by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 31, 2024
Twenty-seven years after her most famous mount, Gifted, was inducted into the Roemer Foundation/U.S. Dressage Federation Hall of Fame, he is being joined by his rider, the late Carol Lavell. The ceremony will take place during the USDF convention in Houston during December.
Carol Lavell and Gifted
The duo earned team bronze medals at the 1992 Olympics and the 1994 World Equestrian Games.They were the USA’s stars of the early 1990s. But Carol, who died last year, also reached out to help others be successful; she and her family assisted many riders through their financial support of the Dressage Foundation’s grants.
USDF President George Williams noted, “Many will agree it is past time that we honor all that Carol did and gave to dressage during her lifetime.”
Also being being honored at the convention is William (Bill) Woods, best known as a trainer and judge, who has instructed and judged in 43 states and five foreign countries. He is receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award.
He influenced development of what become the USDF Instructor/Trainer Development Program. During his seven years as chair of the USDF Council of Instructors and Trainers, he was largely responsible for bringing to fruition USDF’s program for instructor certification and the beginning of USDF’s program of annual National Symposia.
Bill Woods.
When the New England Dressage Association (NEDA) became a charter GMO at USDF’s founding meeting in 1973, it was Bill who attended the first USDF convention as NEDA’s official delegate.
A pioneer in the sport, he is always giving back to the community and helping others understand dressage. His work to establish a way to certify instructors has impacted dressage instructors/trainers to this very day, and will continue to influence the sport into the future.
George Williams noted, “I’m a strong believer in the importance of remembering and recognizing those whose efforts in the early years of USDF laid the groundwork for our current programs. Bill Woods is one of those foresighted individuals. He was instrumental in the early development of the major USDF educational program geared towards instructors.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 24, 2024
Bobby Costello, who smoothed the waters after a turbulent time for U.S.eventing two years ago, has decided not to continue as technical advisor and chef d’equipe for the discipline after his contract expires Nov. 30 at the end of the Olympic quadrennium.
Bobby, who is both respected and admired, noted his involvement “has been an incredible journey with this program and this role has brought me so much purpose over the past two years. For both personal and professional reasons, I have decided it’s time to step away and allow a fresh face to continue moving this program forward towards the success I know we’re capable of producing as a country and program.
“It’s been an honor to work alongside our athletes, team staff, owners, and supporters to bring some incredible moments of success back to the U.S. over the past two years. It’s bittersweet, but I am looking forward to continuing to support our U.S. eventing team in the years to come.”
Bobby Costello. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Bobby rode in the 2000 Olympic as an individual. His successes in the administrative end of the sport include the first team medal in nearly 20 years (a silver) at the 2022 FEI World Championship, two podium finishes at CHIO Aachen, a team silver at the 2023 Pan American Games, and a podium finish at the FEI Eventing Nations Cup in the Boekelo CCIO4*-NC-L in the Netherlands this fall. The U.S. Eventing Team finished seventh at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with Bobby at the helm.
In the fall of 2022, the U.S. Equestrian Federation offered no explanation for dropping Erik Duvander from the chef role, a little more than nine months before the 2022 Eventing World Championships in Italy.
Eventing “stakeholders” were notified by USEF in a brusque email that Erik’s contract, which expired Nov. 30, would not be renewed and that Jenni Autry, the managing director of eventing, was no longer with the federation. Peter Wylde, who had been coaching eventers in show jumping, also was dropped. Both Erik and Peter are still training U.S. eventers on an individual basis.
The controversial action followed “a detailed review involving stakeholder surveys” and a series of meetings among eventing constituents, USEF CEO Bill Moroney and the organization’s president, Tom O’Mara.
Bobby filled the chef role with style and grace, his congenial approach winning him friends and admirers.
“I know I speak for everyone when I say Bobby’s commitment and leadership in this role helped the program find its feet and has set us on the upward trajectory towards future success,” said Amber Braun, USEF managing director of eventing.
“We’re incredibly sad to see Bobby depart this role, but have nothing but gratitude and respect for the achievements and contributions he has made to U.S. Eventing during his term. We wish him all the best in his next chapter, and we will continue to focus on the LA 2028 Olympic Games.”
