Growing up in Saddle River, B.J. Ehrhardt was a star junior rider. Yet her life wasn’t complete; for some reason, she decided she needed a zebra.

“I’ve always wanted one since I was a small child. They totally intrigued me,” recalled B.J.

B.J. got her heart’s desire when she bought a zebra. (Photo © 2016 by Nancy Jaffer)

Visiting them in zoos wasn’t satisfactory.

“You can’t even touch them,” she explained. “I had to own one someday.”

Some people discouraged her, citing their own experiences with “mean” zebras.

Then, while spending the winter in Wellington, Fla., the professional hunter/jumper trainer ran into a man riding a zebra. It sounds like the beginning of a joke (“A man and a zebra walk into a bar…”) but it isn’t–I’ve seen him too.

“I stopped him,” reported B.J.

“He said he trained them for the movies, and told her they were indeed trainable.”

That was music to her ears, and it moved her to action.

She did research and found zebras for sale at Tri-Lake Exotics in Texas. The company, owned by veterinarian Dr. Cathy Cranmore and her husband, Don Osborne, also sells kangaroos and camels, among other unusual pets, but B.J. has no ideas in that direction.

Her heart was just set on a zebra, and as soon as Tri-Lake said they had one for her, she flew to Dallas and drove two hours to the “middle of nowhere” to meet him.

“When I pulled up, I knew this guy was meant for me,” she recalled.

“There he was, standing in the paddock by himself. I put my hand out and he came right to me.”

She spent two days learning how to work with the month-old Grant’s zebra and lead him. He was separated from his mother at a day old and bottle-fed, to help him adjust to humans. Tri-Lakes’ owners thought B.J. would be fine with her zebra foal; after all, she knew horses, and zebras also are members of the equus genus.

I asked Cathy, who of course has sold many other zebras, why people buy them.

“It’s something different, something everybody doesn’t have. Some people want a different  breed of dog than the other guy,” she pointed out.

With the zebras, it’s a case of , “not everybody has one, not everybody can do something with one. That makes you special.”

B.J. had planned to have the zebra taken to her Foxhedge Farm in Goshen, N.Y., via a shipper. But it was getting colder, and the Tri-Lake owners advised her he needed to be kept warm on the journey. They suggested that she transport him in a van with heat that went to the back.

B.J. and Ziggy share a kiss. (Photo © 2016 by Nancy Jaffer)

So she rented a Dodge mini-van, put a rubber mat in the back, covered it with shavings and set off with her young charge, now named Ziggy. She fed the baby zebra with a bottle every four hours, bonding with him while a friend drove the van. The big trucks going by made the little guy nervous, but he eventually got used to it and rode like a champ.

She heated the barn and his stall until it was time for Ziggy and her clients to head for warmer climes. It can get chilly in Wellington, so the four-month old zebra has thick blankets to wear when necessary in a little shed he shares with a mini-horse, Zeus, and a giant stuffed toy zebra. He used to rub against the toy, but as he has adjusted and become friends with Zeus, he has become more independent.

“He’s been amazing,” said B.J., who plans on bringing him to horse shows with her as often as possible, and at home, giving him as much of a chance to run free as she can.

He’s expected to grow to the size of a large pony, approximately 14.2 hands. The petite B.J. is hoping not only to ride him, but also to compete with him in unrecognized shows (she acknowledges she can’t get a U.S. Equestrian Federation number for him, so you won’t be seeing him in a class at Devon).

She already has put a small saddle on Ziggy, who eagerly follows B.J. when she jumps over a pole on the ground, picking up his knees to clear the obstacle.Beyond riding Ziggy, B.J. is interested in using him for “some sort of give-back to the community; some sort of charity. I just don’t know what yet.

“I’ve had people talk to me about writing a book about him, about his adventures as he grows up.” Meanwhile, she gets loads of comments from people who have seen his pictures on her facebook page. One is a sick little boy who wakes up every morning, looking for a facebook post from Ziggy.

B.J. enjoys romping with her zebra, who also likes to race around the arena at the Wellington farm where she spends the winter. Ziggy plays not only with Zeus and B.J., but also with B.J.’s dog, a border collie/heeler combo named Brandy. The two are good friends.

