by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 6, 2022
Things are gearing up for next month’s dressage, jumping and para dressage championships in Denmark. The American riders under consideration include Alice Tarjan of Oldwick, N.J. with Serenade MF, who was third in the major Rotterdam, Netherlands, show last month. Also on the list are two-thirds of the Tokyo Olympics silver medal team, Adrienne Lyle with Salvino and Steffen Peters with Suppenkasper.
Those named as well to the nominated entries list include Katie Duerrhammer (Quartett, Paxton); Ashley Holzer (Valentine); Charlotte Jorst (Kastel’s Nintendo) and Sarah Tubman (First Apple).
The Kronberg, Germany, show this week is the final U.S. observation competition before the team is named.
Meanwhile, four show jumping riders were selected to take part in the final Nations Cup observation event for that discipline at the Knokke Hippique, Belgium, show. They included Tokyo Olympics team silver medalist Jessica Springsteen of Colts Neck, N.J. AnotherJerseyan, Michael Hughes of Franklin Lakes, also competed, as did Bliss Heers and Brian Moggre. Laura Kraut, also a Tokyo team silver medalist, was chosen to ride at the show, but was not on the Nations Cup squad.
Brian Moggre and Balou du Reventon.
The team wound up eighth of nine nations. The best U.S. performance was Brian Moggre on Balou du Reventon. He was 0/4 in two rounds, and the only American to put in a clear trip. Maybe we’ll see him at the world championships.
“Despite our overall results not being what we had hoped for, there were some bright spots, nevertheless, including Brian’s two solid rounds in the anchor position,” said coach Robert Ridland.
“Most importantly, the primary purpose of these 5* competitions over the past two weeks (Aachen was held at the beginning of the month) is to put the finishing touches on the selection and preparation process for the upcoming World Championships in Denmark.”
You have to figure that McLain Ward, who won two classes at Aachen, Germany, this month with his Tokyo Olympics horse, Contagious, is a lock to make the squad, so it will be interesting to see who joins him in Denmark.
The U.S. already has named its short list for para dressage. It includes Beatrice de Lavalette riding Clarc, Rebecca Hart (El Corona Texel and Fortune 500); Charlotte Merle-Smith (Guata), Kate Shoemaker (Quiana and Solitaer 40) and Tokyo individual gold medalist Roxanne Trunnell.
She is on a new horse, Fortunato H2O, owned by Lehua Custer and bred in Frenchtown, N.J., by Kendra Hansis at Runningwater Warmbloods.
The eventing and four-in-hand driving world championships will be staged in Italy. For the first time in 32 years, there is no FEI World Equestrian Games. It’s hard to find a venue that is able (or willing) to host five disciplines.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 8, 2022
With the cancellation of the Brandywine horse shows at Devon this summer, the USHJA Zone 2 Equitation Championship has moved to the CJL/Monmouth (not) at the Team show Aug. 15-17 at the Horse Park of New Jersey.
Qualifying ends August 1. Riders must place first or second in a USEF Medal Class during the qualifying period in order to participate. For more information, click
here.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 14, 2022
An opportunity to learn from Dominique Barbier, a student of the great Nuno Oliveira, is offered July 15-17 during a clinic in Ringoes at Daystar Farm.
A native of France, Dominique became a British Horse Society Instructor and trained in show jumping, three-day eventing, dressage and steeplechasing. He then spent two years in Portugal training with Oliveira.
That experience inspired Dominique’s belief in keeping a horse “light and happy. He expounds on his philosophy in a series of books and at his clinics. To sign up for the clinic contact Gary Maholic at 215-489-1557 or email at GMaholic@gmail.com.
Dominique also is scheduled to return to the same location in October.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 27, 2022
The Horse Park of New Jersey will gear up in 2026 and 2027 to prepare a bid for hosting the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event again when the U.S. Equestrian Federation eventing calendar resets for 2028, according to departing park board of trustees president Adam Furlong.
