By Nancy Jaffer Sept. 13, 2016 “Breeding is a humbling profession,” said Ilona English, stating a truth that goes with the territory for anyone trying to produce their own sport horses. But at this point, Ilona is experiencing the flip side of that...

By Nancy Jaffer September 4, 2016 You'll still see Chris Kappler by the ingate or the schooling area at major shows, like last weekend's Hampton Classic, but he won't be on a horse. His name used to appear regularly in the equestrian publication...

By Nancy Jaffer Aug. 28, 2016 You saw the Olympic eventing from Rio on TV or the live stream, but Marilyn Payne lived it as president of the ground jury, and she had quite a different view. It was, of course, serious business, but also an adventure...

By Nancy Jaffer Aug. 21, 2016 It sounded like a good, if rather unusual, idea--moving the Monmouth County Horse Show--which needed a boost--to Somerset County's U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation headquarters in Gladstone. But until the show actually...

By Nancy Jaffer Aug. 7, 2016 While I realize the Olympics are the main focus for the next couple of weeks (who could miss that?), it's past time to discuss what's happening with the FEI World Equestrian Games, scheduled to be held somewhere on the...

By Nancy Jaffer Aug. 14, 2016 If there is an iconic image of New Jersey show jumping, it's a horse clearing a jump at the Sussex County show with the colorful lights of a ferris wheel in the background. Generations of riders and spectators relish...

By Nancy Jaffer July 31, 2016 Monmouth is New Jersey's oldest horse show, but at the same time, it is also the newest. Next month, a re-invented version gets under way at the sixth venue in its history, and the second outside the county where it...

By Nancy Jaffer July 24, 2016 What bothers you most at a horse show? Bad footing, overcrowded grounds, poor stabling? Generations of exhibitors have voiced complaints about those issues and others, too often without getting satisfaction. Sometimes,...

By Nancy Jaffer July 17, 2016 It all started with a discussion on the issue of dressage ponies that Jenny Carol had with a friend over dinner in 2007. “I never felt kids were getting the respect they deserved for riding the ponies,” she said,...

By Nancy Jaffer July 10, 2016 Hundreds of horses over 100 years had taken a toll on the unique U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation stable in Gladstone. While the 12-foot box stalls still were serviceably sound, they looked worn. Shortcomings generally...

By Nancy Jaffer June 23, 2016 Even before yesterday evening's Invitational Derby Cross competition at Moorland Farm in Far Hills, I knew there wasn't going to be just one winner. I'm talking big picture here, not who was taking home the blue ribbon...

By Nancy Jaffer July 3, 2016 Impressive! That's the reaction prompted by the announcement of the U.S. Olympic equestrian squads. It's the most promising group of American athletes headed to the Games since 2004, when the country brought home five...

By Nancy Jaffer June 22, 2016 Even before yesterday evening's Invitational Derby Cross competition at Moorland Farm in Far Hills, I knew there wasn't going to be just one winner. I'm talking big picture here, not who was taking home the blue ribbon...

By Nancy Jaffer June 20, 2016 Through six Olympic Games, scores of Nations' Cups and dozens of victories at the world's most important equestrian venues, Frank Chapot always rode to win when the nation's flag was on his saddlepad. In the subsequent...

By Nancy Jaffer June 19, 2016 Where do young people go to learn about horses if they're interested not only in riding, but also in finding out how to take care of their mounts and make lasting friendships in the process? Answer: Pony Club. Such...

By Nancy Jaffer June 12, 2016 Life changes are nothing new for Greg Best, who will be involved in another big one next year. Growing up in Flemington, he was a winner with ponies when I first met him. He went on to become a gold medalist at the...

By Nancy Jaffer June 5, 2016 John White of Stillwater and Hoboken has been competing with his team of striking gray Czech Kladrubers for six years at Devon, and last week finally clinched the show's ultimate reward in his division by taking the...

By Nancy Jaffer June 5, 2016 At the age of 21, Amanda Derbyshire left her native England “to experience America” for three months. Six years later, the charming grand prix show jumper is still here, competing at major shows with an impressive...

By Nancy Jaffer May 29, 2016 If you own a horse, you probably have a familiarity with pasture, but how much do you really know about making the most of the property where your horse eats and roams? Equine Extension Specialist Dr. Carey Williams of...

By Nancy Jaffer May 22, 2016 There certainly was tragedy aplenty at last weekend's Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event, and it can't be forgotten. But there needs to be perspective in seeing the big picture while looking back at the...

