by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 10, 2025
Storms that caused massive destruction when they swept through Montgomery Township, N.J., last weekend have prompted the cancellation of the Princeton Show Jumping fall series scheduled for September 17–21 and September 24–28.
“After careful evaluation of our options and several municipal inspections, it was apparent our showgrounds sustained significant damage—damage so extensive that it will take weeks of cleanup and rebuilding to restore the property to a safe condition,” a statement from the show advised, following an assessment of the situation in the wake of the Sept. 6 storms.
“After two days of careful evaluation and several municipal inspections, we concluded that we cannot responsibly welcome horses, riders, or spectators back to Hunter Farms North until it is safe to do so,” the statement continued.
“We know how important these shows are for our riders, trainers, owners, and the entire equestrian community. Canceling is the last thing we wanted—but safety must come first. This challenging moment will also become an opportunity: the rebuilding process will allow us to make lasting improvements to the facility and return in 2026 with an even better show experience for everyone.”
Competitors who have already entered should contact princetonshowjumping@gmail.com for processing, or contact Nicole at nicole@princetonshowjumping.com with any questions.
Last year, Princeton also cancelled its final shows of the season, but for a different reason, involving a lack of entries.
At the time, Andrew Philbrick, who runs the Princeton series, contended three international shows in New York and Connecticut that are geographically close to his competitions drew entries that otherwise might have come to his shows.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 11, 2025
Mary Alice Malone’s dedication to sport horse breeding and showing was passed down to her daughter, Catherine Malone, who is taking over management of Iron Spring Farm in wake of her mother’s death this summer.
Catherine will remain true to her mother’s vision with the same commitment to excellence, soundness, and temperament that has always defined the program, a statement from the farm said.
Catherine, who grew up on the farm, worked with her mother for several years, bringing in new stallions such as Kaiman, and the highest quality mares, including Noblewood Tarpania,
“Mom and I spent so much time talking about horses and bloodlines and the kind of horses we want to have in the barn,” said Catherine, an FEI rider and successful breeder in her own right.
Catherine Malone and Uno Don Diego. (Terri Miller photo)
“It all starts with falling in love with horses. Their beauty and spirit. That’s why we do this.”
While this is a time of change, it is also a time of renewal, according to information from the farm.
“Catherine is committed to honoring her mother’s legacy while embracing opportunities to evolve and grow. The heart of Iron Spring Farm–a dedication to producing horses that inspire, perform, and connect deeply with their riders–will remain steadfast.
“We are grateful to the breeders, riders, and friends who have been part of our story for nearly 50 years. Your support has made Iron Spring Farm what it is today and we invite you to join us in shaping its future. Follow along with us, through our newsletter, website, and social media, as we share beautiful foals and world-class mares, exciting new stallions and exceptional sales horses, and the continuation of our story.
“Mary Alice believed in building something that would last. Today, with Catherine holding the reins, Iron Spring Farm moves forward–strong, inspired and ready as this next chapter unfolds.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 20, 2025
Britain lost half its team relatively early in the cross-country phase of the Agria FEI European Eventing Championships, as a fall by pathfinder and world champion Yasmin Ingham (Rehy DJ), then a tumble from Halo into the water by Piggy March, means their nation will not come near the podium for team medals on home ground at Blenheim Palace. But individual medals are still well in sight for the Brits.
Following dressage, the British –who had been favored to take the title — were second as a team to the Germans, whose Michael Jung was leading the individual standings on fischerChipmunk FRH. But after her team was eliminated from contention Saturday, Laura Collett shone a light for Britain individually on cross-country, overtaking Michi to lead the individual standings with London 52 (26.6). She had only 6 time penalties on the Mark Phillips-designed route. No one made the 10:01 optimum time.
Laura Collett and London 52 lead the way at the championships. (FEI Photo by Benjamin Clark)
The score is now 28.3 for Michi, who had 10 time penalties with fischerChipmunk FRH, so he switched places with Laura and stands second. Another British bright light was Tom McEwen, third with JL Dublin on 33 penalties, 6.8 of which involved time penalties.
The course designer observed, “The rounds from Collett, Jung, and McEwen were world-class. The time was always going to be tough because of the water and the terrain. And I added a few extra speed bumps.”
While Mark knew it would have been possible to make the time, he commented, “There weren’t many horses capable of it. What you saw was that the best-trained horses, those three, were simply in another league.”
Tom McEwen agreed, “The time is doable, but you have to be as quick as you are smooth, which is quite a tough combination.”
Laura was full of praise for her horse, saying, “I can’t quite believe it. He just dug so deep. He owes me nothing, but he keeps on giving. The crowd was amazing, and you can see from the dressage he loves all that and it really got us going and kept us going all the way to the end.”
Discussing Sunday’s show jumping finale, Laura thought about what happened when she faced Michi in the 2024 Olympics.
