by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 21, 2024
The U.S. Dressage Federation Finals for 2025 and 2026 are moving to the World Equestrian Center in Wilmington, Ohio, ending its run at the Kentucky Horse Park, where the competition has been held since its inception.
The weather at the end of October in Kentucky usually means cold and rainy conditions that were uncomfortable for exhibitors, since not all the championship competition could be held indoors in Lexington.
The move offers “competitors and attendees alike an equivalency of experience in all aspects of this highly revered event. The selection of WEC was based, in large part, on the facility’s over 200,000 square feet of climate-controlled riding space, in which all championship classes will be held, more than 750 permanent climate-controlled stalls, delicious onsite dining, and numerous luxurious lodging options,” according to a statement from USDF.
“With over ten years of Finals experience under our belts, feedback from competitors, and extensive evaluation of options available that can accommodate the number of horses and arenas involved with the Finals, WEC seemed like an obvious choice to enhance an already exceptional event,” said USDF President George Williams.
“We value the long-standing relationship we have had with the Kentucky Horse Park. It is an amazing venue, and we appreciate the support they have provided over the years. Likewise, we are certain the WEC team will work in tandem with our Organizing Committee to ensure the honor, prestige, and experience matches that to which our competitors have become accustomed, as they take their turn down ‘the centerline of champions’.
“The Organizing Committee, USDF, and all involved in the Finals remain dedicated to providing a high-quality competition and experience.”
WEC General Manager TJ Campbell added, “We couldn’t be more thrilled for the opportunity to host the U.S. Dressage Finals and provide a national championship-level experience to the top dressage competitors across the country. Our facility is renowned as an equestrian sport destination and we have proudly hosted multiple championship events across several disciplines over the years, which makes us a perfect venue to serve as host for such a prestigious event.”
The dates will be Oct. 30-Nov. 2 in 2025 and Oct. 29-Nov. 1 in 2026..
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 24, 2024
Forty years ago, California’s Santa Anita racetrack hosted one of the greatest show jumping competitions of all time—the Olympics. That ended in a team gold for the USA, as well as individual gold for Joe Fargis and silver for Conrad Homfeld.
On Saturday night, the first grand prix at the venue since the 1984 Los Angeles Games emerged as a worthy successor to that landmark confrontation of decades past. A top-quality field of 40 (including the entire U.S. Paris Olympics silver medal team) gave the fans an exciting evening in the $400,000 Longines FEI World Cup qualifier that wasn’t decided until the last entry wrapped up the eight-horse tiebreaker.
The class in the shadow of the track’s starting gate belonged to Karl Cook and one of the fastest horses in the world, Caracole de la Roque, whose exacting, agile turns enabled the duo to outdistance Israel’s Daniel Bluman and Corbie V.V. by 1.68 seconds. Daniel continues to lead the North American League standings for the Cup.
Cara, as the winning horse is known, seemed to simply fly around the course designed by Anderson Lima of Mexico for the class that was part of the Split Rock jumping tour.
Caracole de la Roque and Karl Cook. (Shannon Brinkman photo)
The partnership between Karl and his mount continues to develop and deepen with every competition.
“She’s amazing. So game. So committed. She understands what’s going on before I do,” said Karl, who rode on the USA’s Paris team with Laura Kraut and McLain Ward, neither of whom made the jump-off at the track.
Laura had two rails with Baloutinue and McLain tapped the third part of the triple with Callas. Kent Farrington, who was named to the Paris squad but didn’t ride when his horse was under the weather, had been clear until the final fence with Toulayna.
Of his brilliant Selle Francais mare, Karl explained, “Every moment on her is a pleasure. As long as we’re going forward with speed, then there’s no `no.’ ”
Daniel also was aboard a mare, a newer ride with a dynamic spirit.
For his part, he observed, “If I give my 70 percent, [Corbie] is probably going to jump a clear round.”
Daniel Bluman and Corbie V.V. (Shannon Brinkman photo)
The rider, who has finished among the top 10 in each of the first four legs of the North American League season, added, “That’s a great feeling, to be able to have when you have this level of competition. I think the future is bright for her.”
Karl had the advantage of going last in the tie-breaker to log his clocking of 41.19 seconds, where the first to go, Ashlee Bond of Israel on Donatello had an incredible time of 40.44, but dropped two rails in the process to finish seventh.
