by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 16, 2025
During his long-running career, show jumper Eddie Blue probably is best known for a surprise second-place finish in the 2018 FEI World Cup finals, before going on to be part of the U.S. gold medal team at the FEI World Equestrian Games later that year.
He was a presence at the top of the sport for years, until his final FEI competition last September at HITS in Saugerties, N.Y., with his regular rider, Devin Ryan.
The 16-year-old Dutch-bred son of Zirocco Blue is still winning this year, but now he’s at the national level with a new rider.
“He doesn’t need to jump at the 5-star level anymore, but he’s really enjoying having a job and still having a purpose,” said his new rider, 27-year-old Lizzy Traband.
This month, Eddie took the $25,000 VFC Grand Prix at the Virginia Horse Center under Lizzy’s guidance, while achieving the only clear round in the jump-off.
Lizzy started working with Lori Larrabee’s horse after the Florida circuit, getting pointers from Devin.To keep Eddie tuned up, it’s poles, flat work and cavaletti, all helping the horse mesh with his new rider. Eddie obviously knows how to jump when the time comes.
“He doesn’t need to jump any extra jumps,” Lizzy observed.
“Eddie is an incredibly smart horse. He kind of takes care of me and teaches me quite a lot. He taught me trust,” she said.
“He has all the scope and power in the world. It’s so easy for him, you certainly don’t get that feeling on every horse,” she said.
Devin Ryan and Eddie Blue on the gold medal team at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games. (Photo © 2018 by Nancy Jaffer)
Lizzy faces an unusual challenge, because she doesn’t have a left hand, a situation that could be daunting — but not for this rider.
“In a weird way, I think being born without a left hand has helped me, because my horses have to ride out of a really impeccable balance. They have to have the basics down pat.
“They have to go straight, they have to be equal on both sides, they have to be well-broke on flat, adjustable and ridable.”
While those qualities are important for every rider, “because I’m missing a hand, there’s emphasis put on it,” she pointed out.
Her horses “have to maintain a good quality balance, because I can’t manufacture it without a left hand,” Lizzy explained.
She uses a manual prosthetic that has a strap around her right shoulder.
Lizzy wears a prosthetic when she rides.
“I am able to hold both reins equally and can adjust the reins, but not while I’m on course,” she said, because to do that “I have to stop to adjust the rein.”
That’s obviously not practical during a competition.
“I train in all situations, having reins too long or too short,” Lizzy noted, saying she has “the reins pretty well marked-up on each horse, so I know on each horse what number I need to be in.”
It’s not easy, but Lizzy is good-natured about the effort it takes.
“It definitely adds some complexity to it,” she said, in a masterpiece of understatement.
Her victory in Virginia marked the second year in a row that she won the class. In 2024, she did it on a horse she produced from the ground up.
“I generally don’t win things,” she confessed, saying she often tends to finish third or fourth in a competition.
“I don’t always like to go fast enough,” she confessed.
Lizzy Traband and Eddie Blue at the Virginia Horse Center. (MK Photos)
Last year’s win was on Ocho Cinco BC, owned and bred by Blue Chip Bloodstock, which is Tom Grossman’s business.
If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he was the owner of McLain Ward’s sensational ride, Sapphire. The great mare died 11 years ago, but Ocho carries on her legacy, since he is out of one of Sapphire’s clones, as is another of Lizzy’s mounts, Pura Vida.
Lizzy is based for six months of the year at Newstead Farm in Virginia, formerly owned by the Firestone family. The rest of the team she’s at her family’s Carousel Farm in Ocala, Fla.
She is stepping up to FEI level for the first time at the Hampton Classic, which begins next weekend on Long Island. Riding Regina Liu’s Rublin VD Berghoeve, Lizzy will be competing in the 2-star classes.
Lizzy rode early in her career with the late Elizabeth Solter, and has worked with a variety of trainers. They range from Olympic double gold medalist Joe Fargis, to Will Simpson (an Olympic team gold medalist), german trainer Karl Beyer and Australia’s Thaisa Irwin.
