by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 7, 2023
Kate Conover’s name was probably the least well-known to the general public among the six competitors who vied for the $25,000 World Championship Hunter Rider Professional Finals title at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Maryland. But it was the Ocala, Fla., woman who came out on top, over Shelley Campf, Nick Haness, Geoffrey Hesslink, Brady Mitchell, and Leslie Steele.
Three two-person judging panels presided over the competition, in which riders were aboard a horse of their own choosing during the first segment.
The four riders with the best scores–Kate, Geoffrey, Brady and Shelley–returned for the Final Four on equal status, with no penalties. Each was on a horse unfamiliar to them, and all the riders took turns jumping these mounts.
It was the first Pro Finals for Shelley, Brady and Kate, while Geoffrey’s debut in the class was in 2020.
Kate’s final total was 355.33. Brady was runner up with 352.99, Shelley finished third on 341.15 and Geoffrey fourth on 259.32.
Champion Kate Conover and her supporteres. (Photo by Shawn McMillen)
Explaining she had made the class a goal, Kate said, “My brother passed away in January, and I kind of just changed my focus to riding for my family.
“My mom really loves it, so I know she’s watching. I know I made her really proud, and I know my brother is watching. I made this a focus, and I wanted it. I wanted it not just for me, but for my family, and I couldn’t be more ecstatic that it actually happened.”
Kate has long experience on different horses, reaching back to her pony days.
“When I was a kid, and my whole life, I never really had the same horse or pony all the time, so it’s a lot of experience of just trying to make a relationship very fast,” she explained.
“I think it’s that experience of riding them all differently, taking what you have in the moment, and doing the best you can. Every horse you don’t ride the same.”
Geoffrey, who had a rail down that prompted him to withdraw in that round, said, “It wasn’t my night tonight, and that’s okay. I find it an honor to be in this class, and I think Kate is one of the most beautiful and most amazing riders, so I could not be happier for her,” he said.
This was the second year in a row that a first-timer took the win, after Nick earned the title in 2022.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 7, 2023
The 5-star CSI Greenwich Grand Prix was called off Saturday in the face of torrential rain that led to wet conditions at the Greenwich Polo Club in Connecticut.
The fixture began in 2021 as one day of 2- and 3-star show jumping competition.
“Our vision is to host a European-style show focused on international sport,” said rider/entrepreneur Kent Farrington, explaining at that time why he came up with the idea for the show. He was its honorary president this year.
For 2023, Greenwich developed into a four-day feature that also included a leg of Major League Show Jumping team competition. The $650,000 5-star grand prix, scheduled for Sunday, was to be the highlight of a show that attracted such big names as McLain Ward, Nayal Nassar and Margie Goldstein-Engle.
Saturday’s competition was called off because of the soggy conditions on the grass field and elsewhere on the grounds, but organizers assured ticket holders that the Sunday grand prix would be held.
Howeer, on Saturday morning, the Brant family, Major League Show Jumping and FEI officials discussed the situation with organizers and made “the difficult decision to cancel the event due to unprecedented and ongoing rainfall in the region. We have arranged to immediately refund all ticket purchases.
“The Greenwich area has experienced eight inches of rain accumulation, leading to flooding in the week leading up to CSI Greenwich. With the additional rainfall yesterday and the further expected rain and flood watch presently in effect, the conditions on the ground will not be up to our standards to host a high-level international competition with the safety and of horses and riders being at the forefront.”
But things could be different next year.
“Going forward,” said a statement from the show, “the team at CSI Greenwich, the Brant family, and Major League Show Jumping are committed to having a world-class venue and event here in Greenwich and will be investing in new infrastructure for (the) venue, including adding upgraded stabling and an all-weather sand arena.”
That all-weather arena is important for an outdoor show, since there is no time of year when the weather can’t be a factor.
The day wasn’t a total loss for Polo Club founder Peter Brant, however. He may not have grand prix luck, but he had racing luck. His Gina Romantica beat In Italian at Keeneland to win the Grade I First Lady Stakes.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 3, 2023
Dressage at Devon is a one-of-a-kind horse show, a unique celebration which this year elevated its offerings with additional exhibitions and learning opportunities to reach a bigger, more varied audience. The organizers put in an incredible amount of work to make it a creative multi-dimensional happening, and they succeeded.
