by Nancy Jaffer | May 9, 2025
Mane Stream, which offers a diverse program of equine-assisted activities, therapy services and educational initiatives, is seeking volunteers age 14 and older. The non-profit in Oldwick, N.J, has a mission to improve the quality of life for those with physical, developmental, emotional and medical challenges.
It is a Premier Accredited Center of PATH, the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, which provides education, accreditation and resources for the equine-assisted activities industry.
Mane Stream Volunteers Charli Auerbach of Bedminster, Shannon Santoro of Califon and Jarret Hansen of Randolph assist a happy camper riding Joey.
Volunteers are needed to groom and tack the horses and assist riders and therapy clients every weekday morning and afternoon, as well as Saturday mornings. Prior experience with horses is not necessary, This is a nice addition to a college resume, high school service requirement, or a rewarding activity for the newly retired.
One-hour online orientations are held every other week at 3:30 p.m. After that, new volunteers will be scheduled for hands-on training to ensure the safety of all participants. The orientation provides an overview of the programs and will explain the responsibilities of a Mane Stream volunteer. The hands-on training will involve grooming as well as tacking up for both adaptive riding and therapy, which are very different.
Register at the website www.manestreamnj.org, or call volunteer coordinator Emily De Jong at (908) 439-9636
by Nancy Jaffer | May 7, 2025
What is the social impact of equestrianism?
That’s a key question in this era of Social License to Operate; that is, public acceptance of horse sports. The answers are even more important.
British Equestrian, Great Britain’s national federation for horse sports in Great Britain, is involved with a major research project on the subject, which could become a model for other countries — many of which, including the U.S., are grappling with the same situation.
BE’s partner in its work is State of Life, which specializes in measuring and demonstrating the social and economic value created by various organizations. Sad that horse sports have to be justified these days, but that’s the case
The effort, which started with a research phase in 2024, has moved on to investigate the social value of equestrianism.
State of Life has worked with several sports and community organizations to provide in-depth analysis of their social impact. They are involved with developing a new national model dealing with the social value of sport and physical activity for Sport England. The government is seeking to estimate the contribution of community sport and physical activity to health and well-being in the country.
In the first phase, equestrian activities were proven to have benefits ranging from the social value outcomes of physical and mental health and subjective wellbeing, to individual, social and community development.
Examples: riding, stable work and hippotherapy contribute to fitness and rehabilitation, while equine-assisted therapy provides therapeutic support for those with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. Engaging in equestrian activities has demonstrated an increase in confidence, employability and social connections, strengthening both individuals and communities.
Stage two will take this research to the next level, calculating the monetary worth of equestrian social value. It will demonstrate the way equestrian activity can be a vital contributor to public health, aligning with a government “Get Active” strategy. The findings will enable BE and its affiliates to showcase the industry’s impact on people’s lives across the United Kingdom, shape future strategies with data-driven insights (otherwise known as evidence), advocate for equestrianism’s unique benefits and strengthen investment and strategic partnerships.
Abigail Bevan, Insight and Research Manager at British Equestrian, noted, “We’re excited to measure the tangible impact of equestrianism, following the gathering of research, which has proven the vast benefits our sector provides to the community, by encouraging people to spend time in outdoor spaces, connecting with nature, creating friendships and enjoying partnerships with our incredible horses.”
by Nancy Jaffer | May 6, 2025
The U.S. can claim the top riders on both the FEI show jumping and eventing ranking lists.
Kent Farrington just took the first place ranking on the Longines show jumping roster, succeeding Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann, who held the spot for a record number of months, since August 2022. It is Kent’s second time as number one; he also was in that position in 2017.
Henrik is now third, behind Great Britain’s 2021 Olympic individual gold medalist, Ben Maher. McLain Ward is the second-highest ranking American, in eighth place.
Kent Farrington on Greya. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
A few days ago, Boyd Martin was named number one for eventing. While he is the most visible U.S. eventer with a huge social media presence, Boyd Martin was only number two on the FEI world ranking list. That is, until Thursday. With the new month, he becomes the first American to make the top spot on that roster since Kim Severson did it 21 years ago.
Boyd, with three horses in the top 10 of last weekend’s 5-star Defender Kentucky event, called his elevation, “a huge honor and privilege to be named the number one rider in the world in eventing. It’s a goal I’ve been chasing for decades now. Many of my idols, who are champions in the sport and riders I’ve always tried to emulate, have accomplished this honor at some point in their careers.”
You can’t miss the trademark look of determination on the face of Boyd Martin aboard Commando 3. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Boyd added, “It’s really a humbling moment, and even though it’s my name on the list, I would not have been able to do it without the incredible horses and owners, as well as my dedicated team working day in and out in the stable. Lastly, to share this with my wife and kids, who have been with me on this journey every single day from the very beginning, is really special.”
While Boyd’s promotion is good news for U.S. eventing, the bad news is that you have to go down to number 30 to find the next-highest ranked U.S. rider, Jennie Branningan. Since one person does not make a team, U.S. eventers have some hard work ahead of them. But now they have some inspiration.
The Para Dressage ranks also include a number one standing for the U.S., in Fiona Howard and Kate Shoemaker is number four as the country continues to excel and show the world how it’s done in that discipline.
In Grand Prix dressage, however, the U.S. wasn’t even in the top 10. The country had only one rider in the top 20, Adrienne Lyle, who is nineteenth. Next-highest is Anna Marek, twenty-seventh. Denmark’s Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour continues to lead the standings, with World Cup champ Lottie Fry of Great Britain moving up to second, passing Germany’s Isabell Werth.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 29, 2025
Lana duPont Wright, who made history as the first female eventer to ride in the Olympics, died at her home in Chesapeake City, Md., last week. She was 85.
