by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 16, 2022
World Dressage Champion Lottie Fry of Great Britain picked the right place to be close to perfect with the magnificent Glamourdale, winnning the FEI Dressage World Cup Freestyle at the London International Horse Show tonight.
Her overall score was 90.995 percent, but one of the five judges gave the 26-year-old rider an artistic marking of 98 percent, totally amazing. Lottie’s total bettered her world championships freestyle mark of 90.654 on the 11-year-old black stallion.
Lottie Fry and Glamourdale enjoy their victory lap in London. (Photo courtesy FEI)
“The support from the crowd tonight was incredible, and to end this amazing year here is wonderful! It is almost impossible to sum up 2022–it has been incredible and coming to London and performing in front of my home crowd is the best feeling and the best way to end the year,” Lottie said.
Talking about Glamourdale’s performance tonight, she added, “I had such an easy, fun ride. He is better than he was in Herning (world championships) and we keep improving, so I can’t wait for the years to come. Paris (Olympic Games 2024) is for sure the goal, and we will see how it goes until then”.
Glamourdale and Lottie Fry at the World Championships, where they were stars.
Her countryman, Gareth Hughes and Classic Briolinca, also a Dutchbred, were second but far behind, even on a very respectable score of 84.590 percent.
Third went to Germany’s Ingrid Klimke, better known as an eventer, who finished on 82.170 percent with Franzikus FRH. Ingrid leads the Western European League as she seeks to qualify for the Cup finals this spring in Omaha.
To see all the scores, click on this link.
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 11, 2022
With tears running down his face, McLain Ward talked about his stunning victory today in the Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva, Switzerland, aboard the 16-year-old HH Azur.
A double exposure of a victorious McLain Ward on HH Azur juxtaposed against an overall shot of the Palexpo arena.
“It’s something I always dreamed of,” he said, after putting in an amazing time of 38.43 seconds to defeat hometown hero and defending champion Martin Fuchs of Switzerland on Leone Jei, clear in 39.77 seconds.
Coming down to the final obstacle in the race against the clock, Azur put in an extra stutter stride that seemed certain to result in toppling one of the green and yellow rails.
Yet miraculously, everything stayed in place to assure McLain’s win in the prestigious class at the Palexpo Arena, which looked like Aachen moved indoors with its lake and trees.
“I don’t know how she cleared the last fence. Really amazing,” declared McLain, only the third American to win the featured class in the history of Geneva’s December show..
“But that’s what you have to do to beat Martin Fuchs.”
Rolex runner-up Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei.
His face a study in joy and amazement, McLain started celebrating as soon as he realized he had done it, waving and fist-pumping as joy washed over him.
McLain added about his 2017 World Cup champion, “Azur is an incredible partner and friend. ”
He offered thanks to her team and owners, mentioning the late Hunter Harrison and his father, Barney Ward, who he is sure was looking down on his effort today.
McLain had the fastest time with Contagious on Friday in the Rolex International Jumper Riders Club Top Ten Finals, but finished fourth with a rail down. He kept up the speed quotient of that performance today, going fastest in the first round of 40 starters, which gave him the advantage of running last in the 13-horse jump-off, where he aimed at Martin’s time.
Martin Fuchs and McLain Ward.
World Champion Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden, winner of the Top Ten on King Edward, did not make the jump-off today when a rail near the end of the course scuttled his chances.
Germany’s Daniel Deusser, who was looking to clinch his second segment of the four-part Rolex Grand Slam after winning the competition at Spruce Meadows in September, wound up sixth on Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z in 42.58 seconds.
The Grand Slam cycle starts again next year in s’-Hertogenbosch, Holland, and you can bet McLain will be there at the Dutch Masters, looking toward a sweep to take the bonus.
Scott Brash of Great Britain became the first rider to take the Grand Slam in 2015.
Despite not winning the featured class in Geneva, Martin had a special day, having said on Friday that his main focus this afternoon would be on the retirement ceremony for his great star, Clooney.
Martin Fuchs shows his fondness for Clooney during the star show jumper’s retirement at Geneva.
The horse he rode to the European Championship and individual silver at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games is headed for the pasture after recovering from a broken shoulder he suffered last year in the pasture.
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 8, 2022
Spain’s Santiago Varela, who designed the memorable show jumping courses for the Tokyo Olympics, will work alongside Gregory Bodo of France to lay out the routes for the show jumping competition and eventing stadium jumping phase at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Olympic team silver medalist Jessica Springsteen of the USA over one of the imaginative jumps on Santiago Varela’s Tokyo course.
