Nancy Jaffer
EQUESTRIAN SPORTS
NEWS AND FEATURES
FROM NEW JERSEY AND BEYOND
Barisone gets a psychiatric diagnosis
An increasingly panicked and desperate Michael Barisone was trying to get help as his life was spinning out of control, a psychiatrist testified today in the dressage trainer's trial on attempted murder and weapon charges. The expert witness, Dr....
Sandra Nagro Lobel has left us
"She was a horsewoman through and through, to her core, and every moment we got to spend with her made us better horsewomen and better people. She was a class act." That's how Sandra Nagro Lobel was remembered by a former student, Elizabeth...
UPDATE: Testimony about Barisone’s mental state came from high-profile riders on the seventh day of his trial
(There is a correction in the 15th paragraph) Just days before the shooting of Lauren Kanarek, wheels were in motion to have her leave dressage trainer Michael Barisone's farm, where testimony in his attempted murder trial revealed the atmosphere...
The defense begins in the Barisone attempted murder trial
A truck driver hired by Michael Barisone to keep watch over the dressage trainer's stable amid discord at the property said his friend was "so messed up he could hardly even talk." An ongoing dispute between Barisone and two tenants he was trying...
Pain on view at the Barisone trial
It was a difficult day at the Michael Barisone attempted murder trial in Morristown, N.J., as his former student, Lauren Kanarek, talked about her wounds, wiping away tears as she recounted the incident that led to her hospitalization for three...
Depression and fear haunted Michael Barisone prior to the shooting
Dressage trainer Michael Barisone was "in an almost catatonic state" in mid-summer of 2019 as he feared for the safety of those around him and his business, viewing threats posted on social media by a boarder/tenant and other harassment with such...
More details on the problems at Michael Barisone’s farm as his trial continues
Dressage trainer Michael Barisone's state of mind in the days before the shooting of Lauren Kanarek was a focal point as his attempted murder trial entered its fourth day in Morristown, N.J. His former student and tenant, who was shot twice in the...
Michael Barisone goes on trial
After thousands of speculative, gossipy posts on social media and multiple court conferences, dressage trainer Michael Barisone's attempted murder trial finally got under way today in Morristown, N.J., with dramatic opening statements from his...
A new ID for WEF HQ
Rebranding is a strategy used to update messaging after a business reorientation, to make the brand more relevant to new markets and new audiences, or to showcase the brand under a new parent company. That should give you the context to understand...
Testimony often is a question of memory at the Barisone trial
The boyfriend of shooting victim Lauren Kanarek continued being questioned by defense lawyer Edward Bilinkas today at dressage trainer Michael Barisone's attempted murder trial in Morristown, N.J., which got under way Monday and will continue for...
Mary Knowlton has a new role
After decades running her Knightsbridge training stable in Monmouth County, N.J., Mary Knowlton has moved on to an administrative job at Princeton Show Jumping. She acted on a long-term realization when an opportunity presented itself, making a...
An update from the Ukrainian Equestrian Federation/how to help
Imagine what it's like to be in war-torn Ukraine, worrying about not only the safety of your family, but also your horses. The U.S. Equestrian Federation has joined the FEI in raising funds to help with this crisis, with 100 percent of the money...
A multi-faceted veterinarian gets well-deserved recognition
The one job title that doesn't appear on Dr. Jesslyn Bryk-Lucy's resume is "juggler," but there certainly would be justification for adding it. The veterinarian in charge of caring for Centenary University's 100 horses was recognized as the...
Show Jumping Hall of Fame hosts a special dinner
In its 35-year history, the Show Jumping Hall of Fame has never had a dinner to induct those being honored. Last night, that changed forever, as 180 people packed a dining room at the Wanderers Club in Wellington, Fla., to salute not only those...
Handling the show jumping challenge on WEF’s big night
Talk about pressure! Last night, Bliss Heers found herself as the only American in a five-horse jump-off for the $406,000 Lugano Diamonds 5-star grand prix under the lights at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. In 2021, when Covid...
