by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 17, 2025
Calling on all his experience and the courage of his mare, Great Britain’s Scott Brash powered through a nightmare moment when he lost his left rein before the troublesome triple combination at the Longines European Show Jumping Championships Thursday.
As he was just a few strides from the obstacle, his rein went astray, and it appeared he would have to circle and re-approach.
But the Olympic team gold medalist didn’t hesitate, and neither did the plucky Hello Folie. They kept going and cleared the vertical/oxer/oxer line-up in a breathtaking moment on their way to a clear round at the competition in Spain./”
“I just managed to gather up the rein at right time,” Scott said, “but I was very deep coming in and asked her to jump and she responded so well. What was nice was that line didn’t feel great, but she settled down and jumped home very well. I think that shows how confident she is with me and what a great partnership we have, so hopefully we’ll be in a great place tomorrow,” he said.
Explaining what happened, Scott said, “My mare jumped unbelievable…She jumps high behind and sometimes snatches a little bit, so I lost my rein and we were lucky just to get to the triple.
“What a spirit and fight she showed to jump through what was a very testing triple anyway,” he said of the 10-year-old Selle Francais (Luidam X Diamant de Semilly).
“Her attitude’s amazing. She wants to do the job and that makes life easy for me.”
Scott Brash and Hello Folie with reins. (British Equestrian/Jon Stroud Media)
Their performance was vital to keep day one leader Britain in front of Germany on the second day of the show, since Scott’s teammate, Matt Sampson, had two refusals at the last element in the triple and was eliminated, becoming the drop score, since only the best three scores count–and the other team members all were fault-free.
Chef d’Equipe Di Lampard joked when asked about Scott’s feat, “I think he was saying to Matt, actually, `I can do this one-handed. What’s the matter?’ ”
The team race is a tight one. The Brits need some luck to stay ahead of Germany with perfect rounds from each of its riders, because the margin between them is only 0.23 penalties. On their heels are the Belgians, just 0.42 back. Ireland is further away, another 3.78 penalties behind.
On Friday, the top 10 teams of the 18 that started Wednesday will return for their finals. Sweden, the reigning European championship squad, just made the finals in tenth place. After its victory in its home Rolex Nations Cup in Falsterbo last weekend, its two star riders — Henrik von Eckermann and Peder Fredricson — were not part of its team at the Europeans.
Fifty riders will be competing, since individuals are also included, with their final set for Sunday at Casas Novas in A Coruña. Following the decision of overnight leader Daniel Coyle to drop out and save Legacy for next month’s Dublin Horse Show (read about it here), Germany’s Richard Vogel with United Touch S (0.1 penalties) moved into the lead, with Donald Whitaker and Millfield Colette (0.67) in second place for Britain.
“United jumped in great shape. He gave me the feeling he was very collected today and every much with me,” said Richard.
“It’s always a bit easier if you have a horse like United and you can trust his quality and his enormous stride and scope. That gives you obviously a lot of security.”
Donald Whitaker of Great Britain and Millfield Colette (British Equestrian/Jon Stroud Media)
For his part, Donald said of his 12-year-old gray mare by Cornet Obolensky, “I’m delighted. She jumped amazing again. She tries her heart out every time.
“She means the absolute world to me. When you go in the ring, she never gives up. I don’t always have to be perfect, she helps me out there. She’s unreal. She’s one in a million.”
Click here for the individual standings and here for the team standings.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 10, 2025
For the first time since 2019, horse racing will be held at the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Maryland, best known over the last four years as the home of a 5-star eventing competition.
On Labor Day weekend, the turf track inside the Fair Hill Special Event Zone will reopen to racing. The card will be held Aug. 30, following the completion of an infrastructure modernization project. The sand-based turf course of Kentucky bluegrass with a state-of-the-art irrigation system has been in development for years.
The first course of its kind in Maryland, Fair Hill helps Maryland maintain its status as an equestrian destination by hosting major horse shows and racing events, as well as other recreational opportunities.
