by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 28, 2022
You’ve got to love a town where the official seal bears the image of a show jumper, neatly clearing a vertical obstacle of red and white rails. That municipality is Far Hills, N.J., which has quite a history with horses.
The name Far Hills has long been linked with an equestrian lifestyle, as part of the greater Somerset Hills area that includes the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation’s Gladstone facility and the Essex Foxhounds’ home in Peapack.
Although it is less than five square miles, Far Hills may ring a bell with you because it is the home of the Far Hills Race Meeting, which each autumn draws as many as 30,000 visitors (about 30 times the number of its residents) and more recently, the site of the revived Essex Horse Trials (essexhorsetrials.org), scheduled for this coming weekend..
Matthias Hollberg, who competed at the Essex Horse Trials last year, will be back this weekend. (Photo © 2021 by Lawrence J. Nagy)Although it is less than five square miles, Far Hills may ring a bell with you because it is the home of the Far Hills Race Meeting, which each autumn draws as many as 30,000 visitors (about 30 times the number of its residents) and more recently, the site of the revived Essex Horse Trials (essexhorsetrials.org), scheduled for this coming weekend.
The Far Hills steeplechase calls Moorland Farm home (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Both take place on a former estate, Moorland Farm. This year, however, the dressage and show jumping portions of Essex will run on Friday, July 1, a few miles down the road at the USET Foundation, while the cross-country will be held the following day over the varied terrain at Moorland.
Tickets are $10 per carload each day, and if you’re unfamiliar with this corner of the state, it’s the perfect occasion to visit. There are plenty of vendors and in addition, a car show at Moorland for those who want something to do besides watching the horses.
Competitors in the featured Open Preliminary division, which offers $10,000 in prize money, include local stars Meg Kepferle of Long Valley, N.J., on Cooley Renegade and Arielle Aharoni of Bedminster, N.J., with Furst Queen and Littlebitadominic, as well as Chumley. That’s the hunting horse owned by dressage rider Alice Tarjan of Oldwick, who contributed to the Dutta U.S. Dressage Team’s second-place finish in Rotterdam last weekend. (Read about it in the second feature on this website.)
Also entered is Hannah Sue Burnett, winner of the division last year. This time, she’s riding Stakkato Bronx, and her new husband, Matthias Hollberg, will be on J. Both horses are owned by Jacqueline Mars, a great benefactor of the sport. Sarah Kozumplik-Murphy, two-time winner of the Devon eventing derby, will be aboard Devil Munchkin.
There won’t be any horses going over the striped colored poles as depicted in the Far Hills logo during the Moorland portion of the competition, however, since the segments using that equipment will be at the Team. But the logo is still an appropriate image to associate with both the town and the races as they pass their century milestones.
The steeplechase marked its 100th anniversary in 2021, when the borough of Far Hills did the same, though the steeplechase was actually100 in 2020 but precluded from celebrating that year when it was cancelled due to Covid.
Eminent historian Barry Thomson, appearing at the Clarence Dillon library in Bedminster recently, gave a lecture about Far Hills’ history, quoting a 1986 article in Town & Country magazine that cited the borough’s “patrician style.”
Historian Barry Thomson is an expert on the history of the Somerset Hills. (Photo © 20022 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
The piece described Far Hills this way: “Tucked away in leafy western New Jersey is a horsey enclave with a distinctly blueblood character all its own. Since the 1890s, fashionable New Yorkers and ardent foxhunters have been drawn to its rolling hills and verdant meadows.”
As Barry noted, “That’s not all of what Far Hills is about, but it’s certainly a big part of what Far Hills is about and has been for a long time.”
Horse-drawn carriages would line up at the Far Hills train station at the end of the 19th Century and beginning of the 20th, as business leaders arrived from New York each weekend and in the summers to enjoy the countryside in a special part of the state.
By 1921, rising taxes had led the 200 residents of Far Hills to separate from Bernards Township and incorporate as a borough. The local property tax rate jumped from $2.72 in 1919 to $3.53 in 1920. (Those were the days!)
