Autumn is the busiest season for equestrians. There’s an abundance of trail and hunter paces, the indoor shows are getting under way along with regional championships, and some outdoor shows are continuing as well.
But in the midst of all the competitions, there also are opportunities to take a look at other aspects of the horse world. In New Jersey, one of the highlights of this season is the annual open house at Mylestone Equine Rescue in Warren County Oct. 15 (date has been changed from Oct. 8 because of weather).
Visitors to the annual Mylestone Equine Rescue Open House enjoy a chance to get close to the horses who live there. (Photo by Jen Dewey)
This 23-acre farm is dedicated to taking the horses no one else wants; those with medical issues, the elderly, the long-neglected, the unloved. Few get adopted; most spend the rest of their lives at Mylestone, where Susankelly Thompson, her family, part-time staff and dedicated volunteers do their utmost to make life as good as it can be for these animals in need.
Residents include Tyler, formerly used for giving pony rides, but at age 23 his arthritic knees made that a thing of the past. He’s now part of the grooming program, in which special needs kids learn to take care of horses. Dillon, a red roan Appaloosa, is starting to trust humans again after being mishandled and beaten. Shadow, whose former owner didn’t think it was worth it to have his infected eye treated, is now totally blind but happy to be at Mylestone.
“A lot of the horses that can’t be adopted out, we have for a long time,” said Susankelly. For instance Cleo, an ex-racehorse who broke down on the track, has been at Mylestone for 22 years. She was being used for contagious equine metritis testing and due to go to an auction when she was cycled out of the program, so Mylestone stepped in and took her. The only people who wanted to adopt her thought they would breed her, but Susankelly didn’t think that was a good idea.
“There are enough unwanted horses,” she pointed out.
The horses at Mylestone love the attention they get from visitors to the open house. (Photo by Mary Holmes)
The organization’s Equine Relief Fund also will be promoted at the open house. It is geared to helping rescues in Texas and Florida that were affected by the hurricanes. The money goes toward veterinary bills, transportation and replacing supplies that have been lost. The fund also helps other equine rescues in New Jersey that need assistance.
“I don’t think people realize horses don’t have anywhere else to go, especially in the state of New Jersey. The SPCA doesn’t have a place to take horses. If the rescues or private foster homes don’t step up…You can take your dog or cat to the shelter but you can’t drop your horse off at the shelter,” Susankelly noted.
The day will feature a number of vendors who will be selling everything from toys to tack and jewelry. Those attending are asked to bring at least one can of soup that will go to a local food pantry, since Mylestone’s concerns extend beyond the horses to people who are in need.
The open house, which usually draws 400-600 people, will be held from noon-4 p.m., with a rain date of Oct. 15. If you can’t make it, it is possible to get an appointment for a private tour, but you can’t just drop in because the work involved in taking care of these horses is so intense that there’s time for a chat unless plans are made in advance.
Mini Pearl and Poppy, the goat, are lifelong friends who lived in a tiny bedroom in a house, where Mini couldn’t develop properly because she wasn’t able to run around. She and her pal have adjusted perfectly to life outdoors at Mylestone. (Photo by Mary Holmes)
Attending the open house could be a good life lesson for privileged kids who compete on horses that are well-fed and groomed to a T every day. They would no doubt have their eyes opened by what they see at Mylestone.
Mylestone is located at 227 Still Valley Road, Pohatcong, but the GPS usually comes up Phillipsburg. Those who want to send checks may mail them to 227 Still Valley Road, Phillipsburg, N.J. 08865. For more information, go to www.mylestone.org.
When the applause ends, after the crowds go home, what’s next for a top horse who has retired from eventing?
In the case of Ballynoe Castle RM, better known as Reggie, that question can be answered with one word: Paradise.
Reggie enjoying retirement at Apple Hill Farm with his pint-size companion, Barney. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
The lucky 17-year-old Irish Sport Horse, who was saluted in an emotional retirement ceremony at the Rolex Kentucky 4-star in April, is now comfortably ensconced with his owners, Cassie and Carl Segal, at their picturesque 49-acre Apple Hill Farm in Pottersville.
