by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 15, 2024
McLain Ward came close to topping a historically strong show jumping field on Sunday, but a heartbreaking rail at the last fence in the jump-off gave the Rolex Grand Prix in Geneva to the Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders, who picked up a check for $419, 442 in the process.
It was the first-ever 5-star victory at 1.60 meters for Harry’s mount, Monaco, who had finished second 11 times outside of championships, according to EquiRatings.
The fastest time of 41.48 seconds in the 10-horse tiebreaker was recorded by McLain, riding his Olympic USA team silver medal mount Ilex, with whom he has partnered for a mere 10 months. His clocking would have beaten the winner’s mark of a clear trip in 41.74 seconds, were it not for that pole dropping from the Rolex vertical with a mere unlucky touch of a hind hoof.
McLain Ward and Ilex.
Harrie had the disadvantage of being first to go in the jump-off; McLain had the advantage of being last to go.
As it was, McLain finished fourth in a field that was the sport’s strongest grand prix in 14 years, ever since EquiRatings started keeping those stats. The contenders included two Olympic individual gold medalists, the European champion, the world-ranked number one horse and rider (who also hold the world champion title) and former European Champion Martin Fuchs, who had won the Rolex International Jumper Riders Club Top Ten Final Friday night at the Palexpo arena. (Click here to read this story.)
So fourth place in such a high-caliber class is impressive, but not much consolation for missing out on the big prize. “I’m always disappointed not to win a big event, but it was a brilliant way to finish off what I consider a great year with Ilex,” McLain told me.
“Only beginning to ride him in February and to be able to put together the season we have is a testament to his talent, and I am very appreciative to all of the people around us make that happen,” he said while also praising his Dutch-bred gelding.
McLain, who can now take a few deep breaths, added “I’m very much looking forward to a bit of a Christmas rest with my family and to a great 2025. I always remind myself I’m very fortunate to play a game for a living.”
As he accepted his trophy moments after his victory aboard his 15-year-old Holsteiner, Harrie enthused, “I’m extremely happy. Monaco really deserved this win. Fantastic what this horse has done for me.
Harrie Smolders takes the spotlight.
“To start the jump-off in a field like this I think it is nearly possible to go straightaway from the first rider to win this, all riders behind you can go faster. He’s (Monaco) in fantastic shape at the moment, he’s so smart, so experienced. What he showed today is outstanding.”
Harrie admitted to the situation being “nerve-wracking,” noting that the riders coming after him could watch what he did and figure out where to make up their time on the course so they could go faster
“I really took my chances. I didn’t know if it was enough,” said Harrie, “I really took my chances. I didn’t know if it was enough, especially in this ring horses with a bigger stride have a little bit of advantage in a jump-off.”
Monaco checks out his trophy.
Harrie now has the first segment of the four-leg Rolex Grand Slam to his credit and moves on in 2025 to the next, in his home town of s’Hertogenbosch.
All four Grand Slam grands prix must be won in a row, so Martin’s September victory at Spruce Meadows no longer counts toward the Grand Slam for him, and he must start over.
Second place went to Giulia Martinengo Marquet, who rides in the uniform of the Italian air force. Her clean ride on the Selle Francais Delta Del’Isle was timed in 43.75 seconds and kept her EquiRatings record for clean jump-off rounds at 100 percent, though this was only her third such trip.
Right behind her was the promising young Belgian rider Gilles Thomas, on the Selle Francais stallion Ermitage Kalone in 44.77. He is also rated by EquiRatings at 100 percent, though again, this only his third jump-off at this level with the horse.
The podium: Harrie Smolders still can’t believe he won; Giulia Martinengo Marquet was second and Gilles Thomas third.
The class wound up having as many twists and turns as the course designed by Gérard Lachat of Switzerland and Gregory Bodo of France, who also did the Olympic routes in Paris with Santiago Varela.
The course for the Rolex Grand Prix
And speaking of Paris, the Alexandre III Bridge jump from the Paris Games wound up being a big time troublemaker. World Number One Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden had a run-out there with King Edward, mirroring a run-out he had in the second round of Friday’s Top Ten at a narrow fence of white rails. That’s on top of a disappointing fall at the Olympics.