Both the villagers and Far Hills estate owners objected to sharing the costs of road upkeep in the 60-square-mile township with its population of 5,100 and also to the school taxes for educating the township’s 800 children, of whom only 90 were from Far Hills. And that led to formation of the borough.
The Far Hills fairgrounds. (Photo © 2022 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
The fairgrounds in Far Hills, now probably best known as the venue for the Visiting Nurse Association of the Somerset Hills’ spring and fall rummage sales, once hosted many horse and livestock shows. The little grandstand from those days is still on site.
Oh, and one more thing about the Far Hills borough seal. No way of knowing for sure if its show jumper is unique among municipalities across the country, but it should be noted that Wellington, Fla., home of the Winter Equestrian Festival, merely has a horse’s head on its logo–despite the fact that it draws thousands of horses from around the world for its shows.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 20, 2022
You may regard the Horse Park of New Jersey as a place for competition, but it is also a place that is in competition–with state horse parks elsewhere that have similar missions.
They are located in Georgia, Virginia, Kentucky and Florida (and don’t forget the refurbished Fair Hill, Md., site that hosts the country’s new 5-star event). Private facilities in North and South Carolina and New York also are among venues that are looking to attract exhibitors, and huge expenditures at Wellington International and the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Fla., have raised the bar even more.
One thing all these places have in common is up-to-date footing and stabling, while the New Jersey park in Monmouth County is working with footing in its rings that is not to the modern standard, and stalls from another era. The parks in other states “show off their state. New Jersey’s state animal is the horse, and our horse park is usable, but it’s sure nothing to show off,” said board member Marilyn Payne.
In its 35 years, the horse park has fallen farther behind because it hasn’t had the infusion of cash it needs to modernize.
“It’s a crisis for long term use and competition with other venues,” said Marilyn, a well-known trainer who has competed at the park as has her son, Doug, the highest-placed rider on the U.S. Olympic eventing team in Tokyo last year, and her daughter, Holly Payne Caravella, also a professional horsewoman.
Doug Payne taking a victory gallop in the grand prix ring at the Horse Park of New Jersey when he won at Jersey Fresh. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Marilyn cited the effort that went into the venue’s premier feature, the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event for two decades, but “we lost it because other horse parks had far better (arena) footing and stabling,” she contended.
Complaints about those two items have kept some equestrians living in other states from coming to the park, while they also have been responsible for a number of New Jersey horse owners’ decision to show elsewhere, even though the footing on the cross-country course is ideal.
The situation is particularly painful with rising gas and diesel prices, since it is more cost-effective and convenient for New Jersey equestrians to show in-state rather than driving for hours to ride under better conditions in other states. She notes that other facilities offer “destination events,” explaining “that’s something you want to be able to qualify for and get there because it’s such a fabulous venue.”
But now there is an opportunity for improvements at the park, and New Jersey residents can make them happen by contacting their state legislators and urging them to vote for Assembly Bill 3982, a fiscal year supplemental appropriation introduced by Assemblyman Ronald Dancer of Cream Ridge (R-12th Dist.)
Assemblyman Ron Dancer.
The bill calls for a $2.5 million allocation for footing for three arenas and two warm-up rings, with stabling improvement if any money is left over. The assemblyman noted the time is right to seek funding from the state because it has “unprecedented surplus levels,” as tax revenues increased $13.4 billion in two years, more than 35 percent higher than what was collected in 2020, according to nj.com.
The assemblyman had asked for a wish list of improvements the horse park board wanted to see, and it came to a total of $8.5 million.
“From that. he came up with that proposal of $2.5 million,” said park board vice president Ellen Clark, noting he felt that was the park’s best shot for its most-needed improvements.
Stabling is an issue because at the time the park was developed, horses generally were smaller than they tend to be today, she said. It’s important that the horses have enough space, and in the interests of disease prevention also can’t touch noses with other horses while in their stalls.
However, Dancer knows more needs to be done. He wants to see work begin on drafting a five-year capital plan for further improvements at the park after the end of this fiscal year on June 30.