“The historic investments we’re making to ensure the future of horse racing in Maryland are also promoting work, wages, and wealth in communities across the state,” said Gov. Wes Moore.
“At Fair Hill, we’ve completed track and venue upgrades to usher in a new era of turf track horse racing in Cecil County. Our multifaceted approach will support Maryland’s tourism and agricultural economies, promoting prosperity for years to come.”
The 2024 Maryland 5 Star generated more than $15 million in direct spending for the state economy, more than $530,000 in local tax receipts, and $23.5 million in total business sales in the state.
The “Races at Fair Hill” event will be hosted by the Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland in partnership with the Cecil County Breeders Fair, sanctioned by the National Steeplechase Association and the Maryland Racing Commission.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz said. “The reopening of the turf track is just one part of DNR’s goal to promote Maryland’s equine heritage and support rural economies. It will be great for the community and it will help bring more world-class events to Fair Hill.”
Racing at Fair Hill was last held in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. The pause enabled time for construction and time to allow the new turf to mature.
The Kentucky bluegrass is a dense grass with horizontal rhizomes that provide support for racing horses. It recovers quickly after races are held. The track is engineered with modern drainage and rootzone systems to support consistency and durability during high-performance use.
Designed to enable a wide range of equine disciplines to train and compete at Fair Hill, the one-mile course will accommodate flat racing, steeplechasing and eventing.
“The collaboration between all the significant stakeholders to bring racing back to Fair Hill is a defining moment of our intentions from the onset of pursuing a bid and helping to redefine and reimagine a track and infield for the future of equestrian event competitions,” stated Terry Hasseltine, president and chairman of the Sport and Entertainment Corporation of Maryland.
“We’re excited to be part of bringing racing back to Cecil County,” said Jeff Newman, senior vice president of events for the Sport and Entertainment Corporation of Maryland.
“The event on Saturday, August 30 will be a free, family-friendly open house, and we encourage everyone to come out and celebrate the return of live racing to Fair Hill over Labor Day weekend.”
“The Fair Hill Foundation enthusiastically supports the return of racing to this storied racecourse,” said Charles C. Fenwick Jr., President of the organization, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting equine activities at Fair Hill.
“First and foremost, the Foundation wants to thank those who have given generously over the past six years. Their patience has been extraordinary and is very much appreciated. We also wish those involved as both participants and operators the very best.”
Once a Du Pont family estate, Fair Hill has a rich history in equine sports and is home to Cecil County Breeders, the National Steeplechase Association, and Fair Hill International, the nonprofit that helps to manage horse events at the site. The natural resource management area also holds a number of opportunities for youths and families, including the Cecil County Fair, 4-H programs, and Pony Club activities.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 16, 2025
The British moved ahead ahead in the team competition as the Longines European Show Jumping Championships got under way in Spain Wednesday, but it was Daniel Coyle of Ireland who was at the head of the class individually with Lothlorien Farm’s Legacy.
Daniel Coyle and Legacy at the European Championships (FEI/Benjamin Clark)
However, after his victory in the first leg, Daniel decided not to continue on Thursday.
“She’s already done all these championships and I want to try and see whatever is still in there for the next thing,” he said. Her form had not been consistent recently, so he was not part of the Irish team.
The way it worked over the 1.50-meter route laid out by 2024 Olympic co-course designer Santiago Varela Ullastres, who tested speed and handiness, four seconds were added for having a fence down. Scores are multiplied by a coefficient of 0.5 to give everyone a starting penalty. The leader in the individual contest, is on zero and the others are tagged with the difference in penalties between their score and the leader at Casas Novas in A Coruña.
” The plan was coming here with her coming into form and it looks like that happened. She’s a fantastic mare,” said Daniel, who is a co-owner of the horse.
