by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 12, 2025
From dressage through cross-country and nearly around the entire show jumping course, Will Coleman was the leader in the inaugural $200,000 U.S. Open with his trusty Off the Record.
Then the only American combination to have won eventing at Aachen toppled a rail in the B element of the triple combination that was the next-to-last obstacle on the route designed by Chris Barnard at Virginia’s Morven Park International Equestrian Center. That left the title for the first running of the event to Boyd Martin with Miks Master C, by a mere 0.4 penalties.
Boyd Martin and Miks Master C. (Photo by Devyn Trethewey/U.S. Equestrian)
Boyd, who was the leader in the series of qualifiers that led up to this weekend’s final, was fault-free over the colored poles on the Swedish warmblood, after having moved up from third to second following cross-country, where his original two flag penalties were deleted by the ground jury.
Ocala Horse Property’s Miks Master C formerly was ridden by Liz Halliday, whose mounts went to other professionals after she suffered a traumatic brain injury in a cross-country fall last year. Prior to the prize-giving, Boyd said, “I’d like to give a big shout-out to Liz, who did all the work on this magnificent horse. I hope you’re watching, Liz. This is for you.”
Boyd mentioned, “I’d like to thank the owners of Miks Master C; they’ve experienced the highs and lows of the sport.” The horse was one of the alternates for the 2024 Olympic team, bu was injured and did not compete in the Games. So it was a big morale boost that the winner was recognized with the MARS American-Bred Talent Trophy as the top U.S.-bred horse.
As I pointed out in my Friday posting on this website, there is an abundance of events this autumn. Or maybe an over-abundance? The U.S. Open of Eventing Final ran the week before the Maryland 5-star and two weeks before the Pau, France, 5-star. Next month, there’s the 4-Star Long at TerraNova near Sarasota, Fla.
But understandably, since he collected the majority of the U.S. Open’s prize money, Boyd is a big fan of the U..S. Open’s creation.
“It made no sense for me or this country to send all of our horses over to Europe to compete at 4-Star Long when we’ve got the greatest 4-Star Long in the world, ” he explained, citing great conditions at Morven Park as well as “unbelievable” prize money and a very, very competitive field” and a challenging course. He maintained the event “has taken our sport to a whole new level,” noting “This is a wonderful time to be a professional event rider in the United States of America.”
Will Coleman and Off the Record at the fence where a downed rail dropped them to second place.
U.S. Open winner Boyd Martin, right, and runner-up Will Coleman,, left.
There were only two people on the podium at the event, because Will finished not just in second place, but also third with his up-and-coming mare, Very Dignified, owned by the Very Dignified Group.
Miks Master C and the Off the Record Syndicate’s Off the Record were the only horses in the 20s in terms of penalties at the end of the event (28.7 and 29.1 respectively) but Very Dignified finished on 35.4 penalties and Boyd was right behind in fourth on Shanroe Cooley (35.9), another former Liz Halliday mount.
Boyd noted that getting a new horse, “like the two I’m riding and Will’s second horse, you’re basically relying a lot on its past training with its last rider.
“It’s easier in a way,” he continued, “because you don’t have baggage about the horse and you just get on with it. You don’t have a preconception of its flaws, weaknesses or bad habits. You try and simplify it as much as you can and ride it in probably a different system or a different style. Sometimes they really come around and jell, and sometimes it’s an absolute disaster.
“Lucky for me, the horses from Liz (a group that also includes Cooley Nutcracker)…I’ve sort of clicked with them. They’re still not quite my horses. There are some slight differences in our training or our system or our way of riding, but they’re all champions.”
Referring to Will’s mishap at the triple, Boyd said of his victory, “”It’s a bit of an awkward way to win,” expressing sympathy for the runner-up and his “legend horse.”
Will responded in his usual gracious manner: “Boyd is an incredibly worthy and deserving winner. Boyd absolutely won the weekend.”
Click here for full results.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 11, 2025
Will Coleman made Derek di Grazia’s cross-country course look easy (even though it wasn’t) as the rider and his veteran, Off the Record, were able to hold their lead from dressage during the debut of the U.S. Open of Eventing Final.
