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Alex Matz on Cashew CR won the Winning Round in Toronto (2)

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November 15, 2025

By Staff Writers

TORONTO, Canada--For Alex Matz of Cochranville, Pa., on Cashew CR, it was an emotional victory in the $90,000 Royal Winning Round on Friday evening, Nov, 14, at the CSI5*-W Royal Horse Show, a part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

Alex Matz on Cashew CR (Photo by Ben Radvanyl)As he rode into the ring for the presentation, Matz announced the retirement of the 17-year-old horse that began his now very successful career that includes a number of top horses.

Throughout their nine-year partnership, Matz and Cashew CR amassed 47 international podium finishes together, including two CSI5*-W wins at last year’s Royal Horse Show.

“To have him go out on such a high note is really special; he’s a champion and he should go out with a win,” said Matz. “We decided a couple of months ago that at the end of this year, he would be retired. He’s given so much to me, the best that we can do for him is to give him a happy retirement when he’s still sound and healthy. I’m sure he would do more for us, but he doesn’t owe me anything.”

Both Matz's mother DD, who owns Cashew, and father Michael were in the crowd, cheering as Cashew CR scored his final win.

From Friday’s starting field, the 10 top returned in reverse order of standing to start with zero faults over the course set by Olaf Petersen, Jr.

CONTINUING his Royal streak of two wins and also continuing his goal of finishing in the top five in every event, Colombia’s Mark Bluman on Phelina de Septon set a blistering pace of 39.37 seconds as the penultimate rider, two seconds faster than the previous leader Rene Dittmer of Gerrmany on Echo vh Gerendal Z, who finished in 41.06..

Bluman looked uncatchable.

Matz, last to go, rode a beautifully executed, very smooth round in 36.96. an amazing three seconds faster than Bluman, who finished second with Dittmer third.

“He’s naturally much faster than almost any other horse,” said Matz. “He’s quick across the jumps as well. I think it was a combination of his athleticism and speed that gave us the time."

“Marky’s on a heck of a run right now,” said Matz. “He had a brilliant round, so I knew it would be tough to beat. Luckily, it went our way.”

“Cashew knows all my moves; he knows when I’m going to lean too much one way or the other way, and he figures it out,” he said. “It’s a credit to how smart of a horse he is.”

Cashew CR will now spend his retirement in his favorite field at the Matz’s family farm in Coatesville.

The Photo Contest is now open (2)

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November 16, 2025

By Staff Writers

Entries are now being accepted for The Horse of Delaware Valley's 30th Annual Photo Contest

action 1st place of Doberman and dog running taken by Donnan Jones o Unionville, Pa.The deadline is Dec. 30. 2027.

The categories are Action, Candid and Pet/Animal photos.

Photos are judged on clarity and sharpness of the subject as well as originality.

Photos showing only the backs of people and/or animals drop to the bottom of the pile of entries.

The three top winners in each category will receive a certificate suitable for framing.

Winners will be announced in January, 2024.

Winning photos and Honorable Mention photos will be published in January of Action photos, in February of Candid photos, and in March of Pet/Animal photos.

All entries must be of subjects from the 14 state area served by The Horse, Pennsylvania; New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Kentucky, Georgia and Connecticut, but the photos do not have to be taken in those states.

All photos must be taken in 2025.

ACTION photos should be of a competition; CANDID photos should be of a person or persons in a horse setting, such as a show, farm, trail riding or event; and PET/ANIMAL photos can be of any animal, domesticated or otherwise. For example, a fox in the wild qualifies as a pet photo.

E-mail photos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Each entry MUST include the full identity and hometown of the subject or subjects with a brief description of the action the photo captures, plus the name, mailing address, e-mail address and TELEPHONE NUMBER of the photographer.

Entries that are clearly doctored to achieve some artistic effect will be disqualified.

Conor Swail won the $250,000 World Cup Toronto (2)

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November 16, 2025

By Staff Writers

TORONTO, Canada--Conor Swail of Ireland on Casturano won the $280,000 Jumping World Cup Toronto, a qualifying class for the World Cup, on Saturday evening, Nov. 15 at the CSI5*-W Royal Horse Show, a part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

Conor Swail on Casturano (Photo by Shelley Higgins/ MacMillan Photoraphy)In front of a sold-out crowd of more than 6,500 fans and over a course designed by Olaf Petersen, Jr. of Germany., Swail  finished clean in 41.24 seconds to win.

