by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 11, 2019
Wellington, Fla., bills itself as the winter horse capital of the world, and it seems as if every year, something else appears to underline that bold statement.
In 2019, it’s the Chesapeake International Draft Horse Show founded by Victoria McCullough. The show drew entries from all over the country, as far away as Colorado, Utah and Missouri. The eight-horse hitches, which competed yesterday, made quite an impressive sight spread out around the palm tree-edged pond at Crab Orchard Equestrian Estate.
The line-up by the lake. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
One of the grooms told me it takes 2 1/2 to 3 hours to get the horses bathed, brushed and braided. It certainly isn’t a job for one person. The word “team” applies to the people involved, as much as it does to the horses.
The horses had to wait their turn to get in the ring, because it could only hold three hitches at a time.When all the heats were finished, the teams lined up side by side in the arena. I didn’t have a wide-angle lens that was wide enough to get them all in the photo!
Quite a lineup! (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
The winning team was Express Ranches from Oklahoma, with Josh Minshull handling the lines of the gleaming black Percherons..
“We’ve actually been showing Clydesdales for the last 20 years under Express Clydesdales. In August, we converted our competitive hitch to the Percheron group,” said Josh.
The Express Percherons. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
“This is still a relatively new group to us, it’s just been five or six months that we’ve been competing with them. They’re coming together pretty well and they had a good drive in the today, so they’re starting to come together as a unit as you’d like them to. It takes some time, since they’re pretty new to us but we’re having a lot of fun with them.”
Horses were stabled next door at Deeridge Farm, which is hosting the Longines Nations Cup show this week. (No draft horses will be appearing there, needless to say, though a Clydesdale flying over a 1.60-meter fence certainly would be amazing).
The show was a benefit for two charities,the EQUUS Foundation and the Young Singers of the Palm Beaches. It drew a nice crowd, and it was interesting to see the number of folks in boots and breeches who drifted over from the Winter Equestrian Festival down the road to watch the men in cowboy hats show off their driving skills.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 10, 2019
WELLINGTON, Fla. — My first look at the order of go for the Winter Equestrian Festival’s $391,000 Fidelity Investments CSI 5-star Grand Prix revealed what seemed to be an almost sure bet: with the advantage of going last on the speedy Gazelle, it appeared Kent Farrington would be the likely winner.
It was close, but Kent lost by less than half a second to the FEI World Equestrian Games individual silver medalist, Martin Fuchs of Switzerland on Clooney, a grey son of Cornet Obolensky. This was Martin’s first visit to the WEF (he’s here for three months with his American girlfriend, Paris Sellon) and he was “having a very good time” and loving the break from the European weather it even before he picked up his paycheck Saturday night.
Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs and Clooney. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Martin thought Kelvin Bywater’s course looked “a bit too easy for a 5-star grand prix” when he walked it, and figured the time allowed would be a factor, but it wasn’t. As a result, 18 riders–nearly half the 40-entry class —came back for the jump-off, where Clooney’s “exceptional” long stride gave him the edge over Gazelle. Kent saw Martin leave out a stride before the double, but he worried it was “too much risk” and that if he tried it, the mare might stop. It was, as usual from Kent, smart thinking, but relying on Gazelle’s foot speed and hope wasn’t quite enough to overtake his rival.
Irish rider Richie Moloney was less than a second behind Kent on the Irishbed Rocksy Music, who he thinks is “going to be my best horse.”
The jump-off didn’t work out for McLain Ward, another favorite who had a refusal with Contagious, and Beezie Madden on Coach, 10th after dropping a rail.
It was the first 5-star grand prix of the season, so the riders understood that the designer needed to think about that rather than laying out a route that was too difficult for this time of the year, even with so many international stars in the field.
Clooney made a comeback after colic surgery last year, and his team was devoted to his recovery. Martin, his mother (Martin’s a member of a famous show jumping family), Clooney’s owner and the groom took turns getting up every two hours at night to check the horse, even though he had a camera in his stall.
During Clooney’s recovery he couldn’t wear a saddle, so he would get four hours of hand-walking a day and work out on a rented treadmill. That kept him in shape so he could place in three 5-star grands prix before the WEG.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 4, 2019
A Cape May County horse found positive for rabies last month has been euthanized. The 20-month-old colt, which was on a farm in a rural part of the county, was tested for rabies because it showed neurologic symptoms when it was being treated at a referral facility. The exposed surviving horses, all previously vaccinated against rabies, have received a booster vaccination and are under observation until Feb. 22.
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health encourages everyone to speak with their veterinarians about vaccinating their animals against rabies, if they are not already doing so. Vaccination of livestock and other domestic animals is the most effective strategy to protect animals against this disease and minimize the impact it may have on you and your animals. If unvaccinated livestock are suspected of having direct contact with a rabid animal or are suspected of contracting rabies, it may be necessary for the entire premises to be placed under quarantine.
Rabies is endemic in New Jersey but is often detected in bats, raccoons, foxes, skunks, cats and, to a lesser extent, domestic livestock. Transmission is almost always from the bite of a rabid animal. The virus is shed in the saliva several days before the onset of clinical signs. The disease is fatal once clinical signs appear. Suspect cases should be handled with care and isolated from other animals.
Rabid animals of all species usually exhibit typical signs of central nervous system disturbance with owners first noticing their animal “doesn’t seem right.” As the illness progresses, nervous system impairment becomes more obvious. Affected animals may or may not show signs of aggression. Livestock often develops the “dumb” form of the disease which consists of slight depression, walking in circles, eating non-edible items, “star gazing,” or not acting normally.
