by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 16, 2023
If you own a fancy warmblood or a sleek thoroughbred, you may disagree with the premise of Cornell University’s Equine Seminar Series presentation entitled, “Why is the mule the most important member of the horse family?”
Want to draw your own conclusion? Go to Zoom from 6-7 p.m. Tuesday Feb. 21, when Dr. Doug Antczak, the Dorothy Havemeyer McConville professor of Equine Medicine at the Baker Institute for Animal Health, will introduce you to the fascinating world of mules.
It’s free, but registration is required at this link
In case you don’t know, the Mule is a hybrid produced by a mating between two separate species, the horse and donkey. Mules have a long history of contributions to human society as a remarkable beast of burden and source of animal power.
Less well-known are the many ways in which the study of mules has advanced scientific thought and our understanding of fundamental biological principles. This seminar will introduce you to the fascinating world of mules.
The professor graduated from Cornell with a BA in biology in 1969, before receiving his VMD from University of Pennsylvania in 1973. He then completed a PhD in immunology at the University of Cambridge in 1978. At Cornell, his research program is focused on horse health.
Among other important projects, Dr. Antczak’s genetic selection and breeding of horses led to his continuing involvement in the international Horse Genome Project.
This seminar is part of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Equine Seminar Series, presented by the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Equine Hospital, the New York State 4-H Horse Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 19, 2023
Riders with California ties commanded the podium in Saturday night’s $100,000 WCHR Peter Weatherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular, as John French won with the 8-year-old Hanoverian Milagro.
Hunter Spectacular winner John French and Milagro. (Photo Jump Media LLC)
The horse’s name means miracle in Spanish, and that’s what it was for John, who got his first victory in the class at age 60 with a total of 187.5 for the two-round test.
A longtime Californian who won the Pacific Coast Horsemen’s Aasociation Perpetual Troophy many times over three decades, he is back on the East Coast (he was originally from Maryland) riding for Kent Farrington LLC.
In second place was a rider 42 years John’s junior, the 2022 ASPCA Maclay winner Augusta Iwasaki. The Southern Methodist University equestrian team member was aboard Small Love, owned, by her parents’ operation, Iwasaki and Reilly. Her score was 184.49.
Nick Hanness, third on Glade Run Farm’s Queen Celeste, has been commuting back and forth between California and Wellington as he prepared for the big hunter week in Florida. He had a total for the two rounds of 180.41.
“I think riding in this kind of atmosphere brings out the best in all horses,” said John, who last year was inducted into the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame.
“They were all jumping so well tonight, and I think the lights, the crowds and the jumps really showcased the hunters. There aren’t a lot of these classes left, so we get excited for nights like this and so do our horses.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 14, 2023
Diana Firestone, as well known in the horse show world as she was in the racing world, died in Florida Feb. 12 at the age of 91.
Mrs. Firestone and her late husband, Bert, had a racing stable that included 1980 Kentucky Derby winner Genuine Risk. She is the mother of show jumper Alison Robitaille, who has ridden for the U.S. team many times.
Diana Firestone.
Born in New Brunswick, N.J., she was the granddaughter of Robert Wood Johnson, the founder of Johnson & Johnson. Mrs. Firestone was the daughter of John Seward Johnson, an executive with Johnson & Johnson, and Ruth Dill Johnson. After learning to ride in England, Mrs. Firestone competed in shows and fox hunted in Virginia.
“She was an amazing mother and an amazing horse woman,” said Alison Robitaille.
“Pretty much every animal loved her. Whether it was dogs, horses, whatever; when it came to animals, she was like a magnet. She gave to me my love of horses and introduced me to them at an early age, which I am very grateful for.”
Mrs. Firestone received the Walter B. Devereux Trophy from the American Horse Show Association (the predecessor of the U.S. Equestrian Federation), for having exemplified good sportsmanship through commitment, dedication and service.
In addition to Allison, Mrs. Firestone is survived by her other children; Lorna Stokes, Christopher Stokes, Cricket MacDonald and three stepsons; Matthew Firestone, who was an eventer; Ted Firestone and Greg Firestone. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 14, 2023
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (UPSC) and English Riding Supply have recalled about 55,000 Ovation Protégé helmets for failure to meet the impact requirements of ASTM F1163-15. These helmets pose a risk of injury to someone who falls while wearing the helmet.
