by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 4, 2024
The USA just missed the podium in the Grand Prix that opened the 5-star dressage team competition at the Aachen World Equestrian Festival on Thursday morning. The team finished fourth with a total of 214.283 percent behind third-place Denmark (215.544).
The squad was led by Olympic team member Marcus Orlob on Jane, who did not disappoint as he came in seventh individually (73.326 percent) on Alice Tarjan’s 10-year-old mare.
Although she was excited upon entering the arena, Jane soon paid attention to her work.
As he went down center line, Marcus said, “I was just praying she behaves better than going in. That’s all I was thinking. Once I turned on the first medium trot, she actually was still a little bit tense and looky, but I knew I had the forward drive, then I said, `Okay, I think I’m in a good place.’
“This was a new experience, with the people, with a huge stadium,” he pointed out.
“It was a little bit shocking for me to see her act like this, but usually she’s learning, she’s smart, actually she allows me then to push her each show a little bit more, show a little bit the brilliance she has.
Piaffe and passage are the strongest points of Marcus Orlob’s mount, Jane.
“In general, the piaffe/passage is a highlight…on the last centerline she was really breathing and relaxing. I was happy with her because I could actually finish on a good note.”
What is he hoping comes out of his work before the Olympics?
“I think, honestly, to trust each other more. It’s a brand new relationship…specially with this scary moment in the beginning, I hope that she trusts me more.”
The third score that counted for the U.S. total was Anna Marek’s mark of 69.522 percent on Fire Fly. She was nineteenth of the 34 who finished the test.
Germany topped the standings on 228.173 ahead of the Netherlands (215.674), propelled by a brilliant performance from the eternal Isabell Werth aboard Wendy de Fontaine (76.500), who will also be her Olympic horse.
The German team has yet to be announced, but it obviously is getting a boost with Isabell’s new mount. The mare has never finished lower than second place since Isabell started showing her in February. The horse, previously known as Queenparks Wendy, had been ridden by Andreas Helgstrand until he was ruled off Denmark’s team after a documentary showing training methods at his stables.
Isabell Werth and Wendy de Fontaine in the awards presentation.
This is the year for new high-powered combinations. In addition to Isabell and Marcus, USA team member Endel Ots (the Olympic traveling reserve) also has been riding Zen Elite Equestrian’s Bohemian (eleventh, 71.435) only for this year. The same is true of Adrienne Lyle and Helix, who skipped Aachen to focus on a combo of training and relaxation. (Read the details here).
“I haven’t ridden in an atmosphere like that,” said Endel, who never started in an international Grand Prix before taking over Bohemian, fourth in the Tokyo Olympics with Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour. Endel consulted with her before his ride as he sought words of wisdom.
“Don’t try too hard,” she advised.
Endel called the stadium experience “really cool and really fun.” He added, “I wanted to do a nice clean, consistent solid ride. It felt great. Each test I learn something new.”
Endel Ots and Zen Elite Equestrian’s Bohemian. (Photo U.S. Equestrian)
Isabell led Germany’s 1-2-3 finish at Aachen, and that was without its world number one rider, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on the world number one horse, TSF Dalera BB. But Ingrid Klimke, also known for her eventing prowess, came very close to Isabell, with 76.043 percent on Franzikus FRH. Ingrid’s father, the late and legendary Olympic multi-gold medalist, Reiner Klimke, would be proud.
Frederic Wandres was third (75.630) on Bluetooth Old. As with the glitches that surfaced during his ride in the 4-star Wednesday on Duke of Britain, a mistake in the tempi changes cost him. It would seem that Ingrid and Frederic will be named to the German team after this show, along with Jessica and Isabell.
Britain, fifth on 213.152, was without its strongest players. World Champion Lottie Fry rode her Games mount, Glamourdale, to victory in the 4-star at Aachen Wednesday and had another horse, the 10-year-old Especial in the 5-star, to wind up tenth (71.935). Neither Carl Hester (who is having a documentary made of his life) nor Charlotte Dujardin, Britain’s other stars, rode at the German show.
Get team results here
Get individual results of the 5-star Grand Prix by clicking here
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 3, 2024
Steffen Peters had a disappointing test with the veteran Suppenkasper in the 4-star Grand Prix at the Aachen World Equestrian Festival on Wednesday, scoring 68.131 percent as he finished nineteenth in a field of 22 starters.
The 16-year-old Suppenkasper, or Mopsie as he is nicknamed, previously never had failed to break 70 percent in a Grand Prix at an FEI competition.
The Dutchbred gelding lacked his characteristic cool, with the trouble starting right at the beginning of the test, when he was marked at 48 percent for the entry and halt, where he was restive and moved backward for a few steps.
Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper.
“Tonight’s test had uncharacteristic tension,” observed U.S. Chef d’Equipe Christine Traurig.
“Steffen, with his vast amount of experience, handled it skillfully.”
While Germany and Denmark are not naming their dressage teams for Paris until after Aachen, the U.S. squad was selected June 25. Steffen was named along with Marcus Orlob and Adrienne Lyle.
Ranked first in the Olympic standings since last year, Steffen competed in Europe during the head-to-head Grand Prix match for short-listed riders at Hagen, Germany. He was, however, excused from June competitions in Rotterdam and Kronberg, Germany, where other candidates participated.
Marcus is competing on Jane with the U.S. team in the 5-star at Aachen, where the U.S. Olympic traveling alternate, Endel Ots, also is on the squad with Zen Elite Equestrian’s Bohemian. Adrienne skipped Aachen to give Helix a break and do a bit of fine-tuning. (Read about it in the second feature on this website)
The 4-star was won by world champion Lottie Fry of Great Britain on Glamourdale, who blew everyone away with a perfectly measured test and great extensions, a package marked at 80.78 percent. That was her second-highest score since she earned 80.97 percent in the 2023 European Championshps. Lottie was far ahead of German favorite Isabell Werth on DSP Quantaz (75.443), who lost impulsion in the second pirouette.
Lottie Fry and the glamorous Glamourdale. (Photo courtesy British Dressage)
Another German, Frederic Wandres on Duke of Britain, had some brilliant moments, but his score wasn’t what it could have been due to mistakes in his tempi changes, so he settled for third on 73.913 percent.
There was better news for the U.S. in the jumper arena, where McLain Ward finished second of 44 starters in the Turkish Airlines Prize of Europe grand prix with Callas.
One of seven clears in a 12-horse jump-off, Callas was clocked at 44.06 seconds, a tenth of a second ahead of Germany’s Janna Wargers on Dorette and 1.62 seconds behind the winner, Richard Vogel of Germany on Cepano Baloubet. It was the second victory of the day for Richard, who took top honors earlier in the Prize of Handwerk with Phenyo van het Keysersbos.
“My mare jumped spectacular. She’s been having a great summer, so I’m not disappointed,” McLain said about his placing in what riders consider the second-hardest class at the show.
About Richard, McLain said, “He’s a great winner. It’s a fast horse and a super-fast rider. I pushed him to the limit. I made it not so easy.”
McLain Ward and Callas. (Photo U.S. Equestrian)
Although he has been competing at Aachen for three decades, McLain still finds it a thrill to be in the awards ceremony.
“It never gets old,” he said.
Katie Dinan, part of the U.S. Nations Cup team that will be in Thursday’s two-round class, was thirteenth with a single time fault on Atika des Hauts Vents. The other U.S. rider in the fray, Lauraa Kraut, wound up thirtieth with 8 faults on Bisquetta.
Click here for dressage results
Click here for Turkish Airlines Prize of Europe show jumping results
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 2, 2024
Slices of American life, from surfing to Barbie, cowboys, cheerleaders and even the Statue of Liberty (not the real one, of course) were on display during the energetic opening ceremonies of the Aachen World Equestrian Festival Tuesday.
A view of the arena during the opening ceremonies.
The USA is Aachen’s “partner country,” for 2024. The role was filled last year by Great Britain, which brought over its Household Cavalry for the occasion. That prompted the query. “How can you top it?”
Here’s how: with 800 performers and 200 horses; a chorus line in pink tutus and riders in pink shirts holding pink balloons (Barbie), inflatable shark pool floats (accompanying surfers who dangled their feet in the Aachen lake), a stagecoach carrying Mrs. Universe and a football team. Did I mention the bubbles let loose to dance around in front of the packed grandstands, where spectators waved little American flags?
“A Perfect Match,” was the slogan of the partnership, appropriately inaugurated in speeches by German dressage star Isabell Werth and U.S. show jumping star Laura Kraut before the festivities really got under way.
A sign from the opening ceremonies; NRW is North Rhine-Westphalia, where Aachen is located.
Bald eagles, the symbol of America, were among the cast of characters that appeared in the ring. The list was a long one, including a country singer from Texas, a covered wagon complete with pioneers, a lariat artist who also was proficient with two whips and in-line skaters towed by a horse. They jumped off a ramp as fireworks exploded from their skates in several “wow” moments.
Will Connell, the U.S.-based Partner Nation project consultant, said “the Aachen team did an outstanding job producing a fun, entertaining program that I hope all Americans present and watching enjoyed.”
