by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 5, 2026
On the heels of his victory in the Devon Horse Show’s USHJA International Hunter Derby, Lafitte de Muze traveled a few hours south to take another derby in Virginia at the country’s oldest show on Friday.
Triumphant at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show for the third time in a row, the 15-year-old Belgian warmblood gelding responded beautifully to rider Amanda Steege at one of his favorite venues.
“He’s always gone fantastically in this derby, and I really enjoy showing here because of the large number of spectators who come to cheer us on. There aren’t many places where you get that kind of crowd in such an intimate setting. When he does one of his extra-special jumps, I can hear the crowd say, ‘Oooh! Ahh!’ and I really enjoy that part of showing here,” said Amanda, who presents the horse with the help of her barn manager and partner, Tim Delovich.
She was the final rider to go in the classic round, earning scores of 91 and 92 from the judges, along with four high-option bonus points from each panel. That put her in the lead with her longtime partner, owned by Cheryl Olsten.
Returning for the handy round, she and Lafitte handled the course beneath Upperville’s scenic oaks. Scores of 92 from each panel, combined with an additional 14 high-option bonus points, secured the victory and completed their three-peat at the venue.
Evan Coluccio rode Mary Antonini’s Dorian Grey to second place on a score of 368, while Kate Conover guided Privet Farm, LLC’s Proud to Be to third place with 358 points.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 2, 2026
It was rare to see Jean Lindgren without a smile.
Cheerful and unflappable, she brightened everyone’s day, whether you were with her for a minute or spent some time chatting.
A fixture at the Hampton Classic horse show, where she and her husband, Tony, served for decades as executive directors, she died May 27 after succumbing to heart disease.
“Her sense of humor and mine sustained us for 52-plus year, through tough times and easy ones,” Tony remembered.
“She never lost her trademark sense of humor and I miss her deeply. But her smile endures!”
Jean Lindgren is remembered for her trademark smile.
Update: A celebration of her life is planned for August 6 at Long Beach in Sag Harbor, N.Y., from 6-8 p.m.
The show cited her approach of “Live for the moment,” in a social media statement after her passing.
“That was the personal motto for Jean Lindgren, executive director of the Hampton Classic alongside her husband, Tony Hitchcock, for 30 years and then a devoted worker and the face of Will Call for many more. And how many moments there were.
“We are heartbroken at her passing. We will consistently remember her smile, warming presence, brilliant wit, love for the horse show, and most importantly, devotion to her family and friends. We will miss you Jean. We wouldn’t be here without you.”
Misti Cassar observed that “Jean was an angel and always had a contagious smile. I always enjoyed our conversations. She lifted my spirit up so many times with her gentle soft voice and encouraging words.”
That was a sentiment echoed by so many who had the privilege of knowing her.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 22, 2026
The essence of the SAFE Act aimed at banning transporting horses for slaughter moved a step ahead after passage of a surface transportation reauthorization bill by the U.S. House of Representatives’ Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, but it still has a lengthy road to travel before becoming law.
The Van Drew-Titus amendment to the Build America 250 Act, HR 8870, has the same language as the Save America’s Forgotten Equines Act, known as the SAFE Act, which has 229 cosponsors in the House. The bill, which also includes a ban on the shipment of horses in double-decker trailers, now must pass the floor of the House before the Senate addresses it.
In 2025, more than 25,000 horses went from the U.S., where horse slaughter is banned, to be put to death in Canada and Mexico. Conditions on such a journey are barbaric..
“This was a tremendous bipartisan win for our horses in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, but we still have a long way to go before the bill is signed into law,” said Chris Heyde of Blue Marble Strategy, a governmental affairs firm.
““However, the momentum and truth about the cruelty of horse slaughter won out over the outdated lies spread by those who want to profit from the horses’ suffering. I want to give special thanks to Mike Repole (a top owner of race horses) and Pat Cummings (from the National Thoroughbred Alliance) and (auction house) Fasig-Tipton, as well as my coalition partners who have worked tirelessly to advance this issue. Having worked on the effort to ban slaughter for 25 years, I feel we are so close and it is time to put all our effort into getting this across the finish line this Congress.”