Just behind Daniel’s tally with a mere 0.01 penalties was Germany’s Richie Vogel on United Touch S and now the leader, followed by Donald Whitaker of Great Britain with Millfield Colette, 0.67. Daniel was clocked in 73.93 seconds, a mere 0.03 ahead of Richie. Donald’s time was 75.27, leaving him with 0.67 penalties.
Donald noted of his mare, “It always feels amazing when you ride her because she goes in there like a panther, she knows what she’s doing and she wants to win – I think almost more than I do.”
He is very proud of being on the British squad, noting, “The team element to it is massive because you’ve got the likes of Scott Brash and Ben Maher, who have literally done everything in the sport, and they’re on your team. So you have to get your chest out a little bit and make sure you don’t make a mistake,” he explained.
“Obviously, you don’t want to disappoint them, but it’s also a good feeling of representing your country.”
Donald’s team is on 3.96 penalties, with only the best three scores counting. Hard to believe that three-time Olympic medalist Ben Maher had the drop score with Dallas Vegas Batilly. Second on 4.19 is the German powerhouse of current Olympic gold medalist Christian Kukuk, Sophie Hinners and veteran Marcus Ehning. Belgium is third with 4.61.
Click here for individual standings after Wednesday (and remember Daniel Coyle has dropped out.) Click here for team rankings.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 30, 2025
Reflecting on her decision to retire after 47 years of a high-profile career at Rutgers University, Dr. Karyn Malinowski explained simply: “It’s time.”
Yet it’s hard to think of the Rutgers Equine Science Center, of which she is the founding director, without Karyn at the helm. She has been behind so many research projects that have made a difference, such as those involving her irreplaceable expertise in equine aging and stress management.
“Her whole life has been dedicated to the horse. I would call her a towering figure in the equestrian world,” said Max Spann Jr., who serves as a member-at-large on the Rutgers University Board for Equine Advancement (RUBEA), which advises the Equine Science Center at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.
Karyn in her familiar spot at the lectern. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)_
“No one has had more energy and passion about the horse and equine industry,” observed Max, who grew up riding quarter horses.
Although Karyn has a special fondness for Standardbreds, he noted that she “reached out to all different disciplines and did so much not only to promote, but also encourage, the next generations to get into the equine world. I often refer to her as a force of nature, someone with so much energy, so much drive, constantly moving.”
Karyn enjoyed interacting with Standardbreds and driving them. (Photo courtesy Rutgers Equine Science Center)
And of course, she won’t stop moving, even after having closed her office door for the last time on June 30. The professor of animal science will continue her efforts to help keep standardbred racing going in New Jersey (she’s also involved with the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in New York) and she’ll stay involved with many aspects of horse welfare. She has plans to do some consulting and as you would expect, is getting “tons of calls” from people who want her expertise. First, however, she will take some time to relax and do a little gardening at her Manville, N.J., home.
Karyn with the late Assemblyman Ronald Dancer.
Although her accomplishments are many, building the Equine Science Center, recognized by the board of directors in 2001, stands out.
The question of what is next for the Equine Science Center and who will lead it has yet to be answered, but “We’re very proud of it and we want to continue it,” said Executive Dean Laura Lawson of the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.
“It’s always complicated transitioning when you’ve had a great leader. We are being careful, we are involving the advisory group, the stakeholders, the board of managers. It’s not going to be an immediate announcement of a new director, but we are definitely in the planning stage and we have every intention of hiring new faculty and continuing to support the Equine Science Center,” the dean commented.
In the meantime, she said, the center will continue to operate, even if “it will be a little quiet” during the faculty hiring process, but existing research involving graduate students will not be paused.
“It’s not going anywhere,” the dean promised about the center.
“We’re just going to keep making it stronger.”
Discussing what made Karyn so effective, the dean cited, “her commitment and her constant work with her advisory board and engaging with the industry. She’s the model of that kind of real commitment to working with an industry. She’s a rock star.”
Among Karyn’s other leadership achievements, one that stands out is the 2007 Economic Impact Study for the state of New Jersey which set the standard for all economic studies for horses nationwide and globally.