This recall involves Ovation Protégé model equestrian helmets manufactured from December 2020 through December 2022 and sold in multiple colors and finishes. The Ovation Protégé is an equestrian helmet that is certified by the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) to the ASTM F1163-15 standard. An SEI certification label, which includes the model name and date of manufacture, is located inside the helmets. “OV” is printed on the front of the helmets.
Riders should immediately stop using these helmets and return them to the retailer they were purchased from or to any Ovation authorized dealer for a free replacement Ovation Deluxe Schooler helmet or contact English Riding Supply for a $60 refund.
The replacement helmet or refund will be provided upon return of the recalled helmet or proof of destruction of the recalled helmet. It is not required to return the helmet itself to English Riding Supply.
To destroy recalled helmets, cut off the harness straps. Email a photo of the cut harness and a photo of the interior manufacturing label, clearly showing the manufacturing date and serial number, to helmets@englishridingsupply.com. The manufacturing label is located on the interior foam liner underneath the comfort liner, so you will need to remove the comfort liner to access the manufacturing label.
To learn how to destroy your helmet and receive a refund, or learn more about the recall, visit https://www.ovationriding.com/ProtegeRecall/
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 14, 2023
After a two-year absence, John Ammerman is returning to HITS Vermont to manage the eight-week summer horse show with co-manager Joe Dotoli.
John produced the Vermont Summer Festival for more than 30 years before HITS took over that role in 2021. The 2023 Vermont Summer Festival will feature an extended eight-week schedule with six USEF National-rated competitions from July 5-Aug. 13. There also will be two Channel II weeks June 23 – July 2, as well as Equitation Tuesdays throughout the circuit to help riders qualify for national finals.
HITS Director of Horse Show Operations Rian Beals with Vermont series co-managers Joe Dotoli and John Ammerman. (Photo courtesy of HITS)
“No one knows the Vermont Summer Festival better than John, and we are excited to welcome him back to manage this venue,” noted HITS CEO Peter Englehart.
“This event has a special place in all of our exhibitors’ hearts, and we want to continue delivering top sport with the boutique feeling everyone has come to love at HITS Vermont.”
As John noted, “I am excited to work with the new management at HITS, as well as my good friend and co-manager, Joe Dotoli. I love the Vermont Summer Festival and believe in delivering an amazing event for all our customers. This incredible venue offers so many wonderful and unique opportunities, and I am thrilled to be a part of it again.”
HITS Vermont will continue to offer an all-inclusive horse show just outside Manchester, Vermont. The show offers every level, from the Short Stirrup Classic to the $40,000 weekly Grand Prix. Plans include an enhanced VIP experience and weekly exhibitor parties.
Information about the 2023 Vermont Summer Festival is available at www.HITSShows.com.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 12, 2023
Trophies and ribbons are nice, but the World Equestrian Center’s Premier Equitation Cup Championship powered by Gary Yeomans Ford offers a whole lot more–an SUV for the winner and $40,000 for the winning trainer.
That new Ford Explorer XLT is being driven by Kate Egan of Glen Gardner, N.J., after she topped a field of 100 in the Ocala competition. Her trainer, Emil Spadone, who worked with Luke Olsen, Ashley DiBongrazio Pankow and Cassandra Kahle, also received $40,000 of the $100,000 purse that was split among the trainers of other leading finishers over the Bobby Murphy-designed courses.
Kate Egan and Ypaja Kashmir. (Andrew Ryback photo)
The final test involved Kate, Carlee McCutcheon, Jordan Gibbs and Ellie Aronson putting in one more round.
“When I walked the second round, the technicality increased a good bit from the first, but I didn’t let it get to my head,” said Kate, who was tenth in the 2022 ASPCA Maclay finals .
“I knew I was able to do it. I made a set plan and came up with alternatives in case something happened. I don’t remember much of the round now, but I do remember feeling incredible. I think that was the best I’ve ever competed,” continued Kate, who rode Redfield Farm’s Ypaja Kashmir.
“The work-off was very hard, and I was with three other amazing riders,” added Kate, who will be attending Texas A&M later this year.
“I wanted to take everything into consideration before I made my plan. I watched the other girls go, and knew I had to produce a good round to stay on top.”
Emil, whose Redfield Farm is based in Tewksbury, N.J., observed about the newest equitation championship, “I think all of the riders did an incredible job. I really feel like this class has developed into an important championship like the [Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final] and Maclay Finals. It is a class that we all look forward to, and to have such a prize for the kids and the trainers – it’s incredibly generous.”