Timmy, as the horse is known, simply sailed around the 4-Star Long route at the Morven Park International Equestrian Center in Virginia Saturday adding nothing to his 25.1 penalty score from Friday as he finished a comfortable six seconds within the optimum time of 6 minutes, 40 seconds. Will had two fences in hand going into Sunday’s show jumping, with Great Britain’s Lucienne Bellissimo moving up from eighth after dressage to second on a score of 33.5, which included two time penalties aboard Kitsch Couture HBK.
Lucienne Bellissimo and Kitsch Couture HBK. (U.S. Eventing Photo)
But then the ground jury reversed two flag penalties on Boyd Martin and Liz Halliday’s former ride, Miks Master C, putting them second on 28.7 penalties and moving Lucienne down to third. Boyd was also in the top 10 with his other mount, Shanroe Cooley, eighth on 35.9 with 6.8 time penalties. This horse also previously was competed by Liz, who is still recovering from a traumatic brain injury she suffered in a fall last year.
Will believes it’s Timmy’s first time at Morven, so the rider admitted he was “sort of shooting from the hip” in his approach to the challenge of the day.
Will Coleman and Off the Record in front of the Morven Park Mansion. (Photo Devyn Trethewey for U.S. Equestrian)
“I don’t really think I got it right,” he mused.
“I got down here a little too early. He left the start box, he was just a freight train for the first three or four minutes. He’s such a good boy. It doesn’t really matter, it seems, how good our approach is, he just finds a way through the flags. He’s an amazing horse, he knows his job and sometimes I really, truly feel like I’m just a passenger.”
Will also moved up to sixth from seventeenth after dressage with the promising mare Very Dignified, who had no time penalties in her score of 35.4.
“I’m thrilled for Dora and her supporters. It’s been sort of a slow process with her to this point. I always targeted this as our step up. She’s not the kind of horse you pull the trigger on every weekend, but I decided we would do it today. She was amazing. I’d never really opened her up before She really goes, but she’s another one that just seems to fight for it. She’ll get better, she needs to get a little more rideable, but she’s a lovely mare.”
Aside from the leader, the only other rider who finished within the time was Caroline Pamukcu on HSH Double Sixteen, who rose to fifth from seventeenth and is on 25.2 penalties. So it’s a very tight race at the top.
Phillip Dutton, who had a fall earlier in the day with Possante, bounced back during the afternoon on Denim to stand fourth, just 0.4 penalties back of Lucienne. Sharon White, second after dressage with Claus 63, had a refusal at the second part of the Park Question obstacle to drop to eleventh on 49.6 penalties.
Phillip Dutton and Denim. (U.S. Eventing Photo)
Click here for cross-country results
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 5, 2025
The U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Show Jumping Talent Search Finals has a purpose.
The class, sponsored by Platinum Performance, was conceived to scout young riders with the potential to ride on U.S. teams. Previous winners include McLain Ward, Richard Spooner and Brianne Goutal, riders of whom you may have heard.
The Talent Search runs on both the East and West coasts. The East edition, which drew 37 starters, concluded Sunday at an appropriate venue, the historic stables of the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation in Gladstone, N.J.
The last phase of the class is known as the “Final Four,” a format that formerly was used in the world show jumping championships, where each contender rides the other three competitors’ horses over the same course.
Three of the top four finishers had to battle adversity to some extent. The winner, Eleanor Rudnicki, a professional from Texas, discovered when she arrived that the warm-up hadn’t gone well with the horse she brought..
But Ken and Emily Smith, who had worked with Eleanor when she was a junior and who trained another rider in the class, Lily Epstein, stepped up and offered Eleanor Qwantreau, an extra horse they brought with them. That meant there was an initial challenge for Eleanor, riding a former show jumper she didn’t know at all. Even so, she led through every phase to take the title.
Olympic medalist Chris Kappler, who judged the class over two days with Caitlin Venezia White, said he appreciated collaboration among trainers, like that shown by Ken and Emily.
“It’s just fun to see people trying to help riders and the next generation. You see that a lot in Europe and I think that’s starting to happen more and more in America.”
Chris told the victor: “Eleanor, you never gave up. Even on the last horse, when you could have been conservative, you just went in and solidified that round. We fought over whether you’d get 100,” he said, smiling at his judging partner.
Caitlin added, “She personified what this class means.”
