by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 30, 2019
Don’t you love all the opportunities that are appearing for off-the-track thoroughbreds? For too long, they have been ignored in the show ring they once dominated, and elsewhere in the equestrian firmament too.
But the Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred Incentive Program is making a difference, and now the Monmouth County hunt is offering the only pace series in the country to feature TIP-sponsored awards for thoroughbreds. The series, which started April 7, resumes May 5 starting at 50 East Branch Road in Allentown, and runs from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The final segment is June 9.
The paces are open to both English and Western riders. The only dress requirements are ASTM helmets, collared shirts and shoes with heels. There are go-arounds at all the fences, and in addition to the open division, there are also junior and hilltop (slower) sections.
To be eligible for the TIP awards, your horse must be registered. Go to tjctip.com to get the TIP number card that is needed for eligibility. For questions about the paces, email monmouthcountyhunt@gmail.com.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 22, 2019
The Eastern States Dressage and Combined Training Association is offering a dressage training symposium April 6-7 with Lilo Fore at the Horse Park of New Jersey.
A retired 5-star international dressage judge, Lilo is a U.S. Equestrian Federation S judge with an R rating as a dressage sport horse judge. A U.S. Dressage Federation certification instructor and examiner, she has trained many Grand Prix horses and had been a short-listed rider for the U.S. Equestrian Team.
The symposium is an approved USDF “L” continuing education program and well as a USDF University program and a National Education Incentive program.
Those who want to audit should fill out the form at this link and mail to Kem Barbosa, 282 Carter Road, Princeton, NJ 08540 Those who register by March 24 will pay less than those registering after that date or at the door.
Pre-Registration (before March 24)
ESDCTA, Horse Park of NJ & Pony Club Members – $50 per day ($100 for 2 days)
Non-Members – $75 per day ($150 for 2 days)
Regular Registrations (after March 24) and at the door
ESDCTA, Horse Park of NJ & Pony Club Members – $60 per day ($120 for 2 days)
Non-Members – $85 per day ($170 for 2 days)
ESDCTA Volunteer Bucks: $20/day. If you are using volunteer bucks you must mail in a registration form with your check and volunteer bucks to Kem Barbosa.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 22, 2019
A tribute to Dorothy Knocke Maxfield was held March 14 in the trophy room at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation stable in Gladstone.
A much-admired instructor who was also a dressage and eventing official, Dorothy died Feb. 17 in Mobile, Ala., of natural causes. She was 76.
Dorothy Knocke Maxfield. (Photo by Marie Cobb)
The daughter of U.S. Dressage Federation president and Eastern States Dressage and Combined Training Association founder Lazelle Knocke, Dorothy grew up on the family farm, Hobby Horse Hill, in Readington. A graduate “A” Pony Clubber, Dorothy was a professional horsewoman for more than half a century. She started out as an eventer, spending a year with the U.S. Three-Day team from 1963 to 1964 before focusing on dressage.
A U.S. Dressage Federation gold medalist, Dorothy earned her “R” U.S. Equestrian Federation Dressage judge’s license and “r” Eventing license, as well as a USEF Technical Delegate’s license for both dressage and eventing. She also held an FEI Dressage steward’s license.
A lifetime member of the U.S. Pony Club, Dorothy was dedicated to teaching young riders, accompanying generations of them to Pony Club Nationals over the years. She was awarded USPC Jubilee Legend recognition in 2005.
She was also the organizer of recognized shows at Hobby Horse Hill and involved with the Amwell Valley Event.
Dorothy committed her life to training horses and students at all levels, her most important legacy. She was able to take complex and complicated concepts, breaking them down into smaller, understandable pieces and then teaching the rider to communicate those concepts to their horse.
Former student Amy Nemeth recalled that Dorothy, her first dressage instructor, “was tough as nails, but instilled in me what it took to be successful. She taught me more lessons then just riding. She may not even have known that. I thought I was special because she let me shine her boots and clean her tack! She was an integral part of my dressage riding and training; the first instructor to get me to stop hanging on my left rein, which she so eloquently did with yarn on that side.”
Mary Alice Edwards remembers taking her first lesson with Dorothy 25 years ago in Lafayette, Louisiana.
“I had been a `rider’ since I was 12 years old, but soon found out I knew nothing about dressage. The first thing she asked me was “What is the distance between each letter in the dressage arena?” Well, of course I did not know; I thought, `Who knows those things?’
“So began my journey of learning dressage. She was so dedicated to her students and their horses, making sure we were going on the right path of knowledge. She became a good friend and a wonderful mentor. Every time I ride, I hear her words of wisdom in my head.”
Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Deborah Kuschel (Gunnar), her identical twin sister, Diane Kohout, and her younger sister, Martha Hoffarth (Anton).
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the United States Pony Club Inc., 4041 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511 ATTN: in memory of Dorothy Maxfield. A donation also can be made online at https://www.ponyclub.org/secure/Forms/MakeAGift.aspx. In the note section, please include “in memory of Dorothy Maxfield.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 21, 2019
The Burlington County 4-H Horse Advisory Board is putting on a new series of hunter shows, which is the primary fundraiser for the county 4-H Horse Program. It provides education and scholarships for young equestrians in 4-H.
