by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 14, 2022
An opportunity to learn from Dominique Barbier, a student of the great Nuno Oliveira, is offered July 15-17 during a clinic in Ringoes at Daystar Farm.
A native of France, Dominique became a British Horse Society Instructor and trained in show jumping, three-day eventing, dressage and steeplechasing. He then spent two years in Portugal training with Oliveira.
That experience inspired Dominique’s belief in keeping a horse “light and happy. He expounds on his philosophy in a series of books and at his clinics. To sign up for the clinic contact Gary Maholic at 215-489-1557 or email at GMaholic@gmail.com.
Dominique also is scheduled to return to the same location in October.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 27, 2022
The Horse Park of New Jersey will gear up in 2026 and 2027 to prepare a bid for hosting the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event again when the U.S. Equestrian Federation eventing calendar resets for 2028, according to departing park board of trustees president Adam Furlong.
Jersey Fresh was the signature event at the Horse Park of New Jersey. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Adam, who finished his three-year term and did not run for a board seat again, spoke at the park’s annual meeting Monday evening.
Whether the park gets the nod to resume running its signature competition likely will depend on the fate of a bill that would allocate $2.5 million from the state for an update of the park’s arena footing and stabling. The bill, presented by Assemblyman Ronald Dancer, has gained two new sponsors and is set for a discussion Tuesday in Trenton.
“The age of the park is a growing concern,” said Adam.
“Most of the infrastructure is 30 years old and nearly everything could use a facelift,” he said.
Although the park bears the state’s name, it is a non-profit that does not get financial support from the state to this point. It operated in the black during 2021 on a very narrow margin of 3.8 percent, helped by a PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loan of $32,000 from the federal government. The loan was forgiven, so the park did not have to pay it back. The park also provided pay raises to its employees to stay competitive in the job market.
“We’re very judicious in stretching every dollar and cent to the greatest extent possible,” said Adam, acknowledging the work of treasurer Melissa Sinopoli and the finance committee.
Last autumn, the park bought an aggravator for $20,000. It is used to keep footing on the cross-country course at the level that has given it the reputation for being an excellent surface. The machine also may be rented to nearby showgrounds in order to bring in revenue. The park got a 0 percent loan to buy a $62,000 Kubota tractor. Another $20,000 was spent on renovating and repairing cross-country jumps, while work is ongoing to improve the water complex.
Ellen Brindle-Clark, the park’s vice president, will handle the president’s role at least until November, when an election for that position will be held.
She noted that Adam didn’t have an easy time in his job, taking over not long before the onset of the pandemic meant the park had to shut down.
Ellen called him “the park’s hero, making sure we kept alive long enough to reopen. Since then, we have flourished, and it is in great part because of his watchful eye. He will be missed.”
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.