Baylee Rowan’s turn on Favorit Julius, who was Emily Jurnovoy’s ride, ran into trouble at the second fence in her second round, where he crashed through it. Undeterred, she turned around, took him back over the obstacle and continued her trip without incident. But that mishap would put the 2024 and 2025 Region I Maclay winner from Rhode Island in third place.
Lily, meanwhile, fell off at the middle element of the triple combination after Watermelon, the mount being shown by Baylee, stopped there. But Lily, a Floridian who also trains with Ali Sweetnam, returned aboard other horses in the next two rounds to finish the class, winding up fourth.
Emily, the only rider who faced no extra challenge in her performance, was the reserve champion. The Connecticut resident who won the Maclay at Devon attends Auburn University and trains with Linda Langmeier.
Eleanor Rudnicki, Emily Jurnovoy, Baylee Rowan, Lily Epstein. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
Chris, who designed the courses, was impressed by the Final Four riders.
“From the moment they walked into the ring, there was a certain amount of presence. I felt like they were riding leg to hand on the flat. You just saw the horses march into the ring, you saw a connection from the hind leg into the horse’s mouth. They all demonstrated showmanship, connection to the horse.
“What I loved most is the two who had trouble, they got back on, they worked their way through it, they gutted it out and actually finished well on the different horses. I thought that displayed some incredible horsemanship.”
Talent Search runner-up Emily Jurnovoy and Favorit Julius.
As Caitlin noted, “The two young ladies that had issues came back and showed what they’re capable of. Tremendous props to both of you for coming back on strange horses after having things not go the way you planned. We were very impressed with the way you walked in and still rode forward on new horses, acting like that had never happened.”
For Eleanor, the victory was a milestone.
Eleanor Rudnicki and Qwantreau.
“This feels pretty huge. It feels like I’ve been kind of working at this class for several years and never quite succeeded.
“So I’m really glad it went well…and I’m looking forward to the opportunity it brings me in the future in the jumper ring.”
Eleanor, 18, has been trained since she was 12 by Berry Porter, who worked at the Talent Search with Missy Clark of North Run, while Linda Langmeier (whose daughter McKayla won in the East finals in 2017) offered moral support.
“I admire everything she does every day,” Berry said of his protege.
“Her work ethic is unbelievable.”
Berry added, “I think that this moment is not just about what this class means, but it’s about how everybody can come together and create top professionals. When it comes back around to it, it just comes down to horsemanship and digging in and getting it done. All the girls were incredible.
“I think that everything was built and designed with so much horsemanship and thought that it made a really fun class.”
The judges, he pointed out “made it really clear they weren’t harping on little mistakes. They really wanted to see a rider who could shine through and continue on and pick up from that mistake and balance their animal and make the course work out. I thought the whole weekend was very much an educational moment for everybody.”
Eleanor Rudnicki gets her ribbon.
The new format had the flat phase lead into the gymnastics, which previously were separate competitions. Having the class on two days instead of three overall also was easier on the horses.
“With the new format, a lot of thought was put in about the welfare of the horse. That is a major concern of all of ours. It was important to reduce it by one day,” said DiAnn Langer, the USEF’s youth chef d’equipe and youth technical advisor.
Charlie Brown, ridden by Lily Epstein, won the Grappa Trophy as Best Horse of the Talent Search Finals East. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
“We will continue to take a look at it, keep refining it until we get it just where it needs to be.”
Clayton Farrell receives the Hollow Brook Wealth Management Sportsmanship award from Alan Bazaar and Matti Fisher.
Anne Kursinski, USEF development coach, noted several of the Talent Search competitors had been on teams that she coached.
“That’s what it’s all about, following the pathway and connecting the dots,” she said.
John Brennan, Missy Clark’s husband, told me he felt the flat exercises were on the mark; just what a rider would use to warm up before a jumper class, and the gymnastics made sense, rather than being gimmicky and confusing to the horses, as they sometimes had been in the past.
David Distler, manager of the Talent Search, noted the class will continue to evolve. Questions have been raised about the Final Four, which the FEI discontinued after 2018 for its world championships.
He noted that four extra rounds after the flat segment, gymnastics and Sunday morning jumping phase can be tiring, particularly for older horses.
