News

Rodney Jenkins' celebration of life on Jan. 14

Details: January 9, 2025; By Staff Writers

The Maryland racing community will gather to honor the life and extraordinary legacy of Rodney Jenkins, a revered trainer, equestrian, and true icon in the world of horse racing and show jumping.

Rodney Jenkins face Jenkins, a native of Middleburg, Va., passed away on Dec. 5 at the age of 80.

His memorial service, initially postponed due to weather, has been rescheduled for noon on Tuesday, Jan.14, in the second floor Sportsbook area of the clubhouse at Laurel Park.

Jenkins’ remarkable career spanned over three decades, from 1991 to 2024, during which he secured more than 940 wins on the flat and amassed earnings exceeding $24.8 million.

Renowned for his skill, dedication, and passion, he was a cherished figure in Maryland racing.

Before making his mark on Thoroughbred racing, Jenkins had already achieved legendary status in show jumping.

The League of Nations begins Feb. 11 in Abu Dhabi

Details: January 4, 2025; By Staff Writers

The first competition of the 2025 series of the League of Nations, in which the top 10 ranked nations compete, is in Abu Dhabi (UAE) from Feb.11-15.

Henrik von Eckrtmann on King Edward Barcelona FEI Henrik von Eckermann on King Edward at the 2024 Final in Barcelona (Photo by the FEIThe FEI will release a recap of each of the 10 nations prior to the first competition.

Sweden qualified in ninth place with 10,654 points, with their goal being “To win as much as possible with the best horse-rider combinations, presented in a good way to always put the horse first,” according to Swedish chef d’equipe since 2016, Henrik Ankarcrona.

Sweden's victories include the 2020 Olympic Championship, team gold at the FEI Jumping World Championship 2022 in Herning, Denmark, and he gold medal at the FEI Jumping European Championship 2023 in Milan, Italy.

Ankarcrona described Sweden's experience as invaluable for the athletes, with events being superbly run and organized.

“It is hard to choose one highlight from the season because every leg was fantastic and showcased top-quality sport, but one was our podium finish in the Final in Barcelona, where we came third,” he said. “Perhaps the real highlight, though, is that the team learned a lot over the 2024 series, which means we will be aiming for more podiums in 2025.”

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Details: December 26, 2024; By Staff Writers

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Kent Farrington and Mclain Ward are fourth and eighth in Jumping World Rankings

Details: December 21, 2024; By Staff Writers

The U.S. remained in strong positions in three divisions of the World Rankings.

Kent Farrington on Greya World Cup Finals Helen Cruden Kent Farrington on Greya at the World Cup Finals (Photo by Helen Cruden) Kent Farrington stayed fourth in the Jumping World Rankings and McLain Ward moved up one slot to eighth, while in Eventing Boyd Martin dropped to 10th.

In Para Dressage, the U.S. remained dominant with Roxanne Trunnell, Rebecca Hart and Fiona Howard placing first, second and third.

In the Jumping Rankings: Henrik von Eckermann remained the solid leader.

There were no changes in the top four of the rankings, as Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden remained at the top of the rankings for yet another month with a total of 3,435 points, followed by Swiss athlete Steve Guerdat with 3,124 points, Britain’s Ben Maher with 2,982 points and Farrington with 2,911 points.

Max Kühner of Austria moved up one spot, rounding up the top five on 2,827 points.

Richard Vogel of Germany also climbed one position and is now sixth, with 2,779 points, while Christian Kukuk of Germany with 2,753 points and Ward with 2,738 points advanced one spot to seventh and eighth respectively.

Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs returned to the Top 10 and is ninth on 2,723 points while Julien Epaillard of France droppd five spots and is now 10th with 2,710 points.

Steeplechase helping hurricane relief efforts

Details: December 18, 2024; By Staff Writers

Reprinted from Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foundation

You can donate to Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foundation to help. Thank you for considering TGSF for your donation! For any donation you make please make a note if you want your donation to be applied to a certain area of focus. If your donation goes toward artwork, please note what artwork you are interested in.

By Betsy Burke Parker

Batestrailer Bates' trailer, being loaded full of equine supplies to deliver to North Carolina.When Hurricane Helene blew across western North Carolina and southern Virginia farmland in late September, few realized the storm would have such a far reach.

Almost three months later, some residents remain without power or roads, and farmers are recognizing the damage goes well beyond the devastated fall crops they lost to floods in the days that followed landfall.

Everybody was affected, or knows someone who was.

