HDV Logo Full

Barns, Fencing & Equipment   click here!  Spring/Summer Show Previews  click here!     Photo Contest click here!     

Join Our Mailing List and Get a Free Subscription.

Sign up to get interesting news
delivered FREE to your inbox.  

Friday, March 29, 2024

Van Cushny, Paul Willis and George Cary elected as trustees of The Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foundation

Owners T. Van Wyck Cushny and Paul Willis, and retired racing official George Cary have been elected to The Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foundation as new trustees, and Diane Naylor and Dixon Stroud have been re-elected.

Van CushnyVan CushnyJames A. Brodie and Michael E. Hoffman will be stepping down after three terms of service.

A lifelong resident of Locust Valley, N.Y., Cushny, whose parents and grandparents owned horses, began riding at age two.

In the 1960s, he fox hunted with the Meadow Brook Hounds (his mother Cora Cushny, was the Master and his aunt, Sara Cavanagh, was the honorary whipper-in), competed in horse shows, and was a member of the Meadow Brook Hounds Pony Club, which was founded by his grandmother, Elise Cavanagh.

His first hands-on experience with steeplechasing came about as a young teen when he worked for legendary conditioner Mikey Smithwick at Mrs. Ogden Phipps’ farm in Roslyn, N.Y.

“Mikey was a tremendous mentor of mine, and treated me like family,” said Cushny, who would continue working summers for Smithwick for three years, after which he would work on his farm in Hydes, Md. “I frequently went to the races with him, Dot his wife and Mrs. Phipps. When Saratoga started I would work in a barn that Mikey rented across Caroline Street from the Annex because I was too young to be licensed by NYRA.”

Cushy also was the father NSA jockey Wyck Cushny, who rode on the circuit from 2001 to 2004.

Cushny is a licensed NSA owner and has two horses with newly crowned champion trainer Leslie Young.

He is an avid supporter of the TGSF’s initiative to assume administration of the Central Entry Office and to preserve the historical information that has been accumulated by Will O’Keefe over the last 40 years.

 

ORIGINALLY from Newcastle, England, Paul Willis came stateside in 1984 on a college soccer scholarship.

Paul WillisPaul Willis“My mum always loved horses and my dad, as a hobby and part time interest, was a professional bookmaker for 35 years in England,” Willis said. “As a kid, I'd do the book for him as well as the tic tac (bookie signs for prices). While we traveled all over the north of England and Scotland, I worked multiple Epsom Derbys and Aintree Grand Nationals, and the Grand National was what established my love for jumps racing.”

Willis, who resides in Newfields, N.H., with his wife, Molly, has two adult sons, Aidan and Owen, who both love sports and enjoy following the horses.

Aside from horses, Willis’ professional life largely revolves around the Seacoast United Soccer Club (he is the founder and president), and currently serves as vice president of soccer for 3Step Sports, a primarily youth organization that spans nine sports in 43 states.

Willis sees his experience in sports management, fundraising, and financing as an asset that can help grow steeplechasing, and he is actively involved in working to introduce new owners to the sport either through his syndicate, Atlantic Friends Racing, or on their own.

Willis has horses in training with Keri Brion, 2021 Eclipse award and 2022 Leading Trainer, Money Won.

Willis was instrumental in attracting his friend, prominent flat owner Sol Kumin of Madaket Stables, to jump racing.

GEORGE CARY of Hockessin, Del., is a third-generation horseman whose family has a long history in racing, polo, hunting, and showing – a tradition now carried on by his two daughters, one an accomplished show rider, the other an assistant to trainer Graham Motion.

George CaryGeorge CaryCary’s own involvement traces back to the early 1970s, as a rider and eventer, with extensive showing experience.

Beginning in 1972, Cary worked as a racing official for the Ontario Jockey Club and at various tracks in the Northeast and Midwest, holding various titles, including assistant racing secretary.

During that decade, Cary also attended the Jockey Club’s racing officials’ school and had a stint working at Windfields Farm in Chesapeake City, Md., tending to E.P. Taylor’s private yearlings for the Keeneland July Sale.

Later, Cary was the field representative for The New York State Breeding & Development Fund, and for two decades served as an investigator for the New York State Racing & Wagering Board (later renamed the Gaming Commission).

In 2016 he came out of retirement (for five years) to take on the job of placing judge at Delaware Park.

Re-elected to their second term on the board are NSA licensed owner Diane Naylor and Willowdale Steeplechase race chair Dixon Stroud.

TGSF thanks outgoing trustees James A. Brodie and Michael E. Hoffman for nine years of dedication to the Foundation.

The Horse of Delaware Valley

Editor: Sara Cavanagh
Target Market Publications
newshorse@aol.com
610-793-1964

Advertising Director: Ginny Jenkins 
ginny.jenkins@hotmail.com
For information please call:
610-873-4042

Marketing Manager: Debbie Morrison
debbiehdv1@gmail.com
610-368-1677

Media Manager/Creative Coordinator: Heather Mullen
heather.bradway75@gmail.com 

Since 1980

facebook200 Instagram

 

Monthly Advertising Themes

  • February
    Barns, Fencing & Equipment, Photo Contest 2022, Winter Care & Stallions & Breeding
  • March
    Spring/Summer Show Previews, Barns, Fencing & Equipment
  • April
    All Natural Products & Services, Spring/Summer Show Previews
  • May
    DEVON HORSE SHOW, All Natural Products & Services, Equine Vets & Caregivers
  • June
    Equine Vets & Caregivers, Pets, Pet Supplies & Pest Control, Footing and Fencing, Equestrian Apparel & Accessories
  • July
    Pets, Pet Supplies & Pest Control, Footing and Fencing, Equestrian Apparel & Accessories 
  • August
    Fall Show Previews, Equine Insurance, Legal & Accounting, Dressage at Devon
  • September
    Fall Show Previews, Equine Feed & Supplies, Equine Insurance, Legal, & Accounting, Dressage at Devon
  • October
    Trailers & Equine Transportation & Equine Feed & Supplies
  • November
    Holiday Gift Guide, Trailers & Equine Transportation & Equine Feed & Supplies
  • December
    Stallions & Breeding, Holiday Gift Guide
  • January
    Stallions & Breeding, Photo Contest & Winter Care

Click here for more Information.