by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 12, 2023
Tribute was paid to the dynamic Gazelle by a big Saturday night crowd on Feb. 11 at the Winter Equestrian Festival, as the 17-year-old mare headed for retirement after a stellar show jumping career with rider Kent Farrington.
Kent Farrington and Gazelle. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
Her owner, Robin Cleary Parsky, said, “After 10 years of extraordinary accomplishments at the most prestigious show jumping events in the world, it was a difficult decision for Kent and me to have Gazelle leave her sporting career, but I am delighted to report that she is in terrific condition and she will be heading for a well-deserved life of green pastures and sunshine.
“Kent and I had a great experience here in 2017 when Gazelle won the Fidelity [Investments®] Grand Prix, so we decided that we would let her retire at the top of her game here. To be able to have her fans thank her and know how much we appreciate her, that is what we wanted. Thank you to all of Wellington and everyone here at WEF for helping us do this wonderful tribute to an incredible horse.”
Throughout the mare’s international career, Gazelle grossed over $4 million in prize money and represented the U.S. at the Tokyo Olympic Games and the 2015 Toronto Pan American Games with Farrington in the irons. Gazelle was also honored with the International Horse of the Year title by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) in 2020.
“I’m obviously very proud of her results,” said Farrington. “Thank you to Robin and my team and all the people who have been a part of her journey. She made me a better rider and a better horseman, and for that I’m probably the most grateful.”
One of this century’s most outstanding horses in the discipline, Gazelle (Kashmir van Shuttershof X Indoctro) won her last competition in September at Spruce Meadows. She earned more than $4 million in prize money, winning nearly all of the top 5* Grand Prix in the world including Rolex CSIO Aachen, Rolex CSI Geneva, GCT Madrid, Queen Elizabeth II Cup Spruce Meadows (twice), American Gold Cup (twice), Fidelity Investments CSI Wellington, Rolex CSI Tryon, Jumping International Valence (twice), Hubside St Tropez, Kentucky National WC and many other jumping events.
Robin Parsky, Kent Farrington and groom Denise Moriarity at Gazelle’s retirement ceremony during the Winter Equestrian Festival. (Sportfot photo)
Kent and I once had talked about Gazelle’s character and how he brought her along. Kent worked with Gazelle from the time that she was seven. As he noted, “A horse that is that careful just takes time. They need a lot of experience in the ring so they understand the job, understand how to jump the combinations and really know what’s expected of them. Horses like that have to have a lot of trust in the rider. That’s only built through time and experience.”
Kent knew what he was looking for when he selected her.
“She was very, very careful. In today’s sport, for professional riding, someone that’s accurate, that’s what you want–a horse that’s extremely careful. It takes a little extra time to produce them, but I think in the end you get a special horse.”
Watching Gazelle compete, you might be surprised to learn about Gazelle’s barn persona. As Kent explained it, “She’s really sweet in the stable, she’s very quiet; a little opposite of how she is in the competition arena. She’s a good pet; like a puppy, really friendly.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 30, 2023
Do you know how to take your horses’ vital signs to monitor their health? This is a really helpful article from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, . Even if you know how to do it, why not post this in the barn as a reminder or to give pointers to owners and employees.
A horse’s vital signs offer early clues into his overall health. Get to know your horse’s main vital signs and practice taking them. The earlier a potential issue is identified, the better; the chances for responding and preventing a larger issue from developing.
Temperature: 99 to 101.5 F
Like humans, horses are individuals and may have a slightly higher or lower resting temperature and it may vary with ambient temperature and exercise. Therefore, knowing your horse’s baseline is essential.
Take and record the horse’s temperature several times a month to establish what is “normal.” Exercise and weather can create fluctuations. Measure while the horse is at rest, after work, and in other common scenarios.
How to measure: Use a rectal thermometer and lubricant. Digital thermometers are available at local drug stores, tack stores, and farm supply stores. The inexpensive thermometer provides easy reading but requires batteries, which can be sensitive to cold weather. Check and change batteries as needed.
Mercury thermometers are another option but can be more challenging to read and aren’t readily available for purchase. The benefit is no batteries are required. With either model, you can attach a string to the end and clip it to the horse’s tail to avoid it getting lost.
What it means: A slightly elevated temperature can suggest a horse is fighting a mild infection or having an inflammatory reaction that could be the equivalent of a cold in humans. A mild fever after vaccination can be normal and just shows that the immune system is responding. Mild fevers can just be monitored while watching for any other clinical signs. If the fever persists and the horse stops eating, consult with a veterinarian about treatment with cold hosing or an NSAID.