As far as Eddie goes, she said, “We just want him to be happy and enjoying his job. He’s really doing that right now.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 10, 2025
Laura Kraut’s victory on Bisquetta with the only clear round in the Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland Sunday was more than just a fantastic American triumph.
The fact that a 59-year-old grandmother captured the feature on the last day of the illustrious Dublin Horse Show was an accomplishment not only for a woman (just 19 females now have won the class since 1934) but more importantly, for someone who redefines statistically what it means to be a competitor in her prime.
She gives new meaning to that famous catchline from a 1971 hair color commercial, “You’re not getting older, you’re getting better!”
“I just can’t put into words how thrilling this is. This is one of the best shows in the world and to win it at my age, I’m pretty excited,” Laura enthused, as the crowd roared its approval of that thought.
The course designed by the masterful Alan Wade for the $582,000 class on the grass field at the Royal Dublin Society Showgrounds heightened the suspense minute by minute, as the best riders in the world toppled fences all around the 14-obstacle route.
A delighted Laura Kraut and Bisquetta finish their winning round. (US Equestrian photo)
The last line of a 1.55 high, 2-meter-wide triple bar five strides (or in one case, six strides) from an oxer-vertical double combination, with a big swing toward the final oxer caught 15 riders. It was a heartbreak for Mexico’s Eugenio Garza Perez, fault free on Contago until the last, only to topple a rail at the 1.53 meter high and 1.70 wide jump.
But faults were well distributed around the route, which meant no one could take any portion of it for granted.
As the first round neared its conclusion with no clears, it appeared there might be a jump-off of 11 4-faulters. Then came Laura, next-to-last in the order, on the 11-year-old Zangersheide mare by Bisquet Balou that she had been saving for this class.
Her perfectly judged and beautifully ridden effort drew a heartfelt reaction from the fans. All that was left to end the suspense was the appearance of Ireland’s Trevor Breen, whose brother, Shane, had won the trophy in 2019. Trevor’s attempt to make a tiebreaker was over early at the first fence of the 4ABC triple combination, guaranteeing Laura the highest spot on the podium.
“I have an unbelievable horse in Bisquetta. She was just spot-on and I didn’t mess it up for her, so here we are. This definitely goes in the record books for me. To come back this year and have this happen is just thrilling,” said Laura, who was overjoyed to claim her first Rolex watch as a prize, after finishing second last month in the Rolex grand prix at Aachen, Germany.
“I’ve been waiting to win one of these for a long, long time,” said Laura, the highest-ranked woman on the Longines FEI standings at number 18..
On a more serious note, she commented, “To win anything on an international stage like this when you’re representing your country, it just gets you. It’s what we live for, it’s what we work for. It’s just like a dream come true.”
Laura and Bisquetta at the Rolex wall.
Laura was coached by her partner, Nick Skelton, a five-time winner of the Dublin class before he retired.
“I had a good feeling this morning,” said Nick
“That mare’s been knocking on the door she’s a great mare. She’s really careful and she’s a real trier.”
That applies to Laura as well.
“She is 24/7,” Nick reported.
“If there’s a show tomorrow morning, she’ll be at it. She’s a workaholic and she deserved it.”
Asked for his opinion of the route, Nick said, “This is one of the great grands prix in the world. Alan Wade built a brilliant course; you needed scope, carefulness, rideability and he put it all in that one round and got a great result.”
As he reflected on the course he built, Alan said, ““I don’t think I’d have done anything different. The time was comfortable and you couldn’t say we were forcing them into mistakes. Maybe some will think we should have had 10 in the jump-off, but with lighter material you can get softer faults. Sometimes you get one or two go clear, or I’ve had it go all the way up to 17. It’s not an exact science and you have to be fair to the horses and the occasion.”
Nick Skelton, in the dark grey vest, and Robert Ridland, second from right, watch tensely as Laura jumps the course.