In the firsr round, Swail was clean despite losing his stirrup with three fences still to jump, although his leg was  so tight you wouldn't have noticed it but for the stirrup flapping against the horse's side.

Two up-and-coming 21-year-old riders  were the only others clean in the first round of 21 contestants.

Skylar Wireman on Barclino B placed second in 42.08, while Mimi Gochman on Inclen BH. was third.

“If I do my job correctly and give him a good opportunity to do well, he generally does,” said Swail, 53, who left daring strides out to the second fence in the jump-off. “Both these kids are very good riders and they are great horsewomen. They’re tough to beat, so when I went in last and saw an opportunity there for me to win, I gave it my best shot.”

"I REALLY wanted to win this class," said Swail. "I've been second or third a few times, so this time I tried to grab it with both hands."

Skylar Wireman on Barclino B (Photo by Shelley Higgnis/ MacMillan Photoraphy)"There was an opportunity there for me to go and win, and I do try to take opportunities when I see them. I really gave it my best shot, and thankfully today it really worked out,” he said.

"I've produced this horse," Swail said. "He's an incredible athlete. As much as it's a great win for me, he really deserves it more than me."

After Gochman and Wireman went clean as the first and third in the class, making it look easy, the remaining riders until Swail had rails down throughout the course, particularly late in the course, with the final line featuring a most-delicate plank positioned close to the ingate, followed by a wide oxer and a steadying final four strides to the last vertical.

In the jump-off, Gochman went first, but her horse slipped badly on an early turn, disrupting her plan and causing her to go off course for elimination.

“Inclen BH slipped in the turn. I turned inside the jump where I probably would have liked to go around, and it caught him off guard. I went blank and forgot where I was going,” said Gochman. “That’s very unusual for me and slightly embarrassing, but these things happen and I’m lucky that I have a fantastic team and a fantastic horse and the opportunity to be here at all. I’ll take it and learn from it.”

"I know my horse is fast, but I also knew that Conor was behind me," said Wireman, who was next to go. "My goal was just to give him a really solid round and hope that I would be fast enough. Conor beat me, but I'm just so proud of my horse. He has come so far in the year that I've had him, and he's still only 9."

Although Wirema is only 21, she produced this horse herself, showing she is already an accomplished horsewoman

She had a summer that included double gold medals in the Young Rider division at the FEI North American Youth Championships.

Mim Gochmman on Inclen BH (Photo by Shelley Higgins/ MacMillan Photography)Swail left out strides in two places, including a huge leap at a large oxer.

"When he jumped the first fence, he was a little slow on the turn,' said Swail. "I saw a really big distance, and he didn't really go for it in the beginning. The jump was getting further and further away, He was very good to pick up there, but it actually got him going. The rest of the round he was really on the bridle and taking me to the jumps."

Swail has his sights set firmly on a return to the World Cup Finals, set for Fort Worth, Texas in April 2026, and he now leads the NAL standings with 38 points.

He is followed by his Irishman Daniel Coyle, who has 27 points, while Daniel Bluman of Israel, who finished sixth in Toronto, is third in the standings with 22 points.

"This year, I feel that Casturano is ready to do it," Swail said. "He's jumped at the five-star level for two years now, so I think that he can give it a good run. He's an incredible athlete, and he jumps an awful lot of clear rounds, which is what you need to do at the Finals."

The North American League resumes in Los Angeles (USA) on Saturday, Nov. 22.

 During the afternoon session, Aaron Vale on I.Adermie R 4 won the K9 Challenge.

This is a fascinating and great fun class in which a rider jumps a speed round immediately followed by a dog running an agility course for time.

The horse's and the dog's times are added together to decide the winner.

Vale was paired with a Doberman pinscher that sped through the intricate course of hoops to run through, poles to be twisted around, a seesaw and a big fence in the fastest time for the dogs.

Canada's Sean Jobin on Engaye d'Amaury, paired with a Belgian shepherd was second, and Daniel Coyleo n Farrel, paired with a tiny by fast dog was third.

At the conclusion of the CSI5*-W Royal Horse Show, Mark Bluman of Colombia won the Leading Rider title while France's Nina Mallevaey was the Leading Lady Rider.

Both riders were making their Royal Horse Show debut.

The Leading Canadian Rider title went to Nicole Walker.

Keri Brion saddled Swore to win the Novice Stakes at Callaway (2)

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November 17, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

PINE MOUNTAIN, Ga.--Keri Brion saddled two winners at the Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens on Saturday, Nov. 15, including Swore in the Novice Stakes..

