by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 5, 2025
Jovian, who helped the Danish team to the bronze medal at the European Dressage Championships in France a week ago, died after complications from a gelding procedure. The son of Apache, who ridden by Andreas Helgstrand, was an 11-year-old breeding stallion.
A statement from Helgstrand Dressage said about the circumstances of Jovian’s passing, “Following long and careful consideration, we decided to have him gelded, but unfortunately, complications arose during the procedure. Despite the veterinarians’ tireless efforts, his life could not be saved.
“This loss leaves all of Helgstrand Dressage in deep sadness.Jovian had an extraordinary career and was truly a horse in a class of his own. With his majestic movements and explosive presence, he captivated the dressage world and was loved by many.He made history with victories at the World Championships for Young Horses, both as a 5-year-old (scoring no fewer than four 10s) and as a 7-year-old, when he set the record for the highest score in the championship’s history. He also contributed to two Danish bronze medals at the European Championships and achieved top placings in both CDI5* and World Cup competitions.
“As a breeding stallion, Jovian left a strong mark with a large number of promising offspring who will carry on his genes and legacy.
“With Jovian’s passing, we have lost the king of our stable. It is an irreplaceable loss for all of us, but the memories of him will live on – both here at Helgstrand Dressage and among his many fans.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 4, 2025
Dressage at Devon is seeking volunteers to help with its fiftieth anniversary show, whether it’s for a few hours or several days.
Special needs are for help with the Dressage Explorers for kids on Sunday, and general/floater volunteers on Tuesday and Wednesday 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.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 3, 2025
The May 16-17 Gladstone Driving Event will be utilizing facilities at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation headquarters, the Gladstone Equestrian Association’s driving committee has announced.
The marathon is the highlight of any driving event for competitors of all ages. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
Not only will horses be stabled at the USET Foundation, but the dressage is set for the venue’s main arena, while the cones phase will run on the grass in the North Field. The marathon is being contested at the Pine Meadow section of Hamilton Farm, where the entire event has been staged in the past.
The plan alleviates some of the issues with wet footing that affected the 2025 event at Pine Meadow.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 26, 2025
The U.S. Equestrian Federation’s blood rule is designed to protect horse welfare, but it too often frustratingly has meant elimination for the presence of blood in competition that was not the fault of the rider.
The federation has just approved a change to GR 843 regarding blood on horses that acknowledges a variety of situations may result in the presence of blood on a horse. According to the updated rule, effective Dec. 1, blood caused by the rider/handler or equipment (as opposed, to, say, a fly bite) requires the horse to be eliminated from the relevant class. The new rule language also states that the presence of blood on horses will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by a licensed judge or ground jury.
Noting that horses sometimes bite their tongue or lips, if minor blood is spotted in a horse’s mouth, the new rule allows the licensed judge or ground jury to rinse or wipe the horse’s mouth. It permits the horse to continue if there is no further evidence of blood. However, should the bleeding continue, the horse will be eliminated.
If a horse is eliminated during a class that is a qualifier for a championship or another class, they may compete in the championship if the bleeding issue is resolved. If a horse is eliminated in the work-off, a championship, or in a jump-off due to blood, they will be eliminated from that phase of the class and placed based on the score they had at the start of the work-off or jump-off round.
Each breed and discipline has its own chapter of USEF rules, separate from the general rules. If breed or discipline rules include stricter language regarding blood in competition, or have additional requirements and provisions beyond the general rule, the more restrictive elements of the breed or discipline’s rules will take precedence.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 28, 2025
Germany did Thursday what it usually does, taking team gold for the twenty-sixth time at the European Dressage Championships. That nation has won a total of 26 golds in European championship competition, though at the last Euro title meet two year ago, it settled for silver while Britain took gold.
This time, the placings were reversed, with Britain less than three points behind the Germans, 229.644 to 226.785.
“It’s very sweet to get it back,” said German Chef d’equipe Klaus Roeser, who works with coach Monica Theodorescu.
“We are very happy once again to bring the title back to Germany.”
The German dressage team: Chef d’equipe Klaus Roeser, Ingrid Klimke, Isabell Werth, Frederic Wandres, Katherina Hemmer and Monica Theodorescu.
As has been the case since she was suspended in 2024 for whipping a horse during a lesson several years ago, Britain’s former superstar, Charlotte Dujardin, was absent from the team, although she has been competing in England since her punishment ended in July. But the mare on whom she won an individual bronze at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, Mount St. John Freestyle, performed in great style with Denmark’s Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour.
