by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 17, 2024
A two-way communication platform will be launched on Cornell Equine as its first phase of development, inviting horse owners, trainers and veterinarians to discuss their most pressing issues, ultimately guiding future research and education programs.
The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA) has contributed $25,000 to support the development of the cross-campus program, rooted in Cornell University’s legacy of scientific research clinical care and education. Based at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) in Ithaca, N.Y., Cornell Equine aims to advance equine health and education through enhanced collaboration among interdisciplinary teams.
“We are so grateful for the support of NYTHA in helping us bring Cornell Equine to fruition,” said Dr. Mandi de Mestre, professor of equine medicine with the Baker Institute for Animal Health and Department of Biomedical Sciences at CVM.
“This gift will support us to take the first steps in leveraging the exceptional breadth of skills of Cornell faculty to tackle novel research questions in equine health and safety and build leadership capacity for the future. A coordinated equine program also will bolster the University’s efforts to recruit and retain the best veterinary students into equine practice through enhanced and coordinated access to educational opportunities, faculty support and industry.”
“The College of Veterinary Medicine has a long-standing history of driving research and clinical results that have had lasting impact on the Thoroughbred industry and equine health and care,” said Tina Marie Bond, president of the NYTHA.
“We are pleased to be able to support the college as it builds upon this legacy.”
Cornell Equine will enhance dissemination of research results to deliver benefits nationally to equine management and clinical services. This initial phase is anticipated to be available to the equine field at large by the summer of 2025.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 8, 2024
Want to try riding with the Amwell Valley Hounds? Here’s an opportunity to find out more about what it’s like.
They are offering a daylong clinic July 27 with an agenda of learning and fun. Ride with the hounds behind the Amwell huntsman, and go cross-country with a fieldmaster. Those activities will be followed by a luncheon and seminar on foxhounds, hunting etiquette and turnout at the kennels, 290 Rileyville Road, East Amwell, N.J. Jump heights range from logs to 3-feet, and jumping is optional.
Participants can attend any of the sessions, or all of them. To register, go to www.avhounds.org and navigate to events/hunt clinic. Those interested can also contact AVH Honorary Secretary Sue DeHaven at 908-338-1833 or avh.secretary@gmail.com.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 10, 2024
Can you imagine a country that leaves a world champion off its Olympic team?
That’s what Britain has done for its Paris eventing squad, putting Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir as its alternate combination. Britain announced Wednesday who will ride in the Games and who will be the alternates for its Olympic squad.
In my mind, the clear favorites for eventing team gold, Britain will be defending its Olympic title from Tokyo with two members of that squad, Laura Collett (London 52) and Tom McEwen (JL Dublin), as well as newly crowned world number one Ros Canter (Lordships Graffalo). Ros was the traveling reserve for Tokyo, the position Yasmin is in now.
In the dressage, there was no question that Carl Hester, the architect of his nation’s rise to dressage stardom, would be on the team with Fame. Of course, Charlotte Dujardin, who will be Britain’s most decorated female Olympian in any sport if she gets a medal with Imhotep, will be riding, along with world champion Charlotte ‘Lottie’ Fry on the long-striding Glamourdale. There was no way they were leaving Lottie off the team; she was a big star with the black stallion at Aachen last week.
The promising Becky Moody and her Jagerbomb will be the alternates.
Paris is the fifth Olympic Games for Tokyo individual gold medalist Ben Maher (Point Break), and he is joined by Tokyo Olympians Scott Brash (Hello Jefferson) and Harry Charles (Romeo). The reserve is Joe Stockdale (Cacherel), whose father, Tim, represented Britain in Hong Kong at the Beijing Games in 2008.
Team GB selected equestrian athletes (L-R) Ben Maher, Yasmin Ingham, Laura Collett, Scott Brash, Charlotte Fry, Rosalind Canter, Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester, Harry Charles, Becky Moody, Joseph Stockdale, Tom McEwen ( Photo Jon Stroud)
Helen Nicholls, the equestrian team leader, commented; “I’m exceptionally proud of the 12 athlete combinations and their connections who will travel to Paris across the three disciplines of equestrian. We have an exciting balance of experience, talent and potential, and we head to the Games in a strong position, and with medal ambitions. The hours of preparation, enormous sacrifice and total dedication will now be put to the ultimate test. The teams behind the athletes – both equine and human – have left no stone unturned in their quest to support them to their very best performances.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 11, 2024
Rumors have been circulating that the timing malfunctioned during the Rolex Grand Prix at Aachen on Sunday, and that runner-up McLain Ward actually had a faster time with Ilex than the rider who was declared the winner, Germany’s Andre Thieme and DSP Chakaria.
