finals are considering becoming professionals and having their own businesses eventually.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 10, 2022
You don’t have to wait for April’s Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event to see a 5-star, the highest level of the sport.
The MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill Presented by Brown Advisory is holding its second edition Oct. 13-16 at the Fair Hill Special Event Zone, 4600 Telegraph Road, Cecil County (Elkton), Md. 21921.
Lauren Nicholson on Landmark’s Monte Carlo is competing in the 5-star at Fair Hill again this year. (Photo © 2021 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
The small (26 riders) but select field includes the new world number one, Tim Price of New Zealand, who won the Boekelo, Netherlands, event last weekend. At Fair Hill, he’ll be aboard Coup de Couer Dudevin.
His wife, Jonelle, is the new world number two, but she won’t be competing. However, former world number one Oliver Townend of Great Britain will be on hand. He was the runner-up last year on Ballaghmor Class; this year, he’s riding As Is. His countryman, Harry Meade, brings Superstition. Another foreign rider of note is French star Astier Nicolas (Babylon de Gamma).
There was a bigger 5-star field of 38, and a few more riders from overseas in 2021, but that was at the end of the pandemic when Badminton and Burghley in England had been cancelled for the second year in a row, and there was no world championships during the summer.
Will Coleman, the top-ranked U.S. rider at last month’s world championships and now number five in the world, will be aboard Don Dante. Other members of the silver medal championships team competing at Fair Hill are Tamie Smith (Danito), Lauren Nicholson (Landmark’s Monte Carlo) and Boyd Martin. Boyd, number six in the world, does not have a 5-star horse in Maryland but will be aboard Miss Lulu Herself in the USEF CCI3*-L Eventing National Championship that also runs over the weekend and has drawn 59 entries.
Also featured is the Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships presented by Dubarry of Ireland.
The Maryland Fresh Food Fest and the Beer, Wine & Spirits Showcase is powered by Grow & Fortify. It features local wine, craft beer and spirits while watching the cross-country action on Saturday, Oct. 15, over courses designed by Ian Stark.
The horses and trainers from Maryland’s Horse Discovery Centers return for Horseland at the MARS Maryland 5 Star during all four days of competition. Major League Eventing will operate the inaugural Maryland Corgi Cup on Sunday, Oct. 16.
For more information or to buy tickets, go to https://www.maryland5star.us/tickets/
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 3, 2022
The very inclement weather on Sunday did not cooperate with the Kevin Babington Benefit Horse Show in New Jersey, as heavy rain moved as many classes as possible indoors, while the turnout understandably was light. But the fundraising continues for the show jumper who suffered a severe spinal injury that left him paralyzed three years ago.
The benefit show has been a tradition at Duncraven in Titusville, Mercer County, since 2019, and the new owners, the Stout family, have continued it with their generosity.
They opened the doors of their refurbished facility to the cause that has involved so many people who want to help. Kevin is able to give lessons from ringside, but he is still undergoing therapy, and the costs of that and the care he requires are astronomical.
Because of the conditions for the show, there are still raffle and silent auction items left over. They will be available next weekend at the N.J. Professional Horsemen’s Association show at Duncraven Oct. 8 and 9.
The raffle will be held during the NJPHA show for those who are present. Bids for the auction items, a Bates Arena saddle from Bucks County Saddlery and a $1,000 gift certificate from Dover Saddlery, may be made via phone with Julie Koveloski at 609-439-8983.
Julie worked with Nancy Wallis, Jen Cassidy and many others who gave their time to put on the show. She said of the day, “We really made the best of it. Whoever was showing, they showed in everything. I think we really only had 38 horses and ponies showing. The trainers were fabulous who stuck around and pretty much ran the classes. It was pretty much a group effort.”
The jump donated by Mason Garrity.
As she mentioned, the thought in everyone’s mind as the rain came down was “what would Kevin do? Kevin would trudge on and make the best of it. Everyone kind of did the same.”
Julie said “we did really well, considering the weather. Can’t ask for more than that. Duncraven and the NJPHA Fall Finale were really generous, letting us keep the raffle and silent auction items through next weekend and hopefully generate a little more for Kevin.”