Swore winning the Lonesome Glory (Photo by NYRA)Stone Farm's Swore, ridden by Stephen Mulqueen, won the $75,000, 2 3/8 mile Sport of Kings Novice Hurdle Stakes by 5 3/4 lengths in 4:12 over Two Past Eight (GB), trained by Leslie Young, and King of the Kids, trained by Cyril Murphy,

"He's a big horse with a big, massive stride," said Mulqueen. "I was sitting against him all the way."He's only had a few runs over fences. His jumping was electric."

Swore led from the start over Two Past Eight and shook clear after the last fence to win comfortably.

"I've thought very highly of this horse from the beginning," said Brion. "He was trained on the flat by Graham Motion."

"As I was beginning as a trainer, I had The Mean Queen," said Brion of her Eclipse Award winning mare. "I've been looking for my next big horse ever since."

"HIS FIRST time out as a jumper, we just gave him a school around," she said. "He won next time out. The horse you saw today is the horse we have. I'm looking forward to next year. The Iroquois is our near future goal. We'll try to get an Eclipse Award for his owner."

Since he started over fences  earlier this year, Swore has placed second in his maiden race over fences and then won three, including the G1 Lonesome Glory Stakes, from five starts.

He was pulled up in the Grand National.

Bred by Stone Farm, Swore, 6, by Broken Vow out of a Ghostzapper mare, was previously trained by Graham Motion, running in allowance and stakes races with one third place finish after winning as a maiden.

Brion also saddled Devon Smith's Fouroneohsmokeshow, ridden by Mulqueen,, to win the $25,000 Maiden Claiming Hurdle by 6 1/2 lengths in 4:19 2/5 over Big George,, trained by Jack Fisher, and That's Not Funny, trained by Neil Morris,

"In the past his jumping at times has been questionable," said Mulqueen of the 4-year-old. "He ran great today, He's only a young horse. He has his own way of doing things, but he's learning."

"This horse is still immature," said Brion. "He was very workmanlike today. He didn't miss a fence. He's put in a clunker (fence) in past races. Today was a big step forward."

Tom Garner saddled Maranto Manor's Lyford (GB ), ridden by Evan Dwan, to win the $30,000 Ratings Handicap Hurdle by 1 1/4 lengths in 4:15 4/5 over Bright Eyed Eagle (Ire), trained by Kathy Neilson, and Anador (Fr), trained by Todd McKenna.

"I bought this horse four years ago as a 4-year-old," said Garner. "He's had his problems, but we've been patient with him. He had ankle surgery. Then two weeks ago he got an abscess in his foot. But when I saw the entries here, I thought we'd try with him. He likes this track. He's a joy to be around."

Commonwealth Racing's Philip My Dear, trained by Neilson and ridden by Freddie Procter, won the $30,000 Maiden Hurdle by a neck in 4:15 2/5 over Yes Sir Jack (GB), trained by Young, and Arturo Toscanini, trained by Brion.

Philip My Dear led all the way and held on for the win for Neilson,who wasn't at the meet.

"It wasn't our plan to be in front originally," said Procter. "He jumped brilliantly."

Morris saddled Dr. William Russell's Animal Kingston to win the $20,000, 3 12 mile   Steeplethon by 2 lengths over Crealion (Fr), trained by Garner, and Anzio, trained by Sandra Webb.

The five horses ran in a tight pack throughout the race, with Animal Kingdom getting up after the last fence for the win.

Dr. William L. Elkins of Buck Run Farm died Nov. 11 (2)

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November 18, 2025

By Staff Writers

COATESVILLE, Pa.--William L. Elkins, 93, of Coatesville, pioneering research immunologist at what is now the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, associate professor emeritus of pathology and laboratory medicine, innovative longtime Angus cattle rancher in Chester County, avid sailor, and veteran, died Tuesday, Nov. 11, of complications from pneumonia at Chester County Hospital.

Dr.William ElkinsThe great-great-grandson of Philadelphia business tycoon William Lukens Elkins, Dr. Elkins fashioned his own distinguished career as a scientist, medical researcher, and professor at Penn from 1965 to 1985, and owner of the Buck Run Farm cattle ranch in Coatesville for the last 39 years.

At Penn, Dr. Elkins conducted pioneering research on how the human immune system fights infection and disease.

He collaborated with colleagues in Philadelphia and elsewhere around the country to provide critical new research regarding bone marrow transplants and pediatric oncology.

His work contributed to new and more effective medical procedures at Penn, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and elsewhere, and he instructed students and residents at Penn.