Reggie, the U.S. Eventing Association’s all-time point earner, deserves his rest. His career, which began with Buck Davidson in 2006, ended last year. Now that’s all behind the sturdy son of Ramiro B. He is not only living a life of leisure in scenic surroundings, it’s a life of pampering as well.
Groomed to a glow every day, Reggie’s bay coat is as shiny as it was when he competed at the biggest three-day events, including the Burghley, Badminton and Rolex 4-stars, as well as two World Equestrian Games. When he’s not enjoying the pasture with its panoramic views; a cornfield, the handsome barn and the Segals’ house, Reggie appreciates variation to his days by hacking on the farm and along the nearby trails under the guidance of his caregiver, Jessica Kiener, who is married to the farm’s property manager, Matt Kiener.
Regie can just sit back and relax at Apple Hill. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
Jess, who used to work in the barn at Somerset County’s Lord Stirling Stable in Basking Ridge, has been a competitive eventer herself, training with Buck. Remember her mount, the Segals’ My Boy Bobby, who is also in retirement at Apple Hill?
Jess won the American Eventing Championships at Intermediate level with him, having started him at training level. A fond memory for the Segals and Jess is the time she won Groton House and led the victory gallop with, as Carl puts it, “all the red coats” of U.S. team veterans following behind her.
A typical day in retirement begins for Reggie at 7 a.m., when he gets three-quarters of a scoop of Ultium to supplement his grass diet, which also includes a little hay at supper time.
Living outdoors suits Reggie, who is turned out with Barney, a spotted pony Jess said is “obsessed” with the pasturemate who towers over him. If the weather is hot, Reggie and Barney can escape the heat in what the Segals call a shed, but which really is part of the barn, with rubber blocks on the floor and automatic insect sprayers to keep the bugs away.
The Segals bought Apple Hill because they wanted some land.
“We had never heard of the sport of eventing. We didn’t know from horses. We thought we’d get a couple of horses and do trail riding,” Cassie said. So much for that.
Reggie in the barn with Jess and Matt Kiener and Cassie and Carl Segal. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
As we chatted after Reggie’s grooming session, the talk naturally turned to recollections about this memorable horse.
“The first time we saw him was at Buck’s farm,” said Cassie, who noted Reggie was purchased sight unseen through Patricia Nicholson in Ireland.
“She called Buck and said, `I’ve got this really special horse I think you’re going to like.’ Buck talked to us and we said, `Okay, we’ll give it a try.’”
Although Reggie had competed up to the preliminary level in Ireland. Buck had never ridden him before the sale.
When the Segals were introduced to Reggie at Buck’s barn, there were no gasps of awe, no predictions of fame.
“He looked like all the other horses Buck has,” Cassie acknowledged, recalling her first impression of the gelding who would become the star of their stable.
Reggie and Buck Davidson on the way to winning the 2015 CCI 3-star at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
“I don’t think there was anything really special that stood out. He was just a nice event horse. We like the Irish horses a lot.”
Carl remembered, “We saw him compete at Plantation for the first time in 2006 at prelim. He won. There are plenty of horses at prelim who fizzle out and can’t do intermediate or advanced. We didn’t have any expectations of him being an advanced horse.”
So the Segals were just happy at the beginning that he “was beautiful and his disposition was good.” He was also fond of people.
“He’s just the sweetest,” said Cass, who rode him once and called the experience “thrilling.”
Reggie was Buck’s go-to horse, a friend as well as a mount. Buck misses him.
“When Jess and I went down to pick him up at Chesterland, Buck made sure he wasn’t there,” said Cass, noting Buck already has visited Reggie at Apple Hill.
Buck takes a final gallop on Reggie during the Rolex retirement ceremony. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
After Reggie’s retirement ceremony at Rolex, Buck and I talked about the horse, who had made did his final appearance in the dressage arena for the test ride at the 4-star with longtime groom Kathleen Blauth-Murray aboard.
“We’re so proud of the horse, but more, we’re proud of the family and the team that has been behind him since day one,” said Buck.
