by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 20, 2023
A celebration of life is set for 2 p.m. May 15 for respected horsewoman and author Judy Richter. The gathering will be held at her Coker Farm, 69 Stone Hill Road, Bedford, N.Y.
Judy, who died on Nov. 30, 2022 at the age of 83, was recognized by the horse industry many times. She was named American Horse Shows Association Horseperson of the Year in 1974. In 2020, she received the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Pegasus Medal of Honor from the AHSA’s successor organization. A strong-willed cancer survivor, she continued riding until the end of her life.
Judge Richter when she was honored by the U.S. Equestrian Federation in 2020. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
A multi-faceted trainer, a USEF judge and someone who always thought of the horse first, she trained numerous successful riders and horses. They included Johnny’s Pocket and Glasgow. There were many in the horse world on whom she was a huge influence, including Olympic medalist Norman Dello Joio, trainers Andre Dignelli, Peter Lutz, Kara Hanley, Alex Dunaif and Ellen Raidt.
Her late sister, Carol Hofmann Thompson, rode for the U.S. Equestrian Team, and Judy also was a supporter of the Team. Her husband, Max, died in 2007. She is survived by her sons, Philip and Hans (Jennifer), granddaughters, Maxine and Margot, as well as Richard Ten Dyke, her loving partner of the last few years.
Contributions in Judy’s memory may be made to the U.S. Equestrian Team and the American Cancer Society
by Nancy Jaffer | May 10, 2023
It has been eight months since Olympic dressage multi-multi gold medalist Charlotte Dujardin competed, but she didn’t lose a step after having her baby, Isabella Rose, in March.
Although she’s only been back riding for three weeks, on Wednesday she won the Defender CDI4* FEI Dressage Grand Prix at the Royal Windsor show in England.
Charlotte Dujardin reaches out to her daughter, Isabella Rose, held by her fiance, Dean Golding, at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. (Photo courtesy of Royal Windsor/Peter Nixon)
The competition is held on the grounds of Windsor Castle, where she earned 77.261 percent on Imhotep. Second place went to her countryman, Gareth Hughes, with Classic Briolinca (75.435).
“Pete (Imhotep) hasn’t done a competition since the (2022) FEI World Championships,” said Charlotte, noting, “I was worried I would be a bit ring rusty, but he was incredible and was so positive with his energy. There are still areas that we can improve on which is exciting – we are now aiming for the FEI European Championships this summer.”
She added, “I have such amazing memories of Royal Windsor Horse Show having competed here in the show ring as a child,” said Charlotte.
“It has such a wonderful atmosphere and to be back here is just so special. It is now Isabella’s time to support Mummy and I hope I have done her proud.”
by Nancy Jaffer | May 2, 2023
A 15-year-old Sumter County, Fla., rider died after a horse she was riding in an equitation class tripped between fences and suffered a rotational fall at the Fox Lea Farm horse show in Venice, Fla., over the weekend.
Hannah Serfass was pronounced dead at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. The horse, Quaxx 2, who was between fences at the time of the accident, was uninjured. Sarasota County sheriff’s deputies stated that the horse tripped after the sixth fence. His rider fell off but the gelding continued to fall and landed on Hannah.
Hannah Serfass enjoyed a victory last year in her debut at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. (Andrew Ryback Photography)
Commenting on the incident, the U.S. Equestrian Federation issued a statement saying it “takes every accident very seriously and will be reviewing the accident thoroughly to learn what we can do to minimize risk and increase safety in equestrian sport.”
A service for Hannah will be held May 8 at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Fla., where she often competed. it is set for noon in the Expo One building, preceded by visitation from 10 a.m.-noon. A luncheon and celebration of Hannah’s llfe will run from 1:30-3 p.m., followed by departure to the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests blue ribbons with a special message on the back to present to Hannah. Some will be provided at the service.
Hannah is survived by her parents, David Duane and Janine Joy Serfass of Webster, Fla.; her brother: David Benjamin Serfass; her sister: Destinie Carolyn and Joshua Velasquez of Ocala, Fla,; grandparents: Charlotte Serfass of Wadsworth, Ohio and Ronald and Darlene Baksa of Palm Harbor, Florida.
WEC is putting together a fund in Hannah’s memory that will go to help junior riders. A GoFundMe in Hannah’s memory also has been set up at https://www.gofundme.com/f/317mo702ko.
Hannah took up riding after she competed in gymnastics until she was in the fourth grade. Her family had a horse, so she decided to try that sport. She trained with Robin Swinderman Mitchell, who called her “a great student” and she also had help from Don Stewart.
“It’s something I really care about,” she was quoted as saying when discussing her feelings about riding.
“I really want to succeed and do well.”
Hannah’s obituary noted “Her passion was riding horses, so it is a blessing that she entered heaven’s gates on one. However, she would have ridden a cow if that’s all she had.”
Hannah was involved in 4-H and raised pigs for sale to help pay for her riding. She also ran track, played basketball and competed in the junior jumpers, was the reserve champion in the 2021 Southeast Regional Finals. In February, she won the USEF Talent Search at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Fla. The previous month, she took the ASPCA Maclay class at WEC on Quaxx.
Susie Schoellkopf, who judged her at the WEC equitation finals, posted on social media that “her ability and passion stood out in the ring.” Jimmy Torano, who was judging the class with Susie, called Hannah, “a talent gone way too soon. As a parent, this one hits home.”
In her memory, people are asked to use the tag, “#rideforhannah” on social media.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 30, 2023
It was a victory for persistence and a victory for the West Coast, but most of all, a victory for America, as Tamie Smith on Sunday became the first U.S. rider to win the 5-star Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event since 2008.
