An important boost coming for sport horse well-being

by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 9, 2024

Ask yourself this question: Do you know what medication and therapy your horse is receiving, and why? Is there a good reason for it? Most of all, is it safe?

The Chromatic Fund, formally unveiled last week, will pay for collaborative research and education enabling veterinarians to be updated as they make decisions about horse care at competitions and elsewhere.

The initiative has the earmarks of being a lifesaver.

The fund will facilitate a ground-breaking effort under the auspices of the U.S. Equestrian Federation and American Association of Equine Practitioners, designed to make a big difference in the lives and careers of sport horses.

It all started because Kc Branscomb wasn’t going to give up.

She knew something had to be done following the death of Chromatic BF, a grand prix show jumper she bred, raised and loved.

A carefree Chromatic galloping through the fields of his California home.

The 13-year-old gelding competed at April’s FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final in Saudi Arabia, where he finished third in the second leg of the competition. Upon his return to the stables after an ebullient round of honor, a USEF-appointed veterinarian injected him with a  cocktail of five drugs (none of which were prohibited substances), ostensibly to aid Chromatic with recovery after his big effort. Minutes later, the horse went into shock, collapsed and died.

Branscomb took issue with the results of a necropsy performed in Saudi Arabia that pointed toward an exercise-associated fatal pulmonary hemorrhage. According to the final report, the administered medications were not identified as the cause of death.

Chromatic ccompeting in Saudi Arabia.

But Branscomb insisted on better answers, including why the substances were injected, and beyond that, how to insure no other sport horse would suffer the same fate as Chromatic.

She made sure USEF listened, and also approached AAEP about her concerns. That led to a new welfare initiative and creation of the fund.  The fund’s process, which also includes Branscomb’s input and the work of the Foundation for the Horse, is taking a worldwide perspective on a multi-faceted agenda.

Branscomb made an initial gift to kick-start the fund, matching a pledge from USEF, but the goal is to go beyond six figures and raise $2 million. For more information or to donate, go to this link — https://www.foundationforthehorse.org/support/chromaticfund.

The focus is on appropriate use of medication and other therapeutic interventions in equine athletes across the disciplines. The fund will pay for “science-based, equine-specific research and information access to benefit the health, well-being, and career longevity of horses in sport.”

Branscomb wants to get scientific information on untested therapies and the right dosages; how do you get the best efficacy while keeping the horse safe?

“We are dedicated to enhancing our welfare initiatives for sport horses announced in August,” said USEF CEO Bill Moroney, citing “the perfect partnership to set this education and research program on the right path to success.”

That’s particularly important in the era of horse sports seeking social license to operate from the general public. There have, for instance, already been petitions to the U.S. Olympic Committee asking that equestrian competition be excluded from the Games. Competition horses are a favorite target of animal rights groups.

In September, the advisory board of industry stakeholders that oversees the Chromatic Fund spent a day at AAEP headquarters in Lexington Ky., asking about  the opportunities to sustainably improve the safety, welfare and longevity of the horses, and “do that in a way that wouldn’t adversely impact the sport itself? Most of us believe well-cared-for, healthy horses enjoy competing,” said Branscomb.

The result was a document listing the decisions and agreements the advisory board arrived at when they “explored rules, regulatory issues and questions of whether the problem was that the research is available, but just not getting out there to riders, trainers and the vets who are treating horses,” she continued.

Another facet involves determining whether the proper amount of research has been done on widely used emerging therapies and homeopathics.

“There is a huge amount of benefit and improvement that can be made just by properly curating the already available research and getting it out in practical, usable ways to veterinarians and clients; trainers, riders and owners hiring those vets,” said Branscomb.

She noted that if the vet who treated her horse at the World Cup had access to, and been informed on, peer review and academic papers about use of a product containing selenium (one of the components in the mixture given to Chromatic) he would have known there was no scientific evidence it does anything for muscle recovery and should only be given only over a course of treatment to horses who are deficient in that selenium.

Chromatic finished third in the second round of the World Cup.

As Branscomb explained the fund’s goals, she noted, “This is about available information not getting into right hands and not being paid attention to. So what we’re hoping to do with this…is bring the very best academic veterinarians who are doing the academic research and the top 30 treating vets in world, and get them together with top research veterinarians over a day or two to talk (this) through.”

The goal is a handbook for use by treating veterinarians in equestrian sport, covering items such as inflammation, cardiovascular fitness recovery rate and immune system response, “so many aspects of what makes a horse be able to perform at its very best and be healthy.”

The handbook would lay out protocols such as “do this, don’t do this and if you do this, here are the risks.”