Now the mission is searching for someone to fill Bobby’s role. No details of that process have been announced.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 24, 2024
A system enabling exhibitors and show managers to access a master property calendar of championships is on the drawing board at the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association.
During a Town Hall discussion Monday night, USHJA president Britt McCormick explained the idea is to enable people organizing their show schedules to “figure out a qualifying system and create a migration pattern that works for them.”
That means anyone can look at the calendar at the beginning of the year, plan where to go and “hopefully prevent having to choose between properties on the same weekend.”
Major national championships would be on the calendar’s first tier, creating blackout dates for regional championships and other properties “so we can be sure we’re not walking one property on top of another property,” Britt said.
A second tier of championships would include fixtures such as 3-foot, 3-inch equitation, various regional championships and properties that can possibly coexist on the same weeks, but in different parts of the country, while becoming blackout weeks for the third tier, which could include Outreach Festivals and some other programs at regular horse shows.
Britt reminded those watching the Town Hall that licensing shows is the responsibility of the U.S. Equestrian Federation (detailed in Chapter 3 of the rulebook), but noted USHJA does offer recommendations in terms of mileage exemptions.
Shelley Campf, a member of the competition management committee, said she would like to encourage USHJA leadership “to stay extremely involved,” with the date situation, observing that the organization should have “some sort of control” over hunter/jumper shows.
While the number of horse recordings and memberships with USEF have grown, in 2024 that did not align with the number of members showing as it typically does, she maintained.
“A lot of horse shows are having trouble sustaining themselves when they’re 60-80 miles from one another. I think it’s a very dangerous road,” Shelley continued.
Britt replied, “We had a reorganization with the channel system I think we have kind of let fall though the cracks. I think there are some answers in there.” He said participation numbers are steady but different as “the migration pattern seems to be in flux.”
He added USHJA is trying to get various task force and management committees together to discuss the show scheduling challenges and then bring those to the federation.
In other business:
- The Marshall+Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships Nov. 11-17 will run without FEI classes (read about that here) but it enables USHJA to use all three arenas at the South Point in Las Vegas, and will mean more riders can participate, said Britt.
- Three 1.40 meter jumper classes have been added, including the $49,999 Desert International Horse Park Grand Prix.
- Britt advised that the USHJA annual meeting, a celebration of its twentieth anniversary, will have a different format Dec. 9-12 in Tucson, Ariz., the location of the organization’s first annual meeting. The gathering will be more interactive, and look at “improving not only our sport, but our industry.”
- Forums will not overlap, so everyone can attend all the sessions if they wish.
- In the future, Britt announced, Town Halls will be offered quarterly rather than monthly. Comments Monday were sparse, with just a handful of people speaking during the 40-minute meeting.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 27, 2024
The Eastern States Dressage and Combined Training Association Championships and Open Schooling Show is a long way from the high-end competitions that dominate the calendar these days. It’s laid back, relaxed and friendly, a delightful unrecognized fixture that’s just plain fun and a high point of the season.
It may not be glitzy, but as Flemington, N.J., trainer Wendy Garfinkel said, “Don’t bash this: it’s someone’s Olympics.”
Former ESDCTA President Lisa Toaldo, who managed the show on the weekend, elaborated on what it means to the participants: “Most of the riders in the show won’t be going to Regionals and Nationals, that’s why it’s so exciting for them. This is their championship.”
Show manager Lisa Toaldo and Ann Dandurand with her champoinship ribbon. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
What adds to its appeal is location, location, location – the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation headquarters, steeped in history. The Gladstone, N.J., facility carries extra meaning as a venue for those privileged to ride there, whether they’re at training level or FEI.
When else, Wendy asked, do you get to ride at the USET?
“It’s affordable. We stable here too. You get to stay in Brentina’s stall. We work really hard to get here. They do a great job everyone is nice to you. If you fill out your entries incorrectly, they don’t yell at you.”
Something else which appeals to her is the fact that, “You see every type of horse. You don’t just see warmbloods; the odd breeds can do it too, I always promote that.”
A case in point is the Irish/Welsh cross ridden by her student, Lori Fortunato. Challenger’s Fourth Angel is a 14-hand pony that Lori adores.
