by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 1, 2026
A variety of nationalities shared in the major show jumping victories around the world.
In the U.S., Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam took the $215,000 MARS 4-star aboard Coriaan van Klapscheut Z on the grass field at Wellington International’s Equestrian Village.
“His first week here last year, he’d never done an FEI class and was second in the WEF (Challenge Cup),” said the Wellington-based rider.
Shane Sweetan and Coriaan van Klapscheut Z (Photo ©Sportfot)
“He took to it like a duck to water and was very competitive from the start—even though he was green. He really wants to leave the jumps up.”
The Zangersheide by Comme Il Faut 5 was timed in 41.40 seconds. The win involved a showdown with Shane’s countrymen Bertram Allen, just a half-second too slow on Conquest de Rigo, a 10-year-old Belgian-bred son of Fantomas de Muze.. The pair stopped the clock at 41.95 seconds to settle as runners-up.
Shane noted about this mount, “With horses, they’ll tell you what the plan is, especially at this level, but he’s comfortable already, and now we can smooth it out.”
Click here for MARS grand prix results
Meanwhile another of Shane’s countrymen, Daniel Coyle, was victorious with Farrel in the $200,000 Gary Yeomans Ford 4-star at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala.
Daniel mentioned the 16-year-old Dutchbred gelding is his most successful horse “on paper.”
“We’ve had Farrel since he just turned seven. He’s been amazing,” Daniel marveled.
“In the last 10 years of my career, he’s won the most. From ranking classes to National Grands Prix, Nations Cups, he’s been my most successful horse ever. Everybody’s getting a bit older, including him, and I really wanted to win tonight, just for Farrel.”
Click here for WEC results
The new Qatar show jumping tour, worth nearly $4 million, wrapped up its inaugural run with yet another big win from Great Britain’s Scott Brash, who had three major triumphs in the Middle Eastern country. He rode the reliable Hello Jefferson, but attributed his record to something besides his skill and Jefferson’s talent.
“I’m unbelievably lucky,” said Scott, the winner of December’s International Jumping Riders Club Top 10 grand prix.
“I have four unbelievable horses here. It makes my life easier to manage them well and try to pick the right classes for them,” said Scott, who had two other major victories during the tour. He was ranked number two in the world, very close to number one Kent Farrington last month, so he could have a shot at passing him in the February ratings when they come out this week.
On the USA’s West Coast, 50-year-old Kyle King won his first 5-star by taking the Longines World Cup Qualifier at Desert International Horse Park Riding Kayenne Z, the mare on whom he was second last September in 2025’s most difficult grand prix, held at Spruce Meadows (Brash won that class, in which no rider was fault-free throughout).
The mare originally was for sale, but she and Kyle developed a relationship that earned her a permanent place in his stable.
“She has done amazing things, things I’ve wanted to do my whole career. I’ve been waiting for a horse like this,” said Kyle, who deftly handled the Alan Wade-designed course with the 11-year-old Zangerheide by Kannan. Kyle’s time of 36.46 seconds in the seven-horse tiebreaker just edged the clever Foxy de la Roque and 2024 Olympic team silver medalist Karl Cook, who crossed the finish line in 36.60 seconds.
Karl, who has been working with Foxy for about a year, said of his effort, “We’ve been kind of knocking on the door, but we haven’t really found the right key yet. We’ve been working on some things and trying to find the right way to go together. The way she felt in the first round today was what we’ve been trying to get. So, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.”
Click here for DIHP World Cup Qualifer results
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 22, 2026
Caitlin Lane, who has worked in equestrian sport management everywhere from the Washington International Horse Show to the World Cup finals, the Pan American Games and the Tokyo Olympics has been named equestrian sport manger for the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics in Los Angeles.
Caitlin Lane.
“Looking forward to the journey ahead and working alongside an incredible team,” she said in announcing her appointment.
A graduate of Washington and Lee University, where she was the first rider to be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame, she was a standout in intercollegiate equestrian competition and a three-time Old Dominion Athletic Conference Rider of the Year.
She noted in an interview after her Hall of Fame Induction, “I feel fortunate to keep working with the sport and with something I am passionate about, and I have gotten to travel and work at some amazing events.”
Caitlin has specialized in logistics and operations management, ranging from sport logistics to venue build-outs, field of play preparation and sponsorship activation, bringing a detail-oriented approach of execution to the sport’s most elite competitions and venues. At the Tokyo Games, she served as jumping and dressage coordinator.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 21, 2026
What’s the best thank you for saving a life?