“We’re as close as can be and we’re all brought together because of Reggie. He loves being part of the action. What a joy to have (him) in the barn for the last 11 years. There’s probably more talented horses out there than Reggie but there will never be another winner like him.
“My life is owed to him. It was a great career and I’m thankful I was actually able to be the one who steered him around. It was a joy every single day.”
Andrew Ramsay has gone to all the right places seeking help with his ambition to ride on U.S. show jumping teams.
Andrew Ramsay and Stranger competing at International Bromont last weekend. (Photo by Lawrence J. Nagy)
During his quest, the native of California was mentored by Alan Waldman in the Netherlands, worked with George Morris and now has combined his enterprise with Chris Kappler Inc. at the Pittstown farm that formerly was George’s Hunterdon Inc.
Andrew and Sarah Segal are the competition riders at Chris’s operation and also train others, though Andrew said he puts most of his emphasis on being in the saddle himself. They work with Katie Martin Hartmann, a veteran of Hunterdon Inc., whose management skills keep the 35-horse operation going.
Andrew is nearly in awe of being a part of the iconic facility where so many top riders honed their skills. Growing up, he had always heard tales about the challenges of the imposing grand prix field at Hunterdon.
Andrew Ramsay and Cocq A Doodle. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
“To be at the old Hunterdon and riding on the field itself is fantastic,” said Andrew, whose winning string of horses includes Molly Ashe’s former ride, the Dutchbred Cocq A Doodle, “a horse that has a presence,” and the winner of the grand prix qualifying class last weekend in Bromont, Quebec, as well as grands prix at Tryon and Old Salem. “When you have a good mare, there’s not much better,” commented Andrew.
The rest of his string includes Jadalco, Stranger and California 62, “the most mature of the group.
History is in a way repeating itself with Andrew’s arrival at the Pittstown farm. Chris came to work there with George nearly a quarter-century ago.
“I’m very much into developing the next generation of riders,” said Chris, who no longer is interested in competing himself.
“George had already been working with Andrew and we found Doodle and California together, so I felt really close to that situation. I talked to George and said, `Do you think you could break the ice and see if Andrew would be on board for joining? Like I came to you, George, in ’93, I need someone to drop in and be my professional rider.’”
Added Chris, “It just seemed to be a partnership that made sense. There was a certain comfort zone and we both are George disciples. He’s still like our godfather and is there for us every step of the way,” continued Chris, noting he speaks to George weekly.
“He gave it a blessing and so far, I couldn’t be happier with how it’s going.”
Chris Kappler and Andrew Ramsay. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
Andrew’s eyes sparkle when he talks about his horses, and that type of enthusiasm is important to Chris.
“He has real genuine values for the sport. I really like his temperament with the horses and how he works with them,” Chris observed.
“He likes producing horses. He’s inquisitive and interested about how it works, how we can keep doing it better. He’s goal-oriented, it’s not just short-term results. We have a plan. We want to make the World Cup final; we want to get to Paris next year.” Andrew finished seventh on Stranger “a small horse with a big heart” last weekend in the first North American Longines FEI World Cup qualifier of the 2017-2018 season.
While he always knew what he wanted to achieve with his show jumping, Andrew, 32, “wasn’t quite sure how to go about it.” So he took a route that has been traveled by so many before him.
“I reached out to George. He was a great influence, providing guidance and direction,” Andrew said about his experience with the former U.S. show jumping coach.
Moving on to Chris’ operation was seamless.
“It was a nice transition. It’s fantastic working closely with Chris,” said Andrew, noting he didn’t have to spend “a lot of time adjusting to a different style. The care of the horses, the structure of the stable, I was all accustomed to with George.”
California 62 competing at Devon with Andrew Ramsay. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
Andrew lives at the Riverside Victorian B&B in Clinton when he’s in New Jersey, but like all show jumpers with aspirations, he’s on the road much of the time. He has found success in his new approach, with a good run this spring and summer.
Growing up on the West Coast, he started riding with Duncan and Gry MacFarlane. Their son, Ian, is now associated with Chris Kappler Inc. as a rider. Andrew went on to train with Linda Hough and Stephanie Simmonds.
