Things were Covid-quiet at the USET Foundation’s Gladstone headquarters for several months while it was closed to visitors. So this week’s Summer Days Dressage shows, presented by the Eastern States Dressage and Combined Training Association, became a welcome return to normalcy–or at least as close as we can get to it in this unusual era.
Some riders in shirtsleeves, others bowing to tradition by wearing jackets, took the July heat in stride; they were just happy to be back at a show for two days, especially in the team’s historic arena. It seems Gladstone has extra meaning for everyone
“I love showing here,” said Lauren Chumley, a professional rider/trainer from Pittstown.
“I didn’t move to New Jersey until 2007, so I kind of missed the golden age of Gladstone, but I’ve read about it since I was a kid,” commented the native of Ohio.
“It’s so special to come here, even to do Training Level.”
She rode Grand Prix with 14.1-hand, 18-year-old Avatar’s Jazzman, a been-there/done-that Morgan who is immortalized as a Breyer model horse.
Lauren Chumley and Breyer horse model Avatar’s Jazzman. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
“He’s a worker; he wants to work,” is the way she characterized him. In addition to handling the moves at the highest level of dressage, he can event, show jump and fox hunt.
“He did a pretty decent Grand Prix,” said Lauren, referring to a ride marked at 65.598 the day after Jazzman scored 67.375 percent for his freestyle.
“He tries so hard. He’s never going to get an 80, but we know that and he just does the best that he can. We’re just having fun.”
She made a point of wearing her brown tailcoat despite soaring temperatures.
When the judge asked why she chose a jacket instead of the cooler option, she said, “It looks nice, if I can do it.”
Jaime Dancer of Millstone, who also decided against going shirtsleeves, agreed.
Jaime Dancer and Viveur getting ready to focus during the hazy days of summer. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I just feel like it takes a long time to earn this coat and earn this spot and be able to be here,” she said, after getting 66.630 percent in the Grand Prix with Viveur.
“So I feel like I want to wear this coat for my judges. I’m lucky to be here.”
International competitor Catherine Haddad Staller, who has ridden at the most prestigious shows around the world, keeps a cherished spot in her heart for Gladstone.
“It’s where I fell in love with my husband,” the Califon resident explained, referring to veterinarian Greg Staller.
She won the Grand Prix with a percentage of 74.511 aboard Frankie on the show’s second day.
Catherine Haddad Staller and Frankie. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
I last saw Frankie at Gladstone three years ago when the mare was in the dressage development clinic there. Now 11, the Hanoverian has rounded out her resume.
“She’s so steady, she’s so reliable,” said Catherine.
“I’ve got a lot more power and strength in her than I ever had before, but I don’t have the brilliance yet. She picks up points with accuracy and correctness.”
Catherine decided to come to the show because, “I’ve been at home way too long. I felt I needed to get out and test myself and my horses a little bit. This is a very good outing for us close to home, where we can run through the test once and see where we’re at.”
Alice Tarjan is often the busiest rider at the shows she attends. With 11 horses in training at her Oldwick farm (Alice rides all of them every Monday), she has a lot to choose from when she goes to a competition.
Alice earned 71.304 percent in the first day’s Grand Prix and 71.5 in the Developing Grand Prix on Harvest. The Dutch-bred black stallion, who has been training at home for two years, is the sire of a colt (named Hamilton) foaled at Bridget Hay’s East Amwell farm as that rider was getting ready to go to the first day of the show.
Harvest, owned and ridden by Alice Tarjan. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
Harvest, characterized by Alice as “super well-behaved and super-honest” is known around the barn as The Teddy Bear. In contrast, a feistier stallion, Glory Day, affectionately is called The Terrorist. Alice, an amateur, gave the ride on the 17.1 hand bay to professional trainer Marcus Orlob, who took him to a score of 81.1 percent in First Level Test 3.
On the second day, Alice was runner-up in the Grand Prix with, Donatella M (72.337). The black Oldenburg mare and Harvest are qualified for the Developing Horse Championships at Grand Prix and I-2. The Summer Days shows were qualifiers for next month’s national championships and also regional championships, which was convenient for Alice and other area residents.
“Going to local shows is easy, I don’t mind doing that at all,” she said, noting that with the virus situation, it gets a lot more complicated when travel, hotels and restaurants are involved for “away” competitions.
Masks for scribe and judge and a plexiglass barrier–standard equipment for officiating in the Covid era. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I’m really grateful the management is trying so hard to make competitions happen,” said Lauren.
“Put your mask on, it’s not that hard.”
Competitor Janice Turner, who lives in neighboring Bedminster said, “I’m happy to show. I’ll wear a mask any time to keep everyone safe. It’s been such a trying time, I think everybody’s put their priorities in a better place.”
As Lauren observed, “I’m glad we can go to a horse show and not just sit in our houses and eat pizzas.”
Living in Covid times can be extra difficult for some.
“Normal people who have normal lives and normal jobs are just panicking. Horse trainers are just, `It’s all up in the air? What’s that like,’’’ Lauren said with a sly chuckle.
Equestrians know how to adjust to whatever. As she points out, “You’ve got to roll with it when you have horses.”