“Bringing the fever down can help the horse resume eating and drinking but it’s important to remember that fevers have a purpose in terms of fighting infection so we don’t want to just mask them with drugs,” said Sarah Reuss, VMD, DACVIM, Equine Technical Manager, Boehringer Ingelheim.
Fevers that climb to 105 F or greater could suggest several different infections from Equine Herpesvirus to Potomac Horse Fever, influenza, etc.
“If your horse has an increased temperature, contact your veterinarian,” said Dr. Reuss. “They can guide you through the next steps based on the horse’s condition.”
Pulse: 28 to 44 beats per minute
The average pulse rate can vary based on the age and size of the horse. For example, a fit racehorse may have a resting pulse of 30, whereas a nervous pony may be closer to 40. Foals also have higher pulse rates at birth and through the first few months of life.
How to measure: Along the jawline and at the fetlock are the easiest places to locate a pulse. Place two fingers in either location and feel for pulsing. Count the pulsations for 15 seconds and multiply the result by four.
“If you have a stethoscope, you can listen for the pulse just behind the horse’s left elbow,” said Dr. Reuss. “Listen for a ‘lub-dub’ sound. Count for 15 seconds and then multiply by four.”
What it means: It’s normal for a horse to have an elevated pulse after exercise. However, if the horse has not worked or takes more than a few minutes to return to normal depending on the intensity of exercise, it’s time to call the veterinarian. High pulse rates can point to pain, dehydration, illness, and distress.
Respiration: 10 – 24 breaths per minute
How to measure: Count the number of breaths for 15 seconds. Watch the horse’s sides as he inhales and exhales. Again, multiply by four. Then, hold one hand or a mirror by the horse’s nostrils to feel for breath out of each nostril.
What it means: Horses in heavy work can take as many as 150 breaths per minute. In addition, heat, humidity, exercise, and fitness level can influence respiration rates. “Get to know how long it takes a horse to recover after exercise to establish a baseline for what is acceptable and to signal a potential issue,” said Dr. Reuss. “Continued rapid breathing can suggest respiratory disease, pain, or discomfort, and it is essential to work with your veterinarian.” Horses with fevers often have an increased respiratory rate as well, so be sure to check all vitals if you notice any one of them being abnormal.
3 additional vitals to know
In addition to T-P-R other physical clues can offer insight into a horse’s health.
Mucous membranes: Healthy tissues are pink and moist. These tissues are visible when the skin meets an opening on the body. The most common are the gums and the conjunctival sac of the eyes.
Capillary refill: This is how quickly blood returns to an area after applying pressure. This is best observed on the horse’s gums. Apply firm pressure to the gum and release. It should return to pink within one to two seconds.
Gut gurgles: Stand beside your horse and listen for intestinal sounds. Gurgling, growling, and rumbling-like noises indicate all is well. If it’s silent, the horse may be colicking or may have just not eaten for awhile.
“Knowing a horse’s vital signs make it possible to catch and diagnose a problem early, which allows for quick intervention,” said Dr. Reuss. “It’s always prudent to contact the horse’s veterinarian if they are off. Sharing the horse’s vital signs can help determine how quick the response must be and the next steps.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 12, 2023
Mclain Ward, who has had so many spectacular grand prix victories at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Fla., delivered yet another Saturday night triumph with Callas, as fractions of a second separated the top three.
McLain Ward and Callas. (Photo by Sportfot)
He has a way with mares, and this 15-year-old Holsteiner by Casall secured his edge over Ireland’s Darragh Kenny in the nine-horse jump-off of the $497,000 Fidelity Investments® CSI5* Grand Prix, finishing in 44.03 seconds to 45.09 for the runner-up on the Selle Francais stallion Volnay du Boisdeville.
Another American who has a penchant for speed finished third; Kent Farrington, was clocked in 45.14 seconds with Landon, a 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding who is an up-and-coming prospect.
McLain has been aboard Callas for about a year after taking over from Annabel Revers on the mare owned by the Beechwood Stables.
“The jump-off was built for us,” said McLain, who gets along particularly well with mares.
“She cuts a little left and so one, two, I could take a straight line. I needed the Hermès to show up well off that rollback. As you saw with everybody, you had to make a sharp turn and it was a bit awkward, but I got away with that one. She performed brilliant.”
Five nations were represented in the nine-horse jump-off culled from a starting field of 40 over the course designed by Frank Rothenberger.
Darragh summed up what it was like to ride in front of a packed house at the Wellington International showgrounds, saying, “The atmosphere was unbelievable tonight and it’s hard getting a crowd like that, but this one was amazing.”
