by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 17, 2019
Dianna Babington, the wife of injured show jumper Kevin Babington, is reaching out for more help sorely needed by her husband. He has been in rehab for a critical spinal injury he suffered when his horse fell in competition during a show at the end of August, but he will be leaving the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation soon and even more responsibility will fall on Dianna and the couple’s teenage daughters, Marielle and Gwyneth.
Kevin, who finished fourth in the Olympics for Ireland in 2004, is a lovely fellow who is based in Allentown, N.J., during the spring, summer and fall, and Florida during the winter.
Think what you would do if you found yourself in the Babingtons’ position, with a situation estimated to cost $5 million, the need for constant care and a health care plan that only allows for 30 visits a year from a nurse!
It is the time of year when people are considering donating to charities that offer a tax deduction, and Kevin’s cause is a good one.
Here’s Dianna filling in the details of the situation:
“The Kevin Babington Foundation, a 501 c3, was organized by our very good and generous friends who are also riders and trainers. Tax-deductible donations via check may be sent to the Kevin Babington Foundation, 2402 Players Court,Wellington FL 33414. (To obtain bank instructions for wiring money, send an email to Debbie Welles at the kevinbabingtonfoundation@gmail.com. All information will be shared through the email address in order to keep the wire information secure.)
“There has been a lot of fundraising,” said Dianna.
“It has come mostly from the heart of our amazing horse community and every dime of that money has been and will continue to be allocated carefully. However, the result of Kevin’s accident has been categorized as a $5 million problem and I’m starting to understand what lies ahead.
Note: Sissy Wickes has started a separate fund to buy a van for Kevin. Find details at https://bit.ly/35emLX9
Dianna continues: “We are going to need major funds raised to modify our house in Florida. Unfortunately, as it is now, most of it is completely impassable by a wheelchair. I am in the middle of an emergency bathroom renovation because our time at Kessler is coming to a close.
“Without the use of his arms. Kevin is going to need a care giver through most of the day. Overnight is actually more critical. Many don’t know this but he needs to be physically moved every two hours during the night every night. A bed sore can literally be life threatening. He needs to be weight-shifted all day to deal with blood pressure issues. He can not be alone, period. We have all taken shifts since the accident and he has never been alone yet.
“The girls and I are prepared to help but we can’t do it all. I need to go back to work at some point. Our insurance covers 30 visits from a nurse a year. Isn’t that terrible and he had a “good policy”.
“So I am reaching out on his behalf. The upfront costs are huge. He will need some physical therapy equipment. I have seen what the electric stimulation bike has done for his body mass. They are approximately $22,000. We need to get one. He will need to continue out-patient physical therapy, which is also not covered by insurance for long.
“Once major changes are made, then the needs will transition to long term healthcare and nursing. I have been asked, `What about people who don’t have these things? How do they manage?’
“The cruel truth is that the lack of support can affect life expectancy. Lack of mobility is a blood clot’s best friend. Someone not noticing a a few key issues can lead to a spike in blood pressure and a stroke. It’s not just the paralysis; it’s the lovely issues it creates. That is the reality. It’s my problem and nobody else’s, I understand that, but if you are looking to put money into a 501 c 3, please consider a donation to the foundation. And if not us please consider Danny and Ron’s Rescue. They, too, are overwhelmed and work tirelessly and we also don’t want to shift any money from them despite our own needs.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 28, 2019
“Riding for the Team,” the new book from the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation, made its formal debut at the Washington International Horse Show over the weekend.
There was a real buzz as people lined up on the concourse of the Capital One Arena for a book-signing session featuring U.S. team show jumpers Kent Farrington, McLain Ward, Margie Engle and coach Robert Ridland. Laura Kraut, who was judging a class at the time, earlier in the day autographed books to which the other signatures were added. All of these folks are, of course, featured in the book.
Kent Farrington, McLain Ward, Robert Ridland and Margie Engle with Nancy Jaffer. (Photo by Emily Rider)
I edited “Riding for the Team” over the last two years (you may have wondered why I was so busy) and am thrilled to help tell the inside stories of medalists in eight disciplines: Show jumping, eventing, dressage, vaulting, driving, endurance, reining and para-dressage. What it took to get to the top is laid out in detail along the 292 pages of this volume published by Trafalgar Square. Although the course of the athletes’ careers was different, in each case they had the determination to overcome failure and discouragement, as well as a unique brand of persistence and aspiration in common.
