by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 29, 2023
What a surprise! Tamie Smith found herself on top of the standings Saturday at the 5-star Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event when world champion Yasmin Ingham of Great Britain ran into big trouble on the cross-country course at fence 6C, a narrow brush in the Park Question complex.
How uncharacteristic for her stellar mount, Banzai du Loir, to run out. That 20-penalty incident, combined with another 20 penalties for exceeding the optimum time of 11 minutes, 26 seconds, plummeted Yasmin from first to 21st, and put Tamie within reach of becoming the first U.S. rider since 2008 to win the event at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
First, of course, her mount, Mai Baum, has to pass the Sunday morning horse inspection. And then they most likely have to leave all the fences in place in the Rolex stadium, because another Brit, Tom McEwen, is close behind with the intrepid JLDublin. If he goes clean and Tamie has a rail, the tables are turned and he becomes the seventh Brit to take the title since 2003.
But after a perfect trip that elevated her from a disappointing third place in the dressage, Tamie was just enjoying the moment, shared with a crowd of 34,298, and the unique relationship she has with the German sport horse in whom she has entrusted her love.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything more. That horse is such a fighter, he’s got a huge heart and we’ve had a long partnership. This is a little bit of what dreams are made of,” she said. “There’s not a lot of Thoroughbred in there, but he’s got a heart the size of Kentucky, that’s for sure.”
Added Tamie, “I think I got a little lucky with Tom being new to his horse, because I don’t know that in a perfect storm that he would actually have had time (faults).
The Californian spent Saturday night on her dressage score of 24.2 penalties, while Tom has 27.8. With a downed rail adding four penalties in the show jumping finale, you can see how close things are.
Tom rode a bit conservatively, collecting 5.2 time penalties. Without them, he would be leading going into the show jumping.
“It’s something I could easily change,” he said of the extra time he spent galloping around the 26-obstacle route, but having taken over the ride from Nicola Wilson relatively late in the season last year, he didn’t want to push it. Besides, he noted, horrendous weather in Britain had played havoc with the eventing schedule and he had no runs this year in his homeland.
Tom McEwen and JL Dublin at the Wofford Rails obstacle, named after the late beloved horseman who is much missed at Kentucky. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
But he thought the course, designed by Derek Di Grazia, was “magnificent and rode perfectly,” as he obviously is enjoying his first visit to Kentucky.
I thought the Head of the Lake, where I have stationed myself for the last 34 years, rode softer than I had ever seen it. Happily, we didn’t see any falls or other mishaps at this iconic location. There was a bad accident there in 2022, so perhaps easing up on the water complex was connected to that. But I wasn’t able to find Derek to ask him, and he didn’t show up for the post cross-country press conference.
We experienced a long hold on course just as Yasmin was warming up to start her trip. Jennie Brannigan Savile pulled up Stella Artois when she thought the horse didn’t feel right. She had to be taken to a veterinary hospital, and didn’t want to get in the trailer, hence the delay. (She was hospitalized with a soft tissue injury in her right front leg and is going to be fine, vets say.) But perhaps that delay and the need to warm up all over again affected Banzai and meant his performance wasn’t optimum.
The U.S. contingent is very strong at the Kentucky Horse Park. Liz Halliday-Sharp is third with Miks Master C on 28.5 penalties with just 1.6 time faults.
Liz Halliday-Sharp and Miks Master C. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
“He’s a spectacular horse and a great galloper and I think the world of him. He was absolutely brilliant. For his first 5-star, I couldn’t ask for more,” she said of the Swedish warmblood. Liz speculated that the time faults cropped up when she was dealing with him being a little strong at the end of her ride.
Former World Champion Sandra Auffarth of Germany, who stands fourth, enjoyed one of six double-clear performances among the field of 37 starters. She and Viamant du Matz had 30.4 penalties, the score on which they placed ninth in dressage.
Another double clear came from Will Coleman of the U.S., moving up from 13th to fifth with Off the Record, whose total is 31.2 penalties and finally showed how well he has learned the game.