Raffle items include a horsehead painting by Cecile Bruck, a handmade cherrywood table from Liz Soroka, and a jump made by Mason Garrity. Julie will be upstairs at Duncraven during the NJPHA show to handle the raffle and auction bids.
Table donated for the raffle by Liz Soroka.
She said in addition to the saddle, Bucks County also donated the majority of the champion and reserve champion gifts.
“They were very very generous,” said Julie, noting Bucks County also donated Breyer horses for the kids.
Kevin’s wife, Dianna, responded to the incredible effort by saying, “Kevin and I are incredibly thankful and feel blessed to have such support from 1home.’
“We miss everyone so much and are always overwhelmed by the love and support that remains to help him with his journey. We are also extremely appreciative for the use of Duncraven,” she added, citing the new ownership.
The Babington’s are based in Florida, but formerly lived in New Jersey.
“We will see you all next year and I hope Kevin can someday make the journey home,” Dianna added..
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 2, 2022
The psychic’s sign.
Never before have I seen a psychic in a horse show’s vendor village, so it was a first for me during Dressage at Devon when I spotted the booth offering crystal ball reading ($35) and Tarot card reading ($45).
But I decided to save my money because I knew who was going to win the Saturday night Grand Prix Freestyle, even before a horse set hoof in the Dixon Oval for the class.
Alice Tarjan with Serenade MF (Sir Donnerhall X Don Principe) had to be a lock for the victory. After all, the two earned the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s National Grand Prix Championship little more than a month ago.
And with the petite mare nicknamed Shrimp, Alice was the alternate for the U.S. team at the FEI World Dressage Championships last summer.
She didn’t disappoint in front of the six-day show’s biggest crowd, earning 76.515 percent for her complex floorplan, despite a bit of a stutter start before getting in the groove and finding her direction.
“I rode a terrible test,” Alice freely admitted, when she discussed her performance after an ebullient victory pass aboard her game mare, who was bred in the U.S. by Maryanna Haymon.
Alice Tarjan and Serenade MF. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I got lost the whole time; poor horse,” she sighed as she described her experience.
“I’ve got to be able to ride a bit better in my head, I think.”
But as Alice observed, since it’s a freestyle, mistakes are “not so obvious.”
She credited Shrimp for picking up the slack.
“That’s a really cool horse and she tries her heart out for you and she’s really on the aids, so you can ride a freestyle.”
The floorplan that showcased technical expertise was designed by her coach, Marcus Orlob, to music arranged by Boy DeWinter. Judges gave her marks of 7.9 to 9.2 for the degree of difficulty, so Marcus obviously accomplished his goal that enabled Alice to showcase what her horse can do so well. The Hanoverian mare has changed in the way she carries herself as she develops, so the freestyle will be tweaked accordingly.
When I asked Alice how it felt to win the big one at DAD, she responded that she was thrilled.
“It’s something I never thought was going to happen. It’s not something I ever expected.”
Huh? I expected it. (See my first paragraph above.)
But that’s Alice. She’s very self-critical, which is probably a key element to her success. As is the case with so many of her horses, she trained Serenade from the time she was a foal. The Oldwick, N.J., resident was inspired to ride at DAD in 2006 when she was being treated for cancer and decided to buy a foal with an eye toward riding it three years later in the Materiale class, which didn’t require qualification for entering.
She has continued buying horses young and educating them up the help of Marcus and several other trainers (Lars Petersen and Debbie McDonald immediately come to mind.)
Alice was assisted last night by Allison Nemeth, the winner of the groom’s award.
Canada’s Megan Lane on the 18-year-old Zodiac MW was second with 75.220 percent, and her admirable pirouettes were a high point. Two judges gave her 9’s and one a 9.1 for her test’s degree of difficulty and “calculated risks.”
Megan Lane and Zodiac MW. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Megan has been riding Deeridge Equestrian’s Dutchbred gelding (Harmony’s Rousseau X Amethist) for a decade, and the longevity of their partnership showed in what they accomplished.
