by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 24, 2021
Was it just four years ago that Ballynoe Castle RM, better known as Reggie, was retired at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event?
As we gathered at the Kentucky Horse Park this year for the competition, we got the sad news that the U.S. Eventing Association’s all-time high point earner had died in his field in Ocala at the age of 21. He was beloved by so many, but most of all, by his rider, Buck Davidson, and his owners, Carl and Cassie Segal.
As Buck noted, “He was a huge part of all of our lives for so many years and truly a horse of a lifetime.”
Carl Segal wrote me to say, “Cassie and I were shocked to hear about Reggie’s death in Ocala, as he has been healthy throughout his retirement. We are so fortunate to have owned Reggie all these years and will always remember the extraordinary joy he gave us. Early on, Buck and Reggie formed a special partnership that became difficult to beat. Buck obviously deserves enormous credit for Reggie’s tremendous success. We will always miss Reggie but he will never be forgotten.”
Here is a link to a story about Reggie’s life in retirement. Take comfort in knowing that this extraordinary horse had an extraordinary retirement, happily dividing his time between the Segals’ farm in New Jersey and Ocala, where he was part of Buck’s contingent there..No horse could ask for more.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 9, 2021
The United Kingdom’s Prince Philip, a former president of the International Equestrian Federation, has died at the age of 99. Queen Elizabeth’s husband, who developed the sport of combined driving as a modern international competition, had been hospitalized in February for an infection and a heart issue, returning home last month.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s interest in horses was inherited by his son, Prince Charles, who had been an active polo player and his daughter, Princess Anne, a European eventing champion who succeeded Prince Philip as FEI president. His granddaughter, Zara Tindall, won the 2006 individual eventing world championship.and was on Britain’s 2012 silver medal eventing team.
The longest-serving prince consort in history, Philip married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, and was an active support to her as she succeeded her father to the monarchy after his death in 1952. A polo player in his younger days when he was one of Britain’s top 10 in that sport, Prince Philip turned to combined driving to keep himself actively involved with horses.
He helped standardize international rules and became a successful competitor, winning team gold at the 1980 World Driving Championships and bronze in 1978, 1982 and 1984. He also placed sixth individually in 1982. During his time as the longest serving FEI president, from 1964-1986, he supported the establishment of the show jumping World Cup..
The Queen spoke of her appreciation and love for her husband in her Diamond Jubilee Address in 2012, saying, “He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.”
Current FEI President Ingmar de Vos said of Prince Philip, “His dedication to equestrian sports cannot be underestimated and will never be forgotten, especially in the driving community. He was born in the same year the FEI was founded and sadly, he will not be with us to celebrate his own and the FEI’s centenary this year. We will celebrate his life and remember him as a great ambassador of our sport.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 5, 2021
Mane Stream is putting off its April 10 tack sale until the fall to give the organization more time to collect tack and horse-themed items. The new date for the sale tentatively is Nov. 7. Funds raised will go directly to caring for the horses and programs.The mission of Mane Stream is 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.
Mane Stream thanks those who donated tack so far this year, and asks people to continue bringing items that can be added to the sale. They may be dropped off at the stable at 83 Old Turnpike Rd., Oldwick during office hours. Those who have questions should contact Jen Dermody at jen@manestreamnj.org, 908-439-9636 or visit the website at www.ManeStreamNJ.org
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 29, 2021
During all the Covid-related down time, you’ve probably had many hours to weed out your tack trunk as part of your closet-cleaning spree.
So take your used tack, horse-related items, jewelry, knick-knacks, models and riding clothes (from those closets) to Mane Stream (adaptive riding and therapy services) in Oldwick, Mane Stream’s sale is April 10 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.Proceeds from the sales at both 501c3 organization’s benefit their offerings and horses.
Items can be dropped off at the stable at 83 Old Turnpike Rd., Oldwick during office hours. Those who have questions should contact Jen Dermody at jen@manestreamnj.org, 908-439-9636 or visit the website at www.ManeStreamNJ.org
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 20, 2021
We wrote on March 10 that it looked as if only residents of Japan would be allowed to attend the Games in person, and that is indeed the case.
It was confirmed today that foreign spectators have been banned from the Games because of Covid fears. A majority of the Japanese residents polled recently said they thought the Games should be cancelled or postponed due to the pandemic. But the International Olympic Committee has said there is no Plan B and that the Games will go ahead. However, compromises have had to be made, and this is just one of them.
As IOC President Thomas Bach said in explaining he organizers’ position, “Every decision has to respect the principle of safety first. I know that our Japanese partners and friends did not reach this conclusion lightly.
