by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 23, 2022
Australia’s Boyd Exell moved into first place as the dressage phase of the FEI World Four-in-Hand Driving Championships wrapped up, but overnight leader Chester Weber of the U.S. stayed near the top of the standings in third place.
“I love driving, the score is only the icing on the cake,” said Boyd.
“My right leader is Checkmate and today he was the showpiece. He was a wheeler in Normandy and Tryon (the 2014 and 2018 world championships) and now he’s a leader. He’s always been a really special horse. Celviro is my left leader, he’s the solid one and every time he delivers. I have a new wheeler called Hero and he did well–he’s a marathon specialist.”
Chester Weber and his team. (Photo © Massimo Argenziano )
Boyd, ranked world number one, earned 34.13 penalties for his test. Mareike Harm of Germany collected just 38.85 penalties to stand second. She is listed as number six in the world rankings.
“I have a nice lead but it’s a three-day competition and a lot can go wrong. We had problems in Aachen in the cross-country and a five-point lead is not enough, so it’s not over until Sunday afternoon,” Boyd pointed out.
Chester, number 17 in the world, was marked at 41.52 penalties, while Anna Sandmann of Germany is fourth on 42.52. The daughter of three-time world champion Christoph Sandmann is 34th in the world rankings. She is not competing as a member of the German squad, but that nation still has the lead in the team standings (88.03), ahead of the Netherlands (89.23) and the two-man team from Australia (91.50), operating without the benefit of a drop score.
Chester moved to Europe in May to prepare for the championships in Pratoni del Vivaro Italy.
“The way the sport is, if you want to be in the top five, you have to spend time competing against those top five,” he explained. His team of horses are all Dutch warmbloods. Two of them are veterans of the gold medal U.S. team at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, N.C., four years ago.
The U.S. does not have a team at Pratoni because Misdee Wrigley withdrew shortly before the championships due to health issues. It only requires two drivers to make up a team in driving.
The marathon gets under way tomorrow at 4 a.m. Eastern time.
For individual standings, click here. For team standings, click this link.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 16, 2022
Beezie Madden, a pillar of so many U.S. show jumping squads, willl not be part of future championship teams due to a non-cancerous tumor.
Beezie was diagnosed with a Vestibular Schwannoma. Johns Hopkins University experts define these as noncancerous tumors that grow in the ear, and that can affect hearing and balance.
According to a facebook post from Beezie and John Madden Sales, she is “under the care of excellent doctors and physical therapists, and this is not cancerous or life threatening. Riding is even recommended as part of the physical therapy plan.”
As usual, “Beezie is still riding and competing at all levels, developing young horses, and training our students. The reality is that some days her balance is affected slightly, but our more flexible schedule allows us to work around those days without the deadlines of riding for our country on a team at Championships.”
The Maddens thank everyone who has reached out, as well as their sponsors.
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.