There was a time when Devon was the goal of many top riders in the autumn. But now it’s competing with regional shows, the Florida circuit, a different calendar and a new migration pattern that has evolved over the years since it was a “must” destination. So it needs some added attractions to insure it remains relevant.
But its core attraction has never changed. Everyone who has ridden in the Dixon Oval under the lights rhapsodizes about how special it is. Some compare it to what they encounter in Europe, with the crowds and a heightened since of excitement. It’s a special opportunity conveniently located in a suburb of Philadelphia.
Marcus Orlob, who won both the 1-star FEI Prix St. Georges (72.010 percent) and the 1-star FEI Intermediate I (73.725) with Alice Tarjan’s stallion, J.J. Glory Day, said his biggest goal for 2023 was to show at Devon “because of the electric atmosphere.”
Marcus Orlob and J.J. Glory Day. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
He’s preparing to do the Intermediate II next year, and after that “this horse I think, has the talent to go all the way.”
To the Olympics?
“Probably,” he smiled.
Alice also was a double winner with Jane, taking the 2-star FEI Intermediate A (71.814 percent) and the 2-star FEI Intermediate II (71.088).
Jane was bouncing around waiting for the awards ceremony, which Alice attributed to an abundance of tension for a horse who hasn’t been shown much recently.
Alice Tarjan and Jane (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Asked for a comment on her mare’s performance, Alice said with a laugh, “it’s a work in progress. She’s here for the experience.” And in the ring, anyway, “She’s always a good girl.”
Horses showing in the same venue week after week, as they do in Florida at the Global Dressage Festival in Wellington or at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala get used to those surroundings, which can take the edge off. If they move on to foreign shows or championships, however, they will have to adjust to a new experience in a short amount of time. Dressage at Devon offers good practice for that, with not only the competition, but also the bells and whistles of the trophy presentation ceremony and victory lap.
Kim Herslow had a good ride at Devon on Elvis HI in 2021, but it took her until this year’s edition of the show to take that victory lap after collecting her ribbon. She and the horse’s co-owner, Ailene Cascio, finally got their moment in the winner’s circle after a frustrating journey.
Elvis was second in both the 2021 Intermediate I and I-1 freestyle to Cesar Parra on Belle Ami. But as part of an agreement with the FEI (international equestrian federation) connected to an “Equine Controlled Medication Rule Violation” involving Benzocaine, Belle Ami was disqualified late in 2021.
Kim missed being able to ride victory passes on Elvis in front of the crowd two years ago (Parra got that honor). Disqualification didn’t happen until months after the show. Even then, there was a long delay in receiving the redistributed prize money. While that finally came this summer, the big moment in the arena and the ribbon were not part of it.
But Devon made good on the ceremony in this year’s edition, with Kim, Ailene and Elvis in the ring at last to get their photo op.
Elvis HI’s owner Ailene Cascio with presenter Paul Eason and Kim Herslow on Elvis HI at their long-delayed victory ceremony. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
The trophies that accompanied the victories already had been engraved with the names of Parra and his mount, but they went back to the engraver after the show was notified of the FEI decision. The word “disqualified” now stands next to their names.
“It was nice to see; to get some credit for what Elvis did back two years ago. It was nice for Ailene too, she’s been on this journey with this horse longer than I have. To see her get that credit is a wonderful thing,” said Kim.
As Ailene noted, “It makes me happy that our sport is clean; that the recognition is going where it should go and people aren’t getting away with things. And Dressage at Devon stepped up and made it right.”
(Cover photo is Adrienne Morella on the 26-year-old Arabian King’s Ransom)
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 2, 2023
The Babington Benefit Horse Show Sunday at Duncraven in Titusville, NJ, was a huge success, raising $20,000 for the injured grand prix show jumper. Kevin, who is paralyzed from the middle of his chest down after a 2019 fall in competition, has enormous expenses, but friends and others who know his reputation have pitched in to help.
