by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 23, 2025
An arduous new requirement that managers of all equestrian competitions in the country would have to register with and report to the U.S. Department of Agriculture will not go into effect during 2025 show season.
The requirement was part of a proposed amendment to the act, which originally was designed to stop the practice of soring in Tennessee Walking Horses and breeds that were abused similarly. USDA and its Horse Protection team will continue to work on what’s next,including additional postponement, and will continue to seek stakeholder input.
Click here to read a story that explains the background of the process to amend the act.
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by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 21, 2025
Olympic dressage and World Championships team medalist Steffen Peters is offering a two-day clinic June 7 and 8 at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation in Gladstone, N.J.
Auditors can enjoy the rare opportunity to learn from the former World Cup champion for a fee of $60 per day. One of the USA’s most decorated competitors and a mainstay of the team for nearly three decades, Steffen is known for his supportive teaching style as he offers instruction on the way for horse and rider to improve their performance.
Steffen Peters at the FEI Dressage World Cup Finals in 2023. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Lidiya Frumoval, who is organizing the sessions, noted that Steffen does only a few audited clinics annually, but the amateur trainer noted proudly that with persistent texting, “I wore him down.”
There is a waiting list for participants, who are paying $450 a day to ride in front of Steffen. However, as Lidiya noted, just being able to audit the clinic with the California-based rider is a valuable learning opportunity. Steffen will work for an hour with each rider, with participants ranging from First Level to Grand Prix.
Vendors will be on site with wares including boots, saddles and apparel.
To register, contact Lidiya at frumoval@gmail.com
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 25, 2025
In order to ensure that U.S. show jumpers can clear financial barriers that would prevent them from representing their country in international competition, the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation is launching the Performance Pathway Grant Program.
The program is designed to provide critical financial support to jumping athletes who have earned the opportunity to compete as part of U.S. teams or participate in specific high performance programs.
As the USET Foundation announcement pointed out, “From elite international championships to key developmental opportunities, the costs associated with representing the U.S. — including athlete travel, horse transport, coaching, and training — can be significant. This program helps bridge that gap by offsetting the cost of participation, ultimately ensuring that deserving athletes can focus on their performance rather than expenses.”
“The program will have a meaningful impact on the next generation of U.S. jumping athletes,” said USET Foundation Executive Director Bonnie Jenkins.
“The Performance Pathway Grant Program will enable riders to focus on their training and competition without the added burden of financial constraints. We are excited to support many more high-achieving and talented young athletes as they strive to successfully represent the U.S. on the greatest world stages.”
USET Foundation President and CEO Kristi Mitchem explained, “The goal of this new program is to pave the way for up-and-coming, talented athletes to pursue their dreams by minimizing financial barriers that too often stand in the way. It is our hope that this program will assist in fostering excellence and access in high performance jumping, ultimately bolstering the future of U.S. equestrian sport.”
This need-based grant program has been made possible thanks to Jennifer Gates Nassar, Nayel Nassar, and their team at Evergate Stables.
To qualify for the USET Foundation Performance Pathway Grant Program, applicants must be a U.S. citizen and a U.S. Equestrian Federation member in good standing, have been invited to or named to participate in a select USEF High Performance Jumping program or team, demonstrate financial need, and compete in one of the following FEI categories: Children (Ages 12-14), Juniors ( Ages 14-16), Young Riders (Ages 16-21) or Under 25, (Ages 16-25).
The USET Foundation is the fund-raising partner of USEF. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis by the USET Foundation Performance Pathway Grant Committee, consisting of USET Foundation trustees and National Advisory Committee members knowledgeable about high performance sports and the associated costs of competing, individuals well-versed in financial aid and USEF sport leaders serving as advisors. For more information about the USET Foundation Performance Pathway Grant Program or to apply, click this link
Questions can be answered at this link.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 21, 2025
Being the first to go in a nine-horse jump-off at a $350,000 grand prix is hardly an ideal starting position, but Christian Kukuk of Germany made it pay off Thursday night at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Fla.
Christian Kukuk and Just be Gentle on their way to the win. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
“It’s always quite difficult,” he reflected, but in the Lugano-sponsored fixture, he set a catch-me-if-you can pace of 40.61 seconds with Just Be Gentle that couldn’t be improved, even by Ireland’s intrepid Cian O’Connor, a mere 0.2 seconds behind with Iron Man. Swedish world number one Henrik von Eckermann, for his part, did no better than fifth place in 42.22 seconds with the plucky King Edward.
World number one Henrik von Eckermann plotted his jump-off route from the stands. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
Although Christian, the 2024 Olympic individual gold medalist, wasn’t on his Games mount, Checker, he showed he has an equally talented number two with the sensitive mare, Just Be Gentle.
The course set by Alan Wade – who is also doing the route for Saturday’s featured Longines League of Nations — drew a stellar field of 37 with big names aplenty.
