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Tuesday, March 19, 2024

News

Saunders Dixon of Thorncroft died Feb. 11

MALVERN, Pa.--Saunders Dixon, 96 of Malvern, died peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 11.

Saunders DixonSaunders Dixon (Photo by Babby Hunt Davis)
He was at home comfortably surrounded by his three dogs and wife of 32 years, Sallie.

Born March 5th,1928, he will be missed by many; his family, friends, and the Thorncroft community as welll as the Thorncroft Farm he started and nurtured for over 50 years.

A Quaker, pacifist, father, husband, teacher, and always true to his ‘north star’, his moral compass never wavered.

In his office he welcomed parents, riders and visiting friends who could be found in conversation about absolutely anything; sharing spirited opinions or sitting in silence.

His larger-than-life self was a presence in the barn where his knowledge of horses and horsemanship were respected and welcomed.

Watching him in the arena or quietly walking around his Farm with a rider, you would feel his presence.

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Rodrigo Pessoa Honored with International Award, Pancho Lopez and Cedric inducted at Induction Gala in Wellington

Wellington, Fla.--Francisco “Pancho” Lopez, longtime barn manager for Katie Monahan Prudent and then Elise Haas, and Cedric, Laura Kraut’s gold medal Olympic mount, were inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame during the Hall of Fame’s Induction Gala in Wellington on March 3.

Rodrio Pessoa accepts the International Award KindMediaRodrigo Pessoa accepts the International Award from Peter Doubleday (Photo by KindMedia)The Hall of Fame also honored Olympic, World and World Cup champion Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil as recipient of the Hall’s International Award.

“This was the third year we have hosted our annual induction ceremony as part of a sit-down dinner in Wellington and it was our biggest and best yet,” said Show Jumping Hall of Fame chairman Peter Doubleday. “We sold out in advance and, unfortunately, had to turn away several people who wanted to be there. Our sport’s history was on display with 15 Hall of Famers and many more of our sport’s legends in attendance. Once again it was an incredible night, one that we will continue to build on each year.”

Prior to the formal induction of Lopez and Cedric, the Hall of Fame presented its International Award for just the second time, with the award going to Rodrigo Pessoa, one of the most successful riders in show jumping history.

Pessoa won the individual Gold Medal at the World Equestrian Games in 1998 and at the Olympic Games in 2004.

He is also the only rider ever to win the FEI World Cup Finals three consecutive years, winning the championship in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

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The U.S. team for the Ocala League of Nations Nations Cup includes Kent Farrington, Laura Kraut, Aaron Vale and McLain Ward

OCALA, Fla.--A heavyweight team of Kent Farrington, Laura Kraut, Aaron Vale and McLain Ward will compete against 10 teams that include the top riders in the world in the second leg  Nations Cup of the League of Nations  series.

Aaron Vale on Carissimo 25Aaron Vale, who finished sixth individually in Abu Dhabi, on Carissimo 25 (Photo by Liz Gregg)
The U.S. has 55 points for finishing sixth in Abu Dhabi with an inexperience team.

Robert Ridland will lead the team as chef d'equipe,

A glittering cast of riders, including eight of the top 10 and 15 of the top 20 riders in the latest world rankings, will compete in in Ocala on March 23 in inaugural League of Nations series

With the Paris 2024 Olympic Games looming ever larger on the horizon, this leg looks set to be a serious test of horse-and-rider combinations vying for selection.

And the quality of the field which is filled with Olympic, World and Regional champions, promises a spectacular day of sport.

The top-10 ranked countries in the world are competing in this brand new four-leg series which will culminate in the League of Nations Final in Barcelona, Spain in early October, and Germany took the early lead when getting the maximum 100 points for its victory in Abu Dhabi last month.

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Laura Chapot fifth WEF Circuit Leading Jumper Rider, Andrew Philbrick trained numerous winners

WELLINGTON, Fla.--For more years than she could count, Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station, N.J., was the Winter Equestrian Festival leading Overall Jumper Rider, but this year she has dropped to fifth Overall Jumper Rider list of 758 riders about halfway through the 12 show season.

Laura Chapot on Gideon KIND MediaLaura Chapot on Gideon in a photo from last summer (Photo by KIND Media)The reason she has dropped from the lead is not because she is winning less with the horses she has but that she had many fewer horses competing.