FEI President Ingmar De Vos noted that “As is always the case for the Olympic Games, we went through a thorough evaluation process and selected two individuals, both of whom hold a wealth of experience and are renowned for their dedication and impeccable work ethic.
“The designs created by Santiago Varela and Gregory Bodo are stunning and combine huge expertise with unique local flavor. Most importantly, they always put the horse at the core of their thought process and produce courses mindful of the welfare of both our equine and human athletes. ”
As he pointed out, the two have worked together on numerous occasions, including the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, where Santiago handled the courses and Gregory was the assistant designer.
“I am convinced that with their knowledge, creative spirit, and professional attitude, the equestrian community, the spectators and the fans around the world can expect jumping courses of the highest quality,” the FEI president continued.
“With the equestrian events scheduled to be held in Versailles with the historical château as the uniquely beautiful backdrop, these are set to be truly exceptional Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 6, 2022
One of the greatest dressage horses, the fiery Salinero, died in retirement today at the age of 28.
“My heart has been broken,” said the Netherlands’ Anky van Grunsven, who rode her partner to two Olympic individual gold medals and four World Cup titles.
“Salinero my hero has left us in tears. The memories never fade away.”
As the Dutch federation noted about the Hanoverian son of Salieri, “Together with Anky, he was the icon of Dutch and international dressage sport for years.”
Salinero on his way to another freestyle gold medal with Anky van Grunsven at the 2008 Hong Kong Olympics. (Photo © 2008 by Nancy Jaffer)
Anky’s Olympic freestyle gold medals in Athens (2004) and Hong Kong (2008) with Salinero followed her gold in Sydney (2000) aboard Bonfire, but Salinero carried her to new heights.
She continued her rivalry with her German counterpart, Isabell Werth, making the first part of the Twenty First Century an exciting time for dressage enthusiasts.
While Salinero, who began competing as a jumper, had an impressive style, he also was impatient. His hot and sparkly character was reflected in not wanting to halt properly. And at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games, he bolted during the team prize giving ceremony and seemed headed for downtown Aachen before he was stopped by a police horse barricade. But he was in fine form for the freestyle at the show in Germany, where he won again.
His long competitive career ended at the 2012 Olympics in London, where he and Anky helped the Dutch to a team bronze, and he was sixth in the freestyle. He spent the rest of his life in happy retirement.
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 5, 2022
The Tewksbury Trail Association has received the Tewksbury Land Trust’s Ted Koven Conservationist of the Yea award. The distinction is a testament to the TTA’s extensive commitment to the community through volunteering time and financial resources to many local charitable organizations.
The Tewksbury Trail Association’s trail pace is always a highlight of the year. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
As an all-volunteer organization, the TTA’s help has been invaluable in meeting the Tewksbury Land Trust’s stewardship objectives, especially in providing safe public access for passive recreation.
The Land Trust’s president, Larry Ross, pointed out that the two organizations collaborated for nine months to hold the TTA’s annual trail pace across Land Trust preserves on Fox Hill, which included opening a new stretch of the Ten Mile Trail.
The Tewksbury Trail Association and the Tewksbury Land Trust working together.
TTA began its commitment to land and green space preservation over 25 years ago with 30 landowners and their horses. Since then, it has grown to over 250 members, with more than 180 generous landowners who support the TTA in its preservation efforts.
TTA’s commitment to the community is extensive through volunteering time and financial resources to many local charitable organizations. In addition to its collaboration with the Land Trust, it supports the Mane Stream, Raritan Headwaters Association, Tewksbury First Aid and Rescue Squad, Oldwick Fire Company, Oldwick Library, Hunterdon County ASPCA, Mylestone Equine Rescue, as well as other open space and farmland preservation initiatives.
In addition, TTA is responsible for developing, maintaining, and marking the trail network throughout the township. By linking them to TLT trails, the value of Land Trust preserves and easements to the community is increased significantly.
As an all-volunteer organization, the TTA’s energetic help has been invaluable in meeting the Land Trust’s stewardship objectives, especially in providing safe public access for passive recreation. Most recently, the two organizations collaborated closely for nine months to hold the TTA’s annual trail pace on TLT preserves on Fox Hill, which included opening a new stretch of the Ten Mile Trail. The event is open to both member and non-member horseback riders. As a result, equestrians could experience new trails and stunning views across the Raritan Basin.
For the community at large, the event drew attention to the progress of the nearly complete Ten Mile Trail and access to new, well-groomed paths for hikers and riders alike. It also demonstrated widespread cooperation among neighboring landowners who provided access to their properties to complete the six-mile pace. T
Testimonials supporting the TTA include a wide variety of community leaders and spokespersons for conservation organizations.