Ireland’s Cian O’Connor balanced speed and caution with a new horse, a grey appropriately called Iron Man, finishing in 44.68 without dropping a rail to finish third.
Unexpectedly, chilly rain fell during part of the class in normally warm Southern California, but the riders coped admirably.
The Longines FEI World Cup qualifier course
The victory had special meaning for Karl, a native Californian.
“This is a wonderful setting, a historical setting, one that deserves, in my mind, show jumping,” he said. “I’ve wanted this investment—in time, people, and money—in California for so long.”
Disappointingly, however, Santa Anita is not a candidate to stage its second Olympics four years from now.
It was a wonderful venue in 1984, when all the equestrian competition was presented there except eventing cross-country (which was held at a nearby golf course). I will never forget seeing the racetrack’s grandstands packed to capacity with cheering fans as amazing sport took place.
The World Cup qualifier offered a compelling invitation to continue the highest level of the sport in the Golden State, and particularly at Santa Anita, but the Olympics is going to the 240 acre-Galway Downs venue in Temecula, because the 2028 Games organizers decreed each part of a sport must be held in the same location. There is no place for cross-country at Santa Anita.
Next for Karl is the Geneva, Switzerland, show in December as he continues to produce encores for his Paris performance.
Click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 17, 2024
It’s the West coast’s version of “indoors,” the time-honored circuit that runs from the end of September through the beginning of November in the East.
The Las Vegas National, hosting the Marshall+Sterling Insurance/U.S. Hunter Jumper Association National Championships, is a standout standalone for a region where the most important shows are outdoors.
The venue is a casino hotel, the South Point. It’s 570,000-square-foot equestrian complex under one roof has 1,147 indoor stalls and hosts 46 weeks of equestrian sport annually.
Seeing riders in boots and breeches walking past the wildly dinging slot machines is a bit incongruous, but it’s fun, and they love it. The show, which ended its seven-day run on Sunday, plays along with the Vegas spirit, offering special awards for bling turnout to juniors and amateurs. They showed up in everything from a red-sequined jacket to a shiny pink jumpsuit.
Vegas first became a prime destination for show jumpers in 2000, when it hosted a ground-breaking show biz version of the FEI World Cup Finals, complete with fireworks, an Elvis impersonator and an abundance of glitter. It held the finals four more times at University of Nevada at Las Vegas’ Thomas & Mack Center, with the 2020 edition cancelled due to Covid.
The World Cup Finals at Thomas & Mack put Vegas on the map for show jumping. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
In the early 2000s, I attended a discussion at South Point about the possibility of having the casino hotel present one leg of the East coast National Horse Show after it left Madison Square Garden, but the idea came to nothing.
Decades later, the USHJA Championships demonstrate all that concept could have been, with classes running simultaneously in three rings and offerings ranging from jumpers over 2-foot, 3-inch fences to a $49,999 1.40 meter grand prix, national hunter derbies, leadline, all flavors of equitation and many more.
Show manager Pat Boyle remarked “The whole concept of this event with the USHJA is allowing the people who have never been to a really big horse show and finals before” to participate.
“It’s kind of a two-part horse show. You have this group that has never experienced this high level, all these affiliate kids who qualified in their hometowns locally at small shows and come to a big national championship, which is amazing.
“But it also caters to the high-end people. Everyone has an opportunity. You walk around, you feel the vibe, you feel the excitement. They come with grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles. To see the excitement at all different levels; it’s what makes you get up every morning.”
Families come out to support competitors at the Las Vegas National. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Yet this year’s show easily could.have been no show. The FEI component, which included a World Cup qualifier, was cancelled at nearly the last minute. But California’s Desert International Horse Park CEO, Steve Hankin, became involved to make sure the competition that is a goal for so many would go on, even without FEI classes. That was important.
“Kudos to Steve Hankin and all the partners at Desert Horse Park for jumping in when this thing maybe wasn’t going to happen at all,” said Pat.
“We said, `No, we can’t let that happen.’”
After a one-hour meeting with Steve, Bill Moroney of the U.S. Equestrian Federation and USHJA President Britt McCormick, “We pulled together and said, `We’re going to make it happen,’” Pat recalled, acknowledging organizers were conscious that exhibitors already had made their plans and reservations, while “kids have been dreaming about this for 10 months.”