Chapot leads the 1.40m Open Jumpers with Gideon and also is seventh in that section on Kanjer P.

In the Seven-Year-Old Young Jumper, she is leading on Tyson Fury.

She won a two-star grand prix on Chandon Blue, who is very lightly shown due to his age.

According to her mother Mary, who is sixth Leading Open Jumper Trainer, a few of Laura's horses are out with minor injuries, a few are old and only show very occasionally, and others are young and up-and-coming.

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Australian Eventer Shane Rose's competing in a "manikini" led to world wide coverage

ROBERTSON, Australia--Eventing gets little publicity, even in Olympic years, but when Australian Olympic medalist Shane Rose competed in a manikini in a costume class in the Wallaby Hill Extravaganza, the story went viral, receiving coverage in such media as The New York Times and on television from various cable news services.

Shane Rose competingin the Shane Rose competing in the Rio Olympics
A manikini is a male bikini that is basically just a G-string.

That costume, along with the world wde coverage, also earned him a call from the Equestrian Australia, the governing body, telling him he was under investigation and temporarily barred from competing.

That in turn raised a storm of protests.

According to the Times, Matt Shirvington, a television host on Seven Network and a former Olympic runner, jokingly threatened that if Rose wasn't able to attend the Olympics because of his manikini, current and former Olympians would start wearing them too.

Matt Williams, an Australian Olympic show jumping rider, said on Facebook, "Shane's manikini was a great example of someone willing to do what it takes to entertain and drum up publicity in what is otherwise a very boring industry to the outside world."

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The World Equestrian Center in Ocala continues to add new indoor and outdoor arenas and shopping facilities

OCALA, Fla.--Hugely expensive renovations continue to be added to the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, and everyone who has shown there agrees that it is already a world class venue.

WEC outdoor arenasWEC outdoor arenasBut the question remains- will the top show jumping national and international riders leave Wellington to compete at WEC?

With the expansion of the Wellington show grounds having finally been passed by the Wellington town council, it is doubtful that any top riders and/or owners will leave their comfortable surroundings to live and compete at WEC.

But still, the management of WEC continues to forge ahead with plans for the expansion of its venue in Ocala.

At WEC, the opening of The Riding Academy Hotel marks the beginning of the next evolution for World Equestrian Center.

Ocala will see the completion and continuation of a series of property development projects, including the addition of a sixth indoor arena, seven additional outdoor arenas and the University of Florida Health Family Medicine Center.

Adjacent to The Riding Academy Hotel, the future 180,000-square-foot Event Center is set to open in 2025 with traditional meeting and event space, a grand ballroom and four new restaurants, including two rooftop concepts.

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McLain Ward and Laura Kraut head the Nations Cup team for Wellington

LEXINGTON, Ky.--US Equestrian has announced the riders selected for the U.S. Jumping Team at the Nations Cup Wellington CSIO4* in Wellington, Fla., from Feb. 28 to March 3.

N C WellingtonThe team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland and Team Leader Lizzy Chesson and supported by U.S. Jumping Team Veterinarian, Dr. Heather Sherman, and U.S. Jumping Team Equine Therapist, Janus Marquis, along with the grooms and horse owners.

The following riderss have been named to the U.S. Jumping Team and are listed in alphabetical order:
• Karl Cook of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.
• Laura Kraut of Royal Palm Beach, Fla.
• Zayna Rizvi of Wellington, Fla.
• McLain Ward of Brewster, N.Y.

Competition Information

The CSIO4* will take place Week 8 of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Fla.

The CSIO4* competition begins on Wednesday, Feb. 28, and will conclude on Sunday, March 3.

The Nations Cup will take place Saturday, March 2, at 4:30 p.m. ET, while the Grand Prix will take place Sunday, March 3, at 10:30 a.m. ET.

US Equestrian fans, subscribers, and members can watch the live stream of the Nations Cup Wellington CSIO4* on USEF Network powered by ClipMyHorse.TV.

Bill Steinkraus' historic estate Great Island sold to Darien last May, and now horses are gone

DARIEN, Conn.--Great island, the home of Olympic individual silver medalist Bill Steinkraus and his wife Sis, had been for sale since his death on Nov. 29, 2017.

