by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 5, 2026
Wishing all her many supporters a happy Easter, Liz Halliday writes, “I am continuing to make steady progress in my recovery, and being back home at my farm has been such a major lift to my spirits. My communication is still a daily challenge, and I’m bringing you this update with help from my wonderful support team.”
Liz suffered a traumatic brain injury in a cross-country fall at the American Eventing Championships in August 2025, and has spent many months in hospitals and rehab.
But you can’t keep her down, and she’s back on a horse.
“I am now riding at home three days a week, thanks to my lovely team member Melissa, who looks after my retired horses at the farm. She has graciously allowed me to ride her sweet Brewer, and I can’t tell you how incredible it feels to ride in my own arena again for the first time in so long.
Above all, my heart is so full because we just welcomed Deniro Z back to the farm.
Liz Halliday is back in the saddle.
“Sitting on him again has been the highlight of my year. You all know how much Niro meant to me in launching my career to the next level, and having him with me makes my life feel a bit more back to normal.”
Last week, she went to the beautiful TerraNova Equestrian Center on Florida’s west coast to be graded to compete in Para Dressage.
“The grading didn’t involve riding this time, but did allow officials to assess which group I belong in from a capability standpoint at this stage in my recovery. I am proud to say that I am now officially an FEI Grade 2 Para Dressage rider!”
Liz explained, “The Grade 2 FEI tests are based on movements at the walk and trot, and judging is based largely on the quality of the horse and its performance. The tests are long and quite complex, and I’ve started practicing movements at home with the anticipation to dive back into competing this year.”
She met Para riders at TerraNova and called them, “an impressive group: resilient, friendly, and dedicated horsewomen. It was an amazing feeling to be with elite athletes who are living with and overcoming the same challenges that I am. We all know much more about the amazing sport of Para Dressage now and are ready to start digging into it. This is an exciting new direction in my career, and I’m so happy to be able to compete again. Onward and upward!”
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 23, 2026
Trainer Frank Madden has sued the U.S. Center for SafeSport, which added him to its centralized disciplinary database on Dec. 23, 2025 after receiving allegations of sexual misconduct in 39 years ago in Florida and Switzerland 40 years ago.
On January 27, 2026, Madden received notice of a temporary suspension, and an allegation by another complainant who accused the trainer of committing sexual misconduct in 1984 in Virginia.
The lawsuit was filed last week in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, West Palm Beach, by Madden’s attorneys, the Kasowitz law firm. It notes that the applicable criminal statute of limitations would “have long expired” for such alleged misconduct under Virginia law, and the same applies to the criminal statutes in Florida regarding the 1987 allegations.
Madden, who has practiced his profession for 55 years, is particularly well-known for coaching equitation, as well as training riders for hunter and jumper competition.
The lawsuit stated that before Madden received any opportunity to be heard on Dec. 23, SafeSport’s action prevented him from engaging in his profession or attending U.S. Equestrian Federation competitions.
The legal papers challenge “unconstitutional conduct by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, a private corporation that claims jurisdiction over 11 million participants in Olympic sports under the Amateur Sports Act.
As the complaint details, SafeSport launched an investigation and commenced proceedings against Madden based on forty-year-old allegations, barred him from pursuing his calling as an elite equestrian trainer, and published his name in its online registry of suspected wrongdoers—thereby exercising a combination of coercive governmental powers unchecked by any accountable governmental authority, all without affording Madden an opportunity to clear his name or a judicial forum.”
The suit adds “Madden’s fate underscores the grave threat that SafeSport poses to the separation of powers enshrined in our Constitution—and thus to the liberty of anyone caught in its pseudo-governmental crosshairs.”
Madden’s counsel Marc Kasowitz, stated “It is deeply regrettable that an organization congressionally charged to protect athletes is being weaponized to destroy the livelihood and sterling reputation of someone like Frank Madden, an exceptional equestrian who has mentored and trained young riders for decades without complaint or incident.
“That SafeSport abuses its delegated power to ban and stigmatize such a person — without affording a meaningful opportunity to be heard or submitting to proper governmental oversight — underscores its egregiously coercive and profoundly unconstitutional nature.”
The lawsuit argues, “This case is about whether the federal government may transfer its formidable power to a private corporation and stand aside while that corporation does what the government could never constitutionally do: punish a blameless citizen, under rules that it drafted for itself and that defy due process, based on forty-year-old allegations of abuse; publicize its baseless
suspicion in an online database for the world to see and sneer; and deprive that citizen of his right to earn a living through the only trade he has ever known.
Update: The Center responded Wednesday to a request for comment by stating, “To the Center’s knowledge, it has not been served with the lawsuit and generally does not comment on litigation matters.”
Madden had other troubles at the end of last year.