Will Coleman and Off the Record. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Click here for the 5-star standings. Click on this link for the 4-star standings.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 26, 2023
The at-capacity Wellington International showgrounds used by the Winter Equestrian Festival would add 84 acres to offer breathing room for hunters, jumpers and dressage on one contiguous layout under a multi-faceted proposal.
While the showgrounds expansion would be good news for those competing at WEF, where space is at a premium, it’s part of a much larger plan involving 600 acres in “The Winter Equestrian Capital of the World.”
The overall concept, called The Wellington, is being spearheaded by Mark Bellissimo in collaboration with the NEXUS Luxury Collection. It must be considered by the village of Wellington’s Equestrian Preserve Committee, which has scheduled a hearing June 7 and 8; then the Planning, Zoning and Adjustment Board and eventually, the Village Council, before any portions of it can be implemented.
A look at the plans for “The Wellington.”
The concept features “resort living,” including a club community involving the Cypress Golf Course, which would have a new clubhouse, a variety of sports facilities, housing that ranges from quarter-acre sites to 5-acre farms, and a town center with a hotel and other amenities.
Some in Wellington expressed apprehension about a previous development plan presented by Bellissimo to Preserve and Zoning panel members. As well as worrying about the environmental impact, those opposing the concept were concerned it would change the equestrian ambience of Wellington and threaten portions of the land meant to be kept for activities involving horses.
This new strategy was devised “in response to feedback by various constituencies” involving the first plan, according to Bellissimo.
He has faced down opposition before. In 2007, as head of Wellington Equestrian Partners, he was finally able to get consensus on transforming the old Stadium Jumping Inc. showgrounds into the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. That became Wellington International in 2022 after the property’s purchase by the Global Equestrian Group (GEG).
Wellington International is the site of many major competitions, including the show jumping Nations Cup. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Show jumpers and the hunters now compete at the main showgrounds, while the Adequan Global Dressage Festival is based at the Equestrian Village, a short canter away down Pierson Road. That property also has a derby field used by hunters and jumpers. That acreage and some adjacent land would go for housing and other development under the proposal. It would involve removing approximately 96 acres from the Equestrian Preserve Area and the Equestrian Overlay Zoning District. There also would be development on a polo field at South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth.
While plans are in place for the dressage to continue at its current site in 2024, if approval is given for the new application, dressage eventually would share the current Wellington International facility with the hunters. Jumpers would move to the bordering land where clearing already was under way last winter. That area would have 12 arenas, with a stadium planned for the site as well, though that might not come to fruition until 2026. Land close to the showgrounds is valued at possibly $1 million/acre.
A view into the area that is being cleared for an annex to the Wellington International showgrounds.
Before any purchase to add to the showgrounds, zoning on the 84 acres, most of which is owned by Bellissimo, would have to be changed from residential to commercial equestrian before GEG would buy it. That change likely wouldn’t be a high hurdle, considering Village support for the shows. It would also ease the headache of traffic congestion at Pierson and South Shore, since the facility could be accessible by new entrances and exits that would enable showgoers to avoid Pierson, according to Wellington International President Michael Stone.
NEXUS was founded by billionaire Joe Lewis, a British citizen who has a residence in Orlando, Fla., and his Tavistock group. Tavistock presents a celebrity image, with golfers Tiger Woods and Ernie Els in its mix, along with singer/songwriter/actor Justin Timberlake.
As expected, right after the proposal was announced, opposition began revving up.
Suzanne Porter, president of the Mallet Hill Homeowners Association, contends Bellissimo, “is creating a bedroom community for West Palm Beach. This is no longer about horses.”
Porter, who met with Bellissimo to discuss the project, said West Palm Beach is growing as an office and commercial hub that lacks sufficient housing.
“Where it becomes a horse discussion, or where it intersects, it is using previously dedicated horse space to do this for these people.”