Although Alice’s winning performance was popular with the crowd, it was not their favorite. Fans at the showgrounds on Philadelphia’s Main Line who were using the spectator judging app voted for last year’s winner, Maryland-based Michael Bragdell on Qredit Hilltop (Quaterback 6 X Dream of Glory). They gave him their top percentage of 77.136, compared to the judges’ 73.130 that put him third officially. Megan Lane was second in the hearts of the crowd (75.745). Alice was third in the fans’ opinion on 75.678.
Michael’s ride was exuberant, and the crowd roared in appreciation of his stallion’s no-holds-barred extended canter which really was a gallop. The music, a compilation of Blurred Lines and Coldplay. emerged as the liveliest of the evening. It was the same accompaniment he won with in 2021, but Michael noted he has tweaked his test since then, and made it more difficult, ending with a one-handed ride. His music and his interpretation of it ranged from marks of 8 to 8.3 from the judges.
Michael Bragdell and Qredit Hilltop in full gallop. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Correcting a mistake he made in getting the Oldenburg ready for Friday’s qualifier, he decided not to overdo the warm-up, which paid off in a horse that sparkled.
“I just want to come in here and have fun, and just be thankful to have the chance to ride here and enjoy this awesome crowd,” he explained.
“So I trimmed down my warm-up quite a bit and thought, ‘I’m just going to do something nice and easy.’
“I have to trust it, and it felt great, we finished so strong. And the crowd is just unbelievable, I mean, it’s so much fun. It’s a wonderful thing. I got my personal best in the CDI score, so of course I want to win, but it’s still fun to come here.”
The freestyle, presented by Kingsview Partner, was the first of 10 North American qualifiers for the 2023 FEI World Cup Finals in Omaha. The finals have not been held in the U.S. since 2017, so it’s a big goal. Megan and Michael are going for it.
“I’m sure everybody is aiming for Omaha, so why not?” Michael asked, saying, “That would be super exciting” and riding on home turf would “be extra special.”
Alice is headed to Tryon, N.C., as is Michael, for the next qualifier.
But Alice explained when asked about her goals, “I don’t set goals like that. I think you follow where the horses go and where they lead you, and all you can do is try to set the horses up as best you can and put them in the best situations. All I can do is try and train my horses as best I can and try to present them in the ring, and follow that. Sometimes they’re ready and sometimes they’re not.”
The freestyle wasn’t Alice’s only victory of the day. During the misty afternoon, she also rode eight-year-old Jane (Desperado NOP X Metall) to the blue ribbon in the FEI Intermediate A with a score of 71.500 percent. She wrapped up the show the next day with a win in the same range, 71.459 percent, for the Intermediate B.
Alice Tarjan and Jane. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
The Dutchbred mare, “who is hot and spooky,” is in her first year of showing, and she was “not so easy to bring along, but she’s really starting to shine now,” said Alice, noting that she is sufficiently trained to overcome her fear in the ring.
“She’s highly affected by the environment and very worried about it,” noted Alice.
Comparing her to Serenade MF, Alice said, “They’re complete opposite horses. Jane was on high alert this entire horse show and so worried, and Shrimp was like, `What’s the problem?’”
Entries were light in the Grand Prix Special, with just two competing in the qualifier and only one, Micaela Mabragaña, in the class itself. Her score on Diamond Rosso (Diamond Hit X Lauries Crusador) was 66.766 percent, which was a landmark for the native of Argentina.
Micaela Mabragaña was all smiles on the Hanoverian Diamond Rosso after her Grand Prix Special test. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
A U.S. citizen who has been living here since 2010, she still rides for Argentina. Micaela, who came to this country as a working student for Lendon Gray, operates a training business in Bedford, N.Y.
“The last time I was here (at Devon) was 2009 and the Grand Prix was a massive class,” she recalled. “But it’s okay, I got a blue ribbon. I’m not too disappointed.”
The rider wants to do the Florida circuit and represent Argentina at the Pan American Games.
She has been to those Games before. Micaela was there in 2015 (when it was in Canada) and that’s where she met her partner, Antonio Diaz Porras, who was the Argentine coach at that time.