Footing First is the company that would supply SRS footing. The firm said the footing, which includes silica sand,
“provides excellent traction, cushion and durability.”
Silica sand, according to the company, creates a surface with longevity and is a “blend has proven itself to be an excellent choice for all disciplines.” That’s important at a facility used for everything from dressage, show jumping, driving and eventing to saddlebreds and western.
“We felt this is the best solution for the park and our needs, to serve all our constituents,” said Ellen.
Big names such as Boyd Martin were a fixture at Jersey Fresh. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
The assemblyman, the son of legendary harness horse driver and trainer Stanley Dancer, was behind a bill that sought to eliminate the tax on horse board in 2020. Although that made it all the way to the governor’s desk, he didn’t sign it. The legislator is hoping for better luck this time, but first the bill has to get out of committee.
He advises the way to do that is for everyone who would like the Horse Park to be improved to write to the legislators in their own district, or even call their offices. This is a proactive step that should be taken by anyone who wants to see the park live up to its potential.
They should also contact Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (District 19) and Senate President Nick Scutari (District 22). Click on this link to find the names and addresses of your legislators; all you have to do is fill in the name of the town where you live. And a note or call to Gov. Phil Murphy also will be beneficial. Contact him via email with this link. Here is a link that will enable you to read the details of the bill. A sample letter you can send is on the Horse Park website at www.horseparkofnewjersey.com; or click here
“We’ve never had funding available to address the needs of the Horse Park. The horse is the state animal, and we need to make a statement we are supporting our state horse park financially,” the assemblyman said, noting he is unaware of any direct state appropriation for the park during its history, aside from supplying the land where it is located.
“When you have a state horse park that is drawing from other states and regions, we want to be proud of what we have in New Jersey. Number one, we want to make sure everything is safe. The emphasis here is on safety and recognizing that the state of New Jersey has a fiduciary responsibility to address the needs of a state horse park,” he added, commenting, “I think it’s overdue.”
Because of the park’s name, people think it is funded by the state, which doesn’t provide an incentive to give money to the facility. The park is actually a non-profit that has to pay for itself. Ellen noted there has been talk about rebranding–perhaps with a named sponsor–but that’s only a thought at the moment.
“We try not to raise the rates at the park so much that people can’t afford to use it,” Ellen commented. She noted the park is still seeking other grants, through “every possible avenue.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 14, 2022
An international dressage show scheduled for the Horse Park of New Jersey has been cancelled due to lack of entries and a complication involving withdrawal of one key official, but the Level 3 national Dressage at the Park show, scheduled in conjunction with the CDI, still will run July 7-10.
Jennifer Bateman, the show organizer, said only three people had entered the 2-star/1-star CDI, which was a qualifier at Intermediate I and Grand Prix (along with Para, Junior, Pony, Children’s and Young Riders) for August’s U.S. Equestrian Federation Dressage Festival of Champions at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Illinois.
At the same time, the veterinary services manager required for the CDI by the FEI (international equestrian federation) had to bow out. Others with the proper qualifications—which are changing as of July 1—were not able to take the job due to a variety of conflicts in their practices or personal lives.
The entrance to the Horse Park.
“I asked for an exception from the FEI; they wouldn’t grant it. We tried everything,” show organizer Jennifer Bateman said.
“We cancelled earlier than optimum for some competitors, but we cancelled at the best time to make sure that all of our sponsors, should they choose to leave and do something else, and our vendors, and our officials all had enough time to get their money back on their air fare and those sorts of things.”
Under the Horse Park contract with officials, “If we cancel in less than a month (before the show) that travel is on the Park. We made the best decision for the financials of the Park, as well as giving all of our officials sponsors, vendors and competitors enough notice of what we were doing. Everything was done in our power within our budget within reason to make it happen. The rest of the competition is going on as planned.”
The grand prix arena at the Horse Park. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
She anticipates 150 horses being on the grounds of the Allentown venue each day.