By Nancy Jaffer May 15, 2016 Ten years ago, Ilona English delivered a little colt she named Powell. Over the weekend, Powell delivered for her, winning the CCI 3-star at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event. Not only did the blaze-faced...

By Nancy Jaffer May 15, 2016 On a day that started with glorious weather and perfect ground conditions, it seemed all the effort that had gone into improving this year's Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event was paying off. A record crowd was...

By Nancy Jaffer May 8, 2016 Did you miss Rolex Kentucky last weekend? Couldn't make it to Badminton this weekend? There's another chance to see top-notch eventing this spring, and it's close to home. Building on the success of last year's...

By Nancy Jaffer May 1, 2016 The show jumping phase today at Rolex Kentucky was marked by heavy rain alternating with sun and sprinkles, but the riders paid it no heed and focused on the tough course Richard Jeffery put together in the Rolex Arena...

By Nancy Jaffer May 1, 2016 Rolex Kentucky is the Western Hemisphere's only 4-star event, and one of just six in the world, so it's always difficult. But throw in a day of rainstorms and the cross-country phase becomes even more testing. No one...

By Nancy Jaffer April 24, 2016 The Gladstone Driving Event, once the most important sporting competition of its kind in the country, is making a comeback next month at Hamilton Farm, home of the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation. The event, admired...

By Nancy Jaffer March 13, 2016 You've seen the ads; they're all over the internet. “Free to a good home, can no longer keep my 21-year-old horse. Not sound to ride, but would be a good companion.” There are lots of reasons for giving up a horse....

By Nancy Jaffer March 6, 2016 The state is still in the throes of winter, but work has been under way for months on the May 11-15 Jersey Fresh International, which is an Olympic selection trial this year. It's time to start making plans to attend...

By Nancy Jaffer February 28, 2016 It looks like an ordinary riding lesson, the kind of session in which beginners get their first taste of working with horses and being in the saddle. But what goes on during weekly sessions of Operation Centaur at...

February 21, 2016 Growing up in Saddle River, B.J. Ehrhardt was a star junior rider. Yet her life wasn't complete; for some reason, she decided she needed a zebra. "I've always wanted one since I was a small child. They totally intrigued me,"...

By Nancy Jaffer February 14, 2016 WELLINGTON, Fla. -- As was the case for so many people, the events of Sept. 11, 2001, changed Gabriel Armando's life. The banker from Argentina was working in midtown Manhattan that day, not at the World Trade...

By Nancy Jaffer February 7, 2016 An incredible performance in the Intermediaire I at last summer's Pan American Games in Canada put Kimberly Herslow and Rosmarin in the spotlight as they made a major contribution to the gold medal that qualified...

By Nancy Jaffer January 31, 2016 We all know HITS impresario Tom Struzzieri is multi-dimensional (yes, he's a hotelier and he's big into triathlons, as well as shows) but I was interested to learn he also has a restaurant in Manhattan, which he...

By Nancy Jaffer January 31, 2016 Her mission is to teach children about horses and their care, so 4-H volunteer extraordinaire Judy Hennessy certainly wasn't looking for recognition. That's why being named New Jersey Horseperson of the Year was...

By Nancy Jaffer January 31, 2016 If you've been on the New Jersey equestrian scene for a long time, many of your memories probably revolve around the Middlesex County, Sussex County, Monmouth County and Garden State (formerly Junior Essex Troop)...

By Nancy Jaffer January 24, 2016 While everyone in the North was complaining about the monster blizzard, Wellington, Fla., had its own share of bad weather this weekend. Classes at the Winter Equestrian Festival and the Adequan Global Dressage...

By Nancy Jaffer January 17, 2016 LEXINGTON, KY -- Remember that beloved Disney movie, "The Horse with the Flying Tail?"If they made a sequel about Jus d'O, the U.S. Equestrian Federation's Grand Green Hunter national champion, it would be "The...

By Nancy Jaffer January 10, 2016 Where can people go if they're interested in learning to ride? It's an important question from several aspects, not the least of which involves growing the base of equestrianism, which all too often is regarded as...

By Nancy Jaffer January 2, 2016 There were plenty of good tidings for New Jersey's equestrian community in 2015 that will be paying off in a happy new year during 2016. The return of the Essex Horse Trials after a 20-year absence is among the most...

By Nancy Jaffer December 24, 2015 The Middlesex County Horse Show moved to Monmouth County, New Jersey, several years ago. The Monmouth County show moves to Somerset County, New Jersey in 2016. But the Sussex County Horse Show, which marks its 80th...