This book is the third in a series. The first, “The USET Book of Riding” came out in 1976 under the guidance of the late Olympic gold medalist and USET chairman Bill Steinkraus. It marked the USET’s twenty-fifth anniversary and presented the history of the transition from Army teams to civilian equestrian squads in representing the country.
I edited the second book, “Riding for America,” published in 1990. At that time, the USET only dealt with four disciplines—show jumping, eventing, dressage and driving, so the great performers of the era between 1976 and 1990 were highlighted. For this book, 28 years later, we have expanded to include all the FEI (international) disciplines, and the people in it are those who made their mark after 1990.
I was fortunate in knowing many of those who appear in the book before I began talking with them about their stories, so that helped when deciding where to focus for their part in the volume. The themes for some were easy to decide. How could you write about Rich Fellers, for instance, and not zoom in on Flexible, the plucky little stallion who won the first FEI World Cup Show Jumping finals for the U.S. in 25 years, and then went to the London Olympics later in 2012.
Debbie McDonald talked about how the dressage scene has changed since she started out, after she had a bad fall while jumping and decided to switch disciplines. Four-in-hand driver Jimmy Fairclough spent 40 years working toward a team gold medal, and finally achieved his goal at last year’s FEI World Equestrian Games. Becky Hart started from scratch with a free horse and wound up as the only three-time endurance world champion. Gold medal vaulter Devon Maitozo explains why he stayed in his sport as an adult, when so many vaulters quit after their teens.
Robert and Margie give their signing hands a little break. (Photo by Lawrence J. Nagy
Eventer Derek di Grazia tells of his transition from rider to course designer, with an eye toward his gig laying out the cross-country route at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Vicki Garner-Sweigert relates what it was like to be a para-dressage pioneer and win gold at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics, the first to offer equestrian sport.
With the Olympics coming up next summer, it’s interesting to gain insight on those who have had past successes at the Games, while reading about the candidates pointing toward 2020. They include dressage rider Laura Graves, eventer Boyd Martin and all the show jumpers who fans met in the autograph session, as they point toward Tokyo. Para rider Becca Hart, the first U.S. rider in her discipline to medal at the world championships, is looking at making the team in Japan for her fifth Paralympics.
Of course, there are great photos to illustrate the stories, and many pieces have photos from the athletes’ early days that you won’t have seen previously. The USET Foundation’s Sara Ike worked diligently to obtain and organize the photos, which was quite a task on its own.
Nancy Jaffer with Sara Ike. (Photo by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Here is the link if you want to order the book. You can also go to the USET Foundation’s website, www.uset.org. Proceeds from sales of the book benefit the USET Foundation in its efforts to support athletes giving their all for our country in the Olympics, world championships and other major competitions around the globe.
Meanwhile, if you want to find out more about what went on at the Washington International, the only U.S. show in the heart of a major American city, click here for my story on Practical Horseman’s website.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 17, 2019
For a half-century, the Somerset County Park Commission’s Lord Stirling Stable has meant a variety of things to many people. From lessons and trail rides to hunter paces, horse care workshops, educational offerings, pony parties, camp and therapeutic riding, the stable functions in ways that go well beyond an hour in the saddle. But perhaps the most important aspect of the facility in Basking Ridge is the sense of fellowship it provides.
Nancy Brown of the Friends of Lord Stirling Stable and stable manager Margie Margentino toast the facility’s 50th. Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer
As it marks its 50th anniversary this year, Lord Stirling celebrates the bonds that have grown not only between horses and riders, but also among the thousands who have enjoyed the stable for several generations.
“It’s my home away from home,” declared Libby Lux of Warren Township. “It’s a family atmosphere where you can volunteer and give back to the community and come out and have fun. There’s always something going on here. For the riders and the whole community, it’s just phenomenal.”
There are 76 horses at the stable, with 58 used for lessons, eight lead-line ponies and 10 boarders. Last year, 430 juniors and 570 adults rode in group lessons, while 1,140 private lessons were given.
Setting out on a trail ride with the stable horses. Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer
The number of places in the country where aspiring riders can be introduced to horses and riding has diminished under the pressures of development and the ever-increasing costs of horsekeeping. That makes a stable like Lord Stirling important in terms of an inexpensive opportunity to get involved with horses, while also growing equestrian sport.