So even though the closing date for entries was not until June 26, the writing was on the wall last week for the CDI, which costs more to run than a national show because of various FEI requirements.
“We decided to cut our losses instead of waiting until the very last minute and not having that (veterinary) official available,” said Jennifer, who was pleased sponsors decided to stick with the show anyway.
Competitors in most divisions hoping to qualify for the Festival can use scores from the national show, but in the I-1 and Grand Prix, they also need a score from a CDI. The only other CDI in North America before the entry closing date for the Festival is Caledon in Ontario, Canada, beginning July 22.
The cancellation was bad news for riders who had been planning to enter the New Jersey CDI and try to qualify for the Festival if they hadn’t done so in 2021 at Dressage at Devon or in Florida during the winter of 2022.
“You set your schedule around certain shows, so it’s obviously disappointing,” said trainer Lauren Chumley of Pittstown, N.J, who learned of the cancellation over the weekend.
A mare she had been trying to qualify for the Small Tour at the Virginia CDI last month was under the weather there, so the Dressage at the Park CDI seemed like her last chance.
She hadn’t entered because of a cash flow situation common to trainers, but was expecting a check in time to pay her entry fee before the original deadline.
“If they wanted everyone to enter early, they should have had changed the closing date and made it sooner,” Lauren contended.
“It’s very frustrating for me, because I don’t get to play in these (CDI) arenas very often.”
Lisa Gorretta, the show’s technical delegate and the former president of the U.S. Dressage Federation, said, “The closing date was a week before the competition. Why? Because competitors insist on not entering until the last minute.
“If you make your closing date too early, they don’t want to commit that early because something could happen to the horse and they won’t get their money back. If you ask any horse show organizer at any level in dressage…if you make it (the deadline) too early, then you have to extend it, which you can’t do for a CDI.”
Now Lauren is debating whether she can afford to pay $6.50 a gallon for diesel to get herself and her horse to the Canadian CDI. Naturally, she would have preferred the 75-minute trip from her barn to the Horse Park.
She wishes that as organizers were worrying about light entries, they would have told potential competitors, “If you’re coming, you need to enter, so we don’t cancel the show.”
Heather Mason, a trainer from Tewksbury, N.J., said she has a client who is hoping to compete at the Festival and now is wondering whether she should chase a potential score to Canada “but I’m not recommending that,” said Heather.
“The USEF can do wild cards,” she noted, wondering if they could be granted to riders for the Festival under these circumstances.
“It’s unfortunate more people didn’t enter early, because I know a good number of people were planning to do the CDI,” she said.
At the same time, Heather added, “The show’s not going to bank everything on three entries. It sounds like the show did not have a choice.”
Lisa Gorretta addressed the situation on Facebook, stating, “the dressage equestrian `village’ and `community’ concept simply must work and go both ways, or you will have but one general location and time of year in which to compete East of the Mississippi.”
In an interview, she explained, “I’m a huge advocate of getting these starter CDIs, not because there’s anything wrong with Florida, but because there are competitors and horses that aren’t ready to go there. I think it is an advantage for the future of the sport to be able to offer competitions throughout the year. The 2-star is an awesome place to do it. I’m a huge advocate of having it happen and therefore it pains me when it doesn’t happen.”
Elisabeth Williams, the retired dressage super steward, who is volunteering at the Horse Park show, suggested a concept that might help competitors and shows alike under similar circumstances. She’s seen it in Sweden at jumper shows run by her sister, where there is a non-refundable commitment fee of $25 or $50 that can be paid early in the entry process, and then a starting fee that could be refunded if necessary.
Elisabeth Williams (second from left) is saluted on her retirement during Dressage at Devon by her friends, including Lisa Gorretta on the right. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
She suggested riders need to be more proactive, “you’ve got to let everybody know you’re coming.”
What happened with the Horse Park CDI might prompt a new approach on both sides, she commented.
“Maybe now everybody learned a lesson from this one, and let’s hope that next year they can try it again.”
“We are considering doing it again,” said Horse Park Vice President Ellen Clark.
