by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 23, 2023
Dr. Karyn Malinowski, founding director of the Equine Science Center at Rutgers University, received the 2023 Distinguished Service Award at the 2023 Equine Science Society Symposium in Grapevine, Texas.
The Distinguished Service Award in Equine Science recognizes outstanding contributions in the field. Award recipients must also have a record of significant accomplishments in teaching, research and extension or service as it relates to the advancement of the equine sciences and horse industry.
Karyn has served as a faculty member at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences since 1978 and in various roles, including extension specialist in equine sciences, animal sciences professor, founding director of the Equine Science Center and the director of Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
Her research and extension programs concentrate on improving the equine athlete’s well-being and quality of life, while ensuring the equine industry’s vitality and viability, both statewide and nationally.
After having the opportunity to drive the famous Niatross, she got interested in racing and spent several summers learning how to drive harness horses. In 2001, she acquired her first Standardbred racehorse, Could Be Magic, who took her to victory in her amateur debut in 2003 at Freehold Raceway.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this prestigious award from the Equine Science Society,” said Karyn.
“It has been my extreme pleasure to have worked for over four decades with top-notch young people and horses.”
At the same meeting in Texas, Dr. Kenneth Harrington McKeever, FACSM, FAPS, a professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at Rutgers and associate director of research at the Rutgers Equine Science Center, was elevated to the rank of Fellow of the Equine Science Society. The rank of Fellow is an elite member status reserved for recognizing distinguished service to the horse industry and to the Equine Science Society over the member’s many years of service.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 25, 2023
New Jersey’s Essex Horse Trials earlier this month turned out to be a good warm-up for the 4-star Strzegom, Poland, eventing Nations Cup, as Caroline Martin Pamucku finished second individually to lead the U.S. team to the silver medal.
Caroline Pamucku on cross-country aboard HSH Blake at Strzegom, Poland. (Photo courtesy FEI)
Caroline, who won the Essex Combined Test competition with HSH Blake, was first after dressage in Poland with a score of 28.1 penalties. But time penalties with Blake on the cross-country course designed by Marcin Konarski boosted her total to 35.7. She was clean in show jumping to end on that score behind the winner, Lea Siegl of Austria on van Helsing P (33.3).
The Dutch team won on 133.8, even though the fourth member of the squad was eliminated on cross-country. The U.S. had 142.8 penalties under the guidance of Emerging and Developing Eventing Coach Leslie Law. The total was 166.1 for bronze medal Belgium.
The Dutch are hoping to win the Nations Cup series when it concludes this fall in order to qualify for the Paris Olympics. One Olympic slot is available for the highest-placed team that hasn’t otherwise qualified for the Games.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 14, 2023
The Governor’s Award for New Jersey Horseperson of the Year is plural.
It went to a the Wunderlichs, a Sussex County family involved in the horse industry for three generations. The trophy was presented at the 66th Annual New Jersey Breeders Awards Celebration at the Horse Park of New Jersey to mark the Month of the Horse in the state.
The Wunderlich family.
The family’s passion and dedication over 50 years has built a successful training business in Lafayette, at the same time as they have been busy volunteering in many locations across the state and country.
Since 2008 Amy, Emily and Lori have worked to build Amy Wunderlich Performance Horses into a successful lesson, training, and breeding facility. They have coached and trained over 40 National and World Appaloosa Champions. They teach more than 70 lessons weekly and have started more than 700 students with their innovative Mommy, Horsey and Me program, which has provided many families hands-on experience, especially throughout the COVID -19 pandemic.
Lori Wunderlich has been a 4-H leader in Sussex County for over 35 years, while Amy and Emily have been leaders for the past 20 years. The family has been involved at all levels of the 4-H program from local club events, officiating at state events, coordinating various contests and competitions, and acting as national team coaches and assistants.
Emily is a program assistant with the state 4-H equine program. In addition, Lori has been a director of the Garden State Appaloosa Association since 1988 and is currently a National Director for the Appaloosa Horse Club. She has served as the National President of the Club since 2020.
