by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 20, 2025
It’s four months and a bit until Florida’s Winter Equestrian Festival gets under way again, but the improvements at Wellington International have been in the process since last year. The break from showing in July and the first half of August enabled more work to be completed at the showgrounds.
Prize money for the WEF finale, the the Rolex US Equestrian Open CSI5* Grand Prix, is being increased to $1 million from $750,000 in 2025, while all 4* WEF Grand Prix qualifier prize money has been boosted from $62,500 to $116,100. There will be 68 FEI jumping world ranking classes, while prize money has increased in all 1.25m and higher Junior and Amateur Jumper Classics from $10,000 to $15,000.
When the showgrounds were bought back by the former owners in 2024, that marked a new beginning. Very little had been done to improve the facility during the two-year tenure of the former owners, Global Equestrian Group. The new ownership began work immediately under the supervision of former U.S. Equestrian Federation President Murray Kessler, now CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions.
The efforts under the auspices of Equestrian Lifestyle Partners has included installing state-of-the-art lighting for the main arena, four additional rings — including a grass field that will be ready for showing in 2027 — and adding acreage from adjoining “Pod F” to transition the old venue from cramped to spacious.
By 2027, dressage will move over from the Equestrian Village down the street. Plans also call for a construction of a stadium, new FEI stabling for the jumpers, an indoor arena and refurbished FEI stabling for dressage, among many other improvements that include a more elegant VIP area and an indoor arena.
For 2026, three dressage FEI World Cup qualifiers will be offered.The stands for dressage will be covered for the first time.
New footing is set for the International Arena and its schooling area, while renovations have been completed in the Grand Hunter Ring, which will be used for dressage when that discipline arrives at the main showgrounds.
Wi-Fi around the showgrounds is being improved and roads between the barns are being resurfaced to reduce dust and improve drainage,
Food and beverage enhancements will include food service to the box seats, new Tiki Hut furniture, new self-contained buffet bars and additional action stations for more variety.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 18, 2025
After a long battle with cancer, respected horsewoman Linda Andrisani passed away in her sleep Sunday night.
She set a high bar, both as a trainer and a widely admired judge, whose contributions to the horse industry were always appreciated by her peers and exhibitors alike.
Linda Andrisani
“She set the standard for all of us to emulate, said National Show Hunter Hall of Fame President Jimmy Lee.
“Linda was one of a kind…and of course, the right kind. On a personal note, she was a great friend for over 40 years. I am deeply saddened, but blessed to have had her friendship.”
Linda and her partner, the late Jack Stedding, produced wonderful horses and riders. She also was nearlyas well-known for her fashion sense as she was for her horse sense and freely offered advice.
The winner of the U.S.Hunter Jumper Association’s lifetime achievement award in 2023, Linda “epitomized the definition of achievement; doing a thing successfully, typically with skill, effort and most importantly, with courage, and that’s 100 percent Linda,” as Jimmy put it.
Streett Moore, who rode with her for 50 years and became an admired trainer himself, said she was like a second mother to him.
“If I didn’t have a great day, she would reach out to me and make sure I was okay and say, `Son, don’t worry about it. It will be okay, there’s always tomorrow.’
“She taught me about things that went beyond just learning how to ride.”
Charlie Dennehy recalled that he “always enjoyed showing in front of Linda, because I knew I would get a fair and honest opinion of how well my horse and I executed the `plan.’
“Dad’s last words when I walked in the ring in front of Linda were always along the lines of `Don’t give her any reasons; because she WILL catch them’.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 17, 2025
Victoria Colvin became the only rider ever to win the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship four times on four different horses, as she rode through pain to take the title Saturday at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Tori and the Ingram family’s Dicoblue PS, winner of the Classic round the previous day, were able to top the event’s finale, the Handy round to earn the tri-color. Jennifer Hannan and Cellestino finished second, ahead of John French and Milagro.
Tori Colvin and Dicoblue PS (USHJA photo)
Tori had a fall in the warm-up early in the class on another horse. She scratched that mount, but although her ribs were hurting as a result, she persevered to define what makes a champion.
“It was a bit of a fluke accident,” she observed after the class.
“Everything is all right – it was a little painful at first, but it’s okay now. Dicoblue PS took me around beautifully and he’s an incredible horse, so I give it all to him.”