The buzz didn’t deter Landon, enough though it was his introduction to competing under the lights in the International arena.
Patient as always in developing a special horse, Kent has taken his time with Landon.
“I’ve brought him up slow. He’s an incredible jumper. His rideability was a bit difficult; that set some speed limits on me still for the jump-off, but he’s learning to go a bit quicker,” he said of the horse who topped a CSI3* grand prix on the derby field three weeks ago.
“It was a tremendous performance for him, and this was his first night class here in the big ring. I thought he jumped incredible, so I think he has a bright future ahead of him.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 3, 2023
It shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Who but 10-time Olympian Ian Millar was the logical choice to be appointed as the new technical advisor for the Canadian show jumping team?
He succeeds Canada’s individual Olympic gold medalist Eric Lamaze, whose contract ended last month.
Ian Millar at the 2008 Olympics, where Canada won team silver. (Photo © 2008 by Nancy Jaffer)
Ian, 76, is the most successful competitor over all in the history of Canadian show jumping. A 12-time Canadian National Champion, he has competed in more Olympic Games than any athlete in any sport.
“Everyone at EC (Equestrian Canada) and the Canadian team are feeling proud that Ian has chosen to share his knowledge, passion and experience in a mentorship and development role that will support the team now and into the future,” said Equestrian Canada CEO Meg Krueger.
“I think not only the athletes, but everyone, will benefit from his guidance and infinite interest in making the sport better. And we know he likes to win, too.”
Ian will be working toward preparing the Canadians to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“It has been my great honor to ride for Canada for the better part of 50 years,” said Ian, who retired from competing four years ago.
“This is my opportunity to give back and it is with further honor that I do so.”
He called his role a culmination of what he brings and what groundwork has been laid before him.
“In my time representing Canada, I have known and learned from over a dozen chefs d’equipe,” he continued. “Each of them have been great leaders in their own right and I will take that team spirit with me as I embark on this new role.”
“Over his career, Ian has developed a program that consistently produces top results in major competitions using proven principles,” said James Hood Equestrian Canada’s high performance director.
“We are grateful to have him guiding our team to be the best they can be. And we are looking forward to having him bring his leadership skills to the TA position.”
“I am very excited for the challenge,” Millar said. “I know we have some great riders and some great horses, he observed, adding he is optimistic that Canada can build a top team for Pan American Games in Chile this fall.
“These games are going to be challenging but they are our big chance to qualify for the Olympics. This is a must do and a can-do thing. Then we’ll build a team for Paris.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 3, 2023
We’ve lost another good one.
Philip A. DeVita has passed away yesterday at the age of 88. Although he was a respected U.S. Equestrian Federation judge, the Apopka, Fla., resident is perhaps is best known for his hands-on involvement with horses. His email was “horseshowjunky.”
(Survivors and memorial service information are listed at the bottom of this story.)
Hunter/jumper rider Jimmy Torano posted a tribute to him, calling Phil “one of the original pioneers of our sport.”
Jimmy explained, “Everyone went to Coral Hills Farm when looking to buy a horse. Phil helped everyone, including me. I remember on several occasions as a junior, needing a horse to show. Phil always stepped up and loaned me one of his nice sale horses. And trained me. Never charged me a penny.”
Phil DeVita receiving his USHJA Lifetime Achievement Award from Dianne Johnson. (Photo © 2017 by Nancy Jaffer)
The winner of the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award, Phil recalled that for him, it was always about the horses.
“I didn’t want anything else. It was part of my life from the beginning,” he told me.
He had a multi-faceted career during which he sold horses to the biggest names in the business, worked as a trainer, got involved in selling horse transportation and was a highly regarded judge, retiring in 2017.
It all started when he lived in Harlem as a child and spent time with his maternal grandfather, who rented out horses and wagons by the Willis Avenue Bridge that connects Manhattan with the Bronx.
“I just loved looking at horses, and my grandfather became my first mentor,” said Phil, who went to auctions with him and developed a sharp eye for conformation. That served him well when he started buying and selling horses.
At age 12, he helped with horses during the summer at a riding academy in upstate New York.
Unlike many kids growing up in the 1930s and ‘40s who wanted to ride western because they idolized cowboy heroes such as Tom Mix or Gene Autry, Phil focused on hunters and jumpers.
“I just had a feeling it would be a great industry someday, and I wanted to be a part of that,” he explained. He didn’t take riding lessons; rather, he learned by observation.
“I was in the era with Benny O’Meara. The fellow that was a great mentor to all of us at that time was Herman Kaplan. He was probably the best blacksmith, the best horseman, I’ve ever known,” observed Phil.