But his lifelong love of the fields and rolling hills he roamed as a boy in Chester County never faded, he told Greet Brandywine Valley magazine in 2023.
“Farming is in my blood,” he said. “So even when I went to medical school and all that, the enthusiasm never left, and I wanted to go back to it.”

SO HE RETIRED from medicine at 53, and he and his wife, Helen, bought nearly 300 acres of the old King Ranch on Doe Run Church Road in Coatesville.

She kept the books and looked after the business. He became an expert on breeding cattle and growing the high-energy grass they eat.

Wearing floppy hats and riding a colorful ATV from field to field, Dr. Elkins worked his land for decades.

He mended fences and tended daily to his 120 cows, heifers, and prize bulls.

He championed holistic regenerative farming and used new scientific systems to feed his cattle.

He rejected commercial fertilizer and knew all about soil composition, grass growing, and body fat in cattle.

In a 1995 Inquirer story, he said: “Cattle are just like anyone else. If you just turn a few cattle out in a great big field, they will wander around, eat the grass they like best, and leave what they don’t want. That means the less desirable grasses tend to predominate.”

He traveled the country to confer with other cattlemen and helped found the Southeast Regional Cattleman’s Association in 1994.

He sold his beefsteaks, patties, jerky sticks, and kielbasa grillers to private customers online and to butchers and restaurants.

 He was also active with the Brandywine Conservancy, Stroud Water Research Center, and Southeast Regional Cattleman's Association. A full obituary can be found at this link.

The family has requested that donations in his name be directed to the Stroud Water Research Center. Details about a celebration of life will be shared at a later date.

Sydney Elliott won the 4*L at Terranova (2)

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November 19, 2025

By Staff Writers

MYAKKA CITY, Fla.--Sydney Elliott on QC Diamantaire, barn name “Q”, had a clean stadium jumping rounn on Sunday, Nov, 16 to move up from second place to win the feature event, the CCI4*-L at Terranova over 11 horses that returned for the final phase.

Sydney Elliot on CC Diamantaire (Photo by Shannon Brinkman)Will Coleman on Diabolo had won the CCI4*-S the day before.

After a double-clear cross-country round Saturday over a challenging course, Elliott had another clean round jumping, just one second over the optimum time, to secure the CCI4*-L victory.

Phillip Dutton on Possante had been in the lead after dressage with a score of 26.8, but after a rider fall at Fence 6A on cross-country, Dutton was eliminated.

“Dressage has been a work in progress with him,” said Elliott, who was second in that phase score on a sore of of 29.3. “He’s so striking and has great movement, but we’ve never really been consistently scoring in the 20s. I’ve been working with Bettina Hoy for the last few years, just chipping away little by little to improve in the phase.”

“After cross-country yesterday, he felt incredible, so fresh, and even during the hold on the cross-country course, he wasn’t breathing hard," said Elliott. "That gave me a lot of confidence coming into today. He was very fresh this morning, which I was thankful for. He jumped well in the warm-up, and we kept things simple. I focused on not overthinking it. He knows his job and loves it, so I just let him enjoy himself out there, and here we are!”

Elliott had been briefly held on course while a frangible pin was reset from the rider ahead of them, which didn’t seem to faze QC Diamantaire.

“I HAD A big surgery last August, so I was out for a full year. This is only his second run back, and he’s been great,” said Elliott after cross country. “The first was a three-star, then we took him to Plantation for the four-star, and now we’re here. Cross-country was tough today. I love this phase, it’s why I do the sport, but it demanded a lot of accuracy. He can be a little quirky going into water, and that bounce in was pretty impressive, so I definitely lost some sleep over that. But he was incredible. The coffin combination was heavy on everyone’s minds, especially after riding the three-star this morning, and I was a bit cautious about it. Still, it rode well. The course was fair and challenging, and it’s exciting that the designer, Alec Lochore, is also working on the LA 2028 course—that was a big part of why we wanted to compete here.”

Will Coleman on Diabolo (Photo by Shannon Brinkman)Elliott said the stadium course designed by Chris Barnard was fair, thoughtful, and true to his signature style.

“Chris’s courses are always so good,” Elliott said. “They ride exactly how they walk, as long as you keep a cool head. You have some leeway with the distances, which I appreciate. Even in the last line, I thought, ‘There might be a five stride here,’ but then I told myself not to get greedy and stick with the six. And honestly, it rode just the way it walked!”