USEF suspended him from membership as of Nov. 3, 2025 to Jan. 3, 2026, after determining “he demonstrated unsportsmanlike conduct towards other participants by standing in an obstructive position at the in-gate during an exhibitor’s ride” while the USHJA Gladstone Cup equitation class was under way.
USEF stated, “He was also observed loudly and repeatedly complaining about a decision on eligibility under the class specifications despite being told by competition officials that there was no conflict.”
USEF handled the situation through an informal resolution with Madden. In its decision, “The Federation took into account the facts and mitigating factors in this case, including Mr. Madden’s stature in the sport and his position as a Licensed Official where it is expected that he will uphold the highest ideals of sportsmanship and professionalism, and treat other exhibitors with respect and integrity, and determined that the following penalties were appropriate.”
As part of the resolution, Madden is barred from taking part in either leg of the 2026 Gladstone Cup, which is held at the East and West editions of the Junior Hunter Finals.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 1, 2026
She’s not a show jumper, but even so, Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour made a huge leap from twenty-fifth place to first in the world dressage rankings as they turned over for a new month.
Cathrine laudrup-Dufour
Her horse, Mount St. John Freestyle, also is number one, replacing Zonk Plus, now number two as his rider, Justin Verboomen of Belgium, dropped to second.
Cathrine, the only Dane ever to reach the top of the rankings has been in that spot before.
The highest-ranked U.S. rider, Christian Simonson, dropped from ninth to twelfth.
We won’t see Cathrine, Justin, or world three and four, Isabell Werth (Germany) and Lottie Fry (Great Britain) at the World Cup finals in Ft. Worth next week, even though Lottie is the defending champion. But Christian will be there.
To read more about the World Cup dressage, click on this link from last month.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 29, 2026
This time the numbers were right.
Greya, the highest-ranked horse in the field of the $1 million Rolex U.S. Equestrian Open, demonstrated on the ground why she was rated number one overall on paper as she topped a five-horse jump-off with her usual flair.
Paired with her astute rider Kent Farrington, who is devoted to the celebrated grey mare he proudly calls “My favorite horse,” Greya (Colestus X Contender) gave her audience of 10,000 in Wellington, Fla., something to cheer about during the finale of the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Kent and Freya on their way to victory.
Five horses emerged for the jump-off from a field of 41 over a 14-obstacle course laid out by Guillherme Jorge, who has designed the WEF series-ending grand prix for 12 years.
Greya was put at the top of the list before the class in EquiRating’s evaluation of the equine talent, with an ELO of 780. It’s a score that takes into account a horse’s long-term consistency, how competitively it is performing and the quality of opponents it is beating.
Only two in the tiebreaker were fault-free while making the most of a couple of long gallops on the route that offered a chance to show off their speed.
Great Britain’s Ben Maher, the 2020 Olympics individual gold medalist, was in the difficult position of being first to go and gave it his all with Enjeu de Grisien.
Ben Maher and Enjeu de Grisien
His deftly executed effort in 43.72 seconds was a great comeback from Thursday’s qualifier, when he hit the ground after Dalla Vegas Batilly twice refused the airy U.S. Open jump.
Discussing his strategy, he explained, “It was about putting enough pressure on, leaving the jumps up and forcing them (the other riders) into mistakes, which I did. All but one. Ken’s just a pain in the ass. He’s always there, and he’s always fast.”
Jordan Coyle and Chaccolino had a rail, so when Kent went next on Greya, he was focusing on Ben’s performance.
I had to look twice to see whether Greya had sprouted wings as she flew over the fences under Kent’s astute guidance with an equine/human mind meld. Their clocking of 42.99 seconds was impressive, though Kent knew his lead wasn’t infallible.
“I took enough risk to put peer pressure on…but I didn’t take all the risk,” he recounted of his strategy to earn the $300,000 winner’s share of the purse.
He was aware that someone who dared “a crazy round” might edge ahead of him.
“So I knew it was possible to be beat, but it was going to take a lot of doing,” he said.
Toasting the class: Guilherme Jorge, Richie Vogel, Kent Farrington, Ben Maher and Wellington International CEO Michael Stone.
Darragh Kenny of Ireland, whose Eddy Blue was ranked just below Greya with an ELO of 774, had the front rail at the last of eight fences, the Rolex oxer.
European Champion Richie Vogel was the last with a chance to upset the USA’s leader, and he took advantage of it on Gangster Montdesir, moving faster than Kent had. But at the last fence, the front rail went down and his quicker round in 42.87 seconds was only good enough for third with the add-on of 4 penalties.
“That wasn’t a great ride to the last fence,” Richie admitted, musing that in hindsight he should have done one less stride to the Rolex oxer.
He’s only been riding Gangster for seven months, so it was still quite an accomplishment to come in third.
I have been curious about the horse’s odd name, so I asked Richie what was behind it.
He said the horse came from the breeder with that name. He is shy around the barn, but when he gets in the ring, it’s a whole different assertive personality, as we saw in his performance in the Open.
