By Nancy Jaffer December 2, 2016 The last 18 months or so have been full of good news for equestrian fans and participants in New Jersey’s Somerset Hills, an area that is revving up to once again be a center of multi-discipline horse sports—which...

By Nancy Jaffer November 22, 2016 Those who dream about riding in the Olympics will need to temper their plans (real or fantasy) following the International Equestrian Federation’s (FEI) decision yesterday to cut teams from four to three in each of...

By Nancy Jaffer October 12, 2016 Persistence paid off last weekend for T.J. O’Mara of Rumson, who set a goal and returned year after year to the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation in Gladstone attempting to realize it. On his fifth try, he finally won...

By Nancy Jaffer October 6, 2016 Who needs a groom when you've got a friend? Bridget Hay of East Amwell and Kim Herslow of Stockton were rooming together, stabled their horses side-by-side and shared a tack room during an often-rainy Dressage at...

By Nancy Jaffer Sept. 20, 2016 A generation-spanning who's who of American show jumping gathered yesterday at the Gladstone headquarters of the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation for a smile- and tear-filled tribute to Olympian and coach Frank Chapot....

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. 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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...