by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 9, 2021
What’s in the future for Monmouth at the Team?
The former Monmouth County Horse Show made an impressive statement as a boutique fixture in Somerset County, with the lure of lavish hospitality and a welcoming style. Most important in terms of attracting exhibitors and spectators was its new location at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation headquarters in Gladstone.
The U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation stables offered a dramatic backdrop for competition during Monmouth at the Team. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Exhibitors drawn to the iconic site could say they had ridden in the same ring where the likes of Bill Steinkraus and other show jumping legends trained, against a backdrop of the famous stables that are recognized around the horse world.
In 2016, its debut at the Team, the competition was named the New Jersey Horse Shows Association’s Show of the Year. But five years after Tucker Ericson and his cousin, Michael Dowling, moved New Jersey’s oldest show north from its namesake county, Covid struck. Like many shows, Monmouth at the Team was cancelled in 2020.
It was all set to return in 2021, but quarantine protocols for the Olympic dressage, para dressage and eventing teams meant they had to be isolated at the foundation before taking off for the Games. In the end, problems with flights meant they would quarantine in Germany, but that decision came far too late to accommodate Monmouth. It moved a half-hour’s drive away to Centenary University in yet another county, Morris.
The Bobcat Derb–complete with bobcat ears on every helmet–translated to a new location at Centenary in 2021. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
Now Tucker doesn’t think the show can return to the USET Foundation.
“Most likely, it will stay at Centenary,” he said, noting that university is considering taking on the show.
Tucker has a new job involving building insurance programs for a vehicle fleet management company and is working at it 10 to 12 hours a day while living in Philadelphia. That means he is unable to devote himself to the show the way he did in the past.
“I can’t do all the work,” he said, adding that his cousin also is busy with two jobs, teaching at Centenary and working as a trainer.
Cousins Michael Dowling and Tucker Ericson kept busy doing every job that had to be done at the show, whether it was at the Team or at Centenary, as it was this year. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
Tucker hopes to stay involved with the show to some extent, but noted he and Michael need “to partner with someone who has a facility.”
If the foundation were willing to run the show, he would offer it the dates, but that isn’t happening because employees need to focus on the organization’s mission. The foundation is the philanthropic partner of the U.S. Equestrian Federation, helping to fund U.S. teams, programs and the development pathway, through charitable gifts and donations
Tucker has three concerns as he looks at what will happen with the show.
First, he needs to partner with an organization that is going to handle a lot of the groundwork, “which means doing emails and phone calls every week of the year.”
Second, he wants to keep it “separate and unique,” so it therefore shouldn’t be part of the three circuits that dominate the show scene in New Jersey.
The third thing that is most important to him in connection with the show is the Nature Conservancy’s Bobcat Derby, a very popular hunter derby with proceeds going to benefit the purchase of land that will help preserve and expand the bobcat habitat in the state.
“The Nature Conservancy kind of fits our values,” he explained.
The disadvantage of the foundation site is that while it has a great outdoor ring, it’s the only ring, which makes a show there very costly.
“You can’t make money on a one-ring show,” said Tucker, then quickly added, “It’s not even about making money; it’s the struggle to break even.”
Hospitality is an important part of the show. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
At Centenary, all the classes that had to be staged at the foundation over eight days can be held instead in four or five days by using two rings, which means staffing costs can be cut. And Centenary doesn’t have to rent a facility–they have one–so that’s less expense there as well and more money to benefit the Nature Conservancy.
“I think the show can survive,” Tucker said.
He noted they can apply for a jumper rating and have jumpers run in one ring while the A-rated hunter classes go in another ring. Half the day of hunter competition can be A-rated, while the other half could be C-rated and unrated..
Tucker said he and Michael are only “concerned about offering a viable solution.”
With Covid, a lot has changed, he observed, noting that because people didn’t want to travel as much during the pandemic, they would rent a place and set up for a month to participate in a multi-week show like Traverse City, Mich., or Tryon, N.C. Nearing the end of August, “to do a one-week boutique show, it’s not as enticing when you’ve been on the road away from home all summer and you’ve got your points and spent a lot of money,” he pointed out.