There are advantages to having a zebra over a horse. Although B.J. can pick up Ziggy’s feet, she’s been told he doesn’t need to have regular farrier visits because his little black hooves trim themselves when he walks over a hard service. Colic also is unusual among zebras, who can live to between 20 and 30 years old.

Ziggy learned how to jump early. (Photo © 2016 by Nancy Jaffer)

B.J. does everything she does with any of her foals to teach him manners, but she spends more time with him than she would with a colt or filly. He’s good with other people, though he’s not fond of small children screaming and running.

He and B.J. have quite a link. They love to nuzzle each other, and he nearly smiles when she scratches him in a favorite spot, then gives him a carrot.

B.J.is all smiles herself when she interacts with Ziggy, who often hangs out with her when she’s teaching, or when she’s relaxing with a drink on the patio.

“He needs real attention, so he stays nice,” said B.J. who enjoys spending hours with him after all the years she waited for her zebra wish to come true.

“I believe in doing all the things you want to do in life,” she said.

“Nothing holds me back. And this is one of those things, it was just always a dream, and I’m so glad I did this.”

If you’ve been on the New Jersey equestrian scene for a long time, many of your memories probably revolve around the Middlesex County, Sussex County, Monmouth County and Garden State (formerly Junior Essex Troop) horse shows.

I can remember back to the early 1970s when Troop was in West Orange and it was the largest junior show in the country. Sussex–who could forget the fair and the ferris wheel during its many years in Branchville, where the tree-shaded ring drew big crowds to see some of the country’s best show jumpers.

Middlesex was in Johnson Park , New Brunswick, with its scenic outside course around the lake, and was multi-breed for awhile, like Sussex. Monmouth had a great venue at Wolf Hill Farm by Monmouth Park racetrack and made a lovely end to the summer.

But times change. Shows have proliferated over the last few decades, and exhibitors now have many more choices than they did in the days when the four New Jersey fixtures were basically the only game in town for those who wanted big-time competition. And the four shows changed over the years as well.

Sussex moved to the “new” fairgrounds in Augusta. while Middlesex wound up at the Horse Park of New Jersey in Allentown. Garden State went to Chubb Park in Chester and then to the Sussex Fairgrounds.

Monmouth left Wolf Hill after the 1971 show and landed in Hunterdon County for a year before heading to the East Freehold showgrounds and then to the Horse Park. It is moving again this year to the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation’s Gladstone headquarters in Somerset County.

There have been difficult times for all these shows, once the “don’t miss” events in the region, but they have persevered. And now these four are reinventing themselves and have wisely have joined forces, working together in a way that will help them promote each other.

Horse show judge Tucker Ericson, who owns Monmouth (renamed “Monmouth at the Team) with his cousin, Michael Dowling, an assistant professor of equine studies at Centenary College, believes “those four shows, with all their history” can work together and “get people motivated to support tradition.”

He added, “It’s an opportunity for us to reach out to each other. It just makes perfect sense.”

As an incentive for exhibitors to compete in all four shows, the group is offering awards for the leading national hunter derby and jumper riders in the series.

The leading horse/rider in the hunter derbies will get a CWD saddle valued at $4,900; the leading horse/rider in the jumper ranks will get a $2,500 Devoucoux gift basket.

Monmouth, which will be a one-ring boutique show, is awaiting date approval from the U.S. Equestrian Federation. Moving from its original location meant the oldest show in New Jersey could not automatically hold on to its usual dates, but Tucker promised that recognized by USEF or not, the plan is “to run an amazing horse show” at one of the world’s best; known equestrian venues.

That venue also will benefit. Sponsor Precise Builders has committed to donating $10,000 to $15,000 in services to the Foundation, according to Tucker. He wants all four shows to do well, and likes the idea that they can give each other a boost.

“The goal is to make these long-standing shows stronger and so desirable that tradition, and a superior product, will dictate where exhibitors want to show,” as he put it.

“I think it will draw people’s attention back to the historical shows,” said Sussex show committee president Robin Fairclough about the initiative.

“It’s something we’ve all been thinking about for several years and it just seemed to be the right time and all of the right people,” observed Creigh Duncan, who manages both Middlesex and Monmouth.

“There’s so much history between these four shows that they deserve an award among themselves,” she commented.