He and his mother, Nonie, rode out of their Shalanno Farms, and they still have the Shalanno operation in the Netherlands, where there is a focus on young horses. The Shalanno farm in Wellington, Fla., is the base for Chris Kappler Inc’s operation during the winter.
The Shalanno name may be familiar to you—the Shalanno Style of Riding Award handed out in the presentation ceremony goes to the show jumping rider who exhibits classical form in competition.
Andrew Ramsay at the 2016 Washington International Horse Show with ringmaster John Franzreb, George Morris, WIHS President Vicki Lowell and multiple Shalanno Style of Riding awards winner McLain Ward. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
As Andrew notes, the award, an idea visualized with his mother’s input, is “a way of giving back and a way to keep focused on the American style of riding, which in many ways is a tribute to equitation and the future of show jumping,”
After wrapping up his junior career, Andrew took a break from horses and went to Colby College in Maine, majoring in computer science. But following a five-year hiatus, Andrew decided he needed to be back with the horses, so he headed to Europe.
When he returned to the U.S., he started competing in California, then headed East and began working with George. Andrew moved into his partnership with Chris after the Florida circuit this year.
The results since then “have been reflective of the program, the culmination of a lot,” said Andrew.
Moorland Farm in Far Hills is on the brink of becoming a new center for equestrian activity, following the successful rebirth of the Mars Essex Horse Trials last weekend.
As the event concluded, “I made it very clear to everybody that this wasn’t the end, it’s just the beginning,” said Guy Torsilieri, chairman of the Far Hills Race Meeting, held every October at Moorland. He wants to see more non-racing competitions at the former estate on Route 202.
Riders such as Lynn Jones, finishing her competition with My My My Delilah, were all smiles at the revival of the Mars Essex Horse Trials. (Photo by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Essex, with an organizing committee co-chaired by Ralph Jones and cross-country course designer Morgan Rowsell, drew thousands of spectators. Guy wants the other competitions staged at Moorland geared toward bringing crowds in as well. It had definite community support, including Far Hills Mayor Paul Vallone, who was seen all around the venue.
Calling Essex “a smash hit” and citing its draw to the general public, Guy said, “There were a lot of people there who knew very little about eventing.”
He was pleased that they were drawn not only by the horses, but also by the vendors, the food court, a chance to get out in the countryside and the opportunity to visit the car show staged Sunday.
There also were several exhibitions from the area; the Essex Foxhounds, the Tewksbury Foot Bassets and side-saddle riders.
The Essex Fox Hounds were among the exhibitions at the Mars Essex Horse Trials. (Photo by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Looking ahead, Guy is planning for a jumping competition on the Wednesday or Thursday after Essex 2018 while the event’s infrastructure is still in place, but he’s also mulling a hunter derby and other possibilities for the Moorland calendar. That could even include an Arabian show. Meanwhile, he feels it is important to have something on the agenda at Moorland before the next renewal of Essex.
“I don’t want to wait another year,” he explained, commenting that he is “all ears” for ideas about what could be held at Moorland.
Although offering higher levels were discussed for Essex 2018, Guy feels it might be better for one more year to stick with the Beginner Novice, Novice, Training and Preliminary levels offered for 2017 as organizers work to perfect their offering.
“There were so many variables for this year that I think we’ll probably do a rerun for next year, just so we get it really right. We think Essex was a great success, a great re-start. We have a lot of work to do to make it even better for next year,” he commented.
That will include moving the dressage rings to higher ground. True, three inches of rain the night before the event began wasn’t optimum for the rings, but they were really too low in any case, and Guy would like to see them a bit closer to the action. The stables flooded because of the rain, and those might be moved too, though without the deluge they probably would have been fine.
The grass arena used for jumping was very deep for the first division on Saturday post-rain, but organizers made an effort to improve it following that.
“I’m comfortable (that) after aerating, rolling and the way we resurfaced the turf between classes at Essex, we’re ready to continue to have equestrian jumping events on turf at Moorland,” said Guy, who is not planning to go with artificial footing at this point. He said the grass in the jumping arena was relatively new without a deep root structure, but believes it will greatly improve by next year.
