by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 8, 2024
Heidi Humphries has made a major splash in the world of dressage by buying several high-profile horses recently, including two top international mounts for Olympic and world championships team silver medalist Adrienne Lyle.
But this is a fairly new development, so understandably, there are those who are unfamiliar with her name. To answer part of the question, Heidi is a registered nurse and successful businesswoman. She serves as the CEO of Spectra Baby USA. It’s a company focused on supporting breastfeeding mothers with products designed for efficient technology, creating comfortable pumps and accessories.
On the equestrian side of the equation, horses have been a part of Heidi’s life since she went to a “horse” birthday party at age seven.
She “absolutely fell in love” with horses, and her parents, Sam and Linda Perlman, obliged that passion four years later by buying her an Appaloosa named Roxie.
That mare “was truly my rock during my childhood,” recalled Heidi.
“There is just something about horses. The way they know when you had a tough day and give an extra nicker to greet you, the way they sound when they are happy munching their hay, and the intoxicating way they smell when they nuzzle against you.”
She rode and showed hunt seat a bit, but was always fascinated by dressage. Heidi dreamed of having an Olympic dressage horse, and that may well come true later this year.
She took time off from riding after her children, Bryan and Nicole, were born, but she knew horses would come back to her life someday.
Heidi Humphries and her son, Bryan, with Quinn Iverson and King’s Pleasure.
That happened six years ago. She now owns Zen Elite Equestrian Center near Fort Lauderdale, Fla., south of Wellington.
“I owe so much of who I am and the amazing people who have come into my life, to the beautiful four-legged souls that I have had the honor of spending time with,” she noted, and is thankful for the support of her family and her partner, Danielle Linder, in the process.
Heidi enjoys watching Olympic dressage and admired Adrienne’s partnership with Salvino during the Tokyo Olympics. The two were introduced by a mutual friend soon after the Games.
“There is something about the way she is with horses,” Heidi mused in response to being asked why she decided to buy horses for Adrienne.
Adrienne Lyle on Top Gun with Heidi Humphries, Debbie McDonald and Christine Traurig, who sill be U.S. dressage chef d’equipe at the Paris Olympics.
“She is really a nice person, so helpful in every way, as I learned more about the dressage world,” Heidi explained.
“But it is the way she comes absolutely alive on a horse that captured me. She truly becomes one with the horse and you can see that the horses respond to her in such a beautiful way. There is an honest love for horses that goes way beyond a piaffe or passage, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it.”
And now she is part of it, in a big way. Heidi just purchased two Grand Prix horses rather than one for Adrienne because, “I want to see our U.S.. team do well, and two incredible talents are even better than one.” That’s especially true with the Olympics on the horizon this summer.
She’s not counting on owning an Olympic horse in 2024, however.
“There are no guarantees in life,” Heidi pointed out.
“I am fully aware of that. But I think we have an amazing team of riders and horses at Zen and I am excited to see what they can do, this season, and beyond.“
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 7, 2024
Sagacious HF, a genuine warrior of a dressage horse who won medals for the U.S., died this weekend. He was less than three months short of his 25th birthday.
The Dutch warmblood (Welt Hit II/Judith X Cocktail) competed until the age of 23. He began at First Level in 2004, and took his final step into the arena in 2022.
Although several riders did well with him, he enjoyed his greatest success with Lauren Sammis, who earned individual silver with the gelding at the 2007 Pan American Games, where the combination contributed to team gold.
Sammis, who thanked owner Al Guden and his late wife, Judith, for the opportunity to compete Sagacious, trained him from First Level to the Games in Rio de Janeiro at Small Tour and then to Grand Prix. He won six Grands Prix and Freestyles in a row in 2009.
Sagacious and Lauren Sammis at the 2009 national champoinships. (Photo © 2009 by Nancy Jaffer)
While his Pan Am results with Sammis were the most memorable of his career, Sagacious also went on to perform with a variety of women in the saddle. They included Caroline Roffman in 2013, when she rode him in the U-25 at Aachen; from 2014-2018 Chase Hickok, top U.S. U-25 rider in 2015 who also competed in 5-stars abroad. In 2018, Allessandra Ferrucci took up the ride, followed by Jordan Lockwood.
Judge Natalie Lamping said of Sagacious on Lauren Sammis’ social media page, “He was a heart horse for so many riders. He taught so many after your training, Lauren.”
When asked what made the horse special, Lauren believes, “The thing about Sagacious is he was so smart. When you didn’t use his intelligence, he found ways to use his intelligence to entertain himself. That horse was exceptional and he was ready to learn.”
She added, “He changed dressage. Through my career, I’ve had international judges come up to me and say at that time we were the best pair in the world. In my youth, I had no idea the journey that we were on. I’m grateful to him. I was just riding.”
She pointed out, “The way he moved in his prime was memorable. He had such carriage, such swing, such ease; it was a beautiful picture. Everything happened out of a balance and an ease, not pressure.”
