by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 18, 2023
Peggy Thomas, the owner of U.S. dressage star Brentina, died this month at her farm in Idaho. She was 97.
Debbie McDonald, who guided Brentina to an FEI World Cup Finals victory, as well as medals in the Pan American Games, the World Equestrian Games and the Olympics, said, “I was so fortunate to have had the opportunity to ride for the Thomas family for over 45 years
“Peggy was not just a wonderful owner, but an amazing horsewoman and human being. She will be missed by everyone who knew her.”
At Brentina’s 2009 retirement in the Thomas & Mack Center: Debbie and Bob McDonald, Peggy Thomas, Jane Sturdivant and Parry Thomas. (Photo © 2009 by Nancy Jaffer)
Mrs. Thomas was the widow of E. Parry Thomas, her husband of 69 years. A banker who helped finance development of the casino industry in Las Vegas, he died in 2016.
The couple, who owned River Grove Farm, was known for their charitable efforts. With Parry’s partner, Jerry Mack, they donated land to the University of Nevada at Las Vegas for construction of the Thomas & Mack Center. That facility hosted six FEI World Cup finals.
They also sponsored the Brentina Cup for riders 16-25 to bridge the gap between juniors and Young Riders to senior competition. Winners have included Adrienne Lyle, Debbie’s protege, who rode the Thomases’ Wizard in the 2012 Olympics..
Mrs. Thomas is survived by sons Peter, Roger, Steven and Tom, as well as a daughter, Jane Sturdivant; 13 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Services were private.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 16, 2023
“The nicest guy” is the way friends characterized Mike Polaski, who was well-known on the horse show circuit and in thoroughbred circles as well.
A self-made man “who lived life to the fullest,” Mike died Sept. 10 at age 76 after being hospitalized for a stroke. Starting as a blue-collar worker, he went on to be an insurance salesman and then began his own highly successful insurance company, Specialty Underwriters. He also owned numerous restaurants over the years, as well as being involved with breeding horses and cattle.
Mike Polaski.
The 30-year sponsorship of his Hidden Creek Farm furthered the career of show jumper Margie Goldstein Engle, who rode horses he bred and owned everywhere from numerous grands prix to international championships.
Among the best known of his jumpers were Hidden Creek’s Laurel and Hidden Creek’s Alvaretto, who made him the only owner to take the American Grand Prix Association and American Horse Shows Association Horse of the Year titles in the same year. Hidden Creek’s Cuervo Gold was part of the 2006 silver medal team at the FEI World Equestrian Games at Aachen in 2006. Hidden Creek’s Perin won a team gold and individual bronze at the Pan American Games and finished in top 10 at the 2000 Olympics.
“I was fortunate to have quite a few nice owners, but he was one of the best,” said Margie.
“His big thing was he wanted everyoneto have a nice time. He was a fun person to be around, very gregarious. He lived life to the fullest, there wasn’t any grass growing under his feet. He always liked to do things for charities and other people.”
Trainer Tom Wright observed, “He would give the shirt off his back if you were lucky enough to be his friend.”
Mike started riding to follow his pointer dogs while hunting, then went on to buy a horse, a farm and began showing. He also had racehorses with trainer Michael Matz, a former show jumper.
Being involved in church-based charity efforts in Africa and Eastern Europe was important in Mike’s life, and he financed construction of a children’s hospital in Kenya.
Viewing will be held Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. followed by a 5 p.m. memorial service at 414 Church, 1672 77th St. West Allis, Wisc.
He is survived by his wife, Catherine Jerene Polaski; children Michael John (Dreama) Polaski, Jennifer Anne (Jose) McFarland, and Sarah Marie (Joseph) McLean; grandchildren Madison (Victor) Magalhaes, Seth Polaski, Eddie McFarland, Lola McFarland, Ava McLean, Bret McLean and Graham McLean, as well as a great-grandchild, “Baby” Magalhaes.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Reach 7, P.O. Box 658, 200 E. Centennial Drive, Oak Creek, WI 53154, or through Venmo.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 18, 2023
The U.S. Junior Jumping Team made the podium and the Young Rider Team was fourth at the 2023 FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Youth Final at Sentower Park in Belgium last weekend.
