by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 1, 2017
The Amwell Valley Hounds will host a foxhunting clinic at their kennels on 290 Rileyville Road, East Amwell at 8 a.m. July 22 for those interested in learning more about riding to hounds. It’s a chance not only to ride with the hounds (jumping is optional), but also to meet the masters, staff and members.
The fee is $50 for adults and $30 for juniors and hunt members. Pre-registration is required; download forms at www.avhounds.org or for more information, contact avh.secretary@gmail.com.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 1, 2017
Entries close July 15 for the July 22-23 Applewood Farm cross-country clinic in Califon with Olympic eventing judge Marilyn Payne. And it’s for dressage riders as well as eventers!
This clinic will include a variety of obstacles, including banks, ditches, logs, water and other obstacles appropriate for each level. Groups of no more than six riders of similar experience will ride at levels ranging from Starter through Training.
A special group for dressage riders will consist of cavalletti only, and include such questions as bending lines, riding up and down gentle grades, lengthening and shortening stride and a shallow water crossing.
The fee is $100 per horse per session. Click the following link to access the entry form: 2017 Summer XC Entry Form
For more information, go to www.marilynpayne.com or contact Holly Cornell at hollywc@comcast.net or 732-208-8715
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 29, 2017
Several New Jersey riders were winners at the National Dressage Pony Cup Championshipin Lexington, Ky., which drew entries from 26 states.
Ana DiGironimo’s faith in her Arabian mare Ana Mariah C, paid off with a victory for their The Wizard of Oz-themed Third Level freestyle (66.83percent) at the Kentucky Horse Park.
“When I first saw ‘AM’ in a field, I could see that she was beautiful but was told that she was so bad that no one could ride her,” explained Ana, who owns DQ Performance Horses in Turnersville, N.J.
“I said, ‘I’ll ride her!’ They were right – she was really naughty – but we had a connection from the start, and so it began. I think there are many exciting things ahead for us.”
Lauren Chumley of Pittstown, a regular at the Pony Cup since 2010, was the only competitor to break 70 percent in the Third Level Open division on Friday as she won with Melissa Dowling’s German Riding Pony, Nikolas (70.25 percent). The pair then returned for Fourth Level and once again topped the leaderboard, earning 66.80 percent.
Nikolas, last year’s First and Second Level Open champion, took championships Saturday in both the Third Level Open (69.42 percent) and Fourth Level Open divisions (67.40 percent).
“We haven’t shown him in dressage since Florida, but instead got him qualified for this year’s American Eventing Championships (AECs) at the Novice level,” said Lauren.
“He’s quite the scopey jumper. This was the first time he’s done a Fourth Level test, but he’s just so naturally talented and rideable that it comes easily for him.”
She observed that Fourth Level Test 3 is challenging, but “he went in there and gave me what was perhaps the best Fourth Level test I’ve ever had. He’s just such a cool pony who just rolls with whatever we throw at him.”
Meanwhile, Jessie Hayes of Baptistown rode Lauren’s Fjord mare, FMF Liesl, to the best two-day average score of 67.798% to claim overall Pony Cup championship honors at Training Level.
Ana Digironimo and Ana Mariah C performing their winning freestyle at the Pony Dressage Championship. (Photo by Yellow Horse Marketing)
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 28, 2017
Thinking about riding western, but not sure whether you’d like it? Find out Aug. 6 by taking advantage of an introductory ride offered by the Somerset County Park Commission’s Lord Stirling Stable, 256 South Maple Ave., Basking Ridge. The ride will take place from 10 a.m.-noon and include some instruction.
Register from July 23 through Aug. 4 between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the stable office. To be eligible, children must be at least nine years old and five feet tall. Everyone who registers must weigh less than 200 pounds. The fee is $40 for Somerset County residents and $50 for non-residents.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 28, 2017
The Mid-Atlantic Charity Horse Show is making its debut July 14-16 at the Gloucester County Dream Park in Logan Township. It is one of only three shows in New Jersey with classes designated for saddlebreds, and the last opportunity to qualify for the August World’s Championship Show at the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville.
The show, under the auspices of the United Professional Horsemen’s Association Chapter 15, will benefit Saddlebred Rescue and Forever Morgan.
“There are just not enough local shows,” said show manager Kathy Stewart of Cream Ridge, noting there are many more such competitions for saddlebreds in New England than in this area.
The show isn’t limited to saddlebreds. The wide-ranging prizelist includes opportunity classes, classes for those with a mental or physical handicap, English and western pleasure classes, driving, academy classes and other competitions.
The show is double-pointed through American Saddlebred Horse Association-New Jersey for high score awards. The Show Local Challenge initiative offers a high-point award for those competing in four of five shows, including MAC, the Jersey Classic, the Keystone Classic, the Mid-Atlantic Charity Horse Show and the Children’s Benefit Show.
MAC is about more than competition. Kathy said the idea was to make the show “a family fun experience,” with plans for a big exhibitor “Beach Party Bash” complete with water slides.
For more information, go to www.facebook.com/MACHorseShow . Contact Kathy Stewart at (609) 529-1363 or kathystewart@me.com.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 26, 2017
Mark Leone, who runs Ri-Arm Farm in Bergen County, has been selected as president of the North American Riders Group.
NARG, which had taken a bit of a hiatus, is back in gear with new leadership. Mark, the Zone 2 jumper chairman who is a member of several U.S. Equestrian Federation committees, will be working on fresh initiatives for the group that achieved many of its original goals over the last seven years.
Canadian Olympian Tiffany Foster is the new vice president. She is involved with the International Jumping Riders Club, communicating NARG interests to the FEI.
Chris Kappler of Pittstown, the president since NARG was formed in 2009, is staying on as treasurer.
NARG initiatives have significantly improved North American shows, aided horsemen when they needed support and compelled the governing bodies in the U.S., Mexico and Canada to better serve the needs of show jumpers.
NARG acknowledged several outgoing board members who worked hard for the organization. They include McLain Ward, Beezie Madden and Andre Dignelli. Murray Kessler, who helped NARG achieve its goals, went on to be president of the U.S. Equestrian Federation.
NARG is a strong advocacy group working for the sport of show jumping. A statement from the group said, “We hope to improve our sport for every rider, trainer and owner. We support top athletes and emerging athletes as we commit to creating opportunities for the young aspiring athletes of today and tomorrow.
“We intend to help our members and this sport to grow, flourish and compete on the world stage. There continues to be strong interest in the NARG Top 25 (a show rating system), and one of our goals is to further develop that initiative. We will do this by focusing on governance, fair play, horse welfare and above all horsemanship.”