The ground-breaking aspect, in Lauren’s view, was that “He had more scope than any of the horses at that time. He was the beginning of what the new face of dressage looked like. You could say that Totilas then became the face of dressage. Those horses changed the trajectory of the sport.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 5, 2024
A celebration of life is planned Jan. 22 for Alan Chesler, the owner of Sher-Al Farm, who was respected in the equestrian community. The gathering will be held from 2-5 p.m. at Wellington National Golf Club, 400 Binks Forest Drive.
Alan, 82, a native of Canada who spent winters in Wellington, died January 2 after an illness. His daughter, Frankie, remembered him as “such a great equestrian, he taught me everything and I loved every minute of it. I can’t believe I’m going to be riding again and not have him in the ring with me. It will not feel right, but I will be riding for him and thinking of him each and every time. I remember he always told me, “Just humor me.”
It got me so very far in riding and in life and I always trusted him and will continue to trust what he taught me so well. He was such an amazing teacher. He taught me to drive a car, stick shift, a horse trailer, a bus, how to back up a trailer and so much more. He taught me numbers, gosh he loved numbers.
“He was a human calculator. We used to drive from show to show playing math games, geography games and listening to the best oldies music. I sure miss those days. Time always passes way too fast when you’re having fun, and I can’t think of any time spent with my dad that wasn’t fun.”
Martha Hall recalled him this way: “Alan was a real winner! Those of us who knew him and were lucky enough to show with him were better off because he was all that and always so kind.”
In addition to Frankie, he is survived by his wife, Sherry, and daughters Mikala van Arnhem and Robin Chesler, as well as a son, Andrew Chesler, and four grandchildren.
Those who would like to remember Alan Chesler with a donation may do so by contributing to the charity of their choice.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 4, 2024
Christine Traurig, the heroine of the 2000 Olympics whose crucial dressage performance secured team bronze for the U.S., will be assisting others as they try for a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
She has been named by the U.S. Equestrian Federation to serve as the dressage team’s chef d’equipe for those Games, and also is taking the title of the USA’s dressage development coach in an update to the coaching structure. Her work in Paris is cut out for her, as the U.S. does not have a dressage rider among the current listing of the world’s top 50. However, it’s early days yet and a number of opportunities for rising up the ranks exist this winter and spring in Wellington and Ocala, Fla.
While a U.S. dressage medal in Paris is unlikely, the big goal is the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, because it is a home Games, which means it’s most important that the country puts on a good performance at home. So what’s starting now is the building process for 2028.
“I am excited to be stepping into the Development Coach role for the program,” said Christine.
Christine Traurig. (Photo © 2012 by Nancy Jaffer)
“Our sights are set on the future and how we can continue to strengthen our development pipeline of talented horses and riders. It’s also an honor to be appointed as chef d’equipe for this summer, and a full circle moment for me in my career, as I hope to share my knowledge and past Olympic experience as an athlete and coach as guidance and support to our high-performance combinations on the road to Paris this summer.”
Christine, who has been part of the coaching program for nearly a decade, is taking over from development coach Charlotte Bredahl, who steps down April 1. With her appointment as chef, Christine will focus on supporting and working with athletes and their personal coaches who are aiming for Paris, as well as with USEF Managing Director of Dressage Laura Roberts.
U.S. Dressage Federation President George Williams will remain in his position as the high performance and pathway development advisor and youth coach. He assists with strategy development and working with athletes to identify opportunities, including enhancing the access to education and coaching through more clinics and competition opportunities.
Hallye Griffin, director of FEI Sport for USEF, said, “Christine is the right fit to support and will add invaluable expertise to the U.S. Dressage Team looking towards this summer’s Olympic Games. Additionally, Christine will be taking a more active role in the development program as we increase focus to our home Olympic Games in Los Angeles.”
The USEF Dressage Coaches Support Network will be expanded and help provide greater support across the U.S. dressage program, in coordination with Christine and George.
A native of Germany who grew up on her family’s small breeding farm, after training in her discipline Christine went on to work at the Hanoverian Elite Sales. Christine came to this country more than four decades ago. She earned a training grant to ride with coach Jo Hinnemann in Germany, the start of a long-term student/mentor relationship.
She was previously married to show jumper Bernie Traurig and is the mother of two. The Californian became the USEF’s Young Horse Coach in 2015.
As a part of the feedback and discussion, and following the 2024 Olympics, the USEF will continue to strengthen coaching support through the Los Angeles 2028 Games with the appointment of additional coaches and educational opportunities to support across the programs.
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 31, 2023
Helgstrand Dressage, the stable whose training practices came out in the open via a scathing Danish undercover TV documentary in November, is calling 2023 a year that has “been challenging, evolving and educational.”
In a new year’s statement, the company noted, “2023 has opened an important debate on horse welfare in sport.”
It added that with the airing of the documentary, “it became clear that we have mistakes to correct and can continue developing our animal welfare.”
The documentary revealed the use of whips and spurs that left marks, which workers tried to cover up. The scandal led to the Danish equestrian federation’s decision to ban Helgstrand CEO Andreas Helgstrand from its teams, at least until January 1, 2025, which means no Olympics for him.
Among improvements in the wake of the documentary, Helgstrand stated it is upgrading continuing education and has put a new camera setup in its arenas.