Henrik’s compatriot, Peder Fredricson, also experienced a run-out at the Alexandre bridge in the Grand Prix jump-off with Catch Me Not to wind up sixth. Martin Fuchs broke a rail there with Leone Jei, who then not surprisingly dropped a pole at the first element of the double combination that came next. At a different fence, Italy’s Lorenzo de Luca came off Denver de Talma when the horse couldn’t negotiate the distance to the Rolex oxer that was the second-to-last obstacle in the jump-off.
Peder Fredricson at the troublesome Alexandre III bridge.
Two-time Rolex Geneva Grand Prix winner Kent Farrington of the U.S., had a rail at the oxer that was the B element of a double in the first round, and missed out on the jump-off with Greya, but finished twelfth as the fastest 4-faulter.
The first round was quite something. The list of eight riders who retired there after knockdowns included the USA’s Olympic team silver medalist Karl Cook with Caracole de la Roque following three dropped rails, and European Champion Steve Guerdat of Switzerland with Dynamix de Belheme, as well as other big names, among them Daniel Coyle of Ireland and Germany’s Marcus Ehning.
Click here for results
The big show as the year comes to a close is the London International, set to start Wednesday, with dressage and driving as well as show jumping, and a host of exhibitions.
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 13, 2024
As of Nov. 30, Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs was ranked number 11 in the world, which meant at the entry deadline, he didn’t qualify for Friday night’s Rolex International Jumper Riders Club Top Ten Final competition in Geneva.
But when number 10, Irishman Conor Swail, couldn’t get transportation for his horses from California to Switzerland, he dropped out and Martin (who was one point behind him in the FEI standings last month) dropped in to the Palexpo arena in his home country.
Martin made the substitution worthwhile, delighting a packed house when he and the Dutch-bred Leone Jei won the $556,702 competition, edging the USA’s Kent Farrington, a two-time Top 10 winner. Third went to Ben Maher of Great Britain, also a previous winner of the prestigious competition, who was double clear but slower than the top two with Point Break.
Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei salute the crowd after victory in the Top Ten class.
“It’s incredible,” said Martin after a victory that was understandably popular with the crowd, which was mostly Swiss. He used the word “fantastic” more than once in describing the achievement, which carried a $178,565 prize for his first victory in six tries competing in the class.
The former European champion called it a “nice win, especially (since) my loyal owner, Adolfo Juri…couldn’t be here tonight because he’s taken to hospital.. So Adolfo, I am sending my best wishes for recovery and say thanks for everything he does for me, for these amazing horses, for his incredible opportunity and for this long-lived partnership.”
Martin noted, “I received a call from Conor Swail on Sunday night saying his flight been cancelled, and that I was therefore in the class and I should try to win it. I carried these words with me for the entire week. I rode my top horse, Leone Jei, for this class because it is one that I really wanted to win. It was a big goal in my career so I am happy that tonight was my night.”
Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei on the way to victory.
The class consisted of two rounds, with faults from the first, which had 15 jumping efforts, carried over to the second, with 10 efforts and the clock ticking down who would win.
Martin’s double clear in a 47.02-second run presented quite a target, and aim was taken by the USA’s Kent Farrington, number four on the FEI ranking list, with the swift Zangersheide mare, Toulayna.
He fell short, however, finishing his fault-free effort in 48.05 seconds and blaming himself for not being able to catch Martin.
“I’m not happy,” said Kent.
“I’m very happy with my horse, I thought she was incredible. I thought I rode not so good.”
He said he got too far out as he pushed for speed and had to add a stride to get to the double combination “and it cost me the class today.”
Kent Farrington and Toulayna.
Kent added ruefully, “Great effort from my horse; she needs a better rider.”
For Sunday’s Rolex grand prix, he will be riding Greya.
“Same rider; hopefully, I do better.”
But things went better for him than for world number one Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden and his partner, King Edward, the 2022 winners of the Top 10 and the leaders after the first round in the 2024 edition. This year, the combination had 17 clear trips in 24 competitions set at 1.60 meters before Friday’s competition, and they hoped to improve the percentage in Geneva.