A grand (prix special and freestyle) night for dressage
The winners of last night's 5-star dressage Grand Prix Special and Freestyle were the same admired competitors as in the qualifying classes earlier this week, but the atmosphere in the International Arena lifted riders and spectators alike into a...
Alice Tarjan takes a quirk in stride
With Donatella M, the warm-up is the hardest part of competing. "She's completely terrified of the other horses," said her owner/rider, Alice Tarjan, who is competing at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. "It's been a problem her whole life....
Lyle is the star of a special night for dressage in Wellington
Dressage returned to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in a big way last night, with a sold-out VIP section that was treated to a brilliant performance by U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Adrienne Lyle and the stunning stallion...
Great news about injured rider Cassandra Kahle!
"She is back with us," trainer Emil Spadone said today about show jumper Cassandra Kahle, who was in a coma after suffering a traumatic brain injury in a fall from her horse at a show last month. Cassie, a 29-year-old professional rider, moved a...
Former eventing superstar Mark Todd suspended from racing
A two-year-old video of Olympic eventing double gold medalist Mark Todd striking a horse with a tree branch continues to wreak havoc with his reputation. The latest fallout from the controversy that erupted over airing of the incident is the...
Wellington Wrap-up
For one person, covering everything that's happening in Wellington on a show week is impossible, even though the distance between the dressage and hunter/jumper showgrounds is relatively short. But with nearly 20 rings going, it can be tough to...
Cassie Kahle is on the next step of her journey to recovery
Professional show jumper Cassandra Kahle today was flown to a rehabilitation facility in Atlanta from Gainesville, Fla., where she has been hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury for nearly two weeks. "The move and flight went very smoothly....
A little more good news on Cassandra Kahle
After several days without much progress, Cassandra Kahle thrilled everyone at her hospital bedside about 9:30 yesterday morning when she opened her eyes. And today, it got even better. "Her eyes were open for several minutes at a time," reported...
Answered prayers: She’s waking up at last!
After several days without much progress, Cassandra Kahle thrilled everyone at her hospital bedside about 9:30 this morning when she opened her eyes. And that's not all she did. The 29-year-old professional rider, who suffered a traumatic brain...
Please pray for Cassie Kahle, Feb. 7 update
Show jumper Cassandra Kahle, who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after a fall during a competition last month, has been diagnosed with diffuse axonal injury (DAI) in her brain. Emil Spadone, the owner of Redfield Farm where 29-year-old...
Cassie Kahle, the Feb. 6 update
Update note: This weekend, things were status quo for show jumper Cassandra Kahle, who is hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury. We will update you as things change. Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page to cover medical and rehab expenses for Cassie has...
UPDATE: Prayers for Cassandra Kahle
After making some progress, Cassandra Kahle developed aspiration pneumonia from her breathing tube today. Although the professional show jumper has been unconscious since a fall last weekend, on Wednesday she was able to respond to commands, such...
The new executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park is no surprise (UPDATE)
Lee Carter, who was chosen as the Kentucky Horse Park's executive director in October--then unchosen when he and the park couldn't come to terms--will get the job after all. The park put out a new Request for Proposal last year to re-start the...
Helgstrand Dressage gets a “name” manager
It all started just a week ago tonight. Lars Petersen was at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Fla., for the Friday Night Lights freestyle and walked over to speak with his old compatriot, Andreas Helgstrand. Lars, a Danish...
The Kentucky Horse Park is still looking for an executive director…
During the Maryland 5-star three-day event last month, word circulated that Lee Carter, the executive director of Equestrian Events Inc., had been named executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park. A TV station had covered the Kentucky Horse Park...
Saluting the horses at the USEF convention
The U.S. Equestrian Federation's annual meeting wrapped up last night in Naples, Fla., with a salute to the country's standout horses in six breeds and disciplines. The Smart Pak/USEF Horse of the Year Awards featured not only high-score horses in...
Where is Monmouth at the Team headed?
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...
USEF honors a special group of deserving equestrians
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...
The Washington International has a new home outside the city
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...
A welcome purchase keeps Duncraven in the stable game
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...