Essex, started in 1968 on the Haller family’s Hoopstick Farm in Bedminster, moved to the U.S. Equestrian Team headquarters in Gladstone, where it ran for the last time on its 30th anniversary in 1998 after development at Hamilton Farm involved space issues that precluded running an event there.
So many people had memories of Essex they shared during the running of the revival. Virginia Jenkins Rowsell, wife of the course designer, talked about what it was like to win at the old Essex.
Ann Haller, whose late husband, Roger, started Essex, was involved as a volunteer last weekend. The evening before the event got under way, she chatted about her thoughts on Essex.
Wendy Furlong was amateur champion in the 1-star at Essex in 1998, and decided she needed to ride in the event again with her Santa Lisa.
“When I saw this was coming, I said, `I’m going to have to go back and have a crack at Beginner Novice with a homebred horse that I hadn’t even really thought about starting to event again,’” she said.
Wendy Furlong and her homebred Santa Lisa. (Photo by Lawrence J. Nagy)
She realized, “That would be something kind of fun to aim for. It’s a fabulous facility. When you’re galloping up there on the racetrack in front of that beautiful vista, you might as well be at Badminton–that’s as close as most of us are ever going to get. It’s a beautiful piece of property to be able to enjoy,” said Wendy, fourth in the Open Beginner Novice.
Many of the biggest eventing stars, such as Boyd Martin and Phillip Dutton, were missing this time around because they were riding in the upper levels at the Surefire event in Virginia last weekend. But at Essex, where Preliminary was the top level, there were a few boldface names, including Buck Davidson, who swept the first four places in the Open Prelim, and Jennie Brannigan, who won the Open Novice.
Yet one of the beauties of Essex was that it emerged as a destination event for amateurs and young people at the lower levels. Normally, they’d be riding at a no-frills venue; Essex had across-the-board panache.
“It was big atmosphere for a horse trials,” said Lauren Chumley, a professional dressage trainer who rides out of Stonebridge Farm in Pittstown.
“There’s a lot going on. This is a really cool event, because you get your horses out to see so much. In the (cross-country) water (complex), there’s bleachers, a ton of people. That doesn’t happen at the little horse trials. All these people came to watch who don’t know anything about horses. That’s fun.”
Lauren moved to New Jersey from Ohio 10 years ago, so she never attended Essex, but knew its reputation.
“I think it’s really fun to be here at its revival, and its 25 minutes from our house. It’s absolutely beautiful.”
One of the four horses Lauren rode was Avatar’s Jazzman, a Morgan owned by Melissa Dowling and Glenn Campbell, on whom she was in the ribbons at Dressage at Devon. Morgans are known for their versatility, so it wasn’t a stretch for Jazz to be eventing.
Lauren Chumley and Avatar’s Jazzman sailing along on cross-country. (Photo by Lawrence J. Nagy)
“I had a blast. I think this is a really cool horse trials. I think they made a nice, straightforward Beginner Novice and Novice courses,” said Lauren.
“The Training was challenging, but I think that’s what they set out to do. The course designer didn’t just throw logs on the grass. He really thought out how that Training course ran and I thought it ran very, very well. It would have been very tough if it was a first Training for some horse, but Jazz ate it up.
“He was so fast today. He’s a Morgan, so he’s kind of roundish, so he looks a little bit like a pork chop, but he’s not. He’s fitter than you think.”
She doesn’t believe he’ll move up a division.
“He’s 14.1, and I’m a dressage rider. So 3-3 is pretty big for a dressage rider.”
She started out well in the Novice Rider section, winning the dressage phase on the 14.1-hand Nikolas. But since he was in the first show jumping group on the Saturday, the stadium phase didn’t go well.
“I’ve never jumped him in mud like that before. He just couldn’t get off the ground. We all struggled in the footing. The cross-country footing stayed solid,” she continued, noting he was fine there, and that the stadium jumping footing was better on Sunday. Lauren felt that organizers did a good job handling what came their way.
U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation Deputy Executive Director Jim Wolf kept running into people he knew as he walked around the grounds, which was a big plus for him.