Although the organization has run a hunter show series for more than 30 years, it was open only to 4-H members until two years ago, when it became open to all riders. This year, the class list has been redesigned and includes more championship divisions. Series sponsors are being sought to provide championship and reserve prizes for a series designed to be relaxed, fun, safe and educational for everyone.
The Burlington County Fairgrounds has two large show rings and two smaller schooling rings. It offers spectator seating and easy access from Routes 206 and 295, as well as the Turnpike. The footing was recently redone and has received excellent ratings from USEF. The Dressage Experience Show Series offers three licensed shows there, run through the Transitions 4-H Club.
The shows will be held April 27, May 11, June 9 and June 23. The fairgrounds are in Springfield Township, at Route 206 and Jacksonville-Jobstown Road. For more information about sponsorship, contact Ellen Clark at eclark8968@gmail.com.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 20, 2019
The Horse Park’s grand prix ring as it looked last year during Jersey Fresh, when it wasn’t ready for jumping. (Photo©2018 by Nancy Jaffer)
Resolving footing issues is important work for the off-season at showgrounds in the northern climes.
At the Horse Park of New Jersey in Allentown, all outdoor rings including the warm-up arena, the Lazelle Knocke (East) Ring and West Ring have undergone repair and maintenance work with the help of Aaron Thompson.
Aaron, based in North Carolina, grooms arenas for various event facilities including the Carolina Horse Park, Morven Park, Va., Devon, Pa. and Fair Hill, Md. First as a rider/working student of Denny Emerson, then moving to professional arena grooming, he understands the discipline-specific needs the Horse Park arenas must offer.
The grand prix arena, which was redone last spring but wasn’t ready to be used for the Jersey Fresh event’s show jumping, has had material added. It was worked and then tucked in before a good snowfall to assist in the settling process. Of course, there has been more rain than snow in New Jersey this winter.
The Horse Park is having a fundraiser from 4-10 p.m. March 14 at the Texas Roadhouse, 1305 Route 33, Hamilton, with 10 percent of patrons’ order (including gift cards and takeout) going to the Horse Park.
At the Hampton Classic on Long Island, only a final grading and sod installation for this spring remain for the re-do of the grass grand prix field that drew some criticism at last year’s show.
Work began on the Hampton Classic’s grand prix arena as soon as the awards ceremony for the featured class ended.
The project is being managed by Allen Rheinheimer, the show’s equestrian manager, along with the Hampton Classic’s turf consultant, Steven McDonald, the founder of Turfgrass Disease Solutions LLC. He consults for more than 150 athletic fields, golf courses, and turfgrass systems each year. He teaches Turf Management and Turfgrass Weed Science at Rutgers University.
Meanwhile, the Classic is about two-thirds of the way to its $1 million goal that will pay for the project. Those who wish to donate can go to this link .
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 11, 2019
The Garden State Horse Show, one of New Jersey’s iconic equestrian competitions, has been reorganized from a multi-ring fixture in order to fit in one famous arena at its new home, the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation’s Hamilton Farm in Gladstone.
“We had to drop some redundant divisions, but there is something for everyone over the nine days of competition; from unrecognized to C-rated to AA-rated: We have it all,” said Tucker Ericson, who has taken over the show’s management for the Junior Essex Troop.
Tucker Ericson (right) and his cousin, Michael Dowling, who run Monmouth at the Team together. Tucker is the sole manager for Garden State. (Photo©2018 by Nancy Jaffer)
Tucker knows what he’s doing, having masterminded the move of the Monmouth County Horse Show from the Horse Park of New Jersey to the foundation’s grounds in 2016.
Renamed as Monmouth at the Team, that show has been a huge success in Gladstone. The same thought process is going into Garden State, which runs from April 29-May 5 (preceded by an unrecognized show April 27-28) and much of the formula will be the same. As Tucker explained it, that includes “weather-proof footing, posted orders and a hospitality tent that puts a smile on your face. That is my recipe to transition a multi-ring show into one.”
As is the case with Monmouth, spectators will not be charged admission.
“We want the community to come out and enjoy and support the vendors and first class competition,” said Tucker.
The historic U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation stable is the perfect backdrop for the horse shows held at the venue. (Photo©2018 by Nancy Jaffer)
Garden State is different from Monmouth, in that it goes up to the AA (Premier) rating and has a $25,000 grand prix by EquiJet. The AA show is, however, preceded by a separate show that is not recognized and offers such classes as 2-foot hunter, leadline and a $10,000 hunter derby.
The Junior Essex Troop Show began in 1951 and was the largest all-junior show in America until 1972, when it became an open show. It was held at the Junior Essex Troop Farm in West Orange until that was sold. It moved to Chester for several years before it grew too big for Chubb Park and was relocated to the Sussex County Fairgrounds.
The Junior Essex Troop of Cavalry originally was composed of boys ages 11-18, who were proud to wear a uniform as they learned military drilling and discipline, along with riding and horse care.
The troop bond was so strong that even though the organization stopped daily operations in 1989, those who participated remain on the committee, chaired by Rodney Seelig, and as volunteers for what has become an annual reunion.
Entries close April 15. Click here for a link to the prizelist.