Trainer Wendy Garfinkel and her student, Lori Fortunato, with Challenger’s Fourth Angel. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“She’s like a puppy,” declared Lori, who used to do hunters and eventing. But now, she says,, “I love dressage, the connection, the partnership that I feel.” She is a psychotherapist, so she knows about connections. The Watchung, N.J., resident remembers what the USET meant to her as a kid, citing the famous people like Frank Chapot who trained there.
Another different breed from Wendy’s Poniez on the Rockz is an ex-thoroughbred racehorse owned by her right-hand worker, Shelby Dunlap.
“When she’s away, I’m in charge,” said Shelby, discussing her job description.
A former groom at the racetrack, she fell in love with Riopelle, who won $100,000 racing at Penn National, Woodbine in Canada and elsewhere.
“I thought he was adorable,” she recalled.
Shelby Dunlap and Riopelle. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Shelby got to pony him onto the track the day he won a race, only to learn he was claimed for $7,500.
“I cried all the way home,” she said.
Rio, by Grade I Super Derby winner Arch out of Constant Touch (Belong to Me) raced some more, but then a trainer friend of Shelby’s was able to claim him for her. She jumped him a little before switching to dressage. He can be quirky, but he also knows when to behave. Her best score at the show was an impressive 68.8 percent in Training Level 3.
She’s having fun with the 16-year-old gelding but promised, “a couple more years and he can retire.”
Another different breed at the show was Luchadora ESF, an Andalusian who won the FEI championship with a total of 65.647 percent for Ann Dandurand.
She made a mistake in her Intermediate I test, doing the pirouette too early.
“I don’t own the I-1 test yet. She’s Grand Prix; I’m not,” said Ann, explaining her mare knew the early pirouette was the wrong move.
“I am so fortunate to have this horse.”
Ann Dandurand and Luchadora ESF. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
When Ann asked for the pirouette in the wrong place, “She was like, `No mom.’ She didn’t want to do it.” And Ann knew there was a problem because, “She never says no. She’s amazing, a saint.”
Ann, who works as a physician, is based in Cranbury, N.J., and trains with Nikki Serge in Stockton as well as Andrea Velas in Pennsylvania. She joined ESDCTA 40 years ago. Her memory of the USET dates back to the mid-1980s, when she rode in an Arabian festival there and stayed in the groom’s quarters.
More on breed diversity: Lauren Anderson rode a catchy-looking pinto named Lakota Moon at Training Level. The 17-year-old, who trains with Jill Kuc at Hidden Creek in Pennsylvania, said no one is sure about her horse’s breeding.
It was fun for her mother, Colette Anderson, to come to the show, because she grew up in Bedminster, N.J., and her husband is from neighboring Gladstone. Colette was well aware of the USET when she lived in the area, but she didn’t ride.
Lauren Anderson and Lakota Moon. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
So now, “My daughter is living my dream,” she said. Riding at the USET has a bit of an intimidation factor, but more important, it’s “a big deal.”
Another unusual combo was embodied in Linda Butz’ Dannys Secret, a Friesian/Arab cross, who competed at Grand Prix. Linda, a Pennsylvanian who trains with Sarah Schmitt in Annandale, N.J., is hoping that next year she can do her Century Ride at the USET. For that U.S. Dressage Federation opportunity, the combined age of horse and rider must be 100.
Linda has had her 22-year-old horse for 17 years.
Linda Butz and Dannys Secret. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I bought her to trail ride and pop over some little jumps. She told us very quickly that wasn’t for her. She ended up with a dressage trainer. I’m really fortunate that I have this horse. I learn something every time.”
Linda has her USDF bronze and silver medals, and is working towards her gold. She rode at the USET once in before in the Summer Days show, and was happy to be back.
“This beautiful, iconic facility is a big draw,” said Holly Cornell, who has been ESDCTA’s president for six years.
ESDCTA President Holly Cornell. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
The organization “helps foster a lot of young riders coming up, encourages them to get involved in dressage and eventing, though most of the eventers go to recognized shows and don’t participate in the schooling combined test as much,” said Holly.
“It’s really great to see a lot of people coming up from the lower levels and getting better horses and improving.”
And as far as the Championship show goes, she pointed out, it’s obvious that “this beautiful, iconic facility is a big draw.”
Click here for results of the show
