by Nancy Jaffer | May 9, 2026
Every other year, the Tewksbury Historical Society and the Tewksbury Trail Association collaborate on a tour of interesting barns in the township.
Whether you’re someone who keeps farm animals, or simply fantasizes about having a barn of your own, the tours offer an interesting glimpse into a type of architecture beloved in areas where the countryside is a valued asset — as it is in Hunterdon County.
One of the barns that will be on the tour.
This year’s tour, the fourteenth in the series, will be offered June 20 from 10 a.m.-3 pm.
Five barns will be showcased. A farm that has been in the same family for generations features a multi-use barn. An original dairy barn from Pennsylvania has been relocated for use as a stable.
A relatively new barn, just 20 years old, is situated at the end of a long, meandering driveway. At one location, visitors will see a barn constructed by the Amish and convenient to a trail offering access for those who want to go horseback riding.
Advance tickets are $40 until June 18 at 8 p.m. They will cost $50 per person if purchased on the day of the tour. Tickets for children ages 11-18 are $5, while children 10 and under are admitted free, both in advance and on the day of the tour. Tickets are limited and can be purchased on line thru PayPal at www.tewksburyhistory.net using any major credit card.
Patrons must pick up their tickets at Tewksbury Historical Society Headquarters, 60 Water St., Mountainville in the Lebanon section of the township on June 20 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.. Tickets purchased in advance will not be mailed.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 14, 2026
We already ran a short obituary last month for Jean Lindgren, but she was someone who deserved much more. Her son, Baylis Greene, did just that, writing one for the East Hampton Star, where he works. This is worth reading, whether you knew Jean, or just wished you had.
“In the 1970s, Jean Lindgren would proudly point out that she was the first woman carpenter on the South Fork. She had the shoulders and biceps to match, too.
This was after a stint teaching nursery school at the Hampton Day School in Bridgehampton, where she met Anthony Hitchcock, a science teacher with whom she would go on to work an array of odd jobs, at a time here when it was far easier to get by that way. This involved building greenhouses, in an elaborate process of gluing and clamping to bend wood supports, done in a barn behind their rented farmhouse in Bridgehampton, catering, notably the wedding of the sportswriter Mike Lupica, with attendees ranging from Don Imus, the radio host, to Donald Trump, and writing a series of guide books to country inns and historic hotels.
The job that wound up truly lasting, however, came about when Ms. Lindgren and Mr. Hitchcock took over the logistics for a small local horse show at the Topping Horse Farm in Sagaponack. As this area became more popular, more of a destination, more characterized by celebrity, so did the show, which in 1977 came to be known as the Hampton Classic, first at Dune Alpin Farm in East Hampton and then on 65 acres in Bridgehampton. The two ran it as a benefit for Southampton Hospital until 2005.
Ms. Lindgren, who lived in Sagaponack, died of heart disease on May 27 at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. She was 85.
The Hampton Classic may have been fancy, but the co-executive directors, who were not riders themselves, made certain to allow for the equestrians and fans from the area, introducing Local Day and accommodating Bridgehampton families like the McCoys and the Brennans with tables in the Grand Prix tent.
In many ways the face of the show, working with participants and registrants, the aggrieved and the entitled, Ms. Lindgren was invariably cheerful and charming, with a sense of humor that could defuse any misunderstanding.
Born on March 4, 1941, in Tenafly, N.J., the eldest of four children of Robert Lindgren, a commercial illustrator, and the former Ruth Jaster, she grew up across the New York border in Suffern, where the family had a horse rescued on its way to becoming mink food and an old jalopy she learned to drive before she was a teenager.
She attended Mary Washington College in Virginia but left before graduating, and later married Peter Greene, whom she knew from Suffern High School. They had two children. The marriage ended in divorce, but not before they moved to Sag Harbor in 1969.
In the mid-1970s, in Bridgehampton with Mr. Hitchcock, whom she would marry in the 1990s, the two were known for their volunteer work, particularly with the local historical society and the Black community of the Turnpike, at one point installing a small steeple atop the Baptist church, which led to a story they liked to tell of the difficulty of compound angles.
In later years, after the Hampton Classic, Ms. Lindgren continued to work as a secretary on the horse show circuit, from Westchester County to Ocala, Fla., to Indio, Calif., and she and Mr. Hitchcock began to vacation here and abroad, to France every spring, to Maine at the end of every summer.
Painting was one of her pastimes, and her children and grandchildren always looked forward to the cartoons she would draw for their birthday cards. She enjoyed mystery novels, watching “Jeopardy!” and “Antiques Roadshow,” shopping trips with her granddaughters, and baking, especially Christmas cookies.
Mr. Hitchcock survives her, as does a stepdaughter, Abigail Hitchcock of Brooklyn; two sons, Ryder Greene of Portland, Ore., and Baylis Greene of Noyac; a daughter-in-law, Julie Greene, and three grandchildren, Penelope, Griffin, and Bennett Greene. She also leaves a sister, Patricia Lindgren of Cold Spring, N.Y.