Jersey Fresh was the signature event at the Horse Park of New Jersey. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Adam, who finished his three-year term and did not run for a board seat again, spoke at the park’s annual meeting Monday evening.
Whether the park gets the nod to resume running its signature competition likely will depend on the fate of a bill that would allocate $2.5 million from the state for an update of the park’s arena footing and stabling. The bill, presented by Assemblyman Ronald Dancer, has gained two new sponsors and is set for a discussion Tuesday in Trenton.
“The age of the park is a growing concern,” said Adam.
“Most of the infrastructure is 30 years old and nearly everything could use a facelift,” he said.
Although the park bears the state’s name, it is a non-profit that does not get financial support from the state to this point. It operated in the black during 2021 on a very narrow margin of 3.8 percent, helped by a PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loan of $32,000 from the federal government. The loan was forgiven, so the park did not have to pay it back. The park also provided pay raises to its employees to stay competitive in the job market.
“We’re very judicious in stretching every dollar and cent to the greatest extent possible,” said Adam, acknowledging the work of treasurer Melissa Sinopoli and the finance committee.
Last autumn, the park bought an aggravator for $20,000. It is used to keep footing on the cross-country course at the level that has given it the reputation for being an excellent surface. The machine also may be rented to nearby showgrounds in order to bring in revenue. The park got a 0 percent loan to buy a $62,000 Kubota tractor. Another $20,000 was spent on renovating and repairing cross-country jumps, while work is ongoing to improve the water complex.
Ellen Brindle-Clark, the park’s vice president, will handle the president’s role at least until November, when an election for that position will be held.
She noted that Adam didn’t have an easy time in his job, taking over not long before the onset of the pandemic meant the park had to shut down.
Ellen called him “the park’s hero, making sure we kept alive long enough to reopen. Since then, we have flourished, and it is in great part because of his watchful eye. He will be missed.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 30, 2022
The U.S. Eventing Association revealed that its president, Max Corcoran, has been appointed as the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Eventing Elite Program and Team Facilitator. Max, who gained recognition as a groom and barn manager for the O’Connor Eventing Team, will support the areas of communication, logistics, and management of the teams for the eventing programs to “deliver sustained success at World and Olympic Games level.”
Max Corcoran ((Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
She will work closely with the interim Chef d’Equipe/Team Manager Bobby Costello and staff to build communication with athletes, grooms, owners, coaches, veterinarians, and all stakeholders linked to the athletes. She also will develop the structures around the Elite Program and senior U.S. Eventing Team.
“I am really honored to be working with USEF and the Elite Program as the Eventing Elite Program and Team Facilitator,” Max stated.
“The hope is that my years of experience grooming internationally and event organizing can help U.S. Eventing horses, athletes, grooms, and owners. I am looking forward to the exciting challenges ahead of us.”
Max, who served as stable manager for the Canadian and Venezuelan Equestrian Teams, also has mileage in the event management sector. The events with which she has worked include Middleburg,, Great Meadow International, The Event at Rebecca Farm, The Fork, Ocala Horse Trials, Ocala Jockey Club and the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games. She joined the USEA Board of Governors in 2017, then became USEA President in 2020.
The USEF did a mass clear-out of its top eventing personnel at the end of 2021, when the contract of performance director Erik Duvander was not renewed. Peter Wylde, who had been coaching eventers on their show jumping, also was not rehired and Jenny Autry, the managing director, was let got. Bobby Costello was appointed on an interim basis through this summer’s world championships in Italy.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 25, 2022
The American squad of up-and-coming horses and riders had quite a milestone as they were second in the Nations Cup of Rotterdam, Netherlands, today, with Alice Tarjan of Oldwick, N.J., the highest-placing rider on the Dutta Corp. U.S Dressage Team during the final day of competition.
Alice Tarjan had a right to look happy as she left the arena in Rotterdam with Serenade MF. (Photo courtesy US Equestrian)
The Dutch won the Nations Cup with a score of 25. The U.S. was tied with Sweden on a score of 39, but the tie was broken by the best total in Thursday’s Grand Prix, where the Americans had 19 and the Swedes 29, putting the Scandinavians third. A total of seven countries competed.
