by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 15, 2023
After months of competition, the entries for next month’s FEI World Cup Dressage Finals in Omaha are finally set, and we will be there to bring you all the news in that discipline and the show jumping.
The roster is led by Cup defending champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl of Germany, the 2021 Olympic gold medalist who scored 91.732 percent in the freestyle to earn that honor in Tokyo on TSF Dalera. Who will be able to approach that kind of score to take the title away from her?
Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera.
Her compatriot, Isabell Werth, won the Cup three times in a row after earning the honor in Omaha in 2017, and will be aboard DSP Quantaz. Another German, Ingrid Klimke, who is better known as an Olympic eventer, has qualified with Franziskus FRH.
Jessica’s brother, Benjamin Werndl (part of the German team at the 2022 world championships when his sister was pregnant and out of action) had a good qualifying score but can’t compete. Only three riders from one country are allowed to participate.
There is, however, no rule that everyone on the podium can’t be from the same country. Yet it is likely that a place will be taken by another western European.
Perhaps it will be Dinja Van Liere of the Netherlands with Hermes. She is ranked fourth in the world, and her stallion is the number two horse in the world.
The number one rider in the rankings, World Champion Lottie Fry of Great Britain, qualified for the finals but is not coming because her mount, the stallion Glamourdale, will be breeding at that time.
The others from the Western European League who made the cut include Dinja’s countrywomen, Thamar Zweistra on Hexagon’s Ich Weiss and Marieke Van der Putten with Torveslettens Titanium RS2.
The Danes will be represented by Nana Skodborg Merrald on Blue Hors Zepter,. Morgan Barbancon, who in the past has ridden for Spain, will be aboard Sir Donnerhall II OLD competing for France.
The three U.S. riders are Steffen Peters, who won the Cup in 2009 on Ravel. He will be riding his Olympic and world championships veteran Suppenkasper. Anna Buffini (FRH Davinia La Douce) and Cup first-timer Alice Tarjan (Serenade MF) will be gaining good experience as they point for places on future international teams.
Anna Buffini and FRH Davinia La Douce. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Representing the Central European League are Justina Vanagaite of Lithuania on Nabab and Alisa Glinka of Moldova on Aachen.
The non-league representative is Caroline Chew of Singapore on Tribiani.
Australia’s Simone Pearce on Fiderdance got one of the extra starting places. The other extra places went to Western Europeans, Sweden’s Johanna Due Boje on Mazy Klovenhoj and Belgium’s Jorinde Verwimp with Charmer.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 20, 2023
The North American League of the Longines FEI World Cup will field a bunch of heavy hitters against the best Europe has to offer when they go to Omaha for the finals next month. The League wrapped up Sunday in Ocala, where the final points for the standings were distributed.
The European contenders are headed by world number one and world champion Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden with King Edward, while defending titleist Martin Fuchs of Switzerland on Leone Jei is another key challenger. Marcus Ehning, a former Cup winner from Germany, qualified with Stargold but after that horse was scratched, will be competing on Priam du Roset.
This continent will be seeking the title with the likes of headliners McLain Ward–who took it in 2017, the last time the final was in Omaha. Can he do it again? McLain is on a roll, having won two of the three legs of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping over the last four months, but this time, he won’t be aboard HH Azur. Callas is his ride.
And then there’s Aaron Vale (Prescott), who’s been on a winning streak of his own recently..
Others from the East Coast competing are Hunter Holloway (Pepita con Spita and Eastern Jam), Ailishe Cuniffe (Vivaldi du Theil), Devin Ryan (Eddie Blue) of Long Valley, N.J., and Nicholas Dello Joio (Cornet’s Cambridge). Nick is the son of 1983 Cup winner Norman Dello Joio.
Hunter Holloway earned more points than any other North American rider to qualify for the World Cup finals. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
From the West Coast, the contingent is Natalie Dean (Acota M), Elisa Broz (Kardenta Van ‘T Meerhof) and Simonne Berg (Cooper). The Canadians are represented by Erynn Ballard (Gakhir and Hero).
The “extra athletes,” who competed in North America to qualify but hail from other parts of the world are Daniel Coyle of Ireland and Israel’s Daniel Bluman. Conor Swail, another Irish rider who looked as if he had a good chance at making his mark in the final, qualified but is not competing as Count Me In was scratched.
Even so, there should be some pretty fancy jumping in Nebraska, where 19 nations will be represented. Click here for the complete list of entries.
Omaha also is hosting the Cup finals in vaulting and dressage (click here to read this story).