“It’s been about 10 years, going into our 11th, and as my friend and groom likes to say, we’re basically identical characters,” Elliott said of Q. “He’s a bit of a diva in the best way. He’s incredibly sweet and kind, but very particular about who’s around him, when he wants attention, and when he’d rather be left alone.”

“I know Q really well at this point. We got him from good friends of ours when he was 5, and he’s 15 now," said Elliott. "He’s taken me everywhere, from Aachen to the Kentucky Three-Day Event, We call him the unicorn because he truly is one of a kind. We probably won’t ever have another one like him."

Hayley Frielick on Sportsfield Lumiere surged up the leaderboard Saturday, climbing from fifth to second after a clean cross-country round.

On Sunday, Frielick stayed second with a clean stadium jumping round with no time faults. 

The overnight third-placed pair, Ema Klugman on Bronte Beach Z, was eiiminated at the jog inspection so was unable to compete in the final phase.

Saturday was cross-country day for the CCI4*-S, which completed both dressage and stadium jumping Friday.

For Coleman on Diabolo, the weekend was smooth sailing from start to finish.

Coleman led after dressage with a score of 26.1, then had a clear stadium round Friday afternoon, adding just 0.8 time faults after being only a few seconds over the optimum time, especially notable as no other competitor produced a double-clear round.

Saturday, Coleman followed it up with an outstanding cross-country performance, finishing with no jumping penalties and only 20 seconds over the optimum time, securing his lead to win the CCI4*-S.

“The time faults were sort of planned—this was his first run back at this level in about a year after a minor injury in 2024, so we’re just ecstatic to have him back,” Coleman said. “He’s such a quality horse and made it all feel easy today. I had a blast out there, and now we can look ahead to next year. This was the perfect way to finish our season.”

Coleman’s other CCI4*-S mount, Fahrenheit Addict, climbed from fifth to second after Friday’s stadium jumping round.

But time penalties on Saturday’s cross-country course pushed the pair back to fifth in the final CCI4*-S standings.

“Fahrenheit Addict was awesome, he’s a younger horse, and this is his first year at the four-star level with us,” Coleman said. “We really just wanted to give him a nice, confidence-building run to finish the season, and we got that today. He’s improved so much this year, and I’m really excited about his future. It was a great day overall. Our whole barn had a fantastic outing, and a couple of my students did really well, too. We’re fortunate to have such a great village behind us.”

After sitting third following dressage, Lucienne Bellissimo on Dyri slipped to sixth when she had eight jumping faults and 1.6 time penalties in stadium.

But with a cross-country round that produced no jumping penalties and finished just one second over the optimum time,  Bellissimo climbed all the way back up to finish second overall in the CCI4*-S.

Shane Sweetnam won the $120,000 3* Grand Prix in Wellington (2)

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November 19, 2025

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--It's still November and a month and a half until the Winter Equestrian Festival, but top riders are already beginning to arrive in Wellington to compete.

Shane Sweetnam on Coriaan van Klapscheut Z (Photo by Cassidy Klein)

Shane Sweetnam of Ireland on Coriaan van Klapscheut Z won the #120,000 CSI3* Grand Prix on Sunday, No. 16..

FEI Level 3 Course Designer Héctor J. Loyola of Puerto Rico set the course, presenting riders with technical questions and forward-thinking lines.

Sweetnam on Coriaan van Klapscheut Z, was clean in the jump-off, finishing in a winning time of 44.5 seconds.

“He’s still only 9, but he’s had a great year,” Sweetnam said of the gelding who is moving up to the bigger tracks.

Germany’s Rupert Carl Winkelmann on Imodo was clean in 44.65 seconds, just fractions off Sweetnam’s time, to finish second, and Natalie Dean on Con Calma, clean in 46.86 seconds, was third.

“SO IT'S actually my first Grand Prix win this year, so it’s nice to get it over the line and win,” said Sweetnam. “I was a bit worried with Jad Dana going in because he’s a very fast rider. I was thinking this would be another second-place again.”

Dana of Lebanon on Itchcock des Dames actually did finish faster than Sweetnam,in 44.40,  but he had a rail down to finish sixth behind Nayel Nassar of Egypt on| S&L Maracana,, clean in 46.93, and Alison Robitaille on Claire de Lune 33 , clean in 47.27.

Sweetnam praised the newly updated footing at Wellington International, a key upgrade riders had been discussing throughout the week.

“I didn’t jump so many horses this week, but the warm-up is definitely much, much better, and they’re jumping well off it,” he said. “And the ring has always been very high standard. So, you know, it’s nice to have new footing, fresh footing, and I’m sure the horses enjoy it.”

