News

Susan Sisco, a "Legends of Devon," died Jan. 31

Details: February 4, 2023; By Staff Writers

AIKEN, S.C.--Susan Elizabeth Sisco, 63, widow of Andy Miller, passed away Tuesday, January 31, 2023 in her home.

Susan Sisco competing at DevonA native of New Jersey, Susan was a daughter of Virginia Sisco and the late Richard Sisco.

She owned Sunfield Inc. Horse Farm formerly in Christiana, Pa., and currently, since 2013, in Aiken.

She had many accomplishments in over 50 years of riding, training and competing with Hunters and Jumpers.

She was renowned in the discipline of Sidesaddle Equitation.

After winning many sidesaddle classes at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, she was named to the Legends of Devon in 2022 in Devon, Pa.

James Wofford of Upperville died Feb.2

Details: February 3, 2023; By Staff Writers

Reprinted from the Fauguier Times

By Betsy Burke Parker/Special to the Fauquier Times Feb 3, 2023

Jimmy Wofford USEF Jimmy Wofford (Photo from USEF)One of the world’s most respected horsemen, sportsmen, writers and racontuers, Upperville’s James C. “Jimmy” Wofford died Feb. 2, following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 78.

Wofford's impact on the Fauquier, Virginia, U.S. and global equestrian community as a rider, trainer, mentor and horseman was immeasurable.

He was equally well-considered in the fishing community and was an active member of the northern Fauquier community.

A graduate of the Culver Military Academy in Indiana, Wofford studied at the University of Colorado's school of business.

His involvement with horses was no accident. Wofford's father, Col. John W. “Gyp” Wofford, was a cavalry officer in the U.S. Army, for a period based at the cavalry remount station in Front Royal. Gyp Wofford competed on the U.S. show jumping team at the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Letter to the Editor

Details: February 3, 2023; By SARA CAVANAGH

In nearly 50 years of Dressage at Devon, one of the hallmarks of this premier Dressage Show was that the attire of the competitors and judges and the trophy Presenters be clean and without jeans or barn wear.

mail 3 The Honorable Mantion photo Irwin is referring toIt may have been unwritten in the D at D bylaws (?) but it is a standard that has been followed for the highest expectations of such an International competition.

The photo in your latest issue shows an excitement that can only be found at a top class Heritage show.

Unfortunately, the attire of the handler takes away from the beautiful photo.

I hope the D at D committees take this note to heart and that the importance of attire and decorum return for the future competitions.

Dress code is followed during the under saddle portion of the show -which includes necessary handlers ( no jeans or barn attire at Ribbon presentation).

Please return the dress code for the breeding classes of the show.

Thank You,
Barbara Hammett Irwin

Will Coleman, Margaret Duprey and Christian Simonson honored by the USET

Details: January 25, 2023; By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Eventing Olympian Will Coleman of Gordonsville, Va., was awarded the United States Equestrian Team Foundation’s Whitney Stone Cup while Margaret Dupree of West Grove, Pa., was awarded the R. Bruce Duchossois Distinguished Trustee Award and Christian Simonson of Ventura, Caif. received the Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Trophy at special ceremonies held during the USET Foundation’s Gold Medal Club Reception on Jan. 22 at The Wanderer’s Club in Wellington, Fla.

Will Coleman on Of The Record award Will Coleman and Off The Record during the cross-country phase of the 2022 FEI Eventing World Championship at Pratoni del Vivaro in Rome, Italy, where the U.S. team won the silver medal (Photo by Shannon Brinkman)

The Whitney Stone Cup is awarded annually by the USET Foundation to an active competitor whose consistent excellence in international competition and whose standard for sportsmanlike conduct and contributions as an ambassador for the sport and for the USET Foundation exemplify the Team’s highest ideals and traditions.

“It’s a tremendous honor to receive the Whitney Stone Cup,” said Coleman, who was ranked fifth on the FEI World Eventing Athlete Rankings at the end of 2022.

“The competitors that have received this award are and were some of the greatest horse people in the world, many of whom I’ve looked up to my entire life. Some of the people I most admire in our sport have won it, so to be that person and to be given this award is humbling. I’ve never thought of myself as being the type of person to receive this award, so it’s really gratifying.