“I’m asking them to consider different dates,” she added, noting there also has been a thought of putting together a series with Centerline at Saugerties and Dressage at Devon.
“In order to make this a success, we need to do it either when people are on their way down to Florida or on their way back. And then they come.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 13, 2022
Hope Hand’s devotion to U.S. Para Dressage efforts over the decades paid off in three ground-breaking medals at last summer’s Tokyo Paralympics, part of the long process in which she played a key role as America’s status in the discipline was elevated to global distinction.
Three months after the Paralympics, the president of the U.S. Para Equestrian Association was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and on Sunday, June 12, she passed away.
Yet as was typical for Hope, she remained active in her devotion to the discipline until three weeks before her death, according to Laureen Johnson director of Para Equestrian for the U.S. Equestrian Federation.
“The Para Dressage community world-wide has lost a legend and a true friend,” said Laureen.
“Hope not only knew every U.S. Para Dressage athlete, from emerging to elite, but also recruited many of them into the program.”
From a wheelchair on the ground, Hope rose to independence in the saddle. Starting as an active competitor, Hope was the first alternate for the U.S. squad at the 1996 Paralympics, when equestrian competition made its debut in those games.
She competed at the British Invitational in 1997, earning gold, silver, and bronze medals. In 1998, she was one of four disabled riders riding on teams with their able-bodied peers at the USEF Festival of Champions. Her freestyle score broke a tie, earning her team the Bradshaw Challenge Cup.
The following year, as a member of Team USA at the 1999 World Dressage Championships, she won a bronze medal. Hope also competed at the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney, Australia, finishing fifth in the overall standings.
Rebecca Hart, a member of the bronze medal team in Tokyo, called Hope “the consummate horsewoman and advocate for Para Equestrian. I did this my entire career the past quarter of a century with Hope, either as a competitor or as advocate or as liaison among USEF, USPA and the FEI. She helped nurture the grassroots program in the U.S.”
The USA’s first paralympics medal team; Roxie Trunnell, Kate Shoemaker and Becca Hart earned bronze, realizing a dream of Hope Hand’s.
She recalled that when the U.S. wasn’t qualified for the 2012 Paralympics and needed one more score as the deadline loomed, Hope got four riders on a plane to Australia, scene of the last qualifier, put them on borrowed horses and watched as they were able to make the cut for London.
“We got it done; it was with Hope’s push and drive and dedication, we were able to do that.”
“I think almost every para rider competing on the circuit had some interaction with Hope Hand,” observed Becca.
“To lose someone with that much driving force is very difficult. The best thing we can do is keep the momentum that we have in our sport from all the success that we’ve gotten to experience in the last several years and carry that forward, and keep her drive and her passion moving.”
Laureen noted, “Hope was available 24/7 to everyone to advise, encourage and educate them on their journey to be the very best version of themselves, professionally and personally.
“I have lost a great mentor and friend. She is truly irreplaceable, with her extraordinary energy and warm, caring heart. Her beautiful smile, witty personality and laugh will always remain in my heart and mind.”
Hope Hand (seated) with Jessica Ransehousen and Krysti Wysocki. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Hope was the recipient of numerous honors for her leadership in promoting sport for athletes with disabilities. She was chosen by her community to receive the “Home Town Hero” award for her work in developing programs and opportunities for young equestrians in her home state of Pennsylvania. She was president of the Reins of Life therapeutic riding program in southern Chester County, Pa., and president of the recognized national affiliate of the USEF, the U.S. Para-Equestrian Association. She served on the USEF board and had chaired the USEF High Performance Committee.
Hope is survived by her husband, Stanley and their daughter, Amy (Eric Capozzoli. A memorial service will be held later in the year, probably in the autumn.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 6, 2022
The management team that kept the Devon Horse Show running and relevant for decades resigned today.
No one is more closely associated with the U.S. Equestrian Federation Heritage fixture than David Distler, who began working there in 1974, and Peter Doubleday, who came on board in 1976.