Kevin at home in Loxahatchee, Fla., with his wife, Dianna. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Today he posted this thank you on social media:
“When I woke up this morning I had to pinch myself when I looked at the post from the Babington benefit horse show yesterday. How does one go about thanking all the special people who put this together?
New Jersey and Pennsylvania have been a huge part of my life and career, and five years on, to see the support from local barns and trainers that come and support is incredible. I was based out of Duncraven almost 25 years ago. Tim Fedor and his family offered the facility for the first few benefit shows, and now to see the Stout Family willing to continue this tradition is wonderful. What they’ve done with the facility is incredible. Congratulations to them and continued success.
This is not your typical horse show. It is run totally by volunteers with the support of many sponsors from the area. The last four years have been a big adjustment for me and my family, but when I see something like this it makes my journey so much easier. I am going to add Jenn Cassidy’s post with a list of most of the volunteers, but like Jenn said, there are too many to list so i apologize if I miss anyone.
Kevin Babington on Carling King at the 2004 Olympics. (Photo © 2004 by Nancy Jaffer)
Nancy Wallis,
Julie Koveloski, and
Jennifer Cassidy work on this year round and from what I saw from the show yesterday, there wasn’t a stone left unturned. It was special for me to see a bareback flat class with so many entries. Riding bareback was something I loved to do when I rode, so it’s extra special to see this being part of the benefit show. A very heartfelt thank you to everyone and I hope all the riders had a great day. Love to all from myself, Dianna, Gwyneth, and Marielle.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 6, 2023
The National Horse Show in Lexington, Ky., will hold a reception in memory of trainer Larry Glefke Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. in the Riders’ Lounge. The horseman, who had suffered a stroke, died Sept. 15 at the age of 76.
The native of Michigan was a top hunter/jumper rider in the 1960s and ’70s before going on to become a trainer. He rode for Kenny Wheeler at Cismont Manor Farm, where his mounts included Bridegroom and Showdown. Moving on to Virginia, he rode for Bucky Reynolds and others, earning Horse of the Year titles in the process. He also became a racehorse trainer in the 1980s, logging a 41 percent win/place/show percentage.
He went on to run Lane Change Farm with his partner, Kelley Farmer. When the hunter derbies started, they had great success with such horses as Mindful and Point Being.
In addition to Kelley, he is survived by his son, Mike Glefke, daughter-in-law Anna Lisa Glefke, and grandchild Paul Lawrence “Law” Glefke, as well as his brother, Michael C Glefke, and his wife Bonnie K Glefke; two nephews and two grand-nephews.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 1, 2023
The race to Riyadh is on.
Benjamen Ebeling took the 2023-24 season’s first U.S. FEI World Cup Finals qualifier with a decisive victory during Dressage at Devon on Indeed.
The Danish warmblood added an exclamation point to her name on Saturday night with a beautifully calibrated performance that underlined her star quality.
The energy of the crowd that filled the boxes and seats around the Dixon Oval for the six-day show’s feature could be intimidating or encouraging, depending on a horse’s mood under the lights, but Indeed definitely was up for it.
“We can really rely on her experience to come through in big environments like this,” said Ben.
The crowd is one of the things that makes the Dressage at Devon freestyle so special, as Ben Ebeling learned first-hand on Indeed. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
“This is the first step in qualifying for the World Cup. She really pulled through for me tonight. We’re one step closer.”
Ben came to the show from Europe, where he has been training with Germany’s Christoph Koschel. It was a stop on his way to Florida, where he will compete in more freestyles during his quest for a place next spring in the first Cup final to be held in the Middle East.
His score of 77.325 percent was a freestyle personal best for him with the 15-year-old mare by Hofrat, a sleek beauty he has been riding for two years.
Earning four marks over 9 for his carefully crafted test’s degree of difficulty made a big contribution to his definitive victory. Runner-up Tanya Strosser-Shostak of Canada executed a smooth presentation on Fidelis Tyme to earn a personal best of 74.280 percent,
Hope Cooper, who also trains with Christoph, was close behind on 74.115 percent with the 17-year-old stallion Flynn PCH. They put up consistent 7’s across the board that drew in the crowd, which really got into her lively music.