She called the horse, “super-special. I’ve been riding him for a couple of years, and I’ve done mainly derbies with him, but he’s still a little green,” said Colvin, though you couldn’t tell it from watching his style of floating over the fences.
“He has shown once under lights, but he’s not quite used to this atmosphere. I wasn’t completely sure what to expect, but he went out there and was amazing. He didn’t even bat an eye.”
On the challenging 14-obstacle course set by Ken Krome and Meghan Rawlins, there were four high options, with the tallest fence set at 4 feet, 6 inches, while other highlights included a bounce double and a multi-faceted horseshoe, where riders could jump the three sections in any order and any direction.
“It was a difficult course – I felt like I was back to my equitation days,” Tori said.
“There were a lot of unique options, which was super fun and everybody could take their own route.”
Dicoblue earned scores of 92, 95 and 96. Adding in all four high options as well as their leading score from the Classic round, he and Tori had a two-round total of 608. Jennifer’s total was 597, while John finished on 583.5.
Two favorites ran into trouble along the route. Amanda Steege, who was on track to win last year until applause startled Lafitte de Muze at the end of his round, this time lost out when he ticked one of the tiny pieces of wood perched on top of the straw bale jump.
Hunt Tosh, another four-time winner of the class (but not on four different horses!) had a block at the stone wall and chipped in at the out of the in-and-out with Cannon Creek.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 16, 2025
The 2026 U.S. Equestrian Federation Grand Prix Dressage National Championship is moving to the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Fla., from May 13-17, where the atmosphere will offer a special opportunity in the run-up to the FEI World Championships at Aachen, Germany, later that year.
The Grand Arena, set against the impressive pillared backdrop of a 5-star hotel, is a special setting to test American riders at the top of their discipline. Although the Grand Prix competition is usually held among a variety of classes for national titles — from ponies on up — at the Dressage Festival of Champions in Illinois, that will not be the case next year.
“It was important for us to make our Grand Prix National Championship a stand-alone event, as it should be one of the most highlighted events for the qualified combinations. It’s also our intention to make it part of our selection process for the World Championships,” said Chef d’Equipe Christine Traurig.
The atmosphere is stunning, with spectators all around the arena and seated at ringside tables so close to the action that spectators may feel they can practically reach out to touch the horses.
“It is essential we see the top combinations on the same field of play with the same panel of judges in a comparable setting to what our experience will feel like in Aachen, Germany, at the Championships. WEC provides us with everything we need to best prepare our combinations for just that, while also attracting spectators and ensuring a memorable championship,” Christine explained.
The facility hosts the only U.S. competition in the Longines League of Nations for show jumping. It has attracted top riders from Europe and the Americas.
A view of spectators with a ringside seat at the hotel during the Longines League of Nations. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
On behalf of the Robert family, which owns WEC, Roby Roberts said, “We are honored to host the USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship at World Equestrian Center Ocala. This prestigious event represents the pinnacle of American dressage, and we are excited to provide a stage that reflects the caliber of the athletes competing. With our world-class facilities and commitment to quality, class and distinction, WEC is uniquely positioned to deliver an unforgettable championship experience for competitors, horses, and fans alike. We look forward to welcoming the equestrian community to Ocala and celebrating the best in U.S. dressage.”
The qualification period for the championship begins Sept. 1 and combinations seeking qualification for the championship must earn required scores at FEI events.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 5, 2025
London. Vienna. Rome.
Liberty State Park?
How does a New Jersey park wind up on the same page of the Longines Global Champions Tour website with some of the world’s greatest cities that have hosted its show jumping competitions?
It’s all about the vista — because the park has a great view of the Statue of Liberty and New York skyline. A presence in the Manhattan area is important to the international jumping competition, which is why the GCT is scheduled to host a show at the park Sept. 19-21.
Among the many accomplished riders who are regulars at GCT competitions are Olympic multi-gold medalist Ben Maher of Great Britain; current individual gold medalist Christian Kukuk of Germany, world champion Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden and the USA’s Jessica Springsteen, who grew up in New Jersey,
The last time GCT was staged in the New York metro area, its show was a half-mile south of Manhattan at Governor’s Island, reachable only by ferry, a situation that made it inconvenient at best.
Liberty State Park and its vista.
Liberty State Park is easier to access, which means there is great demand for tickets to the competition. The Sunday, which features the grand prix, is a sellout except for some VIP opportunities, but tickets in both the covered and uncovered stands, as well as the lounge, are still available for the Friday and Saturday shows that also include 5-star jumping.