Champion steeplechaser Snap Decision retires (2)

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November 19, 2025

By Staff Writers

By Joe Clancy

Snap Decision, champion steeplechase horse of 2024 and the second-leading earner in United States steeplechase history, has been retired by owner Bruton Street-US and trainer Jack Fisher.

Snap Decision leads over last in one of his wins in the Iroquois (Photo by Tod Marks)Bred in Kentucky by Phipps Stable, the 11-year-old gelding won 17 of 32 starts over hurdles, finished second eight times and was third twice while racing from 2019 to 2025.

He earned $1,258,150 over jumps, second only to Hall of Famer McDynamo’s $1,310,104 in North American history.

A son of Hard Spun and the Unbridled mare Salute, Snap Decision won an Eclipse Award as champion steeplechaser of 2024 and was a finalist for the 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020 awards.

He won five Grade 1 stakes, captured 15 stakes overall and led the National Steeplechase Association annual earnings table in 2024 and 2022.

The retirement decision came this week after a 2025 campaign that included four starts, a win in the Grade 2 Temple Gwathmey Handicap in April and a second in the Grade 1 Iroquois Steeplechase in May.

In his final start, he finished fourth behind Irish shippers Zanahiyr and Ballysax Hank in the Grade 1 American Grand National at Far Hills, N.J. Oct. 18.

The announcement closes one of the great careers in U.S. jump-racing history.

The other millionaires on the U.S. earnings list, McDynamo and Good Night Shirt, are in Thoroughbred racing’s Hall of Fame as is Lonesome Glory, fourth on the list at $965,809.

SNAP DECISION'S 17 North American wins match Lonesome Glory and exceed the totals put up by McDynamo, Good Night Shirt and the others on the top 10 earnings chart.

Snap Decision's dramatic win in the 2024 Grand National (Photo by Tod Marks)“We would have loved to have seen him catch McDynamo, but that’s OK,” said Mike Hankin, co-owner with Charlie Fenwick and Charlie Noell. “Will we ever own another horse like him? We’ll see. I don’t know. He really embodied what Bruton Street was about, which is three friends getting together to own and enjoy racehorses. He’s done everything we’ve asked of him.”

Prior to becoming a steeplechaser, Snap Decision made 18 starts on the flat for Phipps and trainer Shug McGaughey – winning twice and placing in a Grade 3 turf stakes.

Hankin credited the early care from those connections, and their willingness to see their horse find a second racing career.

The bay gelding hails from a deep Phipps family as a grandson of the great Personal Ensign, an undefeated champion, member of Thoroughbred racing’s Hall of Fame and multiple Grade 1 producer.

Snap Decision’s dam, Salute, also produced Grade 1 winner Mr Speaker and Grade 3 winner Vigilantes Way.

“A lot of people helped make him who he is, and we’re grateful to them,” said Hankin, mentioning jockeys Graham Watters, Sean McDermott and Willie McCarthy and Fisher staffers Ashley Randall, Jenna Elliott and Sandra Webb. “The Phippses always followed him even though they didn’t own him anymore. Darren Fox at Darley (home to sire Hard Spun) is very proud of him. He’s got a lot of fans out there.”

In an era of foreign imports on the American steeplechase circuit, Snap Decision stood out as an American-bred former flat horse who excelled at a new challenge.

His 2024 championship ended a string of nine consecutive Eclipse Awards earned by horses bred in Britain, Ireland or France.

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Association honored him as its Kentucky-bred steeplechase champion five times.

Snap Decision made his jump debut in April 2019 with a second in maiden special weight company.

Second again in May, he won for the first time at Monmouth Park July 4.

That relatively basic maiden victory kicked off a nine-race winning streak that spanned two years and included seven stakes capped by the Grade 1 Iroquois in June 2021.

The streak tied a North American steeplechase record set by Thrice Worthy in the early 1980s.

The roll ended with a second to The Mean Queen at Belmont Park in September 2021, but Snap Decision stayed at the top of the sport with major wins over the next four seasons.

In all, he won the historic Grade 2 Temple Gwathmey a record four times and the Grade 1 Iroquois a record-tying three times.

His 2024 championship campaign included victories in the Gwathmey, Iroquois and Grade 1 American Grand National in a three-way photo finish after getting passed in the stretch.

“It was just guts, pure guts that he won that race,” said Fenwick. “He tried so hard and just won that race when he had to.”

