by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 29, 2022
More than two years after Lord Stirling Stable’s horses were sold as the facility was shut down during Covid, a plan to buy “a number of horses” and begin reintroducing equestrian programming before the end of the year at the Somerset County facility was announced today.
Trail rides will be coming back to Lord Stirling Stable. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Many of those who rode at the stables had despaired about whether it would operate again after such a long time.
The plan is part of a “new vision” for the future of the 1,015-acre Lord Stirling Park that will connect resources in support of the county’s “parks for all” goals while supporting environmental and historic sites tourism.
The stable in Basking Ridge long had an extensive lesson program, but the announcement did not say anything about teaching people to ride. The only specifics offered included “limited trail riding for more experienced patrons,” and providing lead-line rides for beginners. The stable’s ponies were not sold with the horses in 2020 and pony rides have been available during the interim. The stable also has several privately owned horses as boarders.
The plan was devised by the Somerset County Park Commission’s Lord Stirling Stable Advisory Group and county planning professionals.
“What began as the rebranding of the Lord Stirling Stable has evolved into a new vision for the entire Lord Stirling Park that includes equestrian, natural and historic experiences,” said Tom Boccino, Somerset County’s supervising planner/preservation.
“The plan outlines conceptually how all uses can be integrated into a single experience that highlights the valuable assets that exist in Somerset County–one park, many paths.”
In addition to the stable, the park includes natural waterways and open space in an area that is also home to the Environmental Education Center and the Revolutionary War-era Boudinot Southard Farmstead. These resources have been operated independently of each other, but the plan proposes connecting them with expanded trails and paths, integrated programming and newly developed community event spaces along Lord Stirling Road and at the Boudinot Southard Farmstead.
“Lord Stirling Park is a great, untapped resource for Somerset County residents and visitors, and I am extremely pleased with the work of the Park Commission, its expert advisory group and the county planning staff for putting together this vision for its future,” said county Commissioner Paul Drake, liaison to the Park Commission.
The stable has a distinctive look. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
“The integration of equestrian, environmental, historic and event spaces at Lord Stirling Park is vital to ensuring that Somerset County truly delivers the promise of ‘parks for all’.”
In addition to connecting the historic, recreational and environmental resources on the Lord Stirling Park property, the county is proposing to expand its trails network to connect to the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Bernards Township’s Southard Park and Basking Ridge neighborhoods. Connecting local, county and federal resources supports Somerset County’s Walk, Bike, Hike: Connecting Vibrant Communities Plan and newly approved Preservation Plan efforts to encourage healthy, environmentally positive activities for everyone.
The advisory committee, formed in the spring of 2021, included equestrian experts and longtime stable volunteers. The panel was asked to look at increasing community engagement and cost-effectiveness to ensure sustainable stable operations. The stable reportedly had been losing as much as $500,000 a year when it was operating prior to Covid.
The Somerset County Office of Planning, Policy & Economic Development recognized that the advisory committee’s recommendation for rebranding and recreating the Stable at Lord Stirling Park gave it a unique opportunity to reimagine the entire park.
A boarder at Lord Stirling. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
With financial support from the Somerset County Park Foundation, the committee was able to procure the services of two experts from Rutgers University to lead the group: Dr. Karyn Malinowski, Extension Equine Specialist and Founding Director of the Rutgers Equine Science Center; and Dr. Robin Brumfield, Extension Farm Management Specialist in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Economics.
“For all of us at the Park Commission, this was a mission to have a sustainable, viable future for Lord Stirling Park,” said Somerset County Park Commission President D.J. Hunsinger.
“These plans not only include the functioning and self-sustaining stable feature, but going forward will grow the park into a larger, more encompassing resource that maintains the nature and the personality that residents and park patrons love.”
The Somerset County Commissioners unanimously supported the reopening of the Stable at Lord Stirling Park this fall and will work with the Park Commission on implementing future expansion and recreation of Lord Stirling Park as a “park for all,” with its highlights connected by trailways, new community event spaces and integrated programming.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 15, 2022
A U.S. Equestrian Federation Hunter & Hunter/Jumping Seat Equitation Judging Task Force will be named to address member feedback regarding judging in the hunter and hunter/jumping seat equitation disciplines, especially at the highest levels.