Asked for her thoughts about the shows offering the awards, hunter trainer Amanada Steege said “I think that’s great. Anything you can do that’s going to encourage people to want to go (to the shows) is a good idea.”

Amanda, a frequent derby rider who is based in Califon for half the year, notes that in the winter, the choice for those who want to show seriously in warm climates generally lies in large show series such as the HITS and Winter Equestrian Festival.

“I really try in the summer to go to horse shows that happen once a year and are a little more original and have volunteers and sposnors who spend all yeaer trying to make it feel special and important,” Amanda commented.

“We try to search out those shows when we can.”

Trainer Brian Feigus of Colts Neck said, “I think it’s a great idea. It’s a nice thing for the professionals who do go to those shows on a regular basis.” He thought the concept might be an incentive for someone who has gone to several of the shows and done well to attend another.

“As a New Jersey professional, I think a lot of the shows don’t work together, so I think it’s nice thing to see that the shows are starting to work together to try to build New Jersey back up. That, I think, is more the best part of it than the actual reward of being leading hunter rider.”

Tim Cleary, who runs Garden State, called the concept “really exciting, and maybe a bit overdue. I’m glad we’re all doing it and I think it will lead to more things. We’ll start here, and let’s see what we think after this year, and what other things we might be able to combine.”

Indeed, the initial cooperation is only the beginning of what could become a much larger joint effort. Those involved with the four shows have discussed sharing mailing lists, advertising space and creating more awards.

Garden State (May 4-8) is the first show in the series, followed by Middlesex (June 23-27), Sussex (Aug. 6-14) and Monmouth (Aug. 16-21.)

It was a crucial test, because victory by the U.S. would enable the country to take part in this summer’s Paralympic Games, which will be held following the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

While it’s hard enough under favorable conditions to ride with that kind of pressure, first the rain, and then Saturday’s high winds, made the task even more difficult as the Para classes that were the final qualifier for Rio continued.

As if that weren’t sufficiently difficult, the team’s high-scorer, Rebecca Hart, faced another challenge. While she and her horse, Schroeter’s Romani, were in the International Arena performing their Grade II test, a car accident down the street from the AGDF was so bad a medi-vac helicopter had to be called to the scene. Can you imagine riding a dressage test while a helicopter was flying over the arena and then landing?

But it didn’t faze Becca or her mount.

“She didn’t even notice it. She handled it beautifully. She trotted into the ring like a complete professional and really carried me through the entire test,” said Becca of Romani.

Although she has scored higher in the past, Becca noted, “For me, it was a very special test. When we originally got her, she could be slightly reactive. Just to know that she trusts me to that extent now was a very special moment for me. It was wonderful for the qualifying for Rio. She could have totally used it as an excuse, but she went in and did her job.”

Although Becca’s mark of 73.048 percent was the highest on Saturday, she emphasized that she wasn’t in it alone.

“I had a fantastic group of ladies that were on the team with me. It was nice to be able to share that experience with them.There was a lot of pressure, but there also was a lot of camaraderie there. We just kind of went and handled the weather and the ring and the wind. We knew we needed to do our job.”

LEXINGTON, KY — Remember that beloved Disney movie, “The Horse with the Flying Tail?”If they made a sequel about Jus d’O, the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Grand Green Hunter national champion, it would be “The horse with the Flaxen Tail.” I know, I know; you don’t ride the tail, but it is an eye-catcher that makes him stand out.

“It’s his trademark that he flips in the air over every jump,” said Bill Rube of Merchantville in Camden County, who owns the horse with Brandon and Jocelyn Gibson of Select Sport Horses in Tennessee. They picked up Jus d’O’s trophy last night at the Horse of the Year dinner during the USEF’s annual meeting here.

Jus is a Belgian warmblood by the Holsteiner Quaprice out of a Dollar de la Pierre (Selle Francais) mare), with the Selle Francais Quidam de Revel on both sides.

The horse had been a jumper as a 5-year-old, so he had to enter the hunter ranks as a second-year green competitor, rather than a first-year horse.

“It took him about five to six months to figure out the hunter game,” recalled Bill, an amateur rider who is well-known for his many roles as a volunteer with the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association.

“He will jump fire,” commented Bill about the 7-year-old stallion, noting that makes Jus a perfect candidate for the hunter derbies, where the unusual jumps can scare off timid equine souls.