Don’t forget, there won’t be another Cup finals in the U.S. until 2026 in Fort Worth. Want to watch in person? Click here to buy tickets.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 14, 2023
Are you happy with the conditions for horse-keeping in your state? Or are you thinking of relocating to a more horse-friendly environment?
It’s a tough decision, but a company called Lawn Love has made it a bit easier by ranking the Best States for Horse Lovers. They compared all 50 states based on 27 metrics, such as equestrian programs, riding trails, horse shows and museums.(Not sure why museums would be a vital factor, but maybe some of the horse lovers referenced in the title of the study take the cultural aspect of their equestrian fixation seriously.)
Also considered were the availability of horses for sale, boarding facilities, veterinarians, trainers and affordability.
In case you’re wondering why Lawn Love cares about the Best States for Horse Lovers, it’s because grass is an essential component of equine diets, and pastures need horse-friendly grass types for safe foraging. Makes sense, right?
The rankings were put together to mark National Horse Protection Day earlier this month. Number one is California, ranked first for equestrian activities and equine care. Its overall score is 77.46, which puts it 13.71 points ahead of Texas, number two but with a number one ranking for equestrian education. Number three Florida has a score of 53.51, followed by Kentucky (39.92–number one in equine access) and New York (38.66),
New Jersey is 18th with a score of 23.56. Oddly, it was third-best in terms of affordability, which experience told me didn’t seem right, so I contacted the Lawn Love people about that. John Schmidt explained that New Jersey has the third-highest cost in the country, tied with California, but the metric was adjusted by income.
“We took the average salary of each state, as well as the average care cost, and figured what the average percentage of one’s salary would be used for equine care,” John said.
In relation to the average income, it has the third-lowest percentage, so it’s ranked third for that metric. I’m sure from most horse owners’ point of view in New Jersey, it may not feel like that.
It is 24th in equine housing and care, 15th in equine access and 12th in equestrian education.
The worst states? Delaware is at the bottom of the list, with Mississippi second worst, then West Virginia, Alaska and Hawaii. Why were they the worst? An overall lack of equestrian attractions and equine resources.
To look at the rankings of every state, click on this link.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 10, 2023
Beloved veterinarian Dr. Meg Mullin, “dedicated her life to what she did and had fun doing it.”
That comment, from Will Connell, former U.S. Equestrian Federation director of sport, sums up the essence of Dr. Mullin, who died Thursday after weeks in a coma following a riding accident.
A sports medicine clinician at the B.W. Furlong and Associates veterinary practice, Dr. Mullin was the U.S. team veterinarian in several disciplines. Much admired for both her professional expertise and upbeat personality, she had an abundance of friends who mourn her loss.
Dr. Meg Mullin was an enthusiastic polo player. (Photo courtesy B.W. Furlong Associates)
“She meant everything to us,” said Dr. Brendan Furlong, who had worked with her since 1997.
“Meg was a force to be reckoned with. Her love of life and her dedication to the practice and to her colleagues and to the horses was phenomenal. She leaves a huge hole, certainly in our lives and practice, and also in the horse industry.”
Dr. Mullin, known to her friends as “Muggy,” had experience with all types of horses, but her favorite equestrian pastime became playing polo. She enjoyed it at the Cypress Polo Club in Lake Worth, Fla., during the winter, and during the summer at Tinicum Polo Club in Pennsylvania, near her home in Clinton, N.J.
Carolyn McKay, the Cypress club manager, was watching as Dr. Mullin mounted Antojito last month and began walking the horse at the beginning of a casual ride. Suddenly, the mare reared up, then fell to the ground dead, hitting her rider in the face with her head.
McKay rushed to the unconscious Dr. Mullin’s side after calling 911, holding her hand and talking to her until the ambulance arrived.
“I had the feeling Meg never knew any pain or discomfort; she was just riding until she wasn’t,” McKay said.
Shortly before her accident, Dr. Mullin was interested in buying another horse to add to her string, which also included Leona and Contessa. But ironically–considering what would happen a few weeks later–when the animal was vetted and determined to have a heart murmur, she decided not to buy it, McKay related.
Recalling the delight with which Dr. Mullin would enjoy getting out on her horses and letting her rough-coated Jack Russell, Scooby, run around at the club, McKay said, “She had it all here when she came out to ride. She just enjoyed every minute of being with the animals and being outside. She was smiling from ear to ear until she was done.”
Dr. Meg Mullin. (Photo courtesy B.W. Furlong and Associates)
Her charisma was felt by the club members as well, said McKay, noting she “gave encouragement and smiles to everyone, both on and off the field. She just made it fun.”