The courses for the Geneva Top Ten.
But in the second round, the gelding stopped at a narrow fence with white rails, third from the end of the course laid out by Gerard Lechat of Switzerland and Gregory Bodo, one of the designers of the Paris Olympic routes. Henrik turned King Edward around and jumped the obstacle, but wound up seventh with the Belgian warmblood in 59.13 seconds—just within the 60-second time allowed. The incident was reminiscent of the shocking conclusion to his performance in the individual jumping at the Olympics, when King Edward went one way at a fence and Henrik went the other as they parted company.
“I felt I was a little bit behind on the wall and got one two many strides there,” said Henrik, analyzing why his horse stopped in the Palexpo.
“I knew I had to make it up somewhere, I didn’t get the turn in a good way.”
He noted, however, he had predicted Martin would win, saying wryly, “and he did, so that’s something, anyway.”
On the podium: Martin Fuchs, Kent Farrington and Ben Maher.
The only other U.S. rider in the competition was McLain Ward, fifth with his Olympic horse, Ilex. In the first round, they dropped a rail at the last fence, a vertical, and that scuttled his chances to win.
McLain called it “a little bit of a foolish fault,” noting it involved “a light touch on top (of the rail); frustrating but that’s the game” and he came back with a clear trip in the second round.
He called Ilex a “brilliant partner all year” and will jump him in Sunday’s grand prix.
Geneva is an impressive show, with lots of entertainment and style. The ring looked beautiful, with a miniature lake in the middle and interesting fences, including one topped by models of four Swiss cows. Ben Maher said that intimidated his horse, joking “he’s never seen a cow.”
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by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 9, 2024
Ask yourself this question: Do you know what medication and therapy your horse is receiving, and why? Is there a good reason for it? Most of all, is it safe?
The Chromatic Fund, formally unveiled last week, will pay for collaborative research and education enabling veterinarians to be updated as they make decisions about horse care at competitions and elsewhere.
The initiative has the earmarks of being a lifesaver.
The fund will facilitate a ground-breaking effort under the auspices of the U.S. Equestrian Federation and American Association of Equine Practitioners, designed to make a big difference in the lives and careers of sport horses.
It all started because Kc Branscomb wasn’t going to give up.
She knew something had to be done following the death of Chromatic BF, a grand prix show jumper she bred, raised and loved.
A carefree Chromatic galloping through the fields of his California home.
The 13-year-old gelding competed at April’s FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final in Saudi Arabia, where he finished third in the second leg of the competition. Upon his return to the stables after an ebullient round of honor, a USEF-appointed veterinarian injected him with a cocktail of five drugs (none of which were prohibited substances), ostensibly to aid Chromatic with recovery after his big effort. Minutes later, the horse went into shock, collapsed and died.
Branscomb took issue with the results of a necropsy performed in Saudi Arabia that pointed toward an exercise-associated fatal pulmonary hemorrhage. According to the final report, the administered medications were not identified as the cause of death.
Chromatic ccompeting in Saudi Arabia.
But Branscomb insisted on better answers, including why the substances were injected, and beyond that, how to insure no other sport horse would suffer the same fate as Chromatic.
She made sure USEF listened, and also approached AAEP about her concerns. That led to a new welfare initiative and creation of the fund. The fund’s process, which also includes Branscomb’s input and the work of the Foundation for the Horse, is taking a worldwide perspective on a multi-faceted agenda.
Branscomb made an initial gift to kick-start the fund, matching a pledge from USEF, but the goal is to go beyond six figures and raise $2 million. For more information or to donate, go to this link — https://www.foundationforthehorse.org/support/chromaticfund.
The focus is on appropriate use of medication and other therapeutic interventions in equine athletes across the disciplines. The fund will pay for “science-based, equine-specific research and information access to benefit the health, well-being, and career longevity of horses in sport.”
Branscomb wants to get scientific information on untested therapies and the right dosages; how do you get the best efficacy while keeping the horse safe?
