by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 7, 2025
There will never be an opportunity like this again in the foreseeable future.
Be part of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles by volunteering. The program, presented by Delta Air Lines, offers an opportunity for everyone to take a role. The 1984 Los Angeles Olympics was amazing, and its successor 44 years later promises to be equally as memorable. Show jumping, dressage and eventing all will be held at Santa Anita racetrack, which also hosted the 1984 Games, except for cross country, which will be on site this time. You must be at least 18 years old to volunteer.
Community volunteer slots are available now. Games volunteer spots will be available beginning next year. To register, click here. While you’re on the site, check out job opportunities connected with the Games.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 30, 2025
The Hunterdon Symphony is opening its 2025-26 season with Equestrian Orchestrations, a concert keyed to a theme of horses. It’s set for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at Hunterdon Central Regional High School in Raritan Township, N.J.
The symphony’s concerts often are performed around a theme, and conductor Lawrence Kursar liked the idea for this one.
“It’s such a Hunterdon County thing,” explained orchestra manager Barbara Volkov.
“You can’t really turn around in Hunterdon County without bumping into someone who has a connection with horses. You can see horse farms everywhere here.”
She also noted it plays into next year’s celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the country’s founding.
“Back in the day, everybody had a connection to horses, because you were either plowing with one or riding on one or you had a cart and that’s how you got around. Everybody knew horses.”
Selections to be played by the excellent regional orchestra include Franz von Suppé’s Light Cavalry Overture, Aaron Copland’s Red Pony Suite, Eric Whitacre’s Equus and Ferde Grofé’s Grand Canyon Suite (if you’re looking for a connection to the theme on that one, remember that people ride down into the canyon on mules.)
The reception after the concert, which is free and open to all, will offer treats along the horse theme. How about oatmeal cookies and carrot cake.
For more information or to purchase tickets, click on this link.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 28, 2025
There were several hot-button topics during the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s rule change webinar Monday, with more than 200 people on line during the three-and-a-half hour session. But one of the most intense reactions was to a proposal involving a 60-day provisional suspension not only for the trainer of a horse testing positive for “certain designated (prohibited) drugs,” but also the owner and riders.
A hearing would be available subsequent to the provisional suspension and time served during the temporary hiatus would be credited against any suspension imposed. These measures are intended “to reinforce accountability and deter violations, while ensuring due process and the continued confidence of all stakeholders in the fairness of the sport,” according to the language of the proposal.
USHJA President Britt McCormick explained, “these drugs they are talking about making an automatic suspension are substances that should never be in a horse. These are Class III and IV drugs, not your everyday NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) and not Robaxin. This is not a gotcha…if somebody does this, it’s found in the animal, you’re done for 60 days and I don’t see how anybody can argue with that.”
Including riders and owners in the suspension is designed to prevent suspended trainers from carrying on business as usual, even if they can’t come to the showgrounds;.
“This is one of those things we have to have a `no tolerance’ for, or else we’re never going to get past it,” added Britt, noting the new hair testing is part of the protocol on these forbidden drugs.
“We have to get behind the rules that will allow us to punish those people that are putting substances into the animals that should never be there, and it’s just that simple.”
However, a rumor that an euthanasia drug was being used to calm show horses turned out to be a lie that caused “a knee-jerk reaction” in drafting the rule, as one person on the call noted.
Meanwhile, the 60-day suspension concept is far from acceptable for some members.
Spencer Chapin, a horse show judge, spoke against it.
“This is such a group condemnation, and with no process. No one will ever catch-ride for anybody else again. You can’t make rules that are so arbitrary to say `60 days’ and the whole group is indicted,” he observed.
“Some kid is going to miss riding for 60 days and they had nothing to do with it. I don’t understand how process ceases to be important in enforcing rules.”
In many cases, comments made online about the rule were even more vehement in opposition. It was pointed out that catch riders do not usually know how the horse they are showing was prepared, and owners often are not present or involved with preparations.
Another concept that drew criticism was the “collapse rule.”
Britt explained it is designed “to give the Federation the ability to help a horse that has fallen for no apparent reason and that the animal receives the care it needs immediately.”
It calls for having the horse leave the showgrounds for seven days, which was seen by commenters as impractical in many instances, such as if a stable’s personnel were 500 miles from home and did not know a place where the horse could be taken in the area of the show.
“Even if the language is not perfect, the intention is correct,” said Britt.
He believes the rule is designed to put a burden on the owner.
“You want the owner to know the horse collapsed…and get it to the appropriate veterinary location. How many of these do we see a year? Maybe two?”
Vanessa Brown said if her horse collapses, “I don’t want the horse taken out of my care,” noting the people who know the animal can recognize abnormal signs, which is important to insure it gets the best care.
“This shows so little faith and paints us as criminals and animal abusers. Honestly, I’m sick of being treated like that. It’s a very small percentage that are very bad actors, and the rest of the membership is being painted this way. It’s not just hurtful, it leaves a terrible taste in our mouth,” she emphasized.