Exhibitor Paige Walkenbach agreed about the youth perspective, explaining, “It’s a fun thing to look forward to at the end of the year. It’s cool being in Las Vegas for a horse show. It’s so random, but so fun.””
Paige Walkenbach and Princeton, winner of the national junior amateur hunter derby. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
The Arizona rider won the junior/adult hunter derby on Princeton and also claimed the California Professional Horsesman’s Association West Coast Equestrian Junior/Amateur medal final, a jumper-style equitation class. She comes back every year for it, having finished third, second and now, finally, landed on the top tier with Bigtalu GZ, a horse she began showing only the previous weekend.
Paige was also a star on the Eastern indoor circuit this year, taking the National Horse Show’s Grand Hunter Championship in Kentucky, and many other prizes along the way.
Being a winner East and West — which is more important for the rider who is heading to Florida for the beginning of her final year as a junior?
“Coming back here is kind of like a home to me,” Paige observed while wearing the colorful WCE medal around her neck after the three-round class.
“I live on the West coast, so it’s always nice seeing familiar faces, people I’ve grown up with. East is like a whole other world, new people. It’s just so special going to both coasts.”
Kasey Ament, a California professional, was victorious in the grand prix with her long-time mount, Gaia, “the fastest, the bravest, the most game.” She follows course designer Anderson Lima when he’s on the West coast because she thinks her horses jump better after tackling the routes he sets.
“I really enjoy this show,” the winner added, saying it felt more relaxed without the FEI classes.
“I come to Las Vegas every year,” said Kasey, who has ridden in the FEI grands prix at the show previously. She was the 2004 winner of the BET/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West, as it was called at the time.
Grand Prix winner Kasey Ament and Gaia. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
The success of the DIHP-produced fixture is even more impressive because organizers had a very short time to put it together without the FEI element.
“It is a very important horse show for a very important segment of customers,” said Steve Hankin.
“Even though we’ve only been at it for 60 days, we were hoping to make it special and I think the reaction has been great. There are not a lot of opportunities on the West coast to ride indoors. It’s a different horse show than it’s been. I feel really good about it.”
The big question is what will happen next year, and will there be an FEI component again? Without FEI, more riders had a chance to compete and ride in the main ring, the South Point Arena.
“I think everybody is trying to figure out a good path forward that maintains this special horse show,” Steve said.
Even leadliners, like Jamison Mahoney, have a chance to shine at the Las Vegas National. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“We’re pretty invested to continue to make it successful. It’s not, in the end, our decision,” he continued, saying that USEF and USHJA are also part of the equation, but he is “hopeful about it. We have a voice at the table.”
At a post-show meeting of the principals, he expects the conversation to answer these questions, “What did we learn and where do we go? I have more of a bias to try and figure out how to make it work than I did going into it. It’s a very important show to try to figure out and make it sustainable. We’re pretty happy with it.”
“I think there’s a lot of passion for it and a lot of desire to make it work,” he emphasized, adding that the South Point crew was “super to work with. What great partners they are. Everything we’ve needed, they’re been there for us.”
The USHJA’s Britt McCormick, making his first trip to the show, admitted, “I went into it a long-term skeptic. I’d never been, so I had nothing to base that on.”
However, he soon changed his mind.
“After being there and seeing the production Desert and Pat put on and watching the affiliate side, our side, I’m blown away by it.
“I’m a huge fan. I think it has the potential to be one of the top championships in the country. It was above and beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I see even more growth potential.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 10, 2024
Not too far down the road, your dressage test likely will be judged to some extent by Artificial Intelligence (AI), as well as a human official. And you probably can expect AI to be used to a certain degree in horse inspections at competitions in the future.
That was part of the discussion during a press conference following a closed-door gathering last week in the Netherlands of the International Dressage Riders Club, the International Dressage Trainers Club and the Dressage Organizers and Officials organization.
So how should AI be used in judging dressage? The most obvious answer is for items such as keeping track of the number of lead changes, regularity of paces or how many times a horse performs a pirouette.