“It’s a special event, and you want to keep it special,” said David, who thinks it’s important to continue taking a close look at the entirety of the class.
“Is the Final Four necessary? Can we do something else? Keep it special, but don’t do that,” David wondered.
It will take some thought, he pointed out, because, “You don’t want to turn it into all the other finals. You’ve got to do something to make it stand out.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 2, 2025
They came from as far away as the West Coast to recapture their memories in New Jersey and once again connect with riding friends they had cherished for decades.
The hundredth anniversary of Union County’s Watchung Stables merited a special celebration, not only of a venerable lesson barn, but also of the people it charmed and transformed.
“Watchung meant everything to me, Watchung changed my whole life,” said Kim Hewitt Bonstein, who started riding by taking lessons at the stable and married Bill Bonstein, a Junior Essex Trooper she met there.
Kim and Bill Bonstein at Watchung’s 100th. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
“All my friends are somehow related to horses,” noted the Chester resident, who laughed about getting up at 4:30 a.m. in her teens when it was time to sign up for a new Watchung Troop season, in order to make sure she could get in. Kim went on to become a professional horse trainer. Bill spent some time at the U.S. Equestrian Team, working for the legendary coach Bertalan de Nemethy and handling projects around the stable in Gladstone.
During the Boots & Bling Gala organized Sept. 28 by the Watchung Stables Auxiliary at the Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth to commemorate the stable’s century, many of those attending offered similar comments about how much the facility has meant to them.
Ellen Newell Rogers, who grew up in New Providence on the border of Summit, rode at Watchung from 1967 to 1973. Now a resident of Arizona who made the pilgrimage back to New Jersey for the celebration, she described herself as “a barn rat” who still keeps up with friends from Watchung days on Facebook.
Her pal, Susan Valla, came from California to attend.
Susan Valla and Ellen Newell Rogers. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I would sit in school on Friday afternoons hoping it didn’t rain so we could ride,” later that afternoon, Susan said. The love of horses kindled by her troop days led Susan to attend Centenary College (now University) for its equestrian program, and she worked at the racetrack for top trainer Richard Mandella.
Barns that give prospective riders a start are fewer and fewer these days, making Watchung’s longevity even more important and unusual. It has turned out many thousands of riders over the generations.
While the top levels of horse sport currently are thriving and gilded with mounts that cost six or seven figures, how do those who are interested begin their contact with horses in an economical way? Watchung still has the answer.
“It’s a place where can kids can go to get their first exposure to a horse and take lessons. It’s a blessing that Union County still does that,” said Jimmy Lee, president of the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame and one of the country’s most respected horse show judges. He officiated at a Watchung Troop show about five years back and liked what he saw.
When he lived in Westfield, N.J., many decades ago, Jimmy rode in “Troop 7 on Wednesday afternoons,” he recalled. One vivid memory involved mucking stalls during the winter in exchange for being able to exercise Watchung’s horses for free.
“We rode them bareback with a halter and lead ropes and galloped around in the snow. We had a great time. Those trails were wonderful,” he said.
Jimmy is just one person well-known in the horse industry who was part of the Watchung scene. Another was Frank Chapot, captain of the U.S. show jumping team who went on to be its coach. Skipper Schroeder won both the hunt seat and saddle seat championships at the National Horse Show. Vince Murphy, the former president of the U.S. Equestrian Team, used to ride in the adult troop. Roger Haller, who became a key figure in the development of U.S. eventing, rode at Watchung with Junior Essex Troop B of Cavalry (Troops A and C were located in West Orange.)
With our ribbons after a jumping class in 1963: Me, Roger Haller and BJ Fleming Coghan.
Union County officials came up with the stable concept in 1925, building the facility in Summit with access to the 2,000-acre Watchung Reservation.
It opened in 1926, operated by the Watchung Riding & Driving Club until shortly before the Great Depression, when it became half-empty as those involved opened their own stables in the area.
According to a history of the stable by Doug Bailey, a longtime Watchung instructor and advisor to the Watchung Junior Hunt Club, F.S. Mathewson of the Union County Park Commission decided to broaden the stable’s appeal by offering lessons.
In 1933, the commission took over the stable, which soon was run by Major Tom Tully, a member of the Essex Troop Horse Cavalry at Westfield.