There have been concerns about horses being over-jumped and over-shown, so tables have been drafted to define the possibility of limits on the number of times ponies, hunters, jumpers and equitation mounts can compete at a show.
Other topics included a discussion about allowing mules in hunter classes, and bitless bridles in hunter classes as well (though not necessarily on the mules!)
But here’s the context on the mules, and it makes sense:
“Since 2004, mules have proven themselves in multiple USEF disciplines—dressage, endurance, combined driving, and most recently, jumpers in 2022. Hunters are the natural next step. Dressage set a precedent for successful subjective scoring of mules and horses in the same classes, allowing judges to apply the same standards without any additional training. Research shows that mules competing under horse-specific medication rules have no competitive advantage. Mules are already subject to the USEF Equine Drug and Medication Guidelines in all other USEF disciplines that permit them.
“USEF’s restriction on hunter mules limits access to the sport at unrecognized and local levels of competition, so allowing some level of participation within USEF will encourage growth within the sport, especially in the grassroots where mules would most likely compete. Identifying restrictions at the upper levels will then protect and preserve the historical tradition of show hunters valued by traditionalists.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that there has been large member support for the inclusion of mules in hunter competition, and it is notable that the USEF affiliate approved a similar proposal in the past. USEF’s restrictions on mules limits access at the unrecognized shows and lower levels so allowing mules in these classes and competitions will encourage sport growth among the grassroots.
Hunters celebrate and focus on a strong partnership between equid and rider, good training, and form over fences. Mules are very capable over fences and have proven their versatility, stamina, and athleticism in many sports. These characteristics make mules well-suited to the hunter discipline, and it’s time for USEF to welcome them into a broader base of USEF membership and supporters. USEF has an opportunity to create more accessibility for mule owners and encourage participation, fun, and the spirit that lives within many people within the equestrian industry.”
To see all the proposals, click on this link. Comments may be made with USHJA until Oct. 31. The rule changes will be discussed at the USHJA’s annual meeting in December, and then go to the USEF for action at its mid-year meeting in June 2026.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 31, 2025
Two New Jersey riders, who often have been winners at the U.S. Dressage Finals, continued their success as the competition moved its full schedule to a new venue, the World Equestrian Center in Wilmington, Ohio.
Since the competition there this week is in several indoor arenas, participants were able to avoid the cold and rain that are prevalent in November in Ohio and neighboring Kentucky, where the competition presented by Adequan was held previously.
Lauren Chumley of Pittstown and Leeloo Dallas won the Intermediate II Open Championship with 68.48 percent to top a class of 14 starters. The combination won the Prix St. Georges title at the 2023 Finals and the Intermediate I Freestyle last year, so there has been a measurable metric of their progression.
“This is Leeloo’s first year at I-2, and I’ve had some really good and some not-so-great rides,” said Lauren about her efforts with the nine-year-old mare (Gaspard De La Nuit DG X Negro).
“She’s never naughty, but she’s green at this. She’s only been doing this level for, like, 30 seconds. She was good in the test, but she was amazing in the warm-up, so that was a feeling of what’s to come. I can’t wait until I can have it all in the ring.”
Lauren has trained Leeloo Dallas up the levels herself since buying her sight-unseen as a foal from her breeder Racheal McKinney in Arizona. Initially, she couldn’t afford her, but when her price was reduced, she was able to cobble together the funds.
“When she arrived, I realized I’d never asked how big she was,” Lauren recalled.
“She’s a hair under 16.1 hands now, which is actually fine as I’m not that tall.”
Lauren is “endlessly grateful” to her coach, Michael Bragdell, who finished fourth in the same class.
Lauren Chumley and Leeloo Dallas. (Susan J. Stickle photo)
The venue earned high praise from Lauren.
“The decorations are incredible, and they’ve created a super atmosphere here. I’m just wondering what the pumpkin budget is as I think I’ve seen about 3,000 of them,” she laughed.
“I love that everything is indoors because it’s been pouring with rain. Plus, the footing is phenomenal.”
Since coming to prominence with Finals wins, Leeloo Dallas has attracted some hefty offers from potential purchasers.
“I’m not wealthy and this money would change my life, but I don’t care; she’s not for sale,” Lauren emphasized.
She called her test, “a perfect end to Leeloo’s first season at I-2. She put in a solid albeit green test and really tried her little potato heart out for me today and it was good enough for the neck ribbon. Thank you, my little Perfect Princess Potato Muffin, you make this life worth the extraordinary continued struggle.”
Lauren also won the Intermediate I freestyle on Belafonte with a score of 68.242 percent.
Heather Mason of Lebanon, N.J.,who has earned many titles at this year-end championship over the years, rode to another on the eight-year-old Manuskript SCF. She earned the Prix St. Georges Open honors with 70.392 percent.
Manuskript, who along with another horse was the youngest in the class, had the only score over 70 percent. Manuskript (Jazz X Krack C).
Heather also coached a multiple winner, Christina Morin-Graham. In the Intermediate II Adult Amateur Championship, Christina’s 66.961 percent performance on her 15-year-old Oldenburg mare, Mondlicht, was just what she needed for her first Finals win, with the reserve champion finishing nearly five percentage points less.