They all lost: cattle farmers, from the biggest cow-calf feeder operations to hardscrabble sustenance herds, and horsemen, from some of North Carolina's biggest name show and western trainers to backyard ponies for the grandkids.

They lost their hay stores, they lost their hay crops.

They lost bins of grain and stockpiled stacks of pellets and oats.

Without feed for horses and other livestock as winter sets in, and no way to make it next growing season, farmers are feeling the worst pinch.

Some farms lost barns, some lost fencing.

Some lost both.

Some lost their homes.

Some lost their animals.

“People have no idea how bad it was down there. How bad it still is,” says Remington, Virginia horsewoman Rachel Bates.

David O'Connor, Otis Brown and DiAnn Langer among those honored at USHJA Annual Dinner

Details: December 11, 2024; By Staff Writers

TUCSON, Ariz.--David O'Connor, Otis Brown, DiAnn Langer and Robin Greenwood were among those honored for their achievements during the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association's Annual Meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10 during the Evening of Equestrians.

David OConnor Pam Spaulding David O'Connor
USHJA President Britt McCormick and Master of Ceremonies Charlotte Skinner-Robson honored outstanding members for their invaluable contributions to the sport.

David O’Connor of The Plains, Va., was presented with the William J. Moroney Visionary Award which honors an individual, group, organization, or corporation deemed inspirational, influential, and integral to furthering the Hunter and Jumper disciplines.

"David is one of those people that is constantly looking for opportunity out there. This organization and all the people who have ever been involved in it and all the people that have been members of it, he is the one that made this happen," said Moroney. "If anything, he is the father of USHJA. He is the guy that made it happen."

"It's been a great experience all the way through,"said O'Connor. "I think every time you do one of these things, you end up learning more than you expect because of the people you get to work with. You always end up getting more out of all of the experiences and all of the people and all of the situations that you end up in. And this is such an unusual thing because it's the horse, so we all get to wrap our lives around the horse, and we have to make sure that we never put the economics over the ethics over the care of the horse. And the elation and the disappointments of competition can't overrun our basic love for what we do. And we all have to remember why we did it in the first place."

Otis Brown of Ocala, Fla., and DiAnn Langer of Johnston, N.C., were awarded the USHJA Lifetime Achievement Award, which was established in 2008 to recognize members whose enduring commitment to the sport and to the USHJA has made a significant impact on the industry.

HITS Ocala has been renovated with six new rings on six acres

Details: December 10, 2024; By Staff Writers

OCALA, Fla.--HITS Ocala, at Post TimeFarm, has been almost completely redone with new rings and new footing.

HITS Ocala rings The renovation by Wordley Martin includes multiple show rings spanning nearly six acres in what is a multi-phase plan for the venue.

The HITS Ocala Winter Circuit runs for 10 weeks and starts in January 2025 and is currently holding the HITS Holiday Series.

More than a month of excavation work by the Metzger Construction Corp. took place before Wordley Martin began to build the riding arenas, fencing, and cement curbs around the two mature live oak trees inside the rings.

The trees have been trimmed and preserved, maintaining the atmosphere that the Ocala environment provides.

Metzger also built the berms and service roads.

Plantation Field Equestrian Events Adds Jill Hunt as Board President and Board Member Molly Pellegrini

Details: December 4, 2024; By Staff Writers

UNIONVILLE, Pa.--Jill Hunt is the new President of its Board of Directors of Plantation Field Equestrian Events, a non-profit organization committed to promoting national and international equestrian sport.

Plantation generic Hunt brings a background in business and a commitment to the equestrian community.

Her leadership is expected to guide Plantation Field through its next chapter.

“I am honored and excited to take on this role,” said Hunt. “I look forward to working alongside our dedicated board members and volunteers to enhance the Plantation Field experience and focus on the events, horses, and riders.”

Plantation Field is committed to maintaining its status as one of the premier 4* events in the U.S., with plans to:

• Enhance footing and revamp cross-country fences at all levels.

• Continue investments in water and turf development.

• Partner with Devyn Ivy Media to strengthen brand visibility, grow audience engagement, and attract sponsorships. Founder Devyn Trethewey will spearhead innovative approaches in media relations, social strategy, and event planning.

The Kevin Babington Foundation has helped many equestrians

Details: December 3, 2024; By Staff Writers

The Kevin Babington Foundation was established to provide funding and support to show jumping athletes who have sustained spinal injuries.

Kevin Since its inception in 2019, YOU have successfully fulfilled this mission.

