by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 9, 2018
If you’re trying to get you child interested in dressage, but it isn’t working out, Dressage at Devon has some answers.
The Dressage Explorers program will take place Sunday, September 30 at the end of the Pennsylvnia show’s six-day run. and will feature the Make and Take Stick Horse. The show supplies the “horse” and all the trimmings to deck-out your child’s “mount” for a ride in the famed Dixon Oval – with professional announcers and judges. (Note: This is a lot less expensive than buying your offspring an imported warmblood.)
Another fave at the show in a suburb of Philadelphia is the Selfie Scavenger Hunt, where kids are looking for five yellow signs posted throughout the showgrounds. It they take a selfie with each sign, they can head over to the souvenir shop to receive an exclusive DAD prize.
There also will be special exhibitions by regional first responders and other demonstrations of excellence in horsemanship. Meanwhile, the day’s performances feature the sport’s rising stars, young riders from 16-25. These include the FEI Pony Freestyle Test and the FEI Young Rider Freestyle, among others.
Had enough horse stuff? The show features a Fall Festival, with lots of dining opportunities and shopping that appeals to the whole family, even those who aren’t equestrians. Ladies Hat Day – a favorite Dressage at Devon tradition – will take place on Friday, Sept 28.
For more information, visit www.dressageatdevon.org.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 30, 2018
A 12-year-old Camden County gelding who was euthanized Aug. 27 had the second reported case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in New Jersey this year. The horse had not been vaccinated against the mosquito-borne disease, which should be a lesson to horse owners to make sure their equines have their innocculations.
“With this being our second case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis reported in the last two weeks, we are reminding horse owners of the high importance of having their animals vaccinated against diseases spread by mosquitoes,” said state Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher.
“Vaccinated animals are much less likely to contract deadly diseases such as EEE and West Nile Virus.”
New Jersey’s first case of EEE this year was reported in a Monmouth County mare last week. EEE causes inflammation of the brain tissue and has a significantly higher risk of death in horses than West Nile Virus infection.
West Nile is a viral disease that affects horses’ neurological system. The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes. The virus cycles between birds and mosquitoes with horses and humans being incidental hosts. EEE infections in horses are not a significant risk factor for human infection because horses (like humans) are “dead-end” hosts for the virus.
Effective equine vaccines for EEE and WNV are available commercially. Horse owners should contact their veterinarians if their horses are not already up-to-date on their vaccinations against both EEE and WNV.
For more information about EEE in horses, visit the New Jersey Department of Agriculture web site at:
http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/ah/diseases/diseaseworksheets.html
EEE and West Nile virus, like other viral diseases affecting horses’ neurological system, must be reported to the state veterinarian at 609-671-6400 within 48 hours of diagnosis. The New Jersey Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory is available to assist with EEE and WNV testing and can be reached at 609-406-6999 or via email – jerseyvetlab@ag.nj.gov.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 30, 2018
At their board meeting this month, directors of the U.S. Equestrian Federation voted to require all adults with a competing membership to complete the organization’s Safe Sport Training program in order to participate in USEF activities or enter shows.
Members can access the free training program directly through their member dashboard or go to the USEF website to learn more.
USEF President Murray Kessler stated, “I am very proud of the work done in drafting this proposal and the board of directors, which approved this critical rule designed to keep our children safe while they enjoy, excel, and advance in our sport.”
There had been controversy over a proposal to require everyone who signed an entry blank as a trainer to take the course, but Murray earlier this year said he wanted to have the Safe Sport training requirement go beyond licensed officials, directors and others originally required to go through it, saying he felt it was important that all members be required to take it.
A 30-day grace period to complete the awareness training will be provided to all members who renew or join on or after December 1, 2018. Members joining prior to December 1, 2018 will have until January 1, 2019 to complete the training. Those who do not complete the training within the grace period will be ineligible to participate in USEF activities, including competitions.
The Safe Sport Policy and the rules that govern it have been created to protect all athletes from misconduct within the sport, according to USEF. This new rule is consistent with efforts to ensure the safety and welfare of equestrian participants, especially minors. Education and training everyone is crucial to protecting athletes and eradicating abuse.
At a show, members will not have to present documentation about having taken the training unless the 30-day grace period has expired and they completed the Safe Sport training in the previous 48 hours.
Competition management and secretaries will have access to a combined suspension and ineligibility list in the same manner as the current suspension list to identify those who are ineligible to compete.