One of his top horses was Colombo, who showed in the conformation division with Rodney Jenkins and DeVita’s son, Philip, who is himself a prominent judge, course designer and horse show manager.
Another favorite was Mink ‘n’ Pearls, purchased as a weanling, who went on to stardom with Bernie Traurig. He also had No Alibi and You Watch, horses he bred and raised.
Phil got involved in judging because he wanted to give back to the industry, hence his help for Jimmy Torano and others, including Margie Goldstein.
He is survived by his sons, Philip John DeVita (Mary Beth) and Travis DeVita, daughters, Deborah Ann Omerovic (Selmir) and Denise DeVita ; a sister, Angela Pear (Meir); grandchildren, Anthony Joseph DeVita, Philip John DeVita, Jr., Joseph John DeVita, Alecia Damico, Deidra Slachter and William Gallagher, as well as several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial ceremony will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Mount Dora, Fla., on Monday, March 27 at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation,
2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10306; www.t2t.org/donate
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 2, 2023
I always thought of Jimmy Wofford as the irreplaceable man. Jimmy, who died today after a long struggle with cancer, held the status of legend befitting his expertise in a variety of roles.
He was a doer who checked all the boxes; few lives are as well-lived and appreciated as his. And right up until nearly the very end, he made the most of the time he had left, visiting family and friends in England, going fishing and enjoying his Fox Covert Farm in Virginia.
(NOTE: Jimmy’s funeral has now been set for 11 a.m. Feb. 24 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 9108 John S Mosby Highway in Upperville, Va. Donations in his memory may be made to the Piedmont Fox Hounds Conservation Fund c/o Box 592 Upperville, VA 20185 or The National Sporting Library,102 The Plains Road,Middleburg ,VA 20117.)
Jimmy Wofford was an unforgettable sportsman. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Heavily influenced by his military heritage, he grew up on a farm next to the Fort Riley, Kansas, Army base, where the U.S. cavalry trained. His father, Col. John Wofford, was an Olympian who rode on the U.S. army show jumping team in the 1932 Olympics.
Jimmy went on to get Olympic and world championships medals in eventing. He then became a coach, generously sharing his knowledge of the sport to the benefit of horse and rider, whether in person or through the books he wrote.
There likely isn’t an eventer who wasn’t influenced in some way by this master horseman.
Jimmy going cross-country on Carawich.
Swapping his riding clothes for a business suit, he moved seamlessly into equestrian governance, becoming a most effective president of the American Horse Shows Association, the predecessor of the U.S. Equestrian Federation. He also served as a vice president of the U.S. Equestrian Team.
His great sense of humor was a treat for every audience when he served as an after-dinner speaker or a master of ceremonies at the U.S. Eventing awards presentations.
As a master of ceremonies, Jimmy made any evening memorable. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
A real student of history, he used that to tailor his perspective on the world. An engaging writer, he produced several technical equestrian books.
But his finest effort was “Horse Crazy After All These Years,” his life story that was both motivational and entertaining. It’s a history as much as it is a biography, because Jimmy lived through all the changes in U.S. horse sport that brought us from the army teams to today’s very different world.
Jimmy’s heyday in the sport was at a point in time when endurance and guts, as much as talent, were the keys to victory. And he had all three.
As an outdoorsman, he enjoyed going fishing with his dog, shooting and fox hunting.
Last month, he left his home for the final time to attend a meet of the Piedmont Fox Hounds, greeting the masters and thoroughly enjoying the action, despite the burden of being on oxygen. His friend, Jim Wolf, took him there, reporting that “everyone in the hunt field came by and said hello and the hounds came up to him. It was nice.”
Jim and Jimmy were like brothers. They had traveled the world together and engaged in their share of shenanigans.
“What do you say about someone like Jimmy, who’s an icon of the sport?” asked Jim.
“He made so many contributions it would be hard to catalogue them. It just goes on and on.”
Added Jim, “He got some really good years after the diagnosis, and he went after it. He did not feel sorry for himself. He had a long time to say goodbye; he hadn’t left anything undone or unsaid.”
Jimmy will be mourned by many, including me. He was a loyal friend, a faithful correspondent and a continuing inspiration. But as his daughter, Hillary Jones, told me, we can take comfort because he is now at peace after his grueling final battle.
Jimmy enjoying one of his favorite pastimes, fishing with his Labrador Retriever by his side. (Photo courtesy Jim Wolf)
He leaves Gail, his wife of 56 years; Hillary and her sister, Jennifer Ince, and four grandsons.
Funeral arrangements are in italics above, but I also would count on some kind of tribute at the Kentucky Horse Park during the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event in April.
