by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 29, 2019
Show jumper Kevin Babington left NYU Langone Health Care to continue his journey of recovery at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation.
The move came 26 days after Kevin suffered a life-changing spinal cord injury in a traumatic fall at the Hampton Classic.
Today, Kevin had a special guest to cheer him up at Kessler, jumper Mark Q.
Earlier this month on Facebook, Kevin’s wife Dianna noted, “We are still hopeful some improvement will come as spinal shock and swelling subside. Whatever happens, we will make sure he lives his best life. A life which still involves me, his children, his extended family, horses, students, and friends. We have the best of him still.”
She added thanks to Elizabeth Sponseller and Hayley Poinelli Carlson for all the night shifts they pulled at the hospital.
“Kevin has not been alone one minute since his accident. They, along with my daughters, stayed overnight on shifts so I could research, deal with decisions and doctors during the day and be here for procedures. I don’t know how I would have survived the trauma phase of this without all of their support. That is not to mitigate the other friends who have been here, flying in, taking me to dinner, helping the girls, working on finances, and keeping me sane or letting me not be when I couldn’t. I will post when we have departed for rehab and where you can visit once it is confirmed. Please keep us in you prayers.”
Kevin Babington was fourth at the 2004 Olympics on Carling King. (Photo©2004 by Nancy Jaffer)
Previously she has noted that what she has learned since the accident is that “I have to slow down. I need to be patient. For those who know me, it’s not my forte. I am controlling and everyone knows that but it has always worked for me. I want to fix this and move on. The doctors tell me it’s up to Kevin.
Kevin and his family during the presentation after he won the 2016 Grand Prix of Devon. (Photo©2016 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I get good news from one and bad from another on a daily basis. It’s maddening. Like being strapped to a roller coaster you want to exit. It depends on the severity of the injury when it all shakes out. It’s the worst kind of unknown. One that affects someone you love and one you can’t control.
“It is an insurmountable task to pick the next phase when you are thrown into medicine without prior knowledge. I feel like I am walking through a dark tunnel. Nothing prepares you for this.”
But regardless of his condition, Kevin is still Kevin.
“He has impressed me my whole life,” Dianna posted.
“I am watching this remarkable person handle this with dignity, kindness to his nurses and all that are helping him, and despite difficulty speaking he is constantly trying to make sure visitors who don’t know each-other are introduced and have a place to sit.”
She advises that Facebook messages, cards and videos all help.
“It makes a difference and it is appreciated more than you will ever know. He is definitely trying to get the most out of every day, he is pushing himself, and with your continued support I know he will keep fighting.”
Of course he will.
A big issue is how to pay for the enormous expense involved in this situation, since insurance never covers everything.
A medical fundraising page on Facebook, posted by Sissy Wickes, raised nearly $550,000 to help the family with medical expenses and rehabilitation costs. The facebook link has been taken down, but those who wish to donate to the Kevin Babington Trust via GoFundMe can click on this link: https://www.gofundme.com/for-kevin-babington-and-family
Many other fundraising opportunities continue. 1984 Olympic show jumping double gold medalist, Joe Fargis, will be offering a clinic Saturday, November 2 at Ketcham Farm, 52 Hill Rd Allentown, NJ. The cost per session is $200 and all proceeds will go to support the Babington Family Trust. If there is enough interest, the clinic may be extended through Sunday, November 3. Please email Elizabeth at Elizabeth@KevinBabington.com
Meanwhile, there will be a Jump for Kevin benefit 1-meter class every Saturday of the Princeton Fall Equestrian Festival in Skillman (princetonshowjumping.com), with all entry fees being donated The entry fee is a minimum $50, but riders can donate more if they want. Every competitor also can donate a portion or all of their prize money if they let the show secretary know. Each rider who participates will be given an Irish green arm sash to wear in the competition ring.
All weekend parking proceeds also will be donated to Kevin. Volunteers are needed to help collect parking fees from spectators and donations from exhibitors who wish to do so. Contact princetonshowjumping@gmail.com to volunteer.
Plans are in the works for a benefit horse show Oct. 13 at Duncraven in Titusville, Mercer County.
Those who can are asked to buy their feed from Babington Mills (http://07d.7d2.myftpupload.com/) , which is Kevin’s company.
