by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 2, 2020
Four people present during the Kentucky Summer Classic show at the Kentucky Horse Park have tested positive for Covid-19, leading to a decision which ended that competition Aug. 1, and the cancellation of the USEF Pony Finals. They, were to have run at the Lexington facility for six days beginning Aug 4.
Two of those who tested Covid positive worked in Barns 9 and 10; another is a braider who worked in multiple barns.
The idea of the cancellations is “to mitigate the risk of spread of the virus,” according to the USEF and show organizers. The time without shows will enable sanitizing of the venue and a determination as to when competitions can resume.
The high-profile Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship and Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship are scheduled for Aug. 11-15, The American Eventing Championships are on the horse park calendar from Aug. 26-30.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 29, 2020
Kasey Perry-Glass announced the retirement of her long-time partner, Dublet, on the day she thought she’d be riding him down centerline at the Olympics in Tokyo “for one final freestyle as a competitive pair.”
The 17-year-old Danish-bred son of Diamond Hit was part of the U.S. 2016 Olympic bronze medal team and the 2018 world championships silver medal team.
Kasey explained on Facebook that her heart is both heavy and joyful. Here is what she said about how for nearly a decade, Dublet affected her life and that of everyone around her.
As she put it, “He has given all of us inspiration, hope, love, beauty, and a sense of belief that everything and anything is possible. He has taught me to listen to my gut and I’ve learned to listen to what is best for HIM.
“We have been through so many ups and downs, countries, stadiums, award ceremonies, and quiet one-on-one times together. It is hard for me to believe that this chapter of our journey is closing, but it calms my heart knowing that another chapter is opening in our relationship. I am so excited to take what Dublet has taught me and apply it to a pipeline of future horses!
Kasey and Dublet. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
“When I look back on our journey I see more than just his accolades and the ones he has given me. I see a horse with a huge heart to please, love, and try his hardest in everything he does. He doesn’t owe me anything and now I owe him the best retirement a horse deserves! I have come to the conclusion that pursuing another year at the elite level is not in his best interest. Representing the USA has been one of the greatest honors of our partnership. We never took it for granted and did it with Pride.
“Obviously, this is a lot harder for me than it is for him; he thinks he has the life with all-day turnout and easy rides. Horses teach us to take our own ambition and greed and put it to the side.
“Everyone knows that to get to where we’ve gone, it takes a VILLAGE. These people below have each had a part in where Dublet and I are today. NONE of this would have been possible without each person’s sacrifice, belief, and heart into Team Believe. My gratitude exceeds past these names to everyone who has supported my partnership and journey with Dublet. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
People she thanked included Dana Glass, her husband; her parents, her grandparents and Dana’s; trainer Christophe and Marie Theallet and Spokane Family; trainer/coach Debbie McDonald and River Grove Family, former coach Robert Dover, Helgstrand Dressage, Anette Ejlersgaard, Anne Gribbons, Juan Matute, veterinarian Dr. Rick Mitchell and Julie Keith Mitchell, as well as other veterinarians–Dr. Carole Holland, Dr. John Herning, Dr. Dave McDonald,Dr. Cricket Russillo,Tom Meyers and Dr. Jen Gullupo; Christie Dreessen and Aldo,Teddy Rékai-Nuttall; Lovell Fink, Jace Abbott; Steve Lorenzo and Tino for horseshoeing, James D. Burrell,Katherine Lyons, Hallye Griffin of USEF, Jenny Van Wieren Page, physio Andy Thomas, Kathleen McMannis;Sara Smith, Lauren Standridge McNabb,Cassie Benson, Meghan Laffin,Tomi Frate-Peterson and Jessica Cloyd Duane, Jim and Robin Bosler, as well asTom Hunt.
Also, Dutta Corp (all the amazing ladies! Especially Emilia Martin for making Dublet’s flights the best).
Teammates over the years: Steffen Peters, Allison Brock, Laura Graves, Adrienne Lyle, Olivia LaGoy-Weltz, Shelly Francis, Kim Herslow,Sabine Schut-Kery,Katherine Bateson.
Sponsors: Equipe Saddles, USA Triple Crown Feed, Platimum Performance, Neue Schule, TheraPlate, Ltd Bridle2fit, EquiFUSE Sport, Innovation Owl Manor, Roeckl Equestrian, Brooke USA, Marise Bags, Respond Laser,Parlanti USA Exclusive Custom Riding Boots
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 27, 2020
The All American Quarter Horse Congress, scheduled for September 29 – October 25 in Ohio, has been cancelled.