Second place went to the fastest 4-faulter, Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa with the Irish-bred Major Tom, who had a rail at B of the triple. Third was Ireland’s own Shane Sweetnam on James Kann Cruz, with a knockdown at the third fence, a 1.60-meter-wide oxer over a liverpool. There was speculation that if Shane had gone later in the start list, instead of second, he might have profited more from watching others ride.
But it’s interesting to note that in addition to the American victory, all three of the top finishers are based in the U.S.
“Winning the grand prix at Dublin is on a par with winning the Aga Khan. We missed the Aga Khan,” said U.S. Coach Robert Ridland, referring to his team’s fourth-place finish Friday in the Nations Cup.
“This is one of the great trophies in sport and for Laura to do it on a day when there was only one clean was pretty amazing.”
Someone had texted Robert near the end of the class, expressing concern about the fact that no one had gone clean and noting, “the course is winning.”
Winner Laura Kraut with runner-up Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil, left, and Shane Sweetnam of Ireland, who was third.
But Ridland replied to the texter, “This is great, because it’s fewer horses for Laura to jump off against and zero horses to jump off against is as few as you can get.”
Commenting on Alan’s course, he said, “It was a rider’s course and had to be ridden correctly all the way around. No one problem was overly difficult or unfair, but there were a lot of places where you could have a rail.”
When he walked the course, he said, “I thought it was one of the best courses of the year. Alan is a master of using all the technical tests combined with his familiarity of the characteristics and slope gradients of the arena.
“Not all horses and/or riders are always on their game…Laura was. Not only did Bisquetta jump great, but Laura mastered the track to perfection. It indeed was a flawless ride.”
Click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 5, 2025
London. Vienna. Rome.
Liberty State Park?
How does a New Jersey park wind up on the same page of the Longines Global Champions Tour website with some of the world’s greatest cities that have hosted its show jumping competitions?
It’s all about the vista — because the park has a great view of the Statue of Liberty and New York skyline. A presence in the Manhattan area is important to the international jumping competition, which is why the GCT is scheduled to host a show at the park Sept. 19-21.
Among the many accomplished riders who are regulars at GCT competitions are Olympic multi-gold medalist Ben Maher of Great Britain; current individual gold medalist Christian Kukuk of Germany, world champion Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden and the USA’s Jessica Springsteen, who grew up in New Jersey,
The last time GCT was staged in the New York metro area, its show was a half-mile south of Manhattan at Governor’s Island, reachable only by ferry, a situation that made it inconvenient at best.
Liberty State Park and its vista.
Liberty State Park is easier to access, which means there is great demand for tickets to the competition. The Sunday, which features the grand prix, is a sellout except for some VIP opportunities, but tickets in both the covered and uncovered stands, as well as the lounge, are still available for the Friday and Saturday shows that also include 5-star jumping.
Six-person and eight-person tables in VIP for all three days are on sale at $16,633.50 and $22,178 respectively.
For tickets, click here.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 6, 2025
An investigation of allegations that dressage trainer/rider Cesar Parra “repeatedly and deliberately subjected the majority, if not all, of the horses he owned and trained to recurring and serious abuse over a number of years,” has resulted in a record suspension of 15 years from the FEI (international equestrian federation).
Parra, a native of Colombia who became an American citizen and competed internationally for both countries, had been the subject of disciplinary proceedings since May 22, 2024 on charges of 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.
“This case is deeply unsettling, not only because of the recurring nature of the abuse, but also because of the number of horses affect-ed,” FEI Legal Director Mikael Rentsch said.
“That such behavior came from a top-level athlete makes it all the more troubling. Our athletes are expected to represent and uphold the highest standards of horsemanship. Horse welfare is the foundation, not an add-on, of equestrian sport”
He noted, ““The investigation demanded significant time and resources due to the volume and complexity of the evidence, which had to be meticulously verified. The 15-year suspension sends a clear message that regardless of profile or position, those who violate the principles of horse welfare will face serious consequences.”