Everything was on the line as Tamie and Mai Baum entered the Rolex Stadium, the crowd of 23,576 adding to the tension as they riveted on the rider who would be either a heroine or a disappointment. She wasn’t showing the nerves she felt, but there was no middle ground for the Californian and her 17-year-old equine partner, who looked as determined as his rider. They had to be: Either the duo succeeded or horse and rider would fail most publicly.
Tom McEwen of Great Britain had just completed a perfect trip with the remarkable JL Dublin, ending on a score of 27.8 penalties for his weekend. Tamie had 24.2 penalties, with nothing added to her dressage score, when she trotted into the arena. Four faults for a knockdown would give the crown (it is coronation week) to Tom.
Tom McEwen and JL Dublin.( Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
A study in concentration, Tamie was total determination as she handled the daunting task. Mai Baum, better known as Lexus, cleared fence after fence, tapping one, and then two, with his hooves as spectators murmured uneasily. Finally Tamie was up and over the final obstacle, the Defender oxer, smiling even before Lexus touched the ground and flashed through the finish line.
Tamie Smith smiling as she knows she has a perfect trip. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
The crowd erupted, knowing how long the U.S. national championship had waited for one of its own to claim the prize. Tamie let her mount go in an exuberant gallop, flying around the ring in triumph, a study in joy and accomplishment.
“I feel like everybody carried me over that horse show jump course,” she said, as she thought back on her round over the Steve Stephens-designed course.
Asked for comment after she had gotten dozens of heartfelt hugs, a lease on a Land Rover Defender vehicle, and $123,000 in prize money, Tamie tried to gather her thoughts.
“I’m pretty numb,” she said.
“It’s almost like an out-of-body experience. I’m honored and elated and so excited, I’m speechless, obviously.”
She added, “This sport, you take a beating. The resilient ones just keep coming back for more. And you have that one day it pays off, and today it did.”
Added Tamie, “I’m so happy an American won. I’m so tired of the Europeans coming over and taking our national championship.”
I asked what’s next for Mai Baum, better known as Lexus. The 17-year-old German sporthorse gelding had some time out of the top level after an injury from the end of 2019 to the spring of 2021, but he came back strong with a ninth-place finish at Badminton and a contribution to the silver medal U.S. team at the 2022 world championships.
“I’d like to have him for Paris (the Olympics) next year,” mused Tamie.
“He’s healthy and he’s strong and he’ll tell me what he wants to do next. He doesn’t really owe me anything after something like this. He’ll tell me when he’s kind of ready to throw in the towel. He definitely doesn’t show any signs of that.”
In fact, she said, “today he jumped out of his skin.” Next for him is a rest, of course, and possibly some show jumping this fall (she trains with Scott Keach in that discipline.)
Tamie called Lexus “an unbelievable creature.” She took over the ride at the urging of her working student, Alex Ahearn, who wanted to go to college and handed the reins to Tamie. Reluctant to ride a working student’s horse because she wouldn’t want it to be a pressure situation, Tamie finally agreed and the partnership thrived.
Tom, who had to rush off and catch a plane back to England so he could ride two horses at the Badminton 5-star this week, was happy to briefly recap his Kentucky experience.
“I’m delighted with Dublin. Dubs has been unreal all week and I couldn’t be happier,” he said, noting their partnership is relatively new, having only begun late last season.
He called the Kentucky fixture “a true championship test” adding, “it’s brilliant for eventing in America to have Tamie win, an American winner.”
Third place went to Liz Halliday-Sharp on the U.S.-bred Miks Master C in his first 5-star, coming in on 28.5 penalties.
“He is the most amazing horse. I hope he will be my Olympic horse. He’s such a kind, generous horse and he gave everything,” she enthused.
Liz Halliday-Sharp celebrates her clean show jumping round on Miks Master C. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Having U.S. riders first and third was an achievement. Tamie gave credit to efforts of former eventing high performance director Erik Duvander, noting “he put blood, sweat and tears into U.S. eventing.”
Referring the weekend’s success, she said, “I think it’s the culmination of his dedication and hard work.”
He no longer works for the U.S. Equestrian Federation, which did not renew his contract, but she noted even so, “I think what you’re seeing is the fruits of his labor and ours as well.”
Tamie is the ninth 5-star winner who has been trained by Erik. She and Liz both continue to work with him, as do several other top eventers, including Boyd Martin and Ariel Grald.
World Champion Yasmin Ingham finished 18th with Banzai Du Loir following a fault-free show jumping trip, but it was a comedown after she won the dressage. The British rider had a run-out on cross-country at the C-element of the coffin complex, and then accumulated 20 time faults on top of that.
“The main thing today was to come out and do our best,” the British rider said with a gracious smile after completing the show jumping.
“If you’re not winning, you’re learning, and that’s the quote I’m living by this weekend. I’ve watched the video back many times already, analyzing where I went wrong.
“My approach to the coffin was too far right. It ended up we jumped the ditch way too far to the right. I didn’t give him a chance to get to the C element. I’m kicking myself more than anything. I know that he’s still an amazing horse and we can come out of this stronger, so that’s the main thing. It was a great course to ride around the rest.”
Zachary Brandt, 24th on Direct Advance, received the inaugural James C. Wofford “On the Rise” memorial trophy as the best-finishing Young Rider in the competition. The award is a memorial to the rider, trainer, author, and commentator, who died in February. He was known as a spotter of potential eventing talent.
For stories from Kentucky that ran over the last week, go to the On the Rail section. Others are available if you click on the Previous Columns icon on the masthead.
Click here for the final 5-star results. Click on this link for the 4-star results.