Debbie McDonald out as U.S. dressage technical advisor: Updated Dec. 2
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...
Dressage finals bring out Jersey stars
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...
What’s the future for dressage in Wellington?
When you want an answer, you have to ask for one. So my question to Andreas Helgstrand (CEO of the Global Equestrian Group that owns the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center) was whether he is planning to move Wellington, Florida's, Adequan...
Barisone trial will be delayed
Michael Barisone was “incoherent” after the Aug. 7, 2019 shooting for which he was charged with two counts of attempted murder, according to a Washington Township, N.J., police officer who responded to the scene. Detective Derek Heymer recounted...
“Fast away the old year passes…”
My headline, which I have always used for New Year's stories over the decades, comes from a seldom-sung verse of a favorite carol, Deck the Halls. Last year at this time, the headline signaled the hope that 2021 would be better, so good riddance to...
A heart-warming story for a special time of year
The holidays offer the perfect occasion to showcase a feel-good tale, so here's one that fills the bill. During Dressage at Devon last fall, I spotted a lovely palomino, and marched right over to him. That was only natural; palominos are rare in...
Sometimes (almost) everything goes right…
In her equitation championship debut, Ella Witt of Califon won the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association 3’3’ Hunter Seat Medal Final East last Saturday aboard Stakkair, owned by Redfield Farm. But only a few days later on the horse show roller coaster,...
The next generation makes its mark in the HITS 5-star grand prix at Saugerties
The winner and runner-up in the HITS $400,500 grand prix were new faces, which German course designer Werner Deeg considers a good thing. The finale of the Saugerties, N.Y., spring/summer series was won yesterday by 25-year-old Megan McDermott on...
Mason Phelps sadly has said farewell
Whether he was on the red carpet, running a horse show, pulling out all the stops to organize a party or helming his public relations firm, Mason Phelps Jr. was always a force to be reckoned with. He knew everyone and had a knack of getting them to...
UPDATED: Tired of virtual horse shows? Head to Jersey Fresh, Garden State and Essex Horse Trials
The Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event May 5-9, the Garden State Horse Show on the same dates and the Essex Horse Trials July 17-18 will be welcoming the public after the U.S. Equestrian Federation announced this week it will allow a...
Restrictions on fans at USEF competitions being eased, but too late for Devon: UPDATED
News that a limited number of spectators from the general public will be allowed under new Covid protocols at U.S. Equestrian Federation-licensed shows starting May 3 did not come in time to save the 2021 Devon Horse Show and Country Fair. In...
Disaster. Devon Horse Show cancelled
The stunning announcement came today that the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair is cancelled for the second year in a row, as the organizers and board cited “far-reaching operational and financial implications due to on-going (Covid-related)...
The same, but different
From the outside, much looks familiar this year at the Winter Equestrian Festival and Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Fla. The palm trees at the entrances sway in a slight breeze, amid inviting landscaping blooming with brightly...
The Devon Horse Show is planning to run: Updated Feb. 17
Rumors have been swirling about whether this spring's Devon Horse Show and Country Fair will be cancelled for the second year in a row due to the Covid situation. But the welcome announcement came today that one of the country's most beloved shows...
There’s still hope the Land Rover Kentucky 5-star three-day event will run
The group trying to save the 2021 Land Rover Kentucky 5-Star Three-Day Event got another reprieve today. They now have until Wednesday at 6 p.m. to raise a bit more than $300,000 to wrap up the $750,000 goal set by Equestrian Events Inc., the...
For Jonesie, “It’s all horses, it always has been”
An accident of local geography started Nancy Jones on a career with horses that went from the ground up to national recognition, earning her the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s 2020 Jane Marshall Dillon award. Jonesie, who runs her business at...
Wellington Festival shows are open, but not to fans
If you haven’t been to the grounds of the Winter Equestrian Festival or the Adequan Global Dressage Festival since Covid shut them down last March, don’t be surprised to find things quite different on your return this year. Those fleeing to...
“Fast away the old year passes…”
The headline today is from the fourth verse of “Deck the Halls,” one of my favorite carols. It’s quite appropriate; for most of us; Covid 2020 can’t pass away fast enough. Here we are in the middle of the “holidays,” which haven’t felt very festive...
