by Nancy Jaffer | May 7, 2026
Wizard, the Oldenburg who was Adrienne Lyle’s mount for an Olympics and the World Equestrian Games, has passed away in retirement at age 27.
Adrienne Lyle and Wizard in the 2012 World Dressage Masters.
Adrienne, who went from Debbie McDonald’s working student to her assistant before going out on her own, paid tribute to the indomitable Wizard on social media, saying of the son of Weltmeyer, “Rest easy big boy. You were larger than life and I loved you, and your many opinions, fiercely.
“I will never forget the day Debbie first let me ride you in the jumper ring at River Grove. You were young and fiery and powerful, and I was in love. Because the Thomas family (who sponsored both Debbie and Adrienne) and the McDonalds chose to take a chance on a young girl from a farm in Washington State, my life was changed forever.
“Together, you and I learned the Grand Prix, became the U25 National Champions and went on to represent the USA at the 2012 Olympics and 2014 World Equestrian Games.
“You always kept life exciting and kept me laughing, while teaching me every day how to tame a dragon with love and patience. I hope Heaven knows what they are in for when you come charging through the gates.”
by Nancy Jaffer | May 7, 2026
What happens to race horses when their career at the track ends? That’s a question which is getting more attention these days — as it should.
There are opportunities for a new start in the show ring, pleasure riding and therapeutic work, among others. Sadly, not all possibilities are good ones. But when a horse finds a special vocation, that draws attention to the possibilities.
And Kelly, part of the New York City mounted police unit, is now the poster horse for that. The stalwart harness racing retiree, adopted through the Cream Ridge, N.J.,-based Standardbred Retirement Foundation, made headlines recently when he and his teammate, officer Kyle McLaughlin, galloped down West 72nd Street to apprehend a purse-snatcher.
Kelly and his partner, Detective Kyle McLaughlin
Kelly, who raced as EP Great Drive, was renamed in memory of a narcotics officer who died in the line of duty. The horse spent six months being retrained by SRF before heading to the New York department. McLaughlin, who was promoted to the rank of detective after the incident, said of his mount, “He’s got my back and I have his.”
Although Kelly is the smallest horse in the unit, he has great heart.
“He is a mush with everyone, but at the end of the day, don’t challenge him, because he will step up to the plate,” the detective said.
This summer, police horses working at the World Cup at the Meadowlands will include SRF horses adopted by New Jersey’s state police Mounted Unit. Many of these horses were rescued by SRF from the slaughter pipeline and given a second chance at life and purpose.
In recent years, 22 SRF horses have been adopted into police units. These horses need to be calm, able to handle noise, crowds, and traffic; load easily into trailers; enjoy interacting with the public; demonstrate intelligence and have good manners. Standardbreds, known for their affable disposition, fill the bill.
SRF relies on adoption donations to support the nearly 500 horses under its care and expense and to continue rescuing trotters and pacers from the risk of slaughter. While placement in law enforcement homes represents an outstanding outcome, many police units lack the budget to contribute an adoption donation at the time of placement. To learn more about SRF, click on this link.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 4, 2026
Sheila Tweedie, trustee emeritus of Mane Stream in Oldwick, N.J., passed away May 2.
For more than half a century, she had been involved with Mane Stream and its predecessor, Somerset Hills Handicapped Riders Club in Bedminster, N.J.
Trish Hegeman, Mane Stream’s executive director, said those involved with the organization are “saddened by the loss of Sheila Tweedie. A vital volunteer since our founding in 1972, Sheila served as a member of the board of directors from 1998-2014.
“We are grateful for everything she contributed to Mane Stream over the years, helping to ensure that hundreds of children and adults with special needs were able to access Mane Stream’s important programs.”
Mrs. Tweedie once recalled how she began her relationship with Mane Stream, which has a mission “to improve the quality of life for individuals with physical, developmental, emotional, and medical challenges through a diverse program of equine assisted activities, therapy services, and educational initiatives.”
Sheila Tweedie
She was waiting in her car for her son, Craig while he was volunteering at SHHRC, when its founder, Octavia Brown, knocked on her window.
“Craig had told Octavia that I was a pediatric nurse and an equestrian, and she needed help, so I was drafted to be a substitute sidewalker. The next week, Octavia sent my son out to ask for help again.”
Mrs. Tweedie continued, “When winter came and lessons ended until spring, Octavia told us (volunteers Sandy Dota, Judy Marpet and Natalie Gallagher) that we needed to become official instructors before riding lessons started back up in the spring.”
The four women spent the next eight weeks at Octavia’s kitchen table, learning all the material provided by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (now PATH International).
