Celebrating a remarkable century for Watchung Stables

by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 2, 2025

They came from as far away as the West Coast to recapture their memories in New Jersey and once again connect with riding friends they had cherished for decades.

The hundredth anniversary of  Union County’s Watchung Stables merited a special celebration, not only of a venerable lesson barn, but also of the people it charmed and transformed.

“Watchung meant everything to me, Watchung changed my whole life,” said Kim Hewitt Bonstein, who started riding by taking lessons at the stable and married Bill Bonstein, a Junior Essex Trooper she met there.

Kim and Bill Bonstein at Watchung’s 100th. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)

“All my friends are somehow related to horses,” noted the Chester resident, who laughed about getting up at 4:30 a.m. in her teens when it was time to sign up for a new Watchung Troop season, in order to make sure she could get in. Kim went on to become a professional horse trainer. Bill spent some time at the U.S. Equestrian Team, working for the legendary coach Bertalan de Nemethy and handling projects around the stable in Gladstone.

During the Boots & Bling Gala organized Sept. 28 by the Watchung Stables Auxiliary at the Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth to commemorate the stable’s century, many of those attending offered similar comments about how much the facility has meant to them.

Ellen Newell Rogers, who grew up in New Providence on the border of Summit, rode at Watchung from 1967 to 1973. Now a resident of Arizona who made the pilgrimage back to New Jersey for the celebration, she described herself as “a barn rat” who still keeps up with friends from Watchung days on Facebook.

Her pal, Susan Valla, came from California to attend.

Susan Valla and Ellen Newell Rogers. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)

“I would sit in school on Friday afternoons hoping it didn’t rain so we could ride,” later that afternoon, Susan said. The love of horses kindled by her troop days led Susan to attend Centenary College (now University) for its equestrian program, and she worked at the racetrack for top trainer Richard Mandella.

Barns that give prospective riders a start are fewer and fewer these days, making Watchung’s longevity even more important and unusual. It has turned out many thousands of riders over the generations.

While the top levels of horse sport currently are thriving and gilded with mounts that cost six or seven figures, how do those who are interested begin their contact with horses in an economical way? Watchung still has the answer.

“It’s a place where can kids can go to get their first exposure to a horse and take lessons. It’s a blessing that Union County still does that,” said Jimmy Lee, president of the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame and one of the country’s most respected horse show judges. He officiated at a Watchung Troop show about five years back and liked what he saw.

When he lived in Westfield, N.J., many decades ago, Jimmy rode in “Troop 7 on Wednesday afternoons,” he recalled. One vivid memory involved mucking stalls during the winter in exchange for being able to exercise Watchung’s horses for free.

“We rode them bareback with a halter and lead ropes and galloped around in the snow. We had a great time. Those trails were wonderful,” he said.

Jimmy is just one person well-known in the horse industry who was part of the Watchung scene. Another was Frank Chapot, captain of the U.S. show jumping team who went on to be its coach. Skipper Schroeder won both the hunt seat and saddle seat championships at the National Horse Show. Vince Murphy, the former president of the U.S. Equestrian Team, used to ride in the adult troop. Roger Haller, who became a key figure in the development of U.S. eventing, rode at Watchung with Junior Essex Troop B of Cavalry (Troops A and C were located in West Orange.)

With our ribbons after a jumping class in 1963: Me, Roger Haller and BJ Fleming Coghan.

Union County officials came up with the stable concept in 1925, building the facility in Summit with access to the  2,000-acre Watchung Reservation.

It opened in 1926, operated by the Watchung Riding & Driving Club until shortly before the Great Depression, when it became half-empty as those involved opened their own stables in the area.

According to a history of the stable by Doug Bailey, a longtime Watchung instructor and advisor to the Watchung Junior Hunt Club, F.S. Mathewson of the Union County Park Commission decided to broaden the stable’s appeal by offering lessons.

In 1933, the commission took over the stable, which soon was run by Major Tom Tully, a member of the Essex Troop Horse Cavalry at Westfield.

The Watchung lessons were offered in troops run with a cavalry flair. Troopers still wear the uniform of powder blue shirts and yellow ties, with patches over the pocket signifying which troop they belong to, and on the sleeve with the stable insignia.

A view of the original stable. (Photo courtesy Union County)

Larry Goodwin kept his troop shirt and wore it to the celebration. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)

They would assemble before their lessons in straight lines in front of the stable and get the information they needed for that day before mounting up. Such discipline was put to good use on a mid-April afternoon in 1957, when a fire broke out in the stable.

Troopers proceeded calmly to unsnap the horses from the ties on their stalls, as they would before a lesson, and lead them out ahead of the flames. Other troopers helped grooms carry out saddles and equipment. All the horses survived and spent the summer living in tent stalls, but were back in a rebuilt barn by the fall.

Major Tully was succeeded as manager of the stable by Bob Luihn, who also was a rodeo rider.

Eileen Scarinci, 80, who won the oldest trooper award at the gala, began riding at Watchung in 1955.

“Watchung was the most important thing in my life, it was the thing I looked forward to,” she said.