Those who want to see this mandate become law should contact their representatives and in the next phase, their senators, urging passage of HR 8870, the Build America 250 Act.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 28, 2026
The U.S. senior and developing show jumping teams will be backed under a multi-year sponsorship arrangement with Icon Global real estate and its partner brand, Amasé.
Icon Global focuses on the valuation and preservation of prestigious mass-land properties, ranches, and estates around the world. Its newly launched partner brand, Amasé, offers access to high-end rental properties and experiences in luxury destinations.
Icon Global has an established presence with both the polo and western equestrian communities. Its involvement with jumping is an evolution to its growing and diverse footprint within the equestrian industry across disciplines and interests. The commitment to investing in high performance sport and conservation of equestrian heritage will be elevated with the inclusion of Amasé as the first-ever sponsor of the U.S. Jumping Development teams.
“Equestrian sport has long been part of my life and the Uechtritz family story, from Papua New Guinea, and Australia, to the United States and now across some of the world’s most iconic sporting and lifestyle destinations. Through Icon Global and Amasé, we are incredibly proud to partner with US Equestrian and support the U.S. Jumping Teams on the world stage,” said Bernard Uechtritz, founder of Icon Global.
“This partnership represents a shared appreciation for excellence, heritage, international competition, and a passion for the unique lifestyle that surrounds the equestrian world.”
Alongside their commitment to supporting the USA Jumping programs, the Icon Global and Amasé partnership will also include presence at major U.S. Equestrian Federation national championship events, including the USEF Junior Hunter National Championships – East & West, USEF Pony Finals, USEF Dressage Festival of Champions, USEF Talent Search Finals – East & West, as well as the USEF Junior Jumper National Championships, and USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final.
“Icon Global represents extraordinary people and their extraordinary properties in extraordinary places around the globe, while Amasé was created to offer curated luxury travel experiences connected to those same destinations and communities. The equestrian world and associated family offices naturally align with our clients, our passions, and the relationships we have built nationally and internationally. We are honored to stand alongside US Equestrian as an Official Partner and look forward to helping elevate the sport, support its athletes, and further connect the global equestrian community,” Uechtritz explained.
“To welcome a partner like Icon Global and Amasé to US Equestrian is a benefit for equestrian sport. Their support and commitment to the growth and preservation of the equestrian lifestyle and industry, extends across multiple disciplines, and is admirable,” said USEF CEO Bill Moroney.
To learn more about Icon Global and its associated properties, visit www.icon.global and to find more information on property rentals through Amasé, visit www.amasestays.com.
Icon Global designs and implements strategic, tactical, national and global marketing campaigns for Iconic real estate, and additionally provides specialty advisory and portfolio services for owners of unique assets across the USA, parts of Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Icon represents banking and governmental institutions, and high net worth individuals’, as well as corporations and family offices globally in the acquisition, management and disposition of property in all asset classes. Icon Global was founded by complex deal maker and international real estate advisor, Bernard Uechtritz.
Amasé is a private collection of 40+ private residences in iconic destinations from ski towns to coastlines to horse country, including Aspen, Jackson Hole, Hawaii, the Hamptons, Belize, the Bahamas, and beyond.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 31, 2026
Seven horses. That’s how many rides Olympic eventer Caroline Martin Pamukcu had at the Essex Horse Trials on Sunday.
Or if you really want to dig into the numbers, you could call it 21 rides, because, of course, she had to compete in three phases — dressage, cross-country and show-jumping — on each of her mounts.
She finished first, second, fourth and seventh in Open Preliminary, the highest-level division offered by the event at Moorland Farm in Far Hills, N.J., home of October’s Far Hills Race Meeting.
Caroline Pamukcu and She’s the One, Open Preliminary winner
In Open Novice, she was second, third and fourth, behind winner Sophia Middleburg.
Then she headed home to Pennsylvania to get in a little more riding while it was still light.
Oh, and she’s also a mother. Caroline’s 18-month-old daughter, Blake, is named after her Olympic equine partner.
Nothing can slow down Caroline, except the case of Covid she caught earlier this spring.
So what’s her secret, how does she keep going at that pace?
“It’s not really a secret. It’s just hard work,” she revealed.
“I wake up every morning four to five days a week at 4:45. My sleep-in days are 7 a.m. wake-up. I try to go to the gym five days a week.”