Safe Sport training records from the U.S. Center for SafeSport automatically update the USEF systems every 24 to 48 hours. If a person appears on the Safe Sport Training Ineligible list, but has completed their training before the system updates, they can print and take a copy of the completion certificate to the show office to prove they are eligible to compete.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 29, 2018
Tears came to the eyes of Lucian Rodriguez as he got ready to return the trophy he had won last year in the Beginner Independent Division at the finals of the Long Island Riders with Disabilities competition during the Hampton Classic this week.
Lucian Rodriguez celebrates. (Photo by Patty Kovacic)
Despite the name of the event, it’s open to riders from beyond Long Island, and it’s the biggest moment of the year for Lucian. The resident of Boonton suffered a near-fatal mugging in New York City 16 years ago. Doctors believed he would never walk or talk again. He proved them wrong and has worked hard to cope with aphasia, which can be caused by trauma or a stroke and involves problems with understanding and expression.
Riding has been at the center of his life for the last 12 years, and his therapy on horseback has improved his existence, opening doors as he proved his determination and resilience. It took him a year to learn to post, but he kept at it and was able to navigate a horse on his own, instead of being led.
Competition is a way for him to prove himself. The ribbons and trophies he has earned are more than symbolic for him. They are a way for him to measure success as he tries to rise above his challenges.
“I love winning awards,” he once told me.
The 2017 trophy was symbolic of all he had accomplished. But when he came to this year’s competition, he had to bring the trophy he treasured back with him, because it was designated to go to the person who won the class this year. Happily, that was Lucian.
Aboard Sebastian, a horse he has ridden only a few times, Lucian, 42, excelled in the figure eight portion of his test, which may have clinched the honors for him and enabled him to take the trophy home once more
“He is thrilled to have it back,” said Patricia Kovacic, his partner and caregiver.
Never one to stand on his laurels, Lucian already is planning for next year’s competition, where he hopes to move up to the advanced competition. The man who has beaten the odds before is a good bet to take a new trophy in 2019.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 20, 2018
It’s been a good month for riders from Long Valley. First, Devin Ryan was named to the U.S. World Equestrian Games show jumping team. Then last weekend, Cole Horn made a real impression at the Bromont, Quebec, CIC 1-star for riders 25 and under.
Cole finished cross-country 10 seconds under the optimum time with Cooley Sligo, a horse he has brought along with the help of Ryan Wood, for whom he is a working student.
Cole Horn competing Cooley Sligo at the Mars Essex Horse Trials earlier this summer. (Photo©2018 by Nancy Jaffer)
Cole has been working for two years with his six-year-old Irish sporthorse, who was making his debut FEI level debut at the Canadian competition. Third after dressage with a score of 29.50, he moved up to second following stadium jumping with one rail down, but his impressive cross-country trip over Derek diGrazia’s course enabled him to win on 33.50 penalties. Second went to Olivia Hayes on Astrana de la Galerna on 36 penalties.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 17, 2018
It’s nice to envision global championships, such as the Olympics or next month’s FEI World Equestrian Games, as an opportunity for the all the best horses and riders on earth to compete head to head. In reality, it seldom works out that way; think of everything that can derail a contender before the big competition.
It has happened to the dressage champion of last month’s Aachen horse show, as a pasture injury to Cassidy has forced rider Cathrine Dufour to withdraw him from the Danish team. With Cassidy goes the chance for the Danes to be medal contenders in Tryon, N.C. Cathrine, who won individual and team bronze at the 2017 European Championships, also had a chance to be on the podium as an individual at WEG.
There’s still plenty of great competition in the dressage ranks, with Germany and the U.S. as team medal favorites. The Dutch, Swedes and Brits aren’t on the same level, but they could well threaten for bronze. Individually, Germany’s Isabell Werth is a favorite, though it has yet to be decided which of her three equine possibilities will get the nod.
The USA’s Laura Graves with Verdades and Kasey Perry-Glass (Dublet) both distinguished themselves at Aachen and should be contenders in Tryon, along with Olympic and WEG multi-gold medalist Charlotte Dujardin on her new, but inexperienced horse, Mount St. John Freestyle. The mare has competed outside of Britain only once, however. Mileage counts during the rigors of a championship. Several other Germans could be contenders too, and perhaps someone unexpected will pop up on the podium.
