by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 24, 2017
Is it time to get rid of some of those old items of tack and riding clothes you no longer use? Or maybe you need to buy some of each?
You can do both at the Somerset County 4-H consignment sale, which is set for March17 from 6-10 p.m. and March 18 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Ted Blum 4-H Center, 310 Milltown Road, Bridgewater.
Those wishing to drop off items may do so from 6-9 p.m. March 15 and 16. There is a 20 percent consignment fee, and used helmets may not be sold. Items must be clean and in safe condition.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 24, 2017
There’s still time to register for the Rutgers Equine Science Center Horses 2017 program. It’s an opportunity to hear from the “Best of the Best” during an extravaganza of equine information March 18-19 in Piscataway.
Tickets at the door are are $80 per day or $125 for both days for adults, and $45 a day or $80 for the weekend for students. Go to http://esc.rutgers.edu/horses-2017 to take a look at the line-up of speakers and topics, as well as to get information about registration.
Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. In this e-mail a link to the “Session Preference Form” will take you to a form where you can select the sessions that you wish to attend.
Set for a new location in the Livingston Student Center, this can’t-miss seminar will cover everything from equine dentistry and manure and pasture management to saddle fitting and that most interesting question “Do you want to own a horse?” Find out what it will cost you.
The keynote speaker on the Saturday will be Wendy Williams, author of “The Horse: The Epic History of our Noble Companion,” who will be discussing, “Can horses read?”
The next day, the keynote speaker is Jeff Thomason (known for his ability to bring equine anatomy to life) of the University of Guelph in Canada. An expert on the form and function of the equine hoof, he’ll be talking about the effect of footing on horses.
And there’s more, including dealing with ulcers, learning about nutrition, the basics of farriery, pain management. Like to shop? A trade show will be on hand, as will representatives of equine-oriented non-profits.
An “Ask The Experts” panel will wrap up the proceedings each day. It will include some of the speakers from previous sessions, as well as Rutgers professors, to answer questions.
There also will be special programs for young people, many of whom will be interested in a panel of veterinary students talking about what life is like in vet school.
For more details, go to https://goo.gl/W9l9aA
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 16, 2017
Single-session tickets are now available for the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping and FEI World Cup™ Dressage Finals in Omaha. The indoor championships in both disciplines will be held at the CenturyLink Center March 29 – April 2.
Previously, only series seats were available but now fans can pick and choose the sessions they want to see, whether it’s the Saturday afternoon dressage freestyle or the final jumping round Sunday afternoon.
This will be the last World Cup finals in the U.S. until 2020, when they return to Las Vegas. Direct flights are available from Newark.
According to Lisa Roskens, chairman of the Omaha Equestrian Foundation which is producing the event, “Ticket packages have been selling fast and we know that some people who can’t make it for the whole event have been waiting for single-session tickets to go on sale. The best available seats are going to fly out the door, so if you are planning on coming to Omaha for the year’s premier equestrian competition that will also be the ‘party of the year,’ we urge you to buy your tickets today so you don’t miss out.”
In addition to competition, there will be vendors, live entertainment and educational exhibits all under one roof at the state-of-the-art venue.
Single-Session tickets for either the jumping or dressage competitions range from $45 – $85, depending on the session and location. All-Session ticket packages include seats for five events in either jumping or dressage. The best seats in the house are the VIP Tickets in the first 5 rows which include access to the VIP Hospitality Lounge throughout the event! The VIP Hospitality Lounge will feature full meals, open bar, live music, concierge service and other amenities, all included with each VIP ticket.
VIP seats, tables and suites can be purchased by calling 402-930-3079 or by email at contactOEF@omahaequestrian.com.
For more information about the FEI World Cup™ Finals Omaha 2017, hotel information and to purchase tickets, go to www.OmahaWorldCup2017.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or at the CenturyLink Center Omaha box office.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 16, 2017
Riding with HEART is looking for donations of tack and riding gear for its spring tack sale April 1-2. All donations are tax deductible. Items needed include saddles, bridles, halters, blankets, turnouts, riding jackets, breeches, tack trunks, barn equipment, even horse trailers – – basically anything for the horse, rider, or barn. Horse-related home goods are also appreciate.
Bring donations to the RWH farm, 639 County Road 513 just west of Pittstown, Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. or Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Call 908-735-5912 before you come or to set up an alternative drop-off time.
The sale runs from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. April 1 and noon to 3 p.m. the nextday, when there will also will be a half-price sale on selected items.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 14, 2017
Dr. John Steele was inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame in 2009. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
The word “legend” is often overused, but in the case of Dr. John Steele, it’s a completely accurate description of a veterinarian whose remarkable reputation was no exaggeration.
Dr. Steele, who died last week at the age of 91, continued his practice until the end with never a thought of retiring.
“Rest and you rust; motion is lotion,” he said to me a few years ago, and while he was discussing a prescription for his equine patients at the time, it applied to him as well. He was never one to sit on the sidelines; involvement was his tonic.
While his skill at diagnosis and treatment brought him a roster of famous patients, he was someone to whom all horses mattered.
As he once told Jennifer Calder in the Chronicle of the Horse, “To me, the most important thing about my life is the horse. They are good for me and I will be good to them. That is my goal until the day I day.”
The animals Doc treated included such boldface names as Gem Twist, Authentic, Eros, Glasgow and Indigo, but he grew up on a farm where his first equine contact was with draft horses. He also became involved with standardbreds because his father loved harness racers.
Graduating in 1946 from Cornell University’s veterinary college, he went back there as the school’s youngest assistant professor.But it was in private practice where he made his name. Dr. John Steele & Associates is located in Vernon, N.Y., and he also spent winters in Wellington, Fla., to serve his clients.
Dr. Steele is survived by his wife, Suzanne; five children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A celebration of his life is planned for 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 13 at the Patio at Polo in the Polo Club, 11198 Polo Club Road, Wellington, Fla. Everyone is welcome to attend and share memories and photos. RSVP to johnsteelememorial@gmail.com.
Those who wish to make a contribution in Doc’s memory should consider the John R. Steele ’46 Graduate Scholarship Fund established in his honor at Cornell University eight years ago. It benefits veterinary students with a farm background and an interest in equine medicine. The fund is geared to opening doors for those who might not have considered a Cornell education to be within their reach.
To donate by mail, send a check to John R. Steele, DVM ’46 Graduate Scholarship, C/O Office of Alumni Affairs & Development, Box 39, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-6401.
To donate on line, go to this link .
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 13, 2017
The Alexandria Equestrian Association wraps up its Eastern States Dressage and Combined Training Association-recognized winter dressage schooling show series April 1 at the Alexandria Park indoor arena, 242 Little York -Mt. Pleasant Road, Milford.
For more information, go to www.aeanj.com/dressage.html. You can also Follow AEA on Facebook.
Western Dressage and eventing dressage tests are also being offered.
Those who would like to volunteer to help with the shows should contact Sandy Howland at sandy.howls@gmail.com. No experience is required.