Ruespari has designed a limited edition belt bearing Kevin’s signature. All proceeds will go to help him and his family. https://www.ruespari.com/rideforkbabs
To learn more about Kevin, here is a link to the story I did about him in July: https://nancyjaffer.com/2019-07-09/
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 26, 2019
Three-time Kentucky 4-star winner Winsome Adante has died at the age of 26. He and rider Kim Severson won individual silver and team bronze at the 2004 Olympics, during a career in which he earned many more accolades. He was U.S. Eventing Horse of the Year, was inducted into the USEA Hall of Fame and was the USEA’s All Time High Point Horse Leader for more than 10 years.
Kim Severson and Winsome Adante during the horse inspection at Rolex Kentucky. (Photo©2005 by Nancy Jaffer)
As Kim posted on Facebook, “Every man gets an opportunity once in a lifetime.” – Will Rogers.
“My opportunity came in the form of a 16.1H bay gelding from England; his name was Winsome Adante, otherwise known as Dan, and sometimes lovingly referred to as Danimal the Wild Animal. So many of my firsts in the world of eventing came from my partnership with Dan: Badminton, Olympics, World Equestrian Games, Burghley, and more. Now, when I think back about our time together, two words come to mind: opportunity and gratitude. What an amazing, once in a lifetime opportunity to find Dan, and then be supported in our partnership by so many wonderful people.
Dan, thank you for your willingness to come to work every day, your unbelievable work ethic, incredible heart, and occasionally cheeky behavior that literally kept us all on our toes! Thank you for being my partner, friend, and making my childhood dreams and ambitions come true.
Heartfelt gratitude to Linda Wachtmeister (along with her family: Bob, Lucia, and Benita Strini) of Plain Dealing Farm, who purchased Dan and supported us along the way; thank you all for your friendship.
No partnership works alone, and ours was supported by many wonderful people in which I would like to give thanks: Molly Bull, Lili Bennett, Caroline Goldberg, the team at Plain Dealing Farm, Dan’s breeders, Janet and Chris Gooch, Dr. Keith Brady, Dr. Brendan Furlong, Butch Sclater, Todd Meister, Steve Teichman, Scott Anderson, and Jan and Craig Thompson who made that fateful call about a horse for sale in 1999.
Thank you to our sponsors, coaches, team members, event organizers, event volunteers, and fans who played an important role in our journey in their own way, and cheered Dan on from the sidelines.
“A great horse will change your life. The truly special ones define it…” – Author Unknown
Rest in peace, Dan. You were truly special, you were loved, and you will be missed.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 24, 2019
Mental health has been a steady, yet growing, concern in the veterinary industry. The Center for Disease Control has found that male veterinarians are 2.1 times, and female veterinarians 3.5 times, more likely to die by suicide than the general U.S. population. These are alarming numbers and the way that we begin to make a change is by creating awareness.
B.W. Furlong Associates has partnered with Not One More Vet (nomv.org), an online veterinary support group, to put on a 5K race open to the public to help raise awareness throughout our community. All proceeds from the race will be donated to NOMV.
Show your support and participate Nov. 2 at 9 a.m. at River Road Park in Bedminster, Sign up at: runsignup.com/race/nj/bedminster/furlongs5k
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 20, 2019
The Global Champions Tour is making it first stop in New York Sept. 27-29 at a unique venue, Governor’s Island against a backdrop of Manhattan skyscrapers.
The island is accessible only by ferry, but the fee is just $3 and admission to the show is free. It’s another in GCT’s series of unusual settings worldwide, which also include an arena set up by the Eiffel Tower and an oceanside ring on the sand in Miami Beach.
As expected, the lineup of riders includes Georgina Bloomberg (who always loves to show in New York, even when her father isn’t mayor), and other top Americans such as Jessie Springsteen, who won at St. Tropez last weekend; McLain Ward and Kent Farrington.
But there will also be a chance to see some European imports. Marcus Fuchs of Switzerland, the new European champion is coming, along with British stars Ben Maher and Scott Brash; German team regulars Daniel Deusser and Marcus Ehning, and Peter Fredericson of Sweden.
In addition to the competition, a visit to the island also offers a vendor village and a chance to walk around the 172-acre island, just 800 yards from the lower tip of Manhattan. An arts center is one of the go-to spots on the property.
