by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 30, 2022
The U.S. Eventing Association revealed that its president, Max Corcoran, has been appointed as the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Eventing Elite Program and Team Facilitator. Max, who gained recognition as a groom and barn manager for the O’Connor Eventing Team, will support the areas of communication, logistics, and management of the teams for the eventing programs to “deliver sustained success at World and Olympic Games level.”
Max Corcoran ((Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
She will work closely with the interim Chef d’Equipe/Team Manager Bobby Costello and staff to build communication with athletes, grooms, owners, coaches, veterinarians, and all stakeholders linked to the athletes. She also will develop the structures around the Elite Program and senior U.S. Eventing Team.
“I am really honored to be working with USEF and the Elite Program as the Eventing Elite Program and Team Facilitator,” Max stated.
“The hope is that my years of experience grooming internationally and event organizing can help U.S. Eventing horses, athletes, grooms, and owners. I am looking forward to the exciting challenges ahead of us.”
Max, who served as stable manager for the Canadian and Venezuelan Equestrian Teams, also has mileage in the event management sector. The events with which she has worked include Middleburg,, Great Meadow International, The Event at Rebecca Farm, The Fork, Ocala Horse Trials, Ocala Jockey Club and the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games. She joined the USEA Board of Governors in 2017, then became USEA President in 2020.
The USEF did a mass clear-out of its top eventing personnel at the end of 2021, when the contract of performance director Erik Duvander was not renewed. Peter Wylde, who had been coaching eventers on their show jumping, also was not rehired and Jenny Autry, the managing director, was let got. Bobby Costello was appointed on an interim basis through this summer’s world championships in Italy.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 20, 2022
Aside from the leadline, there isn’t much for little kids at most horse shows. But Dressage at the Park has come up with a cute idea for a good cause, to be held about noon July 9 during the show at the Horse Park of New Jersey in Allentown.
The concept that will appeal to youngsters is a Matchy-Matchy Parade, sponsored by Patriot Farm, for the benefit of the Ride to Work program in Philadelphia. The parade is open to children of all ages (adults are welcome as well, if they like). Participants should decorate themselves and their horse with a Matchy-Matchy theme–think color coordination, ribbons and bling. Just a caution: Creativity is encouraged, but don’t come up with costumes that are liable to spook other horses.
You don’t need a real horse or pony to join in the fun. It’s also possible to participate with a stick horse, or even a model horse.
Everyone in the class will receive a gift and there is no fee to participate. However, participants are strongly encouraged to raise funds on behalf of Work to Ride. There will be awards for the most funds raised in each age group. Participants should try to be creative in their fundraising, perhaps staging a “pony wash” or running a carrot and cookie stand at the barn.
All horses (except the stick horses and model horses) must have current negative Coggins tests, and Flu/Rhino vaccinations within the past six months per USEF regulations. Pre-registration is suggested, but not required. Registration forms can be found at https://horseparkofnewjersey.wildapricot.org/Dressage-at-The-Park.
Here is more information about Work to Ride: Founded in 1994, it is a 501 c3, nonprofit community-based prevention program that aids under-resourced urban youth through constructive activities centered on horsemanship, equine sports and education. The program is located at Chamounix Equestrian Center, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. This setting provides a unique opportunity to bring urban youth in contact with animals and nature.For more information, visit https://worktoride.net.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 13, 2022
Jumper trainer/rider Kim Prince is headed for rehab today at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, according to her daughter, Lydia Frey. If the facility’s name sounds familiar, it’s because that’s where show jumper Cassandra Kahle started her rehab after her horse fell in a jump-off at the end of January.
Kim is expected to spend six weeks at Shepherd. She underwent a major spinal operation following a fall at the Upperville Colt & Horse and Colt in Virginia on June 9. Kim, who has ridden on 20 Nations Cup teams and in the World Cup finals, was hurt when her horse stumbled after a jump and fell with her.
After the accident, Kim was immediately evacuated by air from the horse show to Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Va. Surgery was performed, putting rods, screws, and plates into her neck for support and stability. Within 24 hours Kim showed some very modest progress.
The Kevin Babington Foundation, named after the Irish show jumper who suffered a severe spinal injury in a 2019 jumper class, is gathering resources Kim will need over the course of her recovery. Donations may be made by clicking on this link .
It has been a tough year for injuries in the jumper ring. Among those who have been badly hurt and are still recovering in addition to Cassandra are David Beisel and Washington International Horse Show President Vicki Lowell.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 9, 2022
It didn’t take long for HITS to snap up the Del Mar Horse Park as its newest venue, after West Palms Events announced it could not reach an agreement with the 22nd District Agriculture Association to operate the 63-acre park in Southern California.
“With only a five-year guaranteed contract, we were not able to come to an agreement that worked for us,” said Dale Harvey, president and CEO of West Palms Events.
