by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 23, 2022
The benefit horse show for Kevin Babington has become an annual tradition, with the fourth edition to be held Oct. 2 at the refurbished Duncraven in Titusville, N.J. The new owners of Duncraven, the Stout family, have donated the facility for the day.
Kevin suffered a spinal cord injury in a fall at the 2019 Hampton Classic, leaving the Irish Olympic rider paralyzed. He has worked hard on recovery, but is in pain and still has little in the way of movement, though he has made some progress as a result of intensive medical treatment and his hard work in physical therapy.
Kevin and Dianna Babington. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Due to Kevin’s condition, the costs of treatment and daily living are astronomical. He is able to teach from his wheelchair, and his wife, Dianna, also works as a trainer. Daughters Gwyneth and Marielle pitch in to help, but there is still a financial shortfall.
Proceeds from the show will go to the Babington Family Trust, which gives Kevin access to funds for immediate needs in daily living. Although he also benefits from the Kevin Babington Foundation, that entity helps other people as well and tends to handle more big picture expenditures, while the Family Trust can provide money as soon as he needs something.
The benefit, run by volunteers, is seeking help for a variety of positions, from announcers who can work with volunteer lead announcer George Dahms, to in-gate staff, jump crew and people who can set up the show and clean up afterwards. Supplemental jumps are also needed for the day.
Kevin Babington was a top rider before his accident. (Photo © 2016 by Nancy Jaffer)
Nancy Wallis is managing the benefit with the assistance of Jen Cassidy. The show is recognized by the New Jersey Professional Horsemen’s Association, which will run its fall finale at Duncraven Oct. 8-9, the weekend after the benefit. That means the benefit show will be a good schooling opportunity for riders to prepare for the finale. Those competing at either show will ride in rings that have new all-weather footing.
Mary Norris remains as show secretary, while Ron Smith, Abbe Wolfe, Michelle Patience and Creigh Duncan have volunteered to serve as judges. Donations of raffle items are also being sought, as are division sponsors. Those who would like to donate should contact Julie Koveloski at 609-439-8983.
A tack sale is being held in conjunction with the show. Tack may be dropped off at Duncraven the week before the show. Those who need to drop it off before that should contact show manager Nancy Wallis at 908-256-3386.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 1, 2022
Have you ever wondered what it would be like riding behind the hounds, crossing the beautiful countryside and taking jumps along the way?
You’ve seen it in films and on video, now you can have a chance to try it yourself. The Monmouth County Hunt is offering an introduction to fox hunting Sept. 17 and 18 from its base at 50 East Branch Road, Allentown. The first day of the program includes instruction on hunt etiquette and turnout for horse and rider, as well as learning about safety.
Participants will then ride on the flat in a group and over fences (jumping is not required). They will meet the hounds and get a tour of the hunt country.
On the second day, participants will ride in a hunt with instruction from the field masters. Riders will be grouped by desired pace and comfort level, as they get a chance to see the hounds work. A hunt breakfast will follow, with an opportunity for those taking part to talk with the joint masters.
To register, go to monmouthcountyhunt@gmail.com. The fee is $150.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 19, 2022
In a visit that could be important to the future of equestrian sport in the Olympics, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach was among the 22,000 spectators who attended the FEI Eventing World Championships on cross-country day at Pratoni del Vivaro. Italy, over the weekend.
There is always a question of whether equestrian competition and in particular, eventing, will be dropped from the Games as new events such as surfing and break dancing are added.
The IOC president was accompanied by FEI officials and 2000 Olympic gold medalist David O’Connor, now chair of the FEI Eventing Committee.
“These are amazing facilities to see and it is a pleasure to experience a real Olympic legacy and sustainability success story,” the IOC president said.
“I’m very impressed by the many measures the FEI has taken to safeguard the well-being and the health of the horses, and I am pleased with everything the International Federation is doing to ensure the future of the sport.”
Pratoni hosted the cross-country phase of at the 1960 Rome Games, and also did the same at the 1998 World Equestrian Games.
Although equestrian sports are on the schedule for the 2024 Paris Games and 2028 in Los Angeles, 2032 in Brisbane does not have a firm agenda as yet. Eventing is popular in Australia, but the country has not qualified yet for Paris, since it finished tenth, out of the crucial top seven, in Pratoni.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 10, 2022
My favorite photo of the Queen is this one, where she is galloping like the wind, her scarf slipped back on her head, looking into the distance with an awareness of the moment while leaving her cares behind. She is perfectly in control of her horse, while at the same time letting him gallop on.