Sally Ike, the former managing director of the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Licensed Officials committee, and recipient of the USEF Lifetime Achievement Award, said “One could not find a worthier recipient of the Ted Koven Conservationist Award than the Tewksbury Trail Association.
“Their commitment to the preservation of the countryside we live in, their partnership with the Tewksbury Land Trust and the sense of community that TTA brings to the table means that the view out my kitchen window of the beautiful countryside we drive through and that I’ve lived in for 40-plus years isn’t going to change. I feel very, very lucky!”
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 4, 2022
How could the result have been otherwise?
Cody’s Wish, the talented 4-year-old racehorse who shares a special relationship with teenager Cody Dorman, has been voted the public’s choice for the 2022 Secretariat Vox Populi Award.
Created by Secretariat’s owner, the late Penny Chenery, the annual award recognizes the horse whose popularity and racing excellence struck a chord with the public and earned recognition for thoroughbred racing.
Cody’s Wish, by leading sire Curlin and out of the Tapit mare Dance Card, is a fifth-generation great-grandson of Secretariat. The thousands of votes in the online public poll for Cody’s Wish topped the other nominees, who included the undefeated Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Flightline, and Rich Strike, the 80-1 longshot winner of the 2022 Kentucky Derby.
The story of the colt who connected as a weanling with a boy suffering from a rare genetic condition that has left him unable to speak or walk has touched millions of people around the world. The colt was named after Cody Dorman, who met him at Godolphin’s Gainsborough Farm during a Make-a-Wish day in 2018.
Cody and Cody. (Photo courtesy of the Secretariat Foundation)
When the colt saw Cody, he walked over to the boy, putting his head in the teenager’s lap, The connection was made, and the horse got a name.
Cody’s Dream was victorious in the Breeder’s Cup Dirt Mile last month, with Cody in attendance–the 16-year-old believes that the horse will win if he comes to watch him race, and the results have borne him out.
The occasion at the Breeder’s Cup was emotional; there were plenty of tears all around in the winner’s circle, where Cody sat in his wheelchair, draped in the blanket of flowers won by Cody’s Wish.
And there’s more good news. Cody’s Wish is set to race again in 2023, to the delight of his fans and of course, Cody Dorman
Godolphin Farm stated its team is “delighted that Cody’s Wish was voted by the fans to be the recipient of the 2022 Vox Populi award. The story of the two Codys’ bond for each other since the foal, Cody’s Wish, and the boy, Cody Dorman, first met in 2018 is a magical one.”
The Dorman family stated, “We would like to extend our most heartfelt congratulations for winning the Vox Populi Award to a very special friend and horse that’s not only dear to our hearts, but to so many people around the globe as well. Thank you, Cody’s Wish, for not only having the heart of a warrior on the track, but even more so for having a heart of gold off of it.
“You have not only inspired an amazing young man in Cody Dorman but you’ve touched the hearts of thousands of people in many walks of life. You’ve provided tears of joy, warmed hearts and provided a simple smile to so many. Congratulations to Godolphin, and everyone involved in the care and training of Cody’s Wish.
The Vox Populi trophy presentation is scheduled to take place at Santa Anita Park on Jan. 14.
Cody’s Wish joins the roster of racing stars who previously received the Vox Populi Award: Hot Rod Charlie (2022), Authentic (2020), Bricks and Mortar (2019), Winx (2018), Ben’s Cat (2017), California Chrome (2016 and 2014), American Pharoah (2015), Mucho Macho Man (2013), Paynter (2012), Rapid Redux (2011), and inaugural winner Zenyatta (2010).:
“We would like to extend our most heartfelt congratulations for winning the Vox Populi Award to a very special friend and horse that’s not only dear to our hearts but to so many people around the globe as well,” said a statement from the Dorman family.
“Thank you, Cody’s Wish, for not only having the heart of a warrior on the track, but even more so for having a heart of gold off of it.
“You have not only inspired an amazing young man in Cody Dorman, but you’ve touched the hearts of thousands of people in many walks of life. You’ve provided tears of joy, warmed hearts and provided a simple smile to so many.
“Congratulations to Godolphin, and everyone involved in the care and training of Cody’s Wish. And all of the people surrounding this magical story. And yes, that includes everyone that’s supported and cheered on Cody’s Wish! This is what makes this award even more special.
The love shown between Cody and Cody’s Wish is such a blessing. An instant blessing between a special boy and a special horse that will be cherished for years to come. God Bless you Cody’s Wish. You’ll forever be in the hearts of many.”