Sally Walker, whose horse was freed from a dangerous situation by determined rescuers, decided she wanted to do something that could help many more large animals in trouble. Her gratitude is reflected in a GoFundMe she started to buy specialized equipment for making rescue easier and more effective.
The drama began when her 27-year-old Arabian/warmblood-cross gelding, Teddy, was grazing peacefully at the edge of a pond in his pasture at Heronwood Farm in Bedminster, N.J., last November. The pond was lower than usual because of autumn’s drought conditions, and he wound up stuck in the mud at its edges, unable to move back to solid ground.
Teddy during the rescue process; the conditions were very difficult. (Photo courtesy Sally Walker)
Farm owner Rachel Rosenthal Bellard rushed over to the pasture Teddy had used without incident for 15 years. She found he was up to his chest in the muck.
“I tried to rouse him,” she recalled, but “he made an effort and then plopped down.”
She sought help, realizing the horse couldn’t get out on his own, and that rigging a tractor to pull him out herself wouldn’t work.
“I called 911 immediately and I think if I did anything right, that was it,” Rachel recounted.
“I had no idea the response that was gong to come when I dialed 911.”
The police arrived quickly, along with her neighbor Tom Lynch, a member of the Far Hills-Bedminster Fire department. Bedminster Township sent over a backhoe.
“Within 20 minutes, there were 43 volunteers here, I had eight firetrucks from different departments parked on my driveway,” Rachel said.
Then neighboring Hunterdon County’s Technical Rescue Task Force was called in.
“Those guys were the ones who really knew what to do,” said Rachel.
Standing by her horse’s head to comfort him, Sally recalled, “It looked like he had just sunk. It was almost like he went down in quicksand. He was well and truly stuck.”
She knows her presence helped reassure him, and offered advice for anyone who finds their horse in a difficult situation.
“My words of wisdom are, don’t underestimate how your horse knows and trusts you, and your presence is critical.”
She was thankful for the presence of Alex Eristavi of the Somerset County Emergency Training Academy, who stayed with her and “kept reminding me that Teddy knew I was there.”
Rachel said, “Alex was the guy who was telling everybody what to do, he was calming Sally.” She noted with a smile, “It was like he’d done this before.”
Teddy was covered with blankets as rescuers worked on that chilly day. While he looked okay from the surface, the concern was what couldn’t be seen below the waterline.
“Nobody would say it out loud, but all I could think of was, `Did he have a broken leg?’ ” Rachel recalled.
The rescuers put large flat hoses behind Teddy’s elbows and in front of his stifles, then set up an A-frame and used a hand winch to very slowly lift him out.
Formerly an eventing mount for Doug Payne, Teddy has been owned for 15 years by Sally, an amateur rider who had competed with him in the low-level jumpers and called him “the love of my life.” She said he is “the horse everybody wants to go on the trail with, because he reacts to nothing.”
Standing by as Teddy finally was lifted out, she acknowledged being “very scared, because of his age and the circumstances.”
Once extricated, her horse scrambled, was able to stand for a moment and then lay down, exhausted, cold and in shock. He lay there for a couple of minutes until, after being encouraged, he finally got up. and walked to the barn, where his legs were sprayed with warm water, while a kerosene heater raised the temperature. He spent a few days recovering at Running S Equine Veterinary Services before coming home, where he is awaiting his next trail ride when the weather cooperates.
If rescuers had not been on the scene, Teddy’s fate “would have been much bleaker,” according to veterinarian Travis Bowers of Running S, who consulted with the rescue team.
“It wasn’t just that he was stuck in a pond; it was very deep. There was a lot of thought and equipment that went into removing him from the mud without causing too much suction damage. It was very crucial that we had all the equipment that they brought.”
Without that, it would have become much more of an extreme emergency situation. but because they were there so quickly …without the crews that did show up, I’m not sure it would have been accomplished. It was very well put together.”
While the improvised hose tubing was wide enough so it didn’t cause a lot of pressure, Travis noted, “when you’re trying to pick up a 1,000-pound plus animal on a hoist set-up, you do worry about too much pressure on their internal organs, so a sling would distribute the weight better. ”
This image, courtesy of the Far Hills-Bedminster Fire Department, shows how the hose was used, and why the sling sought through the GoFundMe would be better suited to the job.