Reducing the number of days, making it more cost-effective and trying to run jumpers in conjunction with other classes instead of on separate days seems to be the way to approach it.
“There’s pros and cons to the concept, but I think it might be one of the only viable solutions to keep it going. We’ll see what Centenary says,” commented Tucker, noting it’s not yet a done deal.
“If someone stepped up who was super-interested in the dates and running them at the Team and either didn’t care about money or had ways of raising enough, I certainly would talk to anyone who I thought was a good representation of the industry and had the right vision.”
He added, however, he won’t let the dates go “unless they have a secure home. We’re completely flexible for a solution that makes sense.”
What should the show be called if it isn’t at the team?
Noting that there are still probably $5,000 worth of ribbons left over, Tucker suggested leaving the name the same for the first year and running a contest with a big prize for whoever comes up with the best name for the future.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 15, 2022
The most inspiring moments at the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s annual meeting come during the evening when the Pegasus Awards are presented.
The international and national stars, the volunteers, the notable people who have devoted their lives to horses and the federation are saluted. Their stories may prompt smiles, chuckles or tears, but they are never dull. That has held true over the years, and proved to be the case once again during this year’s meeting in Naples, Fla.
There was such a wide variety of people being saluted from so many disciplines during one evening. It’s fascinating to hear the stories of people who have the horse in common, but different ways of interacting with them.
Octavia Brown, a pioneer in the field of Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies, was presented with the USEF Equus Foundation Humanitarian award. The 79-year-old Hackettstown, N.J., resident was simply thrilled with the honor.
Octavia Brown chatted at the Pegasus dinner with USEF Paralympic Technical Advisor Michel Assouline, whose riders brought home an impressive array of medals from the Paralympics. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“It’s an amazing thing,” she explained.
“I retired two years ago and it never occurred to me that i would get this award. It just means so much to be recognized for all those years.”
Just as important in her view, is that she believes “it shows national recognition is now being paid to the whole field of therapeutic riding in a way that 50 years ago no one could even dream it would be.”
It’s worth noting that the equestrian portion of the Paralympics, which were not held in conjunction with the Olympics until1996, have taken on great importance and the U.S. achievements in that competition are being celebrated at the annual meeting. Who would have thought that could happen 50 years ago either?
Mane Stream in Oldwick, N.J., had its roots in the therapeutic program started by Octavia when she was on the ground floor of a movement that took off as she continued to contribute to its growth.
Her last job was at Centenary University, where she founded its therapeutic program and retirement hasn’t kept her from checking in there.
“I’m still involved with my local program as a mentor and advisor. I do still ride at Centenary, I mentor people from all over the country who want to become instructors and I also am a board member for the Horses and Humans Research Foundation, she said, citing “their work in finding viable research to back up the work we all know is so great.”
Paralympic double gold medalist Roxie Trunnell got double recognition, receiving the Pegasus Medal of Honor and the Becky Grand Hart Trophy. Roxie, who also was on the U.S. bronze medal team, came to the stage in her wheelchair with Karin Flint, the owner of her Paralympic mount Dolton. Karin read Roxie’s speech, in which she recalled that she thought her equestrian career was over when she suffered a stroke. Instead, it just took a different direction.
Roxie Trunnell, Karin Flint and Tom O’Mara. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
The new Kip Rosenthal Memorial High Score Equitation Award, named in memory of a beloved teacher and author, went to Zayna Rizvi. She earned the most points in equitation championships during 2021. Zayna was accompanied to the stage by Kip’s sister, Jo Michaels, and Ann Grenci, who taught so many young riders.
Zayna Rizvi with USEF President Tom O’Mara, Ann Grenci and Jo Michaels. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Friends who have left us were not forgotten. Among those who got the Richard E. McDevitt Award of Merit were former National Horse Show President Mason Phelps and ringmaster John Franzreb, both of whom died in May.
Susan Morey of Hallmark Farm, who passed away a little more than a month ago, received the Barbara Worth Oakford Trophy and the Pegasus Medal of Honor.
