by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 20, 2018
Energetic Sussex County teen Shya Beth has started a new online project to benefit Mylestone Equine Rescue in Warren County this month.
The young artist’s Facebook group, Art Of The Horse (the largest equine art group on Facebook with more than 33,300 members), is hosting “Art Of The Horse Saves A Horse.” Each month it will be featuring an equine charity that will provide the artists with five photos of their adoptable horses. The artists then will feature the horses in their art, with half of the proceeds going to the rescue. For more information on the project, go here: https://artofthehorse.wordpress.com/art-of-the-horse-facebook-group/aoth-saves-a-horse
In December, the group will donate proceeds to a charity that is helping equine victims of the California fires.
Here are some examples of the portraits.
Sundance by Barbara Morrison
Brunow Tango by Bonnie Pray
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 18, 2018
It’s never too soon to plan ahead, and excitement soon will be gearing up for the 2020 FEI World Cup finals in Las Vegas April15-19–especially since the show jumping/dressage combo it will be returning to its traditional home, the Thomas & Mack Center.
The 2015 Dressage World Cup winning combination in Las Vegas, Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro. (Photo©2015 by Nancy Jaffer)
The 2020 finals for show jumping and dressage originally were going to be at the MGM Grand Hotel, because of space limitations at Thomas & Mack that wouldn’t permit all the dressage judges to be seated at the same level. But a $75 million renovation has changed that, and it will be nice to be in a familiar location. The finals have been held six times at Thomas & Mack, beginning in 2000, although dressage did not join the program until 2005.
April 15-19
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 18, 2018
The lack of “any realistic bids” for the 2022 FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2022, has led the international equestrian federation to open bids for individual world championships “with preference being given to multi-discipline bids.”
Instead of eight separate world championships, there are now seven, with dressage and para dressage being combined at the same venue. The championships are key for the Olympics disciplines and Para because they qualify countries for the Olympics and Paralympics.
Considering the problems involved in running a WEG, well-illustrated by the 2018 edition in September, it is surprising to note that FEI President Ingmar De Vos said the call for individual or multiple championships does not necessarily mean the end of the WEG, and the organization will consider WEG bids for 2022 and 2026, along with the individual/multi-discipline world championship bids.
Accepting a bid for WEG 2022, which seems unlikely to appear anyway, would be unwise because the winner couldn’t be awarded until November 2019, which would be less than three years before the Games. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
It’s time to be realistic and just scrap the WEG concept for 2022, focusing instead on the separate or multi-discipline world championships.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 14, 2018
The horrendous fires in California have created life-threatening havoc for everyone, animals and humans alike. Help is badly needed to rescue, treat and relocate horses.
Meanwhile, Devon Maitozo,, head of the FACE vaulting club, is creating a fund to provide feed and veterinary support to horses affected by the fires, as well as support for the local trainers who have lost their place of business and are struggling to support horses and do business until they find a new home.
“I know so many who have been affected,” said Devon.
“FACE Vaulting Club (
www.facevaulting.com) is also currently in need of a new location to operate, and in the wake of the current fire, this effort has become exponentially more difficult. Local ranches that were in consideration to be our potential new home have now been destroyed or cut off, and with access to our current location becoming very difficult, as well as continuing fire danger, we have had to halt all operations indefinitely. I am asking for help to not only support our horses in this very difficult transition, but to assist me in helping other horses and desperate horse trainers/owners who have been effected by this devastating fire storm.
“Any support from the equestrian community and horse lovers in general would be so appreciated,” he continued.
“My first payment will go to local feed suppliers to provide support to those in greatest need, as well as our local equine veterinarians to support their effort to treat horses injured by the fire and smoke.
“There have been numerous equine casualties in the wake of this fire, and I want to do my part to help prevent any more. I also want to ensure the continued top care for our two horses Maximillion and Corentine in our relocation efforts. Thank you for your help however big or small. It takes a village!”
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 6, 2018
Melanie Smith Taylor, who won a 1984 Olympic team gold medal on the famous Calypso, will be giving a clinic with Master Horsemanship Clinician Greg Eliel Nov. 16-18 at Bow Brickhill Stables in Milford.
Melanie Smith Taylor is an expert on groundwork as well as show jumping and flatwork. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
The program, being presented by 3 Pillars Equestrian, will offer participants a chance to combine groundwork with flatwork and jumping.
Registration for the clinic is $650 per person, with those taking part having the choice of a cavaletti class during the morning and jumping in the afternoons each day. Spectator auditing is $25/day at the facility at476 Milford-Mt. Pleasant Road, Milford.
In addition to Melanie’s show jumping record, which included victories in such major competition as the American Gold Cup and the American Invitational, she also is an author and a broadcaster who has commentated on the Olympics and FEI World Equestrian Games.
In June, Greg Eliel [EE-lee-ul] co-founded 3 Pillars Equestrian, along with master horseman and clinician Peter Boglioli [Bo-yo-lee] and director/trainer Donna Vroom on Route 519 in Baptistown, Hunterdon County. For more information, go to 3pillarsequestrian.com, email 3pillarsequestrian@gmail.com or call 908-328-4999.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 5, 2018
The Turkey Trot pleasure ride, a fall fixture at the Horse Park of New Jersey for 20 years, will be held Nov. 18. The event is sponsored by the Horse Park and the Eastern States Combined Training and Dressage Association.
The closing date for mail and email entries is Nov. 11, but post entries are accepted on competition day. The ride runs from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., with awards at 3:45 p.m.
The divisions offered are Senior (55 years and over), Junior (18 years and under), Family (those in that section must be related to each other), or Open (to be ridden in pairs). There is a choice of Long or Short course for each
There is a new Open division for those who are new or whose horses are not fit enough for the longer courses.
Entries must include the names of riders (the course is to be ridden in pairs) at $45 per rider. Post Entries (entry received after Nov 11, 2018 or on competition day)are $60 per rider. Entry forms are available from the secretary, the Horse Park at this link or ESDCTA’s website at ESDCTA.org. Those interested can also call the Horse Park at (609) 259-0170 or via email at HorseParkOfNJ@aol.com. There is a $5 discount for members of the Horse Park or ESDCTA.
Draw checks to “Horse Park of NJ” or provide credit card information. Fax entries will not be accepted.Entries MUST be legible and include credit card information or check.Entries must include current negative Coggins. Include your cell phone number and carry their phones on the course in case they get lost and organizers need to contact them.
The short course will be about 5 miles and the long course about 6.5 miles. The new Intro course will be 2-3 miles.The courses will all start and finish from the Horse Park and will travel in and around the Horse Park and the Assunpink Wildlife Management. Area.
There are awards for first place and eight ribbons for each division.