If people aren’t able to locate a barn where they can start riding affordably, they will give up and find something else to do. Weakness in the base of the spot means there will be little chance to expand the equine business or develop potential equestrian stars among any but the very wealthy, affecting the vitality of the horse industry.
Abby Luther of Basking Ridge takes her third pony ride of the day at the Lord Stirling 50th anniversary celebration, with volunteer Tim Ryan leading Max. Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer
“Riding horses is an experience like no other, and not everyone has the wherewithal to have that experience,” observed Somerset County Freeholder Brian Gallagher.
“So what the park commission, in concert with Somerset County does, is provide for everybody to have that experience. Having the equestrian component adds an element to our park commission that not a lot of counties can provide.”
Those who have found their way to Lord Stirling treasure the time they spend there.
Rutgers student Dana Carron of Green Brook shares a special moment with Lord Stirling school horse Toby. Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer
“It’s my life,” said Bonnie Deo of Warren Township, who started riding with Lord Stirling’s original manager, Harry Case, in 1981. Bonnie, her husband and their daughter all rode there. She’s gone out on the trails practically every day for nearly four decades, noting “it relaxes you.”
“I’ve been coming here for so many years, I don’t think my car would know anywhere else to go,” laughed Bonnie, noting how much more is being offered now than when she first came to Lord Stirling. “Things change, but everybody’s attitude is always the same.”
The stable is located on a former cattle farm started in the 1890s by Dr. Charles Frederick Baker, a Newark physician. The property was purchased in the 1940s by John Jacob Astor VI, a survivor of the Titanic disaster (his mother was pregnant with him when she escaped the sinking ship.) The land east of Maple Avenue included a barn complex where he raised prize cattle; stables, paddocks, riding trails and extensive wetlands along the Passaic River.
After the Great Swamp was named New Jersey’s first National Natural Landmark, Helen Fenske, who led the fight to save it from becoming an airport, approached Somerset County Park Commission Secretary-Director Jack Moody in 1967 with $75,000 (worth about $573,000 today) from Sarah Mellon Scaife to help the county preserve the Astor farm. Moody obtained a matching grant from the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.
With the popularity of horses in Somerset County, Moody suggested to the park commission that it convert the Astor barns and stables to a county riding facility. He recalled, “We wanted to promote a broad appreciation of horses and the sport of riding among the general public.” The commission approved, opening the stable in 1969 with 30 horses and riding programs for adults and children.
The old dairy barn harks back to the days before Somerset County purchased the Lord Stirling propery and cows were housed in the building. Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer
Nancy Williams, who succeeded Harry Case as stable manager, has been associated with Lord Stirling for 46 years. She got involved when she worked at a hardware store in Bernardsville, where the stable’s maintenance men would come to buy supplies.
“One day they said, `Wow, they hired a girl to work in the barn.’ I’m like, ` Great, let me know when the next opening is.’ Two weeks later they came and told me, so I applied and got the job,” said Nancy. From stable worker, she became a senior stable worker, then assistant manager and finally manager in 1991. Now retired from her position, she still is a familiar face at the barn. People who come to Lord Stirling never seem to leave.
One of the most important developments in the last 20 years was the formation of the Friends of Lord Stirling Stable, a support network for the facility.
Terry Heide, the Friends’ president, notes how heartwarming it is to see “the impact horses have on people of any age; the gifts the horses give to the rider, especially lesson horses, they are incredible.” The Gilette resident noted the Friends group is able to fund things that the stable can’t afford as part of a budget-conscious public entity.
Margie Margentino, the stable’s manager since 2007, calls the Friends a key asset.
“They provide volunteers for various events, are instrumental in organizing and implementing events for the stable, such as the hunter paces, the holiday festival, fall festival, and Family Fun Day. The proceeds from the events come back to the stable in the form of capital improvements (i.e. lighting and footing for the arenas, run-in sheds, etc.) and other purchases such as specialized medical supplies, equipment, saddles, and horse purchases.
“Specific funds are designated for the School Horse Retirement Program. When a school horse retires, the Friends take care of the horse physically and financially until they can find the horse a suitable ‘forever’ home.”
Through the Friends, “over 50 horses have found new homes,” Terry reported.