Great Island horsA horse outside Serenity Show Stables on Great Island in Darien (Photo by CT Examiner)It was bought last May by the town of Darien, and in 2020 horses had returned to the barns that had held Billy's jumpers and Sis' dressage horses.

But starting in March, there will no longer be horses at the historic estate.

“We’re out,” said Ruth Nicodemus, owner of Serenity Show Stables, which has been operating at the Great Island equestrian facility since 2020. In addition to her horse boarding, grooming and training business, Nicodemus runs the Serenity Project, a nonprofit offering free equine therapy for trauma survivors.

Since purchasing the island last May, Darien and the stables have been unable to reach a special permit agreement.

Now the business and nonprofit are leaving, and taking their horses, therapy program and $200,000 in annual revenue for the town with them.

Nicodemus said she had hoped to remain on Great Island and had been wrangling for months with town officials over her continued use of the century-old facility.

“It’s been an emotional and exhausting roller coaster,” she said.

Read more ...

Prize List Now Available for 2024 Devon Horse Show and Country Fair

DEVON, Pa.--The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair announced that the 2024 Prize List is now available.

Devon new pictureAs the longest-running and largest outdoor multi-breed horse show in North America, competitors and spectators can expect Devon's beloved staples such as the CSI4* Sapphire Grand Prix, premier hunter competition, top-tier equitation, carriages and side saddle competition, and of course, the beloved country fair, which offers world-class boutique shopping, rides, games, multiple dining options, and special entertainment events.

In honor of The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair's 128th anniversary, we have added an additional day of competition.

Key Changes for 2024

For the first time ever, The Devon Horse Show will include the 3’3 Junior Hunter, Small and Large sections to its schedule.

These sections will be running in the first week, May 22-23.

Please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

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A letter from the USEF concerning the accusations of abuse leveled at Cesar Parra

Dear USEF Member,

USEF logoWe would like to take a moment to address the recently published videos and accusations of abuse levied against U.S.-based international dressage athlete Cesar Parra. The images and videos are disturbing and show a complete disregard for horse welfare and are in no way aligned with our values and beliefs as the stewards of horse sport in the United States.

Parra has been temporarily suspended by the FEI while they actively investigate the matter. USEF is enforcing the suspension and supporting that investigation. To ensure the integrity of the investigation, we are unable to disclose further details, but we want to be absolutely clear – we are documenting these violations and will pursue disciplinary action to the highest degree in partnership with the FEI.

It is imperative that as a community we continue to hold each other accountable and speak up when we see something that endangers the integrity of our sport, the health and welfare of our horses, and/or the well-being of our athletes and members. If you have witnessed horse-related abuse, please contact USEF by texting what you saw to 2USEF (28733) or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. As a reminder, if you witnessed or have knowledge of sexual abuse, it must be reported to law enforcement and the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

Sincerely,

Thomas F. X. O’Mara

President

William J. Moroney

Chief Executive Officer

Project to expand Winter Equestrian Festival's show ground passed by village council

WELLINGTON, Fla.--After an additional seven hours of arguments pro and con, the Wellington village council at midnight on Wednesday, Feb. 7 voted to approve a project that will give almost 300 acres to the Winter Equestrian Festival.

WEF show groundsWEF's present show groundsExpanding WEF's facility was a necessary step towards keeping south Florida the premier winter equestrian facility as it has suffered for years from lack of space.

But expanding the show grounds doesn't end WEF's problems.

Global Equestrian Group, part of a private equity group, bought WEF from Mark Bellissimo about two years ago, but it is now financially troubled and has put WEF up for sale.

It seems that the Equestrian Group must be in a pretty big hurry to sell, as it has put a deadline of about a week from the vote to expand the venue for buyers to indicate that they are serious.

While rumors abound about possible buyers, the consensus is that a speedy decision would favor a group of deep pocket equestrian landowners that is trying to  get organized and raise money.

Read more ...

A proposal to enlarge the Winter Equestrian Festival's show grounds could be voted on Feb. 7

WELLINGTON, Fla.--A village of Wellington town council meeting will be held Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 5 p.m. to possibly hold a vote on whether to allow the development of 90 acres in the Equestrian Preserve so that 290 acres could be added to what is now the very cramped Winter Equestrian Festival's approximately 50 acres show grounds.

th 1Winter Equestrian Festival international ringWhile the months long squabbling  about a few hundred acres in Florida may seem of little consequence to equestrians in the north, it is important to the equestrian community in that WEF and the Global Dressage Festival are essential to the continued excellence of the U.S. in international competition as it is where up and coming riders and horses get to test their skills while our top  riders get to hone their skills in competitions on their home ground against top international competition.