Cesar Parra on a victory lap. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Parra’s suspension, which lasts until 2039, when he would be 75 years old, is five years longer than the previous record of 10 years for the use of electric spurs by U.S. show jumper Andrew Kocher.
However, Parra said he will appeal his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, contending, “We need a better system that relies on facts. I accept some guilt, even though the reasons are questionable.”
He added, “But other stuff, it is …fabricated.” Parra suggested there also were some “false accusations.”
Parra noted, “I can see a suspension, I can see okay, excessive whip, whatever. I agree, things have to change bit.”
But in terms of the offenses with which he is charged, he maintained, “that’s something you see three months, six months, a year, a year and a half. Fifteen years, I think, is exaggerated.
“I feel very sad and remorseful. Okay, there is stuff I should have not done I did, passion to help a client with a horse. Now one of the horses in question is winning everything in Mexico. He was tough.”
Parra said he invited representatives of the USEF and FEI to inspect the horses in his barn, but they didn’t come. So he asked the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department to take a look.
“They were aware of the issue and they came. They didn’t find anything.”
The investigation into Parra’s conduct, launched in coordination with the U.S. Equestrian Federation, involved a review of video and photographic material, as well as multiple witness statements. In addition to the suspension, he was fined $18,589 and ordered to pay more than $12,000 in legal costs.
Parra had been based in New Jersey and Florida. His New Jersey farm was sold and the operation in Jupiter, Fla.,is for sale. He rode for Colombia at the Pan American Games in 1999, the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004, the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in 2002 and 2006, and the FEI World Cup™ Final in 2005.
After his 2008 switch in nationality, he rode for the U.S. at the 2011 Pan American Games and FEI World Cup™ Final in 2014.
Cesar Parara in 2021. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
According to the FEI General Regulations (Article 164.6) during a suspension, the person cannot take part in any competition or event and/or in any activities related to any competition or event, as an athlete, support personnel and/or official or in the organization of any competition or event under the jurisdiction of the FEI or any competition or event under the jurisdiction of a national federation in ac-cordance with the statutes or in any FEI and/or national federation-related activity. Persons are entitled to train their own horses at their own facilities or at private facilities.
When USEF received horse welfare complaints against Parra in early 2024 and he was provisionally suspended in February of that year, the Federation did not have a rule allowing it to take action on welfare issues outside of sanctioned competitions. So USEF referred the matter to the FEI, which did have a rule allowing it to undertake an investigation. Since then, the USEF board passed GR838, which expands the Federation’s jurisdiction to unethical treatment that occurs on or off the grounds of a Federation competition.
“As a federation, we have strengthened our rules to ensure we are within our jurisdiction to pursue disciplinary action for behavior and actions endangering horse safety and welfare, both on and off competition grounds. Parra’s documented and repeated behavior has no place in our sport, and we will ensure the enforcement of the FEI Tribunal’s decision. We appreciate the FEI’s diligence and expertise in pursuing this matter,” said USEF CEO Bill Moroney.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 8, 2025
Despite a bravura performance from McLain Ward and Callas, the U.S. just missed the podium in the Dublin Horse Show’s Nations Cup, where a victory would have meant its second year in a row taking the coveted Aga Khan trophy.
McLain was one of only seven riders to go double clear Friday over the course designed by Alan Wade for the eight-country lineup at the jam-packed Royal Dublin Society showgrounds. But the victorious Dutch had three riders achieve that double-clear mark of success. Their fourth rider on an inexperienced horse was the drop score in both rounds, so they were able to finish with zero penalties.
Harrie Smolders leads the way in the Dutch victory gallop.
Even with a marvelous final clear trip from new European Champion Richie Vogel on Cloudio, the Germans settled for second on 4 penalties, with former world champion event Sandra Auffarth leaving all the rails in place on Quirichi H during both her outings, following a fall in the warm-up area before her first round.