School horses head back to their stalls after time in the pasture. Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer
With so much going on at the stable, Margie has her hands full, but it would seem she has been training for the task since the days when she participated in the Somerset County 4-H Horse Program in the 1960s and 70s. There were 500 kids enrolled at that time, and her father led the local 4-H horse club. An avid driver, she has competed on the local, national, and international level, predominantly with Morgans and Quarter Horses, and has been a driving judge, technical delegate and course designer.
A former board member of the Horse Park of New Jersey, she also served on the New Jersey Equine Advisory Board and the board of U,S. Driving for the Disabled, among other organizations.
The stable has been recognized as the Best of Somerset County Parks by the PATCH, and was named the Rutgers Equine Science Center’s Gold Medal Horse Farm for Environmental Stewardship.
But the best endorsements for Lord Stirling comes from those who ride there.
Friends’ Vice President Nancy Brown, who did not start riding until she was in her early 50s, was involved in organizing the September celebration of the stable’s 50th (complete with band and barbeque) that drew 300 people. She now is leasing a horse and is busy volunteering for the therapeutic riding program. The Hillsborough resident called the stable her focal point. “It means life to me,” she explained.
“It represents everything beautiful in my world.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 6, 2019
The judges for the weekend’s Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East were serious about the mandate of the competition: a step on the pathway for athletes to represent the country in international competition.
So they made it a real test, showing the mettle of those in the starting field of 57 who aspire to ride for the U.S. team one day. The competition is a hybrid of equitation and jumpers, with knockdowns and time penalties counting in riders’ final total.
The top four—winner Ellie Ferrigno, runner-up Ava Stearns, third-place Sophee Steckbeck and fourth-place Dominic Gibbs–all raised their hands when I asked if they had international ambitions.
Sophee Steckbeck, third in the Talent Search, with Ava Stearns, second; Dominic Gibbs, fourth and Ellie Ferrigno, the winner. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
“The cream of the crop rose to the top and the ones that weren’t quite ready for it had their faults,” said Sue Ashe, who officiated at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation headquarters in Gladstone with her daughter, grand prix rider Molly Ashe Cawley. Molly’s daughter, Taylor, spent Saturday winning the World Champion Hunter Rider Pony Challenge at the Capital Challenge show while mom was busy judging in New Jersey.
The Talent Search has four phases, and even the opening flat segment Saturday morning was no soft touch. It was done completely without stirrups, and posting to the trot proved a bit challenging for some. The idea, Molly said, “was to put the horses together and get the right connection.”
A bigger challenge came that afternoon with the gymnastics phase, which had riders counter-cantering a loop toward the seventh fence, an oxer, and doing a serpentine at the counter-canter to the eighth obstacle, a vertical. Both fences were set at the 1.15-meter maximum for the class, and not everyone was up to the task.
A look at the difficult gymnastics phase.
“The counter-lead wound up being more of a pickle than it was meant to be,” said Molly, adding “I wish the counter-lead hadn’t been such a deal breaker,” while noting the point of the gymnastics was demonstrating “finesse to lengthen and shorten.”
Sunday morning was devoted to jumping a course, designed by the judges with the help of Olympic medalist Conrad Homfeld, a master at such tasks. The route was deemed “fabulous” by trainer Missy Clark.
The concept yielded the top four, who came back this afternoon to jump a shorter course on their mounts, with the idea of doing the same on their rivals’ horses.
With four phases, anything can happen, and it usually does. The water jump in Sunday morning’s jumping segment, for instance, often causes a bit of trouble. This time, several riders had their horses refuse out there. Included in that group was Nora Andrews, the leader after the flat phase. Then during the Final Four, Dominic was riding Sophee’s Itteville, who knocked himself on the wall obstacle. A few strides later, the horse started limping and it seemed as if he were badly injured.
“My initial reaction was shock. I didn’t know what to do,” recalled Dominic. “Then I heard everyone in the stands screaming, `Get off, get off, the horse is hurt.’”
We all feared the worst, but the chestnut eventually walked away with his groom and the show veterinarian thought perhaps he had just banged himself. He made a quick recovery, because Sophee rode him back into the ring for the awards ceremony shortly thereafter.
Sophee Steckbeck on Itteville. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Everyone wondered how the situation would be resolved, since Itteville couldn’t continue in the rotation. But show manager David Distler explained that everyone’s round on their own horses would count, along with two other rounds, for a total of three scores rather than four, while only the first round (Sophee’s) on Itteville counted and the scores on him did not count for the others who rode him.