On the podium: Kent Farrington, Ben Maher and Richie Vogel with USEF President Tom O’Mara and the U.S. Open trophy.
Kent, who has a stable just down the road from the showgrounds, was mobbed by kids (mostly girls) in the post-competition autograph session in the arena. Being a resident of the area has its popularity perks.
Kent greets his fans.
“It’s always great to win at home,” said Kent, noting Wellington is an equestrian community.
They get a great local crowd that comes out and cheers for all of us. but particularly the American riders. I hadn’t won a grand prix yet this season so it was a great way to finish my season this year,” he commented.
Of his mare, he said “she’s really an exceptional horse as you see and as those stats say. She can do everything, she’s fast, she’s careful, she’s scopey, she’s rideable. An incredible horse.”
He called her “an outlier athlete.”
Kent and Greya take their victory gallop.
It was the first finale win for an American rider in seven years. The last two years, the class was won by 2024 Olympic individual gold medalist Christian Kukuk of Germany on Checker 47, but they didn’t finish the first round. Checker crashed through the narrow wall that was the second fence, and Christian retired.
click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 2, 2026
(See latest update as of 4/4/26 in boldface type below)
Lillie Keenan is replacing McLain Ward on the U.S. roster for the FEI World Cup Show Jumping Finals in Texas this coming week.
McLain is a mentor of Lillie, who has competed successfully on U.S. Nations Cup and Longines League of Nations teams. Lillie will be riding Kick On as McLain recovers from back and hand injuries following a fall when his mount refused at the Winter Equestrian Festival last month.
Lillie Keenan and Kick On.
Another American has been added to the lineup for the Zen Elite World Cup Dressage Finals, bringing the total number of U.S. competitors for that championship to three.
Ben Ebeling and Bellena, who did not qualify on points for a slot in the competition, will be joining Christian Simonson, the top-ranked U.S. dressage rider, twelfth in the world, and Kevin Kohmann with Dünensee.
Meanwhile, the other North America n representative, Canadian Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu, won’t be coming due to a mishap involving her horse, Jaccardo.
“Unfortunately, Jaccardo got cast in his stall earlier this week and isn’t quite comfortable enough to perform at his best, so we’ve made the decision to withdraw from the World Cup Final. While it’s disappointing to miss such a special event, his health and long term well-being always come first,” Brittany said. She would have been the first Canadian in 13 years to have competed in the Cup final.
Ben Ebeling and Bellena.
Carina Cassøe Kruth of Denmark also won’t be coming with Heiline’s Danciera because of an issue with travel documentation.
Key riders who chose not to come to the dressage final include world number one Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour of Denmark; number two, Justin Verboomen of Belgium, Germany’s Isabell Werth, number three and the defending champion, Lottie Fry of Great Britain. Charlotte Dujardin dropped out but did not give a reason.
With the world championships set for August in Germany, that is a priority for riders who want to save their horses and not run the risk of crossing the Atlantic and focusing on another show before the biggest competition of the year.
Follow the action at both World Cup finals on this website beginning on April 8.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 16, 2026
It used to be a tradition in New Jersey’s Somerset Hills. But the spring dressage schooling show presented by the New Jersey Region Pony Clubs has not been held for several years.
“We missed having that early show to get our shaggy ponies out again,” said Brita Tansey, District Commissioner of Somerset Hills Pony Club.
“It was a great, low-key way to get back into the ring before the Northeast show and rally season started in earnest, so we decided to revive it.”
The April 11 show is coming back at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation’s historic Gladstone stables and is open to everyone. There are English and western dressage classes for all ages. Offered are U.S. Dressage Federation levels from Intro A through Fourth Level and western dressage and eventing tests of choice.
The entry fee will be $50 per test. Tests will be run in two rings judged by Kari Allen, USDF L with Distinction, and Kelsey Johnson, USDF L. A special feature will be lead-line Intro A and Intro B tests, which are open to riders of all ages.
“We’d love to see kids leading their dads or grandmas around the ring,” said Brita.
“While we’re offering a ‘real’ schooling show with certified judges, we also want to encourage everyone to have fun, not to be so worried about a perfect test or perfectly groomed horse.”
Ribbons will be awarded on the Danish system, with placement determined by score rather than comparison to other riders.
All proceeds from the show will benefit SHPC, a 501c3 organization, and will especially help support club
members who wish to attend the USPC National Festival Championships in Kentucky this July.
“We already have several members who have qualified to compete in dressage and other disciplines,” said
Brita.
“We’d love to help them afford the trip. It takes a village, so we’re asking all our local dressage riders to be part of the SHPC village.”
Interested riders can download the entry form from the SHPC website at somersethillspc.org/shows.
Equine health certificates are not required, only Coggins tests dated within 12 months of the show date.
Closing date is April 1, 2026.
