by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 31, 2023
Susan Sisco, a wonderful trainer and an outstanding side-saddle rider, died today after a long struggle with ovarian cancer. She was 63.
Susan Sisco, a wonderful horsewoman who will be missed. (Photo courtesy of Tyler Graham)
In a poignant facebook post on January 14, she commented, “My mother always said getting older was a privilege denied to many. To all of my female friends from 60 years and up… most of us are going through a challenging phase of our lives. We’re at that age where we see wrinkles, gray hair, and extra pounds.
“We’ve run households, had careers, raised families, paid the bills, dealt with sickness, sadness, grief, and everything else life has assigned us. We are survivors… we are warriors in the quiet… we are Women…aged like a classic car or a fine wine. Even if our bodies are not what they once were, they carry our histories, our souls, our courage, and our strength. We should never feel bad about getting older. It’s a privilege that is denied to so many.
Enjoy every minute.”
Rider/trainer Patty Heuckeroth said on social media, “Sue was one of my very best friends for so many years. She was a great horsewoman, rider, trainer and all-around human being. The horse world lost one of their best.”
A memorial service will be held later in the year for the Aiken, S.C., resident. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Hitchcockwoods Foundation, the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, Danny and Ron’s Rescue, and Foundation for Women’s Cancer.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 28, 2023
Shutterfly, the great mount of Germany’s Meredith Michaels Beerbaum, has passed away at age 30. It was a good, long life with many special moments, but that doesn’t ease the pain of losing him.
His rider posted a tribute to her amazing horse, a Hanoverian by Silvio I, who triumphed in the World Cup finals three times. Here is what Meredith had to say:
“It is with a very heavy heart that I am sad to announce that we lost Shutterfly this morning. He was a unique and irreplaceable part of our lives.
I was lucky enough to spot Shutterfly as an immature and gangly talent at age six during the show in Rastede. He came to my stable a few months later. I was fortunate enough to share the next 24 years of his life with him. We just recently celebrated his 30th birthday.
The brilliant Shutterfly and Meredith Michaels Beerbaum on their way to their third World Cup finals victory in 2009. (Photo © 2009 by Nancy Jaffer)
Shutterfly aka “Petey” started as a doubtful, unsure youngster and blossomed into one of the greatest horses to ever live. He won three World Cup Finals, two Top Ten Finals, the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen, amongst many other prestigious titles. He brought me to the top of the World Ranking list, as the only women ever, where I was able to enjoy #1 for 24 months.
Shutterfly won the Preis von Europa in Aachen against the best in the world at age 18, just before his retirement ceremony there in front of his adoring crowd.
We will miss the kind and sweet-hearted Petey, who stuck his nose in the baby carriage and softly nuzzled my daughter Brianne just days after she was born. I am sure that caress gave her the passionate love for horses she has today.
I will miss you my friend and I appreciate every moment I had with you. You were the greatest partner anyone could ever have. You will never be forgotten Petey. Rest in peace my love.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 29, 2023
Eventer Will Coleman may have missed out on the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s International Rider of the Year award, but he got recognition from the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation, earning the 2023 Whitney Stone Cup.
The Whitney Stone Cup is awarded annually by the Foundation to an active competitor whose consistent excellence in international competition and whose standard for sportsmanlike conduct and contributions as an ambassador for the sport and for the USET Foundation exemplify the Team’s highest ideals and traditions.
Riding Off the Record, Will was the highest-placed American at the 2022 world championships, finishing seventh, and is the top-rated U.S. rider on the FEI eventing world rankings, standing fifth.
Will Coleman and Off the Record. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“It’s a tremendous honor to receive the Whitney Stone Cup,” said the Virginian, a veteran of the 2012 Olympics and 2018 World Equestrian Games.
“The competitors that have received this award are and were some of the greatest horse people in the world — many of whom I’ve looked up to my entire life. Some of the people I most admire in our sport have won it, so to be that person and to be given this award is humbling. I’ve never thought of myself as being the type of person to receive this award, so it’s really gratifying.