At the end of the 2020 season, the 22nd DAA temporarily closed the park due to the impact of Covid and the need to complete costly stormwater mitigation on the property. In late 2021, a Request for Proposal was released and it received two bids —one of which was West Palms Events; the other was HITS.
“We have collaborated with the 22nd DAA for over 20 years and we wish them all the best in their efforts to reopen the Horse Park,” said Harvey. “We also intend to share all the work we’ve done on the stormwater project with them.”
HITS hopes to stage shows at Del Mar beginning in 2023, with seven dates that are part of the newly restructured California show schedule. In addition to seven hunter/jumper competitions, HITS will help support events of other disciplines at the facility.
“I founded HITS over 40 years ago and have been responsible for a number of different facilities around the country, including two right in the desert of California,” said HITS CEO Tom Struzzieri, who sold his West Coast property in 2019.
“The benefit of being a lifelong horseman, rather than just an investor, gives me a unique perspective in not only developing and designing facilities, but also in acting as a horseman in the coordination of events. These skills will be instrumental after witnessing the challenges the sport has experienced this past year. I look forward to starting the project of renovating one of the most iconic horse facilities in the country, and then producing some of California’s most outstanding events,” he said.
The Del Mar Horsepark has 400 permanent stalls, two grass jumping stadiums, four show rings and a covered lighted arena. During 2022, HITS will address the environmental concerns that caused the original closure of the Del Mar Horsepark. HITS also will improve the footing in the rings, adjust the layout of the facility to be more exhibitor-friendly and upgrade the stabling.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 1, 2022
Worried about rising fuel costs, supply chain issues and interest rates? How about job and housing markets?
We’re in a financial storm–is there any safe harbor? Find out what’s happening at noon July 5 when the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association presents a seminar with U.S. Chamber of Commerce Chief Economist Curtis Dubay on the current economic conditions and the national impact of inflation for your businesses.
Discussion topics include the national economic impact of inflation, rising fuel costs and supply chain issues, interest rates, job and housing markets and key takeaways for future business forecasting. Most important, this expert can tell you what the current situation means for businesses in the horse industry. Your questions also will be welcome.
Click on this link to register.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 18, 2022
Pat Boyle and Phil De Vita Jr., two horse show managers who have experience with competitions across the country, will “put a fresh set of eyes” on the Devon Horse Show as they take the helm for the 2023 edition.
The two were just appointed following the resignation of the men who ran the Pennsylvania multi-breed fixture for decades. David Distler and Peter Doubleday had a total of 85 years between them at the U.S. Equestrian Federation Heritage Show when they stepped down on June 6.
Those in the legions of Devon devotees who might worry about big modifications to the icon should rest easy, according to Pat.
The action under Devon’s iconic sign won’t be changing as new management takes over. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“We are going to keep everything that is in position now. We’re going to look at some things and see if we can make some changes a little bit; little tweaks, nothing major. Because it’s kind of set in stone what it is, once we look at it, we’ll see what we do.”
He stressed the importance of “just preserving this great event. We are going to keep everything that is in position now,” he said.
Pat runs numerous competitions under the banner of Illinois-based Showplace Productions. The list of his best-known shows includes the fall indoor circuit’s Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, Pa., where he succeeded Peter Doubleday in 2021, and the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s marquee year-end championship in Las Vegas. He also is the technical coordinator for shows at the Desert International Horse Park in California, where Phil is the show manager.
Phil, who lives in Florida, is a course designer and judge, as is Pat. He manages the hunter/jumper portion of the Germantown, Tenn., charity show and the Menlo Charity show in California, among many others.
When discussions about taking over at Devon began, Pat said, “My first reaction was sort of similar to Harrisburg, when I got involved with that. It’s one of the most iconic shows, Harrisburg; so is Devon. They can’t not be successful, they cannot leave (their locations), in my opinion. We have to try to preserve whatever we can preserve going forward. It’s so important to me.”
His attachment is more than just professional. His daughter, Caitlin, won Devon’s 2014 R.W. Mutch Equitation Championship on “one of the best weekends of my life. It holds a near and dear special place for me on a personal level,” Pat explained.
He noted that “Peter and David have obviously done incredible things. I respect them both to the 10th degree. As far as what can we do different, it’s so new right now I haven’t even gotten that far. I’m honored to be thought of to keep that thing going.”
He added, “Phil and I are a good team.” They will look at schedules and plans and “what can we do new and different.”
“I always like to try to do a little something different—we did a big new facelift and a big new everything at Harrisburg. Devon’s a little more traditional with all the blue and everything like that.”
While that won’t be changing, he mentioned he’s known for ring décor “and how everything looks and just that aspect of it I’ll probably bring a little bit of my flavor to the event.”
