by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 25, 2020
Gina Miles’ 2008 individual Olympic Silver medal mount, McKinlaigh, has passed away at the age of 26. The Irishbred gelding, who shone at the Games in Hong Kong, died Jan. 18.
Thom Schultz and his wife, Laura Coats, purchased McKinlaigh in 1998 after seeing him in Ireland’s Young Event Horse Competition at the Punchestown Three-Day Event. Gina had just taken over as manager of Schultz and Coats’ Rainbow Ranch in Paso Robles, Calif. When McKinlaigh (Highland King x Kilcumney Hostess) arrived in the U.S. it was agreed that Gina would work with him to see how far he could go.
In their first two years together, the pair won nine out of the 10 events they entered, and by the age of seven, McKinlaigh had completed his first CCI3* (now CCI4*-L) and the pair had been named to the USEF Winter Training List.
The 17.3 hand McKinlaigh placed 11th at his first CCI4* (now CCI5*) at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2002, earning him a place on the U.S. Team for the World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, where they finished 25th.
A win in the Galway Downs CIC3* and another 11th place finish at Kentucky in 2003 put them on the road to Malmo Sweden for the World Cup Final, where they won the bronze medal. He improved his placing at Kentucky from 11th to ninth in 2004 and in 2006 placed fourth in The Fork CIC3*, first in the Rebecca Farm CIC3*, and first in the Fair Hill International CCI3*. That year he won the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series and was the U.S. Eventing Association Horse of the Year.
In 2007, he was 15th in the Badminton Horse Trials CCI4* and was on the gold medal team at the Pan American Games in Brazil, with Ginal also winning the individual bronze medal.
He retired following his Olympic triumph with a perfect cross-country record and spent his remaining years with Schultz and Coats in California. In 2015, he was inducted into the USEA Hall of Fame.
Gina Miles and McKinlaigh after clinching the individual silver medal at the 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong. Photo © 2008 by Nancy Jaffer
“McKinlaigh was one of those horses who defined the word greatness,” said Gina.
“Not only did he shape my entire life, but he inspired so many others. From the pony clubbers who learned from him, the fans that followed him, and those of us that he took along the most glorious ride :You will cherished forever.“
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 24, 2020
Noted horse owner Elizabeth (Betty) Ranney Moran passed away peacefully at home in Malvern, Pa., at age 89 on Jan.23.
Betty grew up at Brushwood Farm, a dairy farm in Willistown Township. She was an athlete who played first team in every sport at the Shipley School before going on to Mary Washington College in Virginia.
When it came to horses, she was involved in fox hunting and Pony Club at the Radnor Hunt Club. Her Brushwood stable fielded successful steeplechase and flat racing horses.
Major races won by horses from her Brushwood Stables included the Belmont Stakes (Crème Fraiche, 1985), the Pennsylvania Derby, the Arlington Million, the Jockey Club Gold Cup and England’s famed Grand National.
A member of the board for the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, Mrs. Moran also served as chair and co-chair of the Radnor Hunt Races. She was well known for her charitable efforts, particularly in Chester County, where they included Thorncroft therapeutic riding, Home of The Sparrow, Chester County Boy Scouts, the Barn at Spring Brook Farm, Community Volunteers in Medicine and the Chester County Food Bank. In addition, she was an honorary trustee of the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art.
The former Elizabeth Ranney is survived by five children: Michael Moran (Anne), Frances Abbott (Franny), Elizabeth Legnini (Bob), Ranney Moran (Terri) and Caroline Moran, who is well-known in the show horse world and for being an eventing syndicate member.
She also leaves 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Moran’s husband, James Maxwell Moran died in 1989 and her son, James Maxwell Moran Jr., died in 2008.
A celebration of her life will be held Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. at St. David’s Episcopal Church. 763 South Valley Forge Road, Wayne, Pa. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, consider contributions to Community Volunteers in Medicine (cvim.org) 300 Lawrence Dr, Suite B, West Chester, Pa 19380 or the Chester County Food Bank (chestercountyfoodbank.org) 650 Pennsylvania Dr., Exton, Pa 19341. Arrangements are by the Mauger Givnish Funeral Home in Malvern, Pa. www.maugergivnish.com.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 20, 2020
U.S. Equestrian Federation President Murray Kessler, who led a transformation of the organization, won’t be running again after his term expires at the beginning of next year. It was predictable–he has accomplished a lot over the last three years, he took a job as CEO of a pharmaceutical company and he got remarried last fall.