Other family members not directly related to the equine industry but integral parts to this successful family include Dan Gurick, Amy’s husband; Travis Vail, Emily’s husband; John Wunderlich, and Daniel Wunderlich. Daniel served for 14 years as a director of the Horse Park of New Jersey, and chairman of the Jersey Fresh Three-Day Event for three years.
The third generation of Ryan and Nathan Gurick, and Mason and Wyatt Vail have started to followtheir parents’ lead, doing daily chores on the farm and competing in the show ring, where they have already earned year end awards in New Jersey and nationally.
After the trophy was presented, the family stated, “Today was a very special day. We can’t thank the members of the New Jersey Equine Advisory Board enough for this award. Many people don’t know how involved our entire family has been in the horse industry. We moved to New Jersey in 1988, and from that point on, we hit the ground running.
“In addition to operating the horse farm for the last 15 years, we have a combined 75 years of being 4H leaders, and volunteering countless hours at many different horse show venues, series and regional clubs across the state and Northeast. We can’t thank all of our current and past clients enough for your trust in us. We never would have had the chance at this award if it weren’t for you all.”
Other awards presented included New Jersey Standardbred Horse of the Year, Special Way, New Jersey Sire Stakes Premier Horse of the Year, owned by Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz, and Al Libfeld.
Also: the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey Horse of the Year is Oh Well, owned by the SRF Stable of Lighthouse Point, Fla. The New Jersey Thoroughbred Horse of the Year He’spuregold , owned by John Bowers Jr. Breeder of the Year is Dr. Seven Dey III of Heritage Hill Farm, which bred the winners of over $3.3 million in 2022, ranking 11th overall in North America.
The Horse Park of New Jersey Volunteer of the Year is Nancy Frenick, who has been a ring steward, jump starter, jump judge, dressage scribe and show assistant for many horse show organizations. Since the Horse Park of New Jersey opened in 1987, she has shown there, sponsored show classes, volunteered in many capacities, donated needed items and offered her professional services for many events. Nancy is the Volunteer Sponsorship Coordinator for the Horse Park and is working on obtaining corporate sponsors.
The New Jersey Youth Horseperson of the Year, Agriculture Achievement Award Winner is Gianna Tanzi, a sophomore at Howell High School, who competes on the 4-H circuit and at open dressage shows. She also volunteers at a riding program for people with disabilities.
The Bell Scholarship went to Alejandra (Sasha) Burns, whose passion for horses began at a young age when her family relocated to a small town in the countryside of Spain. With no prior exposure to horses, they took on three Andalusians and a Dartmoor pony. As a teenager, she began teaching riding to young children lessons with her Dartmoor pony to young children and as she got older her dream of pursuing a career in equine veterinary medicine began to solidify.
Sasha’s academic career at Rutgers University includes doing research work with Dr. Carey Williams and Dr. Karyn Malinowski. In addition to her academic curriculum, Sasha has worked at Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center (MAEMC) as both a surgical and treatment technician. She hopes to get a degree in veterinary medicine and pursue an equine surgical residency. Additionally, Sasha aspires to create a non-profit equine rescue organization, combining her knowledge of veterinary medicine and equine-assisted therapy to better assist horses and people.
Superior Achievement Awards have gone to Entirely Smooth Movin and Sonnys Music Man. Entirely Smooth Movin is a 12- year-old Paint owned by Ava Stanker of Bridgeton. His accomplishments include Novice Youth Register of Merit (ROM), Western Horsemanship and APHA Youth Champion, among others.
Sonnys Music Man, a 17-year-old Paint is owned by Dawn Edmonds. In 2021, Sonny received numerous awards in Ranch Pleasure, Youth Color, and other classes.
The New Jersey Agricultural Achievement Award went to Ashley Presgraves of Millville, a senior at
Our Lady of Mercy Academy and an active member of Cumberland County 4-H.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 23, 2023
Two saddlebred at the Virginia Horse Center for the Shenandoah Classic competition tested positive for Equine Herpesivrus-1(EHV-1). Both were taken to a veterinary clinic where one was euthanized and the other is stable after receiving medical care.
Approximately 80 horses are under quarantine after being stabled in the same barn as the two positive horses at the Lexington, Va., facility. They are prohibited from competition and were placed in isolation by the State Veterinarian’s Office of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Each is being monitored twice daily for fever (temperature over 101.50° F) and other clinical signs.