That eventually left just one point between Ellie, on Discovery-O (she had been fourth coming into the final four) and Ava (second coming into the final four), who rode Acer K, at 269 and 268 respectively. Sophee, the leader after the first three phases, wound up with 224 and Dominic—who had a knockdown and time penalty in his initial round—finished fourth on 203. He did get a championship ribbon, however, as his attractive black Belgian-bred former jumper, Cent 15, won the Grappa Trophy for best horse in the final.
Dominic Gibbs on Cent 15, Best Horse of the final. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Molly wishes there were more young riders involved at the higher levels of the sport, and would like to see young people follow the big names in the jumping world and learn from them. Ellie, a 17-year-old high school senior from Newtown, Conn., who won the Region 4 Maclay title, immediately responded, “I watch every grand prix I can, because there’s always something to learn from that.”
Champion Ellie Ferrigno with judges Sue Ashe and Molly Ashe Cawley, trainer Val Renihan, Emily Smith of Platinum Performance and Daisy Farish, last year’s Talent Search winner. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
“We refer to her as `The Encyclopedia,’ ” said her trainer, Val Renihan, because if there’s any competitor in the world the folks at her barn want to know about, Ellie can tell them.
Ellie Ferrigno, Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East winner, on Discovery-O. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Molly isn’t a fan of the 1.15-meter maximum height for Talent Search fences that is in place this year. Previously, it was 1.20 meters, but the number of riders in the final had declined because not everyone has a horse capable of jumping 1.20 meters. The difference between the two is slightly less than two inches.
“I feel like they’ve dropped it down. It’s supposed to be (for) the kids who want to take the next step to the next level,” Molly said.
“Nobody’s going to water it down from here when you make the step to the next level. You can go from 1.15 meters to 1.50 or from 1.20 to 1.50. You have to get some grit. It’s not preparing better for the future of the sport by making it smaller and easier.”
Trainer Andre Dignelli saw it differently, saying that going down to 1.15 is bringing more people to the Talent Search. At 1.20 meters, he said, “I think if they weren’t careful, this class could near extinction. There were a lot of people here, there was atmosphere, there was good riding, there was more participation.”
Even at 1.15, the Talent Search is still a challenge, and the top four were ecstatic to have finished as well as they did.
“It’s such an unbelievable opportunity that we’re able to do a class like this,” said Ellie.
“We’re being watched on the great stage to be able to go on to do bigger things. I feel so honored to be able to take the top spot.”
Ava, 18, an Auburn University pre-med freshman from Chilmark, Mass., who won the Region I Maclay title and trains with Missy and John Brennan, said, “I appreciate this class because it shows off the fundamentals and has you work on flat work and the basics that make everything you build on top of better.”
Ava Stearns, the runner-up in the Talent Search, on Acer K. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Sophee, 16, of Clarksburg, who trains with Brian Feigus and Andre, said, “It puts you on the map to go further in the sport.” A 16-year-old junior at Notre Dame High School, she was first in the Maclay at the Devon Horse Show this year.
Dominic, 16, lives in Colts Neck with his trainer, Stacia Madden. He won the 2018 Hamel Equitation Finals and was making his Talent Search debut.
He said of the Talent Search, “I think it’s a really wonderful class to have the opportunity to prepare you for the larger classes and be accurate and show your riding skills.”
A very interesting fresh face on the scene, he started riding in Colorado. His trainer there, Karen Catov-Goodell, saw such potential in him that she sent him to Katie Prudent. He did the jumpers with Katie, but she felt he needed an equitation specialist, which is how he wound up with Stacia. He won the gymnastics with an impressive 98.
Dominic had to present a case to his father, Gordon, a physician, about why he should be allowed to show in Florida. His mother, Erin, was behind him in his dream.
“Because I love horses, I get it,” she said, noting it was harder for her husband to let him move away from Colorado, but he agreed.
Dominic originally wanted to be either an astronaut or a physician, but it’s obvious to him now that he’s heading toward a career as a professional horseman.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 30, 2019
Great Britain’s Ben Maher may have won the Grand Prix at the Longines Global Champions Tour New York over the weekend, but the real star of the show turned out to be, well, the show itself.