Public Safety Director/Hunterdon County Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Brayden Fahey said one of the pieces of equipment being sought through Sally’s GoFundMe is a sling that would integrate with existing technical rescue equipment. It is specifically designed for horses and costs $3,112.
Situations where such a sling is needed for rescues is “pretty common, at least in Hunterdon” where there is a lot of agriculture. “We have maybe half a dozen of these (calls) a year,” Brayden said.
Having the right gear “insures that we’re doing it in the safest manner possible, with equipment that’s specifically intended for that purpose,” he noted.
The other piece of equipment sought through the GoFundMe is a large animal relocator sked that costs $2,819.
“We have those for humans,” said Brayden, explaining it is “a rigid piece of plastic. We can package someone in and slide them a distance.”
It’s tailored for large animals, so they can be moved across the ground without lifting them.
Far Hills-Bedminster Fire Chief Jason Groendyk noted, “The coordination between the Far Hills-Bedminster Fire Department and the mutual aid departments that were requested with both Somerset and Hunterdon County Office of Emergency Management, shows how volunteers in this area are committed to training and supporting their communities.”
He mentioned that members of his department last year took a class on large animal rescue. Other agencies responding included the Peapack and Gladstone Fire Department, Flemington Rescue, Whitehouse Rescue and South Branch Fire and Rescue.
In the wake of what happened at her facility, Rachel suggested farm owners pay attention to the water resources on their property, if animals have access to them. For her part, she is now fencing in the pond.
Rachel expressed her gratitude for the rescuers, saying she is thankful “for living in a community where people come. If I was out in the middle of nowhere, we would have lost this horse.”
“I had no idea the response that was gong to come when I dialed 911. Everyone who came stayed until the end. They were learning and helping any way they could. It was an amazing thing to see. Most of the volunteers were not horse people, they were just wanting to help.”
A month after his trauma, Teddy was back to his old self for the holidays. (Photo courtesy Sally Walker).
As Sally noted, “We are so incredibly lucky to have this kind of service in New Jersey. There are so many different incidents that could happen.
“And you never know,” she pointed out.
When it comes to needing help, “one day it could be you.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 16, 2026
The price of showing has become an ever-more urgent issue for equestrians, who all too often must limit their opportunities to compete because it is growing increasingly expensive.
For some, word last year that the U.S. Equestrian Federation would be raising fees was, if not the last straw, news of another financial obligation they didn’t need. Although the fees are not as burdensome as what it costs to compete in a licensed show, the increase made some feel the federation is not sensitive to their needs and situation.
Hunter/jumper judge Mary O’Connor, a Virginia horse breeder, called it “ironic” that after raising fees, USEF made competition costs the focus of a forum at the organization’s annual meeting this week.
She noted USEF “has solicited comments from membership on this topic, when no opinions were sought and no discussion took place with membership before USEF announced that fees would be increasing.”
To read another story about how people are coping with horse industry issues, click here or go to the second feature on this website.
Mary called the hike “extreme,” adding it comes “at a time when the general membership is reeling from increased costs for everything associated with keeping horses,” and as such, “only serves to exacerbate the problem of rising cost.”
She started a petition asking USEF “to consider rolling back or limiting the size of those fee increases, which are far too steep in the current economy.”
The petition got more than 550 signatures and thousands of views.
She contended, “USEF is about to price even more people out of sanctioned equestrian sport, with zero discussion or feedback from its membership. The costs of entering a USEF show continue to rise, making participation in the sport at any level more and more expensive. It has become a struggle to justify the expense of competing!
“Rather than increase fees, let’s consider cutting back USEF’s budget, taking a hard look at which programs are genuinely necessary, and streamline staffing in a way that makes sense. Do we really need 23 people in the Marketing department vs. seven in Member Services? Salaries should be open to discussion when across the board everyone else from grooms to licensed officials are asked to do more for less on a regular basis.”
Reacting to the petition, USEF Director of Communication Natalie Voss wrote to Mary, “The response to our increase in membership fees is precisely why we wanted to include this panel in our annual meeting slate. The vast majority of member response to the fee increase — including your petition — make clear that increased costs are not just an issue USEF experiences, or that our members experience with regards to USEF membership fees, but is part of a broader change in the costs of horsekeeping and putting on a horse show, which is impacting the whole industry.”
She explained USEF officials are “hoping the panel can shed some light on what the factors are influencing that rise in costs for them and how that translates for competitors.”
Following the meeting, a summary and recording of the session will be released, Natalie said.