She believes there is no chance all the new housing would be bought by horse people.
“That demand doesn’t exist,” she commented.
“If he’s sucessful and if he sells them (the residences), it will be for people who are getting in their cars and driving down Southern Boulevard to go to work. The Village has to make a real decision about whether that’s what they want their village to become, and do they want that to happen so close to the equestrian venues.”
She added, it’s also about whether they want to give acreage from their equestrian venues to let that happen.
Porter did note that the expansion for the showgrounds is “the right thing for the horse show to do”.
Those on social media in opposition to more development are airing many of the same concerns expressed about the initial development proposal.
As trainer/rider Jimmy Torano put it on his Facebook page, “We need to keep this a horse community, not more housing and condos. There’s a place for that. Just not right here.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 28, 2023
I was watching carefully Friday as Yasmin Ingham–that’s Eventing World Champion Yasmin Ingham–rode Banzai du Loir around the outside of the dressage arena at the 5-star Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. It was an intimidating setting, with a crowd of 13,252 seated in a buzzy stadium bright with color.
A number of the horses competing in the second half of the division (it began on Thursday) were affected by the atmosphere, showing tension along with some head-tossing and occasionally breaking their gait.
Although Banzai seemed calm, Yasmin further soothed her horse by stroking his neck repeatedly as she let him get settled in the atmosphere before the bell rang to start her test.
So when she went into the arena, Banzai was totally ready, and delivered a marvelous, fluid and needless to say, obedient test to take the lead in the division with 22.1 penalties (scored as a straight dressage test, that translates to an impressive 77.95 percent).
Look at the lovely flowing style of Banzai du Loir with Yasmin Ingham handling the guidance. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Yasmin, who will be 26 next month, is a native of the Isle of Man, but she rides for Great Britain, as in the 2022 world championships in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy. Her rise to the top of the standings at the Kentucky Horse Park made it 1-2 for the Brits going into Saturday’s cross-country. Tom McEwen was the leader after Thursday’s dressage with a superb performance on JL Dublin, and dropped back to second by a mere 0.5 penalties as Yasmin took over to top his score.
Last year, none of us knew who Yasmin was when she made her first appearance in Kentucky–and then she finished second behind all-time great (and four-time Kentucky winner) Michael Jung of Germany. Now we know exactly who she is, and realize that victory could be within her grasp.
But she’s fetchingly modest, saying she plans to gain confidence before tackling Derek di Grazia’s 11 minute, 26-second (optimum time) cross-country route by watching videos of her performance at Pratoni and in Kentucky last year.
I wondered why she wasn’t competing next week at the Badminton 5-star in England–at the least, it would have been a shorter trip! But she gave me a good answer. These decisions aren’t taken lightly, so a good deal of thought and planning went into her return journey to the Bluegrass.
Yasmin Ingham waves to herKentucky fans. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Yasmin’s main trainer is Chris Bartle, a former dressage rider who led Britain to Olympic and world championships gold. Naturally, the main focus is on more championships, starting with the Europeans this summer and going through to the Paris Olympics next year.
“After coming here last year, I felt like Banzai had a really great run around here and it set us up really well for our summer plans and going on to Pratoni was amazing,” she explained about her decision to come Stateside. Thus it seemed as if replicating the experience might do the same for Banzai’s 2023 and 2024 programs.
“The Olympics has been a huge dream of mine since I was a very little girl,” she explained.
“I am going to absolutely go for it over the next few years and then hopefully we can go on and enjoy Badminton and Burghley (England’s September 5-star) in the future because he’s only 12,” she said of the very fancy Selle Francais.
“He’s still got so much left to give and I absolutely would love to ride around Badminton on him someday.”
Despite the British edge at this point, we’re hoping for the first U.S. victory since 2008 in this event. Those from third through eighth place are riding for America, which means some good horses and riders are poised with the ambition of overtaking Yasmin and Tom. It’s close, close, close.