“We are dedicated to enhancing our welfare initiatives for sport horses announced in August,” said USEF CEO Bill Moroney, citing “the perfect partnership to set this education and research program on the right path to success.”
That’s particularly important in the era of horse sports seeking social license to operate from the general public. There have, for instance, already been petitions to the U.S. Olympic Committee asking that equestrian competition be excluded from the Games. Competition horses are a favorite target of animal rights groups.
In September, the advisory board of industry stakeholders that oversees the Chromatic Fund spent a day at AAEP headquarters in Lexington Ky., asking about the opportunities to sustainably improve the safety, welfare and longevity of the horses, and “do that in a way that wouldn’t adversely impact the sport itself? Most of us believe well-cared-for, healthy horses enjoy competing,” said Branscomb.
The result was a document listing the decisions and agreements the advisory board arrived at when they “explored rules, regulatory issues and questions of whether the problem was that the research is available, but just not getting out there to riders, trainers and the vets who are treating horses,” she continued.
Another facet involves determining whether the proper amount of research has been done on widely used emerging therapies and homeopathics.
“There is a huge amount of benefit and improvement that can be made just by properly curating the already available research and getting it out in practical, usable ways to veterinarians and clients; trainers, riders and owners hiring those vets,” said Branscomb.
She noted that if the vet who treated her horse at the World Cup had access to, and been informed on, peer review and academic papers about use of a product containing selenium (one of the components in the mixture given to Chromatic) he would have known there was no scientific evidence it does anything for muscle recovery and should only be given only over a course of treatment to horses who are deficient in that selenium.
Chromatic finished third in the second round of the World Cup.
As Branscomb explained the fund’s goals, she noted, “This is about available information not getting into right hands and not being paid attention to. So what we’re hoping to do with this…is bring the very best academic veterinarians who are doing the academic research and the top 30 treating vets in world, and get them together with top research veterinarians over a day or two to talk (this) through.”
The goal is a handbook for use by treating veterinarians in equestrian sport, covering items such as inflammation, cardiovascular fitness recovery rate and immune system response, “so many aspects of what makes a horse be able to perform at its very best and be healthy.”
The handbook would lay out protocols such as “do this, don’t do this and if you do this, here are the risks.”
That’s one part of the program. Another, according to Branscomb, is insuring that owners, the “ultimate custodians” of the animal, can educate themselves and have pertinent information to make therapeutic decisions for their horse, rather than simply relying on trainers who may feel pressured to win. It could “change the culture,” or “at the very least, determine which practices are potentially harmful or helpful.
“I think we need to find out what the impact is of injecting hocks every six weeks in horses that are six to eight years of age. I think there’s plenty of research that shows that can have an impact on potentially shortening a horse’s career. An owner should have an opportunity to ask intelligent questions,” said Branscomb.
She mentioned that there are “too many examples of `Well, let’s try this’… without really a scientific basis or any evidence that what they are trying is going to work.
The research will take time and the advisory board is looking at various ways to handle it. In addition to Branscomb and Moroney, the board includes Sonja Keating, the USEF’s chief operating officer and general counsel; Dr. Tracy Turner, president-elect of the AAEP and the Foundation for The Horse; Olympic show jumping medalist and trainer Norman Dello Joio; Dr. Jack Snyder, an FEI-certified treating veterinarian and Dr. John Madigan, distinguished professor emeritus of the University California Davis school of veterinary medicine and board certified animal welfare specialist with a focus on equine.
Kc Branscomb and amateur-owner hunter PakNSave. (Photo by Donna DeMari)
Branscomb noted sport governance organizations put out a list of prohibited substances, but there is “no discussion about tens of thousands of different therapies and medications; not even any discussion of `should they be limited and who should apply them?’
“It’s unbelievable how many drugs are in peoples’ (tack) trunks, being administered by people who are not veterinarians, things that are widely used. Those are permitted substances, depending on how and when they are administered, alongside other drugs, and who administers them. There’s a lot of information about what is safe and not safe, but that is not out there in the hands of people using those drugs.”