Though David started out by handling the ingate and doing some announcing, while Peter originally was solely an announcer, they both gravitated toward management, with David taking that role in 1985 and Peter becoming co-manager in 1987.
Together, their experience totals 85 years at Devon.
Upon receiving gracious emails from the managers announcing their departure, one stunned board of directors member asked, “Is this a joke?”.
There had been whispers that something was up during the 11-day show, which ended yesterday on Philadelphia’s Main Line, but at the same time, it was also a shock, said hunter judge Linda Andrisani, who last officiated at the show in 2019 and knows the managers well.
“That’s a big pair of shoes to fill,” observed Linda, who has also been a vendor at the show, where she started competing on her pony in 1964.
“From an exhibitor’s point of view and a judge’s point of view, it’s very sad,” continued Linda, who noted how important it is to keep the tradition alive, noting that both managers were so well-acquainted with the roots of the show that they insured it would continue in a way beloved by exhibitors and spectators alike.
“There has always been a very special place in my heart for Devon,” noted David, who showed there as a junior, and is also an internationally respected steward and judge, as well as manger of the Washington International Horse Show.
“It’s one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made,” said David about leaving the job.
Former Devon co-managers David Distler and Peter Doubleday. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I used to joke that if I were cut, I would bleed Devon blue,” he stated in his resignation letter, referring to the unique shade that is seen on buildings throughout the showgrounds.
For his part, Peter said, “It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of such a tradition. I will never forget Thursday nights, 12 coaches in the center ring line-up, arena eventing, etc.. I could go on and on. It has been a great ride.”
At the same time, he said, he has “missed too many birthdays, anniversaries, weekly family dinners…and with that in mind, I am going to step aside and retire from Devon. My family needs me home.”
He will, however, continue managing Toronto’s Royal Winter Fair, which marks its 100th anniversary this November, and also will be announcing at a number of shows.
Both managers were involved with the Devon Fall Classic, which began in 2016 as an all-jumper show at lower level than its big brother.
“It’s a chance to ride in the big ring, under the arch, under the lights. It’s a blast,” said Peter.
David said there was a balance in keeping Devon in tune with the times while guarding its tradition. Once-respected shows of another era that didn’t do that, including Piping Rock, Bloomfield Hills and Chagrin, just “thought they could sit on their laurels to carry them through,” he mentioned, but that didn’t work.
Devon, on the other hand, has remained relevant, even though it is in effect, “an indoor show that’s outdoors” because of its small footprint. What makes Devon even more difficult to run is juggling everything because it’s a multi-breed show, with saddlebreds, hackney ponies (the show’s symbol), roadsters and the coaches, as well as hunters and jumpers that are the bulk of the entry.
The pomp of presentations–this is McLain Ward on Contagious, the 2022 grand prix winner–is a big part of the Devon tradition. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
David noted over the last few years at Devon, he and Peter were “less-involved in the decision-making, more limited to the bones of show operations.”
He added that in the past, the two had more responsibilities, which was part of what produced the horse show.
Peter said, he felt it wasn’t a team effort anymore, as he and David were kept out of the loop on important discussions and decisions, with communications an issue. He added that when he occasionally was asked for his opinion, the decision was made by others.
Devon Chairman and CEO Wayne Grafton, who took over in 2014, did not respond to requests for comment.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 3, 2022
I’ve written this story 12 times over the years since 1999, when McLain took his first grand prix at Devon with Twist du Valon and started a remarkable run as the fan favorite at the venerable show on Philadelphia’s Main Line.
Seven years ago, the $250,000 class was renamed the Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon in honor of the mare who was a two-time winner and McLain’s favorite horse.
McLain salutes his fans as he enters the ring for the awards ceremony. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
She retired at Devon in a moving ceremony that brought tears to thousands of eyes watching around the Dixon Oval. So there’s quite a history at this venue for McLain, and it plays out in cheers that are more heart-felt for him than any other rider.
Last night, McLain had the edge with Contagious as last to go in the field of 20, using that to his advantage in the seven-horse tiebreaker when he went after the 33.57-second mark set by Schuyler Riley on Robin de Ponthual.