A celebration of her life is scheduled for Aug. 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Long Beach in Noyac, N.Y.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 4, 2026
The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed New World Screwworm has expanded into Texas, according to a statement from the U.S. Equestrian Federation. It was found in two calves in Zavala County. Officials have been watching for months as the infestation moved toward the border from Mexico.
It spreads via maggots that feed on living tissue of any warm blooded animal, including people. Horses, cattle, wildlife pets and their owners could all be affected. Rapid detection and response are essential. The larvae are deposited on wounds or superficial body cavities, such as the nose and sheath of horses, where they feed and grow. Untreated wounds often develop multiple infestations which are more likely to kill the animal.
Widespread screwworm infestation could have serious consequences for animal health, agriculture productivity, and the national economy. A widespread outbreak will disrupt livestock movement and trade, increase veterinary and surveillance costs, and place major burdens on producers, animal health officials, and event organizers. Early detection and response is critical to stop the spread, according to USEF.
Horse owners can protect their horses from screwworm by checking daily for any wounds, drainage, foul odor, or unusual irritation, and by cleaning and protecting even minor cuts as soon as they are found to reduce the opportunities for the screwworm fly.
Consistent fly control, good stable hygiene, and careful monitoring after injuries or surgery can help reduce risk, since screwworm flies are attracted to open wounds and body openings. If a horse develops a wound that worsens quickly, has a bad smell, or contains visible maggots, the owner should contact a veterinarian immediately so the horse can be evaluated, treated and reported if needed.
Federal and state animal health officials will dictate the procedures around screwworm cases. USEF can help competition organizers and participants. Horses infected with screwworm or in a geographic area with screwworm present are likely to be placed under quarantine.
State animal health officials will have the discretion to implement movement restrictions in these situations. States may restrict equine movement and activities in a geographic area. State and federal animal health officials are finalizing the protocols for responding to screwworm incursion. Those who live in or are traveling to a state where screwworm has been reported should visit the website of the relevant state veterinarian for the latest information on screwworm response and prevention.
USEF veterinarians are working with the states to develop a response plan that would allow healthy, safe competition to continue in the event of a screwworm detection in the U.S. Any protocol for events during a screwworm incursion would be at the discretion of state veterinarian. Entry requirements for an event could include a requirement for veterinary examination for issuance of a certificate of veterinary inspection, which includes an antiparasitic treatment (ivermectin/dectomectin) statement and examination on arrival. The Federation will post updates and protocols on the dedicated New World Screwworm webpage at this link.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 9, 2026
London Olympics 2012 show jumping course designer Bob Ellis has died at the age of 79 after a short illness.
Course designer Guilherme Jorge, who worked with Bob in London, called him “a great horseman, a great course designer and a great friend. His leadership and the way he looked after his team is something that I will always remember.”
Bob was a rider who began building courses in the 1990s under the mentorship of Jon Doney. He stopped riding in 1993, concentrating on course designing and achieved the FEI’s O status, enabling him to design courses at some of the world’s major competitions.
The crowning achievement of his career came at the London Olympics, where he created a series of iconic courses featuring fence designs that showcased Great Britain to a global audience.
He will be remembered not only for his outstanding contribution to the sport, but also for his ready smile and infectious sense of humor.
U.S. judge David Distler recalled, “I had the privilege of working with Bob on a number of occasions. Each time I came away with a greater understanding of courses, thanks to the generous sharing of his knowledge.
“One of the very best to ever lay a rail, a true genius, with a wonderful sense of humor. A mentor to so many.”
A statement from British Showjumping said Bob’s “distinctive style, creativity and ability to challenge competitors while always prioritizing horsemanship earned him international recognition and respect.
“Throughout his career, Bob was admired not only for his professionalism, expertise and eye for detail, but also for his warmth, humor and unwavering passion for the sport. He inspired generations of riders, officials and fellow course-designers, many of whom benefited from his guidance and mentorship.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 7, 2026
A week after Caroline Pamukcu was first and second in the Open Preliminary at the Essex Horse Trials, that prep paid off as she rode the same horses to top the 4-Star Long at the MARS Bromont event on Sunday.
The order of her mounts’ finish was reversed this time, though, with Essex runner-up HSH Double Sixteen, a thoroughbred, taking the top prize and She’s the One coming second. Both horses were free of jumping faults on cross-country, but each had two rails in stadium. Double Sixteen finished on 47.5 penalties while She’s the One accumulated 13.6 time penalties on cross-country.
Another U.S. rider, Tracey Bienemann was third with 57.9 penalties on Venezuelan River.
Caroline said her mounts, “Both of them are just fabulous horses, and I’m just so happy for the owners – they deserve it. They’ve been with me since day one, so it’s just great to do well for them, and do well for the horses.
She noted ” ‘Six’ was fabulous all weekend. There’s so much more improvement that can be done, but again, remember, they’re both 11-year-olds, and I think they both have bright futures. Their cross-country rounds were immaculate. They’re just absolute machines, but again, [there’s a] lot more work [that] can be done – the dressage and the show jumping – and even with the cross-country, I can fine tune some things. But I’m so happy because I felt confident this weekend. So that’s the biggest thing – the biggest takeaway.”