And after that she rides, so there are days that run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Explaining her drive, she said, “I really, really want to be a top, top rider. I’ve got to push myself so I can be.” (I thought she already was!) In her view, though, that includes winning a 5-star event for the first time.
So why come to Essex? It was missing the sport’s other big names.
Essex has a great history and once was a “must” stop for high-level eventers. Founded in 1968, it vanished after 1998, came back in a big way in 2017 and then struggled a bit. The solution for continued survival involved ending the multi-day approach and making it into a one-day event last year, along with the determination of Marilyn Payne and her organizing committee to keep it going.
Essex enjoys the comfortable feel of a local competition, but has wonderful ambience, getting great crowds tailgating around the water obstacle on the challenging course designed by Morgan Rowsell in the heart of the beautiful Somerset Hills.
It was an ideal destination for Caroline to give a couple of her top horses “a quiet run before the 4-star Long at Bromont (Quebec)” next week.
They are She’s the One, who led wire-to-wire to win the Open Prelim on 30.5 penalties, and HSH Double Sixteen, second in the division with 32.
Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Double Sixteen, second in the Open Preliminary.
“You have quite a bit of atmosphere here, so it’s really good for them,” she said, noting that applies even to a “seasoned competitor” such as Double Sixteen.
It also suited her “really exciting young horses” who got useful experience.
“This time of year, you focus on the next generation,” she said.
Calling Essex “amazing,” she stressed the importance of having an event like that at this level.
“This is the biggest crowd we’ll have all spring, besides Kentucky (the Lexington 5-star in April.)
“It’s so great for the horses. A huge shout-out to Morgan, he really made the course flow super-well. Being able to do dressage and show jump on the grass, you need the experience to teach your horses to push off this surface. The ground was foot-perfect. You would want to do your horse’s last gallop before the Olympic Games on this footing.
“There are so many good people keeping this event alive. I really hope some of the other top riders come out here,” she continued, but noted the discipline’s schedule has been so busy that at this time of year, many riders would like a short break.
Trainer Michael Pendleton, who won the Open Training with Gravitas (33 penalties) and his student, Lily Barlow, the Preliminary Rider winner on Sportsfield Kan Do (44) came from Aiken S.C., for Essex.
Michael Pendleton and Gravitas, Open Training winner.
“The course was awesome. It’s good to come up here and get on the hills and have some decorated jumps,” Michael said.
The long drive to get to Essex was “worth it,” he said.
Lily commented about her horse, “This is his first Preliminary, it was kind of a big step up for him, but he was awesome.”
At home, “We see the same shows all the time, so this was so good for them. This is my first time here and I love it,” she said, commenting particularly on the crowd.
“It’s so cool to go through the water and have people cheering. You don’t see it much in the South unless you’re going to a really big event. And if it’s a really big event, you don’t want it to be the first time your horse sees that.” (a crowd).
Essex didn’t give awards for rider endurance, but if they did, Holly Payne Caravella certainly was in the running.
Holly, the daughter of Marilyn Payne, won the Open Modified wire-to-wire on Princess Candy with a score of 25.7 penalties from dressage, unsullied by any errors in the other phases. She rode her mother’s Rock Me Mama to second place with 25.9, also unsullied.
Holly Payne and Rock Me Mama in the stadium jumping phase of Open Modified.
With her Essex duties, Marilyn obviously, was too busy to ride her own horse, although she has placed first in a division there previously.
“She wanted to move her up,” said Holly about her mother’s thoughts on what Rock Me Mama should do.
Candy is an Irish import bought by Olivia Ford as a 5-year-old.
The mare doesn’t have a princessy attitude, instead living up to the second part of her name.
“She’s really sweet,” explained Holly.
Holly Payne Caravella and Open Modified winner Princess Candy.
Her win was definitely an achievement.
“It’s really hard here, especially the water jump, because of all the tailgaters, the atmosphere. Both of the girls have done two Modifieds, this is their third and this is the hardest one. When I walked the course, I was like `Two jumps in the water?’
“A lot of times at that level, you might just have one jump in the water and that’s hard enough.”
Indeed, several horses in that division and Modified Rider took issue with having to jump the second of a pair of “lobster traps” in the pond.
Asked why she thought more top riders didn’t come to Essex, Hollly said the eventing schedule is very full now. She noted that riders who want to ride in the FEI long events need to qualify at FEI short events, and Essex is not FEI, so that is a factor.