“Success in eventing is often at the end of a very long and challenging road,” continued Will.
“For every great experience and achievement, there are many disappointing and formative moments. You go through these ups and downs many times and at many different levels throughout your career. It is thanks to the support from organizations like the USET Foundation, and from your owners and sponsors, that you can continue to climb the ladder and reach your fullest potential. Wherever you have success on an international level, the USET Foundation certainly helps you to get there.”
The Foundation this month also recognized others who have contributed to the sport. Margaret H. Duprey of Wellington, Florida, was presented wtih the R. Bruce Duchossois Distinguished Trustee Award.The award was created in 2015, paying tribute to its namesake’s leadership, generosity, and outstanding character.
“I’m deeply honored to receive this award in memory of Mr. Duchossois, who was such a well-respected horseperson,” said Margaret.
“This sport has brought me tremendous joy over the years and my hope, as a member of the USET Foundation’s Board of Trustees, is to give back just as much as I’ve received. I aim to support initiatives that ensure the success of our U.S. high performance athletes and teams at major international competitions.”
Margaret has served on the board for more than 15 years, playing an integral role in supporting and donating to several fundraising campaigns.
Most recently, she spearheaded the “Trustee and National Advisory Committee (NAC) Challenge,” that inspired USET Foundation Board of Trustees and NAC members to make contributions and pledge multi-year gift commitments. Thanks to her leadership, the Challenge exceeded its goal and raised more than $3 million for high performance programs.
“Margaret has long been instrumental in supporting high performance equestrian sport in the United States, and I’ve been humbled by her generosity over the years,” stated W. James McNerney, Chairman, President, and CEO, of the USET Foundation.
“Her consistent and active participation on the USET Foundation’s Board of Trustees demonstrates her unwavering commitment to ensuring prominence for our U.S. teams on the world stage.”
In addition to her work with the Foundation, Margaret and her husband, Robert (Bob), own and operate Cherry Knoll Farm Inc., which is home to high performance dressage and show jumping horses that represent the U.S. in international competition.
“Initially, I got involved with U.S. para dressage rider Rebecca Hart as part owner of Schroeter’s Romani, a mare that represented the U.S. at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games in North Carolina,” explained Margaret.
“I loved and respected Rebecca’s passion, drive and desire to win on the international level. That was exciting and led me to get involved with others. Luckily, I had the opportunity to purchase the horse Cedric, which introduced me to (show jumper) Laura Kraut. This all led me to support the USET Foundation.”
Christian Simonson of Ventura, California, received the Foundation’s Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Trophy, awarded to a junior or young rider in an Olympic discipline who exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship and horsemanship.
Christian, 20, who has amassed an impressive list of accolades as a young rider, joins an elite group of equestrians that have successfully represented the U.S. on an international level.
“I sincerely want to thank those around me including my trainer Adrienne Lyle (the USEF International Rider of the Year) and fellow rider Katie Duerrhammer,” said Christian.
“They are incredible role models that demonstrate what horsemanship truly means. Without them, this would not be possible. I plan to uphold the ideals of the USET Foundation and continue the journey of learning from both human and horse.”
Christian has been a winner already this winter, on Son of a Lady at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. Taking advantage of the USEF High Performance Pathway, Christian competed at the 2017 and 2018 North American Youth Championships (NAYC) earning the team gold medal and individual silver medal in the Junior division in 2017 and the team silver medal in the Young Rider division in 2018. Simonson was also awarded the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) bronze and silver medals in 2017.
In 2021, he won triple gold in the Young Rider division at NAYC riding Zeaball Diawind and he was also selected to represent the U.S. at the Future Champions Nations Cup in Hagen, Germany, where the team took home bronze. In the summer of 2022, Christian and Son of a Lady had a third-place podium finish in the Young Rider Freestyle at CHIO Aachen in Germany.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 11, 2023
The subject of equine nutrition always raises many questions. The Rutgers Horse Management Seminar has the answers with a free online series that will be available to viewers around the globe.