No other horses at the show are considered exposed and the competition will continue. However, the unexposed horses also are having temperatures and clinical signs monitored.
The U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Equine Health and Biosecurity Veterinarian, Dr. Katie Flynn, has been in direct communication with all parties regarding the response to the confirmation of EHV-1.
“I applaud the VHC staff, the show veterinarians, competition management, and show participants for their prompt response and collaborative efforts to immediately implement biosecurity measures to protect the health of all equines on the premises,” she said.
Based on the assessment of the premises by the Virginia State Veterinarian’s office, and the immediate activation of the VHC biosecurity and disease response plan upon confirmation of EHV-1, USEF supports continuation of competition with the enhanced biosecurity measures and monitoring of horse health through the twice-daily temperature recording and observation for signs of illness.
For more information on EHV-1 or the latest on disease outbreaks visit https://equinediseasecc.org/.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 18, 2023
Laura Collett and London 52 led from gate to wire at the 5-star Luhmuehlen, Germany horse trials to head a British podium parade Sunday.
Laura Collett and London 52 going cross-country in Germany. (Photo courtesy Luhmuehlen 5-star)
Impeccable throughout, Laura finished on her dressage score of 20.3 penalties, unfazed by Michael Etherington-Smith’s twisty-turny cross-country course. Second and third went to Laura’s countrywomen Kitty King (Vendreirdi Biats, 27.2) and world eventing champion Yasmin Ingham (Rehy DJ, 27.9).
“London is a sensational horse, a horse of a lifetime and I’m so lucky to get to ride him,” said Laura.
“He knows when it matters. He went like a dream in the dressage, was so brave in the cross-country and today, he showed off to the German fans. When the distance isn’t perfect he just jumps higher. Our partnership is the key, it’s all down to trust and a special bond – and I am so proud of him.”
The top American was Boyd Martin, fourth with Luke 140 (30.1). He also finished eighth with Federman B (36.4) and 25th on his Olympic partner, Tsetserleg (69.5), in a field of 38 who started on cross-country.
Boyd blamed himself for the cross-country refusal that dropped “Thomas” (his barn name) in the standings.
Boyd Martin and Luke 140. (Photo courtesy Boyd Martin)
After the competition, Boyd stated on social media that he is “incredibly grateful for my team here and afar, and everyone else who has supported us along the way. Going home with two newly minted 5* horses with a bright future and our little champion Thomas who gives it his all every time. I owe you one, buddy!”
Another American, Sydney Elliott, was 17th on QC Diamantaire (47.4).
Tamie Smith, who won the Kentucky 5-star with Mai Baum, retired Solaguayare California on cross-country. She had been 15th after dressage.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 18, 2023
Californian Christian Simonson was the freestyle runner-up on Son of a Lady Sunday at the Hagen, Germany, show, where the U.S. team took bronze earlier in the week.
His score of 79.167 percent was second to Germany’s Jana Lang on Baron with an 83.5.
“It was the last day that I would also be able to compete here ever as a young rider, so I know I hoped to deliver something special, not only for myself but also for the team,” said Christian.
Christian Simonson and Son of a Lady. (Foto Mhisen)
“Son of a Lady was just absolutely incredible. He was so supple and relaxed but powerful at the same time,” he said. Christian cited his teammates, Erin Nichols, sixth on Elian Royale (75.8) and Kat Fuqua, 11th on Dreamgirl (68.867).
“All in all, it was just a really special day.”
It was Christian’s third consecutive appearance in Hagen. The experience was particularly memorable because his Young Rider career ends when he ages out this year.
“It really has been truly special. I feel really fortunate that I have been able to compete here. I think having access to compete against the best young riders in the world is important,” said Christian, who is trained by Olympic medalist Adrienne Lyle. (To learn more about Christian by clicking this link to read a story I did on him earlier this year.)
He explained, “These Hagen shows are the best preparation I have ever had for a senior Nations Cup because they do such an incredible job at a young age of educating you on how the process goes, how you are there to support your teammates, and it really is an incredible show for the pipeline that USEF has been developing.”
