by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 10, 2019
Jumper riders missed the Devon Fall Classic last year when it went on hiatus. So they’re overjoyed to know it’s coming back this year Sept. 12-15 at the showgrounds in Devon, Pa., the home of the spring Devon show.
While the feature is a $25,000 grand prix, there’s something for everyone. That includes the Zone 2 (Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York) championships–children’s and adult amateur jumpers, junior and amateur-owner jumpers, young jumpers and thoroughbred jumpers.
There also will be plenty of entertainment, carnival games, rides and all kinds of food and shopping.
The just action keeps going at the showgrounds on Route 30, where Dressage at Devon will run Sept. 24-29.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 8, 2019
Young riders will have a chance to experience the college equestrian competition format and win scholarships at New Jersey’s College Preparatory Invitational Sept. 21-22 at The Ridge at Riverview in Asbury.
Founded in 2010, CPI not only educates hunter seat student-athletes about competition, it also provides them with resources to make connections and weigh options that can enrich their college experience. In addition, participants in grades eight through 12 can participate in clinics and educational presentations led by top competitors and leaders in the equine industry.
Academic excellence and social integrity are part of the equestrian experience through the CPI Scholarship and Educational Fund. Student riders can earn scholarships via equitation competition at a CPI event, academic achievement and community service. CPI also produces CPI College Spotlight events for colleges and universities seeking to recruit equestrian students.
The CPI Horse Show requires that all participants have a trainer on site to coach them during a CPI competition. If a student’s trainer is not available to coach the participant, the CPI provides the option for an experienced coach such as Heather Clark, co-coach of the Centenary University equestrian team and assistant professor of equine science.
She will serve as clinician and CPI “Hire-a-Coach” at the New Jersey show.
“I feel CPI is a wonderful program,” Heather said. “It gives the students insight into what the colleges and universities have to offer in their equine programs. Being a coach for CPI, I will be able to share my approaches to and experience of catch riding.”
Since joining Centenary in 2007, Heather has helped coach its Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association team to three national championships, and a reserve title and helped produce three Cacchione Cup champions.
Earlier in her career, she was a show and sales barn rider/trainer for dealer Alan Waldman in the Netherlands. Heather served as the assistant rider, trainer, and road manager for Andre Dignelli of Heritage Farm, and also as the assistant rider/trainer for Nona Garson, who runs The Ridge at Riverview.
To learn more about the CPI, visit collegeprepinvitational.com.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 8, 2019
Most horse shows allow riders little time for relaxation these days, what with evening classes, ranking points and plenty of cash on the line.
But the two weeks of showing at Lake Placid, which just marked its 50th anniversary, enables those taking part to combine a vacation with competition. It’s known as a family destination, offering opportunities for boating, hiking, fishing and kicking back in the scenic beauty of the Adirondacks.
The U.S. Equestrian Federation Heritage Show has quite a history. The grand prix winners over the years have included many of the best horse/rider combinations in the country, from Rodney Jenkins and Idle Dice to Michael Matz with Jet Run and Leslie Burr Howard on Albany. The final Olympic selection trials for the 1984 and 1988 Olympics were at Lake Placid.
While the show struggled at one time, noted Lake Placid’s chairman, Philip Richter, it has since found itself and people have come back in droves. It turned around in recent years despite a crowded calendar, with such major big money shows as Canada’s Spruce Meadows, the Great Lakes shows in Michigan and Tryon in North Carolina on its dates. Even so, there were so many entries at Lake Placid this year that 100 horses had to be turned away because the facility was at capacity.
“It’s just a reaffirmation of how different these two weeks are from the run-of-the-mill shows,” Philip maintains, noting that people get tired when they camp out for months at a showgrounds.
At Lake Placid, “people enjoy a vacation with their horses. It’s short, it’s special with some great competition,” he said, noting both grands prix are now $100,000 classes on turf. That’s indicative of the money that has been put into the show over the last few years, with $1 million spent three years ago on all-weather footing. Last year, $200,000 was devoted to a new ring with all-weather footing.
