by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 14, 2020
Did you ever think you’d like to try riding in a hunt? Here’s your chance.
The Monmouth County Hunt is presenting an introduction to hunting clinic Aug. 30. It presents an opportunity to get your horse used to hounds and riding in a group. There will be two levels of participation and all the jumps have go-arounds. After the ride, there will be an information session about hunt traditions and etiquette.
The fee is $100 for adults and $50 for juniors, but those attending will get a gift certificate to be used as a capping fee for participating in a regular hunt on a weekday or Sunday.
Those attending must wear a collared shirt, an ASTM/SEI helmet, footwear with a heel and where appropriate, hairnets.
Register by Aug. 28. Contact monmouthcountyhunt@gmail.com for more information and waivers.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 6, 2020
Just when you thought there was nothing left to cancel, the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final 2020 in Barcelona bit the dust.
Just considering travel restrictions alone, there was no way it could be held.
“The risks are simply too great,” said FEI President Ingmar De Vos.
In April, “We were cautiously optimistic that even if the series fell victim to the pandemic, we would be able to save the Final in Barcelona, but sadly that has proved impossible,” he said.
The rule changes for the 2020 Final, announced earlier this year when the pandemic first started to impact the FEI Calendar, meant that 22 nations would have been invited to compete at the Final in Barcelona (2-4 October): 10 from Europe, three from North America, two from South America, two from the Middle East, two from Asia/Australasia, one apiece from Africa and Eurasia, plus the host nation of Spain.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 29, 2020
Kasey Perry-Glass announced the retirement of her long-time partner, Dublet, on the day she thought she’d be riding him down centerline at the Olympics in Tokyo “for one final freestyle as a competitive pair.”
The 17-year-old Danish-bred son of Diamond Hit was part of the U.S. 2016 Olympic bronze medal team and the 2018 world championships silver medal team.
Kasey explained on Facebook that her heart is both heavy and joyful. Here is what she said about how for nearly a decade, Dublet affected her life and that of everyone around her.
As she put it, “He has given all of us inspiration, hope, love, beauty, and a sense of belief that everything and anything is possible. He has taught me to listen to my gut and I’ve learned to listen to what is best for HIM.
“We have been through so many ups and downs, countries, stadiums, award ceremonies, and quiet one-on-one times together. It is hard for me to believe that this chapter of our journey is closing, but it calms my heart knowing that another chapter is opening in our relationship. I am so excited to take what Dublet has taught me and apply it to a pipeline of future horses!
Kasey and Dublet. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
“When I look back on our journey I see more than just his accolades and the ones he has given me. I see a horse with a huge heart to please, love, and try his hardest in everything he does. He doesn’t owe me anything and now I owe him the best retirement a horse deserves! I have come to the conclusion that pursuing another year at the elite level is not in his best interest. Representing the USA has been one of the greatest honors of our partnership. We never took it for granted and did it with Pride.
“Obviously, this is a lot harder for me than it is for him; he thinks he has the life with all-day turnout and easy rides. Horses teach us to take our own ambition and greed and put it to the side.
“Everyone knows that to get to where we’ve gone, it takes a VILLAGE. These people below have each had a part in where Dublet and I are today. NONE of this would have been possible without each person’s sacrifice, belief, and heart into Team Believe. My gratitude exceeds past these names to everyone who has supported my partnership and journey with Dublet. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
People she thanked included Dana Glass, her husband; her parents, her grandparents and Dana’s; trainer Christophe and Marie Theallet and Spokane Family; trainer/coach Debbie McDonald and River Grove Family, former coach Robert Dover, Helgstrand Dressage, Anette Ejlersgaard, Anne Gribbons, Juan Matute, veterinarian Dr. Rick Mitchell and Julie Keith Mitchell, as well as other veterinarians–Dr. Carole Holland, Dr. John Herning, Dr. Dave McDonald,Dr. Cricket Russillo,Tom Meyers and Dr. Jen Gullupo; Christie Dreessen and Aldo,Teddy Rékai-Nuttall; Lovell Fink, Jace Abbott; Steve Lorenzo and Tino for horseshoeing, James D. Burrell,Katherine Lyons, Hallye Griffin of USEF, Jenny Van Wieren Page, physio Andy Thomas, Kathleen McMannis;Sara Smith, Lauren Standridge McNabb,Cassie Benson, Meghan Laffin,Tomi Frate-Peterson and Jessica Cloyd Duane, Jim and Robin Bosler, as well asTom Hunt.
Also, Dutta Corp (all the amazing ladies! Especially Emilia Martin for making Dublet’s flights the best).
Teammates over the years: Steffen Peters, Allison Brock, Laura Graves, Adrienne Lyle, Olivia LaGoy-Weltz, Shelly Francis, Kim Herslow,Sabine Schut-Kery,Katherine Bateson.
Sponsors: Equipe Saddles, USA Triple Crown Feed, Platimum Performance, Neue Schule, TheraPlate, Ltd Bridle2fit, EquiFUSE Sport, Innovation Owl Manor, Roeckl Equestrian, Brooke USA, Marise Bags, Respond Laser,Parlanti USA Exclusive Custom Riding Boots
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 27, 2020
The All American Quarter Horse Congress, scheduled for September 29 – October 25 in Ohio, has been cancelled.