“Together with them, the IOC’s top priority was, is and remains to organize safe Olympic and Paralympic Games for everyone: all the participants and, of course, our gracious hosts, the Japanese people.
“We stand shoulder-to-shoulder at the side of our Japanese partners and friends, without any kind of reservation, to make the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games a great success.
“Together with our Rights-Holding Broadcasters, we will make every effort so that the fans from around the world will be able to experience the Olympic spirit.
“In this way, the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be the light at the end of the tunnel and a safe manifestation of peace, solidarity and the resilience of humankind in overcoming the pandemic.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 12, 2021
A two-week extension of the shutdown of international events across mainland Europe until April 11 announced by the FEI (international equestrian federation) due to the outbreak of the neurological form of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1).has led to cancellation of the FEI World Cup Finals in show jumping and dressage for the second year in a row.
Although the shutdown of all FEI disciplines was originally scheduled to end March 28, two days before the World Cup had been set to get under way in Gothenburg, Sweden, the further blackout is designed to minimize the spread of the very aggressive strain of the virus with a goal of saving the rest of the show season. (For an update on the U.S. situation, look for the article in the On the Rail section of this website or click here.
Olivia Lagoy-Weltz and Lonoir, one of four North American combinations that were set to compete in the FEI World Cup Finals. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
The decision, which is based on scientific evidence from world leading epidemiologist Dr Richard Newton and a full risk assessment by the FEI Veterinary Department, will mean the cancellation of the FEI World Cup™ Finals for the second consecutive year following the loss of the 2020 Finals in Las Vegas (USA) to the Covid-19 pandemic. Four North Americans were scheduled to represent North America in the World Cup finals. They were Olivia Lagoy-Weltz (Lonoir), Charlotte Jorst (Kastel’s Nintendo) and Shelly Francis (Danilo) along with Canadian Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu (All In).
“It is very disappointing that it had to be cancelled, but it’s the right thing to do,” said U.S. Dressage Technical Advisor Debbie McDonald.
The extended lockdown applies to all countries that have international scheduled events in the period through April 11. They are Austria, Belgium, Spain, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portuga, Slovakia and Sweden. At the same time, the FEI again strongly recommends that all national federations in mainland Europe cancel their national events in order to minimize horse movement.
“The extension of the lockdown is difficult for everyone, and the loss of the FEI World Cup Finals for a second year is particularly devastating, especially for the qualified athletes and for our loyal Top Partner Longines,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said. “We know how much work Tomas Torgersen and his incredible team in Gothenburg have put into organizing the 2021 Finals, which would have been part of the 400th birthday anniversary celebrations for the city, so this is a desperately bitter blow.
The Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden, known for its enthusiastic crowds (but not in the Covid era) was to once again be the home of the FEI World Cup Finals until they were cancelled today.
“We cannot eradicate EHV as it is endemic in many countries, but we need to work together to minimize the transmission of this particular strain, which has already caused the death of 12 horses in Europe. All of the original in-contact horses from Valencia, Vejer de la Frontera and Doha are already blocked on the FEI Database, but the whole community needs to be on the alert and monitoring their horses. We strongly urge all European-based FEI athletes to avoid travel with their horses during this prolonged shutdown, as travel is a very clear risk factor.
“Sadly this additional lockdown is crucial to slow down the spread of the virus so that we can preserve the rest of the season, get our athletes and horses back competing safely and allow as long a period as possible for those aiming for Tokyo to earn their Minimum Eligibility Requirements and confirmation results.
“Nobody wants to see an outbreak like this ever again. There will be a comprehensive and fully transparent investigation into every aspect of this outbreak and the way it has been handled, and the findings will be published so that, together with our community, we can all learn from this.
“We will be putting in place enhanced protocols to allow for a safe return to play once this outbreak is under control, and we will advise our community on those well in advance of the resumption of international events, but the priority right now has to be the treatment of sick horses and getting healthy horses back to their home countries in a safe and biosecure way. We all need to focus on safeguarding not just FEI horses, but the wider European horse community.”
Work on identifying the gene sequencing of this strain of the virus is already underway, and the FEI is continuing to monitor the evolution of the virus through the FEI Veterinary Epidemiology Working Group, which was formalised this week. The Group is composed of world-leading EHV specialists Professor Ann Cullinane (IRL), Dr Richard Newton (GBR), Dr Gittan Gröndahl (SWE), FEI Veterinary Director Dr Göran Akerström and FEI Senior Veterinary Advisor Caterina Termine. Reports from this Group will be published on a weekly basis.