Over the past several months, numerous members have contacted USEF leadership to express their concerns. That has revealed the need to review several areas, including but not limited to the level of equestrian experience necessary to judge at each level, the education required to ensure and continuously improve the competency of judges at every level of the sport, the judge’s evaluation process, the need for clarity around the subjective nature of the judging system, and competitor behaviors towards competition officials and sportsmanship.
“As equestrian sport evolves, it is important to regularly evaluate the relevancy of our programs to ensure they are meeting the needs of our sport and expectations of our members,” said USEF President Tom O’Mara.
“The concerns raised by members indicate that a broad review of the existing programs against the desired environment is necessary, I look forward to getting some great minds in a room and hash out what we have, what we need, and how to bridge the differences if and where they exist.”
He added it will “take some time but, it will be work well worth doing.”
USEF will be working with the United States Hunter Jumper Association throughout the process, including obtaining recommendations on candidates for appointment to this task force. Th panel will conduct a thorough analysis of the judging, education and licensing programs, including engagement with the membership and making recommendations regarding any amendments to these programs and processes to ensure consistent quality and competency and to better serve the sport and USEF members.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 10, 2022
In the equestrian world, the emphasis understandably tends to be on performance, performance, performance. But there are other things that should be considered in addition to collecting the trophies and the prize money.
So when officers of Hollow Brook Wealth Management LLC decided they wanted their firm to help support horse sports, they chose to sponsor the live stream at Harrisburg and Washington during the finals, along with sportsmanship awards that would be presented to deserving young people at several competitions.
Hollow Brook co-chairmen Alan Bazaar and Philip Richter both have been involved in showing much of their lives, so they are well aware of the demands of competition and the importance of rising above them. The firm also deals with equestrian planning as one of its services, including information on everything from equestrian trusts to insurance.
At last weekend’s Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East, Hollow Brook’s sportsmanship award went to Eve Westfall of Boulder, Colo. People around the showgrounds at the USET Foundation in Gladstone, N.J., had nominated contenders for the honor. Then the show stewards reviewed the stories of the five who got the most votes before choosing the winner.
Eve Westfall accepts the Hollowbrook Wealth Management Sportsmanship award from the firm’s CEO, Alan Bazaar. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Eve gave up the ride on her leased horse to Baylee McKeever, whose first-string mount was indisposed before the Talent Search. The horse Eve leased had been Baylee’s back-up. Eve and Baylee are good friends, so Eve did the generous thing and handed the reins to Baylee. That meant Eve wound up with a horse named Artillero, a jumper she had never ridden before last week.
Baylee didn’t place, but Eve’s reward was to finish 10th in the field of 53. The sportsmanship title was an extra bonus.
Hollow Brook makes a donation in the name of the sportsmanship award winner to the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Under 25 fund. The winner also gets a year of free financial education. That’s particularly important, since so many of those competing in the finals are considering becoming professionals and having their own businesses eventually.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 10, 2022
You don’t have to wait for April’s Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event to see a 5-star, the highest level of the sport.
The MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill Presented by Brown Advisory is holding its second edition Oct. 13-16 at the Fair Hill Special Event Zone, 4600 Telegraph Road, Cecil County (Elkton), Md. 21921.
Lauren Nicholson on Landmark’s Monte Carlo is competing in the 5-star at Fair Hill again this year. (Photo © 2021 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
The small (26 riders) but select field includes the new world number one, Tim Price of New Zealand, who won the Boekelo, Netherlands, event last weekend. At Fair Hill, he’ll be aboard Coup de Couer Dudevin.
His wife, Jonelle, is the new world number two, but she won’t be competing. However, former world number one Oliver Townend of Great Britain will be on hand. He was the runner-up last year on Ballaghmor Class; this year, he’s riding As Is. His countryman, Harry Meade, brings Superstition. Another foreign rider of note is French star Astier Nicolas (Babylon de Gamma).
There was a bigger 5-star field of 38, and a few more riders from overseas in 2021, but that was at the end of the pandemic when Badminton and Burghley in England had been cancelled for the second year in a row, and there was no world championships during the summer.
Will Coleman, the top-ranked U.S. rider at last month’s world championships and now number five in the world, will be aboard Don Dante. Other members of the silver medal championships team competing at Fair Hill are Tamie Smith (Danito), Lauren Nicholson (Landmark’s Monte Carlo) and Boyd Martin. Boyd, number six in the world, does not have a 5-star horse in Maryland but will be aboard Miss Lulu Herself in the USEF CCI3*-L Eventing National Championship that also runs over the weekend and has drawn 59 entries.