Ben Ebeling knew he had nailed it with Indeed after his ride in the Dixon Oval. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
If the 24-year-old winner’s last name sounds familiar, it’s because he is the son of California trainer Jan Ebeling.
Although it was Ben’s first time competing at Devon, it’s not his first visit to the venue.
“I came here years ago with my dad and watched him show his Olympic mount, Rafalca, here,” said Ben.
“I remember it now, 15 years later. This was just so special to come back. It was a trip down memory lane. I got to be in the shoes of my hero, my dad.”
Although his father couldn’t be on hand for the class, he was present via Facetime to offer encouragement.
Ben’s preparation for Indeed included a hands-on half-hour of currying and massaging.
“I hoped it was enough,” chuckled Ben. And Indeed was indeed ready for her music, which included Beyonce and Gwen Stefani.
“It’s all female diva roles, which would suit her perfectly,” he said of the tunes for the mare, owned by Vantage Equestrian Group.
“I feel spending time with them in the stable before the ride continues to develop a partnership,” said Ben.
“I want to not just shake hands with her and get on, I want to be in the know about her and have a deep conversation.”
That approach can also mean he sings and dances in the stall.
“I spent a lot of time with this horse, trying and failing. You know, failing is part of the journey to get to success.”
And there will be more success with this horse in the future. Her next stop is the World Cup qualifier at TerraNova in Sarasota, Fla. When I asked if he’s also looking ahead to an Olympic start, following his father’s lead, Ben replied, “Everything’s on the table, knock on wood.”
Yvonne Losos de Muñiz of the Dominican Republic, who won the qualifier for the freestyle with Aquamarijn, lost her chance to claim the big prize when her horse trotted into the arena, then broke into the canter almost immediately, earning her marks of 3 and 4. She finished sixth on 72.195 percent.
Tanya understandably couldn’t stop smiling as she considered how well she had done with her 13-year-old Oldenburg in only their second freestyle competition in their first season at Grand Prix.
“I’m over the moon. It was quite daunting when I saw everybody. I said, `Ooh, I think I put a tall order on for him,’ but he really rose to the occasion.”
Canadian Tanya Strasser-Shostak put in a personal best with Fidelis Tyme to finish second at Devon. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
He got 8’s for his pirouette and 8.3’s across the board for the degree of difficulty and calculated risks.
The music, which had been recorded with a live orchestra, was by legendary Dutch composer Cees Sling. Tanya’s mother, Evi Strasser, had used it in the 2007 World Cup Finals with her Quantum Tyme. When that horse retired, the music got put on the shelf.
“It’s always been a piece that we love. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with him.” She rode him to it once and it fit.
“It really feels like a full-circle moment to have the opportunity to have that music and ride it with this horse,” mused Tanya.
She won her last freestyle in the final Pan American Games qualifier at Bromont, but Tanya noted this time, “I’m about four percent higher.”
Watching the ribbon presentation from the ingate, Evi Strasser called the music used by her daughter, “a very, very high-end freestyle. But I never could use it because none of the horses were going like this.”
Evi, who finished seventh herelf in the freestyle with 71.675 percent on Disney Tyme, won the Grand Prix Special earlier in the day with Déjà Vu Tyme.
Grand Prix Special winner Evi Strasser and Déjà Vu Tyme. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
For Hope, Devon was her first venture into the freestyle with the Hanoverian by Falsterbo 11.
The music, from Beyonce’s Coachella album, was raucous and got the crowd going. Flynn’s four white legs made it easy to follow his metronome piaffe, and he really got into his soundtrack.
The 26-year-old rider has only been working with the stallion for 18 months.
“He’s going really well,” she said, then added, “we’ve had some ups and downs.” You never know, I was just hoping he’d feel good. The scores and the placing were the cherry on top.”
Hope had been part of the NorCordia Master Class on Thursday night with Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, so her trip to Devon, presented by Kingsview Partners, has been quite an experience.
Hope Cooper and Flynn PCH impressed with their dynamism. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
“This is my first time here and every second of it was really a blast. I will be back next year,” she vowed.
It was exciting to see two talented members of the USA’s next generation performing at such a high level. The future for America on the international scene looks bright.