“The uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic simply prevents safely moving forward in Columbus, Ohio,” said a statement from the show.
“The well-being of our workers, exhibitors and attendees is our highest priority and based on the information we have today, the risk is simply too great. Thank you for understanding this difficult decision.”
Scott Myers, CEO of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association said, “Hearing all the concerns from the local and state health departments, and the CDC, it was the right decision to make to keep people safe and healthy.
“It is disappointing to all who worked tirelessly in preparation for this year’s Congress, and I want to personally thank you for your continued support. I look forward to the biggest and best Congress ever in 2021.”
He added, “We are in this together, our industry is strong and rest assured, the Congress will be here in 2021. Details on moving forward and further updates will be available on quarterhorsecongress.com.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 24, 2020
The Giving Games, a new fundraising campaign launched by Olympic and Paralympic national governing bodies, is designed to support and sustain U.S. athletes ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games that have been postponed until 2021.
The U.S. Equestrian Federation and the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation are participating in the effort that began July 24 and runs through Aug. 9, which is the original window of this summer’s Games.
The Giving Games’ ultimate goal is to support and sustain U.S. athletes as they prepare for the Olympics next summer. U.S. athletes rely heavily on their sports’ national governing bodies for financial assistance with training and preparation needs. Many athletes face financial hardships and other obstacles due to the significant number of domestic and international competitions that have been cancelled this year.
There will be 20 other NGBs joining the multi-faceted philanthropic effort. It offers a variety of donation opportunities, including pooled funds and direct giving to the USET Foundation. All funds raised will be received via direct donation or equally divided among participating organizations in order to support their athletes’ needs as they prepare for an additional year of training.
Fans and supporters of U.S. equestrian high performance athletes, USEF and the USET Foundation can contribute to the Giving Games in the following ways:
- Donate directly to the USET Foundation to help support equestrian athletes. Every dollar raised up to $50,000 will be matched by a supporter of the foundation, doubling the amount that equestrians will receive in their quest for the podium in 2021. In addition, donors will have a chance to be entered in the “Medal of Giving” awards, recognizing the top three cumulative donors based on donations received by August 9.
- Donate to the Giving Games pooled funds by participating in Giving Games promotions and events, which will be launched throughout the promotion period and divided equally among participating NGBs.
- Text ‘GIVINGGAMES’ to 243725
All funds raised either will be a direct donation to a specific sport, or general support of all of the sports, which will be equally divided among the participating sports organizations.
The Giving Games effort has partnered with notable brands, corporations and businesses, including BuzzFeed and Omaze to create unique and exciting ways for fans and supporters to continue contributing to the Giving Games effort. To learn more about the Giving Games, go to giving-games.com.
The USET Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high performance horses and athletes in partnership with the USEF.Learn more at www.uset.org.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 3, 2020
Concerned that the riding programs at the Somerset County Park Commission’s Lord Stirling Stable in Basking Ridge won’t resume next year after its 2020 Covid shutdown, a woman who understands the importance of the stable has started a petition to Save Lord Stirling Stable and what it offers.
The lesson horses were sold and all activities at the facility were suspended for the year due to a pandemic-related shortfall in the Park Commission’s budget after golf revenues suffered for several months. The stable already was running at a loss of as much as $500,000, (Click here for the background on Lord Stirling’s closing) and the park commission has not committed to bringing back the lesson program and other activities in 2021.
A trail ride at Lord Stirling stable last year. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Lord Stirling’s closing is not just a county issue. In 2018, people from more than 4,000 households across the state were involved in Lord Stirling’s programs, which are offered at a lower rate to county residents.
And another reason to keep Lord Stirling going is that nationally, there are fewer and fewer stables that offer lessons to beginners or lower level riders, which means there are far less opportunities to begin riding than there were even a decade ago.
Sharon Vopal, a Realtor from Basking Ridge who rode at the facility as a child and then enrolled her daughters, knows firsthand how important Lord Stirling’s offerings are to a wide variety of people.
On a personal basis, one of her 12-year-old twins who has Down Syndrome blossomed during her interaction with horses and instructors, an individual example of how being involved with riding can make a difference in people’s lives.
In addition to lessons, Sharon pointed out, Lord Stirling offers many other activities, including trail rides, hunter paces, horse care workshops, horse shows, pony parties, summer camps and therapeutic riding.
Over the last half-century, generations of those who ride at the stable have bonded not only with horses, instructors and the stable staff, but also with each other.
As Sharon put it, Lord Stirling “is so much more than just a riding stable to county residents and the ridership—it is their home”
That inspired her to draft the petition, Save Lord Stirling Stables, which has more than 3,600 signatures as of this morning.
Speaking of her children, she said, “I want horses in their live forever.
“I doubt that will happen if this place closes,” Sharon added, citing the expense of being involved with horses in private settings elsewhere.
She also feels the sense of community created at the stable is important. Sharon would like to see it expanded with more activities for the general public, so they can appreciate the beauty and atmosphere of the former dairy farm.
Basking Ridge is part of Bernards Township, where Sharon has asked the local governing body to pass a resolution supporting the reopening of Lord Stirling. She hopes to approach other towns in the county to do the same, and plans to appear at the freeholder meeting July 14 and the park commission meeting July 16 to lobby for the reopening, with the signed petition to back up her case.