Explaining his decision, Murray offered a statement, “The reason is simple: my professional circumstances have changed. While I am confident that I can successfully balance my leadership positions at both USEF and at Perrigo, a multi-national company, as its President and Chief Executive Officer for my final year as USEF President, I believe this would be difficult to sustain for the long term.
“Over the last three years, we have brought about significant changes to USEF through implementation of our Strategic Plan, including growing membership, sponsorship and advertising, revamping leadership, bringing on new coaches, relocating our headquarters, outsourcing the laboratory, implementing Safe Sport, regaining our place as a global powerhouse in international high performance, winning our first Para-Medals in years, and much, much more.
USEF President Murray Kessler
“I won’t say my goodbyes yet. I will save that for this time next year when my term ends. In the meantime, we have a lot to do to keep the great momentum we have created together for USEF over the last three years!”
It will be interesting to see the candidates the nominating committee comes up with as options to replace Murray, but it seems likely the choice will be Tom O’Mara. He has taken the lead on a number of key issues, including the successful transition of the troubled USEF drug testing program to a partnership with the University of Kentucky. He is a doer and a man of vision who could continue the impressive progress that has been made by USEF under Murray’s leadership.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 18, 2020
The eventing community is mourning the passing of Steve Blauner, a key figure in championing syndicate ownership, who had shares of six syndicated horses that represented the U.S. at the Olympic Games, World Equestrian Games and Pan American Games.
A trustee of the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation, Steve owned horses for Pan American Games medalists Doug Payne and Boyd Martin. Always upbeat, the amateur rider launched the MARS Bromont Rising Program, which provides training and educational opportunities for under-25 athletes.
A key figure in running the Millbrook N.Y. HorseTrials, Steve was on the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Event Owners Task Force. He is survived by his partner, Ken Shelley.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 16, 2020
The New Jersey State Senate has followed the State Assembly, passing a bill that would eliminate the sales tax on horse boarding, something that has been in the works for a very long time. The Assembly effort was spearheaded by Ronald Dancer (R-Burlington/Middlesex/Monmouth/Ocean) and in the Senate, by Steve Oroho (R-Sussex/Warren/Morris) took the lead.
Now you have to do your part. It awaits the Governor’s signature in order to become law. If he does not sign it by Jan. 31, a pocket veto goes into effect and the legislative process must start all over again.
This is a measure that will help not only struggling horse operations, but also make boarding less expensive for horse owners. The next step is to contact Gov. Phil Murphy and urge him to sign the bill. Numbers count here. Reach him at (609) 292-6000. You can also reach him by email at http://nj.gov/governor/contact/.
Here is a letter composed by Lisa Post. Feel free to copy it and email it to the Governor today. He needs to hear from you.
Dear Gov. Murphy:
Re: NJ Bill A1045/S2856
Living animals are not “stored” and their living facilities should Not be considered “Storage Space” to be taxed.
Additionally, this tax has been quite confusing and onerous to the NJ horse industry, which contributes over $600 million to the state’s economy, and provides recreational, environmental and ecological benefits to all of the state’s citizens through the preservation of taxpaying open space. It’s caused hardship to the NJ equine industry and has been contributory in causing many equine businesses to relocate out of state. Please sign this bill and help keep the “Garden” in our Garden State.
Thank You.
Read the legislation at: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2018/Bills/S3000/2856_R13.PDF
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 16, 2020
B.W. Furlong & Associates presents its 19th Annual Healthy Horse Seminar from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 29. at Beaver Brook Country Club in Annandale, featuring topics that include senior horse care, sport science and genetic diseases..
Registration is required but admission is free. Horse industry representatives will attend and there are prizes for those who enter a raffle. Proceeds go to Mane Stream and the Morris Country Park Police Mounted Unit.
A special feature is a “Myth Busters” presentation, during which veterinarians will discuss medical myths and rumors.
Click here or call the office (908) 439-2821 to register.