Lake Placid Chairman Philip Richter (left) does a little of everything at the show, from making presentations to competing in the amateur-owner jumpers and insuring things run the way they should. (Photo by The Book LLC)
“We have to keep reinvesting in the grounds,” said Philip, “Our view is that having a bunch of money in the bank isn’t doing us any good. We’re not in the business of making a profit for profit’s sake; we’re in the business of reinvesting in the grounds and having the exhibitors come back again.”
Improvements on the horizon include increasing the power to industrial grade to cope with demands such as fans, microwaves. refrigerators and a variety of devices used in the stables.
Philip also wants to improve the drainage in the wash rack area and take steps for the show to end earlier in the day so people can have more time to enjoy their surroundings.
“We know we have to improve a lot,” said Philip, but he added, “There’s a lot of low-hanging fruit.
“We’re working on various three- to five- to 10-year plans for the horse show,” he explained, noting long term that also includes looking at making Lake Placid an FEI (international equestrian federation) show. If the sport continues to move that way, he pointed out, “we can’t ignore that.” However, at present, it doesn’t have the amount of land necessary for all the stabling and rings required.
“We strategically really have to be on our toes and understand how the sport is changing and change with it if appropriate,” said Philip.
“Changing with the times” also means an upgrade to the food at the show, with more healthy and vegetarian options, and updating the clothing and accessories sold in the show’s store.
Another goal is to get some of the grant money that New York State has allocated for the Adirondack State Park. The process should be helped by the results of a study from the State University of New York at Buffalo about the show’s economic impact on the Adirondack region.
Two years ago, Philip succeeded the late Richard Feldman, the captain of the show for decades who was revered for his dedication to it. The show is now run under a different operating structure, an executive committee of five members—including Philip, Collin McNeil, Louis Jacobs, Tim Hooker and Brian Sweeney–who make decisions that must be approved by the board of directors, which includes new, younger people who are actively involved in the show.
“There’s so much history and heritage in these rings,” said Philip.
“We’re trying to keep the nucleus of what we’ve got, but modernize and improve every day and aggressively go after some of these things that can continue to make the show competitive.”
–Nancy Jaffer
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 5, 2019
Mane Stream in Oldwick is seeking volunteers age 14 or older to provide support with Equine Assisted Activities for individuals with special needs. Duties include grooming and tacking up the horses, as well as assisting riders and therapy clients during riding lessons and therapy sessions. Prior experience with horses is not necessary in order to become a volunteer.
A 2 and 1/2-hour orientation and training session is mandatory to ensure the safety of participants. The session will provide an overview of the programs offered by Mane Stream and explain the responsibilities of a volunteer. The follow-up training session will provide a closer look at horse behavior and will involve hands-on practice of the skills introduced at orientation. Come 45 minutes earlier and complete the camp training all in one day to be ready for next summer.
The orientation and training schedule: Aug. 22, 6:30-9 p.m.; Sept. 21 3-5:30 p.m., Oct. 22, 6:30-9 p.m. Camp Trainings is held 45 min before each Orientation & Training
It is important to register as soon as possible as orientation and training is limited to 16 people. For more information or to register for an orientation and training session, go to the website and create your volunteer profile at www.manestreamnj.org or call volunteer coordinator, Rebecca Jablonski at (908) 439-9636.
Mane Stream is a non-profit registered charitable organization whose mission 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 is designated as a Premier Accredited Center of PATH: Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International, which provides education, accreditation and resources for the equine-assisted activities industry.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 3, 2019
John Adams on future generations celebrating the Declaration of Independence:
“I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty; it ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 1, 2019
Want to improve your core strength through the movement of horses? Mane Stream in Oldwick is offering a five-week Women’s Pelvic Health Group Program starting July 17 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. It offers exercises you can do at home, along with education and support.
“The pelvis is the core of our movement experience- it is integral to almost all of our body’s movement, balance, and posture,” according to Mane Stream’s promotion of the program.
The sessions will be led by Gina Taylor, a licensed occupational therapist, PATH International (therapeutic riding) Certified Instructor with Advanced Standing. Sign up online https://bit.ly/2J9ZOL3 or email Gina at gina@manestreamnj.org