After four years as a finalist, Snap Decision won the Eclipse Award with 182 of the 193 first-place votes cast.

Hankin gave credit to Fisher for navigating the lengthy career and giving Snap Decision an opportunity to win the title.

“Snap Decision’s talent came with him,” said Hankin. “That’s his DNA, but to manage his career for this long, allowing him to run this many times over this many years without ever having a soundness issue is incredible. No one should underestimate Jack’s influence on a horse, taking his time, picking out races and giving the horse the best chance at being successful. Jack took his time, didn’t put pressure on the horse and allowed him to develop into the horse he is.”

The connections didn’t arrive at the retirement decision easily.

As Fisher put it, Snap Decision could have run once more this year – Sunday’s Colonial Cup in South Carolina is the final Grade 1 of the season – and even in 2026.

“He didn’t quite tell us it was time, he didn’t blurt it out anyway, but he’s going to be 12 years old next year,” said the trainer. “There isn’t much more he can do and he’s done a lot. To walk away sound and still happy, that’s the best part, that’s the cool thing. Just having an 11-year-old running was cool. He’s done so much for the sport, for horse racing in general and for us.”

Snap Decision heads to a potential career as a foxhunter with Fenwick not far from Fisher’s base in Maryland.

“The hope is he will just become part of the community of horses we have on the farm,” said Fenwick, a former trainer and amateur steeplechase jockey. “He will get ridden regularly and will see the hounds before the end of this hunting season. That’s the goal, let him see the hounds, let him see what he thinks and how he wants to behave and hopefully that’s a new life for him. If that’s not something he wants to do, he’ll hack around the farm.”

Mathijs Van Asten won the $35,000 Two Phase at Santa Anita (2)

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November 20, 2025

By Staff Writers

ARCADIA,Calif.--Mathijs Van Asten of Netherlands on Orlando Van De Afspanning won the $35,000 CSI5*-W 1.45M Two Phase over a huge and competitive field of 82 at the Santa Anita 5* on Wednesday, Nov. 19.

Mathijs Van Asten on Orlando Van De Afsanning (Photo by PC Winslow)Some of the highest-ranked riders in the world competed over the Anderson Lima designed course, from reining European Champion Richard Vogel to World #1 Kent Farrington, leading U25 rider Nina Mulleavay, and multi-Olympic medalist McLain Ward.

Van Asten won the Two Phase in a time of 25.70.

Canada’s #5 ranked and Canadian Leading Rider of The Year, Nicole Walker on Atout Des Trambles placed second in 27.26, and world ranked #8, Laura Kraut on Lady D was third  in a time of 27.59, narrowly beaten by Walker.

Although a number of the competitors used the class as a schooling event to get their horses used to the Santa Anita venue, there were still 19 that were clean over the speed course in the Two Phase.

Karl Cook on Caracole de la Roque was fourth in 27.72.

Michae Duffy of Ireland on Chili Pepper was fifth in 27.73 and Ali Ramsy on Bonita vh Keizershof Z was sixth in 28.21.

“I AM VERY happy with the horse, said  Van Asten. "We started last week here, and I thought today was a nice class to go a little bit for it. Sometimes it goes the way you want it. I could leave one stride out to the last fence, and it made a little bit of a difference. The atmosphere is very good. and I hope we can come back many times.”

The feature of the week at Santa Anita is Saturday night’s $400,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Los Angeles, a qualifier for the Final in Fort Worth, Texas.

Fences will be set at a solid 1.60m, and Cook will be defending his 2024 Santa Anita CSI5*-W World Cup Qualifier title on Caracole De La Roque.

The World Cup can be seen on ClipMyHorse, and begins at 9 p.m. Eastern.

Cook started the morning by breezing a Thoroughbred racehorse, Reckless Dreams.

No stranger to speed, Cook swapped his hunt coat for silks for a test ride aboard the three-year old filly owned by trainer Ryan Hanson and his wife, Michelle.

Santa Anita Park is set against the beautiful San Gabriel mountain and is the host venue for all equestrian events for the Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028. Games.

Gregory Wathelet won the $100,000 Welcome at Santa Anita (2)

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November 21, 2025

By Staff Writers

ARCADIA, Calif.--Gregory Wathelet of Belgium on Argentina De La Marchette won the $100,000 CSI5*-W 1.50m Welcome at Santa Anita on Thursday, Nov. 20.

Gregory Wathelet on Argentina De La Marchette (Photo  by Wnslow Photography)On an evening of uncharacteristic southern California weather, pouring rain and whipping winds, 10 of the top world ranked riders qualified for the jump-off from a starting field of 58.