Tamie Smith led the first day of dressage with Mai Baum (24.2 penalties) and Will Coleman, last to go on Friday, was marked at 25 penalties with Chin Tonic to stand fourth. (He also is 13th with Off the Record on 31.2 penalties.) But Will, the top-placed U.S. rider on the silver medal team at Pratoni, doesn’t want to speculate about whether he can update the record book for the U.S. at Kentucky. He is quick to point out he doesn’t go on Facebook and is “pretty good about ignoring what is written in the press.” (Is that how Off the Record got his name?)
He explained he’s just trying to focus on his horses, pointing out the 5-star cross-country is always a big question for Off the Record, and he wants to see if “I can do a better job” than previously with that horse in a test at this level.
Meanwhile, this is Chin Tonic’s first 5-star. The 11-year-old Holsteiner was a stallion until Will convinced the owner of Hyperion Stud to geld him. Will believes “he would have been quite temperamental as a stallion” competing in eventing. He thinks that given his inexperience “there may be more chances down the road where he might be more seasoned.”
Will Coleman and Chin Tonic. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Busy Liz Halliday-Sharp is 1.9 penalties back of Chin Tonic with Miks Master C, and eighth as well with DeNiro Z. She’s successful, too, in the 4-star Short that is also running at Kentucky, standing first and second with Cooley Nutcracker and Cooley Be Cool.
Crowd favorite Boyd Martin is sixth (28.3 penalties) with the very veteran Tsetserleg, better known as Thomas. Boyd is upping his dressage game not only with his wife, Silva, a dressage specialist, but also with the help of another person who hails from Germany, Bettina Hoy.
Tsetserleg always rewards himself by scratching his mouth on his leg after a good dressage test. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
“He couldn’t have gone much better,” Boyd said of Thomas the Trakehner.
“It’s very rare you do a dressage test where you come out and say every movement is as good as I could have hoped. And I didn’t make a course error at the end, which is even a bigger bonus.”
Click here to see the Kentucky 5-star standing, and on this link to see the 4-star rankings.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 28, 2023
This year’s Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event has nearly everything anyone devoted to the sport would want–stellar entries from the U.S. and overseas, a scenic cross-country course, acres of shopping and an opportunity to enjoy a world-class competition. Even so, a key piece of the “Best Weekend All Year” is missing.
Jim Wofford, who was such an integral part of the event, left us in February after a long illness. But if he is not here in person, he certainly is at the Kentucky Horse Park in spirit.
Jim Wofford and Carawich, doing what he loved best.
That spirit was infused into a memorial gathering Wednesday night, where relatives, friends and those who simply admired him gathered to pay tribute, comfort each other and tell stories (most of which were funny) about a true legend. It was a great party, and Jimmy would have loved it.
Based at Fox Covert Farm in Virginia, Jimmy was equestrian sport’s version of the Renaissance man. An Olympic medalist from an Army family, he was a living legacy of the military tradition in horse sport. Jimmy was all about giving back.
He served equestrian governance as the president of the old American Horse Shows Association, and contributed to other organizations involved with the sport.
This red-headed dynamo also was a popular author, a trainer whose first concern was for the horse, an incisive commentator and an in-demand after dinner speaker and master of ceremonies.
The gathering to remember him at the University of Kentucky’s Spindletop Hall was organized by Jim Wolf, Woff’s fishing buddy and confidante.
Jim remembered his friend in every aspect of his life as being “intensely curious, he was a student’s student and a teacher’s teacher.”
During the party, because that’s what it was, photos of Jimmy across the years flashed on the screen, showing him over an enormous cross-country fence or with his four grandsons; fishing, celebrating birthdays and holidays. The evening was a festival of remembrance.
“It means so much to the family to see so many people here who really loved Jim,” said his widow, Gail, who had been his sweetheart since their teenage years.
Gail Wofford with daughters Jennifer Ince and Hillary Jones at the memorial gathering.