Ben Maher on Explosion W, who jumps like his name. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
It was a jaw-dropper to see how the arena, grandstands, stabling, warm-up area and vendor village were laid out against the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty.
An overview of the LGCT operation on Governors Island. (Photo©2019 by Lawrence J.. Nagy)
The setting was Governor’s Island, an 800-yard ferry ride from lower Manhattan. The island had been an outpost for the British military before the Revolutionary War and for the U.S. military after that. It eventually became a Coast Guard installation until 1996. It finally opened to the public in 2005 and is a popular respite from city life for those who come over. The only way to get there is by ferry, which complicated it as a site for a show, but the LGCT crew was up to the challenge.
Everything, including heavy equipment, tons of footing and the horses, arrived by ferry (or barges). The horses were, of course, in vans. We wouldn’t have wanted to see them walking around on deck…
LGCT is run by Jan Tops, a Dutch entrepreneur who has presented shows all over the world, from Shanghai to Paris. LGCT New York is his second show in the U.S., and its layout is reminiscent of his spring Miami Beach operation, which is located on the sand next to the ocean.
“It is important for us to be in New York,” said Jan.
“America is an important horse nation and we have a strong footprint in the States. We found a good place for the horses and riders,” he said of Governors Island, indicating the competition is likely to return to the site next year.
In addition to Ben, the big names and their horses were flown over from Europe, including Germany’s Marcus Ehning, second to Ben in the featured grand prix,, where he rode Cornado NRW.
Marcus Ehning of Germany and Cornado NRW were second in the featured grand prix, where no Americans made the seven-horse jump-off. (Photo©2019 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
European Show Jumping Champion Martin Fuchs of Switzerland was Ben’s teammate on the London Knights. They won the final for the LGCT League. Ben rates his mount, Explosion W, and Marcus’ horse, Clooney as the two best jumpers in the world.
London Knights teammates Martin Fuchs and Ben Maher with LGCT President Jan Tops. (Photo©2019 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
The Leagues involve a hodgepodge of mixed nationalities that seemed to have little to do with their names. The Cannes Stars, for instance, were represented in the team final by Margie Goldstein Engle of the U.S. and Abdel Said of Egypt. Team members wore collarless riding jackets in their team colors with appropriate logos. The Berlin Eagles, for instance, had—what else?—an eagle as their insignia.
Georgina Bloomberg has been very involved with LGCT. Her team in the LGCT League is the New York Empire and since her father, Michael Bloomberg, is the former mayor of New York City, there was speculation that she had an instrumental role in bringing the show to Gotham.
Georgina Bloomberg and Quibelle. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
When I asked her about that, she replied, “I wish I could take credit, but unfortunately, no. Obviously, we were excited when they decided they wanted to have a horse show in New York. I think people were a little bit concerned with the ferry ride and how that would work, but it’s definitely worth the trip. You can’t beat the location, you can’t beat the view.“
As she observed, “The ferry has been running very smoothly and it really hasn’t been any different than jumping in a taxi or having to drive. We have horse shows where you have to travel further distances to get to the horse show from the hotel and you don’t have views that compare to this when you get there.”
Even though her father is no longer mayor, I thought perhaps she might have been able to exert influence as necessary. Apparently not.
“There’s very little, obviously, we can do in the city, we don’t have the pull that we used to,” she offered with a smile.
“Jan is so talented at forming those connections with the different cities, he hasn’t really needed my help. Little touches I can add, but as far as the logistics and the actual organizing, that was all the Global Champions team.”
The Statue of Liberty had a good view of the action and all the riders, including Kent Farrington on Creedance, winner of the show’s final 150,000 Euro competition. (Photo©2019 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
For the team final and the 300,000 Euro Grand Prix on Saturday, the stands were filled with fascinated spectators, many of whom had just been visiting Governors Island when they learned about the competition. Others had made the show their destination, and the fact that there was no admission charge undoubtedly helped boost attendance.
Reagan Nunnally, a resident of Manhattan’s Upper East Side, said she had heard about the show from friends who had been going to LGCT shows elsewhere in the world.
“They let us know it was going to be in New York, so we came on out,” said Reagan, who has been a fan of Governors Island.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” she asked. “Such a special enclave that few people know about.”
After the success of LGCT New York, that may no longer be the case.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 25, 2019
Show jumper Kevin Babington has left NYU Langone Health Care to continue his journey of recovery at a rehab center.