The Watchung lessons were offered in troops run with a cavalry flair. Troopers still wear the uniform of powder blue shirts and yellow ties, with patches over the pocket signifying which troop they belong to, and on the sleeve with the stable insignia.
A view of the original stable. (Photo courtesy Union County)
Larry Goodwin kept his troop shirt and wore it to the celebration. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
They would assemble before their lessons in straight lines in front of the stable and get the information they needed for that day before mounting up. Such discipline was put to good use on a mid-April afternoon in 1957, when a fire broke out in the stable.
Troopers proceeded calmly to unsnap the horses from the ties on their stalls, as they would before a lesson, and lead them out ahead of the flames. Other troopers helped grooms carry out saddles and equipment. All the horses survived and spent the summer living in tent stalls, but were back in a rebuilt barn by the fall.
Major Tully was succeeded as manager of the stable by Bob Luihn, who also was a rodeo rider.
Eileen Scarinci, 80, who won the oldest trooper award at the gala, began riding at Watchung in 1955.
“Watchung was the most important thing in my life, it was the thing I looked forward to,” she said.
Eileen Scarinci was the oldest former trooper at the celebration. (Photo © 2025 by Paula Jensen)
She brought her daughter, Regina, to Watchung, as did many troopers, with several generations tracing their riding roots to the stable.
Regina recounted, “The first time I rode there, the horse reared and I fell off. I said, `I’m never getting back on.’ ”
Eileen smiled, remembering how “Bob Luihn came over to me and asked, `Is that your kid?’ ”
When she said yes, he told Eileen, ” `Put her back on the horse’ and that was it.”
Mother and daughter went on to keep horses at their home in Scotch Plains and Regina still rides in Hunterdon County.
Roy Butterworth took over from Bob Luihn before management duties went to Hilton Williams, who ran the stable for approximately 22 years. He attended the celebration.
“Watchung has produced a lot of friends,” said Hilton, whose horsemanship skills created a legacy that influenced many young riders.
“I think I reached a lot of kids,” he commented in a masterpiece of understatement.
BJ Fleming Coghan and Hilton Williams. (Photo © 2025 by Paula Jensen)
Hilton was succeeded by Rachel Bechtold, who runs the stable today.
County Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded said Rachel told her she has attended hundreds of weddings over the years, and most of them involved people from the stable.
“We always say our parks are the crown jewels of the county but I think the stable is the leader of that,” observed the commissioner.
“It’s such a magnificent facility and the work that is done there with our community, our youth, residents of all ages, is something so special and something we truly cherish at the county.
“It’s remarkable to hear the stories of the friendships that were made, the camaraderie and the love that people continue to have for one specific place. It’s very heartwarming.”
Making way for Route 78’s “missing link,” in 1985, the stables moved from Summit to a former Nike missile base in neighboring Mountainside. The facility, now run by the County Department of Parks and Recreation, has been expanded and upgraded over the years. In the planning stages is a 9,900-square-foot therapeutic riding building at the northeastern end of the site. The ADA-accessible structure will feature an 80’ x 95’ indoor ring, tack room, restroom and viewing platform.
The stables today. (Photo courtesy Union County, N.J.)
Auxiliary President Brigid Robertshaw of Westfield started riding as an adult trooper and her daughter, Casey, now majoring in equestrian studies at Delaware Valley University, also rode at Watchung.
“To be able to drive 10 minutes and be at this place and we can actually afford it, it’s a tremendous gift,” said Brigid.
“I really appreciate the fact that the stable exists and that’s why I felt compelled to get involved.”
She helped revive the auxiliary after Covid with the idea that. “Whatever the barn needs, we’re going to try to make it happen.”
It’s a broad mandate, which has included buying blankets for the horses, replacing saddles and having appreciation lunches for the stable staff, as well as organizing the gala during the last year. Those who wish to join the auxiliary can get information at this link.
Zunilda Sanchez of the Auxiliary put together this display using items collected by BJ Fleming Coghan of Summit, who saw it as a tribute to Atlas, the horse on which she won Watchung’s Senior Championship in 1962. (Photo © 2025 by Paula Jensen)
Paula Jensen of Blairstown, who has several retired thoroughbreds, said professionals have complimented her on her position and effectiveness in the saddle.