One of Jimmy’s daughters, Jennifer Ince, gave some history about the James C. Wofford On the Rise trophy that will be presented Sunday to the best first-time 5-star rider in the competition.
Fittingly, given Jimmy’s interests, “on the rise” is a fishing term. The sterling silver cup is being repurposed; it was won by Jimmy’s father, Col. John Wofford in the 1935 military class at the old Piping Rock Horse Show on Long Island.
Jimmy’s other daughter, Hillary Jones, told the group, “I wanted to tell you how much we appreciate the outpouring of love, support and all these incredible stories; they just keep coming, which is wonderful.”
Rob Burk, CEO of the U.S. Eventing Association, announced that a permanent home is being sought for the organization’s Hall of Fame. When it becomes reality, it will be named after Jimmy Wofford.
“Whoever said, `Never meet your heroes because they will disappoint you’ obviously never met Jim Wofford,” said Rob.
“Being here in Kentucky without having Jim sitting near the Head of the Lake, watching cross-country with a faithful Labrador retriever beside him, is going to be weird for many of us. It’s also odd not to have Jim author his annual analysis of contenders competing in Kentucky in the Chronicle of the Horse.
“In the spirit of that former Kentucky winner, he is definitely embedded in the soil here. Jim is undeniably the most respected and influential figure in modern day eventing. He represents the ideal of a lifelong eventer.”
Jimmy would have loved the idea of the On the Rise trophy, held by Jim Wolf with Jennifer Ince and Hillary Jones.
Rob continued, “He was the best of the best as a rider. He had a supreme talent and the courage to say what was right, regardless of the consequences. His keen observations and clarity of spoken and written words were not only a gift, but a well-honed skill. He truly was our poet laureate and he was irreplaceable.”
Rob added, “He is missed by our eternally grateful sport. Our lives are richer for knowing him and we find condolence and comfort in the knowledge that he will always be a pillar on which the foundation of U.S. eventing stands.”
Speaking on behalf of all of Jimmy’s students, trainer Sharon White believed, “Jimmy is with us, he is rolling his eyes a bit while drinking a really good glass of Scotch. Everybody in this room learned something from him. He was so generous in his ability to show you the way, to educate.”
Sharon White speaking to the gathering.
She explained,”He could put into words things you were doing that you couldn’t put into words and he could just say it for you.” He was equally adept at giving “giving you a kick in the ass or a pat on the back if it didn’t go well,” depending what someone needed when they were competing.
“One thing Jimmy never waivered from was his love of the horse and respect for the horse. Everyone feels touched by him, because he had time for everybody. Our horses are so lucky that we knew him. He held us to a standard and it’s our job to keep it.”
Yes, Jimmy always spoke his mind regardless of the consequences, as Rob said.
Jim Wolf referenced Gail Wofford’s cynical comment she might offer when she and her husband were at some fancy party, “Take a good look around, because we’re not being invited back.” (With his usual creativity, Jimmy used that as the title of a book.)
“We’re so sad to lose him,” said Jim Wolf, “but damn, he had a good look around.”
As a final word, Jim asked everyone to raise a glass to his fishing buddy and “a life well-lived.” Then he added a sentiment shared by all of those in the room, “Jimmy, we miss you.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 27, 2023
Could this be the year that a U.S. rider will win the Kentucky 5-star three-day event for the first time since 2008?
It’s something that’s wondered annually about the championship at the Kentucky Horse Park.
The prospects were looking up early this afternoon before a crowd of 7,158, when U.S. world championships team silver medalist Tamie Smith turned in the best dressage test of her career on the illustrious Mai Baum, marked at only 24.2 penalties (the equivalent of 75.83 percent in straight dressage).
Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I couldn’t ask him to be better. I’m thrilled,” Tamie said of the 17-year-old German sport horse.
And then Tom McEwen of Great Britain came along with JL Dublin and glided through his test with such style that the horse seemed to be on autopilot. He moved into the lead at the Land Rover fixture, with an impressive 22.6 penalties (the equivalent of 77.44 percent, which would be impressive in any dressage rider’s book).