Click here for results from Dressage at Devon
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 1, 2022
Dressage at Devon is a magical name. Over the years, it has conjured inspiration for thousands of riders to do whatever it takes so they can ride in the famous Dixon Oval and become a part of history.
It happened last night for Alice Tarjan, who won the Grand Prix Freestyle qualifier with Serenade MF, the U.S. Equestrian Federation national Grand Prix champion. She fulfilled a dream that was born in desperation.
“I think the first time I came to Devon was like 2006. I had cancer, and no hair and my wig on or whatever and said, ‘This is so cool. If I can live long enough, I want to come and ride here,’” she recalled after collecting the blue ribbon for her 71.804 percent score on Serenade.
Alice Tarjan riding Serenade MF in the Dixon Oval. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
The way to be sure of having an entry accepted was to compete in the Materiale for young horses, since there is no qualifying requirement.
She said to herself, “I’ll go buy a foal and I’ll wait until it’s three years old and I’ll ride Materiale,” and thus she made it happen.
That horse was Somer Hit, whom she trained to Grand Prix. The U.S.-bred Serenade (Sir Donnerhall X Don Principe) is another she bought as a foal and took even further, having been the alternate for the world championships team this summer.
But there were only nine horses Friday in the Grand Prix for Freestyle, and just two in the Grand Prix for the Special, both of which are highlights of the Saturday program at DAD. What once was a magnet for many of the country’s top riders is no longer an ambition shared nationally.
Canada’s Megan Lane was runner-up in the Grand Prix for Freestyle on Zodiac MW with a score of 67 percent. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Alice, who lives in Oldwick, N.J., characterized the show as more of a regional fixture than a national one, and DAD’s president, Anne Moss, doesn’t disagree.
“If you look around, we’re sort of alone in the room as far as CDI’s (FEI competition) go. They tried to run one in New Jersey this summer and it cancelled. All the ones in New England have cancelled,” said Anne.
Originally, the plan was to have a CDI at Saugerties, N.Y., then have the riders come to DAD and finally head to Tryon, N.C. on their way to Florida. But the concept failed to pan out when Saugerties didn’t happen.
Here’s what the situation boils down to: “it’s very, very difficult to compete with Wellington,” observed Anne, who is in her first term in the post.
The Florida winter circuit has become a magnet for riders from all over the U.S., many of whom have bought farms in Wellington or neighboring Loxahatchee.
Micaela Mabragana on Diamond Rosso won the Grand Prix for Special, which only attracted one other exhibitor. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Anne (and I) had thought that with Devon being a qualifier for next year’s FEI World Cup Finals in Omaha, the first finals in the U.S. since 2017, it would get more riders for the freestyle than in recent years. But no.
However, DAD is not just accepting what has happened. Do not doubt that it is working to have a future.
International judge Anne Gribbons, U.S. Dressage Federation President George Williams and professional J.J. Tate have been recruited for the show’s board, because “they have connections with those people that are competing at a high-performance level.”
At the same time, Anne conceded, “It really is hard to haul their horses from Florida to Pennsylvania for a CDI when they can sort of roll out of bed and do one in Wellington. It’s the biggest challenge we have. It’s frustrating.”
Speaking of frustration, Anne was sidelined during most of the show with Covid, but she continued working in her post from home.
Anne Moss masked up at the show.(Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer}
The good news about the show, Anne said, is that “it has the biggest amateur CDI in the country, which is pretty tremendous.”
The thing is, “people want to come and watch the Grand Prix Freestyle, that’s when they show up.”
They did, however, come to a Thursday Master Class, something new, featuring Olympic team silver medalist Sabine Schut-Kery.
But Anne pointed out fans should also come for the show’s final day if they like to watch horses performing to music.
“The Sunday is all freestyles, it doesn’t matter if it’s a junior freestyle (better music?) and I bet our stands will not be filled,” she said with a tinge of sadness in her voice.