It was an emotional moment when her husband, Stan, accepted the awards for the Arabian breeder and competitor, who also was a Morgan trainer. He noted how much his wife would have appreciated the honor, while characterizing his family as “contributors.” His son, Colter, who came on stage with him, is a police officer and his daughter, Julie is a nurse. Susan was known as a mentor to young equestrians.
Show jumping Olympic multi-medalist Laura Kraut earned the International Equestrian of the Year title, while hunter rider Hunt Tosh was named National Equestrian of the Year.
The highlight of the evening, as always, was presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Awards.
One of the winners was U.S. Equestrian Team veteran Kathy Kusner, whose story was told by her close friend Olympic double gold medalist Joe Fargis. The first woman to hold a jockey’s license, something that was decided in court when the establishment did not want to accept female jockeys, She also was a pilot and known for starting Horses in the Hood, giving inner-city children an opportunity to experience being involved with horses. Kathy was unable to make the trip from California to accept her award in person.
Howard Simpson speaking at the awards dinner. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
The other person receiving the prestigious salute was Howard Simpson, whose dedication insured the survival of what is now known as the North American Youth Championships.
During his acceptance speech, Howard in his typically generous style cited the contributions of so many others toward starting and keeping alive what originally was the North American Young Riders Championship. He mentioned Gen. Jonathan Burton, Col. D.W. Thackeray and Capt. Jack Fritz, all gone now; the O’Connor and Broussard families and the volunteers who worked so hard over the years.
“What was really important to me, and what remains important, are the conversations…of passion and knowledge from so many people in and outside of the discipline that you may be working on. (That) is what makes the Federation…so important,” Howard told his audience.
“The dedication of so many people…is outstanding,” he concluded, saying “how that dedication and passion would go on year after year, not for a title, not for a position (but) to bring a point across to represent your fellow equestrians.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 9, 2021
The Washington International Horse Show is moving out of its namesake city for the third time since its founding in 1958, heading to Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Md., for 2022.
The show, formerly 4-star rated, will be a 5-star Oct. 25-30 if the FEI and U.S. Equestrian Federation approve. Show organizers had been looking for several years for an alternative to the Capital One arena in downtown Washington DC, because its lease was expiring.
The Washington International drew a nice crowd in the heart of the city. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Capital One wasn’t the most convenient venue, with many competing horses stabled on the street. But being in the heart of the nation’s capital, mere blocks from the White House, made the show unique. The arena was within walking distance of restaurants, hotels and museums, contributing to a very special experience.
The schooling area at WIHS wasn’t very large, but riders managed. (Photo © by Lawrence J.Nagy)
The Show Place Arena will host the competition next year, while a partnership with the National Harbor waterfront complex in Oxon, Hill, Md., will offer lodging, entertaining, restaurants and shopping, as well as events such as WIHS Kids Day.
The show will be part of Maryland Horse Month, along with the Maryland 5-star at Fair Hill Oct. 13-16 and the Maryland Million horse racing feature at Laurel.
The Washington International was founded in 1958 and ran at the National Guard Armory in the city until 1974. The next year, it moved to Landover, Md., where it ran through 1999. In 2000, it was back in the city at the arena now known as Capital One. It was held there through 2019, but the pandemic prompted the show to head south to Tryon, N.C., for two years.
Replicas of Washington DC landmarks such as the Smithsonian and Washington Monument were part of the ring decor at the Washington International. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Washington is part of the North American Fall Indoor Circuit, once a key goal for hunter, jumper and equitation exhibitors. The Pennsylvania National show remains in Harrisburg, but the National, which follows the Washington International, left its traditional home of Madison Square Garden forever in 2002 and is now held in Kentucky. The Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, which has kept its location at the exposition center through the decades, has not been held as the circuit’s finale for the last two years due to Covid restrictions.
The fall circuit has less importance now than in the past because the landscape of horse showing in the U.S. has changed dramatically in the 21st century. Many people head to Florida early, skipping the indoor shows instead of waiting to leave until after the holidays. Some do it for tax reasons to keep their Florida residency; others because there are so many offerings for competition in the Sunshine State during the autumn as well as the winter.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 7, 2022
One of the state’s best-known stables has been sold, with plans in the works for refurbishment that will bring Duncraven back to its glory days.