That’s one part of the program. Another, according to Branscomb, is insuring that owners, the “ultimate custodians” of the animal, can educate themselves and have pertinent information to make therapeutic decisions for their horse, rather than simply relying on trainers who may feel pressured to win. It could “change the culture,” or “at the very least, determine which practices are potentially harmful or helpful.

“I think we need to find out what the impact is of injecting hocks every six weeks in horses that are six to eight years of age. I think there’s plenty of research that shows that can have an impact on potentially shortening a horse’s career. An owner should have an opportunity to ask intelligent questions,” said Branscomb.

She mentioned that there are “too many examples of `Well, let’s try this’… without really a scientific basis or any evidence that what they are trying is going to work.

The research will take time and the advisory board is looking at various ways to handle it. In addition to Branscomb and Moroney, the board includes Sonja Keating, the USEF’s chief operating officer and general counsel; Dr. Tracy Turner, president-elect of the AAEP and the Foundation for The Horse; Olympic show jumping medalist and trainer Norman Dello Joio; Dr. Jack Snyder, an FEI-certified treating veterinarian and Dr. John Madigan, distinguished professor emeritus of the University California Davis school of veterinary medicine and board certified animal welfare specialist with a focus on equine.

Kc Branscomb and amateur-owner hunter PakNSave. (Photo by Donna DeMari)

Branscomb noted sport governance organizations put out a list of prohibited substances, but there is “no discussion about tens of thousands of different therapies and medications; not even any discussion of `should they be limited and who should apply them?’

“It’s unbelievable how many drugs are in peoples’ (tack) trunks, being administered by people who are not veterinarians, things that are widely used. Those are permitted substances, depending on how and when they are administered, alongside other drugs, and who administers them. There’s a lot of information about what is safe and not safe, but that is not out there in the hands of people using those drugs.”

There needs to be a level of accountability and some kind of consequences when someone makes a mistake, she believes, noting the International Sport Horse Veterinary Association has made a set of recommendations to the FEI (international equestrian federation) for rules on how to supervise and insure best-in-class knowledge is being utilized.

“I don’t know if USEF or FEI will lead, but I believe in the next 12 months, both organizations will make a major change in management of how medications are reviewed and applied within the context of permitted substances,” said Branscomb,

She lobbied successfully for revisions to the USEF’s Horse Participation Consent Agreement in terms of treatments that can be given without permission to horses representing the USA. A change was made to say that except in an emergency, no medications will be administered to horses by team veterinarians at international competitions without prior consent of the athlete (a rider or driver), who is the person responsible under FEI regulations for substances present in a horse.

This week at the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s convention, Branscomb will receive the Mrs. A.C. Randolph Owners Legacy Award, which recognizes past or current owners who have been loyal patrons of the industry.

USHJA called her a significant figure in the hunter/jumper industry for many years, making her mark as a breeder dedicated to producing top sport horses at Branscomb Farm in California. She has cultivated a breeding program prioritizing both talent and temperament, USHJA noted in announcing the award, while citing her work with USEF “to advocate for changes in the role of owners in international competitions.”

Branscomb’s persistence, which has achieved much, was fueled by devotion.

“I loved my horse and what happened should never have happened,” she stated.

“I set out to make sure it would never happen again and in that process, I learned there were some holes in the safety net that was supposed to protect our horses, and there was some lack of understanding and knowledge that was readily available that would have kept my horse safe and alive. I wanted to make sure that got fixed.

“We have an opportunity to lead from the front and do it right, and have the sport be celebrated and leave the parts that we love intact and just have better-informed therapeutic care of the animal.”

Show ring great Rodney Jenkins has passed away

by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 6, 2024

A born horseman whose natural ability made him a legend, Rodney Jenkins was the ultimate winner in the days when he reigned as a dominant force on the grand prix circuit with his most famous mount, the equally talented Idle Dice.

The Red Rider, who had been in deteriorating health, passed away in his sleep at age 80 on Thursday. The loss has been keenly felt around the equestrian community, where he was an idol. Many people remembered sitting ringside watching Rodney school horses as a way to improve their own technique, though who could match him?

The red-head grew up learning to ride by the seat of his pants in Orange, Va., where his father, Enis Jenkins, was a professional horseman. He became a huntsman, then went on to work for Gene Mische, who went on to be the country’s best known horse show organizer.

Rodney’s talent took him to the top of the sport, with victories everywhere from Madison Square Garden to Devon and all the other great shows. His honors included being American Grand Prix Association champion and American Horse Shows Association Horseman of the Year. After hanging up his saddle in 1989, Rodney turned to training racehorses. He was successful at that too, until he retired for good earlier this year. His best season at the track came in 2006, when his horses won $1.8 million.