“I let him beat me in Paris last year after a fence down. Let’s hope I don’t do it two years on the trot,” she said.
Michi said of his 17-year-old campaigner’s cross-country performance, ““He galloped really well; fast, strong, and responsive. He gave me a super feeling everywhere. My plan was to go as fast as possible without pushing him too much.”
Meanwhile, Bubby Upton, riding as an individual for Britain, continued her country’s bad luck streak when she was eliminated for a fall from Its Cooley Time. Another British individual rider, Caroline Harris (D.Day), also had a fall.
Germany continues to lead the team standings, as Calvin Bockmann is in fourth place with the fastest time of the day, a mere 5.6 time penalties on Phantom of the Opera (36.5). He is tied with Austria’s Lea Siegl (Van Helsing P), who had 9.6 time penalties added to her total, but was better in dressage.
The Irish team is second with 150.7 penalties, giving Germany a more than comfortable margin of 37 penalties for its 150.7 total. Switzerland is third on 161.3.
Click here for the individual standings Click this link for team standings
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 17, 2025
The world’s number eight-ranked show jumper, Steve Guerdat, has undergone another back surgery for a recurring problem with a herniated disc, less than two weeks after finishing third in the world’s richest (and most demanding) grand prix at the Spruce Meadows Masters.
In February, the Swiss rider was operated on for a herniated disc and was able to compete in May at the European Championships, where he finished twelfth individually and was part of his country’s fifth-placed team. His problem recurred, but he was able to persevere and compete at Spruce Meadows in the Sept. 7 $5 million (Canadian) grand prix, part of the Rolex Grand Slam. However, on Sept. 11, an operation was required.
“I consulted many specialists worldwide, and they all came to the same conclusion: there were no alternatives to surgery.
“I asked my entire team, both at the stables and those who take care of my health, to do everything possible so that I could participate in the Spruce Meadows Rolex Grand Slam, which I didn’t want to miss for anything,” Steve said.
“Thanks to them and my fantastic horses, we succeeded. It was amazing.”
Facing a long recovery that was passing slowly, he said, “I am eager to start my rehabilitation and look forward to riding my horses again and seeing all of you at competitions. In the meantime, a big thank you to everyone. It is a privilege to count on such a team, such horses, and your unconditional support.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 1, 2025
The fiftieth anniversary of Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon Sept. 23-28 has generated new vitality and excitement for a tradition that is far more than simply a competition.
It’s also entertainment, shopping and an opportunity for education, with a variety of possibilities for both riders and spectators, in addition to a multi-faceted breed show.
The competition and fall festival at the historic venue on Philadelphia’s Main Line has reached a half-century landmark that was far from a certainty when financial insecurity threatened its future.
Anne Moss, who took over as president three years ago, emphasized the importance of the board having implemented a strategic plan “to make the show an even better place for competitors, spectators, vendors and volunteers, and to work a little bit on the culture of the show.”
As she explained, “It started from within and really looking hard at ways we could better support each other on the committee and the management team and the board, and also with a huge focus on customer service for competitors and spectators, boxholders, volunteers and all of us, so that it would be a wonderful experience to be at the show at every level.
Anne Moss, president of Dressage at Devon. Photo © by Nancy Jaffer
“It’s a really joyful thing to work on the Dressage at Devon team. I’m not saying it wasn’t previously, but I think the focus was horse show and vendor village, and a little bit on the boxholders. We had to do more to show the boxholders and spectators our love and the competitors too, as one individual to another.”
Sarah Campbell, the show’s vice president of event operations (described by Anne as “my right hand”) called the venue “a magical place to come to and spend six days immersed in dressage, breeding and catching up with all your friends.
“The team we have pulled together over the years has worked really hard to revitalize it. It’s been a huge effort.”
Dressage at Devon once was a “must” for the top level of the discipline in the Northeast and beyond. Big name participants have been seen in the Dixon Oval over the years, including Anne Gribbons, Lisa Wilcox, Adrienne Lyle, Hilda Gurney, Lars Petersen and a combination that everyone remembers, the beloved floppy-eared Rocher and her rider, George Williams, former president of the U.S. Dressage Federation.
Board member Christina Morin Graham cited “the number of people the show has impacted over such a long time, literally generations of riders. The show has such an energy and I’m excited that it’s still able to deliver that for riders, spectators and enthusiasts.”
Christina Morin-Graham. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
But as the winter Florida shows grew in importance and people started going south earlier each autumn, Dressage at Devon became less of a key destination for riders. They determine their priorities amid an increase in the number of shows and changes in the calendar.
Efforts by the organizers and sponsors have played a big role in giving the show a leg up, but this year, Dressage at Devon also gets a boost in entries as a qualifier for the new U.S. Open for dressage, set for November in California.
