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.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 28, 2022
This is a letter from Judith Stratton, who served as DVHA’s vice president. She is responding to an article that appeared on this site Nov. 4. Here is a link to it.
It was with interest that I read your article on the dissolution of DVHA. I would like to address some of the comments that were made by DVHA members.
The first is in regard to the assertion that we did not properly conduct the dissolution process stipulated under our constitution. Two written communications; the first one announcing the dissolution and the second letter containing a ballot, were sent to all of the current adult voting members and life members. Approval of 75% of this mailing was required in order to proceed.
Secondly, that “little band of older members” is offensive to those of us who have given many years of dedicated service to the organization. We were also in DVHA in the early ’70s/’80s and some of us go back as far as the 1960s.
If any member wanted to give it “one more try”, where were they? They never attended meetings to express their concerns or to offer assistance. In fact, two of the life members expressing their dissatisfaction in your article didn’t even return their ballot to vote their opinion. Yet, they used your article to express their concerns and aspersions on DVHA.
There were several comments regarding Jessica Brittain. She was a 3-year member of the executive committee but was president only from December 1, 2021, through September of 2022. Also, she was not forced to resign. She stated she was not going to run again for president and was not going to chair the hunter/jumper division in 2023. Her decision to no longer be active was hers and hers alone. At the August general meeting we asked her and Jen Cassidy to present their ideas at our next general meeting in September, but they never bothered to attend and offer their presentation.
As you well know, DVHA is very dependent on the members volunteering to staff our shows. If we have an insufficient number of members, especially adults, we cannot survive. Membership in DVHA is also vital to the attendance at our shows as it constitutes the base from which we can forecast our upcoming show season. As property owners, in order for DVHA to maintain our showgrounds, hire judges and other staff, and pay taxes and insurance requires a monthly minimum gross income. By August of this year, we realized that we would be facing an insufficient amount of funds to even start a 2023 season. This same lack of funds also prevents us from making the necessary improvements to the footing in our rings.
We would have loved to continue, and we would have preferred to have heard from all of these members personally. The fact that members now bemoan the demise of DVHA without supporting and participating in the organization is on them.
Judith E, Stratton
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 17, 2022
European champion, reserve world champion, second place in the Longines FEI World Cup final and winner of the Grands Prix of Geneva, Zurich, Basel and Lyon, the gorgeous gray. Clooney 51 is saying goodbye to his fans next month.
Ridden by Martin Fuchs, this son of Cornet Obolensky owned by Luigi Baleri competed in two Olympics (Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021) and won the the Rolex Grand Prix in 2019 at the Palexpo.
Just after the Olympics in August 2021, Clooney fell in turn-out and broke his shoulder. The efforts to save him for a happy retirement came to fruition. But his connections felt that what was missing from his career was a last lap to say goodbye to his many fans.
The Geneva, Switzerland, show was a natural location for this, since those involved with him are Swiss. It will happen on Sunday, Dec. 11 before the start of the Rolex Grand Prix.
“Clooney is the horse of my life, an extraordinary being. He has given me so much and it is with him that I have had my greatest successes,” stated Martin.
Martin Fuchs and Clooney. (Photo © 2018 by Nancy Jaffer)
“His accident was a terrible ordeal for him and for all my team, but in the face of it he proved what strength of character he has. Today, he is well and he deserves to have a ceremony that reflects his fabulous career and the genius that he is. Geneva was an obvious choice, as we had one of our most beautiful moments here when we won the Rolex Grand Prix.
“I am very much looking forward to this farewell, which promises to be very emotional, and during which I will be surrounded by the great Geneva public, my family, my team and my friends.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 28, 2022
Trainer Joy Kloss, who ran Fox Hunt Farm in Lumberton, N.J., died suddenly on Thanksgiving night in Tryon, N.C. She was 71.
Joy Kloss, second from right, with Leslie Howard, Anne Kursinski and McLain Ward at the 2016 memorial service for Frank Chapot. (Photo © 2016 by Nancy Jaffer)
A USEF judge, she was a respected trainer who gave clinics and was involved in horse sales.
Callan Solem, who met Joy through her own mentor, the late Carol Hofmann Thompson, called Joy “the consummate horseman. There was nothing about anything at the barn or the training she couldn’t do herself. She afforded so many possibilities to so many people.”
Added Callan, “You always knew where you stood with her. That was a working woman. There was not any work she was not willing and able to do when it was going to make things better for a horse.”
Joy’s close friend of more than a half-century, Nancy Dawn Ashway, her classmate at Southern Seminary and Junior College in Virginia, was just on vacation with her earlier this month.
“She had great horsemanship. She was straight to the point. She didn’t coddle her students,” Nancy recalled.
Kathy Brown Serio, a former student, paid tribute to Joy on her Facebook page, calling her a “fierce competitor, a loyal friend, and a force to be reckoned with…”
She added, “I thank you immensely for all you did for us growing up, there will never be another Joy Kloss. You taught me the subtleties–how to finesse a course, and showmanship, and I will forever be grateful.”
Survivors include Joy’s daughter, Kayley White (Al) and two grandchildren.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 21, 2022
A memorial service will be held next year for Sergeantsville Grain & Feed owner James Fred McCue Jr., who died Nov. 7 at age 73.
The son of Esther Mastrobattista McCue and James Fred McCue Sr., Jim was a native of Bernardsville, where he was the 1967 Heavyweight State Champion in wrestling and received a scholarship to Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg, Pa., for wrestling. He has been inducted into the Bernardsville High School athletic hall of fame.
At Bloomsburg, Jim he won the Pennsylvania State College Wrestling Conference Championship. He qualified for the U.S. Olympic wrestling team, but was unable to compete due to injury. Jim went on to complete his master’s degree in Education, but ultimately decided to go into the family business.
He worked at Somerset Grain & Feed in Bernardsville until he purchased Sergeantsville Grain & Feed in 1981. Jim was happiest when working hard and being with his own family, feedstore family, friends, and customers. Jim was a staple of the Sergeantsville community and cherished its members.
Jim McCue
He served on the Delaware Township Committee and Planning Board, becoming the only person in New Jersey, at the time, ever elected to local office by a write-in vote. That is the way he became the mayor.
Jim’s friends described him as firm but fair, generous and hardworking. He was big-hearted and didn’t take things too seriously, being known for his sense of humor.
Jim is survived by his wife of 37 years, Stephanie; their children, Chelsea McCue Harms (John Harms) and Peter B. McCue; a granddaughter, Scarlett Harms; his sister, Sarah “Sally” McCue Horwitz (Ralph Horwitz) and his brother Peter A. McCue (Elizabeth Miller).
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Doylestown, Pa., Hospital IMU unit, Doylestown Hospital Hospice or any charity of choice.