Tom obviously has a special relationship with the horse he took over late last season from Nicola Wilson, after she suffered a spinal cord injury in a horrific fall from the gelding at Badminton in 2022.
Twice Tom referred to “Dubs” as a person; the first time as “the kindest person you could ever meet,” the second time as a “lovely, lovely person.” I’m guessing if he could take the 12-year-old Hanoverian to a local pub for a beer and a chat, he would.
Tom McEwen and JL Dublin. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
When he was paired with Dubs, there were “a few things to get to know about each other. Hidden secrets we didn’t know about each other. Over the winter, we built a partnership.”
Though that partnership with Dubs is young, it looks firmly engaged with a horse who “loves just being on the stage.” Tom, obviously a perfectionist, talks about a little more “polishing of the diamond,” though his luster already is impressive.
Tom is pleasant and gracious, giving the credit for developing this star to Nicola, as he should, of course.
The game in Lexington is just beginning. The second group of competitors will ride their dressage tests on Friday. Then comes the biggest test, cross-country, over yet another thoughtful and cleverly composed course put together by Olympic designer Derek di Grazia. That’s not all of course. On Sunday, the final exam will be a show jumping route designed by Steve Stephens, who also has an Olympic designing credential.
So don’t give up hope for a U.S. victory.
Liz Halliday-Sharp already is in the hunt for the U.S. with third place today on the sensitive DeNiro Z, who had a spook down the centerline at the start of his test, getting a bit unsettled, then working out of it. Though DeNiro is not as flashy as Mai Baum, Liz is on a very respectable 29 penalties with the 15-year-old Dutchbred gelding.
Liz Halliday Sharp and DeNiro. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
It’s also worth noting she is leading the 4-star Short with another of her horses, Cooley Nutcracker (24.5). And guess who’s second in that competition? Tamie, with Solaguayre California (27.6). Looks like a friendly rivalry.
Tom, meanwhile, is loving Kentucky on his first visit.
Tom McEwen waves to the crowd as he leaves the stadium on JL Dublin. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
“It’s one of the greatest talked-about events I’ve ever been to. It’s been a pleasure to come, everyone’s so super friendly,” he said. Speaking about the Rolex Stadium, he commented with a touch of awe, “TV didn’t quite do it justice.”
He was advised by his countrymen who had been here that Kentucky is about “racehorses, bourbon and tobacco. It’s great to be able to take in other cultures.”
Click on this link for today’s 5-star results.Click here for today’s 4-star results.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 23, 2023
They were a legendary pair, Greg Best and Gem Twist. In 1988, when Greg was only 24 years old, he and the sensational grey thoroughbred earned the individual show jumping silver at the Seoul Olympics and were part of the silver medal team there. Two years later at the world championships, Gem was named Best Horse.
Congenial and Ivy League-educated, Greg had star quality; so did Gem, a brilliant grey thoroughbred owned by Michael Golden and trained by six-time Olympian Frank Chapot.
But a bad shoulder injury Greg sustained in a 1992 fall from Gem ended the famous partnership. Gem went on to other riders and Greg eventually moved to New Zealand, becoming a citizen 25 years ago. He rode there, then coached (doing that job for the country’s 2004 Olympic team) and also returned to America to teach.
Mostly, however, he became a farmer on 1,000 acres with his wife, Kim. At one stage, they were doing some breeding and had 49 horses. At this point, though, they own only five horses and have downsized to 80 acres that’s home to cattle and alfalfa, where Greg is the farmer and “the Mr. Fixit guy.”
And now, at age 58, Greg is moving away from his involvement with the world of horses.
Why would someone who has such a connection with the industry do that?
“My kids don’t ride,” he explained about his son, 10, and daughter, 7. He is focused on parenting, noting, “You don’t get a second chance at it, to do the job the way that it should be done; this is the time where they need you more than ever.