Away from the palace, her duties and the weight of being constantly observed, she found respite and joy in her horses. She loved them all, from those who raced in her colors to the four-in-hand pulling the carriage for her husband, Prince Philip. Her Majesty was a true horsewoman, both in and out of the saddle, with a thorough knowledge of bloodlines.
Through her family, she was connected to a variety of disciplines. Her father, King George VI, was quite a rider who enjoyed fox hunting. Prince Philip wrote the rules for combined driving and competed in that discipline.
Her son, Charles (now the King) dabbled in racing and played polo. His sister, Princess Anne, evented, becoming European Champion and went on to follow her father as president of the FEI.
The Queen’s granddaughter and Princess Anne’s daughter, Zara Tindall, also became European Champion and then World Champion as well, at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany.
The Queen rode all her life, whether side-saddle in uniform, at the Trooping of the Colour aboard Burmese, the favorite black mare given to her by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or astride on casual trail rides, like those she shared with President Ronald Reagan.
The Queen and the President had a love of horses in common.
She continued hacking out until quite recently, enjoying the stout native ponies that were a bit closer to the ground than the more statuesque mounts that had been her choice in her younger days.
I hope she is with her horses again now, mounting up after patting her corgis and greeting Prince Phillip, before going for a blissful gallop into eternity.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 16, 2022
The U.S. kept its third place standing at the FEI Eventing World Championshps as the dressage phase wrapped up today, with a highlight for America in Tamie Smith’s 24-penalty ride on Mai Baum, good enough to stand fifth individually.
Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. (Photo courtesy U.S. Equestrian)
Although her horse broke in the medium trot at the beginning of her ride, Tamie’s usual grit enabled her to get past that for a formidable performance at Pratoni del Vivaro in Italy.
Boyd Martin, the anchor rider on his old pal Tsetserleg, is tied for fourteenth with 26.2 penalties. Will Coleman, the pathfinder yesterday with Off the Record dropped from a tie for fifth to eighteenth, while Lauren Nicholson’s 27.1 on Vermiculus put her twenty seventh, which is the country’s drop score at the moment. Riding as a U.S. individual, Ariel Grald is fortyninth with a score of 32.5 aboard Leamore Master Plan.
Britain kept its lead in the rankings with a total of 69.2, a record at this point in a world championship.
That team’s anchor rider, Oliver Townend on Ballaghmor Class, stands sixth on 24.3 penalties.
“Maybe he didn’t quite take me forwards enough in the trot, but I felt once he was into canter he was away and I felt the work was very good quality. We know each other very well and he’s a lovely horse to ride,” said Oli, a multiple winner of the Kentucy 5-star.
“We’ve just been trying to work on getting him more forwards. He’s a horse that’s always been a little bit introverted – either that, or completely explosive – so I’m just trying to get him to breathe and take me a little bit more in all the paces, really, and it showed up in the canter. I think it’s a bit of a dream start for the Brits, so let’s hope we can keep it up.”
Germany got lifted into second place in the team standings by superstar Michael Jung’s first-place performance with fischerChipmunk FRH (18.8), a personal best that brought his nation’s total to 76.1. The U.S. has 76.6 penalties, but New Zealand is close behind. The Kiwis are on 77.9 penalties, with Australia fifth on 81.1.
Michael, who could be on his way to his second individual world championship title, said of his mount, “It’s amazing how he performs in the arena. He just brings everything in there and you can ride like at home so this is a great feeling.
“He is so relaxed but powerful and concentrated so you can show all of what you train, and that’s an amazing feeling for the rider.”
Saturday will undoubtedly re-arrange the standings, as the cross-country test set by Giuseppe della Chiesa includes formidable terrain. I will be posting a cross-country story tomorrow morning, so please come back to the website then to track the competition.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 15, 2022
The Tewksbury Trail Pace, a longtime fixture at Christie Hoffman Farm Park in the Tewksbury Township, will be blazing new trails next month at the Sullivan-Whitman Preserve, 27 Fox Hill Road, Califon.
The Tewksbury Trail Association is partnering with the Tewksbury Land Trust for the September 18 event, which will include both a trail pace and a pleasure pace with divisions for adults and juniors.
The Tewksbury Trail Pace is always fun. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
The course will be approximately six miles, complete with rocky areas, challenging hills and road crossings. The land is part of the Ten Mile Trail initiative being developed by the Land Trust. It also includes the Lance Preserve and the Raritan Watershed’s Fox Hill Preserve. Participants also will be riding across private farms.
The pace will be held from 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sept. 18. Participants must bring their own water for themselves and their horses.
Visit tta-nj.org for questions, or email Tewksburytrial@gmail.org.