“Now that there’s something so close to home, all the horse people can come here and we see each other at home. We’re all so busy traveling to horse shows and being in the horse business, we never see each other at a hometown event. It’s nice to have it back.”
Guy Torsilieri and former N.J. Gov. Christie Whitman. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
Former New Jersey Governor Christie Whitman was enthusiastic about the event, going on the guided course walk, where she asked insightful questions, and then attending the competition daily. She’s hoping to return in 2018 as a volunteer doing “whatever they need done. I’d be happy to judge fences, I’d be happy to pick up rails.”
As a member of the Somerset Hills Pony Club in her youth, she even competed in an event, the national Pony Club rally in Kentucky. So Essex really struck a chord with her.
“It’s been fabulous,” she said.
“It’s wonderful for the sport, but it’s wonderful for the community.” She called Moorland “a beautiful spot, even if you don’t care about horses. It’s a day you shouldn’t miss.”
Is it merely coincidence that the green hunter with whom she has been having success in the 3-foot, 3-inch division is named Master Plan?
At age 60, Robin, a native of Sussex County and a national equitation champion once best known for her riding prowess, is focusing on judging and governance–with just enough showing and training on the side.
“I still want to keep my hand in teaching some people and riding, but it won’t be a priority. I don’t want to have the headache of managing my own facility,” said Robin, noting she enjoys doing clinics and teaching people who have their own crew. Also, she doesn’t want a conflict with shows she’d like to judge, which automatically cuts down on the number of people she can teach.
After a divorce from four-in-hand driver Jimmy Fairclough, her husband of 35 years, she is in a serious relationship with trainer and fellow judge Otis Brown Jr., known as Brownie, with whom she owns Master Plan.
Robin Rost and Otis Brown Jr. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
The Oldenburg, champion at his last show in Ocala, also was named after Master Dan, a blast from the past whom he resembles.
Robin isn’t planning on competing grand prix jumpers again, but she would like to do the hunter derbies. They would be a perfect match for her expertise in both hunters and jumpers with the higher fences utilized in those classes.
The mother of two grown sons, Robin also has branched out geographically. She noted that after spending most of her life in Zone 2 (New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania) she is dividing her time between winters in Ocala, where she has a farm, and summers in Kentucky, Brownie’s base. She would like to sell or lease her Ocala farm, in keeping with her more mobile lifestyle.
Her responsibilities also include work for the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association, which she serves as chair of the Joint Equitation Task Force. It was announced last week that the East Coast final for the new USHJA 3-3 Jumping Seat Medal will be held at the Capital Challenge in Maryland this fall. Robin is a big fan of the new class.
“My passion is still with the equitation,” said Robin, whose victories in those classes as a teenager included the AHSA Medal Finals. While that class, and other key equitation tests have always been held over 3-foot, 6-inch fences, she feels the advent of 3-3 classes is a good innovation.
“I want equitation to flourish. We don’t want people to get discouraged and think they don’t have a place there,” she said, referring to the difficulty of the 3-6 classes.
“The 3-3 equitation classes are great events to bring new people in, and encourage people to either make it their goal or make it a step up for them.”
A 3-3 Jumping Seat Medal class will be presented the day before the formal start of the CP National Horse Show at the Alltech Arena in Kentucky, where Robin will be one of the judges.
With her move out of state, Robin has stepped back a bit from the Sussex County Horse Show, which she served last year as chairman of the show committee.
Robin Rost, second from left, with Lisa Pellow, Sue Gregorio and LeeAnn Swenson at the 2016 Sussex County Horse Show. (Photo by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Her late father, Dr. Robert Rost, took Sussex from a local fixture to a major competition where stars such as Rodney Jenkins, Bernie Traurig and Michael Matz competed in its heyday during the 1970s, ’80s and early ‘90s. After his death in 2002, the Augusta fixture had some lean years, but certainly it has come back strong recently, despite increased competition from other shows, and it had a good run in 2016.