Thanks to your unwavering support, many athletes—from Kevin Babington himself to Jonathan Millar, Kim Prince, Alexis Halbert, and David Bisel—have received not only vital financial assistance during the most challenging times of their lives but also invaluable guidance and connections to specialized hospitals and effective treatment options.

“Just over a year ago I suffered a traumatic spinal and brain injury that was nearly catastrophic,” says Jonothan Millar. “The equestrian community and the Kevin Babington Foundation rallied behind me during my recovery.”

The reason the Kevin Babington Foundation can provide this incredible support is because of YOU, our incredible supporters and donors.

Paris silver medal Olympic team to compete at Thermal World Cup qualifier

Details: November 29, 2024; By Staff Writers

THERMAL, Calif.--All four members of the 2024 U.S. Olympic show jumping team, Karl Cook, Kent Farrington, Laura Kraut and McLain Ward, will compete at the Desert International Horse Park, Dec. 4-8.

McLain Ward on First lady promo McLain Ward on First Lady
Team USA earned the silver medal this summer in Paris, and now Cook, Farrington, Kraut and Ward are four of the dozens of top riders headed to Thermal to try to win the $1,000,000 CSI5* Grand Prix and more!

The $1,000,000 CSI5* Grand Prix on Saturday, Dec. 7, is just one of many highlights during two weeks of Desert Holiday competition, all attracting high-ranked riders from around the globe.

From Dec. 4-8, Desert Holiday 1 will also feature:

the $200,000 CSI5* Major League Show Jumping Team Competition;
the $62,500 CSI2* Grand Prix;
the $62,500 CSI5* MLSJ Qualifier;
and much more!

The high-caliber competition continues the following week with Desert Holiday 2 and runs Dec. 11-15.

Pennsylvania Hunt Cup donated $77,000 to local charities

Details: November 23, 2024; By Staff Writers

UNIONVILLE, Pa.--The Pennsylvania Hunt Cup had to be called off because a severe drought in the northeast made the ground too hard and dangerous for racing.

Pa Hunt Cup check But many sponsors and ticket holders donated their money anyway, knowing it would go to charities supported by the Hunt Cup, enabling the Hunt Cup Committee to donate $77,000 to five different local charities.

This was an exceptionally generous gesture,and the Hunt Cup Committee wrote a letter of hanks to the community.

Dear Pennsylvania Hunt Cup Fans,

We are thrilled to announce that, thanks to the incredible generosity of our sponsors, ticket holders, and the success of our recent guest bartender event, we donated $70,000 to our main beneficiary the Chester County Food Bank! Additionally, we are donating $3,000 to the Coatesville Youth Initiative, $2,000 to Upland Country Day School, $1,500 to the Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foundation and $500 to Work to Ride.

These contributions wouldn’t have been possible without each of you who donated sponsorship funds, contributed your ticket fees, and showed up to support the guest bartenders. Together, we’re making a meaningful difference in our community, providing support to those in need and carrying on the mission of the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup Committee.

We also want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all vendors, media partners and in-kind supporters. None of our vendors charged a late cancellation fee, for which we are very grateful. Most in-kind supporters and media partners gave generously prior to the event without receiving tickets or event exposure in return. Your unwavering support of our mission to raise funds for the Chester County Food Bank has been truly inspiring.

As a Special Thank You and to show you your dollars at work, the Chester County Food Bank will be inviting all 2024 contributors to a special cocktail reception at the food bank. The event is planned for early April 2025. We look forward to celebrating with you and sharing how your contributions make a difference!

Thank you for standing with us to make this impact possible!

Sincerely,
The Pennsylvania Hunt Cup Committee

Letter to the Editor about the National Horse Show

Details: November 13, 2024; By Staff Writers

To the Editor;

I read with anguish your review of the National Horse Show at Lexington!

Those of us who showed at the original Madison Square Garden recall the atmosphere and grandiosity of everything about this Event !

We were part of that generation who witnessed all the Olympic riders and so many others before they became famous!

And those unusual jumper classes that you don’t see anymore!

Just parking your horse van right there on a side street and unloading horses then using an elevator was an experience!

Trying to school before your class in a very tight area and not run into a beam was another challenge!

Then there was the show itself with packed stands and thunderous applause, elegantly dressed presenters with huge impressionable trophies.

And for the evening classes such fashion and spectacular formal dress with so many spectators of note including President John F Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy!

I’m sure my memories leave so much out but we were kids back then having the time and rides of a lifetime no matter the ribbon!

Thank you old and gracious Madison Square Garden !

These current horse show execs are truly making a mockery of what used to be an almost sacred and dignified horse show!