Jus d’O’s owners didn’t start out planning to go for a Horse of the Year award.

“But we got into the end of September and saw where the points were and we decided, `Let’s do this.’ I’d never done it, they’d never done it,” said Bill.

Third place in the derby at the Georgia International Horse Park clinched the high-score deal.

“It’s kind of like a Cinderella story, isn’t it?” mused Bill.

The horse was purchased from Ronda Stavisky of Rising Star Farm in Georgia, who imported him from Europe but found he wasn’t fitting in to her program.

After riding Jus and realizing “he’s so amateur friendly,” Bill said to his partners, ” `Hey, why not the hunters?’ because that’s where I’m from.”

A shot showing Jus d’O’s flaxen tail to great advantage. (Photo by Jocelyn Gibson)

Brandon, an up-and-coming professional, has gotten help at the shows from some big names in the hunter ranks–Jack Towell and his daughter, Liza Towell Boyd; Louise Serio (who also showed him once) and Bill Schaub.

Jus d’O was as busy outside of the ring as inside it; he bred about 26 mares last year.

“And he’s still so civilized” said Bill. The owners kept him a stallion because “he acts like a gelding (except in the breeding shed, of course) and he’s got a great pedigree. He’s so sweet. He’s an incredible careful jumper and he looks after you.”

Bill plans to show Jus more this year, but at age 59, he knows it’s important to get fit He got a stationary bike and plans on a walking regimen, doing what he can during the cold New Jersey winter.

“I want to get my cardio up. I’m not that age anymore where I can just get on once in awhile,” he pointed out.

He will wait until the spring shows and warmer weather to compete, though, because as he noted, “I don’t have the Wellington wallet.”

The Florida circuit is expensive, so it makes sense for Bill to postpone for his 2016 show ring debut. He also enjoys watching how the horse does with a professional in the saddle.

“It was so much fun, just going and rooting Brandon on. The whole ride has been really amazing.”

But the ride may be coming to an end; the trio is thinking of putting Jus on the market.

“A lot of the thrill for the three of us is in the hunt of finding another one. I will miss him. Every horse who comes behind him has to live up to him,” said Bill.

If “The Horse with the FlyingTail” reference at the beginning of this column intrigued you, here’s a link that can tell you more about it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Horse_with_the_Flying_Tail

Brandon Gibson and Bill Rube with the trophies for the Green Working Hunter Grand Championship and Second-Year Green Hunter Championship, as USEF CEO Bill Moroney looks on. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)

Awards are a big deal at the annual meeting. They are held on two nights. The Horse of the Year dinner was preceded on Friday by the Pegasus Awards dinner. The Lifetime Achievement Award for the Jimmy Williams trophy went to Lana Wright. Not only was she the first woman to compete in Olympic eventing, breaking that barrier at the
1964 Tokyo Games, but she also won a team gold medal in pairs driving in 1991 and did well in endurance. An avid foxhunter, Lana is known as one of the key players in organizing the Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International in her home state of Maryland.

The Equestrian of the Year was saddlebred competitor Elisabeth Goth, vice president of the USEF. While I haven’t seen her compete recently, I can testify that in the USEF’s board meetings she always asks intelligent questions, makes incisive bservations and is definitely a bright light who does a lot for the sport.

Additional Jerseyans who earned Horse of the Year awards included Elizabeth Hofer and her daughter, Kaitlin, of Saddle River. They took home handfuls of ribbons and trophies galore, including the Grand Champion Welsh title for the versatile Glynhafan Hermione, who goes western and English under saddle, jumps, does leadline and serves in therapeutic riding. She also was nominated for National Horse of the Year, a title that went to Liza Boyd and Janet Peterson’s Brunello, the three-time International Hunter Derby winner.

Kaitlin Hofer also won a championship in Half-Welsh Pleasure with Capstone’s Tootsie.

Other New Jerseyans with Horses of the Year were Leslie Goryeb of Far Hills, Arabian Country Pleasure/Pleasure Driving Open for MD Tsunami; Morgan Ward, Milford, Grand Champion Junior Hunter 16-17 years for Broadway; Ponies Unlimited, Franklin Lakes, English Pleasure Hunt Seat for Sky’s the Limit and Margot Peroni, Califon, Amateur-Owner Hunter 3-3/18-35 years.