The cross-country courses were designed by Derek di Grazia, who also does the Kentucky 5-star, and Jay Hambly.
The 3-Star Long went to Canada’s Colleen Loach, while the 2-StarLong was a wire-to-wire win for Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri. In the 4-star Short, old friends Phillip Dutton (Denim) and Boyd Martin (Fetiche des Rouges) were 1-2.
Click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 4, 2026
As keeping horses has become increasingly pricey, the amount competitors pay for showing on top of that has developed as a major economic issue. There is a tendency to blame the shows for over-charging, intimating that competitions are making huge profits off the exhibitors. But such accusations generally come from people who have no idea what it takes, or costs, to put on a show. They have no idea of the profit margin (if there is one) realized by competitions, particularly the smaller shows serving the all-important base of the sport.
Without a base, nothing can be built. If equestrian competition is seen as being only about the elite upper levels, that can hurt more than the sport’s image in the era of social license to operate. Such a perception also can discourage those who feel showing — viewed as a goal after all those lessons — is out of their price range. As a result, they may not continue to ride and go elsewhere for their exercise.
What does it cost to put on a horse show? Marnye Langer, who runs the Langer Equestrian Group shows in California, has produced a piece explaining the business model. Here is an edited version of what she wrote:
Horse shows are extraordinarily expensive to produce, even before a single ribbon is handed out. That is something many exhibitors – and increasingly, policymakers – fail to fully appreciate.
The public conversation around the U.S. Equestrian Federation channel system and the future of competition often assumes there is a large amount of fat built into horse show pricing. The reality is quite the opposite, especially for smaller shows. Margins are frequently thin, costs are largely fixed and many of the expenses exhibitors dislike most are not profit centers at all. They are simply mechanisms to cover operational necessities or pass through costs collected on behalf of associations.
Take staffing: A horse show requires an enormous workforce to function safely and professionally. Labor costs extend far beyond judges and course designers. They include office personnel, ring crews, maintenance teams, jump crews, in-gate staff, parking attendants, hospitality workers, and security. Those positions exist whether the show runs three days or five, three rings or five.
And importantly, these are not optional expenses.
A hunter/jumper competition cannot simply decide to eliminate EMT coverage, forego insurance or skip licensed officials because entries are down. Most of the core operating costs remain fixed regardless of the competition’s size or designation.
The same applies to venue costs. Facility rental, footing preparation, utilities, manure removal, tents, stalls, generators and equipment rentals represent substantial line items that do not meaningfully decline simply because a show is categorized differently under a channel framework. In many cases, regional competitions actually face higher proportional costs because they lack the economies of scale available to larger circuits.
Even when a horse show operates at a facility under the same ownership structure, the venue itself is not free. Someone still pays for footing maintenance, equipment, utilities, staffing, insurance, paving, landscaping, manure removal and ongoing repairs. This is also true for farms that host smaller local competitions. Rest assured, they have invested substantial money into making those properties functional for horse shows.
This is an important point because there is a persistent assumption that facility-owning show managers somehow operate without meaningful overhead. They do not. In many cases, horse show revenue is what keeps the facility itself financially viable.
Another uncomfortable truth: Ancillary revenues matter tremendously.
Exhibitors often view feed, shavings, office fees, nomination fees and sponsorship programs as excessive add-ons. In reality, those categories frequently determine whether a competition survives financially. Particularly for smaller and mid-level competitions, sponsorship revenue is limited or nonexistent. That means operational sustainability falls heavily on entries, stalls and associated exhibitor fees.
And even then, profitability is far from guaranteed. Weather disruptions, lower-than-expected entries, rising insurance costs, labor shortages, fuel prices and facility fee increases can erase margins quickly. A competition that appears “busy” from the outside is not necessarily financially successful.
This is why the assumption that (regional) Channel 2 competitions automatically create a lower-cost environment is so problematic.
The USEF channel system largely adjusts classification and prize money requirements. It does not materially reduce the overwhelming majority of production expenses that drive horse show economics. All the “things” still have to happen. Judges, course designers and EMTs still need to be hired. Rings still need dragging. Footing still needs maintenance. Insurance premiums do not suddenly shrink because a show is labeled “regional.” The list goes on.
If anything, smaller competitions often face a more difficult economic equation. They have fewer entries over which to spread fixed costs, less sponsorship support and less leverage when competing for labor and vendors against major circuits.
That reality matters because regional and mid-level horse shows are foundational to the sport’s ecosystem. They are where riders develop, trainers build businesses and new participants enter the industry. If those competitions become financially unsustainable, the long-term impact extends far beyond a single horse show’s balance sheet.
The concern is not simply whether some shows will disappear. It is whether the sport can maintain a healthy competitive middle class at all. Because once regional competitions vanish, rebuilding that layer of the industry becomes extraordinarily difficult.