There needs to be a level of accountability and some kind of consequences when someone makes a mistake, she believes, noting the International Sport Horse Veterinary Association has made a set of recommendations to the FEI (international equestrian federation) for rules on how to supervise and insure best-in-class knowledge is being utilized.
“I don’t know if USEF or FEI will lead, but I believe in the next 12 months, both organizations will make a major change in management of how medications are reviewed and applied within the context of permitted substances,” said Branscomb,
She lobbied successfully for revisions to the USEF’s Horse Participation Consent Agreement in terms of treatments that can be given without permission to horses representing the USA. A change was made to say that except in an emergency, no medications will be administered to horses by team veterinarians at international competitions without prior consent of the athlete (a rider or driver), who is the person responsible under FEI regulations for substances present in a horse.
This week at the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s convention, Branscomb will receive the Mrs. A.C. Randolph Owners Legacy Award, which recognizes past or current owners who have been loyal patrons of the industry.
USHJA called her a significant figure in the hunter/jumper industry for many years, making her mark as a breeder dedicated to producing top sport horses at Branscomb Farm in California. She has cultivated a breeding program prioritizing both talent and temperament, USHJA noted in announcing the award, while citing her work with USEF “to advocate for changes in the role of owners in international competitions.”
Branscomb’s persistence, which has achieved much, was fueled by devotion.
“I loved my horse and what happened should never have happened,” she stated.
“I set out to make sure it would never happen again and in that process, I learned there were some holes in the safety net that was supposed to protect our horses, and there was some lack of understanding and knowledge that was readily available that would have kept my horse safe and alive. I wanted to make sure that got fixed.
“We have an opportunity to lead from the front and do it right, and have the sport be celebrated and leave the parts that we love intact and just have better-informed therapeutic care of the animal.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 8, 2024
There was a time when $1 million show jumping grands prix practically abounded—we had the granddaddy of them all at Spruce Meadows, which was worth $3 million (Canadian) in September, while $1 million classes earlier in this century were offered in Ocala, Fla., and Saugerties, N.Y., as well as Thermal,. Calif.
The latter is now the richest grand prix in the U.S., the only one in the country still offering a seven-figure purse. So it’s especially exciting not only because of the prize money, but also because Saturday night’s Coachella Cup Grand Prix at the Desert International Horse Park drew a field of 41 that included some of the sport’s biggest names.
One of those is Ashlee Bond, whose victory was special because she is a hometown girl, a native of California who has competed at the show for years.
Ashlee, who rides on the Israeli team, said she has been sick for a month and was still coughing and sneezing during the awards ceremony, but the illness didn’t affect her performance on Donatello. The longtime partners, who have been together seven years, made short work of the jump-off course, clocking a clear round to finish in 39.33 seconds ahead of the USA’s ever-improving combination of Aaron Vale and Carissimo 25, finishing in 40.48 seconds. Third was Colombia’s Marc Bluman with Ubiluc in 40.91 seconds.
Ashlee Bond with the Coachella Cup and runner-up Aaron Vale (left) and third-place Marc Bluman (right)
Ashlee rode the curves of Olaf Petersen Jr.’s course in slalom style.
“His strengths are his turns,” said Ashlee of her mount, also noting, “since I pulled his shoes off, he’s able to go so much faster.”
Following the Paris Olympics, she wasn’t sure if Donny wanted to jump at the 5-star level anymore.
But leaving him barefoot after the Games was the key to continuing his career in a positive way.
“It’s just made him so much happier. He’s so fresh and sound and his stride’s gotten bigger. I feel like he is reinvigorated and has this happiness to go around and do his job. I’m really grateful, you don’t get these horses much in your lifetime,” said Ashlee.
Donatello and Ashlee on the way to their $1 million victory. (High Desert Sport Photo)
She would have been happy simply being in the Coachella Cup’s top three.
“This is amazing. I’m speechless. I can’t believe this happened,” she said, as she got a bit teary eyed about her “super surreal” achievement.
“It’s such a nice end to our year and a reward for our team and my horse. My little Donny is such a fighter and gives me so much every time. I’m super grateful,” commented Ashlee, who also won the class a decade ago. At that time she noted, however, It wasn’t FEI (international), so with Saturday’s class being a 5-star and attracting a stellar lineup of horses and riders, it means more than her previous victory.
