by Nancy Jaffer | May 20, 2021
The Fair Hill Thoroughbred Show (fairhill thoughbred show.org) will be held Sept. 18-19 at the Fair Hill showgrounds in Elkton, Md., with the goal of providing affordable entry fees, scholarships, stakes classes and prizes in every division..
“The philosophy of the show is simple. Every thoroughbred needs a chance to live a great life after racing and every owner/rider should have the opportunity to enjoy these horses in a welcoming and open environment,” said board member Lisa Demars.
“Of course, this year holds very unique challenges and we have worked throughout the year to ensure compliance with all USEF, local, regional and federal regulations,” Demars continued.
“The safety and health of our participants is paramount, and we will continue to comply with these regulations. We will update our website as needed to ensure participants have the most up-to-date information.”
The hunter/jumper competition is one of the longest-running thoroughbred shows in the nation. It has donated more than $140,000 to equine causes and awarded nearly $56,000 in prize money and $8,000 in scholarships.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 14, 2021
The first KWPN (Dutch) approved stallion bred and foaled in America, Judgement ISF passed on last week, just shy of his 30th birthday. He is buried at his home, Iron Spring Farm in Pennsylvania.
He had a 10-year career as a grand prix jumper with Michael Matz and then Beezie Madden before retiring and focusing on breeding. Judgement was the only North American-bred horse to win the $1 million CN International at Spruce Meadows Masters in its 44-year history. He also claimed 25 additional international victories at the biggest venues in the world.
“Judgement ISF was an exceptional horse,” said his breeder and owner, Mary Alice Malone. “He gave us so many thrilling moments. Witnessing the magical connection between him and Beezie was the gift of a lifetime.”
Judgement with Beezie Madden up and showing in-hand (Photos courtesy of Iron Spring Farm)
Victorious in the 4-year-old Stallion class at Dressage at Devon in 1995, he was started under saddle by Melvin Dutton.
“When I saw him jumping in preparation for a keuring, I knew he had more talent than any horse I had ever seen,” Mary Alice recalled. After the keuring, Judgement ISF went to Michael Matz for further training.
Matz, a World Cup Finals champion and a world championships and Olympic team medalist, rode Judgement to win the 1995 International Jumper Futurity East Coast Finals. He went on to win $60,000 American Gold Cup in 1999. Shortly after the 2000 Olympic trials, Michael turned his focus to training racehorses and a new legendary partnership was born when Beezie, a world cup champion and Olympic multi-medalist, took over.
She and Judgement represented team USA in two FEI World Cup Finals, the World Equestrian Games and 10 Nations’ Cups. Judgement led the victory lap at the world’s best shows: the $60,000 Budweiser Grand Prix de Penn National, $100,000 Cosequin US Open Jumper Championship, $150,000 CSI3* Grand Prix of Charlotte, CSIO La Baulle, CSIO St. Gallen, The Irish Field Six Bar CSIO Dublin, the $175,000 Nexen Cup—twice, and the CN International.
“He loved to go to horse shows,” said Meghan deGaray, breeding manager at Iron Spring and one of Judgement’s biggest fans. “He was amazing to watch in the ring. He had so much power and presence.” Another hallmark of Judgement’s career was his versatility. He won some of the world’s biggest derbies, speed, six-bar and Grand Prix classes. In the $50,000 Animal Planet Sporthorse Cup at the Syracuse Invitational, he set the record at 6’3” in the three-phase competition.
His last victory came in 2009 at the $65,000 1.5m Esso Challenge at Spruce Meadows. The venue was his favorite and he was named National Champion there on four occasions. Judgement retired sound at the age of 18 after 10 years in the Grand Prix ring.
As a sire, Judgement ISF produced many notable horses. His son, Counselor, (formerly Artesian) was bred in the US and eventually sold to Europe. Counselor made 204 FEI starts, with 84 of those coming at the 3* level and above, with wins and top placings throughout. Judgement’s daughter, Worlds Judgement, was another international show jumper, representing Canada at numerous Nations’ Cups, with top placings at prestigious shows like Spruce Meadows.
Judgement was also the sire of top hunters, dressage and event horses. Zurich is a winning Intermediate I dressage horse who debuted at Grand Prix in 2020.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 12, 2021
The inaugural Maryland 5-Star three-day event at Fair Hill will be offering $300,000 in prize money, while the 3-star Long that runs on the same dates Oct. 14-17 will award $25,000, the Fair Hill Organizing Committee announced today.
The events will be staged at the new Fair Hill Special Event Zone in Cecil County, Md., where the U.S Eventing Association’s Young Event Horse East Coast Championship also will be presented.
Meanwhile, British Eventing has suggested that a one-off 5-star could be organized to fill the need for such an event in the wake of the cancellation of the country’s two 5-stars, Badminton and Burghley. There are a lot of questions about such an initiative, including raising the necessary funding, as well as getting the right horses there due to commitments to the Olympics and European championships.
The Maryland 5-star organizing committee anticipates it will offer information in the coming weeks related to retail vendor applications, tickets, sponsorships, volunteer opportunities, livestream and broadcast partners.
Organizing committee co-chairs Mike Gill and Michael Hankin said, “While we remain focused on monitoring health and safety protocols for our event, we are excited to see that the conditions continue to improve here in Maryland, and that events are beginning to open up. We are looking forward to producing an inaugural Maryland 5-Star that will provide a top-class experience for our competitors, as well as our spectators.”