The facility in Titusville, Mercer County, had been on the market for several years. Though it is in farmland preservation, which means the property can’t become a housing development, there was no guarantee that it would remain a horse farm, since other agricultural uses could have been permitted there.
Shawn Stout, who lives in Ewing Township, drove past Duncraven one day and noticed the parcel was available. He brought it up with his father, Harry Stout III, who is retired from the family business, Stout’s Transportation, but always alert for investments.
Shawn Stout will be managing the Duncraven Equestrian Center.
“Check this out,” Shawn told his dad, explaining that in his family “there’s an interest in horses and (I) thought it would be something to look into.” They went by the place, almost “on a whim” and liked what they saw.
The family, which also includes Shawn’s brothers Tim and Harry (H.J.) IV, formed YKnot Acres to buy Duncraven in a purchase that closed Dec. 30. From one perspective, the move seems like destiny.
While growing up in Pennington, Shawn did some team penning with quarter horses and recalled Duncraven as “a cool place.” He noted his father had kept horses near the Duncraven acreage years ago.
They want to continue the horse shows that are there, and perhaps bring in more.
“I’m excited they are horse people,” said Nancy Wallis, who was the head trainer at Duncraven for decades. She began there the day it opened, in 1993, leaving when it closed in 2020.
“It was my entire life for that many years,” she sighed
“It could have gone many different ways with that farm. The fact that they would still be interested in having horse shows is excellent, because that’s the facility. The location is superior in this state. It’s easy to get to from either direction. That’s what made it such a draw for the horse shows too,” Nancy observed.
The 61-acre tract initially was purchased as an investment for potential development by Tim Fedor, envisioned “as an equestrian estates type of development,” he recalled when Duncraven went on the market in 2019 for $2.5 million.
“Then my family kind of took a 360 and was more into preserving things. We also owned 75 acres across the street, which we sold to the Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space Program nine or ten years ago,” he said at the time he decided to market Duncraven.
Shawn sees the future for what will be called Duncraven Equestrian Center as “pretty much the same operation…a little more enhanced.”
The rings at Duncraven have hosted scores of horse shows over the years. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
The goal involves elevating it to the standard of its glory days in the 1990s and early 2000s.
“We want to bring it back to the pristine barn that it was. It was a good fun, family atmosphere. It was well taken care of. The concept will be the same,” continued Shawn, who plans to “bring in a few trainers.” At the moment, only one trainer, Alexis Pornovets, is operating on the premises.
She has 12 horses in training and does all the work herself. Knowing that Duncraven is being saved and improved is understandably important to her.
“We all love the rings and the atmosphere of it. They have big plans…wanting it to look like it used to look. I’m excited for that,” she commented.
The trainers who move to Duncraven will handle the horse end of things; “I’ll be more the barn and general manager-type person,” said Shawn.
“Whatever we can do in there, we’re going to do,” he promised, adding, “We’re cleaning the whole thing up, replacing all the fencing, renovating the barn, redoing all the offices. We’re giving it a complete makeover.”
He’s hoping that work, which includes new footing for the outdoor rings, will be finished by the spring, estimating there will be 40 stalls for boarding, and plans on reserving a couple of stalls for his own horses when he buys them.
Shawn and his brothers went on a cattle drive in Wyoming during August. It was the first time he had ridden in 20 years, but it was a good reminder that horses interest him.
“It’s a pleasure for people,” he said, “and I like seeing people have pleasure. It’s something to enjoy with them.”
Duncraven diversifies the family’s holdings, but Shawn is bringing with him lessons he learned in their transportation business, which operates everything from a variety of shuttles to luxury vehicles.
“The little things matter,” he emphasized.
Big name trainers have been based at Duncraven over the years, starting with Gary Kunsman and continuing through eventer Buck Davidson and grand prix show jumper Kevin Babington.
“Duncraven will always have a part of my heart. So many memories there,” said Dianna Babington, Kevin’s wife. “Literally most of my young adult life was connected to that place, along with so many relationships with the best of people.”
For the past two years, Duncraven has hosted a benefit show for Kevin, who was paralyzed in a 2019 fall during a grand prix.