Kim Herslow is singing a new song with Elvis
Moments of glory with horses usually are fleeting, but the disappointments too often seem to come like clockwork. Kim Herslow actually enjoyed more than few of those splendid special moments with Rosmarin, a Hanoverian she bought in Germany as a...
It’s “case closed” for Bob McDonald, as sanctions on the trainer are lifted
A lifetime ban against hunter/jumper trainer Bob McDonald has been lifted by the U.S. Equestrian Federation, as the U.S. Center for SafeSport closed a case against him involving allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor in 1973. McDonald was...
Not-so-Silly Girlzz dreamed up a bracelet project to benefit Mane Stream
The Covid cancellation of their sleepaway riding camp put a big hole in the summer for Charlie Brandy and Maya Green. But like others who have risen to the pandemic challenge instead of stewing about it, the teens found a way to keep busy while...
The U.S. fall circuit will ride again
The persistent question of how the USA’s three major fall indoor shows could run during a pandemic-plagued season was answered today: They are going ahead, even though it won’t quite be business as usual in the Covid era. It’s good news, following...
Eventing at the Horse Park in the era of Covid-19
Things are really revving up at the Horse Park of New Jersey, where this weekend’s horse trials attracted a waiting list of 100, with everyone eager to get back in action after long weeks without competition. The park conducted a low-key opening...
Laura Chapot does it again
She’s been the Winter Equestrian Festival’s overall open jumper champion rider at least since 2009, though Laura Chapot hasn’t kept track of how many times the honor has come her way over the years. And while she claimed the title again in...
It’s time for the base of the sport to get a leg up
By Nancy Jaffer December 23, 2018 Too often, it seems as if issues involving the elite ranks of horse sports dominate the annual meetings of our equestrian organizations. By elite, I mean not only the high performance group that goes to...
Farrington and Gazelle tops in National GP; Rizvi takes Maclay
Making the most of an advantageous position in the jump-off, Kent Farrington won the $213,300 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Lexington last night with his longtime partner, the fleet mare Gazelle. Eighth to go in the nine-horse tiebreaker,...
An explanation: why getting U.S. events sorted wasn’t easy
The re-do of the American eventing calendar was “a daunting task” for the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s eventing bid review group, according to USEF Eventing Sport Committee Chairman Mike Huber. The reorganization left the Jersey Fresh International...
The big test awaits at the Maryland 5-star
Ian Stark is as intense as the cross-country course he has designed for the first Maryland 5-Star event at Fair Hill. It will be tested tomorrow afternoon by a top international field of competitors who have talked about little else at the venue...
Townend on top at Fair Hill
He’s the number one-ranked eventer in the world, so where did you expect he’d be on the first day of the first Maryland 5-star at Fair Hill? That’s right, Great Britain’s Oliver Townend is in the lead, performing a slick and well-modulated dressage...
Garden State Combined Driving Event brought two national championships to Horse Park of New Jersey
It was a rematch of an encounter we’ve seen many times in four-in-hand driving competition: Chester Weber vs. Jimmy Fairclough. Chester, who could have gone to events closer to his Ocala, Fla., home rather than the Garden State Combined Driving...
A major test in Gladstone for young show jumping team hopefuls
“Developing Future Stars” is the slogan of the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Platinum Performance Show Jumping Talent Search. And judging by the ability on display this weekend at the competition in New Jersey, there soon will be lots of new stars...
A dream comes true for Dressage at Devon winner
The fans were in Michael Bragdell's corner when he won last night's qualifier for this evening's Grand Prix Freestyle during ShowPlus Dressage at Devon. While spectators were politely appreciative for the other six entries in the class as the show...
Jersey Fresh can run again in 2022 IF….
Even though the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event won’t have its 4-star Long division starting in 2023, the Horse Park of New Jersey trustees “enthusiastically” have voted to stage the event in 2022--“so long as we can obtain the necessary...