But he will be most remembered for his ability in the show ring, a standout with the hunters as well as the jumpers. He had a great eye for a fence, and understood what a horse was thinking almost before the horse knew what it was thinking. If you had to sum it up in one word, Rodney was a horseman.

He also was a low-key and kind person.

Retired show jumper Melanie Smith Taylor has an especially warm place in her heart for Rodney, and her mind flashed back to their special connection when she learned of his death.

After the owners of Melanie’s 1984 Olympic gold medal mount, Calypso, went into bankruptcy, they sent the horse to Rodney to be sold. But Rodney dragged his feet and never showed Calypso.

It wasn’t just that the Dutchbred gelding didn’t happen to be Rodney’s type of ride; he knew Calypso had always been Melanie’s horse, and he didn’t want to see such a great athlete demoted to being a junior jumper or some other job unworthy of his record.

Melanie’s fiancée, polo player Lee Taylor, realized the only thing missing from her life was Calypso. So he went to Rodney and said he wanted to buy the great horse and retire him to his Tennessee farm—though he didn’t mention his connection to Melanie.

But she believes “Rodney read between the lines and knew he was coming home to me. Rodney made it happen.”

The horseman felt the brilliant show jumper should quit at the top of his game (the way Rodney himself would eventually end his showing career).

The deal went through, and Melanie was ecstatic when Calypso arrived at Lee’s farm for a long and happy retirement.

Another top show jumper, Bernie Traurig, reminisced about looking up to Rodney as his own career got under way.

He recalled in a social media post that, “As a young professional, Rodney was my mentor. I was a sponge for his education, learning anything I could soak in from his wisdom and ability. As much as possible, I would watch him school, teach at clinics, watch him show, learn how he managed his stable and what he fed his horses,” Bernie recalled.

“I was lucky to even sell him some very nice horses. I begged him to try Idle Dice as a 5-year-old when I was showing him as a hunter, and, well, the rest is history. He was arguably the best horseman and rider of hunters and jumpers in his heyday, and set the bar for us all.”

Show jumper Jimmy Torano compared Rodney to basketball superstar Michael Jordan in terms of the domination of his sport, and noted sadly, “We already missed seeing him at the shows. Now we will really miss him. He is a Legend. The Greatest of all Time.”

In addition to Harry Gill’s thoroughbred, Idle Dice, who won everything, from multiple victories in the American Gold Cup to the President’s Cup (four times), Rodney’s many show jumping partners included Number One Spy, also owned by Gill; The Natural, the first jumper to sell for $1 million, American Invitational winner Third Man and Czar, on whom he earned double silver at the 1987 Pan American Games.

Rodney missed the Olympics at the height of his career because only amateurs could compete in the Games and Pan Ams during that period. As a professional, he was ineligible until the rules were loosened and he was able to compete at the Pan Ams.

Rodney Jenkins, right, with 1987 Pan Am Games silver medal team members Greg Best, Katherine Burdsall and Lisa Jacquin (Karl Leck Photo)

A member of the Show Jumping and National Show Hunter Halls of Fame, he was also inducted into the Washington International Horse Show Hall of Fame when I caught up with him a few years ago. He reminisced about the days when he was riding, adding he hadn’t been on a horse since 2008. He still judged some shows–who could argue with his eye for a horse?

“I really miss the competition,” he admitted in his soft southern drawl

“I enjoyed showing, and when I didn’t, I quit. The horse show glitter is wonderful, but I see it’s going on great without me. They have some wonderful  riders out there.”

Rodney Jenkins and Idle Dice.

He told me he would look at show jumping on TV (no doubt while smoking his pipe), saying, “I love to watch a good horse jump, and there seems to be a lot of them.”

He was devoted to his wife of 26 years, Un Jin Jenkins, who rode in the 1988 Olympics representing South Korea and is now a prolific painter. The couple lived in Maryland with their two sons, Matthew and Ty. Rodney described them as “all-American boys” who participated in sports, but not riding.

Rodney, who also had three children from a previous marriage, Blythe, Robert and race horse trainer Patrick Jenkins, enjoyed staying in one place instead of constantly being on the move as in his horse show days.

“It’s the best time of my life,” he said with a smile. “God is good to me.”

A memorial service will be held at noon Jan. 7 at Laurel Park in Maryland.