“The juniors were great,” said U.S. Chef d’Equipe Anne Kursinski.
“Overall, they were amazing in getting on the podium. I’m proud of all of them—they all rode great.”
The bronze medal junior team: Tessa Downey, Laurel Walker, Elise Stephens, Stephanie Garrett, Carlee McCutcheon and chef d’equipe Anne Kursinski.(Photo©US Equestrian/Matt Turer)
Needing a clear to secure a podium placing, Carlee McCutcheon and Coco Mercedes, a 2013 Westphalian mare owned by Purple Rein Investments, delivered the key fault-free trip in 70.24 seconds.
“Carlee was amazing,” Anne said.
“She fought for it the whole way—the mare jumped clear, and it wasn’t the easiest ride. It definitely got us on the podium, and that’s what she had done in Traverse City (at the FEI North American Youth Championships), and she repeated it here.”
Carlee and Coco Mercedes’s clear-round effort kept the U.S. on a team total of 12 penalties—three faults clear of fourth-place Germany’s 15 and trailing the eight from Ireland and the Netherlands. The Netherlands ultimately defeated Ireland in a jump-off.
In the Young Riders, “It was close with all the top teams,” Anne noted.
“The U.S. did a great job. The Europeans just have a little more experience at this level of Nations Cup jumping, but I thought (we) were great and Alex (Alston on Keoki) ended up jumping a fabulous clear.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 6, 2023
Mexican sculptor Jose Amador Lobato Juarez will be holding an exhibition of his art Sept. 30 at Meg Sleeper’s Godwink Farm in Frenchtown.
A work by Mexican sculptor Jose Amador Lobato Juarez.
Amador is a Mexican artist who uses baling wire, driftwood and horse shoes to make his creations. He will create commissioned and non-commisioned art that will be displayed during the exhibition.
The non-commissioned pieces will be available for sale at the event, set for 1-5 p.m.) and those attending also will be able to commission him to create something specific.
The occasion is also the official opening of Meg’s new farm at 258 Spring Hill Road; Frenchtown, NJ 08825 . She is a veterinarian and endurance rider who has represented the U.S. in world championships.
There is no admission charge, but she would like people to RSVP so she can plan for light snacks and beverages.Her email is margaretmsleeper@ufl.edu.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 12, 2023
Does your horse crib, weave or pace?
Dr. Katherine Houpt may have an answer for you.
She will present: “Stable Vices: Theirs or Ours? Abnormal Behavior in Horses.” The James Law Professor Emeritus of Behavior Medicine at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine will go on line this month to discuss common vices in domestic horses. The program will include potential causes, treatments and management strategies.
The veterinarian, who has a doctorate in behavioral psychology, focuses her research on domestic animal welfare, equid behavior and the physiological basis of equine ingestive and maternal behavior.
This session, part of the college’s Equine Seminar Series, will be presented Sept. 19 from 6-7 p.m. Eastern Time via Zoom. The event is free, but those interested are asked to register in advance at https://bit.ly/ESS-Sept2023
The Cornell Equine Seminar Series is presented by the Cornell University Equine Hospital, the New York State 4-H Horse Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension. Held monthly, experts present on important equine health and management topics.
For additional information about the college, see the College of Veterinary Medicine news website.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 11, 2023
Show manager, judge, course designer and governance veteran Britt McCormick was elected president of the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association by the board of directors on Monday. He will not succeed current president Mary Knowlton until December 2024 after a 15-month transition period.
The Texan is chairman of the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s National Breeds and Disciplines Council and serves on the National Hunter Committee.
He said his short-term goals “include taking a hard look at the business side of USHJA. We are a multi-million dollar non-profit organization and I’m really looking forward to taking a look at the internal business side quite a bit. Then I would like to get with all the various task force chairs and see where we are on the sports side, getting feedback and input to see where they think we should be going next.”
He believes, “If at the end of my term, we are more collaborative as an association; we have identifiable sport growth at every level, including the elite level; and we are providing the services that our members expect, I’ll be happy.”