One of Mrs. Tweedie’s favorite early memories of Mane Stream was the one-week summer program that SHHRC offered at the Hunterdon Developmental Center near Clinton, N.J.
“Each summer, we would trailer over two horses and we would give 20-minute rides for three hours, right along Route 78. There was a groundhog den underneath the mounting area, which also made things interesting,” she recalled.
“The whole setup was rustic but extremely rewarding. We were told by the caregivers and nurses that the residents were more aware and brighter in spirit after these short rides. And these benefits lasted for more than just the day. After providing this summer service for five years, the school was finally able to arrange transportation for their residents to attend weekly lessons at the SHHRC facility.”
A long-time instructor, Mrs. Tweedie joined the Mane Stream board and over the years, she held every officer position, including president. She remained an active board member until 2014. In addition to giving her time, Mrs. Tweedie and her husband, John, also supported Mane Stream through their donations over the years, helping to build the organization into what it is today. Shea co-chaired many fundraising events over the years, helping to raise much-needed funds and spread the word about Mane Stream’s programs.
In 1994, having outgrown its space, Mane Stream purchased its current home, a 12-acre farm. Mrs. Tweedie was part of the capital campaign to fund the new facility, as well as a key part of the crew who helped to bring it to life. She, along with many other staff and board members, picked up paintbrushes and hammers to help create the facility. As she says, it was a labor of love knowing that at the new farm, the organization would be able to serve more participants.
In addition to her volunteer work for Mane Stream, she was a long-time member of the Far Hills Borough Council, and also served on both the planning board and board of health.
In addition, she was a president of HRH of NJ (Health and Recreation through Horses of New Jersey). She also was the secretary and one of the founders of the National Fjord Horse Rescue Network. Mrs.Tweedie fell in love with Fjords through her work at Mane Stream and bred Fjords at her farm in Far Hills.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 6, 2026
A little more than a month after winning the $1 million Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix and the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final, the USA’s Kent Farrington was promoted to world number one in the Longines rankings, overtaking Britain’s Scott Brash, who held the top spot for three months.
Kent Farrington and Greya.
“Of course, I’m incredibly excited to be back at world number one. It’s a great honor for me and my entire team, who make this possible with an exceptional group of horses,” said Kent.
“I’m truly grateful to ride such amazing horses and to work alongside such a talented group of people. With such a strong field of competitors, I look forward to the continued battles in the sport.”
He previously held the top spot for a year from May 2017, and then reclaimed the Longines world number one armband in May last year from Sweden’s long-time leader Henrik von Eckermann. Kent held onto it for nine months until relegated by Scott in February and now, with 3,511 points and his string of incredible horses peaking at just the right moment, he is back in charge.
Scott, who has headed the Longines rankings three times in a storied career that includes two Olympic gold medals, has 3,492 points, 19 behind of Kent and 254 ahead of Germany’s 2025 European champion, Richie Vogel, still third on 3,238. Tokyo 2020 Olympics individual champion Ben Maher of Great Britain, who was on the Olympic gold medal teams in London 2012 and Paris 2024 with Scott, is fourth with 2,966.
The only U.S. rider besides Kent in the top 10 is McLain Ward. Laura Kraut is one place behind him in eleventh, while their Olympic teammate, Karl Cook, is sixteenth.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 28, 2026
Canada’s longtime show jumping Olympic medalist and chef d’equipe, Tom Gayford, died over the weekend at age 97.
He rode on Canadian teams for nearly 30 years, beginning in the 1940s until the 1970s. At the 1968 Olympics in Mexico, he was on the show jumping squad that won Canada’s first gold medal in the sport’s most important competition.
Ten years later, he became the Canadian team’s chef d’equipe, continuing in that role until 1996. He was inducted into both Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, as well as the Jump Canada Hall of Fame, as both a coach and rider.
Michel Vaillancourt, a former Canadian team member and 1976 Olympic individual silver medalist now best known as a course designer, offered this tribute:
“Coach Tom, as we called him, was the chef d’equipe when I came on the scene in the mid-’70s. I will always remember the way he embraced me as a newcomer. He was always willing to share his knowledge with anyone who cared to listen. We certainty had great successes together, including the Pan Ams in 1975 and 1979, many indoors, Olympic and the alternate games in 1980, where as a team, we won the gold.
“All of us riders had tremendous respect for the man. To me, he was a legend, someone I looked up to. Tommy and his dear friend, Jimmy Elder, who was my captain for most of my team appearances, had a unique way of creating a bond between us. Tommy understood the importance of team spirit. All for one and one for all was the motto.
“Tommy was my coach for most of my biggest riding accomplishments, and I am proud and honored to say he was a close friend of mine. RIP my dear friend, I’ll see you on the other side.”