The event will mark a new chapter for the State of Maryland’s equestrian tradition. The Maryland 5-Star is one of only two CCI5*-L events in the United States, and the seventh worldwide, although two in England already have been cancelled due to Covid.
“It is (a) great feeling having sporting events coming back in Maryland this year and welcoming spectators,” commented Terry Hasseltine, president of The Sport Corp.
“The Maryland 5-Star at Fair Hill will be one of the highlights during the fall, giving people something to look forward to, and something new to experience. We are excited to showcase the new Fair Hill Special Event Zone for the first time and produce an event that our state can be proud of.”
For additional information and news from the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, visit www.Maryland5Star.us or follow on social @maryland5star.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 10, 2021
Good news! Beginning May 17, the U.S. Equestrian Federation says anyone who is fully vaccinated is no longer required to wear a face covering outdoors at licensed competitions.
You have to read the fine print, though. Even vaccinated people have to stay six feet from anyone who is not in their immediate household when they are unmasked. The USEF decision is superseded by more restrictive rules from state or local governments, or individual shows. Meanwhile, everyone has to keep their mask on a when entering facilities that are fully or partially indoors. So don’t throw away your mask in joy quite yet..
Please click here to access the full amendments to the USEF COVID-19 Action Plan protocols.
As a statement from USEF President Tom O’Mara and CEO Bill Moroney said, “While we are all looking forward to the continued easing of restrictions on COVID-related protocols, we must also realize that the effects of the pandemic are not over and as cases increase and decrease, state and local modifications may occur.
“Overall, our community has done a great job of not only being one of the first organized sports to reopen, but has also successfully kept our sport open by complying with the USEF COVID-19 Action Plan. As we continue to ease restrictions, we must do so in a responsible and moderated manner. Personal responsibility continues to be a critical component of easing restrictions and ensuring we can continue to enjoy equestrian sport.”
by Nancy Jaffer | May 7, 2021
September’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials is being cancelled for the second year in a row due to the Covid situation, leaving Britain without a 5-star event over a two-year stretch during which both Burghley and Badminton in May have been cancelled twice.
“Despite the continued easing of lockdown measures, the nationwide vaccination program and the hope within the Government Roadmap for unlocking the country, there have been and remain too many variables and uncertainties due to the Covid-19 pandemic to deliver this much-loved international event,” said a statement from the organizers..
“We have, throughout the last six months, striven to find an event scenario which would allow our competitors, followers, exhibitors and contractors to enjoy this annual sporting highlight. However, the Event runs on a greenfield site; the lead time and strategic infrastructure planning all require significant investment and expenditure year on year. Staging the competition element is ongoing 365 days a year, from one year’s event to the next and the contractual cancellation procedures mean that even though restrictions are easing across the country, we have to make difficult decisions many months ahead of the event. The severe financial implications of a potential cancellation of an event of this scale and magnitude at a late stage, without available pandemic insurance, are too great to risk for all involved .”
This makes the new October Maryland 5-star event at Fair Hill even more important. When I spoke with Dickie Waygood, the British eventing high performance manager at Kentucky last month, he indicated riders based in his country would be interested in coming if they could get some financial “contribution.” This development should up the ante. Germany’s Luhmuhlen event and Pau in France (the only 5-star to run last year) to this point are available for the autumn unless the situation changes in Europe (always possible), but Maryland is a sure thing.
Miranda Rock, President of Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, commented: “It is with a very heavy heart that we have come to the extremely difficult decision to cancel The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials this year. The Horse Trials is an incredibly important part of what we do here at Burghley and is the highlight of the year for all those who live and work here.
“I am deeply sorry for everyone whose hopes have been dashed – from the equestrian world internationally to the pony clubs nationally, for the people of Stamford and our neighboring communities, as well as our wonderful suppliers, supporters, retailers, staff and visitors who will not be able to enjoy this glorious event in September. Next year marks our 60th Anniversary and, despite the challenges ahead, we will be focusing all our efforts on delivering a spectacular event in 2022.”
by Nancy Jaffer | May 6, 2021
One of the world’s greatest international horse shows, presented by the Royal Dublin Society, has been knocked out by the Covid situation for the second year in a row.
“The RDS has been monitoring the evolving situation regarding Covid-19, including the vaccination rates and the latest Government advice. In the current circumstances it has been decided that it will not be possible to operate a Dublin Horse Show this year,” said a statement from the RDS.
“Preparations for a typical Dublin Horse Show take many months of planning and organization, and this has not been possible this year with the levels of uncertainty that still exist around the re-opening of Irish society.”
It is both fiscal and sporting blow, since the show has been estimated to be worth 50 million Euros to the Irish economy.
The showgrounds will not be entirely dark, if the government approves a national show offered behind closed doors (without spectators) that has been proposed for the international’s five-day slot Aug. 18-22.
Entry to the event will be restricted to equestrian competitors for the day of their competition only,as the RDS “is mindful of acting responsibly during these times.”
The RDS statement continued: “Our desire to host the RDS National Championships, despite the exceptionally challenging circumstances, is motivated by our commitment to support the sport horse industry during this very difficult time. We would like to acknowledge and thank the ongoing support of our sponsors, who are crucial to the viability of the Dublin Horse Show, as well as the understanding of the equestrian community for whom the Show is a yearly highlight.
“We look forward to hosting the Dublin Horse Show in 2022 and welcoming tens of thousands of visitors back each day to a summer staple that people have known and loved for generations.”
The proposed schedule would feature;young horse in hand classes, ponies, amateur jumpers, children’s jumpers and classes for young jumpers up to 9 years old.