“Where did you learn to ride?” they would ask her, and she replied with one word, “Watchung.”
She improved by riding horses of every ability and temperament during her days at the stable. Paula, who grew up in Westfield, is grateful for that experience.
Watchung is very reasonably priced, but even in days gone by, it could be a bit of a stretch for some families on tight budgets. Parents would make an effort, however, being aware that riding was a priority for their children.
“Somehow, my mother found the money for troop every season,” Paula recalled. .
Erin Gilmartin was involved with Watchung from 1962 to 1979. In addition to taking lessons, she rode for Bill Keegan, who kept his own horse at the stable.
“Looking back, it meant so much and made me what I am today,” said Erin of her experience at the stables.
“I have a terrific work ethic and camaraderie with people. The love of horses never goes away and affects everything you do. It was all those formative years, it was rigid military,” said the former captain of Troop 3 on Fridays, who also was president of the Watchung Junior Hunt Club.
“It was a remarkable upbringing and friends you’d never forget.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 10, 2025
The new U.S. Open of Eventing Final is ongoing at the Morven Park International Equestrian Center in Virginia, the week before the Maryland 5-star and two weeks before the Pau, France, 5-star. Next month, there’s the 4-star Long at TerraNova near Sarasota, Fla. Seems like overload, though the U.S. Open’s $200,000 in prize money was able to draw a field of 30.
Leading the way after two days of dressage is Will Coleman ‘s veteran Off the Record, on top of the 4-star Long Open with 25.1 penalties. However, that’s a mere 0.1 penalties ahead of Sharon White and Claus 63. Meanwhile, that combo is just 0.8 in front of Boyd Martin and Liz Halliday’s former ride, Miks Master C.
Sharon White and Claus 63. (Erin Gilmore Photo)
Discussing his longtime partner, Will said, “He’s a star…professional as they come. He knows the job and he really was just excellent for me today. I’m so appreciative of him.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s cross-country designed by Derek di Grazia, he said “It’s a stiff enough course.”
While noting that Timmy, as his mount is known, “is not the most gifted galloper, he has a good engine and I’m hoping if I’m hyper-efficient, I can get around clean and then maybe get close to the (optimum) time.”
Boyd Martin and Miks Master C. (Erin Gilmore Photo)
Click here for Open results and to find out what’s happening in the other divisions at the Morven Park International and Fall Horse Trials.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 27, 2025
The witch lost out to a rock star in the energetic Dance-Off during Dressage at Devon — at least that’s how the judges saw it.
But the spectators gave their enthusiastic voice vote to Silva Martin’s clever green-faced portrayal of the spooky central figure from “Wicked,” complete with flying monkeys and a broom.
Even with the qualifiers for the Grand Prix Special and the Freestyle on Friday’s schedule, the Dance-Off was a big attraction. In its third renewal at the USEF Heritage show, the fact that the class has become an anticipated part of the schedule proves D at D is not afraid of innovation, while marking its fiftieth anniversary in the Philadelphia suburb.
Judges George Williams and Janet Foy got an unusual greeting from the third judge, break dancer Box One, who joined them after performing his routine practically in their laps.
Box One greets Dance-Off judges George Williams and Janet Foy with his best break-dancing style.
Silva, the winner last year when she and her mare, Rosa Cha W were dressed as hippies, produced a fun mini-freestyle complete with a series of two-tempis, appropriately set to the tune “Dancing Through Life” that was a hit in both the Broadway show and movie of Wicked.
The witch and her flying monkeys was a real crowd-pleasing act.
Shannon Stevens was the winner this time, however, outfitted in black (including a leather jacket) as a Rod Stewart-esque rock star with a blond wig.
The Dance-Off involves two riders performing their routines in a face-off, with the winner going on to the next round. Silva bested Adriane Alvord as Barbie, while Shannon topped Jim Kofford in an outfit celebrating 50 years of Dressage at Devon before the winners rode against each other.
In that round, both George and Janet cited the dynamism of Shannon’s performance, and Box One voted with them to make her the winner.
Shannon Stevens the rock star.
“Shannon was amazing. She deserved it,” said Silva, while adding the obvious, “My costume was better, anyway.”
No contest there.