Christina, who has eight championship class rides, bought Mondlicht five years ago from Germany and was advised that she would not make a Grand Prix horse.
“They said she was too hot for the one-tempis and wouldn’t be able to do the piaffe/passage,” explained Christina, who topped the same class at the Region 8 Championships on her mare (Sarkozy X Ravallo).
“I was happy to have her as a Small Tour horse, but over the years, we’ve done a lot of growing together, and here we are doing Big Tour,” she pointed out proudly.
Christina Morin-Graham and Mondlicht. (Susan J. Stickle Photo)
A week before leaving on the nine-hour journey to WEC from her home in Malvern, Pa., Mondlicht pulled a shoe and had a slightly swollen leg. Christina, who works full-time as a partner in a private equity firm, decided to give her a full week off, only schooling the day before the championship test.
“I got on yesterday, and she felt super,” noted Christina.
“She loves getting ridden; she loves work. I adore her, though she’s definitely an alpha mare and very opinionated. You have to get her on your side and then she really gives you her best.”
The very busy Christina had another win on Friday in the Intermediate I Adult Amateur class on Ici de la Vigne, with a score of 66.912 percent. In the Amateur Grand Prix that day, she also was tops with DSP Dauphin on 68.696 percent and was second with Mondicht (66.920).
In the Third Level Open Championship, Coloradan Taryn Anderson, was first to go in the Third Level Open Championship, and her 71.625 percent on seven-year-old Figardo proved unbeatable.
Figardo, owned by Taryn’s mother, Tammy, gave Taryn “a magical ride” to win with the day’s highest Finals score.
“He warmed up kind of tight in this big atmosphere, so I didn’t know what to expect. I went in the ring, and he was just so lovely,” said Taryn.
“Everything I asked him to do, he was right there, and his back was soft. He gives me a magical feeling, and it was a magical ride. I could think about each movement, and it felt like ‘Ta-da!’”
Figardo (Fürst Wilhelm X Fürst Piccolo) was found by Anderson’s friend Jenny Wetterau as a four-year-old, and she has produced him through the grades with help from her Colorado-based trainer Petra Warlimont and Florida-based trainers George Williams and Lars Petersen.
“He’s super special to me because he was only walk, trot, canter when I got him. I put all the movements on him, and he’s the first one that I feel I’ve brought along and been successful with it. I’ve had horses before, but we made mistakes, and I learned a lot. Now, I feel like I’m starting to understand how to make a grand prix horse,” she said.
Coupled with his athletic ability, Figardo’s unflappable nature has helped him flourish.
“We have our own farm, and I take him out in the field. I can hack him by himself and train him on the hills,” she continued.
“He’s a happy-go-lucky guy.”
She also praised the new venue.
“I love it,” she said. “I haven’t been to Finals for years, but I remember getting drenched in the rain. When I heard Finals was going to be at WEC, I really wanted to come. I’m very much impressed; the decorations and the shopping are awesome, and the footing is perfect.”
Click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 31, 2025
It wasn’t a personal best, but Belgium’s Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus kept a narrow margin over Becky Moody and Jagerbomb from Great Britain to take the dressage freestyle at the Equita Lyon show in France on Friday. The class is a qualifier for the FEI Dressage World Cup Final, which will be held in Ft. Worth next April.
Justin didn’t match the score from his European Championships individual gold medal ride, earning 87.075 percent highlighted by an artistic score of 92 percent, with his 9-year-old Rheinlander stallion flowing effortlessly to gentle background music. The picture was marred only by mistakes in the tempi changes (he was scored as low as a 5 for the changes every stride), but the rest was buoyed by individual marks of 10 for choreography, music and a textbook canter pirouette right.
Freestyle winner Justin Verboomen on Zonik Plus at Lyon, France, and runner-up Becky Moody on Jagerbomb.
Modest and soft-spoken as always, Justin said the feeling was amazing in his Thursday Grand Prix, where he set a personal best for that test.
“Today he was maybe a little bit tired and I did some mistakes, but he was still really good” said Justin after his freestyle.
“Step by step, I think it will improve and improve and improve,” Justin suggested, noting he wasn’t “really used to” an atmosphere like the packed house he encountered in Lyon.
As he continues to develop his horse, who he purchased in Portugal when the colt was two-and-a-half, Justin said, “The only thing I want is really to improve the suppleness and his confidence in the ring.”
Becky’s ride on her 11-year-old homebred gelding was presented to a medley of Beatles tunes, most appropriate considering her country of origin. The judges thought so too; Becky and her Dutchbred mount got three marks of 10 for music and its interpretation.
“I was smiling all the time,” Becky said about her test.
“The crowd here was amazing. I’m so lucky to ride Jagerbomb, I always enjoy riding him. He is very consistent, has an incredible temperament and is very trainable. He makes my life easy, but you can always have a good or bad day. In the Grand Prix, I was a bit frustrated with myself, not with Bomb. Today everything felt super.”
Third place went to another Belgian rider, Larissa Pauluis, with Flambeau, on 79.560 percent.
Click here for results