It was the first team experience for Alice, third on Serenade MF in the Grand Prix Special this evening. Her score on the U.S.-bred mare, making her European debut, was 71.191 percent, with two of the five judges placing her second. The Special was won by the Netherlands’ Dinja van Liere with Hermes, marked first by all the judges. Her score was 77.957.
Of Serenade, Alice said, “She’s a horse who always tries for you and is pretty consistent.” Although the arena was “a big environment,” and “really electric,” Alice noted her mare “didn’t blink an eye about it. She just goes in there and does her job and walks out on a long rein, so that’s always nice to see.”
Alice and Serenade MF. (Photo courtesy US Equestrian).
Rotterdam was a “fun experience,” said Alice. “It’s a great city. You ride your bike from the hotel to the horse show and the horse show is in the middle of a beautiful park with all these huge trees. I’d love to come back, for sure.”
She got helping hands from her trainer, Marcus Orlob, and her friend, rider/trainer Lauren Chumley, who served as groom and photographer. Serenade’s breeder, Maryanna Haymon, also was on hand.
The other U.S. rider in the Special, Katie Duerrhammer with Paxton, was 14th on 66.064 percent.
The USA’s Ashley Holzer on Valentine in the freestyle. (Photo courtesy FEI)
Their teammate, Ashley Holzer, competing on Valentine in the Grand Prix Freestyle, wound up fifth in the final leg of the competition with a mark of 76.420. The freestyle was won by Patrick Kittel of Sweden on Blue HorsZepter (80.465).
The fourth U.S. team member, Ben Ebeling on Illuster van de Kampert, was last in the Grand Prix on Thursday and did not move on to the next segment of the competition. Ashley was third the first day, Alice seventh and Katie 11th.
The Americans in the Netherlands were shortlisted for the team that will go to August’s world championships in Denmark, for which Rotterdam was an observation event. Led by chef d’equipe George Williams, it demonstrated the depth that U.S. dressage continues to develop.
The second-place U.S. team of Ashley Holzer, Alice Tarjan and Katie Duerrhammer. (Photo courtesy U.S. Equestrian)
Other short-listed riders are slated to compete at Aachen next month with an eye toward the championships. Among them are Adrienne Lyle (Salvino) and Steffen Peters (Suppenkasper), two-thirds of the U.S. silver medal team from the Tokyo Olympics.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 20, 2022
Aside from the leadline, there isn’t much for little kids at most horse shows. But Dressage at the Park has come up with a cute idea for a good cause, to be held about noon July 9 during the show at the Horse Park of New Jersey in Allentown.
The concept that will appeal to youngsters is a Matchy-Matchy Parade, sponsored by Patriot Farm, for the benefit of the Ride to Work program in Philadelphia. The parade is open to children of all ages (adults are welcome as well, if they like). Participants should decorate themselves and their horse with a Matchy-Matchy theme–think color coordination, ribbons and bling. Just a caution: Creativity is encouraged, but don’t come up with costumes that are liable to spook other horses.
You don’t need a real horse or pony to join in the fun. It’s also possible to participate with a stick horse, or even a model horse.
Everyone in the class will receive a gift and there is no fee to participate. However, participants are strongly encouraged to raise funds on behalf of Work to Ride. There will be awards for the most funds raised in each age group. Participants should try to be creative in their fundraising, perhaps staging a “pony wash” or running a carrot and cookie stand at the barn.
All horses (except the stick horses and model horses) must have current negative Coggins tests, and Flu/Rhino vaccinations within the past six months per USEF regulations. Pre-registration is suggested, but not required. Registration forms can be found at https://horseparkofnewjersey.wildapricot.org/Dressage-at-The-Park.