“I am hopeful that the new owner will allow us to keep the benefit show for Kevin there,” said Dianna.
Dianna Babington during a benefit show for her husband, Kevin, at Duncraven. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I am really happy it will remain a horse facility,” she continued, noting that too many stables have disappeared from the state recently.
“It’s great news to hear,” agreed Karyn Malinowski, founding director of the Rutgers Equine Science Center.
That’s especially true, she noted, in view of the recent action regarding Gaitway Farm in Manalapan, which houses up to 600 standardbreds and has been a premier training center at the hub of harness racing in New Jersey.
The township committee voted last month to rezone the property along Route 33 for warehouses and sports complexes. Karyn is hoping “enough land will be preserved so the training center can stay and then do what they want with the rest of the property.”
On the other side of the coin, she pointed out, “Duncraven has a long history on the New Jersey horse show circuit. I think it’s wonderful that it has been purchased and will remain in its current use. That’s what we need in the Garden State.
“There’s a disproportionate amount of horse farms being sold compared to other agricultural commodities,” she explained.
“A lot of those large farms were racing farms and when the purse enhancement award went away in 2010, people said, `We’re getting out.'”
Now it’s starting to bounce back because the state has reinvested $20 million a year for the next five years for purse structure. It’s split half and half between thoroughbreds and standardbreds, said Karyn, noting there is another $2 million incentive for the Sire Stakes program for Jerseybred standardbreds.
“That’s a percentage of the sports book betting at the Meadowlands. We are in a renaissance as far as racing is right now.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 2, 2021
As the USA’s dressage technical advisor, at last summer’s Tokyo Games she led the way to the country’s first Olympic team silver dressage medal since 1948.
But now Debbie McDonald is out of a job. According to a U.S. Equestrian Federation spokesperson, the organization chose not to renew her contract due to the filing of a civil lawsuit alleging her husband, Robert McDonald, sexually assaulted two under-age women in California nearly a half-century ago. Debbie also is named in the lawsuit, which contends she was negligent for not protecting the teens while she was Robert McDonald’s assistant trainer. The two were not married at the time.
In addition, California’s 32d District Agricultural Association was sued. It runs the Orange County Fairgrounds, where Robert and Debbie trained at the time the incidents were alleged to take place.
USEF stated, “Debbie McDonald’s contract with USEF has expired and will not be renewed at this time. We are continuing to move forward with the balance of the plans that have been developed following a detailed review involving stakeholder feedback.”
The decision comes with the 2022 World Dressage Championships less than a year from now, and the Paris Olympics two and a half years away.
Debbie, 67, was the sweetheart of the dressage world when she became the first American Dressage World Cup Finals winner on Brentina, who shared icon status with her rider. Together they took double gold at the 1999 Pan American Games, team silver at the 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games, and team bronze at the 2004 Olympics and 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games.
With Brentina’s retirement, Debbie went on to make a name for herself as a coach, creating more Olympic medalists for the U.S., including Laura Graves, Adrienne Lyle and Kasey Perry-Glass.
Generous with her time and encouraging with her ability to make both horses and riders better, the petite trainer always put her heart and soul into her job.
Debbie and Bob McDonald at Brentina’s retirement in 2009. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Her world was shaken when allegations of sex abuse involving minors from nearly 50 years ago were made against her husband with the U.S. Center for SafeSport, and in June 2020, he was banned for life by the USEF.
Two months later, just as the matter was going to arbitration, the women involved in the matter dropped it and SafeSport instituted an administrative closure of the case. Robert McDonald was removed from the SafeSport banned list and reinstated by USEF. The two women connected with the SafeSport case are the ones who brought lawsuit, but their names are not given in the legal papers.
Debbie declined to comment, but her husband passed along a hand-written statement and thanked everyone who has supported the two of them at this time.
He added, “We are unable to comment on the matters that we know nothing about. Hearing of a lawsuit filed against us has come out of left field. We simply ask that you allow the legal process to take its course and hold your thoughts and opinions until all the evidence is put forth which we believe will vehemently demonstrate the untruth of the accusers.