“I think my wife is not far away from not wanting to ride as well. So it’s time to turn an eye to the kids and be a cricket and gymnastics supporter and just be the best dad I can be and the best husband I can be and move on to the next phase of life,” he told me when we visited during the Longines FEI World Cup Finals in Omaha this month.
The question is, what does that next phase involve?
“I’m not sure,” he said, as the most famous riders in what had been his sport worked their mounts a few feet from us in the warm-up arena at the CHI Health Center facility.
“The good thing is, you move on from the horses, and then there’s this whole other world out there that’s much bigger than this little microcosm that we intend to focus too much on,” he observed.
When I asked if he misses his deep involvement with horses and showing, he was quick to answer, “No. Even being here doesn’t make me think,`Oh gosh, I wish I could have another go at it.'”
Greg Best and Gem Twist at the 1990 World Equestrian Games. (Photo © 1990 by Nancy Jaffer)
He paused for a moment and then mused, “It’s interesting. You get to a certain point in your thinking where you realize your interest in it and your relevance in it has gone. And the interest goes first. Once the interest goes, you’re around it less and less, and then you start to realize your relevance is limited as well. That’s where I am right now. The enthusiasm is probably more about my son’s cricket game on Saturday afternoon, and I won’t be there.”
Greg came to the World Cup Finals to help fellow Kiwi Phillip Steiner, who went to the Netherlands earlier this year to train with his 11-year-old mare, Cassina Dior (DioradoXCassina I), bred in New Zealand by Pip McCarroll. Steiner’s aim is to be part of the New Zealand team at the Paris Olympics next year and the World Cup was the first major step on that journey.
As Greg explained, he has been friends with the Steiner family for a long time.
Phillip Steiner and Greg Best at the World Cup Finals.( Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I’ve helped him with this horse quite a bit. When he decided he wanted to come here, he said, `There’s one guy I want at my side,’ and I said I’d be honored to come and give him a hand. His wife, Sally, had her crack at the top level 15 years ago. This is his horse of a lifetime.”
Although Phillip has been away from the top level of the sport for quite a while, he has worked with some big names over his lifetime. He spent two summers in the U.S. during the early 1990s with Joe Fargis and Conrad Homfeld, while leasing a horse from Debbie Dolan. Later in the decade, he worked with Swiss horse dealer Max Hauri and then Swiss Olympic team silver medalist Lesley McNaught. While in Switzerland, he got to know Pius Schwizer and Steve Guerdat, world-class riders when they were at the beginning of their careers.
Greg appreciates what Phillip is doing and understands why he left New Zealand on his quest.
“He has a trucking firm back there and a farm. He’s putting all of that on hold. He’s at the very beginning of this whole process. The World Cup finals is a huge ask for him to come and do first up.”
For Phillip, 51, the second course at the World Cup “was probably the biggest track I’ve jumped in my career.” He noted his mare, known as Dolly, is inexperienced, but brave.
“She’s got so much potential, she goes out and jumps weird jumps like the wall (an airy obstacle with pillars beneath a solid top) that a lot of horses would look at. I’ve really got to trust her ability. I’m really proud of her.”
Phillip Steiner and Cassina Dior. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Phillip finished 24th in that competition and qualified for the third leg of the Cup. He finished the finals in 30th place among 40 participants.
In the daunting triple combination on the third day, the mare had a knockdown at the first element, an oxer, then stopped at the second, a vertical. After Greg signaled from the Kiss and Cry stand (where coaches and families watch competitors) that Phillip should continue, the rider and his mare tackled the triple again and went on to finish the course.
Will Greg continue to help his friend?
“We’ll see how it all goes,” he said.
“I would imagine once he gets back to Europe, he’ll find his new friends and new helpers over there.”
And as Greg pointed out, there’s a chance that under the Olympic qualifying process, New Zealand might not make it to the Games. But he noted that Phillip, “didn’t want to miss out on an opportunity to do something like this.” And then he added, “I get it.”