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St. John Freestyle.
Cathrine was the only competitor at the title meet in Crozet, France, on the border with Switzerland, to break the 80 percent mark with her test, earning 80.823 percent. Freestyle did not compete in Aachen last month, which proved to be a wise decision by Cathrine, who as a result enjoyed a fresh horse in France. She led the Danish team to bronze on 223.385. It was the third time in that medal position for Denmark.
“We came here with quite a green team, and maybe weren’t yet in a position to chase the Germans and Brits, but we made it to the podium,” Catherine said. She was just ahead of Germany’s top rider, Isabell Werth on Wendy de Fontaine, with 79.224 percent. The mare was consistent, though her lower lip was often in motion and her mouth opened at times, showing some tension.
Britain missed a chance to overtake Germany when anchor rider Lottie Fry’s performance with Glamourdale wasn’t up to her usual level. She got a 4.5 for her collected canter, and her left pirouette was disheveled, scoring 4.4. The ride was saved, as always, by the stallion’s ground-eating canter. Team stalwart Carl Hester, the architect of Britain’s rise to the top of the dressage world, had a bravura performance with Fame on 76.098 percent to stand fifth, ahead of Lottie.
“I am just thrilled,” said Carl.
“He is such a genuine horse. He’s nice to ride, he’s fun to ride and he’s fun to ride around the Grand Prix because he doesn’t run out of energy – and he’s like that every day, whether you’re at home or in an arena.
“I’ve had some great rides this year. Of course, there’s always something that can be better. I probably went better in my extended trots today than I’ve gone before, but I just thought, ‘go for it – we’re behind anyway, so I need to ride a little bit stronger.”
Jagerbomb, who made his Olympic debut in Paris last year with owner Becky Moody, was marked at 74.829 and would have been higher if not for an unscripted flying change in the extended canter. Britain had only a three-person team after pathfinder Andrew Gould’s Indigro was blown out by a judge during his test for being uneven on the first day of Grand Prix..
Everyone was looking forward to the appearance of Aachen sensation Justin Verboomen and the rivetingl Zonik Plus for Belgium. He started off with 8s for his entrance, but hit the boards during his reinback (5.2) and his power presentation of the one-tempis led to a costly error ,resulting in a mark of 4.6 for that movement. Justin didn’t quite hit 80 percent, winding up in third place with a score of 79.084 percent, which put the Belgian team fourth with 220.062.
The top 30 return for the Grand Prix Special on Friday.
Click here for individual results. Click here for team results.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 22, 2025
Ron Turcotte, who in 1972 rode Secretariat to racing’s first Triple Crown in a quarter-century, died Friday. He was 84.
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame stated: “Ron was a legendary rider and also an inspiration for all he achieved and overcame during his incredible life. Although best known for sweeping the Triple Crown with Secretariat–culminating with a 31-length victory in the 1973 Belmont Stakes – Turcotte’s Hall of Fame career spanned 18 years and more than 3,000 wins.
“As an ambassador for both the sport and the legacy of the great Secretariat, Ron made countless people into fans of racing through his kindness and the time he gave to all, whether telling stories about Big Red, signing autographs, or posing for pictures. He was a fierce competitor on the track and a gentleman off of it. He will forever be remembered as one of the game’s greats.”
The Belmont victory was historic, and I am still grateful I was present to witness it and write about the moment of a lifetime. Secretariat’s solo run to the finish line (he left the rest of the field behind in another dimension) was something I will never forget, a moment out of time.
That famous run.
“With 70 yards to go, I chirped to him to make sure he did not lose focus,” Turcotte told Tom Pedulla when remembering that magnificent airborne gallop.
“He responded by finding still another gear. Sure that the race was won, that Secretariat would be the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years, I was able to soak in everything. The crowd that was going wild. The teletimer. track announcer Chic Anderson’s memorable race call. ‘Secretariat is widening now. He is moving like a tremendous machine!” Turcotte wanted to make sure the big red horse to set a record, and he did.
The jockey’s career was cut short in 1978 when a fall at Belmont Park left him a paraplegic. He made appearances at racetracks to celebrate his career and raise awareness for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. He moved back to his home town of Grand Falls in New Brunswick, Canada, where he was honored with a life-sized statue of himself riding Secretariat.
Turcotte was the last survivor of the triumvirate who oversaw Secretariat’s history-making career. Trainer Lucien Laurin died in 2000 and the horse’s owner, Penny Tweedy, passed away in 2017.