He beat it handily aboard his Tokyo Olympics silver medal mount, looking up at the clock to see a time of 32.30 as soon as he landed from the final fence, a massive bright orange oxer over a Liverpool.
The obstacle, which came after a double in a difficult line during the first round, was placed along the rail, often a distraction for the horses. Spectators jammed the grandstand side of the ring eight or nine deep, bursting into a joyous roar with the rest of the capacity crowd as soon as they knew their hero had won.
The crowd always goes wild for McLain’s victory gallops. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“It’s kind of an amazing journey,” marveled McLain, after making it four wins in a row.
“This ring for me has really become like home. I get great energy from the crowd,” he said.
“I feel at home here. I know the ring very well, the little idiosyncrasies of this arena, where the crowd is and things that horses might be distracted by, which is always a factor.
“No matter how many places I go in the world and great experiences I get to have…I love coming back here, I love this crowd and I’m always up for the class. It just seems to break my way.”
But that wasn’t the case Tuesday night, when McLain had a scary moment as Contagious slipped and fell in the jump-off. Both the German sport horse and his rider were fine, though McLain, 46, admitted to being “a little sore. It happens, it’s sport,” he shrugged.
In the grand prix, he thought the first-round course designed for the 4-star by Olaf Petersen Jr. of Germany was “a little bit on the friendly side.”
The “challenging” tiebreaker was “quite big,” with one awkward turn and a tall vertical “in a funny place.”
While Schuyler’s Selle Francais has a longer stride than Contagious, McLain noted, “Contagious is probably a little bit quicker with his feet, so I tried to utilize that to my advantage, not to try to leave out (a stride) to the last as Schuyler did.”
Runner-up Schuyler Riley and Robin de Ponthual. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
He joked that since he was proud he had sold Robin de Ponthual a decade or so ago in his capacity as a dealer, “it was going to be a good night either way.”
Schuyler was understandably happy with placing as she did while up against “the king of Devon.”
“I’m honored to be second. There’s so much history here and it’s always been on everybody’s radar as such a special place to be.
The energy is unreal,” Schuyler said. Robin, she noted, “loves the energy here as well. He jumped his heart out tonight,” she said.
McLain and Schuyler were the only two fault-free in the jump-off. Third place went to the fastest 4-faulter, Mimi Gochman on the Danish-bred Celina BH in 33.12 seconds.
Mimi, at age 17 the youngest competitor in the class, was the show’s Leading Junior Jumper rider last weekend, when she also picked up the division’s style of riding award.
Mimi Gochman, the youngest rider in the grand prix, is already a big time contender at age 17. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Having felt she learned as much as she could from competing in the equitation, she is focusing on the jumpers, and showed last night that she is a match for her older rivals.
“I’m very honored to be in the top three. It’s amazing. I’m really excited,” she said, with a little giggle.
“I think I won (the grand prix) four times before Mimi was born,” Mclain mused.
“It kind of makes you feel old.”
A pillar of every U.S. championship team for years, he hopes to be named to the squad for that event this August in Denmark.
Meanwhile, he plans to take Contagious to Aachen, though he may not jump him in the taxing grand prix there, thinking that wouldn’t be the best prep for the championships. But he did reveal the one competition that he wants to win is that grand prix, and he likely will try it with a different horse.
The Olympic multi-medalist noted he didn’t really think of Contagious as an Olympic ride, but the son of Contagio told another story when he got into the action.
“He’s got the heart of a lion,” McLain observed.
“He fights and fights and fights, and his rider’s a fighter too. So it’s a good combination.”
Down the road, perhaps we’ll see McLain at Devon on one of Sapphire’s offspring. She’s gone now, but there are a few of her foals and clones in the picture, though McLain won’t speculate on their future.
“Some are nice, but they’re young…and it’s too early to tell.”
McLain’s association with Devon goes back to his leadline days in a muddy ring (he has a photo), but he didn’t win then.
“I wasn’t from the Main Line; so no,” he said with a smile.
“I know how it works here.”
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