When I asked if DAD can survive, she replied, “What would the area look like without Dressage at Devon? It really is a community center for participants, volunteers and spectators. I think it’s way too valuable to say, `No one shows here, let’s forget it.’
The Delaware Valley Combined Training Association presented a fun quadrille team ride with a roaring 20s theme. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I think the bottom line can be secured if we get enough support from spectators, sponsors and vendors. The budget is nearly $900,000.
“Two thirds can be covered by income from spectators and competitors. The rest has to be filled by sponsors and vendors, and we’ve struggled to do that in the past.”
To counteract that trend, Lisa Engel was hired this year as sponsor/vendor coordinator and Nicole del Giorno, a professional nonprofit fundraiser, is on the board.
“We’re trying to get a capital campaign for the show off the ground so we have more of a cushion,” Anne reported.
“It’s a tremendous amount of money to rent that showgrounds,” she continued, but without it “you would lose that incredible historic ambience.”
What Anne Moss looks like without her mask. (Don’t worry, I was using a long lens.) (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
DAD did a smart thing by hiring Australian Guy McLean, who does a wonderful act with his horses from Down Under.
Their relationship with him enables him to perform some remarkable stunts, such as having three horses stand over one of their pals lying down in the arena.
Exhibitions of that caliber say something about the quality of the show.
Loved the cooperation of Guy McLean’s horses as they stood with him over one of their pals lying down. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Then there was the Delaware Valley Combined Training Association quadrille team, which had a Roaring ’20s theme with music to match. How those riders could make it through the ride in glittering sleeveless dresses (over breeches) with only elbow-length white gloves to keep them warm was impressive.
That’s the kind of dedication characteristic of Dressage at Devon.
For show results, click on this link.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 10, 2022
The Far Hills Race Meeting returns to Moorland Farm on Route 202 Oct. 15. The card of steeplechase races offers an opportunity to see exciting sport while tailgating and catching up with friends.
The Far Hills Race Meeting is always a special occasion. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
There’s a vendor village and food trucks to visit between races on a day perfect for enjoying the countryside in the full beauty of autumn.
The races started as a thank you to property owners who permitted the Essex Foxhounds to hunt over their land, and they used to be called the hunt races. It is NOT a hunt and no longer has anything to do with the hunt, though the misinformed use that nickname when they are referring to it.
Far Hills is one of 40 such race meets that begin in March and end in November, held throughout the East and south from New York to Georgia.
For more information and tickets, go to https://farhillsrace.org/
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 2, 2022
Are you looking for tack, horse blankets, boots, breeches, knick-knacks or other equestrian and farm items? Or do you want to get rid of same?
Tack sales are gearing up in Hunterdon County to benefit therapeutic riding organizations. Now is the time to drop off items at Riding With Heart and Mane Stream.
For Riding with Heart, bring donations to the RWH farm, 639 County Road 513, Pittstown from Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and noon-3 p.m. on Saturdays. Call (908) 735-5912 before you come so staff knows when to expect you.
Email tacksale@ridingwithheart.org to schedule a different drop-off time or a pick-up for a big donation within an hour drive. All donations are tax deductible.
The tack sale will be held Oct. 8 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Oct. 9 (Noon-3 pm.) when most items will be half-price.
Mane Stream’s sale at 83 Old Turnpike, Oldwick, will be held from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 6. Before then, drop off your items or call for a pick-up. Contact Jen at (908) 439-9636 or email to jen@manestreamnj.org.
Proceeds go toward Mane Stream’s mission to improve the quality of life for individuals with physical, developmental, emotional and medical challenges through a diverse program of equine assisted activities, therapy services and educational initiatives.
A tack sale also will be held at the Kevin Babington benefit show Oct. 2 at Duncraven in Titusville, Mercer County. Tack may be dropped off the week before the show at the stable, 1300 Trenton-Harbourton Road. Those who need to drop off tack before that should contact show manager Nancy Wallis at (908) 256-3386.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 30, 2022
Sabine Schut-Kery wowed the world aboard Sanceo at the Tokyo Olympics last year, where the combination clinched a historic silver medal for the U.S. dressage team and finished fifth individually in the freestyle.