This year, Robin is vice-chairman of the Sussex show, as energetic farrier Ralph Anthony “a hands-on person” took over the lead. She said he’d like to see the $35,000 grand prix go to $50,000 in prize money at some point. Draft horses, once a great attraction at the Sussex Fairgrounds, are coming back this year for the first weekend of the Aug. 4-13 show.
“I have a great feeling about it. We’ve got a loyal following of exhibitors,” said Robin, who likely will be less involved with Sussex in the future.
Robin Rost with her father, Dr. Robert Rost, in the days before she rode jumpers.
But she does have another ambition.
“I’m working on getting my jumper (judge’s) card. I don’t think my Dad would rest in peace if I don’t get my jumper card,” she said, adding she will also get a hunter breeding card.
As Robin looks back at the way things have changed for her, she’s enjoying it and yes, she’s happy. “Life is good,” she said.
The dream is on the verge of reality. A cross-country course walk yesterday for supporters of the Mars Essex Horse Trials– being revived June 24 and 25 after an absence of 18 years– was an exciting reveal of handsome fences and the thought that went into them at Moorland Farm in Far Hills.
Course designer Morgan Rowsell gave dozens of people, including former New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman, a quick and insightful education about eventing.
It’s fascinating how well he has utilized the terrain at the former Schley estate with its century-old turf. The venue is best known for the annual October Far Hills Steeplechase Race Meeting, chaired by Guy Torsilieri. He is also a driving force behind the revival of Essex, whose organizing committee is co-chaired by Morgan and Ralph Jones. But it looks as if Moorland Farm will be as well-suited for eventing as it is for racing; the cross-country layout and obstacles are incredibly impressive. So is the prize money, $26,800, an eye-opener for the levels that will be competing.
Guy Torsilieri, former New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman and Far Hills Mayor Paul Vallone (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
There are four tracks this year: Beginner Novice, Novice, Training and Preliminary. There are two sections for every division except Novice, which has two for Novice Rider and one for Open Novice.
Oh, did I mention that the course walk was preceded and followed by a cocktail party? Drinks included the Hoopstick, named after the Haller family farm in Bedminster where the event began in 1968, and there was an amazing cake topped by, what else a jump (it was edible, of course.)
Julie Berman, who keeps everyone organized at the Essex Horse Trials, with her husband, Bill, and the wonderful cake. (Photo by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Everyone attending the party gamely trouped out onto the course, abandoning drinks, sliders and salads, to follow Morgan as he made the circuit of his route.
We covered a lot of ground, and got a feel of what the horses have in store, though I hope they will be fitter than a lot of us were for such serious exercise.
Join Morgan in the following video clips as he discusses the highlights of the course.
The first stop is by the landmark race announcer’s tower, where he explains 11 A, B and C, and the challenge of eventing on a steeplechase track.
The fences are very clever. I particularly like number 12, the Moorland Barn, that’s between the tower and Ralph’s Cedar, number 13.
The Moorland Barn fence and the real thing. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
Next we went to the water jump, 14ABC, the Far Hills Splash.
Then we visited the huge trakehner fence, number 15, aptly named Look and Leap.
After that it was 16AB, Life’s an Open Road, an oxer followed by a brush corner.
We finished up our tour with 18ABC, the Lazy River Bend, a giant log that horses jump before heading downhill to a ditch and then turning toward a rolltop.
Here’s a map of the preliminary course.
If you want to come out to the horse trials, you can see dressage, cross-country and show jumping either day. Times may be subject to some change, but at the moment, plans call for Novice and Preliminary to be held on Saturday, with dressage starting at 9 a.m. and running until 2:25 p.m.; Novice show jumping goes from 11:30 a.m.-1:55 p.m.; cross-country for both levels from noon to 3:50 and Preliminary show jumping is set from 5:30-6:45 p.m.
On Sunday, dressage runs from 8:35 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. Cross-country is 10:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., with show jumping ending the day from 12:15-3 :55 p.m.
Tickets are $10 per person if you buy them at the Essex website, www.essexhorsetrials.org . They are good for two days. Tickets at the gate are $20. Kids 14 and under get in free.
Non-equestrian attractions include activities for children, a classic car show, the vendor village and dining options.
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