At this point, Karyn thinks the status of the horse industry in New Jersey is good, even though breeding for both racing and pleasure has declined.
“It’s at a lull. I’m hoping someone will keep that bumped up,” Karyn said, but she is disappointed that there is no longer any representation from New Jersey at the American Horse Council, where she was president of the American Youth Horse Council for two years in the 1990s.
“I loved my time in my career,” reminisced Karyn, who is often seen in vibrant red jackets that reflect her high energy (and Scarlet is Rutgers’ official school color).
Over the decades, Karyn’s mentorship has offered a valuable learning experience to a legion of students. (Photo courtesy Rutgers Equine Science Center.)
“I’ve loved making a difference and enhancing the horse industry in New Jersey. I wish those in the future the best. Times are not going to get easier for pleasure, racing, recreation and sport,” she offered, noting the difficulties presented by such issues as equine welfare, development and the cost of having horses, among other things.
“It’s a huge challenge now,”” she pointed out.
Dr. Jeffrey Thomason from the University of Guelph, one of the many experts Karyn Malinowski brought to Rutgers for seminars..
Dr. Amy Butewicz, the Equine Science Center’s chair emeritus, commented on Karyn’s positive influence.
“In an industry that can often times be divided, she has brought unity and clarity to many research and welfare areas by always focusing on the majestic creature itself — the horse.
“Her love for the horse transcends all boundaries, a deep passion that has led to success and a resume that is truly astounding. Her fierce determination and spirit are the center of her character.”
Another influential horseman who serves as a RUBEA member-at-large is Sam Landy, owner of Congress Hill Farm in Monroe Township, N.J., and operator of Special Strides, a nonprofit that facilitates healing for more than 130 disabled children each week through therapeutic riding and occupational therapy.
He emphasizes that “Equine science is more of a necessity than ever. Equine science can determine the health and happiness of horses. There are people who form opinions about equine and environmental welfare without any scientific knowledge. The only way to legitimately prevent people who wish horses not to be used by humans at all from getting their wish is through science and education.
“Dr. Malinowski championed the use of the Rutgers Equine Science Center to define standards of care for horses and horse farms. The expertise of Karyn’s students and the Equine Science Center is relied upon by the judiciary and legislature to create policy to preserve the horse, New Jersey’s state animal, as a partner to humans in athletic and recreational pursuits.”
Karyn Malinowski with Amy Butewicz and Dr. Michael Fugaro, the New Jersey Equine Advisory Board’s 2025 Horse Person of the Year.
Dr. Ellen Rankins, a post-doctoral research fellow at Colorado State University, did research for her doctorate under the guidance of Karyn and Dr. Ken McKeever.
She is starting a faculty position at Tarleton State University in Texas this autumn and notes her work at Rutgers “set me up for where I am now and the career path I am on. It gave me those research, critical thinking and writing skills that are necessity for a career in the academic world.”
Ellen emphasized Karyn “very much cares for her students as people and that they’re successful in life and that they’re happy in the work that they’re doing. Thinking about Dr. Malinowski’s career trajectory; she’s been a really strong role model, certainly for females. She set the stage for the rest of us who would follow her.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 6, 2025
There is no show in the world like Aachen.
The best competitors in show jumping, dressage, eventing, four-in-hand driving and vaulting make sure it is marked on their calendars every year.
In addition to being an incredible sporting event, Aachen offers great entertainment (including two symphony concerts), a celebration of equestrian tradition and a good time.
There is always a partner country (this year it was Spain, complete with flamenco dancers), so culture is shared in an enjoyable fashion.
The enthusiasm of knowledgeable crowds adds to its burnished aura. The fans are completely involved in what is going on in the arenas or the cross-country course. They know when to clap, when to boo (occasionally, anyway), when to offer a standing ovation and when to indulge in the vast trade fair.