Christian believes there is more to come with his intrepid mount.
“We know each other now for quite a time but she is still only 11,” said Christian of the Dutch-bred beauty by Tyson. He had success with her at Ocala earlier in the season. Yet he found it was a different story when he traveled down to the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington for a 5-star grand prix under the lights.
“I realized okay, we were not that ready, so I had to go a step back,” he recounted about the good horseman’s strategy he employed to get her on track again.
Christian rode her in two other shows in Wellington and knew he was prepared for another big test at night in Ocala, which earned him the victor’s share, $115,000. Of his mare, he stated, “The more you ask of her, the more ability she gets.”
Cian also demonstrated the same sort of horseman’s strategy with Iron Man, who he got at the end of last summer.
“It took a while for the partnership to develop,” he said of the12-year-old Zangersheide grey by Charisma Z.
Cian O’Connor and Iron Man. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
“He goes differently to some of my other horses,” Cian stated, adding he had to adjust his style to what Iron Man preferred.
“At the start, we were okay in small classes; over the last couple of weeks, he’s really clicked in. I just felt he was coming up nicely. I was so pleased. This is the first time I’ve gone a little bit more against the clock with him.”
Cian put it in perspective by noting, “Christian is obviously who he is, a champion, his horse is fantastic and very quick.”
At the same time, the pillar of the Irish team noted, “I was happy with my round. I looked up at the clock and saw it was point-2 (0.02 seconds behind) but quickly I realized it was still a pretty good result.”
These top riders have to look toward challenges from the 25 and under set. France’s Nina Mallavaey, 25, who rides Nikka vd Bisschop, finished third in a very respectable 41.14 seconds on the 12-year-old mare by top show jumper Emerald. Nikka previously was ridden by Erynn Ballard of Canada in the Olympics.
And the best American was Mimi Gochman, a mere 20 years old, who really went for it on Inclen BH and was rewarded with a fourth-place finish in 41.20 seconds.
Mimi Gochman, the top American in the grand prix, on Inclen BH. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
Laura Kraut and Hunter Holloway, the only other U.S. riders to make the jump-off, each had a rail down to finish seventh and ninth respectively.
Kent Farrington, the number two ranked rider who has been on a hot streak recently, toppled a pole with Myla in the first round, and McLain Ward, world number seven, tipped two rails with his longtime partner, the 17-year-old Callas.
Click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 18, 2025
Becky Hart, who was a great force in international endurance competition, died last month at the age of 71.
After Pony Club and competing in horse shows, Becky graduated from the Potomac, Md., Horse Center’s horsemastership course in 1972. But where she hit her stride was after she became interested in endurance riding during the mid-1970s.
The Californian was the only three-time world champion endurance rider, performing the hat trick of titles in 1988, 1990 and 1992. Understandably, the 1990 American Horse Shows Association Equestrian of the Year is most closely identified with her mount for those victories, R.O. Grand Sultan, better known as Rio. Both Becky and Rio are in the American Endurance Ride Conference Hall of Fame.
The U.S. Equestrian Federation, the AHSA’s successor, annually presents the Becky Grand Hart Trophy to the outstanding competitor in international driving, endurance, reining, vaulting or para-equestrian.
Becky got Rio for free, and he proved to be worth far more than what he (didn’t) cost. Eighty miles from the end of a 100-mile ride, he’d turn on the afterburners. It was amazing.
Rio won his last race at 21 and had 10,305 miles in competition, making him a high-mileage horse. He was an AERC decade horse: competed for at least 10 years, had 10 wins, 10,000 miles and 10 best condition awards.
Becky Hart and Rio. (Bob Langrish photo)
For her part, Becky went on to serve as the U.S. chef d’equipe for her discipline. But the multidimensional horsewoman also was a certified Centered Riding instructor and shared her expertise teaching riding and horsemanship to all levels, from beginners to advanced equestrians.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 11, 2025
The 2024 eventing Olympian, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a cross-country fall last August, “steadfastly keeps facing forward, even when the going is hard and frustrating,” reported her mother, Debby, who has been by her side during rehab, along with a host of family and friends..
“She is unfailingly kind and gracious to all the staff who interact with her. Everyone knows her and loves her beautiful smile. I am very proud of how Liz is handling an extremely difficult situation. Her progress has been on a steady upward track, and she keeps improving every day,” Debby said in a report of Liz’s progress from the U.S. Eventing Association.
Six months after the rider and the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Shanroe Cooley had their accident at the American Eventing Championships in Lexington, Ky., “She’s back to being Liz,” Chris Desino of Ocala Horse Properties said.
Liz Halliday has always been upbeat, a trait that serves her well in rehab.