Ashlee Bond and Donatello in the Coachella Cup. (Photo by High Desert Sport Photo)
“I’m just so honored to be here…this is really special it’s been an up-and-down year,” she continued.
“I feel really blessed and give it all to God more than me.”
Aaron Vale praised Carissimo, noting the 11-year-old Holsteiner is, “a wonderful horse. “I’m so close to getting exactly where I want to be, but there’s still a little hunger left. I’ve had a lot of close ones with one down, second place, third place, but what a fun night of jumping. I’m thrilled to be in California. I’ve never shown here, so what an exciting night. Hats off to Ashlee.
Commenting about the showgrounds, Aaron said, “It’s just really impressive.
“You just get a feel that the management and upper staff, they want it to be good; they want you to be happy. The amenities are great. I’ve got to say this is the best VIP I’ve seen. It’s just wonderful. You really feel welcomed. It makes you want to come back.”
Aaron Vale and Carissimo, second in the Cup. (High Desert Sport Photo)
Desert International Horse Park President and CEO Steve Hankin concluded, “When we started five years ago, if you had said this is where we would be right now, I think people would have said you were crazy. We built a nice horse park, and what Aaron said about the feeling here – that we want people here and we want to take care of them and have great time – it means the world to me, because that’s so, so important to us.
“The ultimate goal,” explained Steve, “was to bring great sport to California. It’s desperately needed it. I think we took a pretty big step forward this year in bringing great sport here. It just doesn’t get any better than to have this group of riders here with this class and to have Ashlee win it.”
The class presented by Brown Advisory also marked the individual championship for the 2024 Major League Show Jumping series, with Ireland’s Conor Swail taking the overall title for the season. He finished eighth in the 12-horse tie-breaker with 4 faults on Casturano.
Some riders who seemed to be likely key contenders for the Cup’s big payoff were far from the title. The USA’s Kent Farrington, who rode his young horse, Myla, didn’t make the jump-off after dislodging a rail in the triple combination. Another U.S. star, McLain Ward, downed the first element of the double combination in the tie-breaker with Callas, and knocked the last rail as well to finish eleventh.
In the first round, the time allowed of 83 seconds proved to be tight for five riders who otherwise would have been clean. Seven other competitors retired when they ran into trouble in the first round. But for $1 million, it has to be hard.
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by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 6, 2024
A born horseman whose natural ability made him a legend, Rodney Jenkins was the ultimate winner in the days when he reigned as a dominant force on the grand prix circuit with his most famous mount, the equally talented Idle Dice.
The Red Rider, who had been in deteriorating health, passed away in his sleep at age 80 on Thursday. The loss has been keenly felt around the equestrian community, where he was an idol. Many people remembered sitting ringside watching Rodney school horses as a way to improve their own technique, though who could match him?
The red-head grew up learning to ride by the seat of his pants in Orange, Va., where his father, Enis Jenkins, was a professional horseman. He became a huntsman, then went on to work for Gene Mische, who went on to be the country’s best known horse show organizer.
Rodney’s talent took him to the top of the sport, with victories everywhere from Madison Square Garden to Devon and all the other great shows. His honors included being American Grand Prix Association champion and American Horse Shows Association Horseman of the Year. After hanging up his saddle in 1989, Rodney turned to training racehorses. He was successful at that too, until he retired for good earlier this year. His best season at the track came in 2006, when his horses won $1.8 million.
But he will be most remembered for his ability in the show ring, a standout with the hunters as well as the jumpers. He had a great eye for a fence, and understood what a horse was thinking almost before the horse knew what it was thinking. If you had to sum it up in one word, Rodney was a horseman.
He also was a low-key and kind person.
Retired show jumper Melanie Smith Taylor has an especially warm place in her heart for Rodney, and her mind flashed back to their special connection when she learned of his death.
After the owners of Melanie’s 1984 Olympic gold medal mount, Calypso, went into bankruptcy, they sent the horse to Rodney to be sold. But Rodney dragged his feet and never showed Calypso.