“There are a lot of possibilities,” said Klaus Roeser, secretary-general of the IDRC, noting riders and trainers are quite interested but the judges “are a little bit scared about it. They may think, `Maybe in five years, they don’t need us anymore.’ ”
But Klaus said, “That’s totally not the point,” explaining AI may reduce the complexity of the judging task, so the officials “can concentrate more on the quality. Because quality you can’t measure with AI.”
In the near future, the use of AI will be tested, and judges are open to the idea, according to Klaus. It was pointed out that use of AI may help spectators understand the sport better.
As dressage reacts to being under pressure after several well-publicized, high-profile horse abuse cases in the past year, more than 120 stakeholders of the sport at the meeting discussed that situation and others that can impact the future of dressage, particularly its inclusion in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Suggestions gleaned from the gathering on a look at the state of the sport went to Ronan Murphy, the FEI’s director of dressage, who is developing a new strategy for the discipline.
Issues center around perception, welfare, transparency and trust, items that need to be addressed in order to improve the situation, said Linda Keenan, secretary-general of the IDTC. Linda said “specific things” will be done “to gain more trust,” but until Ronan is ready to reveal them, no more can be said.
Klaus suggested that having open stable days so people can see how the horses are taken care of, could be a helpful approach, but he added, “it will never prevent if you have boys or girls doing bad things behind closed doors.”
Linda mentioned that riding that is not good enough can be conflated to become a welfare issue, when it’s simply “not fulfilling the goals to get a high score.” She also noted, “just because you’re not doing something perfectly is not the same as being abusive. We really need to do a better job of clarifying what is abuse and what isn’t abuse.”
Organizers addressed the difficulties they are having putting on CDIs and the financial pressures that exist in connection with that. At its general assembly this week, the FEI will address cutting the number of judges officiating at a World Cup Final from seven to five for cost-saving reasons.
The Dutch and Swedish federations made a proposal to allow use of a snaffle, instead of a double bridle, at Grand Prix in international competitions. It will not be voted on at this year’s general assembly, but Linda said it seems the FEI wants to encourage organizers to offer restricted classes where the snaffle is used, though such classes could not be Olympic qualifiers.
She noted the double bridle is not a welfare issue. Linda added a recent study showed there are more mouth lesions with snaffles. Riding with a double bridle is a skill; “it’s one of the ultimate skills of dressage riding. Competitors need to prove their competence at the top level in terms of using a double bridle.”
Other items discussed at the meeting included the effect that shape and fitting of the bit and bridle have on horse performance, the effect of saddle design on performance and the rider’s seat and the impending device for testing the tightness of a noseband, which is not yet available, so it’s not possible to give a recommendation on how to deal with it, Linda said.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 10, 2024
Three times a winner at Toronto’s Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Alex Matz wrapped up that trifecta with his first-ever Longines FEI World Cup qualifier victory Saturday night.
Alex is the 28-year-old son of U.S. Olympian Michael Matz, who won the same class at the Royal in 1977, and Michael’s wife, DD, who also rode on teams for the country. That pedigree demonstrates how show jumping success runs in the family, as Alex achieved the only double-clear in a five-horse jump-off. The course set by Oscar Soberon, making his Royal designing debut, foiled big name after big name.
Third to go in the tiebreaker, Alex was flawless with Ikigai in 34.68 seconds. That time would be bettered, but not his record over the fences. The USA’s McLain Ward and his Olympic mount, Ilex, toppled a pole but edged Matz on the clock by 0.10 seconds. Canada’s Tiffany Foster, the favorite of the capacity crowd of 6,500, had by far the fastest clocking in 32.81 seconds with the aptly named Electrique, but a rail at the final towering vertical put her second.
Ikigai, an 11-year-old KWPN chestnut stallion by Elvis ter Putte, had been out with an injury and underwent recovery for a year.
With “so much talent, the most talent of any horse I’ve ridden,” Ikigai was worth waiting for, noted Alex, who rode on the U.S. squad last month in the Longines League of Nations Final in Barcelona.
Alex Matz and Ikigai.
“I never thought I would have had the week that I had this week, The horse tried his heart out,” said Alex, who was named the show’s leading international rider. His other victories earlier in the week came with Cashew CR.
“Even if I was second, the horse performed so well that I would have been happy.”
Explaining her strategy, Tiffany said, ““I was trying to go as fast as I could, and the only part of the jump-off I watched was Alex’s turn to the last fence. I tried to replicate it, but I didn’t do it as well.
