by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 22, 2021
A highly successful horse show held last autumn to benefit Kevin Babington will have an encore Oct. 10 at Duncraven in Titusville, with stable owner Tim Fedor offering the facility again to help the fund-raising effort.
Kevin, a U.S.-based Irish show jumper, suffered a severe spinal injury in a 2019 fall at a show. Although he was left as a quadriplegic, he has never stopped fighting to regain function, and has made some progress in a very long battle. Most recently, he received a stem cell transplant at the Mayo Clinic, but he still has a long and costly road ahead of him.
The show is still in need of division sponsors as well as basket / item donations for the raffle.Those who would like to sponsor a division or donate something contact jroslowski@hotmail.com or (609)-439-8983. Volunteers are also needed.
Meanwhile, donations to the Kevin Babington Foundation are now tax deductible, as it has become a 501 c3 organization. The foundation not only helps the Babington family handle the enormous expenses involved with Kevin’s situation, it also provides funding and support for equestrians with spinal cord injuries. The foundation works to educate riders, trainers and show organizers about the most current safety measures designed to reduce the risk of spinal cord injury.. To donate, click on this link
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 21, 2021
There will be spectators at the Olympic Games, as five agencies, including the International Olympic Committee and the government of Japan, decided today to permit a limited number of fans in the stands up to a maximum of 10,000 people.
That means the faces the athletes see will not be photos on cardboard (as seen at the Land Rover Kentucky 5-star in April). That will add to the atmosphere as the competitions take place, and come across to add a sense of excitement for those watching on television. However, spectators will not be allowed to cheer–speaking in a loud voice or shouting is prohibited. Instead, the authorities will establish “new safe and secure ways of cheering and supporting the athletes”.
The long-awaited decision on fans has a number of caveats, however. The spectators will be Japanese–foreigners were banned months ago.
If a state of emergency or other priority measures aimed at preventing infection are implemented at any time after July 12, restrictions on spectator numbers at the Games will be based on the state of emergency or other relevant measures in force at that time. If there is a change in infection status and the capacity of the medical care system, the five agencies will meet to consider further measures. Masks should be worn in venues at all times. Congestion will be guided by announcements; and visitors will leave venues in a staggered manner. Spectators will be requested to travel directly to venues and return home directly.
The limit on the number of fans will be set at 50 per cent of venue capacity, up to that maximum of 10,000 people, although for some reason, students and supervisors in school programs will not be counted “as they are not spectators.” Huh?
The situation will be monitored in Japan and abroad, including the status of the different variants of the coronavirus, and all necessary action will be taken promptly. Depending on the Covid situation, the Japanese parties will look at either cancelling or reducing the scale of any live sites and public viewing events to minimize the movement of people and review any other Games-related events .A framework will be implemented to keep monitoring the status of infections and medical care, using expert advice. Vaccination of those involved with the Games will continue.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 17, 2021
No surprises here (see the lead story on this website about how things shaped up after the mandatory outing). The team is Adrienne Lyle (Salvino), the winner of the Grand Prix and Special in the outing; Steffen Peters, third in the Grand Prix and second in the Special with Suppenkasper and Sabine Schut-Kery, second in the Grand Prix and third in the Special on Sanceo. ;
Nick Wagman is the traveling reserve with Don John. The team alternates, listed in order, are Olivia Lagoy-Weltz (Rassing’s Lonoir), who was fifth and seventh-place Ben Ebeling (Illuster van de Kampert). Ben is the son of Jan Ebeling, who rode Rafalca on the U.S. team in the 2012 Olympics.
Alice Tarjan of Oldwick, was sixth in both tests with Candescent, but the mare has less CDI (international competition) experience than Ben’s horse. She is, however, a nominated entry, which keeps Alice on the bench of there’s an emergency.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 16, 2021
The nominated entries from Britain for its dressage team include (no surprise) multi-gold medalist Charlotte Dujardin with Mount Saint John Freestyle, and Gio as a direct reserve, which would keep her in the picture if Freestyle couldn’t go.
Her mentor, Carl Hester, the man who got British dressage in a position to earn team and individual gold at the 2012 London Games, was named on En Vogue (with Charlotte listed as one of the owners, as she is for Gio). The actual team won’t be named until later this month, but you know Charlotte and Carl will be on it.
Germany is in an overwhelmingly powerful position for Tokyo, owning the top four on the ranking list (Isabell Werth is numbers one and two). Charlotte is number five. And with three-member teams, Germany would seem to have an edge. But Britain shouldn’t be counted out as a contender, depending on how astronomical Charlotte’s scores are. And then there is always the individual medal fray.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 14, 2021
The Kentucky Horse Park Commission is looking for an executive director to head operations at the Kentucky Horse Park.
The director will report to the Kentucky Horse Park Commission and serve as liaison with the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet and the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation.
The park’s core values are health, safety and welfare of the horse, protecting green space, hospitality and exceptional guest service. The candidate must exemplify the values of the Kentucky Horse Park personally and also be able to instill them in all employees at the Horse Park. Knowledge of breeds, disciplines and the necessary infrastructure to accommodate shows and events at the Horse Park is expected.
The vision of the Horse Park is for it to be the premier event venue for equestrians and those who love and want to learn more about horses and humanity’s relationship with the horse.
Who’s qualified? Someone with strong communication skills to appeal to all cultural levels. The person will be expected to present in front of legislators, community and industry leaders. In addition, the candidate should be able to demonstrate a passion for the vision, values, and mission of the Kentucky Horse Park and be an ambassador in every encounter.
Among other qualities sought is the leadership to guide the Kentucky Horse Park in its growth as a premier facility. The person should have an ability to create a culture of employee engagement throughout all facets of the park and at every personnel level, demonstrate the ability to serve as chief administrative and executive officer leading an agency with 125 employees at peak season and an operating budget of $12 million, and manage staff consistent with sound human resources practices within the Commonwealth of Kentucky Merit system.
Is that you? If you’re interested,forward resume and cover letter to:KHPExecutiveDirector@gmail.com
no later than July 31,
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 14, 2021
The Vaulting World Cup™ Final will be held in Omaha in 2023, along with the jumping and dressage Cup finals, which were first held in the city during 2017 The competition April 4-8 marks the first time the vualing finals have been held outside Europe.
The dressage and show jumping Cups were a sensation when they were held in Omaha four years ago, although skeptics had wondered about the choice of the Midwestern location. They wound up raving about the well-organized competition, which made many converts to horse sport as a spectator event in a new location.
The U.S. was supposed to have a dressage and show jumping finals in Las Vegas in 2020, but it was cancelled due to Covid.