Dr. Mullin was known for her work with the USA’s youth show jumping teams, driving horses, occasionally event horses and most particularly, the para-dressage team horses.
“She was very much part of the team behind the para-dressage team that helped it go from out in the wilderness in Rio (Paralympics 2016) to the podium in Tokyo (2021). That’s without doubt part of her legacy,” said Connell.
“She was completely dedicated to her job,” he continued.
“She got on with people and was the right person for the para-dressage environment.”
Lizzy Chesson, the USEF’s manager of show jumping, called Dr. Mullin’s passing, “a huge, huge loss for us, the team and the industry.”
Dr. Mullin’s private clients also were tremendously fond of the veterinarian.
“All of us at Ashmeadow Farm are devastated about the loss of our dear friend, Meg,” said top hunter rider Amanda Steege.
“She was kind, smart, hard-working, upbeat and always put the needs of the horses first. She made me strive to be a better horsewoman. I will miss her dearly.”
A native of Philadelphia, Dr. Mullin fulfilled a long-held ambition when she was able to attend the Super Bowl and root for the Philadelphia Eagles this winter.
She attended Chestnut Hill College and the University of Virginia for her undergraduate studies, then received her veterinary medicine degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
“She was always a horseman,” said her sister, Jennifer Kovacich, who wrote,”The night sky has one more star as Meg makes her way to heaven. Please carry forward a bit of her sparkle with you to share in abundance.”
In addition to Jennifer, Dr. Mullin also is survived by her brother, Raymond (Miriam Pugh); her sister, Kumari (Kumara Frank), and her nephews, Mitch and Nicholas Kovacich.
Arrangements will be made in the future for a celebration of Dr. Mullin’s life. Those who want to donate in her memory may go to a GoFundMe page put up by Pam Wildman for Dr. Mullin, which will expand into funding for equestrian sport safety.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 6, 2023
Irish rider Daniel Coyle, who is leading the North American League for the FEI World Cup Finals, is ready for a serious shot at the global indoor jumping championship in Omaha next month.
He demonstrated his prowess on Sunday in the Winter Equestrian Festival’s $226,000 CSIO 4-star grand prix presented by JTWG Inc.
Daniel Coyle and Ivory TCS in the jump-off. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Only four riders from a field of 43 managed to make it to the jump-off over a course set by Anthony D’Ambrosio, and just two of those—Daniel on Ivory TCS and the USA’s Lacey Gilbertson with Karlin Van ‘T Vennehof—were fault-free in the tiebreaker, which had no related distances. Daniel’s time of 38.06 seconds could not be beaten by Lacey, who gave it a good try in 39.30.
The Canadian-based rider has long had his eye on the big prize, the World Cup. He qualified as the North American leader in 2020 for the final, which was supposed to be held in Las Vegas, but it was cancelled by Covid. So he’s really looking forward to this year’s renewal.
“I have great depth in the string (of horses) and I think for the World Cup Finals, we need that. We set out this year as a plan to go there and do well,” he said.
Daniel Coyle takes a victory lap (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Legacy, who won a qualifier, will be his number one horse for the Cup. Ivory, who he owns in partnership with Canadian Ariel Grange, might be number two (he’s allowed to take two mounts) but he suggested the stallion Gisbourne VDL also may be a candidate to help take the pressure off Legacy.
While the European Championships this summer will offer another chance to excel on the global stage, Daniel notes the World Cup is a unique opportunity at the highest level.
“It’s a different strategy, because all of those other major championships, you need to be on a team. Whereas at World Cup Finals, you don’t, it’s more a personal thing, you can do your own plan and it’s not part of a team.
“You never want to upset what is happening with a team but at a World Cup Finals, it’s all down to you and you alone,” explained Daniel.
He has had to work at being independent, noting “I think my best strength is being as strong as I can for me, and that usually is the best for the team. It took me a few years to figure that out. Trying not to do something wrong sometimes doesn’t help. Try and be the best person you can be for yourself, and everybody else–hopefully they can have the same idea.”
Ivory, known for her speed, was purchased by Daniel in partnership with Ariel at the VDL auction.
“I’m not wealthy enough to keep these horses, so I bought her to sell,” said Daniel, but fate intervened.
“A few people actually have tried her already and didn’t buy her, and I’m delighted they did not,” noted the mare’s rider moments after his victory gallop.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 4, 2023
It came down to the wire: would Anna Buffini get the final North American slot in the FEI World Cup Dressage Finals, or was it possible that Sarah Tubman could earn the trip to April’s competition in Omaha?