Olympic eventing, which had been contested by U.S. military teams through 1948, was still limited to male participants until 1964. That was when Lana, who grew up in a foxhunting family, became part of the U.S. silver medal squad at the Tokyo Games. Demonstrating her grit and determination, she continued on the demanding cross-country course despite having two falls. (In those days, you were allowed to remount and continue after hitting the ground.)
“It was quite an honor to have been part of such a successful team,” she recounted, “particularly since it opened the avenues for many other woman participants in the Olympic three-day event thereafter.”
Lana duPont Wright in her eventing days.
When Lana switched disciplines, she went on to earn another historic medal as part of the 1991 U.S. pairs driving team, the first to take gold at a world championships.But her riding career wasn’t over. She competed in endurance and rode in the Pan American Endurance Championships. The endurance aspect was one Lana was passionate about in both eventing and driving, so it was a natural progression. She also continued foxhunting, which was the sport that gave her the basics of her career in her youth.
In 2012, she was inducted into the U.S. Eventing Association Hall of Fame. Three years later, she received the U. S. Equestrian Federation’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Lana Wright competing in the marathon at Fair Hill in 2013. Photo © 2013 by Nancy Jaffer
Lana shared her love of horses and knowledge with young riders through the U.S. Pony Club. She also served as co-president of the Fair Hill International board (along with the late Trish Gilbert) in Maryland for decades.
She is survived by her daughter Lucy Dunne (Michael) of Vermont and her grandchildren Wright Morris,, Beale Dunne and Ridgely Dunne. She was predeceased by her parents, Richard and Allaire duPont; her brother, Richard duPont Jr, her husband, Dr. William Wright and daughter Beale Morris.
A celebration of Lana’s life will be held Thursday, May 1 at 11 a.m. at St. Augustine Church, 310 and Mitton Road, Chesapeake City, MD. The burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Fair Hill International Inc., and sent in care of R.T. Foard Funeral Home, P.A., P.O. Box 248 Rising Sun, MD 21911.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 21, 2025
Olympic dressage and World Championships team medalist Steffen Peters is offering a two-day clinic June 7 and 8 at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation in Gladstone, N.J.
Auditors can enjoy the rare opportunity to learn from the former World Cup champion for a fee of $60 per day. One of the USA’s most decorated competitors and a mainstay of its team for nearly three decades, Steffen is known for his supportive teaching style as he offers instruction on the ways for horse and rider to improve their performance.
Steffen Peters at the FEI Dressage World Cup Finals in 2023. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Lidiya Frumova, who is organizing the sessions, noted that Steffen does only a few audited clinics annually. So the amateur trainer noted proudly how happy she is that he agreed to come from the other side of the country for the occasion.
There is a waiting list for participants, who are eager to ride in front of Steffen. However, as Lidiya noted, just being able to audit the clinic with the California-based rider is a valuable learning opportunity. Steffen will work for an hour with each rider, who range from First Level to Grand Prix.
Vendors will be on site with wares including boots, saddles and apparel.
To register, contact Lidiya at frumoval@gmail.com
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 23, 2025
The U.S. Center for SafeSport has fired CEO Ju’Riese Colón in the wake of an investigation by U.S. Sen Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) into the organization’s hiring of an investigator who subsequently was charged with rape.
The CEO, who was let go on Tuesday, assumed her role in 2019 to run the center created to combat sex abuse in Olympic sports. SafeSport became the target of criticism on several fronts, including delays in processing its caseload and what some of the accused called a lack of due process in the way its business was handled.
The tipping point came after former Allentown, Pa., vice squad officer Jason Krasley was hired by SafeSport in 2021, but fired in November 2023 when it was revealed he had been arrested for allegedly stealing money from a drug bust. Two weeks later, Krasley was arrested on charges involving rape, sex trafficking and other crimes. The Center went on to make changes in its hiring process.
The Center was founded eight years ago, when the Olympic movement was faced with abuse issues in several sports The most headlines were generated by the scandal at USA Gymnastics, where team doctor Larry Nassar eventually wound up in prison after being accused of sexually assaulting hundreds of female athletes under the guise of medical treatment.
Steve Silvey, an attorney who represents Athletes for Equity in Sport, commented about the SafeSport leadership change, “It gives little satisfaction to see the titular head of an organization fired as some sort of public sacrifice. Similar to firing a coach for a dysfunctional team’s performance. We have commented for many years that the entire SafeSport organization is an abject failure for all concerned: victims, the sporting community, the NGBs (National Governing Bodies) and the USOPC (U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.)
He added, “SafeSport is lost, it may be too late to fix it and it is probably irretrievable. However, if the organization is genuinely interested in getting on track with the intended mission and finding its way to a proper path, then it is a good start but a complete spring cleaning and total reset is required.
“The Board needs to be reset, and the rest of any dysfunctional existing leadership should follow out the door. Now is both the time and opportunity for a major correction. Otherwise — it just smacks of a coach being sacrificed as strategic posturing and the root problems remain unaddressed. It also does nothing to correct the lives damaged or even destroyed by the root dysfunction. I suppose we’ll see, but we’re not holding our breath either.”
The U.S. Equestrian Federation requires competing members 18 and older to complete SafeSport training on line, along with officials and show managers. USEF has a 24-page document outlining SafeSport policy on its website.
SafeSport board chairperson April Holmes will lead board members in a management committee while they search for a new CEO.