He added, “It was a privilege to be involved in a very small way. Tonight, the USA arrived in the Soers, Aachen.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 1, 2024
Alice Tarjan is best known as a dressage rider. Dennis Sargenti is a master of the Essex Fox Hounds. But enjoying the discipline of driving is something they have in common. And, oh yeah, they happen to be married.
The couple from Oldwick, N.J., spent the weekend near their home competing in the Gladstone Horse Driving Trials at the Pine Meadow section of Hamilton Farm, the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation property. This is their fun, a break after returning from Germany, where Alice’s horse, Jane, made the U.S. Olympic dressage team with her trainer, Marcus Orlob. Alice served as the groom for the mare she trained to Grand Prix from the time she got her as a three-year-old.
Dennis entered a Dutch harness horse in the Gladstone competition for singles, while Alice drove a pair, but decided one of the horses competing was not ready to try the marathon, so she skipped that segment.
Alice and Dennis were among 21 competitors at the event that is working to bring back popularity of the sport, which once drew international riders to the site that hosted the globally acclaimed 1993 World Pairs Driving Championship. Alice has fond memories of those championships; as a teenager, she groomed there for her neighbor, Doug Kemmerer, who drove in the parade of coaches that was part of the production.
Dennis Sargenti rode as groom for his wife Alice Tarjan in the dressage. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Since Pine Meadow’s heyday, however, many of the people who were pillars of competitive driving in the region either have died, retired or moved south. The once fancy facility now lacks the frills it used to have, but it is still a good location for a competition and attracted exhibitors from New England, Maryland and Pennsylvania, as well as New Jersey.
Rebecca Gutierrez, the technical delegate for the event, noted the organizing committee is attempting to “regrow the show and bring the facility back to the way it was in 1993, when it was fantastic.”
She pointed out, “it has a lot of good elements. Original (marathon) obstacles here are in good shape, but they had some obstacles that were not able to be used this time. So maybe there will be some benefactors who want to donate some money so we can access those.”
Event secretary Ellen Ettenger noted a golf course has encroached on part of the property since its glory days “so it’s not exactly the same as it was, but I think it makes a great venue for the lower level. Through Intermediate, it’s an excellent facility.” She mentioned that the ring can hold up to even the heaviest rain.
The event briefly was put in jeopardy last week by a tornado that left tree limbs down in three marathon obstacles and caused closure of Fowler Road, which runs alongside Pine Meadow. Luckily, a volunteer effort aided by chainsaws and the efforts of USET Foundation employees put things to rights, just as drivers were shipping in, enabling the event to get under way on schedule.
It has a relaxed feel, which means people interested in driving can enjoy a comfortable place to start pursuing their interest and learning skills.
Alice supports the organization’s initiative.
“It’s great that they’re trying. They’re putting a lot of work into it,” she said, noting she participated in one of the schooling days the committee staged.
Dennis and Alice switched places for the marathon, with Dennis in the driver’s seat and Alice as the navigator. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Alice and others, including technical delegate Rebecca Gutierrez, were encouraged by the fact that the event attracted six junior competitors, driving everything from mini horses to a Fjord horse and a senior citizen Morgan/thoroughbred cross.
“That’s where I started out. Just get around the ring and get some experience,” said Alice noting a fancy horse is not needed at this level.
“The kids are out there having a good time. To me that’s grass roots; horsemanship, that’s what it’s about. They’re actually doing the work. They have to train their horses. They don’t have the funds to go and buy a made horse. That’s how they’re going to learn and excel.” It is, as she acknowledged, the story of her early life with her first feisty backyard pony, Licorice.
“We need to grow the next generation coming along,” said Rebecca.
John Layton, president of the Gladstone Equestrian Association Gladstone Driving, who trains young drivers at his Tailspin Farm in Juliustown, part of Springfield, Burlington County, points out about the kids, “they’re the future of our sport.”
He was the navigator during the marathon for Lynden Kersten, a 12-year-old who won the junior singles section with her 20-year-old Morgan/thoroughbred cross, Splash of Chrome. Lynden, who has been driving for less than a year, trains with Laura DeFazio of Whistle Hill Farm in West Grove, Pa. Laura is the president of the Brandywine Valley Driving Club, which had a summer camp last year that got kids involved in driving.
Lynden Kersten in the marathon with navigator John Layton. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“It turned into yearlong summer camp and I love it,” said Laura.
She brought four junior competitors, including Colette Gray, who at eight years old was the youngest person Laura had taken in an event. Tiny Colette was driving a 21-year-old warmblood mare, Victoria’s Secret.