But with the weather getting worse and worse as the evening progressed, three of the top riders, world number one Kent Farrington on Toulayna, number eight Laura Kraut on Bisquetta and number 38 Karl Cook on Caracole de la Roque, chose not to return for the jump-off over the course set by Anderson Lima. 

2020 Tokyo Olympics team bronze medalist Wathelet was first in the jump-off and set the fast time of 36.59 that no one could catch to take the win. 

Niina Mallevaey of France on Dynastie De Beaufour was second in a time of 37.08, Ireland’s Michael Duffy on Be Sky Hawk was third in 37.13 and Mclain Ward on First Lady was fourth in 37.35.

STELLA WASSERMAN on Precious Dwerse Hagen was ifth in 39.02, with Kyle Timm of Canada on Glamour de Chanu sixth in 39.60,and Vanessa Mannix of Canada on Carmel Z seventh with four faults in 40.41. 

“It was a very good win," said Wathelet. "She has had many good results over the last month. It was a little delicate being first to go, and when I walked the course it looked tough to me. Once I was clear, I knew we had a pretty good chance, she’s pretty fast. “Santa Anita CSI5*-W is a really great show, and well organized. And we all know it’s going to be the Olympics in a few years. I hope I can be part of it.”

40 riders from Thursday’s 1.50m Welcome class advance to Saturday night’s feature class, the $400,000 Longines FEI Jumping World CupTM Los Angeles.

Cook will be defending his 2024 title with Caracole De La Roque.

A letter from Kevin Babington (2)

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November 21, 2025

By Staff Writers

Dear Friends,

As another winter season begins here in Wellington, I find myself reflecting—as I always do this time of year—on the extraordinary partnership that makes our sport unlike any other.

Kevin Babington rehabilitatingHorse and rider stepping into a new season together… hope in every stride, opportunity around every corner, and the privilege of doing what we love.

I want to take a moment to wish each of you the very best in the months ahead.

May your horses stay sound, your rides be rewarding, and your goals—whatever they may be—come within reach.

Our sport continues to grow, innovate, and inspire because of the passion and dedication of riders like you.

But I also want to speak to something even more important than winning a ribbon or finishing a round—and that is your safety.

As many of you know, my own journey took a turn that none of us ever expect.

And while I’ve faced my share of challenges, I have also witnessed firsthand the strength of this community, the kindness of strangers, and the power of preparation.

That is why the mission of the Kevin Babington Foundation, and our emphasis on safety, means so much to me.

Safety isn’t just about protecting yourself. It’s about protecting everything and everyone who depends on you—your family, your barn, your clients, your horses, and your future.

EVERY TIME you get on a horse, you are making a choice not just for your own well-being, but for the people who love you and the animals who trust you.

Now, speaking directly to the trainers and professionals: you are the leaders of this sport.

You are the examples young riders follow, the inspiration for aspiring professionals, and the steady guides for amateurs who trust your expertise.

As you well know, a single injury can sideline you during the most critical time of the year—impacting not only your health, but your livelihood, your clients, and the business you’ve worked so hard to build.

I urge you to be the standard-bearers of safety. Be the image and the icon that shows our community what responsibility looks like.

By choosing to protect yourselves, you help safeguard the future of our sport and set a powerful example for all who look up to you.

A safety vest is not a sign of fear.
It is a sign of responsibility.
Of leadership.
Of respect for the sport we all adore.

A vest won’t prevent every accident, but it is one of the simplest, smartest steps you can take to protect your future.

It represents the choice to ride with awareness, to ride with intention, and to show younger riders that putting safety first is a sign of strength—not hesitation.

We have the ability, right now, to push our industry forward.
To normalize protection.
To shift the culture from “optional” to “expected.”
To make safety a shared value, not an afterthought.

This season, I ask each of you to do something powerful: take the initiative.

Wear your vest. Encourage a friend. Lead by example. Each rider who chooses to ride safer helps protect not just themselves, but everyone who loves them and your livelihood.

The most courageous thing you can do in this sport happens long before the first jump.

It happens when you choose to prepare, to protect, and to honor the privilege of riding.

Thank you for your commitment, your compassion, and your belief in the mission of the Kevin Babington Foundation.

I am so proud and thankful for this community. I will be cheering you on, proud of this community and hopeful for a future where safety is simply part of who we are.

Ride safe. Ride smart. And ride with joy.

With gratitude,

Kevin Babington