Cheryl Griffith, a friend of Silva’s who designed her outfit in 2024, did it again with gusto this year.
“It was so fun. And it’s fun to ride my old friend Rosa,” noted Silva, who said the Dance-Off is the only occasion when she gets aboard the 21-year-old mare.
Shannon said she was inspired to compete because she has ridden in another costume-centric class, the Challenge of the Americas in Florida.
“I had such a blast. To do it here for the fiftieth anniversary of Devon. What better?”
Her routine wasn’t planned, “I just went with the music (`Barracuda’ by Shark),” said Shannon, whose effort was highlighted by impressive piaffe and passage.
“The fact that I’ve only had about 10 rides on this horse (Leader) makes it even more incredible. It’s a testament to his character,” she said.
The two have a “fast-forming relationship.” The 14-year-old grand prix horse came from Shannon’s best friend, Karola Mazurek, who had trained him since he was a yearling. But when the Polish rider broke her back, she turned to Shannon and her sales business, Elite Expression Dressage, for help.
Shannon noted Leader had never been off her property in Hunterdon County, N.J., since she got him, but he weathered a monsoon during Thursday night’s Masterclass “like a champ. It’s incredible,” she enthused.
Back to the classes without witches or rock stars, Tina Konyot won the qualifier for the Grand Prix Special with Grover.
“It’s fabulous to be at Devon,” she said, noting she first rode in the show 33 years ago.
When I asked why she didn’t compete in the Freestyle Qualifier, she explained she was still in the process of paying for her music, and it’s only halfway finished. Tina is on her own without a sponsor, so she earns her keep through lessons and training.
Tina Konyot and Grover.
Grover was bought for her by Earle Mack, the former ambassador to Finland who also owned Joe Fargis’ 1984 Olympic double gold medal mount, Touch of Class. The deal was that Tina would have to pay all of Grover’s expenses.
Tina, based in Pittstown, N.J., still has her special mount, Calecto, now 27, who won the Dressage at Devon Freestyle in 2009. With Grover, her ambition is “to bring him to the top.”
But the 64-year-old rider confided that at first, he was “a very naughty boy. When I got him four and a half years ago, he had thrown five people. He got me off, also.
The first time she brought Grover to Devon three years ago, the technical delegate kept following her. She asked him why, and he replied, ” Because we’re worried about you.”
But with “knowledge, patience and courage” she got her 11-year-old gelding by Everdale in hand.
“I said, `No, Grover, we’re going to do this.’ It’s a wonderful journey. It’s tough doing it alone, when you don’t have support from a sponsor or money behind you. Unfortunately today, it’s a financial sport. God willing I can find some support to help us along the way,” she said.
In the Grand Prix for Freestyle, Ben Ebeling emerged victorious with Bellena, marked at 71.239 percent.
He has been together with the mare for a year, and benefited from a trip to Aachen this summer on the 5-star U.S. team. Although Devon is the initial qualifier for the FEI Dressage World Cup Finals in Ft. Worth next April, that isn’t in the forefront of Ben’s mind at this show.
“To continue consistency, a fault-free test, that’s really what I’m looking for. If that leads me down the road of going to Ft. Worth, I’m really excited about that.This is a delivery year.”
Ben Ebeling and Bellena.
Of Bellena, a 15-year-old Hanoverian by Belissimo NRW, he said, “She’s an amazing horse. What I love about her is she can come into an environment like tonight pretty much anywhere in the world.
“I think she is the same horse, in the arena, in the training. She’s fluid, she’s so naturally loose in her body. Piaffe/passage was good, I know there’s an extra gear in there. There’s always a next step we can keep working toward.”
The only other rider to break 70 percent was Camille Carier Bergeron of Canada on Finlanderin for a personal best of 70.130. Kevin Kohmann, the winner last year with Dunensee, had a few issues to wind up third with 68.913 percent.
Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu had a nice test with Jaccardo but was eliminated by unanimous decision of the ground jury after her ride “due to a significant amount of blood from a lesion under the saddle pad,” according to a statement from the show. Elizabeth Bortuzzo also was eliminated for failing to appear at the awards ceremony.
Click here for results of the Grand Prix Special qualifier
Click here for results of the Grand Prix Freestyle qualifier