The petition maintained, “The stated fee increases are extreme. That our sport is reliant on the ultra wealthy often masks the reality that many who are involved in it are barely sustaining themselves. Those who exist in the real world, whether boarding our horses or keeping them on private farms or operating training facilities, must stop to analyze every dime spent on feed, hay, bedding, farrier, vet, farm staff, lessons, attire, equipment, safety gear, transport, and hotels, all while endlessly attempting to conjure up savings that are more and more difficult to find.
“The ultra wealthy among us won’t be bothered about fees going up,” the petition notes.
“But the multitude of local and regional trainers, riders, families, and lesson stables are already being driven away from a sport we all love, not to mention breeders and those working with young horses, already facing the highest expenses worldwide to develop their offspring.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 21, 2026
The Global Champions Tour show jumping held in Liberty State Park, with the sparkling New York City skyline as a backdrop, was a huge hit last September.
It attracted an enthusiastic group of spectators, many of whom had never seen the sport before. After the final class, organizers were optimistic about bringing the competition back in 2026. But the venue is not on this year’s GCT schedule, which includes a Cairo, Egypt, location for the first time. Miami Beach, a regular stop that wasn’t held in 2025 because of scheduling issues, is back on the calendar and will be the tour’s only U.S. competition.
The absence of the New Jersey location is disappointing. Many of those attending hoped to return to a spot in the grandstand in 2026, while others who saw coverage wanted to attend in person. But they may be able to do that next year.
Jessica Springsteen was among the big-name riders who competed at Liberty State Park last year, with the Statue of Liberty in the background
“The inaugural event was a great success, and we remain very much committed to returning in the future. We continue to maintain a close and positive dialogue with the Liberty State Park authorities and are currently looking ahead to 2027,” Colm McKay, GCT’s technical director, told me on Wednesday.
“Unfortunately,” he explained, “the reason the event will not take place this year is due to the FIFA (soccer) World Cup, with Liberty State Park being designated as a major fan zone. While the tournament (at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.) itself will conclude later in the summer, there remain significant uncertainties around ground conditions and venue availability following such large-scale use. Without the necessary guarantees, it was not possible for us to proceed this year.”
However, he added, “Looking ahead, we have some exciting new ideas planned for our return, building on the strong foundation established at the first edition. In the meantime, our focus turns to delivering an outstanding event in Miami Beach this April, which continues to be a very popular destination with athletes, owners, and fans alike.”
Stay tuned…
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 24, 2026
Patience and persistence paid off for Marcus Orlob with the temperamental Jane on Saturday, as they scored a personal best in the 5-star Grand Prix Special at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Fla.
Exposing the mare to different showgrounds and circumstances has smoothed Jane’s nerves and tendency to spook, with a composed performance marked at 75.979 percent.
“I was really happy that she behaved and controlled her nerves (in Thursday’s Grand Prix where she was second), and again today she had a good performance,” said Marcus of his 2024 Olympic mount.
Marcus Orlob and Jane. (Photo ©Centre Line Media)
“I always talk about how she needs to relax, and finally, I think we’re getting there, and we can start to show what we can do. I started the test today a little conservative. Then, as it went on, she started to breathe and I let her go a bit more and the passage was really nice.”
The U.S. rider wants to see the mare, owned by Alice Tarjan “more relaxed in the one-tempis, but the pirouettes were super. At the end, she stood there while people clapped. I was very proud that she didn’t explode.”
As he noted, “I’m slowly finding her buttons, and she’s trusting me. It’s starting to turn into a relationship. All the traveling and the desensitizing is paying off; it just took time.”
Marcus wasn’t alone in achieving that personal best. Three other riders in the class did the same.
Canadian Olympian Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu’s second-placed mount Jaccardo (who, like Jane, is by Desperado) earned 74.575 percent. It was the first Special for the horse, who was just 1 percent away from the Canadian record in this test, set by Belinda Trussell and Anton in 2016. Geñay Vaughan came from California to ride Gino to a score of 71.68 percent for third place.
Fourth place Kevin Kohmann’s 69.915 percent also was a PB with Dünensee.
Click here for 5-star Grand Prix Special results
The winner of both the 5-star Grand Prix and the Friday night Freestyle was Susan Pape of Great Britain on Harmony’s Giulilanta. She scored a personal best in each class, earning a mark of 73.630 and 81.745 percent respectively with her 15-year-old mare.
Click here for 5-star Grand Prix Freestyle results