Live blogging the team show jumping medals: Sweden gold, USA silver
Can the Swedes do it? They are on quite a streak; three clear in the individual qualifier, three in the jump-off and a silver medal; three clear in the team qualifier. Will it hold through the team medal competition? Follow along to see how the...
Live blog Olympic team show jumping qualifier: USA comes through to finals
Teams from 19 countries lined up at Baji Koen Equestrian Park today to claim one of 10 qualifying spots for the show jumping finals that will yield the medals tomorrow, as the Tokyo Olympics draw to a close. This is the USA's only chance for a show...
What happened to the Americans?
There’s no way around it. The outcome of the Olympics for the U.S. eventing team was disappointing. When I made my predictions, I didn’t think the squad would reach the podium, but there was always a chance it would come close. So it was a blow to...
Eventing cross-country kept the favored Brits in front; U.S. fifth
The heart of eventing is cross-country, and the Tokyo Olympics route devised over five years by Derek DiGrazia (who also designs the Land Rover Kentucky 5-star) has been the source of speculation for years. How would it ride? Would the weather be a...
Olympic eventing dressage wraps up
We started out at a decent hour for Eastern Daylight Time, 7:30 p.m., rather than 4:30 a.m. the way we did this morning, as the third member of each team took their turn in the sandbox for the finale of the dressage phase. As the segment began,...
Bella Rose bows out
Bella Rose, ranked as the world's number one dressage horse with Isabell Werth of Germany, is retiring. The silver medal individual test she performed yesterday will be her last. Breeding could be in the future for the 17-year-old daughter of...
Learn more about the USA’s dressage silver medal, and the team that earned it
You’ve been following my live blog, on which we broke the news that the U.S. had won silver in Tokyo today. But the story deserves more details than I could give you in a blog, so here they are: It was down to the wire, with everyone hoping the...
U.S. clinches silver! Live blogging the Olympic team dressage for the Special
The U.S. gets silver with a bravura performance by Sabine Schut-Kery and Sanceo. It was the first time a civilian U.S. dressage team has taken that honor. (An army team did it in 1948). Read the live blog down to the bottom to find out how it all...
Live blogging the Olympic dressage–Sunday: Updated 10:40 a.m. EDT
It's 4 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The dressage riders are back competing at the Baji Koen Olympic Park in Tokyo for the second part of the Grand Prix, the qualifier that will decide which eight teams from 14 nations competing go on to Tuesday's...
Winning big at the Essex Horse Trials
Hannah Sue Burnett found a home at the top of the Essex Horse Trials’ leaderboard, and brought her associates along for the ride this weekend at Moorland Farm in Far Hills. She took the marquee event, yesterday’s Open Preliminary, with the...
Heartbreak: The Royal Winter Fair is cancelled again
Canada's Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, the venerable final leg of the North American Fall Indoor Circuit, will not be held for the second year in a row due to the "international impact" of the Covid situation. "After considerable research and...
Those Summer Days of dressage in Gladstone
“It’s always so hot for this show,” I heard a rider say as she walked her horse toward the ring during the Summer Days dressage show at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation in Gladstone yesterday. Well yes, because it’s summer in New Jersey. Now if...
Charm King ruled at the Horse Park, but the best is yet to come
At 11 p.m. on a frigid December night, as far north in Germany as you can get without reaching the Danish border, Mary Gadek Bancroft and trainer Holly Payne Caravella found an exciting eventing prospect. The conditions weren’t optimum for trying...
Next stop, Tokyo–leading dressage team contenders sparkle: UPDATED
The observation event for U.S Olympic dressage team hopefuls wasn’t officially a selection trial, but last night’s results in Wellington, Fla., yielded a clear indicator of who is on top--with no surprises.(Check out the On the Rail section on this...
Boyd Martin does it again
Just call him Champ. Boyd Martin completed his sweep of the two U.S. spring eventing championships today at the Jersey Fresh International Horse Trials, where he came from behind in the 4-star Long on Luke 140 to win the division, taking the U.S....