It wasn’t just that the Dutchbred gelding didn’t happen to be Rodney’s type of ride; he knew Calypso had always been Melanie’s horse, and he didn’t want to see such a great athlete demoted to being a junior jumper or some other job unworthy of his record.
Melanie’s fiancée, polo player Lee Taylor, realized the only thing missing from her life was Calypso. So he went to Rodney and said he wanted to buy the great horse and retire him to his Tennessee farm—though he didn’t mention his connection to Melanie.
But she believes “Rodney read between the lines and knew he was coming home to me. Rodney made it happen.”
The horseman felt the brilliant show jumper should quit at the top of his game (the way Rodney himself would eventually end his showing career).
The deal went through, and Melanie was ecstatic when Calypso arrived at Lee’s farm for a long and happy retirement.
Another top show jumper, Bernie Traurig, reminisced about looking up to Rodney as his own career got under way.
He recalled in a social media post that, “As a young professional, Rodney was my mentor. I was a sponge for his education, learning anything I could soak in from his wisdom and ability. As much as possible, I would watch him school, teach at clinics, watch him show, learn how he managed his stable and what he fed his horses,” Bernie recalled.
“I was lucky to even sell him some very nice horses. I begged him to try Idle Dice as a 5-year-old when I was showing him as a hunter, and, well, the rest is history. He was arguably the best horseman and rider of hunters and jumpers in his heyday, and set the bar for us all.”
Show jumper Jimmy Torano compared Rodney to basketball superstar Michael Jordan in terms of the domination of his sport, and noted sadly, “We already missed seeing him at the shows. Now we will really miss him. He is a Legend. The Greatest of all Time.”
In addition to Harry Gill’s thoroughbred, Idle Dice, who won everything, from multiple victories in the American Gold Cup to the President’s Cup (four times), Rodney’s many show jumping partners included Number One Spy, also owned by Gill; The Natural, the first jumper to sell for $1 million, American Invitational winner Third Man and Czar, on whom he earned double silver at the 1987 Pan American Games.
Rodney missed the Olympics at the height of his career because only amateurs could compete in the Games and Pan Ams during that period. As a professional, he was ineligible until the rules were loosened and he was able to compete at the Pan Ams.
Rodney Jenkins, right, with 1987 Pan Am Games silver medal team members Greg Best, Katherine Burdsall and Lisa Jacquin (Karl Leck Photo)
A member of the Show Jumping and National Show Hunter Halls of Fame, he was also inducted into the Washington International Horse Show Hall of Fame when I caught up with him a few years ago. He reminisced about the days when he was riding, adding he hadn’t been on a horse since 2008. He still judged some shows–who could argue with his eye for a horse?
“I really miss the competition,” he admitted in his soft southern drawl
“I enjoyed showing, and when I didn’t, I quit. The horse show glitter is wonderful, but I see it’s going on great without me. They have some wonderful riders out there.”
Rodney Jenkins and Idle Dice.
He told me he would look at show jumping on TV (no doubt while smoking his pipe), saying, “I love to watch a good horse jump, and there seems to be a lot of them.”
He was devoted to his wife of 26 years, Un Jin Jenkins, who rode in the 1988 Olympics representing South Korea and is now a prolific painter. The couple lived in Maryland with their two sons, Matthew and Ty. Rodney described them as “all-American boys” who participated in sports, but not riding.
Rodney, who also had three children from a previous marriage, Blythe, Robert and race horse trainer Patrick Jenkins, enjoyed staying in one place instead of constantly being on the move as in his horse show days.
“It’s the best time of my life,” he said with a smile. “God is good to me.”
A memorial service will be held at noon Jan. 7 at Laurel Park in Maryland.
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 5, 2024
Charlotte Dujardin, the former dressage heroine, was penalized Thursday by the FEI with a year’s suspension for a horse-whipping incident captured on video and publicized just before the Paris Olympics, when it gained worldwide attention and notoriety.