The Irish had a 4-fault total in a slower time than the Germans to take the remaining spot on the podium. But what was exciting for that team was double-clears from their young riders, Tom Wachman (Tabasco de Toxandria Z) and Seamus Hughes Kennedy (ESI Rocky). There’s the show jumping future for that nation right there.
The Netherlands’ Wout Jan van der Schans, in his first season as chef d’equipe, appropriately wore both a traditional Dutch orange tie and a broad smile as he celebrated his team’s second major triumph of the summer.
The stands in Dublin are always packed for the Nations Cup.
“We were the whole week planning to win the Aga Khan this year,” said Wout Jan, who also helmed a Longines League of Nations victory in Rotterdam during June.
“We did it with three double-clear rounds. What can you have better?”
He saluted the perfect performances of Kevin Jochems (Camilla van de Helle) and William Greve with the magnficent Grandorado TN N NOP) but the chef had special words for his anchor man, Harrie Smolders (Mr. Tac). If Harrie had toppled a rail, there would have been a three-way jump-off among those who eventually wound up on the podium. But the Dutch claimed the gold trophy free and clear.
“With Harrie, he’s such a cool head, you can build on him,” Wout Jan said. It was the third time his nation had taken the title; the other wins were 1999 and 2010.
“It was way too long ago that we won here, so we had to change that,” said Harrie.
“We had some horses that were jumping incredible, so it came all to us today.”
Harrie Smolders, the man of the hour for the Dutch.
For the U.S., which finished on 8 penalties, Aaron Vale — winner of two major grands prix since May with Carissimo 25 — was on Styles for a clear in the first round, but 8 penalties in the second as rails fell at the two final fences.
Alex Matz, son of Olympic veteran Michael Matz, had a rail on his initial trip and a foot on the tape at the water in the second round with Ikigai. Laura Kraut, the highest-ranked woman on the Longines standings at number 18, was clear in the first round with Tres Bien Z but dropped the back rail on the triple bar three fences from the end of the course.
U.S. Coach Robert Ridland looked at the big picture and called it “a good day, just not a great day, just missing the podium.
“I was okay to be right behind the Irish in Dublin, but only if they won! So it’s their fault, that they were third.”
McLain Ward and Callas. (US Equestrian photo)
Putting the class in perspective, he noted, “We had two young horses in their first Nations Cup (Styles and Tres Bien) and they proved to be more than up to the task…two promising horses for the future. Alex Matz in his first major Nations Cup was solid, and of course, McLain does what McLain does.”
Click here for team results and here for individual results
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 5, 2025
Mary Anne McPhail, a visionary who did so much to boost dressage in the U.S., has died at the age of 92.
“She was incredible; worked tirelessly to promote and support a sport that was not well-known,” former U.S.. Dressage Federation President Ellin Dixon Miller said on social media.
“The growth of dressage that occurred during her lifetime can, to a huge extent, be attributed to her. Mary Anne was instrumental in creating the Florida circuit. It created multiple shows at the international level, encouraged Europeans to come to us, and the best of the U.S. to unite and compete in one location.”
Mary Anne McPhail, doing what she enjoyed.
Devoted to the Dressage Foundation, where she was a volunteer committee member for more than 20 years, Mary Anne and her husband established the Mary Anne and Walter McPhail Judge Education Fund to provide support for the U.S. Dressage Federation’s judge education initiative.
“Mary Anne was one-of-a kind when it came to wisdom, kindness and generosity. Her impact on U.S. dressage has been profound throughout many years because she was never afraid to think big,” said a statement from the Dressage Foundation.
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The U.S. Dressage Federation noted, “Mary Anne’s legacy will live on through all who knew and loved her, and through her generosity of spirit that will continue to positively impact and benefit the dressage community for years to
come.”
She also backed top riders Robert Dover and Olivia Lagoy-Weltz when they were involved in international competition.
A longtime host and executive director of the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, she lived in Loxahatchee, Fla., and Michigan, where she founded the Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine at Michigan State University.