The move came 26 days after Kevin suffered a life-changing spinal cord injury in a traumatic fall at the Hampton Classic,
Earlier this month on Facebook, his wife Dianna noted, “We are still hopeful some improvement will come as spinal shock and swelling subside. Whatever happens, we will make sure he lives his best life. A life which still involves me, his children, his extended family, horses, students, and friends. We have the best of him still.”
She added thanks to Elizabeth Sponseller and Hayley Poinelli Carlson for all the night shifts they pulled at the hospital.
“Kevin has not been alone one minute since his accident. They, along with my daughters, stayed overnight on shifts so I could research, deal with decisions and doctors during the day and be here for procedures. I don’t know how I would have survived the trauma phase of this without all of their support. That is not to mitigate the other friends who have been here, flying in, taking me to dinner, helping the girls, working on finances, and keeping me sane or letting me not be when I couldn’t. I will post when we have departed for rehab and where you can visit once it is confirmed. Please keep us in you prayers.”
Kevin Babington was fourth at the 2004 Olympics on Carling King. (Photo©2004 by Nancy Jaffer)
Previously she has noted that what she has learned since the accident is that “I have to slow down. I need to be patient. For those who know me, it’s not my forte. I am controlling and everyone knows that but it has always worked for me. I want to fix this and move on. The doctors tell me it’s up to Kevin.
Kevin and his family during the presentation after he won the 2016 Grand Prix of Devon. (Photo©2016 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I get good news from one and bad from another on a daily basis. It’s maddening. Like being strapped to a roller coaster you want to exit. It depends on the severity of the injury when it all shakes out. It’s the worst kind of unknown. One that affects someone you love and one you can’t control.
“It is an insurmountable task to pick the next phase when you are thrown into medicine without prior knowledge. I feel like I am walking through a dark tunnel. Nothing prepares you for this.”
But regardless of his condition, Kevin is still Kevin.
“He has impressed me my whole life,” Dianna posted.
“I am watching this remarkable person handle this with dignity, kindness to his nurses and all that are helping him, and despite difficulty speaking he is constantly trying to make sure visitors who don’t know each-other are introduced and have a place to sit.”
She advises that Facebook messages, cards and videos all help.
“It makes a difference and it is appreciated more than you will ever know. He is definitely trying to get the most out of every day, he is pushing himself, and with your continued support I know he will keep fighting.”
Of course he will.
A big issue is how to pay for the enormous expense involved in this situation, since insurance never covers everything.
A medical fundraising page on Facebook, posted by Sissy Wickes, raised nearly $550,000 to help the family with medical expenses and rehabilitation costs. The facebook link has been taken down, but those who wish to donate to the Kevin Babington Trust via GoFundMe can click on this link: https://www.gofundme.com/for-kevin-babington-and-family
Many other fundraising opportunities continue. 1984 Olympic show jumping double gold medalist, Joe Fargis, will be offering a clinic Saturday, November 2 at Ketcham Farm, 52 Hill Rd Allentown, NJ. The cost per session is $200 and all proceeds will go to support the Babington Family Trust. If there is enough interest, the clinic may be extended through Sunday, November 3. Please email Elizabeth at Elizabeth@KevinBabington.com
Meanwhile, there will be a Jump for Kevin benefit 1-meter class every Saturday of the Princeton Fall Equestrian Festival in Skillman (princetonshowjumping.com), with all entry fees being donated The entry fee is a minimum $50, but riders can donate more if they want. Every competitor also can donate a portion or all of their prize money if they let the show secretary know. Each rider who participates will be given an Irish green arm sash to wear in the competition ring.
All weekend parking proceeds also will be donated to Kevin. Volunteers are needed to help collect parking fees from spectators and donations from exhibitors who wish to do so. Contact princetonshowjumping@gmail.com to volunteer.
Plans are in the works for a benefit horse show Oct. 13 at Duncraven in Titusville, Mercer County.
Those who can are asked to buy their feed from Babington Mills (http://07d.7d2.myftpupload.com/) , which is Kevin’s company.
Ruespari has designed a limited edition belt bearing Kevin’s signature. All proceeds will go to help him and his family. https://www.ruespari.com/rideforkbabs
To learn more about Kevin, here is a link to the story I did about him in July: https://nancyjaffer.com/2019-07-09/