Although there were nine others riding to music under the “Friday Night Lights” at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, the drama for those in the know involved the two formidable competitors who are also friends.
“It was a battle to the end,” said Anna.
Anna Buffini showed great composure in her must-do ride on FRH Davinia La Douce. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Sarah, second to go on First Apple before a packed house, earned an impressive 77.450 percent despite her disadvantageous spot in the starting order.
In Thursday’s Grand Prix that acted as a qualifier for the freestyle, her chestnut stallion said no in his first piaffe. In the freestyle, he was a different horse, completely cooperative. Sarah had no major holes in her scores, but her freestyle, to the music of Boston (More than a Feeling), was a little on the conservative side, with a degree of difficulty/calculated risks going from 8.3. to 8.9
Sarah Tubman just missed a trip to Omaha with First Apple. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Anna’s ride to the theme from “Top Gun Maverick” lost marks on FRH Davinia La Douce’s right pirouette, which oddly was marked from a 4 to an 8 (judges see different things depending on their position around the arena, but that was quite a spread). Her degree of difficulty for the test, however, topped out at an impressive 9.5.
“It was definitely a tricky ride.” said Anna.
In the past, that hadn’t turned out well, This time, however, “I think our partnership and the work we put together the last couple of years has really come together, so even if it is a little tricky, we can still come out with a solid test and perform well.”
After all, as Anna pointed out about her 16-year-old Hanoverian by Don Frederico, “she’s a chestnut mare. They all come out a little bit different, every single show.”
But she thinks the biggest benefit of this show is that it is a test that will have prepared her for Omaha.
“It’s such a good experience to ride under that kind of pressure when you have to deliver,” observed Anna’s trainer, Guenter Seidel, who coincidentally was Sarah’s trainer when she lived on the West Coast.
While it was close, the 28-year-old Californian’s total of 78.280 percent prevailed over Sarah’s mark, which in turn was just 0.40 ahead of third place Morgan Barbançon Bolero. That rider, representing France, had previously qualified for Omaha.
Morgan called her ride to French music the best test.
“He was really with me, I had a great ride.”
One of the judges, Clive Halsall of Great Britain, noted that no competitor was mistake-free.
At the same time, he praised them, noting, “These riders all came with the intention to do the very best they could. You could see the pressure was on and they all wanted to win this class.”
While he said judges “want to see good freestyles with risks,” there is always a risk/reward balance, as harmony needs to exist with a degree of difficulty. He noted, the riders “really went for it and tried.”
Korea’s Dong Seon Kim had a nice performance on his new horse, Galleria’s Bohemian, formerly ridden in the Olympics by Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, who was on hand to help. Bohemian’s new rider was very credible to soaring music from the show “Les Miserables,” but it stopped before he did as he got a little behind at the end of the test. He was sixth on 73.565 percent.
Dong Seon Kim and Galleria’s Bohemian. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Sarah has no hard feelings toward her rival of the evening. In fact, the two had an impromptu hug when they met up after the competition.
“She’s an amazing human, rider and person,” said Sarah, who has known Anna a long time. Sarah originally was from California and now lives in Wellington, Fla., home of the AGDF.
For her part, Anna called Sarah’s ride “incredible. It could have been either of us. She deserves to go as much as I do, and I really wish she could go.”
Sarah Tubman, Anna Buffini, Morgan Barbançon . (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Sarah is moving on and long has her eye on another goal–a spot on next year’s three-member team for the Paris Olympics.
Three North Americans will be riding in Omaha: Steffen Peters, a former Cup winner who qualified in California with Suppenkasper; Alice Tarjan of Oldwick, N.J., who made the cut on Serenade MF and Anna, who had 57 points. Sarah, with 54 points, is the first reserve.
Adrienne Lyle, who was expected to qualify with the veteran Salvino, lost her shot for Omaha when the stallion popped a splint last month and she could not compete.
Anna’s father, Brian, knew that “whoever is going to represent the U.S. you’ve got to put up a good number. We were delighted Sarah did so well, and then okay, if you’re going to go, you better earn it. And she did.”
Anna’s music was remarkable. After she saw the Top Gun movie with her family, she recalled, “We were sitting at the end with tears in our eyes and I was like, `This has to be my freestyle.’ We just loved it.”
She rode it for her grandfather, James Robinson, who was an Air Force master sergeant, before he passed away last July.
Anna remembered his reaction.
“He said, `Go for it, Maverick.’ And I did.”
(Click here for results.)