But you know how rumors go; they may have a seed of truth, then they often head south.
McLain graciously ironed this one out on social media, saying, “We want to thank our colleagues, supporters and fans who brought to our attention their concerns regarding timing irregularities in this video of the Grand Prix of Aachen.”
McLain and Ilex in the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen. (U.S. Equestrian Photo)
“In conjunction with the CHIO Aachen organizers, their ground jury and our federation, these discrepancies have been fully and transparently investigated,” McLain stated.
“While it is clear the visual timing failed, it has been proven to our satisfaction that the computer timing record is correct and my final time was 39.86, .09 behind Andre Thieme and his phenomenal mare DSP Chakaria. (read the story of the class
here)
“Congratulations to them and on their incredible win and thank you to CHIO Aachen and its officials for working diligently to resolve these questions,” McLain concluded.
CHIO Aachen had not changed the times in the results portion of its website as of Thursday afternoon.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 12, 2024
The U.S. finished close to the podium Friday in the Falsterbo, Sweden, show jumping Nations Cup, just as a different American team had done at Rome in May. The fourth-place Cup result was the best for a U.S. squad since Rome.
The home side, featuring world number one Henrik von Eckermann (without his number one horse, King Edward) won in a jump-off with Germany after both nations finished with 8 penalties. Emma Emanuelsson with Canbella Blue PS had a knockdown in the tiebreaker. But Germany’s jump-off representative, Sandra Auffarth–who is better known as an eventer — dropped three rails to put her country second.
Ireland was third with two of its Olympic riders, Daniel Coyle and Cian O’Connor on the squad, but neither was aboard their Olympic mount. Ireland had 12 penalties, as did the U.S. squad, but Ireland’s total time was faster.
Spencer Smith on Keeneland was the only double-clear for the U.S. team. Mimi Gochman had 4 and 5 with Cosmos BH, while Adrienne Sternlicht dropped a pole in each round with Origa V/H Zuid-Pajottenland. Aaron Vale’s score was 0/4 with Carissimo 25.
Spencer Smith and Keeneland. (U.S. Equestrian photo)
“Overall, it was a good day, considering we came to Falsterbo with a mix of young horses, as well as the youngest rider in the class,” said Coach Robert Ridland, referring to Mimi.
“All gained the experience that is necessary for the future, and needless to say, Spencer kept us in the game all afternoon with his brilliant double clean.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 8, 2024
So much went on at Aachen while it showcased five disciplines, with the Rolex Grand Prix of show jumping being the big news (our piece is the main story on this website) as the International Equestrian Festival ended its 10-day run.
But we shouldn’t overlook the three 5-star victories by Isabell Werth, who confirmed her relationship with new ride Wendy de Fontaine at the show. She ended with a fantastic freestyle, in which the lyrics of one of Barry Manilow’s most famous songs, where the chorus begins with the line, “Oh Mandy” became “Oh Wendy.”
The performance edged close to 90 percent, marked at 89.095. The audience whistled and applauded in rhythm with Wendy’s foot-perfect piaffe and passage on the final centerline, a test rewarded with a standing ovation.
“Today was our day,” said Isabell.
“We grow closer together, day by day. Wendy was really totally cool, although it was so loud. She simply said: `Tell me what to do,’ and then she did it. I have been here so many times, but today was the best day ever.”
Isabell Werth bows her head after a fabulous freestyle that showed why she should be on the German Olympic team with Wendy de Fontaine.
There was no question when the German team for Paris was named that she would be on it with Wendy, along with world number one Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB, who did not compete at Aachen. The only question was whether it would be Frederic Wandres and Blue Tooth Old or Ingrid Klimke and Franziskus for the final spot.
Frederic, second in the freestyle on 83.010 got the nod and Ingrid, third in the freestyle with 81.385 after her horse broke into a canter at the start of the extended trot, is reserve for the Olympics. She had said after Paris she would go back to concentrating on her main interest, eventing.
The highest-placed U.S. combination in the freestyle was Olympic reserve rider Endel Ots with Zen Elite’s Bohemian, who finished fourteenth on 74.665.
“Bohemian again gave me his everything, thank you my friend for taking me on this journey with you,” said Endel, who had never ridden in Big Tour international Grand Prix before this year.
“I truly couldn’t be any more proud of you and I am nothing but honored to be your partner.”
Anna Buffini, the only other U.S. rider in the freestyle, was fourteenth on Fiontini with a score of 74.065.
“Getting closer to where we want to be with each test,” she pointed out.