Eileen Scarinci was the oldest former trooper at the celebration. (Photo © 2025 by Paula Jensen)

She brought her daughter, Regina, to Watchung, as did many troopers, with several generations tracing their riding roots to the stable.

Regina recounted, “The first time I rode there, the horse reared and I fell off. I said, `I’m never getting back on.’ ”

Eileen smiled, remembering how “Bob Luihn came over to me and asked, `Is that your kid?’ ”

When she said yes, he told Eileen, ” `Put her back on the horse’ and that was it.”

Mother and daughter went on to keep horses at their home in Scotch Plains and Regina still rides in Hunterdon County.

Roy Butterworth took over from Bob Luihn before management duties went to Hilton Williams, who ran the stable for approximately 22 years. He attended the celebration.

“Watchung has produced a lot of friends,” said Hilton, whose horsemanship skills created a legacy that influenced many young riders.

“I think I reached a lot of kids,” he commented in a masterpiece of understatement.

BJ Fleming Coghan and Hilton Williams. (Photo © 2025 by Paula Jensen)

Hilton was succeeded by Rachel Bechtold, who runs the stable today.

County Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded said Rachel told her she has attended hundreds of weddings over the years, and most of them involved people from the stable.

“We always say our parks are the crown jewels of the county but I think the stable is the leader of that,” observed the commissioner.

“It’s such a magnificent facility and the work that is done there with our community, our youth, residents of all ages, is something so special and something we truly cherish at the county.

“It’s remarkable to hear the stories of the friendships that were made, the camaraderie and the love that people continue to have for one specific place. It’s very heartwarming.”

Making way for Route 78’s “missing link,” in 1985, the stables moved from Summit to a former Nike missile base in neighboring Mountainside. The facility, now run by the County Department of Parks and Recreation, has been expanded and upgraded over the years. In the planning stages is a 9,900-square-foot therapeutic riding building at the northeastern end of the site. The ADA-accessible structure will feature an 80’ x 95’ indoor ring, tack room, restroom and viewing platform.

The stables today. (Photo courtesy Union County, N.J.)

Auxiliary President Brigid Robertshaw of Westfield started riding as an adult trooper and her daughter, Casey, now majoring in equestrian studies at Delaware Valley University, also rode at Watchung.

“To be able to drive 10 minutes and be at this place and we can actually afford it, it’s a tremendous gift,” said Brigid.

“I really appreciate the fact that the stable exists and that’s why I felt compelled to get involved.”

She helped revive the auxiliary after Covid with the idea that. “Whatever the barn needs, we’re going to try to make it happen.”

It’s a broad mandate, which has included buying blankets for the horses, replacing saddles and having appreciation lunches for the stable staff, as well as organizing the gala during the last year. Those who wish to join the auxiliary can get information at this link.

Zunilda Sanchez of the Auxiliary put together this display using items collected by BJ Fleming Coghan of Summit, who saw it as a tribute to Atlas, the horse on which she won Watchung’s Senior Championship in 1962. (Photo © 2025 by Paula Jensen)

Paula Jensen of Blairstown, who has several retired thoroughbreds, said professionals have complimented her on her position and effectiveness in the saddle.

“Where did you learn to ride?” they would ask her, and she replied with one word, “Watchung.”

She improved by riding horses of every ability and temperament during her days at the stable. Paula, who grew up in Westfield, is grateful for that experience.

Watchung is very reasonably priced, but even in days gone by, it could be a bit of a stretch for some families on tight budgets. Parents would make an effort, however, being aware that riding was a priority for their children.

“Somehow, my mother found the money for troop every season,” Paula recalled. .

Erin Gilmartin was involved with Watchung from 1962 to 1979. In addition to taking lessons, she rode for Bill Keegan, who kept his own horse at the stable.

“Looking back, it meant so much and made me what I am today,” said Erin of her experience at the stables.

“I have a terrific work ethic and camaraderie with people. The love of horses never goes away and affects everything you do. It was all those formative years, it was rigid military,” said the former captain of Troop 3 on Fridays, who also was president of the Watchung Junior Hunt Club.

“It was a remarkable upbringing and friends you’d never forget.”

The wicked witch is a Dressage at Devon hit

by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 27, 2025

The witch lost out to a rock star in the energetic Dance-Off during Dressage at Devon — at least that’s how the judges saw it.

But the spectators gave their enthusiastic voice vote to Silva Martin’s clever green-faced portrayal of the spooky central figure from “Wicked,” complete with flying monkeys and a broom.

Even with the qualifiers for the Grand Prix Special and the Freestyle on Friday’s schedule, the Dance-Off was a big attraction. In its third renewal at the USEF Heritage show, the fact that the class has become an anticipated part of the schedule proves D at D is not afraid of innovation, while marking its fiftieth anniversary in the Philadelphia suburb.

Judges George Williams and Janet Foy got an unusual greeting from the third judge, break dancer Box One, who joined them after performing his routine practically in their laps.

Box One greets Dance-Off judges George Williams and Janet Foy with his best break-dancing style.