He and his brother, Rob Desino, have always been very active and involved owners in Halliday’s program, but their relationship is more than just a professional one. Those strong bonds have been a crucial part of her recovery process. Others supporting Liz incude her boyfriend, Mark William and the Ocala Horse Properties team,
“The support Liz and I have received and continue to receive from Liz’s wonderful group of friends has made a huge difference to both of us,” said Debby. “We will be forever grateful for their kindness and dedication. They have been beside us from the beginning and continue to show up.”
With Liz, 46, focusing on her rehab, her horses are receiving top-notch care at various facilities around the country, including her long-time five-star partner, Deniro Z, the 17-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding who is enjoying his retirement at her winter farm in Ocala, Florida.
“I showed Liz a video where Rob recently decided he was going to start hacking Deniro around the farm, and she got the biggest thrill out of seeing Deniro carting one of us around,” said Chris with a laugh.
“She is very trusting that we are doing the right thing by the horses so that she can be solely focused on her recovery now. The same way that she was so laser-focused on her training, she is just that focused on her therapies.”
Chris noted that even when her room is full of visitors, the minute a therapist steps into the room, Liz is at attention, ready to tackle whatever challenge lies ahead of her next in true form.
Liz Halliday in action on cross-country.(Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
“Liz has always been known for her grit, determination, and powerful work ethic,” explained Debby. “Those qualities are being tested as never before. She has shown a stoic tenacity that has served her well in the extraordinary effort required for recovery.
It’s that same energy and dedication that Liz channeled into her 2024 eventing season prior to her accident that helped her earn the title of the 2024 Bates USEA Lady Rider of the Year based on her impressive competition results for the second year in a row.
“She was really blown away with winning both the Lady Rider of the Year and the (USEF)International Equestrian of the Year, which is decided upon by a majority vote,” Chris said. “I told her, ‘You are one special person.’ I can’t wait for her to be able to pick up all of the magazines and articles and the thousands of text messages and emails she has received for herself and just see the amazing support she has gotten from everybody all over the world.
“Liz is the person that just puts her head down and works really hard,” he continued. “She didn’t ever really pay attention to everything that was going on around her. I think when she has a moment to focus on all of that, she is really going to enjoy seeing it.”
Looking back at where the year started, Chris and Debby shared just how impactful the 2024 season was for Liz and all of her owners and supporters.
“The craziest thing about last year was that it was the first time that we as owners and also Liz as a five-star rider had four horses who could be vying for a possible Olympic spot,” Chris shared.
“In years past, it was always just Deniro, and then it was ‘Monster’ [Cooley Quicksilver], so it was a massive change for us to go to these events and watch four of them go, because you had so many highs, and then the lows, but then the next horse would give you another high.”
At the beginning of the year, the whole team behind Liz sat down with her coaches Erik Duvander and Peter Wylde to discuss each horse and their plan for the year.
“We are very involved, but Liz has always controlled the future. She has great mentors around her that will guide her the right way,” Chris said.
Seeing the culmination of Halliday’s hard work over the past several years as she’s ridden and trained the majority of her horses from young ages to where they are now was nothing short of a thrill for everyone involved, especially after seeing it culminate with Halliday getting a spot on the U.S. Eventing Team at the Paris Olympics.
“Of course the highpoint for all of us was her competing at the Olympics in Paris,” said Debby. “It was a fabulous event in an amazing venue. Paris will surely be remembered as a top Olympics experience for all the equestrians who participated. The crowds were huge and enthusiastic and Liz rode beautifully on the wonderful Cooley Nutcracker. I remain so grateful that she got to have her Olympic experience. It was a goal she first stated at age 12, and so painfully missed in Tokyo 2021.”
“We were thrilled that she was on the team,” Chris observed, “and looking back on everything, we are very fortunate that she was able to compete there.”
Progress has been so great that she’s anticipated to graduate from the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, considered the number one rehab hospital in the U.S. for stroke, spinal cord injury and brain injury, and make a move to her next rehabilitative facility. There she will continue to focus on her ultimate goal: going home and back to her horses.
“She misses the horses dearly,” said Chris, “but I know all of the support she has received helps her realize how much she is loved.”
As this phase of Liz’s recovery concludes and the next step begins, Debby is still eternally grateful for all of the love and support they have received along the way and continue to receive daily.
“The eventing community’s interest and outpouring of thoughtful messages has been quite overwhelming,” she reflected.
“I was very touched by how many people at all levels reached out to give us their support. Most of the top competitors at the AEC came to see her in the hospital, and we still have the winner’s check (from the Advanced Final) with the message to Liz handwritten on the back. Her room is decorated with cards and posters from riders from every level. We read many of the messages to Liz to let her know her community cares.
“I particularly loved the messages which began with. ‘You won’t remember me, but…,’ followed by a story of a lesson or other interaction some aspiring eventer had with Liz that especially helped or inspired them. It warms my heart to know how many people’s lives she has touched in a very positive way.”