Fans were undeterred by a bizarre range of weather, from temps in the high 90s to clear sunny skies, thunderous downpours and rain on the last day.
Their involvement continues past the end of the competition part of the program. The Farewell of Nations is an event in itself, proceeding with riders carrying the flags of every country and a parade of participants, on horseback and in carriages, as their national anthems are played. They and the audience of 40,000 wave goodbye at each other with white handkerchiefs as the folk tune “Muss I denn” plays over and over. And over.
The Aachen farewell.
On the final day, the highlights are the Rolex Grand Prix of show jumping (read about it at this link) and the 5-star dressage freestyle.
A victory at the highest level of dressage is a foregone conclusion, more often than not in recent years, that it will belong to Germany’s Isabell Werth.
But this weekend, while Isabell won the Grand Prix with Wendy de Fontaine, she had to concede the Special and the Freestyle to an up-and-coming horse and rider, Zonik Plus, only nine years old, and Justin Verboomen of Belgium. He was the first person from his country to win the freestyle at Aachen.
In Sunday’s freestyle, Justin came very close to earning 90 percent from the judges, with a score of 89.40 percent, but the spectators were not hesitant to give him a standing ovation, complete with much cheering.
Justin Verboomen got a truffle as big as a basketball with his Lindt Prize title for the dressage freestyle. (CHIO Aachen photo/Jasmin Metzner)
Isabell had to settle for a little less, 88.44 percent, as the spectators clapped even before she finished her ride.
The woman who is used to winning was okay with second place.
“This is what I really love, to have competition. Sometimes you have a percentage more, sometimes less. You see two really completely different horses, one is more the dynamic type, one is a bit the smooth spot. That makes it really exciting. Today we had a super atmosphere, we had great sport. This is what we love to do, and why we’re here.”
She added with a sly smile, “As long as it’s like this, I maybe keep on going a bit.”
Discussing Wendy’s performance, Isabell said, “I am happy with the improvements that have occurred from day to day. The canter was much better and can improve a little more. The relaxation and the dynamic was really amazing for me.”
Isabell wound up with the Schindling award for the dressage rider who earned the most points in the show.
Justin and his horse were all about working together as one, what dressage at its best is supposed to be.
Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus.
“I wanted to make it smooth and harmonious, so the people could feel the emotions,” said the soft-spoken rider.
“I want them to feel the sensitive part of Zonik and me. I want them to get goosebumps.”
Just bought the horse as a two-year-old in Portugal. Eighteen months later, he brought the black stallion to Belgium and began working with him in earnest.
“I am overjoyed, my horse was unbelievable,” Justin said in his low-key way.
“I really had a super connection with him today. That was my main goal here at the competition this week. That is the most important thing for me.”
This is a horseman.
Isabell and Justin will meet again soon, in this summer’s European Championships, where it will be interesting to see who gets the victories there.
Click here for the freestyle results.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 6, 2025
Martin Fuchs spent the night before Sunday’s Aachen Rolex Grand Prix reviewing the way he had ridden Leone Jei in the 1.5 million Euro class during previous years.
The Swiss rider explained he “really tried to see what I could improve today and try to be better than the last years.”
It worked. Martin and his 13-year-old Dutchbred firecracker soared as they flew along the jump-off course in the vast grass arena, while 40,000 spectators were riveted on the action. Martin had to watch four more riders before he could be assured that his time of 50.21 seconds would be fast enough to take the class won previously by his uncle, Markus Fuchs, and his godfather, the late Willi Melliger.
Martin Fuchs savors his victory gallop on Leone Jei. (Ashley Neuhof Photo)
“I was very focused for the jump-off and was like `Okay, today could be the day.’ I don’t want to let him down again,” Martin recounted.
“Last year, I made a rider’s mistake in the jump-off,” the former European champion admitted.