Silva, the winner last year when she and her mare, Rosa Cha W were dressed as hippies, produced a fun mini-freestyle complete with a series of two-tempis, appropriately set to the tune “Dancing Through Life” that was a hit in both the Broadway show and movie of Wicked.

The witch and her flying monkeys was a real crowd-pleasing act.

Shannon Stevens was the winner this time, however, outfitted in black (including a leather jacket) as a Rod Stewart-esque rock star with a blond wig.

The Dance-Off involves two riders performing their routines in a face-off, with the winner going on to the next round. Silva bested Adriane Alvord as Barbie, while Shannon topped Jim Kofford in an outfit celebrating 50 years of Dressage at Devon before the winners rode against each other.

In that round, both George and Janet cited the dynamism of Shannon’s performance, and Box One voted with them to make her the winner.

Shannon Stevens the rock star.

“Shannon was amazing. She deserved it,” said Silva, while adding the obvious, “My costume was better, anyway.”

No contest there.

Cheryl Griffith, a friend of Silva’s who designed her outfit in 2024, did it again with gusto this year.

“It was so fun. And it’s fun to ride my old friend Rosa,” noted Silva, who said the Dance-Off is the only occasion when she gets aboard the 21-year-old mare.

Shannon said she was inspired to compete because she has ridden in another costume-centric class, the Challenge of the Americas in Florida.

“I had such a blast. To do it here for the fiftieth anniversary of Devon. What better?”

Her routine wasn’t planned, “I just went with the music (`Barracuda’ by Shark),” said Shannon, whose effort was highlighted by impressive piaffe and passage.

“The fact that I’ve only had about 10 rides on this horse (Leader) makes it even more incredible. It’s a testament to his character,” she said.

The two have a “fast-forming relationship.” The 14-year-old grand prix horse came from Shannon’s best friend, Karola Mazurek, who had trained him since he was a yearling. But when the Polish rider broke her back, she turned to Shannon and her sales business, Elite Expression Dressage, for help.

Shannon noted Leader had never been off her property in Hunterdon County, N.J., since she got him, but he weathered a monsoon during Thursday night’s Masterclass “like a champ. It’s incredible,” she enthused.

Back to the classes without witches or rock stars, Tina Konyot won the qualifier for the Grand Prix Special with Grover.

“It’s fabulous to be at Devon,” she said, noting she first rode in the show 33 years ago.

When I asked why she didn’t compete in the Freestyle Qualifier, she explained she was still in the process of paying for her music, and it’s only halfway finished. Tina is on her own without a sponsor, so she earns her keep through lessons and training.

Tina Konyot and Grover.

Grover was bought for her by Earle Mack, the former ambassador to Finland who also owned Joe Fargis’ 1984 Olympic double gold medal mount, Touch of Class. The deal was that Tina would have to pay all of Grover’s expenses.

Tina, based in Pittstown, N.J., still has her special mount, Calecto, now 27, who won the Dressage at Devon Freestyle in 2009. With Grover, her ambition is “to bring him to the top.”

But the 64-year-old rider confided that at first, he was “a very naughty boy. When I got him four and a half years ago, he had thrown five people. He got me off, also.

The first time she brought Grover to Devon three years ago, the technical delegate kept following her. She asked him why, and he replied, ” Because we’re worried about you.”

But with “knowledge, patience and courage” she got her 11-year-old gelding by Everdale in hand.

“I said, `No, Grover, we’re going to do this.’ It’s a wonderful journey. It’s tough doing it alone, when you don’t have support from a sponsor or money behind you. Unfortunately today, it’s a financial sport. God willing I can find some support to help us along the way,” she said.

In the Grand Prix for Freestyle, Ben Ebeling emerged victorious with Bellena, marked at 71.239 percent.

He has been together with the mare for a year, and benefited from a trip to Aachen this summer on the 5-star U.S. team. Although Devon is the initial qualifier for the FEI Dressage World Cup Finals in Ft. Worth next April, that isn’t in the forefront of Ben’s mind at this show.

“To continue consistency, a fault-free test, that’s really what I’m looking for. If that leads me down the road of going to Ft. Worth, I’m really excited about that.This is a delivery year.”

Ben Ebeling and Bellena.

Of Bellena, a 15-year-old Hanoverian by Belissimo NRW, he said, “She’s an amazing horse. What I love about her is she can come into an environment like tonight pretty much anywhere in the world.

“I think she is the same horse, in the arena, in the training. She’s fluid, she’s so naturally loose in her body. Piaffe/passage was good, I know there’s an extra gear in there. There’s always a next step we can keep working toward.”

The only other rider to break 70 percent was Camille Carier Bergeron of Canada on Finlanderin for a personal best of 70.130. Kevin Kohmann, the winner last year with Dunensee, had a few issues to wind up third with 68.913 percent.

Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu had a nice test with Jaccardo but was eliminated by unanimous decision of the ground jury after her ride “due to a significant amount of blood from a lesion under the saddle pad,” according to a statement from the show.  Elizabeth Bortuzzo also was eliminated for failing to appear at the awards ceremony.

Click here for results of the Grand Prix Special qualifier

Click here for results of the Grand Prix Freestyle qualifier