by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 7, 2021
Are you missing going to horse shows? Virtual may be useful, but it can’t match the thrill of being in the stands or on the rail to watch a competition. The U.S. Equestrian Federation has barred the general public from shows since last June due to Covid (shows were shuttered from March 20-May 31 when the pandemic broke out.)
But now there’s hope that you can watch your favorite athletes from across the ring rather than from across your living room. The USEF announced today it is “optimistic” it will be able to permit a limited number of spectators at USEF-licensed competitions by mid-May. The federation will offer more details in the next weeks “so that organizers and spectators have time to prepare in advance.”
A word of caution before you start making your travel plans: USEF warns that the only exceptions to its decision permitting fans “involve instances where state, county, or local government and health authorities or a particular competition organizer have more stringent requirements in place, in which case those more stringent requirements take precedence.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 5, 2021
Mane Stream is putting off its April 10 tack sale until the fall to give the organization more time to collect tack and horse-themed items. The new date for the sale tentatively is Nov. 7. Funds raised will go directly to caring for the horses and programs.The mission of Mane Stream is to improve the quality of life for individuals with physical, developmental, emotional and medical challenges through a diverse program of equine- assisted activities, therapy services and educational initiatives.
Mane Stream thanks those who donated tack so far this year, and asks people to continue bringing items that can be added to the sale. They may be dropped off at the stable at 83 Old Turnpike Rd., Oldwick during office hours. Those who have questions should contact Jen Dermody at jen@manestreamnj.org, 908-439-9636 or visit the website at www.ManeStreamNJ.org
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 31, 2021
With an uncertain immediate future for horse sports in Europe in the wake of the EHV-1 outbreak and suspension of competition there, it has been decided that U.S. Olympic dressage team candidates will not be going abroad as usual for their final selection outing.
Instead, an observation of the short list riders will be held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington June 8-12, when it is believe the heat and humidity will be at a comparable level to what he team will encounter at the Games in Tokyo.
The event will be mandatory for the horse and rider pairings selected to the short list after the end of the qualifying period on April 25, according to the U.S. Equestrian Federation.
Steffen Peters leads the ranking of U.S. Olympic dressage team candidates with Suppenkasper. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
“After much consideration, USEF, alongside program leaders and team selectors, have made the decision to continue team selection preparations in the U.S., as the window of opportunity to prepare effectively in Europe is very small and should anything change, it would be too late to formulate an alternative selection plan,” according to a federation statement.
“Given the competition opportunities made available to combinations over the past few months, it is has been determined that the team can prepare effectively in the U.S. by utilizing existing competitions and the final Observation Event.”
The horse inspection will take place on Tuesday, June 8, and combinations will compete in the FEI Grand Prix on Wednesday, June 9, with the group draw order determined by the FEI World Rankings List. The FEI Grand Prix Special Test to Music will be held on Friday, June 11.
The U.S. Dressage program intends to facilitate and support overseas travel to Europe for additional teams this year, including Young Rider, U-25, and senior teams, to continue building momentum towards the 2022 FEI World Championships in Herning, Denmark, the first team qualifying opportunity for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Confirmation of additional team events will be announced over the course of the next several weeks.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 29, 2021
During all the Covid-related down time, you’ve probably had many hours to weed out your tack trunk as part of your closet-cleaning spree.
So take your used tack, horse-related items, jewelry, knick-knacks, models and riding clothes (from those closets) to Mane Stream (adaptive riding and therapy services) in Oldwick, Mane Stream’s sale is April 10 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.Proceeds from the sales at both 501c3 organization’s benefit their offerings and horses.
Items can be dropped off at the stable at 83 Old Turnpike Rd., Oldwick during office hours. Those who have questions should contact Jen Dermody at jen@manestreamnj.org, 908-439-9636 or visit the website at www.ManeStreamNJ.org
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 29, 2021
Top-level show jumping in the Sunshine State has overcome the pandemic and EHV-1. The impressive evidence is the turnout for the biggest grands prix in Wellington and Ocala last weekend. With a total of $1,700,000 offered at three venues in the state, 148 horses started in three major classes.
HITS Ocala hosted the richest of the competitions, the Great American $1 million Grand Prix. It was won by Germany’s Andre Thieme–who has topped HITS $1 million classes on three previous occasions–proving it’s a habit by taking the $350,000 first prize on Chakaria. The $1 million was the largest of the three grands prix, as befitting the amount of the purse, with 61 on the order of go.
As Andre noted about his affinity for the Hits Million, It’s my goal every year and while I’m not giving away other classes, I definitely don’t put as much effort toward some of the other classes, I try to really produce my horses for this class every single time. I try to be sure that everything on the day of this class goes perfect, because this is the class that I really want to win each year.”
Bernardo Cabral said of the course he designed for the class, “I didn’t make it overly big but it was technical and I thought asked a lot of questions to the riders, but also left an easy way out for the horses if there was a mistake by the pilot.”
At the nearby World Equestrian Center, the $200,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix went to the only U.S. winner of the weekend’s major classes, Aaron Vale, with Candro van de Zuuthoeve. There were 47 on that entry list.
In Wellington, the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix held on the grass field at the Equestrian Village, was dominated by another German, Daniel Deusser, with 1918 Scuderia Tobago Z. Daniel has been a consistent victor throughout the Winter Equestrian Festival series this season.
The highest-placed U.S. rider among 40 in that class was McLain Ward, fourth with Catoki, who had a rail in the jump-off. McLAin also was the highest-placed U.S. rider in the HITS Million, fourth with HH Azur and a rail.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 24, 2021
The National Professional Horsemen’s Association Medal Finals will be a highlight of this summer’s Monmouth at the Team show, which is being moved from the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation in Gladstone to the Centenary University Equestrian Center in Long Valley.
With the new multi-ring location, the show that runs Aug. 16-23 will have a number of different offerings, including A-rated hunters, than it did at the one-ring Gladstone venue. The PHA Medal finals will be held Aug. 18. Scott Fitton, a U.S. Equestrian Federation “R” hunter and hunter seat equitation judge, will officiate. Skip Bailey will design the courses for Monmouth at the Team and for the National PHA Medal Finals, which will be a good prep for the fall indoor finals. The class for riders 21 and under will run over fences that are 3’3” and 3’6”, judged as one competition, with prizes presented to the top 10 riders.
“We are excited to be hosting the National PHA Medal Finals,” said Tucker Ericson, co-owner of Monmouth at the Team with his cousin, Michael Dowling.
“Adding this finals class to our show means so much, not only for our exhibitors, but also to the community of horsemen we serve.”
Founded in 1936, the PHA is a benevolent organization of volunteer horsemen helping horsemen. The PHA gives aid and sustenance to needy horsemen, provides financial assistance for continuing education to children of professional members. PHA promotes interest in the horse industry and fosters the care and protection of horses through education. This year, the PHA will support Danny and Ron’s Rescue in their efforts to rehome dogs. Each time a rider participates in a PHA medal class throughout the year, a portion of their entry will go to support Danny and Ron’s Rescue.
“The National PHA Medal and Monmouth at the Team horse show both have long, rich histories,” said Lynn Peters, PHA recording secretary. “They honor the past while inviting today’s horsemen to help write the next chapter of their distinguished story. We are thrilled to be a part of this extraordinary show and look forward to a successful future together.”
Longtime sponsor and friend of Monmouth at the Team, Mountain Pointe Equine Veterinary Services, will host a safe, socially distanced cocktail reception during the finals.