“This is Electrique’s first FEI World Cup™ class and her first big class indoors,” Tiffany said of the mare developed by U.S. Olympic medalist Kent Farrington.
“I think the world of her. She’s a real competitor. She loves to go fast and the faster you go, the faster her brain works and the faster her legs move,” added Tiffany, who received the trophy for being the show’s leading Canadian rider.
Defending champion Daniel Bluman of Israel finished seventh with Gemma W. That was good enough for him to move into the lead in the North American League standings with 37 points. American riders are close behind; Kristen Vanderveen is second with 36 point, followed by Kent with 30 points. They’re all trying to qualify for the final in Switzerland next April.
Click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 3, 2024
“Consistency.”
According to judge Scott Fitton, that was the key to Taylor Cawley’s hard-won victory in the ASPCA Maclay hunt seat horsemanship championship at the National Horse Show on Sunday.
“We just felt like she stayed right there the same throughout each round all day long. We were very impressed with the way she handled it,” he said.
And it was one very long day, starting at 7:15 a.m. in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park, and ending nearly 11 hours later with the presentation of the final ribbon.
After the first round, which had 172 starters, Taylor led on 93.5, with Adriana Forte second at 93.125. Taylor, the winner of the Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search Finals East last month, was the runner-up to Adriana last weekend in the equitation championship at the Washington International Horse Show, where Christian Dominguez was third. Interestingly, they were all in the Maclay’s top group, with Christian reserve champ, Adriana third and last year’s Washington winner—Maddie Tosh—fourth.
But following the flat phase for the top 24, Adriana stood first, Taylor second, Maddie third and Christian fourth.The first round of jumping and the flat phase each counted 50 percent of the score before the first test, which was the second round contested by 24 competitors.
The course for the second round–notice the double, doubles; 5AB followed by 6AB.
Following the second round, in the final test for the top four, which called for a hand gallop to the first fence and a halt for four to six seconds after the last jump, Maddie was standing fourth, Christian third, Adriana second and Taylor first.
It was hard to critique those talented riders, but Christian had a very determined hand-gallop and Adriana’s round was a bit more quiet, so that may have been the difference.
Taylor Cawley and Oki D’Eclipse.
As the winners were announced, Taylor’s trainer, Stacia Madden, held her student’s hand, then gave her a hug as soon as Christian was named as the runner-up, which meant Taylor had won.
Stacia pointed out that Taylor is the only student she has taught who she met when the child was on day old. Taylor’s mother, Molly Ashe Cawley, is one of Stacia’s best friends.
“This feels so special to me,” said Taylor after her victory, citing the history of the class that began in 1933 and has been won by many riders who went on to compete in the Olympics.
Of her mount, Oki D’Eclipse, she said, “I honestly could not ask for a better partner throughout this whole finals season. He’s been amazing. He always comes out ready for the next day.I think it’s really important that you have a special bond with your horse.”
Christian Dominguez and his trainer, Jennifer Hannan; Taylor Cawley and Stacia Madden, Adriana Forte and Andre Dignelli.
Molly Cawley, a grand prix rider, and her husband, Chris, train Taylor along with Stacia and the crew from Beacon Hill. Taylor is the granddaughter of Sue Ashe, a respected judge who is an icon in the industry. Following up on a spectacular 2024 season, Taylor is hoping to go to Europe to ride jumpers next year, but also wants to continue in equitation with Stacia.
The class was judged by two panels of two judges; in addition to Scott they were Cynthia Hankins, Keri Kampsen and Lyman T. Whitehead. Cynthia said that arrangement is less tiring than just having two people judge, and it also lets judges see a rider from both sides of the arena.
“I think it’s really going in a great direction,” she remarked about that approach.
Keri said in collaborating with course designer Bobby Murphy about the layout of the fences, she told him she did not want to see too many related distances.
“I wanted to see the kids have to ride,” she noted, as opposed to just counting strides.
The fences were fantastic. You had to love the vertical flanked by towers of pastel macarons, which had a “bite” taken out of the top cookies. Other obstacles from StrideFull were used in the Paris, Tokyo and Athens Olympics, and included Greek pillars, perfume bottles and an elaborate Japanese house.
Click here for the order of finish in the Maclay