The development project proposed by Wellington Lifestyle Partners, headed by Mark Bellissimo, would take 90 acres from the Equestrian Preserve to build a golf course while giving 290 acres to WEF.

That would allow both WEF and the Festival to build new show grounds on the expanded acreage and would allow Bellissimo to develop the present site of the Festival with houses and businesses.

Read more ...

Dressage Olympian Cesar Parra suspended by the FEI and USEF over allegations of horse abuse

By KENNETH J. BRADDICK

Videos posted on the Internet by dressage rider Adam Steffens of training by American Cesar Parra has finally blown open one of the worst kept secrets of horse sport–abuse of horses and riders–to prompt “immediate” reaction from the sport’s governing bodies after years of inaction. Florida’s Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office sources report it is receiving numerous complaints about Parra, including serious allegations involving past and current female employees.

Adam SteffensAdam Steffens competing in Wellington, Florida. File photo. © Ken Braddick/DRESSAGE-NEWS.comThe Parra case has led to widespread publicity in Europe, with the German sport horse site St. Georg prominently featuring reports including condemnation by professional riders.

Some customers have already pulled horses in training from the Parra farm.

The 30-year-old Adam is married to Dutch migrant Sven Smienk, who rides for Canada and who had worked at the stables of Parra with long-time training centers in New Jersey and Florida, but currently based at Jupiter Farms 30 miles north of Wellington, Florida.

Sven worked for Parra for less than a year but like many previous employees hired from outside the U.S. on a visa supported by Parra that allowed them to work in America. Several former employees confirm the same situation as Sven–fearing they were held hostage by the visa situation. That appears to be not the case legally, but few dared challenge what had been a life changing move to the U.S. that they believed could be jeopardized if they quit their job.

“As soon as possible he was able to exit the situation there,” Adam explained of Sven’s situation, “and since, Sven has been with me at our paradise, Candoit Stables, where we make horse care our absolute priority… even over sport. We are so blessed that the Petrik family has blessed us over and over again with not only the ability to be here but the ability to care for horses in the absolute best way possible.”

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The Winter Equestrian Festival is for sale, making hundreds of landowners very nervous

WELLINGTON, Fla--The Winter Equestrian Festival is for sale, making hundreds of equestrian property owners, who have invested millions in the Wellington area, extremely nervous.

wefThe Global Equestrian Group bought the Winter Equestrian Festival from Mark Bellissimo, and Michael Stone, president of WEF, confirmed that, following rumors of its being for sale for about two years, that the reportedly financially troubled Equestrian Group is now actively pursuing the sale.

"The sale is being handled by the Equestrian Group," said Stone. "There are a lot of people interested in buying WEF. I think it's mostly American groups interested."

A loose group of property owners is one of those groups interested in acquiring the property, but so far it has been just talk with no money on the table.

When a private equity group buys a property, it usually wants to enlarge and improve the property and sell it for a profit within five years.

So if another private equity group buys WEF it would just mean another five years of instability.

"It would be great if a group bought it and made it a non-profit like Bruce's Field in Aiken, because that would ensure its stability and longevity," said Andrew Philbrick, who owns property in Wellington but also lives in Princeton, N.J.,, where he runs a series of highly regarded horse shows.

Read more ...

The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair Celebrates its 128th Anniversary and Adds One Day

DEVON, Pa.--The 2024 Devon Horse Show and Country Fair is the oldest and largest outdoor multi-breed horse show in North America, and as it celebrates its 128th anniversary, the fabled equestrian competition will add one day to the 2024 event.

Wayne Grafton Brenda CarpenterWayne Grafton (Photo by Brenda Carpenter)The show's 128th anniversary includes an additional day along with almost $1 million in prize money and another $1 million during the last year for ground improvements to best accommodate its equestrians and loyal spectators.

The show will take place Wednesday, May 22 through Sunday, June 2, 2024.

Remaining true to its legacy, The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair raises money for its beneficiary, The Bryn Mawr Hospital.