Jeanne Sharpe

The League of Nations 2025 begins in Abu Dhabi on Feb. 12

Details: November 12, 2024; By Staff Writers

Germany won the League of Nations Final in the League's inaugural season last October, and now the FEI has announced the sites and dates for the 2025 competitions.

Aaron Vale on Carissimo 25 Leagu Final DidiShots Aaron Vale on Carissimo 25 at the League of Nationals Final (Photo by Didi Shots)The 2025 season will open in the Middle East in Abu Dhabi in February, running Feb. 12 - 16, followed by the US Qualifier at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida from March 18 - 23.

The League then returns to Europe for the Rotterdam Qualifier June 19 - 22.

In September, it will be competed at a new site as Saint-Tropez-Gassin in France makes its League of Nation debut, with the Qualifier to be held at the Polo Club de Saint-Tropez in Haras de Gassin on Sept. 17 - 21.

The League of Nations Final will once again take place at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain on Oct. 2 – 5.

Following a review of the 2024 Season, and due to uncertainty regarding the future plans for the arena, the FEI Board decided that St Gallen will no longer be part of the Series moving forward.

U.S. riders and drivers standings in World Ranking

Details: November 11, 2024; By Staff Writers

American riders are among the top 50 in World Rankings in show jumping, eventing, dressage,driving and paradressage, with the U.S. standing first, second and third in Para Dressage while in Jumping the U.S. has two in the top 10.

Kent Farrington on Toulayna Helen Cruden Kent Farrington on Toulayna (Photo by Helen Crude) In show jumping, there are no changes in the top four of the rankings, as Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden remains at the top of the rankings for yet another month with a total of 3,455 points, followed by Switzerland's Steve Guerdat, 3,174 points, Britain’s Ben Maher, 3,087 points and Kent Farrington with 2,953 points.

For the U.S., Mclain Ward is ninth, Lillie Keenan is 32nd, Laura Kraut is 35th, Aaron Vale is 51st and Karl Cook is 56th.

In Eventing, Great Britain's Tom McEwen, 552 points, remains the leader of the FEI World Rider Ranking.

Tim Price of New Zealand, with 536 points, is closely chasing the leader after surpassing Rosalind Canter of Great Britain, who’s now third with 487 points, while Belgium's Lara De Liedekerke-Meier, 413 points, maintains the fourth position, while Julia Krajewski of Germany makes it back to the top five after climbing seven positions on 402 points.

For the U.S., Boyd Martin dropped to12th, Elisabeth Halliiday is 16th, Caroline Pamukcu is 33rd, William Coleman is 36th, Jennifer Caras is 45th, Jennie Brannigan is 45th and Phillip Dutton is 48th.

Audrey Riker, owner and stakes winning trainer, died Oct. 30

Details: November 6, 2024; By Staff Writers

Former thoroughbred owner and stakes winning trainer Audrey Riker, 89, died Oct. 30 at her home in White Hall, Md.

Audrey Riker Isobel Ellis Audrey Riker (Photo by Isobel Ellis)Riker trained horses over fences and on the flat for five decades, beginning in the late 1950’s until her retirement in early 2000.

Riker’s love of horses began in her youth at her parent’s farm in Holmdel, N.J.

Her equestrian passion grew as a student at Garrison Forest School in Owings Mills, Md., and again as a member of the riding club at Vassar College.

After Vassar, Riker moved to Maryland, became a member of the Elkridge-Harford Hunt and taught French and history at Oldfields School in Sparks, Md.,before committing to a full-time career as a trainer.

Steeplechase of Charleston on Nov. 10 cancelled

Details: October 29, 2024; By Staff Writers

HOLLYWOOD, S.C.--Out of deep concern for the safety of our equine and human athletes, Steeplechase of Charleston announced the cancellation of this year's event originally scheduled for Sunday, Nov.10 at Stono Ferry Racetrack in Hollywood, SC.

Steeplechase generic The prolonged drought in our region has left the ground overly hard, dry and lacking suitable turf creating dangerous ground conditions for racing, making this decision necessary for the safety and welfare of both horse and jockey.

This determination was reached mutually with the National Steeplechase Association and follows similar safety-driven decisions at two other major NSA-sanctioned events this season in Pennsylvania and Virginia, reflecting our sport's unwavering commitment to safety.

"The safety of our horses and jockeys must always come first," said Race Director Toby Edwards. "After consulting with the NSA, we collectively determined that current ground conditions don't meet the standards required for premier steeplechase racing."

This season's challenges highlight the importance of advanced racing infrastructure in our sport.