“The uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic simply prevents safely moving forward in Columbus, Ohio,” said a statement from the show.
“The well-being of our workers, exhibitors and attendees is our highest priority and based on the information we have today, the risk is simply too great. Thank you for understanding this difficult decision.”
Scott Myers, CEO of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association said, “Hearing all the concerns from the local and state health departments, and the CDC, it was the right decision to make to keep people safe and healthy.
“It is disappointing to all who worked tirelessly in preparation for this year’s Congress, and I want to personally thank you for your continued support. I look forward to the biggest and best Congress ever in 2021.”
He added, “We are in this together, our industry is strong and rest assured, the Congress will be here in 2021. Details on moving forward and further updates will be available on quarterhorsecongress.com.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 24, 2020
The Giving Games, a new fundraising campaign launched by Olympic and Paralympic national governing bodies, is designed to support and sustain U.S. athletes ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games that have been postponed until 2021.
The U.S. Equestrian Federation and the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation are participating in the effort that began July 24 and runs through Aug. 9, which is the original window of this summer’s Games.
The Giving Games’ ultimate goal is to support and sustain U.S. athletes as they prepare for the Olympics next summer. U.S. athletes rely heavily on their sports’ national governing bodies for financial assistance with training and preparation needs. Many athletes face financial hardships and other obstacles due to the significant number of domestic and international competitions that have been cancelled this year.
There will be 20 other NGBs joining the multi-faceted philanthropic effort. It offers a variety of donation opportunities, including pooled funds and direct giving to the USET Foundation. All funds raised will be received via direct donation or equally divided among participating organizations in order to support their athletes’ needs as they prepare for an additional year of training.
Fans and supporters of U.S. equestrian high performance athletes, USEF and the USET Foundation can contribute to the Giving Games in the following ways:
- Donate directly to the USET Foundation to help support equestrian athletes. Every dollar raised up to $50,000 will be matched by a supporter of the foundation, doubling the amount that equestrians will receive in their quest for the podium in 2021. In addition, donors will have a chance to be entered in the “Medal of Giving” awards, recognizing the top three cumulative donors based on donations received by August 9.
- Donate to the Giving Games pooled funds by participating in Giving Games promotions and events, which will be launched throughout the promotion period and divided equally among participating NGBs.
- Text ‘GIVINGGAMES’ to 243725
All funds raised either will be a direct donation to a specific sport, or general support of all of the sports, which will be equally divided among the participating sports organizations.
The Giving Games effort has partnered with notable brands, corporations and businesses, including BuzzFeed and Omaze to create unique and exciting ways for fans and supporters to continue contributing to the Giving Games effort. To learn more about the Giving Games, go to giving-games.com.
The USET Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high performance horses and athletes in partnership with the USEF.Learn more at www.uset.org.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 21, 2020
Aware of public concern about the future of Somerset County’s Lord Stirling Stable in Basking Ridge, the park commission and freeholder board have issued a statement to address the rumors, particularly speculation that the stable will be closing permanently.
While stable programs were suspended in response to the Covid pandemic, “there is neither a plan in place nor has any consideration been given to selling the Lord Stirling property to any third party,” according to a statement from the park commission.
Instead, the goal is “to reopen the stable in some fashion that makes sound fiscal sense.”
Even so, those who see the stable as an important part of the community have been worried about the situation.
Realtor Sharon Vopal, whose children ride at the stable, organized a petition signed by more than 4,000 people apprehensive about the facility’s future.
“Those of us in the community and the 4000-plus people who signed the petition will be closely following the plans to reopen LSS in 2021 and we hope that the public will be kept informed as those plans develop,” she stated.
The pandemic and the resulting restrictions to ensure the safety of staff members and the public have had an across-the-board “profound impact” on the park commission, not just the stable, according to the statement.
That situation resulted in an extreme effect on the financial well-being of the commission. According to the agency’s statement, “the loss of revenue experienced will, no doubt, result in long lasting aftereffects.”
To help ease the financial burden, the number of lesson horses in the herd was reduced during April and staffing cut to the minimum possible.
Despite those measures and efforts of stable management and staff to reduce costs, the expenses remained substantial and the deficit continued to increase. A month later, the remainder of the herd had to be dispersed, the commission said.
The plan for Lord Stirling, which is the same at many other commission facilities, is to “hibernate” for the balance of 2020.