“Success in eventing is often at the end of a very long and challenging road,” said Coleman. “For every great experience and achievement, there are many disappointing and formative moments. You go through these ups and downs many times and at many different levels throughout your career. It is thanks to the support from organizations like the USET Foundation, and from your owners and sponsors, that you can continue to climb the ladder and reach your fullest potential. Hopefully that is at an event like CHIO Aachen or the FEI World Championships, but wherever you have success on an international level, the USET Foundation certainly helps you to get there.”

Kathy Neilson elected president of the Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foundation

Details: January 18, 2023; By Staff Writers

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa.--Katherine Neilson, a trainer of stakes winners over both hurdles and timber and a prominent member of the steeplechase community, has been elected president of the Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foundation.

Kathy Neilson Tod Marks Kathy Neilson Photo by Tod Marks)Based in Kennett Square, Pa., she was an accomplished jockey before switching roles.

Neilson trained her 200th winner in 2021.

Neilson was elected president of the Steeplechase Owners and Trainers Association in 2010 and again in 2020, and she has been co-director of the Cheshire Hunt Races from 2019 to the present.

The Foundation’s Executive Committee also elected W. B. Dixon Stroud, a well-known steeplechase horseman who founded the Willowdale Steeplechase in 1993 and continues as its chairman, as vice president.

Ann Jackson, a steeplechase owner and Thoroughbred breeder based in Monkton, Md., was elected treasurer, while George Cary of Hockessin, Del., a third-generation horseman whose family has a long history in racing, polo, hunting, and showing, was elected secretary.

A TGSF priority in 2023 will be to provide continued support for the Maryland and Pennsylvania point-to-points, as a partner with the Central Entry Office.

In addition, the Foundation looks forward to continuing its support of apprentice riders, safety, and the general promotion of the sport.

Turning For Home assessment per start to be raised at Parx

Details: January 12, 2023; By Staff Writers

BENSALEM, Pa.--The program designed to retrain race horses so that they can continue to be useful following their racing career, Turning For Home, Inc., has been a huge success, but with rising costs the assessment charge each start to finance the program now has to be raised.

Racing Parx grandstand Sarah Andrew Racing pas tthe Parx grandstand (Photo by Sarah Andrew)Over 3,700 horses at Parx alone have been given new careers since this program began in 2008.

A letter, which follows, was sent to racehorse owners informing them of the change.

Turning For Home Per Start Assessment Increase

Attention: PTHA Membership

PTHA Horsemen,

The Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association’s Board of Directors had a meeting for a year-end recap and review of the programs we run here.

One key area of focus for our board, as it should be and will continue to be, was Turning For Home, Inc.

TFH is what we can be most proud of, dating back to 2008.

Since inception in 2008, Turning For Home has surpassed rehoming and repurposing over 3,700 thoroughbred racehorses right here at Parx Racetrack.

Wordley Martin Completes HITS Post Time Farm Renovation in Ocala

Details: January 5, 2023; By Staff Writers

OCALA, Fla.--Wordley Martin, a leading developer of equestrian properties and premier riding surfaces, has completed a significant renovation project at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala ahead of the 2023 edition of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, which features 10 weeks of US Equestrian rated hunter/jumper competition beginning on Jan. 17.

Sham Wordley Craig Martin Starship Farms Media Sham Wordley, left, and Craig Martin (Photo by Starship Farms Media)Known for overseeing private arena construction for Olympic athletes in show jumping, dressage, and eventing, Wordley Martin co-owners Sharn Wordley and Craig Martin have leveraged their personal grand prix riding experience to produce equestrian surfaces that the best of the best can ride on with confidence.

“Working with the team at Wordley Martin has been nothing short of amazing,” said HITS Chief Customer Officer, Joe Norick. “Their incredible expertise and experience have been invaluable during the project as we all work toward our goal of giving HITS clients the best surface possible for their horses. Sharn and Craig have worked closely with our team to help reimagine these rings and bring our dream to fruition. We look forward to working closely with them over the next three years to manage these arenas and deliver a world-class experience for everyone at HITS.”

“We are really excited with the results of the arena reconstructions,” said Sharn Wordley, co-founder of Wordley Martin. “We treat every project as if we are designing for ourselves with the highest standard of execution possible, but in this case, that’s even more of a reality because we will be regularly riding and competing at HITS. Being closely connected with the new arenas will allow us to monitor and maintain them to continuously deliver a top-quality surface for every round.”