News

Elizabeth Hedley Appointed New Executive Director of the Willowdale Steeplechase

Details: July 17, 2021; By Staff Writers

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa.--Elizabeth Hedley has been announced as the new Executive Director of Willowdale Steeplechase, a top rated, recognized steeplechase in Chester County.

Elizabeth Hadley Elizabeth HedleyHedley replaces retiring Race Director Leslie (White) Carpenter who served for a total of almost 10 years.

During her tenure, the Willowdale Steeplechase has developed into a world class steeplechase event and contributions from sponsors and benefactors have grown significantly.

Race Chairman W. B. Dixon Stroud, Jr., and the Board of Directors of the Willowdale Steeplechase welcomed Elizabeth Hedley as their new Executive Director.

“We’re excited to have Elizabeth join us as the new leader of our Willowdale team,” said Race Chairman Stroud. “Her efforts with Brandywine Polo over the past few years have produced terrific results, and we expect her to have the same success with the Willowdale Steeplechase.”

Thoroughbred breeder and owner Bert Firestone died

Details: July 13, 2021; By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON,, Fla.--Bertram Robert Firestone, 89 of Wellington, Fla., and Upperville, Va., died July 12 in West Palm Beach after a week of failing health.

Bert Firestone turfotos Diana and Bert Firestone (Phot by Turfotos)A horseman all his life, Firestone, competed in horse shows, fox hunted, bred and owned successful race horses, owned race tracks and was the Eclipse Award leading owner of 1980.

Notonly was he an accomplished equestrian in his own right, he passed his love of horses and his ability to his children, particularly Matthew and Alison.

Alison Robitaiile rode on 25 Nations Cup team, was the top-placed U.S. rider at the 1998 World Equestrian Games in Rome, Italy, was part of the silver medal-winning U.S. Team at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada, and named the first alternate for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

"I think horses were everything in his life," said Firestone's son, Matthew.

Both Bert and Diana Firestone were avid show jumpers and hunted in Virginia with the Piedmont and Middleburg Hunts and were Joint-Masters of the Kildare Foxhounds in Ireland.

Doug Payne replaced Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp on Tokyo Eventing team

Details: July 12, 2021; By SARA CAVANAGH

LEXINGTON, Ky.--US Equestrian announced a substitution to the U.S. Eventing Olympic Team ahead of the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Eventing team Tokyo Deniro Z, a 13-year-old KPWN gelding ridden by Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp of Lexington, Ky., and owned by Ocala Horse Properties, has been withdrawn from the team and will be replaced by Doug Payne of Aiken, S.C., and Vandiver, a 17-year-old Trakehner gelding owned by Debi Crowley, Doug Payne, and Jessica Payne.

Earlier, US Equestrian also announced a horse substitution for the Eventing Olympic Team.

The Luke 140 Syndicate’s Luke 140, the selected mount for Boyd Martin of Cochranville, Pa., was replaced by Martin’s first direct reserve, Tsetserleg, a 14-year-old Trakehner gelding owned by Christine Turner, Thomas Turner, and Tommie Turner.

Luke 140 sustained a minor injury during his training preparation and has been withdrawn from consideration for the team but is expected to make a full recovery.

Eventing will be competed in Tokyo from July 30 to Aug. 2.

Adrienne Lyle, Steffen Peters and Sabine Schut-Kery on Tokyo dressage team

Details: July 12, 2021; By SARA CAVANAGH

LEXINGTON, Ky.--US Equestrian announced the fou rrider and horse combinations selected to represent Team USA at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, as part of the U.S. Dressage Olympic Team.

Dressage team for Tokyo The team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Debbie McDonald and Team Leader Hallye Griffin.

The first horse inspection will take place on July 23, and competition is set to begin on July 24 and continue through July 28 at the Equestrian Park in Tokyo, Japan.

Three riders will compete as a team with one traveling reserve.

“The team selected to represent us in Tokyo is incredibly strong and I’m looking forward to working with these combinations in the coming weeks to ensure we deliver performances our country will be proud of this summer,” said Chef d’Equipe Debbie McDonald. “We’ve worked tremendously hard over the past year to adjust and prepare for these Games and it’s exciting to see all of the hard work begin to pay off. These combinations are up for the challenge that will be presented to us in Tokyo, and we are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our family, friends, and fans around the country.”

Multiple shows to hold benefits for Kevin Babington

Details: July 7, 2021; By Staff Writers

From Jeff Papows

After Kevin’s tragic fall, the entire sport of Show Jumping collectively held our breath.

Babington was a member of a winning Irish teamNot only was Kevin an Olympian and one of the top talents in the sport, but it brought home the reality that it could happen to any of us.

A star had fallen.

What galvanized so many was the memory of the many kind, unselfish, and generous things Kevin had done for any student with a desire to learn, to participate and to be a part of the love affair that is our horses.

I heard story after story of Kevin rescuing somebody with a flat tire from the side of the road to a ribbon tossed to a child, all had the same theme, kindness.

Given my lack of natural talent, I had often experienced it myself in the form of his endless patience.

Farrington, Kraut, Springsteen & Ward named to U.S. show jumping team for Tokyo

Details: July 5, 2021; By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--U.S. Equestrian announced the riders and their horses selected to represent the U.S. Jumping Team at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Tokyo jumping team The team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland and Team Leader Lizzy Chesson.

Competition will begin on Aug. 3 and continue through Aug. 7 at the Equestrian Park venue.

“This weekend’s two simultaneous CSI5* grand prix events in Rotterdam and Windsor completed a long and productive selection process for the Tokyo Olympic Games," said Ridland. "Following a very competitive winter circuit in Florida, American riders competed successfully against the world’s best in five major CSI5* events in Europe over the past couple months. I feel very confident that the seasoned group of riders that we will be sending to Tokyo is in top current form and peaking at just the right time. Backing them up as reserves will be Brian Moggre and Lucy Deslauriers, two of the young stars on the international circuit who made a mark for themselves with their one-two finish in the CSI5* Grand Prix of Sopot. We’re looking forward to the next few weeks ahead and are aiming to deliver a strong performance for Team USA in Tokyo.”

Pa. National Horse Show announces new schedule, class additions, increased hunter prize money and more

Details: July 1, 2021; By Staff Writers

HARRISBURG, Pa.--The 75th-anniversary edition of the Pennsylvania National Horse Show (PNHS), to be held Oct.14-23, will feature an all-new schedule, increased class offerings, additional hunter prize money and much more.

Pa. Naional H.S. Brittany Oliver Pa. Naional H.S. (Photo by Brittany Oliver)Historically held in one competition ring, the PNHS will now make use of two show rings and two schooling areas at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, allowing for additional opportunities for all competitors.

Included in the new additions are full divisions for children’s and adult hunter and jumper competitors and $10,000 classics for the children’s hunters, adult hunters, children’s jumpers, adult jumpers and the low junior/amateur-owner jumpers.

Age-group equitation warm-up classes have also been added to give equitation competitors a chance to contest an additional judged equitation course prior to the Hunter Seat Medal Final and in addition to the usual allotted warm-up round.