Since the stable consistently operates at a significant loss, the commission “cannot afford to do much else,” the statement continued, adding, “the plan has never been to close the stable permanently.” There still are 30 horses boarded at Lord Stirling, many of whom were previously part of the lesson herd.
The majority of the property that is Lord Stirling Park (comprised of the Stable and the commission’s Environmental Education Center) was purchased by Somerset County in 1967, utilizing a combination of funds contributed by the New Jersey Green Acres Program, North Jersey Conservation Foundation (now known as New Jersey Conservation Foundation) and the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.
The 1,105 acres that comprise Lord Stirling Park are listed on Somerset County’s Recreation and Open Space Inventory, and, as such, the property is subject to New Jersey Green Acres rules.
As Deputy Freeholder Director Sarah Sooy noted in an interview this month with the Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce, “that land will never be developed.”
At the same time, she acknowledged the stable has been hemorrhaging money for the past 10 years–the park commission said the facility was losing $500,000 a year–and said the best way to approach this is with “an outside eye; bring in someone and look at ways to make this profitable.”
Since January, before the pandemic hit in March, commission staff and senior management, as well as park commissioners and county representatives, have met as a committee in order to explore alternatives to address the stable’s financial challenges.
“While one option could be to cease stable operations, the committee quickly and unanimously dismissed same and is now focused on a financially prudent plan of reopening Lord Stirling Stable,” according to the statement.
The freeholder board and park commission, according to the statement, “are working their very hardest to ensure that a herd of horses will continue to roam Lord Stirling’s pastures,” and that the stable’s programs will resume.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 17, 2020
Dr. Hilary Clayton of Mason, Minn., Gary Rockwell of Wellington, Fla., and Verdades, the 2002 KWPN gelding owned by Laura Graves, have been selected for induction into the Roemer Foundation/U.S. Dressage Federation Hall of Fame.
As the inaugural McPhail Chair in Equine Sports Medicine, Hilary is a world-renowned equine-biomechanics expert and researcher. Her research on gaits and movement were so influential that U.S. Equestrian Federation dressage rules had to be revised to reflect the truth of how horses piaffe and pirouette, to name two prominent examples.
Her groundbreaking dressage-focused efforts influenced the sport from the ground up, from choices of arena footing and the care given to young horses, to bitting, training, conditioning and veterinary work. She is also president of Sport Horse Science, which is dedicated to translating research data into practical advice for riders, trainers and veterinarians through lectures, articles and private consultations. She is a USDF gold, silver, and bronze medalist; a longtime USDF Connection contributing editor and a past member of the USEF Dressage Committee.
Gary Rockwell is a USEF ‘S’ judge with Young Horse and Freestyle designations, as well as an FEI 5* Judge, having served at numerous Olympics and World Cup Finals. As a former member of the U.S. team, Gary and his Danish Warmblood mare, Suna, competed at CHIO Rotterdam in 1993 to earn a team silver medal, and a team bronze medal at the 1994 World Championships at The Hague in the Netherlands. Gary serves as a member of USDF’s L Program Faculty, as well as an honorary instructor for the USDF Instructor/Trainer Program. Gary was a member of the USDF Judges Committee from 2010-2012, and has been itschair since 2013.
Verdades (Florett AS x Liwilardo/Goya), who is known as “Diddy”, debuted with Laura, his owner/rider, on the international stage in 2014 at the FEI World Equestrian Games. The duo subsequently led the U.S. to multiple medal podiums, including the Olympic Games, FEI World Equestrian Games and the FEI World Cup Dressage Finals. Laura and Verdades were still practically unknown when they placed second at the 2014 U.S. WEG dressage qualifying competition and proceeded to stun the world by finishing fifth individually as the highest-scoring U.S. pair at those Games in France.
Other major achievements include team and individual Grand Prix Special silver medals at the 2018 FEI WEG, team bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, silver medals at the 2017, 2018, and 2019 FEI World Cup Dressage Finals, and team gold and individual silver at the 2015 Pan American Games. On January 8, 2020, Graves–who bought Diddy off a video as a weanling–announced his retirement via social media.
Noting that the organization’s annual meeting is going virtual this fall, USDF President Lisa Gorretta commented that “with the current circumstances facing us as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, USDF has been presented the unique opportunity to open up the annual convention, providing the entire membership a chance to experience USDF governance in action, as well take part in the celebration of the year that was and to recognize luminaries within our sport. I hope that everyone will join us for what is sure to be an unprecedented convention experience.”