Competing in a driving event over two days involves a lot of work.
“It’s not a horse show where you sit around and watch,” said Laura.
“It’s a family affair and everyone’s gung-ho to help, For that, I’m entirely grateful. This was a very successful event. We’re looking forward to next year.”
With an eye-catching orange-themed marathon ensemble, Ben Riesse finished third in the junior singles division driving a Norwegian Fjord horse, Isla, an 11-year-old, one year younger than Bill.
Orange is Ben Riesse’s marathon color. Totally. Check out the mane and tail on his Norwegian Fjord, Isla. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
The driver lives on a farm in Frederick, Md., where he takes care of his horse and has ambitions to compete a second time at the major Live Oak event in Florida.
His enthusiasm about driving is catching. He advises, “You should really get into it, it’s really fun.”
Part of the fun for those watching was to see the variety of horses, ponies and mini-horses (officially listed as Very Small Equines) as they proceeded through the phases.
Kaylee Angstadt, a 29-year-old professional trainer from Massachusetts’ Bradford Equestrian Center, caught everyone’s eye with Gail Wong’s black and white mini pair of 17-year-old Jewel and her son, Wicked, 11.
It was their first time doing the advanced dressage and cones course. I wondered how those tiny animals could be conditioned to pull a carriage and two passengers. Kaylee said it involved interval training and dressage work.
“The people get tired before the ponies do,” maintained Kaylee, an FEI 3-star single pony driver.
Jewel and Wicked reminded me of the mice that pulled Cinderella’s carriage in the animated feature of that name. When I mentioned that to Susan Wong, Gail’s daughter and Kaylee’s navigator, she told me I was right on target.
Kaylee Angstadt and Susan Wong with mini mother-son duo Jewel and Wicked. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
The minis, it seemed, had pulled “a winter-themed Cinderella carriage” in the local Wassail parade.
Susan belongs to the Myopia (Mass.) Driving Club, which was on the ground floor of developing the sport of combined driving in the U.S. that eventually led to a foundation that could support something like the world championships.
Raffa, a Welsh cob owned by Suzanne Johnson of Readington, is a veteran who at age 17 has done several kinds of competition.
A determined Suzanne Johnson and Raffa in the cones portion of the driving event. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Suzanne remembered that his best finish came at a pleasure show at Morven Park, where he won championship and reserve ribbons.
“So maybe I should go back to pleasure driving,” she mused, but then went on to finish second in the Preliminary Single Horse category after winning the dressage phase at Gladstone. So a change of occupation may not be in the cards for Raffa after all.
Volunteers, as always, were the backbone of the event. Perennial volunteer and organizing committee member Susan Data-Samtak has been involved for a long time and still believes it’s important to keep the competitions at Pine Meadow going.
“New drivers, new people; some of the old show committee is still around, the facility’s still here,” she commented, “so why shouldn’t local folks come and take advantage of all the beautiful scenery and facilities we have?”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 21, 2024
All equestrian sports for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and Paralympics are being proposed for Galway Downs in Temecula, between Los Angeles and San Diego, according to a statement from LA 28.
Although these disciplines originally were going to be held at a purpose-built site at the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area, the Temecula property is “the only such facility in Southern California large enough to accommodate all required disciplines in one location.”
The International Olympic Committees requires that all the equestrian sports be held in the same place. The fact that it is an existing equestrian facility will cut costs in terms of what needs to be provided for the sports.
To make it official, the City of Los Angeles must first approve competitions that move outside of the city’s boundaries from the venue plan submitted during the bid.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 26, 2024
Britain has announced powerhouse teams for the Paris Olympics, with the dressage squad looking like a favorite for the gold, and the eventers equally as impressive.
At least that’s how I see it.
In the dressage, how can you bet against a squad led by the architect of his nation’s landmark 2012 gold, Carl Hester, set to compete in his seventh Games with the aptly named Fame.
He may be best known as the mentor of Charlotte Dujardin, who will be Britain’s most decorated female Olympian if she gets any medal with Imhotep, and she has to be a favorite in the individual ranks as well as in the team. The third member of the squad will be world champion Charlotte ‘Lottie’ Fry with the long-striding Glamourdale. The promising Becky Moody and her Jagerbomb were also chosen.
Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep.
The eventing team will be looking to defend its Olympic title from Tokyo. Two members of that squad, Laura Collett (London 52) and Tom McEwen (JL Dublin), have been selected, along with Ros Canter (Lordships Graffalo) who was the traveling reserve for Tokyo, and world champion Yasmin Ingham (Banzai du Loir).
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). Also inthe group 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.