“Leone Jei is such an incredible horse. In all the majors, he’s always there and always present. When I do a good job, usually he leaves the poles up. In a ring like this, he has a huge stride, which allows me to leave out some strides and really go full risk and still usually jump the fences clear. To be riding a horse like this is very fortunate and lucky.”
The starting field of 40 who attempted the first course designed by Frank Rothenberger was cut down to 18 competitors for a second round, with 11 making the tiebreaker.
France’s Nina Mallevaey, who quickly has burst out of the U-25 ranks to the top level of the sport, actually managed a faster clocking than Martin by finishing the jump-off in 50.01 seconds with Dynastie de Beaufour, but she had a rail at the A element of the troublesome golden double combination, flanked by cathedral window standards, to finish fifth.
As Martin watched, no one else came close. The USA’s Lillie Keenan toppled a rail with Fasther at the same fence as Nina, while Richie Vogel of Germany had knockdowns at both elements of the double with United Touch S.
Martin explained why he was so hard to beat.
“I had a very good plan for the jump-off, leaving out a stride into the double, which was a hard task, because the golden double was hard to jump.
“I said, `Okay, we try it and we take the last risk.’ From then on, it was just the last fence in front of us and go as fast as we could.”
Leone Jei was very enthusiastic about winning the Aachen Rolex grand prix.
At the end, it was all down to another U.S. rider, Laura Kraut, the final rider to go, aboard her Olympic team silver medal mount, Baloutinue.
But she wasn’t taking any chances at the double and went wide to approach it safely, then took back to steady before the final fence, finishing fault-free in 52.41 seconds to claim the runner-up spot on her Hanoverian gelding.
“I am very happy with second place,” said Laura.
“When there are 11 in the jump-off, which is a lot, the fastest riders in the world, I thought `Ooh, this could end not so well.’ The golden double was the thing to jump, it was very difficult and many people were quick until that.”
She decided not to take all the risks Martin did, but rather, to “play it safe and not have it (the double) down.”
That worked, but there was “no chance” she realized, that she could go to the final fence as quickly as he had.
Even so, her careful strategy paid off.
“I was pleased to have gone as quick as I did,” commented Laura, who ended a great week for the U.S. on a high note after riding on the winning Nations Cup team Thursday.
Laura Kraut and Baloutinue, second in the grand prix. (Shannon Brinkman Photo)
Martin’s compatriot, European Champion Steve Guerdat, who went two rides before Martin in the jump-off, had a longtime goal to win the class. But was glad to end up third with the Selle Francais mare Dynamix de Belheme (0/52.59).
“I knew that I had no chance to win today. You needed a huge-strided horse, which my mare is not. I was lucky to end up on the podium,” he commented.
The 2012 Olympic individual gold medalist is known for giving other riders tips on how to improve their placings, but he was out of tips for himself.
“There was no tip to give because there was nothing to do,” explained the three-time FEI World Cup champion.
” `Hold your reins and kick as much as you can.’ There were no options. I knew before I started that it was not possible to win.”
After his victory lap, Martin took a ride in a carriage driven by Australian Boyd Exell, who won the show’s four-in-hand competition. He was in a position to give the driver a big gratuity–first prize amounted to 589,000 in U.S. dollars. Martin said the money will go to his horse’s owner, Adolfo Juri, and his parents. He noted his parents are very generous with him, and he was hoping his mother would cook an “exquisite” dinner to celebrate.
Two U.S. riders thought to have a good chance of taking the top prize were McLain Ward and Kent Farrington. But it didn’t happen.
McLain, a close second last year, had a rail in the first round with Imperial HBF and wasn’t qualified for the second round. Kent, the 20019 winner, and Greya came through among the top 18 but dropped a pole at the dock oxer, the third-to-last fence in that round, and finished fifteenth.
Britain’s Ben Maher, the Tokyo Olympics individual gold medalist, was leading international jumper rider and his mount, Dallas Vegas Batilly, earned champion horse.
Click here for grand prix results. Click here for four-in-hand driving results. To read about the dressage freestyle, click this link