Here is more information about Work to Ride: Founded in 1994, it is a 501 c3, nonprofit community-based prevention program that aids under-resourced urban youth through constructive activities centered on horsemanship, equine sports and education. The program is located at Chamounix Equestrian Center, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. This setting provides a unique opportunity to bring urban youth in contact with animals and nature.For more information, visit https://worktoride.net.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 13, 2022
Jumper trainer/rider Kim Prince is headed for rehab today at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, according to her daughter, Lydia Frey. If the facility’s name sounds familiar, it’s because that’s where show jumper Cassandra Kahle started her rehab after her horse fell in a jump-off at the end of January.
Kim is expected to spend six weeks at Shepherd. She underwent a major spinal operation following a fall at the Upperville Colt & Horse and Colt in Virginia on June 9. Kim, who has ridden on 20 Nations Cup teams and in the World Cup finals, was hurt when her horse stumbled after a jump and fell with her.
After the accident, Kim was immediately evacuated by air from the horse show to Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Va. Surgery was performed, putting rods, screws, and plates into her neck for support and stability. Within 24 hours Kim showed some very modest progress.
The Kevin Babington Foundation, named after the Irish show jumper who suffered a severe spinal injury in a 2019 jumper class, is gathering resources Kim will need over the course of her recovery. Donations may be made by clicking on this link .
It has been a tough year for injuries in the jumper ring. Among those who have been badly hurt and are still recovering in addition to Cassandra are David Beisel and Washington International Horse Show President Vicki Lowell.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 9, 2022
It didn’t take long for HITS to snap up the Del Mar Horse Park as its newest venue, after West Palms Events announced it could not reach an agreement with the 22nd District Agriculture Association to operate the 63-acre park in Southern California.
“With only a five-year guaranteed contract, we were not able to come to an agreement that worked for us,” said Dale Harvey, president and CEO of West Palms Events.
At the end of the 2020 season, the 22nd DAA temporarily closed the park due to the impact of Covid and the need to complete costly stormwater mitigation on the property. In late 2021, a Request for Proposal was released and it received two bids —one of which was West Palms Events; the other was HITS.
“We have collaborated with the 22nd DAA for over 20 years and we wish them all the best in their efforts to reopen the Horse Park,” said Harvey. “We also intend to share all the work we’ve done on the stormwater project with them.”
HITS hopes to stage shows at Del Mar beginning in 2023, with seven dates that are part of the newly restructured California show schedule. In addition to seven hunter/jumper competitions, HITS will help support events of other disciplines at the facility.
“I founded HITS over 40 years ago and have been responsible for a number of different facilities around the country, including two right in the desert of California,” said HITS CEO Tom Struzzieri, who sold his West Coast property in 2019.
“The benefit of being a lifelong horseman, rather than just an investor, gives me a unique perspective in not only developing and designing facilities, but also in acting as a horseman in the coordination of events. These skills will be instrumental after witnessing the challenges the sport has experienced this past year. I look forward to starting the project of renovating one of the most iconic horse facilities in the country, and then producing some of California’s most outstanding events,” he said.
The Del Mar Horsepark has 400 permanent stalls, two grass jumping stadiums, four show rings and a covered lighted arena. During 2022, HITS will address the environmental concerns that caused the original closure of the Del Mar Horsepark. HITS also will improve the footing in the rings, adjust the layout of the facility to be more exhibitor-friendly and upgrade the stabling.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 1, 2022
Worried about rising fuel costs, supply chain issues and interest rates? How about job and housing markets?
We’re in a financial storm–is there any safe harbor? Find out what’s happening at noon July 5 when the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association presents a seminar with U.S. Chamber of Commerce Chief Economist Curtis Dubay on the current economic conditions and the national impact of inflation for your businesses.
Discussion topics include the national economic impact of inflation, rising fuel costs and supply chain issues, interest rates, job and housing markets and key takeaways for future business forecasting. Most important, this expert can tell you what the current situation means for businesses in the horse industry. Your questions also will be welcome.
Click on this link to register.