“It’s all in our efforts to achieve the highest level of welfare for our horses and best framework for our staff,” the statement maintained.
“We have appreciated the debate that has come up afterwards — both in the general public, but in particular, in the industry. We believe that there is a lot we can learn from each other, and therefore we would like to continue the conversation and together become wiser about how to lift the task.” (They may mean “elevate the task”; this is a translation from Danish.)
A lot of the ways in which the company can improve simply involves basic horsemanship, respect for animals and common sense. Hopefully, what happened to the Helgstrand organization provides a lesson for other training facilities that need to learn one.
Helgstrand Dressage is owned by Global Equestrian Group, which also owns the Wellington International showgrounds, home of the Winter Equestrian Festival, in Florida. Plans for its expansion are tied to a hot issue about development in the “Winter Equestrian Capital of the World.” That situation remains to be resolved in 2024.
Eurodressage.com has a story about the finances of both Helgstrand and GEG. Here is a
link to that piece.
For a review of 2023, go to the second featured item on this website, or click on this
link.
Those seeking more detail can read past coverage by clicking the “previous columns” icon at the top of this website (
www.nancyjaffer.com) or by going to the search function on the site. This website covered dozens of hours of proceedings on the development issue, beginning in June.
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 28, 2023
Barbara Hay’s life focused on raising young horses and training young riders.
She died at her Rainbow Ridge Farm in East Amwell, N.J., on Dec. 27, just three days short of her 72d birthday.
Barbara Hay on the farm with her horses. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
A national examiner for the U.S. Pony Club who was the chief horse management judge at many Pony Club rallies, Barbara never lost sight of what was important to her.
Although she was dealing with Lewy Body dementia and Parkinson’s disease, even in her waning days, Barbara “thought she was teaching Pony Club or doing a rating,” and would go out to the barn with her clipboard, said her daughter, professional horsewoman Bridget Hay.
“Horses were everything for her and Pony Club was such a part of her life,” Bridget explained.
Dressage professional Kim Herslow, who also has a farm in Hunterdon County, said, “Barbara was such a local horse hero. She will definitely be remembered by everybody who had horses in our area. Through all the Pony Club and all the time she has put into growing our younger equestrians, everyone knew Barbara.”
Added Kim, a friend for two decades, “She had such a passion for helping people learn and being involved with the horses as much as she could be. Bridget did everything she could to keep her mom in the saddle.”
Not too long ago, Kim recalled, Bridget had her Grand Prix horse on the longe line with her mother aboard. Barbara was “having a blast” doing piaffe and passage. “She kept talking abut it for days afterward.”
Trainer/judge Marilyn Payne said of Barbara, “in the horse world she was such a big name, especially Pony Club, she did so much for Pony Club. She was just fabulous, volunteering all the time and worked tirelessly. She was a very knowledgeable horsewoman.”
Marilyn mentioned Barbara had “a fabulous personality. She was nice to everyone; everyone loved her.”
Scores of people posted on social media after learning Barbara had passed away, many offering tributes about all the woman known fondly as “Baba” had done for the equestrian community.
Ralph Reilly commented, “Barbara was one of the kindest, most giving people I have ever known. Her encouragement and patience with all the Pony Club kids was remarkable. She touched so many young lives, leaving them all for the better. She is a cherished memory for us.”
Lucia Stout Huebner stated, “What a marvelous, beautiful and giving woman Barbara Hay was. Best riding instructor ever. She had a perfect balance of authority and kindness.”
Even before she could walk, Bridget began riding under the direction of her mother and was part of the Amwell Valley Pony Club. Together, the two bred dressage horses that Bridget went on to compete at Grand Prix, starting an impressive pipeline of American-bred horses who could excel in the discipline.
Bridget Hay and her mother, Barbara, cleaning tack during Dressage at Devon in 2016. (Photo © 2016 by Nancy Jaffer)
Early in her career, Barbara worked for breeder Gordon Smith, starting all the babies of his Trakehner stallion, Parliament.
Their breeding project began with Ming, an Oldenburg mare by Weltstern, who Barbara got in trade by riding for Ilona English. Ming became the foundation of the Hays’ program, in which Barbara played a major role.
“Her thing was breaking young horses. She helped me start all the babies here,” said Bridget, noting her biggest challenge came when her mother wasn’t able to work with her anymore after her diagnosis in 2020.
Barbara Hay with Bridget on Faolan at the 2022 USEF Festival of Champions. (Susan J. Stickle Photography)
Barbara’s husband, James, died 11 years ago on Dec. 28. In addition to Bridget, Barbara is survived by her son, Ryan; four grandchildren, Ryder, Audrey, Amelia and Julianna, and her sister, Susan Gaukin.
Visitation is 5-8 p.m, Jan. 2 at the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home in Flemington.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 3 at St. Alphonsus Church in Hopewell, with a reception to follow.
Donations in Barbara Hay’s memory may be made to the U.S. Pony Club (https://www.ponyclub.org)
A celebration of life will be planned at the farm in the spring, with a date to be determined.