Dujardin formally penalized for “abuse of horse,” other charges

by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 5, 2024

Charlotte Dujardin, the former dressage heroine, was penalized Thursday by the FEI with a year’s suspension for a horse-whipping incident captured on video and publicized just before the Paris Olympics, when it gained worldwide attention and notoriety.

Britain’s multi-medalist from three other Olympics had voluntarily suspended herself in July after revelation of the video, ending her nation’s possibility of a team gold medal at the Games. She and Imhotep were replaced on the squad by newcomer Becky Moody with Jagerbomb. The team wound up with the bronze, keeping Britain from a sweep of all three equestrian team gold medals, as it won both the eventing and show jumping titles. Dujardin’s mount, Imhotep, had been regularly scoring over 80 percent in the Grand Prix and the Special used for awarding team medals at the Games.

Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep.

After an investigation into Dujardin’s case, the FEI initiated formal disciplinary proceedings, citing three charges: abuse of horse, conduct that brings the FEI and/or equestrian sport and the FEI into disrepute, and breach of the FEI Code of Conduct on the Welfare of the Horse.

The gravity of the offense was balanced by the FEI with “relevant mitigating circumstances,” which included Dujardin’s prior clean disciplinary record and her voluntary withdrawal from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The FEI imposed a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs (U.S. $11,341) and is giving her credit for time served.  That means her suspension will end July 23, but it is uncertain what the future holds for her in the sport. Until the end of the suspension, she is prohibited from participating in all activities related to competitions or events under the jurisdiction of the FEI or her national federation.

Meanwhile, she announced on Thursday she is pregnant with her second child, who is expected in February.

The video that came out on social media showed Dujardin aggressively hitting her student’s cantering horse with a longe whip, prompting the animal to kick out several times. The video was taken during a lesson at a private stable and made public for an anonymous client by a Dutch attorney.

Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep at the 2023 European Championships, where they won individual bronze.

“What happened was completely out of character and does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils, however there is no excuse,” Dujardin stated on social media in the wake of the video.

“I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example in that moment,” she said.

“I am sincerely sorry for my actions and devastated that I have let everyone down, including Team GB, fans and sponsors.”

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro at the 2012 London Games, where they were double gold and led Britain to its first ever Olympic dressage medal.

On Thursday, she posted a message on Facebook saying, “I fully respect the verdict issued by the Federation for
Equestrian Sports (FEI), released today. As the federation has recognized, my actions in the video do not reflect who I am and I can only apologize again. I understand the responsibility that comes with my position in the sport, and I will forever aim to do better.

“This has undoubtedly been one of the darkest and most difficult periods of my life, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me during this time. To those of you who have sent messages, emails and tried to reach me to check in on how l am – thank you. Every kind word truly has made a difference, more than you’ll ever know.

“What I was unable to share at the time is that I am currently pregnant, with my baby due in February. This was planned well before the Olympics and something my partner, Dean, and I have been excited about for a long time.

At the moment, the energy I have is focused on Dean and our daughter Isabella, and we are all very much looking forward to the arrival of our new family member.”

Dujardin’s scandal came as horse sport has been focusing on “social license to operate” and seeking the acceptance of the public with an image that emphasizes equine welfare.

FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said. “It is regrettable that this case has put our sport in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, especially during a critical time leading up to the Olympic Games.”

She added, “These significant sanctions send a clear message that anyone, regardless of their profile, who engages in conduct that compromises the welfare of the horse will face serious consequences. We believe this outcome reaffirms the FEI’s commitment to equine welfare and to its role as guardian of our equine partners.”

Meanwhile, the FEI has other cases pending that involve allegations of abuse. They include dressage rider Cesar Parra and eventer Andrw McConnon.

Jim Eyre, chief executive of British Equestrian commented about Dujardin’s matter; “We are confident that this has been a thorough disciplinary process and thank those involved for their professional approach.

“The welfare and ethical treatment of horses has always been a priority and no one involved in our sport should be in any doubt that we expect the highest standards at all times. We will continue to work with our member bodies tirelessly to uphold the integrity of our sports through enforcement, education, and advancement in our knowledge.”

Jason Brautigam, chief executive of British Dressage, stated: “We stand united with the FEI in taking a zero-tolerance approach to any breaches of our equine welfare policies – and this case has proved that these disciplinary processes work, regardless of the status of the individual concerned.

“We launched the Charter for the Horse last year and remain totally committed to upholding these standards.  Working closely with our colleagues across the Federation, we will continue to collectively put the health, care and wellbeing of the horse at the heart of everything we do, and proactively demonstrate that equestrian sport is conducted in an ethical and responsible way.”