Highlights of the show include the Global Champions League competition on the Friday afternoon at 3:45 p.m. , the 300,000 Euro grand prix for 1.60 meter horses at 4 p.m. the next day and a 150,000 Euro grand prix for 1.50-meter horses at 4 p.m. on the final afternoon.
For more information: https://www.gcglobalchampions.com/news/show-jumping-a-list-heads-for-lgct-new-york-finals
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 16, 2019
The 11th annual Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session will include a good share of Jerseyans who qualified for the Nov. 7-10 session at The University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio.
Those who made their mark in 10 regional training sessions contested by 194 hopefuls will benefit from instruction delivered by Olympic show jumping gold medalist Peter Wylde, who is returning this year. Stable management expert Anne Thornbury also will be sharing her knowledge.
The Garden State contingent of riders includes Alyssa Simin, 21, of Ramsey; Evelyn Smith, 18, Morristown and Alicia Weismann, 19, Southampton. Stable Managers are Mara Picciochi, 20, Morristown and Christina Samouhos, 22, Pittstown.
Ranked Alternate Stable Managers are Rachel Vandemark, 22, South Brunswick, and Alexandria Willard, 20, Pittstown.
Since the program’s inception in 2009, the USHJA has reviewed more than 2,700 applications, provided more than 1,600 participants in regional training session opportunities, and each year 16 athletes vie for the title of EAP Champion while training with an Olympian at the National Training Session.
While only a small number advance to the National Training Session, each participant received invaluable education over the course of five days of mounted and unmounted instruction offered at Regional Training Sessions.
EAP finalists are closely observed and evaluated during all phases of the four-day National Training Session. They are involved with flatwork, gymnastics, related distances and course work, and an intensive stable-management curriculum.
A written test that gauges the horsemanship knowledge each finalist has gained throughout the year is part of the process. One rider will be named the overall USHJA EAP National Champion and receive a $3,000 grant to be applied toward the cost of advanced training, as well as a variety of additional products and gifts from USHJA sponsors.
Additionally, two EAP finalists will receive a riding spot at a 1.10/1.15m USHJA Gold Star Clinic of their choice, and a select number of participants in the EAP National Training Session will be chosen to serve as stable managers during the Gold Star Clinics. Three USHJA Gold Star Clinics will be held this year. Part of the USHJA Emerging Jumper Rider Program, the clinics offer horsemanship, stable management, mounted instruction and additional education from top clinicians and athletes. Sport leadership track these riders’ accomplishments as they advance through the sport and look for opportunities to support their efforts with education along the way.
The Charles “Chuck” Keller Grant for Equestrian Excellence will also be awarded to one EAP National Training Session participant for the purpose of furthering their equestrian training in pursuit of equestrian excellence. The USHJA EAP Committee will select the recipient of this $500 grant, made possible by anonymous donation, based on the care and handling of horses, treatment of horses while mounted and level of personal interaction with clinicians, peers and spectators.
The USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals will be held concurrently with the EAP National Training Session. Qualified finalists will be tested in three phases, including a written exam, horsemanship/identification exam and a hands-on practicum exam. HQC Finalists have yet to be announced.
In addition to the competition, both EAP and HQC finalists will participate in joint educational seminars. Topics covered will include saddle fit, equine health, sports psychology and rider fitness.
Auditing of all mounted sessions of the EAP National Training Session is free and open to the public.
In addition to title sponsor Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund and the University of Findlay, the Emerging Athletes Program and the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge are supported in part by a grant from US Equestrian, as well as individual donors through the USHJA Foundation.
For more information on the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session, visit ushja.org/EAP. For more information on the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals, visit ushja.org/HQC.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 15, 2019
The Pineland Riders Pony Club is planning an eventing fun day Oct. 13 at Flora Lea Farm, 20 Branin Road, Medford.
Competitors can ride as many as three dressage tests, three stadium rounds and two cross-country courses. It is a chance to try a new dressage test, a new height in stadium and a new cross-country route, all in a relaxed, non-competitive setting. Bring your trainer and enjoy the day. Feel free to mix and match the levels of the three phases in eventing.
For non-eventers, USDF and USEF dressage tests from Introductory Level through First Level will be offered. The closing date for entries is Oct. 10. Questions? Contact Pineland Riders DC Tara DiSalvo.Cell: (609) 668-9328; taramdisalvo@gmail.com
Or go to: https://www.njregionponyclub.org/eventing-fun-day—oct-13-2019.html