The seminars will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings, Feb. 8, 15 and 22. Those interested may sign up for the series of individual seminars.
Each virtual seminar will feature two to three speakers that we have done recent work in their field, offering the latest practical scientific information. Every evening will focus on a broad topic area with time for questions after the speaker presentations.
On Feb. 8, the topic is research-based supplements. A panel of speakers from universities that are performing research on various classes of ulcers will explain what they are doing and answer questions on ulcer supplements, antioxidants and joint supplements; omega-3’s and anti-inflammatory supplements.
The speakers are Dr. Frank Andrews, Louisiana State University, ulcer supplements; Dr. Wendy Pearson, University of Guelph, joint supplements and Dr. Sarah White-Springer, Texas A&M, Omega-3, anti-inflammatory.
Nutritionally related disorders take center stage Feb. 15, covering nutritional problems and regulation of muscle mass, as well as issues with having certain horses on pasture.
Speakers are Dr. Kristine Urschel, University of Kentucky, “Nutritional Regulation Of Muscle Mass” and Dr. Shannon Pratt-Phillips, North Carolina State, “Potential Issues With Horses On Pasture.”
All-forage diets are the focus Feb. 22. Some subtopics will include weight loss strategies for overweight horses kept on pasture and making sure an all-forage diet is balanced, as well as the proper use of alfalfa for horses.
Speakers are Dr. Amanda Grev, University Of Maryland, “Alfalfa: When Is It The Right Choice For Horses?” and Dr. Amy Burk, University of Maryland, “Weight Loss Strategies And Management Of Horses On Pasture, And All Forage Diets”
For more specific speaker information and to register for the series or any of the individual evenings, all of which are free, go to https://go.rutgers.edu/2023HMS
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 23, 2022
It’s a sign of the times: the British Equestrian Federation has formed a new independent body to provide guidance and recommendations in connection with equine well-being and standards.
Remember the emphasis the FEI (international equestrian federation) puts on social license to operate, as public opinion of horse sports is emphasized. Here is link to a story I wrote last month about the impact of social license in a world where everyone has a video camera in their phone.
Britain’s Equine Welfare and Ethics Advisory Group will work to provide evidence-based best practice, make recommendations on critical issues within equestrian sport and develop guidance to promote an ethical horse/human relationship.
Those serving on the group include Roly Owers, CEO of World Horse Welfare; Dickie Waygood, the federation’s technical director and John McEwen, the British federation’s director of equine sports science and medicine.
According to McEwen,“This advisory body hasn’t been set up to defend our sports; more to champion further improved welfare standards which will ensure equestrianism and the sports under the control of the BEF member bodies operates in a safe and ethical environment.”
Next year, the group will cover equine welfare and safeguarding issues and the concept of social license with the mission to explore how best to support the BEF member bodies. Among areas of responsibility are:
• Identifying key threats and challenges, both real and perceived.
• Identifying and collating current issues and considering scientific evidence to support best practice.
• Providing a Federation-wide strategic overview of equine care, well-being and welfare in sport.
• Identifying areas in which further research is needed and research priorities.
• Advising and making recommendations on areas where rule changes should be considered.
• Advising the BEF on response to welfare issues.
Independent chair of the new group, Madeleine Campbell said; “I anticipate that the group will provide clear guidance and a framework for everyone to champion equine welfare in a way which clearly puts the horse’s well-being first and foremost and optimizes their care, and ultimately contributes to preserving our sports and to maintaining the social license to ride and keep horses in the future.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 19, 2022
The man behind the scenes at the wonderland that is the World Equestrian Center Ocala is director of operations Vinnie Card.
He came up through the ranks elsewhere and now is devoted to the state-of-the-art facility that is a calling as much as it is a full-time job.
Vinnie Card and a therapy mini horse in the lobby of the 5-star hotel at WEC Ocala. (Andrew Ryback Photography)
Read about him at this link.