Britain’s multi-medalist from three other Olympics had voluntarily suspended herself in July after revelation of the video, ending her nation’s possibility of a team gold medal at the Games. She and Imhotep were replaced on the squad by newcomer Becky Moody with Jagerbomb. The team wound up with the bronze, keeping Britain from a sweep of all three equestrian team gold medals, as it won both the eventing and show jumping titles. Dujardin’s mount, Imhotep, had been regularly scoring over 80 percent in the Grand Prix and the Special used for awarding team medals at the Games.
Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep.
After an investigation into Dujardin’s case, the FEI initiated formal disciplinary proceedings, citing three charges: 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.
The gravity of the offense was balanced by the FEI with “relevant mitigating circumstances,” which included Dujardin’s prior clean disciplinary record and her voluntary withdrawal from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The FEI imposed a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs (U.S. $11,341) and is giving her credit for time served. That means her suspension will end July 23, but it is uncertain what the future holds for her in the sport. Until the end of the suspension, she is prohibited from participating in all activities related to competitions or events under the jurisdiction of the FEI or her national federation.
Meanwhile, she announced on Thursday she is pregnant with her second child, who is expected in February.
The video that came out on social media showed Dujardin aggressively hitting her student’s cantering horse with a longe whip, prompting the animal to kick out several times. The video was taken during a lesson at a private stable and made public for an anonymous client by a Dutch attorney.
Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep at the 2023 European Championships, where they won individual bronze.
“What happened was completely out of character and does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils, however there is no excuse,” Dujardin stated on social media in the wake of the video.
“I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example in that moment,” she said.
“I am sincerely sorry for my actions and devastated that I have let everyone down, including Team GB, fans and sponsors.”
Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro at the 2012 London Games, where they were double gold and led Britain to its first ever Olympic dressage medal.
On Thursday, she posted a message on Facebook saying, “I fully respect the verdict issued by the Federation for
Equestrian Sports (FEI), released today. As the federation has recognized, my actions in the video do not reflect who I am and I can only apologize again. I understand the responsibility that comes with my position in the sport, and I will forever aim to do better.
“This has undoubtedly been one of the darkest and most difficult periods of my life, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me during this time. To those of you who have sent messages, emails and tried to reach me to check in on how l am – thank you. Every kind word truly has made a difference, more than you’ll ever know.
“What I was unable to share at the time is that I am currently pregnant, with my baby due in February. This was planned well before the Olympics and something my partner, Dean, and I have been excited about for a long time.
At the moment, the energy I have is focused on Dean and our daughter Isabella, and we are all very much looking forward to the arrival of our new family member.”
Dujardin’s scandal came as horse sport has been focusing on “social license to operate” and seeking the acceptance of the public with an image that emphasizes equine welfare.
FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said. “It is regrettable that this case has put our sport in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, especially during a critical time leading up to the Olympic Games.”
She added, “These significant sanctions send a clear message that anyone, regardless of their profile, who engages in conduct that compromises the welfare of the horse will face serious consequences. We believe this outcome reaffirms the FEI’s commitment to equine welfare and to its role as guardian of our equine partners.”
Meanwhile, the FEI has other cases pending that involve allegations of abuse. They include dressage rider Cesar Parra and eventer Andrw McConnon.
Jim Eyre, chief executive of British Equestrian commented about Dujardin’s matter; “We are confident that this has been a thorough disciplinary process and thank those involved for their professional approach.
“The welfare and ethical treatment of horses has always been a priority and no one involved in our sport should be in any doubt that we expect the highest standards at all times. We will continue to work with our member bodies tirelessly to uphold the integrity of our sports through enforcement, education, and advancement in our knowledge.”
Jason Brautigam, chief executive of British Dressage, stated: “We stand united with the FEI in taking a zero-tolerance approach to any breaches of our equine welfare policies – and this case has proved that these disciplinary processes work, regardless of the status of the individual concerned.
“We launched the Charter for the Horse last year and remain totally committed to upholding these standards. Working closely with our colleagues across the Federation, we will continue to collectively put the health, care and wellbeing of the horse at the heart of everything we do, and proactively demonstrate that equestrian sport is conducted in an ethical and responsible way.”
