by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 9, 2017
Hunter entries for the Monmouth at the Team show Aug. 14-20 closed for the most part at the August 1 deadline, but there are still openings in some areas.
Big Eq for both Monday and Wednesday will stay open, breeding classes on Monday are open, National Hunter Derby entries are open for the Tuesday (and they can take a few more A/O hunters that day) and flat classes only for the Outreach classes on the Friday.
The 2016 debut of the show at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation in Gladstone was wildly successful, with the hospitality matching the caliber of the competition. Donations for the Silent Auction to benefit the USET Building Fund are still welcome. Enter at www.horseshowing.com and check out the show at www.monmouthattheteam.com.
The VIP tent offers a great view of the action during the Monmouth at the Team show. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 4, 2017
The U.S. Equestrian Federation is seeking a Team Performance Director (previously Technical Advisor) “who will lead eventing in the U.S. to sustained success at World and Olympic Games level.
The title for the position is up for discussion as the process moves forward. The spot opened up when former USEF President David O’Connor, who had held it since 2012, resigned earlier this year.
Although the term of service is likely to run through the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, other terms may be considered.
Want to apply? As part of the interview process, present a draft plan and vision for the team’s sustainable international success, including World and Olympic Games level. Applicants are expected to have an understanding of the needs of athletes involved in elite and development programs and must have the skills and abilities essential to leading and motivating the athletes and their support teams.
An understanding of equestrian sport in the U.S. and eventing in particular is preferable.
Work will involve the development of the Eventing Pathway, programs and systems that support a comprehensive plan for sustainable international success, including the World and Olympic Games level.
Other criteria include, as one would expect, providing leadership, direction and motivation to participants in the Eventing High Performance Program–especially athletes in contention for selection to any senior U.S. Eventing Teams through Tokyo 2020.
The person selected would carry out the role of, or lead on the appointment of, the chef d’dquipe at the Olympic, World Equestrian and Pan American Games and other Nations’ Cups.
There’s lots more involved, so if you’re feeling ambitious, look at the request for proposal https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/syk7LTxxVNw/us-eventing-team-performance-director.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 1, 2017
The Horse Park of New Jersey is headed in a new direction with the election of trustee Allyson Jeffery as its board president last week. International eventing judge and trainer Marilyn Payne, along with veteran Jersey Fresh International volunteer Diane Sigafoos, joined the panel as well.
It’s a crucial juncture for the venue in Allentown, with the ambition of making “this facility an equine destination. I think it’s time,” said Allyson, a Millstone resident who has an equine bodywork and massage business.
“I think we all are together that we would like for the horse park to become a venue where horses perform very well because they feel good,” she commented.
That brings us to the effort for needed ring refurbishment and development at the park, where research has been ongoing while fundraising for the project continues. Few realize that the park receives no funding from the state, and income must go toward park maintenance as well as supporting a capital campaign, so getting money for the project has been a slow process.
Trustee Adam Furlong has just stepped up to chair the fundraising aspect of the arena development effort, which is key to implementing the work that needs to be done.
A step forward already has been taken with the involvement of arena consultant Brian McNeil. He took a comprehensive look at the park while evaluating the arena conditions, maintenance equipment, resources and drainage in the rings. He gave a briefing to show managers representing multiple disciplines, riders, trainers, horse park board members and the park manager, as well as a local arena contractor.
Allyson notes that footing is really only the top dressing for rings that are laid out properly and have the right drainage.
“We really need to go from the ground up,” she said.
To help things out in the short term, Brian pointed out different techniques for using the park’s existing equipment and making minor adjustments that should have a major impact on ring surfaces.
“We definitely need to improve the way we work the rings,” said Allyson, while noting that park manager Adam Hendrickson is “fantastic.” She added Brian was very complimentary about Adam’s work.
The techniques Brian suggested will improve conditions in the rings by the pavilion while attention is focused on major improvements for the grand prix ring that is located up the hill from them.
Allyson succeeded Jacques Roszel in the presidency. She praised him for doing a “”fabulous job” in paying down the park’s debt, noting he had “an immense focus” on that issue.
One of her interests is seeing the park become more of an education facility, “paying it forward to excellence in horsemanship. That’s my vision for how I would like to see the park evolve,” said Allyson, who is interested in hosting more clinics and offerings such as Foundation Equine’s autumn horse wellness seminar.
New Horse Park of New Jersey President Allyson Jeffery
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 1, 2017
The Liberty Network’s all side-saddle show is scheduled for July 22 and 23 at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation’s Gladstone headquarters. It’s a good opportunity to learn about this graceful aspect of the sport, as practitioners are always glad to share their knowledge.
The feature will be the Zone 2 finals of the division. To learn more, get in touch with Dede Parisi (732) 363-3759.
Prior to the show, a side-saddle camp will be held July 18-21. Contact
Shelly Liggett at (908) 334-9334 for information.
It’s always a treat to watch someone ride side-saddle. (Photo by Lawrence J. Nagy)
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 1, 2017
The Standardbred Retirement Foundation is presenting the last Roosevelt Raceway reunion July 22 at the New Meadowlands in the Skyboxes by Pink Restaurant on the third floor.
Nearly 80 well-known drivers and trainers are scheduled to attend, including Carmine Abbatiello, the Popfingers, Mike LaChance, Billy O’Donnell, Bob Bencal, Butch Dokey, Randy Lee, Benny Webster, Bobbie Rahner, Jon Paton, Fred Hudson, Jimmy Marohn Jr., the Galantes and more.
A cocktail party from 6-7:30 p.m. is open to all for $39 if paid by July 17, or for $49 at the door.
In addition to providing an opportunity for meeting favorite figures in the sport, the party will feature an auction of Roosevelt Raceway memorabilia—some of which dates back to the early 1900s. Items will be available for bidding online at 32auctions/rrr2017 opening July 20, 2017 at 5 p.m. and will close July 24, 2017 at noon.
To sponsor, attend the cocktail party or donate racing memorabilia, contact Tammy at 732-446-4422, SRFhorseandkids@gmail.com, Use the form through the link or visit SRF’s website at AdoptaHorse.org
Dinner reservations may be made by contacting the New Meadowlands directly at 201-460-4079 or online at thebigm.com.
SRF is the largest Standardbred adoption program in the U.S. It cares for more than 220 trotters and pacers, provides lifetime homes for more than 140 retirees and offers lifetime follow-up for every adopted horse, so they are never again at risk.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 1, 2017
The Rutgers Equine Science Center will have its summer showcase from 10 a.m.-noon on July 12 at the Red Barn on College Farm Road in New Brunswick. In addition to an equine treadmill exhibition, there will be activities for kids, an equine version of Jeopardy and an equine anatomy lesson.
Register at https://goo.gl/cx7lUt. For more information, contact Kyle Hartman at the Rutgers Equine Science Center, 848-932-9419
kylehart@njaes.rutgers.edu .