It was a great cross-country day at Jersey Fresh
You might have thought the 4-star Long competition at the Jersey Fresh International Three Day Event could be a rematch between Tamie Smith on En Vogue and Alyssa Phillips with Oskar, who overtook Tamie’s lead from dressage and cross-country in the...
Another honor for Candescent; she’s on the dressage short list–UPDATED
She was meant to be an eventing horse, or perhaps go out in the hunt field. But once Candescent’s potential was glimpsed by Alice Tarjan, it was obvious that neither of those destinies would be in the mare’s future. The four-year-old Hanoverian...
What’s in the future for Lord Stirling Stable?
As an advisory group considers the future for the Somerset County Park Commission’s Lord Stirling Stable, which stopped offering riding lessons when the pandemic began, a survey was sent out to aid in developing a strategic plan for reopening the...
You can weigh in on the future of Lord Stirling Stable
As an advisory group considers the future for the Somerset County Park Commission’s Lord Stirling Stable, which stopped offering riding lessons when the pandemic began, a survey has been sent out to aid in developing a strategic plan for reopening...
Black and white equals blue ribbons for Tarjan
It all started with Licorice, a black pony with four white socks who tactfully could best be described as “a brat.” But he provided quite a legacy for Alice Tarjan, who figured out how to ride him well enough so he would do what she wanted, rather...
It’s back! The 5-star Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event is a go
They cancelled the cancellation! The Land Rover Kentucky 5-star Three-Day was called off last week because U.S. Equestrian Federation Covid protocols prohibited spectators and the event needed revenue from tickets to proceed. But then a grassroots...
Are you wondering whether the big New Jersey eventing competitions will happen?
(updated Feb. 3, 2021) With today’s cancellation of the April 5-star Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, it was natural for people to question whether the Jersey Fresh International event will be held 11 days later at the Horse Park of New...
It’s official: Lord Stirling Stable will be back on track–the question is when?
Eight months after riding lessons ceased at the Somerset County Park Commission's Lord Stirling Stable, work will begin on planning how to go forward in the wake of its Covid-related shutdown, which resulted in curtailed offerings at the facility...
Amazing story of a blind horse and all he can do with trust in his rider
I have never posted the work of others on my website, but this story from Horsey Hooves about an Appaloosa who lost his eyes is so touching and amazing it just seemed perfect for Christmas. And at this point of a difficult year, we all can use...
Lynn Mathews embodies “The Spirit of the Horse
Anyone who has spent time with Lynn Matthews knows she is rarely at a loss for words. The one exception was the moment when the N.J. Department of Agriculture’s equine specialist learned she would be getting the prestigious Spirt of the Horse award...
Learning about foxhounds from the experts
This weekend is one that the Essex Foxhounds usually devote to appreciating the country way of life, highlighted by its Masters Chase of fun races at Natirar, a Somerset County park that once was part of a great estate. The Covid situation meant...
Modern pentathlon coaching icon Lt. Col. John Russell has left us (updated)
It is truly the end of an era. Lt. Col. John Russell, the last of America's influential cavalry veterans, passed away at his home in Texas Sept. 30 The world's oldest living Olympic medalist was 100 years, 7 months and 28 days. He likely was the...
Take a break from your show horse with a visit to a show house
There are still plenty of horses in the New Vernon section of Morris County’s Harding Township, but in an earlier era, the area really could be called horse country without any exaggeration. It was the original home of the Spring Valley Hounds,...
Hunterdon County dressage riders are tops at national championships
Heading west from Oldwick to Illinois for the Dressage Festival of Champions last week, Alice Tarjan had her own little wagon train. She was hauling four horses herself, while two were shipped commercially. Asked about the challenge of dealing with...
More competition cancellations going into November
You could see it coming. A virtual Town Hall yesterday with U.S Hunter Jumper Association President Mary Babick highlighted the problems involved with the Covid-related cancellation of major competitions, such as the USEF Pony Finals, which...
Getting back in the game at Gladstone
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,...
A way to combine the actual and the virtual for a learning experience
The Covid crisis was far in the future when Christine Reupke came up with the idea for the Horsemanship Society International website in 2018. The concept of combining virtual showing with a lesson was designed for people who do not have access to...
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