"With the number of entries increasing every year, we are pleased to offer our riders and attendees an additional day of competition and pageantry," said Wayne W. Grafton, CEO and Chairman, Devon Horse Show and Country Fair.

"This change will distribute the events over an extra day so that the show ends in a timely manner on Sunday and concludes at a reasonable
time each evening."

Read more ...

More Articles ...

  1. Mclain Ward, Zayna Rizvi and James McNerney presented with USET awards at a benefit gala
  2. Young team to compete in first leg of the new League of Nations competition in Abu Dhabi
  3. McLain Ward voted Equestrian of the Year and HH Azur is International Horse of the Year
  4. John French is National Equestrian of the Year and Paradigm is National Horse of the Year
  5. Neda DeMayo received the Humanitarian Award for work with wild horses
  6. Small, a successful Off-Broadway play, will be in Malvern through Feb. 4
  7. Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foundation year in review
  8. Barbara Hay, a dressage competitor and breeder, died Dec. 27
  9. Margaret Worrall, keeper of Maryland Hunt Cup memorabilia, died Dec. 20
  10. News from the Show Jumping Hall of Fame from PeterDoubleday
  11. Steeplechase announcer Will O'Keefe died Dec. 18
  12. Andi’amu Retires to Kentucky Horse Park Hall of Champions
  13. Kent Farrington, Boyd Martin and Kate Shoemaker are third in World Rankings
  14. Boyd Martin and Commando 3 Receive the USET Foundation's Connaught Grant in Memory of R. Bruce Duchossois
  15. An update from Jonathon and Kelly Soleau-Millar
  16. Marty Bauman and Robin Rost Brown honored at USHJA awards dinner
  17. Devon Horse Show and Country Fair Donates $350,000 to Bryn Mawr Hospital as Part of $2M Pledge to Support Hospital's Inpatient Psychiatric Unit
  18. Another top facility vies for entries in Florida with FEI rated shows and top course designers
  19. Aachen to host 2026 World Championships
  20. Candice King Clinic to benefit Kevin Babington
  21. Wry Not, a filly saved by a loving owner and team from New Bolton
  22. Joe Alfano, Dr. Csaba Magassy and McLain Ward Inducted into Pennsylvania National Horse Show Hall of Fame
  23. Cody Dornan, of Cody's Wish, died Nov. 5 after Cody's Wish's second Breeders Cup win
  24. Update on Kevin Babington
  25. Jumping team order of go at Pan Am Games Tuesday, Oct. 31
  26. Young team for two Nations Cups
  27. Hillary McNerney and Olivia Sweetnam won year end titles in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame
  28. U.S. qualifies for new League of Nations with second highest number of points
  29. Joy Carrier among the 14 honored as "Devon Legends"
  30. Pan Am Games Dressage, Eventing and Jumping teams and time schedules
  31. Canadian Olympian Eric Lamaze suspended by the FEI
  32. Boyd Martin jumps from eighth to third in Eventing World Rankings
  33. Olympic team gold medallist and five-star campaigner Mr Medicott, ridden by Frank Ostholt, Karen O’Connor and Phillip Dutton, died
  34. Kevin Babington benefit show this Sunday, Oct. 1
  35. Team order of go for the Barcelona Nations Cup Final
  36. Tryon to host Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association championship competitions
  37. The U.S. will compete at the Barcelona Nations Cup Final, striving to qualify for the Paris Olympics
  38. Plantation Field plant sale postponed
  39. World Equestrian Center – Ocala awarded an FEI Jumping World Cup Qualifier
  40. Britt McCormick Elected as USHJA President
  41. The Devon Fall Classic show grounds open Thursday, Sept. 14 with shopping, rides and live entertainment
  42. Laura Chapot and Sloane Coles to defend their championship at the Devon Fall Classic
  43. Young team for Nations Cup at Spruce Meadows
  44. Tiffany Teeter died Aug. 29 in a tragic automobile accident
  45. Tickets available for the Devon Fall Classic, Sept. 14-17
  46. Junior and Young Rider teams for Belgium Nations Cups
  47. Test event for Eventing at the 2024 Paris Olympics
  48. Visit the Devon Fall Classic for exciting jumper competitons, shopping and family fun
  49. Only Germany bid to hold six World Championships disciplines in 2026
  50. NSA owner Sheila Williams died

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