by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 17, 2018
Meet the Ponies, a program designed for young horse lovers from seven to nine years old, is being presented July 28 at Lord Stirling Stable, 256 S. Maple Ave., Basking Ridge. The activity runs from 3:30-5 p.m., and is designed for both riders and non-riders, as well as youth groups, such as the Scouts.
Participants will be hands-on with ponies. Under the guidance of experienced Lord Stirling Stable staff, students will be able to groom a pony, learn what ponies eat and experience the work involved in taking care of a pony. Participants may also take a pony ride.
The fee is $15 per child and $10 for each additional sibling in the same age group. Pre-registration is required online at www.somersetcountyparks.org; by phone at 908-722-1200, ext. 5010; or in person at the Stable office. Payment by cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover is required at time of enrollment.
For additional information, call Lord Stirling Stable at 908-722-1200, ext. 5010.
Information on all Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 16, 2018
There had been speculation for months that the Rolex Central Park Horse Show would not be held this year, because entrepreneur Mark Bellissimo’s team was busy putting on the World Equestrian Games in the same time frame.
Word finally came that the show isn’t happening this year, with a promise that it will be held Sept. 18-22, 2019, with a 5-star jumper competition. Interestingly, however, the Longines Global Champions Tour has just announced it will be holding its first show in Canada on approximately the same dates (Sept. 19-22) in the Old Port of Montreal. The war of the watches continues… .
The Longines Global Champions Tour specializes in interesting and exotic locales, from oceanside in Miami Beach to the base of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It is also listed on the 2019 FEI calendar with a show at Randall’s Island off Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx. The park is a public/private operation that hosts many sporting events, including track meets at Icahn Stadium
The change for Central Park this year was due to competition conflicts in its time frame .The American Gold Cup, which was moved from its usual date earlier in the month to the last weekend in September, is running at the same time as Central Park would have been held. FEI rules would not allow the 5-star Gold Cup to be held during the WEG. And on top of that, the Nations’ Cup final in Barcelona is the next weekend.
The conflicts are “not conducive to our competitors’ schedules or for their horses’ welfare,” Mark explained.
The Central Park show debuted five years ago in the Wollman Rink, putting to rest doubters’ contention that such a competition could not be done. Highlights included jumpers, hunters and Grand Prix dressage, all against the backdrop of soaring skyscrapers. The 2016 show featured an exhibition by Charlotte Dujardin and her multi-gold medal mount, Valegro.
However, last year the show didn’t jibe with the high-level dressage riders’ calendars, so arena eventing was substituted. It has always been multi-discipline, with polo and Arabians among the presentations, along with a family day.
Thinking ahead to next year, Mark said, “With the new CSI 5* rating in 2019, we will attract some of the sport’s most notable athletes, as the Rolex Central Park Horse Show will join the exclusive list of CSI 5* equestrian competitions supported by Rolex.
“Our team is already orchestrating what we plan to be one of the greatest RCPHS experiences, which will bring top athletes from around the globe to compete in front of the world’s most iconic city skyline next fall.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 15, 2018
A concert featuring the band Kindred Spirit will be held July 20 at Congress Hill Farm, 118 Federal Road, Monroe to benefit Special Strides therapeutic riding.
Admission is $20/person or $100 for a table that seats six. It’s a BYOB, and also a BYOF (bring your own food).Those attending should also bring a beach blanket or chairs for the 7 p.m. event. For tickets, go to www.specialstrides.com and click on “events.” Alternatively, call (732) 446-0945
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 15, 2018
Lisa Schmidt of Hampton has been approved as the newest member of the U.S. Dressage Federation’s L Program Faculty. Members are responsible for providing instruction to and conducting the USDF L Education Program. Graduation with distinction from the USDF L Education Program is a prerequisite for entrance into the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s judge training programs.
In 1998, Lisa graduated with distinction from the USDF L Education Program and has since worked her way up through the USEF Dressage Judge Training Program to become a licensed USEF ‘S’ Dressage Judge, in 2013. Lisa has also earned her USEF designation for Young Horse and certification for Freestyle.
USDF L Program Committee Chair Lois Yukins stated, “After successful completion of the extensive L Faculty Apprentice Program, we are thrilled for Lisa to join the ranks of the existing USDF L Program Faculty. With her extensive knowledge, and experience in the judges box, the USDF L Program Committee is certain Lisa will be a great addition to the faculty.”
The USDF L Education Program is designed to prepare candidates to enter the USEF “r” Judge Training Program, to qualify individuals to judge schooling shows and to provide greater insight into the evaluative process of dressage judging , as well as to provide continuing education for licensed judges.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 6, 2018
The former World Number One show jumper, Kent Farrington, has withdrawn from consideration for the U.S. team that will be competing in September at the FEI World Equestrian Games in North Carolina.
Kent Farrington and Gazelle. (Photo©by Nancy Jaffer)
Kent, who was out of action for several months after breaking his leg last winter, felt the form shown since his return by his WEG-designated mount, Gazelle, meant it was not in the best interests of the horse or the team to continue pursuing a spot on the Net Jets squad. Kent is a veteran of the 2014 WEG, where he was part of the bronze medal team, and the 2016 Olympics, where he was on the silver medal team.
As the selection process continues to narrow down the list of candidates (previous dropouts included Lauren Hough and Jessica Springsteen), look closely at the squad that will compete in the next-to-last observation event at Aachen this month. It is composed of Margie Engle, McLain Ward, Laura Kraut, Beezie Madden and Devin Ryan of Long Valley. You may be seeing all of them in Tryon. The final observation event is in Dublin, but Aachen could well tell the team tale.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 1, 2018
If you’ve been looking for a way to introduce your child to horses, Pony Pals could be the ticket.
The program presented by Somerset County’s Lord Stirling Stable for children and their parents is designed to get children and ponies together, while encouraging child-parent interaction. Pony Pals is scheduled for July 7 at the stable, 256 South Maple Ave., Basking Ridge.
The program, which runs from 11 a.m.-noon, was created for 2- to 4-year-olds. It features a pony-themed story and a lead line pony ride. The fee is $10 per child/parent pair and $5 for each additional sibling age 2-9 years.
Pre-registration is required online at www.somersetcountyparks.org, by phone at 908-722-1200, ext. 5010, or in person at the Stable office. For additional information, call Lord Stirling Stable at 908-722-1200, ext. 5010.