Also featured is the Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships presented by Dubarry of Ireland.
The Maryland Fresh Food Fest and the Beer, Wine & Spirits Showcase is powered by Grow & Fortify. It features local wine, craft beer and spirits while watching the cross-country action on Saturday, Oct. 15, over courses designed by Ian Stark.
The horses and trainers from Maryland’s Horse Discovery Centers return for Horseland at the MARS Maryland 5 Star during all four days of competition. Major League Eventing will operate the inaugural Maryland Corgi Cup on Sunday, Oct. 16.
For more information or to buy tickets, go to https://www.maryland5star.us/tickets/
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 3, 2022
The very inclement weather on Sunday did not cooperate with the Kevin Babington Benefit Horse Show in New Jersey, as heavy rain moved as many classes as possible indoors, while the turnout understandably was light. But the fundraising continues for the show jumper who suffered a severe spinal injury that left him paralyzed three years ago.
The benefit show has been a tradition at Duncraven in Titusville, Mercer County, since 2019, and the new owners, the Stout family, have continued it with their generosity.
They opened the doors of their refurbished facility to the cause that has involved so many people who want to help. Kevin is able to give lessons from ringside, but he is still undergoing therapy, and the costs of that and the care he requires are astronomical.
Because of the conditions for the show, there are still raffle and silent auction items left over. They will be available next weekend at the N.J. Professional Horsemen’s Association show at Duncraven Oct. 8 and 9.
The raffle will be held during the NJPHA show for those who are present. Bids for the auction items, a Bates Arena saddle from Bucks County Saddlery and a $1,000 gift certificate from Dover Saddlery, may be made via phone with Julie Koveloski at 609-439-8983.
Julie worked with Nancy Wallis, Jen Cassidy and many others who gave their time to put on the show. She said of the day, “We really made the best of it. Whoever was showing, they showed in everything. I think we really only had 38 horses and ponies showing. The trainers were fabulous who stuck around and pretty much ran the classes. It was pretty much a group effort.”
The jump donated by Mason Garrity.
As she mentioned, the thought in everyone’s mind as the rain came down was “what would Kevin do? Kevin would trudge on and make the best of it. Everyone kind of did the same.”
Julie said “we did really well, considering the weather. Can’t ask for more than that. Duncraven and the NJPHA Fall Finale were really generous, letting us keep the raffle and silent auction items through next weekend and hopefully generate a little more for Kevin.”
Raffle items include a horsehead painting by Cecile Bruck, a handmade cherrywood table from Liz Soroka, and a jump made by Mason Garrity. Julie will be upstairs at Duncraven during the NJPHA show to handle the raffle and auction bids.
Table donated for the raffle by Liz Soroka.
She said in addition to the saddle, Bucks County also donated the majority of the champion and reserve champion gifts.
“They were very very generous,” said Julie, noting Bucks County also donated Breyer horses for the kids.
Kevin’s wife, Dianna, responded to the incredible effort by saying, “Kevin and I are incredibly thankful and feel blessed to have such support from 1home.’
“We miss everyone so much and are always overwhelmed by the love and support that remains to help him with his journey. We are also extremely appreciative for the use of Duncraven,” she added, citing the new ownership.
The Babington’s are based in Florida, but formerly lived in New Jersey.
“We will see you all next year and I hope Kevin can someday make the journey home,” Dianna added..
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 10, 2022
The Far Hills Race Meeting returns to Moorland Farm on Route 202 Oct. 15. The card of steeplechase races offers an opportunity to see exciting sport while tailgating and catching up with friends.
The Far Hills Race Meeting is always a special occasion. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
There’s a vendor village and food trucks to visit between races on a day perfect for enjoying the countryside in the full beauty of autumn.
The races started as a thank you to property owners who permitted the Essex Foxhounds to hunt over their land, and they used to be called the hunt races. It is NOT a hunt and no longer has anything to do with the hunt, though the misinformed use that nickname when they are referring to it.
Far Hills is one of 40 such race meets that begin in March and end in November, held throughout the East and south from New York to Georgia.
For more information and tickets, go to https://farhillsrace.org/