Visitation will be Friday May 1 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Humphrey Funeral Home, 1403 Bayview Ave., Toronto. Everyone is invited to attend and bring their photos and stories.
A private family funeral will be held at a later date.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 26, 2026
Moments after winning the Defender Kentucky 5-Star Three-Day Event on Diabolo Sunday afternoon, Will Coleman said “I wake up most days and I feel like a pretty lucky guy, but I feel extraordinarily blessed today, not just for this horse, but for the opportunity to ride here at this event and to represent all the people who made something like this happen for a rider like myself.”
Still a bit stunned at how his efforts of many years paid off in big way before a stadium packed with thousands of fans, he observed, “It’s an incredible moment, I’ve dreamed about it, but now that it’s here, it still feels a little bit surreal. Today, I feel a little bit extra lucky, I guess.”
Will obviously is humble as well as hard-working, so it’s important to emphasize it was more than luck that earned him the top honor at the USA’s only 5-star eventing competition this year. The key ingredients were skill, dedication and determination to achieve something that – in hindsight — seemed destined to be. At some point.
He had been hovering on the brink of victory with Diabolo, who was competing in his first 5-Star. Will describes the mount he imported from Australia three years ago as a horse who “has a real conscience. I always feel like Diabolo wants to do his best.”
That gives Will “tremendous peace of mind, knowing he will come in and really try for you.”
The pairing wasn’t quite fault-free in the show jumping that wrapped up the competition at the Kentucky Horse, adding 0.8 time penalties over the Guilherme Jorge-designed course to their dressage score of 27.3 penalties, which had held up through a double-clear trip on cross-country.
As he left the Rolex arena, with a score of 28.1 penalties, Will took his feet out of the stirrups and seemed relaxed, despite waiting to see how things would go for the leader in the standings, New Zealand’s Monica Spencer on Artist.
She had been in the same position last October at the Maryland 5-Star, but had two rails down in show jumping there, which put her in second place at that competition.
This time, it didn’t go as well. She enjoyed only a one-rail margin and the option of a time penalty or two over Will, but in the end, she didn’t come close to the podium. Her “spare” fence vanished at the fourth obstacle, the horsehead oxer, and it was downhill from there, with toppled poles at the liverpool and the B element of the triple combination. She wound up seventh with 36.7 penalties on her thoroughbred, a star in dressage and cross-country. Show jumping needs work.
Will got not only a sterling silver trophy, but also the $130,000 victor’s share of the $400,000 prize money as the payoff for his faith in Diabolo.
“I knew he’d get there, his route was unique,” mused Will, noting his last 4-Star Long was two years ago.
He and his wife, Katie; the horse’s owners “and all people involved all had a high opinion of this horse and felt like he had a high ceiling,” Will reported.
“He struck me as a winner the first time I laid eyes on him. The horse has a real eagerness to him.”
Will knew he was capable of big things “if we could channel it the right way.”
There were many disappointments along that way, not the least of which was the possibility of being on the 2024 Olympic team which didn’t happen when the horse came up with a hoof abcess before the Games. Obviously, they bounced back.
“Every time I’ve been in a rough patch, I’ve always found a way to become a better person and a better horseman,” said Will. “Those kind of down spells have been what helped me become a better version of myself. I always look back on those with a tremendous amount of gratitude.”
He also observed that “Winning a 5 -Star is one of the hardest things to do, if not the hardest, in equestrian sports. I feel like we all deserve the win.”
Just as the weekend’s 4-Star Short winner Tamie Smith enjoyed a unique double, also having been victorious in the 5-star in 2023, Will achieved a similar feat but with the same horse. Diabolo took the 4-star in 2024, while Tamie rode two different horses to her record. So we had a double-double at this event. (Read about the 4-star at this link, or go to the second feature on this page.) Or depending on how you look at it, we could say Will had a triple at Kentucky, because he won the 4-Star in 2025 as well with Off the Record.
It’s worth noting that prior to Tamie’s win three years ago, the last U.S. rider to take the 5-star at Kentucky was Phillip Dutton on Connaught. in 2008. This year, at age 62, he finished eighth with a double-clear in the show jumping on Possante.
Will had only a half-penalty margin over second-place finisher Caroline Pamukcu, who did make the U.S. Olympic team with HSH Blake, her best friend and the namesake of her baby daughter.
Third place went to Great Britain’s David Doel, like Caroline, double clear in the show jumping. He rode the speedy Galileo Nieuwmoed, who, like Will’s horse, made the time on cross-country. His total was 30.8, so everything was close at the top, with less than a one-rail penalty separating the three best.
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