“It is upsetting that these ladies hide behind Jane Does when they choose to tarnish our reputation in our sport. It is equally upsetting that we were prepared to address the accusations at the SafeSport level when SafeSport closed the case. We have been together for 43 years and fully stand by each other and know that we have done nothing within the realm of what has been asserted.
“We are confident in the end the truth will prevail. We will continue to dedicate our lives to the sport we love and focus on the training of and for our clients who have stood by us.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 15, 2021
It has been an incredible year for New Jersey dressage riders, who made quite a mark at major competitions, ending their spectacular season with last weekend’s U.S. Dressage Finals.
Heather Mason of Flying Change Farm in Lebanon has found the key to success with the 16-year-old Oldenburg/Holsteiner-cross RTF Lincoln. That paid off with a victory in the open Grand Prix, his first win in that category at the finals. He scored 70.399 percent to top 20 other entries, and was the only horse in the class to break 70 percent at the Kentucky Horse Park.
She prepared by showing him in the Intermediate II the day before, calling it a confidence-building warmup at the competition presented by Adequan.
“He’s tricky temperament-wise but I think I’ve got him figured out now,” the trainer explained.
Heather Mason and RTF Lincoln (Sue Stickle photo for U.S. Dressage Finals)
“His management is carefully orchestrated and he gets longed every day at a certain time. He always looks like the quietest horse in the barn but the minute you get on, he’s dynamite.”
Just looking at the results and seeing that Alice Tarjan of Oldwick had finished second in the Grand Prix Adult Amateur Championship with Donatella M on 72.935 percent raised a question: “Who the heck could have beaten her?”
Turns out it was Alice herself, as she put in the winning ride on the U.S.-bred Serenade MF, earning 74.928 percent. The day before, the partnership won in the Intermediate II Adult Amateur division.
“Serenade has had a fantastic year and I have to give her so much credit,” said Alice.
“Every time we go in the ring, she is so reliable. She’s only eight years old and there’s still a lot of stuff that is a bit hard for her, but she still answers all the questions of the Grand Prix and does it consistently.
“You ask her to piaffe and she piaffes. You ask her to do a change or a pirouette and she does a change and a pirouette. She’s just easy that way.”
Known for being a winner with a variety of horses, Alice proved that point again on her six-year-old Oldenburg mare Summersby II, victorious in the Fourth Level Adult Amateur Championship with a unanimous win under all three judges for a total of 73.056 percent.
“I’m really excited about this horse for the future, even though she’s young and green and still makes some mistakes. But she’s honest about it,” Alice explained.
Alice Tarjan and Serenade MF (Sue Stickle photo for U.S. Dressage Finals)
“Fourth Level is a lot of test for her, but I think it’s a good thing to kind of push your boundaries a little bit and see what your horse’s answers are, and she is definitely coming up with the right answers.”
She appreciates the finals, whether she’s in the Alltech Arena or one of the other rings.
“It is a huge horse show and I think ring time here is so good to get the horses exposure. There aren’t many places in the country where you can get a horse show of this size and atmosphere, that is so well run and at a fantastic facility where the footing is this good. These kinds of experiences are invaluable for the horses, and for me as a rider, they give me a better idea about the horse I have underneath me.”
She also took the Third Level Adult Amateur Championship with Summersby, scored at 72.417 percent.
Lauren Chumley of Pittstown also was a winner, taking the title in the Second Level Test of Choice on Leeloo Dallas with 70.119 percent, the best score in three sections.
Feeling a thrill at the finals wasn’t always about victories. Bridget Hay of East Amwell was delighted to collect the reserve championship in the Grand Prix Open Freestyle on her home-bred Faolan.
The freestyle is a tribute to Faolan’s brother, Fitzhessen, who died seven years ago.
As Bridget noted, Faolan’s score of 73.867 percent was less than a half-point behind the winner, Kristen Wasemiller-Knutson on Vashti, marked at 74.275.
“I feel so incredibly fortunate to have such an amazing partner who truly is a once in a lifetime horse,” said Bridget, who trains long-distance with Olympic medalists Adrienne Lyle and Ali Brock. She also got help at the show from her friend Alice Tarjan and Lisa Basselini.