In addition, the show is a qualifier for the April 2026 FEI World Cup Finals in Ft. Worth, Texas. That fixture is on the wish list for U.S. competitors seeking to match themselves against the best from around the globe, without having to travel abroad.
As a result, Dressage at Devon “has gained a whole lot more interest from competitors and that has filtered down to more interest from spectators, competitors and volunteers,” Anne said.
A fun attraction is the Friday night dance-off, with costumed riders showing their moves to music on creatively decorated horses. Who can forget Silva Martin winning the 2024 edition posing as a well turned-out hippie?
Dance-Off winner Silva Martin. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
This year, as a special event for the golden anniversary, riders and breed class competitors who are part of the show’s history will be included in a parade featuring “Legends of Dressage at Devon.” They are being invited back to the show to appear (horseless) in a Saturday night showcase. Those who have not been contacted but would like to take part should email Anne at annemoss380@gmail.com.
George Williams and Rocher from her Dressage at Devon retirement ceremony. (Photo © 2013 by Nancy Jaffer)
The Saturday night Grand Prix Freestyle always has been a highlight bringing in fans, but boosters know it takes so much more to attract the support that was needed to make sure the show not only hit its fiftieth anniversary, but also to keep it going beyond that.
Education is now a major feature, and introduction of the first Master Class with Sabine Schut-Kery four years ago has drawn a series of interesting clinicians (including Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, the individual silver medalist over the weekend at the FEI European Dressage Championships in France.)
The 2025 Thursday night Master Class will be conducted by Germany’s Ingrid Klimke, a German medal-winning eventer and dressage rider (she was on the gold medal team at the European Championships last week) who is the daughter of the legendary Olympic dressage gold medalist, Reiner Klimke.
Ingrid Klimke, right, with the European Championships gold medal winning team.
She’s a great attraction not only for dressage riders, such as Silva who has signed up (and whose eventer husband, Boyd Martin, also has ridden in the Master Class), but also obviously for eventers — a number of whom are based near Devon — looking for tips to improve their dressage phase.
One is the well-traveled Jennie Brannigan, a five-time U.S. eventing team member, who wasted no time applying for the class.
Jennie Brannigan cross-country with FE Lifestyle. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I jumped at the chance,” said Jennie.
“It’s really exciting for me to be a part of that. It was just a no-brainer. To ride in the Dixon Oval is such an amazing experience. How can you turn that down?
At the same time, she noted another motivation, saying, “Dressage is my weakest link.” She’s looking for some insights from Ingrid, someone Jennie describes as “lovely” after meeting her in Europe.
A lecture series, headlined by Dr. Hilary Clayton speaking about harmony between the horse and rider in the barn and the arena, also will feature a number of other experts and updates by staff from the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center. To learn more, click here.
Also on the education front, dressage and musical freestyle judges from around the country will be receiving training at the show, under the auspices of the U.S. Dressage Federation.
Last year’s Dressage at Devon Grand Prix Freestyle winner Kevin Kohmann with Dünensee (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Sarah, like Anne and Christina, is a dressage rider. She competed at the show with her homebred Hanoverian, Bailamos, in 2023 and finished as the top amateur in her Fourth Level class. Christina and Anne both are riding in the show this time, so these key organizers are well-connected through their horses.
There was concern that the show, which at one point was out of money, might not celebrate its fiftieth. As Sarah noted, the big question was, “Can we make it?”
But the show achieved a milestone when it moved into the black by earning $5,000 last year.
An anonymous donor has offered a $50,000 matching gift if the show gets $50,000 in contributions. That benefit would be a huge step for the financially fragile fixture, which costs $1 million to run, while the cost of renting the showgrounds increases regularly as well.
Those who wish to donate and insure the show will continue can go to the donation page at the website, or click directly on this link.
“It’s still a huge challenge to do a budget on a horse show; you have no idea who is going to come spectator-wise, competitor-wise, sponsor/vendor-wise,” said Anne.
“At least we’re doing better. It will be the biggest Master Class attendance so far. The focus we’ve put on education has been a hit with spectators, too.”
While finances obviously are still an issue, the show is making progress.
“I think we have its nose pointing in the right direction,” said Anne.
“We are so excited to be an important stepping stone for high-performance riders and for spectators thinking about becoming high- performance riders. One of the biggest joys I have as president of Dressage at Devon is seeing the talent come to the show, and how it flourishes and grows afterwards.”
The show is seeking volunteers to help, whether it’s for a few hours or several days.Special needs are for assistance with the Dressage Explorers for kids on Sunday, and general/floater volunteers on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 23 and 24, during the day.
Volunteers will receive an entry ticket, a parking pass and food on the day they help. There’s also special swag, including a commemorative fiftieth anniversary T-shirt. Click here to sign up.