Potential cases of rabies in livestock, like other diseases affecting the neurological system, must be reported to the State Veterinarian at (609) 671-6400 within 48 hours of diagnosis. The Animal Health Diagnostic Lab is available to assist with all your testing needs including pathology services.
For inquiries, contact the NJ Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory. Phone: (609) 406-6999; Fax: (609) 671-6414; web: http://jerseyvetlab.nj.gov. To report suspicion of rabies in species other than livestock, contact your local Health Department or the New Jersey Department of Health at (609)-826-4872.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 30, 2019
The four-time Ocean County Equestrian of the Year got a promotion when she was named the 2019 New Jersey Equestrian of the Year by the New Jersey Equine Advisory Board.
Riley Chenoweth-Hafner of Manahawkin, a 17-year-old junior at Southern Regional High School,
represented the N.J. Pony Breeders and Owners at the 62nd Annual New Jersey Breeders’ Luncheon in Hamilton Jan. 27.
A rider since the age of eight, Riley joined the 4-H Horse Program the following year. She has been on the National 4-H Roundup Communications and Horse Judging teams,judged at the American Quarter Horse Congress and is president of the Equine Science 4-H Club in Ocean County. She also has volunteered as a ring steward for Olympic eventing qualifiers at the Horse Park of New Jersey and worked on the ring crew for Central Jersey Horse Shows.
“I think probably what made me fall in love with horses is that whenever I was around them, it felt like they understood everything I was saying,” she said. “It’s like they can relate to me and understand my emotions. It kind of grew my love for them. They seem to love me just as much as I love them.”
“Riley’s distinguished work with horses in a dedicated and compassionate manner shows why she has been chosen to represent the industry as the Equestrian of the Year,” said state Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher.
“Her love for horses started at a young age and she will be a proud ambassador for the Garden State and an outstanding role model to encourage children and others who are interested in equine activities.”
Riley has a rescue pony named Dante and has done extensive work with her thoroughbred, Rocky, also a rescue she has been working with for three years.
“Rocky had a lot of issues with being scared, so my main goal has been to get him into a show ring,” Riley said. “Mostly I train him to get him used to the sights and sounds. We went to a show last fall and that was his first big show. We slowly worked him up to that and we are hoping to do more showing this summer.”
She would like to attend Stockton University and eventually become a veterinarian. Being involved with horses has helped Riley understand the importance of patience with herself and others.
“When you are training a young horse, you can do something one day and they get it, and then come back the next day and they may act like they have never seen that lesson,” Riley said. “You have to work on their terms, not yours. It’s taught me to not get uptight when something doesn’t go right. I’ve learned to take a step back, relax, and then go forward again.”
As Equestrian of the Year, Riley will attend functions hosted by the New Jersey Equine Advisory Board and represent the Board at various events.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 30, 2019
Equine ophthalmology, muscle diseases and esophogeal obstruction (otherwise known as “choke) will be among the topics explored at B.W. Furlong and Associates’ Healthy Horse Seminar in Annandale Feb. 9.
The seminar, featuring veterinarians from the practice, runs from 8 a.m. starting with registration and breakfast until 1 p.m. at the Beaver Brook Country Club, 25 Country Club Drive. Registration is $25 before Feb. 1, $45 after that. To register, call the clinic at (908) 439-2821.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 28, 2019
I’ll bet you spent the last few weeks of our miserable weather cleaning out your tack room, basement or barn and now you’re wondering what to do with the items you no longer use. You’re in luck! It’s almost tack sale time, and Mane Stream is looking for donations.
Of course, if you’re on the other end of the transaction and need some tack, clothing or barn equipment, you’re also in luck.
Mane Stream (adaptive horsemanship and equine-assisted therapies) is seeking donations of new and gently used tack or horse related items for its tack sale at 83 Old Turnpike Road in Oldwick from 8 a.m.-4 p.m April 6.
Adaptive riding at Mane Stream
In addition to tack, blankets, tack boxes, boots and clothing, horse-related jewelry, models and knick-knacks are also welcome.
It’s an opportunity to make a difference by supporting the Mane Stream mission to improve the quality of life for individuals with physical, developmental, emotional and medical challenges through a diverse program of equine-assisted activities, therapy and educational initiatives.
This event is an important part of the yearly fundraising plan with all proceeds to benefit Mane Stream’s horses, equine-assisted programs including “Take the Reins” for Veterans and “Horses for Healing” for those living with, recovering from and living life after cancer.
All donations can be dropped off at the stable during office hours. If you would like to make a donation or have any questions, contact Holland Kochanski at holland@manestreamnj.org, (908) 439-9636 or visit the website at www.ManeStreamNJ.org
On April 7, the day after the tack sale, the community is invited to Man open house from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. You can get first-hand information on adaptive riding, therapy services, and Summer Camp improve the quality of life for children with cognitive, developmental, emotional, medical, or physical challenges.
Kids will receive a Mane Stream “Farm Traveler Passport” to take from station to station while they learn about the activities available. Games and crafts will be offered to keep the kids busy while parents ask questions about Mane Stream’s programs.
The day includes tours of the facility and a demonstration of the in-house therapy clinic.Visitors also may look in the barn and pet the horses.Those interested in finding out about the summer day camp for children of all abilities will be able to talk with the camp director Holland Kochanski. Anyone who registers for camp during the open house will receive at $25 discount. For more information contact Holland at holland@manestreamnj.org or 908-439-9636. Visit the website at www.ManeStreamNJ.org.