Six-person and eight-person tables in VIP for all three days are on sale at $16,633.50 and $22,178 respectively.
For tickets, click here.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 6, 2025
An investigation of allegations that dressage trainer/rider Cesar Parra “repeatedly and deliberately subjected the majority, if not all, of the horses he owned and trained to recurring and serious abuse over a number of years,” has resulted in a record suspension of 15 years from the FEI (international equestrian federation).
Parra, a native of Colombia who became an American citizen and competed internationally for both countries, had been the subject of disciplinary proceedings since May 22, 2024 on charges of abuse of horse, conduct that brings the FEI and/or equestrian sport and the FEI into disrepute and breach of the FEI Code of Conduct on the Welfare of the Horse.
“This case is deeply unsettling, not only because of the recurring nature of the abuse, but also because of the number of horses affect-ed,” FEI Legal Director Mikael Rentsch said.
“That such behavior came from a top-level athlete makes it all the more troubling. Our athletes are expected to represent and uphold the highest standards of horsemanship. Horse welfare is the foundation, not an add-on, of equestrian sport”
He noted, ““The investigation demanded significant time and resources due to the volume and complexity of the evidence, which had to be meticulously verified. The 15-year suspension sends a clear message that regardless of profile or position, those who violate the principles of horse welfare will face serious consequences.”
Cesar Parra on a victory lap. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Parra’s suspension, which lasts until 2039, when he would be 75 years old, is five years longer than the previous record of 10 years for the use of electric spurs by U.S. show jumper Andrew Kocher.
However, Parra said he will appeal his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, contending, “We need a better system that relies on facts. I accept some guilt, even though the reasons are questionable.”
He added, “But other stuff, it is …fabricated.” Parra suggested there also were some “false accusations.”
Parra noted, “I can see a suspension, I can see okay, excessive whip, whatever. I agree, things have to change bit.”
But in terms of the offenses with which he is charged, he maintained, “that’s something you see three months, six months, a year, a year and a half. Fifteen years, I think, is exaggerated.
“I feel very sad and remorseful. Okay, there is stuff I should have not done I did, passion to help a client with a horse. Now one of the horses in question is winning everything in Mexico. He was tough.”
Parra said he invited representatives of the USEF and FEI to inspect the horses in his barn, but they didn’t come. So he asked the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department to take a look.
“They were aware of the issue and they came. They didn’t find anything.”
The investigation into Parra’s conduct, launched in coordination with the U.S. Equestrian Federation, involved a review of video and photographic material, as well as multiple witness statements. In addition to the suspension, he was fined $18,589 and ordered to pay more than $12,000 in legal costs.
Parra had been based in New Jersey and Florida. His New Jersey farm was sold and the operation in Jupiter, Fla.,is for sale. He rode for Colombia at the Pan American Games in 1999, the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004, the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in 2002 and 2006, and the FEI World Cup™ Final in 2005.
After his 2008 switch in nationality, he rode for the U.S. at the 2011 Pan American Games and FEI World Cup™ Final in 2014.
Cesar Parara in 2021. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
According to the FEI General Regulations (Article 164.6) during a suspension, the person cannot take part in any competition or event and/or in any activities related to any competition or event, as an athlete, support personnel and/or official or in the organization of any competition or event under the jurisdiction of the FEI or any competition or event under the jurisdiction of a national federation in ac-cordance with the statutes or in any FEI and/or national federation-related activity. Persons are entitled to train their own horses at their own facilities or at private facilities.
When USEF received horse welfare complaints against Parra in early 2024 and he was provisionally suspended in February of that year, the Federation did not have a rule allowing it to take action on welfare issues outside of sanctioned competitions. So USEF referred the matter to the FEI, which did have a rule allowing it to undertake an investigation. Since then, the USEF board passed GR838, which expands the Federation’s jurisdiction to unethical treatment that occurs on or off the grounds of a Federation competition.
“As a federation, we have strengthened our rules to ensure we are within our jurisdiction to pursue disciplinary action for behavior and actions endangering horse safety and welfare, both on and off competition grounds. Parra’s documented and repeated behavior has no place in our sport, and we will ensure the enforcement of the FEI Tribunal’s decision. We appreciate the FEI’s diligence and expertise in pursuing this matter,” said USEF CEO Bill Moroney.