Last night, without an equine partner, she wowed the crowd during Dressage at Devon, giving pointers in a masterclass to a select group of riders in a clinic that fascinated her audience as twilight descended over the historic arena on Philadelphia’s Main Line.
Silva Martin and Farouche. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
While she demonstrated star power on her own two feet, we’re looking forward to seeing her once again ride Sanceo. The 16-year-old stallion was missing from this year’s world championships after sustaining an injury in Florida that meant he couldn’t qualify for last month’s competition in Denmark.
It was, she recalled after her clinic, “so unfortunate, the timing.”
Now, “He’s coming back to work,” but “he’s not back to full work because we’re always so careful with him.”
I wondered whether he might make the FEI World Cup Finals in Omaha next April.
“I don’t know,” she said. “I’m not going to predict anything anymore. I’m going to take it day by day. In the end, he’s going to tell me.”
What happened this year gave her a dose of reality.
“I stopped making plans,” she said.
But in terms of Omaha, Sabine added, “Hopefully, there will be enough time” to qualify. We’ll see. That would be super fun.”
It certainly would be a big draw for fans. Only two riders, Steffen Peters and Debbie McDonald, have ever won the Cup finals.
Devon’s Saturday night freestyle is the first North American qualifier for the competition in Omaha, but qualifying will continue over the winter.
The six riders in the Devon clinic performed for Sabine the day before, so she could get to know them.
“I could see a little bit and pick some of the movements that I thought would be good for each horse,” said Sabine.
“I think we have some really amazing horses coming up,” she added.
One is Farouche (Foundation X Carpalo II), who was ridden by Silva Martin earlier in the day to an impressive victory in the four-year-old Young Horse class, earning 87.600 percent with marks of nine for the trot, submissiveness and general impression. She went on to take the Young Horse Championship.
Sabine Schut-Kery appraises Silva Martin and Farouche as they work. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Commenting during the clinic sponsored by Show Plus powered by Captive One, Sabine cited the expressive Westfalen mare’s elegant trot with its suppleness and elasticity. As she looks forward to Farouche’s five-year-old season, the objective is to ask for more engagement with the mare’s hind legs, not letting her simply run forward.
Sabine had Silva perform a serpentine and some leg yields on the diagonal. There is a reason it is important to stretch forward and downward, rather than downward and forward, Sabine emphasized. Going forward opens up the back, she said.
Team veteran Olivia Lagoy-Weltz was up on the eight-year-old gelding Johnny Be Goode by Dream Boy. When the horse was tight in the new environment, Sabine said the answer was to “ride him more and more from your legs.”
Olivia Lagoy-Weltz and Johnny Be Goode. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
The bend in the half-pass ended up a little too much in the reins, so the answer was to “just do a little bit leg yield and get him a little bit more on your leg.”
Making the canter pirouette bigger “so it becomes a habit and something he can rely on” avoids having him come behind the rider’s aids.
“I don’t over-collect when I get into the pirouette, carrying the hind legs forward into the collection” said Sabine, who was looking for “equal push power as carrying power.”
Olivia was pleased by the experience of being in the clinic. “I love dressage at Devon. Anything to support Dressage at Devon. It’s a great opportunity to get the horses fabulous experience and get some fabulous feedback from Sabine, who’s an amazing rider, teammate and trainer.” Olivia hopes to bring a group of her riders back next year, and perhaps compete with Johnny.
The next rider, Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel, offered a contrast to the horses that had gone previously when she presented a 12-year-old Lusitano stallion, Fantastico by Perito.
Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel on Fantastico. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Sabine pointed out while Felicitas was riding a circle that making it smaller means “you can really ride with your legs in the turn and your horse has less chance to speed up and go fast.”
The idea is “to teach the horse what it means to push through the body from the rider’s leg. I always like doing a lot of turns and bending lines.”
Turns “really help to get the horse on the leg and not so flighty from the leg.” Another piece of advice for the canter, “Be committed to the tempo.”