But for those who want to give horses mileage and enjoy something reminiscent of the days when people were in it for the sport without worrying about qualifying for this and that, or trying to be selected for a team, Essex has a great deal to offer — and for spectators as well
The trade fair more than doubled in size from last year. Sarah Thomann, who works in the office at Redfield Farm in Hunterdon County, got a booth from which to sell her bejeweled browbands, halters and belts (or take orders for custom work) because, “I thought it was great to be part of a community event that was local. A lot of people stopped, more so for custom orders,” she reported.
Essex Horse Trials merch was a big seller in the trade fair.
Purina was on hand with a giveaway for riders who could guess their horse’s weight, a number confirmed when the animal stepped on a scale.
The prize was a saddle pad, supplements and other useful goodies.
Winner Janina Parmelee correctly guessed that her U.S.-bred Redfield Mikke, a German riding pony, weighed in at “1,050 pounds exactly.”
Janina is the owner of the personality-plus bay gelding, who came through Caroline Martin Pamukcu’s sales program. She rides him in dressage, so her friend, Kylie Stangle, was the one who guided him to victory over 13 other entries in the Novice Rider competition. Kylie keeps the ribbon; Janina, a fashion designer, keeps the other prizes.
Janina bought Mikke five years ago when she wanted a horse that could “do a little bit of everything.” She and Mikke are in Marilyn Payne’s training program.
Janina Parmelee and 1,050-pound Redfield Mikke.
Dr. Jennifer Gill, a nutrition consultant for Purina, said “We love supporting the local community and we just love riders and supporting them in what they do, they work so hard.”
She said there was good participation in the weight-guess program, but noted, “It usually surprises people how different it is from what they might think.”
Marilyn, the Essex board president who has ridden or judged at the event every year since it started, is dedicated to having a fixture where people interested in participating in the sport can “get in the door,” while it hosts “a lot of spectators and introduce them to what eventing is, because most of them don’t know. I just didn’t want to let it die. It’s amazing the people behind me, because I couldn’t do this myself. Everyone does it because they love it.”
Heather Gillette, president of the ground jury, who first rode at Essex in 1987, is donating her services to help insure that Essex survives.
“It’s part of our culture and our neighborhood,” she emphasized.”
“It’s sort of in your blood and part of your system if you’ve grown up eventing anywhere in the area. It’s a fixture.”
“Even if they’re not riders, everybody wants to be a part of it,” commented Marilyn.
So what was her verdict for the 2026 version of the event?
“The weather was perfect. It was super.”
click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | May 30, 2026
For the first time in 78 years, the Mexican team took the prestigious Nations Cup Intensa Sanpaolo at the Piazza di Sienna in Rome, with a jump-off against Germany.
The top two each had a total of 4 faults after two rounds on Friday, prompting a jump-off, while Great Britain finished third with 8 penalties.
Mark Laskin, Mexico’s chef d’equipe, picked Patricio Pasquel (Chakkalou PS) to represent his country in the tiebreaker, while Germany’s Otto Becker chose European Champion Richard Vogel (Gangster Montdesir) as his entry. Richie was faster, but had a rail down, leaving the title to Mexico after Patricio was fault-free.
And just days later, a different Mexican team would win the 4-star Nations Cup at Langley, British Columbia. So another nation to watch out for in international competition.
The U.S. wound up seventh of 10 teams. No American was double-clear. Marilyn Little (La Contessa) had 0/4 in the two rounds, as did Laura Kraut (Dorado 212). Natalie Dean (Pedro van de Barlelbuis) finished 4/8. The drop score in both rounds was Callie Schott (Garant) who had 8 and 22.
U.S. Coach Robert Ridland observed the second round “did not work out according to plan, particularly after finishing the first round in a tie for second place, as a result of our two clears.
“As we know though, the two-round format of Nations Cups presents a completely different type of test than what is found in the typical grand prix competitions these horses are more familiar with. Most importantly, these Nations Cups over the next month present an essential opportunity to prepare, test and evaluate the horse/rider combinations who are on the short list for the World Championships,” he concluded, referring to the multi-discipline show scheduled for August in Aachen, Germany.
Click here for full results