Alice Tarjan rode the statuesque seven-year-old Summersby II (Sezuan X Sandro Hit) who was a bit tense. Sabine put her on a 15-meter circle to relax on the leg. Then she let her stretch, but cautioned it is necessary to keep the balance even while stretching.
Alice Tarjan and Summersby II. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
It’s important to ease a horse through tension so it doesn’t become a habit, Sabine said, pointing out riders should take time for that, so they’re not putting the movements in on top of the tension.
Jim Koford was aboard Adeline, a mare he bought after seeing her advertised on Facebook. “She’s a Facebook warmblood,” he joked.
You never would have guessed she was by a Friesian stallion out of a saddlebred/paint mare.
Adeline also reflected some tension, so Sabine advised in cases like this perhaps using a short spur, which means the horse be can ridden from the leg with subtle pressure before reacting to the spur. Another suggestion: “Think ahead of the horse,” in other words, plan your ride.
Jim Koford and Adeline. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
She had Jim ride a 20-meter circle putting Adeline on a haunches-in and from there a shoulder-in to a haunches-in.
Jim called the clinic “an amazing opportunity” for schooling.
“It’s such an electric environment, and there were a lot of people there today. It was amazing to go in there and take the pressure off, let the horse take a deep breath.
“I was delighted. My mare came back to the stall so proud of herself. It was an amazing opportunity to work with Sabine and have ring familiarization in a non-pressure situation so I wasn’t over-riding. It was just what I needed and she needed,” he said of his mount,.
Jim has just started the Intermediate II with her and hopes to come back next year and compete.
Canadian rider Jaimey Irwin had quite an advanced horse in Simsalabim (Sir Donnerhall II X Akzent II) who did some nice work in piaffe and passage. Sabine discussed giving walk breaks as rewards in addition to a pat, pointing out that they can be useful in another way, too.
Jaimey Irwin and Simsalabim. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“Every time I walk, I kind of think I’m in the test in the sense of making it really, really correct. The back opens up if the nose comes a little forward.”
She talked about rebalancing through a quarter-pirouette if the horse gets on its front end. “Push her sideways until she takes a little bit more weight.”
Make a decision based on what your horse feels like, not just what you’re being told to do.
Jaimey agreed with Jim about the value of the experience.
“It’s a perfect opportunity to bring in horses like mine who haven’t had a chance to compete under the lights in an atmosphere. Let them go in and find their relaxation and confidence in a situation like that and be guided by Sabine.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 28, 2022
Tim Price of New Zealand, the number three-ranked eventer in the world, has just joined the lineup of the Mars Maryland 5-star at Fair Hill Oct. 13-16.
The world championships double bronze medalist will face off against world number one Oliver Townend of Great Britain in the competition, which made its debut last year. The 2021 winner, U.S. world championships team silver medalist Boyd Martin, will be riding in the 3-star at the competition, not the 5-star, which means he can’t defend his title.
The FEI entries close Frida, so who knows if there may be another superstar joining these riders and Great Britain’s Harry Meade, as well as France’s Astier Nicolas.
On the U.S side, Will Coleman, star of the silver medal team at the world championships this month, is going to be appearing, along with Doug Payne, top U.S. finisher in the Olympics last year; Buck Davidson, Liz Halliday-Sharp, Tamie Smith and many other names you will recognize.
Want tickets? Go to this link.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 21, 2022
The Masters’ Chase has become an autumn tradition, offering an afternoon of amateur racing, stick pony racing for kids, an antique car exhibition and tailgating, presented by the Countryside Alliance of the Somerset Hills.
Tailgating is a fun part of the Masters’ Chase. (Photo © by Lawrence J. Nagy)
It will be held Oct. 8 at Natirar, a park that was once a private estate, on Main Street in Peapack, N.J. Gates open at noon and races start at 2 p.m. General admission is $40/car.
The mission of the Countryside Alliance is to perpetuate an understanding of the country way of life, maintaining and preserving the history and traditions of hunting with horses and hounds in the Somerset Hills and to educate the public on the proper care and breeding of hounds as well as horses.
For more information on entering the competition and reserving tailgating spaces, go to www.countrysidesh.org.
